bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The formation of non-volcanic rifted margins by the progressive extension of the lithosphere: the example of the West Iberian margin
Authors: Reston T. J.
Published: December 2007

Non-volcanic margins such as the West Iberian margin exhibit certain characteristics, such as a deficit of synrift igneous rock, a zone of exhumed subcontinental mantle in the continent–ocean transition and an apparent extension discrepancy. These observations can be explained as a consequence of the progressive extension of the lithosphere above relatively cool mantle. The evolving rheological stratification of the lithosphere controls the style of extension at different lithospheric levels at different times; extension is probably heterogeneous at all stages, with lower crustal and upper mantle boudinage controlling the patterns of thinning and mantle upwelling early in the rift history, and complete crustal embrittlement and mantle serpentinization controlling the formation of late-stage detachment faults. Extension in the brittle crust is via multiple phases of faulting, with a general focusing of extension towards the incipient ocean.

The lack of melt is explained by a combination of heterogeneous extension of the lower lithosphere and a cool subcontinental geotherm. The extension discrepancy may in places be controlled by depth-dependent stretching of the crust through lower crustal boudinage, but may also simply be the result of incomplete recognition of the entire polyphase faulting history. The latter seems to be the case for West Iberia.

Evidence for all these processes can be found at the West Iberian rifted margins as well as those preserved and partially exposed in the Alps.
Results of a Randomized Trial to Increase Mammogram Usage among Samoan Women
Authors: Mishra Shiraz I. , Bastani Roshan , Crespi Catherine M. , Chang L. Cindy , Luce Pat H. , Baquet Claudia R.
Published: December 2007

Background: There are no effective breast cancer education programs targeting Samoan women. We tested the effectiveness of a theory-guided, culturally appropriate breast cancer education program (the intervention) designed to increase mammography use among Samoan women.

Methods: This community-based participatory cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial used a parallel two-group design. The sample consisted of 776 women aged 42 and older who had not had a mammogram in the preceding 2 years. The primary outcome was self-reported mammogram use between pretest and posttest.

Results: Overall, there was no statistically significant intervention effect, although the odds of self-reported mammogram use were higher in the intervention than the control group (odds ratio (OR), 1.26; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.74, 2.14; P = 0.39). Exploratory subgroup analyses found that the intervention was effective only among women who were aware of mammograms but had never previously obtained one (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.03, 3.85; P = 0.04). Low need for social support and lack of endorsement of culture-specific beliefs about breast cancer were associated with mammogram use in this group. In women unaware of mammography at pretest, high perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and endorsement of culture-specific beliefs were associated with mammogram use. For women who had previously obtained a mammogram, lower self-efficacy was associated with mammogram use. Intervention compared with control group women had significantly higher levels of knowledge of risk factors and lower endorsement of culture-specific beliefs at posttest.

Conclusions: Results suggest that a multifaceted education intervention may improve mammogram usage for certain subgroups of Samoan women. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2594–604)
Strategies and Cost of Recruitment of Middle-aged and Older Unmarried Women in a Cancer Screening Study
Authors: Clark Melissa A. , Neighbors Charles J. , Wasserman Melanie R. , Armstrong Gene F. , Drnach Melody L. , Howie Stephanie L. , Hawthorne Terri L.
Published: December 2007

Objectives: We compared strategies and costs associated with recruiting unmarried middle-aged and older women who partner with women (WPW) and women who partner with men (WPM) into an observational study about experiences with cancer screening.

Methods: We used targeted and respondent-driven sampling methods to recruit potential participants. Comparable recruitment strategies were used for WPW and WPM.

Results: During 25 months (June 1, 2003, through June 30, 2005), 773 women were screened for study eligibility; 630 were enrolled (213 WPW, 417 WPM). Average staff time spent for recruitment was 100 min per participant. There were no differences by partner gender in average recruitment time (WPW, 90 min; WPM, 100 min). Print media was the most efficient recruitment mode (time per participant: 10 min for WPW, 15 min for WPM). Recruitment costs differed by partner gender ($140 for WPW, $110 for WPM). Costs associated with print media were $10 per WPW and $20 per WPM. Recruitment through community events had higher costs ($490 per WPW, $275 per WPM) but yielded more women with less education and lower incomes, who identified as a racial or ethnic minority, and self-reported a disability. Compared with WPM, WPW had more education and higher incomes, but were less likely to identify as a racial minority and self-report a disability.

Conclusions: There was a trade-off between cost and sample diversity for the different recruitment methods. The per-person costs were lowest for print media, but recruitment through community events ensured a more diverse representation of unmarried heterosexual and sexual minority women. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2605–14)
Adiposity and Age are Statistically Related to EnhancedRASSF1ATumor Suppressor Gene Promoter Methylation in Normal Autopsy Kidney Tissue
Authors: Peters Inga , Vaske Bernhard , Albrecht Knut , Kuczyk Markus A. , Jonas Udo , Serth Jürgen
Published: December 2007

Age, adiposity, and smoking are risk factors for the development of renal cell carcinoma. Hypermethylation of the RAS association domain family 1A gene (RASSF1A) promoter belongs to the most frequently detected epigenetic alterations in human cancers including renal cell carcinoma. RASSF1A is functionally involved in cell cycle control in normal cells and depletion promotes a number of cellular changes increasing the risk for neoplastic growth. We investigated the hypothesis that age, modulated by the factors adiposity and anthracosis as a surrogate for smoking, is a predictor of RASSF1A promoter methylation in normal kidney tissue. Using a cross-sectional study design, we quantitatively analyzed RASSF1A methylation in 78 normal autopsy kidney tissues by quantitative combined bisulfite and restriction analysis and bisulfite sequencing, and statistically evaluated the degree of relative methylation for a relationship with the predictor age and study factors adiposity and state of anthracosis. Statistical analysis showed that age (regression analysis; P < 0.001), adiposity (univariate analysis; P = 0.016), and state of anthracosis (t test; P = 0.005) are each significantly associated with an increase of RASSF1A promoter methylation in normal kidney tissue. However, only age (P = 0.008) and adiposity (P = 0.008) were identified as independent predictors of RASSF1A promoter methylation using covariance analysis. This study provides statistical evidence that the common cancer risk factors age and adiposity enhance RASSF1A promoter methylation in nonmalignant kidney tissue. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2526–32)
Six-Month Follow-up of Patient-Rated Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Exercise Training during Breast Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: Courneya Kerry S. , Segal Roanne J. , Gelmon Karen , Reid Robert D. , Mackey John R. , Friedenreich Christine M. , Proulx Caroline , Lane Kirstin , Ladha Aliya B. , Vallance Jeffrey K. , Liu Qi , Yasui Yutaka , McKenzie Donald C.
Published: December 2007

Background: Few exercise trials in cancer patients have reported longer-term follow-up. Here, we report a 6-month follow-up of exercise behavior and patient-rated outcomes from an exercise trial in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Breast cancer patients initiating adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 242) were randomly assigned to usual care (n = 82), resistance exercise training (RET; n = 82), or aerobic exercise training (AET; n = 78) for the duration of their chemotherapy. At 6-month follow-up, participants were mailed a questionnaire that assessed quality of life, self-esteem, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and exercise behavior.

Results: Two hundred one (83.1%) participants provided 6-month follow-up data. Adjusted linear mixed-model analyses showed that, at 6-month follow-up, the RET group reported higher self-esteem [adjusted mean difference, 1.6; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.1-3.2; P = 0.032] and the AET group reported lower anxiety (adjusted mean difference, −4.7; 95% CI, −0.0 to −9.3; P = 0.049) compared with the usual care group. Moreover, compared with participants reporting no regular exercise during the follow-up period, those reporting regular aerobic and resistance exercise also reported better patient-rated outcomes, including quality of life (adjusted mean difference, 9.5; 95% CI, 1.2-17.8; P = 0.025).

Conclusions: Improvements in self-esteem observed with RET during breast cancer chemotherapy were maintained at 6-month follow-up whereas reductions in anxiety not observed with AET during breast cancer chemotherapy emerged at 6-month follow-up. Moreover, adopting a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program after breast cancer chemotherapy was associated with further improvements in patient-rated outcomes. Exercise training during breast cancer chemotherapy may result in some longer-term and late effects for selected patient-rated outcomes. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2572–8)
Association Between Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Hormone Metabolism and DNA Repair Genes and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Results from Two Australian Studies and an Additional Validation Set
Authors: Beesley Jonathan , Jordan Susan J. , Spurdle Amanda B. , Song Honglin , Ramus Susan J. , Kjaer Suzanne Kruger , Hogdall Estrid , DiCioccio Richard A. , McGuire Valerie , Whittemore Alice S. , Gayther Simon A. , Pharoah Paul D.P. , Webb Penelope M. , Chenevix-Trench Georgia ,   Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group,   Australian Cancer Study (Ovarian Cancer),   Australian Breast Cancer Family Study
Published: December 2007

Although some high-risk ovarian cancer genes have been identified, it is likely that common low penetrance alleles exist that confer some increase in ovarian cancer risk. We have genotyped nine putative functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes involved in steroid hormone synthesis (SRD5A2, CYP19A1, HSB17B1, and HSD17B4) and DNA repair (XRCC2, XRCC3, BRCA2, and RAD52) using two Australian ovarian cancer case-control studies, comprising a total of 1,466 cases and 1,821 controls of Caucasian origin. Genotype frequencies in cases and controls were compared using logistic regression. The only SNP we found to be associated with ovarian cancer risk in both of these two studies was SRD5A2 V89L (rs523349), which showed a significant trend of increasing risk per rare allele (P = 0.00002). We then genotyped another SNP in this gene (rs632148; r2 = 0.945 with V89L) in an attempt to validate this finding in an independent set of 1,479 cases and 2,452 controls from United Kingdom, United States, and Denmark. There was no association between rs632148 and ovarian cancer risk in the validation samples, and overall, there was no significant heterogeneity between the results of the five studies. Further analyses of SNPs in this gene are therefore warranted to determine whether SRD5A2 plays a role in ovarian cancer predisposition. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2557–9)
Karyometry of the Colonic Mucosa
Authors: Alberts David S. , Einspahr Janine G. , Krouse Robert S. , Prasad Anil , Ranger-Moore James , Hamilton Peter , Ismail Ayaaz , Lance Peter , Goldschmid Steven , Hess Lisa M. , Yozwiak Michael , Bartels Hubert G. , Bartels Peter H.
Published: December 2007

Objective: The study summarizes results of karyometric measurements in epithelial cells of the colorectal mucosa to document evidence of a field effect of preneoplastic development among patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma or adenoma.

Methods: Karyometric analyses were done on high-resolution images of histologic sections from 48 patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas and 44 patients with adenomas and on images from matching normal-appearing mucosa directly adjacent to such lesions, at a 1-cm and 10-cm distance from the lesions or from the rectal mucosa of adenoma patients, as well as from 24 healthy normal controls with no family history of colonic disease.

Results: The nuclei recorded in the histologically normal-appearing mucosa of patients with either colorectal adenoma or adenocarcinoma exhibited differences in karyometric features in comparison with nuclei recorded in rectal mucosa from patients who were free of a colonic lesion. These differences were expressed to the same extent in tissue adjacent to the lesions and in normal-appearing tissue as distant as the rectum.

Conclusions: The nuclear chromatin pattern may serve as an integrating biomarker for a preneoplastic development. The field effect might provide an end point in chemopreventive intervention trials. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2704–16)
Dicarbonyl/l-Xylulose Reductase: A Potential Biomarker Identified by Laser-Capture Microdissection-Micro Serial Analysis of Gene Expression of Human Prostate Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cho-Vega Jeong Hee , Tsavachidis Spiridon , Do Kim-Anh , Nakagawa Junichi , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , McDonnell Timothy J.
Published: December 2007

To identify genes involved in prostate carcinogenesis, we used laser-capture microdissection-micro serial analysis of gene expression to construct libraries of paired cancer and normal cells from human tissue samples. After computational comparison of the two libraries, we identified dicarbonyl/l-xylulose reductase (DCXR), an enzyme that catalyzes α-dicarbonyl and l-xylulose, as being significantly up-regulated in prostate cancer cells. The specificity of DCXR up-regulation for prostate cancer tissues was confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR, virtual Northern blot, and Western blot analyses. Furthermore, DCXR expression at the protein level was assessed using fresh-frozen tissues and a tissue microarray consisting of 46 cases of organ-confined early-stage prostate cancer and 29 cases of chemohormonally treated prostate cancer. In most normal prostate epithelial cells, DCXR was expressed at low levels and was localized predominantly in the cytoplasmic membrane. In contrast, in virtually all grades of early-stage prostate cancer and in all chemohormonally treated cases, DCXR was strikingly overexpressed and was localized predominantly in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In all samples, the stromal cells were completely devoid of DCXR expression. Based on these findings, we suggest that DCXR overexpression has the potential to be an additional useful biomarker for prostate cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2615–22)
Obesity and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis of 31 Studies with 70,000 Events
Authors: Moghaddam Alireza Ansary , Woodward Mark , Huxley Rachel
Published: December 2007

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death and illness in developed countries. Previous reviews have suggested that obesity may be associated with 30% to 60% greater risk of colorectal cancer, but little consideration was given to the possible effect of publication bias on the reported association.

Methods: Relevant studies were identified through EMBASE and MEDLINE. Studies were included if they had published quantitative estimates of the association between general obesity [defined here as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2] and central obesity (measured using waist circumference) and colorectal cancer. Random-effects meta-analyses were done, involving 70,000 cases of incident colorectal cancer from 31 studies, of which 23 were cohort studies and 8 were case-control studies.

Results: After pooling and correcting for publication bias, the estimated relative risk of colorectal cancer was 1.19 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.11-1.29], comparing obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) with normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m2) people; and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.31-1.61), comparing those with the highest, to the lowest, level of central obesity. After correcting for publication bias, the risk of colorectal cancer was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.30-1.54) in men compared with 1.08 (95% CI, 0.98-1.18) for women (Pheterogeneity <0.001). There was evidence of a dose-response relationship between BMI and colorectal cancer: for a 2 kg/m2 increase in BMI, the risk of colorectal cancer increased by 7% (4-10%). For a 2-cm increase in waist circumference, the risk increased by 4% (2-5%).

Conclusions: Obesity has a direct and independent relationship with colorectal cancer, although the strength of the association with general obesity is smaller than previously reported. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2533–47)
Sequential Fixed-Point ICA Based on Mutual Information Minimization
Authors: Van Hulle Marc M.
Published: December 2007

A new gradient technique is introduced for linear independent component analysis (ICA) based on the Edgeworth expansion of mutual information, for which the algorithm operates sequentially using fixed-point iterations. In order to address the adverse effect of outliers, a robust version of the Edgeworth expansion is adopted, in terms of robust cumulants, and robust derivatives of the Hermite polynomials are used. Also, a new constrained version of ICA is introduced, based on goal programming of mutual information objectives, which is applied to the extraction of the antepartum fetal electrocardiogram from multielectrode cutaneous recordings on the mother's thorax and abdomen.
Dynamics and Computation of Continuous Attractors
Authors: Wu Si , Hamaguchi Kosuke , Amari Shun-ichi
Published: December 2007

Continuous attractor is a promising model for describing the encoding of continuous stimuli in neural systems. In a continuous attractor, the stationary states of the neural system form a continuous parameter space, on which the system is neutrally stable. This property enables the neutral system to track time-varying stimuli smoothly, but it also degrades the accuracy of information retrieval, since these stationary states are easily disturbed by external noise. In this work, based on a simple model, we systematically investigate the dynamics and the computational properties of continuous attractors. In order to analyze the dynamics of a large-size network, which is otherwise extremely complicated, we develop a strategy to reduce its dimensionality by utilizing the fact that a continuous attractor can eliminate the noise components perpendicular to the attractor space very quickly. We therefore project the network dynamics onto the tangent of the attractor space and simplify it successfully as a one-dimensional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Based on this simplified model, we investigate (1) the decoding error of a continuous attractor under the driving of external noisy inputs, (2) the tracking speed of a continuous attractor when external stimulus experiences abrupt changes, (3) the neural correlation structure associated with the specific dynamics of a continuous attractor, and (4) the consequence of asymmetric neural correlation on statistical population decoding. The potential implications of these results on our understanding of neural information processing are also discussed.
Military Sports and the History of the Martial Body in India
Authors: O'Hanlon Rosalind
Published: December 2007

Cultivation of the bodily skills required in cavalry warfare was a prominent theme in India's pre-colonial societies. Demand for these expertises enabled fighting specialists to develop an India-wide network of patronage and employment. Wrestling and its associated exercises became the indispensable accompaniment to military preparation in the early modern period. Appreciation of the wide social diffusion of these expertises also allows for a better understanding of colonial demilitarization, the displacement of important cultures of the body, as well as the loss of mobility and honorable employment. La formation aux arts de la guerre montée fut une caractéristique dominante important dans les sociétés précoloniales de l'Inde. Grâce à la demande de ces techniques de combat leurs spécialistes surent se créer un réseau de patronage et d'emploi à travers l'Inde. Pendant la période prémoderne les préparatifs de guerre exigèrent toujours l'apprentissage de la lutte à mains nues et des arts de combat associés. En se rendant compte de l'ampleur de la diffusion des ces arts martiaux à travers la société on comprend mieux que la démilitarisation coloniale emmena la déchéance des arts martiaux, ainsi que la perte de mobilité des lutteurs et la possibilité de trouver un emploi honorable.
The National Library of Belarus: a new stage of development
Authors: Motulsky Roman
Published: December 2007

The National Library of Belarus (NLB) is a major universal research library with the status of information, social and cultural centre of the Republic. For more than 85 years the National Library of Belarus has been keeping the national heritage of the Belarusian people and providing information services to the society. Construction work on the new building for the NLB started in 2002 and was finished in 2006. The new Library building in high-tech style is a visiting card for the city of Minsk. The upper part looks like a diamond placed in the centre of a stylobate (the lower part of the building). In the `diamond' the collection of about 8.4 million items is kept. The Library collections are of historical and cultural value and are the most complete containing materials published in or about Belarus. There are 19 reading halls (2,060 seats), staff offices, administrative and technical rooms in the stylobate. More than 20 modern engineering networks combined into a technical complex provide for the functioning and security of the library building. The local network consists of more than 100 servers and 1,400 personal computers (mainly `client terminals'). Electronic resources comprise 80 databases representing history, culture, the arts of Belarus, Chernobyl, national periodicals, dissertations, etc. The NLB is working on the retrospective conversion of its resources with a view to creating a digital library. The government of Belarus made great investments in the library building. A charitable account for the building was also opened and numerous companies, organizations and private people donated money. Almost every citizen of the country contributed to the creation of the new building which can thus be said to be truly a national project.
A Qualitative Study of Southern Baptist Mothers' and Their Daughters' Attitudes Toward Sexuality
Authors: Matyastik Baier Margaret E. , Wampler Karen S.
Published: December 2007

This qualitative study of 14 Southern Baptist mother-daughter dyads uses grounded theory to explore the attitudes these mothers and daughters hold toward sexuality, religiosity, and spirituality, in addition to how they communicate with each other about these topics. Themes that emerge from the data include abstinence before marriage, lack of interest in sexual behavior, peer influence, parental monitoring, extracurricular activities, the parent-child relationship, shame versus self-respect, and an orientation to the future. This research provides a description of the way in which Southern Baptist mothers and daughters communicate about spirituality and sexuality and reveals the effect this communication has on these adolescent girls. Implications for further research as well as the clinical implications of this study provide guidance for professionals in this area.
Heart Disease Management by Women: Does Intervention Format Matter?
Authors: Clark Noreen M. , Janz Nancy K. , Dodge Julia A. , Xihong Lin  , Trabert Britton L. , Kaciroti Niko , Mosca Lori , Wheeler John R. , Keteyian Steven
Published: December 2007

A randomized controlled trial of two formats of a program (Women Take PRIDE) to enhance management of heart disease by patients was conducted. Older women ( N = 575) were randomly assigned to a group or self-directed format or to a control group. Data regarding symptoms, functional health status, and weight were collected at baseline and at 4, 12, and 18 months. The formats produced different outcomes. At 18 months, the self-directed format was better than the control in reducing the number ( p ≤ .02), frequency ( p ≤ .03), and bothersomeness ( p ≤ .02) of cardiac symptoms. The self-directed format was also better than the group format in reducing symptom frequency of all types ( p ≤ .04). The group format improved ambulation at 12 months ( p ≤ .04) and weight loss at 18 months ( p ≤ .03), and group participants were more likely to complete the program ( p ≤ .05). The availability of different learning formats could enhance management of cardiovascular disease by patients.
The Impact of Juvenile Huntington's Disease on the Family
Authors: Brewer Helen M. , Eatough Virginia , Smith Jonathan A. , Stanley Cath A. , Glendinning Neil W. , Quarrell Oliver W.J.
Published: December 2007

There has been little research into the impact of Juvenile Huntington's Disease (JHD) on the family, and the issues facing this group are poorly understood. The study reported here is part of larger project that aimed to address this. Ten semi-structured interviews with the main carer were carried out, and were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This article reports three themes arising from the study relating to the psychosocial impact of JHD on the family: (1) dealing with something so different; (2) lack of understanding (3) isolation. This information is useful in developing appropriate services for families affected by JHD, as well as being of relevance to other childhood conditions.
Longitudinal Risk Factors for Adverse Psychological Functioning Six Months after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Oxlad Melissa , Wade Tracey D.
Published: December 2007

This research aimed to identify modifiable risk factors for poor psychological functioning six months post-operatively, using a chronic illness model to explain the relationships between risk factors. Consecutive elective CABG patients ( N = 119) completed self-report measures including optimism, illness representations, self-rated health, social support, coping methods, depression, anxiety and PTSD symptomatology in a repeated measures design. Poor pre-operative psychological functioning was the strongest psychological risk factor for adverse psychological functioning six months post-operatively. Longitudinal support for the chronic illness model examined was limited. Further research to identify modifiable risk factors and pre-operative psychopathology screening to determine individuals at-risk of poor psychological outcome is recommended.
Nine years’ experience with home telehealth for cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Palmer Krisan , Parrott James
Published: December 2007

In 1998 a home monitoring unit was developed to improve post discharge clinical support for surgery patients of the New Brunswick Heart Centre. Patients could transmit a three-lead electrocardiogram, blood pressure and oxygen saturation reading to the clinician via the ordinary telephone network. After data transfer, a video call could be conducted for wound management and patient assessment. User satisfaction was measured in a survey of 60 patients, 60 care-givers and six clinicians in 1999. Patients, clinicians and care-givers were all enthusiastic about the use of home telehealth. The units have now been used by over 3000 patients in their homes. The 24–h immediate access provided by clinicians is an excellent support mechanism, given the high anxiety levels of the patients and their care-givers. It was one of the main factors that facilitated the successful transition of home monitoring from a project to a routine method of health service delivery.
Successes and failures in assessing cognitive function in older adults using video consultation
Authors: Martin-Khan Melinda , Varghese Paul , Wootton Richard , Gray Len
Published: December 2007

We investigated the level of agreement between specialists conducting a cognitive assessment via videoconference compared with a face-to-face assessment. The patient and doctor were linked via a videoconference system which was located within the same hospital. To assess inter-rater reliability, paired face-to-face assessments were also carried out. There were 42 subjects, who were aged over 50 years and who had not attended a memory disorder clinic in the previous 12 months. A battery of standardized cognitive assessments was performed by a trained clinic nurse, prior to the two assessments by separate specialists. The weighted kappa score for face-to-face inter-rater reliability was 0.53. The agreement between face-to-face and videoconferencing assessment was 0.63. The present study shows that the use of videoconferencing for cognitive assessment results in assessment outcomes similar to those from face-to-face assessment.
Telemedicine services across the Greek-Bulgarian border
Authors: Anogeianaki Antonia , Papaliagkas Vassilios , Guibas George , Anogianakis George
Published: December 2007

A virtual private network has been implemented across the Greek-Bulgarian border. The central idea is that people should be able to store a minimum medical emergency data-set (MMEDS) on the network, so that the information is available to treating physicians, irrespective of where they are located and irrespective of their native language. After the first six months, there were 2500 records stored on the network, a number that was increasing by 35 records per day. Patients can use their mobile phone to gain access to their MMEDS. The system recognizes the source of a call and its location and it sends the MMEDS to the caller's mobile phone, in SMS format, in the local language. The costs of the system operation have been very modest and this has prompted a number of corporate sponsors (e.g. mobile telephony providers) to include the project in their social responsibility or charity budgets.
Education for regional health professionals using mobile videoconferencing
Authors: Harris Vivien , Smith Anthony C , Armfield Nigel R
Published: December 2007

We delivered professional education into the wards of two remote hospitals using mobile videoconferencing units. The telepaediatric clinical forums were provided to remote clinicians by medical, nursing and allied health specialists at the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane. The topics comprised formal and informal presentations, clinical case discussions and an opportunity to raise questions. At the end of each videoconference session, participants were asked to complete a survey. During the first four months, a total of 23 clinical forums took place and a total of 201 remote clinicians attended the sessions. We received 166 evaluation surveys (83% response rate). Overall, the results were very positive: 88% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the sessions were relevant, of adequate depth (86%) and provided new content (90%). Transmission quality was satisfactory, with the majority of participants agreeing that the audio (82%) and video quality (91 %) were acceptable. Participants consistently indicated that they had adequate opportunity for questions and discussion. Ninety-seven percent of staff agreed or strongly agreed that the sessions should be continued routinely. Regional clinicians reported that they were much more likely to be able to attend the sessions because they did not have to leave their departments. The telepaediatric clinical forums appear to be an effective and efficient method of supporting clinical staff working in regional areas of Queensland.
Uptake of telemental health services in Alberta: A success, but not in all regions
Authors: Hailey David , Ohinmaa Arto , Roine Risto , Bulger Tim
Published: December 2007

There is relatively little information on the routine use of telemental health (TMH). As part of a Canadian-Finnish project, we reviewed the use of TMH in Alberta. Using administrative data, numbers and types of TMH consultations in the province's health regions were compared with earlier published data for Alberta, and with data for Finland and other Canadian provinces. Since the first year of routine use (1997) there has been a six-fold increase in the use of TMH, and numbers of consultations per head of population are higher than elsewhere in Canada or in Finland. TMH accounts for 8% of mental health clinic consultations in the seven rural health regions. However, two regions have made negligible use of clinical TMH. TMH provides only a small proportion of all outpatient mental health services. TMH in Alberta is established in rural health regions, although with variable coverage, but remains a niche technique when all mental health services are considered.
Experience with planned and coordinated care using telemedicine
Authors: Taylor Debbie M , Capamagian Lisa
Published: December 2007

In 2006 a telehealth project was implemented in Medway for people with multi-morbidity problems, such as unstable blood pressure. Home monitors were provided to measure vital signs. The information was transmitted to a secure server where an electronic patient record was accessed by clinicians. If the monitored variables exceeded preset limits, an automatic alert was sent to the monitoring centre where trained operators took appropriate action, for example notifying a patient's clinician. In nursing home settings, monitoring was thought to have saved 127 hospital bed days and 112 nursing hours. In participants’ own homes, monitoring was thought to have saved 1 33 hospital days and 117 nursing hours. There were also cost- and time-savings for general practitioners (GPs), practice and community nurses. Increased involvement in their own management gives patients a better understanding of their condition, resulting in increased reassurance and reducing the need for GP visits.
The Criteria Local Government Reorganisation and Local Authority Autonomy
Authors: Bristow Stephen L.
Published: December 2007

In the controversy surrounding the Government’s Local Government Bill one set of criteria which could well be used to judge the effectiveness of the proposed reorganisation has been consistently overlooked. Argument has tended to centre on two main aspects: the size of the proposed units and the number of tiers which appear to be most appropriate or desirable. There has been a consequent neglect of the extent to which social needs and the resources available to meet those needs differ from authority to authority, and the variations in service provision which may well develop between authorities for determinate structural rather than conscious political reasons.

One of the primary values which have infused the debate about the need for reorganisation is that of local autonomy. The Redcliffe-Maud Report expressed this value forcibly:

‘In a period of great change, when huge unrepresentative organisations seem to control the lives of individuals and restrict personal freedom, people might be tempted to give up as a bad job the effort to master these impersonal forces. If they yielded, the loss would be irreparable. In this situation, local self-government should be a crucial influence.
Impact of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Deletion on the Adult Murine Skeleton
Authors: Tanner Sharon J , Hefferan Theresa E , Rosen Clifford J , Conover Cheryl A
Published: December 2007

Introduction: The metalloproteinase, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) functions to enhance local insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I bioavailability through cleavage of inhibitory IGF binding proteins. Because IGF-I is an important regulator of skeletal growth and remodeling and PAPP-A is highly expressed by osteoblastic cells, we hypothesized that, in the absence of PAPP-A, bone physiology would be compromised because of a blunting of local IGF-I action even in the presence of normal circulating IGF-I levels.

Materials and Methods: pQCT, μCT, histomorphometry, and mechanical strength testing were performed on bones from PAPP-A knockout (KO) mice and wildtype (WT) littermates at 2–12 mo of age. IGF-I levels and bone formation and resorption markers were determined in sera from these animals.

Results: Volumetric BMD in PAPP-A KO mice measured by pQCT at the femoral midshaft, which is primarily cortical bone, was 10% less than WT at 2 mo. This difference was maintained at 4, 6, and 12 mo. Cortical thickness at this site was similarly decreased. On the other hand, trabecular bone at the distal femur (pQCT) and in the tibia (μCT) showed age-progressive decreases in bone volume fraction in PAPP-A KO compared with WT mice. Tibial μCT indicated a 46% relative decrease in trabecular bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) and a 28% relative decrease in trabecular thickness in PAPP-A KO compared with WT mice at 6 mo. These trabecular deficiencies in PAPP-A KO mice corresponded to a weakening of the bone. Serum markers and bone histomorphometry indicated that the primary impact of PAPP-A is on skeletal remodeling resulting in a state of low-turnover osteopenia in adult PAPP-A KO mice. Circulating IGF-I levels were not altered in PAPP-A KO mice.

Conclusions: PAPP-A is a bone growth regulatory factor in vivo and, in its absence, mice show skeletal insufficiency in mass, density, architecture, and strength. The data suggest a primary role for PAPP-A in modulating local IGF bioavailability for trabecular bone remodeling.
Temperature-dependent X-ray and neutron diffraction study of BiB3O6
Authors: Stein Wolf-Dieter , Cousson Alain , Becker Petra , Bohatý Ladislav , Braden Markus
Published: December 2007

The structure of bismuth triborate has been analyzed by the combination of neutron and X-ray diffraction on powder and on single-crystalline samples. Bismuth triborate exhibits a distinct anisotropic thermal expansion with the coefficient along a being negative over the wide temperature range studied, 20 to 800 K. The remarkable crystal structure of bismuth triborate with a netlike linkage of rigid borate units [BO3] and [BO4], is found to generate the uncommon thermal expansion behavior. Our investigations gave no evidence for a structural phase transition in bismuth triborate between 3.5 and 999 K at ambient pressure.
DDT reintroduction for malaria control: the cost-benefit debate for public health
Authors: Guimarães Raphael Mendonça , Asmus Carmen Ildes Rodrigues Fróes , Meyer Armando
Published: December 2007

DDT is a persistent insecticide that was widely used in the world from the 1940s until the 70s, when it was banned in the United States and other countries. Most of its toxic effects are not observed in the acute forms, but particularly after chronic exposure. These long-term issues include reproductive effects, varying according to the time of life in which the individuals were exposed. The aims of the current study were to review the principal toxicological effects of DDT on reproduction, stratifying by physiological periods of exposure, and based on the magnitude of these effects, to discuss the cost-benefit relationship of reintroducing DDT with the specifically defined vector control criteria.
Fatores de risco associados ao nascimento de recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso em uma população de baixa renda
Authors: Araújo Breno Fauth de , Tanaka Ana Cristina d'Andretta
Published: December 2007

Identificar os fatores de risco associados ao nascimento de recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso no Hospital Geral de Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Estudo de caso-controle, abrangendo 200 recém-nascidos com peso entre 500 e 1.499g (casos) e 400 recém-nascidos com peso entre 3.000 e 3.999g (controles). Incluídos recém-nascidos de gestação única, cujas mães não realizaram pré-natal ou o fizeram na rede pública. A variável dependente foi o peso de nascimento e as variáveis independentes foram as sócio-econômicas, educacionais, gestacionais e do parto. Utilizou-se a análise univariada e multivariada, com nível de significância de 5%. A mortalidade dos recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso foi de 32,5%. O limite de viabilidade dos recém-nascidos foi 600g de peso e 26 semanas de idade gestacional. As variáveis relacionadas com o nascimento prematuro foram: idade materna > 35 anos (p = 0,01), ausência de pré-natal (p < 0,0001), doenças na gestação (p = 0,03), hipertensão materna (p = 0,007), internação na gestação (p < 0,0001) e filho anterior de baixo peso ao nascer (p < 0,0001). Muitos nascimentos prematuros ocorreram por causas evitáveis.
Significados e práticas associados ao risco de contrair HIV nos roteiros sexuais de mulheres de um bairro popular de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Santos Cristiane de Oliveira , Iriart Jorge Alberto Bernstein
Published: December 2007

Um crescente número de estudos tem conectado sexualidade, gênero e poder para discutir a crescente disseminação do HIV entre mulheres. Apesar dos esforços realizados, ainda são significativos os desafios teóricos e programáticos que a epidemia impõe. O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar como códigos culturais que sancionam a experiência sexual se manifestam na subjetividade de mulheres e orientam suas interpretações e práticas relativas ao risco de infecção pelo HIV. A partir de uma amostra de 15 mulheres com idades entre 18 e 30 anos, com quem foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade, foram reconstituídas três histórias de vida, que focalizavam seus roteiros sexuais. Os dados foram organizados pelo programa Nud-Ist e submetidos à análise de base hermenêutica. É possível notar que os significados e práticas associados ao risco de contrair o HIV variam a depender do momento de vida, da rede de sociabilidade e do tipo de vínculo que é estabelecido com o parceiro. Os achados apontam para a necessidade de compreender os significados sexuais partilhados em contextos específicos, a fim de que se possa elaborar programas de prevenção culturalmente mais sensíveis.
Fatores sócio-econômicos relacionados ao risco nutricional e sua associação com a freqüência de defeitos do esmalte em crianças da cidade de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
Authors: Massoni Andreza Cristina de Lima Targino , Oliveira Andressa Feitosa Bezerra de , Chaves Ana Maria Barros , Sampaio Fábio Correia , Rosenblatt Aronita
Published: December 2007

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar fatores associados ao risco nutricional ao longo do primeiro ano de vida em crianças de baixo nível sócio-econômico de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Região Nordeste do Brasil. E determinar a freqüência de defeitos do esmalte, associando-a ao risco nutricional. O estudo foi realizado com 117 crianças, 56 com risco nutricional e 61 eutróficas. Em domicílio, realizaram-se avaliação nutricional, exame clínico dos elementos dentais e entrevistas com as mães. Na maternidade, registraram-se informações dos períodos gestacional e de nascimento. Utilizaram-se os testes qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher e modelos de regressão logística. Os defeitos do esmalte estiveram associados ao risco nutricional após o primeiro ano de vida. O risco nutricional esteve associado à renda per capita, condições de peso ao nascimento e índice de crescimento intra-uterino. Conclui-se que na amostra investigada os defeitos do esmalte estiveram associados ao risco nutricional e este às condições sócio-econômicas desfavoráveis durante a gestação e o nascimento, sugerindo que estes são fatores relevantes na programação nutricional do indivíduo e na formação do esmalte dentário.
Efeitos do conflito armado sobre a vida e a saúde na Colômbia
Authors: Franco Saúl , Suarez Clara Mercedes , Naranjo Claudia Beatriz , Báez Liliana Carolina , Rozo Patricia
Published: December 2007

O presente trabalho trata das conseqüências do conflito armado interno (CAI) que a Colômbia tem vivido durante as últimas quatro décadas. Começa identificando o contexto e o momento atual do conflito. A seguir, são descritas algumas das formas, expressões e conseqüências do conflito armado interno, com maior impacto sobre a vida, a qualidade de vida, a saúde e as doenças da população e sobre os serviços de saúde no país. Especial ênfase é dada às altas taxas de mortalidade por homicídio, ao fenômeno do deslocamento forçado pela violência, aos seqüestros e às minas antipessoais. Entre os grupos populacionais mais afetados, destacam-se homens jovens, mulheres, crianças e as minorias étnicas indígenas e afrodescendentes. Esta análise também se refere ao sério problema das contínuas infrações da Lei Internacional Humanitária e aos ataques contra a Missão Médica, assim como às conseqüências negativas do conflito sobre a prestação de serviços de saúde. Para concluir, são feitos alguns comentários gerais sobre a situação descrita e dadas algumas sugestões para o estudo do problema e possíveis ações partindo do setor saúde.
Êxitos e limites na prevenção da violência: estudo de caso de nove experiências brasileiras
Authors: Gomes Romeu , Minayo Maria Cecília de Souza , Assis Simone Gonçalves de , Njaine Kathie , Schenker Miriam
Published: December 2007

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar os êxitos e os limites de experiências nacionais na prevenção da violência e indicar possibilidades de enfrentamento do problema.A pesquisa que dá origem ao artigo consistiu em um estudo de caso de nove experiências, seguindo princípios da triangulação de métodos. Foram aplicados questionários quantitativos e realizadas entrevistas (individuais e grupais). Os resultados apontam que os principaisêxitos relatados são: informação para a cidadania; preparação para o trabalho; envolvimento de crianças e adolescentes em atividades lúdicas e educativas e o fortalecimento da auto-estima dos jovens e crianças participantes. As maiores dificuldades das experiências são a manutenção financeira e a articulação de suas propostas com as de outros grupos e instituições. O estudo leva a concluir que essas experiências, ainda que não sejam as únicas bem-sucedidas no País, apontam para um horizonte novo pela forma como atuam, inovando e criando uma práxis diferenciada na abordagem da violência.
Electronic Health Record for Forensic Dentistry
Authors: Dostálová T. , Hanzlíček P. , Teuberová Z. , Nagy M. , Pieš M. , Seydlová M. , Eliášová H , Šimková H. , Zvárová J.
Published: December 2007

Objectives:
To identify support of structured data entry for electronic health record application in forensic dentistry.

Methods:
The methods of structuring information in dentistry are described and validation of structured data entry in electronic health records for forensic dentistry is performed on several real cases with the interactive DentCross component. The connection of this component to MUDR and MUDRLite electronic health records is described.

Results:
The use of the electronic health record MUDRLite and the interactive DentCross component to collect dental information required by standardized Disaster Victim Identification Form by Interpol for possible victim identification is shown.

Conclusions:
The analysis of structured data entry for dentistry using the DentCross component connected to an electronic health record showed the practical ability of the DentCross component to deliver a real service to dental care and the ability to support the identification of a person in forensic dentistry.