bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutrophils and macrophages work in concert as inducers and effectors of adaptive immunity against extracellular and intracellular microbial pathogens
Authors: Silva Manuel T
Published: January 2010

Neutrophils and macrophages cooperate as inducers and effectors of adaptive immune responses to infection by microbial extracellular and intracellular pathogens in the context of TH1, TH17, and TH17/TH1 responses.

Emerging data suggest new facets of the concerted participation of neutrophils and macrophages in antimicrobial immunity. The classical view is that DCs and macrophages are the inducers of adaptive antimicrobial immunity, but there is evidence for neutrophil participation in this task as cytokine and chemokine producers and APCs. On the other hand, the concept that the TH1 response is only associated with control of infections by intracellular pathogens through activation of macrophages by IFN-γ, and the TH17/IL-17 axis is only involved in protection against extracellular pathogens through mobilization and activation of neutrophils is simplistic: There is evidence suggesting that TH1 and TH17 responses, separately or in parallel, may use macrophages and neutrophils against infections by extracellular and intracellular microbial pathogens. Opsonization by pathogen-specific Igs enhances the antimicrobial capabilities of neutrophils and macrophages in infections by extracellular and intracellular microbes. The functional partnership between macrophages and neutrophils as inducers and effectors of adaptive antimicrobial immunity conforms to their affiliation with the myeloid phagocyte system and reveals a strategy based on the concurrent use of the two professional phagocytes in the adaptive defense mechanisms. Starting from a common myeloid precursor in the bone marrow, macrophages and neutrophils split during differentiation but come together at the infectious foci for a cooperative strategy that uses modulator and effector activities to attack invading microbial pathogens.
The voices that Ezekiel hears
Authors: Stein George
Published: January 2010

Like any prophet, Ezekiel hears the voice of God and it is his prophetic
task to relay God's message onto the people. He hears the voice of God more
often (93 times) than any other prophet, and the way God addresses him as
‘son of man’ or ‘mortal’ is also unique. Ezekiel experiences a variety of
other auditory phenomena, including command hallucinations which are not
described in any other prophet, 3:3 ‘He said to me; mortal eat this scroll
that I give to you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my
mouth it was as sweet as honey.’
Excellent school performance at age 16 and risk of adult bipolar disorder: national cohort study
Authors: MacCabe James H. , Lambe Mats P. , Cnattingius Sven , Sham Pak C. , David Anthony S. , Reichenberg Abraham , Murray Robin M. , Hultman Christina M.
Published: January 2010

Background

Anecdotal and biographical reports suggest that bipolar disorder may be associated with high IQ or creativity, but evidence for any such connection is weak.

Aims

To investigate possible associations between scholastic achievement and later bipolar disorder, using prospective data, in a whole-population cohort study.

Method

Using individual school grades from all individuals finishing compulsory schooling in Sweden between 1988 and 1997, we tested associations between scholastic achievement at age 15–16 and hospital admission for psychosis between ages 17 and 31, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Individuals with excellent school performance had a nearly fourfold increased risk of later bipolar disorder compared with those with average grades (hazard ratio HR = 3.79, 95% CI 2.11–6.82). This association appeared to be confined to males. Students with the poorest grades were also at moderately increased risk of bipolar disorder (HR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.06–3.28).

Conclusions

These findings provide support for the hypothesis that exceptional intellectual ability is associated with bipolar disorder.
Effects of befriending on depressive symptoms and distress: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mead Nicola , Lester Helen , Chew-Graham Carolyn , Gask Linda , Bower Peter
Published: January 2010

Background

High rates of emotional distress and depressive symptoms in the community can reflect difficult life events and social circumstances. There is a need for appropriate, low-cost, non-medical interventions for many individuals. Befriending is an emotional support intervention commonly offered by the voluntary sector.

Aims

To examine the effectiveness of befriending in the treatment of emotional distress and depressive symptoms.

Method

Systematic review of randomised trials of interventions focused on providing emotional support to individuals in the community.

Results

Compared with usual care or no treatment, befriending had a modest but significant effect on depressive symptoms in the short term (standardised mean difference SMD=−0.27, 95% CI −0.48 to −0.06, nine studies) and long term (SMD = −0.18, 95% CI −0.32 to −0.05, five studies).

Conclusions

Befriending has a modest effect on depressive symptoms and emotional distress in varied patient groups. Further exploration of active ingredients, appropriate target populations and optimal methods of delivery is required.
Prediction of transition from common adolescent bipolar
experiences to bipolar disorder: 10-year study
Authors: Tijssen Marijn J. A. , van Os Jim , Wittchen Hans-Ulrich , Lieb Roselind , Beesdo Katja , Mengelers Ron , Wichers Marieke
Published: January 2010

Background

Although (hypo)manic symptoms are common in adolescence, transition to
adult bipolar disorder is infrequent.

Aims

To examine whether the risk of transition to bipolar disorder is
conditional on the extent of persistence of subthreshold affective
phenotypes.

Method

In a 10-year prospective community cohort study of 3021 adolescents and
young adults, the association between persistence of affective symptoms
over 3 years and the 10-year clinical outcomes of incident DSM–IV
(hypo)manic episodes and incident use of mental healthcare was
assessed.

Results

Transition to clinical outcome was associated with persistence of
symptoms in a dose-dependent manner. Around 30–40% of clinical outcomes
could be traced to prior persistence of affective symptoms.

Conclusions

In a substantial proportion of individuals, onset of clinical bipolar
disorder may be seen as the poor outcome of a developmentally common and
usually transitory non-clinical bipolar phenotype.
Treatment response in major depression: effects of personality
dysfunction and prior depression
Authors: Gorwood P. , Rouillon F. , Even C. , Falissard B. , Corruble E. , Moran P.
Published: January 2010

Background

The impact of personality dysfunction on the outcome of treatment for
depression remains debated.

Aims

To examine the relationship between the number of prior depressive
episodes, personality dysfunction and treatment response for
depression.

Method

In a large sample (n = 8229) of adult out-patients with
a major depressive episode (DSM–IV), personality dysfunction was assessed
using the Standardised Assessment of Personality – Abbreviated Scale
(SAPAS). Potential predictors of treatment response at 6 weeks were
examined via structural equation modelling.

Results

The amount of personality dysfunction and number of prior episodes of
depression were both associated with poor response to treatment. Once
personality dysfunction was controlled for, the number of prior episodes
of depression was not associated with treatment response.

Conclusions

Personality dysfunction is associated with impaired short-term response
to antidepressant treatment in major depression. The apparent detrimental
effect of prior depression on treatment response may be accounted for by
pre-existing personality dysfunction.
Twenty-five year mortality of a community cohort with
schizophrenia
Authors: Brown Steve , Kim Miranda , Mitchell Clemence , Inskip Hazel
Published: January 2010

Background

People with schizophrenia have significantly raised mortality but we do
not know how these mortality patterns in the UK have changed since the
1990s.

Aims

To measure the 25-year mortality of people with schizophrenia with
particular focus on changes over time.

Method

Prospective record linkage study of the mortality of a community cohort
of 370 people with schizophrenia.

Results

The cohort had an all-cause standardised mortality ratio of 289 (95% CI
247–337). Most deaths were from the common causes seen in the general
population. Unnatural deaths were concentrated in the first 5 years of
follow-up. There was an indication that cardiovascular mortality may have
increased relative to the general population (P = 0.053)
over the course of the study.

Conclusions

People with schizophrenia have a mortality risk that is two to three
times that of the general population. Most of the extra deaths are from
natural causes. The apparent increase in cardiovascular mortality
relative to the general population should be of concern to anyone with an
interest in mental health.
Ten books
Authors: Spence Sean A.
Published: January 2010

It is difficult, if not impossible, to systematically identify ten books that have been influential over a professional lifetime, not least since many have probably exerted their influence in long-forgotten ways: part of that semantic sediment laid down by protracted reading (and conversation). However, I do know that George Orwell was the first serious writer whom I read ‘of my own free will’ and I know that I would not wish to be without the works of Anthony Burgess, Albert Camus, Bruce Chatwin, Don DeLillo, Graham Greene, Henning Mankell or W.G. Sebald. I can remember that books on Buddhism sustained me through senior house officer jobs in a number of medical specialties (trying to focus, single-mindedly, on the task in hand rather than my tiredness or distraction), and I suspect that the metaphors of my thought and speech had already been much influenced by exposure to the Bible. Here, I focus on those books that have informed the way I think about psychiatry right now and how it might be practised.
Cognition in pregnancy and motherhood: prospective cohort
study
Authors: Christensen Helen , Leach Liana S. , Mackinnon Andrew
Published: January 2010

Background

Research has reported that pregnant women and mothers become forgetful.
However, in these studies, women are not recruited prior to pregnancy,
samples are not representative and studies are underpowered.

Aims

The current study sought to determine whether pregnancy and motherhood
are associated with brief or long-term cognitive deterioration using a
representative sample and measuring cognition during and before the onset
of pregnancy and motherhood.

Method

Women aged 20–24 years were recruited prospectively and assessed in 1999,
2003 and 2007. Seventy-six women were pregnant at follow-up assessments,
188 became mothers between study waves and 542 remained nulliparous.

Results

No significant differences in cognitive change were found as a function
of pregnancy or motherhood, although late pregnancy was associated with
deterioration on one of four tests of memory and cognition.

Conclusions

The hypothesis that pregnancy and motherhood are associated with
persistent cognitive deterioration was not supported. Previous negative
findings may be a result of biased sampling.
White matter hyperintensities, cortisol levels, brain atrophy and continuing cognitive deficits in late-life depression
Authors: Köhler Sebastian , Thomas Alan J. , Lloyd Adrian , Barber Robert , Almeida Osvaldo P. , O'Brien John T.
Published: January 2010

Background

Cerebrovascular changes and glucocorticoid mediated hippocampal atrophy are considered relevant for depression-related cognitive deficits, forming putative treatment targets.

Aims

This study examined the relative contribution of cortisol levels, brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities to the persistence of cognitive deficits in older adults with depression.

Method

Thirty-five people aged ⩾60 years with DSM–IV major depression and twenty-nine healthy comparison controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were followed up for 18 months. We analysed the relationship between baseline salivary cortisol levels, whole brain, frontal lobe and hippocampal volumes, severity of white matter hyperintensities and follow-up cognitive function in both groups by testing the interaction between the groups and these biological measures on tests of memory, executive functions and processing speed in linear regression models.

Results

Group differences in memory and executive function follow-up scores were associated with ratings of white matter hyperintensities, especially of the deep white matter and periventricular regions. Compared with healthy controls, participants with depression scoring within the third tertile of white matter hyperintensities dropped two and three standard deviations in executive function and memory scores respectively. No biological measure related to group differences in processing speed, and there were no significant interactions between group and cortisol levels, or volumetric MRI measures.

Conclusions

White matter hyperintensities, rather than cortisol levels or brain atrophy, are associated with continuing cognitive impairments in older adults with depression. The findings suggest that cerebrovascular disease rather than glucocorticoid-mediated brain damage are responsible for the persistence of cognitive deficits associated with depression in older age.
A clinical librarian pilot project in psychiatry
Authors: Gorring Helene , Turner Erin , Day Ed , Vassilas Christopher A. , Aynsley Mark
Published: January 2010

Aims and method

A 4-month pilot was conducted to assess whether the clinical librarian model, which has been successfully used within acute hospitals, would work in a mental health setting. A librarian attended weekly clinical team meetings in two community mental health teams to help generate clinical questions. A summary of the evidence on each topic was then presented the following week. An evaluation of the pilot was carried out using a questionnaire survey, focus groups and interviews.

Results

Results suggest that the project had produced a positive impact within the teams and begun the process of embedding evidence-based information within clinical practice.

Clinical implications

With some adaptations, the clinical librarian model can be an effective method of implementing evidence-based practice and addressing continuing professional development needs within mental health clinical teams.
Antipsychotic polypharmacy – confusion reigns
Authors: Taylor David
Published: January 2010

Polypharmacy is usually employed where single drugs are considered insufficiently effective. Some polypharmacy is rational and evidence based, some neither. Antipsychotic polypharmacy remains stubbornly widespread despite condemnation of the practice by numerous bodies. The practice could not be said to be evidence based. Its persistence probably stems from a well-meaning desire to improve response and from confusion about the mechanism of action of antipsychotics. In particular, the concept that more antipsychotic(s) must always be, or might be, ‘better’ is virtually groundless. Nonetheless, some specific antipsychotic polypharmacy regimens have shown particular benefits on adverse effect profiles. Targeted, evidence-based polypharmacy may be the way forward.
Kinematics and hydrodynamics analysis of swimming anurans reveals striking inter-specific differences in the mechanism for producing thrust
Authors: Richards Christopher T.
Published: January 2010

This study aimed to compare the swimming kinematics and hydrodynamics within and among aquatic and semi-aquatic/terrestrial frogs. High-speed video was used to obtain kinematics of the leg joints and feet as animals swam freely across their natural range of speeds. Blade element analysis was then used to model the hydrodynamic thrust as a function of foot kinematics. Two purely aquatic frogs, Xenopus laevis and Hymenochirus boettgeri, were compared with two semi-aquatic/terrestrial frogs, Rana pipiens and Bufo americanus. The four species performed similarly. Among swimming strokes, peak stroke velocity ranged from 3.3±1.1 to 20.9±2.5, from 6.8±2.1 to 28.6±3.7 and from 4.9±0.5 to 20.9±4.1 body lengths per second (BL s−1) in X. laevis, H. boettgeri and R. pipiens, respectively (means ± s.d.; N=4 frogs for each). B. americanus swam much more slowly at 3.1±0.3 to 7.0±2.0 BL s−1 (N=3 frogs). Time-varying joint kinematics patterns were superficially similar among species. Because foot kinematics result from the cumulative motion of joints proximal to the feet, small differences in time-varying joint kinematics among species resulted in species-specific foot kinematics (therefore hydrodynamics) patterns. To obtain a simple measure of the hydrodynamically useful motion of the foot, this study uses ‘effective foot velocity’ (EFV): a measure of the component of foot velocity along the axis of swimming. Resolving EFV into translational and rotational components allows predictions of species-specific propulsion strategies. Additionally, a novel kinematic analysis is presented here that enables the partitioning of translational and rotational foot velocity into velocity components contributed by extension at each individual limb joint. Data from the kinematics analysis show that R. pipiens and B. americanus translated their feet faster than their body moved forward, resulting in positive net translational EFV. Conversely, translational EFV was slower than the body velocity in H. boettgeri and X. laevis, resulting in negative net translational EFV. Consequently, the translational component of thrust (caused mostly by hip, knee and ankle extension) was twofold higher than rotational thrust in Rana pipiens. Likewise, rotational components of thrust were nearly twofold higher than translational components in H. boettgeri. X. laevis, however, was the most skewed species observed, generating nearly 100% of total thrust by foot rotation generated by hip, ankle and tmt extension. Thus, this study presents a simple kinematics analysis that is predictive of hydrodynamic differences among species. Such differences in kinematics reveal a continuum of different propulsive strategies ranging from mostly rotation-powered (X. laevis) to mostly translation-powered (R. pipiens) swimming.
Structural mechanics of the mosquito heart and its function in bidirectional hemolymph transport
Authors: Glenn Justin D. , King Jonas G. , Hillyer Julián F.
Published: January 2010

The insect circulatory system transports nutrients, signaling molecules, wastes and immune factors to all areas of the body. The primary organ driving circulation is the dorsal vessel, which consists of an abdominal heart and a thoracic aorta. Here, we present qualitative and quantitative data characterizing the heart of the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Visual observation showed that the heart of resting mosquitoes contracts at a rate of 1.37 Hz (82 beats per minute) and switches contraction direction, with 72% of contractions occurring in the anterograde direction (toward the head) and 28% of contractions occurring in the retrograde direction (toward the tip of the abdomen). The heart is tethered to the midline of the abdominal tergum by six complete and three incomplete pairs of alary muscles, and propels hemolymph at an average velocity of 8 mm s−1 by sequentially contracting muscle fibers oriented in a helical twist with respect to the lumen of the vessel. Hemolymph enters the heart through six pairs of incurrent abdominal ostia and one pair of ostia located at the thoraco-abdominal junction that receive hemolymph from the abdominal hemocoel and thoracic venous channels, respectively. The vessel expels hemolymph through distal excurrent openings located at the anterior end of the aorta and the posterior end of the heart. In conclusion, this study presents a comprehensive revision and expansion of our knowledge of the mosquito heart and for the first time quantifies hemolymph flow in an insect while observing dorsal vessel contractions.
Condition and mass impact oxygen stores and dive duration in adult female northern elephant seals
Authors: Hassrick J. L. , Crocker D. E. , Teutschel N. M. , McDonald B. I. , Robinson P. W. , Simmons S. E. , Costa D. P.
Published: January 2010

The range of foraging behaviors available to deep-diving, air-breathing marine vertebrates is constrained by their physiological capacity to breath-hold dive. We measured body oxygen stores (blood volume and muscle myoglobin) and diving behavior in adult female northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, to investigate age-related effects on diving performance. Blood volume averaged 74.4±17.0 liters in female elephant seals or 20.2±2.0% of body mass. Plasma volume averaged 32.2±7.8 liters or 8.7±0.7% of body mass. Absolute plasma volume and blood volume increased independently with mass and age. Hematocrit decreased weakly with mass but did not vary with age. Muscle myoglobin concentration, while higher than previously reported (7.4±0.7 g%), did not vary with mass or age. Pregnancy status did not influence blood volume. Mean dive duration, a proxy for physiological demand, increased as a function of how long seals had been at sea, followed by mass and hematocrit. Strong effects of female body mass (range, 218-600 kg) on dive duration, which were independent of oxygen stores, suggest that larger females had lower diving metabolic rates. A tendency for dives to exceed calculated aerobic limits occurred more frequently later in the at-sea migration. Our data suggest that individual physiological state variables and condition interact to determine breath-hold ability and that both should be considered in life-history studies of foraging behavior.
A new model for force generation by skeletal muscle, incorporating work-dependent deactivation
Authors: Williams Thelma L.
Published: January 2010

A model is developed to predict the force generated by active skeletal muscle when subjected to imposed patterns of lengthening and shortening, such as those that occur during normal movements. The model is based on data from isolated lamprey muscle and can predict the forces developed during swimming. The model consists of a set of ordinary differential equations, which are solved numerically. The model's first part is a simplified description of the kinetics of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and binding to muscle protein filaments, in response to neural activation. The second part is based on A. V. Hill's mechanical model of muscle, consisting of elastic and contractile elements in series, the latter obeying known physiological properties. The parameters of the model are determined by fitting the appropriate mathematical solutions to data recorded from isolated lamprey muscle activated under conditions of constant length or rate of change of length. The model is then used to predict the forces developed under conditions of applied sinusoidal length changes, and the results compared with corresponding data. The most significant advance of this model is the incorporation of work-dependent deactivation, whereby a muscle that has been shortening under load generates less force after the shortening ceases than otherwise expected. In addition, the stiffness in this model is not constant but increases with increasing activation. The model yields a closer prediction to data than has been obtained before, and can thus prove an important component of investigations of the neural—mechanical—environmental interactions that occur during natural movements.
Evidence for self-cleaning in fluid-based smooth and hairy adhesive systems of insects
Authors: Clemente Christofer J. , Bullock James M. R. , Beale Andrew , Federle Walter
Published: January 2010

Insects possess adhesive organs that allow attachment to diverse surfaces. Efficient adhesion must be retained throughout their lifetime even when pads are exposed to contamination. Many insects groom their adhesive structures, but it is possible that self-cleaning properties also play an important role. We measured attachment forces of insect pads on glass after contamination with microspheres and found that both smooth pads (stick insects: Carausius morosus) and hairy pads (dock beetles: Gastrophysa viridula) exhibit self-cleaning. Contaminated pads recovered high levels of adhesion after only eight simulated steps; this was accompanied by the deposition of spheres. Self-cleaning was strongly enhanced by shear movements, and only beetle pads showed the ability to self-clean during purely perpendicular pull-offs. Hairy pads also self-cleaned more efficiently than smooth pads for both large (45 μm) and small (1 μm) particle sizes. However, the beetles' self-cleaning was not superior to smooth pads when contaminated with 10-μm beads. This limitation of self-cleaning is explained by the coincidence of bead diameter and inter-seta distance, which caused beads to remain trapped in between setae.
Echolocation call production during aerial and terrestrial locomotion by New Zealand's enigmatic lesser short-tailed bat,Mystacina tuberculata
Authors: Parsons Stuart , Riskin Daniel K. , Hermanson John W.
Published: January 2010

Linkage of echolocation call production with contraction of flight muscles has been suggested to reduce the energetic cost of flight with echolocation, such that the overall cost is approximately equal to that of flight alone. However, the pattern of call production with limb movement in terrestrially agile bats has never been investigated. We used synchronised high-speed video and audio recordings to determine patterns of association between echolocation call production and limb motion by Mystacina tuberculata Gray 1843 as individuals walked and flew, respectively. Results showed that there was no apparent linkage between call production and limb motion when bats walked. When in flight, two calls were produced per wingbeat, late in the downstroke and early in the upstroke. When bats walked, calls were produced at a higher rate, but at a slightly lower intensity, compared with bats in flight. These results suggest that M. tuberculata do not attempt to reduce the cost of terrestrial locomotion and call production through biomechanical linkage. They also suggest that the pattern of linkage seen when bats are in flight is not universal and that energetic savings cannot necessarily be explained by contraction of muscles associated with the downstroke alone.
Sclerotherapy: a study comparing polidocanol in foam and liquid form
Authors: Uncu H
Published: January 2010

Objectives

Compression sclerotherapy has been satisfactorily used for half a century for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities. The effect of sclerosing solutions is that of making endofibrosis and vascular damage via producing endothelial injury. Different sclerosing agents were used by applying many different sclerotherapy methods. In recent years, sclerosing foam has been introduced in sclerotherapy with the goal of increasing the efficacy in the treatment of varicose veins. It is still uncertain whether foam or liquid form is superior. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of the sclerosant polidocanol – which is a well-known detergent-type sclerosing agent – in foam form compared with liquid form.

Methods

A total of 100 women patients with telengiectases and small varicose veins of less than 4 mm were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to presenting dates. Fifty patients who presented first were classified as the first group. They were treated with Tessari's foam sclerotherapy method. The second fifty patients who presented later were placed in the second group. They were treated with the liquid form of polidocanol. Extremity veins that did not have insufficiency at the saphenofemoral junction were divided into three groups as <1 mm, 1–2 mm and >2 but <4 mm, and the veins were treated with 0.25%, 0.5% or 1% of polidocanol, respectively. Clinical improvement, patients' complaints and side-effects were determined after treatment.

Results

Complete disappearance was determined in 84% of patients in the foam form group and in 72% in the liquid form group. Although polidocanol in foam form's success rate was higher than the liquid form of polidocanol to clear the vessels, this result did not reach statistical significance ( P = 0.148). There was no significant difference also in the side effects between each group.

Conclusion

Compression sclerotherapy is an effective and useful method for treating small varicose veins and telengiectases. Both polidocanol foam and polidocanol liquid forms are effective and safe sclerosing agents. The rates of side-effects were similar for both sclerotherapy methods. Although efficacy to clear the small varicose veins and telengiectases with foam polidocanol seems to be more successful than with liquid polidocanol, it is early to declare the superiority of the foam sclerotherapy method.
Seasonal variations in the onset and healing rates of venous leg ulcers
Authors: Simka M
Published: January 2010

Objectives

As many vascular pathologies exhibit circannual fluctuation, the aim of this study was to assess the chronobiological features of venous ulcers.

Methods

Based on a retrospective survey of the case histories of 391 venous ulcer patients, the rates of ulcer onset and healing in each month were analysed statistically; a time series was constructed to evaluate the seasonality.

Results

There was a significantly higher frequency of ulcer onset during the warmer part of the year (April–October), and onset showed strong seasonality. Healing rates were also unequally and statistically significantly distributed throughout the year: ulcers that appeared or that were treated with specialized treatment in the winter or summer healed slower in comparison to ulcers that began in the spring or autumn.

Conclusions

Venous ulcers exhibit circannual fluctuations in their onset and healing rates. Hypothetically, in addition to exacerbation of chronic venous insufficiency, seasonal variations in immune system activity might potentially be responsible for this phenomenon.
Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome associated with great saphenous vein aplasia
Authors: Herman J , Musil D
Published: January 2010

Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare, sporadic, congenital vascular disease of unknown aetiology. KTS could be associated with infliction of other regions. An association with great saphenous vein aplasia has never been described.
Shedding light: laser physics and mechanism of action
Authors: De Felice E
Published: January 2010

Lasers have affected health care in many ways. Clinical applications have been found in a number of medical and surgical specialities. In particular, applications of laser technology in phlebology has made it essential for vein physicians to obtain a fundamental knowledge of laser physics, laser operation and also to be well versed in laser safety procedures.

This article reviews recommended text books and current literature to detail the basics of laser physics and its application to venous disease. Laser safety and laser side effects are also discussed.
The role of perforators in chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: O'Donnell T F
Published: January 2010

Thesis

Venous ulcers (VU) consume considerable resources in healthcare systems, up to 1% of healthcare budgets in industrialized countries. Best practice guidelines (GLs) incorporate evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations in a cost-effective manner and have been associated with improved and less costly outcomes for many diseases.

Objectives

To determine whether there are common elements in GLs for VU and their evidentiary strength.

Methods

A systematic analysis of GLs for VU that were identified through clinicaltrials.gov, a government-sponsored website, and from experts outside the USA.

Results

Ten of 12 GLs on VU (7 North America and 5 Europe) were evidence-based, with the majority using the GRADE method. Only two had been developed or updated within the last three years. Venous duplex and ankle ABIs were recommended in all. Debridement was suggested in two, while simple non-adherent wound dressings were favoured in nine, and hydrocolloid in two. Only one GL discussed a range of dressing options, dependent on the condition of the VU. High pressure multi-layer compression bandages were favoured in 10. Only two focused on the importance of improving ankle joint mobility.

Conclusions

While there are numerous evidence-based GLs for VU, the majority may lag recent developments in the field. There is consensus on the elements for dressings and compression among the various GLs, which should facilitate the development of a common consensus GL, similar to that for DVT/PE. To improve patient care and reduce wasted resources, it is imperative for specialty societies to develop this consensus document.
Using Personal Strengths with Intention in Pharmacy: Implications for Pharmacists, Managers, and Leaders
Authors: Traynor Andrew P , Janke Kristin K , Sorensen Todd D
Published: January 2010

Background:

The importance of allowing individuals to use their strengths in a work environment has been articulated through research focused on general audiences as well as by thought leaders within pharmacy. In particular, the work of Gallup has described how organizations that foster an environment in which employees frequently use their strengths achieve increased productivity, customer and employee satisfaction, and improved success at meeting goals. Despite acknowledging the importance of such an environment, little has been articulated in the pharmacy literature regarding how pharmacists can identify and apply their unique strengths within their profession.

Objective:

To provide an overview of the concept of individual strengths, the value of utilizing strengths in the profession, and the authors' experiences facilitating an awareness of this concept with student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and pharmacists.

Methods:

Discovery and application of strengths has become a foundational theme in leadership development activities at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. The learning process begins with building awareness and identifying individual talents using the Clifton StrengthsFinder Profile and reflecting on previous use of these talents. Throughout the activities, participants are encouraged to examine how professional experiences that correlate with their talents intersect and affect their knowledge and skills. Finally, participants are encouraged to utilize and maximize their talents in a team environment.

Results:

Experience has been gained delivering this educational process to 225 student pharmacists, 39 ambulatory care residents, and 22 practicing pharmacists. Participants have viewed this program favorably and articulated that utilization and growth of strengths is valuable to their career.

Conclusions:

In order to achieve our potential as a profession, it is critical to identify and apply the strengths that individual pharmacists bring to their practice settings. The identification, understanding, and application of strengths have the potential to increase professional satisfaction, enhance leadership, and empower change that will evolve patient-centered care.
Marginal likelihood inference for a model for item responses and response times
Authors: Glas Cees A. W. , van der Linden Wim J.
Published: January 2010

Marginal maximum‐likelihood procedures for parameter estimation and testing the fit of a hierarchical model for speed and accuracy on test items are presented. The model is a composition of two first‐level models for dichotomous responses and response times along with multivariate normal models for their item and person parameters. It is shown how the item parameters can easily be estimated using Fisher's identity. To test the fit of the model, Lagrange multiplier tests of the assumptions of subpopulation invariance of the item parameters (i.e., no differential item functioning), the shape of the response functions, and three different types of conditional independence were derived. Simulation studies were used to show the feasibility of the estimation and testing procedures and to estimate the power and Type I error rate of the latter. In addition, the procedures were applied to an empirical data set from a computerized adaptive test of language comprehension.
Self‐harm in a mixed clinical population: The roles of self‐criticism, shame, and social rank
Authors: Gilbert Paul. , McEwan Kirsten. , Irons Chris. , Bhundia Rakhee. , Christie Rachael. , Broomhead Claire. , Rockliff Helen.
Published: January 2010

Objectives.This study explored the relationship of forms and functions of self‐criticism, shame, and social rank variables to self‐harm, depression, and anxiety.

Design.The study used a questionnaire design.

Method.In‐patients and day‐patients (N= 73) completed a series of questionnaires measuring self‐harm, mood, self‐criticism, shame, and social comparison.

Results.Self‐harm was significantly associated with forms and functions of self‐criticism, shame, and feelings of inferiority (low social rank). The self‐persecuting function of self‐criticism was especially linked to self‐harm, depression, and anxiety.

Conclusions.This study adds to a growing literature on the importance of recognizing the pathogenic effects of negative self‐critical thoughts and feelings about the self and the value of distinguishing different types of self‐criticism.
The psychosocial context of depressive rumination: Ruminative brooding predicts diminished relationship satisfaction in individuals with a history of past major depression
Authors: Pearson Katherine A. , Watkins Edward R. , Kuyken Willem , Mullan Eugene G.
Published: January 2010

Objective. To test the hypothesis that rumination contributes to poor social functioning by examining whether ruminative brooding predicts subsequent relationship satisfaction in individuals with a history of major depression.

Method. Participants (N=57) were interviewed to assess depressive symptoms and completed self‐report measures of brooding and relationship satisfaction, at intake into the study (Time 1) and 3 months later (Time 2).

Results. Brooding was related concurrently to relationship satisfaction at Time 2 (p<.01; approaching significance at Time 1, p=.06). Baseline brooding predicted diminished relationship satisfaction 3 months later, controlling for baseline relationship satisfaction (p<.05).

Conclusions. Brooding may be an early warning sign for increasing relationship difficulties in those vulnerable to depression.
High-dose GH treatment limited to the prepubertal period in young children with idiopathic short stature does not increase adult height
Authors: van Gool S A , Kamp G A , Odink R J , de Muinck Keizer-Schrama S M P F , Delemarre-van de Waal H A , Oostdijk W , Wit J M
Published: January 2010

Objective

To assess the long-term effect of prepubertal high-dose GH treatment on growth in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).

Design and methods

Forty children with no signs of puberty, age at start 4–8 years (girls) or 4–10 years (boys), height SDS <−2.0 SDS, and birth length >−2.0 SDS, were randomly allocated to receive GH at a dose of 2 mg/m2 per day (equivalent to 75 μg/kg per day at start and 64 μg/kg per day at stop) until the onset of puberty for at least 2 years (preceded by two 3-month periods of treatment with low or intermediate doses of GH separated by two washout periods of 3 months) or no treatment. In 28 cases, adult height (AH) was assessed at a mean (s.d.) age of 20.4 (2.3) years.

Results

GH-treated children (mean treatment period on high-dose GH 2.3 years (range 1.2–5.0 years)) showed an increased mean height SDS at discontinuation of the treatment compared with the controls (−1.3 (0.8) SDS versus −2.6 (0.8) SDS respectively). However, bone maturation was significantly accelerated in the GH-treated group compared with the controls (1.6 (0.4) versus 1.0 (0.2) years per year, respectively), and pubertal onset tended to advance. After an untreated interval of 3–12 years, AH was −2.1 (0.7) and −1.9 (0.6) in the GH-treated and control groups respectively. Age was a positive predictor of adult height gain.

Conclusion

High-dose GH treatment restricted to the prepubertal period in young ISS children augments height gain during treatment, but accelerates bone maturation, resulting in a similar adult height compared with the untreated controls.
Effect of Growth Conditions on Structural and Electrical Properties of Ga-doped ZnO Films Grown by Plasma-assisted MBE
Authors: Avrutin Vitaliy , Liu H.Y. , Izyumskaya Natalia , Reshchikov Michael A. , Özgür Ümit , Kvit A.V. , Voyles Paul , Morkoç Hadis
Published: January 2010

ZnO has recently attracted a great deal of attention as a material for transparent contacts in light emitters and adsorbers. ZnO films heavily doped with Ga (carrier concentration in the range of 1020 - 1021 cm-3) were grown on a-plane sapphire substrates by RF plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Oxygen pressure during growth (i.e. metal (Zn+Ga)–to–oxygen ratio) was found to have a crucial effect on structural, electrical, and optical properties of the ZnO:Ga films. As-grown layers prepared under metal-rich conditions exhibited resistivities below 3×10-4 Ω-cm and an optical transparency exceeding 90% in the visible spectral range. In contrast, the films grown under the oxygen-rich conditions required thermal activation and showed inferior structural, electrical, and optical characteristics even after annealing.
Optimising the Low Temperature Growth of Uniform ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Gabrielyan Nare , Paul Shashi , Cross Richard B.M
Published: January 2010

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires have been widely investigated and various different methods of their synthesis have been suggested. This work is devoted to the optimisation of the growth conditions for uniform in terms of structure and evenly distributed ZnO nanowire arrays. The nanowire growth process includes two steps: 1. Radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of a ZnO nucleation layer onto a substrate; 2. A hydrothermal growth step of ZnO nanowires using the aforementioned sputtered layer as a template. The optimisation process was divided into two sets of experiments: (i) the deposition of different thicknesses of the ZnO nucleation layer and the subsequent nanowire growth step (using the same conditions) for each thickness. The results revealed a strong dependence of the nanowire size upon the seed layer thickness and structural properties; (ii) a second set of experiments were based on growth solution temperature variation for the nucleation layers of the same thicknesses. This also showed nanowire size and distribution change with solution temperature variation.
Materials Study of the Competing Group-V Element Incorporation Process in Dilute-Nitride Films
Authors: Sarney Wendy L. , Svensson Stefan P.
Published: January 2010

The incorporation of small amounts of N into III-V antimonide-containing semiconductor alloys allows a drastic expansion of available wavelengths for infrared (IR) detector applications. Quaternary films containing three group-V elements can be lattice matched to the most prevalent substrates for IR applications, such as InAs, GaAs, and GaSb. It is not trivial to incorporate N while maintaining the high crystalline quality required for IR devices. Current materials characterization studies of dilute-nitride films consisting of more than two group-V elements has yielded conflicting information related to their competing behavior and the extent of N incorporation. Due to challenges related to light-element microanalysis for many characterization techniques, and the small concentrations of N involved, it is difficult to quantify the amount of N incorporated into dilute-nitride films. In this study, we use transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to study the incorporation behaviors of the competing group-V elements in InAsSbN films.
Development of Milliwatt Power AlGaN-based Deep UV-LEDs by Plasma-assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Liao Yitao , Thomidis Christos , Bhattacharyya Anirban , Kao Chen-kai , Moldawer Adam , Zhang Wei , Moustakas Theodore D.
Published: January 2010

In this paper, we report the development of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet LEDs by rf plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) emitting between 277 and 300 nm. Some of these devices were evaluated after fabrication at bare-die and some at wafer-level configurations. Devices with total optical output of 1.3 mW at injection current of 200 mA were produced, with maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.16%. These performance values are equivalent to those reported for deep UV-LEDs grown by the Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method and measured at bare-die configuration. In parallel, we have evaluated the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of AlGaN quantum wells, and found that such wells emitting at 250 nm have an IQE of 50%. From the analysis of these data, we concluded that the efficiency of deep UV LEDs is not limited by the IQE but by the light extraction efficiency, injection efficiency or a combination of both.
Growth of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Surface with Controlled Structures
Authors: Zhang Jin , Hong Guo , Xie Liming , Yu Xuechun , Liu Zhongfan
Published: January 2010

Due to their excellent properties, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been regarded as one of the most potential materials for future applications in nanoelectronic devices. However, there is a huge gulf between production and applications. To meet the needs for applications, SWNTs' chirality, metallic/semiconducting property and morphology should be controlled in the growth process. Together with our recent works, we present herein a brief review on the growth of SWNTs on surface with controlled structures, including 1) Cap engineering for SWNTs growth with controlled chirality; 2) Reaction activity diversity induced growth of semiconducting SWNTs; and 3) Combination of two growth modes for fabricating SWNTs on surface with controlled morphology.
Synchrotron Photoluminescence Spectroscopy of Boron Nitride Nanotubes with Different Metal Impurities
Authors: Yu Jun , Chen Ying Ian , Li Luhua , Cheng Bing-ming , Yu Dehong
Published: January 2010

In this paper, the impurity influences of BNNTs on photoluminescence (PL) analysis have been investigated systematically. Similar PL spectra were obtained from bulk disk of the cold-pressed BNNTs and dispersed individual BNNTs deposited on CaF2 substrate. Metal impurities such as Fe and Au do not affect PL emissions of the BNNTs strongly possibly because Au doping creates sever structural damages but do not change the electronic structure.
Determination of the wurtzite content and orientation distribution of nanowire ensembles
Authors: Kriegner Dominik , Keplinger Mario , Stangl Julian , Andrews Aaron M. , Klang Pavel , Mandl Bernhard , Mårtensson Thomas , Borgstrom Magnus , Deppert Knut , Samuelson Lars , Strasser Gottfried , Bauer Güenther
Published: January 2010

We present x-ray diffraction based methods to quantitatively determine the wurtzite content of nanowire ensembles and to investigate the effect of twinning. An increased lattice constant in growth direction is found for all investigated InAs and InP nanowire samples. This increase is independent of the wurtzite content. Using x-ray pole figures we find that twinning is present in GaAs/Si branched nanowires, which leads to 60° rotations of the lattice.