bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role teachers' expectations and value assessments of video games play in their adopting and integrating them into their classrooms
Authors: Kenny Robert F. , McDaniel Rudy 
Published: December 2009

AbstractVideo games have become an essential part of the way people play and learn. While an increasing number of people are using games to learn in informal environments, their acceptance in the classroom as an instructional activity has been mixed. Successes in informal learning have caused supporters to falsely believe that implementing them into the classroom would be a relatively easy transition and have the potential to revolutionise the entire educational system. In spite of all the hype, many are puzzled as to why more teachers have not yet incorporated them into their teaching. The literature is littered with reports that point to a variety of reasons. One of the reasons, we believe, is that very little has been done to convince teachers that the effort to change their curriculum to integrate video games and other forms of technology is worthy of the effort. Not until policy makers realise the importance of professional development and training as an important use of funds will positive changes in thinking and perceptions come about, which will allow these various forms of technology to reach their potential.The authors have hypothesised that the major impediments to useful technology integration include the general lack of institutional infrastructure, poor teacher training, and overly‐complicated technologies. Overcoming these obstacles requires both a top‐down and a bottom‐up approach. This paper presents the results of a pilot study with a group of preservice teachers to determine whether our hypotheses regarding potential negativity surrounding video games was valid and whether a wider scale study is warranted. The results of this study are discussed along with suggestions for further research and potential changes in teacher training programmes.
Long‐term high‐physiological‐dose growth hormone reduces intra‐abdominal fat in HIV‐infected patients with a neutral effect on glucose metabolism
Authors: Hansen BR , Haugaard SB , Jensen FK , Jensen JEB , Andresen L , Iversen J , Andersen O 
Published: December 2009

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the effect of long‐term high‐physiological‐dose recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy on fat distribution and glucose metabolism in HIV‐infected patients.MethodsForty‐six HIV‐infected Caucasian men on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with an age range of 21–60 years and no significant comorbidity, were included in this randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, single‐centre trial. Twenty‐eight subjects were randomized to 0.7 mg/day rhGH, and 18 subjects to placebo, administered as daily subcutaneous injections between 1 and 3 pm for 40 weeks. Endpoints included changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), limb fat mass, percentage of limb fat, plasma lipids, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.ResultsVAT and trunk fat mass decreased significantly in the GH group compared with the placebo group [−19 cm2 (−11%) vs. 12 cm2 (6%), P=0.03, and −548 g (−9%) vs. 353 g (6%), P<0.01, respectively]. The beneficial fat redistribution in the GH group occurred without concomitant changes in subcutaneous fat at the abdomen or extremities. rhGH therapy was well tolerated. Insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, and total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides did not significantly change during intervention.ConclusionsDaily 0.7 mg rhGH treatment for 40 weeks reduced abdominal visceral fat and trunk fat mass in HIV‐infected patients. This treatment appeared to be safe with respect to glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Clinical efficacy and tolerability of Xeomin® in the treatment of blepharospasm
Authors: Jankovic J. 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  Blepharospasm is classified as a focal dystonia, and botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) has been shown to be a highly effective and well‐tolerated symptomatic treatment. Xeomin®, the latest addition to BoNT/A preparations, is a purified, freeze‐dried BoNT/A that is free from complexing proteins.Methods and results:  In a double‐blind, parallel‐group, multicentre study, 300 patients with blepharospasm received either Xeomin® or Botox® 15–80 U (J Neural Transm 2006; 113: 303). Both treatments produced statistically significant improvements from baseline in the Jankovic Rating Scale at week 3 (primary efficacy variable; Xeomin®: −2.90; Botox®: −2.67; P < 0.0001 from baseline for both), with the difference between treatments (−0.23) indicating that Xeomin® was clinically non‐inferior to Botox®. No significant differences were found between Xeomin® and Botox® for all secondary variables. There were no clinically relevant differences between Xeomin® and Botox® in safety parameters, with 40 of 148 patients (27.0%) treated with Xeomin® reporting adverse events versus 45 of 155 patients (29.0%) treated with Botox®. The most common adverse event was ptosis (6.1% Xeomin® and 4.5% Botox®).Conclusion:  Clinical evidence to date suggests that Xeomin® is an effective treatment for blepharospasm that does not differ from Botox® in terms of its potency, duration of effect or adverse reaction profile.
The GH–IGF system in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: correlations between pituitary GH secretion capacity, insulin‐like growth factors and clinical features
Authors: Pellecchia M. T. , Pivonello R. , Monsurrò M. R. , Trojsi F. , Longo K. , Piccirillo G. , Pivonello C. , Rocco M. , Di Somma C. , Colao A. , Tedeschi G. , Barone P. 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  The growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system may be involved in neurodegenerative processes, and some abnormalities have been reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our aim was to investigate the GH–IGF axis in patients with ALS and evaluate correlations between this endocrine system and clinical features.Methods:  Serum levels of GH, IGF‐I, IGF‐II, insulin, IGF‐binding protein 1 (IGF‐BP1), and IGF‐binding protein 3 (IGF‐BP3) were measured in 25 patients with ALS and 25 age‐, gender‐, and BMI‐matched healthy controls. A GHRH plus arginine test was performed in patients and controls. Clinical status of patients was evaluated with the ALS Functional Rating Scale – Revised (ALSFRS‐R) and upper motor neuron (UMN) score.Results: GHRH plus arginine test showed GH deficiency (GHD) in 13 (52%) patients with ALS; severe GHD was found in 6 (24%) and partial GHD in 7 (28%) patients. IGF‐I levels were significantly higher in patients with ALS than in healthy controls (182.9 ± 90.8 vs. 139.4 ± 58.1 ng/ml; P = 0.015). IGF‐I levels were higher in patients with ALS with UMN score >10 than those with UMN score <10 (217.8 ± 100.8 vs. 155.5 ± 74.6 ng/ml, P = 0.05). IGF‐II levels were significantly lower in patients with ALS than in healthy controls (720.9 ± 215 vs. 1001.9 ± 475.4 ng/ml; P = 0.03).Conclusions:  The results demonstrate an impairment of the GH–IGFs system in ALS. The degenerative process in ALS might lead to a compensatory increase in IGF‐I in an attempt to provide additional support to motor neurons or degenerating muscle fibers. The decrease in IGF‐II levels may also be of pathological significance.
Men's and women's reactions to fair and unfair treatment in relationship conflict
Authors: KLUWER ESTHER S. , TUMEWU MAUREEN , VAN DEN BOS KEES 
Published: December 2009

Abstract Evidence of gender differences in reactions to experienced fair and unfair treatment in relationship conflict was examined in 4 studies among dating, cohabiting, and married participants in The Netherlands. Using a critical incidents method and a scenario, this research provided convergent results suggesting that the relationship between fairness of treatment and affective feelings or relationship satisfaction is stronger for women than for men. This gender difference disappeared under conditions of high relationship commitment. Furthermore, men who identified strongly with their relationship showed stronger reactions to fair treatment than men who identified weakly with their relationships. Finally, the manipulation of relationship salience led to heightened sensitivity to fairness of treatment among men, but not among women.
Affiliation with new peer acquaintances during two initial social support interactions
Authors: FEENEY BROOKE C. , CASSIDY JUDE , LEMAY EDWARD P. , RAMOS‐MARCUSE FATIMA 
Published: December 2009

Abstract This investigation examined the influence of a prior social support interaction on a subsequent interaction between new peer acquaintances. Pairs of adolescent peers (recruited in a large metropolitan area in the United States) were videotaped as they met and discussed current life concerns in 2 separate interactions. Results indicated that (a) the behaviors of new interaction partners are coordinated within an interaction (social coordination hypothesis), (b) behaviors exhibited during an initial interaction predict behaviors exhibited during a subsequent interaction (influential interaction hypothesis), (c) individuals affiliate in similar ways across interactions (cross‐situational consistency hypothesis), and (d) behaviors reflecting greater comfort with interaction increase across interactions (uncertainty reduction hypothesis). The discussion focuses on implications of results and contributions to existing literatures.
Direct and indirect costs associated with epileptic partial onset seizures among the privately insured in the United States
Authors: Ivanova Jasmina I. , Birnbaum Howard G. , Kidolezi Yohanne , Qiu Ying , Mallett David , Caleo Sue 
Published: December 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Compare annual direct and indirect costs between privately insured U.S. patients with epileptic partial onset seizures (POS) and matched controls.Methods:  One thousand eight hundred fifty‐nine patients (including a subset of 758 employees) with ≥1 (POS) diagnosis (ICD‐9‐CM: 345.4.x–345.7.x), 1999–2004, ages 16–64 years, were identified from a privately insured claims database. Control group was an age‐ and gender‐matched cohort of randomly chosen beneficiaries without epilepsy (ICD‐9‐CM: 345.x). All were required to have continuous health coverage during 2004 (baseline) and 2005 (study period). Chi‐square tests were used to compare baseline comorbidities. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used for comparisons of annual direct (medical and pharmaceutical) and indirect costs during the study period.Results:  Patients with POS were on average 42 years of age, and 57% were women. Patients with POS had significantly higher rates of mental health disorders, migraine, and other neurologic disorders, and higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) compared with controls. On average, direct annual costs were significantly higher for POS patients ($11,276) compared with controls ($4,087), p < 0.001; difference of $7,190. Epilepsy‐related costs (i.e., costs for antiepileptic drugs, claims with epilepsy or convulsions diagnoses) accounted for $3,290 (29% of direct costs). Employees with POS had substantial and significantly higher indirect (disability‐ and medically related absenteeism) costs compared with controls ($3,431 vs. $1,511, p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses supported the matched‐control univariate findings.Conclusion:  Patients with POS had significantly higher costs compared with matched controls. Epilepsy‐related costs underestimate the excess costs of patients with partial onset seizures.
Nonprogressive Kidney Dysfunction and Outcomes in Older Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: El‐Ghoul Balsam , Elie Caroline , Sqalli Tarek , Jungers Paul , Daudon Michel , Grünfeld Jean‐Pierre , Lesavre Philippe , Joly Dominique 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a subgroup of patients with severe but nonprogressive renal dysfunction exist and to characterize this subgroup.DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal monocentric cohort study.SETTING: Nephrology clinic for chronic kidney disease (CKD).PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1998 and December 2004, 177 consecutive patients aged 80 and older were referred for the first time to nephrology for CKD.MEASUREMENTS: The characteristics of patients with nonprogressive or progressive CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline of < and ≥1 mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year, respectively) were observed and analyzed, and their risk of dying or requiring dialysis was determined. After exclusion of subjects requiring immediate dialysis or followed up for less than 6 months, 138 patients remained eligible for analysis.RESULTS: In the study cohort (initial mean eGFR 31.8 mL/min per 1.73 m2, median follow‐up 47 months), patients were more likely to require dialysis than to die; 36% of patients had nonprogressive CKD. This characteristic, predicted by low proteinuria, lack of hypertension, and low cardiovascular comorbidity, was the strongest predictor of global survival. In progressors, two independent covariates (eGFR <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and hemoglobin ≤11 g/dL at inclusion) predicted the risk of requiring dialysis.CONCLUSION: More than one‐third of subjects aged 80 and older referred to a nephrology center had severe but nonprogressive kidney dysfunction. This subgroup had a lower mortality rate than those with progressive kidney dysfunction. Simple covariates (low proteinuria, lack of hypertension, low cardiovascular comorbidity) predicted nonprogression of CKD. Distant nephrology follow‐up of such patients may be sufficient.
Family Care as Collaboration: Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Support Program for Elderly Couples with Dementia. Randomized Controlled Intervention Study
Authors: Eloniemi‐Sulkava Ulla , Saarenheimo Marja , Laakkonen Marja‐Liisa , Pietilä Minna , Savikko Niina , Kautiainen Hannu , Tilvis Reijo S. , Pitkälä Kaisu H. 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether community care of people with dementia can be prolonged with a 2‐year multicomponent intervention program and to analyze effects of the intervention on total usage and expenses of social and healthcare services.DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.SETTING: Community‐dwelling couples with one spouse caring for the other spouse with dementia.PARTICIPANTS: Couples with dementia (N=125) were allocated at random to the intervention (n=63) or control group (n=62).INTERVENTION: Intervention couples were provided with a multicomponent intervention program with a family care coordinator, a geriatrician, support groups for caregivers, and individualized services.MEASUREMENTS: Time from enrollment to institutionalization of spouses with dementia and use of services and service expenditure of couples.RESULTS: At 1.6 years, a larger proportion in the control group than in the intervention group was in long‐term institutional care (25.8% vs 11.1%, P=.03). At 2 years, the difference was no longer statistically significant. The 2‐year adjusted hazard ratio for the intervention group was 0.53 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.23–1.19, P=.12). Intervention led to reduction in use of community services and expenditures. The difference for the benefit of intervention group was −7,985 Euro (95% CI=−16,081 to −1,499, P=.03). When the intervention costs were included, the differences between the groups were not significant.CONCLUSION: Although the intervention did not result in a significant difference in the need for institutional care after 2 years, individualizing services in collaboration with families may lead to reduction in use of and expenditures on municipal services.
Gaps in Procedural Experience and Competency in Medical School Graduates
Authors: Promes Susan B. , Chudgar Saumil M. , Grochowski Colleen O’Connor , Shayne Philip , Isenhour Jennifer , Glickman Seth W. , Cairns Charles B. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The goal of undergraduate medical education is to prepare medical students for residency training. Active learning approaches remain important elements of the curriculum. Active learning of technical procedures in medical schools is particularly important, because residency training time is increasingly at a premium because of changes in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour rules. Better preparation in medical school could result in higher levels of confidence in conducting procedures earlier in graduate medical education training. The hypothesis of this study was that more procedural training opportunities in medical school are associated with higher first‐year resident self‐reported competency with common medical procedures at the beginning of residency training.Methods:  A survey was developed to assess self‐reported experience and competency with common medical procedures. The survey was administered to incoming first‐year residents at three U.S. training sites. Data regarding experience, competency, and methods of medical school procedure training were collected. Overall satisfaction and confidence with procedural education were also assessed.Results:  There were 256 respondents to the procedures survey. Forty‐four percent self‐reported that they were marginally or not adequately prepared to perform common procedures. Incoming first‐year residents reported the most procedural experience with suturing, Foley catheter placement, venipuncture, and vaginal delivery. The least experience was reported with thoracentesis, central venous access, and splinting. Most first‐year residents had not provided basic life support, and more than one‐third had not performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Participation in a targeted procedures course during medical school and increasing the number of procedures performed as a medical student were significantly associated with self‐assessed competency at the beginning of residency training.Conclusions:  Recent medical school graduates report lack of self‐confidence in their ability to perform common procedures upon entering residency training. Implementation of a medical school procedure course to increase exposure to procedures may address this challenge.
A systematic review of implant‐supported maxillary overdentures after a mean observation period of at least 1 year
Authors: Slot Wim , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Vissink Arjan , Huddleston Slater James J. , Meijer Henny J.A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim: The aim of the present systematic review of implant‐supported maxillary overdentures was to assess the survival of implants, survival of maxillary overdentures and the condition of surrounding hard and soft tissues after a mean observation period of at least 1 year.Material and methods: MEDLINE (1950–August 2009), EMBASE (1966–August 2009) and CENTRAL (1800–August 2009) were searched to identify eligible studies. Two reviewers independently assessed the articles.Results: Out of 147 primarily selected articles, 31 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A meta‐analysis showed an implant survival rate (SR) of 98.2% per year in case of six implants and a bar anchorage. In case of four implants and a bar anchorage, the implant SR was 96.3% per person. In case of four implants and a ball anchorage, the implant SR was 95.2% per year.Conclusion: In all three treatment options, the SR of the implants is more than 95%. The studies included reveal that a maxillary overdenture supported by six dental implants, which are connected with a bar, is the most successful treatment regarding survival of both the implants and overdenture. Second in line is the treatment option with four implants and a bar. The treatment option with four or less implants and a ball attachment system is the least successful.
Local and systemic biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid increase odds of periodontitis
Authors: Fitzsimmons Tracy R. , Sanders Anne E. , Bartold P. Mark , Slade Gary D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim: To determine the independent and combined associations of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) on periodontitis case status in the Australian population.Materials and Methods: GCF was collected from 939 subjects selected from the 2004–2006 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health: 430 cases had examiner‐diagnosed periodontitis, and 509 controls did not. IL‐1β and CRP in GCF were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in bivariate and stratified analysis and fully adjusted ORs were estimated using multivariate logistic regression.Results: Greater odds of having periodontitis was associated with higher amounts of IL‐1β (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.7–3.4 for highest tertile of IL‐1β relative to lowest tertile) and CRP (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.5–2.5 for detectable CRP relative to undetectable CRP). In stratified analysis, there was no significant interaction between biomarkers (p=0.68). In the multivariate analyses that controlled for conventional periodontal risk factors, these relationships remained (IL‐1β OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1–2.6; CRP OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.3–2.3).Conclusions:  Elevated odds of clinical periodontitis was associated independently with each biomarker. This suggests that people with elevated biomarkers indicative of either local (IL‐1β) or systemic (CRP) inflammation are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease.
Phylogenetic community structure in Minnesota oak savanna is influenced by spatial extent and environmental variation
Authors: Willis Charles G. , Halina Marta , Lehman Clarence , Reich Peter B. , Keen Adrienne , McCarthy Shawn , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine 
Published: December 2009

The relative importance of environmental filtering, biotic interactions and neutral processes in community assembly remains an openly debated question and one that is increasingly addressed using phylogenetic approaches. Closely related species may occur together more frequently than expected (phylogenetic clustering) if environmental filtering operates on traits with significant phylogenetic signal. Recent studies show that phylogenetic clustering tends to increase with spatial scale, presumably because greater environmental variation is encompassed at larger spatial scales, providing opportunities for species to sort across environmental gradients. However, if environmental filtering is the cause of species sorting along environmental gradients, then environmental variation rather than spatial scale per se should drive the processes governing community assembly. Using species abundance and light availability data from a long‐term experiment in Minnesota oak savanna understory communities, we explicitly test the hypothesis that greater environmental variation results in greater phylogenetic clustering when spatial scale is held constant.Concordant with previous studies, we found that phylogenetic community structure varied with spatial extent. At the landscape scale (~1000 ha), communities were phylogenetically clustered. At the local scale (0.375ha), phylogenetic community structure varied among plots. As hypothesized, plots encompassing the greatest environmental variation in light availability exhibited the strongest phylogenetic clustering. We also found strong correlations between species functional traits, particularly specific leaf area (SLA) and perimeter per area (PA), and species light availability niche. There was also a phylogenetic signal in both functional traits and species light availability niche, providing a mechanistic explanation for phylogenetic clustering in relation to light availability. We conclude that the pattern of increased phylogenetic clustering with increased environmental variation is a consequence of environmental filtering acting on phylogenetically conserved functional traits. These results indicate that the importance of environmental filtering in community assembly depends not on spatial scale per se, but on the steepness of the environmental gradient.