bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychology: Is It Applied Enough?
Authors: Drenth Pieter J.D. 
Published: June 2008

The question “Is psychology applied enough?” can be regarded in two ways. In the first place, it could refer to the distinction “pure versus applied science”, and the reproach that modern scientific experimental psychology has little to offer to the practitioner. It is argued that this distinction has lost much of its topicality in modern science, and certainly with respect to psychology. In this sense “applied psychology” is an outmoded notion. Secondly, it could refer to the question whether psychology is utilised enough in dealing with the great many pressing problems in modern society. And it is shown that this question cannot be answered in the affirmative. Too often psychological aspects of problems escape notice and too often potential psychological contributions are neglected in governmental and organisational decision‐making, also in cases where such a contribution would prove valuable indeed. A number of reasons for such a neglect are discussed and some ways of improvement are suggested.La question de savoir si la psychologie est suffisamment appliquée peut être abordée de deux façons. Elle peut d’abord renvoyer à la distinction entre science fondamentale et science appliquée et à la critique selon laquelle la psychologie expérimentale moderne a peu à offrir au praticien. Nous pensons que cette distinction a perdu beaucoup de son actualité, surtout en psychologie. Dans ces conditions, la « psychologie appliquée » est une notion désuète. Ensuite, cette question peut faire référence au fait de savoir si la psychologie est suffisamment exploitée dans le traitement des nombreux problèmes sociaux qu’il est urgent de résoudre. Il apparaît qu’il n’est pas possible de répondre par l’affirmative. Trop souvent, les dimensions psychologiques des problèmes passent inaperçues et les contributions potentielles de la psychologie sont négligées dans les décisions gouvernementales et organisationnelles, même quand cet apport serait manifestement précieux. On analyse les raisons de cette négligence et l’on suggère quelques pistes en vue d’une amélioration.
Impact of fesoterodine on quality of life: pooled data from two randomized trials
Authors: Kelleher Con J. , Tubaro Andrea , Wang Joseph T. , Kopp Zoe 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of fesoterodine on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome.PATIENTS AND METHODSPooled data from two randomized placebo‐controlled phase III studies were analysed. Eligible patients with frequency and urgency or urgency urinary incontinence were randomized to placebo or fesoterodine 4 or 8 mg for 12 weeks; one trial also included tolterodine extended release (tolterodine‐ER) 4 mg. HRQoL was assessed using the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), a six‐point Likert scale measuring the severity of bladder‐related problems, and treatment response.RESULTSBy the end of treatment, all active‐treatment groups had significantly improved HRQoL compared with those on placebo, as shown by an improvement in the KHQ and ICIQ‐SF scores, treatment response rate, and a major improvement in self‐reported bladder‐related problems. The fesoterodine 8‐mg group had statistically significant improvements over placebo in eight of nine KHQ domains. Fesoterodine 4 mg and tolterodine‐ER produced statistically significant improvements in seven of nine KHQ domains. Fesoterodine 8 mg gave better results than 4 mg in two domains; Emotions and Symptom Severity (P < 0.05). A major improvement (≥2 points) in bladder‐related problems was reported by 33% of patients on fesoterodine 4 mg, 38% on fesoterodine 8 mg, and 34% on tolterodine‐ER, vs 21% on placebo (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSFesoterodine significantly improved HRQoL in patients with OAB. Both fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg produced significant improvements on most KHQ domains, the ICIQ‐SF, treatment response rate, and a Likert scale measuring bladder‐related problems.
Regional differences in sensory innervation and suburothelial interstitial cells in the bladder neck and urethra
Authors: Grol Simone , Van Koeveringe Gommert A. , De Vente Jan , Van Kerrebroeck Philip E.V. , Gillespie James I. 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVETo identify and characterize possible structural specialisations in the wall of the lower urinary tract (LUT) in the region of the bladder urethral junction (BUJ), with the specific objective of identifying regional variations in sensory nerve fibres and interstitial cells (ICs).MATERIALS AND METHODSThe bladder base and urethra was removed from five male guinea pigs killed by cervical dislocation. Tissue pieces were incubated in Krebs’ solution at 36 °C, gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and processed for immunohistochemistry. The nonspecific marker vimentin and the general neuronal marker protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 were used to identify ICs and nerve fibres, respectively. Specific antibody binding was visualized using the appropriate secondary antibodies.RESULTSThe wall of the LUT in the region immediately between the bladder base and the urethra, the BUJ, differed in its cellular composition relative to the adjacent areas. PGP‐positive (PGP+) nerve fibres, presumptive afferent fibres, lay within the urothelium running between the epithelial cells. There were two general nerve patterns: branching fibres with no varicosities, and complex fibres with varicosities. Fibre collaterals with varicosities exited the urothelium and occupied the space under the urothelium adjacent to the layer of suburothelial ICs. The latter, lamina propria and around the muscle bundles were identified using vimentin (vim+). In the base a few vim+ cells were also PGP+. In the region of the BUJ there was a decrease in the amount of smooth muscle. In this region, below the lamina propria, there was an area densely populated with vim+/PGP+ ICs. Nerve fibres ran between the cells in this region.CONCLUSIONThese structural specialisations within the urothelium and deeper layers of the BUJ suggest that they might be associated with specific functions. The localized highly branched network of the putative afferent nerves suggests the presence of a local axonal reflexes involving possible cross‐talk between the urothelium and suburothelial layer. The function of the specialized region of ICs is not known and must await further information on the functional properties of this novel cell type. These observations show further the cellular heterogeneity of the cells in the LUT and the complexity of the structures. One of the major current challenges in functional urology is to understand the relationships between these novel structures and overall bladder and urethral function.
Penile erection induced in vivo by a purified toxin from the Brazilian spider Phoneutria nigriventer
Authors: Andrade Enrico , Villanova Fabiola , Borra Priscila , Leite Katia , Troncone Lanfranco , Cortez Italo , Messina Leonardo , Paranhos Mario , Claro Joaquim , Srougi Miguel 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVESTo verify the effect on erectile tissue of mice of two neuropeptides extracted from the poison of a spider, Phoneutria nigriventer, (Tx2‐5 and ‐6, termed ‘eretina’) after direct injection into the corpus cavernosum, to assess the minimum dosage necessary for effect, the time for initiation of action, the local duration of the erection, histological effects and the presence of local and systemic side‐effects.MATERIALS AND METHODSWhen applied intraperitoneally, eretina promotes the relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle, thus causing penile erection. Thirty‐five mice were divided in two groups; 10 control mice were injected 20 µL of saline solution, and in the treated group, 25 mice were divided into groups of five and each subgroup received eretina in decreasing doses (0.024, 0.012, 0.006, 0.003 and 0.0015 µg/kg) until the minimum dose that produced an erection was determined. After treatment all mice were monitored to determine the response and any collateral effects.RESULTSThe minimum dose producing an erection was 0.006 µg/kg, the five mice in this group having evidence of an erection at 35–45 min after injection. The histology of the cavernosum of mice treated with eretina showed dilatation and congestion of the vascular spaces with more blood than in controls. With the minimum dose there were no local or systemic collateral effects and the erection was lost after 120–140 min.CONCLUSIONThe minimum dose of eretina producing an erection in mice was determined, and the agent was safe for this use as it did not produce any collateral toxic effects. These studies indicate a possible means of determining the mechanism of action of eretina.
The neuronal RhoA GEF, Tech, interacts with the synaptic multi‐PDZ‐domain‐containing protein, MUPP1
Authors: Estévez Marcel A. , Henderson Jennifer A. , Ahn David , Zhu Xin‐Ran , Poschmann Gereon , Lübbert Hermann , Marx Ruth , Baraban Jay M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractTech is a RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that is highly enriched in hippocampal and cortical neurons. To help define its function, we have conducted studies aimed at identifying partner proteins that bind to its C‐terminal PDZ ligand motif. Yeast two hybrid studies using the Tech C‐terminal segment as bait identified MUPP1, a protein that contains 13 PDZ domains and has been localized to the post‐synaptic compartment, as a candidate partner protein for Tech. Co‐transfection of Tech and MUPP1 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells confirmed that these full‐length proteins interact in a PDZ‐dependent fashion. Furthermore, we confirmed that endogenous Tech co‐precipitates with MUPP1, but not PSD‐95, from hippocampal and cortical extracts prepared from rat brain. In addition, immunostaining of primary cortical cultures revealed co‐localization of MUPP1 and Tech puncta in the vicinity of synapses. In assessing which PDZ domains of MUPP1 mediate binding to Tech, we found that Tech can bind to either PDZ domain 10 or 13 of MUPP1 as mutation of both these domains is needed to disrupt their interaction. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Tech binds to MUPP1 and suggest that it regulates RhoA signaling pathways in the vicinity of synapses.
Pregnancy‐related changes in tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use reported by antenatal patients at two public hospitals in South Australia
Authors: HOTHAM Elizabeth , ALI Robert , WHITE Jason , ROBINSON Jeffrey 
Published: June 2008

Background: Australian substance use data do not demonstrate pregnancy‐related changes or distinguish between pregnant and lactating women.Aims: To determine such changes by antenatal patients at two South Australian public hospitals accounting for 35% of the state's births.Methods: In 2005–2006, all first visit antenatal women at the two hospitals were asked by clinic staff to complete an anonymous, self‐administered questionnaire prompting details of substance use, current and previous (while not pregnant or lactating).Results: Questionnaires were returned by 748 women, 34.4% of 2173 eligible in the study period. Women reported use at significantly lower rates than before pregnancy. Tobacco was most used in pregnancy (18.5%), followed by alcohol (11.8%) and cannabis (4.5%), with negligible use of other illicit substances. There was no significant difference in substance use related to trimester. Women with previous pregnancy losses were significantly more likely to use tobacco and alcohol. Younger women were more likely to use tobacco and cannabis, with no age‐related differences in alcohol consumption. First pregnancy was the only factor independently associated with the likelihood of ceasing substance use when pregnant, but only in relation to alcohol.Conclusions: Women were less likely to use all substances when pregnant, and health‐care providers should reinforce and support these decisions. The use of cannabis and alcohol while pregnant was below expectations. Reported tobacco use was concordant with existing data and confirms that the risk of smoking in pregnancy remains a message difficult to communicate in the context of chronic nicotine dependence.
Birth at hospitals with co‐located paediatric units for infants with correctable birth defects
Authors: ALGERT Charles S. , BOWEN Jennifer R. , HADFIELD Ruth M. , OLIVE Emily C. , MORRIS Jonathan M. , ROBERTS Christine L. 
Published: June 2008

Objectives: To determine the percentage of liveborn infants with selected antenatally identifiable and correctable birth defects who were delivered at hospitals with co‐located paediatric surgical units (co‐located hospitals). Additionally, to determine the survival rates for these infants.Patients and methods: Data were from linked New South Wales hospital discharge records from 2001 to 2004. Livebirths with one of the selected defects were included if they underwent an appropriate surgical repair, or died during the first year of life. Infants with multiple lethal birth defects were excluded. Deliveries at co‐located hospitals were identified, but no data on antenatal diagnosis were available.Results: The study identified 287 eligible livebirths with the selected defects. The highest rates of delivery at co‐located hospitals were for gastroschisis (88%), exomphalos (71%), spina bifida (63%) and diaphragmatic hernia (61%), and the lowest for transposition of the great arteries (43%) and oesophageal atresia (40%). Mothers resident outside of metropolitan areas, where the co‐located hospitals are located, had a similar rate of delivery at co‐located hospitals as metropolitan women. For the non‐metropolitan mothers of infants with a birth defect, this represented a 30‐fold increase over the baseline delivery rate of 1.8%. Post‐surgery survival rates were 87% or higher. Overall survival rates were ≥ 86% except for infants with a diaphragmatic hernia.Conclusions: Delivery rates at co‐located hospitals were high for mothers of infants with these correctable birth defects. Regionalised health care appears to work well for these pregnancies, as women living outside metropolitan areas had a similar rate of delivery at co‐located hospitals to that of urban women.
The effect of early removal of indwelling urinary catheter on postoperative urinary complications in anterior colporrhaphy surgery
Authors: SEKHAVAT Leila , FARAJKHODA Tahminah , DAVAR Robab 
Published: June 2008

Objective: To assess whether immediate removal of an indwelling catheter after anterior colporrhaphy influences the rate of re‐catheterisation and symptomatic urinary tract infections.Methods: A prospective randomised study conducted on 90 women divided into two groups who underwent anterior repair. The indwelling catheter was removed immediately (early catheter removal), and at least 24 h after the operation in case and control groups, respectively. The association between clinical variables and the duration of catheterisation and continuous data were analysed by χ2 test and two‐tailed t‐test, respectively. Excel and SPSS 15.0 software were used, and a P‐value of 0.05 or less was considered to indicate statistically significant differences.Result: Symptomatic urinary tract infection was significantly lower in early catheter‐removal group; also patients in this group reported significantly less pain and voiding disturbances. Only a few of women required re‐catheterisation after failing to void and all were able to resume normal voiding, also had shorter ambulation time and hospital stay.Conclusion: Early removal of an indwelling catheter immediately after anterior colporrhaphy was not associated with adverse events and increased rate of re‐catheterisation. In this group, symptomatic urinary tract infection was significantly lower. Moreover, early removal of indwelling catheters immediately after operation seemed to decrease the ambulation time and hospital stay.
Transvaginal radiofrequency thermal ablation: A day‐care approach to symptomatic uterine myomas
Authors: CHO Hyun Hee , KIM Jin Hong , KIM Mee Ran 
Published: June 2008

Background: In patients with myoma, the traditional surgical treatment of choice is myomectomy for women who wish to retain their uterus. However, myomectomy must be performed under general anaesthesia, and the patient requires a long time to recover.Aims:  In the present study, we report our experience with a group of patients who underwent transvaginal radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation of uterine myomas, with emphasis on the safety and efficacy of this procedure.Methods:  Premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine myoma or recently growing myoma were included in this study. The pre‐ and postoperative myoma volumes were measured by 3D ultrasonography. The impact of the symptoms on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) was assessed using the Uterine Fibroids Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire.Results:  The mean initial size of the dominant myoma was 5.3 cm (standard deviation ± 1.58). The reoperation rate was 4.3%. The final reduction rate of the volume of the dominant fibroid was 73%. The symptom scores and HRQL scores showed great improvement after 18 months of myolysis.Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that RF ablation may represent a safe, well‐tolerated, and effective day‐care alternative to conventional surgery for the treatment of uterine myomas.
Pregnancy characteristics of women giving birth to children with fetal alcohol syndrome in Far North Queensland
Authors: COYNE Katherine L. , DE COSTA Caroline M. , HEAZLEWOOD Richard J. , NEWMAN Helen C. 
Published: June 2008

Background: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has been identified as a major cause of impairment to normal physical and intellectual development among Indigenous children in Far North Queensland; however, little is known of the pregnancy characteristics of mothers of those children diagnosed with FAS or of interventions that might assist in lowering the prevalence of the syndrome.Aim: To review the pregnancy records of women whose infants were subsequently diagnosed with FAS by the Paediatric Outreach Service (POS) of the Cairns Base Hospital, and to determine how such women might be identified prospectively in pregnancy and offered intervention to reduce alcohol consumption.Methods: A retrospective case–control study involving all children diagnosed with FAS by the POS between 1994 and 2006; maternal pregnancy records were accessed and details obtained.Results: Mothers of cases were older, of higher parity, smoked more cigarettes, attended fewer antenatal visits and experienced more antenatal and delivery complications than mothers of controls. The average gestational age at booking was not statistically significant between the two groups. There was a significant difference between the two groups in self‐reported alcohol consumption both before and during pregnancy and in numbers of women who decreased alcohol consumption once the diagnosis of pregnancy was known to them.Conclusions: There is the potential to identify prospectively women presenting for antenatal care who are heavy drinkers and risk FAS in their infants, using the self‐reported information about alcohol intake already being collected by our service; such women may then be offered specific interventions to try to reduce alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
Plasma concentrations of lamotrigine and its 2‐N‐glucuronide metabolite during pregnancy in women with epilepsy
Authors: Öhman Inger , Beck Olof , Vitols Sigurd , Tomson Torbjörn 
Published: June 2008

Summary
Objective: To further characterize pregnancy‐induced alterations in the pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine (LTG).
Methods: Fifteen women treated with LTG were studied during 17 pregnancies. Complete trough blood samples from all trimesters and baseline > 1 month after delivery were available for 12 pregnancies (Group A), whereas, five contributed with samples only from the third trimester and baseline (Group B). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine LTG plasma concentrations, and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry to assay the main metabolite 2‐N‐lamotrigine glucuronide (2‐N‐GLUC) in plasma.
Results: In group A, the mean dose/plasma concentration ratio (D/C) of LTG at baseline after pregnancy was 66.5 ± 17.9 (± SD) L/day and approximately 250% higher in late pregnancy. The mean lamotrigine‐2‐N‐glucuronide/lamotrigine plasma concentration ratio (2‐N‐GLUC/LTG) was 0.349 ± 0.141 (± SD) at baseline and 147% higher in late pregnancy. Taking group A and B together, the 2‐N‐GLUC/LTG ratio was 175% higher in the third trimester compared to baseline.
Conclusion: Our study confirms a significant decline in LTG plasma levels during pregnancy in women on monotherapy with LTG. An increased 2‐N‐GLUC/LTG ratio suggests that this decline may be related to an increased metabolism of LTG by glucuronidation.
Focal motor seizures induced by alerting stimuli in critically ill patients
Authors: Hirsch Lawrence J. , Pang Trudy , Claassen Jan , Chang Craig , Khaled Karine Abou , Wittman John , Emerson Ronald G. 
Published: June 2008

Summary
Purpose: We have previously demonstrated that it is common for alerting stimuli to induce electrographic seizures and other periodic or rhythmic patterns in the critically ill; however, only 1 of the first 33 patients we reported with this phenomenon had a detectable clinical correlate.
Methods: Review of charts and video EEG findings in critically ill patients in a neurological ICU at a tertiary care medical center in Manhattan.
Results: We identified nine patients who had focal motor seizures repeatedly induced by alerting stimuli. All patients were comatose, and 8/9 had nonconvulsive status epilepticus at some point during their acute illness. Imaging abnormalities involved bilateral thalami in three patients, upper brainstem in one, and the perirolandic region in five.
Discussion: We hypothesize that in encephalopathic patients, alerting stimuli activate the arousal circuitry, and, when combined with hyperexcitable cortex, result in epileptiform activity or seizures. This activity can be focal or generalized, and is usually nonconvulsive, as is true of seizures in general in the critically ill. However, when the cortex is hyperexcitable in a specific region only, focal EEG findings arise. If the electrographic seizure activity is adequately synchronized and involves motor pathways, this can present as focal motor seizures, as seen in these nine patients. Alerting can induce seizures in encephalopathic/comatose patients. The observation of clear focal clinical seizures removes the last remaining doubt that these stimulus‐induced patterns are indeed seizures by any definition, not simply abnormal arousal patterns.
Riboflavin‐ultraviolet light induced cross‐linking in endothelial decompensation
Authors: Ehlers Niels , Hjortdal Jesper 
Published: June 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the potential of collagen cross‐linking in the treatment of corneal oedema caused by endothelial decompensation.Methods:  Riboflavin‐ultraviolet (UV) treatment induces cross‐linking and reduces stromal swelling. Eleven patients with corneal oedema were treated. The technique comprised: epithelial abrasion; instillation of 0.1% riboflavin in saline, and 5.4 J/cm2 illumination with 365 nm UV‐A light over approximately 30 mins (3 mW/cm2).Results:  A reduction in corneal thickness was observed in 10 patients. The majority also experienced improvement in vision. The effect occurred over weeks and lasted for months.Conclusions:  The study shows a potential application of collagen cross‐linking in the management of patients with corneal oedema. Experimental and additional clinical studies are necessary in order to define the precise indications for this type of treatment.