bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic stability of first-episode psychosis
Authors: Amin Shazad , Singh Swaran P. , Brewin John , Jones Peter B. , Medley Ian , Harrison Glyn 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe temporal stability of a diagnosis is one measure of its predictive validity.AimsTo measure diagnostic stability in first-episode psychosis using ICD–10 and DSM–III–R.MethodBetween 1992 and 1994 we ascertained a cohort of persons with first-episode psychosis (n=168), assigning to each a consensus diagnosis. At three-year follow-up, longitudinal consensus diagnoses, blind to onset diagnoses, were made. Stability was measured by the positive predictive values (PPVs) of onset diagnoses. For onset schizophrenia, we also calculated sensitivity, specificity and concordance (κ).ResultsFirst-episode ICD–10 and DSM–III–R schizophrenia had a PPV of over 80% at three years. Over one-third of cases with ICD–10 F20 schizophrenia at three years had non-schizophrenia diagnoses at onset. Manic psychoses showed the highest PPV (91%). For onset schizophrenia, both systems had high specificity (ICD–10: 89; DSM–III–R: 93%), but low sensitivity (ICD–10: 64%; DSM–III–R: 51%) and moderate concordance (ICD–10: 0.54; DSM–III–R: 0.46).ConclusionsBipolar disorders and schizophrenia showed the highest stability. DSM–III–R schizophrenia did not have greater stability than ICD–10 schizophrenia.
More severe mental illness is more concentrated in deprived areas
Authors: Glover Gyles R. , Leese Morven , McCrone Paul 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe greater frequency of mental illness in deprived and inner-city populations is well recognised; allocation of funds in the UK health service makes some allowance for this. However, it is not clear whether the differences are similar for all levels of mental health care need.AimsTo study the range in prevalence of mental health problems and care at primary care, general secondary care and forensic care levels.MethodWe used mainly descriptive statistics to study evidence available from existing sources – some based on indicators of likely need, some on observed prevalance of treatment.ResultsAmong English health authority areas, the most morbid have about twice the prevalence of primary care level mental illness of the least morbid. For secondary care the ratio is between 2.5 and 4 to 1, while for services for mentally disordered offenders it is in excess of 20:1.ConclusionsWhere needs indices are used for resource allocation, responsible authorities should ensure that they produce ranges reflecting the full compass of services funded. For forensic services the range of morbidity levels may be so great that funding needs to rest at a larger population level than that of health authorities.
Heritability of social cognitive skills in children and adolescents
Authors: Scourfield Jane , Martin Neilson , Lewis Glyn , McGuffin Peter 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundSocial cognitive skills are those which enable understanding of social situations; they are relevant to a variety of psychiatric disorders including autism, schizophrenia and externalising behaviour problems in children.AimsTo examine the heritability of social cognitive skills.MethodUsing a population-based sample of twins aged 5–17, the genetic and environmental influences on social cognitive skills were examined.ResultsMale scores were higher than female scores (P < 0.001), indicating poorer social cognition among males. A heritability of 0.68 (95% CI 0.43–0.78) was found, with shared environmental influences accounting for only 0.05 of the variance (95% CI 0.00–0.28). This could be removed from the model without worsening the fit. There were no significant differences in genetic effects between the genders, but age-related changes were found, with younger twins showing greater genetic influence on social cognition.ConclusionsSocial cognition appears to be under considerable genetic influence in the population and shows significant male–female differences. No gender differences in genetic influences on the variance of scores were found, but the effects of age were significant.
Relationship with Family of Origin Scale (REFAMOS)
Authors: Hill Jonathan , Mackie Erica , Banner Linda , Kondryn Helena , Blair Val 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundFamily relationships in the transition from childhood to adult life may be important mediators of risk and resilience for adult psychopathology.AimsTo develop a reliable and valid measure of the quality of relationships with each parent in young adults.MethodInterrater reliability of the Relationship with Family of Origin Scale (REFAMOS) was assessed from audio-taped interviews with 59 subjects. Age-related trends and associations with recalled childhood relationships were examined in survivors of childhood cancer and their controls (n=178).ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients were in the range 0.69–0.95, and κ values 0.80–0.82. Indices of current closeness to mothers were negatively correlated with age of subject and positively correlated with recalled maternal care in childhood. Negative qualities in current relationships were correlated with recalled overprotection.ConclusionsThe REFAMOS has good interrater reliability, and shows the predicted age-related trends in scores and associations with recalled childhood relationships.
Cognitive therapy or imaginal exposure in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Tarrier Nicholas , Sommerfeld Claire , Pilgrim Hazel , Humphreys Lloyd 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundPreviously reported results have demonstrated the efficacy of exposure and cognitive therapy in the treatment of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but have not shown one to be superior to the other.AimsTo investigate whether treatment benefits and equivalence are maintained at 12-month follow-up in patients with chronic PTSD treated with either imaginai exposure or cognitive therapy.MethodTwelve-month follow-up of a randomised clinical trial.ResultsFifty-four subjects (87% of the sample) were available to follow-up. They did not significantly differ clinically from drop-outs. There was significant clinical improvement at 12 months compared with pre-treatment. However, 39% of those followed-up still met criteria for PTSD. There were no significant differences between the two treatments. Victims of crime displayed higher levels of symptoms at follow-up than victims of accidents.ConclusionsClinical benefits for exposure or cognitive therapy were maintained.
High-Dose Yttrium-90–Ibritumomab Tiuxetan With Tandem Stem-Cell Reinfusion: An Outpatient Preparative Regimen for Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Devizzi Liliana , Guidetti Anna , Tarella Corrado , Magni Michele , Matteucci Paola , Seregni Ettore , Chiesa Carlo , Bombardieri Emilio , Di Nicola Massimo , Carlo-Stella Carmelo , Gianni Alessandro M. 
Published: October 2008

Purpose To develop high-dose myeloablative therapy for CD20+ non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) as a safe and widely applicable regimen. Patients and Methods Patients with relapsed/refractory (n = 25) or de novo high-risk (n = 5) NHL received one myeloablative dose of yttrium-90 (90Y)–ibritumomab tiuxetan after five chemotherapy courses, including three cycles of anthracycline- or platinum-containing regimens, one cycle of cyclophosphamide (4 to 7 g/m2), and one cycle of cytarabine (12 to 24 g/m2). The only exclusion criteria were CNS lymphoma and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of more than 3. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Secondary end points included safety and applicability of high-dose 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. To minimize hematologic toxicity, stem cells were reinfused at days 7 and 14 after 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. Results Thirteen patients received 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan 0.8 mCi/kg, and 17 patients received 1.2 mCi/kg. At 1.2 mCi/kg, the radiation absorbed by critical nonhematologic organs approached the protocol-defined upper safety limit, defining this as the recommended dose for subsequent studies. Hematologic toxicity was mild to moderate and of short duration. Infections occurred in 27% of patients (none had a severity grade greater than 3). After a median observation time of 30 months (range, 22 to 48 months), no myeloid secondary malignancy or chromosomal abnormality was observed, the OS rate was 87%, and the EFS rate was 69%. Conclusion High-dose 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan seems to be an innovative myeloablative regimen with unprecedented short-term toxicity and wide applicability. Further studies are required to assess its long-term safety and role in the management of CD20+ NHL.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Variant in the 3′ Untranslated Region Is Associated with Multiple Measures of Blood Pressure
Authors: Chung Charles C. , Shimmin Lawrence , Natarajan Sivamani , Hanis Craig L. , Boerwinkle Eric , Hixson James E. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractContext: The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a key hormone in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis that regulates many pathways including blood pressure homeostasis. Thus, GR gene variation may influence interindividual differences in blood pressure in human populations.Objective: We resequenced individual GR alleles for comprehensive discovery of GR variants and their chromosomal phase in three major American ethnic groups. We examined the influence of GR variants on blood pressure in large numbers of families using family-based association methods.Design and Participants: For association studies, we genotyped GR variants in family members from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study that were measured for multiple blood pressure traits. The GENOA families consisted of African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and European-Americans.Main Measurements: The blood pressure measurements for association studies included systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure.Results: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by resequencing were tested for associations with blood pressure measures in GENOA families. Analysis of individual SNPs identified significant associations of rs6198 A/G in exon 9β with multiple blood pressure measures in European-Americans. Analysis of GR haplotypes found significant associations of a haplotype that is distinguished by rs6198 A/G.Conclusions: Significant associations of blood pressure with rs6198 A/G likely reflect allelic effects on GR signaling. This SNP disrupts a 3′ untranslated region sequence element in exon 9β that destabilizes mRNA, resulting in increased production of the inactive GRβ isoform. Excess heterodimerization with the active GRα isoform may reduce GR signaling with subsequent physiological effects on blood pressure regulation.
OTX2 Loss of Function Mutation Causes Anophthalmia and Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency with a Small Anterior and Ectopic Posterior Pituitary
Authors: Tajima Toshihiro , Ohtake Akira , Hoshino Masaya , Amemiya Shin , Sasaki Nozomu , Ishizu Katsura , Fujieda Kenji 
Published: October 2008

AbstractContext: Orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) is a transcription factor necessary for ocular and forebrain development. In humans, heterozygous mutations of OTX2 cause severe ocular malformations. However, whether mutations of OTX2 cause pituitary structural abnormalities or combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) has not been clarified.Objectives: We surveyed the functional consequences of a novel OTX2 mutation that was detected in a patient with anophthalmia and CPHD.Patient: We examined a Japanese patient with growth disturbance, anophthalamia, and severe developmental delay. He showed deficiencies in GH, TSH, LH, FSH, and ACTH. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small anterior pituitary gland, invisible stalk, ectopic posterior lobe, and Chiari malformation.Results: Sequence analysis of OTX2 demonstrated a heterozygous two bases insertion [S136fsX178 (c.576-577insCT)] in exon 3. The mutant Otx2 protein localized to the nucleus, but did not activate the promoter of the HESX1 and POU1F1 gene, indicating a loss of function mutation. No dominant negative effect in the presence of wild-type Otx2 was observed.Conclusion: This case indicates that the OTX2 mutation is a cause of CPHD. Further study of more patients with OTX2 defects is necessary to clarify the clinical phenotypes and endocrine defects caused by OTX2 mutations.
Peer Interactions and Academic Engagement of Youth With Developmental Disabilities in Inclusive Middle and High School Classrooms
Authors: Carter Erik W. , Sisco Lynn G. , Brown Lissa , Brickham Dana , Al-Khabbaz Zainab A. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
We examined the peer interactions and academic engagement of 23 middle and high school students with developmental disabilities within inclusive academic and elective classrooms. The extent to which students with and without disabilities interacted socially was highly variable and influenced by instructional format, the proximity of general and special educators, and curricular area. Peer interactions occurred more often within small group instructional formats, when students were not receiving direct support from a paraprofessional or special educator, and in elective courses. Academic engagement also varied, with higher levels evidenced during one-to-one or small group instruction and when in proximity of general or special educators. Implications for designing effective support strategies for students with autism and/or intellectual disability within general education classrooms are discussed.
Surviving the Bottleneck: Transmission Mutants and the Evolution of Microbial Populations
Authors: Handel Andreas , Bennett Matthew R 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe ability of microbial populations to increase fitness through fixation of mutants with an increased growth rate has been well described. In experimental studies, this is often the only way fitness can be increased. In natural settings, however, fitness can also be improved by increasing the ability of the microbe to transmit from one host to the next. For many pathogens, transmission includes a phase outside the host during which they need to survive before the chance of reinfecting a new host occurs. In such a situation, a reduced death rate during this phase will lead to improved fitness. Here, we compute the fixation probability of mutants that better survive the transmission bottleneck during the evolution of microbial populations. We derive analytical results that show that transmission mutants are often likely to occur and that their importance relative to growth mutants increases as the population decline during the transmission phase increases. We confirm our theoretical results with numerical simulations and suggest specific experiments that can be done to test our predictions.
Awareness and Attitudes About HIV Among Pregnant Women in Aksu, Northwest China
Authors: Maimaiti Rena , Andersson Rune 
Published: October 2008

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has a firmly established HIV epidemic among its intravenous drug user (IDU) population. Local sex workers were also found to be positive in 1998. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and attitudes among consecutively selected pregnant women was conducted November 2005 in Aksu Prefecture, north-western China, with a population on 2 million with about 25 000 pregnancies per year. A total of 291 pregnant women participated. We found a limited knowledge on mother-to child transmission with several misconceptions. The AIDS campaigns have been successful in making all the women aware of HIV as a sexually transmitted disease. However, the common belief that social contact causes transmission gives a high risk that patients are stigmatized. Obviously, it is important to design HIV information strategies that target pregnant women in north-western China.
Serum triglyceride concentration in dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide
Authors: Kluger Elissa K. , Malik Richard , Ilkin William J. , Snow David , Sullivan David R. , Govendir Merran 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Objective—To compare serum triglyceride concentrations obtained after food had been withheld (ie, fasting concentrations) in dogs with epilepsy that had been treated long term (t 3 months) with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and potassium bromide with concentrations in healthy control dogs.
Design—Cross-sectional study.
Animals—57 epileptic dogs that had been treated with phenobarbital (n = 28) or with phenobarbital and bromide (29) and 57 healthy, untreated control dogs matched on the basis of age, breed, sex, neuter status, and body condition score.
Procedures—Blood samples were collected after food had been withheld for at least 12 hours, and serum biochemical and lipid concentrations were determined. Oral fat tolerance tests were performed in 15 control dogs and 9 dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital alone.
Results—19 of the 57 (33%) epileptic dogs had fasting serum triglyceride concentrations greater than the upper reference limit. Nine (16%) dogs had a history of pancreatitis, and 5 of the 9 had high fasting serum triglyceride concentrations at the time of the study. A significant relationship was found between body condition score and fasting serum triglyceride concentration in all dogs, but serum triglyceride concentration was not significantly associated with phenobarbital dosage or serum phenobarbital concentration.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that dogs treated long term with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide may develop hypertriglyceridemia. Fasting serum triglyceride concentration should be periodically monitored in dogs treated with phenobarbital because hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for pancreatitis.
Primary hyperaldosteronism in a domestic ferret with an adrenocortical adenoma
Authors: Desmarchelier Marion , Lair Stéphane , Dunn Marilyn , Langlois Isabelle 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Case Description—A 6-year-old spayed female domestic ferret was evaluated because of lethargy, alopecia, pruritus, and an abdominal mass.
Clinical Findings—On initial examination, nonregenerative anemia, mild azotemia, and a large left adrenal gland mass were identified. However, deterioration of the ferret's general condition prevented excision of the mass, and dyspnea, weakness, hypertension, and severe hypokalemia developed. Plasma aldosterone concentration was > 3,329 pmol/L, confirming a provisional diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism. High concentrations of sex hormones were also observed, but baseline cortisol concentration was within reference limits.
Treatment and Outcome—Medical treatment included oral administration of spironolactone, potassium gluconate, leuprolide acetate, amlodipine, and benazepril. Inhalation of albuterol proved effective in reducing the dyspnea. In the following weeks, serum potassium concentration returned to within reference limits and hypertension decreased, but dyspnea persisted. Two months after initial examination, the ferret became anorectic and was euthanized. Histologic examination revealed a large left adrenal gland adenoma, progressive chronic nephropathy, severe pulmonary edema, and focal fibrosis in the left ventricle. Immunohistochemical staining of the adrenal gland mass revealed aldosterone within neoplastic adrenocortical cells.
Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that primary hyperaldosteronism should be considered as a possible cause in ferrets with hypokalemia, hypertension, and an adrenal gland mass. Early detection of aldosterone-secreting masses might allow for removal of the tumor before irreversible complications occur.
Does Nasal Irrigation Enter Paranasal Sinuses in Chronic Rhinosinusitis?
Authors: Snidvongs Kornkiat , Chaowanapanja Pattraporn , Aeumjaturapat Songklot , Chusakul Supinda , Praweswararat Puangmali 
Published: October 2008

Background Nasal irrigation is widely used in treating sinonasal diseases. Not only does it remove static secretions and promote mucociliary clearance, but, in chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal flush is also a potential route for topical drug administration into paranasal sinuses. A clinical study was conducted to investigate how well nasal irrigation could reach paranasal sinuses with the ostiomeatal units blocked in chronic rhinosinusitis. This study was performed to (1) assess the ability of a nasal douche and spray to deliver a solution into the paranasal sinuses in chronic rhinosinusitis and (2) compare the performance of the two techniques. Methods Fourteen patients, with bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis, underwent nasal irrigation with 140 mg/mL of iodinated contrast solution by 40 mL of douching using an irrigation syringe in one side, and 10 mL of spraying in the other side. A computed tomography scan was undertaken for each patient to determine the volume and the distribution of staining in the nose and paranasal sinuses. Results Only two patients had any staining, with a small amount present in a total of three maxillary sinuses (0.10 mL, 0.04 mL, and 0.13 mL). The mean volumes of paranasal sinus staining by nasal douche and nasal spray were 0.0093 and 0.01 mL, respectively. We found that the two techniques had a similar performance. Both of them delivered only a small amount of the solution, ifany, into the sinuses (with a mean difference of -0.0007 mL; 95% CI, -0.02–0.02 mL; p = 0.94). Conclusion Nasal douche and spray is not effective in delivering a nasal irrigation solution into paranasal sinuses in chronic rhinosinusitis.
Fuzzy Sarsa Learning and the proof of existence of its stationary points
Authors: Derhami Vali , Majd Vahid Johari , Ahmadabadi Majid Nili 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper provides a new Fuzzy Reinforcement Learning (FRL) algorithm based on critic‐only architecture. The proposed algorithm, called Fuzzy Sarsa Learning (FSL), tunes the parameters of conclusion parts of the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) online. Our FSL is based on Sarsa, which approximates the Action Value Function (AVF) and is an on‐policy method. In each rule, actions are selected according to the proposed modified Softmax action selection so that the final inferred action selection probability in FSL is equivalent to the standard Softmax formula. We prove the existence of fixed points for the proposed Approximate Action Value Iteration (AAVI). Then, we show that FSL satisfies the necessary conditions that guarantee the existence of stationary points for it, which coincide with the fixed points of the AAVI. We prove that the weight vector of FSL with stationary action selection policy converges to a unique value. We also compare by simulation the performance of FSL and Fuzzy Q‐Learning (FQL) in terms of learning speed, and action quality. Moreover, we show by another example the convergence of FSL and the divergence of FQL when both algorithms use a stationary policy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Robust mixedH2/H∞delayed state feedback control of uncertain neutral systems with time‐varying delays
Authors: Karimi Hamid Reza , Zapateiro Mauricio , Luo Ningsu 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of robust mixedH2/H∞delayed state feedback control for a class of uncertain neutral systems with time‐varying discrete and distributed delays. Based on the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional theory, new required sufficient conditions are established in terms of delay‐range‐dependent linear matrix inequalities for the stability and stabilization of the considered system using some free matrices. The desired robust mixedH2/H∞delayed state feedback control is derived based on a convex optimization method such that the resulting closed‐loop system is asymptotically stable and satisfiesH2performance with a guaranteed cost and a prescribed level ofH∞performance, simultaneously. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society