bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Comprehensive Quality of Life Scale: A Psychometric Evaluation with an Adolescent Sample
Authors: Gullone Eleonora , Cummins Robert A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe term quality of life (QOL) generally refers to the overall evaluation of an individual's life condition, on both objective and subjective dimensions. Quality of life research has focused on global evaluations of life satisfaction in adults. The life quality of adolescents and the performance of central life domains have largely been ignored. This study describes the psychometric properties of the Comprehensive Quality of Life Scale (ComQol) with an adolescent sample. In line with recent conceptualisations of QOL, ComQol assesses subjective and objective QOL on seven life domains. ComQol was administered along with two other self-report instruments (measuring fear and anxiety) to a sample of 264 school-based adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years. The scale yielded life satisfaction data that lay within the normative range for adults. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency analyses indicated that the scale has adequate reliability. In support of convergent validity, fear and anxiety were generally found to be significantly associated with lower levels of life quality. The present study supports the psychometric adequacy of ComQol as an instrument to measure the life quality of adolescents.
A Legacy Neglected: Restating the Case for Single-case Research in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
Authors: Blampied Neville M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe dominant research tradition in psychology, including much of cognitive-behaviour therapy, requires that large numbers of subjects be allocated randomly to form treatment groups. Treatment effects typically are assessed by testing a null hypothesis about group mean differences. This paradigm seriously thwarts the development of a science of individual behaviour, inhibits the implementation of the scientist–practitioner model, stifles innovation, impairs accountability, and precludes the scientific investigation of the exceptional or novel case. Single-case research designs, first systematically expounded by Sidman (1960), make it possible to draw scientifically valid conclusions from the investigation and treatment of individuals. Criticisms of the between-groups research paradigm are summarised, the key elements of single-case designs are outlined, and their consistent adoption strongly recommended.
Gender Differences in Health-check Attendance and Intention in Young Adults: An Application of the Health Belief Model
Authors: Munley Gary A. , McLoughlin Angus , Foster Jeremy J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHealth-check attendance intention and behaviour in young men and women was compared, and the data used to determine whether health belief model constructs were able to predict such intentions and behaviour. Sixty male and sixty female respondents completed questionnaires asking about past health-check attendance behaviour, future attendance intention, and health beliefs. More females than males had previously attended a general health check, and females had stronger intentions to do so in the future. Regression analyses indicated that health-check attendance intention was predicted for both males and females by responses to cues to action. For females, previous health-check attendance was related to responses to cues to action and perceptions of barriers to attendance. None of the health belief model constructs was found to account for previous attendance behaviour of males. The results of the study support recent calls for health promotion initiatives aimed at men, but suggest that they should target cognitions other than those included within the health belief model.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Sexually Abused Children
Authors: King Neville , Tonge Bruce J. , Mullen Paul , Myerson Nicole , Heyne David , Rollings Stephanie , Muris Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChild sexual abuse is a highly prevalent problem that frequently occasions the onset of posttraumatic stress disorder in the victimised youngster. Given the success of cognitive-behavioral interventions with adult trauma victims, it has been suggested that this treatment approach be applied to sexually abused children. We review the empirical support for the efficacy and acceptability of cognitive-behavioral strategies in the treatment of sexually abused children. Several clinical practice and research issues are also noted.
Cognitive-behavioural Treatment for Young People Who Have Been Sexually Abused: Developmental Considerations
Authors: Myerson Nicole N. , King Neville J. , Tonge Bruce J. , Heyne David A. , Young Dawn A. , Papadopoulos Helen 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis article describes the application of cognitive behavioural therapy to three sexually abused young people. We emphasise developmental influences and the nuances of the therapeutic approach. An exposure-based treatment approach was used with the youths. A multimodal assessment evaluation was conducted at pretreatment and posttreatment, and at a 3-month follow-up. Results on outcome measures indicated a positive therapeutic effect for the youths.
Direct nucleic acid-based detection of MRSA from clinical specimens1
Authors: Reischl Udo , Holzmann Thomas 
Published: July 2008

Over the past few years a dramatic increase in the methicillin resistance of S. aureus isolates has been observed worldwide. Infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are accompanied by higher rates of morbidity and mortality, extended length of stay and increased overall costs. Large-scale hygienic measures are necessary to prevent the spread of the resistant isolates to patients not yet infected or colonized by MRSA. It has been demonstrated that the sooner such measures are taken, the smaller the probability of transmission to other patients. To achieve this result requires rapid identification of MRSA carriers. Even more recent culture-based detection methods can provide results only after 24 h. The use of modern PCR-supported detection methods opens the possibility to record findings within only a few hours. While the original test concepts, which are based on the separate detection of the mecA gene and various markers for S. aureus, have proven to be a good culture verification test, they are of limited usefulness for the rapid and meaningful direct detection of MRSA in clinical specimens. Recently developed, innovative test concepts based on the targeted detection of the integration of a so-called SCCmec element (a gene cluster typically also harboring the methicillin-resistance transmitting mecA-gen) in the S. aureus genome are better suited for this purpose. At present there exist a number of commercial test systems as well as a multitude of test concepts developed in-house, all of which are based on this fundamental principle. Although these assays usually display high levels of sensitivity (90–100%), specificity (93–99%) and positive predictive values above 95%, their negative predictive values are usually distinctly lower (80–95%). Meanwhile, with the increasingly broader use of these test methods several disturbance variables have been identified that can lead to false positive or false negative results. In view of these limits a combination of PCR-supported and cultural detection methods would appear to present a sensible policy.
Pflanzliche Sterole: Risikofaktoren für kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen? / Plant sterols: Cardiovascular risk factors?
Authors: Silbernagel Günther , März Winfried 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Pflanzliche Sterole werden als pharmakologisch aktive Substanzen zur Cholesterinsenkung verwendet. Durch den regelmäßigen Konsum von Produkten, die mit pflanzlichen Sterolen angereichert sind, kommt es zu einer moderaten Erhöhung der Plasmakonzentration an pflanzlichen Sterolen. Eine sehr seltene Krankheit, die Sitosterolämie, ist charakterisiert durch Xanthome und eine massiv erhöhte Konzentration an pflanzlichen Sterolen im Plasma. Da Patienten mit Sitosterolämie mitunter bereits im Jugendalter von koronarer Herzkrankheit betroffen sind, wird darüber diskutiert, ob pflanzliche Sterole möglicherweise auch bei einer moderaten Erhöhung ihrer Plasmakonzentration atherogen wirken könnten. Folglich herrscht auch keine einheitliche Meinung darüber, ob durch die Einnahme pflanzlicher Sterole zum Zweck der Cholesterinsenkung das kardiovaskuläre Risiko reduziert werden kann.
Neben ihrer Bedeutung als Cholesterinsenker spielen pflanzliche Sterole zusammen mit verschiedenen anderen Cholesterinmetaboliten eine wichtige Rolle bei der Untersuchung des Cholesterinstoffwechsels. Durch die Quantifizierung dieser Sterole im Plasma können Rückschlüsse auf die Cholesterinaufnahme aus dem Darm und die körpereigene Cholesterinsynthese gezogen werden.
Die vorliegende Arbeit bietet einen Überblick über das Thema „Pflanzliche Sterole“. Es wird auf den Cholesterinstoffwechsel, die Sitosterolämie und auf die Verwendung von pflanzlichen Sterolen als Cholesterinsenker eingegangen. Im speziellen wird die Rolle der pflanzlichen Sterole und des Cholesterinstoffwechsels in der Atherogenese beleuchtet. Abschließend wird der Frage nach dem Stellenwert der labormedizinischen Bestimmung pflanzlicher Sterole nachgegangen.
Fortschritte in der Diagnostik von Varizella Zoster und Stellenwert der Impfung / Advances in varicella zoster virus diagnostics and importance of vaccination
Authors: Wittek Miriam 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Das Varizella-Zoster-Virus (VZV) gehört zu einem der acht bisher bekannten humanpathogenen Herpesviren.
Während Windpocken (Primärinfektion) eine typische Erkrankung im Kindes- und Jugendalter sind, tritt der Zoster (endogene Reaktivierung) gehäuft bei älteren Menschen jenseits des fünften Lebensjahrzehnts auf. Der Zoster, auch Gürtelrose genannt, ist eine neurokutane Entzündungskrankheit, die als endogene Reaktivierung der latent in den (Hinterwurzel-) Ganglienzellen persistierenden Varizella-Zoster-Viren definiert ist.
Ernsthafte Komplikationen, die im Zusammenhang mit dem Zoster beschrieben werden, treten vor allem bei älteren und immunsupprimierten Patienten auf. Diese können sich an Haut, Auge, Ohr, an verschiedenen inneren Organen sowie am zentralen und peripheren Nervensystem manifestieren. Ein fortschreitendes Nachlassen der VZV-spezifischen zellvermittelten Immunität ist mit dem Alter assoziiert, ebenso wie der gleichzeitige Anstieg von Inzidenz und Schweregrad einer Zosterinfektion sowie das Auftreten einer postzosterischen Neuralgie (PZN).
Die postzosterische Neuralgie (PZN), die einen chronischen Schmerzzustand beschreibt, stellt die häufigste Komplikation des Zosters dar. Im Fall einer eindeutigen klinischen Situation (Prodromalschmerzen, charakteristische Hauteffloreszenzen (Eruptionen, Bläschen), dermatomabhängige Schmerzen) werden keine laboratoriumsdiagnostischen Nachweisverfahren benötigt. Aber gerade bei Patienten, die keine „Zoster-typische Klinik“ aufzeigen, kann eine schnelle Diagnosesicherung durch verschiedene Nachweismethoden hilfreich sein, um schnellstmöglich eine antivirale Therapie einzuleiten. Es wird empfohlen, diese so früh wie möglich, d.h. innerhalb von 72 Stunden nach Auftreten der ersten Effloreszenzen, zu beginnen. Das Hauptziel der Therapie sollte die Kontrolle und Reduktion des akuten Zosterschmerzes, die verkürzte Virusreplikation, die Verhinderung der Ausbreitung der Hautläsionen sowie die Prävention der postzosterischen Neuralgie und weiterer ernsthafter Komplikationen sein. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Vor- und Nachteile verschiedener Nachweisverfahren (Mikroskopie, Immunofluoreszenztechnik, DNA-Nachweisverfahren, Virusisolierung und Serologie) beschrieben. Eine attenuierte VZV-Lebendvakzine wurde entwickelt, um Herpes Zoster und die PZN bei über 60- jährigen zu verhindern (Shingles Prevention Study). Es wird ein Überblick über die Epidemiologie, Pathogenese, klinischen Aspekte, Komplikationen, therapeutischen Möglichkeiten sowie die Prävention eines Herpes Zoster gegeben.
Erkennung von bakteriellen Resistenzmechanismen in der täglichen Diagnostik / Recognition of bacterial resistance mechanisms in routine diagnostics
Authors: Gatermann Sören , Kaase Martin 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Die Erkennung bakterieller Resistenzmechanismen kann in vielen Fällen Grundlage für therapeutische Empfehlungen bieten. Die Ableitung eines Resistenzmechanismus aus den Messdaten einer In-vitro-Resistenzbestimmung ist nicht trivial und erfordert neben dem Wissen um typische Muster auch zusätzliche Untersuchungen. Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt eine Übersicht über häufige Mechanismen, deren Erkennung und die daraus abzuleitenden therapeutischen Konsequenzen. Besprochen werden insbesondere die Methicillin-(Oxacillin)-Resistenz und die Makrolid-/Lincosamidresistenz bei Staphylokokken, die Erkennung und Bedeutung von Extended-Spectrum-β-Laktamasen (ESBL) und AmpC-β-Laktamasen bei Enterobakterien und einige grundsätzliche Mechanismen bei nicht fermentativen gramnegativen Stäbchen. In tabellarischer Darstellung werden mögliche Phänotypen und ihre Interpretation nebeneinander gestellt. Die Interpretationen sind auch in einem Programm verfügbar (http://memiserf.medmikro.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/ResId).
Operational Aspects of Cooperative Systems – Organisation, Operation and Financing of Innovative Telematics Services (Betriebsaspekte kooperativer Systeme – Organisation, Betrieb und Finanzierung innovativer Telematik-Dienste)
Authors: Ortgiese Michael , Hubschneider Hans 
Published: July 2008

Summary
In addition to technology, the areas of organisation, operation and financing present a central challenge for the introduction of new service concepts. Cooperative systems are currently under development from a technical viewpoint, but sustainable operation concepts are missing. The article highlights central aspects and analyses current real-life examples.
Telematics Issues in California's VII Testbed (Telematikaspekte im kalifornischen VII Feldtest)
Authors: Dickey Susan , VanderWerf Joel 
Published: July 2008

Summary
The VII California project has developed a testbed of infrastructure-connected wireless access points on urban arterials and expressways. This paper discusses the use of the testbed for research and development of technologies and applications related to vehicle-infrastructure integration. The focus of this paper is on protocol design, connectivity to traffic signal state, external information sources, and system management. Experience gathered from the testbed will contribute to future field-test deployments, application design, scalability predictions, and input to broader system design and standardization efforts.
Autonomes Fahren – Erkenntnisse aus der DARPA Urban Challenge (Autonomous Driving – Insights from the DARPA Urban Challenge)
Authors: Berger Christian , Rumpe Bernhard 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Mit der Urban Challenge hat die DARPA Ende 2007 ihr erklärtes Ziel erreicht, nachzuweisen, dass autonomes Fahren prinzipiell möglich ist. In diesem Artikel wird skizziert, welcher Stand tatsächlich erreicht wurde und welche Herausforderungen nun bearbeitet werden wollen.
GPU basierte Verfahren zur interaktiven Simulation und Darstellung von Fluid-Effekten (A GPU Framework for Interactive Simulation and Rendering of Fluid Effects)
Authors: Krüger Jens Harald 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Entwicklung von Konzepten und Methoden zur interaktiven visuellen Simulation von Fluid-Phänomenen auf PC-Grafikkarten (GPUs). Für die numerische Simulation auf GPUs wurde eine GPU-Abstraktionsschicht entwickelt, die Operatoren für Lineare Algebra bereitstellt. Damit wurden komplexere Algorithmen, z.B. Löser für große lineare Gleichungssysteme, realisiert und zur effizienten numerischen Lösung von Differentialgleichungen auf der GPU verwendet. Zur Modellierung von Strömungsstrukturen wurden neue Interaktionstechniken entwickelt. Für die Darstellung der dynamischen Phänomene wurden partikel- und texturbasierte Volume-Rendering-Techniken erforscht. Durch das Zusammenspiel mit der Simulation auf der GPU lassen sich realistische 3D-Effekte sehr schnell generieren und visualisieren.
High Glucose Induces Toll-Like Receptor Expression in Human Monocytes
Authors: Dasu Mohan R. , Devaraj Sridevi , Zhao Ling , Hwang Daniel H. , Jialal Ishwarlal 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—Hyperglycemia-induced inflammation is central in diabetes complications, and monocytes are important in orchestrating these effects. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in innate immune responses and inflammation. However, there is a paucity of data examining the expression and activity of TLRs in hyperglycemic conditions. Thus, in the present study, we examined TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein expression and mechanism of their induction in monocytic cells under high-glucose conditions.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—High glucose (15 mmol/l) significantly induced TLR2 and TLR4 expression in THP-1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P &lt; 0.05). High glucose increased TLR expression, myeloid differentiation factor 88, interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase-1, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65-dependent activation in THP-1 cells. THP-1 cell data were further confirmed using freshly isolated monocytes from healthy human volunteers (n = 10).
RESULTS—Pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity and NADPH oxidase significantly decreased TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein (P &lt; 0.05). Knocking down both TLR2 and TLR4 in the cells resulted in a 76% (P &lt; 0.05) decrease in high-glucose–induced NF-κB activity, suggesting an additive effect. Furthermore, PKC-α knockdown decreased TLR2 by 61% (P &lt; 0.05), whereas inhibition of PKC-δ decreased TLR4 under high glucose by 63% (P &lt; 0.05). Small inhibitory RNA to p47Phox in THP-1 cells abrogated high-glucose–induced TLR2 and TLR4 expression. Additional studies revealed that PKC-α, PKC-δ, and p47Phox knockdown significantly abrogated high-glucose–induced NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokine secretion.
CONCLUSIONS—Collectively, these data suggest that high glucose induces TLR2 and -4 expression via PKC-α and PKC-δ, respectively, by stimulating NADPH oxidase in human monocytes.
Predictors of Cognitive Decline in Older Individuals With Diabetes
Authors: Bruce David G. , Davis Wendy A. , Casey Genevieve P. , Starkstein Sergio E. , Clarnette Roger M. , Almeida Osvaldo P. , Davis Timothy M.E. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to determine longitudinal predictors of cognitive decline in older individuals with diabetes who did not have dementia.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Cognitive assessments were performed in 205 subjects with diabetes (mean age 75.3 years) and repeated a median 1.6 years later. The sample was drawn from an existing cohort study, and data on diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors, and complications were collected 7.6 ± 1.1 years before and at the time of the initial cognitive assessment. Cognitive status was defined using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, and cognitive decline was defined by change in CDR.
RESULTS—The sample included 164 subjects with normal cognition (CDR 0) and 41 with cognitive impairment without dementia (CDR 0.5). At follow-up, 33 (16.1%) had experienced cognitive decline (4 new cases of dementia and 29 cognitive impairment without dementia). Only educational attainment predicted cognitive decline from the data collected 7.6 years before cognitive assessment. Univariate predictors of cognitive decline at the time of the first cognitive assessment included age, education, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and treatment with either ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). With multiple logistic regression controlling for age and education, cognitive decline was predicted by natural logarithm ACR (odds ratio 1.37 [95% CI 1.05–1.78], P = 0.021), whereas treatment with either ACEIs or ARBs was protective (0.28 [0.12–0.65], P = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS—In this sample of older patients with diabetes, microalbuminuria was a risk factor for cognitive decline, whereas drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system were protective. These observations require confirmation because of their considerable potential clinical implications.
Testosterone Concentration in Young Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Chandel Anil , Dhindsa Sandeep , Topiwala Shehzad , Chaudhuri Ajay , Dandona Paresh 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—We have previously shown that hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is common in middle-aged patients with type 2, but not with type 1, diabetes. We have now investigated the total and free testosterone concentrations in young (aged 18–35 years) type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In this study carried out in a tertiary referral center, serum concentrations of total and free testosterone were measured in 38 type 1 diabetic (mean age 26.45 ± 0.89 years) and 24 type 2 diabetic (mean age 27.87 ± 0.97 years) subjects. The mean BMI of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients was 27.41 ± 1.18 and 38.55 ± 2.04 kg/m2, respectively (P &lt; 0.001).
RESULTS—The mean total testosterone concentration of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients was 22.89 ± 1.23 and 11.14 ± 0.99 nmol/l, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). The mean free testosterone concentration of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients was 0.489 ± 0.030 and 0.296 ± 0.022 nmol/l, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Eight of 24 (33%) type 2 diabetic patients had subnormal free testosterone concentrations (&lt;0.225 nmol/l). Using an age-based reference range, 14 of 24 (58%) type 2 diabetic patients had low free testosterone concentrations (&lt;0.278 nmol/l). Three of 38 (8%) type 1 diabetic patients had free testosterone concentrations below the lower limit of normal (P = 0.02 when compared with type 2 diabetes). Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients with low free testosterone concentrations were in the normal range and were similar to those in type 1 diabetic patients.
CONCLUSIONS—Young type 2 diabetic patients have significantly lower plasma concentrations of total and free testosterone and inappropriately low LH and FSH concentrations with a very high prevalence of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, when compared with type 1 diabetic patients of a comparable age. The potential implications for their sexual and reproductive function during prime reproductive years are profound.
A1C Variability and the Risk of Microvascular Complications in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Kilpatrick Eric S. , Rigby Alan S. , Atkin Stephen L. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—Debate remains as to whether short- or long-term glycemic instability confers a risk of microvascular complications in addition to that predicted by mean glycemia alone. In this study, we analyzed data from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) to assess the effect of A1C variability on the risk of retinopathy and nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A1C was collected quarterly during the DCCT in 1,441 individuals. The mean A1C and the SD of A1C variability after stabilization of glycemia (from 6 months onwards) were compared with the risk of retinopathy and nephropathy with adjustments for age, sex, disease duration, treatment group, and baseline A1C.
RESULTS—Multivariate Cox regression showed that the variability in A1C added to mean A1C in predicting the risk of development or progression of both retinopathy (hazard ratio 2.26 for every 1% increase in A1C SD [95% CI 1.63–3.14], P &lt; 0.0001) and nephropathy (1.80 [1.37–2.42], P &lt; 0.0001), with the relationship a feature in conventionally treated patients in particular.
CONCLUSIONS—This study has shown that variability in A1C adds to the mean value in predicting microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes. Thus, in contrast to analyses of DCCT data investigating the effect of short-term glucose instability on complication risk, longer-term fluctuations in glycemia seem to contribute to the development of retinopathy and nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.