bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Imbalance between excitation and inhibition among synaptic connections of CA3 pyramidal neurons in cultured hippocampal slices
Authors: Cruz‐Martín Alberto , Schweizer Felix E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA fundamental property of small neuronal ensembles is their ability to be selectively activated by distinct stimuli. One cellular mechanism by which neurons achieve this input selectivity is by modulating the temporal dynamics of excitation and inhibition. We explored the interplay of excitation and inhibition in synapses between pyramidal neurons of cornu ammonis field 3 of the hippocampal formation (CA3) in cultured rat hippocampal slices, where activation of a single excitatory cell can readily recruit local interneurons. Simultaneous whole‐cell recordings from pairs of CA3 pyramidal neurons revealed that the strength of connections was neither uniform nor balanced. Rather, stimulation of presynaptic neurons elicited distinct combinations of excitatory postsynaptic current–inhibitory postsynaptic current (EPSC–IPSC) amplitudes in the postsynaptic neurons. EPSC–IPSC sequences with small EPSCs had large IPSCs and sequences that contained large EPSCs had small IPSCs. In addition to differences in the amplitudes of the responses, the kinetics of the EPSCs were also different, creating distinct temporal dynamics of excitation and inhibition. Weaker EPSCs had significantly slower kinetics and were efficiently occluded by IPSCs, thereby further limiting their contribution to depolarizing the postsynaptic membrane. Our data suggest that hippocampal pyramidal cells may use an imbalance between excitation and inhibition as a filter to enhance selectivity toward preferential excitatory connections.
Halophilic Archaea determined from geothermal steam vent aerosols
Authors: Ellis Dean G. , Bizzoco Richard W. , Kelley Scott T. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryHydrothermal vents, known as ‘fumaroles’, are ubiquitous features of geothermal areas. Although their geology has been extensively characterized, little is known about the subsurface microbial ecology of fumaroles largely because of the difficulty in collecting sufficient numbers of cells from boiling steam water for DNA extraction and culture isolation. Here we describe the first collection, molecular analysis and isolation of microbes from fumarole steam waters in Russia (Kamchatka) and the USA (Hawaii, New Mexico, California and Wyoming). Surprisingly, the steam vent waters from all the fumaroles contained halophilic Archaea closely related to the Haloarcula spp. found in non‐geothermal salt mats, saline soils, brine pools and salt lakes around the world. Microscopic cell counting estimated the cell dispersal rate at approximately 1.6 × 109 cells year−1 from a single fumarole. We also managed to enrich microbes in high‐salt media from every vent sample, and to isolate Haloarcula from a Yellowstone vent in a 20% salt medium after a month‐long incubation, demonstrating both salt tolerance and viability of cells collected from high‐temperature steam. Laboratory tests determined that microbes enriched in salt media survived temperatures greater than 75°C for between 5 and 30 min during the collection process. Hawaiian fumaroles proved to contain the greatest diversity of halophilic Archaea with four new lineages that may belong to uncultured haloarchaeal genera. This high diversity may have resulted from the leaching of salts and minerals through the highly porous volcanic rock, creating a chemically complex saline subsurface.
Teaching comprehension and critical literacy: investigating guided reading in three primary classrooms
Authors: Fisher Annie 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWith the introduction of the National Literacy Strategy, England's primary school teachers were asked to replace “listening to children read”–a practice deeply embedded in UK pedagogy–with guided reading, a practice focused on interpretive and critical comprehension rather than accuracy and fluency. This small‐scale research project addresses the perceptions of the author's Primary B.Ed. student teachers that what goes on under the name of guided reading in the classrooms in which they undertake teaching practice does not do justice to the term. In particular, it examines the claim that fluent readers are still engaged in reading aloud, rather than being taught how to develop analytical strategies for comprehension and engage in collaborative dialogue to develop cognition and promote interpretive critical literacy. Using interpretive methodology, this small‐scale study examines episodes of guided reading in three case study classrooms. In each episode examined, although some form of group reading was conducted, there was no opportunity for children to read silently or engage in collaborative discussion, little teaching of inferential comprehension and none of evaluative strategies. The study reaches tentative rather than conclusive answers. These suggest that the effective teaching of guided reading depends both upon the understanding of its psychological underpinning, and also on the teacher's ability, through sharing responsibility for problem solving with the children, to build bridges between what is known and what is new.
Impact of fatigue on quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Havlikova E. , Rosenberger J. , Nagyova I. , Middel B. , Dubayova T. , Gdovinova Z. , Van Dijk J. P. , Groothoff J. W. 
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose:  Fatigue is frequent and important in the lives of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. It is multidimensional, with physical and mental aspects. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of fatigue on quality of life (QoL) for PD patients.Methods:  The sample consisted of 175 PD patients from Eastern Slovakia (52% males, mean age 68.2 ± 9.2, mean disease duration 7.4 ± 6.7). The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (five dimensions), the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (eight dimensions) and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale were used. Demographic data were obtained in a structured interview. Fisher’s exact test, t‐test, and multiple linear regression analysis were used.Results:  Different aspects of fatigue selectively explained different domains of QoL – physical dimensions of fatigue were connected with Mobility and Activities of daily living; mental fatigue dimensions affected Cognition, Emotional well‐being, Communication and Activities of daily living; general fatigue was related to Bodily discomfort. The explained variances varied from 5% (Social support) to 65% (Activities of daily living).Conclusion:  Fatigue combined with worse functional status appears to be a significant contributor to poor quality of life. Its multidimensional construct can be used to develop strategies for improving specific aspects of fatigue to improve QoL for PD patients.
The fourth shift: exploring the gendered nature of sleep disruption among couples with children
Authors: Venn Susan , Arber Sara , Meadows Robert , Hislop Jenny 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe study of sleep has been neglected within sociology, yet may provide insights into fundamental aspects of the nature of gender inequalities. This article examines how, for couples with children, sleep is influenced by the gendered nature of caring. A key concern is not only who gets up to care for children's physical needs at night, but whether this changes with women's increased role in the labour market. Of concern also is how changes in the nature of caring for older children, as opposed to young children, may impact on parents’ sleep.This article analyses qualitative data from an ESRC funded multi‐disciplinary project on couples’ sleep based on in‐depth audio‐tape recorded interviews with 26 couples (aged 20–59) with younger and older children. Additionally, one week's audio sleep diaries were completed and follow up in‐depth interviews were undertaken with each partner on an individual basis.Physical and emotional care for young children at night was largely provided by women, with a lack of explicit negotiation between partners about who provides this care, even when women return to employment. Thus, considerably more women than men continued their daytime and evening shifts, as well as undertaking an ongoing third shift of sentient activity for their family, into the night. This resulted in a fourth night‐time shift where physical caring, and sentient activities continued. As a consequence, women were more likely to subjugate their own sleep needs to those of their family. Fathers did not, in general, undertake this fourth night‐time shift. Those that did were more likely to be the fathers of young adult children who were staying out late at night, with the focus of their concerns being the safety of their children.
Our favourite melodies: musical consumption and teenage lifestyles1
Authors: Tanner Julian , Asbridge Mark , Wortley Scot 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe present study explores the determinants and lifestyle correletes of musical preferences among a large sample of high school students in Toronto, Ontario. Our work is informed by theory and research on cultural stratification and adolescent subcultures. In terms of cultural stratification, we engage with Bourdieu's (1984) and Peterson's (1996) conceptualizations of elite taste, while subcultural theory encourages us to focus upon more dissenting tastes and to explore connections between musical tastes and peer group activity. Our findings suggest that racial and ethnic identity, school experiences and cultural capital are significant sources of variation in musical tastes that loosely correspond to existing typologies; they also confirm what has often been inferred – that musical tastes and peer group cultural practices are closely linked. Our findings are then discussed in the light of current debates about the nature and dimensions of listening audiences for music.
Being a pretty good citizen: an analysis and monetary valuation of formal and informal voluntary work by gender and educational attainment1
Authors: Egerton Muriel , Mullan Killian 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper is set in the context of macrosocial/macroeconomic theories of the organization of both paid and unpaid work. The specific topic investigated is engagement in unpaid voluntary work, an activity which is thought to be important for social cohesion, civil society and citizenship. Research on the sources of social cohesion has focused on organizational membership and voluntary organization activity. There has been little investigation of informal helping of non‐resident kin, friends or acquaintances, an activity which is not measured in most social surveys but is measured in time use surveys. Previous research shows that the highly educated are more likely to engage in formal voluntary organizations and data from the UK 2000 HETUS survey confirm that the highly educated spend more time on formally organised voluntary work. However, the less qualified, particularly women, spend more time on extra‐household unpaid helping activities. Since both types of voluntary work are partly dependent on available time, these findings are modelled adjusting for time allocated to paid work, study, family and personal care. The findings remain statistically significant. Drawing on work carried out by the Office for National Statistics, a monetary value is placed on both formally organized and informal voluntary work. Although the median wage rates for formal voluntary work are greater than those for informal helping, the latter is greater in frequency and duration and therefore more economically valuable from a population perspective. This finding is discussed in the light of recent debates on citizenship and gender.
Two‐Stage Group Sequential Robust Tests in Family‐Based Association Studies: Controlling Type I Error
Authors: Yan Lihan K. , Zheng Gang , Li Zhaohai 
Published: March 2008

SummaryIn family‐based association studies, an optimal test statistic with asymptotic normal distribution is available when the underlying genetic model is known (e.g., recessive, additive, multiplicative, or dominant). In practice, however, genetic models for many complex diseases are usually unknown. Using a single test statistic optimal for one genetic model may lose substantial power when the model is mis‐specified. When a family of genetic models is scientifically plausible, the maximum of several tests, each optimal for a specific genetic model, is robust against the model mis‐specification. This robust test is preferred over a single optimal test. Recently, cost‐effective group sequential approaches have been introduced to genetic studies. The group sequential approach allows interim analyses and has been applied to many test statistics, but not to the maximum statistic. When the group sequential method is applied, type I error should be controlled. We propose and compare several approaches of controlling type I error rates when group sequential analysis is conducted with the maximum test for family‐based candidate‐gene association studies. For a two‐stage group sequential robust procedure with a single interim analysis, two critical values for the maximum tests are provided based on a given alpha spending function to control the desired overall type I error.
Mental health in migrant children
Authors: Stevens Gonneke W.J.M. , Vollebergh Wilma A.M. 
Published: March 2008

Many factors have been identified to explain differences in mental health problems between migrant and native children: the process of migration, the ethnic minority position of migrants, their specific cultural background and the selection of migrants. In this paper, the international literature regarding mental health of migrant children is reviewed using strict selection criteria. An extensive search was carried out to locate journal articles on the subject of mental health in migrant youth published since the 1990s. Only 20 studies met all inclusion criteria. Besides the conclusion that the studies did not unequivocally find an increased risk of mental health problems in migrant children, it proved to be very difficult to draw any sound conclusions with respect to these children's risk of mental health problems, since the impact of migration on children's mental health varied with the informants used and the characteristics of the migrant group and of the host country. The lack of univocal definitions of key terms further complicated generalised conclusions in this research field. As such, this research field is in urgent need of more research using standardised research designs, methodology and definitions. A proposition for this research design is made.
Anaesthetic choice in the colposcopy clinic: a retrospective analysis of routinely collected data
Authors: Swancutt DR , Luesley DM , Eastaugh JL , Wilson S 
Published: March 2008

Objectives  Current guidelines recommend that less than 20% of treatments in colposcopy clinics should be under general anaesthetic. The objective of this study was to increase the evidence base for guidelines by establishing the proportion of women receiving general anaesthesia for treatment, determining the predictors of and reasons recorded for general anaesthetic use.Design  Retrospective analysis of routinely collected data.Setting  NHS Trust in the West Midlands.Participants  Colposcopy patients; January 2003 to March 2005.Methods  Logistic regression of factors associated with general anaesthetic choice.Main outcome measures  Proportion of women treated under general anaesthesia, factors associated with anaesthetic choice and reasons recorded for general anaesthetic use.Results  About 5.4% (204/3777) of new appointments for colposcopy received treatment under general anaesthetic. Of women requiring treatment, 20% (204/1003) received general anaesthetic. General anaesthetic was more likely to be used when the woman required loop excision (OR = 3.63, 95% CI 2.11–6.24) and less likely when directed biopsy was performed (OR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.01–0.80), when the patient appointment date was after introduction of new guidelines (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.24–0.56) or when the assessment visit was with a nonconsultant status doctor rather than nurse or consultant (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.97). General anaesthetic use varied between colposcopists ranging from 0 to 16.5% of new patients seen. Woman’s choice was the most commonly specified reason for the use of general anaesthetic.Conclusions  The proportion of colposcopy patients treated under general anaesthetic is 20%, within guideline limits. Substantial variation in general anaesthetic rates between colposcopists was observed, and further investigation is required to discover the reason for this.
pH‐balanced tampons: do they effectively control vaginal pH?
Authors: Melvin L , Glasier A , Elton R , Cameron ST 
Published: March 2008

Objective  To determine if tampons lubricated with pH‐balanced gel are effective at maintaining normal vaginal pH.Design  Randomised controlled trial.Setting  Urban family planning clinic and teaching hospital.Population  Healthy volunteers using the combined oral contraceptive pill.Methods  Women were randomised to use an existing lubricating gel (pH 5.1) or a lactic acid‐buffered gel (pH 3.8–4.2) with regular size, non‐applicator tampons. In the preceding control cycle, women used identical tampons without gel.Main outcome measures  Vaginal pH ≤ 4.5, microbiology (candida and bacterial vaginosis [BV]) and colposcopic appearance within 72 hours of tampon use, subject acceptability and symptoms.Results  Eighty‐one out of 98 (83%) women completed the study. No significant difference was observed between tampons with the standard gel formulation, the pH‐balanced gel and nonlubricated tampons in terms of vaginal pH, microbiological evidence of candida or BV, or colposcopic appearance. Acceptability scores were significantly higher for lubricated tampons compared with nonlubricated tampons (P < 0.05), although there was no difference in reported symptoms.Conclusions  Tampons lubricated with pH‐balanced gel do not control vaginal pH. There was no evidence of measurable health benefits of lubricated tampons, but women preferred tampons without lubrication.
Gender differences in final year medical students’ experience of teaching of intimate examinations: a questionnaire study
Authors: Akkad A , Bonas S , Stark P 
Published: March 2008

Objectives  To examine final year medical students’ experience of being taught to conduct intimate examinations.Design  Prospective questionnaire study.Setting  Medical school in the UK.Population  Medical students in the final year cohort 2005/06.Methods  Questionnaires were distributed to students in the final week of a final year obstetrics and gynaecology course. Responses to questions about course experience were analysed using frequencies and single‐variable analyses.Main outcome measures  Students’ experience of and satisfaction with the teaching of intimate examinations and differences between male and female students.Results  Male and female students performed similar numbers of intimate examinations, but clinical tutors were significantly more likely to introduce female students to patients (76 versus 52%; P= 0.001) and obtain consent on their behalf (75 versus 53%; P= 0.009) when compared with male students. Male students reported a greater degree of embarrassment (mean score 2.41 ± 1.25 versus 1.69 ± 0.90; P= 0.002), and a higher number of patients refusing consent to examination (median 2; range 0–12 versus 0; range 0–6; P= 0.0001).Conclusions  Gender discrimination in the behaviour of tutors may impact on students’ experience of intimate examinations. It is highly improbable that differences in behaviour are deliberately intended to disadvantage male students, and further research is needed to understand why tutors behave differently with them. In the meantime, tutors need to be aware of potential bias and ensure appropriate support is provided for both male and female students.
Expected day of delivery from ultrasound dating versus last menstrual period—obstetric outcome when dates mismatch
Authors: Thorsell M , Kaijser M , Almström H , Andolf E 
Published: March 2008

Objective  To analyse the association between fetal size at time of dating ultrasound and risk for preterm delivery and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) birth and to evaluate if timing of ultrasound, that is before 14 weeks of gestation or after 16 weeks affects this association.Design  Retrospective cohort study.Setting  Ultrasound departments of Ultragyn, Stockholm, Sweden.Population  A total of 28 776 singleton pregnancies dated between 1998 and 2004.Methods  Obstetric outcome was assessed through linkage of the cohort to the Swedish Medical Birth Register.Main outcome measures  Risks of preterm delivery, low birthweight for gestational age, pre‐eclampsia, asphyxia, respiratory distress, instrumental delivery, caesarean section, and postterm birth were calculated for the groups dated early and late.Results  When the expected date of delivery was postponed after ultrasound dating by 7 days or more, there was an increased risk for preterm delivery and pre‐eclampsia in the late dating group (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.27–1.73 and OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02–1.60, respectively) but not in the early dating group. In both dating groups, there was an increased risk for SGA birth (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.13–2.78 and OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.59–2.73, respectively) There was no increased risk for any of the other diagnoses.Conclusion  Our study gives further support to the notion that intrauterine growth restriction may be present as early as the first trimester. Accordingly, our study also suggests that surveillance of pregnancies with postponed estimated date of delivery may provide means for increased detection of fetal growth restriction.
Activation of P2X7 receptors decreases glutamate uptake and glutamine synthetase activity in RBA‐2 astrocytes via distinct mechanisms
Authors: Lo Jun‐Chih , Huang Wei‐Chi , Chou Yun‐Chia , Tseng Chun‐Hsien , Lee Wei‐Li , Sun Synthia H. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGlutamate clearance by astrocytes is critical for controlling excitatory neurotransmission and ATP is an important mediator for neuron‐astrocyte interaction. However, the effect of ATP on glutamate clearance has never been examined. Here we report that treatment of RBA‐2 cells, a type‐2‐like astrocyte cell line, with ATP and the P2X7 receptor selective agonist 3′‐O‐(4‐benzoylbenzoyl) adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (BzATP) decreased the Na+‐dependent [3H]glutamate uptake within minutes. Mechanistic studies revealed that the decreases were augmented by removal of extracellular Mg2+ or Ca2+, and was restored by P2X7 selective antagonist , periodate‐oxidized 2′,3′‐dialdehyde ATP (oATP), indicating that the decreases were mediated through P2X7 receptors. Furthermore, stimulation of P2X7 receptors for 2 h inhibited both activity and protein expression of glutamine synthetase (GS), and oATP abolished the inhibition. In addition, removal of extracellular Ca2+ and inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) restored the ATP‐decreased GS expression but failed to restore the P2X7‐decreased [3H]glutamate uptake. Therefore, P2X7‐mediated intracellular signals play a role in the down‐regulation of GS activity/expression. Activation of P2X7 receptors stimulated increases in intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) suggesting that the P2X7‐induced increases in [Na+]i may affect the local Na+ gradient and decrease the Na+‐dependent [3H]glutamate uptake. These findings demonstrate that the P2X7‐mediated decreases in glutamate uptake and glutamine synthesis were mediated through distinct mechanisms in these cells.