bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute actions and novel targets of matrix metalloproteinases in the heart and vasculature
Authors: Chow A K , Cena J , Schulz R 
Published: June 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to play significant roles in a number of physiological as well as pathological processes. Best known to proteolyse components of the extracellular matrix, MMPs have recently been discovered to also target a growing list of proteins apart from these, both inside and outside the cell. MMPs have also been traditionally thought of as enzymes involved in chronic processes such as angiogenesis, remodelling and atherosclerosis on a days‐week time‐scale. However they are now understood to also act acutely in response to oxidative stress on a minutes time‐scale on non‐extracellular matrix substrates. This review focuses on the acute actions and both extracellular and intracellular targets of two prominent MMP family members, MMP‐2 and ‐9, in cardiovascular diseases including ischaemia/reperfusion injury, inflammatory heart disease, septic shock and pre‐eclampsia. Also discussed are various ways of regulating MMP activity, including post‐translational mechanisms, the endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and pharmacological inhibitors. A comprehensive understanding of MMP biology is necessary for the development of novel pharmacological therapies to combat the impact of cardiovascular disease.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)152, 189–205; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707344
Traumatic Stress in the 21st Century
Authors: McFarlane Alexander C. 
Published: June 2007

Objective: The introduction to a series of articles on traumatic stress aims to examine the ambivalent relationship between traumatic stress and psychiatry. It provides an outline to the very significant contribution that this field made before the conceptualisation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how the research and theoretical thinking in this field can provide many insights into the relationship between environmental factors and psychological health. It focuses on the relevance of this field to general psychiatry. Result: Posttraumatic stress disorder has emerged as the most common anxiety disorder in women. As well, there are high rates discovered in a range of chronically ill psychiatric patient populations. In particular, strategies for dealing with the issues of childhood abuse and neglect are not often considered by adult psychiatric services for the chronically and severely mentally ill, despite there being important predictors of suicidal behaviour, hospitalisation and prolonged disability. An effective consideration of the available evidence is often complicated by concerns about the impact of financial compensation on the presentation of psychopathology. This is a complex social dialectic whose impact is important to the practise of psychiatry. Equally, this field in itself must avoid becoming excessively rigid in its clinical definitions and the particular interventions which are espoused. Conclusions: The impact of traumatic events on long-term psychological adjustment and physical health have been under estimated. Identification of those at risk is an important issue given that effective treatments are now available. This is an area in which further conceptual thinking is required. It also provides particular opportunities to explore the biological processes of, and interaction between, the environment and the underlying genetic and neurobiological processes which are critical to the modulation of psychopathology.
Psychological Debriefing: Controversy and Challenge
Authors: Deahl Martin 
Published: June 2007

Objective: The efficacy of psychological debriefing following potentially traumatising events has become extremely controversial. This review aims to identify the issues underlying this controversy and their theoretical, social and political ramifications which are important in other areas of psychiatry and the social sciences. Method: The historical background to the debriefing debate and the (largely negative) results of recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are reviewed. Results: Despite the negative results of recent RCTs, psychological debriefing remains the most widely used structured intervention following potentially traumatising events, designed to reduce the incidence of long-term psychiatric morbidity. The clinical relevance these trials and their applicability in vivo is questioned. There are implicit difficulties in conducting rigorous randomised controlled trials of group debriefing, and such trials may be unachievable. Conclusions: Demonstrating the efficacy of debriefing or other preventive interventions presents major challenges to investigators and it is unlikely the controversy will be resolved in the near future.
The Internet and Mental Health Literacy
Authors: Christensen Helen , Griffiths Kathleen 
Published: June 2007

Objective: This paper describes the informational and treatment opportunities offered by the Worldwide Web (WWW) and comments on the advantages, disadvantages and potential dangers of its role in mental health and mental health research. Method: Two perspectives are taken: (i) the impact of the Web from the point of view of the clinician (the practitioner view) and (ii) the impact of the Web on the public's knowledge of mental health (mental health literacy; the community or public health view). These perspectives are applied to two areas of impact: (i) information and knowledge; and (ii) treatment and self-help. Results: The Web, due to its accessibility, has advantages in providing access to information, online therapy and adjunctive therapy in mental health. Problems include information overload, poor information quality, potential harm and lack of scientific evaluation. Conclusions: Issues of overload and quality of information, the potential for harm and the need to evaluate interventions are not unique to the Internet. However, the Internet has special features which make these issues more prominent. The Internet is likely to increase the general public's access to information and to decrease unmet need. Sites and interventions on the Internet need to be formally evaluated.
Psychiatrists' Experience and Views Regarding St John's Wort and ‘Alternative’ Treatments
Authors: Walter Garry , Rey Joseph M. , Harding Amabel 
Published: June 2007

Objective: This study aims to ascertain the experience and views of psychiatrists in relation to St John's Wort and alternative treatments generally. Method: A questionnaire was posted to all members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists living in Australia or New Zealand. Results: Of the 1910 mailed questionnaires, 862 (45%) were returned. Eighty per cent of respondents had patients who had used the herb. Side-effects and drug interactions were reported by 28% and 8% respectively of these psychiatrists. Some adverse events were described as serious. Psychiatrist attitudes about St John's Wort and alternative treatments were positive overall and psychiatrists seemed willing to recommend St John's Wort despite limited evidence of its usefulness. Conclusions: Psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand regularly manage patients who take St John's Wort and a considerable number actually recommend the treatment. However, they also report side-effects and drug interactions. Psychiatrists should routinely enquire about their patients' use of alternative treatments, be mindful of possible side-effects and in particular be aware of the dangers of combining St John's Wort with other psychotropics.
Effectiveness of Barriers at Suicide Jumping Sites: A Case Study
Authors: Beautrais Annette L. 
Published: June 2007

Objectives: Suicide safety barriers were removed from a central city bridge in an Australasian metropolitan area in 1996 after having been in place for 60 years. The bridge is a known suicide site and is located adjacent to the region's largest hospital, which includes an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. This paper examines the impact of the removal of these barriers on suicide rates. Method: Data for suicide deaths by jumping from the bridge in question, from 1992to 2000, were obtained from the regional City Police Inquest Office. Data for suicide deaths by jumping from other sites in the metropolitan area in question, from 1992 to 1998, were obtained from the national health statistics database. Case history data about each suicide death by jumping in the metropolitan area in question, from 1994 to 1998, were abstracted from coronial files held by a national database. Results: Removal of safety barriers led to an immediate and substantial increase in both the numbers and rate of suicide by jumping from the bridge in question. In the 4 years following the removal of the barriers (compared with the previous 4 years) the number of suicides increased substantially, from three to 15 (χ2 = 8, df = 1, p < 0.01); the rate of such deaths increased also (χ2 = 6.6, df = 1, p < 0.01). The majority of those who died by jumping from the bridge following the removal of the safety barriers were young male psychiatric patients, with psychotic illnesses. Following the removal of the barriers from the bridge the rate of suicide by jumping in the metropolitan area in question did not change but the pattern of suicides by jumping in the city changed significantly with more suicides from the bridge in question and fewer at other sites. Conclusions: Removal of safety barriers from a known suicide site led to a substantial increase in the numbers of suicide deaths by jumping from that site. These findings appear to strengthen the case for installation of safety barriers at suicide sites in efforts to prevent suicide deaths, and also suggest the need for extreme caution about the removal of barriers from known jumping sites.
Postnatal Depression, Anxiety and Unsettled Infant Behaviour
Authors: McMahon Catherine , Barnett Bryanne , Kowalenko Nicholas , Tennant Christopher , Don Neville 
Published: June 2007

Objective: This study compares maternal mood, marital satisfaction and infant temperament in 128 mothers admitted to the residential care unit of a parentcraft hospitaland 58 mothers in a demographically matched group. Method: Mothers were recruited from the residential care unit of a parentcraft hospital (Tresillian Family Care Centres) and a comparison group from a private obstetric practice in the same demographic area. Both groups completed self-report questionnaires on depression, anxiety and marital adjustment, while mothers in the residential care group also received a structured diagnostic interview for depression (CIDI). Results: Sixty-two per cent of mothers in the residential care group met diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode occurring since childbirth and a further 13% met DSM-IV research criteria for minor depression. The residential care group also scored significantly higher on both state and trait anxiety and rated their infants as significantly more temperamentally difficult than did the comparison group. Conclusions: This study replicates a previous Australian finding of a high incidence of maternal mood disorders in mothers admitted to parentcraft hospitals. Acknowledgement of the close association between maternal mood state and unsettled infant behaviour facilitates an integrated multidisciplinary approach offering appropriate management for both mothers and infants. Residential care units may be ideally suited to provide such early intervention strategies in a non-stigmatizing environment, but provision of adequate staff support, mental health consultation, education and skills in managing mental health problems in these settings is important.
Socio‐psychological Environments and Learning: a quantitative synthesis
Authors: Haertel Geneva D. , Walberg Herbert J. , Haertel Edward H. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTo estimate the sign and size of correlations between student perceptions of social‐psychological environments of their classes and learning outcomes, 734 correlations from 12 studies on 823 classes in eight subject areas were analyzed. These represented a total of 17,805 students in four nations. A total of 31 of 36 hypotheses, theoretically‐derived in 1969 were supported. Learning outcomes and gains are positively associated with Cohesiveness, Satisfaction, Task Difficulty, Formality, Goal Direction, Democracy, and the Material Environment and negatively associated with Friction, Cliqueness, Apathy, and Disorganization. Jack‐knifed regression equations show that the magnitudes of the correlations depend on specific scales, level of aggregation, and nation but not on sample size, subject matter, domain of learning outcome (cognitive, affective, or behavioral), or statistical adjustments for ability and pretests.
Sixth‐formers' Perceptions of the Effective Teacher of Mathematics at ‘O’ Level
Authors: Kyriacou Chris 
Published: June 2007

AbstractOne hundred and ninety‐four first‐year sixth‐form college pupils completed a questionnaire in which they were asked to rate 38 teacher characteristics according to the extent to which they perceived each of the characteristics to be associated with the effective teacher of mathematics at ‘O’ level. A specific criterion of teacher effectiveness was employed: pupil success at ‘O’ level. The characteristics with the highest mean ratings were ‘explains points clearly and at pupils' level’, ‘is confident and at ease when teaching’ and ‘pays attention to revision and examination technique’. A principal components analysis of the ratings identified five factors which were labelled: ‘positive rapport’, ‘monitoring progress', ‘aloof discipline’, ‘exam oriented’ and ‘enthusiast’. The similarities and differences of the findings here with those reported in earlier studies using the same questionnaire with heads of mathematics departments in secondary schools and PGCE students are discussed, and the relationship between these findings and research elsewhere is explored.
Examinations and Teaching: an exploratory study
Authors: Scarth John , Hammersley Martyn 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis article examines claims made about the influence of public examinations on teaching, and reviews the empirical research in this area. The prevailing view among educationalists, teachers and researchers seems to be that public examinations encourage teaching that involves a high level of fact‐transmission. Though there has been much debate about this issue, what little research there has been is inconclusive. We report the findings of a four year study of examinations and teaching. Using timings of teacher and pupil talk, we examine teaching on a range of different types of assessed and non‐assessed courses. Strong claims cannot be made on the basis of our data, but our research does raise questions about the current orthodoxy that public examinations cause fact‐transmission teaching.
Classroom Behaviour Problems which Secondary School Teachers say they find most Troublesome
Authors: Houghton Stephen , Wheldall Kevin , Merrett Frank 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA questionnaire survey of 251 British secondary school teachers was carried out based on a stratified random sample of secondary schools in a West Midlands education authority. The questionnaire aimed to determine the types and frequency of troublesome classroom behaviours. The results showed that 55% of teachers responding claimed that they spent too much time on problems of order and control. Two behaviours, ‘talking out of turn’ and ‘hindering other children’, were clearly identified by teachers as being the most problematic. The variables of sex of teacher, age group taught and subject area taught are also examined.
Issues in the Evaluation of Standard Assessment Tasks and the Reliability of National Curriculum Assessment
Authors: Sainsbury Marian , Schagen Ian , Whetton Chris 
Published: June 2007

AbstractImportant issues in the reliability of National Curriculum assessment were raised by an earlier paper by Davies & Brember, but unfortunately not supported by a valid analysis of the data they collected from five primary schools in 1991. This paper aims to clarify some of those issues and to point out the lack of comparability between the two measures which were compared. Suggestions for more valid analysis are given.
Improving Children's Writing: the construction of a behavioural self‐management package
Authors: Panagopoulou‐Stamatelatou Anthi , Merrett Frank 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn this study, the effect of self‐management on the quantity and quality of primary school children's writing was examined. Self‐management was used as an intervention technique, because its rationale coincides with that of writing as an interactional process and both of them seek ways to promote independent learning. To serve the aims of the present research, several self‐management procedures were integrated into a package which was constructed especially for the purpose. An attempt was made to include as many as possible of these procedures, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the intervention. Results showed self‐management to be associated not only with increased output, but higher quality of output and higher attentional levels, as well.
Preschool Literacy Experiences of Children in Punjabi, Urdu and Gujerati Speaking Families in England
Authors: Hirst Kath 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper discusses some findings from a literacy survey of 30 Asian families with preschool children. Research has been undertaken with bilingual preschool children but there is little research with families of preschool children whose first language is Punjabi, Urdu or Gujerati. Families in this survey lived in an inner‐city area in England and were mainly of Pakistani origin. Families were interviewed at home with the assistance of an interpreter where necessary. Parents reported extensive preschool activities in the home, high aspirations for their children's education and a willingness to be involved in home‐school links. Issues arising and implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Concentrated Disadvantage and Access to Educational Credentials in Arab and Jewish Localities in Israel[1]
Authors: Mazawi André Elias 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis article examines the effects of aggregated indicators of concentrated disadvantage on access of the 17‐18 age cohort in Arab and Jewish localities in Israel to high school matriculation. The major findings suggest that Arab localities secure a significantly lower access to educational credentials compared to their Jewish counterparts. Arab localities were found to be much more affected by their sociodemographic characteristics than by their relatively homogeneous subordinate position in the broader economic and labour market opportunity structure. By contrast, Jewish localities were found to be rather affected by their economic and labour market differentiation, much more than by their sociodemographic characteristics. The findings further reveal the existence of a significant interaction effect between the ethnic composition of the locality and other structural variables. In sum, the concentration of disadvantage at locality level affects access to educational credentials in Israel in two complementary ways, both related to the ethnic division of economic and occupational opportunities. Ethnic, spatial, economic and labour market marginalisation determines the subordinate position of Arab localities in the broader opportunity structure. This exacerbates the negative economic consequences of the prevalence of larger families in the locality on access to high school credentials. By contrast, economic and occupational differentiation mediates unequal educational opportunities among Jewish localities. The implications of these findings for the study of educational opportunities are then discussed.
The risks of cannabis use: evidence of a dose‐response relationship
Authors: CUNNINGHAM JOHN A. , BONDY SUSAN J. , WALSH GORDON W. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe consequences of cannabis use are less well described than is true for licit psychoactive substances. Published data on dose—response relationships are almost completely absent. This manuscript takes a first look at the dose—response relationship between cannabis use and the experience of negative consequences. Using data from the 1990–91 Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey (N = 9953), items were selected from the DSM‐III‐R criteria for cannabis abuse or dependence and interpreted as negative consequence measures for cannabis use. The incidence of one or more of these items in the last year was then related to frequency of cannabis use. As with other substances of abuse, a dose‐response relationship was observed. The more frequent the use of cannabis in the last year, the more likely the user was to experience negative consequences. Limitations of this study and future research directions are discussed.
Pain‐Sensitive Temperament and Postoperative Pain
Authors: Kleiber Charmaine , Suwanraj Marisa , Dolan Lori A. , Berg Mary , Kleese Amanda 
Published: June 2007

PURPOSE.  To describe the relationship between pain‐sensitive temperament and self‐report of pain intensity following surgery. DESIGN AND METHODS.  Fifty‐nine adolescents and young adults (average age 14 years) undergoing spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis completed the Sensitivity Temperament Inventory for Pain–Child version (STIP‐C). The Pearson correlation between STIP‐C scores and the highest pain intensity for each of the first three postoperative days was investigated. RESULTS.  There was a small but significant correlation between the Perceptual Sensitivity and Symptom Reporting subscales of the STIP‐C and pain intensity measured on the third postoperative day. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Aspects of the pain‐sensitive temperament may be important in understanding the variability in postoperative pain. This is the first investigation of the relationship between pain‐sensitive temperament and surgical pain. More research is needed in this area.