bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beliefs about learning, self‐regulated strategies and text comprehension among Chinese children
Authors: Law Yin‐kum , Chan Carol K. K. , Sachs John. 
Published: February 2008

BackgroundMost studies have investigated college and high school students' epistemological beliefs in Western contexts, with few studies examining how beliefs about learning are related to children's strategies and comprehension in the Chinese cultural context.AimsThe present study investigated Chinese elementary school children's beliefs about learning and examined their relations with self‐regulated learning strategies and text comprehension.SampleThe participants were 417 Grade 5 (mean age = 10.8 years) and 420 Grade 6 (mean age = 11.9 years) elementary school children in Hong Kong.MethodsA questionnaire assessing children's beliefs about learning was constructed; children were also asked to complete the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and several text comprehension tasks assessing deep understanding.ResultsFactor analysis indicated two contrasting factors of constructivist and reproductive beliefs about learning. High achievers outperformed low achievers on beliefs, strategy and comprehension scores. Multiple regression indicated that constructivist beliefs contributed to text comprehension over and above the effects of grade and strategy.ConclusionsThis study corroborates current research on the roles of beliefs and strategies in text comprehension and suggests that meta‐cognitive beliefs and strategies examined in English reading can also be identified among Chinese children in text comprehension.
Effects of mindful and non‐mindful exercises on people with depression: A systematic review
Authors: Tsang Hector W. H. , Chan Edward P. , Cheung W. M. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeAn emerging body of evidence has shown the therapeutic effect of both mindful and non‐mindful physical exercises on the treatment of depression. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of mindful and non‐mindful physical exercises as an intervention in managing depression or depressive symptoms based on a systematic literature review.MethodsOur review was conducted among five electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which tested the effects of mindful or/and non‐mindful physical exercises on depression. Studies were classified according to the baseline depression status of participants and its relation to allocation concealment, blinding at outcome assessment, follow‐up, and whether intention to treat analysis was employed.ResultsThe results based on 12 RCTs indicated that both the mindful and non‐mindful physical exercises were effective in their short‐term effect in reducing depression levels or depressive symptoms. However, most of studies had methodological problems that only small sample size was used, and the maintenance effects of physical exercise were not reported. Specific comparisons between RCTs on mindful and non‐mindful exercises were not performed because of the limitations on the designs.ConclusionsWe recommend that more well‐controlled studies have to be conducted in the future to address the short‐ and long‐term effects of physical exercise on alleviating depression. Efforts should be focused on unveiling the differential effects of mindful and non‐mindful exercises on depression and the underlying mechanisms of their therapeutic action.
Motivational interviewing with offenders: A systematic review
Authors: McMurran Mary 
Published: February 2008

Purpose. Offender motivation is one specific responsivity variable in offender treatment and motivational interviewing (MI) is commonly used by corrections personnel. Although evidence for the effectiveness of motivational interviewing is accruing overall, a review of MI specifically with offender populations is required.Method. Relevant databases and websites were searched using terms relating to MI with offenders.Results. In total, 13 published studies and 6 dissertation abstracts were identified. MI is most evaluated in relation to substance misusing offenders (N=10). Other applications are with domestic violence offenders (N=3), drink‐drivers (N=5), and general offending (N=1). In these populations, MI is used to enhance retention and engagement in treatment, improve motivation for change, and change behaviour.Conclusions. MI can lead to improved retention in treatment, enhanced motivation to change, and reduced offending, although there are variations across studies. To advance the study of MI with offenders, a theory of change needs to be articulated on which testable hypotheses may be based. The integrity of treatment in its application needs to be assured. Based on these foundations, more outcome research is needed to examine who responds to what type of MI in relation to treatment retention, readiness to change, and reconviction.
Effect of (R)-Salsolinol and N-Methyl-(R)-Salsolinol on the Balance Impairment Between Dopamine and Acetylcholine in Rat Brain: Involvement in Pathogenesis of Parkinson Disease
Authors: Zhu Wei , Wang Dan , Zheng Jiaohong , An Yarui , Wang Qingjiang , Zhang Wen , Jin Litong , Gao Hongying , Lin Longnian 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: Parkinson disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects at least 1% of population above the age of 65. Although the specific etiology of PD remains unclear, recently the endogenous neurotoxins such as (R)-salsolinol [(R)-Sal] and N-methyl-(R)-salsolinol [(R)-NMSal] have been thought to play a major role in PD. Much interest is focused on the degeneration of dopamine neurons induced by these neurotoxins. However, little literature is available on the impact of endogenous neurotoxins on the balance between dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh).Methods: After injection of (R)-Sal or (R)-NMSal into the rat brain striatum, the concentrations of DA and its metabolites were detected by HPLC with electrochemical detection. We assessed the influence of neurotoxins on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and developed a microdialysis-electrochemical device to measure ACh concentrations with enzyme-modified electrodes.Results: (R)-Sal and (R)-NMSal led to concentration-dependent decreases in the activity of AChE. ACh concentrations in striatum treated with (R)-Sal or (R)-NMSal were increased to 131.7% and 239.8% of control, respectively. As to the dopaminergic system, (R)-NMSal caused a significant decrease in DA concentrations and (R)-Sal reduced the concentrations of DA metabolites in the striatum.Conclusions: (R)-Sal and (R)-NMSal exerted a considerable effect on the balance between DA and ACh by impairing the cholinergic system as well as the dopaminergic system. It is likely that the disruption of balance between DA and ACh plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurotoxin-induced PD.
Atomoxetine for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Authors: Bangs Mark E. , Hazell Philip , Danckaerts Marina , Hoare Peter , Coghill David R. , Wehmeier Peter M. , Williams David W. , Moore Rodney J. , Levine Louise ,   for the Atomoxetine ADHD/ODD Study Group
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. In this study we examined the effectiveness of atomoxetine for the treatment of oppositional defiant disorder comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
METHODS. Patients were aged 6 to 12 years and met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with a Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-Revised attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder subscale score above age and gender norms; Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale score of ≥4; and Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-Revised oppositional defiant disorder subscale score of ≥15. Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive 1.2 mg/kg per day of atomoxetine (n = 156) or placebo (n = 70) for 8 weeks. Treatment effect on oppositional defiant disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms was measured by using the investigator-rated Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-Revised.
RESULTS. Repeated-measures analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference favoring atomoxetine over placebo in the reduction of Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-Revised oppositional defiant disorder total scores. There were significant pairwise treatment differences at weeks 2 and 5 but not at week 8 postbaseline. A last-observation-carried-forward analysis showed Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-Revised scores at endpoint for the atomoxetine and placebo groups were significantly different for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms but not for oppositional defiant disorder symptoms. Atomoxetine was superior to placebo in a last-observation-carried-forward analysis of Clinical Global Impression-Improvement and Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores.
CONCLUSIONS. This study confirms previous findings that patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder show statistically and clinically significant improvement in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and global clinical functioning when treated with atomoxetine. It remains uncertain, however, whether atomoxetine exerts a specific and enduring effect on oppositional defiant disorder symptoms.
Effect of Late-Preterm Birth and Maternal Medical Conditions on Newborn Morbidity Risk
Authors: Shapiro-Mendoza Carrie K. , Tomashek Kay M. , Kotelchuck Milton , Barfield Wanda , Nannini Angela , Weiss Judith , Declercq Eugene 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVES. Late-preterm infants (34–36 weeks’ gestation) account for nearly three quarters of all preterm births in the United States, yet little is known about their morbidity risk. We compared late-preterm and term (37–41 weeks’ gestation) infants with and without selected maternal medical conditions and assessed the independent and joint effects of these exposures on newborn morbidity risk.METHODS. We used 1998–2003, population-based, Massachusetts birth and death certificates data linked to infant and maternal hospital discharge records from the Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal data system. Newborn morbidity risks that were associated with gestational age and selected maternal medical conditions, both independently and as joint exposures, were estimated by calculating adjusted risk ratios. A new measure of newborn morbidity that was based on hospital discharge diagnostic codes, hospitalization duration, and transfer status was created to define newborns with and without life-threatening conditions. Eight selected maternal medical conditions were assessed (hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, diabetes, antepartum hemorrhage, lung disease, infection, cardiac disease, renal disease, and genital herpes) in relation to newborn morbidity.RESULTS. Our final study population included 26170 infants born late preterm and 377638 born at term. Late-preterm infants were 7 times more likely to have newborn morbidity than term infants (22% vs 3%). The newborn morbidity rate doubled in infants for each gestational week earlier than 38 weeks. Late-preterm infants who were born to mothers with any of the maternal conditions assessed were at higher risk for newborn morbidity compared with similarly exposed term infants. Late-preterm infants who were exposed to antepartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were especially vulnerable.CONCLUSIONS. Late-preterm birth and, to a lesser extent, maternal medical conditions are each independent risk factors for newborn morbidity. Combined, these 2 factors greatly increased the risk for newborn morbidity compared with term infants who were born without exposure to these risks.
Analgesic Properties of Oral Sucrose During Routine Immunizations at 2 and 4 Months of Age
Authors: Hatfield Linda A. , Gusic Maryellen E. , Dyer Anne-Marie , Polomano Rosemary C. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the analgesic properties of oral sucrose during routine immunizations in infants at 2 and 4 months of age.
PATIENTS AND METHODS. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at a pediatric ambulatory care clinic. One-hundred healthy term infants scheduled to receive routine immunizations were recruited, randomly stratified into 2- or 4-month study groups, and further randomly assigned to receive 24% oral sucrose and pacifier or the sterile water control solution. The study preparations were administered 2 minutes before the combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine was administered 3 minutes after the combined injection, followed by the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 2 minutes after the H influenzae type b injection. The University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital Pain Scale measured serial acute pain responses for the treatment and control groups at baseline and 2, 5, 7, and 9 minutes after solution administration. Repeated-measures analysis of variance examined between-group differences and within-subject variability of treatment effect on overall pain scores.
RESULTS. Two- and 4-month-old infants receiving oral sucrose (n = 38) displayed reductions in pain scores 2 minutes after solution administration compared with 2- and 4-month-old infants in the placebo group (n = 45). Between-group comparisons for the oral sucrose and placebo groups showed lower pain responses at 5, 7, and 9 minutes after solution administration. The oral sucrose and placebo groups demonstrated their highest mean pain score at 7 minutes, with a mean pain score of 3.8 and 4.8, respectively. At 9 minutes, the placebo group had a mean pain score of 2.91 whereas the mean pain score for the oral sucrose group returned to near baseline, reflecting a 78.5% difference in mean pain score (oral sucrose − placebo) relative to the placebo mean.
CONCLUSIONS. Oral sucrose is an effective, easy-to-administer, short-acting analgesic for use during routine immunizations.
Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure
Authors: Sathyanarayana Sheela , Karr Catherine J. , Lozano Paula , Brown Elizabeth , Calafat Antonia M. , Liu Fan , Swan Shanna H. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVES. Phthalates are man-made chemicals found in personal care and other products. Recent studies suggest that some phthalates can alter human male reproductive development, but sources of infant exposure have not been well characterized. We investigated the relationship between phthalate metabolite concentrations in infant urine and maternal reported use of dermally applied infant care products.
METHODS. We measured 9 phthalate metabolites in 163 infants who were born in 2000–2005. An infant was considered to have been exposed to any infant care product that the mother reported using on her infant within 24 hours of urine collection. Results of multiple linear regression analyses are reported as the ratio of metabolite concentrations (with 95% confidence intervals) in exposed and unexposed infants. We standardized concentrations by forming z scores and examined combined exposure to multiple metabolites.
RESULTS. In most (81%) infants, ≥7 phthalate metabolites were above the limit of detection. Exposure to lotion was predictive of monoethyl phthalate and monomethyl phthalate concentrations, powder of monoisobutyl phthalate, and shampoo of monomethyl phthalate. Z scores increased with number of products used. Most associations were stronger in younger infants.
CONCLUSIONS. Phthalate exposure is widespread and variable in infants. Infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl phthalate, and associations increased with the number of products used. This association was strongest in young infants, who may be more vulnerable to developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates given their immature metabolic system capability and increased dosage per unit body surface area.
Prevention and 18-Month Outcomes of Serious Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: Results From the Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms
Authors: Alfaleh Khalid , Smyth John A. , Roberts Robin S. , Solimano Alfonso , Asztalos Elizabeth V. , Schmidt Barbara ,   for the Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms Investigators
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVES. A patent ductus arteriosus is a risk factor for pulmonary hemorrhage; however, despite halving the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, indomethacin prophylaxis did not reduce the rate of pulmonary hemorrhage in the Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms. Inclusion of mild bleeds after trauma to the upper airways may have masked a beneficial drug effect. Using the Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms database, we studied the effect of prophylactic indomethacin on the prevention of serious hemorrhages in extremely low birth weight infants. We also compared the 18-month outcomes of infants with and without a serious pulmonary bleed.METHODS. Pulmonary hemorrhage was classified as serious when it was treated with increased ventilator support, a higher concentration of oxygen, or transfusion of blood products. The cumulative risk for serious pulmonary hemorrhage was estimated for the first week of life and for the entire NICU stay. Poor outcome at a corrected age of 18 months was death or survival with cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, blindness, and/or deafness.RESULTS. A total of 123 (10.2%) of 1202 infants developed a serious pulmonary hemorrhage. During week 1, prophylactic indomethacin reduced the risk for serious pulmonary hemorrhage by 35%; however, during the entire NICU stay, the risk for such hemorrhages was decreased by only 23%. A reduced risk for patent ductus arteriosus explained 80% of the beneficial effect of prophylactic indomethacin on serious pulmonary bleeds. The risks for death or for survival with neurosensory impairment were doubled after a serious pulmonary hemorrhage.CONCLUSIONS. Extremely low birth weight infants with serious pulmonary hemorrhage have an increased risk for poor long-term outcome. Prophylactic indomethacin reduces the rate of early serious pulmonary hemorrhage, mainly through its action on patent ductus arteriosus. Prophylactic indomethacin is less effective in preventing serious pulmonary hemorrhages that occur after the first week of life.
Pepsin, a Marker of Gastric Contents, Is Increased in Tracheal Aspirates From Preterm Infants Who Develop Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Farhath Sabeena , He Zhaoping , Nakhla Tarek , Saslow Judy , Soundar Sam , Camacho Jeanette , Stahl Gary , Shaffer Stephen , Mehta Devendra I. , Aghai Zubair H. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to study the association between pepsin in tracheal aspirate samples and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.
METHODS. Serial tracheal aspirate samples were collected during the first 28 days from mechanically ventilated preterm neonates. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was defined as the need for supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. An enzymatic assay with a fluorescent substrate was used to detect pepsin. Total protein was measured by the Bradford assay to correct for the dilution during lavage. Immunohistochemistry using antibody against human pepsinogen was performed in 10 lung tissue samples from preterm infants.
RESULTS. A total of 256 tracheal aspirate samples were collected from 59 preterm neonates. Pepsin was detected in 234 (91.4%) of 256 of the tracheal aspirate samples. Twelve infants had no bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 31 infants developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 16 infants died before 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. The mean pepsin concentration was significantly lower in infants with no bronchopulmonary dysplasia compared with those who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia or developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia/died before 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Moreover, the mean pepsin level was significantly higher in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia compared with moderate bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The mean pepsin level in tracheal aspirate samples from the first 7 days was also lower in infants with no bronchopulmonary dysplasia compared with those who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia or developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia/died before 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Pepsinogen was not localized in the lung tissues by immunohistochemistry.
CONCLUSION. The concentration of pepsin was increased in the tracheal aspirate of preterm infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia or died before 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Recovery of pepsin in tracheal aspirate samples is secondary to gastric aspiration, not by hematogenous spread or local synthesis in the lungs. Chronic aspiration of gastric contents may contribute in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Chlamydia trachomatis as a Cause of Neonatal Conjunctivitis in Dutch Infants
Authors: Rours Ingrid G.I.J.G. , Hammerschlag Margaret R. , Ott Alewijn , De Faber Tjeerd J.T.H.N. , Verbrugh Henri A. , de Groot Ronald , Verkooyen Roel P. 
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted pathogen in adults, which at delivery may be transmitted from mother to child and cause conjunctivitis and pneumonia. In the Netherlands, prenatal chlamydial screening and treatment of pregnant women is not routine practice. The contribution of C trachomatis to neonatal ophthalmic disease has not been studied in the Netherlands and remains unclear.
METHODS. At the Sophia Children's Hospital and Rotterdam Eye Hospital, 2 cohorts of infants &lt;3 months of age presenting with conjunctivitis were studied, 1 retrospectively (July 1996 to July 2001) and 1 prospectively (September 2001 to September 2002). Laboratory diagnosis was based on bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction for C trachomatis.
RESULTS. C trachomatis was detected in 27 (64%) of 42 retrospectively studied infants and 14 (61%) of 23 prospectively studied infants. Mucopurulent discharge was present in 35 (95%) of 37, swelling of the eyes in 27 (73%) of 37, conjunctival erythema in 24 (65%) of 37, respiratory symptoms in 14 (38%) of 37, and feeding problems in 5 (14%) of 37 infants respectively. Before microbiological diagnosis, general practitioners prescribed antichlamydial antibiotics locally to 5 (12%) of 41 and systemically to 4 (10%) of 41 infants who tested positive for chlamydia, and ophthalmologists prescribed to 21 (51%) of 41 and 7 (17%) of 41, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS. C trachomatis was the major cause of bacterial conjunctivitis in this population. Clinically, differentiation from other pathogens was not possible. Many infants who tested positive for chlamydia did not receive appropriate antibiotic treatment.