bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training for teachers of children with autism: a pragmatic, group randomised controlled trial
Authors: Howlin Patricia , Gordon R. Kate , Pasco Greg , Wade Angie , Charman Tony 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  To assess the effectiveness of expert training and consultancy for teachers of children with autism spectrum disorder in the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).Method:  Design: Group randomised, controlled trial (3 groups: immediate treatment, delayed treatment, no treatment). Participants: 84 elementary school children, mean age 6.8 years. Treatment: A 2‐day PECS workshop for teachers plus 6 half‐day, school‐based training sessions with expert consultants over 5 months. Outcome measures: Rates of: communicative initiations, use of PECS, and speech in the classroom; Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule‐Generic (ADOS‐G) domain scores for Communication and Reciprocal Social Interaction; scores on formal language tests.Results:  Controlling for baseline age, developmental quotient (DQ) and language; rates of initiations and PECS usage increased significantly immediately post‐treatment (Odds Ratio (OR) of being in a higher ordinal rate category 2.72, 95% confidence interval 1.22–6.09, p < .05 and OR 3.90 (95%CI 1.75–8.68), p < .001, respectively). There were no increases in frequency of speech, or improvements in ADOS‐G ratings or language test scores.Conclusions:  The results indicate modest effectiveness of PECS teacher training/consultancy. Rates of pupils’ initiations and use of symbols in the classroom increased, although there was no evidence of improvement in other areas of communication. Treatment effects were not maintained once active intervention ceased.
A randomised controlled treatment trial of two forms of family therapy in adolescent anorexia nervosa: a five‐year follow‐up
Authors: Eisler Ivan , Simic Mima , Russell Gerald F.M. , Dare Christopher 
Published: February 2007

Background:  There is growing evidence that family therapy is an effective treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa. This study aimed to ascertain the long‐term impact of two forms of outpatient family intervention previously evaluated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT).Method:  A five‐year follow‐up was conducted on a cohort of 40 patients who had received either ‘conjoint family therapy’ (CFT) or ‘separated family therapy’ (SFT). All patients were traced and 38 agreed to be reassessed (29 interviewed in person, 3 completed telephone interviews, 6 completed questionnaires and/or agreed for parents/GP to be interviewed).Results:  Overall there was little to distinguish the two treatments at 5 years, with more than 75% of subjects having no eating disorder symptoms. There were no deaths in the cohort and only 8% of those who had achieved a healthy weight by the end of treatment reported any kind of relapse. Three patients developed bulimic symptoms but only one to a degree warranting a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. The one difference between the treatments was in patients from families with raised levels of maternal criticism. This group of patients had done less well at the end of treatment if they had been offered conjoint family meetings. At follow‐up this difference was still evident, as shown in the relative lack of weight gain since the end of outpatient treatment.Conclusions:  This study confirms the efficacy of family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa, showing that those who respond well to outpatient family intervention generally stay well. The study provides further support for avoiding the use of conjoint family meetings at least early on in treatment when raised levels of parental criticism are evident.
Sleep patterns in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, tic disorder, and comorbidity
Authors: Kirov Roumen , Kinkelbur Joerg , Banaschewski Tobias , Rothenberger Aribert 
Published: February 2007

Background: In children, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tic disorder (TD), and their coexistence (ADHD + TD comorbidity) are very common and clinically important. Associated sleep patterns and their clinical role are still insufficiently investigated. This study aimed at characterizing these sleep patterns in children with ADHD, TD, and ADHD + TD comorbidity and determining whether, in ADHD + TD, the factors ADHD and TD may affect the sleep pattern in an independent (additive) or in a complex (interactive) manner.Method: By means of polysomnography, sleep patterns were investigated in 4 groups of unmedicated 8.0–16.4‐year‐old children (healthy controls, ADHD‐only, TD‐only, and ADHD + TD). Each group consisted of 18 subjects matched for age, gender, and intelligence.Results: ADHD was primarily characterized by increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, whereas TD patients displayed lower sleep efficiency and elevated arousal index in sleep. In children with ADHD + TD, both effects appeared. No interaction between the ADHD and TD factors was found for any of the sleep parameters. Significant correlations between sleep patterns and clinical symptoms were found.Conclusions: ADHD and TD are characterized by specific sleep alterations. When coexisting, the two disorders alter the sleep pattern in an additive manner, suggesting a high impact on clinical and therapeutic perspectives.
Lifetime prevalence, correlates, and persistence of oppositional defiant disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication
Authors: Nock Matthew K. , Kazdin Alan E. , Hiripi Eva , Kessler Ronald C. 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a leading cause of referral for youth mental health services; yet, many uncertainties exist about ODD given it is rarely examined as a distinct psychiatric disorder. We examined the lifetime prevalence, onset, persistence, and correlates of ODD.Methods:  Lifetime prevalence of ODD and 18 other DSM‐IV disorders was assessed in a nationally representative sample of adult respondents (n = 3,199) in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Retrospective age‐of‐onset reports were used to test temporal priorities with comorbid disorders.Results:  Lifetime prevalence of ODD is estimated to be 10.2% (males = 11.2%; females = 9.2%). Of those with lifetime ODD, 92.4% meet criteria for at least one other lifetime DSM‐IV disorder, including: mood (45.8%), anxiety (62.3%), impulse‐control (68.2%), and substance use (47.2%) disorders. ODD is temporally primary in the vast majority of cases for most comorbid disorders. Both active and remitted ODD significantly predict subsequent onset of secondary disorders even after controlling for comorbid conduct disorder (CD). Early onset (before age 8) and comorbidity predict slow speed of recovery of ODD.Conclusions:  ODD is a common child‐ and adolescent‐onset disorder associated with substantial risk of secondary mood, anxiety, impulse‐control, and substance use disorders. These results support the study of ODD as a distinct disorder. Prospective and experimental studies are needed to further delineate the temporal and causal relations between ODD and related disorders.
Echolocation calls in Central American emballonurid bats: signal design and call frequency alternation
Authors: Jung K. , Kalko E. K. V. , Von Helversen O. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn southern Central America, 10 species of emballonurid bats occur, which are all aerial insectivores: some hunt flying insects preferably away from vegetation in open space, others hunt in edge space near vegetation and one species forages mainly over water. We present a search call design of each species and link signal structure to foraging habitat. All emballonurid bats use a similar type of echolocation call that consists of a central, narrowband component and one or two short, frequency‐modulated sweeps. All calls are multi‐harmonic, generally with most energy concentrated in the second harmonic. The design of search calls is closely related to habitat type, in particular to distance of clutter. Emballonurid bats foraging in edge space near vegetation and over water used higher frequencies, shorter call durations and shorter pulse intervals compared with species mostly hunting in open, uncluttered habitats. Peak frequency correlated negatively with body size. Regular frequency alternation between subsequent calls was typical in the search sequences of four out of 10 species. We discuss several hypotheses regarding the possible role of this frequency alternation, including species identification and partitioning of acoustic channels. Furthermore, we propose a model of how frequency alternation could increase the maximum detection distance of obstacles by marking search calls with different frequencies.
Can pipistrelles, Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) and Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Leach, 1825), foraging in a group, change parameters of their signals?
Authors: Bartonička T. , Řehák Z. , Gaisler J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEcholocation behaviour and the structure of calls of Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Pipistrellus pipistrellus were studied by using a time expansion bat detector. Echolocation signals were recorded in the field in south‐eastern Moravia and northern Bohemia (Czech Republic) and in an ad hoc experimental laboratory. For each of the species, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated significant differences in calls produced inside the experimental room and in the open. Paired t‐tests and MANOVA were also used to reveal influences of interindividual contacts in each of the cryptic species on the spectral patterns of call variables. Differences were found in the spectral variables of echolocation calls of an individual flying in the room alone and in a group of conspecifics. The possibility that bats use their flexibility to avoid mutual disturbances of echolocation calls was tested. We found that bats flying in a group modify the parameters of their echolocation signals according to the presence of other individuals of the same species. These differences can indicate jamming avoidance and recognition of own echoes. However, they did not change the parameters if individuals of another species were present. Social calls are more numerous when bats fly in a mixed‐species group than in a monospecific group.
Rationale, design and methods of the OSCAR study: observational study on cognitive function and systolic blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients
Authors: Pathak Atul , Hanon Olivier , Negre‐Pages Laurence , Sevenier Franck ,   on behalf of the OSCAR investigators
Published: February 2007

AbstractData from several recent clinical trials have suggested a beneficial effect of antihypertensive medications on preservation of cognitive function. Eprosartan, an angiotensin type‐1 receptor antagonist (ARA) with dual action on both pre‐ and postsynaptic angiotensin type 1 receptors, may be effective in the control of SBP and the prevention of cognitive decline. The OSCAR (Observational Study on Cognitive function And SBP Reduction) study is an international longitudinal observational study with a duration of 6 months intended to examine the impact of the ARA eprosartan on cognitive function (assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination [MMSE]) and control of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in a large international population of hypertensive patients managed in a standard primary care setting. A total of 100 000 hypertensive patients, aged ≥50 years and with SBP of >140 mmHg will be recruited by more than 20 000 primary care physicians in 27 countries. These patients will receive eprosartan 600 mg once a day for 6 months. The MMSE, a globally validated cognitive screening test, will be performed at baseline, and after 6 months of treatment. After the first month of monotherapy, eprosartan treatment may, at the absolute discretion of individual investigators, be supplemented with other antihypertensive medications for the remainder of the study. The primary outcome indices are the mean relative change in MMSE score and the absolute change from baseline in SBP in the study population as a whole and in subsets of patients according to various factors among them: ethnicity, comorbidities (i.e. target organ damage, diabetes), baseline cognitive level and baseline blood pressure level. The secondary objectives are to identify factors influencing SBP and MMSE changes. The OSCAR trial is the first international observational study focusing on MMSE in a wide international cohort of hypertensive patients. The results are expected in 2007.
Interatrial Conduction Measured During Biventricular Pacemaker Implantation Accurately Predicts Optimal Paced Atrioventricular Intervals
Authors: LEVIN VADIM , NEMETH MARGIT , COLOMBOWALA ILYAS , MASSUMI ALI , RASEKH ABDI , CHENG JIE , COLES JAMES A. , UJHELYI MICHAEL R. , RAZAVI MEHDI 
Published: February 2007

Background: Optimizing atrioventricular (AV) delay during biventricular (BiV) pacemaker implantation can require substantial resources. Hence, a simpler method is desirable. We hypothesized that interatrial conduction time (IACT), measured at the time of BiV device implant, could be a surrogate value for the optimal AV delay. Objective: This study determined the relationship between paced IACT and the optimal paced AV delay (PAV), as determined by echocardiography. Methods: Consecutive subjects (N = 25; age = 66 ± 10 years; M/F: 17/8) undergoing BiV pacemaker implantation and in sinus rhythm were included. Cannulation of the coronary sinus (CS) was at the operator's discretion. A quadripolar electrophysiology catheter was inserted via the guiding sheath into the inferiolateral CS to measure left atrial depolarization. The IACT was calculated as the interval between right atrial stimulation artifact and earliest deflection on the coronary sinus catheter electrogram. Subsequently, during atrial pacing the PAV was determined using transmitral pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography (iterative method). The relationship between paced IACT and PAV was then determined. Results: The mean ± SD paced IACT and PAV were 126 ± 25 msec and 157 ± 23 msec, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between the paced IACT and PAV (r = 0.73, P < 0.001). The equation describing the relationship was PAV = 0.68 * (IACT + 104) msec. Conclusions: The paced IACT has a strong correlation with the echo derived optimal PAV. This method may be used to program PAV intervals without need for echocardiography in patients undergoing BiV pacemaker implantation.
A Prospective Comparison of AV Delay Programming Methods for Hemodynamic Optimization during Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: GOLD MICHAEL R. , NIAZI IMRAN , GIUDICI MICHAEL , LEMAN ROBERT B. , STURDIVANT J. LACY , KIM MICHAEL H. , YU YINGHONG , DING JIANG , WAGGONER ALAN D. 
Published: February 2007

Introduction: There are several methods for programming the optimal AV delay (AVD) during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). These include Doppler echocardiographic measurements of mitral inflow or aortic outflow velocities, an arbitrarily fixed AVD, and calculations based on intracardiac electrogram (EGM) intervals. The present study was designed to compare the acute effects of AVD programming methods during CRT. Methods and Results: We studied 28 patients at CRT implant with invasive measurements of LV dP/dt to determine the effect of AVD during atrial sensed (AS) and atrial paced (AP) modes. The optimal AVD, defined as that resulting in the maximal LV dP/dt, was then compared with that predicted by several noninvasive methods. CRT increased LV dP/dt 11%± 11% during AS (heart rate: 73 ± 14 bpm) and 17%± 12% during AP (heart rate: 86 ± 12 bpm) (P < 0.001 vs AS). There was an excellent correlation between the EGM method and the maximum achievable LV dP/dt (AS: R2= 0.99, P < 0.0001, AP: R2= 0.96, P < 0.0001) and this method performed better than other techniques. Conclusions: An electrogram‐based optimization method accurately predicts the optimal AVD among patients over a wide range of QRS intervals during CRT in both AS and AP modes. This simple technique may obviate the need for echocardiography for AVD programming.
Influencing negative symptoms of schizophrenia with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: a case study
Authors: Prikryl Radovan , Skotakova Simona , Kasparek Tomas , Ceskova Eva , Kucerova Hana , Ustohal Libor 
Published: February 2007

Background:The present trial was designed to investigate the influence of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on negative schizophrenic symptoms using high-frequency stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in a simple blind randomized design.Methods:The study was carried out on a 42-year-old patient with schizophrenia (paranoid subtype) with prominent negative symptoms who was first treated with sham rTMS during the first 3 weeks and then with real high frequency during the following 3 weeks. He was rated before and after the sham and after the real rTMS therapy for positive, negative and depressive symptoms.Results:rTMS was superior to sham treatment in reduction of negative and depressive symptoms.Conclusion:High-frequency rTMS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex led to a reduction of severity of negative symptoms in a patient with chronic schizophrenia and may be beneficial as an augmentation option to antipsychotics in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Cerebrospinal fluid kynurenic acid in male patients with schizophrenia – correlation with monoamine metabolites
Authors: Nilsson-Todd Linda K. , Nordin Conny , Jönsson Erik G. , Skogh Elisabeth , Erhardt Sophie 
Published: February 2007

Background:The tryptophan metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous glutamate/nicotinic receptor antagonist. Previous studies have shown that the concentration of the compound is increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, it has been found that the CSF concentration of KYNA is positively correlated to CSF concentrations of the monoamine metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in healthy control subjects.Objectives:To study the correlations between KYNA and the monoamine metabolites HVA, 5-HIAA and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (HMPG) in CSF of male patients (n= 53, ranging from 20 to 48 years of age) with verified schizophrenia.Methods:CSF was obtained by lumbar puncture, and KYNA analysis was performed with an isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography system connected to a fluorescence detector. HVA, 5-HIAA and HMPG concentrations were measured by mass fragmentography with deuterium-labelled internal standards.Results:Positive intercorrelations were found between CSF KYNA, HVA and 5-HIAA, while CSF content of HMPG did not correlate to KYNA or any of the monoamine metabolites in CSF.Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that increased KYNA formation is associated with an increased dopamine and serotonin turnover in male patients with schizophrenia.
Hyperventilation-stage electroencephalography in lateral temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Asano Shuichiro , Hara Tetsuo 
Published: February 2007

Background:To observe spike activity in electroencephalograms (EEGs), patients with symptomatic partial epilepsy are rarely monitored during the hyperventilation stages.Case:A 38-year-old woman suffered from a ruptured arteriovenous malformation in the left temporal lobe. One and a half years later, the patient experienced her first generalized convulsion. EEG showed small spikes in the posterior of the left temporal lobe, which was observed during the hyperventilation and posthyperventilation stages. Because the location of the spikes correlated with the site of the lesion as observed from radiographic findings, she was diagnosed with lateral temporal lobe epilepsy. Drug treatment resulted in no further convulsive episodes and the patient has since returned to work.Conclusion:EEG recordings during hyperventilation should be regarded as an effective technique in analyzing epilepsy because of its ease and cost-effectiveness compared with other methods such as single-photon emission computed tomography.
Neural stem cell therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Valenzuela Michael , Sidhu Kuldip , Dean Sophia , Sachdev Perminder 
Published: February 2007

Objective:To conduct a comprehensive literature review of the area of neural stem cells and neuropsychiatry.Methods:‘Neural stem cells’ (NSCs) and ‘neurogenesis’ were used as keywords in Medline (1966 – November 2006) to identify relevant papers in the areas of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), depression, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This list was supplemented with papers from reference lists of seminal reviews.Results:The concept of a ‘stem cell’ continues to evolve and is currently defined by operational criteria related to symmetrical renewal, multipotency and functional viability.In vivoadult mammalian neurogenesis occurs in discrete niches in the subventricular and subgranular zones – however, functional precursor cells can be generatedin vitrofrom a wide variety of biological sources. Both artificial and physiological microenvironment is therefore critical to the characteristics and behaviour of neural precursors, and it is not straightforward how results from the laboratory can be extrapolated to the living organism. Transplant strategies in PD have shown that it is possible for primitive neural tissue to engraft into neuropathic brain areas, become biologically functional and lead to amelioration of clinical signs and symptoms. However, with long-term follow-up, significant problems related to intractable side-effects and potential neoplastic growth have been reported. These are therefore the potentials and pitfalls for NSC technology in neuropsychiatry. In AD, the physiology of amyloid precursor protein may directly interact with NSCs, and a role in memory function has been speculated. The role of endogenous neurogenesis has also been implicated in the etiology of depression. The significance of NSCs and neurogenesis for schizophrenia is still emerging.Conclusions:There are a number of technical and conceptual challenges ahead before the promise of NSCs can be harnessed for the understanding and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Further research into fundamental NSC biology and how this interacts with the neuropsychiatric disease processes is required.
Bedwetting—Not Always What It Seems: A Sign of Sleep‐Disordered Breathing in Children
Authors: Umlauf Mary Grace , Chasens Eileen R. 
Published: February 2007

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) can linger long into childhood. Sleep research has documented that nocturia and bedwetting are symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults and that bedwetting is predictive of OSA in children.CONCLUSIONS. Nocturnal polyuria is a cardiovascular response to negative pressure breathing (inspiration against a closed glottis), which is characteristic of OSA.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Evidence of nocturnal polyuria and sleep‐disordered breathing are important signs of OSA, a serious but treatable condition.
Confounding Factors in Infant Pain Assessment During Recovery From Anesthesia
Authors: Neu Madalynn , Fuller Barbara F. 
Published: February 2007

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To investigate in what ways infant pain assessments differed between outpatient surgical recovery areas (OPSRA) and other clinical settings that included inpatient postsurgical recovery areas.METHODS. Using a qualitative descriptive design, 8 nurse participants working in OPSRA and 7 nurse participants working in other clinical settings were interviewed.RESULTS. The assessments of participants in the OPSRA differed from those of other participants and were confounded by effects of a short‐acting anesthetic, lower expectations of pain, and several extraneous factors.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Recognizing infant pain in OPSRA is complex. Nurses working in OPSRA may need to assume leadership to address issues relating to accurate identification of infant pain and alleviating extraneous factors that may influence adequate treatment of pain.