bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learner acquaintanceship and oral proficiency test pair-task performance
Authors: O’Sullivan Barry 
Published: October 2002

This paper explores the effect on pair-task performance of test-takers’ familiarity with their partner. O’Sullivan (2000a), like McNamara (1996), sees test performance as being affected by a number of factors, related to the test-taker, the interlocutor and the task. Evidence from the psychology literature, and anecdotal evidence from language learners and teachers, suggests that familiarity with one’s partner in an interactive task might positively affect performance, although in the only published study to date, Porter (1991a) found no evidence to support this hypothesis. A group of 32 Japanese learners performed a series of three tasks (personal information exchange, narrative, and decision making), once with a friend, and again with a person who was not known to them. All performances were video-recorded, awarded scores by trained raters and transcribed for analysis. Results suggest evidence of an `acquaintanceship’ effect, with subjects achieving higher scores when working with a friend. However, analysis of the language suggests that there is no effect on linguistic complexity, and that there is a sex-ofinterlocutor by acquaintanceship interaction effect for accuracy. These results appear to support findings in the literature on second language acquisition, which suggest that learners vary their language when interacting with familiar or unfamiliar speakers (Plough and Gass, 1993; Tarone and Liu, 1995), although they contradict the findings of Porter (1991a). Despite its limitations, the results of this study confirm that any test format that employs tasks requiring interaction between individuals is in need of urgent and extensive study.
Doctors’ orders for language testers: the origin and purpose of ethical codes
Authors: Boyd Kenneth , Davies Alan 
Published: October 2002

Accountability in language testing, as in other professions, requires openness to stakeholders. Professions are increasingly publishing a Code of Ethics which sets out the principles governing the conduct of their members. The long tradition of medicine’s use of a Code of Ethics is discussed and the arguments in that profession with regard to openness is considered. The International Language Testing Association (ILTA) has recently agreed its own Code of Ethics (see Appendix 1). This article considers how far this Code of Ethics makes language testing an open profession and notes the dangers of face validity and of hypocrisy. The article then discusses the need for a Code of Practice to provide detailed guidance to language testers with regard to their professional responsibilities. It is concluded that: • it is unlikely that an international organization could develop one universal Code of Practice, given the demands of enforceability and relativism; and • that the way forward may be to encourage local Codes of Practice. Caution is, however, necessary, given the possibility of tension between relativism and modernity, such that a local Code of Practice could become an alternative Code of Ethics.
How comparable are tests of apraxia?
Authors: Butler J A 
Published: October 2002

Objective: To compare commonly used tests for the diagnosis of apraxia. Measures: People with unilateral left hemisphere lesions, diagnosed with apraxia, were compared in their scoring on commonly used tests for apraxia ( n = 17). Setting: Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, Oxford, England, a specialist inpatient neurological unit. Results: Production moment correlations were low, or did not reach signi”cance level between three tests for ideomotor apraxia ( r = 0.46 p < 0.05 one-tailed test, r = 0.005 NS, r = –0.23 NS, df = 15). Six of the seventeen apraxic patients scored above cut-off point on one test, but below cut-off point on others, indicating that commonly used tests for apraxia may not be reliable for diagnosis if used singly. Internal consistency within tests was also variable (Cronbach’s a 0.72, 0.85, 0.85). Conclusion: The commonly used tests for apraxia may identify different people as ‘apraxic’, possibly by eliciting different aspects of apraxia and identifying potential subtypes of the condition. The use of multiple tests is, therefore, recommended in order to identify people with apraxia. The need for repeat reliability studies for apraxia assessments, together with a search for a ‘gold standard’ test is apparent.
Therapeutic electrical stimulation to improve motor control and functional abilities of the upper extremity after stroke: a systematic review
Authors: de Kroon J R , van der Lee J H , IJzerman M J , Lankhorst G J 
Published: October 2002

Background: Therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES) is a therapeutic strategy aimed at improving impairments of the upper extremity in stroke. Objective: Assessment of the available evidence on the effect of TES of the affected upper extremity in improving motor control and functional abilities after stroke. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have studied the effect of TES on motor control and functional abilities. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed systematically by two raters. The reported outcomes were examined to evaluate the effect of TES and to identify a possible relationship with patient characteristics, method of stimulation and methodological quality. When possible, effect sizes were calculated (Hedges’ g). Results: Six RCTs were included. The methodological scores ranged from 7 to 16 (maximum 19). All studies assessed the effect on motor control, and four reported a positive effect. Effect sizes calculated in three studies ranged from 0.55 to 1.46. Only two studies assessed the effect on functional ability, one reported a positive effect. Subgroup analyses in two studies suggest a better response to stimulation in less severely affected patients. Apart from this, no relationship between effect and patient characteristics, method of stimulation or methodological quality could be detected. Conclusions: The present review suggests a positive effect of electrical stimulation on motor control. No conclusions can be drawn with regard to the effect on functional abilities.
Purified protein derivative reaction in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Indirect study of cellular immunity
Authors: Pascual-Ramos V , Hernández-Cruz B , Villalobos I , Sifuentes-Osornio J , Alcocer-Varela J 
Published: October 2002

Cutaneous anergy in SLE patients results from disease activity and/or immunosuppressive treatment (IT). The aim of this study was to evaluate purified protein derivative (PPD) reaction in SLE patients. A total of 145 patients and 20 controls were studied. Five units of PPD were applied on day 0, and skin reaction was measured after 3 (PPD1) and 6 (PPD2) days. A booster was applied (day 14), and the reaction was measured after 3 (PPD3) and 6 (PPD4) days. Non-parametricANOVA test and unpaired Student's t-test were performed. Forty patients (group I) were inactive (MexSLEDAI 3), receiving no IT (at least 3 months previous to the PPD test); 39 (group II) were inactive receiving IT; 24 (group III) were active without IT, and 42 (group IV) were active with IT. Active patients had lower PPD1 (group III, 1.4 ± 0.9; group IV, 0.6 ± 0.5) than inactive patients (group I, 8.4 ± 2.3; group II, 5.1 ± 1.9) and than controls (9.4 ± 3; P ≤ 0.001). Group IV had lower delayed response (PPD2 = 0.3 ± 0.3) than inactive groups (group I, 2.6 ± 0.9; group II, 3.1 ± 0.8) and than controls (7.9 ± 2.5; P ≤ 0.001). Group III had lower delayed reaction P ≤ 0.001). Active SLE patients, receiving or not receiving IT, had lower skin response to PPD than inactive patients and controls.
A Chinese version of the Rheumatology Attitudes Index is a valid and reliable measure of learned helplessness in patients with SLE
Authors: Thumboo J , Feng P-H , Chan S-P , Boey M-L , Thio S-t , Fong K-Y 
Published: October 2002

Despite the prognostic importance of learned helplessness (LH) in rheumatic diseases, there are no validated measures of LH in Chinese or other Asian languages. We therefore assessed the validity of a Chinese translation of the Rheumatology Attitudes Index (CRAI; a widely used measure of LH) and its Helplessness (CHS) and Internality (CIS) subscales in patients with SLE. Chinese-speaking SLE patients (n = 69) completed identical, self-administered questionnaires containing the CRAI and assessing demographic/socio-economic variables twice within 2 weeks. SLE activity, damage and quality of life were assessed using the BILAG, SLICC/ACR Damage Index and SF-36 respectively. Scale psychometric properties were assessed through Cronbach's α, intra-class correlations, quantifying test–retest differences, factor analysis and known-groups construct validity. Internal consistency and reliability were acceptable, with Cronbach's α for the CHS, CIS and CRAI being 0.70, 0.69 and 0.74, respectively. Mean differences in test–retest scores spanned 1.6–2.4% of possible scale ranges and intra class correlations ranged from 0.72 to 0.88. Factor analysis identified two major factors corresponding to the CHS and CIS subscales of the CRAI. Eight of 10 a priori hypotheses relating the CRAI and CHS to demographic, disease and quality of life variables were confirmed, supporting the construct validity of these scales. The CRAI and its helplessnesssubscale are valid and reliable measures of learned helplessness in Chinese-speaking SLE patients.
Ultraviolet light exposure is not a requirement for the development of cutaneous neonatal lupus
Authors: Cimaz R , Biggioggero M , Catelli L , Muratori S , Cambiaghi S 
Published: October 2002

Cutaneous neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare disorder, linked to the presence of transplacentally acquired maternal autoantibodies (anti-ENA). NLE skin lesions frequently appear in the second or third month of life, and ultraviolet exposure is thought to be an initiating factor since it can externalize intranuclearautoantigens at the cell surface. We report a baby who was born already with an extensive NLE rash, suggesting that sun exposure is not a requirement for the development of NLE skin lesions. A 31-year-old woman affected with mixed connective tissue disease gave birth to a female after 38 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy was uneventful and no perinatal complications were seen. The mother was positive for anti-RNP, but negative for anti-SSA/Ro and SSB/La autoantibodies. Already at birth, an extensive scarring rash with a few erythematosus lesions was present on the baby's face and scalp; this progressed over the following months, and subsequentlystabilized. Anti-RNP were present in the baby's serum. Due to the unusual features of the disease expression, a skin biopsy was performed at age 5 months; results were consistent with the diagnosis of NLE, showing mononuclear cell infiltration and immunoglobulin deposition. No other features of NLE were detected. This observation is unusual for: (1) the presence of an NLE rash in the absence of anti-SSA/Ro;(2) the scarring and atrophic characteristicsof the lesions; and (3) the development already in utero. This latter finding argues against sun exposure being necessary for lesion induction.
Systemic lupus erythematosus and cancer: associated or not?
Authors: Abu-Shakra M , Ehrenfeld M , Shoenfeld Y 
Published: October 2002

The frequency of cancer in patients with SLE is between 2.5 and 13.8%. A literature review has identified nine full-length studies that estimated the overall risk of cancer in SLE patients compared with the general population. Five of them have not noted an increased risk for the development of overall cancers among SLE patients compared with the general population. One study identi”ed a 30% increased risk (SIR or 1.3) for occurrence of cancer among 1585 SLE patients followed over 10 807 patient-years. Taken together, it is controversial whether the risk of all cancers is increased in SLE patients compared with the general population. Increased risk of lymphatic malignancies has been shown in multiple large series of SLE patients, but SLE is not associated with an increased risk for the development of most of the solid tumors. Pathogenic mechanisms involved with the development of lymphoproliferative malignancies in association with SLE include a common etiologic agent for both diseases, environmental factors as the use of cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents, genetic variables, and immunologic factors as immunoregulatory disturbances of the immune system.
Shwartzman phenomenon in a patient with active systemic lupus erythematosus preceding fatal disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Riemekasten G , Ziemer S , Häupl T , Melzer C , Loddenkemper K , Hauptmann S , Burmester G R , Hiepe F 
Published: October 2002

The recurrence of widespread and diverse vascular lesions is a hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inflammatory and thrombotic mechanisms almost invariably associated with circulating antiphospholipidantibodies play a role in the pathogenesisof SLE-related vascular disease. Both mechanisms can coexist in the same patient. Vasculitis is most commonly induced by the local deposition of immune complexes. However, some SLE patients have an inflammatory complement-mediated vascular injury in the absence of immune complex deposition. We report on a fatal case of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in a young woman with active SLE. Hemorrhagic lesions due to localized intravascular coagulation (Shwartzman phenomenon) preceded disseminated intravascular coagulation accompanied by disseminated cardiac necrosis. Immune complex ‘independent’ and other mechanisms of vascular injury and states of hypercoagulability will be discussed.
Cardiovascular autonomic function in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hogarth M B , Judd L , Mathias C J , Ritchie J , Stephens D , Rees R G 
Published: October 2002

Aim: To determine whether cardiovascular autonomic function is impaired in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A case–control study of 23 patients with SLE was performed. Autonomic symptoms were assessed using a standard questionnaire. Cardiovascular autonomic function was measured using 10 non-invasive investigations. There were significant differences between patients and controls in three out of 24 parameters measured during the different tests (P < 0.002). These were reduction in systolic blood pressure at 5 min on head-up tilt, and heart rate responses to isometric exercise and cutaneous cold. Eleven out of 23 patients had an abnormal heart rate, blood pressure or Valsalva response (value below the age corrected 5th centile) while testing compared with six of the controls. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were significantly lower in patients vs controls in both the supine (P < 0.05) and tilt position (P < 0.01). Twenty-one of the 23 patients had one or more symptoms that may be attributable to abnormalities in autonomic function. There was no significant association between the number of symptoms and presence of autonomic dysfunction. Cardiovascular autonomic impairment may be demonstrated in some patients with SLE. Symptoms attributable to autonomic dysfunction are common in SLE and autonomic assessment may be required.
Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H, Campath1) for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies: chronic lymphocytic leukemia and T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Wu Helen T 
Published: October 2002

Objective. To provide a comprehensive review of the clinical pharmacology and toxicology of the monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab, with particular reference to its use in its approved indication, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as well as the non-approved indication, T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. Data Sources. A MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms ‘alemtuzumab’ and ‘Campath.’ All data available from MEDLINE were reviewed. The reference lists from retrieved articles were reviewed and other relevant papers identified. The abstract books from the annual meetings of the American Society of Hematology were also reviewed. Data Extraction. The aim of the review was to be comprehensive and descriptive. Studies containing information deemed to be of interest were reviewed by the author. Data Summary. CD52 is a surface antigen expressed on all B- and T-lymphocytes. Because of the presence of this surface antigen on both normal and malignant lymphocytes, the use of antibody as a treatment option is then possible. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H, Campath1) is a humanized anti- CD52 antibody that has been shown to be active against certain hematological malignancies, particularly lymphoproliferative diseases in the blood. The overall response rate for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia relapsed after fludarabine or alkylating therapy ranged from 33% to 70%, with most patients entering partial remission. The average duration of response is approximately 11 - 12 months. For patients with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia failed first-line chemotherapy, overall response rate to alemtuzumab therapy ranged from 76% to 31%, with majority of patients entering complete remission. The average duration of response is approximately 7-9 months. Major adverse effects of alemtuzumab include infusion-related reactions, prolonged lymphopenia, and opportunistic infections (CMV, Herpes zoster, and PCP). Prophylactic use of acyclovir and trimethroprim/sulfamethoxazole are recommended while patient is receiving alemtuzumab and continued for 2 months after alemtuzumab therapy is completed.
Postmethionine-load homocysteine determination for the diagnosis hyperhomocysteinaemia and efficacy of homocysteine lowering treatment regimens
Authors: van der Griend René , Biesma Douwe H , Banga Jan-Dirk 
Published: October 2002

Substantial epidemiological evidence supports the vision that moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia is a graded and independent cardiovascular risk factor. The additional value of the methionine loading test for the assessment of hyperhomocysteinaemiacontinues to be disputed. This overview presents the historical background for the rationale of the methionine loading test and describes determinants and variability of the postmethionine-load homocysteine concentration. The association of postmethionine-load homocysteine concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular events is discussed. Furthermore, the results of homocysteine lowering treatment on postmethionine-load homocysteine are given. Up to 50% of subjects with hyperhomocysteinaemia can only be detected after performing a methionine loading test; these subjects have a normal fasting homocysteine. Both fasting and postmethionine-load homocysteine concentrations are influenced by serum folate and creatinine concentrations and by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype, and may be subject to a wide intra-individual variability (20%). Cross-sectional studies suggest that cardiovascular risk may increase gradually from post-methionine-load homocysteine concentrations above 38 m mol/l. Supplementation with folic acid 0.5 mg daily adequately reduces postmethionine-load homocysteine; addition of pyridoxine appears to have no further homocysteine lowering effect. Prospective studies supporting the clinical significance of the methionine loading test for individual patient counselling are lacking; it seems, therefore, prudent to restrict this test for research purposes.
Injury Mortality Following the Loss of Air Medical Support for Rural Interhospital Transport
Authors: Mann N. Clay , Pinkney Kerrie A. , Price Daniel D. , Rowland Donna , Arthur Melanie , Hedges Jerris R. , Mullins Richard J. 
Published: October 2002

Abstract Objectives: This study evaluated variation in mortality among interfacility transfers three years before and after discontinuation of a rotor‐wing transport service. Methods: A retrospective cohort assessment was conducted among severely injured patients transferred from four rural hospitals to a single tertiary center in regions with continued versus discontinued rotor‐wing service. Thirty‐day mortality following discharge from the receiving tertiary facility served as the primary outcome measure. Results: Discontinuation of rotor‐wing transport decreased interfacility transfers and increased transfer time. Transferred patients were four times more likely to die after (compared with before) rotor‐wing service was discontinued (p = 0.05). No difference was noted in the region with continued rotor‐wing service [odds ratio (OR) = 0.53, p = 0.47]. Conclusions: Injury mortality increased with loss of air transport for interfacility transfer in a rural area.
Untreated Hypercholesterolemia in an Emergency Department Chest Pain Observation Unit Population
Authors: Chandra Abhinav , Compton Scott , Sochor Mark , Puri Sankalp , Zalenski Robert J. 
Published: October 2002

Abstract Objectives: To describe the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in a predominantly African American, innercity chest pain observation unit (CPOU) patient population, and to estimate the percentage of patients eligible for cholesterol‐lowering therapy as indicated by the 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Methods: A cross‐sectional study design utilizing a convenience sample of patients from a high‐volume urban hospital CPOU. Patients with chest pain suspicious of cardiac etiology who had negative initial electrocardiograms and cardiac markers were assigned to the chest pain protocol. Consenting subjects were screened for hypercholesterolemia through capillary blood point‐of‐care testing with a cutoff of 190 mg/dL. Those who tested positive had four‐hour fasting complete lipid profiles performed by the central laboratory. Results: There were 112 patients enrolled in this study (mean age = 51 years; 57% male; and 83% African American). Elevated values on the screening test were obtained on 28 [25%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 16.9 to 33.0] of these patients. These patients were found to have a mean four‐hour fasting total cholesterol level of 224 mg/dL, a low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) level of 138 mg/dL, a high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level of 52 mg/dL, and a triglyceride level of 168 mg/dL. Of the patients identified through the screening test, 54% proved eligible for cholesterol‐lowering medications and 91.7% of these patients reported an interest in initiating therapy. Conclusions: In this study, approximately 25% of inner‐city CPOU patients are possible candidates for cholesterol‐lowering interventions. Benefits of initiating therapy during this potential “teachable moment” in a CPOU should be investigated in a subsequent multicenter randomized trial.