bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute and chronic administration of the selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist WAY‐405 significantly alters the activity of midbrain dopamine neurons in rats: An in vivo electrophysiological study
Authors: Minabe Yoshio , Schechter Lee , Hashimoto Kenji , Shirayama Yuhiko , Ashby Charles R. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn this study, we examined the effect of the acute and chronic administration of WAY‐405, a selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist, on the number and firing pattern of spontaneously active substantia nigra pars compacta (A9) and ventral tegmental area (A10) dopamine (DA) neurons in anesthetized rats. This was accomplished using in vivo, extracellular single unit recording. The i.v. administration of WAY‐405 (5–640 μg/kg) did not significantly alter the basal firing rate or pattern of spontaneously active A9 and A10 DA neurons. A single injection of 10 μg/kg of WAY‐405 decreased the number of spontaneously active A10 DA neurons and the 100 μg/kg dose significantly decreased the number of spontaneously active A9 and A10 DA neurons compared to vehicle‐treated animals. A single injection of 1, 10, or 100 μg/kg of WAY‐405 significantly decreased the degree of bursting of A10 DA neurons. In contrast, 1 μg/kg i.p. of WAY‐405 significantly increased the percent of A9 DA neurons exhibiting a bursting pattern. The repeated administration of 10 or 100 μg/kg i.p. of WAY‐405 (21 days) significantly decreased the number of spontaneously active DA neurons in both the A9 and A10 compared to vehicle‐treated animals and this decrease was not reversed by i.v. (+)‐apomorphine. The repeated administration of WAY‐405 significantly altered the firing pattern of DA neurons, particularly those in the A10 area. Overall, these results indicate that the antagonism of the 5‐HT1A receptor significantly alters the activity of midbrain DA neurons in anesthetized rats. Synapse 50:181–190, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute and chronic effects of nicotine on serotonin uptake in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats
Authors: Awtry Tammy L. , Werling Linda L. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWe sought to investigate the effect of nicotine exposure (chronic and acute) on serotonin transporter (SERT) activity in two regions of the brain important for behavioral effects of nicotine. We first looked at the effects of chronic nicotine exposure (0.7 mg/kg nicotine, twice a day for 10 days) on [3H]5‐HT uptake in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus of rats. A significant increase in [3H]5‐HT uptake was observed in synaptosomes prepared from both regions. To rule out the possibility that the increases were due to the last injection given, in a separate set of experiments a single injection of nicotine was administered the evening before sacrifice. No change in uptake occurred in either region, suggesting that the increases in uptake caused by nicotine was an effect of chronic exposure and not to an acute treatment. SERT binding studies, using prefrontocortical or hippocampal membrane preparations, revealed that chronic nicotine exposure significantly increased Bmax which correlated to an increase in SERT density. Lastly, we looked at the short‐term effect of nicotine on [3H]5‐HT uptake. Rats received a single nicotine injection 15–75 min before sacrifice. PFC synaptosomes displayed a time‐dependent increase in uptake, whereas hippocampal synaptosomes showed an increase at only one time point. Synapse 50:206–211, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
American Psychology and Schools: A Critique
Authors: Sarason Seymour B. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractNo one denies that the Boulder Conference on Clinical Psychology marked a turning point on American psychology. This paper by one of the three or four living participants lists the conference as one in which psychology was at a choice point, went in one and only one direction, without examining the possible consequences or the possibility of going in more than 1 direction. A second theme is that the APA has to be faulted for a lack of searching self‐scrutiny of its past. Organizations, like individuals, resist such self‐scrutiny.
Inner‐City African American Parental Involvement in Children's Schooling: Racial Socialization and Social Support from the Parent Community
Authors: McKay Mary McKernan , Atkins Marc S. , Hawkins Tracie , Brown Catherine , Lynn Cynthia J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractParents (n = 161) and teachers (n = 18) from an urban elementary school serving primarily African American children completed questionnaires regarding racial socialization, social support, and involvement in activities that support youth educational achievement at home and school. Parental reports of racism awareness, and contact with school staff were significantly correlated with parent reports of at‐home involvement and at‐school involvement. Parent reports of social support from the parent community were significantly related to at‐home involvement only. Relative to teacher reports, parents reported more formal contacts with school staff, and higher levels of racism awareness, religiosity, and African American cultural pride. Teachers and parents agreed on school climate and parental levels of at‐home and at‐school involvement. The results suggest that racial socialization processes are related to parent involvement in children's schooling and that increased efforts are needed to bridge a cultural gap between parents and teachers in inner‐city communities.
Long‐Term Unemployment Among Young People: The Risk of Social Exclusion
Authors: Kieselbach Thomas 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe European Union considers long‐term unemployment among youth an impediment to their full integration into society. The Commission of the European Union has, therefore, supported research into the mechanisms by which youth unemployment leads to “social exclusion.” This paper provides a brief summary of the project's findings. These imply that theories and previous research concerning social exclusion and social support can help explain the effects of youth unemployment although the phenomena vary from country to country. Results also suggest that the construct of social exclusion leads to interventions that reduce the personal and societal costs of youth unemployment.
Cancer Risk Counseling: How Is It Different?
Authors: Schneider Katherine A. , Marnane Daragh 
Published: September 2003

AbstractFifty‐six of 80 (70%) full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors with interest in cancer genetics responded to a 1994 survey regarding their cancer risk counseling practices. This study was undertaken to describe cancer risk counselors and the services they provide and to identify possible differences from general genetic counseling that warrant further study. Of 56 respondents, 41 (75%) were providing CRC. The components of CRC programs are described. Our results found significant differences between CRC and general genetic counseling in terms of training and experience of genetic counselors providing CRC and length and number of counseling sessions per consultand. 51% of respondents had 1–2 years of working in CRC, compared to 17% with 1–2 years experience in genetic counseling (p<0.05). Over one‐third had 10 or more years genetic counseling experience. Counselors were more likely to see individuals at risk for cancer for longer counseling sessions (p<0.05) and for additional sessions (p<0.05).
Effect of enamel matrix proteins (Emdogain®) on healing after re‐implantation of “periodontally compromised” roots
Authors: Araújo M. , Hayacibara R. , Sonohara M. , Cardaropoli G. , Lindhe J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective: The present experiment was performed to assess whether Emdogain® applied on the root surface of extracted teeth or teeth previously exposed to root planning can protect the tooth from ankylosis following re‐implantation.Material and Methods: The experiment included two groups of dogs, including five animals each. The root canals of all mandibular third premolars (3 P 3) were reamed and filled with gutta‐percha. A crestal incision was placed from the area of the second to the fourth premolar. Buccal and lingual full thickness flaps were elevated. With the use of a fissure bur, the crown and furcation area of 3 P 3 were severed in an apico‐coronal cut. The distal and mesial tooth segments were luxated with an elevator and extracted with forceps. Group A: The mesial and distal segments of 3 P 3 were air dried on a glass surface for 60 min. The roots from the right side were conditioned and exposed to Emdogain® application. The roots from the left side received the same treatment with the exception of Emdogain® application.The mesial and distal tooth segments were re‐implanted and the crown portions were severed with a horizontal cut and removed. The buccal and lingual flaps were mobilized and sutured to obtain complete coverage of the submerged roots. Group B: A notch was prepared in each root, 4–5 mm apical of the cemento‐enamel junction. The area of the root that was located coronal to the notch was scaled and planned. The roots in the right side of the mandible were treated with Emdogain®, while the roots in the left side served as controls.After 6 months of healing, the dogs were killed and blocks containing one root with surrounding tissues were harvested, and prepared for histological examination, which also included morphometric assessments. Thus, the proportions of the roots that exhibited signs of (i) replacement (ii) inflammatory and (iii) surface resorption were calculated.Results and Conclusion: It was demonstrated that healing of a re‐implanted root that had been extracted and deprived of vital cementoblasts was characterized by processes that included root resorption, ankylosis and new attachment formation. It was also demonstrated that Emdogain® treatment, i.e. conditioning with EDTA and placement of enamel matrix proteins on the detached root surface, failed to interfere with the healing process.
Psychiatric Hospitalization: Reasons for Admission and Alternatives to Admission in South Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Abas Melanie , Vanderpyl Jane , Le Prou Trix , Kydd Rob , Emery Brian , Alo Foliaki Siale 
Published: September 2003

Objective: To describe reasons for admission and alternatives to admission in a government funded acute inpatient unit. Method: Reasons for admission and alternatives to admission were rated for a consecutive sample of 255 admissions to an acute psychiatric unit in Auckland, using interviews with staff and case note review. Result: Most patients had a functional psychosis and were admitted involuntarily. Forty percent came from areas of marked social deprivation. The major reasons for admission were for reinstatement of medication (mainly linked to non-concordance with prescribed medication), intensive observation, risk to self and risk to others. Only 12% of admissions could have been diverted, of whom most would have required daily home treatment. For those still admitted at 5 weeks, 26% could have been discharged, mainly to 24 h nurse-staffed accommodation. If the alternatives had all been available, simulated bed-day savings were 11 bed years per year. Simulated bed day savings were greater through implementing early discharge than by diverting new admissions. Conclusion: Greater availability of assertive community treatment and of interventions to improve medication concordance may have prevented a small number of admissions. For patients admitted longer than 5 weeks, it appeared that greater availability of 24 h nursestaffed accommodation would have allowed considerable bed-day savings.
Preference, Need and Utilization of Mental Health Services, Singapore National Mental Health Survey
Authors: Pin Ng Tze , Pin Ng Tze , Soon Leng Fones Calvin , Heok Kua Ee 
Published: September 2003

Objective: To ascertain the extent of the community's preference, needs for and utilization of mental health services, and their socio-demographic determinants in the multi-ethnic Asian community in Singapore. The extent to which need, enabling and predisposing factors determine the likelihood to seek professional help was also examined. Method: Data were analyzed from the Singapore National Mental Health Survey of 1996, based on a stratified random sample of 2947 Chinese, Malay and Indian subjects of the general population aged 13–64 years. Results: An estimated 37% of the general population indicated they would seek professional help if they experienced a serious emotional or mental problem. Although 16.9% were determined by their high general health questionnaire (GHQ) score to need mental health services, only 2.6% in the population used the services of any professional caregiver. Among persons with high GHQ scores, only 5.9% sought any professional help. Among those with a high GHQ score and who were receptive to professional help, only 10.4% actually sought professional help. General practitioners were the most commonly preferred caregiver (49.3%), and were used by 41.1% of those who sought help. Those who sought professional help were more likely to have a high GHQ score and to be inclined to seek professional help. Malays used mental health services more than Chinese, but they did not show a significantly greater prevalence of high GHQ scores, or a greater preference to seek professional help. Receptivity to professional help, high GHQ score, and Malay ethnicity were independent significant predictors of use of mental health service. Conclusion: Need and attitudinal factors predict mental health service utilization, but they still do not explain why a large majority of the population chose not to use mental health services.
T‐lymphocyte populations in hepatitis C and HIV co‐infected patients treated with interferon‐alfa‐2a and ribavirin
Authors: Neau D , Galpérine T , Legrand E , Pitard V , Neau‐Cransac M , Moreau JF , Ragnaud JM , Dupon M , Fleury H , Lafon ME 
Published: September 2003

ObjectiveThe effects on T‐lymphocyte populations of two interferon‐alfa‐2a (IFN) regimens associated with ribavirin were evaluated in 36 HCV‐HIV co‐infected patients with chronic hepatitis C, T‐CD4 cell count > 250 cells/µL and a plasma viral load of < 10 000 HIV RNA copies/mL.MethodsPatients were given IFN for 48 weeks. Group A (18 patients) received 6 mega units (MU) subcutaneously three times a week for 24 weeks, then 3 MU three times a week for the last 24 weeks. Group B (18 patients) received 9 MU daily for 2 weeks, 3 MU daily for 22 weeks, then 3 MU three times a week for the last 24 weeks. Serum HCV RNA was evaluated at weeks 12 and 72. Ribavirin was added at week 16 for virologic nonresponders at week 12. CD3, CD3 CD4, CD3 CD8, CD3 CD4 human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR and CD3 CD8 HLA‐DR lymphocyte subsets were evaluated before, during and after treatment by cytofluorometry. Controls were healthy and HCV mono‐infected patients.ResultsCD3 CD4 and CD3 CD8 T‐cells counts were both impaired during anti‐HCV therapy, but returned to baseline value after treatment completion. Lymphopenia concerned mainly CD8 T‐cells, the percentage of which decreased, whereas that of CD4 increased. Three patients displayed reversible CD4 lymphopenia < 200 cells/µL. HIV infection at inclusion was responsible for higher CD3 CD8 HLA‐DR T‐cell percentages in co‐infected patients than in healthy and HCV mono‐infected subjects. T‐cell sequestration in lymphoid tissues and enhanced apoptosis may account for lymphopenia.ConclusionHigh‐dosed IFN anti‐HCV therapy induced only moderate and transient CD4 lymphopenia in HIV co‐infected patients.
Pharmacokinetic and tolerability profile of twice‐daily saquinavir hard gelatin capsules and saquinavir soft gelatin capsules boosted with ritonavir in healthy volunteers
Authors: Kurowski M , Sternfeld T , Sawyer A , Hill A , Möcklinghoff C 
Published: September 2003

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of a boosted saquinavir (SQV)/ritonavir (RTV) combination, administered as either the hard gelatin capsule (HGC) or soft gelatin capsule (SGC) formulation of SQV, in 24 healthy volunteers.MethodsThis was a single‐centre, open‐label, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover study. Twelve subjects were randomized to receive SQV/RTV 1000 mg/100 mg twice daily (BID) orally for 10 days, as either the HGC or SGC formulation. The pharmacokinetic profile of SQV was determined on day 10. Subjects then crossed over to the opposite SQV formulation, and the pharmacokinetic profile was determined again on day 20. The primary analysis was the assessment of bioequivalence based on logarithmically transformed values for AUC(0−24 h) and Cmax for the two formulations.ResultsThere was a statistically significant increase in the geometric means of all the pharmacokinetic variables evaluated for SQV‐HGC/RTV compared with SQV‐SGC/RTV. A mean AUC0−24 h‐value of 15.798 µg/mL/h was reported for the HGC formulation compared with 11.655 µg/mL/h for the SGC formulation (P = 0.0043). The SQV‐HGC/RTV combination was better tolerated in terms of gastrointestinal system disorders. Furthermore, no elevations in triglycerides or total cholesterol were reported with SQV/RTV during the entire study period.ConclusionIn healthy volunteers, RTV boosting of SQV‐HGC produces plasma exposures at least comparable to SQV‐SGC, which is accompanied by an improvement in gastrointestinal system disorders.
Walking and Talking as Predictors of Falls in the General Population: The Leiden 85‐Plus Study
Authors: Bootsma‐van der Wiel Annetje , Gussekloo Jacobijn , De Craen Anton J.M. , Van Exel Eric , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Westendorp Rudi G. J. 
Published: September 2003

Objectives: To compare the value of dual tasking in predicting falling in the general population of oldest old with that of easy‐to‐administer single tasks.Design: Prospective population‐based follow‐up study.Setting: Municipality of Leiden, the Netherlands.Participants: Representative cohort of 380 individuals, all aged 85 at baseline.Measurements: During enrollment, walking time over a 12‐meter distance was measured, as well as the verbal fluency to recite names of animals or professions during a 30‐second period. In the dual task, performance was assessed when participants combined walking with reciting names. Incidence of falls and fractures was assessed by interviewing participants and checking their medical histories.Results: After 1 year of follow‐up, 42% of the participants reported one or more falls, and 4% suffered a fracture. Total walking time, number of steps, and verbal fluency were all strongly related to incident falls (P for trend for all <.01), but dual‐task performance was not a better predictor for incident falls than single‐task performance.Conclusion: The dual‐task test in this study had no predictive value above that of a single‐task test to predict falling. Dual tasks with more‐sensitive measures of impaired dual‐task execution might have better test characteristics. In this study, history of falls and performance on an easy‐to‐administer single walking task identified old persons at higher risk for falling who could benefit from fall preventive strategies.
A knowledge processing method for intelligent systems based on inclusion degree
Authors: Qiu Guo Fang , Li Huai Zu , Xu Li Da , Zhang Wen Xiu 
Published: September 2003

Abstract:The probability reasoning method, fuzzy reasoning method, evidential reasoning method and other reasoning methods are main techniques employed in intelligent systems for processing uncertain and vague information. The concept of inclusion degree was proposed earlier and it has been proved that the methods mentioned above are examples of inclusion degrees. In this paper, we introduce type S1 and type S2 inclusion degrees, discuss the relationship between them, and further propose inclusion degrees on interval numbers, divisions, vectors and set vectors. This paper addresses an uncertainty analysis method with different inclusion degrees for intelligent systems and other systems such as fuzzy relational databases.
Positioning of Financial Services for Competitive Advantage
Authors: Easingwood Christopher J. , Mahajan Vijay 
Published: September 2003

The financial services sector is becoming increasingly competitive. Deregulation allows formerly nonoverlapping financial institutions to compete. To survive and succeed, financial institutions must develop strong positions. A position summarizes the distinctive competence that a company seeks to convey to the marketplace to establish its competitive advantage. In this article, Christopher Easingwood and Vijay Mahajan describe a number of positioning attempts in the financial services sector. They are guided by two central objectives.The first is to show how the special characteristics of services give rise to eight different positioning possibilities for financial services organizations. These positions present a range of potential options from which the manager may choose. For instance, an “extra service” position is one option, a “performance” position is another.The second objective is to demonstrate the use of the positioning framework, with examples taken from the insurance sector to provide illustrations rather than a complete picture of insurance positioning.The article concludes with a number of recommendations. For instance, financial institutions should avoid overcrowded positions and occupy underexploited positions. If accepted, these recommendations should help the financial services executive develop a competitive positioning strategy.
Book Reviews
Authors: Rosenau Milton D. 
Published: September 2003

This issue's review looks at a recent book written by Milton D. Rosenau, Jr., a two‐time contributor to this journal. The review is written by Randy Englund, R&D project development manager for Hewlett‐Packard in Cupertino, California. Previously, he served as a computer systems program manager.Englund's favorable review mentions a number of points that will be of interest to JPIM's readers:

the book emphasizes speed in development
it stresses a team‐based, phased development approach
it establishes the need for clear specifications
useful summaries and implementation guidelines are included throughout the text
the issues treated are of major importance to new product managers
Novel Plasmid-Borne Gene
qacJ
Mediates Resistance to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Equine
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Staphylococcus simulans
, and
Staphylococcus intermedius
Authors: Bjorland Jostein , Steinum Terje , Sunde Marianne , Waage Steinar , Heir Even 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT

We identified a novel plasmid-borne gene (designated
qacJ
) encoding resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in three staphylococcal species associated with chronic infections in four horses.
qacJ
was located on a 2,650-bp plasmid (designated pNVH01), a new member of the pC194 family of rolling-circle replication plasmids. The 107-amino-acid protein, QacJ, showed similarities to known proteins of the small multidrug resistance family: Smr/QacC (72.5%), QacG (82.6%), and QacH (73.4%). The benzalkonium chloride MIC for a
qacJ
-containing recombinant was higher than those for otherwise isogenic recombinants expressing Smr, QacG, or QacH. Molecular epidemiological analyses by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis suggested both the clonal spread of a
qacJ
-harboring
Staphylococcus aureus
strain and the horizontal transfer of pNVH01 within and between different equine staphylococcal species. The presence of pNVH01 of identical nucleotide sequence in different staphylococcal species suggests that recent transfer has occurred. In three of the horses, a skin preparation containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide had been used extensively for several years; this might explain the selection of staphylococci harboring the novel QAC resistance gene.