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Conflicting
Terms modified by Conflicting Selected AbstractsChildren's understanding of advertising: an investigation using verbal and pictorially cued methodsINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2007Laura Owen Abstract Conflicting results on children's understanding of advertising may stem from differences in research methods. Most studies are conducted using interviewing techniques, employing only verbal questioning. In the present study, 136 children of two age groups (7 and 10 years) were first asked what advertising was for and, after responding, shown depictions of possible reasons. The results indicate that although older children are more likely than younger ones to understand that advertising seeks to promote selling, pictorial cues allow a much larger proportion of all children to indicate their understanding than verbal questioning does on its own, with younger children especially showing improvement. Thus, seven-year-olds seem to have an implicit understanding of the persuasive intent of advertising that they are unable to articulate in response to investigators' questions. Multiple methods appear to offer a means of evaluating the level of sophistication in children' understanding of advertising. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Identification and classification of skin sensitizers: identifying false positives and false negativesCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 5 2006David A. Basketter The first step in regulatory evaluation of substances involves the identification of their intrinsic hazards, including the potential for skin sensitization. This is, quite properly, entirely different from assessment of the risks to human health, which might arise from incorporation of substances in products. EU guidance on regulations concerning the classification of skin sensitizers suggests a range of sources of information be deployed in the hazard identification process. These include chemical structure, predictive animal tests, and various types of human data. Where the information is clear-cut, then uncertainties rarely arise. However, for some materials, discordant information arises, perhaps because the substance is on the borderline of test sensitivity and classification (sensitizing materials of insufficient potency do not classified according to the EU scheme), due to conflicting results in predictive tests or for other reasons. In this study, we review data on a number of substances where a classification decision is complicated by such discordances and seek to use these examples to demonstrate how best to make a weight of evidence decision on whether a substance should, or should not, be classified as a skin sensitizer. [source] DESTINATION EFFECTS: RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY AND TRAJECTORIES OF ADOLESCENT VIOLENCE IN A STRATIFIED METROPOLIS,CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 3 2010PATRICK SHARKEY Two landmark policy interventions to improve the lives of youth through neighborhood mobility,the Gautreaux program in Chicago and the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiments in five cities,have produced conflicting results and have created a puzzle with broad implications: Do residential moves between neighborhoods increase or decrease violence, or both? To address this question, we analyze data from a subsample of adolescents ages 9,12 years from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, a longitudinal study of children and their families that began in Chicago,the site of the original Gautreaux program and one of the MTO experiments. We propose a dynamic modeling strategy to separate the effects of residential moving across three waves of the study from dimensions of neighborhood change and metropolitan location. The results reveal countervailing effects of mobility on trajectories of violence; whereas neighborhood moves within Chicago lead to an increased risk of violence, moves outside the city reduce violent offending and exposure to violence. The gap in violence between movers within and outside Chicago is explained not only by the racial and economic composition of the destination neighborhoods but also by the quality of school contexts, adolescents' perceived control over their new environment, and fear. These findings highlight the need to simultaneously consider residential mobility, mechanisms of neighborhood change, and the wider geography of structural opportunity. [source] Efficacy of enamel matrix derivatives (Emdogain®) in treatment of replanted teeth , a systematic review based on animal studiesDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Annette Wiegand A review of the published literature [search term: (Emdogain OR enamel matrix derivative OR enamel matrix protein] AND [avulsion OR replantation OR autotransplantation)] was conducted by two independent investigators according to defined selection criteria. For data extraction of the identified animal studies, the following histomorphometric findings were considered: (i) healed PDL, (ii) surface resorption, (iii) inflammatory resorption and (iv) replacement resorption. The heterogenity of data collection and the small amount of identified publications did not allow for statistical analysis. Four controlled trials (CT) conducted in animals, but no randomized controlled trials (RCT) or clinical controlled trials (CCT) could be received from the systematic search. From the selected studies, two CT gave evidence of EMD treatment to be effective in inducing healing of replanted teeth, while one CT found no differences between EMD treated teeth and controls. Finally, one CT compared EMD and sodium fluoride application, but revealed no differences between the treatments. The data of controlled trials available are limited and conflicting. No firm conclusion regarding the efficacy of EMD application on healing of replanted or autotransplanted permanent teeth can be drawn because of lack of RCT and CCT. [source] Residual cognitive impairments in remitted depressed patients,DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 6 2008Wendelien Merens M.A. Abstract Depressive disorders are associated with various cognitive impairments. Studies on whether or not these impairments persist into the euthymic phase have shown conflicting results, due to differences in test versions and in study samples. In this paper, we aimed to compare the cognitive performance of remitted depressed patients with that of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers across a wide range of cognitive domains. In two studies, we found few differences on neutral as well as emotional information processing tests. The findings indicate that remitted depressed patients who use antidepressant medication still show an increased recognition of facial expression of fear compared to healthy controls. Patients also performed worse on a test of recognition of abstract visual information from long-term memory. No other residual cognitive impairments were found. These results indicate that most of the cognitive impairments associated with depression resolve with recovery through medication, even when recovery is incomplete. Considering the finding that remitted depressed patients have higher levels of cognitive reactivity, future studies may investigate the possibility that these cognitive impairments have not resolved but have become latent, and may therefore easily be triggered by small changes in mood state. Depression and Anxiety 0:1,10, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Esophageal manometry in 28 systemic sclerosis Brazilian patients: findings and correlationsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 8 2009D. C. Calderaro SUMMARY Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology. Esophageal involvement affects 50,90% of patients and is characterized by abnormal motility and hypotonic lower esophageal sphincter. Data on the association of esophageal abnormalities and age, gender, SSc subset or duration, autoantibody profile, esophageal symptoms, and medication are lacking or conflicting. The aim of this study was the evaluation of these associations in Brazilian sclerodermic patients from the Rheumatology Division, Clinics Hospital, Federal University, Minas Gerais. They underwent medical records review, clinical interview, and esophageal manometry. The normal cutoff level for lower esophageal sphincter pressure was 14 mmHg. Abnormal peristalsis occurred when less than 80% of peristaltic waves were propagated. P -values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Twenty-eight patients were included: 71% were women. The population presented medium age and disease duration of 46 years and 12 years, respectively. Cutaneous diffuse SSc occurred in 39% and its limited form in 61%. Dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation occurred, respectively, in 71%, 43%, and 61% of patients. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure and number of peristaltic waves-propagated medias were, respectively, 17.2 mmHg and 2.3. SSc-related manometric abnormalities were present in 86% of patients. Manometry revealed distal esophageal body hypomotility, hypotonic lower esophageal sphincter, or both, respectively, in 82%, 39%, and 36% of patients. One patient presented the manometric pattern of esophageal achalasia. Male patients more frequently presented hypotonic inferior esophageal sphincter. Manometric findings have had no relationship with the other variables. Nifedipine use did not influence manometric findings. [source] Randomized controlled trial of intrasphincteric botulinum toxin A injection versus balloon dilatation in treatment of achalasia cardiaDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 3-4 2001U. C. Ghoshal As the few randomized controlled trials available in the literature comparing botulinum toxin (BT) injection with established endoscopic treatment of achalasia cardia, i.e. pneumatic dilatation, showed conflicting results, we conducted a prospective randomized trial. Seventeen consecutive patients with achalasia cardia diagnosed during a period between December 1997 and February 2000 were randomized into two treatment groups [pneumatic dilatation by Rigiflex dilator (n=10), BT injection by sclerotherapy needle into four quadrants of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (n=7) 80 units in five cases, 60 units in two cases] after dysphagia grading, endoscopy, barium esophagogram, and manometry, all of which were repeated 1 week after treatment. Patients were followed up clinically for 35.2 ± 14 weeks. Chi-squares, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Kaplan,Meier method and log-rank tests were used for statistical analysis. After 1 week, 6/7 (86%) BT-treated vs. 8/10 (80%) dilatation-treated patients improved (P=NS). There was no difference in LES pressure and maximum esophageal diameter in the barium esophagogram in the two groups before therapy. Both therapies resulted in significant reduction in LES pressure. The cumulative dysphagia-free state using the Kaplan,Meier method decreased progressively in BT-treated compared with dilatation-treated patients (P=0.027). Two patients with tortuous megaesophagus, one of whom had failed dilatation complicated by perforation previously, improved after BT. One other patient in whom pneumatic dilatation had previously failed improved in a similar manner. BT is as good as pneumatic dilatation in achieving an initial improvement in dysphagia of achalasia cardia. It is also effective in patients with tortuous megaesophagus and previous failed pneumatic dilatation. However, dysphagia often recurs during 1-year follow up. [source] The evolution of hippocampus volume and brain size in relation to food hoarding in birdsECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2004László Zsolt Garamszegi Abstract Food-hoarding birds frequently use spatial memory to relocate their caches, thus they may evolve a larger hippocampus in their brain than non-hoarder species. However, previous studies testing for such interspecific relationships provided conflicting results. In addition, food hoarding may be a cognitively complex task involving elaboration of a variety of brain regions, even outside of the hippocampus. Hence, specialization to food hoarding may also result in the enlargement of the overall brain. In a phylogenetic analysis of distantly related birds, we studied the interspecific association between food hoarding and the size of different brain regions, each reflecting different resolutions. After adjusting for allometric effects, the relative volume of the hippocampus and the relative size of the entire brain were each positively related to the degree of food-hoarding specialization, even after controlling for migration and brood parasitism. We also found some significant evidence for the relative volume of the telencephalon being associated with food hoarding, but this relationship was dependent on the approach we used. Hence, neural adaptation to food hoarding may favour the evolution of different brain structures. [source] Capillary electrophoresis versus differential scanning calorimetry for the analysis of free enzyme versus enzyme-ligand complexes: In the search of the ligand-free status of cholinesterasesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 2 2006Daniel Rochu Dr. Abstract Cholinesterases (ChEs) are highly efficient biocatalysts whose active site is buried in a deep, narrow gorge. The talent of CE to discover inhibitors in the gorge of highly purified preparations has fairly altered the meaning of a ChE ligand-free status. To attempt at a description of this one, we investigated the stability of Bungarus fasciatus acetylcholinesterase (AChE), alone or complexed with different inhibitors. Determination of midtransition temperature for thermal denaturation, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and CE, provided conflicting results. Discrepancies strongly question the reality of a ligand-free AChE state. DSC allowed estimation of the stability of AChE-ligands complexes, and to rank the stabilizing effect of different inhibitors. CE acted as a detector of hidden ligands, provided that they were charged, reversibly bound, and thus dissociable upon action of electric fields. Then, CE allowed quantification of the stability of ligand-free AChE. CE and DSC providing each fractional and nonredundant information, cautious attention must be paid for actual estimation of the conformational stability of ChEs. Because inhibitors used in purification of ChEs by affinity chromatography are charged, CE remains a leading method to estimate enzyme stability and detect the presence of bound hidden ligands. [source] Evolution of latex and its constituent defensive chemistry in milkweeds (Asclepias): a phylogenetic test of plant defense escalationENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2008Anurag A. Agrawal Abstract A tremendous diversity of plants exude sticky and toxic latex upon tissue damage, and its production has been widely studied as a defensive adaptation against insect herbivores. Here, we address variation in latex production and its constituent chemical properties (cardenolides and cysteine proteases) in 53 milkweeds [Asclepias spp. (Apocynaceae)], employing a phylogenetic approach to test macroevolutionary hypotheses of defense evolution. Species were highly variable for all three traits, and they showed little evidence for strong phylogenetic conservatism. Latex production and the constituent chemical defenses are thus evolutionarily labile and may evolve rapidly. Nonetheless, in phylogenetically independent analyses, we show that the three traits show some correlations (and thus share a correlated evolutionary history), including a positive correlation between latex exudation and cysteine protease activity. Conversely, latex exudation and cysteine protease activity both showed a trade-off with cardenolide concentrations in latex. We also tested whether these traits have increased in their phenotypic values as the milkweeds diversified, as predicted by plant defense escalation theory. Alternative methods of testing this prediction gave conflicting results , there was an overall negative correlation between amount of evolutionary change and amount of latex exudation; however, ancestral state reconstructions indicated that most speciation events were associated with increases in latex. We conclude by (i) summarizing the evidence of milkweed latex itself as a multivariate defense including the amount exuded and toxin concentrations within, (ii) assessing the coordinated evolution of latex traits and how this fits with our previous notion of ,plant defense syndromes', and finally, (iii) proposing a novel hypothesis that includes an ,evolving community of herbivores' that may promote the escalation or decline of particular defensive strategies as plant lineages diversify. [source] Seizure Outcome after Temporal Lobectomy: Current Research Practice and FindingsEPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2001A. M. McIntosh Summary: ,Purpose: The literature regarding seizure outcome and prognostic factors for outcome after temporal lobectomy is often contradictory. This is problematic, as these data are the basis on which surgical decisions and counseling are founded. We sought to clarify inconsistencies in the literature by critically examining the methods and findings of recent research. Methods: A systematic review of the 126 articles concerning temporal lobectomy outcome published from 1991 was conducted. Results: Major methodologic issues in the literature were heterogeneous definitions of seizure outcome, a predominance of cross-sectional analyses (83% of studies), and relatively short follow-up in many studies. The range of seizure freedom was wide (33,93%; median, 70%); there was a tendency for better outcome in more recent studies. Of 63 factors analyzed, good outcome appeared to be associated with several factors including preoperative hippocampal sclerosis, anterior temporal localization of interictal epileptiform activity, absence of preoperative generalized seizures, and absence of seizures in the first postoperative week. A number of factors had no association with outcome (e.g., age at onset, preoperative seizure frequency, and extent of lateral resection). Conclusions: Apparently conflicting results in the literature may be explained by the methodologic issues identified here (e.g., sample size, selection criteria and method of analysis). To obtain a better understanding of patterns of long-term outcome, increased emphasis on longitudinal analytic methods is required. The systematic review of possible risk factors for seizure recurrence provides a basis for planning further research. [source] Side-to-side differences in pressure pain thresholds and pericranial muscle tenderness in strictly unilateral migraineEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2008C. Fernández-de-las-Peńas Previous studies dealing with pressure pain sensitivity or muscle tenderness in migraine have shown conflicting results. Our aim was to explore the differences in mechanical pain sensitivity and pericranial muscle tenderness between patients with unilateral migraine and healthy controls, and to analyse side-to-side differences in both study groups. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) at cephalic and neck points, plus local and total tenderness scores were blindly assessed in 25 patients with strictly unilateral migraine and 25 healthy subjects. For PPT in the neck there were significant differences between groups (F = 47.029; P < 0.001) and sides (F = 6.363; P < 0.01), and a significant interaction between group and side (F = 5.201; P = 0.02), while PPT in the cephalic point showed differences between groups (F = 11.774; P < 0.001), but not sides (F = 2.838; P = 0.1). The total tenderness score showed significant differences between groups (F = 6.800; P < 0.01) and sides (F = 17.699; P < 0.001), along with a significant interaction between group and side (F = 14.420; P < 0.001). Patients had lower PPT and increased pericranial tenderness on the symptomatic side as compared with the non-symptomatic side and to either side in controls (P < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were identified between the non-symptomatic side and controls (P > 0.9). In migraine patients, PPT levels and muscle tenderness scores were negatively correlated (P < 0.001). The enhancement of local tenderness scores was related to hyperesthesia of specific muscles (sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, and temporalis) rather than a generalized pericranial tenderness. Future studies should investigate the neuro-physiological basis for the laterality of allodynic and hyperalgesic responses in unilateral migraine. [source] Age-dependent effect of prenatal stress on hippocampal cell proliferation in female ratsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Muriel Koehl Abstract Stressors occurring during pregnancy can alter the developmental trajectory of offspring and lead to, among other deleterious effects, cognitive deficits and hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. A recent feature of the prenatal stress (PS) model is its reported influence on structural plasticity in hippocampal formation, which sustains both cognitive functions and stress responsiveness. Indeed, we and others have previously reported that males exposed to stress in utero are characterized by a decrease in hippocampal cell proliferation, and consequently neurogenesis, from adolescence to senescence. Recent studies in females submitted to PS have reported conflicting results, ranging from no effect to a decrease in cell proliferation. We hypothesized that changes in cell proliferation in PS female rats are age dependent. To address this issue, we examined the impact of PS on hippocampal cell proliferation in juvenile, young, middle-aged and old females. As hypothesized, we found an age-dependent effect of PS in female rats as cell proliferation was significantly decreased only when animals reached senescence, a time when adrenal gland weight also increased. These data suggest that the deleterious effects of PS on hippocampal cell proliferation in females are either specific to senescence or masked during adulthood by protective factors. [source] Enlarged cholinergic forebrain neurons and improved spatial learning in p75 knockout miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2000Ursula Greferath Abstract The p75 low affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75) can induce apoptosis in various neuronal and glial cell types. Because p75 is expressed in the cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain, p75 knockout mice may be expected to show an increased number of neurons in this region. Previous studies, however, have produced conflicting results, suggesting that genetic background and choice of control mice are critical. To try to clarify the conflicting results from previous reports, we undertook a further study of the basal forebrain in p75 knockout mice, paying particular attention to the use of genetically valid controls. The genetic backgrounds of p75 knockout and control mice used in this study were identical at 95% of loci. There was a small decrease in the number of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in p75 knockout mice at four months of age compared with controls. This difference was no longer apparent at 15 months due to a reduction in numbers in control mice between the ages of 4 and 15 months. Cholinergic cell size in the basal forebrain was markedly increased in p75 knockout mice compared with controls. Spatial learning performance was consistently better in p75 knockout mice than in controls, and did not show any deterioration with age. The results indicate that p75 exerts a negative influence on the size of cholinergic forebrain neurons, but little effect on neuronal numbers. The markedly better spatial learning suggests that the function, as well as the size, of cholinergic neurons is negatively modulated by p75. [source] Selective exposure to information: the impact of information limitsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Peter Fischer In research on selective exposure to information, people have been found to predominantly seek information supporting rather than conflicting with their opinion. In most of these studies, participants were allowed to search for as many pieces of information as they liked. However, in many situations, the amount of information that people can search for is restricted. We report four experiments addressing this issue. Experiment 1 suggests that objective limits regarding the maximum number of pieces of information the participants could search for increases the preference for selecting supporting over conflicting information. In Experiment 2, just giving participants a cue about information scarcity induces the same effect, even in the absence of any objective restrictions. Finally, Experiment 3 and 4 clarify the underlying psychological process by showing that information limits increase selective exposure to information because information search is guided by the expected information quality, which is basically biased towards supporting information, and information limits act to reinforce this tendency. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lignin turnover in an agricultural field: from plant residues to soil-protected fractionsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006D. P. Rasse Summary Lignin has long been suspected to be a major source of stable carbon in soils, notably because of the recalcitrant nature of its polyphenolic structure relative to other families of plant molecules. However, lignin turnover studies have produced conflicting results, most of them suggesting that large proportions of plant-residue lignin decompose within a year of incorporation into soils. Here, we propose a two-reservoir model where lignin in undecomposed plant residue (Lp) can either reach soil fractions where it is somewhat protected from further decomposition (Ls) or is transformed to non-lignin products. Model calibration data were obtained through compound-specific 13C isotopic analyses conducted in a zero- to 9-year chronosequence of maize monoculture after wheat in a temperate loam soil of the Paris basin. Lignin was quantified by CuO oxidation as VSC-lignin, i.e. the sum of vanillil- (V), syringyl- (S) and coumaryl-type (C) phenols. Model calibrations indicate that Lp has a turnover rate faster than 1 year and that 92% is mineralized as CO2 or transformed into other non-lignin products, while only 8% reaches the Ls fraction. Estimated turnover rate of the Ls fraction was 0.05 years,1. The model also suggested that about half of Lp was not measured because it had been excluded from the samples in the process of sieving at 5 mm. In conclusion, the model indicates that chemical recalcitrance alone is not sufficient to explain VSC-lignin turnover in soils, and that, functionally, the most relevant mechanism appears to be the transfer of VSC-lignin molecules and fragments from decomposing plant tissues to soil-protected fractions. [source] IL-15 and IL-16 overexpression in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: stage-dependent increase in mycosis fungoides progressionEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2000K. Asadullah Abstract: Cytokines are of major importance for the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Recent data suggested that IL-15 and IL-16 are survival/growth factors for the malignant T cells in these entities. To investigate the expression of IL-15 and IL-16 in mycosis fungoides (MF) and CD30+ pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma in vivo, we established a competitive RT-PCR technique. Analyzing skin biopsies from CTCL patients at different stages in comparison to psoriatic and healthy skin, we found IL-15 and IL-16 mRNA overexpression in both CTCL entities. Remarkably, there was some evidence for a stage-dependent increase during MF progression. We found only slight overexpression in early stage MF, when only few tumor cells are detectable within the infiltrates, whereas marked overexpression was found in more advanced lesions, which are characterized by a higher density of malignant cells. These results suggested that CTCL cells themselves might produce the cytokines. To further elucidate this hypothesis, two CTCL cell lines were analyzed but gave conflicting results. Therefore, the cellular origin of the IL-15 and IL-16 overexpression in CTCL remains unclear. Considering the significant overexpression of IL-15 and IL-16 and their biological capacities it is likely that these cytokines contribute to the tumor development. So, they might be involved in growth and skin homing of CTCL cells. [source] Putting the meio- into stream ecology: current findings and future directions for lotic meiofaunal researchFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000A. L. Robertson Summary 1There is a paucity of research on epigean freshwater lotic meiofauna. This may result from a previous emphasis on interstitial (groundwater and hyporheic) meiofauna and/or a reliance on sampling methodologies in lotic systems which are inappropriate for meiofauna. 2Meiofauna contribute much to the diversity of lotic ecosystems. Species lists for seven streams reveal that meiofauna contribute 58,82% of total species numbers, with rotifers and chironomids dominating most systems. The absence of taxonomic keys for most meiofaunal taxa in large areas of the world precludes a wider analysis of their contribution to lotic diversity and an assessment of biogeographical patterns and processes. 3The trophic and functional role of meiofauna in lotic ecosystems is unclear. There are few estimates of meiofaunal production in freshwaters and biomass spectra have produced conflicting results for lotic meiofauna. Present static estimates suggest that the contribution of meiofauna to lotic productivity and biomass is small to moderate, but further studies incorporating a temporal component may provide a more realistic picture of the total contribution of meiofauna to biomass size spectra. 4Meiofauna differ from macroinvertebrates in several respects apart from size and conceptual models for lotic ecosystems should include all metazoans if they are to be truly representative. 5Information on the basic ecology of certain lotic meiofauna (i.e. nematodes, tardigrades, microturbellarians) is urgently required. For those groups whose distributional patterns are better understood (e.g. microcrustaceans), the mechanisms underpinning these patterns should be explored. It is essential that the importance of meiofauna is recognised by lotic ecologists; the only realistic way forward is for greater collaboration among meiofaunal ecologists and taxonomists and other lotic scientists. [source] THE INTERSECTIONS OF GENDER AND GENERATION IN ALBANIAN MIGRATION, REMITTANCES AND TRANSNATIONAL CAREGEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES B: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2009Russell King ABSTRACT. The Albanian case represents the most dramatic instance of post-communist migration: about one million Albanians, a quarter of the country's total population, are now living abroad, most of them in Greece and Italy, with the UK becoming increasingly popular since the late 1990s. This paper draws on three research projects based on fieldwork in Italy, Greece, the UK and Albania. These projects have involved in-depth interviews with Albanian migrants in several cities, as well as with migrant-sending households in different parts of Albania. In this paper we draw out those findings which shed light on the intersections of gender and generations in three aspects of the migration process: the emigration itself, the sending and receiving of remittances, and the care of family members (mainly the migrants' elderly parents) who remain in Albania. Theoretically, we draw on the notion of ,gendered geographies of power' and on how spatial change and separation through migration reshapes gender and generational relations. We find that, at all stages of the migration, Albanian migrants are faced with conflicting and confusing models of gender, behavioural and generational norms, as well as unresolved questions about their legal status and the likely economic, social and political developments in Albania, which make their future life plans uncertain. Legal barriers often prevent migrants and their families from enjoying the kinds of transnational family lives they would like. [source] The Quality of Education, Educational Institutions, and Cross-Country Differences in Human Capital AccumulationGROWTH AND CHANGE, Issue 3 2005SHAWN D. KNABB ABSTRACT Cross-country studies of education and economic prosperity often reach conflicting results when using growth rates as the measure of economic development. However, growth rates lack persistence over time and may not accurately measure long-term economic success over relatively short economic horizons. To overcome this potential specification problem, we estimate the relationship between key education variables and the capital to physical labor ratio. Using both cross-sectional and panel specifications, we find that both the primary-pupil,teacher ratio and decentralized education finance are associated with a larger capital to physical labor ratio. The relationship between human capital and expenditures, private education, and test scores are less robust. [source] Increased Dopamine Is Associated With the cGMP and Homocysteine Pathway in Female MigraineursHEADACHE, Issue 1 2010Hans-Jürgen Gruber PhD (Headache 2010;50:109-116) Background., The group of catecholamines, which include dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, are neurotransmitters which have been considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine. However, the impact of catecholamines, especially dopamine on migraine as well as the exact mechanisms is not clear to date as previous studies have yielded in part conflicting results. Objective., This study aimed to produce a comprehensive examination of dopamine in migraineurs. Methods., Catecholamines and various parameters of the homocysteine, folate, and iron metabolism as well as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and inflammatory markers were determined in 135 subjects. Results., We found increased dopamine levels in the headache free period in female migraineurs but not in male patients. Increased dopamine is associated with a 3.30-fold higher risk for migraine in women. We found no significant effects of aura symptoms or menstrual cycle phases on dopamine levels. Dopamine is strongly correlated with cGMP and the homocysteine,folate pathway. Conclusion., We show here that female migraineurs exhibit increased dopamine levels in the headache free period which are associated with a higher risk for migraine. [source] Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Does Not Reduce the Incidence of Gastroduodenal Ulcers in Patients on Long-term NSAID Treatment: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled TrialHELICOBACTER, Issue 5 2007Helena T.J.I. De Leest Abstract Background:,,Helicobacter pylori and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the major causes of gastroduodenal ulcers. Studies on the benefit of eradication of H. pylori in NSAID users yielded conflicting results. Objective:, To investigate whether H. pylori eradication in patients on long-term NSAIDs reduces the incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers. Methods:, Patients on long-term NSAID treatment and who are H. pylori positive on serologic testing, were randomly assigned to either H. pylori eradication (omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin) or placebo. Primary endpoint was the presence of endoscopic gastric or duodenal ulcers 3 months after randomization. Results:, One hundred sixty-five (48%) of a total of 347 patients were on gastroprotective medication. At endoscopy, gastroduodenal ulcers were diagnosed in 6 (4%) and 8 (5%) patients in the eradication and placebo group, respectively (p = .65). During follow-up of 12 months, no symptomatic ulcers or ulcer complications developed. No significant differences were found in the development of gastroduodenal erosions, dyspepsia, or in quality of life. Conclusion:,H. pylori eradication therapy in patients on long-term NSAID treatment had no beneficial effect on the occurrence of ulcers, erosions, or dyspepsia. Ulcer rates in both study arms are remarkably low, in both patients with and without gastroprotective therapy. [source] Specific human leukocyte antigen class I and II alleles associated with hepatitis C virus viremia,,§HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Mark H. Kuniholm Studies of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and their relation with hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia have had conflicting results. However, these studies have varied in size and methods, and few large studies assessed HLA class I alleles. Only one study conducted high-resolution class I genotyping. The current investigation therefore involved high-resolution HLA class I and II genotyping of a large multiracial cohort of U.S. women with a high prevalence of HCV and HIV. Our primary analyses evaluated associations between 12 HLA alleles identified through a critical review of the literature and HCV viremia in 758 HCV-seropositive women. Other alleles with >5% prevalence were also assessed; previously unreported associations were corrected for multiple comparisons. DRB1*0101 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1,2.6), B*5701 (PR=2.0; 95% CI = 1.0,3.1), B*5703 (PR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0,2.5), and Cw*0102 (PR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.0,3.0) were associated with the absence of HCV RNA (i.e., HCV clearance), whereas DRB1*0301 (PR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2,0.7) was associated with HCV RNA positivity. DQB1*0301 was also associated with the absence of HCV RNA but only among HIV-seronegative women (PR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.2,11.8). Each of these associations was among those predicted. We additionally studied the relation of HLA alleles with HCV infection (serostatus) in women at high risk of HCV from injection drug use (N = 838), but no significant relationships were observed. Conclusion: HLA genotype influences the host capacity to clear HCV viremia. The specific HLA associations observed in the current study are unlikely to be due to chance because they were a priori hypothesized. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.) [source] Immunization with an adjuvant hepatitis B vaccine after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related diseaseHEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Ulrich Bienzle M.D. Patients who undergo transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases are treated indefinitely with hepatitis B hyperimmunoglobulin (HBIG) to prevent endogenous HBV reinfection of the graft. Active immunization with standard hepatitis B vaccines in these patients has recently been reported with conflicting results. Two groups of 10 liver transplant recipients on continuous HBIG substitution who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and HBV DNA negative before transplantation were immunized in a phase I study with different concentrations of hepatitis B s antigen formulated with the new adjuvants 3-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and Quillaja saponaria (QS21) (group I/vaccine A: 20 ,g HBsAg, 50 ,g MPL, 50 ,g QS21; group II/vaccine B: 100 ,g HBsAg, 100 ,g MPL, 100 ,g QS21). Participants remained on HBIG prophylaxis and were vaccinated at weeks 0, 2, 4, 16, and 18. They received 3 additional doses of vaccine B at bimonthly intervals if they did not reach an antibody titer against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) greater than 500 IU/L. Sixteen (8 in each group) of 20 patients (80%) responded (group I: median, 7,293 IU/L; range, 721,45,811 IU/L anti-HBs; group II: median, 44,549 IU/L; range, 900,83, 121 IU/L anti-HBs) and discontinued HBIG. They were followed up for a median of 13.5 months (range, 6,22 months). The vaccine was well tolerated. In conclusion, most patients immunized with the new vaccine can stop HBIG immunoprophylaxis for a substantial, yet to be determined period of time. (Hepatology 2003;38:811,819). [source] Multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseaseINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 5 2007S. Ardizzone MD Abstract Background: Several studies have evaluated the role of the multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) polymorphism, which encodes the membrane-bound efflux transporter P-glycoprotein 170, in determining susceptibility to and disease behavior in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but with conflicting results. Methods: A total of 211 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 97 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 212 control subjects were investigated for the presence of MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms. Genotype frequencies of CD and UC patients were compared to those observed in a control population. Genotype,phenotype correlations with major clinical features were also established and estimated risks (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [CI]) for the mutations were calculated by a logistic regression analysis and multiple correspondent analysis. Results: No significant difference was observed for genotype frequencies for both MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms on overall disease susceptibility for either CD or UC patients compared with control subjects. A significant association was found between the MDR1 C3435T polymorphism and patients with ileo-colonic CD (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.34,8.27). Interestingly, a negative association was found between MDR1 C3435T polymorphism in patients with a positive family history for IBD (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20,0.95) and articular manifestations (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13,0.68). Both susceptible and protective effects were identified. No significant association between G2677T/A polymorphism and any specific subphenotypes was found, nor was there any association with subphenotypic categories of UC and both single nucleotide polymorphisms. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that MDR1 gene polymorphism could have a role in determining susceptibility to IBD. The variability of this possible effect in the several studies reported so far may be the indirect expression of the complex role played by the MDR1 gene and its product, P-glycoprotein 170, in the regulation of host,bacteria interactions and in the pathogenesis of IBD. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source] Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in patients receiving a single course of isotretinoin for nodulocystic acneINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Nilgun Solak Tekin Associate Professor Background, High-dose isotretinoin has been reported to have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD); however, studies evaluating changes in BMD with isotretinoin therapy at different dosages and with varying treatment durations have produced conflicting results. Objective, To investigate the effect of a standard, single course of isotretinoin therapy on BMD and bone turnover markers in patients with nodulocystic acne. Methods, Thirty-six patients (15 male, 21 female) with severe, recalcitrant, nodulocystic acne and 36 healthy controls (16 male, 20 female) were enrolled in the study. Patients received isotretinoin treatment for 4,6 months until a cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg had been achieved. BMD in the lumbar spine and femur was measured at baseline and at the end of therapy by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphate, parathormone, total alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, free deoxypyridinoline, and urinary calcium were also measured before and at the end of treatment. Results, No significant differences were found in lumbar spine and femoral BMD between the patient and control groups at the beginning of the study (P > 0.05), and no statistically significant difference was observed between the BMD values in patients at the beginning vs. the end of treatment (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference in bone turnover markers was found between patients and controls at the beginning of the study (P > 0.05), and no statistically significant changes in bone turnover markers were observed in patients at the beginning vs. the end of treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion, A single course of isotretinoin therapy has no clinically significant effect on bone metabolism. [source] Barriers to, and facilitators of, research utilisation: a survey of Hong Kong registered nursesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 2 2006David R Thompson RN BSc MA PhD MBA FRCN FESC Abstract Aim, Despite increasing efforts to promote the utilisation of research in daily nursing practice it is apparent that there are a number of obstacles to address. This paper reports a study to examine the barriers to, and facilitators of, research utilisation among registered nurses in Hong Kong. Methods, A survey design and a random sampling method was used. The final sample consisted of 1487 registered nurses working in private and public health-care sectors in Hong Kong. A bilingual version of the Research Utilisation Questionnaire, comprising a 31-item barriers scale, and an 8-item facilitators scale was used. The instrument was mailed to participants who were asked to return the completed questionnaire by mail. Results, The highest ranking barriers to research utilisation reported by respondents were related mainly to organisational factors with regards to inadequate facilities, no authority to change procedures, and time constraints. Hong Kong nurses, however, did not appear to see any problem with regards to items related to characteristics of research, such as conclusions drawn from research being justified, research articles not being published fast enough, and literature reporting conflicting results. This indicates that nurses are aware of research developments in nursing and can critically analyse research reports. With regards to facilitators of research utilisation, respondents agreed that managerial and peer support are the greatest facilitators. Conclusions, The results indicate that factors influencing research utilisation are multidimensional and should be taken into account by all involved in the research enterprise: researchers, practitioners, educators, managers and policy-makers. The results of this study provide directions on how to assist nurses in Hong Kong in their efforts to utilise research. [source] Apoptosis in chronic viral hepatitis parallels histological activity: An immunohistochemical investigation using anti-activated caspase-3 and M30 Cytodeath antibodyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Jo L. McPartland Summary Apoptosis is implicated as a major pathogenic mechanism in chronic hepatitis B and C. Previous studies of the relationship between apoptotic rates and histological necroinflammatory activity have produced conflicting results. Hepatocyte apoptosis was assessed in liver tissue from 32 cases of chronic viral hepatitis, seven cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and six cases of steatohepatitis as non-viral disease controls and eight cases of control liver. Apoptotic rates were measured using H&E morphological assessment and immunohistochemical staining with antibodies to activated caspase-3 and M30. Histological necroinflammatory activity of viral hepatitis cases was scored using the Knodell scoring system, and the cases were divided according to their score into group 1 (mean 2.43 ± 0.48) and group 2 (mean 7.80 ± 0.49). Apoptotic indices were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 using H&E (11.53 ± 2.70 vs. 0 ± 0, P = 0.015) and activated caspase-3 (22.01 ± 5.27 vs. 1.79 ± 1.79, P = 0.03) methods but were not significantly higher with M30 (3.80 ± 1.74 vs. 0 ± 0, P = 0.207). Apoptotic scores using an antibody to activated caspase-3 are significantly higher in cases of chronic viral hepatitis with greater histological necroinflammatory scores, supporting a central role for apoptosis in disease pathogenesis. This method offers an alternative to routine histological assessment for measuring disease activity. [source] Significance of determining the point of reperfusion failure in experimental torsion of testisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 1 2005ELIJAH O KEHINDE Abstract Background:, Experimental studies of the use of free radical scavengers in ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury following detorsion of the torted testis have yielded conflicting results due to differences in the period of ischemia used. The authors studied I/R injury in the rabbit model, to define the point beyond which there is reperfusion failure. Methods:, Ischemia/reperfusion injury of the testis was created in 3,6-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits by cross-clamping the left spermatic cord for periods of ischemia lasting 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. There were eight animals per experimental group. The right testis served as internal control. Both testes were harvested after 24 h of reperfusion in four animals and after 3 months in the remaining four animals for each group. Testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), a measure of free radical damage, was determined by using the thiobarbituric acid reaction on testicular homogenates. Johnsen score was used to assess morphological damage caused by the ischemia. Results:, After 24 h of reperfusion, the mean testicular MDA in the control right testes at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min was 2.1, 2.5, 2.9, 2.4, 2.1 and 1.9 nmol/mg protein, respectively. The mean left testicular MDA at corresponding ischemic periods was 1.6, 2.0, 3.9, 10.0, 4.4, 6.1 and 1.0 nmol/mg protein, respectively. The maximum left testicular MDA was at 60 min (10.0 nmol/mg protein), following which the level dropped significantly to 1.0 nmol/mg protein at 180 min. At 3 months, the mean Johnsen scores for left testes subjected to 0, 60, 120 and 180 min ischemia were 9.4, 8.8, 2.3, 3.5, respectively. Conclusion:, The results suggest that following ischemia of up to 60 min in the rabbit testis, adequate reperfusion is possible, but ischemia lasting beyond 60 min results in inadequate reperfusion leading to irreversible damage. Thus, in experiments for assessing the effect of antioxidants on I/R injury of the testis in rabbits, periods up to 60 min of ischemia should be regarded as optimum to observe an effect. [source] Review of Research Studies That Evaluated the Impact of Treatment for Childhood Cancers on Neurocognition and Behavioral and Social Competence: Nursing ImplicationsJOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 2 2000Julia Challinor ISSUES AND PURPOSE. Given the increasing incidence of childhood cancer, increasing survivor rates, and documented incidence of sequelae, nurses need evidence on which to base interventions for families at risk. The authors review and critique research studies that evaluated the impact of treatment for childhood cancers. Implications for nursing practice are discussed. CONCLUSIONS. Research to evaluate the effects of treatment on neurocognition and behavioral and social competency of children with cancer has produced conflicting results. Most studies found deleterious effects on all three areas associated with childhood cancer treatment. Some studies, however, found no differences between childhood cancer survivors and children on therapy compared to normative data or healthy controls. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Knowledge of the short-and long-term impact of treatment for childhood cancer on neurocognition and behavioral and social competence allows nurses to design interventions that mitigate neurocognitive effects, decrease behavioral problems, and improve social competence. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||