Greater Change (greater + change)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


,Educator talk' and patient change: some insights from the DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) randomized controlled trial

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2008
T. C. Skinner
Abstract Aims To determine whether differences in the amount of time educators talk during a self-management education programme relate to the degree of change in participants' reported beliefs about diabetes. Method Educators trained to be facilitative and non-didactic in their approach were observed delivering the DESMOND self-management programme for individuals newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Observers used 10-s event coding to estimate the amount of time educators spoke during different sessions in the programme. Facilitative as opposed to didactic delivery was indicated by targets for levels of educator talk set for each session. Targets were based on earlier pilot work. Using the revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and the Diabetes Illness Representations Questionnaire (DIRQ), participants completed measures of: perceived duration of diabetes (timeline IPQ-R), understanding of diabetes (coherence IPQ-R), personal responsibility for influencing diabetes (personal responsibility IPQ-R), seriousness of diabetes (seriousness DIRQ) and impact on daily life (impact DIRQ), before and after the education programme. Results Where data from the event coding indicated educators were talking less and meeting targets for being less didactic, a greater change in reported illness beliefs of participants was seen. However, educators struggled to meet targets for most sessions of the programme. Conclusion The amount of time educators talk in a self-management programme may provide a practical marker for the effectiveness of the education process, with less educator talk denoting a more facilitative/less didactic approach. This finding has informed subsequent improvements to a comprehensive quality development framework, acknowledging that educators need ongoing support to facilitate change to their normal educational style. [source]


Gender differences in clinical presentation and response to sertraline treatment of generalized anxiety disorder,

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 1 2005
Meir Steiner
Abstract Objective To evaluate gender differences in the clinical presentation of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and response to sertraline treatment. Methods Adult outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for GAD with a minimum Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAM-A) total score,,,18 were randomized to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with flexible doses (50,150,mg) of sertraline (n,=,182; female, 59%) or placebo (n,=,188; female, 51%). Results Clinical presentation of GAD was very similar in men and women in terms of the severity of the HAM-A psychic factor, severity of concomitant depression symptoms, duration of GAD, quality of life and impairment in physical health. Women had an earlier age of onset and higher HAM-A somatic factor scores compared with men. For both men and women, treatment with sertraline resulted in greater change from baseline to endpoint on the HAM-A compared with placebo (adjusted change,±,SE: men: ,12.1,±,0.9 vs ,8.8,±,0.9; women: ,11.4,±,0.8 vs ,7.1,±,0.9, p,<,0.001); the interaction between gender and treatment group was not significant, nor was there a significant difference between the average change from baseline for men compared with women. Similarly, responder rates based upon clinical global impression,improvement (CGI-I) scores at endpoint showed no significant interaction between gender and treatment, nor was there a significant difference in the response rates by gender; however, the response rate of sertraline compared with placebo was significantly different (p,<,0.0001) (men: 64% vs 40%; women: 62% vs 34%). Similar findings were evident at week 4 assessment and for completers (week 12). Overall, sertraline was well tolerated by both men and women. Discussion Women and men with GAD showed similar clinical presentations, with the exception that women had an earlier age of onset and reported more somatic anxiety symptoms. Sertraline was an effective and well tolerated treatment for GAD in both men and women. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Fading of artificial hair colour and its prevention by photofilters

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006
B. Locke
Fading of artificial hair colour has been investigated by simulating actual usage conditions through exposure to artificial radiation in a weatherometer, with 0.35 mW (m2nm),1 at 340 nm, for 16,48 h, and by periodical washing. Hair colour was produced by using commercial two-part, permanent hair dyes with light auburn, medium auburn and dark auburn shades. Formulations based on red couplers, such as 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene and 1-naphthol, as well as primary intermediates, such as 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diamino pyrazole sulphate, were employed. Results indicate that the extent of fading, as measured by the total colour change parameter, dE, is greatest for coloured hair subjected to both irradiation and shampooing, and significantly smaller for hair undergoing only irradiation or washing. Colour loss has been also found to be dependent upon the hair type employed, with coloured natural white and bleached hair undergoing much greater change than coloured brown hair. It has been also shown that hair colour based on pyrazole intermediates displayed the deepest fading as a result of shampooing (dE 4,6 after 10 shampooings) and irradiation per shampooing (dE 14,16 after 32 h of light exposure and four shampooings). The contribution of UV light (UVB + UVA) to the artificial hair-colour loss was found experimentally to be dependent upon the irradiation dose and varied from 63% at 16 h of irradiation time to 27% at 48 h of light exposure. The theoretical extent of photoprotection by a formulation was assessed by calculating the percentage of UV light it attenuates in the wavelength range from 290 to 400 nm. The results indicate that UVB photofilters, such as octyl methoxy cinnamate, absorb <25% of the total UV irradiation at concentrations as high as 30 mg (g hair),1. UVA absorbers were found to be more effective, with benzophenone-3 and benzophenone-4 absorbing about 40% of UV at the same concentration. Corresponding experimental data were in reasonable agreement with the theoretical predictions. The data are also presented for colour protection with treatments containing two photo-absorbers: benzophenone-3,ZnO; benzophenone-4,ZnO; octyl methoxy cinnamate,ZnO; and dimethylpabaimidopropyl laurdimonium tosylate-benzophenone-3. [source]


Clinical effects of a new mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc-lactate on oral halitosis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
A dual-center, double-blind placebo-controlled study
Abstract Objectives:, The aim of this double-blind, parallel study was to test the clinical efficacy of a newly developed mouthrinse in the treatment of oral halitosis in patients without periodontitis. Material and methods:, Forty volunteers, recruited in two centers, participated in this study. Patients were selected on the basis of (1) halitosis of oral origin, (2) full-mouth organoleptic score>1, using an arbitrary 0,5 scale, (3) level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC)>170 parts per billion (ppb) and (4) Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI)>4 (0,12). Intervention included gargling with a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine (0.05%), cetylpyridinium chloride (0.05%) and zinc-lactate (0.14%) or with a placebo mouthrinse without active ingredients. At days 0 and 14 clinical variables were assessed in order of performance: (1) organoleptic assessments, (2) levels of VSC, and (3) WTCI. Results:, Treatment with the active mouthrinse resulted in a significant mean reduction in the organoleptic score from 2.8 to 1.5 (p<0.005). In the placebo group, no significant reduction in the mean organoleptic score occurred. Consequently, this resulted, after 2 weeks, in a greater change of the organoleptic scores in the test group in comparison to the placebo group (p<0.005). The mean VSC scores were reduced from 292 to 172 ppb in the test group (p<0.005), whereas no reduction was observed in the placebo group. At the 2-week examination, the mean change of the VSC scores in the test group was significantly greater than the mean change in the placebo group (p<0.005). Neither in the test nor in the placebo group a significant reduction in tongue coating was observed. Conclusions:, In conclusion, the tested mouthrinse is effective in the treatment of oral halitosis. Zusammenfassung Klinischer Effekt einer neuartigen Chlorhexidin, Cetylpyridiniumchlorid und Zinklaktat enthaltenden Mundspüllösung auf Mundgeruch. Eine bizentrische plazebokontrollierte Doppelblindstudie Zielsetzung: Untersuchung der klinischen Wirksamkeit einer neu entwickelten Mundspüllösung für die Behandlung von Mundgeruch bei Patienten, die keine Parodontitis haben, mittels einer parallelarmigen Doppelblindstudie. Material und Methoden: 40 Freiwillige, die an 2 Zentren rekrutiert wurden, nahmen an dieser Studie teil. Die Patienten wurden nach folgenden Kriterien ausgewählt: 1) Mundgeruch, 2) organoleptischer Wert der gesamten Mundhöhle > 1 auf einer arbiträren Skala von 0 bis 5, 3) Spiegel flüchtiger Schwefelverbindungen (VSC) > 170 parts per billion (ppb), 4) Winkel Zungenbelagsindex (WTCI) > 4 (0-12). Die Therapie umfasste Gurgeln mit einer Mundspüllösung, die Chlorhexidin (0,05%), Cetylpyridiniumchlorid (0,05%) und Zinklaktat (0.14%) enthielt oder mit einer Plazebospüllösung, die keine aktiven Bestandteile aufwies. Am Tag 0 und 14 wurden klinische Parameter in folgender Reihenfolge erhoben: 1) organoleptische Messungen, 2) VSC-Spiegel, 3) WTCI. Ergebnisse: Die Behandlung mit der aktiven Spüllösung resultierte in einer signifikanten mittleren Reduktion des organoleptischen Werts von 2,8 auf 1,5 (p<0,005), während in der Plazebogruppe keine signifikante Verringerung des mittleren organoleptischen Werts beobachtet wurde. Konsequenterweise ergab sich nach 2 Wochen in der Testgruppe eine stärkere Veränderung des organoleptischen Werts als in der Plazebogruppe (p<0,005). Der mittlere VSC-Wert wurde in der Testgruppe von 292 auf 172 ppb reduziert (p<0,005), während in der Plazebogruppe keine Veränderung auftrat. Nach 2 Wochen wurde in der Testgruppe eine signifikant stärkere Veränderung des VSC-Werts beobachtet als in der Kontrollgruppe (p<0,005). Weder in der Test- noch in der Plazebogruppe wurde eine signifikante Reduktion des Zungenbelags beobachtet. Schlussfolgerung: Die untersuchte Mundspüllösung ist wirksam zur Behandlung von Mundgeruch. Résumé Effets cliniques d'un nouveau bain de bouche contenant de la chlorhexidine, du chlorure de cetylpyridinium et du lactate de zinc sur l'halitose buccale. Une étude bi-centrique contrôlée par placebo en double aveugle. Objectifs: Le but de cette étude bi-centrique en double aveugle en parallèle était de tester l'efficacité clinique d'un bain de bouche récemment développé pour le traitement de l'halitose buccale sans parodontite. Matériel & Méthodes: 40 volontaires recrutés dans deux centres ont participéà cette étude. Les patients ont été sélectionnés sur les critères suivants : 1) halitose d'origine buccale, 2) score organoleptique de la bouche complète > 1, en utilisant une échelle arbitraire allant de 0 à 5, 3) un niveau de composés volatiles sulfurés (VSC) > 170 portions par billion (ppb) 4) un indice de recouvrement de la langue de Winkel (WTCI) > 4 (0,12). L'intervention comprenait un gargarisme avec un bain de bouche contenant de la chlorhexidine (0.05%), du chlorure de cetylpyridinium (0.05%) et du lactate de zinc (0.14%) ou avec un placebo sans ingrédients actifs. Au jours 0 et 14 les paramètres cliniques furent relevés pour l'ordre d'exécution 1) estimation organoleptique 2)niveaux de VSC, 3) WTCI. Résultats: le traitement avec le bain de bouche actif résultait en une réduction moyenne significative du score organoleptique de 2.8 à 1.5 (p < 0.005). Dans le groupe placebo, aucune réduction significative du score moyen organoleptique n'était par contre relevée. En consequence, ceci impliquait après 2 semaines un changement plus grand des scores organoleptiques dans le groupe test par rapport par rapport au groupe placebo (p < 0.005). Les scores moyens de VSC étaient réduits de 292 à 172 ppb dans le groupe test (p < 0.005), alors qu'aucune diminution n'était observée dans le groupe placebo. Lors de l'examen à 2 semaines, le changement moyen des scores de VSC dans le groupe test était significativement plus importants que le changement moyen dans le groupe placebo. (p < 0.005). Aucune réduction significative du recouvrement de la langue n'était par contre observée, ni dans le groupe test, ni dans le groupe placebo. Conclusions: En conclusion, Le bain de bouche testé est efficace pour le traitement de l'halitose. [source]


The outcomes of an intervention study to reduce the barriers experienced by people with intellectual disabilities accessing primary health care services

JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006
C. A. Melville
Abstract Background People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) experience significant health inequalities compared with the general population. The barriers people with IDs experience in accessing services contribute to these health inequalities. Professionals' significant unmet training needs are an important barrier to people with IDs accessing appropriate services to meet their health needs. Method A three group, pre- and post-intervention design was used to test the hypothesis that a training intervention for primary health care professionals would increase the knowledge and self-efficacy of participants. The intervention had two components , a written training pack and a 3-hour face-to-face training event. One group received the training pack and attended the training event, a second group received the training pack only, and a third group did not participate in the training intervention. Research measures were taken prior to the intervention and 3 months after the intervention. Statistical comparisons were made between the three groups. Results The participants in the training intervention reported that it had a positive impact upon their knowledge, skills and clinical practice. As a result of the intervention, 35 (81.4%) respondents agreed that they were more able to meet the needs of their clients with IDs, and 33 (66.6%) reported that they had made changes to their clinical practice. The research demonstrated that the intervention produced a statistically significant increase in the knowledge of participants (F = 5.6, P = 0.005), compared with the group that did not participate in the intervention. The self-efficacy of the participants that received both components of the intervention was significantly greater than the group that did not participate in the training (t = 2.079, P = 0.04). Participation in the two components of the training intervention was associated with significantly greater change in knowledge and self-efficacy than those receiving the training pack alone. Conclusion This intervention was effective in addressing the measured training needs of primary health care professionals. Future research should directly evaluate the positive benefits of interventions on the lives of people with IDs. [source]


The effects of polishing and bleaching on the colour of discoloured teeth in vivo

JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 11 2001
T. Nakamura
Bleaching is an effective method for restoring the colour of discoloured vital teeth. Power bleaching, in particular, in which a bleaching solution containing 35% hydrogen peroxide is activated by a strong light source using a plasma arc, makes it possible to bleach teeth effectively in a short time. The purpose of this study was to determine how polishing or power bleaching the tooth surface affects tooth colour. The subjects selected were patients who had slightly discoloured teeth. The colour of precisely identified sites on six anterior teeth was measured before treatment, after polishing and after bleaching, to ascertain changes in colour. The measurements revealed that tooth colour changes slightly after polishing, but it shows a much greater change after bleaching, and that the post-bleaching change in tooth colour was caused both by elevation of lightness and reduction of yellowness. They also revealed that the colour difference between pre-treatment and post-bleaching does not depend on the type of tooth. These results suggested that power bleaching is an effective technique for improving slightly discoloured vital teeth, regardless of the type of tooth. [source]


Effect of acute tensile loading on gender-specific tendon structural and mechanical properties

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009
Katherine E. Burgess
Abstract Stretching is commonly used prior to exercise, as it is thought to reduce the risk of injury, and it is also used in the preconditioning of tendon grafts. As tendon properties have been shown to be different between genders, it is proposed that stretching will differentially affect the structure. Here we examine the effect of acute stretch on the mechanical properties of both male and female medial gastrocnemius tendon. Female [20 years,±,1 (SEM), n,=,17] and male (22 years,±,1, n,=,18) subjects underwent a 5-min passive dorsiflexion stretch. Prior to and post stretch medial gastrocnemius tendon stiffness (K), length (l) and cross-sectional area (csa) were measured using ultrasonography and dynamometry. Stiffness and Young's modulus (,) were significantly reduced with stretch for both genders (p,<,0.05). Females showed significantly (p,<,0.05) greater pre- to poststretch decreases in K (22.4 vs. 8.8%) and , (20.5 vs. 8.4%) in comparison to males. The present results show that stretching acutely reduces stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius tendon in females and males, with females showing significantly greater change. The observed disparity between genders may be due in part to variations in tendon moment arm and intrinsic differences in tendon composition. These differential changes in tendon mechanical properties have functional, motor control, and injury risk implications, as well as possible implications for preconditioning of tendon grafts. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 510,516, 2009 [source]


Domains of quality of life and symptoms in male veterans treated for posttraumatic stress disorder,

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 6 2007
Carole A. Lunney
This study examined the relationship between domains of quality of life and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 319 male veterans in a randomized trial of group psychotherapy. Confirmatory factor analyses suggested a 4-factor model of quality of life (achievement, self-expression, relationships, and surroundings) fit better than a unidimensional model. Clinically meaningful symptom change was associated with greater change in all quality of life domains. At pretreatment, numbing symptoms uniquely predicted all quality of life domains. Change in avoidance and hyperarousal uniquely predicted change in achievement. Change in reexperiencing uniquely predicted change in self-expression. Change in numbing uniquely predicted change in relationships. Examining change in PTSD symptoms and quality of life domains may provide important information for treatment planning and evaluation. [source]


Bronchodilator effect of salbutamol from two different spacer devices

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 4 2006
Albert M. Li MB
Abstract Our aim was to compare the bronchodilator effect of salbutamol delivered via a new holding chamber (Volumatic Soft, VS) with that of an established device (Volumatic, V) in asthmatic children. Children with stable asthma were recruited. They inhaled 100 µg, and 10 min later, 300 µg of salbutamol aerosol delivered via VS or V on day 1, and vice versa on day 2. Spirometry was measured at baseline, 10 min after 100 µg, and 15 min after 300 µg of salbutamol were given. The preference for either device was assessed by visual analogue score. Forty-four children with a median age of 9.2 years (interquartile range, 8.0,10.7) completed the study. There were significant improvements in forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) with time throughout the study period for both V and VS (linear and quadratic trend P,<,0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in postbronchodilator FEV1 between V and VS (P,=,0.013). VS gave an overall greater change in FEV1 than V, by 1.8%. The preference scores for V and VS were 7.0 (IQR 5.0,8.0) and 9.0 (IQR 8.0,10.0) (p,<,0.0005), respectively. In conclusion, comparable clinical efficacy was found for V and VS with respect to changes in FEV1 after salbutamol. Patients also showed a strong preference for the new device. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Comparison of methods to evaluate changes in relative body mass index in pediatric weight control

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
Rocco A. Paluch
Our objective was to compare three BMI-based adiposity measures to assess change in pediatric weight control: LMS z -BMI, BMI sympercent, and percent overBMI. Comparison 1 presents changes of +1.0, ,1.0, and ,2.0 BMI units for 36 hypothetical children (7-, 11-, and 15-year-old children with BMI values from 19,39 kg/m2). Comparison 2 presents effect sizes over 12 months and the relationship between baseline and change for 140 8,12-year-old children with BMI values ranging from 21 to 37 kg/m2. Comparison 1 showed smaller changes in z -BMI than BMI sympercent or percent overBMI for equal changes in BMI when initial BMI values are greater. Comparison 2 showed similar effect sizes for the three measures, since there is a reduction in both standard deviation and magnitude of LMS z -BMI values as the BMI values increase. The three measures perform differently when considering the relationship of initial value to change. Initial percent overBMI shows a negative relationship with change, as heavier children show larger changes, LMS z -BMI shows a positive relationship, as children with lower baseline values show larger changes, and BMI sympercent changes were inconsistently related to baseline BMI sympercent values. Although all three measures result in similar effect sizes when evaluating treatment over time, we conclude that LMS z -BMI is less appropriate for comparing individuals and percent overBMI is the only measure that shows heavier children have greater change. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 19:487,494, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Expression of a cDNA encoding palmitoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase from cat's claw (Doxantha unguis-cati L.) in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus leads to accumulation of unusual unsaturated fatty acids and increased stearic acid content in the seed oil

PLANT BREEDING, Issue 2 2007
M. Bondaruk
Abstract A cDNA encoding palmitoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP)-desaturase from cat's claw (Doxantha unguis-cati L.) was expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus L. with the goal of decreasing the saturated fatty acid (FA) content of the seed oil. In general, transformation of Arabidopsis resulted in a greater change in the FA composition of the seed oil than for B. napus. An increase in palmitoleic acid (16:1cis,9) was obtained in transgenic lines, suggesting that the 16:0-ACP-desaturase cDNA was expressed in the manner originally intended. Other effects on lipid metabolism, however, were observed in the seed of transgenic plants. In Arabidopsis, there was a large increase in the proportions of cis -vaccenic acid (18:1cis,11) and cis -13-eicosenoic acid (20:1cis,13), possibly generated through elongation of 16:1cis,9. Elongation of 18:1cis,11 to 20:1cis,13, however, was not observed in B. napus indicating that certain aspects of lipid metabolism in the model plant, Arabidopsis, may not apply to B. napus. As well, the appearance of 18:1cis,11 was accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of oleic acid (18:1cis,9). Although the introduced ACP-desaturase resulted in synthesis of some unsaturated FAs, the overall saturated FA content was maintained at similar levels to the control or was enhanced. Increased levels of saturation were mainly associated with an increase in stearic acid, which unlike 16:0, is considered non-atherogenic. The results suggest that a mechanism exists further downstream in oil biosynthesis to counteract the decrease in saturation brought about by the 16:0-ACP-desaturase action. [source]


SENSITIVITY OF INVESTOR REACTION TO MARKET DIRECTION AND VOLATILITY: DIVIDEND CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005
Diane Scott Docking
Abstract We examine whether investor reactions are sensitive to the recent direction or volatility of underlying market movements. We find that dividend change announcements elicit a greater change in stock price when the nature of the news (good or bad) goes against the grain of the recent market direction during volatile times. For example, announcements to lower dividends elicit a significantly greater decrease in stock price when market returns have been up and more volatile. Similarly, announcements to raise dividends tends to elicit a greater increase in stock price when market returns have been normal or down and more volatile, although this latter tendency lacks statistical significance. We suggest an explanation for these results that combines the implications of a dynamic rational expectations equilibrium model with behavioral considerations that link the responsiveness of investors to market direction and volatility. [source]


Efficacy and Safety of Oral Tadalafil in the Treatment of Men in Canada with Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2005
FRCSC, Serge Carrier MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent, often undertreated condition. Aim., This 12-week, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study was conducted at 25 sites in Canada to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, for the treatment of ED. Methods., Men with ED of organic, psychogenic, or mixed etiology were stratified by baseline ED severity then randomly assigned to placebo (N = 50), tadalafil 10 mg (N = 103), or tadalafil 20 mg (N = 100), taken as needed (maximum, once daily). Main Outcome Measures., Efficacy was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), a Sexual Encounter Profile diary, and a global assessment question (GAQ). Results., Tadalafil 10 mg and tadalafil 20 mg significantly improved erectile function compared with placebo (P < 0.001, all measures). At end point, the mean IIEF erectile function (EF) domain scores were 14.5, 21.2, and 23.3 of a possible score of 30 for placebo, tadalafil 10 mg, and tadalafil 20 mg, respectively. Patients treated with tadalafil reported greater change from baseline on the IIEF EF domain score compared with placebo, regardless of baseline ED severity. During treatment, the mean per-patient proportion of successful intercourse attempts was higher for tadalafil 10 mg and 20 mg than for placebo (placebo, 31.9%; tadalafil 10 mg, 56.7%; and tadalafil 20 mg, 61.5%), and a greater proportion of patients reported improved erections with tadalafil (GAQ; placebo, 22.0%; tadalafil 10 mg, 67.0%; tadalafil 20 mg, 79.0%). Fifty percent and 62% of patients treated with tadalafil 10 mg and 20 mg, respectively, achieved successful sexual intercourse after their first dose, compared with 31% with placebo. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally mild or moderate. Conclusion., Tadalafil was an effective, well-tolerated therapy for ED of broad-spectrum etiology and severity. Carrier S, Brock GB, Pommerville PJ, Shin J, Anglin G, Whitaker S, and Beasley CM Jr. Efficacy and safety of oral tadalafil in the treatment of men in Canada with erectile dysfunction: A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Sex Med 2005;2:685,698. [source]


Quantifying successional changes in response to forest disturbances

APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008
Trent D. Penman
Question: Can dissimilarity measures of individual plots be used to forecast the driving factors among various anthropogenic disturbances influencing understorey successional changes? Location: Yambulla State Forest, south-eastern Australia (37°14'S, 149°38'E). Methods: Assessments of understorey vegetation communities were taken prior to anthropogenic disturbances and at three subsequent time periods representing a period of 15 years post-disturbance. Dissimilarities were calculated from the original assessment and modelled in a Bayesian framework to examine the influence of logging, number of prescribed burns and time. Results: All sites underwent significant changes over time independently of the imposed management regimes. Logging resulted in an immediate change in vegetation assemblage which decreased in the subsequent assessments. The number of prescribed fires brought greater change in the shrub vegetation assemblages, but less change in the ground species vegetation assemblages. Conclusions: The anthropogenic disturbances did have some role in the changes of vegetation assemblages but these were minimal. The ongoing changes appear to be a natural response to the last wildfire, which passed through the study area in 1973 (13 years prior to the study). Forest management practices should consider the influence of wildfire succession when planning for the conservation of biodiversity. [source]


A new method for fibrous protein analysis illustrated by application to tubulin microtubule polymerisation and depolymerisation,

CHIRALITY, Issue 9 2006
Rachel Marrington
Abstract A thermostatted micro volume Couette cell has been designed to enable linear dichroism (LD) data to be collected at a range of temperatures. The cell is a development of the traditional Couette flow LD cell and includes the recent development of micro-volume LD (20,40 ,L) coupled with the addition of a heating element, temperature probe and controller. This new micro volume Couette LD cell opens the way not only to the LD analysis of systems where sample volume is critical, but also for the LD analysis of temperature sensitive samples. The polymerization of the microtubule protein tubulin has been followed in a range of different conditions using the thermostatted micro volume Couette LD cell. The focusing lenses on the cell, which are required for the microvolume cell, have the side benefit of significantly reducing the light-scattering artifacts caused by the large size of tubulin microtubules. It is now possible to monitor real-time polymerization and depolymerization kinetics, and any structural rearrangements of chromophores within the polymer. In the case of tubulin, the LD spectra revealed a greater change in the orientation of tryptophan residues at ,290 nm during polymerization compared to other contributing chromophores,guanine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. The improvements in instrumental design have also allowed LD spectra of tubulin to be collected down to ,230 nm (previous data have only been available from the near UV region), which means that some indication of protein backbone-orientation changes are now available. It was observed during this work that apparent LD intensity maxima are in fact artifacts when the high-tension voltage is high. The onset of such artifacts has been observed at much lower voltages with light-scattering fibrous proteins (including tubulin) than with nonscattering samples. Therefore, caution must be used when interpreting LD data collected with medium to high photomultiplier tube voltages. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Modulation of rabbit sinoatrial node activation sequence by acetylcholine and isoproterenol investigated with optical mapping technique

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009
D. V. Abramochkin
Abstract Aims:, Changes in the rabbit sinoatrial node (SAN) activation sequence with the cholinergic and adrenergic factors were studied. The correlation between the sinus rhythm rate and the leading pacemaker site shift was determined. The hypothesis concerning the cholinergic suppression of nodal cell excitability as one of the mechanisms associated with pacemaker shift was tested. Methods:, A high-resolution optical mapping technique was used to register beat-to-beat changes in the SAN activation pattern under the influence of the cholinergic and adrenergic factors. Results:, Acetylcholine (10 ,m) and strong intramural parasympathetic nerve stimulation caused a pacemaker shift as well as rhythmic slowing and the formation of an inexcitable region in the central part of SAN. In this region the generation of action potentials was suppressed. The slowing of the sinus rhythm (which exceeded 12.8 ± 3.1% of the rhythm control rate) always accompanied the pacemaker shift. Isoproterenol (10, 100 nm, 1 ,m) and sympathetic postganglionic nerve stimulation also evoked a pacemaker shift but without formation of an inexcitable zone. The acceleration of the sinus rhythm, which exceeded 10.5 ± 1.3% of the control rate of the rhythm, always accompanied the shift. Conclusions:, Both cholinergic and adrenergic factors cause pacemaker shifts in the rabbit SAN. While modest changes in the sinus rhythm do not coincide with the pacemaker shift, greater changes always accompany the shift and may be caused by it, according to one hypothesis. The formation of an inexcitable zone at the place where the leading pacemaker is situated is one of the mechanisms associated with pacemaker shift. [source]


Preliminary evaluation of ,interpreter' role plays in teaching communication skills to medical undergraduates

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 3 2001
K C J Lau
Rationale and objectives Multiculturalism presents linguistic obstacles to health care provision. We explored the early introduction of ,interpreter' role-play exercises in teaching medical undergraduates communication skills. The interpreter role creates a natural barrier in communication providing an active prompt for recognizing learning needs in this area. Methods Bilingual Cantonese first-year medical students (n=160) were randomly allocated to either ,Observer' or ,Interpreter' role plays at a small-group introductory communication skills workshop using a quasi experimental design, counterbalanced across tutors. Students assessed their own skill competence before and, together with their perceptions of the different role plays' effectiveness, again after the workshop, using an anonymous 16 item Likert-type scale, analysed using ANOVA and MANOVA. Results Students' assessments of their skills improved significantly following the workshop (F=73·19 [1,156], P=0·0009). Students in the observer group reported greater changes in their scores following the workshop than did students in the interpreter group (F=4·84 [1,156], P=0·029), largely due to improvement in perceived skill (F=4·38 [1,156], P=0·038) rather than perceived programme effectiveness (F=3·13 [1,156], P > 0·05). Subsequent MANOVA indicated no main effect of observer/interpreter conditions, indicating these differences could be attributed to chance alone (F=1·41 [16 141], P > 0·05). Conclusion The workshop positively influenced students' perceived communication skills, but the ,Interpreter' role was less effective than the ,Observer' role in achieving this. Future studies should examine whether interpreter role plays introduced later in the medical programme are beneficial. [source]


Transcriptome analysis of barley anthers: effect of mannitol treatment on microspore embryogenesis

PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 4 2006
María Muñoz-Amatriaín
Carbohydrate starvation is an efficient stress treatment for induction of microspore embryogenesis. Transcriptome analysis of the response of anthers to mannitol treatment using the 22k Barley1 GeneChip revealed large changes in gene expression. Statistical analysis and filtering for four-fold or greater changes resulted in 2673 genes, of which 887 were upregulated and 1786 downregulated. Great differences in some metabolic pathways, accompanied by a multidimensional stress response, were found. Analysis of transcription factors showed that most of the downregulated transcription factors were related to growth and development, and the upregulated factors with abiotic and biotic stress responses and changes in developmental programs. Interestingly, the expression of most cell cycle-related genes did not change significantly. Transcriptome analysis provided a successful approach for the identification of genes involved in mannitol treatment, essential for triggering microspore embryogenesis. [source]


Brief communication: Forelimb compliance in arboreal and terrestrial opossums

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Daniel Schmitt
Abstract Primates display high forelimb compliance (increased elbow joint yield) compared to most other mammals. Forelimb compliance, which is especially marked among arboreal primates, moderates vertical oscillations of the body and peak vertical forces and may represent a basal adaptation of primates for locomotion on thin, flexible branches. However, Larney and Larson (Am J Phys Anthropol 125 [2004] 42,50) reported that marsupials have forelimb compliance comparable to or greater than that of most primates, but did not distinguish between arboreal and terrestrial marsupials. If forelimb compliance is functionally linked to locomotion on thin branches, then elbow yield should be highest in marsupials relying on arboreal substrates more often. To test this hypothesis, we compared forelimb compliance between two didelphid marsupials, Caluromys philander (an arboreal opossum relying heavily on thin branches) and Monodelphis domestica (an opossum that spends most of its time on the ground). Animals were videorecorded while walking on a runway or a horizontal 7-mm pole. Caluromys showed higher elbow yield (greater changes in degrees of elbow flexion) on both substrates, similar to that reported for arboreal primates. Monodelphis was characterized by lower elbow yield that was intermediate between the values reported by Larney and Larson (Am J Phys Anthropol 125 [2004] 42,50) for more terrestrial primates and rodents. This finding adds evidence to a model suggesting a functional link between arboreality,particularly locomotion on thin, flexible branches,and forelimb compliance. These data add another convergent trait between arboreal primates, Caluromys, and other arboreal marsupials and support the argument that all primates evolved from a common ancestor that was a fine-branch arborealist. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on cardiac ,-adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat

AUTONOMIC & AUTACOID PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
D. J. Sellers
1,The present study investigates the effect of short-term experimental diabetes of 14-days duration on the ,-adrenoceptor subtypes of the rat heart. 2,,-adrenoceptor-mediated functional responses to submaximal doses of isoprenaline were enhanced in Langendorff-perfused hearts from diabetic rats, manifested as greater changes in tension, heart rate and rates of tension development (+dT/dt) and decline (,dT/dt). 3,Radioligand binding data demonstrated that total cardiac ,-adrenoceptor density and affinity for [3H]-dihydroalprenolol was unchanged by diabetes, although a decrease in ,1 -adrenoceptor density and increase in ,2 -adrenoceptor density was observed. 4,In conclusion, hearts from 14-day streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats demonstrate a number of alterations within the ,-adrenoceptor system. However, the enhanced ,-adrenoceptor-mediated responses to isoprenaline were not caused by an overall increase in density of ,-adrenoceptors, but were accompanied by changes in the ratio of the ,-adrenoceptor subtypes. [source]


The structural mechanics and evolution of aquaflying birds

BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 4 2010
MICHAEL HABIB
Mass-specific bone strength was examined in the forelimb and hindlimb of 64 species of birds to determine if aquaflying birds (which utilize the wings for propulsion underwater) differ in their skeletal strength compared with other avian taxa. Long bone strengths were estimated from cross-sectional measurements. Compared with the expectation from geometric similarity, humeral section modulus in volant birds scales nearly isometrically, while femoral strength scales with significant positive allometry. Penguin mass-specific humeral strength is greatly elevated, but the average humeral strength in species that are propelled by the wings in both air and water do not differ from the values calculated in non-diving taxa. However, amphibious flyers have gracile femora. Comparative analyses using independent contrasts were utilized to examine the impact of phylogenetic signal. The residual measured for the penguin,procellariiform humeral strength contrast was larger in magnitude (residual of 2.14) than at any other node in the phylogeny. The data strongly indicate that the transition from an amphibious flight condition to a fully aquatic condition involves greater changes in mechanical factors than the transition from purely aerial locomotion to amphibious wing use. There remains the possibility that a historical effect, such as ancestral body size, has impacted the mechanical scaling of penguins. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99, 687,698. [source]


Adapting to Europe: Is it Harder for Britain?

BRITISH JOURNAL OF POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Issue 1 2006
Vivien A. Schmidt
Britain has had difficulties adapting to European integration. The problems result not so much from the EU-related changes in national policies, which have actually been rather moderate, or from the EU-related changes in governance practices, although these have been significant, affecting national institutional structures, policy-making processes and representative politics. They do not even follow from the serious challenges that the EU-related changes in governance practices pose for traditional ideas about democracy. Rather, they come from the lack of a discourse capable of legitimating such changes. To demonstrate this, the article considers Britain's problems in comparative perspective with those of France, which has had greater changes in policies and practices, greater challenges to national ideas, but a more legitimating discourse, and Germany and Italy, where changes in the practices and challenges to ideas have not been as significant. [source]