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Selected AbstractsArm and leg substrate utilization and muscle adaptation after prolonged low-intensity trainingACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010J. W. Helge Abstract This review will focus on current data where substrate metabolism in arm and leg muscle is investigated and discuss the presence of higher carbohydrate oxidation and lactate release observed during arm compared with leg exercise. Furthermore, a basis for a possible difference in substrate partitioning between endogenous and exogenous substrate during arm and leg exercise will be debated. Moreover the review will probe if differences between arm and leg muscle are merely a result of different training status rather than a qualitative difference in limb substrate regulation. Along this line the review will address the available studies on low-intensity training performed separately with arm or legs or as whole-body training to evaluate if this leads to different adaptations in arm and leg muscle resulting in different substrate utilization patterns during separate arm or leg exercise at comparable workloads. Finally, the influence and capacity of low-intensity training to influence metabolic fitness in the face of a limited effect on aerobic fitness will be challenged. [source] Effects of short-term metformin treatment on insulin sensitivity of blood glucose and free fatty acidsDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 1 2004S. Iannello Aim:, Based on the known effect of metformin (MET) in improving insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes, with the scope to focus the effects on glycaemic and free fatty acids (FFA) levels, we studied the effects of a short-term treatment with this drug in obese subjects and obese patients with diabetes or family history of diabetes (FHD). We used a method to allow us to evaluate the possible difference of insulin sensibility with regard to the insulin action on glycaemia and blood FFA, both in the basal state and during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods:, Insulin sensitivity was investigated before and after MET treatment (850 mg bid for 10 days) in seven obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance and without FHD and 13 obese patients with diabetes (n = 7) or FHD (n = 6). By using specifically designed formulae, we calculated four insulin-sensitivity indices (ISI) from basal level (b) and area values (a) (during OGTT) of insulinaemia, glycaemia (gly) or FFA (ffa), namely: ISI (gly)-b, ISI (gly)-a, ISI (ffa)-b and ISI (ffa)-a. Results:, In patients with diabetes or FHD, MET improved ISI (gly)-b (0.79 ± 0.06 vs. 0.59 ± 0.07, p < 0.001) and ISI (gly)-a (0.69 ± 0.09 vs. 0.51 ± 0.07, p < 0.05), whereas only minor changes occurred for ISI (ffa)-b and ISI (ffa)-a. In contrast, in simple obese subjects, MET induced further deterioration of both ISI (gly)-a (0.47 ± 0.07 vs. 0.64 ± 0.10, p < 0.01) and ISI (ffa)-a (0.43 ± 0.07 vs. 0.55 ± 0.08, p < 0.05). Fasting level and total area of lactate were high in the obese patients and were not affected by MET. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.01), however, was observed for the ,decremental' area of lactate in obese subjects with diabetes or FHD, which might probably contribute to the reduction of insulin resistance induced by the drug in these patients. Conclusions:, Although the low number of subjects studied precludes absolute conclusions, data would suggest that MET improved ISI towards glucose but not towards FFA, in the diabetic and ,prediabetic' obese patients, whereas worsened it in the obese subjects without FHD. Therefore, the effects of MET would not be secondary to changes of FFA but rather to a primary action of MET on glucose metabolism. Thus, utilization of MET to treat the insulin resistance in obesity is indicated only in the presence of alterations of glucose metabolism or FHD. [source] Acceleromyography and mechanomyography for establishing potency of neuromuscular blocking agents: a randomized-controlled trialACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2009C. CLAUDIUS Background: Acceleromyography (AMG) is increasingly being used in neuromuscular research, including in studies establishing the potency of neuromuscular blocking and reversal agents. However, AMG is insufficiently validated for use interchangeably with the gold standard, mechanomyography (MMG) for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare AMG and MMG for establishing dose,response relationship and potency, using rocuronium as an example. Methods: We included 40 adult patients in this randomized-controlled single-dose response study. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and opioid. Neuromuscular blockade was induced with rocuronium 100, 150, 200 or 250 ,g/kg. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed with AMG (TOF-Watch® SX) with pre-load (Hand Adapter) at one arm and MMG (modified TOF-Watch® SX) on the other, using 0.1 Hz single twitch stimulation. Dose,response relationships were determined for both recording methods using log (dose) against probit (maximum block). The obtained slopes of the regression lines, ED50, ED95 and the maximum block were compared. Results: The ED50 and ED95 [95% confidence interval (CI)] for AMG were 185 ,g/kg (167,205 ,g/kg) and 368 ,g/kg (288,470 ,g/kg), compared with 174 ,g/kg (159,191 ,g/kg) and 338 ,g/kg (273,418 ,g/kg) for MMG. There were no statistically significant biases in maximum block, ED50, ED95 or slopes obtained with the two methods. Conclusion: Our results indicate that any possible difference between AMG and MMG is so small that it justifies AMG to be used for establishing the potency of neuromuscular blocking agents. However, the wide CIs show that we cannot rule out a 13% higher ED50 and a 26% higher ED95 for AMG. [source] Increased lymphatic vascular density is seen before colorectal cancers reach stage II and growth factor FGF-2 is downregulated in tumor tissue compared with normal mucosaAPMIS, Issue 3 2009EIRIK SUNDLISÆTER Lymphangiogenesis is an important event in progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), and the estimated lymphatic vascular density (LVD) probably indicates facilitated lymphatic tumor cell invasion and metastasis. However, at what time point during tumor progression this process is triggered, is unclear. The aim of this study was twofold. Firstly, to examine LVD in paired samples of CRC tissue and normal mucosa with specific emphasis on possible difference in LVD between tumors stages II and III, and secondly, the expression of the lymphangiogenic growth factor fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Eighteen patients were studied. Immunostaining for podoplanin was performed to highlight lymphatic vessels. FGF-2 mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, whereas protein expression was quantitatively assessed by densitometric analysis of Western blot signal intensity. The immunoblots were further validated by FGF-2 immunostaining of histological sections. LVD was significantly increased in tumor tissue compared with the normal mucosa but no changes in LVD between stages II and III CRC was observed. FGF-2 was found to be downregulated both at the mRNA and protein level in tumor tissues compared with normal mucosa. Lymphangiogenesis was triggered early in tumor development. An increased LVD was established before the tumor reached stage II. FGF-2 was downregulated in tumor tissue. The importance of this finding remains unclear. [source] The sex of the individual as a factor in allergic contact dermatitisCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 2 2004B. S. Modjtahedi Exogenous and endogenous factors have been implicated in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD); this review explores the sex of the individual as a possible endogenous factor. While there is a clinical impression that women are more skin-reactive than men, upon review this hypothesis appears oversimplified. This review explores sex differences in controlled testing of adult ACD, occupational ACD and juvenile ACD. Further, geographical location and socioeconomic and cultural factors in relation to sex differences in allergic contact dermatitis are discussed. We conclude that female sex could be a factor predisposing to allergic contact dermatitis not so much because of possible differences in intrinsic skin characteristics between the sexes, but more because of different exposure patterns. This conclusion has practical consequences regarding product labelling requirements, occupational risk assessment and legislation. [source] Anger experience and expression across the anxiety disordersDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2008David A. Moscovitch Ph.D. Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore possible differences in the experience and expression of anger across four anxiety disorder groups and non-clinical controls. Anger was assessed by two measures, the Reaction Inventory and the Aggression Questionnaire, in 112 individuals who met DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia (n=40), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n=30), social phobia, (SOC; n=28), and specific phobia (SPC; n=14) as well as non-clinical controls (n=49). Patients with PD, OCD, and SOC reported a significantly greater propensity to experience anger than controls, whereas patients with SPC exhibited no differences in anger experience in comparison to controls. In addition, patients with PD reported significantly greater levels of anger aggression compared to both controls and patients with OCD, and patients with SOC reported significantly lower levels of verbal aggression than controls. Most, but not all, of these differences disappeared when symptoms of depression were controlled in the analyses. The implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed 0:1,7, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prevalence and relationship to delusions and hallucinations of anxiety disorders in schizophreniaDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2003F.R.C.P.C., Philip Tibbo M.D. Abstract We investigated the prevalence of anxiety disorders in a sample of individuals with chronic schizophrenia, controlling for anxiety symptoms that may be related to delusions and hallucinations, and the possible differences in clinical variables between the groups. Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and able to give informed consent were recruited from the community. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was administered to both confirm the DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and screen for comorbid anxiety disorders. If a comorbid anxiety disorder was found, its relation to the individual's delusions and hallucinations was examined. Clinical rating scales for schizophrenia were administered as well as rating scales for specific anxiety disorders where appropriate. Overall, anxiety disorders ranged from 0% [ for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)] to 26.7% [ for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and agoraphobia without panic] with lower rates when controlled for anxiety symptoms related to delusions and hallucinations. In investigating clinical variables, the cohort was initially divided into schizophrenics with no anxiety disorders and those with an anxiety disorder; with further analyses including schizophrenics with anxiety disorders related to delusions and hallucinations and those with anxiety disorders not related to delusions and hallucinations. The most consistent difference between all the groups was on the PANSS-G subscale. No significant differences were found on the remaining clinical variables. Comorbid anxiety disorders in schizophrenia can be related to the individual's delusions and hallucinations, though anxiety disorders can occur exclusive of these positive symptoms. Clinicians must be aware that this comorbidity exists in order to optimize an individual's treatment. Depression and Anxiety 17:65,72, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Long-term follow-up of children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy I: functional aspectsDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2007Christina Strömbeck MD The aims of this study were to describe the development of sequelae in obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) and to identify possible differences in functional outcome from 5 years of age to follow-up, 2 to 15 years later. A cohort of 70 participants (35 males, 35 females; age range 7-20y, mean 13y 6mo [SD 4y 3mo], median 13y) with OBPP of varying degrees of severity were monitored. Differences in status between 5 years of age and follow-up were studied. Active joint motion in the shoulder and hand function, especially grip strength, generally remained unchanged or improved, whereas a slight but significant deterioration occurred in elbow function. Shoulder surgery resulted in considerable improvement of shoulder function. Participants with nerve reconstruction had a similar profile of change as the non-operated group. It was concluded that ongoing follow-up of children with OBPP, beyond the preschool years, is required due to decreases in elbow function, a commonly occurring restriction in external rotation of the shoulder, together with individual variations in long-term outcomes. In a related article (part II: neurophysiological aspects) long-term neurophysiological and sensory aspects of OBPP are reported. [source] Effects of different opportunities for social interaction on the play fighting behavior in male and female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Mauro Luís Vieira Abstract After social isolation, animals play significantly more than nonisolated animals. However, it is not always possible to affirm that the effect of the social isolation is due to the lack of play. Experimentally, selective privation has been used, such as allowing the animals to play during periods of the day. In the present study, two experiments were carried out to verify the possible differences in the play fighting behavior of golden hamsters that were allowed to have different daily periods of social interaction (10 min, 1 hr, or 2 hr). Through the statistical analysis, it was shown that males play more than females and that periods of up to 2 hr daily for interaction are insufficient to avoid the short-term effects of isolation. It is concluded that a period of daily social interaction greater than 2 hr is needed to offset the effects of social isolation in golden hamsters. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 47: 345,353, 2005. [source] The locus of control in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes managed by individual and group careDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008M. Trento Abstract Aims The locus of control theory distinguishes people (internals) who attribute events in life to their own control, and those (externals) who attribute events to external circumstances. It is used to assess self-management behaviour in chronic illnesses. Group care is a model of systemic group education that improves lifestyle behaviour and quality of life in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This study investigated the locus of control in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and the possible differences between patients managed by group care and control subjects followed by traditional one-to-one care. Methods Cross-sectional administration of two questionnaires (one specific for diabetes and one generic for chronic diseases) to 83 patients followed for at least 5 years by group care (27 Type 1 and 56 Type 2) and 79 control subjects (28 Type 1 and 51 Type 2) of similar sex, age and diabetes duration. Both tools explore internal control of disease, the role of chance in changing it and reliance upon others (family, friends and health professionals). Results Patients with Type 1 diabetes had lower internal control, greater fatalistic attitudes and less trust in others. Patients with either type of diabetes receiving group care had higher internal control and lower fatalism; the higher trust in others in those with Type 1 diabetes was not statistically significant. The differences associated with group care were independent of sex, age and diabetes duration. Conclusions Patients with Type 1 diabetes may have lower internal control, fatalism and reliance upon others than those with Type 2 diabetes. Receiving group care is associated with higher internal control, reduced fatalism and, in Type 1 diabetes, increased trust in others. [source] PROPOSAL FOR A NEW MEASURE OF CORRUPTION, ILLUSTRATED WITH ITALIAN DATAECONOMICS & POLITICS, Issue 1 2005Miriam A. Golden Standard cross-national measures of corruption are assembled through surveys. We propose a novel alternative objective measure that consists of the difference between a measure of the physical quantities of public infrastructure and the cumulative price government pays for public capital stocks. Where the difference is larger between the monies spent and the existing physical infrastructure, more money is being siphoned off to mismanagement, fraud, bribes, kickbacks, and embezzlement; that is, corruption is greater. We create this measure for Italy's 95 provinces and 20 regions as of the mid-1990s, controlling at the regional level for possible differences in the costs of public construction. [source] Assessing trace-metal exposure to American dippers in mountain streams of southwestern British Columbia, CanadaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2005Christy A. Morrissey Abstract To develop a suitable biomonitor of metal pollution in watersheds, we examined trends in exposure to nine trace elements in the diet (benthic invertebrates and fish), feathers (n = 104), and feces (n = 14) of an aquatic passerine, the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), from the Chilliwack watershed in British Columbia, Canada. We hypothesized that key differences may exist in exposure to metals for resident dippers that occupy the main river year-round and altitudinal migrants that breed on higher elevation tributaries because of differences in prey metal levels between locations or possible differences in diet composition. Metals most commonly detected in dipper feather samples in decreasing order were Zn > Cu > Hg > Se > Pb > Mn > Cd > Al > As. Resident dipper feathers contained significantly higher mean concentrations of mercury (0.64 ,g/g dry wt), cadmium (0.19 ,g/g dry wt), and copper (10.8 ,g/g dry wt) relative to migrants. Mass balance models used to predict daily metal exposure for dippers with different diets and breeding locations within a watershed showed that variation in metal levels primarily was attributed to differences in the proportion offish and invertebrates in the diet of residents and migrants. In comparing predicted metal exposure values to tolerable daily intakes (TDI), we found that most metals were below or within the range of TDI, except selenium, aluminum, and zinc. Other metals, such as cadmium, copper, and arsenic, were only of concern for dippers mainly feeding on insects; mercury was only of concern for dippers consuming high fish diets. The models were useful tools to demonstrate how shifts in diet and breeding location within a single watershed can result in changes in exposure that may be of toxicological significance. [source] Self-injurious behaviour in people with eating disordersEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2005Raquel Solano Abstract Objective To determine the importance of self-injurious behaviour in people with eating disorders (ED) and to analyse the possible differences between ED subtypes. Method 109 patients with ED (51 anorexia nervosa (AN) and 58 bulimia nervosa (BN)), according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, who were consecutively referred to our unit, participated in this study. All cases were female. Assessment Subjects were assessed by means of a semi-structured clinical interview and self-report questionnaires (Eating Attitudes Test, EAT-40; Eating Disorders Inventory, EDI; Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh, BITE; Body Shape Questionnaire, BSQ; Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; Social Anxiety Scale, SAD). Design Comparison of cases by considering the factors diagnosis and self-injurious behaviour. Results The presence of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) (32% of cases) was not associated with the diagnosis (p,=,0.28). There was no association between SIB, suicide attempts, alcohol abuse and stealing, but a positive correlation between SIB and drug abuse was found (r,=,0.284, p,<,0.003). Likewise, patients with SIB showed higher scores on severity of the disorder (EDI, p,<,0.04), depressive symptoms (BDI, p,<,0.02), social anxiety (SAD, p,<,0.02) and body image dissatisfaction (BSQ, p,<,0.03). Conclusions: Eating disorders are pathologies in which self-injurious behaviour will be commonly present. SIB is associated with greater depression and anxiety and in general terms with greater severity of the disorder. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] ARE PINNIPEDS FUNCTIONALLY DIFFERENT FROM FISSIPED CARNIVORES?EVOLUTION, Issue 3 2000THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYLOGENETIC COMPARATIVE ANALYSES Abstract., It is widely assumed that adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle are so profound as to produce only obvious differences between pinnipeds and the remaining, largely terrestrial carnivore species ("fissipeds"). Thus, comparative studies of the order Carnivora routinely examine these groups independently. This approach is invalid for two reasons. First, fissipeds are a paraphyletic assemblage, which raises the general issue of when it is appropriate to ignore monophyly as a criterion for inclusion in comparative studies. Second, the claim that most functional characters (beyond a few undoubted characteristic features) are different in pinnipeds and fissipeds has never been quantitatively examined, nor with phylogenetic comparative methods. We test for possible differences between these two groups in relation to 20 morphological, life-history, physiological, and ecological variables. Comparisons employed the method of independent contrasts based on a complete and dated species-level phylogeny of the extant Carnivora. Pinnipeds differ from fissipeds only through evolutionary grade shifts in a limited number of life-history traits: litter weight (vs. gestation length), birth weight, and age of eyes opening (both vs. size). Otherwise, pinnipeds display the same rate of evolution as phylogenetically equivalent fissiped taxa for all variables. Overall functional differences between pinnipeds and fissipeds appear to have been overstated and may be no greater than those among major fissiped groups. Recognition of this fact should lead to a more complete understanding of carnivore biology as a whole through more unified comparative tests. Comparative studies that do not include monophyletic groups for phylogenetically based comparative tests should be reconsidered. [source] Sympatric natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. paradoxus populations have different thermal growth profilesFEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 4-5 2004Joseph Y. Sweeney Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its close congener S. paradoxus are typically indistinguishable by the phenotypic criteria of classical yeast taxonomy, but they are evolutionarily distinct as indicated by hybrid spore inviability and genomic sequence divergence. Previous work has shown that these two species coexist in oak-associated microhabitats at natural woodland sites in North America. Here, we show that sympatric populations of S. cerevisiae and S. paradoxus from a single natural site are phenotypically differentiated in their growth rate responses to temperature. Our main finding is that the S. cerevisiae population exhibits a markedly higher growth rate at 37°C than the S. paradoxus population; we also find possible differences in growth rate between these populations at two lower temperatures. We discuss the implications of our results for the coexistence of these yeasts in natural environments, and we suggest that thermal growth response may be an evolutionarily labile feature of these organisms that could be analyzed using genomic approaches. [source] Invertebrate communities associated with a native (Vallisneria americana) and an alien (Trapa natans) macrophyte in a large riverFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2003David L. Strayer Summary 1. We used a corer and a Downing box sampler to sample macroinvertebrates living on and beneath the introduced Trapa natans and the native Vallisneria americana in the freshwater tidal Hudson River, New York. 2. Densities of macroinvertebrates were higher in Trapa than in Vallisneria, and higher in the interior of plant beds than at their edges. These effects were largely a result of high plant biomass in Trapa beds and in bed interiors (the plants have similar surface area per unit mass). 3. The composition of both epiphytic and benthic macroinvertebrates differed distinctly between Trapa and Vallisneria, and also seasonally. 4. These compositional differences were not easily interpretable as rising from possible differences in oxygen concentrations, fish predation, or water circulation in the two macrophytes. 5. Sida crystallina (Cladocera) collected from Trapa contained more haemoglobin than those collected from Vallisneria. 6. The replacement of Vallisneria by Trapa in the Hudson probably increased system-wide biodiversity and food for fish, although macroinvertebrates in Trapa beds may not be readily available to fish because of low oxygen concentration there. [source] Effects of sex chromosome aneuploidy on male sexual behaviorGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 6 2008J. H. Park Incidence of sex chromosome aneuploidy in men is as high as 1:500. The predominant conditions are an additional Y chromosome (47,XYY) or an additional X chromosome (47,XXY). Behavioral studies using animal models of these conditions are rare. To assess the role of sex chromosome aneuploidy on sexual behavior, we used mice with a spontaneous mutation on the Y chromosome in which the testis-determining gene Sry is deleted (referred to as Y,) and insertion of a Sry transgene on an autosome. Dams were aneuploid (XXY,) and the sires had an inserted Sry transgene (XYSry). Litters contained six male genotypes, XY, XYY,, XXSry, XXY,Sry, XYSry and XYY,Sry. In order to eliminate possible differences in levels of testosterone, all of the subjects were castrated and received testosterone implants prior to tests for male sex behavior. Mice with an additional copy of the Y, chromosome (XYY,) had shorter latencies to intromit and achieve ejaculations than XY males. In a comparison of the four genotypes bearing the Sry transgene, males with two copies of the X chromosome (XXSry and XXY,Sry) had longer latencies to mount and thrust than males with only one copy of the X chromosome (XYSry and XYY,Sry) and decreased frequencies of mounts and intromissions as compared with XYSry males. The results implicate novel roles for sex chromosome genes in sexual behaviors. [source] A Comparison of Clinically Important Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Lung Disease, Asthma, or Heart DiseaseHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Kathleen W. Wyrwich Objective. On the eight scales of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), Version 2, we compared the clinically important difference (CID) thresholds for change over time developed by three separate expert panels of physicians with experience in quality of life assessment among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and heart disease. Study Design. We used a modified Delphi technique combined with a face-to-face panel meeting within each disease to organize and conduct the consensus process among the expert panelists, who were familiar with the assessment and evaluations of health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures among patients with the panel-specific disease. Principal Findings. Each of the expert panels first determined the magnitude of the smallest numerically possible change on each SF-36 scale, referred to as a state change, and then built their CIDs from this metric. All three panels attained consensus on the scale changes that constituted small, moderate, and large clinically important SF-36 change scores. The CIDs established by the heart disease panel were generally greater than the CIDs agreed on by the asthma and COPD panels. Conclusions. These panel-derived thresholds reflect possible differences in disease management among the represented panel-specific diseases, and are all greater than the minimal CID thresholds previously developed for the SF-36 scales among patients with arthritis. If confirmed among patients with the relevant diseases and those patients' physicians, these disease-specific CIDs could assist both researchers and practicing clinicians in the use and interpretation of HRQL changes over time. [source] A comparison of brain activation patterns during covert and overt paced auditory serial addition test tasksHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 6 2008Cristina Forn Abstract The Paced Auditory Serial Addition test (PASAT) is a sensitive task for evaluating cognitive impairment in patients with diffuse brain disorders, such as multiple sclerosis patients. Brain areas involved in this task have been investigated in diverse fMRI studies using different methodologies to control the subjects' responses during scanning. Here, we examined the possible differences between overt and covert responses during the PASAT task in 13 volunteers. Results showed similar activations in parietal and frontal brain areas during both versions of the task. The contrast between the two conditions (overt and covert) indicated that differences in these two methodologies were minimal. Unlike the covert condition, the overt version of the task obtained significant activations in the left superior and inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral occipital cortex, caudate nucleus and cerebellum. As expected, no significant overactivations were observed in the covert when compared with the overt condition. Discussion focuses on the lower cost of using verbal responses to monitor performance during the PASAT task, which might be generalisable to other frontal lobe tasks requiring discrete responses. Hum Brain Mapp, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Intercenter variation in initial management of children with Crohn's diseaseINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 7 2007Michael D. Kappelman MD Abstract Background: Variation in care is a ubiquitous feature of medical practice and may lead to significant differences in health care costs, quality, and outcomes. We undertook this study to determine the extent of intercenter variation in the initial management of children newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Methods: We analyzed the utilization of 5 classes of medication (immunomodulators, prednisone, antibiotics, 5-aminosalicylates, and infliximab) among 311 children with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease followed at 10 North American pediatric gastroenterology centers. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare the utilization rate of each class of medication at each of the 10 centers, adjusting for potential confounders including patient age, sex, race, disease severity, and anatomic location of disease. Results: Median utilization of each class of medication was: immunomodulators, 56% (range 29%,97%); prednisone, 78% (range 32%,88%); antibiotics, 29% (range 11%,68%); 5-aminosalicylates, 63.5% (range 18%,92%); and infliximab, 7.5% (range 3%,21%). Each of these treatments showed statistically significant intercenter variation in utilization (P < 0.001 for immunomodulators, prednisone, antibiotics, and 5-ASA; P = 0.02 for infliximab). After adjusting for the demographic and clinical factors listed above, intercenter variation remained significant; however, the low utilization of infliximab precluded multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Widespread intercenter variation in the medical management of newly diagnosed children with Crohn's disease was observed, even after adjusting for possible differences in case mix between institutions. This variation may lead to unintended differences in health care costs and outcomes. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source] Association Between Changes in Habitual Physical Activity and Changes in Bone Density, Muscle Strength, and Functional Performance in Elderly Men and WomenJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2008Robin M. Daly PhD OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term effects of habitual physical activity on changes in musculoskeletal health, functional performance, and fracture risk in elderly men and women. DESIGN: Ten-year prospective population-based study. SETTING: Malmö-Sjöbo Prospective Study, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 152 men and 206 women aged 50, 60, 70, and 80 who were followed for 10 years. MEASUREMENTS: Distal radius bone mineral density (BMD) (single photon absorptiometry), upper limb muscle (grip) strength, balance, gait velocity, occupational and leisure-time activity, and fractures (interview-administered questionnaire) were reassessed after 10 years. Annual changes for all measures were compared between participants with varying habitual physical activity histories at baseline and follow-up: inactive,inactive (n=202), active,inactive (n=47), inactive,active (n=49), and active,active (n=60). Data for men and women were pooled, because there were no sex-by-activity group interactions. To detect possible differences in fracture incidence between the varying habitual activity groups, participants were classified into two activity groups based on their activity classification at baseline and follow-up: inactive:less active versus active:more active. RESULTS: The annual rate of bone loss was 0.6% per year less in individuals classified as active at both time points than in those classified as inactive at both time points (P<.01). Similar results were observed for balance, but there was no effect of varying habitual activity on changes in muscle strength or gait velocity. There were also no differences in fracture incidence between individuals categorized as active:more active and those categorized as inactive:less active during the follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio=0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.42,1.90). CONCLUSION: This study showed that elderly men and women who maintained a habitually active lifestyle over 10 years had lower bone loss and retained better balance than those who remained habitually inactive. [source] Comparison of estimated breeding values, daughter yield deviations and de-regressed proofs within a whole genome scan for QTLJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 6 2001H. Thomsen An important issue in quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection is the use of phenotypic measurement as a dependent variable. Daughter yield deviations (DYDs) as the unit of choice are not available for all traits of interest. The use of de-regressed proofs (DRPFs) of estimated breeding values (EBVs) is an alternative to using daughter yield deviations. The objective of this study was to examine possible differences between DYDs and DRPFs within the use of QTL detection. The pedigree used was part of the granddaughter design of the German QTL effort. Consisting marker maps for livestock species were derived from all available data of 16 German Holstein paternal half-sib families with a total of 872 sires. The number of progeny ranged from 19 to 127. A whole genome scan was performed using weighted and unweighted multimarker regression with DYDs, DRPFs and EBVs as dependent variables for the traits milk, fat and protein yields. Results were compared with respect to the number of QTL detected. A similar number of QTL was detected with DRPFs and DYDs. Also, when dependent variables were weighted according to the variance of the trait, a higher number of QTL was detected at the desired level of significance as compared to using unweighted variables. Vergleich von Zuchtwerten, Daughter Yield Deviation und deregressierten Zuchtwerten bei der Genomanalyse zum Nachweis für QTL Ein bedeutender Einflussfaktor in der QTL-Analyse (QTL: Genorte für quantitativemarkmale) ist die Wahl der abhängigen Leistungsvariablen. Da Daughter Yield Deviations (DYDs) aber nicht für jedes Leistungsmerkmal zur Verfügung stehen, sollte untersucht werden, ob die De-regression von Zuchtwerten als alternative Variable in der QTL Analyse verwendet werden kann. Für die Untersuchung wurde ein Teil des Tiermaterials verwendet, das im Rahmen des Genomanalyseprojektes der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Rinderzüchter untersucht wurde. Es standen 872 Bullen aus 16 väterlichen Halbgeschwisterfamilien der Rasse Deutsche Holsteins zur Verfügung. Die Zahl der Nachkommen pro Familie variierte von 19 bis 127. Unter Verwendung eines gewichteten als auch ungewichteten Multi-Marker Regressionsansatzes wurde ein Genomscan für die Leistungsmerkmale Milch-kg, Fett-kg und Eiweiss-kg durchgeführt, wobei als abhängige Variablen Zuchtwerte (EBV), Daughter Yield Deviations (DYD) und de-regressierte Zuchtwerte (DRPF) verwendet wurden. Die De-regression wurde auf der Basis der effektiven Töchterzahl, der Heritabilität des Merkmals und der additiv genetischen Verwandtschaftsmatrix durchgeführt. Alle Ergebnisse wurden in Hinblick auf die Anzahl der entdeckten QTL verglichen. Es zeigten sich dabei keine wesentlichen Unterschiede bei der Verwendung von DYDs und DRPFs. Die Rate der QTL Entdeckungen war bei beiden verwendeten Zuchtwerten annähernd gleich. Über den Vergleich unterschiedlicher Leistungsvariablen hinaus wurden die Ergebnisse der ungewichteten und gewichteten Analyse einander gegenübergestellt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass bei einer Gewichtung des Merkmals die Rate der QTL-Entdeckungen bei einem bestimmten Signifikanzniveau deutlich höher ist. [source] What determines a species' geographical range?JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Thermal biology, latitudinal range size relationships in European diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) Summary 1.,The geographical range sizes of individual species vary considerably in extent, although the factors underlying this variation remain poorly understood, and could include a number of ecological and evolutionary processes. A favoured explanation for range size variation is that this result from differences in fundamental niche breadths, suggesting a key role for physiology in determining range size, although to date empirical tests of these ideas remain limited. 2.,Here we explore relationships between thermal physiology and biogeography, whilst controlling for possible differences in dispersal ability and phylogenetic relatedness, across 14 ecologically similar congeners which differ in geographical range extent; European diving beetles of the genus Deronectes Sharp (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae). Absolute upper and lower temperature tolerance and acclimatory abilities are determined for populations of each species, following acclimation in the laboratory. 3.,Absolute thermal tolerance range is the best predictor of both species' latitudinal range extent and position, differences in dispersal ability (based on wing size) apparently being less important in this group. In addition, species' northern and southern range limits are related to their tolerance of low and high temperatures respectively. In all cases, absolute temperature tolerances, rather than acclimatory abilities are the best predictors of range parameters, whilst the use of independent contrasts suggested that species' thermal acclimation abilities may also relate to biogeography, although increased acclimatory ability does not appear to be associated with increased range size. 4.,Our study is the first to provide empirical support for a relationship between thermal physiology and range size variation in widespread and restricted species, conducted using the same experimental design, within a phylogenetically and ecologically controlled framework. [source] Differences in stable isotope composition within and among zooplanktivorous Utaka cichlid populations from Lake MalawiAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Dieter Anseeuw Abstract Stable isotope analysis was used to determine whether five sympatric zooplanktivorous cichlids of the Utaka assemblage from Lake Malawi vary in isotopic signature as an indication of possible differences in food resource composition. The isotopic composition of the Utaka in combination with literature data about diet composition suggests that these species exploit a narrow range of zooplanktonic prey types. At five sampling locations, significant differences in ,13C and ,15N were detected among species but a consistent pattern across locations was absent. Significant intraspecific differences between locations were found. These differences were relatively low in view of the large geographic distances between the populations and there was no consistent spatial pattern among the species. The observed differences may be indicative of local variations in diet composition, which may help in reducing niche overlap among these zooplanktivores. Résumé Nous avons utilisé une analyse des isotopes stables pour déterminer si cinq cichlides sympatriques zooplanctivores appartenant à l'assemblage Utaka du lac Malawi ont une signature isotopique différente, ce qui serait une indication de différences possibles dans la composition de leurs ressources alimentaires. La composition isotopique d'Utaka, combinée aux données publiées au sujet de la composition du régime alimentaire, suggère que ces espèces exploitent une gamme réduite de types de proies zooplanctoniques. À cinq endroits échantillonnés, on a détecté des différences significatives de ,13C et ,15N parmi les espèces, mais il n'y avait pas de schéma cohérent parmi tous les sites. On a découvert des différences intraspécifiques significatives entre les sites. Ces différences étaient relativement faibles compte tenu des grandes distances entre les populations et il n'y avait pas de schéma spatial cohérent parmi les espèces. Les différences observées peuvent indiquer des variations locales de la composition du régime alimentaire, ce qui pourrait aider à réduire le recouvrement des niches chez ces zooplanctivores. [source] Differences in health-related quality of life between older nursing home residents without cognitive impairment and the general population of NorwayJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 9 2008Jorunn Drageset RN Aim., To advance the understanding of health-related quality of life among older nursing home residents by assessing their health-related quality of life and comparing this with norms from the general population. Methods., The study used a two-group cross-sectional comparative design. The samples comprised 227 nursing home residents aged 65,102 years with at least six months' residence and a representative population sample of 1137 Norwegian citizens aged 65,102 years. All nursing home residents had a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score ,0·5 and were capable of conversing. The respondents provided demographic information and were surveyed using the SF-36 Health Survey. We used univariate and multivariate linear models to identify possible differences in health-related quality of life between the nursing home residents and the general population, controlled for age, sex, marital status and education. Results., After adjustment for age, group, sex, marital status and education, the nursing home residents scored significantly higher on bodily pain and on physical and emotional role limitation and significantly lower on the other SF-36 subscales, except social functioning, with the largest differences for physical functioning (mean nursing home 23·2 and mean general population 62·9). The general population scores on all subscales generally increased with increasing education but not among the nursing home residents. Conclusions., The mean SF-36 scale scores differed markedly between the nursing home residents and the general population, with the nursing home residents generally scoring lower. The association with background variables known to be related to health-related quality of life differed between the groups. Healthcare professionals should increase attention to health-related quality of life among nursing home residents, periodically assess health-related quality of life and consider interventions that may improve health-related quality of life in older institutionalised populations. Relevance to clinical practice., This study highlights the role of nurses and other health professionals in ensuring that nursing home residents have opportunities to improve their health-related quality of life. [source] Division of domestic work and psychological distress 1 year after childbirth: a comparison between France, Quebec and Italy,JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Catherine des Rivières-Pigeon Abstract Background. The participation of men in domestic work should have a positive impact on the wellbeing and mental health of women who are mothers of young children. However, cultural factors, which largely determine the expectations and desires of men and women, are likely to modify this impact. The purpose of this study was to explore differences between countries in the division of child care and housework between couples 1 year after childbirth, and to look at possible differences in the relationship between this division and the psychological health of new mothers. Methods. Similar studies were carried out in three countries: France, Italy and Canada (province of Quebec), making it possible to compare the situation of 1598 women. Results. The results revealed major differences between countries in the division of domestic work. For nearly all the child care and housework tasks studied, answers indicating an unequal division were more frequent in Italy than in France, and more frequent in France than in Quebec. Despite these differences, we found very similar pattern of associations, in the three countries, between the division of domestic work and the mental health of women. An unequal division of child care was linked with psychological distress, but this association was not found for the division of housework. Conclusion. These results raise questions concerning the mechanisms by which the division of domestic work affects the psychological health of new mothers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SN2 reaction of a sulfonate ester in the presence of alkyltriphenylphosphonium bromides and mixed cationic-cationic systemsJOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2006Michael M. Mohareb Abstract The effects of alkyltriphenylphosphonium bromides (CnTPB, n,=,10, 12, 14, 16) on the rates of SN2 reactions of methyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate and bromide ion have been studied. Observed first-order rate constants are significantly higher than those found for other cationic surfactants for the same reaction. The results have been analyzed by the pseudophase model of micellar kinetics and show true micellar catalysis in the sense that second-order micellar rate constants are higher than the second-order rate constants in water. An attempt has also been made to investigate mixed cationic,cationic surfactant systems with respect to observed rates and pseudophase regression parameters. In addition, modeling of some cationic head groups has illustrated possible differences in head group charges and counterion interactions that may prove kinetically relevant. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid melatonin concentrations investigated with an endoscopic techniqueJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007Pierluigi Longatti Abstract:, The role of melatonin in humans still remains unclear. Uncertainties persist about its effects on neurophysiology regarding its levels in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as the bulk of knowledge on this subject mainly derives from studies conducted on animals. In this study, CSF was micro-sampled with a simple, new method from each cerebral ventricle of patients undergoing neuroendoscopy for hydrocephalus. Our purpose was to measure CSF melatonin levels and determine possible differences in its concentration among various significant areas in the cerebral ventricles (e.g. pineal recess, pituitary recess, lateral ventricle, fourth ventricle) and lumbar cistern. From 2002 to 2004, 10 hydrocephalic patients were operated on using a neuroendoscopic technique. The CSF specimens were investigated for melatonin concentrations (free plus protein-bound) after deproteinization; the measurement technique was high-performance liquid chromatography. The preliminary data obtained with this endoscopic micro-sampling technique (applied to humans for the first time) suggest that melatonin is more concentrated within the ventricles and its highest concentration is found in the third ventricle (IIIv), although the difference detected between the CSF of the IIIv and that of the pineal recess was not significant. [source] Decreased Sensitivity to Ethanol Reward in Adolescent Mice as Measured by Conditioned Place PreferenceALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2009Shelly D. Dickinson Background:, Many preclinical studies have demonstrated age-related differential sensitivity to various effects of ethanol between adolescent and adult animals. However, published data addressing possible differences in ethanol's motivational effects are sparse, particularly in mice. The present study examined age-related differences in the conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol in DBA/2J mice. Methods:, In the first experiment an unbiased place conditioning procedure was used to determine the rewarding effects of 2 g/kg ethanol in adult and adolescent DBA/2J mice. In a subsequent place conditioning experiment, the effects of 2 and 4 g/kg were assessed in adolescent mice. Results:, Adolescents demonstrated a place preference with the high dose of 4 g/kg but not with a more moderate dose of 2 g/kg. In contrast, 2 g/kg was sufficient to produce place preference in adult mice. Conclusions:, Adolescents are less sensitive than adults to the rewarding effects of ethanol but can experience reward with high doses. These results extend the current literature on ethanol's effects in adolescent animals. [source] Students' science perceptions and enrollment decisions in differing learning cycle classroomsJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 9 2001Ann M.L. Cavallo This investigation examined 10th-grade biology students' decisions to enroll in elective science courses, and explored certain attitudinal perceptions of students that may be related to such decisions. The student science perceptions were focused on student and classroom attitudes in the context of differing learning cycle classrooms (high paradigmatic/high inquiry, and low paradigmatic/low inquiry). The study also examined possible differences in enrollment decisions/intentions and attitudinal perceptions among males and females in these course contexts. The specific purposes were to: (a) explore possible differences in students' decisions, and in male and female students' decisions to enroll in elective science courses in high versus low paradigmatic learning cycle classrooms; (b) describe patterns and examine possible differences in male and female students' attitudinal perceptions of science in the two course contexts; (c) investigate possible differences in students' science perceptions according to their decisions to enroll in elective science courses, participation in high versus low paradigmatic learning cycle classrooms, and the interaction between these two variables; and (d) examine students' explanations of their decisions to enroll or not enroll in elective science courses. Questionnaire and observation data were collected from 119 students in the classrooms of six learning cycle biology teachers. Results indicated that in classrooms where teachers most closely adhered to the ideal learning cycle, students had more positive attitudes than those in classrooms where teachers deviated from the ideal model. Significantly more females in high paradigmatic learning cycle classrooms planned to continue taking science course work compared with females in low paradigmatic learning cycle classrooms. Male students in low paradigmatic learning cycle classrooms had more negative perceptions of science compared with males in high paradigmatic classrooms, and in some cases, with all female students. It appears that using the model as it was originally designed may lead to more positive attitudes and persistence in science among students. Implications include the need for science educators to help teachers gain more thorough understanding of the learning cycle and its theoretical underpinnings so they may better implement this procedure in classroom teaching. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 1029,1062, 2001 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||