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Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	60%
Chemistry	40%

Selected Abstracts

Psychotherapy of borderline personality disorder

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2009
M. C. ZanariniArticle first published online: 6 OCT 200
Objective:, Psychotherapy is considered the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Currently, there are four comprehensive psychosocial treatments for BPD. Two of these treatments are considered psychodynamic in nature: mentalization-based treatment and transference-focused psychotherapy. The other two are considered to be cognitive-behavioral in nature: dialectical behavioral therapy and schema-focused therapy. Method:, A review of the relevant literature was conducted. Results:, Each of these lengthy and complex psychotherapies significantly reduces the severity of borderline psychopathology or at least some aspects of it, particularly physically self-destructive acts. Conclusion:, Comprehensive, long-term psychotherapy can be a useful form of treatment for those with BPD. However, less intensive and less costly forms of treatment need to be developed. [source]

Surgeons' participation in continuing medical education: is it evidence-based?

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 5 2006
J M Young
Background, Interactive forms of continuing medical education (CME) are more likely to improve clinical practice than traditional, passive approaches. This study investigated CME participation and preferences among surgeons. Method, Questionnaire survey of surgeons in New South Wales, Australia. Results, On average, respondents (n = 418, 77% response rate) committed 364 hours (interquartile range 228,512 hours) to CME per year. Surgeons working at tertiary referral teaching hospitals were twice as likely as those working in other types of hospital to report spending more than 12 hours per month on CME (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4,3.1). Overall, reading accounted for 17% of CME time and attending conferences a further 12%. Clinical audit accounted for significantly less CME time (3.5%) (both P < 0.001). Conferences were considered the single most useful form of CME by 28% (95% CI: 24,33%). Over half (55%, 95% CI: 50,59%) ranked reading as 1 of the 3 most useful types of CME, whereas significantly fewer so ranked clinical audit (6%, 95% CI: 4,9%) (,2 = 230.8, 1 d.f., P < 0.001). Conclusion, Australian surgeons commit a considerable amount of time to CME, but much of this time is spent in passive educational activities. Development of acceptable and effective CME programmes will benefit both surgeons and their patients. [source]

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena®) and Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depoprovera) as long-term maintenance therapy for patients with moderate and severe endometriosis: A randomised controlled trial

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Alice Yuen Kwan WONG
Background:, Progestogen therapy has been found to be useful in controlling endometriosis. For patients after conservative surgery, long-term medical maintenance therapy should be sought to prevent recurrence and control symptoms. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) may be a useful form of prolonged progestogen therapy for endometriosis. Aims:, To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of LNG-IUS to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for patients with moderate or severe endometriosis following conservative surgery, in terms of symptoms control, recurrence prevention and patients' acceptance. Methods:, A total of 30 patients after conservative surgery for endometriosis underwent randomisation. Of these patients, 15 received LNG-IUS and 15 had three-monthly depot MPA for three years. Their symptom control, recurrence, compliance and change in bone mineral density (BMD) were compared. The data were analysed using student's t -test and chi-square test. Results:, Symptoms and recurrence were controlled by both therapies. The compliance was better in LNG-IUS Group with 13 patients staying on their therapy versus seven patients in Depot MPA Group. LNG-IUS users had a significantly better change in BMD (+0.023, +0.071 g/cm2) than Depot MPA users (,0.030, ,0.017 g/cm2) in both hip and lumbar regions. Conclusions:, Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system was effective in symptom control and prevention of recurrence. LNG-IUS users showed a better compliance. After three years, bone gain was noted with LNG-IUS, but bone loss with depot MPA. [source]

Relation between macroscopic and microscopic dielectric relaxation times in water dynamics

ISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 3-4 2003
Vladimir I. Arkhipov
A simplified derivation for the ratio of macroscopic to microscopic relaxation times of polar liquids is based on the Mori-Zwanzig projection-operator technique, with added statistical assumptions. We obtain several useful forms for the lifetime ratio, which we apply to the dynamics of liquid water. Our theoretical single-molecule relaxation times agree with the second Debye relaxation times as measured by frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy of water and alcohols. From the theory, fast relaxation modes couple to the Debye relaxation time, ,d, through very large water clusters, and their temperature dependence is similar to that of ,d. Slower modes are localized to smaller water clusters and exhibit weaker temperature dependence. This is exemplified by the lifetime ratios measured by time-domain dielectric spectroscopy and optical Kerr effect spectroscopy, respectively. [source]

Water Splitting on Semiconductor Catalysts under Visible-Light Irradiation

CHEMSUSCHEM CHEMISTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY & MATERIALS, Issue 6 2009
Rufino
Abstract Splitting image: Sustainable hydrogen production is a key target for the development of alternative, future energy systems that will provide a clean and affordable energy supply. This Minireview focuses on the development of semiconductor catalysts that enable hydrogen production via water splitting upon visible-light irradiation. Sustainable hydrogen production is a key target for the development of alternative, future energy systems that will provide a clean and affordable energy supply. The Sun is a source of silent and precious energy that is distributed fairly all over the Earth daily. However, its tremendous potential as a clean, safe, and economical energy source cannot be exploited unless the energy is accumulated or converted into more useful forms. The conversion of solar energy into hydrogen via the water-splitting process, assisted by photo-semiconductor catalysts, is one of the most promising technologies for the future because large quantities of hydrogen can potentially be generated in a clean and sustainable manner. This Minireview provides an overview of the principles, approaches, and research progress on solar hydrogen production via the water-splitting reaction on photo-semiconductor catalysts. It presents a survey of the advances made over the last decades in the development of catalysts for photochemical water splitting under visible-light irradiation. The Minireview also analyzes the energy requirements and main factors that determine the activity of photocatalysts in the conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. Remarkable progress has been made since the pioneering work by Fujishima and Honda in 1972, but he development of photocatalysts with improved efficiencies for hydrogen production from water using solar energy still faces major challenges. Research strategies and approaches adopted in the search for active and efficient photocatalysts, for example through new materials and synthesis methods, are presented and analyzed. [source]