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Selected AbstractsCommon and distinct neural substrates for the perception of speech rhythm and intonationHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 7 2010Linjun Zhang Abstract The present study examines the neural substrates for the perception of speech rhythm and intonation. Subjects listened passively to synthesized speech stimuli that contained no semantic and phonological information, in three conditions: (1) continuous speech stimuli with fixed syllable duration and fundamental frequency in the standard condition, (2) stimuli with varying vocalic durations of syllables in the speech rhythm condition, and (3) stimuli with varying fundamental frequency in the intonation condition. Compared to the standard condition, speech rhythm activated the right middle superior temporal gyrus (mSTG), whereas intonation activated the bilateral superior temporal gyrus and sulcus (STG/STS) and the right posterior STS. Conjunction analysis further revealed that rhythm and intonation activated a common area in the right mSTG but compared to speech rhythm, intonation elicited additional activations in the right anterior STS. Findings from the current study reveal that the right mSTG plays an important role in prosodic processing. Implications of our findings are discussed with respect to neurocognitive theories of auditory processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hand recontouring with calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse)®JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009FAACS, Kenneth L Edelson MD Summary The aging hand is a common area of concern for many patients. Until recently, adequate treatment options have been hampered by pain of injecting into the dorsum and, post-injection, by the absence of longevity of treatment. In this article, we describe the off-label use of the soft tissue filler calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA; Radiesse) for hand rejuvenation. The product is inherently biocompatible and, when placed in soft tissue, induces neocollagenesis. An alternative injection mixture of CaHA combined with lidocaine is described, as well as the novel "bolus" injection technique. The CaHA-lidocaine emulsion reduces the pain of injection to nearly none at all, improves the rheology of the procedure, and allows for deposition of the product into the correct plane of tissue. The volume of CaHA injected as well as the amount of lidocaine used for the mixture vary according to physician preference. In our practice, 1.3 mL of CaHA combined with 0.5 mL lidocaine per hand usually appears to be sufficient to improve the appearance of the atrophic dorsum of the hand. Side-effects of CaHA (Radiesse), particularly in this off-label application, are minimal and of short duration. The aesthetic result is immediate and generally persists for longer than 6 months. As a treatment option, hand rejuvenation with CaHA (Radiesse) is a very gratifying procedure both to the patient and to the physician. [source] The MERC at CORD Scholars Program in Medical Education Research: A Novel Faculty Development Opportunity for Emergency PhysiciansACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2009Jeffrey N. Love MD Abstract Medical educators are increasingly charged with the development of outcomes-based "best practices" in medical student and resident education and patient care. To fulfill this mission, a cadre of well-trained, experienced medical education researchers is required. The experienced medical educator is in a prime position to fill this need but often lacks the training needed to successfully contribute to such a goal. Towards this end, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Educational Affairs developed a series of content-based workshops that have resulted in Medical Education Research Certification (MERC), promoting skills development and a better understanding of research by educators. Subsequently, the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) partnered with the AAMC to take MERC a step further, in the MERC at CORD Scholars Program (MCSP). This venture integrates a novel, mentored, specialty-specific research project with the traditional MERC workshops. Collaborative groups, based on a common area of interest, each develop a multi-institutional project by exploring and applying the concepts learned through the MERC workshops. Participants in the inaugural MCSP have completed three MERC workshops and initiated a project. Upon program completion, each will have completed MERC certification (six workshops) and gained experience as a contributing author on a mentored education research project. Not only does this program serve as a multi-dimensional faculty development opportunity, it is also intended to act as a catalyst in developing a network of education scholars and infrastructure for educational research within the specialty of emergency medicine. [source] Need for Standardized Sign-out in the Emergency Department: A Survey of Emergency Medicine Residency and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program DirectorsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Madhumita Sinha MD Objectives To determine the existing patterns of sign-out processes prevalent in emergency departments (EDs) nationwide. In addition, to assess whether training programs provide specific guidance to their trainees regarding sign-outs and attitudes of emergency medicine (EM) residency and pediatric EM fellowship program directors toward the need for the development of standardized guidelines relating to sign-outs. Methods A Web-based survey of training program directors of each Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME),accredited EM residency and pediatric EM fellowship program was conducted in March 2006. Results Overall, 185 (61.1%) program directors responded to the survey. One hundred thirty-six (73.5%) program directors reported that sign-outs at change of shift occurred in a common area within the ED, and 79 (42.7%) respondents indicated combined sign-outs in the presence of both attending and resident physicians. A majority of the programs, 119 (89.5%), stated that there was no uniform written policy regarding patient sign-out in their ED. Half (50.3%) of all those surveyed reported that physicians sign out patient details "verbally only," and 79 (42.9%) noted that transfer of attending responsibility was "rarely documented." Only 34 (25.6%) programs affirmed that they had formal didactic sessions focused on sign-outs. A majority (71.6%) of program directors surveyed agreed that specific practice parameters regarding transfer of care in the ED would improve patient care; 80 (72.3%) agreed that a standardized sign-out system in the ED would improve communication and reduce medical error. Conclusions There is wide variation in the sign-out processes followed by different EDs. A majority of those surveyed expressed the need for standardized sign-out systems. [source] A Review of Sympathetically Maintained Pain Syndromes in the Cancer Pain Population:PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 4 2001The spectrum of ambiguous entities of RSD, other pain states related to the sympathetic nervous system Abstract: Accepted wisdom contends that sympathetically maintained pain is rare in cancer pain syndromes. But this may be more of an artifact of how we diagnose this condition than a reflection of its true prevalence. One area in which one might suspect this to be true is in postsurgical states. While there are case reports of sympathetically maintained pain occurring after radical neck dissection, orbital and maxillary exenteration, it has not been reported in the more common areas of postsurgical pain. For instance, although one should suspect that the nerve damage that accompanies post-thoracotomy and postmastectomy pain syndromes would bring into being a certain incidence of sympathetically maintained pain, it is difficult to find collaborative reports. This may have more to do with the difficulty inherent in diagnosing sympathetically maintained pain than its actual contribution to these persistent cancer pain syndromes. The reason that it is more commonly reported in limb amputation is less comprehensible since blocking the sympathetic fibers that travel to an extremity is easier than those going to the thoracic cavity. In addition to surgically induced sympathetically maintained pain, medical patients with lymphoma and leukemia may have an element of sympathetically maintained pain when they develop postherpetic neuralgia. While the contribution of sympathetically maintained pain in these cases is not totally ignored, its involvement, as in the surgical patients mentioned above, is worthy of another analysis. This paper will discuss the topics introduced above and suggest diagnostic and therapeutic options available for this condition. [source] Use of primates in research: A global overviewAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Hans-Erik Carlsson Abstract We assessed the use of nonhuman primates and nonhuman primate biological material in research by reviewing studies published in 2001 in peer-reviewed journals. The number and species of primates used, the origin of the animals, the type of study, the area of research of the investigation, and the location at which the research was performed were tabulated. Additionally, factors related to the animals that may have affected the outcome of the experiments were recorded. A total of 2,937 articles involving 4,411 studies that employed nonhuman primates or nonhuman primate biological material were identified and analyzed. More than 41,000 animals were represented in the studies published in 2001. In the 14% of studies for which re-use could be determined, 69% involved animals that had been used in previous experiments. Published studies most commonly used nonhuman primates or nonhuman primate biological material from the species Chlorocebus aethiops (19%), Macaca mulatta (18%), M. fascicularis (9%), and Papio spp. (6%). Of these studies, 54% were classified as in vitro studies, 14% as noninvasive, 30% as chronic, and 1% were considered acute. Nonhuman primates were primarily used in research areas in which they appear to be the most appropriate models for humans. The most common areas of research were microbiology (including HIV/AIDS (26%)), neuroscience (19%), and biochemistry/chemistry (12%). Most (84%) of the primate research published in 2001 was conducted in North America, Europe, and Japan. The animals and conditions under which they were housed and used were rarely described. Although it is estimated that nonhuman primates account for an extremely small fraction of all animals used in research, their special status makes it important to report the many husbandry and environmental factors that influence the research results generated. This analysis has identified that editors rarely require authors to provide comprehensive information concerning the subjects (e.g., their origin), treatment conditions, and experimental procedures utilized in the studies they publish. The present analysis addresses the use of primates for research, including the effects of a shortage of suitable nonhuman primate subjects in many research areas. Am. J. Primatol. 63:225,237, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Surgical Outcomes Following the Endoscopic Modified Lothrop Procedure,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2007Mobeen A. Shirazi MD Abstract Objective: We performed a systematic review of 97 patients in whom an entirely endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) was performed. We studied the safety, efficacy, need for revision surgery, and rate of complication following an EMLP. Study Design: The study design was a retrospective chart analysis. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review and patient survey of 97 patients who underwent an EMLP at our institution from January 1999 to March 2006. Main outcomes measured were the need for revision surgery including an osteoplastic flap (OPF), improvement in patients' symptoms, and rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Results: The most common indication for the procedure was chronic frontal sinusitis and/or formation of mucocele. The frontal recess and floor of the frontal sinus were the most common areas of persistent disease. CSF leak rate was 1% (1/97) and was managed successfully at the time of surgery without any long-term sequelae. Twenty-two (23%) patients required revision surgery. Three (3%) patients required revision with an OPF. Some degree of symptomatic clinical improvement was reported by 98% (95/97) of patients. Conclusion: EMLP is a safe and effective surgical alternative to OPF for patients with recalcitrant frontal sinus disease. Major complications are rare. A large percentage of patients may require revision surgery. [source] Managing biodiversity data within the context of climate change: towards best practiceAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010PAUL GIOIA Abstract Decision makers, planners and researchers have identified the need to assess the effects of climate change on biodiversity, resulting in extensive research across a number of fields. The availability of comprehensive, accurate and relevant data is central to undertaking effective research. However, the quality and availability of biodiversity information is substantially determined by current and historical data collection strategies. If researchers and planners are to make effective use of existing and future investments in biodiversity information, a strategic approach should be taken in identifying and implementing best practice information management. This paper discusses ways to improve institutional support for information management and increase the availability of quality information. The paper reviews the most common areas of climate change and biodiversity research, and identifies best practices in information management, focusing on data used within biodiversity and climate change analyses. [source] Examination of Research Trends on Patient Factors in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators,CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Lauren A. Stutts B.S. Abstract Background The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the most effective treatment available for terminating potentially life-threatening ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation and reducing the risk of mortality. Despite its established health benefits, ICD therapy is accompanied by a unique array of patient and psychological factors meriting ample research attention. The purpose of this paper is to examine research trends and results regarding patient factors in cardiac and ICD research and to discuss key areas for future research. Hypothesis: An increase in articles associated with patient factors in cardiac and ICD research will be shown over time. Methods: The Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) system in PubMed was used to index articles under a range of psychosocial headings for both cardiovascular disease and ICDs to quantify the frequency of articles published across time, the journals most frequently utilized, the most productive institutions, and the most common areas of inquiry. Results: A significant positive relationship was revealed between patient factors in cardiac research (r = 0.96, p<0.01) and ICD research (r = 0.88, p<0.01) over time. Research is limited by the small number of investigations and institutions. Of the 178 articles on patient factors in ICD research, the most frequent areas of inquiry were psychosocial treatment (70.79%), anxiety (33.15%), quality of life (32.02%), and depression (29.78%). Conclusion: Future research examining positive adjustment is warranted, especially in light of increased prophylactic ICD implantation and possible decreased treatment burden associated with decreased shocks. [source] | |||||||||||||