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Comprehensive Evaluation (comprehensive + evaluation)
Selected AbstractsGenome-wide profiling of humoral immune response to Coxiella burnetii infection by protein microarrayPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 12 2010Adam Vigil Abstract Comprehensive evaluation of the humoral immune response to Coxiella burnetii may identify highly needed diagnostic antigens and potential subunit vaccine candidates. Here we report the construction of a protein microarray containing 1901 C. burnetii ORFs (84% of the entire proteome). This array was probed with Q-fever patient sera and naïve controls in order to discover C. burnetii -specific seroreactive antigens. Among the 21 seroreactive antigens identified, 13 were significantly more reactive in Q-fever cases than naïve controls. The remaining eight antigens were cross-reactive in both C. burnetii infected and naïve patient sera. An additional 64 antigens displayed variable seroreactivity in Q-fever patients, and underscore the diversity of the humoral immune response to C. burnetii. Nine of the differentially reactive antigens were validated on an alternative immunostrip platform, demonstrating proof-of-concept development of a consistent, safe, and inexpensive diagnostic assay alternative. Furthermore, we report here the identification of several new diagnostic antigens and potential subunit vaccine candidates for the highly infectious category B alphaproteobacteria, C. burnetii. [source] Comprehensive evaluation of an online tobacco control continuing education course in CanadaTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 4 2008Kirsten E. Sears MHSc Abstract Introduction: To respond to the increasing need to build capacity for planning, implementing, and supporting tobacco control strategies, an evidence-based, online continuing education (CE) course aimed at Canadian public health professionals was developed. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the course, Tobacco and Public Health: From Theory to Practice (http://tobaccocourse.otru.org). Methods: Rossett and McDonald's revision of Kirkpatrick's four-level evaluation model for training programs guided the evaluation design. A pre-, post-, and follow-up single group design assessed immediate reactions to course modules, knowledge change and retention, practice change, and overall perceived value of the course. Six external peer reviewers evaluated course module content. Results: Fifty-nine participants completed all three course modules and the final online questionnaire at time 3, representing a response rate of 78%. Significant knowledge gains occurred between times 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). Although time 3 scores remained higher than time 1 scores for each module (p < 0.001), they decreased significantly between times 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). The majority of participants (93%) felt the topics covered were useful to their daily work. All but one participant felt the course was a good investment of their time, and nearly all participants (97%) stated they would recommend the course to others. Peer reviewers found that module content flowed well and was comprehensive. Discussion: This comprehensive evaluation was valuable both for assessing whether course goals were achieved and for identifying areas for course improvement. We expect this design would be a useful model to evaluate other online continuing education courses. [source] Comprehensive evaluation of the role of EZH2 in the growth, invasion, and aggression of a panel of prostate cancer cell linesTHE PROSTATE, Issue 6 2010Breanne D.W. Karanikolas Abstract BACKGROUND Although most prostate cancers respond well to initial treatments, a fraction of prostate cancers are more aggressive and will recur and metastasize. At that point, there are few treatment options available. Significant efforts have been made to identify biomarkers that will identify these more aggressive cancers to tailor a more vigorous treatment in order to improve outcome. Polycomb Group protein enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) was found to be overexpressed in metastatic prostate tumors, and is considered an excellent candidate for such a biomarker. Scattered studies have found that EZH2 overexpression causes neoplastic transformation, invasion, and growth of prostate cells. However, these studies utilized different systems and cell lines, and so are difficult to correlate with one another. METHODS In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the phenotypic effects of EZH2 in a panel of five prostate cancer cell lines was performed. By using multiple cell lines, and examining overexpression and knockdown of EZH2 concurrently, a broad view of EZH2's role in prostate cancer was achieved. RESULTS Overexpression of EZH2 led to more aggressive behaviors in all prostate cell lines tested. In contrast, downregulation of EZH2 reduced invasion and tumorigenicity of androgen-independent (AI) cell lines CWR22Rv1, PC3, and DU145, but not of androgen-dependent (AD) cell lines LAPC4 and LNCaP. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study suggest that AI prostate tumors are more dependent on EZH2 expression than AD tumors. Our observations provide an explanation for the strong correlation between EZH2 overexpression and advanced stage, aggressive prostate cancers. Prostate 70: 675,688, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A history of childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts clinical outcome in adult bipolar patients regardless of current ADHDACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009E. Rydén Objective:, The occurrence of comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might have an impact of the course of the bipolar disorder. Method:, Patients with bipolar disorder (n = 159) underwent a comprehensive evaluation with respect to affective symptoms. Independent psychiatrists assessed childhood and current ADHD, and an interview with a parent was undertaken. Results:, The prevalence of adult ADHD was 16%. An additional 12% met the criteria for childhood ADHD without meeting criteria for adult ADHD. Both these groups had significantly earlier onset of their first affective episode, more frequent affective episodes (except manic episodes), and more interpersonal violence than the bipolar patients without a history of ADHD. Conclusion:, The fact that bipolar patients with a history of childhood ADHD have a different clinical outcome than the pure bipolar group, regardless of whether the ADHD symptoms remained in adulthood or not, suggests that it represent a distinct early-onset phenotype of bipolar disorder. [source] General measures of cognition for the preschool childDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 3 2005Elizabeth O. LichtenbergerArticle first published online: 13 SEP 200 Abstract Preschool-age children who are experiencing delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or adaptive development are often referred for a comprehensive assessment to make diagnostic determinations and to help develop appropriate interventions. Typically cognitive assessment has a key role in a comprehensive evaluation of a young child. In this article, five individually administered tests of cognitive ability, normed for the preschool-age child, are reviewed. These specific tests include the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 3rd edition, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 5th edition, and the Differential Abilities Scales. The following is provided for these cognitive instruments: a description of the test procedures, information on scoring systems, highlights of the technical qualities, and a summary of the general meaning of test results. The article concludes with strengths and limitations of the instruments. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2005;11:197,208. [source] Usefulness of Live/Real Time Three-Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in Evaluation of Prosthetic Valve FunctionECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 10 2009Preeti Singh M.D. We studied 31 patients with prosthetic valves (PVs) using two-dimensional and three-dimensional transthorathic echocardiography (2DTTE and 3DTTE, respectively) in order to determine whether 3DTTE provides an incremental value on top of 2DTTE in the evaluation of these patients. With 3DTTE both leaflets of the St. Jude mechanical PV can be visualized simultaneously, thereby increasing the diagnostic confidence in excluding valvular abnormalities and overcoming the well-known limitations of 2DTTE in the examination of PVs, which heavily relies on Doppler. Three-dimensional transthorathic echocardiography provides a more comprehensive evaluation of PV regurgitation than 2DTTE with its ability to more precisely quantify PV regurgitation, in determining the mechanism causing regurgitation, and in localizing the regurgitant defect. Furthermore, 3DTTE is superior in identifying, quantifying, and localizing PV thrombi and vegetations, in addition to the unique feature of providing a look inside mass lesions by serial sectioning. These preliminary results suggest the superiority of 3DTTE over 2DTTE in the evaluation of PVs and that it provides incremental knowledge to the echocardiographer. [source] Two- and Three-Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of Hiatal HerniaECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2008Mohit Gupta M.D. Using two- (2DTTE) and three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) and an oral contrast agent (a carbonated beverage), a mass-like lesion behind the left ventricular posterior wall in an elderly female was definitively diagnosed as a hiatal hernia. A 3DTTE provided a more comprehensive evaluation of the hiatal hernia as compared to the 2DTTE in terms of its size and extent and thickness of the wall. The size of the hernia was underestimated by 2DTTE (3.3 × 3.2 cm) as compared to 3DTTE (at least 7 × 4.8 cm). The maximum thickness of the gastric wall was also found to be larger by 3DTTE (11 mm) as compared to 2DTTE (5 mm). Both the size of the hernia and thickness of the wall have important clinical implications. The size has been reported to be the strongest predictor of severity of esophagitis and gastric wall thickness of 10 mm or more has been associated with malignant or potentially malignant gastric lesions. [source] Intravenous lacosamide as short-term replacement for oral lacosamide in partial-onset seizuresEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2010Gregory Krauss Summary Purpose:, Lacosamide is a new antiepileptic drug effective for adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures. We evaluated the safety and tolerability of an intravenous (i.v.) formulation of lacosamide (200,800 mg/day) infused over 10, 15, and 30 min as short-term replacement for oral lacosamide in patients with partial-onset seizures. Methods:, This multicenter, open-label, inpatient trial enrolled 160 patients from ongoing open-label, long-term trials who were taking stable doses of oral lacosamide and up to three concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Serial cohorts of patients were converted from oral lacosamide treatment to the same intravenous doses infused over progressively shorter infusion durations: 30, 15, and 10 min for 2,5 days. A data monitoring committee (DMC) reviewed safety data for each cohort. The safety of intravenous lacosamide was assessed from adverse events (AEs), laboratory variables, electrocardiography findings, and physical/neurologic examinations. Results:, A total of 160 patients received lacosamide 200,800 mg/day, i.v., for 2,5 days, of which 69% received 400,800 mg/day doses. The most common AEs (reported by ,10% of patients) were headache, dizziness, and somnolence. There was no increase in frequency or severity of AEs with shorter durations of infusion or increased days of exposure. AEs were similar, but more frequent, with higher doses (,400 mg/day). Injection-site events were rare and did not appear to be linked to infusion doses or rates. Lacosamide plasma concentrations were linearly related to dose across the cohorts. Discussion:, This comprehensive evaluation supports the safety of an intravenous lacosamide infusion duration as short as 15 min for short-term (2,5 days) replacement for patients temporarily unable to take oral lacosamide. [source] "PHYBAL" a Short-Time Procedure for a Reliable Fatigue Life CalculationADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 4 2010Peter Starke Abstract The reliable calculation of the fatigue life of high-strength steels and components requires the systematic investigation of the cyclic deformation behaviour and the comprehensive evaluation of proceeding fatigue damage. Besides mechanical stress-strain hysteresis measurements, temperature and electrical resistance measurements were used for the detailed characterisation of the fatigue behaviour of the steel SAE 4140 in one quenched and tempered, one normalised, one bainitic and one martensitic condition. To guarantee optimal operation conditions the new fatigue life calculation method "PHYBAL" on the basis of generalised Morrow and Basquin equations was developed. It is a short-time procedure which requires the data of only three fatigue tests for a rapid and nevertheless precise determination of S-N (Woehler) curves. Consequently, "PHYBAL" provides the opportunity to reduce significantly experimental time and costs compared to conventional test methods. [source] Self-reported functional ability predicts three-year mobility and mortality in community-dwelling older personsGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2002Ryuichi Kawamoto Background:, A comprehensive evaluation of the functions of community-dwelling older persons was conducted in 1988. Three years after the 1988 study commenced, the relationship between these background factors and changes during the subsequent 3 years were examined. Methods: ,The study was a comprehensive evaluation of the daily functions of community-dwelling elderly people, and encompassed age, gender, mode of living, marital status, financial status, family relationships, basic activities of daily living, visual and hearing impairment, a history of disease, self-related feeling, social role, social support, habits and physical exercise and the relationship between independence and survival for 3 years after the basic study. The subjects were 2274 community-dwelling elderly people who participated in the first survey in July 1998 and who were aged 65 years and over at that time. Unassisted questionnaire sheets were used for the first survey and changes since the first survey. Results:, Thirty men and 60 women died during the 3 year period. Data were also gathered about the daily activity levels of 1709 persons (75.2%) with 1499 (87.7%) ranking J for independence and 210 persons (12.3%) ranking A to C for dependence. Age, gender, basic activities of daily living (BADL), history of falls, self-related happiness, participation in community events and physical-exercise habits were found to be explanatory variables for independence after three years; as were age, gender, and BADL for survival. Conclusion: , The explanatory variables relating to independence and prognosis of life of the elderly obtained in this study will be important in future considerations of the issue of care-taking and measures to enable it. [source] Osteoprotegerin and bone turnover markers in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patientsHIV MEDICINE, Issue 3 2005E Seminari Objectives To characterize osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, bone remodelling and bone mineral density (BMD) in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy, and to evaluate the clinical factors associated with bone density decline. Methods Heavily pretreated (>5 years) HIV-positive patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional, observational study, which was based on a total body bone densitometry examination and a comprehensive evaluation of bone and mineral parameters. Results Sixty-eight patients (55 male and 13 female) with a median age of 41 years (range 25,60 years) were included in the study. Their antiretroviral treatment lasted for 82 months. On the basis of the World Health Organization criteria, nine patients (13.2%) were osteoporotic [T-score<,2.5 standard deviation (SD)] and 19 patients (27.9%) were osteopenic (T-score between,1 and,2.5). The principal outcomes associated with the presence of a low BMD were high OPG and lysylpyridinoline/creatinine ratio (Dpd) values. Most of the patients (39 of 48; 81.25%) showed vitamin D insufficiency [Vitamin D (25(OH)D)<18 ng/mL] with secondary hyperparathyroidism (13 of 50 patients: 26%), which proved to be correlated to osteocalcin (BGP) levels [parathyroid hormone (PTH) vs. BGP: r=0.34; P<0.01]. There was an inverse correlation between T-scores and serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels, on one hand, and Dpd, on the other. High AP and Dpd values were associated with relative risks of 4.1 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01,17.6] and 7.2 (95% CI=1.67,31.03), respectively, of a pathological T-score. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with the presence of osteopenia or osteoporosis were older age and lower body mass index. Conclusions About 40% of our heavily pretreated subjects with advanced HIV infection had a low BMD, and 56% (24 of 44 patients) showed a high bone turnover rate with marked osteoclast activation. High OPG levels may protect against bone resorption. [source] Molecular analysis of ARSA and PSAP genes in twenty-one Italian patients with metachromatic leukodystrophy: identification and functional characterization of 11 novel ARSA alleles,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 11 2008Serena Grossi Abstract Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), the demyelinating disorder resulting from impaired sulfatide catabolism, is caused by allelic mutations of the Arylsulfatase A (ARSA) locus except for extremely rare cases of Saposin-B (Sap-B) deficiency. We characterized twenty-one unrelated Italian patients among which seventeen were due to ARSA activity deficiency and 4 others resulted from Saposin-B defect. Overall, we found 20 different mutant ARSA alleles and 2 different Sap-B alleles. The eleven new ARSA alleles (c.53C>A; c.88G>C; c.372G>A; c.409_411delCCC; c.634G>C; [c.650G>A;c.1108C>T]; c.845A>G; c.906G>C; c.919G>T; c.1102-3C>G; c.1126T>A) were functionally characterized and the novel amino acid changes were also modelled into the three-dimensional structure. The present study is aimed at providing a broader picture of the molecular basis of MLD in the Italian population. It also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive evaluation in MLD diagnosis including biochemical, enzymatic and molecular investigations. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Toll-Like Receptors in Older AdultsJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2007David Van Duin MD Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize a limited number of conserved elements in pathogens and, by activating antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells and monocytes and macrophages, play a crucial role in the immune response to infection and vaccination. Most data on TLR function in the context of human aging focus on responses to lipopolysaccharide, an integral component of gram-negative bacteria, which signals through TLR4. However, such studies have not led to a consensus conclusion and are limited by differences in epidemiological and laboratory methods. A recent comprehensive evaluation of TLR function in monocytes from older adults was conducted using a multivariable mixed statistical model to account for covariates. It was found that cytokine production after TLR1/2 engagement, which is essential for the recognition of triacylated lipopeptides found in a variety of bacteria, is substantially lower in monocytes from older adults. The upregulation of costimulatory proteins such as CD80, essential for optimal activation of T cells, on monocytes from older adults was less for all TLR ligands tested than for cells from young individuals, and the extent of CD80 upregulation predicted subsequent antibody response to influenza immunization. These and other consequences of aging on human TLR function may impair activation of the immune response and contribute to poorer vaccine responses and greater morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases in older adults. Such age-associated alterations have particular relevance in view of the interest in TLR agonists as therapeutic agents not only for infections, but also for allergic, autoimmune, and malignant disease. [source] A case-based review of a simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 5 2008DACVECC, Kate Hopper BVSc Abstract Objective , To present a simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysis and to demonstrate its clinical utility. Data Sources , Original research articles and textbooks. Data Synthesis , A simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysis is presented, which is derived from the Fencl-Stewart approach and calculates the magnitude of the effect on the standardized base excess (SBE) of 5 separate variables: (1) a free water effect (marked by sodium concentration), (2) an effect marked by the chloride concentration, (3) an albumin effect, (4) a lactate effect, and (5) a phosphate effect. Six clinical cases with acid-base abnormalities are presented in which the quantitative approach provides information that is not apparent from the traditional approach. Conclusion , This simplified quantitative approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of complex acid-base disorders, identifies individual processes and their relative influence on SBE, and aids in the development of an appropriate therapeutic plan. [source] Are Teen Courts An Answer to Our Juvenile Delinquency Problems?JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JOURNAL, Issue 4 2000PAIGE HARRISON ABSTRACT Teen courts are being implemented across the country at a speed that surpasses the celerity with which research of program effectiveness can be performed. This study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of the Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Teen Court by looking at the rate of recidivism for, program participants as well as possible influential factors upon the rate of recidivism. The subjects were 478 randomly selected participants who were traced though the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office to detect any referrals following teen court participation. The study found a recidivism rate of 25% between 1994 and 1998, which was affected by several factors, including gender, age, prior offenses, and program completion. The study was not a comprehensive evaluation, but it did reinforce the need for further research in the area. [source] The effect of an empirical trial of high-dose lansoprazole on symptom response of patients with non-cardiac chest pain , a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trialALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2004J. Bautista Summary Background :,Empirical trial with high-dose omeprazole has been shown to be a sensitive tool for diagnosing patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related non-cardiac chest pain. Aim :,To determine the clinical value of an empirical trial of high-dose lansoprazole in detecting patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related non-cardiac chest pain. Methods :,Patients who were referred by a cardiologist after a comprehensive evaluation, with at least three episodes per week of unexplained chest pain as the predominant symptom, were enrolled into the study. Oesophageal mucosal disease was determined by upper endoscopy followed by 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring to assess acid exposure. Patients were then randomized to either placebo or lansoprazole 60 mg am and 30 mg pm for 7 days. After a washout period of 1 week, patients crossed over to the other arm of the study for an additional 7 days. Patients completed a daily diary assessing severity and frequency of chest pain as the predominant symptom throughout the baseline treatment and washout periods. The lansoprazole empirical trial was considered diagnostic if chest pain score improved ,50% than baseline. Results :,Of the 40 patients with non-cardiac chest pain that were enrolled, 18 (45%) had erosive oesophagitis and/or abnormal pH test (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-positive) and 22 (55%) had both tests negative (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-negative). Of the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-positive patients, 14 (78%) had significantly higher symptom improvement on lansoprazole than on placebo (22%) (P = 0.0143). Of the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-negative group, two (9.1%) markedly improved on the medication and eight (36.3%) on placebo (P = 0.75). The sensitivity and specificity of the lansoprazole empirical trial was 78 and 80%, respectively. By day 2, 12 (85.7%) of the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related non-cardiac chest pain responders had either complete or almost complete symptom resolution. Conclusions :,The lansoprazole empirical trial is highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related non-cardiac chest pain patients. The trial enables diagnosing most of the responders within the first 2 days and thus a shorter duration of therapy may be considered in a subset of non-cardiac chest pain patients. [source] Building local program evaluation capacity toward a comprehensive evaluationNEW DIRECTIONS FOR EVALUATION, Issue 95 2002Hao Tang This chapter presents a state agency's approach to developing and improving the self-assessment and accountability of local progams overseen and funded by a large statewide program. Specifically, a self-assessment approach to evaluating local tobacco control programs and projects in California is introduced as an example of "empowerment evaluation" in action. [source] Nutritional deficiencies in iron overloaded patients with hemoglobinopathies,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Susan Claster One of the hallmarks of both sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia major (TM) is accelerated oxidative damage. Decreased antioxidant levels and increased oxidant stress biomarkers are found in both diseases. Although isolated vitamin deficiencies have been reported in TM and nontransfused SCD patients, a comprehensive evaluation of vitamin and trace mineral levels has never been performed in chronically transfused SCD or TM patients. As vitamins and trace minerals may be consumed as a result of chronic oxidative stress; we hypothesized that levels of these compounds would correlate with surrogates of iron overload, hemolysis, and inflammation in chronically transfused patients. Using a convenience sample of our group of chronically transfused patients we studied 43 patients with SCD (17 male, 26 female) and 24 patients with TM (13 male and 11 female). The age range for our patients varied from 1.5 to 31.4 years. Levels of vitamins A, thiamin, B6, B12, C, D, E as well as selenium, zinc, copper, and ceruloplasmin were measured. We found that 40,75% of the patients were deficient in A, C, D and selenium and 28,38% of the patients had low levels of B vitamins and folate. There was little association with iron overload, hemolysis, or inflammation. Although the precise mechanism of these deficiencies is unclear, they may contribute to the morbidity of chronically transfused hemoglobinopathy patients. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative: Pinellas County, FloridaPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 5 2003Kathleen Hague Armstrong The Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) Initiative in Pinellas County, FL, emerged as a part of a broader local effort to implement creative educational and mental health programs to support children and families. This initiative focused on capacity building, prevention, and intervention efforts and comprehensive evaluation to address the barriers to learning and enhance healthy development. This article describes Pinellas County's plan, and highlights the instrumental roles played by school psychologists, which included grant writing, program and resource coordination, clinical services, program evaluation, staff training, parent advocacy, and steering committee membership. Promising outcomes and generalization of these findings to other communities is also discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 489,501, 2003. [source] Treatment technology for remediation of wood preserving sites: OverviewREMEDIATION, Issue 3 2000Edward R. Bates This is the first in a series of five articles describing the applicability, performance, and cost of technologies for the remediation of contaminated soil and water at wood preserving sites. Site-specific treatability studies conducted under the supervision of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), from 1995 through 1997 constitute much of the basis for the evaluations presented, although data from other treatability studies, literature sources, and actual site remediations have also been included to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of remediation technologies. This article provides an overview of the wood preserving sites studied, including contaminant levels, and a summary of the performance of the technologies evaluated. The subsequent articles discuss the performance of each technology in more detail. Three articles discuss technologies for the treatment of soils, including solidification/stabilization, biological treatment, solvent extraction and soil washing. One article discusses technologies for the treatment of liquids, water and nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLS), including biological treatment, carbon adsorption, photolytic oxidation, and hydraulic containment. The reader should be aware that other technologies including, but not limited to, incineration, thermal desorption, and base catalyzed dehalogenation, also have application for treating contaminants on wood preserving sites. They are not discussed in these five articles since the focus was to evaluate lesser known and hopefully lower cost approaches. However, the reader should include consideration of these other technologies as part of any evaluation or screening of technologies applicable to remediation of wood preserving sites. [source] Comprehensive evaluation of an online tobacco control continuing education course in CanadaTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 4 2008Kirsten E. Sears MHSc Abstract Introduction: To respond to the increasing need to build capacity for planning, implementing, and supporting tobacco control strategies, an evidence-based, online continuing education (CE) course aimed at Canadian public health professionals was developed. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the course, Tobacco and Public Health: From Theory to Practice (http://tobaccocourse.otru.org). Methods: Rossett and McDonald's revision of Kirkpatrick's four-level evaluation model for training programs guided the evaluation design. A pre-, post-, and follow-up single group design assessed immediate reactions to course modules, knowledge change and retention, practice change, and overall perceived value of the course. Six external peer reviewers evaluated course module content. Results: Fifty-nine participants completed all three course modules and the final online questionnaire at time 3, representing a response rate of 78%. Significant knowledge gains occurred between times 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). Although time 3 scores remained higher than time 1 scores for each module (p < 0.001), they decreased significantly between times 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). The majority of participants (93%) felt the topics covered were useful to their daily work. All but one participant felt the course was a good investment of their time, and nearly all participants (97%) stated they would recommend the course to others. Peer reviewers found that module content flowed well and was comprehensive. Discussion: This comprehensive evaluation was valuable both for assessing whether course goals were achieved and for identifying areas for course improvement. We expect this design would be a useful model to evaluate other online continuing education courses. [source] American board of medical specialties and repositioning for excellence in lifelong learning: Maintenance of certificationTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 3 2005FACS President, Stephen H. Miller MD Abstract The board certification movement was founded out of a concern for the quality of care, and today, more than 85% of all physicians licensed to practice medicine in the United States have been certified by an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board. There is increasing evidence of a need for continuous monitoring and promotion of quality as well as for assessment and documentation that certified medical specialists are keeping up-to-date so that their continuing competence can be documented. To help, the ABMS established a program called Maintenance of Certification, a system that includes periodic examination of knowledge and the comprehensive evaluation of practice. Maintenance of Certification includes 4 major components: professional standing, including an unrestricted license to practice medicine; lifelong learning and self-assessment; demonstrated cognitive expertise; and practice performance assessment. The efforts of the Conjoint Committee on Continuing Medical Education press continuing medical education providers to facilitate self-directed learning and directed self-learning while driving lifelong learning and assessment into the clinical practices of all physicians who seek to continuously upgrade their knowledge, skills, and behaviors to provide quality medical care. [source] Comprehensive evaluation of the role of EZH2 in the growth, invasion, and aggression of a panel of prostate cancer cell linesTHE PROSTATE, Issue 6 2010Breanne D.W. Karanikolas Abstract BACKGROUND Although most prostate cancers respond well to initial treatments, a fraction of prostate cancers are more aggressive and will recur and metastasize. At that point, there are few treatment options available. Significant efforts have been made to identify biomarkers that will identify these more aggressive cancers to tailor a more vigorous treatment in order to improve outcome. Polycomb Group protein enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) was found to be overexpressed in metastatic prostate tumors, and is considered an excellent candidate for such a biomarker. Scattered studies have found that EZH2 overexpression causes neoplastic transformation, invasion, and growth of prostate cells. However, these studies utilized different systems and cell lines, and so are difficult to correlate with one another. METHODS In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the phenotypic effects of EZH2 in a panel of five prostate cancer cell lines was performed. By using multiple cell lines, and examining overexpression and knockdown of EZH2 concurrently, a broad view of EZH2's role in prostate cancer was achieved. RESULTS Overexpression of EZH2 led to more aggressive behaviors in all prostate cell lines tested. In contrast, downregulation of EZH2 reduced invasion and tumorigenicity of androgen-independent (AI) cell lines CWR22Rv1, PC3, and DU145, but not of androgen-dependent (AD) cell lines LAPC4 and LNCaP. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study suggest that AI prostate tumors are more dependent on EZH2 expression than AD tumors. Our observations provide an explanation for the strong correlation between EZH2 overexpression and advanced stage, aggressive prostate cancers. Prostate 70: 675,688, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quercetin pharmacokinetics in humansBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 4 2008Young J. Moon Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the pharmacokinetics of quercetin aglycone as well as its conjugated metabolites and to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for quercetin that incorporates enterohepatic recirculation. The stability of quercetin in different matrices at various temperatures and pH, and the quercetin content of six capsules of the herbal preparation Quercetin-500 Plus® were determined by HPLC. Subjects received quercetin 500,mg three times daily and blood and urine samples were obtained. The concentration of quercetin aglycone and conjugated metabolites were assayed using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental analysis with WinNonlin. A population compartment model incorporating input from the gallbladder was developed to account for the enterohepatic recirculation observed with quercetin. The oral clearance (CL/F) was high (3.5,×,104l/h) with an average terminal half-life of 3.5,h for quercetin. The plasma concentration versus time curves exhibited re-entry peaks. A one-compartment model that included enterohepatic recirculation best described the plasma data. This represents the first comprehensive evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and enterohepatic recirculation of quercetin in humans. Population pharmacokinetic models adapted for enterohepatic recirculation allowed an assessment of the magnitude and frequency of the enterohepatic recirculation process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modeling Conductive Heat Transfer and Process Uniformity during Batch High-Pressure Processing of FoodsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2000Siegfried Denys A numerical model for predicting conductive heat transfer during batch high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing of foods was developed and tested for a food simulator (agar gel). For a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed method, both "conventional" HHP processes, HHP processes with gradual, step-by-step pressure buildup and pressure release, and pressure cycling HHP processes were included. In all cases, good agreement between experimental and predicted temperature profiles was observed. The model provides a very useful tool to evaluate batch HHP processes in terms of uniformity of any heat- and/or pressure-related effect. This is illustrated for inactivation of Bacillus subtilis ,-amylase, an enzymatic model system with known pressure-temperature degradation kinetics. [source] Postmarketing surveillance for human teratogenicity: A model approach,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2001Christina D. Chambers Background Most congenital defects associated with prenatal exposures are notable for a pattern of major and minor malformations, rather than for a single major malformation. Thus, traditional epidemiological methods are not universally effective in identifying new teratogens. The purpose of this report is to outline a complementary approach that can be used in addition to other more established methods to provide the most comprehensive evaluation of prenatal exposures with respect to teratogenicity. Methods We describe a multicenter prospective cohort study design involving dysmorphological assessment of liveborn infants. This design uses the Organization of Teratology Information Services, a North American network of information providers who also collaborate for research purposes. Procedures for subject selection, methods for data collection, standard criteria for outcome classification, and the approach to analysis are detailed. Results The focused cohort study design allows for evaluation of a spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes ranging from spontaneous abortion to functional deficit. While sample sizes are typically inadequate to identify increased risks for single major malformations, the use of dysmorphological examinations to classify structural anomalies provides the unique advantage of screening for a pattern of malformation among exposed infants. Conclusions As the known human teratogens are generally associated with patterns of structural defects, it is only when studies of this type are used in combination with more traditional methods that we can achieve an acceptable level of confidence regarding the risk or safety of specific exposures during pregnancy. Teratology 64:252,261, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hydrocarbon Accumulation Conditions of Ordovician Carbonate in Tarim BasinACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 5 2010LI Qiming Abstract: Based on comprehensive analysis of reservoir-forming conditions, the diversity of reservoir and the difference of multistage hydrocarbon charge are the key factors for the carbonate hydrocarbon accumulation of the Ordovician in the Tarim Basin. Undergone four major deposition-tectonic cycles, the Ordovician carbonate formed a stable structural framework with huge uplifts, in which are developed reservoirs of the reef-bank type and unconformity type, and resulted in multistage hydrocarbon charge and accumulation during the Caledonian, Late Hercynian and Late Himalayan. With low matrix porosity and permeability of the Ordovician carbonate, the secondary solution pores and caverns serve as the main reservoir space. The polyphase tectonic movements formed unconformity reservoirs widely distributed around the paleo-uplifts; and the reef-bank reservoir is controlled by two kinds of sedimentary facies belts, namely the steep slope and gentle slope. The unconventional carbonate pool is characterized by extensive distribution, no obvious edge water or bottom water, complicated oil/gas/water relations and severe heterogeneity controlled by reservoirs. The low porosity and low permeability reservoir together with multi-period hydrocarbon accumulation resulted in the difference and complex of the distribution and production of oil/gas/water. The distribution of hydrocarbon is controlled by the temporal-spatial relation between revolution of source rocks and paleo-uplifts. The heterogenetic carbonate reservoir and late-stage gas charge are the main factors making the oil/ gas phase complicated. The slope areas of the paleo-uplifts formed in the Paleozoic are the main carbonate exploration directions based on comprehensive evaluation. The Ordovician of the northern slope of the Tazhong uplift, Lunnan and its periphery areas are practical exploration fields. The Yengimahalla-Hanikatam and Markit slopes are the important replacement targets for carbonate exploration. Gucheng, Tadong, the deep layers of Cambrian dolomite in the Lunnan and Tazhong-Bachu areas are favorable directions for research and risk exploration. [source] An observational measure of children's behavioural style: Evidence supporting a multi-method approach to studying temperamentINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2004Jennifer Karp Abstract This study demonstrates the potential utility of the Behavioural Style Observational System (BSOS) as a new observational measure of children's behavioural style. The BSOS is an objective, short and easy to use measure that can be readily adapted to a variety of home and laboratory situations. In the present study, 160 mother,child dyads from the Concordia Longitudinal Risk Project (CLRP) were observed during an 11-min behavioural sample. Videotaped interactions were coded using the BSOS for children's mood, activity level, vocal reactivity, approach to toys, mood consistency and adaptability. Comparisons between the BSOS observational ratings and mothers' ratings of the child on the EAS Temperament Survey (EAS) provided support for modest congruence between these two measurement systems, and revealed a differential predictive pattern of children's functioning. Specifically, the observation-based BSOS predicted children's cognitive performance and adaptive behaviour during testing, whereas the mother-rated EAS predicted maternal ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems. Both measures were found to independently predict mothers' ratings of parenting stress. Overall, the findings imply that neither observational measures nor maternal ratings alone are sufficient to understand children's behavioural style, and that comprehensive evaluations of children's temperament should optimally include both types of measures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Role of two component signaling response regulators in acid tolerance of Streptococcus mutansMOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009M. Kawada-Matsuo Introduction:, In bacteria, two-component systems (TCS) involving the products of a histidine kinase gene (hk) and a response regulator gene (rr) play important roles in adaptation to environmental changes. Fourteen hk - rr homologs and one orphan rr homolog were identified in the Streptococcus mutans UA159 genome database. There have been no comprehensive evaluations of the roles of rr homologs in the acid tolerance of S. mutans. Methods:, The TCS genes (tcs) of S. mutans were designated smtcs01,15. Mutants of S. mutans UA159 with deletions of rr and hk-rr were constructed. Acid tolerance was evaluated by comparing the doubling times at pH 7.2 and pH 5.5 between the wild-type and mutant strains. Results:, Excluding smtcs10 and 12, for which viable mutants could not be obtained, a total of 13 rr deletion mutants were constructed. The rr deletions in smtcs03, 05, 08, and 13 resulted in diminished acid tolerance in comparison with UA159. The hk-rr double-mutants exhibited acid sensitivity levels similar to those of the corresponding rr mutants. The results of the present study reveal the involvement of the rr genes of smtcs03 and 05 in acid tolerance. Deletion of hk and/or rr in smtcs03 generated an acid-sensitive phenotype. In contrast, for smtcs05, while deletion of rr resulted in reduced acid tolerance, a single-deletion of hk had no effect on acid tolerance. Conclusions:, We implicated two rr genes in the acid tolerance of S. mutans. In particular, smtcs05 is a novel tcs, the sole rr of which is involved in the acid tolerance of S. mutans. [source] Age of Onset as a Discriminator Between Alcoholic Subtypes in a Treatment-Seeking Outpatient PopulationTHE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 1 2000Bankole A. Johnson M.D., Ph.D. Subtyping alcoholics may provide a more accurate guide as to the course and character of the disease. Classifications of different ages of onset of problem drinking have so far resulted in categorical inconsistencies. In the past, hospital-based alcoholics have over-represented those most severely ill, and comprehensive evaluations of psychopathology for discriminating between alcoholic subtypes have been infrequent. In a heterogeneous treatment-seeking, outpatient, alcoholic population, we tested the hypothesis that age of onset represents a continuum of disease, and that greater severity of psychopathology is associated with lower ages of onset. Using a standard questionnaire, 253 male and female treatment-seeking alcoholics were stratified according to specific ages of onset: a) <20 years; b) 20,25 years, and c) >25 years. These age of onset groups were compared on alcohol severity and craving, family history, childhood behavior, personality, hostility, overt aggression, mood, and social functioning. Symptom severity and age of onset were negatively correlated, and the 20,25-year onset group usually had intermediate scores. The <20 year onset group was characterized by greater severity of alcohol-related problems, family history, childhood behavioral problems, craving, hostility, antisocial traits, mood disturbance, and poor social functioning. Alcoholics with an earlier age of onset have relatively greater psychopathology than those of later onset. While the preponderance of psychopathology among those in the <20-year onset group could be conceptualized as a clinical "subtype," such a characterization would not define an entirely homogenous category. Yet, this clinical characterization would be clinically important if specific age of onset levels were found to be differentially sensitive to pharmacological and/or psychological treatments. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||