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Selected AbstractsUnderstanding herb and dietary supplement use in patients with epilepsyEPILEPSIA, Issue 8 2009Kitti Kaiboriboon Summary Objective:, To determine the prevalence of herb and dietary supplement use and to provide a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing the use of these products in patients with epilepsy. Methods:, We performed a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires in a selected group of patients who were receiving care at a tertiary epilepsy center. Logistic regression was used to measure the association between the demographic variables and herb and dietary supplement use. In addition, we performed a MEDLINE search for each of the herb and dietary products used by our patients to determine the effect of these products on seizures and on their potential for interactions with other drugs metabolized by the liver. Results:, One hundred eighty-seven patients completed the survey. Fifty-six percent of this group of patients with epilepsy used herbs and dietary supplements at the time of the survey. A considerable portion (71%) of these patients reported the use of these products to their physician, and most of them relied on their physicians as the primary source of information. Most of the patients used dietary supplement for health promotion rather than to specifically benefit their epilepsy condition. Approximately one-third of patients used herb or dietary supplements that had the potential to increase seizures (16%) or to interact with hepatically metabolized drugs (19%). The most powerful independent predictors of herb and dietary supplement use were partial epilepsy [odds ratio (OR) 3.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27,8.88] and Caucasian race (OR 3.55; 95% CI 1.11,11.34). Conclusion:, Patients with epilepsy commonly used dietary supplements along with their antiepileptic medications. The majority of these patients used herb and dietary supplements for health promotion rather than because of dissatisfaction with conventional treatment. It is important that physicians involved in the care of patients with epilepsy routinely inquire about the use of dietary supplements and that they make use of reliable resources to assess the safety of these products with regard to modification of seizure risk and the potential for interactions with antiepileptic drugs. [source] The influence of family environment and child temperament on work/family role strain for mothers and fathersINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2003Marceline Lee Abstract This study examined the additive effect of structural variables, child characteristics, and the family environment on mothers' and fathers' work/family role strain. Differences between mothers and fathers on these variables were also examined. The sample consisted of 36 dualearner families whose children had been in daycare from infancy through 4 years of age. Structural variables included work schedules and time spent with child for mothers only, fathers only, and both parents together with child. Child characteristics included temperament and health. Family environment variables included different components of the family environment (conflict, cohesion, expressiveness, organization, and control) and parenting daily hassles. Results showed that mothers' time with child and caregiving for child were greater than fathers'. Mothers reported more expressiveness in the family and more daily hassles with children than fathers. Mothers' level of role strain was also significantly higher than fathers'. For mothers, role strain was associated with hours away from home, child sociability, family conflict, and daily hassles resulting in an R2 of 0.57. Fathers' role strain was associated with family expressiveness, organization, and their wives' daily hassles resulting in an R2 of 0.37. Data suggest that mothers' and fathers' role strain may be driven by somewhat different factors. For women, aspects of the family and the child and work hours accounted for a considerable portion of the variance while for men, only aspects of the family environment were associated with their level of role strain. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Using the Web as a Research Source: Implications for L2 Academic WritingMODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005PAUL STAPLETON As scholars increasingly view the World Wide Web (the Web) as a legitimate research resource in academic writing, questions remain regarding how Web sources, as new media, influence the writing of second and foreign language (L2) learners. Via a 17-item questionnaire and an analysis of the references to 243 Web sources in the essays of 43 Japanese undergraduate English as a foreign language writers, this study examined whether (a) Web-based research influenced the writers' topic choice; (b) their choice of Web sources was appropriate for an academic essay; and (c) using an online, electronic environment would lead writers to use new language-related strategies. The findings suggested a possible shift towards more internationally oriented topics as a result of the predominance of English language sites on the Web. In addition, a considerable portion of the participants' references came from Web genres of questionable suitability for an academic paper. In a similar vein, working in an electronic environment was an enticement for some L2 writers to take ethically dubious shortcuts in their writing. [source] Diversity of endophytic fungi of single Norway spruce needles and their role as pioneer decomposersMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 7 2001Michael M. Müller Abstract The diversity of endophytic fungi within single symptomless Norway spruce needles is described and their possible role as pioneer decomposers after needle detachment is investigated. The majority (90%) of all 182 isolates from green intact needles were identified as Lophodermium piceae. Up to 34 isolates were obtained from single needles. Generally, all isolates within single needles had distinct randomly amplified microsatellite (RAMS) patterns. Single trees may thus contain a higher number of L. piceae individuals than the number of their needles. To investigate the ability of needle endophytes to act as pioneer decomposers, surface-sterilized needles were incubated on sterile sand inoculated with autoclaved or live spruce forest humus layer. The dry weight loss of 13,17% found in needles after a 20-week incubation did not significantly differ between the sterilized and live treatments. Hence, fungi surviving the surface sterilization of needles can act as pioneer decomposers. A considerable portion of the needles remained green during the incubation. Brown and black needles, in which the weight loss had presumably taken place, were invaded throughout by single haplotypes different from L. piceae. Instead, Tiarasporella parca, a less common needle endophyte, occurred among these invaders of brown needles. Needle endophytes of Norway spruce seem thus to have different abilities to decompose host tissues after needle cast. L. piceae is obviously not an important pioneer decomposer of Norway spruce needles. The diversity of fungal individuals drops sharply when needles start to decompose. Thus, in single needles the decomposing mycota is considerably less diverse than the endophytic mycota. [source] The bromodomain-containing protein Bdf1p acts as a phenotypic and transcriptional multicopy suppressor of YAF9 deletion in yeastMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Michele M. Bianchi Summary It was observed previously that the deletion of the open reading frame YNL107w (YAF9) was highly pleiotropic in yeast and caused defective growth phenotypes in the presence of several unrelated inhibitors, including caesium chloride. We have selected multicopy extragenic suppressor genes, revealing that this phenotype can be suppressed by overdosing the transcription factors BDF1 and GAT1 in the yaf9, strain. We focused our analysis on suppression by BDF1 and performed a genome-wide transcript analysis on a yaf9, strain, compared with the wild-type and BDF1 -suppressed strains. YAF9 deletion has a clear effect on transcription and leads to modulation of the level of expression of several genes. Transcription of a considerable portion of the underexpressed genes is restored to wild-type levels in the BDF1 -suppressed strain. We show by chromatin immunoprecipitation that both Yaf9p and Bdf1p bind to promoters of some of these genes and that the level of H3 and H4 acetylation at one of these promoters is significantly lowered in the yaf9 deleted strain, compared with the wild-type and the BDF1 -suppressed strains. [source] Experimental study of sharp-tipped projectile perforation of GFRP plates containing sand filler under high velocity impact and quasi-static loadingsPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 10 2009Ali Reza Sabet Penetration and perforation behavior of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) plates containing 20% sand filler have been investigated via high velocity impact tests using sharp tipped (30°) projectile and quasi-static perforation tests. Two size sand filler (75 and 600 ,m) were used in 4-, 8-, and 14-layered laminated composite plates to study sensitivity of filler size toward loading system. Composite plates were examined for perforation load rate at 5 mm/min and high-velocity impact loading up to 220 m/s. Results indicated higher energy absorption for GFRP plates containing sand filler for both high-velocity impact and quasi-static perforation tests. Higher ballistic limits were recorded for specimens containing sand filler. The study showed clear role played by coarse-sized sand filler as a secondary reinforcement in terms of higher energy absorption as compared with nonfilled and specimens containing fine-sized fillers. The investigation successfully characterized behavior of quasi-static test during penetration and perforation of the sharp-tipped indenter as an aid for impact application studies. Residual frictional load in the specimens containing sand filler constituted considerable portion of load bearing during perforation in quasi-static tests. Delaminations followed by fiber and matrix fracture were major failure mode in high-velocity tests and the main energy absorbing mechanism in thick-walled plates, whereas in quasi-static tests the failures were more of matrix fracture and fiber sliding. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] PSA surge/flare-up in patients with castration-refractory prostate cancer during the initial phase of chemotherapyTHE PROSTATE, Issue 16 2009T. Nelius Abstract BACKGROUND Docetaxel-based chemotherapy has shown great promise for the treatment of CRPC and is considered the current standard of care. PSA is mainly used as marker to monitor the treatment response. Several articles were published reporting an initial PSA surge/flare-up after starting chemotherapy. The cause and the impact of this phenomenon are discussed controversially. The intention of this review is to define the significance of initial PSA surge/flare-up and to increase awareness to this phenomenon in the urological community. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed in different data bases using various key words. Relevant articles and references between 1999 and 2009 were reviewed and analyzed for data on the association between chemotherapy and initial PSA surge/flare. RESULTS The incidence of a PSA surge/flare-up ranges according to the reported studies between 7.6% and 13.6%. A PSA surge/flare-up was reported up to 404% from baseline PSA level followed by PSA response. The median duration of a PSA surge/flare-up is 2,3 weeks and can last up to 6,8 weeks. However, the occurrence of a PSA surge/flare-up did not impact outcome and survival negatively compared to patients with an immediate PSA response. CONCLUSIONS A considerable portion of CRPC patients experience an initial PSA surge/flare-up under systemic chemotherapy. The definitions used for PSA surge/flare-up differ slightly in the literature. This issue needs to be solved since it might impact defining treatment response. As a PSA surge/flare-up did not impact outcome and survival negatively, chemotherapy should be continued according to the literature addressing specifically the phenomenon of a PSA surge/flare-up for a minimum of 8 weeks or 3 rounds of a 3-weekly cycle chemotherapy regimen before further decisions are made about efficacy. However, Scher et al. recommended a 12-week period drug exposure based on their results on PSA progression-free survival and overall survival. This dilemma needs to be addressed in further data analysis in order to establish a general rule regarding when to stop chemotherapy. Physicians should be aware of this effect to avoid inadequate early discontinuation of chemotherapy. The underlying mechanisms of a PSA surge/flare-up are still elusive and need further clarification. Prostate 69: 1802,1807, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Serum biomarker for progranulin-associated frontotemporal lobar degeneration,ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2009Kristel Sleegers MD Objective Mutations that lead to a loss of progranulin (PGRN) explain a considerable portion of the occurrence of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. We tested a biomarker allowing rapid detection of a loss of PGRN. Methods We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure in serum the PGRN protein levels of six affected and eight unaffected carriers from within an extended Belgian founder family segregating the null mutation IVS1+5G>C. Further, we measured serum PGRN levels in 2 patients with another null mutation (a Met1 and a frameshift mutation), in 4 patients carrying a predicted pathogenic missense mutation and in 5 patients carrying a benign missense polymorphism, in 9 unaffected noncarrier relatives, and in 22 community controls. Results Serum PGRN levels were reduced in both affected and unaffected null mutation carriers compared with noncarrier relatives (pexact < 0.0001), and allowed perfect discrimination between carriers and noncarriers (sensitivity: 1.0; 1 , specificity: 0.0). Serum PGRN levels in Cys139Arg and Arg564Cys mutation carriers were significantly lower than in controls, but greater than in null mutation carriers, fitting the hypothesis of partial loss of function caused by these missense mutations. As expected, levels for carriers of benign missense polymorphisms were not significantly different from controls. Interpretation Our results indicate that the serum PGRN level is a reliable biomarker for diagnosing and early detection of frontotemporal lobar degeneration caused by PGRN null mutations, and provided the first in vivo evidence that at least some missense mutations in PGRN may lead to a (partial) loss of PGRN. Ann Neurol 2009 [source] Forward Osmosis Process for Dialysis Fluid RegenerationARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 12 2009Khaled Mohamed Talaat Abstract In a preliminary experiment, 38% of the spent dialysis fluid water was reclaimed by a forward osmosis process through a cellulose triacetate membrane. The simplicity of forward osmosis and its minimal external energy requirements may allow the construction of a small bulk device that can reclaim a considerable portion of the water used in the patient's dialysis process. For developing an acceptable ambulatory dialysis system, decreasing the bulk of the fluid and equipment carried on the patient is essential. Forward osmosis may feasibly be used for dialysis fluid regeneration in ambulatory dialysis systems. [source] Social Protection in Vietnam and Obstacles to ProgressivityASIAN SOCIAL WORK AND POLICY REVIEW, Issue 1 2008Martin Evans The present paper analyzes the incidence and progressivity of Vietnamese state income transfers using survey data from the Vietnamese Household Living Standards Survey 2004. Data quality and sample selection issues are highlighted, especially in the coverage of rural-urban migrants. Simple income-based profiles of incidence are matched to several influences that confound and complicate the measurement of progressivity. The issue of the informal economy is highlighted through analysis of both the extent of private inter-household transfers and remittances and their relationship with state transfers, and in the informal charges that accompany uptake of state services and other petty corruption. Second, the issue of user-charges for health and education services is considered, as a considerable portion of state transfers are related to the take up of schooling and health care. Third, the issue of behavioral effects is also considered, concentrating on private inter-household transfers. The paper concludes by drawing together the evidence and the obstacles to measurement and progressivity to argue a range of data collection, methodological and policy recommendations. [source] Movements of Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) in a large Australian lowland riverECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2009J. D. Koehn Abstract,,, This study of Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) movements in a large lowland river in south-eastern Australia indicated that the species was not sedentary, but undertook complex movements that followed a seasonal pattern. While there were sedentary periods with limited home ranges and high site fidelity, Murray cod also under took larger movements for considerable portions of the year coinciding with its spawning schedule. This generally comprised movements (up to 130 km) from a home location in late winter and early spring to a new upstream position, followed by a rapid downstream migration typically back to the same river reach. Timing of movements was not synchronous amongst individuals and variation in the scale of movements was observed between individuals, fish size, original location and years. [source] | ||||||||||||||||