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First Cohort (first + cohort)
Selected AbstractsReproductive Investment of a Lacertid Lizard in Fragmented HabitatCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005JOSÉ A. DÍAZ calidad de hábitat; fragmentación de bosque; Psammodromus; tamaño de puesta; tamaño de huevo Abstract:,We studied the effect of habitat fragmentation on female reproductive investment in a widespread lacertid lizard ( Psammodromus algirus) in a mixed-forest archipelago of deciduous and evergreen oak woods in northern Spain. We captured gravid females in fragments (,10 ha) and forests (, 200 ha) and brought them to the laboratory, where they laid their eggs. We incubated the eggs and released the first cohort of juveniles into the wild to monitor their survival. Females from fragments produced a smaller clutch mass and laid fewer eggs (relative to mean egg mass) than females of similar body size from forests. Lizards did not trade larger clutches for larger offspring, however, because females from fragments did not lay larger eggs (relative to their number) than females from forests. Among the first cohort of juveniles, larger egg mass and body size increased the probability of recapture the next year. Thus, fragmentation decreased the relative fecundity of lizards without increasing the quality of their offspring. Reduced energy availability, increased predation risk, and demographic stochasticity could decrease the fitness of lizards in fragmented habitats, which could contribute to the regional scarcity of this species in agricultural areas sprinkled with small patches of otherwise suitable forest. Our results show that predictable reduction of reproductive output with decreasing size of habitat patches can be added to the already known processes that cause inverse density dependence at low population numbers. Resumen:,Estudiamos el efecto de la fragmentación sobre la inversión reproductiva de hembras en una lagartija lacértida ( Psammodromus algirus) ampliamente distribuida en un archipiélago mixto de bosques deciduos y siempre verdes de roble en el norte de España. Capturamos hembras grávidas en fragmentos (, 10 ha) y en bosques (, 200 ha) y las trasladamos al laboratorio, donde pusieron sus huevos. Incubamos los huevos y liberamos a la primera cohorte de juveniles para monitorear su supervivencia. Las hembras de fragmentos produjeron una puesta de menor masa y pusieron menos huevos (en relación con la masa promedio de los huevos) que hembras con talla corporal similar provenientes de bosques. Sin embargo, las lagartijas no cambiaron puestas mayores por crías más grandes porque las hembras de fragmentos no pusieron huevos más grandes (en relación con su número) que las hembras de bosques. Entre las primeras cohortes de juveniles, la mayor masa de los huevos incrementó la probabilidad de recaptura en el siguiente año. Por lo tanto, la fragmentación redujo la fecundidad relativa de las lagartijas sin aumentar la calidad de sus crías. La disponibilidad reducida de energía, el incremento en el riesgo de depredación y la estocasticidad demográfica podrían disminuir la adaptabilidad de lagartijas en hábitats fragmentados, lo que podría contribuir a la escasez regional de esta especie en áreas agrícolas salpicadas de pequeños parches de bosque por lo demás adecuado. Nuestros resultados muestran que la reducción predecible en la reproducción al disminuir el tamaño de los parches de hábitat se puede agregar a los procesos ya conocidos que causan la inversión de la denso dependencia en tamaños poblacionales pequeños. [source] A collaborative approach to embedding graduate primary care mental health workers in the UK National Health ServiceHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 5 2008Janine Fletcher MSc Abstract The UK National Health Service (NHS) workforce has recently seen the arrival of the Graduate Mental Health Worker (GMHW) in primary care. We established a Quality Improvement Collaborative to assist in embedding this new workforce in one Strategic Health Authority Area of England. The intervention utilised ,collaborative' technology which involves bringing together groups of practitioners from different organizations to work in a structured way to improve the quality of their service. The process was evaluated by an action research project in which all stakeholders participated. Data collection was primarily qualitative. During the project, there was an increase in throughput of new patients seen by the GMHWs and increased workforce satisfaction with a sense that the collaborative aided the change process within the organizations. Involvement of managers and commissioners from the Primary Care Trusts where the GMHWs were employed appeared to be important in achieving change. This was not, however, sufficient to combat significant attrition of the first cohort of workers. The project identified several barriers to the successful implementation of a new workforce for mental health problems in primary care, including widespread variation in the level and quality of supervision and in payment and terms of service of workers. A collaborative approach can be used to support the development of new roles in health care; however, full engagement from management is particularly necessary for success in implementation. The problems faced by GMHWs reflect those faced by other new workers in healthcare settings, yet in some ways are even more disturbing given the lack of governance arrangements put in place to oversee these developments and the apparent use of relatively unsupported and inexperienced novices as agents of change in the NHS. [source] Are babies sensitive to the context of acute pain episodes?INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 20055 months of age, Infant distress, maternal soothing during immunization routines at Abstract Ninety-three healthy full-term Italian infants were observed longitudinally at 3 and 5 months during routine vaccinations. Mothers' behaviour was also observed. Participants were divided into two cohorts depending on procedure of inoculation (the first cohort, n=44, showed more distress; the second cohort, n=49, showed less distress). Results indicate that babies' different levels of behavioural distress correspond to mothers' different soothing strategies. Maternal proximal soothing at 3 months predicts faster infant quieting at 5 months, but concurrent and predictive effects of maternal proximity are apparent only when level of baby distress is not too high. The study confirms the view that young babies are sensitive to the overall context of acute pain episodes, including medical procedure and maternal soothing. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Paediatric dentistry experience of the first cohort of students to graduate from Dublin Dental School and Hospital under the new curriculumINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 6 2004D. FINUCANE Summary. Aim., To assess undergraduate clinical experience in Paediatric Dentistry in students graduating under a new curriculum. Methods., An audit using logbooks completed by 34 students for all patients for whom they had provided treatment in the university paediatric dentistry clinic. Results., A total of 177 child patients had received treatment from the students, age range 2,8 years. Students had performed an average of 13 restorative techniques. Sixty-eight percent had provided stainless steel crowns and 71% at least one pulpotomy for a primary tooth. All students had provided fissure sealants. Eighteen had carried out extractions and 8 had provided treatment for fractured incisors on this clinic. Conclusions., The cohort of students included had a wide range of experience of paediatric dentistry which compared favourably with accepted guidelines. A relative lack of experience of dental extractions currently remains a problem. [source] Aging in inbred strains of mice: study design and interim report on median lifespans and circulating IGF1 levelsAGING CELL, Issue 3 2009Rong Yuan Summary To better characterize aging in mice, the Jackson Aging Center carried out a lifespan study of 31 genetically-diverse inbred mouse strains housed in a specific pathogen-free facility. Clinical assessments were carried out every 6 months, measuring multiple age-related phenotypes including neuromuscular, kidney and heart function, body composition, bone density, hematology, hormonal levels, and immune system parameters. In a concurrent cross-sectional study of the same 31 strains at 6, 12, and 20 months, more invasive measurements were carried out followed by necropsy to assess apoptosis, DNA repair, chromosome fragility, and histopathology. In this report, which is the initial paper of a series, the study design, median lifespans, and circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels at 6, 12, and 18 months are described for the first cohort of 32 females and 32 males of each strain. Survival curves varied dramatically among strains with the median lifespans ranging from 251 to 964 days. Plasma IGF1 levels, which also varied considerably at each time point, showed an inverse correlation with a median lifespan at 6 months (R = ,0.33, P = 0.01). This correlation became stronger if the short-lived strains with a median lifespan < 600 days were removed from the analysis (R = ,0.53, P < 0.01). These results support the hypothesis that the IGF1 pathway plays a key role in regulating longevity in mice and indicates that common genetic mechanisms may exist for regulating IGF1 levels and lifespan. [source] An aging Interventions Testing Program: study design and interim reportAGING CELL, Issue 4 2007Richard A. Miller Summary The National Institute on Aging's Interventions Testing Program (ITP) has developed a plan to evaluate agents that are considered plausible candidates for delaying rates of aging. Key features include: (i) use of genetically heterogeneous mice (a standardized four-way cross), (ii) replication at three test sites (the Jackson Laboratory, TJL; University of Michigan, UM; and University of Texas, UT), (iii) sufficient statistical power to detect 10% changes in lifespan, (iv) tests for age-dependent changes in T cell subsets and physical activity, and (v) an annual solicitation for collaborators who wish to suggest new interventions for evaluation. Mice in the first cohort were exposed to one of four agents: aspirin, nitroflurbiprofen (NFP), 4-OH-,-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (4-OH-PBN), or nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA). An interim analysis was conducted using survival data available on the date at which at least 50% of the male control mice had died at each test site. Survival of control males was significantly higher, at the interim time-point, at UM than at UT or TJL; all three sites had similar survival of control females. Males in the NDGA group had significantly improved survival (P = 0.0004), with significant effects noted at TJL (P < 0.01) and UT (P < 0.04). None of the other agents altered survival, although there was a suggestion (P = 0.07) of a beneficial effect of aspirin in males. More data will be needed to determine if any of these compounds can extend maximal lifespan, but the current data show that NDGA reduces early life mortality risks in genetically heterogeneous mice at multiple test sites. [source] Pyloric gland metaplasia and pouchitis in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosesALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 8 2010R. KARIV Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 862,873 Summary Background, Diagnosis and management of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis and Crohn's disease of the pouch can be challenging. Pyloric gland metaplasia is a histological feature indicative of chronic mucosal inflammation. Its value in diagnosis and prognosis of pouch disorders has not been investigated. Aim, To assess the prevalence, diagnostic and prognostic value, and risk factors of pyloric gland metaplasia in pouch patients. Methods, Patients were identified from our prospectively maintained Pouchitis Database. Pouch biopsy specimens were re-reviewed for pyloric gland metaplasia and other histological features. Two cohorts of patients were studied: a historical cohort (n = 111) and the second, a validation cohort (n = 100). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess risk factors for pyloric gland metaplasia. Results, The prevalence of pyloric gland metaplasia in the historical cohort and validation cohort was 45 (40.1%) and 24 (24.0%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of pyloric gland metaplasia for the diagnosis of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis or Crohn's disease were 70.7% and 92.5%, respectively, for the first cohort and 39.0% and 86.4%, respectively, for the 2nd validation cohort. In multivariate analysis of the first cohort, patients with refractory pouchitis or Crohn's disease were 28 times (95% CI, 7.3,107.1) more likely to have pyloric gland metaplasia than those with a normal pouch or irritable pouch syndrome. The factor of refractory pouchitis or Crohn's disease remained in the model for the 2nd validation cohort with odds ratio of 4.58 (95% CI, 1.6,13.4). Conclusions, Pyloric gland metaplasia is associated with diagnosis of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis or Crohn's disease of the pouch and appears to be a specific marker for both disease entities. [source] Clinical outcome of newly diagnosed Crohn's disease: a comparative, retrospective study before and after infliximab availabilityALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2010E. DOMÈNECH Summary Background, Infliximab (IFX) could change the course of Crohn's disease (CD) by reducing steroid use, surgery or prompting earlier introduction of immunomodulators (IMM). Aim, To evaluate the impact of IFX availability on the course of early CD. Methods, Two cohorts of newly diagnosed CD patients were identified: The first cohort included patients diagnosed from January 1994 to December 1997 and the second from January 2000 to December 2003. All patients were diagnosed, treated and followed up in the same centre until December 1999 (first cohort) or December 2005 (second cohort). Development of disease-related complications, steroid, IMM or IFX requirements and intestinal resections during follow-up were registered. Results, A total of 328 patients were included (146 first cohort, 182 second cohort). A similar proportion of patients in both cohorts received steroids, but steroid exposure resulted significantly more intense in the first cohort (P = 0.001). In the second cohort, 14% of patients received IFX. Thiopurines were used more (P = 0.001) and earlier (P = 0.012) in the second cohort. No differences in surgical requirements or the development of disease-related complications were found. Conclusions, Following a step-up therapeutic algorithm, IFX availability did not reduce surgical requirements or the development of disease-related complications. Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 233,239 [source] Documented tuberculin skin testing among infliximab users following a multi-modal risk communication interventions,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 1 2006Deborah Shatin PhD Abstract Purpose Following its licensure, tuberculosis (TB) was reported as a potential adverse effect of infliximab. Subsequently, the product circular was changed to recommend tuberculin skin testing before patients received infliximab, which was reinforced by several risk communication efforts. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns and predictors of documented tuberculin skin testing in patients before and after manufacturer, federal, and academic risk communications. Methods Patients administered infliximab were identified from 11 health plans located throughout the United States, and claims data were examined to determine whether the patients had received a tuberculin skin test. Patients were divided into three cohorts depending on the timing of their first infliximab treatment in relation to the risk communication efforts. Results The overall tuberculin skin testing rate doubled from 15.4% in the first cohort to 30.9% in the last cohort, while the rate of pre-infliximab treatment testing increased from 0 to 27.7% (Chi-squared test for trend, p,<,0.0001 for both). Tuberculin skin testing rates were significantly higher in women, those with a diagnosis of rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, and those with a rheumatologist as prescriber. After multivariable analysis, only rheumatologist remained significantly associated with tuberculin skin testing. Conclusions Although the tuberculin skin testing rate was relatively low overall, tuberculin skin testing doubled over 30 months of ongoing risk communication efforts and under ascertainment likely occurred. We also found variation in the tuberculin skin testing rate associated with physician specialty. This study demonstrates a significant change in patient care following risk communication efforts. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Four years after graduation: Occupational therapists' work destinations and perceptions of preparedness for practiceAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2009Dione Brockwell Abstract Objective:,The present study sought to identify the work destinations of graduates and ascertain their perceived preparedness for practice from a regional occupational therapy program, which had been specifically developed to support the health requirements of northern Australians by having an emphasis on rural practice. Design:,Self-report questionnaires and semistructured in-depth telephone interviews. Participants:,Graduates (n = 15) from the first cohort of occupational therapists from James Cook University, Queensland. Main outcome measure:,The study enabled comparisons to be made between rural and urban based occupational therapists, while the semistructured interviews provided a deeper understanding of participants' experiences regarding their preparation for practice. Results:,Demographic differences were noted between occupational therapists working in rural and urban settings. Rural therapists were predominantly younger and had worked in slightly more positions than their urban counterparts. The study also offered some insights into the value that therapists placed on the subjects taught during their undergraduate occupational therapy training, and had highlighted the differences in perceptions between therapists with rural experience and those with urban experience regarding the subjects that best prepared them for practice. Generally, rural therapists reported that all subjects included in the curriculum had equipped them well for practice. Conclusions:,Findings suggest the need to undertake further research to determine the actual nature of rural practice, the personal characteristics of rural graduates and the experiences of students while on rural clinical placements. [source] Staff development in information technology for special needs: a new, distance-learning course at Keele UniversityBRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2000John Hegarty Whilst information technology has much to offer people with special needs, the availability of staff training in the use of special-needs IT in the UK and Europe is sparse. Keele University, with over a decade of experience in research and in supporting and training staff in the use of information technology, has launched a new, distance-learning course. This article describes the course background, its structure, and feedback from the first cohort of students. Results suggest that the course strikes an effective balance between the need of distance-learning students for face-to-face contact with peers and tutors, and the difficulties faced by students wishing to attend training whilst in full-time employment who are geographically distant. The course structure appears appropriate for a wide range of special-needs settings and the curriculum seems to have an appropriate mix of background theory and practical application. Difficulties faced with computer conferencing became apparent, which need to be addressed in future. The course could be a model for further staff development opportunities in IT for special-needs professionals. [source] The frequency of the sickle allele in Jamaica has not declined over the last 22 yearsBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2005N. A. Hanchard Summary The ,malaria hypothesis' predicts that the frequency of the sickle allele, which is high in malaria-endemic African populations, should decline with each generation in populations of African descent living in areas where malaria is no longer endemic. In order to determine whether this has been the case in Jamaica, we compared haemoglobin electrophoresis results from two hospital-based screening programmes separated by more than 20 years (i.e. approximately one generation). The first comprised 100 000 neonates screened between 1973 and 1981, the second, 104 183 neonates screened between 1995 and 2003. The difference in frequency of the sickle allele was small (5·47% in the first cohort and 5·38% in the second screening cohort) and not significant (Z = 1·23, P = 0·22). The same was true of the sickle trait frequency (10·05% in the first cohort and 9·85% in the second, Z = 1·45, P = 0·15). These differences were smaller than predicted under simple deterministic models based on the malaria hypothesis, and suggest that these models may not capture important determinants of allele and trait frequency decline (or persistence) in contemporary populations. Refining the expectations for allele and trait frequency change for Jamaica and other similar populations is an area for future study. [source] The "Test-Tube" Generation: Parent,Child Relationships and the Psychological Well-Being of In Vitro Fertilization Children at AdolescenceCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2001Susan Golombok The introduction of in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the end of the 20th century constituted a fundamental change in the way in which families could be created, and by the start of the new millennium an increasing number of children have been (and are being) born as a result of this procedure. This article presents findings of a longitudinal study of the first cohort of children conceived by IVF to reach adolescence. Thirty-four IVF families, 49 adoptive families, and 38 families with a naturally conceived child were compared on standardized interview and questionnaire measures of parent,child relationships and children's psychological well-being. The few differences in parent,child relationships that were identified appeared to be associated with the experience of infertility rather than with IVF per se. The IVF children were found to be functioning well and did not differ from the adoptive or naturally conceived children on any of the assessments of social or emotional adjustment. [source] | ||||||||||||||||