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Lasting Changes (lasting + change)
Selected AbstractsLasting changes in NMDAR1 mRNA level in various regions of cerebral cortex in epileptogenesis of amygdaloid-kindled ratPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 5 2000Shiuichi Kikuchi MD Abstract The involvement of NMDA receptor subunit, NR1, with kindling phenomenon has been reported, but the role of NR1 in epileptogenesis is still unknown. We have examined the expression levels of NR1 mRNA in the cerebral cortices of amygdaloid-kindled rats. Northern blot analysis showed a significant increase in NR1 mRNA expression level in the ipsilateral frontal and temporal cortices at 4 weeks after the last generalized seizure. At the same time, NR1 mRNA decreased in the bilateral piriform cortices. These data suggest that NR1-mediated transmission may have an impact in the neurobiological basis of enduring epileptogenesis. [source] Old age protection in India: Problems and prognosisINTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 2 2002Ranadev Goswami This paper reviews the current state of the Indian pension system. The Indian experience could potentially influence policy decisions in other developing countries, especially those with similar reliance on the national provident fund system. Institutional features of various retirement benefit schemes are highlighted and their deficiencies are discussed. It is argued that low coverage level, underperformance of provident fund schemes due to investment restrictions, and financial difficulties in administering unfunded public pension programmes have rendered the current system ineffective and unsustainable. The failed experiments with ad hoc reform initiatives in the recent past further emphasize the need for a structural and lasting change. The paper concludes with some policy directions for reforming the Indian pension system. [source] The role of school psychology in preventing depressionPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 7 2004Keith C. Herman To advance the role of school psychologists in mental health prevention and wellness activities, in this article we describe (a) a social ecological theory for guiding school-based prevention research, (b) the role of schools in the development and prevention of depression, (c) a continuum of school-based support for meeting the needs of children who are currently depressed for preventing future internalizing distress for all children, and (d) social and political factors that must be considered if lasting change is to occur. We conclude with specific considerations for school psychologists. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 763,775, 2004. [source] A randomized clinical trial of strength training in young people with cerebral palsyDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2003Karen J Dodd PhD This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effects of a home-based, six-week strength-training programme on lower limb strength and physical activity of 21 young people (11 females, 10 males; mean age 13 years 1 month, SD 3 years 1 month; range 8 to 18 years) with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) with independent ambulation, with or without gait aids; (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III). Compared with the 10 controls, the 11 participants in the strength-training programme increased their lower limb strength (combined ankle plantarflexor and knee extensor strength as measured by a hand-held dynamometer) at 6 weeks (F(1,19)=4.58, p=0.046) and at a follow-up 12 weeks later (F(1,18)=6.25, p=0.041). At 6 weeks, trends were also evident for improved scores in Gross Motor Function Measure dimensions D and E for standing, running and jumping, and faster stair climbing. A relatively short clinically feasible home-based training programme can lead to lasting changes in the strength of key lower-limb muscles that may impact on the daily function of young people with CP. [source] Differences between the effects of three plasticity inducing protocols on the organization of the human motor cortexEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2006Karin Rosenkranz Abstract Several experimental protocols induce lasting changes in the excitability of motor cortex. Some involve direct cortical stimulation, others activate the somatosensory system and some combine motor and sensory stimulation. The effects usually are measured as changes in amplitude of the motor-evoked-potential (MEP) or short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) elicited by a single or paired pulses of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Recent work has also tested sensorimotor organization within the motor cortex by recording MEPs and SICI during short periods of vibration applied to single intrinsic hand muscles. Here sensorimotor organization is focal: MEPs increase and SICI decreases in the vibrated muscle, whilst the opposite occurs in neighbouring muscles. In six volunteers we compared the after effects of three protocols that lead to lasting changes in cortical excitability: (i) paired associative stimulation (PAS) between a TMS pulse and an electrical stimulus to the median nerve; (ii) motor practice of rapid thumb abduction; and (iii) sensory input produced by semicontinuous muscle vibration, on MEPs and SICI at rest and on the sensorimotor organization. PAS increased MEP amplitudes, whereas vibration changed sensorimotor organization. Motor practice had a dual effect and increased MEPs as well as affecting sensorimotor organization. The implication is that different protocols target different sets of cortical circuits. We speculate that protocols that involve repeated activation of motor cortical output lead to lasting changes in efficacy of synaptic connections in output circuits, whereas protocols that emphasize sensory inputs affect the strength of sensory inputs to motor circuits. [source] Changes in NOS protein expression and activity in the rat hippocampus, entorhinal and postrhinal cortices after unilateral electrolytic perirhinal cortex lesionsHIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 5 2003Ping Liu Abstract The integrity of the perirhinal cortex is critical for certain types of learning and memory. One important issue relating to the function of this region is its interaction with other brain areas that play a role in memory processing. This study investigates the time course of changes in activity and protein expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which transforms L -arginine into nitric oxide (NO) and citrulline, in the hippocampus and the entorhinal and postrhinal cortices after unilateral electrolytic lesions of the perirhinal cortex. Electrolytic lesions of the perirhinal cortex resulted in long lasting changes in NOS activity and protein expression in the entorhinal and postrhinal cortices (,2 weeks post-lesion). In contrast, there was a small and transient decrease in nNOS expression (with no change in NOS activity) in the dorsal portion of the hippocampus. iNOS was not expressed in any region examined at any time point. These findings provide the first evidence that electrolytic lesions of the perirhinal cortex can result in long-term neurochemical changes in its anatomically related structures. Given that NO has been implicated in neuroplasticity processes, the interpretation of memory impairments induced by electrolytic lesions of the perirhinal cortex (and possibly, therefore, other brain regions) need to be considered with regard to these findings. Hippocampus 2003;13:561,571. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Beyond the Producer-driven/Buyer-driven Dichotomy The Evolution of Global Value Chains in the Internet EraIDS BULLETIN, Issue 3 2001Gary Gereffi Summaries The Internet is still in the early stages of its development, but its impact on global value chains is already evident. While it may be premature to try to identify lasting changes on producer-driven and buyer-driven chains, several possible scenarios are emerging and they are not mutually exclusive. The first scenario is that electronic commerce will lead to the emergence of infomediary-based value chains that privilege direct on-line access to consumers. A second scenario is that the Internet is really just extending the logic of buyer-driven chains as both information and power continue to shift inexorably from manufacturers, marketers and retailers to consumers. A third scenario is that the impact of the Internet will be captured and integrated into the practices of large established companies, thus reinforcing power relationships in existing producer-driven and buyer-driven governance structures. Although there is evidence to support all three scenarios, the third model currently seems to be dominant. [source] |