Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Positive Effects (positive + effects)
Kinds of Positive Effects Selected AbstractsLOCAL HETEROZYGOSITY-FITNESS CORRELATIONS WITH GLOBAL POSITIVE EFFECTS ON FITNESS IN THREESPINE STICKLEBACKEVOLUTION, Issue 8 2006Mélissa Lieutenant-Gosselin Abstract The complex interactions between genetic diversity and evolution have important implications in many biological areas including conservation, speciation, and mate choice. A common way to study these interactions is to look at heterozygosity-fitness correlations (HFCs). Until recently, HFCs based on noncoding markers were believed to result primarily from global inbreeding effects. However, accumulating theoretical and empirical evidence shows that HFCs may often result from genes being linked to the markers used (local effect). Moreover, local effect HFCs could differ from global inbreeding effects in their direction and occurrence. Consequently, the investigation of the structure and consequences of local HFCs is emerging as a new important goal in evolutionary biology. In this study of a wild threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) population, we first tested the presence of significant positive or negative local effects of heterozygosity at 30 microsatellites loci on five fitness components: survival, mating success, territoriality, length, and body condition. Then, we evaluated the direction and shape of total impact of local HFCs, and estimated the magnitude of the impacts on fitness using regression coefficients and selection differentials. We found that multilocus heterozygosity was not a reliable estimator of individual inbreeding coefficient, which supported the relevance of single-locus based analyses. Highly significant and temporally stable local HFCs were observed. These were mainly positive, but negative effects of heterozygosity were also found. Strong and opposite effects of heterozygosity are probably present in many populations, but may be blurred in HFC analyses looking for global effects only. In this population, both negative and positive HFCs are apparently driving mate preference by females, which is likely to contribute to the maintenance of both additive and nonadditive genetic variance. [source] Editorial: Positive Effects of Intravenous Zoledronic Acid on Bone Remodeling and Structure: Are Different Effects on Osteoblast Activity to Other Oral Bisphosphonates Responsible?,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008Peter R Ebeling MD No Abstracts. [source] The Psychological Impact of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Recalls and the Durable Positive Effects of CounselingPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2009JOHN D. FISHER M.D. Background: It is known that patients with lifesaving devices such as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be alarmed and worried by recalls or alerts related to their ICDs. Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether counseling has any short- or long-term benefits, and to look for characteristics that identify those most worried and those most in need of counseling. Methods: Among 100 patients with recall or alert ICDs, 14 were pacer dependent; 50 had ICDs for 1° prevention and 22 were women. Patients completed a survey indicating how worried they were on learning of the recall or alert (0,10 scale). After counseling and advice in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, patients were asked to indicate their level of worry, and were again asked after 6 months. Results: For all patients, the "worry level" at the initial interview was 5.0±3.7, falling to 2.2±3.0 after counseling (P < 0.001) and 1.4±2.3 after 6 months (P < 0.001 vs both earlier levels). There were no significant differences between those implanted for 1° versus 2° prevention or for pacer dependency. Women were initially more worried than men, but not for the long term. The 49 patients whose ICDs could be managed by reprogramming or software fix had significant reduction in worry after counseling and at 6 months compared to others. The 18 patients recommended for operative intervention remained more concerned after counseling (3.5±3.3 vs 1.9±2.9, P = 0.043). Conclusions: Patients' concerns resulting from ICD recalls or alerts can be reduced by appropriate counseling. Those patients whose ICDs could be reprogrammed to safer parameters had the most reduction in worry levels. [source] Exenatide: a review from pharmacology to clinical practiceDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 6 2009R. Gentilella Background:, Exenatide is an incretin mimetic that activates glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptors. It blunts the postprandial rise of plasma glucose by increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing inappropriately high glucagon secretion and delaying gastric emptying. Methods:, In seven clinical trials performed in 2845 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were inadequately controlled by a sulphonylurea and/or metformin (glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1c ,11%), or by thiazolidinediones (with or without metformin) and treated for periods from 16 weeks to 3 years, exenatide (5 ,g b.i.d. s.c. for the first 4 weeks of treatment and 10 ,g b.i.d. s.c. thereafter) reduced HbA1c, fasting and postprandial glucose, and body weight dose dependently, and was similar to insulin glargine and biphasic insulin aspart in reducing HbA1c. Body weight diminished with exenatide, whereas it increased with both insulin preparations. Positive effects on the lipid profile and a reduction in C-reactive protein were also recorded with exenatide. Treatment extensions up to 3 years showed that benefits were maintained in the long term. Adverse events were usually mild to moderate in intensity, and generally the frequency decreased with continued therapy. The most common was nausea (whose incidence may be reduced by gradual dose escalation from 5 ,g b.i.d. to 10 ,g b.i.d.), vomiting, diarrhoea, headache and hypoglycaemia (almost exclusively in patients treated with a sulphonylurea). Results and conclusions:, Exenatide is a new, promising therapeutic option for type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled by oral agents, before insulin therapy, offering the added benefits of body weight reduction and tight postprandial glucose control. [source] Effect of bacteria-mineral water produced from bio-reacted fowl dung on seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa L.)ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 1 2008Wenyuan He Abstract Positive effects of Bacteria-mineral water (BMW) produced from bio-reacted manure on plant growth and crop seed germination has been observed in agriculture practices. The experiment was conducted to examine the effects of BMW produced from bio-reacted fowl dung on seed germination of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Seeds were soaked in BMW at concentrations of 100, 10, 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.025, and 0% (control) and then incubated at 25°C ± 1°C in a seed germinator for 7 days. All BMW treatments not only enhanced germination energy and final germination percentage of wheat and rice seeds, but also significantly improved (P < 0.05) seed vigor index (VI). Compared to control, treatment with 0.25% BMW had significant effects (P < 0.05) on final germination percentage and increased significantly seed germination percentage (7.34%) and germination energy (8.67%) of wheat seeds. There were strong correlations between germination energy and final germination percentage (P < 0.05), germination index (P < 0.05), VI (P < 0.05), water absorption rate (P < 0.01), and storage reserve transform rate (P < 0.01). While for rice seeds, 0.25% and 0.125% BMW treatments significantly improved (P < 0.05) final germination percentage by 8% separately, and germination energy enhanced 8.66% and 9.33% respectively. There were strong correlations between germination energy (and final germination percentage) and other parameters except for water adsorption rate and storage reserve loss rate. BMW consistently showed positive effects on crop seed germination. 0.25% BMW treatment may be the best concentration to stimulate wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds germination, while 0.125,0.25% BMW would be the most suitable concentration range for rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008 [source] Geographical Aspects of Food Industry FDI in the CEE Countries Geografische Aspekte ausländischer Direktinvestitionen (ADI) in der Lebensmittelindustrie in mittel- und osteuropäischen Ländern Les dimensions géographiques de l'IDE dans l'industrie alimentaire des pays d'Europe centrale et orientaleEUROCHOICES, Issue 1 2009Csaba Jansik Summary Geographical Aspects of Food Industry FDI in the CEE Countries Food industry FDI has favoured certain food processing sub-sectors over others and it has also been distributed rather unevenly in geographical terms both between countries and regionally within each country. As for the regional distribution, foreign investors have typically targeted locations with a relatively high density of consumers as opposed for instance to prioritising the proximity of agricultural raw materials. The capital city areas and their surrounding regions have attracted a much higher proportion of total food industry FDI than their contribution to agricultural and food processing output would warrant. FDI has contributed in many ways to the development of the regions and industries which have received capital inflows. There has been some levelling off in FDI between countries more recently, a trend driven by the tendency for multinational enterprises to shift their production capacity across national borders among their CEE subsidiaries in a search for greater economies of scale or cost savings. This realignment has helped certain branches of the food industry in some CEE countries perform better than others in competing for common EU food markets. Positive effects of the recent FDI inflows include rapid productivity improvements and enhancement of food export volumes. L'IDE dans l'industrie alimentaire a privilégié certains sous-secteurs de la transformation alimentaire plutôt que d'autres et sa répartition géographique, à la fois entre pays et entre régions au sein d'un même pays, a été plutôt inégale. En termes de répartition régionale, les investisseurs étrangers ont typiquement ciblé des zones où la densité des consommateurs est assez élevée plutôt que de donner, par exemple, la prioritéà la proximité des produits agricoles primaires. Les capitales et les régions qui les entourent ont attiré une proportion bien plus grande de l'ensemble de l'IDE dans l'industrie alimentaire que ce que leur contribution à la production agricole et alimentaire représenterait. L'IDE a contribué de maintes façons au développement des régions et des industries qui ont reçu des capitaux. Une certaine égalisation de l'IDE s'est produite plus récemment entre pays, ce phénomène étant entraîné par la tendance des entreprises multinationales à transférer leur capacité de production d'un pays à l'autre entre leurs filiales d'Europe centrale et orientale, à la recherche d'économies d'échelle et de coûts. Ce rééquilibrage a aidé certaines branches de l'industrie alimentaire de certains pays d'Europe centrale et orientale à réussir mieux que d'autres dans la compétition sur les marchés alimentaires de l'UE. Parmi les effets positifs des entrées de capitaux d'IDE récentes, figurent des améliorations rapides de la productivité et la croissance en volume des exportations de produits alimentaires. Ausländische Direktinvestitionen (ADI) in der Lebensmittelindustrie haben sich auf bestimmte Teilsektoren konzentriert. Außerdem ist die Konzentration der ADI sowohl geografisch zwischen den Ländern als auch den Regionen einzelner Länder ungleich. Bei der regionalen Konzentration haben die ausländischen Investoren ihre Wahl nicht etwa anhand der Entfernung zu landwirtschaftlichen Rohstoffen getroffen, sondern Orte mit einer relativ hohen Kundendichte bevorzugt. Auf die Hauptstadtregionen entfiel ein viel größerer Anteil an den gesamten ADI als es ihre Beteiligung an der Produktionsmenge in Landwirtschaft und Lebensmittelverarbeitung rechtfertigen würde. ADI haben in vielerlei Hinsicht zur Entwicklung der Regionen und Industrien beigetragen, die einen Kapitalzufluss erfahren haben. In letzter Zeit wurden ADI zwischen den Ländern etwas weniger konzentriert, da multinationale Unternehmen danach streben, ihre Produktionskapazitäten länderübergreifend auf ihre MOE-Tochtergesellschaften zu verlagern, um Skaleneffekte und Kosteneinsparungen besser nutzen zu können. Durch diese Neuorientierung konnten sich bestimmte Lebensmittelindustriezweige in einigen MOEL gegenüber anderen im Wettbewerb um die gemeinsamen Lebensmittelmärkte der EU behaupten. Zu den positiven Auswirkungen von ADI-Zuflüssen zählen eine rasche Steigerung der Produktivität sowie größere Mengen an Lebensmittelexporten. [source] Effect of depth and width of cultivation and sowing date on establishment of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) by rotary slot-seeding into grasslandGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010P. Komárek Abstract The effect of different combinations of time of sowing and depth and width of soil cultivation using a rotary slot-seeding machine to introduce red clover (Trifolium pratense) was determined for some characteristics of newly established red clover plants in a lowland Dactylis glomerata -dominated grassland in the Czech Republic. Sowing was carried out on four sowing dates in one growing season: 11 May; 21 June (after the first cut); 9 August (after the second cut); and 19 September. The experimental treatments consisted of all combinations of four depths (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm) and four widths (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm) of soil cultivation. Measurements were made of number of plants, weight and height of plants, weight and height of roots. Measurements at 2 months after sowing showed fewer seedlings for the 11 May sowing than for later sowing dates. The number of red clover plants increased as the row width was increased up to 15 cm, regardless of the depth of slot. Positive effects of slot width on weight and height of plants and weight and length of roots were recorded. A highly positive correlation was found between weight of plants and weight of roots. Width of row was the key factor for the successful establishment of seedlings into the existing sward by slot-seeding. A row width of 10 cm and depth of slot of 5 cm was considered a satisfactory combination. [source] Experiences and support needs of siblings of children with cancerHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 5 2000BA MA PhD CPsychol Patricia Sloper Abstract The diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer places considerable demands on family life. Siblings have been shown to be at risk for development of emotional and behavioural problems. However, most studies have relied on parents' reports, and less is known about siblings' own views of their experiences. This paper presents findings from interviews with 94 siblings of children with cancer, at 6 and 18 months after diagnosis of the illness. Results show that, six months after diagnosis, siblings reported a number of problems: loss of attention and status; loss of their own and their families' usual activities and routines; loss of certainty and security; and loss of companionship of the ill child. For many, problems had resolved 18 months after diagnosis, but problems remained or had arisen for some. These were not confined to those whose brothers or sisters had relapsed or continued to have treatment. Supportive relationships were reported to be important resources, providing an opportunity for siblings to express their own feelings and needs, and information about the illness and treatment helped them to understand why family life was disrupted. Positive effects were also apparent: gains in maturity, understanding and compassion, and closer family relationships. The findings point to the need for support for siblings to provide information to help them make sense of the situation; opportunities to express their own feelings and reassurance to avoid fear and guilt; attention to feel valued and maintain self-esteem; and help to keep up their own interests and activities. Attention of parents and professionals in contact with the families was generally paid to the ill child. There is a need for health professionals, particularly those in the family's home community, to take a holistic approach to family support, to ensure that information and support is available to siblings. [source] Developing a theory-based taxonomy of methods for implementing change in practiceJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2007Jennifer Leeman Abstract Title. Developing a theory-based taxonomy of methods for implementing change in practice Aim., In this paper we present a theory-based taxonomy of the methods used to implement change in practice. Background., Implementation research is characterized by inconsistent terminology for the methods employed and inattention to differences in the relevance of methods across different disciplines. Studies of the effectiveness of implementation have yielded mixed results. Positive effects shown have been small. The limited success of many efforts to implement change in practice may be due, in part, to the absence of a framework to guide the use of implementation methods. Method., A provisional taxonomy of implementation methods, derived from theory and existing taxonomies, was used to content analyse a convenience sample of 43 reports of empirical studies of the implementation of one or more research-based practice changes involving nurses that had been published between 1995 and 2005. This taxonomy was revised throughout the course of analysis to capture more completely the information in each report. Findings., Following the analysis, nine of the 11 methods in the provisional taxonomy were retained, two were removed and five new methods were identified. The final taxonomy includes 14 implementation methods organized into five categories: (a) increasing coordination; (b) raising awareness; (c) persuasion via interpersonal channels; (d) persuasion via reinforcing belief that behaviour will lead to desirable results and (e) increasing behavioural control. Conclusions., The taxonomy presented here differs from prior taxonomies by focusing on nursing and by providing a clear and mutually exclusive guide to implementation methods. By deriving the initial coding strategy from theory, the taxonomy links the methods to theoretical constructs that may inform the selection of methods across different practice changes and settings. [source] Impaired Energetic Metabolism After Central Leptin Signaling Leads to Massive Appendicular Bone Loss in Hindlimb-Suspended Rats,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 12 2008Aline Martin Abstract We previously showed in rats that the leptin effects on bone were dose dependent. Positive effects were observed when serum leptin concentration was in a physiological range. In contrast, important increases in serum leptin levels led to negative effects on bone formation similar to those reported after intracerebroventricular leptin administration in mice. To clarify whether leptin effects on bone depend on administration route and/or animal model, female rats were hindlimb unloaded or not and treated either with intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin or vehicle for 14 days. By increasing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leptin concentration, intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin significantly reduced food intake and consequently body weight, abdominal fat, and lean mass of the animals. Leptin infusion inhibited bone elongation over the 14 days and blunted cortical bone thickening at the femoral diaphysis site. Interestingly, leptin effects were site dependent in the cancellous bone envelopes, because tibia metaphysis BMD was lower and lumbar spine BMD was higher under intracerebroventricular leptin. Treated groups showed reduced bone remodeling independently of hindlimb unloading. Multiple downstream pathways were implicated in the mediation of these negative leptin effects on bone including not only stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system but also a decrease in somatotropic axis activity. Therefore, the intracerebroventricular leptin-induced bone loss could be largely related to the concurrent alteration of energetic and metabolic status. In summary, our study supports the hypothesis of a concentration-dependent balance between peripheral and central control of leptin on bone. [source] Effects of HIV/AIDS on Maternity Care Providers in KenyaJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 5 2008Janet M. Turan ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the impact of HIV/AIDS on maternity care providers in labor and delivery in a high HIV-prevalence setting in sub-Saharan Africa. Design: Qualitative one-on-one in-depth interviews with maternity care providers. Setting: Four health facilities providing labor and delivery services (2 public hospitals, a public health center, and a small private maternity hospital) in Kisumu, Nyanza Province, Kenya. Participants: Eighteen maternity care providers, including 14 nurse/midwives, 2 physician assistants, and 2 physicians (ob/gyn specialists). Results: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had numerous adverse effects and a few positive effects on maternity care providers in this setting. Adverse effects include reductions in the number of health care providers, increased workload, burnout, reduced availability of services in small health facilities when workers are absent due to attending HIV/AIDS training programs, difficulties with confidentiality and unwanted disclosure, and maternity care providers' fears of becoming HIV infected and the resulting stigma and discrimination. Positive effects include improved infection control procedures on maternity wards and enhanced maternity care provider knowledge and skills. Conclusion: A multifaceted package including policy, infrastructure, and training interventions is needed to support maternity care providers in these settings and ensure that they are able to perform their critical roles in maternal healthcare and prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission. [source] Two-Year Outcome of an Intervention Program for University Students Who Have Parents With Alcohol Problems: A Randomized Controlled TrialALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2007Helena Hansson Background:, Only a few intervention studies aiming to change high-risk drinking behavior have involved university students with heredity for alcohol problems. This study evaluated the effects after 2 years on drinking patterns and coping behavior of intervention programs for students with parents with alcohol problems. Method:, In total, 82 university students (57 women and 25 men, average age 25 years) with at least 1 parent with alcohol problems were included in the study. The students were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 programs: (i) alcohol intervention program, (ii) coping intervention program, or (iii) combination program. All the 3 intervention programs were manual based and individually implemented during 2 2-hour sessions, 4 weeks apart. Before the participants were randomly assigned, all were subjected to an individual baseline assessment. This assessment contained both a face-to-face interview and 6 self-completion questionnaires: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, estimated Blood Alcohol Concentration, Short Index of Problems, the Symptom Checklist-90, Coping with Parents' Abuse Questionnaire, and The Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI). Follow-up interviews were conducted after 1 and 2 years, respectively. The results after 1 year have previously been reported. Results:, All participants finished the baseline assessment, accepted and completed the intervention. Ninety-five percent of the students completed the 24-month follow-up assessment. Only the group receiving the combination program continued to improve their drinking pattern significantly (p < 0.05) from the 12-month follow-up to the 24-month follow-up. The improvements in this group were significantly better than in the other 2 groups. The group receiving only alcohol intervention remained at the level of improvement achieved at the 12-month follow-up. The improvements in coping behavior achieved at the 12-month follow-up remained at the 24-month follow-up for all the 3 groups, i.e., regardless of intervention program. Conclusion:, Positive effects of alcohol intervention between 1 and 2 years were found only in the combined intervention group, contrary to the 1-year results with effects of alcohol intervention with or without a combination with coping intervention. [source] Aldosterone receptor antagonists , how cardiovascular actions may explain their beneficial effects in heart failureJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2010P. OVAERT Ovaert, P., Elliott, J., Bernay, F., Guillot, E., Bardon, T. Aldosterone receptor antagonists , how cardiovascular actions may explain their beneficial effects in heart failure. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.33, 109,117. Historically, aldosterone receptor antagonists (ARA) have been classified as ,potassium sparing diuretics'. However, the positive effect of spironolactone, the most extensively studied ARA, on morbidity and mortality observed in humans suffering cardiac insufficiency could not be explained by the renal effect of the drug alone, and a pivotal clinical study has led to extensive research. Many experimental studies have demonstrated that ARA have previously unexpected beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system including reduction in remodelling of the vascular smooth muscle cells and myocytes and improvement of endothelial cell dysfunction in heart failure. These effects improve vascular compliance and slow down the progression of left ventricular dysfunction and end-organ damage. Furthermore, aldosterone receptor blockade also restores the baroreceptor reflex, improving heart rate variability in heart failure in humans. Some of these effects have been demonstrated in dog models of cardiac disease and so justified further investigation of the potential benefit of ARA in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). Positive effects of spironolactone on morbidity and mortality appear to have been seen in studies conducted in dogs suffering from naturally occurring CHF. In addition, eplerenone has been shown to have benefits in canine models of heart failure. The precise mechanisms by which ARA produce these beneficial effects in dogs remain to be determined but this group of drugs clearly provide therapeutic actions out-with their diuretic effects. [source] Sublingual immunotherapy in the treatment of childrenALLERGY, Issue 2006N. Pham-Thi Children with controlled intermittent mild-to-moderate asthma, controlled rhinitis and a single sensitivity may be appropriate candidates for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Positive effects of SLIT may depend on initiation in early childhood and a long duration of treatment. To ensure optimum compliance, sociological, economic and familial factors should also be taken in to consideration when prescribing SLIT. Evidence from recent long-term trials indicates that SLIT interfered with the atopic march and the allergic progression from rhinitis to asthma without any severe adverse side effects. Local immune response has been seen to be blunted with SLIT, which suggests that treatment has an immunomodulatory effect. In addition, it may also decrease the risk of new sensitizations. Ongoing developments in SLIT, particularly advances in dosing and new indications, such as food allergies, will increase the use of this treatment modality in children. [source] The Importance of Good Hydration for the Prevention of Chronic DiseasesNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 2005Friedrich Manz MD There is increasing evidence that mild dehydration plays a role in the development of various morbidities. In this review, the effects of hydration status on chronic diseases are categorized according to the strength of the evidence. Positive effects of maintenance of good hydration are shown for urolithiasis (category Ib evidence); constipation, exercise asthma, hypertonic dehydration in the infant, and hyperglycemia in diabetic ketoacidosis (all category IIb evidence); urinary tract infections, hypertension, fatal coronary heart disease, venous thromboembolism, and cerebral infarct (all category III evidence); and bronchopulmonary disorders (category IV evidence). For bladder and colon cancer, the evidence is inconsistent. [source] Effective Interaction With Patients With Schizophrenia: Qualitative Evaluation of the Interaction Skills Training ProgrammePERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHIATRIC CARE, Issue 4 2009Berno Van Meijel RN PURPOSE., The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of caregivers with the Interaction Skills Training Programme, and to evaluate the training effects observed by caregivers. DESIGN AND METHODS., A qualitative research design was applied. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 caregivers who had followed the training program. FINDINGS., The research findings clearly confirm the value of the program. Positive effects of the training were reported in terms of: (a) awareness and insightfulness; (b) the attitude of caregivers; (c) the quality of the therapeutic alliance; and (d) job perception. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS., Training interactive skills may contribute to a better quality of care for chronic psychiatric patients. Based on the qualitative study, implementation of the skills training program can be recommended. [source] Electronic continuing education in the health professions: An update on evidence from RCTsTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 1 2009CCFP, Margarita Lam-Antoniades MD Abstract Introduction: Demonstrating the effectiveness of the rapidly expanding field of electronic continuing education (e-CE) has important implications for CE in the health professions. This study provides an update on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of e-CE in the health professions. Methods: A literature search of RCTs was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL from 2004 to 2007. Papers were reviewed separately by 2 of the authors and results were categorized and reviewed according to study comparisons. Results: Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Six compared e-CE to no intervention or placebo. Of these 6 studies, 4 showed a statistically significant advantage of the e-CE intervention and 2 showed no significant effect. Two studies compared e-CE to a lecture. Of these, 1 showed an advantage of e-CE and 1 showed no difference. Two studies compared e-CE to a small-group interactive intervention. In both studies, the e-CE group outperformed the control. Two studies compared a multicomponent e-CE intervention to one based on flat text, and both showed the multicomponent intervention to be more effective. Two of the 15 studies demonstrated a statistically significant effect on practice patterns. Positive effects of e-CE on knowledge were shown to persist for up to 12 months and effects on practice up to 5 months. Discussion: Overall, these studies suggest that multicomponent e-CE interventions can be effective in changing health professionals' practice patterns, and improve their knowledge. E-CE interventions based purely on flat text appear to be of limited effectiveness in changing either knowledge or practice. These results support the use of multicomponent e-CE as a method of CE delivery. [source] A conceptual framework based on Activity Theory for mobile CSCLBRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Gustavo Zurita There is a need for collaborative group activities that promote student social interaction in the classroom. Handheld computers interconnected by a wireless network allow people who work on a common task to interact face to face while maintaining the mediation afforded by a technology-based system. Wirelessly interconnected handhelds open up new opportunities for introducing collaboration and thereby changing classroom pedagogical practices. We present a conceptual framework and a method for the design of a mobile computer-supported collaborative learning system based on Activity Theory. An instance of the framework for teaching basic mathematics skills was evaluated with 24 6- and 7-year-old children in a month-long study. Positive effects were observed on student social interaction, motivation and learning. [source] Turned, Machined Versus Double-Etched Dental Implants In VivoCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007B. Al-Nawas Priv.-Doz., DrMed, DrMedDent ABSTRACT Background:, Positive effects on the clinical outcome of moderately rough implant surfaces are described. Intercomparison of clinical data, however, is rarely found. Purpose:, The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results of two macroscopically identical implants, the one with a turned, machined and the other with an etched surface. Materials and Methods:, In a retrospective cohort study, the included implants followed the criteria: standard surgical protocol, >12 months in situ; minimally rough self-threading implants with a turned, machined surface (Mk IITM Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden], n=210); etched implants of the same macrodesign (3iTM Implant Innovations Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA], n=151), length , 10 mm. Clinical data and implant success were rated. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and Periotest® (Siemens AG, Bensheim, Germany) were measured and related to the corresponding implant survival rate in the respective group. Results:, The total number of implants was 361, of which 264 (73%) were subject to clinical reexamination. RFA and Periotest could be recorded in 25% of the implants. Neither clinically relevant nor statistically significant differences between the surface designs were found in the RFA (64 ± 8.6 vs 63 ± 9.7), in Periotest (,2 ± 3.3 vs ,1 ± 5.1), and in mean survival periods (49 months, 95% confidence interval CI]: 46,51 months, for the turned vs 46 months, 95% CI: 43,49 months, for the double-etched implant). After osteoplastic procedures, a significantly higher rate of implant losses in the turned, machined implant group was observed (17 vs 1) with a mean survival period of 43 (40,46) months for the turned and 46 (45,48) months for the double-etched implants. Conclusion:, No difference between implants with two different minimally rough surfaces was found. A positive effect of surface roughness is observed in poor quality bone, but the pivotal proof of this effect is still lacking. [source] Child health services in transition: II.ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2005Mothers' perceptions of 18-month-old children in the light of socio-economic status, some subjective factors Abstract Aim: To analyse mothers' self-assessed quality of interaction with their children and their opinions about child difficulty with respect to socio-economic status and subjective factors: postnatal depression, social isolation, sense of coherence and locus of control. Methods and material: A comprehensive questionnaire was completed by 1039 mothers of 18-mo-old children participating in the baseline measurements of a Swedish multicentre study developing and testing a new psychosocial model for the child health services. Results: All subjective factors, including the number of factors, showed significant associations with perceived interaction and difficultness. Effect sizes of subjective factors ranged from about 0.3 to 1 SD for interaction, and from about 0.2 to 0.8 SD for difficultness. As for difficultness, effect sizes were larger for boys. There were no associations between high socio-economic status and high-quality interaction or low child difficultness: the few significant differences in fact favoured low-status children. Conclusion : The results provided some contradictory findings to the well-known association between high socio-economic status and favourable outcome. This result is of practical relevance for interventions: supportive programmes cannot be limited to areas and families of low socio-economic status. Positive effects may ensue if subjective factors like those studied here can be promoted among parents and children through the child health services. [source] "I Am Not Alone": The Feasibility and Acceptability of Interactive Voice Response-Facilitated Telephone Peer Support Among Older Adults With Heart FailureCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 3 2007Michele Heisler MD Patient self-management is a critical determinant of heart failure (HF) outcomes, yet patients with HF are often frail and socially isolated, factors that may limit their ability to manage self-care and access clinic-based services. Mobilizing peer support among HF patients is a promising strategy to improve self-management support. In this pilot, the authors evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive voice response (IVR)-based platform to facilitate telephone peer support among older adults with HF. Participants completed a baseline survey, were offered a 3-hour training session in peer communication skills, and were paired with another patient who had HF. Participants were asked to contact their partner weekly using a toll-free IVR phone system that protected their anonymity and provided automated reminders if contacts were not made. Times and duration of participants' telephone contacts were monitored and recorded. After the 7-week intervention, participants completed surveys and brief face-to-face interviews. The authors found high levels of use and satisfaction and improvements in depressive symptoms among the 20 pilot study participants. An IVR peer-support intervention is feasible, is acceptable to patients, and may have positive effects on patients' HF social support and health outcomes, in conjunction with structured health system support, that warrant more rigorous evaluation in a randomized trial. [source] Alcohol expectancies in convicted rapists and child molestersCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2001Anu S. Aromäki PhD Background Previous findings suggest that cognitive factors and expectancies related to drinking can mediate subjective sexual arousal as well as aggression in men. Our aim was to investigate the drinking habits and alcohol-related expectancies that might predispose men to sexually aggress in two groups of sexual offenders. Method Men convicted of rape (n = 10) were compared with men convicted of child molesting (n = 10) and with control subjects (n = 31). Current drinking habits (while not in prison) were assessed by self-report, and the extent of alcohol abuse was mapped by the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST; Selzer, 1971). Cognitive expectancies related to alcohol use were explored by the standard Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ; Brown et al., 1980). Results The majority of the men who committed rape (70%) but only a third of the men convicted of child molesting were diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Alcohol abuse was common in men convicted of both rape and child molesting and the men convicted of rape expected significantly more positive effects from drinking than the control group. Both sex offender groups were the only groups to express significant alcohol-related cognitive expectancies linked to arousal and aggression. Expectancy patterns were directly linked to the antisocial personality characteristics. Conclusion Alcohol abuse is common in men who commit both rape and child molesting. Heavy drinking and the anticipation of alcohol effects such as sexual enhancement, arousal and aggression may facilitate sexual aggression in offenders with antisocial personality disorder. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Hydrogen Peroxide and Wound Healing: A Theoretical and Practical Review for Hair Transplant SurgeonsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 6 2008SARA WASSERBAUER MD BACKGROUND In most hair restoration practices, hydrogen peroxide has been routinely used to remove blood during and after hair transplant surgery. In other specialties, hydrogen peroxide is also used in these ways: wound cleaning, prevention of infection, hemostasis, and removal of debris. Despite its widespread use, there are still concerns and controversy about the potential toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide. OBJECTIVE The objective was to review all available literature including in vivo and in vitro effects of hydrogen peroxide, as well as general wound healing research. MATERIAL AND METHODS Literature up to and including the past three decades was investigated. RESULTS Two pilot studies were found, and there are not enough data examining the real impact of using hydrogen peroxide in hair transplant surgery. In other specialties, H2O2 appears to have positive effects, such as stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor, induction of fibroblast proliferation, and collagen, or negative effects, such as cytotoxicity, inhibition of keratinocyte migration, disruption of scarless fetal wound repair, and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS There are not enough data in hair restoration surgery about the use of hydrogen peroxide, and it is unknown and unclear what the optimum dilution should be. Positive and negative effects were found in other specialties. Further studies are recommended. [source] Benefits of moderate weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetesDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 3 2010Ken Fujioka Weight loss is a primary goal of therapy in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. This review examines whether positive patient outcomes are observed even after relatively small amounts of weight loss, that is, weight loss being more easily attainable in practice. Clinical studies demonstrate that therapeutic benefit rises with increasing weight loss, but that losses as low as 0.45,4 kg (1,9 lb) have positive effects on metabolic control, cardiovascular risk factors and mortality rates. Even the intention to lose weight, without significant success, can improve outcomes in patients with diabetes, presumably because of the healthy behaviours associated with the attempt. The current data support a continued focus on weight loss, including moderate weight loss, as a key component of good care for overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. [source] Cognitive behaviour therapy with coping training for persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: a naturalistic follow-up study of the durability of effectsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2001D. Wiersma Objective: To investigate the durability of positive effects of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with coping training on psychotic symptoms and social functioning. Method: Forty patients with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders and refractory auditory hallucinations were given CBT and coping training in an integrated single family treatment programme. In a naturalistic study patients were followed after 2 and 4 years since the start of treatment. Results: The treatment improved overall burden of ,hearing voices', with a generalization into daily functioning. Improvement with regard to fear, loss of control, disturbance of thought and interference with thinking was sustained by 60% of the patients while one-third improved further. Complete disappearance of hallucinations occurred in 18% of the patients. Conclusion: CBT with coping training can improve both overall symptomatology and quality of life, even over longer periods of time, but a status of persistent disablement indicates a continuing need for mental health care. [source] Impacts of Dreissena invasions on benthic macroinvertebrate communities: a meta-analysisDIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 2 2007Jessica M. Ward ABSTRACT Dreissenid mussels (the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha and the quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis) have invaded lakes and rivers throughout North America and Europe, where they have been linked to dramatic changes in benthic invertebrate community diversity and abundance. Through a meta-analysis of published data from 47 sites, we developed statistical models of Dreissena impact on benthic macroinvertebrates across a broad range of habitats and environmental conditions. The introduction of Dreissena was generally associated with increased benthic macroinvertebrate density and taxonomic richness, and with decreased community evenness (of taxa excluding Dreissena). However, the strength of these effects varied with sediment particle size across sites. The effects of Dreissena differed among taxonomic and functional groups of macroinvertebrates, with positive effects on the densities of scrapers and predators, particularly leeches (Hirudinea), flatworms (Turbellaria), and mayflies (Ephemeroptera). Gastropod densities increased in the presence of Dreissena, but large-bodied snail taxa tended to decline. Dreissena was associated with declines in the densities sphaeriid clams and other large filter-feeding taxa, as well as burrowing amphipods (Diporeia spp.), but had strong positive effects on gammarid amphipods. These patterns are robust to variation in the methodology of primary studies. The effects of Dreissena are remarkably concordant with those of ecologically similar species, suggesting universality in the interactions between introduced byssally attached mussels and other macroinvertebrates. [source] Contemporary richness of holarctic trees and the historical pattern of glacial retreatECOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2007Daniel Montoya The length of time land has been available for colonization by plants and other organisms could provide a partial explanation of the contemporary richness gradients of trees. According to this hypothesis, increasing times of land availability entail higher chances of recolonization, which eventually have positive effects on tree richness. To test this, we generated a dataset of the Holarctic trees and evaluated the influence of cell age, a measure of the time since an area became free of ice, on the observed tree richness gradients. We found that cell age is associated with richness in both Europe and North America, after controlling for contemporary climate patterns, suggesting that the historical pattern of glacial retreat in response to post-Pleistocene global warming has left a signal still detectable after at least 14,000 yr. The results were consistent using a range of modelling approaches or whether Europe and North America were analyzed separately or in concert. We conclude that, although secondary to contemporary climate, the post-glacial recolonization hypothesis is broadly supported at temperate latitudes. [source] Direct and indirect effects of the introduced toad Bufo marinus (Anura: Bufonidae) on populations of native anuran larvae in AustraliaECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2000Michael R. Crossland Introduced species are frequently believed to have adverse effects on native biota and ecosystems. However, much of our knowledge of the ecological impacts of introduced species is anecdotal, and the mechanisms controlling these effects are often poorly understood. I used replicated artificial pond experiments to investigate the impact of eggs and hatchlings of the introduced toad Bufo marinus on populations of native anuran larvae (Limnodynastes ornatus and Litoria rubella) in Australia. Bufo marinus eggs and hatchlings are highly toxic to predatory native tadpoles. Under naturalistic conditions, populations of predatory L. ornatus tadpoles experienced significantly reduced survival when exposed to Bufo eggs and hatchlings. The impact of Bufo on L. ornatus survival was positively correlated with Bufo density. However, the toxic effects of Bufo on L. ornatus indirectly facilitated the survival of later-breeding L. rubella by altering predator-prey interactions between L. ornatus and L. rubella. Limnodynastes ornatus tadpoles are voracious predators of L. rubella eggs and hatchlings. Consequently, the negative impact of Bufo on populations of L. ornatus tadpoles reduced the intensity of predation by L. ornatus tadpoles on L. rubella eggs and hatchlings, thereby increasing L. rubella survival. The results demonstrate that B. marinus plays an important role in structuring native larval anuran communities via direct and indirect mechanisms, and that Bufo may have both negative and positive effects on populations of native anuran larvae. As far as I am aware, these are the first quantitative data to demonstrate that introduced fauna may affect populations of native biota via toxic effects. [source] Effects of resource availability and social parasite invasion on field colonies of Bombus terrestrisECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2008CLAIRE CARVELL Abstract 1.,The survival, growth and fecundity of bumblebee colonies are affected by the availability of food resources and presence of natural enemies. Social parasites (cuckoo bumblebees and other bumblebees) can invade colonies and reduce or halt successful reproduction; however, little is known about the frequency of invasion or what environmental factors determine their success in the field. 2.,We used 48 experimental colonies of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, and manipulated both resource availability at the landscape scale and date of colony founding, to explore invasion rates of social parasites and their effect on the performance of host colonies. 3.,Proximity to abundant forage resources (fields of flowering oilseed rape) and early colony founding significantly increased the probability of parasite invasion and thus offset the potential positive effects of these factors on bumblebee colony performance. 4.,The study concludes that optimal colony location may be among intermediate levels of resources and supports schemes designed to increase the heterogeneity of forage resources for bumblebees across agricultural landscapes. [source] Contrasting seasonal dynamics in fleas of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in FinlandECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2007VOITTO HAUKISALMI Abstract 1.,The seasonal and spatial variation of the adult flea fauna (Siphonaptera) was examined in connection with live-trapping studies of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in three study areas in southern Finland between 1997 and 2005. 2.,The numerically dominant flea species of the Siberian flying squirrel were Tarsopsylla octodecimdentata octodecimdentata and Ceratophyllus (Monopsyllus) indages indages (Ceratophyllidae); the latter being a host specialist of the Siberian flying squirrel. Tarsopsylla octodecimdentata, which also commonly occurs on the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), infected a large proportion of the host population throughout the winter, whereas C. indages occurred predominantly during the summer and autumn, being practically the only flea species in nests during the flying squirrels' breeding season and on juveniles still inhabiting their natal nest. 3.,The use of nest boxes by flying squirrels did not have any positive effects on flea populations, but it may have had a negative impact on T. octodecimdentata. 4.,The potentially vulnerable C. i. indages is a predictable, widespread component in the flea fauna of the Siberian flying squirrel at various spatial scales, and it is likely to occur in most of the permanent flying squirrel populations in Finland. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||