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Remaining Questions (remaining + question)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences66%

Selected Abstracts

What is problem solving?

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2001
A review of theory, applications, research
Introduction Structured training or therapy programmes designed to develop cognitive problem-solving skills are now widely used in criminal justice and mental health settings. Method This paper describes the conceptual origins and theoretical models on which such programmes are based, and provides a historical overview of their development. Theoretical formulations of problem-solving deficits have also been used to inform the design of intervention programmes, and a number of studies and evaluations of such interventions are reviewed, with particular reference to criminal and other antisocial behaviour. Discussion In recent years there has been steadily growing supportive evidence for the benefits of this approach. However, there are also several aspects of its application that require further investigation, and some of the remaining questions are identified. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]

A visual skills inventory for children with neurological impairments

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2007
D L McCulloch OD PhD FAAO
Children with neurological impairments often have visual deficits that are difficult to quantify. We have compared visual skills evaluated by carers with results of a comprehensive visual assessment. Participants were 76 children with mild to profound intellectual and/or motor impairment (33 males, 43 females; age range 7mo,16y; mean age 5y 1mo [SD 4y 2mo]) who completed a visual skills inventory before attending a special vision clinic. The inventory included 16 questions about visual skills and responses to familiar situations. Responses were augmented by taking a structured clinical history, compared with visual evoked potential (VEP) and/or acuity card measures of visual acuity, and examined using exploratory factor analysis. Acuity ranged from normal to no light perception, and was positively associated with responses to individual questions. After excluding four uninformative questions, an association between the remaining questions and two significant independent factors was found. Factor 1 was associated with questions about visual recognition (e.g. ,Does your child see a small silent toy?') and these items were correlated with both the VEP and acuity card thresholds. Factor 2 was associated primarily with questions about visually mediated social interactions (e.g. ,Does he/she return your silent smile?'). Evaluation of visual skills in children with neurological impairment can provide valid information about the quality of children's vision. Questions with the highest validity for predicting vision are identified. [source]

Conjugative DNA metabolism in Gram-negative bacteria

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS, Issue 1 2010
Fernando De La Cruz
Abstract Bacterial conjugation in Gram-negative bacteria is triggered by a signal that connects the relaxosome to the coupling protein (T4CP) and transferosome, a type IV secretion system. The relaxosome, a nucleoprotein complex formed at the origin of transfer (oriT), consists of a relaxase, directed to the nic site by auxiliary DNA-binding proteins. The nic site undergoes cleavage and religation during vegetative growth, but this is converted to a cleavage and unwinding reaction when a competent mating pair has formed. Here, we review the biochemistry of relaxosomes and ponder some of the remaining questions about the nature of the signal that begins the process. [source]

Botulinum toxin injection therapy in the management of lower urinary tract dysfunction

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2006
A. K. PATEL
Summary We have great pleasure in introducing this supplement containing a collection of articles reviewing the contemporary clinical management of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract (LUT) with particular emphasis on the potential role of botulinum toxin injection therapy. Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), detrusor overactivity (DO), painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and LUT symptoms consequent on bladder outflow obstruction (LUTS/BPH) have all been treated by the injection of botulinum toxin. This treatment can be administered as a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure which on the initial trials for DO (particularly of neurogenic aetiology) shows a remarkable efficacy with effects lasting up to a year after a single treatment with few significant side effects. Success has been reported with the management of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and preliminary series report positive outcomes in the management of PBS and LUTS/BPH. However, most of the studies to date include small numbers and have a recruitment bias with few randomised controlled trials having been reported. The answers to some of the key questions are addressed with reference to our contemporary knowledge. It is clear that considerable work both clinical and basic science still needs to be performed to answer the many remaining questions with regard to this treatment modality but undoubtedly it will be a major future treatment option in those with intractable symptoms or those unable to tolerate medications. Currently, all botulinum toxin use for urological conditions is off-label and unlicensed, therefore caution should be exercised until future large randomised studies are reported. [source]

Treating nerves: a call to arms

JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 2 2008
Richard A. C. Hughes
Abstract The process of proving that new treatments for peripheral nerve diseases work has often been slow and inefficient. The lack of adequate evidence for some existing treatments has been highlighted by Cochrane systematic reviews. This article uses four different conditions to illustrate the need for more research. Both corticosteroid injections and surgical decompression of the median nerve are efficacious in carpal tunnel syndrome, but whether corticosteroid injections avoid the need for operation needs to be discovered. Corticosteroids are efficacious for Bell's palsy, but the role of antiviral agents needs clarification, which should come from ongoing trials. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange are both efficacious in Guillain-Barré syndrome, but corticosteroids are not. More trials are needed to discover the best dose of IVIg in severe cases and whether mild cases need treatment. In chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, corticosteroids, IVIg and plasma exchange are all efficacious, at least in the short term, but trials are needed to discover whether and which other immunosuppressive agents help. The Peripheral Nerve Society has formed a standing committee, the Inflammatory Neuropathy Consortium (http://pns.ucsd.edu/INC.htm), to facilitate the trials needed to answer the remaining questions in the inflammatory neuropathies. [source]

Image analysis and quantification in lung tissue

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 3 2001
W.I. De Boer
On 9,10 September 1999, an international workshop on image analysis and quantification in lung tissue was held at the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. Participants with expertise in pulmonary and/or pathology research discussed the validity and applicability of techniques used for quantitative examination of inflammatory cell patterns and gene expression in bronchial or parenchymal tissue in studies focusing on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Differences in techniques for tissue sampling and processing, immunohistochemistry, cell counting and densitometry are hampering the comparison of data between various laboratories. The main goals of the workshop were to make an inventory of the techniques that are currently available for each of these aspects, and in particular to address the validity and unresolved problems of using digital image analysis (DIA) as opposed to manual scoring methods for cell counting and assessment of gene and protein expression. Obviously, tissue sampling and handling, fixation and (immunohistochemical) staining, and microscope settings, are having a large impact on any quantitative analysis. In addition, careful choices will have to be made of the commercially available optical and recording systems as well as the application software in order to optimize quantitative DIA. Finally, it appears to be of equal importance to reach consensus on which histological areas are to be analysed. The current proceedings highlight recent advances and state of the art knowledge on digital image analysis for lung tissue, and summarize the established issues and remaining questions raised during the course of the workshop. [source]