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Kinds of SV Terms modified by SV Selected AbstractsFacets on the psychopathy checklist screening version and instrumental violence in forensic psychiatric patientsCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2010Jenny Laurell Background,There is a recognised relationship between psychopathy and instrumental violence, but not all violence by people who meet the criteria for psychopathy is instrumental. Aims,Our aims were to compare offence types among forensic psychiatric patients with and without the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL: SV) criteria for psychopathy. Our specific questions were whether factor 1 , the interpersonal affective dimension , was related to instrumentality and on severity of the violent crime. Our hypothesis was that the relationship between psychopathy and instrumental violence would be dependent on the severity of the violent crime. Methods,Sixty-five male patients at the forensic psychiatric hospital in Sundsvall, all with a violent criminal history, were assessed for psychopathy through interview and records using the PCL: SV. Severity and the instrumentality of their previous violence were coded using the Cornell coding guide for violent incidents. Results,The interpersonal features of psychopathy (the interpersonal facet), and only the interpersonal features were significantly associated with instrumentality and severity of violence. Instrumentality was also significantly related to the severity of the violence, independent of psychopathy score. Conclusions,The results indicated that, at least among forensic psychiatric patients, planning is more likely than not with respect to serious crimes. The specific link between interpersonal features of psychopathy and instrumental and severe violence suggests potential clinical value in recognising subtypes of psychopathy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Characteristics of spousal homicide perpetrators: a study of all cases of spousal homicide in Sweden 1990,1999CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2004Professor Henrik Belfrage PhD Background In Sweden 20 000 cases of assault against women are reported to the police every year. Method All data on the perpetrators of spousal homicide in Sweden between 1990 and 1999 were investigated (n = 164). A control group of all other perpetrators of homicide in Sweden during the same period, i.e. cases of homicide not committed in the context of spouse violence (n = 690) was used. All verdicts, as well as all material in the police investigations, including interviews with all of the police investigators, were analysed. Copies of police examinations of the suspects, and forensic reports from the autopsies, were also examined. Data on all registered criminality were collected from the National Police Register, and in cases where the perpetrators had been subject to forensic psychiatric examinations, those reports were obtained from the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine. In addition, the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version scores were rated from the forensic psychiatric examinations. Results There was a four times higher suicide rate among the spousal homicide perpetrators (24%, n = 40) compared with the perpetrators in the control-group (6%, n = 39, chi-squared = 55,42df = 1 , p < 0.001). Consequently, suicidal ideation must be considered as an important risk factor for spousal homicide. In 79% of the cases the spousal homicide perpetrators were subject to forensic psychiatric examinations. All except 5% were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric diagnosis, and 34% were sentenced to forensic psychiatric treatment. If it is assumed that the psychiatric morbidity was high in the 24% of the perpetrators who committed suicide, then 80% of all perpetrators of spouse homicide during the study period can be characterized as mentally disordered. ,Psychopathic' perpetrators, who generally are over-represented in most violent criminality, were comparatively uncommon. Only seven (4%) in the study group met the diagnostic criteria for psychopathy as measured with the PCL:SV. Discussion The group of spouse killers studied here fits the dysphoric/borderline group of spouse assaulters. This is a group that may benefit from treatment. Perhaps police officers could help identify this kind of spouse assaulter before a fatality occurs. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Stroke volume decreases during mild dynamic and static exercise in supine humansACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2009M. Elstad Abstract Aim:, The contributions of cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance to changes in arterial blood pressure are debated and differ between dynamic and static exercise. We studied the role stroke volume (SV) has in mild supine exercise. Methods:, We investigated 10 healthy, supine volunteers by continuous measurement of heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure, SV (ultrasound Doppler) and femoral beat volume (ultrasound Doppler) during both dynamic mild leg exercise and static forearm exercise. This made it possible to study CO, femoral flow (FF) and both total and femoral peripheral resistance beat-by-beat. Results:, During a countdown period immediately prior to exercise, HR and mean arterial pressure increased, while SV decreased. During mild supine exercise, SV decreased by 5,8%, and most of this was explained by increased mean arterial pressure. Dynamic leg exercise doubled femoral beat volume, while static hand grip decreased femoral beat volume by 18%. FF is tightly regulated according to metabolic demand during both dynamic leg exercise and static forearm exercise. Conclusion:, Our three major findings are, firstly, that SV decreases during both dynamic and static mild supine exercise due to an increase in mean arterial pressure. Secondly, femoral beat volume decreases during static hand grip, but FF is unchanged due to the increase in HR. Finally, anticipatory responses to exercise are apparent prior to both dynamic and static exercise. SV changes contribute to CO changes and should be included in studies of central haemodynamics during exercise. [source] Central and peripheral cardiovascular adaptations to exercise in endurance-trained childrenACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2002S. NOTTIN ABSTRACT Stroke volume (SV) response to exercise depends on changes in cardiac filling, intrinsic myocardial contractility and left ventricular afterload. The aim of the present study was to identify whether these variables are influenced by endurance training in pre-pubertal children during a maximal cycle test. SV, cardiac output (Doppler echocardiography), left ventricular dimensions (time,movement echocardiography) as well as arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistances were assessed in 10 child cyclists (VO2max: 58.5 ± 4.4 mL min,1 kg,1) and 13 untrained children (UTC) (VO2max: 45.9 ± 6.7 mL min,1 kg,1). All variables were measured at the end of the resting period, during the final minute of each workload and during the last minute of the progressive maximal aerobic test. At rest and during exercise, stroke index was significantly higher in the child cyclists than in UTC. However, the SV patterns were strictly similar for both groups. Moreover, the patterns of diastolic and systolic left ventricular dimensions, and the pattern of systemic vascular resistance of the child cyclists mimicked those of the UTC. SV patterns, as well as their underlying mechanisms, were not altered by endurance training in children. This result implied that the higher maximal SV obtained in child cyclists depended on factors influencing resting SV, such as cardiac hypertrophy, augmented myocardium relaxation properties or expanded blood volume. [source] Twenty-four-hour non-invasive monitoring of systemic haemodynamics and cerebral blood flow velocity in healthy humansACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2002M. DIAMANT ABSTRACT Acute short-term changes in blood pressure (BP) and cardiac output (CO) affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) in healthy subjects. As yet, however, we do not know how spontaneous fluctuations in BP and CO influence cerebral circulation throughout 24 h. We performed simultaneous monitoring of BP, systemic haemodynamic parameters and blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCAV) in seven healthy subjects during a 24-h period. Finger BP was recorded continuously during 24 h by Portapres and bilateral MCAV was measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) during the first 15 min of every hour. The subjects remained supine during TCD recordings and during the night, otherwise they were seated upright in bed. Stroke volume (SV), CO and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were determined by Modelflow analysis. The 15 min mean value of each parameter was assumed to represent the mean of the corresponding hour. There were no significant differences between right vs. left, nor between mean daytime vs. night time MCAV. Intrasubject comparison of the twenty-four 15-min MCAV recordings showed marked variations (P < 0.001). Within each single 15-min recording period, however, MCAV was stable whereas BP showed significant short-term variations (P < 0.01). A day,night difference in BP was only observed when daytime BP was evaluated from recordings in the seated position (P < 0.02), not in supine recordings. Throughout 24 h, MCAV was associated with SV and CO (P < 0.001), to a lesser extent with mean arterial pressure (MAP; P < 0.005), not with heart rate (HR) or TPR. These results indicate that in healthy subjects MCAV remains stable when measured under constant supine conditions but shows significant variations throughout 24 h because of activity. Moreover, changes in SV and CO, and to a lesser extent BP variations, affect MCAV throughout 24 h. [source] Atomoxetine treatment in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbid social anxiety disorderDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 3 2009Lenard A. Adler M.D. Abstract Background: To evaluate the effect of atomoxetine (ATX) on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid social anxiety disorder in adults. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, conducted in adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder. Patients received 40,100,mg ATX (n=224) or placebo (n=218) for 14 weeks following a 2-week placebo lead-in period. Efficacy measures included the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale: Investigator-Rated: Screening Version (CAARS:Inv:SV), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Clinical Global Impression-Overall-Severity (CGI-O-S), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report (SAS), and Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale-29 (AAQoL). Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Results: ATX mean change (,8.7±10.0) from baseline (29.6±10.4) on CAARS:Inv:SV Total ADHD Symptoms score was significantly greater than placebo mean change (,5.6±10.2) from baseline (31.2±9.4; P<.001). ATX mean change (,22.9±25.3) from baseline (85.3±23.6) on LSAS Total score was significant compared to placebo mean change (,14.4±20.3) from baseline (82.1±21.3; P<.001). The visit-wise analysis revealed greater improvement on the CAARS:Inv:SV Total ADHD Symptoms score and LSAS Total score for ATX at every time point throughout the study (P values ,.012). Mean changes in CGI-O-S, STAI-Trait Anxiety scores, and AAQoL Total score were significantly greater for ATX compared to placebo. Mean change for both groups on STAI-State Anxiety scores was comparable. Improvement on SAS for ATX compared to placebo was not significant. Rates of insomnia, nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness were higher with ATX than with placebo. Discontinuation rates due to treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between groups. Conclusions: ATX monotherapy effectively improved symptoms of ADHD and comorbid social anxiety disorder in adults and was well tolerated. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] R-wave Amplitude in Lead II of an Electrocardiograph Correlates with Central Hypovolemia in Human BeingsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 10 2006John G. McManus MD Abstract Objectives Previous animal and human experiments have suggested that reduction in central blood volume either increases or decreases the amplitude of R waves in various electrocardiograph (ECG) leads depending on underlying pathophysiology. In this investigation, we used graded central hypovolemia in adult volunteer subjects to test the hypothesis that moderate reductions in central blood volume increases R-wave amplitude in lead II of an ECG. Methods A four-lead ECG tracing, heart rate (HR), estimated stroke volume (SV), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure were measured during baseline supine rest and during progressive reductions of central blood volume to an estimated volume loss of >1,000 mL with application of lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) in 13 healthy human volunteer subjects. Results Lower-body negative pressure resulted in a significant progressive reduction in central blood volume, as indicated by a maximal decrease of 65% in SV and maximal elevation of 56% in HR from baseline to ,60 mm Hg LBNP. R-wave amplitude increased (p < 0.0001) linearly with progressive LBNP. The amalgamated correlation (R2) between average stroke volume and average R-wave amplitude at each LBNP stage was ,0.989. Conclusions These results support our hypothesis that reduction of central blood volume in human beings is associated with increased R-wave amplitude in lead II of an ECG. [source] Segmental Contribution to Left Ventricular Systolic Function at Rest and Stress: A Quantitative Real Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic StudyECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010F.A.S.E., Smadar Kort M.D. Objective: To assess the relative contribution of each myocardial segment to global systolic function during stress using real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). Background: During stress, global augmentation in contractility results in an increased stroke volume. The relative contribution of each myocardial segment to these volumetric changes is unknown. Methods: Full volume was acquired using RT3DE at rest and following peak exercise in 22 patients who had no ischemia and no systolic dyssynchrony on two-dimensional (2D) stress echocardiography. The following were calculated at rest and peak stress: end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), relative SV, and relative EF. Results: With stress, an increase in global EDV from 90.8 to 101.1 ml (P < 0.001), SV from 59 to 78.4 ml (P = 0.01), and EF from 65.6 to 78.4% (P = 0.001) was observed. ESV decreased from 31.8 to 22.7 ml (P < 0.001). Segmental analysis revealed significantly higher SV, relative SV, and relative EF for the basal anterior, basal anterolateral, and basal inferolateral segments compared with the apical septum and apical inferior segments at both rest and stress (P < 0.001). The SV, relative SV, and relative EF increased significantly from apex to mid to base at both rest and stress (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The relative volumetric contribution of each myocardial segment to global left ventricular systolic function at rest and stress is not uniform. The basal segments contribute more than the mid and apical segments. Specifically, the basal anterior, basal anterolateral, and basal inferolateral segments contribute the most to augmentation of left ventricular systolic function with exercise. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2010;27:167-173) [source] Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry of Rifamycins at Unmodified and Surfactant-Modified Carbon Paste ElectrodesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 20 2004Sonia Gutiérrez-Fernández Abstract The electrochemical behavior of the antibiotics rifampicin and rifamycin SV is investigated by cyclic voltammetry at carbon paste and in situ surfactant modified carbon paste electrodes. Both antibiotics adsorb on the unmodified electrodes and show a reversible redox process due to the oxidation of the 6,9-dihydroxynaphthalene moiety to the corresponding naphthoquinone. This process is used as analytical signal for developing adsorptive voltammetric methods for the determination of the antibiotics. Experimental parameters, such as pH of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation potential and time are optimized. After accumulation from acidic solutions (0.1,M KCl pH 2 or HCl 0.2,M) at ,0.1 or 0,V for 3,min, the differential pulse oxidation peak current changes linearly with the antibiotic concentration in the range 3.5×10,10,M ,5.4×10,9,M or 5×10,11,M ,1.0×10,9,M for rifampicin and rifamycin SV, respectively. Rifamycin SV is not accumulated on carbon paste electrodes modified in situ with the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, whereas rifampicin is readily accumulated on this modified electrodes resulting in a signal enhancement and allowing rifampicin determinations without interference from rifamycin SV. On the other hand, selective determination of rifamycin SV in the presence of rifampicin is achieved by using carbon paste electrodes in situ modified with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium chloride. [source] Study of the Reaction of 3-Formylrifamycin SV with Gaseous Ammonia and Acetone,EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 18 2006Krzysztof Bujnowski Abstract In the second stage of our study concerning the search for new antibacterial rifamycin antibiotics, reaction of the aldehydes 3-formylrifamycin SV (1) and 25- O -deacetyl-3-formylrifamycin SV with ammonia and acetone has been investigated. A new synthetic method for the preparation of a new group of rifamycin derivatives with a cyclic substituent at C-3 having a 4-piperidone structure, represented by compounds 6a, 6b, and 7a, has been developed. The structures of the compounds and a reaction mechanism have been proposed on the basis of mass spectrometry results as well as 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR analysis. The results of the in vitro tests confirm the antituberculous activity of the synthesized compounds. Furthermore, 6a, which is isolated in good yield, is a promising substrate for a new class of rifamycin derivatives. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Quantitative evaluation of severity in psoriatic lesions using three-dimensional morphometryEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Sang Yong Park Abstract:, The severity of psoriasis has been traditionally assessed by measures, such as the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), the psoriasis severity scores, and the lesional severity scores. As a result, even experienced dermatologists show variations when attempting to determine the severity of psoriasis. Therefore, a better non-invasive and objective measurement of clinical signs is needed. In this study, an instrument, a so-called ,stereoimage optical topometer' (SOT), based on a new concept of ,stereoimaging' was used to measure the three-dimensional skin surface. The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained by the SOT with the visual score of psoriasis lesion. Thirty psoriatic patients were enrolled in this study. Initially, the severity of the infiltration and the scale of 134 psoriatic lesions were assessed by using a visual scoring system (0: none, 1: mild, 2: moderate, 3: severe, and 4: very severe), as scored by five dermatologists. The SOT was then used to quantify the severity of each psoriatic lesion using four three-dimensional SOT parameters (Sa, SL, SA, and SV). Secondly, the involved skin-surface area in the psoriasis cases was scored by the naked eye by the five dermatologists and by image analysis. Statistically significant differences were observed between grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 in terms of the severity measurements of the individual psoriatic lesions by SOT when using the parameters Sa, SL, SA, and SV. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a strong correlation between the results measured by visual scoring and by SOT in psoriasis. [source] Modelflow estimates of cardiac output compared with Doppler ultrasound during acute changes in vascular resistance in womenEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Kenneth S. Dyson We compared Modelflow (MF) estimates of cardiac stroke volume (SV) from the finger pressure-pulse waveform (Finometer®) with pulsed Doppler ultrasound (DU) of the ascending aorta during acute changes in total peripheral resistance (TPR) in the supine and head-up-tilt (HUT) postures. Twenty-four women were tested during intravenous infusion of 0.005 or 0.01 ,g kg,1 min,1 isoprenaline, 10 or 50 ng kg,1 min,1 noradrenaline and 0.3 mg sublingual nitroglycerine. Responses to static hand-grip exercise (SHG), graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP, from ,20 to ,45 mmHg) and 45 deg HUT were evaluated on separate days. Bland,Altman analysis indicated that SVMF yielded lower estimates than SVDU during infusion of 0.01 ,g kg,1 min,1 isoprenaline (SVMF 92.7 ± 15.5 versus SVDU 104.3 ± 22.9 ml, P= 0.03) and SHG (SVMF 78.8 ± 12.0 versus SVDU 106.1 ± 28.5 ml, P < 0.01), while larger estimates were recorded with SVMF during ,45 mmHg LBNP (SVMF 52.6 ± 10.7 versus SVDU 46.2 ± 14.5 ml, P= 0.04) and HUT (SVMF 59.3 ± 13.6 versus SVDU 45.2 ± 11.3 ml, P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed a relationship (r2= 0.41, P < 0.01) between the change in TPR from baseline and the between-methods discrepancy in SV measurements. This relationship held up under all of the experimental protocols (regression for fixed effects, P= 0.46). These results revealed a discrepancy in MF estimates of SV, in comparison with those measured by DU, during acute changes in TPR. [source] Parsimonious finite-volume frequency-domain method for 2-D P,SV -wave modellingGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008R. Brossier SUMMARY A new numerical technique for solving 2-D elastodynamic equations based on a finite-volume frequency-domain approach is proposed. This method has been developed as a tool to perform 2-D elastic frequency-domain full-waveform inversion. In this context, the system of linear equations that results from the discretization of the elastodynamic equations is solved with a direct solver, allowing efficient multiple-source simulations at the partial expense of the memory requirement. The discretization of the finite-volume approach is through triangles. Only fluxes with the required quantities are shared between the cells, relaxing the meshing conditions, as compared to finite-element methods. The free surface is described along the edges of the triangles, which can have different slopes. By applying a parsimonious strategy, the stress components are eliminated from the discrete equations and only the velocities are left as unknowns in the triangles. Together with the local support of the P0 finite-volume stencil, the parsimonious approach allows the minimizing of core memory requirements for the simulation. Efficient perfectly matched layer absorbing conditions have been designed for damping the waves around the grid. The numerical dispersion of this FV formulation is similar to that of O(,x2) staggered-grid finite-difference (FD) formulations when considering structured triangular meshes. The validation has been performed with analytical solutions of several canonical problems and with numerical solutions computed with a well-established FD time-domain method in heterogeneous media. In the presence of a free surface, the finite-volume method requires 10 triangles per wavelength for a flat topography, and fifteen triangles per wavelength for more complex shapes, well below the criteria required by the staircase approximation of O(,x2) FD methods. Comparisons between the frequency-domain finite-volume and the O(,x2) rotated FD methods also show that the former is faster and less memory demanding for a given accuracy level, an attractive feature for frequency-domain seismic inversion. We have thus developed an efficient method for 2-D P,SV -wave modelling on structured triangular meshes as a tool for frequency-domain full-waveform inversion. Further work is required to improve the accuracy of the method on unstructured meshes. [source] Energy flux in viscoelastic anisotropic mediaGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2006Vlastislav, ervený SUMMARY We study properties of the energy-flux vector and other related energy quantities of homogeneous and inhomogeneous time-harmonic P and S plane waves, propagating in unbounded viscoelastic anisotropic media, both analytically and numerically. We propose an algorithm for the computation of the energy-flux vector, which can be used for media of unrestricted anisotropy and viscoelasticity, and for arbitrary homogeneous or inhomogeneous plane waves. Basic part of the algorithm is determination of the slowness vector of a homogeneous or inhomogeneous wave, which satisfies certain constraints following from the equation of motion. Approaches for determination of a slowness vector commonly used in viscoelastic isotropic media are usually difficult to use in viscoelastic anisotropic media. Sometimes they may even lead to non-physical solutions. To avoid these problems, we use the so-called mixed specification of the slowness vector, which requires, in a general case, solution of a complex-valued algebraic equation of the sixth degree. For simpler cases, as for SH waves propagating in symmetry planes, the algorithm yields simple analytic solutions. Once the slowness vector is known, determination of energy flux and of other energy quantities is easy. We present numerical examples illustrating the behaviour of the energy-flux vector and other energy quantities, for homogeneous and inhomogeneous plane P, SV and SH waves. [source] Upper mantle stratification by P and S receiver functionsGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2000Véronique Farra Summary Seismic stratification of the upper mantle is investigated by applying two complementary techniques to the records of the Graefenberg array in southern Germany. The anisotropic P receiver function technique (Kosarev et al. 1984; Vinnik & Montagner 1996) is modified by using summary seismic events instead of individual events and different weighting functions instead of the same function for the harmonic angular analysis of the SV and T components of the Pds phases. The summary events provide better separation of the second azimuthal harmonic than the individual events. The parameters of the second harmonics of SV and T thus evaluated should be similar if they reflect the effects of azimuthal anisotropy. This can be used as a criterion to identify the anisotropy. To detect the Sdp phases and their azimuthal variations caused by azimuthal anisotropy we have developed a stacking technique, which can be termed the S receiver function technique It includes axis rotation to separate interfering P and S arrivals, determination of the principal (M) component of the S -wave motion, deconvolution of the P components of many recordings by their respective M components and stacking of the deconvolved P components with weights depending on the level of noise and the angle between the M direction and the backazimuth of the event. Both techniques yield consistent results for the Graefenberg array. As indicated by the P receiver functions, the upper layer of the mantle between the Moho and 80 km depth is anisotropic with dVs/Vs around 0.03 and the fast direction close to 20° clockwise from north. The fast direction of anisotropy below this layer is around 110°, The boundary between the upper and the lower anisotropic layers is manifested by the detectable Pds and Sdp converted phases. Shear wave splitting in SKS is strongly dominated by azimuthal anisotropy in the lower layer (asthenosphere). [source] Expression and regulation of L-cystine transporter, system xc,, in the newly developed rat retinal Müller cell line (TR-MUL)GLIA, Issue 3 2003Masatoshi Tomi Abstract The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the expression and regulation of the L-cystine transporter, system xc,, in Müller cells. In this study, newly developed conditionally immortalized rat Müller cell lines (TR-MUL) from transgenic rats harboring the temperature-sensitive SV 40 large T-antigen gene were used as an in vitro model. TR-MUL cells express large T-antigen and grow well at 33°C with a doubling time of 30 h, but do not grow at 39°C. TR-MUL cells express typical Müller cell markers such as S-100, glutamine synthetase, and EAAT1/GLAST, whereas EAAT2/GLT-1 and EAAT5 are not detected. TR-MUL cells also exhibit little or no expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. We found that TR-MUL5 cells exhibited [14C]L-cystine uptake activity and expressed xCT and 4F2hc, which involve system xc,. The uptake of [14C]L-cystine was significantly inhibited by L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid, whereas L-leucine had no effect. Following diethyl maleate (DEM) treatment, the glutathione concentration in TR-MUL5 cells was reduced in the first 24 h, then gradually recovered for more than 24 h. The L-cystine uptake rate and the xCT expression level in TR-MUL5 cells were enhanced by DEM treatment. In contrast, the 4F2hc expression level was unchanged. In conclusion, TR-MUL cells have the properties of Müller cells and exhibit system xc, -mediated L-cystine uptake activity. The oxidative stress conditions following DEM treatment activate L-cystine transport in TR-MUL cells due to the enhanced transcription of the xCT gene. GLIA 9999:000,000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Survey of methodologies for developing media screening values for ecological risk assessmentINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2005Mace G. Barron Abstract This review evaluates the methodologies of 13 screening value (SV) compilations that have been commonly used in ecological risk assessment (ERA), including compilations from state and U.S. federal agencies, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Canada, The Netherlands, and Australia. The majority of surfacewater SVs were primarily derived for the protection of aquatic organisms using 2 approaches: (1) a statistical assessment of toxicity values by species groupings, such as "ambient water quality criteria," or (2) extrapolation of a lowest observed adverse effect level determined from limited toxicity data using an uncertainty factor. Sediment SVs were primarily derived for the protection of benthic invertebrates using 2 approaches: (1) statistical interpretations of databases on the incidence of biological effects and chemical concentrations in sediment, or (2) values derived from equilibrium partitioning based on a surfacewater SV. Soil SVs were derived using a diversity of approaches and were usually based on the lowest value determined from soil toxicity to terrestrial plants or invertebrates and, less frequently, from modeled, incidental soil ingestion or chemical accumulation in terrestrial organisms. The various SV compilations and methodologies had varying levels of conservatism and were not consistent in the pathways and receptors considered in the SV derivation. Many SVs were derived from other compilations and were based on outdated values, or they relied on only older toxicity data. Risk assessors involved in ERA should carefully evaluate the technical basis of SVs and consider the uncertainty in any value used to determine the presence or absence of risk and the need for further assessment. [source] The optimization of the extrusion process when using maize flour with a modified amino acid profile for making tortillasINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Jorge Milán-Carrillo Summary Maize with a modified amino acid profile, i.e. greater amounts of lysine and tryptophan than normal, is known as ,quality protein maize' (QPM). The objective of this work was to find the best combination of extrusion process variables to produce QPM flour for making tortillas. QPM grits were mixed with lime and water and had a moisture content of 28%. The single screw extruder operation conditions were selected from factorial combination of three process variables: extrusion temperature (ET, 70,100 °C), lime concentration (LC, 0.1,0.3% of the maize weight) and screw velocity (SV, 80,250 rpm). Response surface methodology was used as an optimization technique. In vitro protein digestibility (PD); total colour difference (,E) of the flours, and tortilla puffing (TP) were chosen as response variables. A graphical method was used to obtain maximum PD, TP and minimum ,E. The optimum combination of process variables was: ET = 85 °C/LC = 0.21%(w/w)/SV = 240 rpm. Tortillas from QPM flour had similar chemical composition, physicochemical and sensory properties to tortillas from commercial nixtamalized maize flour; however, the former had the highest (P , 0.05) available lysine content and were therefore better nutritionally. [source] Needs and risks of patients in a state-wide inpatient forensic mental health populationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2010Ariel Segal ABSTRACT Routine needs assessments have become mandated requirements for public mental health services. However, the appropriateness of these generic health needs assessments to specialist populations remains questionable. This study sought to assess individual needs assessed using a widely used clinician rated assessment (Health of the Nation Outcome Scales-Secure; HoNOS-Secure), a subjective needs assessment that considers both staff and patient perspectives (Camberwell Assessment of Need-Forensic version; CANFOR), and a measure of risk for general criminal recidivism (Level of Service Inventory: Screening Version; LSI:SV) in a secure forensic mental health service. Results revealed significant positive correlations between staff ratings on HoNOS-Secure, CANFOR total needs, and CANFOR met needs scores, but no significant association between CANFOR ratings or HoNOS-Secure ratings and LSI:SV scores. Although patients and staff reported the same number of needs overall according to CANFOR (7.2 vs. 7.5, P > 0.05), patients reported that more of these needs were unmet (3.1 vs. 2.3, P < 0.05). Differences between staff and patient ratings of need suggest that needs assessments should include patient perspectives to facilitate more collaborative and comprehensive care planning. Divergent perspectives between patients and staff may impair patient engagement in treatment and therefore negatively impact on outcome. Service planning issues and opportunities for future research are discussed. [source] Factors associated with seclusion in a statewide forensic psychiatric service in Australia over a 2-year periodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2009Stuart D.M. Thomas ABSTRACT Despite seclusion being described as one of the most ethically- and legally-controversial management options available, it remains a widely-used clinical strategy for managing disruptive, aggressive, and violent behaviour. This study sought to determine how frequently seclusion was used, the common characteristics of those secluded and not secluded, and the degree to which the Level of Service Inventory , Revised: Screening Version (LSI-R: SV) could predict seclusion. The study was retrospective, covering the first 2 years of operation of a statewide forensic psychiatry hospital in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected from individual case files, electronic databases, and paper copies of records pertaining to violent incidents and episodes of seclusion. Eighty five (44%) of the 193 patients admitted during this period were secluded. Those secluded were significantly younger and had a more established psychiatric history. LSI-R: SV scores were significantly and positively associated with being secluded. A statistical model containing three LSI-R: SV items, along with age on admission and psychiatric history, achieved an area under the curve of 0.74. Seclusion is used on a regular basis in response to a range of different forms of aggressive behaviour of different severity. The LSI-R: SV demonstrated moderate-to-good accuracy in predicting seclusion and warrants further research using detailed prospective methodologies. [source] Functional intravascular volume deficit in patients before surgeryACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2010M. BUNDGAARD-NIELSEN Background: Stroke volume (SV) maximization with a colloid infusion, referred to as individualized goal-directed therapy, improves outcome in high-risk surgery. The fraction of patients who need intravascular volume to establish a maximal SV has, however, not been evaluated, and there are only limited data on the volume required to establish a maximal SV before the start of surgery. Therefore, we estimated the occurrence and size of the potential functional intravascular volume deficit in surgical patients. Methods: Patients scheduled for mastectomy (n=20), open radical prostatectomy (n=20), or open major abdominal surgery (n=20) were anaesthetized, and before the start of surgery, a 200 ml colloid fluid challenge was provided and repeated if a ,10% increment in SV estimated by oesophageal Doppler was established. The volume needed for SV maximization defined the intravascular volume deficit. Results: Forty-two (70%) of the patients needed volume to establish a maximal SV. For the patients needing volume, the required amount was median 200 ml (range 200,600 ml), with no significant difference between the three groups of patients. The required volume was ,400 ml in nine patients (15%). Conclusion: The majority of anaesthetized patients present with a functional intravascular volume deficit before surgery. Although the deficit in general was minor, a fraction of patients presented with a deficit that may be of clinical relevance, emphasizing the importance of the individual approach of goal-directed fluid therapy. [source] Associations of Sexual Victimization, Depression, and Sexual Assertiveness with Unprotected Sex: A Test of the Multifaceted Model of HIV Risk Across GenderJOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Patricia J. Morokoff This study examined whether the Multifaceted Model of HIV Risk (MMOHR) would predict unprotected sex based on predictors including gender, childhood sexual abuse (CSA), sexual victimization (SV), depression, and sexual assertiveness for condom use. A community-based sample of 473 heterosexually active men and women, aged 18,46 years completed survey measures of model variables. Gender predicted several variables significantly. A separate model for women demonstrated excellent fit, while the model for men demonstrated reasonable fit. Multiple sample model testing supported the use of MMOHR in both men and women, while simultaneously highlighting areas of gender difference. Prevention interventions should focus on sexual assertiveness, especially for CSA and SV survivors, as well as targeting depression, especially among men. [source] Relationship between stroke volume, cardiac output and filling of the heart during tiltACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 10 2009M. BUNDGAARD-NIELSEN Background: Cardiac function curves are widely accepted to apply to humans but are not established for the entire range of filling of the heart that can be elicited during head-up (HUT) and head-down tilt (HDT), taken to represent minimal and maximal physiological filling of the heart, respectively. With the supine resting position as a reference, we assessed stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and filling of the heart during graded tilt to evaluate whether SV and CO are maintained during an assumed maximal physiological filling of the heart elicited by 90° HDT in healthy resting humans. Methods: In 26 subjects, central blood volume was manipulated with graded tilt from 60° HUT to 90° HDT. We measured SV, CO (Finometer®) and cardiac filling by echocardiography of the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV; n=12). Results: From supine rest to 60° HUT, SV and CO decreased 23 ml [confidence intervals (CI): 16,30; P<0.001; 23%] and 0.9 l/min (0.4,1.4; P<0.0001; 14%), respectively, but neither SV nor CO changed during HDT up to 70°. However, during 90° HDT, SV decreased 12 ml (CI: 6,19; P<0.0001; 12%), with an increase of 21 ml (9,33; P=0.002; 16%) in LVEDV because HR increased 3 bpm and CO decreased 0.5 l/min (ns). Conclusion: This study confirmed that SV and CO are maximal in resting, supine, healthy humans and decrease during HUT. However, 90° HDT was associated with increased LVEDV and induced a reduction in SV. [source] Superior Flow Pattern of Internal Thoracic Artery over Saphenous Vein Grafts during OPCAB ProceduresJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2009Alberto Weber Methods: Serial intraoperative flow measurements were carried out in 306 consecutive patients (mean age 64 years, mean Euroscore 5.1) undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). The LAD was grafted in 302 patients [293 ITA (97%), 9 SV], the Cx in 252 patients [117 ITA (46%), 135 SV], and the RCA in 260 patients [36 ITA (14%), 224 SV]. Results: Averages of 3.7 ± 1.0 distal anastomoses/patient were constructed. Mean pulsatile index (PI) was significantly better for the single ITA/Cx-grafts (2.8 ± 1.9, n = 92) than for the single SV/Cx-grafts (3.3 ± 1.7, n = 43, p < 0.05), whereas the mean flow did not differ (28 ± 22 and 31 ± 25 mL/min respectively, p = ns). Accordingly, the mean PI was significantly better for the single ITA/RCA-grafts (2.2 ± 1.2, n = 36) than for the single SV/RCA-grafts (3.4 ± 2.6, n = 178, p < 0.01), whereas the mean flow did not differ (30 ± 16 and 32 ± 22 mL/min respectively, p = ns). The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction tended to be lower in patients receiving an ITA to either the Cx or the RCA than in those receiving a SV, but the difference did not reach statistical significance [2/92 of ITA/Cx (2.2%) vs. 2/43 of SV/Cx (4.6%), 1/36 of ITA/RCA (2.8%) vs. 8/178 of SV/RCA (4.5%)]. Conclusion: The internal thoracic artery provides superior flow properties than the SV to the Cx and RCA regions with reduced perioperative ischemia. Whether this advantage persists after adjusting for the grade of the proximal coronary stenosis needs further studies. [source] Contribution of Nitric Oxide Synthase to Improved Early Graft Patency in Human Saphenous Vein Graft Harvested by a Novel ,No-Touch' TechniqueJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2002JCS Tsui Aim: Saphenous vein (SV) is the most commonly used conduit in bypass procedures but has a one-year occlusion rate of 15-30%. A new ,no-touch' technique where the SV is harvested with a cushion of surrounding tissue with no distension has led to improved early patency rates of 5% at 18-months. Nitric oxide (NO), synthesised by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has properties beneficial to graft patency. Our aim was to study the distribution of NOS in SV harvested by this technique and the effect of distension and removal of perivascular tissue on NOS content of SV. Methods: Following ethical committee approval and patients' informed consent, SVs were harvested from ten patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. A segment of vein was harvested by the conventional technique (surrounding tissue stripped and vein distended with saline); another part was stripped but not distended (,control') and the remaining parts harvested by the ,no-touch' technique. Samples of each segment were taken and transverse sections prepared for NOS identification using 3[H]L-NG nitroarginine (NO Arg) autoradiography and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. NOS isoforms were studied using standard immunohistochemistry. Endothelial cells and nerves were also identified using immunohistochemistry with CD31 and NF200 respecitvely, to confirm sources of NOS. Morphometric analysis of NADPH-diaphorase staining was carried out to study tissue NOS content. Results: NO Arg binding representing NOS was preserved on the lumen of ,no-touch' vessels whilst that on conventional and control vessels was reduced. NOS was also localised to the medial smooth muscle cells of all vein segments and to the intact adventitia of ,no-touch' segments. This was confirmed by NADPH-diaphorase staining, which revealed a mean reduction of NOS by 19.5% (p < 0.05, ANOVA) in control segments due to stripping of surrounding tissue alone and a reduction of 35.5% (p < 0.01, AVNOVA) in conventional segments due to stripping and distension, compared to ,no-touch' segments. Adventitial NOS sources in ,no-touch' vessels corresponded to vasa vasorum and paravascular nerves. All three NOS isoforms contributed to the preserved NOS in ,no-touch' vessels. Conclusions: Apart from preserved lumenal NOS, NOS sources are also located in the media and adventitia of SV grafts. These are reduced by both adventitial damage and vein distension during conventional vein harvesting. The ,no-touch' technique avoids these procedures, preserving NOS sources. This may result in improved NO availability in SV harvested by this technique, contributing to the improved patency rates reported. [source] Evaluation of nursing and medical students' attitudes towards people with disabilitiesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 15-16 2010Hatice Sahin Aims and objectives., The aim of this study is to assess the attitudes of students towards disabled people and provide suggestions to make necessary changes in the curricula. Background., Disabled people suffer from rejection, exclusion and discrimination. The undergraduate education of future health professionals should include processes of critical thinking towards and analysis of the disabled. Design., Cross-sectional design was used. Methods., All the preclinical medical and nursing students in our institution were included in study. Data were collected using the Turkish Attitudes towards Disabled Person Scale (TATDP) and demographical variables. TATDP Scale was scored according to five-point Likert Scale. Results., Students' mean attitude score is 120·57 (SD 15·24). Subscale mean scores are 53·61 (SD 7·25) for compassion (CP), 50·47 (SDS 7·26) for social value (SV) and 16·49 (SD 2·89) for resource distribution (RD). Whilst nursing students had less contact with the disabled, medical students had a closer contact with them. Medical students acquired more prior knowledge about attitudes towards the disabled. Total attitude scores of female students were above the students' mean attitude score when compared to those of male students. Conclusion., Only if early contact is established with patients and the disabled, practical educational strategies are adopted, and the students are provided with information on attitudes about the disabled, will a social model of disability be introduced into the curriculum. Relevance to clinical practice., This study results were presented to curriculum planning committees of nursing and medical schools, so that they should use them as needs assessment data in developing a disability awareness curriculum. The curriculum will be implemented in cooperation with not only schools but also other social institutions. For instance, clerkship applications will be accomplished by cooperating with nursing homes and organisations of disabled people. [source] Potentially inappropriate urinary catheter indwelling among long-term care facilities residentsJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2009Yi-Tsun Chen MD Abstract Purpose, To evaluate the prevalence of long-term urinary catheter (UC) indwelling and potentially inappropriate urinary catheterization among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Taiwan. Method, From January to March of 2007, residents with long-term urethral UC indwelling of LTCFs in northern Taipei were invited for study and were enrolled when the informed consent was obtained. For every subject, UC was removed by home care nurses, and self-voiding (SV) status was determined after a 4-hour observation period. Residual volume (RV) was measured when the UC was re-indwelled. Potentially inappropriate UC indwelling was defined by the concomitant presence of SV and the RV less than 150 mL. Results, In total, 252 residents from eight LTCFs were screened and 45 out of 62 residents with long-term UC indwelling were enrolled (mean age = 80.4 ± 8.9 years, 40% were males, 95.6% were severely disabled). SV was noted in 86.7% (39/45) of study subjects, and 71.8% (28/39) self-voided subjects had their RV less than 150 mL. By definition, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate UC indwelling in this study was 62.2%. The mean RV was significantly lower in subjects with SV (101.3 ± 66.1 vs. 221.7 ± 154.1 mL, P = 0.002) and subjects with SV were more prone to have the RV less than 150 mL (P = 0.018). Conclusion, The prevalence of long-term UC indwelling among Taiwanese LTCF residents was high and a high proportion of their UC may be removable. A national audit and introducing a practice guideline for continence care in LTCFs may help to promote quality of care for institutionalized older people in Taiwan. [source] Effects of Size of Cellulose Granules on Dough Rheology, Microscopy, and Breadmaking PropertiesJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007M. Seguchi ABSTRACT:, Breadmaking was performed with cellulose-blended wheat flour. Cellulose granules (7 types) of various sizes (diameter) were prepared by kneading. With increase of the blend percent of the cellulose samples from 10% to 20%, breadmaking properties such as bread height and specific volume (SV) gradually decreased in every sample; however, the decreasing levels of the properties in 7 types of various sizes varied. The decrease of bread height and SV was associated with the size of the cellulose granule. It was observed at both 10% and 20% blends that the same bread height and SV as for bread baked with only wheat flour could be obtained when the diameter of cellulose granule was above 154 ,m in cellulose/wheat flour breadmaking, while they gradually decreased with granules below 154 ,m. When the largest cellulose granules were mechanically ground to make smaller ones, the bread height and SV decreased with increasing grinding time. It was ascertained that the size of the cellulose granule was important for breadmaking properties. Cellulose-blended wheat flour was subjected to mixograph tests. When cellulose granules above 154-,m dia were blended with wheat flour, the profile of the mixogram was almost the same as that for wheat flour; that is, the profile had a short mixing requirement and showed a viscous gluten matrix. However, when cellulose granules below 81-,m dia were blended, a different curve showing a nonviscous dough due to breakdown of the gluten protein was observed, as ascertained by microscopy. Farmograph test showed that the amount of the released gas from cellulose-blended bread dough increased with decrease of the size of the cellulose granule due to breakdown of the gluten protein. [source] Forecasting volatility by means of threshold modelsJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 5 2007M. Pilar Muñoz Abstract The aim of this paper is to compare the forecasting performance of competing threshold models, in order to capture the asymmetric effect in the volatility. We focus on examining the relative out-of-sample forecasting ability of the SETAR-Threshold GARCH (SETAR-TGARCH) and the SETAR-Threshold Stochastic Volatility (SETAR-THSV) models compared to the GARCH model and Stochastic Volatility (SV) model. However, the main problem in evaluating the predictive ability of volatility models is that the ,true' underlying volatility process is not observable and thus a proxy must be defined for the unobservable volatility. For the class of nonlinear state space models (SETAR-THSV and SV), a modified version of the SIR algorithm has been used to estimate the unknown parameters. The forecasting performance of competing models has been compared for two return time series: IBEX 35 and S&P 500. We explore whether the increase in the complexity of the model implies that its forecasting ability improves. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Human astrovirus, norovirus (GI, GII), and sapovirus infections in Pakistani children with diarrheaJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2004Tung Gia Phan Abstract Fecal specimens from 517 infants and young children admitted to the Civil Karachi Hospital, Dow Medical College, Karachi city, Pakistan with acute gastroenteritis from 1990 to 1994 were collected and screened by RT-PCR for human astrovirus (AstV), norovirus (NV), and sapovirus (SV). The specific epidemiological data for illness caused by these viruses in Pakistan are not available. AstV, NV, and SV were detected in 58, 51, and 17 of 517 fecal specimens, and this represented 11.2, 9.9, and 3.2%, respectively. An outbreak of gastroenteritis attributable to AstV serotype 1 was identified during September and October 1990. Moreover, one specimen with a triple mixed infection between AstV (serotypes 1 and 3) and NV GII was found. NV and SV were subjected to molecular analysis by sequencing. One of the sequenced specimens positive for SV turned out to be similar to a strain tentatively called a genogroup IV. The result underscores the importance of these viruses in association with acute gastroenteritis in Karachi city, Pakistan. J. Med. Virol. 73:256,261, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] |