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Specific Factors (specific + factor)
Selected AbstractsEndoscopic Staple Diverticulostomy for Recurrent Zenker's Diverticulum,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 1 2003Richard L. Scher MD Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, effectiveness, and morbidity of using endoscopic staple diverticulostomy (ESD) as treatment for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) recurring after either prior endoscopic treatment or external diverticulectomy or diverticulopexy. Study Design A retrospective review of a case series of 18 patients with recurrent ZD. Methods All patients cared for with ZD were evaluated to identify those patients with recurrent ZD. The clinical records of patients with recurrent ZD were reviewed for: demographics, prior treatment, time to recurrence, factors associated with recurrence, technical feasibility of treatment, complications, effectiveness and duration of symptom relief. Results Between March 1995 and July 2001, a total of 127 consecutive patients with ZD received care. Eighteen of these patients were treated for recurrent ZD: nine treated originally by ESD, and nine by external approach (seven by diverticulectomy and two by diverticulopexy), with three of these patients treated twice. Seventeen patients had partial or complete relief of symptoms after their initial treatment, with recurrence of symptoms noted 0 to 60 months later. Specific factors associated with recurrence of symptoms were identified in only one patient. Treatment of recurrent ZD by ESD was technically feasible in 16 of the patients. Complete or improved symptom relief has been reported by 16 of the patients after revision ESD, with follow-up from 9 to 69 months. No significant treatment complications occurred. Fifteen patients resumed clear liquid diet on the day of surgery, and one on the day after surgery. All patients were discharged from the hospital by the second postoperative day (mean = 0.6 d). Conclusions ESD is an effective, technically feasible, and safe treatment for patients with ZD recurring after prior endoscopic or external treatment, and it should be the initial treatment of choice for these patients. [source] Exploring the relationship between skin property and absorbent pad environmentJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11 2009Yoshie Shigeta Aim., The aim of this study is to identify the related factors of skin lesions found in the surrounding environment of absorbent pads by clinical investigation. Background., Most older patients with incontinence use absorbent products, therefore causing many patients to have skin lesion in the absorbent pad area. To prevent these skin lesions from occurring, it is necessary to examine the absorbent pad environment of clinical patients since there are many contributing factors that complicate the pathophysiology in this area. Design., A cross-sectional design was used. Methods., One hundred older Japanese patients with faecal and/or urinary incontinence using diapers and absorbent pads participated. Excluding blanchable erythema, the presence of skin lesions in the absorbent pad area was confirmed. Skin pH, hydration level and bacterial cultures were used to assess the skin property. Absorbent pad environment and patient demographics were also investigated. Results., The overall prevalence of skin lesions was 36%. Forty percent of the skin lesions were contact dermatitis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only the presence of diarrhoea independently affected contact dermatitis. Conclusion., There was a significant relationship between contact dermatitis and the use of absorbent pads when the patient had diarrhoea. Although the factors related to skin lesions in the absorbent pad area are complexly intertwined, this study was the first to be able to determine diarrhoea as one specific factor in clinical setting. Relevance to clinical practice., This finding suggests that the presence of diarrhoea is significantly related with contact dermatitis. Therefore, when a patient has diarrhoea, health-care professionals should immediately implement a preventative care program which includes careful skin observation and improved skin care. It is also necessary to develop a more effective absorbent pad to protect the skin of incontinent patients who suffer from the irritating effects of liquid stool. [source] Pathological significance of vascular endothelial growth factor A isoform expression in human cancerPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5-6 2002Masato Nakamura Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a highly specific factor for vascular endothelial cells. Five VEGF-A isoforms (splice variants 121, 145, 165, 189 and 206) are generated as a result of alternative splicing from a single VEGF-A gene. These differ in their molecular weights and in biological properties such as their ability to bind to cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Deregulated VEGF-A expression contributes to the development of solid tumors by promoting tumor angiogenesis. More specifically, VEGF-A189 expression is related to angiogenesis and prognosis in certain human solid tumors. VEGF-A189 expression is also related to the xenotransplantability of human cancers into immunodeficient mice in vivo. Consequently, inhibition of VEGF-A or VEGF-A189 signaling regulates the development and metastasis of a variety of tumors. This review focuses on recent studies of the mechanisms by which VEGF-A regulates angiogenesis in the cancer stroma and on our recent findings concerning the potential mechanisms of VEGF-A189 expression on tumor growth and metastasis. [source] Parsing the general and specific components of depression and anxiety with bifactor modeling,DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 7 2008Leonard J. Simms Ph.D. Abstract Recent hierarchical models suggest that both general and specific components are needed to fully represent the variation observed among mood and anxiety disorders. However, little is known about the relative size, severity, and psychological meaning of these components. We studied these features through bifactor modeling of the symptoms from the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms [IDAS; Watson et al., 2007] in 362 community adults, 353 psychiatric patients, and 673 undergraduates. Results revealed that although all IDAS symptom types loaded prominently both on a general factor as well as specific factors, some symptom groups,such as dysphoria, generalized anxiety, and irritability,were influenced more strongly by the general factor, whereas others,e.g., appetite gain, appetite loss, and low well-being,contained a larger specific component. Second, certain symptom groups,e.g., Suicidality, Panic, Appetite Loss, and Ill Temper,reflected higher severity than other symptom groups. Finally, general factor scores correlated strongly with markers of general distress and negative emotionality. These findings support a hierarchical structure among mood and anxiety symptoms and have important implications for how such disorders are described, assessed, and studied. Depression and Anxiety 0:1,13, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MOBILITY AND TRADE POLITICS: CAPITAL FLOWS, POLITICAL COALITIONS, AND LOBBYINGECONOMICS & POLITICS, Issue 3 2004Michael J. Hiscox Conventional wisdom holds that increasing international capital mobility reduces incentives for firms to lobby for trade protection. This paper argues that the effects of increased international capital mobility on the lobbying incentives of firms depend critically upon levels of inter-industry mobility. General-equilibrium analysis reveals that if capital is highly industry-specific, greater international mobility among some types of specific capital may increase lobbying incentives for owners of other specific factors and thereby intensify industry-based rent-seeking in trade politics. Evidence on levels of inward and outward investment in US manufacturing industries between 1982 and 1996, and on industry lobbying activities, indicate that these effects may be quite strong. [source] Collagen type VIII expression in human diabetic nephropathyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2007J. Gerth Abstract Background, Collagen type VIII is a non-fibrillar short-chain collagen that may modulate migration, proliferation and adherence of various cells. Only very sparse information exists on collagen type VIII expression in human diabetic nephropathy. Material and methods, We retrospectively studied mRNA expression for the two collagen type VIII chains (COL8A1 and COL8A2) in 20 biopsies with histologically confirmed diabetic nephropathy by real-time PCR, and compared glomerular and tubular expression with normal kidney [pre-transplant biopsies (n = 10)]. Expression of collagen type VIII was also studied in biopsies from patients with benign nephrosclerosis (BNS; n = 16) and focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; n = 9). Results, A strong specific induction of COL8A1 mRNA was found in diabetic nephropathy in both glomerular and tubular compartments. There was also a robust induction of COL8A2 in diabetic nephropathy, but overall expression was lower than that of COL8A1 transcripts. No significant increase in COL8A1 and COL8A2 mRNAs expression was found in biopsies from patients with BNS and FSGS compared with normal kidneys. The cross-reactivity of the used anti-,1(VIII) antibody with human tissue was confirmed by Western blots. Immunohistological analysis revealed only little staining for collagen type VIII in the normal kidney, localized to vessels. There was an up-regulation of collagen type VIII protein expression as shown by immunohistochemistry in the diabetic nephropathy biopsies mainly localized to mesangial cells, tubules and the interstitium. Proteinuria and serum creatinine did not correlate with glomerular or tubular COL8A1 and COL8A2 mRNA expression in diabetic patients. Conclusion, Our study systemically investigates collagen type VIII expression in human biopsies. Induction of collagen type VIII was specific for diabetic nephropathy and did not occur in the other renal diseases studied. More specific factors of the diabetic environment are likely involved in the stimulated expression because there was no correlation of collagen type VIII mRNA expression with proteinuria. Since collagen type VIII may influence proliferation and migration of cells, it is possible that an increase in renal expression of collagen type VIII initiates other pathophysiological processes (e.g. proliferation of renal fibroblasts) involved in diabetic nephropathy. [source] Assessing alternative models of individualism and collectivism: a confirmatory factor analysisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 2 2001Mark A. Freeman Six alternative structural models of individualism,collectivism are reviewed and empirically compared in a confirmatory factor analysis of questionnaire data from an Australian student sample (N,=,340). Central to the debate about the structure of this broad social attitude are the issues of (1) polarity (are individualism and collectivism bipolar opposites, or orthogonal factors?) and (2) dimensionality (are individualism and collectivism themselves higher-order constructs subsuming several more specific factors and, if so, what are they?). The data from this Australian sample support a model that represents individualism and collectivism as a higher-order bipolar factor hierarchically subsuming several bipolar reference-group-specific individualisms and collectivisms. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Brief Communications: An Analysis of Migraine Triggers in a Clinic-Based PopulationHEADACHE, Issue 8 2010Diane Andress-Rothrock MS Background., Many migraineurs report attack "triggers," but relatively few published data exist regarding the relative prevalences of individual triggers, variations related to gender, duration of migraine or migraine subtype, or the existence of any regional variations in the prevalences and distributions of triggers. Objective., We sought to determine the prevalence and types of migraine triggers in our clinic population, to determine what influence gender, migraine subtype, or duration of migraine might have on the prevalences and types of triggers reported and to compare our findings with data derived from surveys we previously had conducted involving 2 clinic-based populations and 1 general population sample from other regions of the USA. Methods., We evaluated 200 consecutive new migraine patients referred to our clinic. All patients specifically were queried as to whether they had noted any of 7 specific factors to serve consistently as migraine attack triggers and additionally were surveyed as to whether they might have "other" triggers not listed on the intake questionnaire. Among the other data collected and analyzed were age, gender, age at time of migraine onset, and migraine subtype (ie, episodic vs chronic). Actively cycling females who reported menses as a trigger were questioned as to whether their menstrual migraine (MM) attacks differed from their non-menstrual migraines and, if so, how they differed. Results., One hundred and eighty-two patients (91%) reported at least 1 migraine trigger, and 165 (82.5%) reported multiple triggers. The most common trigger reported (59%) was "emotional stress," followed by "too much or little sleep" (53.5%), "odors" (46.5%), and "missing meals" (39%). Females or subjects of either gender with chronic migraine were no more likely than males or subjects with episodic migraine to report triggers or multiple triggers. Similarly, longer exposure to migraine did not correlate with a higher likelihood of reporting a trigger or multiple triggers. Fifty-three (62%) of 85 actively cycling females reported menses as a trigger, and of the 51 with menstrually related migraine, 34 (67%) reported their MM to be more severe, more refractory to symptomatic therapy or of longer duration than their non-menstrual attacks; 13 (24.5%) of the 53 women with apparent MM reported their MM to be at least occasionally manifested as status migrainosus. The prevalence and type of triggers reported by this predominantly white female population were similar to those reported by clinic-based populations in San Diego, California and Mobile, Alabama, and in a population-based sample of Hispanics in San Diego County. Conclusions., A large majority of migraineurs report migraine attack triggers, and the triggers most commonly reported include emotional stress, a disrupted sleep pattern, and various odors. These findings do not appear to vary according to geographic region or race/ethnicity. Among the triggers, MM appears inclined to provoke headache that is more severe, less amenable to treatment, or longer in duration than headaches that occur at other times during the cycle. (Headache 2010;50:1366-1370) [source] PIK3CA cancer mutations display gender and tissue specificity patterns,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 2 2008Silvia Benvenuti Abstract The occurrence of oncogenic alleles can display striking tissue specificity. For example KRAS mutations are very frequent in pancreatic cancers but relatively rare in melanomas. The opposite is true for BRAF mutations. Somatic mutations in the gene encoding for the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3KCA) catalytic subunit, PIK3CA, occur at high frequency in many solid cancers. We have examined whether PI3K oncogenic mutations (exons 9 and 20) might exhibit gender and/or tissue specificity. By examining large cohorts of breast and colorectal cancers affecting both men and women we found that the pattern of PIK3CA mutations is distinctive. In colorectal cancers, PIK3CA (but not KRAS, APC, or TP53) mutations display a gender bias occurring at higher frequencies in women. We also found that male breast cancers display PIK3CA mutations at an overall frequency similar to that observed in female breast tumors. In male breast cancers, however, PIK3CA mutations are found mainly in exon 20. We conclude that PI3KCA mutations affecting exons 9 and 20 display gender- and tissue-specific patterns, thus suggesting that the different amino acid changes could exert distinct functional effects on the oncogenic properties of this enzyme. Furthermore, we propose that sexual dimorphisms and tissue specific factors might directly or indirectly influence the occurrence of PI3KCA cancer alleles. Hum Mutat 29(2), 284,288, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Body size, biomic specialization and range size of African large mammalsJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2005Manuel Hernández Fernández Abstract Aim, The goal of this paper is to examine the relationships between body size, biomic specialization and range size in the African large mammals, which are defined as all the African species corresponding to the orders Primates, Carnivora, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla, Hyracoidea, Tubulidentata, Artiodactyla and Pholidota. Location, The study used the large mammal assemblage from Africa. Methods, The degree of biomic specialization of African large mammals is investigated using the biomic specialization index (BSI) for each mammal species, based on the number of biomes it inhabits. Range size for each species is measured as the latitudinal extent of the geographical distribution of the species. We have analysed our data using both conventional cross-species analyses and phylogenetically independent contrasts. Results, There is a polygonal relationship between species biomic specialization and body size. While small and large species are biomic specialists, medium-sized species are distributed along the whole range of biomic specialization. The latitudinal extent,body size relationship is approximately triangular. Small-bodied species may have either large or small ranges, whereas large-bodied ones have only large ranges. A positive correlation between latitudinal extent and biomic specialization is evident, although their relationship is better described as triangular. Main conclusions, We found a polygonal relationship between species biomic specialization and body size, which agrees with previous arguments that small-bodied species have more limited dispersal and, therefore, they may come to occupy a lesser proportion of their potential inhabitable biomes. On the other hand, large-bodied species are constrained to inhabit biomes with a high productivity. A polygonal relationship between species latitudinal extent and body size in African large mammals agrees with previous studies of the relationship between range size and body size in other continents. The independent study of the macroecological pattern in biomic specialization highlights different factors that influence the body size,range size relationship. Although body size is usually implicated as a correlate of both specialization and geographical range size in large mammals, much of the variation in these variables cannot be attributed to size differences but to biome specific factors such as productivity, area, history, etc. [source] Coping With Uncertainties in Advance Care PlanningJOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION, Issue 3 2001Stephen C. Hines This essay extends problematic integration theory and related theories of uncertainty management to communication about serious illness and death. These extensions (a) note that theorizing must focus on multiple, interrelated uncertainties rather than a single such uncertainty; (b) explain how communication with others often problematizes efforts to cope with illness-related uncertainties; and (c) identify specific factors that may influence how persons choose to cope with these uncertainties. The essay describes implications for ongoing efforts to improve communication with persons nearing death. Specifically, they point to 5 incorrect assumptions that limit the effectiveness of current efforts to encourage persons to talk about their end-of-life preferences with others in a process referred to as advance care planning and then suggest concrete changes derived from this framework that can improve the advance care planning process and enhance the quality of end-of- life care. [source] Flavor Variability and Flavor Stability of U.S.-Produced Whole Milk PowderJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009M.A. Lloyd ABSTRACT:, Flavor variability and stability of U.S.-produced whole milk powder (WMP) are important parameters for maximizing quality and global competitiveness of this commodity. This study characterized flavor and flavor stability of domestic WMP. Freshly produced (<1 mo) WMP was collected from 4 U.S. production facilities 5 times over a 1 y period. Each sample was analyzed initially and every 2 mo for sensory profile, volatiles, color, water activity, and moisture through 12 mo storage. Selected volatiles were quantified using solid phase microextraction (SPME) with gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry: dimethyl sulfide, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, 2-heptanone, heptanal, 1-octen-3-ol, octanal, 3-octen-2-one, and nonanal. Multiple linear regression with backwards elimination was applied to generate equations to predict grassy and painty flavors based on selected volatiles. All WMP were between 2% and 3% moisture and 0.11 and 0.25 water activity initially. WMP varied in initial flavor profiles with varying levels of cooked, milk fat, and sweet aromatic flavors. During storage, grassy and painty flavors developed while sweet aromatic flavor intensities decreased (P,< 0.05). Painty and grassy flavors were confirmed by increased levels (P,< 0.05) of lipid oxidation products such as hexanal, heptanal, and octanal. Hexanal, 2-heptanone, 1-octen-3-ol, and nonanal concentrations were best predictors of grassy flavor (R2= 0.38,,P,< 0.0001) while hexanal, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, octanal, and 3-octen-2-one concentrations were best predictors of painty flavor (R2= 0.61,,P,< 0.0001). These results provide baseline information to determine specific factors that can be controlled to optimize U.S. WMP flavor and flavor stability. [source] How does economic empowerment affect women's risk of intimate partner violence in low and middle income countries?JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2009A systematic review of published evidence Abstract Objectives To identify whether individual and household economic empowerment is associated with lower intimate partner violence in low and middle income country settings. Methods Systematic PubMed and internet searches. Results Published data from 41 sites were reviewed. Household assets and women's higher education were generally protective. Evidence about women's involvement in income generation and experience of past year violence was mixed, with five finding a protective association and six documenting a risk association. Conclusion At an individual and household level, economic development and poverty reduction may have protective impacts on IPV. Context specific factors influence whether financial autonomy is protective or associated with increased risk. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This article was published online on 6 October 2008. Errors were subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected [17 April 2009]. [source] RANKL/OPG/TRAIL plasma levels and bone mass loss evaluation in antiretroviral naive HIV-1-positive menJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 10 2007Davide Gibellini Abstract Osteopenia and osteoporosis are common in HIV-1-infected individuals and represent a challenge in clinical and therapeutic management. This report investigated osteopenia/osteoporosis in a group of 31 antiretroviral naive HIV-1-positive men and the role of specific molecules belonging to TNF and the TNF-receptor family in HIV-1-related bone mass loss. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), the receptor activator of NF-,b-ligand (RANKL), and the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) were significantly increased in the plasma of antiretroviral naive HIV-1-positive patients compared to a control group of healthy blood donors. In addition, TRAIL and RANKL plasma concentrations were positively correlated to HIV-1-RNA viral load. Measurement of bone mineral density in 20 out of 31 HIV-1-positive subjects disclosed osteopenia/osteoporosis in 40% of these patients. The antiretroviral naive HIV-1-positive subjects with low bone mineral density had a decreased plasma OPG/RANKL ratio and a plasma RANKL concentration >500 pg/ml. Together, these data indicate that plasma concentrations of specific factors involved in bone homeostasis were increased during HIV-1 infection and that RANKL and OPG/RANKL ratio deregulation may be involved in osteopenia/osteoporosis occurring in antiretroviral naive HIV-1 individuals. J. Med. Virol. 79:1446,1454, 2007. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Metamorphosis of cinctoblastula larvae (Homoscleromorpha, porifera)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Alexander V. Ereskovsky Abstract The metamorphosis of the cinctoblastula of Homoscleromorpha is studied in five species belonging to three genera. The different steps of metamorphosis are similar in all species. The metamorphosis occurs by the invagination and involution of either the anterior epithelium or the posterior epithelium of the larva. During metamorphosis, morphogenetic polymorphism was observed, which has an individual character and does not depend on either external or species specific factors. In the rhagon, the development of the aquiferous system occurs only by epithelial morphogenesis and subsequent differentiation of cells. Mesohylar cells derive from flagellated cells after ingression. The formation of pinacoderm and choanoderm occurs by the differentiation of the larval flagellated epithelium. This is possibly due to the conservation of cell junctions in the external surface of the larval flagellated cells and of the basement membrane in their internal surface. The main difference in homoscleromorph metamorphosis compared with Demospongiae is the persistence of the flagellated epithelium throughout this process and even in the adult since exo- and endopinacoderm remain flagellated. The antero-posterior axis of the larva corresponds to the baso-apical axis of the adult in Homoscleromorpha. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Biochemical and molecular studies using human autopsy brain tissueJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2003Matthew R. Hynd Abstract The use of human brain tissue obtained at autopsy for neurochemical, pharmacological and physiological analyses is reviewed. RNA and protein samples have been found suitable for expression profiling by techniques that include RT-PCR, cDNA microarrays, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and proteomics. The rapid development of molecular biological techniques has increased the impetus for this work to be applied to studies of brain disease. It has been shown that most nucleic acids and proteins are reasonably stable post-mortem. However, their abundance and integrity can exhibit marked intra- and intercase variability, making comparisons between case-groups difficult. Variability can reveal important functional and biochemical information. The correct interpretation of neurochemical data must take into account such factors as age, gender, ethnicity, medicative history, immediate ante-mortem status, agonal state and post-mortem and post-autopsy intervals. Here we consider issues associated with the sampling of DNA, RNA and proteins using human autopsy brain tissue in relation to various ante- and post-mortem factors. We conclude that valid and practical measures of a variety of parameters may be made in human brain tissue, provided that specific factors are controlled. [source] Expression of interleukin-1,, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2 in a rotator cuff tear in rabbitsJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Hiroshi Koshima Abstract We investigated the specific factors related to shoulder pain due to a rotator cuff tear using a model in rabbits. A rotator cuff tear was surgically created, and the expression of interleukin-1, (IL-1,), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was analyzed. In the supernatant of the tissue culture of the torn tendon, IL-1, production was detected. The amount of IL-1, was highest 1 day after injury, and then decreased gradually to 21 days. PGE2, the mediator of pain and the product of COX-2, was also detected in the supernatant of the tissue culture. The production of PGE2 significantly increased to 7 days after injury, and then decreased to 21 days. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the mRNA expression of IL-1, and COX-2 in the torn tendon. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that cells in the tendon stump were immunopositive for IL-1, and COX-2. Furthermore, in the affected joint, articular chondrocytes in the remote area from the tear expressed COX-2 strongly. When the rotator cuff is torn, IL-1, is produced in the torn tendon, and stimulates the expression of COX-2 in not only the torn tendon but also in articular chondrocytes. The COX-2 then produces PGE2, which would mediate shoulder pain. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:92,97, 2007 [source] Assessment of Adherence to Atovaquone-Proguanil Prophylaxis in TravelersJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010John C. DePetrillo MD Background. Malaria continues to be a serious, world-wide infection. Atovaquone-proguanil is one of the prophylactic agents recommended for travelers to endemic regions. However, little information is available regarding adherence with this medication. A large proportion of malaria cases reported from travelers is due to non-adherence to prescribed regimens. This study was undertaken to analyze adherence with atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis and specific factors contributing to non-adherence. Methods. Men and non-pregnant women ,18 years of age were eligible for inclusion. Enrolled travelers received a prescription for atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis and were contacted by telephone within 3 weeks of return to the United States. A questionnaire was prepared by the authors to determine if subjects were adherent with the medication. Additional data included demographics, duration of malarious travel, previous use of prophylactic agents, underlying medical conditions, concurrent medications, and reasons for non-adherence. Results. Complete data were available for 104/124 (84%) participants: 49 (47%) men, 55 (53%) women. Average duration of malarious travel was 12 days, and 19 (18%) travelers reported previous travel to a malarious region. Ninety-two (89%) subjects were completely adherent with their prophylactic atovaquone-proguanil course. Adverse effects were seen in 6 (5%) travelers. Conclusions. Adherence with atovaquone-proguanil malaria prophylaxis is high among travelers from a non-endemic region. Adverse effects are minimal. Non-adherence was primarily attributable to travelers' perception of need. [source] Dyspeptic symptoms associated with Helicobacter pylori infection are influenced by strain and host specific factorsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2004G. Treiber Summary Background :,Dyspepsia can be associated with H. pylori infection. Aim :,To assess dyspeptic symptoms and potentially influencing factors before and up to 6 months following successful H. pylori eradication therapy. Methods :,Prospective cohort study involving H. pylori positive subjects from ambulatory or hospitalized care. Main outcome measures were symptoms during baseline and follow-up, the proportion of symptom-free patients, and symptom scores. Results :,After successful eradication, the summary score of all dyspeptic symptoms decreased and during follow-up, the proportion of symptom-free patients was higher in the group with peptic ulcers (69.4% vs. 40.9%, P < 0.0001) than with functional dyspepsia (FD). Regardless of diagnosis, virulent strains of H. pylori were associated with a higher prevalence of epigastric pain before treatment: absolute risk-difference (ARD) with Oip-A: 18.2%, Odds Ratio (OR) 2.35 [1.3,4.2, 95%-CI], P = 0.01; with Cag-A: 24.6%, OR 2.81 [1.6,5], P = 0.01. Low-dose aspirin in part was a major risk factor in FD for previous weight loss bdfore study entry. Post-treatment, non-ulcer patients were more likely to suffer from distention/bloating. Likewise, alcohol induced persistence of nausea and vomiting in this population. Conclusions :,Dyspeptic symptoms in H. pylori infected patients are more common with virulent strains. Symptoms are more likely to persist despite successful eradication if patients initially harboured virulent strains or concomitant aspirin or alcohol intake are present. In one-third of peptic ulcer patients, symptoms will not be cured 3 months after therapy. [source] The demand for game day attendance in college football: an analysis of the 1997 Division 1-A seasonMANAGERIAL AND DECISION ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2003Donald I. Price This paper develops a predictive model which includes game, team and university specific factors that are likely to influence game day demand for Division 1-A college football. Attendance during the 1997 regular season is used as the dependent variable. Tobit estimates of two separate equations reveal that the quality of both teams, traditional rivalry and membership of specific conferences have a significant influence on demand. In addition, colleges with lower enrollments and a higher percentage of off-campus students attract smaller crowds. The presence of a nearby professional football team also detracts from a college team's drawing power. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An update on the honesty of melanin-based color signals in birdsPIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008Kevin J. McGraw Summary The control mechanisms and information content of melanin-based color signals in birds have generated much recent interest and controversy among evolutionary biologists. Initial experimental studies on this topic manipulated coarse metrics of an individual's condition (i.e. food intake, disease state) and failed to detect significant condition-dependence of melanin ornament expression. However, three new lines of research appear profitable and target specific factors associated with the production of melanin pigments. These include the role of (i) metals, (ii) amino acids, and (iii) testosterone and social interactions in shaping the extent and intensity of melanin-colored plumage patches. Here, I review recent studies of and evidence for these honesty-reinforcing mechanisms. [source] Interpreting longitudinal spirometry: Weight gain and other factors affecting the recognition of excessive FEV1 decline,,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009Mei Lin Wang MD Abstract Background Excessive FEV1 loss in an individual or a group can reflect hazardous exposures and development of lung disease. However, multiple factors may affect FEV1 measurements. Methods Using medical screening data collected in 1884 chemical plant workers between 1973 and 2003, the influence of multiple factors on repeated measurements of FEV1 was examined. Results The FEV1 level was associated with age, height, race, sex, cigarette smoking, changes in body weight, and spirometer model. After controlling for these factors, longitudinal FEV1 decline averaged 23.8,ml/year for white males; an additional loss of 8.3,ml was associated with one pack-year smoking and 5.4,ml with a one pound weight gain. Depending on the spirometer model, FEV1 differed by up to 95,ml. Conclusions The study results provide quantitative estimates of the effect of specific factors on FEV1, and should be useful to health professionals in the evaluation of accelerated lung function declines. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:782,789, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Civic Education in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Alternative Paths to the Development of Political Knowledge and Democratic ValuesPOLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Steven E. Finkel Despite the proliferation of civic education programs in the emerging democracies of Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe, there have been few recent evaluations of the effectiveness of civics instruction in achieving changes in democratic orientations among student populations. We present findings from a study conducted in 1998 that examined the impact of democratic civic education among South African high school students. Using a battery of items to gauge democratic orientations, including measures of political knowledge, civic duty, tolerance, institutional trust, civic skills, and approval of legal forms of political participation, we find that civic education had the largest effects on political knowledge, with the magnitude of the effect being approximately twice as large as the recent Niemi and Junn (1998) finding for the United States. Exposure to civic education per se had weaker effects on democratic values and skills; for these orientations, what matters are specific factors related to the quality of instruction and the use of active pedagogical methods employed by civics instructors. Further, we find that civic education changed the structure of students' orientations: a "democratic values" dimension coalesces more strongly, and in greater distinction, from a "political competence" dimension among students exposed to civic education than among those with no such training. We discuss the implications of the findings for our theoretical understanding of the role of civic education in fostering democratic attitudes, norms, and values, as well as the practical implications of the results for the implementation and funding of civic education programs in developing democracies in the future. [source] The structure of self-reported problem behaviors in Chinese childrenPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 1 2003Tao Xin This study examined the structure of self-reported problem behaviors in Mainland Chinese children. Third grade (n = 3011) and fifth grade (n = 3708) students completed a 20-item Problem Behavior Frequency Checklist (PBFC). Findings suggested that among the four factors studied (physical aggression, substance use, delinquency, and self-centered behaviors), self-centered behaviors and physical aggression were reported most frequently by the Chinese elementary school children. Furthermore, boys had higher prevalence rates of problem behaviors than girls. Developmental differences were also present. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a model that included specific factors related to substance use, physical aggression, delinquency, and self-centered behaviors. Therefore, the single factor conceptualization in which different types of problem behaviors are hypothesized to reflect a single underlying common factor may not hold for this population. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 19,33, 2003. [source] Social contextual links to emotion regulation in an adolescent psychiatric inpatient population: do gender and symptomatology matter?THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 11 2009Molly Adrian Background:, The regulation of emotion is essential for adaptive functioning. However, delineating the pathways of emotion regulation (ER) processes that lead to psychological adaptation remains under-studied, with mixed evidence for the specificity vs. generality of ER deficits in relation to specific forms of psychopathology. To examine this issue, this study investigated links among ER, social-contextual factors (family, peer), and psychological adjustment (internalizing, externalizing). Method:, Participants were 140 adolescents (71% female, 83.3% Caucasian, M age = 16.03 years) who were consecutive psychiatric admissions over a one-year period. Adolescents completed measures on family environment and peer relationship experiences. Both adolescents and parents reported on adolescents' characteristic patterns of ER and psychopathology. Results:, Discriminant analyses revealed that two functions, ER skills and impulsivity/lability, differentiated among adolescents who were elevated in internalizing symptoms only, in externalizing symptoms only, in both domains, or in neither domain. Regarding social contextual variables, family cohesion was associated with adaptive ER behaviors for girls along the internalizing dimension and all adolescents reporting externalizing behaviors. Relational victimization predicted difficulties with ER in both symptom domains for all adolescents. Within the internalizing domain, friendship support was related to adaptive ER. Conclusion:, Facets of ER do differentiate between global indices of internalizing and externalizing behaviors and suggest that both general and specific factors contribute to adolescents' unique learning history with emotions and characteristic patterns for managing emotions. [source] Pathologizing Possession: An Essay on Mind, Self, and Experience in DissociationANTHROPOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS, Issue 2 2003Ashwin Budden In this paper, critique the classic psychoanalytic anthropological construal of dissociative spirit possession as a pathological phenomenon. I review some of the relevant theoretical and ethnographic literature on this subject but focus on the work of two prominent psychoanalytic anthropologists to explore divergent views of the psychological nature of pathological and religious experience. Emphasis is placed on the necessity for taking into account the culture specific factors that shape dissociative possession, particularly with regard to spiritual experiences. I also move beyond this view to an embodiment approach that is useful for analyzing the experiential ground of spirit possession, and thus for providing insight into how particular individual and cultural realities are constructed through dissociation. Key words: dissociation, embodiment, possession, psychoanalytic anthropology, self "Perception is never an absolute revelation of 'what is' " -A.l. Hallovvell (1955: 84) [source] Expert testimony in child sexual abuse cases: The effects of evidence, coherence and credentials on juror decision makingAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Bianca Klettke Psychological experts have been used increasingly to testify in child sexual abuse cases, yet little research has investigated what specific factors make experts effective. This study examined the potential effects that credentials, evidence strength and coherence may have on juror decision making. Sixty-four mock jurors read cases of child sexual abuse, followed by experts' testimony and rated guilt of the defendant, effectiveness of the expert testimony and credibility of the victim. Evidence strength and coherence of the testimony affected all dependent variables, and the interaction was significant. Guilt ratings of the defendant were lower and the victim was rated as less credible when both evidence strength and coherence were low. The credentials of the expert, however, had negligible impact. These findings indicate that experts can be effective and impact jurors when testimony is either high in coherence or high in evidence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] GTIDHNIHS: I knew-it-all-alongAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Harry L. Hom JR Individuals who do insight problems are highly susceptible to hindsight bias. Two sets of studies assessed the impact of hindsight consequences on participants' judgements about anagram difficulty and specific factors for performance. In the first set, hindsight participants underestimated anagram difficulty relative to participants with task experience (worksight). Also, supportive evidence revealed that hindsight consequences were related to self-perceptions of confidence, ability, performance satisfaction, and subsequent performance expectations. In the second, two different hindsight techniques differentially impacted the participant's assessment of anagram difficulty. When comparing hindsight participants with and without worksight experience, the latter judged the anagrams to be easier. It is appropriate to examine further the cognitive and motivational consequences of hindsight bias in achievement situations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Emergency Medicine Career Choice: A Profile of Factors and Influences from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Graduation QuestionnairesACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009Jeremy S. Boyd Abstract Objectives:, This study sought to account for trends in medical student specialty choice by examining the importance of lifestyle factors. Emergency medicine (EM) is among several medical specialties classified as having a "controllable lifestyle." The primary objective of this study was to determine if medical students choosing careers in EM have a different profile of influences, values, and expectations from students choosing other specialties or specialty groups. Of secondary interest was how much lifestyle influenced students choosing EM compared to students choosing controllable lifestyle (CL) specialties. Methods:, Using data from the 2005 and 2006 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) graduation questionnaire (GQ) supplemental surveys, we grouped responses according to desired specialty choice: EM (n = 963), CL (n = 3,681), primary care (PC; n = 3,191), or surgical specialty (SS; n = 1,694). The survey requires students to rate the influence of nine specific factors in determining their specialty choice: lifestyle, competitiveness, high level of educational debt, mentors and role models, options for fellowship training, salary expectations, length of residency training, family expectations, and medical school career planning activities. Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and nonparametric statistics, we assessed responses among the four subgroups for differences in the importance attributed to these factors. Results:, A total of 13,440 students completed the two supplemental surveys of the GQ. Of these students, 9,529 identified a specialty choice that fell within one of the four comparison groups and were included in the analysis. Compared to other specialty groups, students choosing EM reported lifestyle and length of residency as strong influences, while attributing less influence to mentors and options for fellowship training. Conclusions:, Students choosing a career in EM have distinctly different priorities and influences than students entering PC and SS. The profile of students who choose EM is very similar to those choosing traditional CL specialties. A more thorough understanding of the values and priorities that shape medical student career selection may allow educators to provide better career counseling. [source] Quantifying the condition of Hawaiian coral reefsAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 1 2010Ku'ulei S. Rodgers Abstract (1)This investigation developed and tested descriptive models designed to evaluate coral reef ecological condition based on data developed using the basic techniques most often used in coral reef surveys. (2)Forty-three variables at 184 stations were analysed in order to identify specific factors that are useful metrics for describing reef condition. (3)The common practice of using ,reference sites' for paired site comparisons was evaluated by developing a reference site model (RSM). This use of reference sites proved to be subjective and unreliable, especially when multiple factors and multiple sites are involved. However, in some cases the RSM is appropriate in demonstrating severe degradation based on factors such as sediment, coral cover and fish abundance. (4)An objective ecological gradient model (EGM) was developed based on a wide range of metrics at numerous sites. A computer program was developed that allows a quantitative ranking of reef condition along a continuum and can be used to compare reefs across a wide range of conditions. Further, this approach permits the operator to alter and define criteria appropriate to a specific question. (5)Results of this investigation provide ecological insights into the importance of natural and anthropogenic ecological factors in determining coral reef condition. 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