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Selected AbstractsMultiparametric analysis of normal and postchemotherapy bone marrow: Implication for the detection of leukemia-associated immunophenotypes,CYTOMETRY, Issue 1 2008D. Olaru Abstract Background: The knowledge of normal marrow is mandatory to assess the malignant counterpart of normal cells and define leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs). In this study, the expression of a variety of antigens expressed in normal and postchemotherapy bone marrow (BM) was analyzed to provide a frame of reference for the identification of myeloid LAIPs. Methods: Multiparameter four- and six-color flow cytometry was used to define antigen combinations totally absent or present at very minimal levels in marrow cells of normal individuals (n = 20) and patients receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 20). Immature (blast) cells were gated according to CD45/SSC properties. Fifty-three acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples were studied in six-color combinations. Results: In six-color flow cytometry, 47 phenotypes were totally absent from blast gate in all normal samples. Forty-one other phenotypes were identified in less than 0.05% of blast cells. There was no difference between normal and postchemotherapy BMs. The four-color panel allowed to identify only 30 phenotypes present at a frequency <0.05%. Using the six-color panel, 58% of the absent or infrequent phenotypes in normal BM were found in at least one of 53 AML samples. All AML cases exhibited at least one LAIP. Conclusion: Our results show that the ability to distinguish leukemic from healthy cells is considerably increased by a six-color approach. Furthermore, these absent or infrequent phenotypes in normal BM are identified in AML and can be utilized for minimal residual disease study. © 2007 Clinical Cytometry Society [source] Particle capture in ciliary filter-feeding gymnolaemate and phylactolaemate bryozoans , a comparative studyACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010Hans Ulrik Riisgård Abstract Riisgård, H.U., Okamura, B. and Funch, P. 2009. Particle capture in ciliary filter-feeding gymnolaemate and phylactolaemate bryozoans , a comparative study. ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 416,425. We studied particle capture using video-microscopy in two gymnolaemates, the marine cheilostome Electra pilosa and the freshwater ctenostome Paludicella articulata, and three phylactolaemates, Fredericella sultana with a circular funnel-shaped lophophore, and Cristatella mucedo and Lophophus crystallinus, both with a horseshoe-shaped lophophore. The video-microscope observations along with studies of lophophore morphology and ultrastructure indicated that phylactolaemate and gymnolaemate bryozoans with a diversity of lophophore shapes rely on the same basic structures and mechanisms for particle capture. Our study also demonstrates that essential features of the particle capture process resemble one another in bryozoans, brachiopods and phoronids. [source] Evolution of invertebrate nervous systems: the Chaetognatha as a case studyACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010Steffen Harzsch Abstract Harzsch, S. and Wanninger, A. 2010. Evolution of invertebrate nervous systems: the Chaetognatha as a case study. ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 35,43 Although recent molecular studies indicate that Chaetognatha may be one of the earliest Bilaterian offshoots, the phylogenetic position of this taxon still is a matter of ongoing debate. In this contribution, we review recent attempts to contribute phylogenetic information on the Chaetognatha by analysing structure and development of their nervous system (neurophylogeny). Analysing this group of organisms also has a major impact on our understanding of nervous system evolution in Bilateria. We review recent evidence from this field and suggest that Urbilateria already was equipped with the genetic toolkit required to build a complex, concentrated central nervous system (CNS), although this was not expressed phenotypically so that Urbilateria was equipped with a nerve plexus and not a CNS. This implies that in the deep metazoan nodes, concentration of the ancestral plexus occurred twice independently, namely once after the protostome,deuterostome split on the branch leading to the protostomes (resulting in a ventrally positioned nerve cord) and once along the chordate line (with a dorsal nerve cord). [source] New Annular Tissue Doppler Markers of Pulmonary HypertensionECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2010Angel López-Candales M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E. Background: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of mitral (MA) and tricuspid annulus (TA) events characterizes systolic and diastolic properties of each respective ventricle. However, the effect of chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH) on these TDI annular events has not been well described. Methods: Measurements of right ventricular (RV) performance with TDI of the lateral mitral and tricuspid annuli, to measure isovolumic contraction (IVC) and systolic (S) signals were recorded from 50 individuals without PH and from 50 patients with cPH. To avoid confounding variables, all patients had normal left ventricular ejection fraction and were in normal sinus rhythm at the time of the examination. Results: As expected, markers of RV systolic performance were markedly reduced while LV systolic function remained largely unaffected in cPH patients when compared to patients without PH. TDI interrogation of the MA revealed lengthening of the time interval between IVC and systolic signal (70 ± 17 msec) when compared to individuals without PH (43 ± 8 msec; P < 0.0001). In contrast, cPH markedly shortened the time interval between IVC and the TA systolic signal (34 ± 12 msec) when compared to individuals without PH (65 ± 17 msec; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: cPH lengthens time interval between the IVC and the MA systolic signal while shortening this same interval when the TA is interrogated with TDI; reflecting the potential influence that cPH exerts in biventricular performance. Whether measuring these intervals be routinely used in the follow-up of cPH patients will require further study. (Echocardiography 2010;27:969-976) [source] Effects of output power fluctuation on short-circuit current of induction-type wind power generatorsELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 3 2009Teruhisa Kumano Abstract Effects of the fluctuation inherent in wind speed are studied by a probabilistic method. The random variation in wind speed is responsible for random behavior in output power and internal voltage of a wind power generator. In case of fault occurrence at the instant of high internal voltage, the resultant short-circuit current will be big, and vice versa. The DC component is also affected. According to the study, 2.4% and 1.3% increase of short-circuit current in AC and DC components are observed respectively in a large variation case. This implies that the wind speed variation should be considered for accurate short-circuit study. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 166(3): 27,36, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20721 [source] Transient stability simulation of wind generator expressed by two-mass modelELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 3 2008Yoshikazu Shima Abstract Recently, wind power generation is increasing worldwide. In wind power stations, induction machines are mostly used as generators. Since induction generators have a stability problem similar to the transient stability of synchronous machines, it is important to analyze the transient stability of power systems including wind generators. Although there have been some reports analyzing the transient stability problem, wind turbine and wind generator are, in most cases, modeled as a one-mass shaft system having total inertia constant. This paper presents simulation analyses of transient stability of power system including induction generator which is expressed by a two-mass shaft model and analyzes an effect of shaft system modeling on the transient stability characteristics. Simulations are performed by PSCAD/EMTDC in this study. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 162(3): 27,37, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20394 [source] First-Row Transition Metal Bis(amidinate) Complexes; Planar Four-Coordination of FeII Enforced by Sterically Demanding Aryl SubstituentsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2005Christian A. Nijhuis Abstract The sterically hindered benzamidinate ligand [PhC(NAr)2], (Ar = 2,6- iPr2C6H3) has been employed to prepare bis(amidinate) complexes [{PhC(NAr)2}2M] of the divalent first-row transition metals Cr,Ni (1,5). For Cr (planar), Mn and Co (tetrahedral) the observed structures follow the electronic preference for the metal ion in its highest spin multiplicity, as determined by DFT calculations. Remarkably, the Fe derivative adopts a distorted planar structure while retaining the high-spin (S = 2) configuration. This rare combination is due to reduced interligand steric interactions in the planar vs. the tetrahedral structure, combined with a relatively small electronic preference of FeII for the tetrahedral environment. Thus, the simple bidentate ligand N,N' -diarylbenzamidinate provides a convenient means to make this unusual species accessible for further study. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Synthesis of Polysubstituted 3-Iodopyrans by Electrophilic CyclizationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2009Yong-Xin Xie Abstract A variety of polysubstituted 3-iodopyrans were readily prepared in good to excellent yield under mild reaction conditions by the reaction of alkynyl carboxamides with ICl, I2, and NIS. The products obtained from this process are versatile materials that can be used to construct other complex functionalized pyran structures of importance. The occurrence of the pyranyl group in both natural products and pharmaceuticals confers important value to this study. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] DFT Study of Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Nitroso Aldol Reaction Between Achiral Enamines and Nitrosobenzene: The Reason for Regio- and EnantioselectivityEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 25 2008Matsujiro Akakura Abstract The regio- and enantioselectivity of the nitroso aldol reaction between achiral enamines and nitrosobenzene catalyzed by chiral Brønsted acid catalysts (TADDOL or 1-naphthylglycolic acid) were investigated in experimental and theoretical studies. The use of a model involving a simple organic acid (MeOH or AcOH) revealed that the reaction was catalyzed by two or more molecules of the organic acid and that the transition-state structure encompassed several hydrogen bonds. The role of hydrogen bonding in the regioselectivity was also examined carefully. The enantioselectivity in the reaction catalyzed by chiral organic acids (S,S)-TADDOL and (S)-1-naphthylglycolic acid was also confirmed through computational study.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] Crack-healing and mechanical behaviour of Al2O3/SiC composites at elevated temperatureFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 7 2004K. ANDO ABSTRACT Alumina/silicon carbide (Al2O3/SiC) composite ceramics with large self-crack-healing ability, high strength and high heat-resistance limit temperature for strength were developed and subjected to three-point bending. A semicircular surface crack 100 ,m in diameter was made on each sample. Crack-healing behaviour was systematically studied, as functions of crack-healing temperature and healing time, and the fatigue strengths of the crack-healed sample at room temperature and 1373 K were investigated. Four main conclusions were drawn from the present study. (1) Al2O3/SiC composite ceramics have the ability to heal after cracking from 1273to 1673 K in air. (2) The heat-resistance limit temperature for strength of the crack-healed sample is ,1573 K, and ,68% of the samples fractured from outside the crack-healed zone in the testing-temperature range 873,1573 K. (3) The crack-healed sample exhibited very high fatigue limit at room temperature and also 1373 K. (4) The large self-crack-healing ability is a desirable technique for the high structural integrity of ceramic component. [source] "The probable industrial origin of archaeological daub at an Iron Age site in northeast Thailand" (Parr and Boyd, 2002): A comment on the inappropriate application of geophysical and geochemical techniques to an archaeological questionGEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 8 2003Maria Cotter Parr and Boyd (2002) used colorimetric analysis in combination with geophysical and geochemical techniques to estimate firing temperatures for archaeological daub from an Iron Age site in Thailand. They suggest that the daub was fired at high temperatures and, therefore, is indicative of kiln utilization and increased industrialization during that period in Thailand. They argue that the adoption of a multimethod analytical approach in which the combination of data derived from ICP-MS, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility analyses of daub samples, coupled with microscopic and macroscopic examination of samples, enhances the accuracy of their interpretations. While they should be commended for attempting to substantiate their claims using many geophysical and geochemical techniques, their arguments are flawed by the misapplication of the techniques described and/or over-interpretation of the data generated by such techniques. Therefore, Parr and Boyd's (2002:285) point about methodology ("that the combined interpretation of independent measures provides a better estimate of the original firing temperatures of the archaeological material than has hitherto been possible") is made redundant by the lack of scientific rigor applied to the independent measures used for this study. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Bone properties and muscle strength of young haemophilia patientsHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 4 2005B. Falk Summary., Purpose:, To evaluate bone properties, muscle strength and the relationship between the two, in young (7.0,17.7 years) haemophilia patients (h) and healthy boys (c). Subjects:, Twenty-seven boys with severe haemophilia and 33 healthy boys, of similar age, body mass, height, (mean ± sd for h and c, respectively: 11.2 ± 3.2 vs. 11.4 ± 2.9 years, 42.6 ± 16.6 vs. 41.6 ± 17.3 kg, 145 ± 18 vs. 146 ± 17 cm) and pubertal stage according to secondary sex characteristics, volunteered for the study. all subjects were physically inactive (as determined by questionnaire). Methods:, Subjects performed isokinetic elbow and knee extension and flexion tests at two angular velocities (biodex system ii dynamometer). Bone properties were evaluated by qualitative ultrasound (sunlight omnisenseTM), at the distal radius and tibial mid-shaft. H subjects received prophylactic factor viii treatment within the 24 h preceding testing. No test was performed in the presence of haemorrhage. Results:, Muscle strength was consistently higher in c compared with h, especially in the lower limbs (e.g. knee extension: 1.80 ± 0.44 vs 1.48 ± 0.53 N·m·kg,1 body mass, respectively, p = 0.01). No differences were observed in tibial or radial speed of sound between groups. Correlations between muscle strength and bone properties were observed only in the lower limbs and only in c (r = 0.37,0.48). Conclusion:, Muscle strength, especially lower limbs' strength, was lower in haemophilia patients compared with a matched, similarly inactive population of healthy boys. Nevertheless, at this age range, this relative weakness is not associated with inferior bone properties. [source] Patient and clinician collaboration in the design of a national randomized breast cancer trialHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 1 2004Jo Marsden MD FRCS (Gen Surgery) Abstract Objective, To show breast cancer patient involvement in the design of a national randomized trial of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in symptomatic patients will increase accrual. Setting and participants, Three stakeholder groups [(1) researchers from the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre, (2) the Consumers' Advisory Group for Clinical Trials (CAG-CT), (3) clinicians responsible for a pilot randomized HRT study in breast cancer patients] developed this collaborative study. Methods, (1) Nine focus group discussions were conducted to identify issues relevant to breast cancer patients about HRT and a national trial: six involved women from breast cancer support groups nationwide and three patients who had previously participated in the pilot randomized HRT study. (2) Recommendations from the focus groups (analysed by Grounded Theory) were debated by the research stakeholders and focus group representatives at a 1-day meeting and consensus reached (using a voting system) on mutual priorities for incorporation into the design of a national HRT trial. (3) Representatives from the CAG-CT and focus groups participated in subsequent national HRT steering committee meetings to ensure that these priorities were accounted for and the resulting trial design summary was circulated to the CAG-CT and all focus group representatives for comment. Results, Focus groups demonstrated that the complexity of factors relating to trial participation was not just restricted to the research topic in question. Patient,clinician interaction provided a platform for negotiating potential conflicts over trial design and outcomes. Patient feedback suggested that mutually agreed priorities were accounted for in the trial design. Interpretation, Clinical research planning should involve all research stakeholders at the outset. Quantifying the impact of patient involvement in terms of trial accrual may be too simple given the complexity of their motivations for participating in trials. [source] A pilot study of pioglitazone treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Kittichai Promrat Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common chronic liver disease for which there is no known effective therapy. A proportion of patients with NASH progress to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. NASH is considered one of the clinical features of the metabolic syndrome in which insulin resistance plays a central role. This prospective study evaluates the role of insulin-sensitizing agent in treatment of NASH. Eighteen nondiabetic patients with biopsy-proven NASH were treated with pioglitazone (30 mg daily) for 48 weeks. Tests of insulin sensitivity and body composition as well as liver biopsies were performed before and at the end of treatment. By 48 weeks, serum alanine aminotransferase values fell to normal in 72% of patients. Hepatic fat content and size as determined by magnetic resonance imaging decreased, and glucose and free fatty acid sensitivity to insulin were uniformly improved. Histological features of steatosis, cellular injury, parenchymal inflammation, Mallory bodies, and fibrosis were significantly improved from baseline (all P < 0.05). Using strict criteria, histological improvement occurred in two-thirds of patients. Pioglitazone was well tolerated; the main side effects were weight gain (averaging 4%) and an increase in total body adiposity. In conclusion, these results indicate that treatment with an insulin-sensitizing agent can lead to improvement in biochemical and histological features of NASH and support the role of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of this disease. The long-term safety and benefits of pioglitazone require further study. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:188,196.) [source] Hiring for retention and performanceHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2009Murray R. Barrick Abstract This study evaluated the usefulness of several pre-hire variables to predict voluntary turnover and job performance. Analyses showed that applicants who knew current employees, had longer tenure with previous employers, were conscientious and emotionally stable, were motivated to obtain the job, and were confident in themselves and their decision making were less likely to quit, and had higher performance within six months after hire. Results also indicated that pre-hire attitudes (employment motivation and personal confidence) did not predict turnover and performance beyond biodata (pre-hire embeddedness in the organization and habitual commitment) and the personality traits (conscientiousness and emotional stability). For all predictors but personality, the strength of the relationships weakened over time up to two years after hire. Nonetheless, organizations can avoid voluntary turnover and increase performance by basing hiring decisions on the set of predictors analyzed in this study. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The clinical relevance of infancy: A progress reportINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 3 2008Daniel Stern In the past few decades, findings from infant observations have played a key role in the following selected areas: (a) The emphasis now is on interpersonal and intersubjective processes rather than on intrapsychic processes. This is a paradigm shift towards a two-person psychology. (b) The elaboration of the attachment domain has reoriented our views of development and treatment. (c) The success of extended home-visiting programs as a preventive measure for parents and infants at risk has brought an agonizing reappraisal of what makes prevention (and therapy) work. (d) By default, the baby's world is nonverbal. This has led to a productive reexploration of unconsciousness, especially the domain of implicit knowledge. For the future, the following are some of the areas of great promise: (a) Attachment, love and "holding" must be disentangled. (b) We must study how and when the mirror neuron system gets micro- and macroregulated. One is not always open to empathic reception. (c) The articulation between the nonverbal (implicit) with the verbal (explicit) needs far more study. (d) The nonspecific factors of psychotherapy seem to be the most important in bringing about change and prevention. We need a greater systematic study of the nonspecific. (e) The triad and quartet, and so on need further exploration. (f) There are many more, but the beauty of research is that you can't know where it will go next. [source] Real-time RT-PCR detection of CK19, CK7 and MUC1 mRNA for diagnosis of lymph node micrometastases in non small cell lung carcinomaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 5 2005Pierre Saintigny Abstract Metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) are the major prognostic factor in resected non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, almost 50% of pN0 patients relapse, suggesting metastatic cells undetected by current staging procedures. A combination of markers [cytokeratins 19 and 7 (CK19, CK7) and mucin type 1 (MUC1) mRNAs] was therefore evaluated by real-time RT-PCR in order to detect occult cancer cells. Forty-three NSCLC tumor samples, 4 micrometastatic, 6 metastatic and 84 histologically negative mediastinal LNs from 19 patients with NSCLC were evaluated as well as blood mononuclear cells from 29 healthy volunteers and 17 benign LNs. When tested on cell lines, RT-PCR was particularly efficient for evaluation of CK19, CK7 and MUC1 mRNA expression. All tumor samples were positive for at least 1 marker and 74% of samples were positive for all 3 markers. CK7 and CK19 mRNA were not detected in benign LN and blood cells from healthy donors in contrast with MUC1 mRNA. Only CK7 and CK19 mRNA were therefore used for evaluation of mediastinal LNs: the 6 histologically metastatic and the 4 micrometastatic LNs were positive for at least one marker. Among the 84 histologically negative LNs, 6 (7%) were positive for at least one marker, potentially changing the stage of 2 out of 19 patients. In conclusion, in our feasibility study, parallel molecular detection of CK19 and CK7 mRNA can be considered a specific diagnostic tool for the assessment of microscopic lymphatic spread. Its prognostic impact remains to be evaluated in a prospective study. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of Interspecific Interactions between Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa on Their Growth and PhysiologyINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Min Zhang Abstract Interactions between Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa were analyzed by flow cytometry and by phytoplankton pulse-amplitude-modulated fluorimetry (Phyto-PAM) in joint cultures as well as in cultures separated by dialysis membranes. Results showed that the growth of C. pyrenoidosa was greater than that of M. aeruginosa, and that the growth of M.aeruginosa but not the growth of C. pyrenoidosa was significantly inhibited by the interactions between M. aeruginosa and C. pyrenoidosa. Culture filtrates of these two algae showed no apparent effects on the growth of the competing species. For M. aeruginosa, decreases in esterase activity, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and maximum quantum yield were observed in joint cultures, indicating that the metabolic activity and photosynthetic capacity of M.aeruginosa were suppressed. Light limitation from the shading effect of C. pyrenoidosa may be the main reason for such inhibition. For C. pyrenoidosa, esterase activity was suppressed in membrane-separated and joint cultures, suggesting that C.pyrenoidosa was probably affected by allelopathic substances secreted by M.aeruginosa. However, no significant difference was observed in the chlorophyll a fluorescence and maximum quantum yield of C. pyrenoidosa in the two cultures. In addition, interspecific interactions induced a reduction in size in both M. aeruginosa and C.pyrenoidosa, which may contribute to the development of C. pyrenoidosa dominance in the present study. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Development of a community health promotion center based on the World Health Organization's Ottawa Charter health promotion strategiesJAPAN JOURNAL OF NURSING SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009Chung Yul LEE Abstract Aim:, To describe the development process of nursing school-led community health promotion centers (CHPC) to improve the health of the surrounding communities. Methods:, This study design was a research and development study. (i) Assessment of health needs by interviewing 359 people in the community to select health programs for the community health promotion center. (ii) Five health promotion strategies from the Ottawa Charter were applied to develop the community health promotion center for a city community. Results:, (i) The people in the community had higher socioeconomic status levels and better health behaviors compared to the general Korean population, and they also listed chronic health problem management as their first priority health service. (ii) Development of the community health promotion center was done based on the five World Health Organization's Ottawa Charter Health Promotion Strategies: build healthy public policy, create supportive environments, strengthen community actions, develop personal skills, and reorient health services. Conclusions:, The present study showed that the WHO's five Ottawa Charter Health Promotion Strategies were useful for developing health promotion centers in the community. [source] Translation and restandardization of an instrument: the Early Infant Temperament QuestionnaireJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2003Elisabeth O.C. Hall PhD RN Aims of the study. ,To test the psychometric properties of a Danish translation of the Early Infant Temperament Questionnaire (EITQ) and to establish standards for scoring the questionnaire. Rationale. ,The general aim was to create a translation that remained close to the original version, was meaningful for the Danish participants, and had acceptable psychometric properties. Background. ,Patterns of temperament can be discerned early in life and tend to persist over time and across situations. For the past 50 years, temperament has been studied by theorists, clinicians and nurse clinicians to predict behaviour, discover interventions that prevent serious behaviour disturbances, and help parents understand the implications of their child's temperament. Thomas and Chess's conceptualization of temperament in nine categories was the framework for the development of the English-language EITQ. Research methods. ,The translation followed a stepwise process of translation, back translation and consensus. A convenience sample of 204 Danish mothers with 1,4-month old infants completed the translated questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire in 1999. Results. ,Alpha coefficients for the nine subscales ranged from 0·59 to 0·82. All alpha coefficients were comparable to or higher than those reported on the original United States standardization study. There were statistically significant differences between reported United States mean scores and those in the Danish sample. Discussion. ,The psychometric properties of the Danish translation are equal to or better than those reported for the United States study. Differences in mean scores or most subscales point to the need to create Danish profiles for scoring. Conclusions. ,The Danish version of the EITQ has acceptable reliability and is ready for use in Denmark. [source] Socio-psychological stressors as risk factors for low back pain in Chinese middle-aged womenJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 3 2001Yin-bing Yip BAppSc MPH PhD GDipEd RN Socio-psychological stressors as risk factors for low back pain in Chinese middle-aged women Aim(s) of the study.,This study aims to explore the relationship between socio-psychological stress and low back pain (LBP) prevalence among Chinese middle-aged women. Background.,Women in mid-life experience increasing socio-psychological stress because of midlife transitions, stressful life events and housework or work factors. Encountering socio-psychological stress itself may result in the manifestation of LBP. Design.,A case,control study of Hong Kong community-based middle-aged women was conducted. The study subjects were either from the University Family Medicine Clinic or from a previous population-based cross-sectional study of middle-aged women conducted by Department of Community and Family Medicine. Among the 928 potential eligible subjects from both sources, a total of 182 cases and 235 controls participated in this study. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews and included demographic factors, menopausal status, socio-psychological stress and occurrence of LBP. Socio-psychological stress covered social factors, self-reported nature of housework/work, housework/work stress and stressful life events. Results.,Among the 182 cases who entered this study, 83 women (45·6%) had experienced 1,<14 days of LBP, and 99 women (54·4%) had at least 14 days of LBP in the previous 12 months. Those who reported that ,their family members, relatives or friends were very sick, died, needed her to take care of them or who they worried about in the past 12 months' had an increased risk of LBP of 67% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1·09,2·55). In addition women with a bad or ordinary relationship with cohabitants had an increased risk of LBP of 70% (95% CI 1·00,3·04). Lastly, women with a high housework or work stress had an increased risk of suffering both types of LBP of nearly two- and half-fold (95% CI 1·61,3·85). Conclusions.,The results indicate that an association exists between high socio-psychological stress and LBP prevalence. Alleviating the impact of housework or work related factors would, however, involve improving both the work and home environment. [source] Support for teenage mothers: a qualitative study into the views of women about the support they received as teenage mothersJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2001Ank De Jonge MSc HBOV RM RGNArticle first published online: 7 JUL 200 Support for teenage mothers: a qualitative study into the views of women about the support they received as teenage mothers Aim of the study.,To gain insight into the support teenage mothers received during pregnancy, birth and their child's pre-school years and young women's perceptions of the usefulness of a support group for teenage mothers. Background.,Most qualitative studies have focused on teenage mothers around the time of the birth of their first child. For this study, women were recruited several years after the birth (median 8·5 years), so that they would have had time to reflect on the support they had received. Design.,The qualitative method of semi-structured interviews was chosen to obtain in-depth information and to allow teenage mothers' own views to be heard. Ten individual interviews and one paired interview were undertaken. Findings.,Recruitment was difficult because taking part in research was not a priority for many of the women. The study confirmed the strong link between deprivation and teenage pregnancy found in other studies, and suggested that mental health problems in teenage mothers may be more difficult to detect. Teenage women need more information on mental health and on services available to them. The fear, expressed by some of the women in this study, of becoming different from other women in their social network should be considered by health workers when establishing intervention programmes. Conclusions.,Professional bodies of health workers should lobby government to provide a minimum standard of living and sufficient child-care to combat deprivation. Former teenage mothers should be involved in the recruitment, planning and implementation stages of research and interventions. Health professionals should be aware that mental health problems in teenage mothers may be particularly difficult to detect. Key community health workers or a support group may provide information on services, mental health and education facilities available that would benefit teenage mothers. A support group may also give emotional support. [source] Mothers' grief following the death of a childJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2001Hilkka Laakso PhD RN Mothers' grief following the death of a child Aim of the study.,Research has shown that caring for a dying child is among the hardest and more demanding tasks in nursing, because the staff are forced to manage their heavy work with inadequate skills and experience. This article deals with the findings of a recent study, the purpose of which was to analyse the mother's grief and coping with grief following the death of a child under the age of 7 years. Design.,Data were collected from mothers using a survey (n=91) and an interview (n=50). As the topic was very sensitive ethically and emotionally, survey data were collected first and the mothers were asked to give their consent to taking part in an interview. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. The data were analysed using statistical methods and content analysis. However, only the qualitative part of the study is presented in this article. Findings.,The findings show that nursing staff had skills to support grieving mothers, but that there were many feelings and experiences of grief that remained unidentified by staff. The staff's ability to meet the mothers' individual needs while the child was in hospital and after the child's death was inadequate. The information received from staff was perceived to be insufficient or offensive to mothers. Conclusions.,The development of basic and further education and of various support measures would enable the staff to better cope with their work. Focusing on interactive skills and meeting the patient's individual needs using reflective practice would improve the quality of care. Communication and collaboration between different occupational groups should be promoted, because mothers were dissatisfied with dissemination of information, and ambiguous responsibilities between different occupational groups hampered the acquisition of information. [source] Nursing research in Spain: bibliometrics of references of research papers in the decade 1985,1994JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2001Carmen Pardo Nursing research in Spain: bibliometrics of references of research papers in the decade 1985,1994 Background.,Spain is one of the few European countries to have recently totally incorporated the study of nursing into the university sector. Bibliometric studies may be of a great help for the consolidation of nursing research. Aim of the study.,The aim of this paper is to describe bibliographic references in Spanish nursing research papers and their evolution over a decade. Method.,The method consists of a retrospective bibliometric study of a sample (cluster sampling) of 622 research papers (original papers and review papers), which were contained in the Spanish nursing journals Enfermería Científica, Revista ROL de Enfermería, Enfermería Clínica and Enfermería Integral, and published from 1985 to 1994. The journal Nursing Research was selected for qualitative comparative purposes. A series of classic bibliometric indexes were used. Results.,The mean of references per paper is 10·64 ± 10·42; this increased over time (P < 0·001). Review papers have more references (P < 0·001). Price index (percentage of references published during the last 5 years) is 44% and the Insularity (percentage of references published in same country as the article) is 55%. References to journals predominate (58·6%), with a growing tendency for references to Spanish nursing journals, although they are still scarce (18·1% of the references to journals). Spanish is the language of most of the references (60·3%), the second language being English (36·1%). Conclusions.,Bibliographic references in Spanish nursing research papers are scarce and not very specific: this happens both in regard to Nursing Research and to publications in other national and international science areas. However, there is an increasing tendency of references (including references to nursing journals) in the period analysed. The age of the references places Spanish nursing in an intermediate position between the ,hard' sciences and the humanities; and, according to the type of documentation used, we find it halfway between experimental and natural sciences, and technologies and social sciences. There has been a slight increase in references in English in recent years. [source] Determination of twin-screw extruder operational conditions for the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates on the basis of batch-mixer resultsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008F. Goharpey Abstract In this study, we attempted to prepare a thermoplastic vulcanizate in a twin-screw extruder by determining the screw configuration on the basis of batch-mixer results. In this regard, two sets of information were used: (1) the time length, power consumption, and filling factor of different stages of the reactive blending process in the internal mixer and (2) the mean residence time and power consumption of the twin-screw extruder. Morphological features of the samples taken from the melt-mixing and dynamic vulcanization zones of the extruder with the selected screw configuration were found to be comparable with corresponding samples taken from an internal mixer reported in our previous study. The rheological and mechanical properties could provide valuable information to support the reliability of this study. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Effect of chain architecture on biaxial orientation and oxygen permeability of polypropylene filmJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008P. Dias Abstract Films of two isotactic propylene homopolymers prepared with different catalysts and a propylene/ethylene copolymer were biaxially oriented under conditions of temperature and strain rate that were similar to those encountered in a commercial film process. The draw temperature was varied in the range between the onset of melting and the peak melting temperature. It was found that the stress response during stretching depended on the residual crystallinity in the same way for all three polymers. Biaxial orientation reduced the oxygen permeability of the oriented films, however, the reduction did not correlate with the amount of orientation as measured by birefringence, with the fraction of amorphous phase as determined by density, or with free volume hole size as determined by PALS. Rather, the decrease in permeability was attributed to reduced mobility of amorphous tie molecules. A single one-to-one correlation between the oxygen permeability and the intensity of the dynamic mechanical ,-relaxation was demonstrated for all the polymers used in the study. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Does Repair of Mitral Regurgitation Eliminate the Need for Left Ventricular Volume Reduction?JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 2003Akira T. Kawaguchi M.D. Methods: Among patients undergoing PLV, 120 had paired pre- and postoperative (<1 week) Doppler echocardiograms. Effects of preoperative MR were studied by comparing 45 patients with no preoperative MR (MR,) and 75 patients with significant MR (MR+; MR = 1.51 when MR is enumerated as none = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2). Results: MR, patients as compared with the MR+ group were older (53.8 vs. 49.2 years, P = 0.047), had less frequent dilated cardiomyopathy (33.3% vs 49.3%,P <0.01), similar ventricular dimension (72.3 mm vs 73.0 mm), septal thickness (9.5 mm vs 9.6 mm), posterior wall, fractional shortening (15.9% vs 16.8%) and ventricular mass (330 g vs 345 g), resulting in comparably reduced functional capacity (NYHA 3.40 vs 3.67). Although the MR, group required significantly less frequent mitral procedure (64.4% vs 84.0%, P < 0.01) and shorter cardiac arrest time, they had similar postoperative MR (0.22 vs 0.39), highly significant parallel reduction in ventricular dimension (P < 0.001 in either group), and improved %FS (P <0.001 in either group), resulting in similar hospital survival (87.1% vs 86.4%) and 90-day survival (71.1% vs 78.7%) with significantly comparable improvement in functional class (P = 0.011 in both groups). Histological severity of interstitial fibrosis (P = 0.80), weight (P = 0.93), and thickness (P = 0.76) of excised myocardium was comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients with no preoperative MR were found to benefit from PLV as did patients with significant MR. Beneficial effects of PLV appeared to derive mainly from volume reduction rather than abolished MR in this study.(J CARD SURG 2003;18 (Suppl 2):S95-S100) [source] The essentials of Advance Care Planning for end-of-life care for older peopleJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3-4 2010Sarah Yeun-Sim Jeong Aims and objectives., The aim of the study was to investigate the phenomenon of Advance Care Planning and the use of Advance Care Directives in residential aged care facilities in Australia. The objectives were to: ,,investigate the implementation process of Advance Care Planning and the use of Advance Care Directives; ,,investigate the outcomes of Advance Care Planning and experiences of people involved in Advance Care Planning and Advance Care Directives, including residents, families and nursing staff. Background., Benefits of Advance Care Planning for older residents are considerable given their degenerative health-breakdown and minimal chance of recovery. To date, the use of Advance Care Planning and Advance Care Directives is limited and models of service delivery and processes are needed to enhance best practice with Advance Care Planning and positive outcomes for older Australians. Design., Case study. Methods., The study conducted using multiple sources of evidence to enrich understanding of the phenomenon of Advance Care Planning. The researcher engaged in data collection over six months involving participant observation, field notes, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The findings contribute to the limited knowledge of options currently available to older adults and their families in their decision-making about end-of-life care options. Permission to conduct the study., Prior to commencement of the data collection, ethics clearances from the University of Newcastle and the regional Area Health Service were achieved. Permission to access the residential aged care facilities to undertake the study was obtained from the relevant residential aged care facility ethics committees or designated authorities. The researcher undertook several strategies to ensure all the ethical principles were considered and adhered to while conducting the project. Results., The research identified the components and factors involved in the Advance Care Planning process and in attaining desired outcomes. The conceptual framework developed elaborates how Advance Care Planning should be implemented and what may constitute successful implementation of Advance Care Planning in residential aged care facilities. The four main elements (input, throughput, output, feedback), and 20 sub-elements were requisites for nurses to initiate and implement the Advance Care Planning. Conclusion., The essential components for end-of-life care are identified in the implementation processes of Advance Care Planning in residential aged care facilities. The study contributes to greater awareness of the processes needed for ,dying well' and highlights the need to explore experiences of ,successful dying' and the way nurses contribute to these events. Relevance to clinical practice., The case study identified four determinative requisites for successful implementation of Advance Care Planning in aged care facilities: the expert nurse, discussion, education and involvement of a multidisciplinary team. Nurses should take these factors into account and use person-centred approach in formalised processes to encourage participation in plans for end-of-life care. [source] Tailoring cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain: A case exampleJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Alicia A. Heapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic pain. However, many patients who might benefit from this treatment either refuse treatment, fail to adhere to treatment recommendations, or drop out prematurely. Adherence to and engagement in CBT for chronic pain might be improved by tailoring a limited number of its components to individual preferences. Motivational interviewing, in which the therapist facilitates the patient's motivation for changing behavior, might also promote CBT engagement and adherence. We describe components of a tailored CBT treatment for chronic pain in the context of ongoing research and illustrate the process of tailoring CBT with a case study. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 62: 1345,1354, 2006. [source] Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients who have comorbid major depressionJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 11 2004Jonathan S. Abramowitz Many patients who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) also meet criteria for additional diagnoses such as mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. The presence of severe depression, and major depressive disorder per se, impedes response to treatment for OCD that uses the best available treatments. In this article, the comorbidity data in OCD are reviewed, then the relationship between depression and OCD treatment outcome is reviewed. Next, the derivation and implementation of a treatment program specifically for depressed OCD patients are illustrated with a case example. The article closes with a discussion of implications and directions gleaned from this single case study. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||