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PubMed2003

Association analysis of MAOA and COMT with neuroticism assessed by peers.

There are several reported associations between depressive disorders, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and a variety of polymorphisms in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene. Associations have also been reported between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene and both OCD and bipolar depression. However, the role of these markers has not been explored for the personality trait of neuroticism (N), a normally distributed quantitative trait, which is highly genetically correlated with anxiety and depression and may be a vulnerability to either type of disorder. We explored the possible role of MAOA, COMT, and their interaction on N using a selected extremes design. From a sample of 2,085 individuals, each assessed for N by two independent peers rather than using self-report questionnaires, we selected 57 individuals from the top 10% of scores, and 62 individuals from the bottom 10%. Using selected extreme low subjects as the controls, rather than an unselected control group gives roughly twice the power of a standard case-control design. We typed a functional variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in the MAOA gene promoter, and a functional polymorphism in the coding region of the COMT gene. Two novel alleles in the MAOA VNTR were identified on the basis of their size, and their structure examined by sequencing analysis. We found weak evidence for association with COMT genotype, when the females and males were considered separately, and for MAOA genotype in males only. There was no significant interaction between COMT and MAOA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Perceptual-motor and attentional correlates of developmental dyscalculia.

From the patient population of a learning disorders clinic, a group of 72 "relative math underachievers" was selected for achievement test performance below grade level on mathematics but at or above grade level on reading, with a difference of at least 1.5 standard deviation between the two. A comparison group of 30 "relative reading underachievers" met the converse criteria. Neurological examination showed mixed laterality preference (right hand and foot but left eye) to be more prevalent among the math underachievers. The two groups were closely comparable on Wechsler intelligence quotient scores, although the "freedom from distractibility quotient" tended to be lower for the match group. The latter group also showed a lower mean achievement quotient on the Bender Visuomotor Gestalt Test. On a standard questionnaire derived from DSM-III criteria for attention deficit disorder, the math group showed higher scores for inattention, but not for hyperactivity, impulsivity, or poor peer relations. Both perceptual-motor and attentional deficits appear to characterize children who are specifically learning disabled for math.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Peripheral ingroup membership status and public negativity toward outgroups.

Peripheral membership status in a desirable ingroup was predicted to elevate outgroup derogation when Ss believed other ingroup members might learn of their responses. Less negativity toward outgroups was expected when peripheral members' responses were to remain private. Core ingroup members, in contrast, were not expected to show public-private differences in derogation of outgroups. The results of 2 experiments supported these predictions, with peripheral but not core ingroup members advocating the most coercion for the outgroup under public conditions in both laboratory-created ingroups (Experiment 1) and naturally occurring groups that had meaning for the participants (Experiment 2). Thus, outgroup derogation can serve a public presentation function that allows for enhancement of an insecure status within a desirable ingroup.

Female↗
PubMed2006

SPPL2a and SPPL2b promote intramembrane proteolysis of TNFalpha in activated dendritic cells to trigger IL-12 production.

Homologues of signal peptide peptidase (SPPLs) are putative aspartic proteases that may catalyse regulated intramembrane proteolysis of type II membrane-anchored signalling factors. Here, we show that four human SPPLs are each sorted to a different compartment of the secretory pathway. We demonstrate that SPPL2a and SPPL2b, which are sorted to endosomes and the plasma membrane, respectively, are functional proteases that catalyse intramembrane cleavage of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). The two proteases promoted the release of the TNFalpha intracellular domain, which in turn triggers expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-12 by activated human dendritic cells. Our study reveals a critical function for SPPL2a and SPPL2b in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A plasma membrane H+-ATPase is required for the formation of proanthocyanidins in the seed coat endothelium of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The plasma membrane in plant cells is energized with an electrical potential and proton gradient generated through the action of H+ pumps belonging to the P-type ATPase superfamily. The Arabidopsis genome encodes 11 plasma membrane H+ pumps. Auto-inhibited H+-ATPase isoform 10 (AHA10) is expressed primarily in developing seeds. Here we show that four independent gene disruptions of AHA10 result in seed coats with a transparent testa (tt) phenotype (light-colored seeds). A quantitative analysis of extractable flavonoids in aha10 seeds revealed an approximately 100-fold reduction of proanthocyanidin (PA), one of the two major end-product pigments in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. In wild-type seed coat endothelial cells, PA accumulates in a large central vacuole. In aha10 mutants, the formation of this vacuole is impaired, as indicated by the predominance of multiple small vacuoles observed by fluorescence microscopy using a vacuole-specific dye, 5-(and -6)-carboxy 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. A similar vacuolar defect was also observed for another tt mutant, tt12, a proton-coupled multidrug and toxic compound extrusion transporter potentially involved in loading provacuoles with a flavonoid intermediate required for PA production. The endothelial cells in aha10 mutants are otherwise healthy, as indicated by the lack of a significant decrease in (i) the accumulation of other flavonoid pathway end products, such as anthocyanins, and (ii) mRNA levels for two endothelium-specific transcripts (TT12 and BAN). Thus, the specific effect of aha10 on vacuolar and PA biogenesis provides genetic evidence to support an unexpected endomembrane function for a member of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase family.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rewards and advancements for clinical pharmacy practitioners. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

It is important to recognize that pharmacy practice models are changing quickly. Although the concepts of pharmaceutical care depict all pharmacists as clinical practitioners, there are still significant opportunities for individuals to develop advanced and refined skills and knowledge, and to seek recognition. Criteria for professional advancement need to be reevaluated and modified periodically. As departments become more effective in implementing pharmaceutical care, and practice skills advance, criteria for advancement must be updated. Recognition and advancement within newer models of practice such as patient focus units, clinical path teams, and quality improvement teams complicate assessment and evaluation strategies. In the future, pharmacy managers will need to look at reward and advancement systems that incorporate the recommendations of the team manager or members for these newer models of practice. Perhaps there will be a shift in responsibility for recognition to the team manager. Career ladders may need to provide for new roles, and reward practitioners for behaviors not currently represented in most departmental performance evaluations. Performance evaluation, standards of practice, and advancement criteria will need to be carefully reviewed and integrated with the patient focus team's objectives, structure, and processes to assure that appropriate recognition is given to pharmacists in this exciting new environment. Career ladders provide one form of reward and advancement for practitioners. Institutions can include many elements of career ladder process, function, and structure, as well as implement many other management tools for reward and recognition, without implementing a complete career ladder.

Career Mobility↗
PubMed1985

Modification of children's speech as a function of the perceived intellectual capacity of the listener.

In the context of an adapted referential communication task the speech of 40 children aged 8-10 years was examined under the listener conditions of speech to a younger child and to a retarded child of the same sex and similar chronological age, relative to initial speech to a peer. Modification, as indexed by an increase in quantity of speech and in semantic coherence was observed in speech to a retarded listener but not to a younger listener, suggesting that the intellectually handicapped children were perceived as being less competent listeners. The effect is interpreted as a result of an active integration programme in a particular school setting and is seen to offer promise for the limited integration of the mildly disabled.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Behavior segmentation by boys as a function of aggressiveness and prior information.

Previous research documents a hostile attribution bias by aggressive boys when considering a social situation with ambiguous cues as to the intention of the participants. The present research evaluated whether this bias extends to the manner in which boys process incoming information. Aggressiveness of boys in grades 3-6 was assessed with peer behavior nominations. In a separate session, each child viewed a videotape of 2 boys playing tag on a playground and segmented the actions using a standard behavior segmentation procedure. A critical event occurred when one of the boys fell down after being tagged, slowly got up, then resumed the game. Prior to viewing the videotape each child received one of three information conditions: benign (the boys were friends), hostile (the boys did not like one another), or neutral (no specific information about the relationship between the boys). Aggressiveness predicted change in segmentation after the critical event only in the neutral prior information condition. Thus aggressiveness, found in other research to be associated with a hostile attribution bias, also was found to be related to differences in the organization of incoming information.

Aggression↗
PubMed2004

[Effects of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for mastectomy patients].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on physical function, immune response, fatigue and quality of life in mastectomy patients. METHOD: The subjects included fifty-five patients with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of 1 session of education, 2 sessions of stress management, 2 sessions of exercise, and 1 session of peer support group activity per week. RESULT: The results revealed an increase in shoulder extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the affected upper extremity, and in shoulder extension and abduction of the healthy upper extremity. Also an increase in quality of life and a decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. However, the results revealed that the natural killer cell ratio of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical function, fatigue and quality of life of breast cancer patients after a mastectomy.

Exercise Therapy↗
PubMed1989

Characteristics of the street children of Colombia.

Psychological characteristics of 56 Colombian male street children, aged 7 to 16, were examined from participant observations and results of three psychological tests given the children. The Kohs Block Design measured their intelligence; and the Human Figure Drawing and the Bender Gestalt measured emotional and neurological functioning. The test data showed the sample to be relatively healthy, intelligent, and emotionally intact. The children's relatively good scores on the tests may be understood by placing their abandonment in a cultural perspective, which includes the children's strong peer support system, their access to adult benefactors, and the fact that the children were developing in an orderly fashion from matrifocal families. The premise is made that by understanding the children more accurately more appropriate help may be given.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Frequent attenders in general practice care: a literature review with special reference to methodological considerations.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the basis on which our knowledge of frequent attendance in general practice rests and to propose recommendations for further research on frequent attenders (FAs). DESIGN: The literature review (finished February 2004) encompassed peer-reviewed articles in English describing contacts with general practice in terms of frequency. Searches were performed in the Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Expanded Index and ISI Citation databases with additional searches in reference lists and the 'related articles' function in the ISI Citation database and Medline. SETTING: General practice. SUBJECTS: Sixty-one articles (54 studies). MEASURES: The articles were assessed according to the following design variables: setting; definition of FAs; sampling; sample size; control groups; study aim; study design; data sources; effect measure; and main results. RESULTS: There was no generally accepted definition of frequent attendance. Research designs differed substantially. Eight articles gave sufficient information on all design variables. The top 10% of attenders accounted for 30-50% of all contacts, and up to 40% of FAs were still FAs the following year. More than 50% of FAs had a physical disease, more than 50% of FAs suffered from psychological distress, social factors (low social support, unemployment, divorce) were associated with frequent attendance in more than 50% of FAs, multiproblems (physical, psychological and social) were found in one-third of FAs, and frequent attendance was associated with increasing age and female gender. CONCLUSION: The diversity of designs, definitions and methods in the current literature on FAs in general practice hampers comparison of their precision, validity and generalizability, and calls for cautious interpretation and adoption of a common, generally acceptable definition in future studies.

Family Practice↗
PubMed2002

Lexical diversity in the spontaneous speech of children with specific language impairment: application of D.

The lexical diversity of children with specific language impairment (SLI) (ages 3 years 7 months to 7 years 3 months) was compared to that of normally developing same-age peers and younger normally developing children matched according to mean length of utterance in words (MLUw). Lexical diversity was calculated from spontaneous speech samples using D, a measure that uses repeated calculations of type-token ratio (TTR) to estimate how TTR changes as the speech samples increase in size. When D computations were based on 250-word samples, developmental differences were apparent. For both children with SLI and typically developing children, older subgroups showed higher D scores than younger subgroups, and subgroups with higher MLUws showed higher D scores than subgroups with lower MLUws. Children with SU did not differ from same-age peers. At lower MLUw levels, children with SLI showed higher D scores than younger typically developing children matched for MLUw. The developmental sensitivity of D notwithstanding, comparisons using 100-utterance samples, in which the number of lexical tokens varied as a function of the children's MLUws, and comparisons between 250- and 500-word samples revealed the possible influence of sample size on this measure. However, analysis of the effect sizes using smaller and larger samples revealed that D is not affected by sample size to the degree seen for more traditional measures of lexical diversity.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychosocial correlates of problem gambling in Australian students.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between problem gambling and psychological and social adjustment in Australian adolescents. METHOD: A sample of 926 adolescents (mean age = 14.46 years) in the Australian Capital Territory were administered a standardized series of measures relating to gambling and psychosocial adjustment. Young people were asked to indicate how often they gambled, to report any difficulties that they might have been experiencing with gambling, and to complete a variety of measures of psychosocial health, including: the GHQ-12, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale and other measures of social functioning. RESULTS: The results were generally consistent with previous international studies. Those adolescents classified as problem gamblers were found to have poorer scores on all psychosocial measures. Although many in the problem gambling group reported being part of a socially active peer group, they also reported being more alienated and unpopular among their classmates. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that problem gambling appears to be a significant risk factor for poorer mental health among Australia adolescents. Given previous adult research indicating a link between early gambling and long-term gambling problems and poorer life outcomes (e.g. Abbott, McKenna and Giles, 2000 in New Zealand), these findings suggest a need to enhance existing educational initiatives and services specifically designed to assist adolescents with gambling problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Intelligence and achievement in children with myelomeningocele.

Intelligence and achievement test scores for 89 children with myelomeningocele (MM), ages 4 to 14 years, were obtained from medical records. These children scored below the population average but within the normal range on most tests. The greatest deficits occurred on Performance IQ, arithmetic achievement, and visual-motor integration (copying geometric designs). With increasing age, these children fell further behind age-peers on tests of arithmetic and visual-motor performance while keeping pace on reading and spelling tests. We speculate that these findings may reflect a developmental difference between MM children and nonhandicapped children in a visual-perceptual-organizational cognitive function such as Rourke (1987) has proposed.

Achievement↗
PubMed2006

Transpedicular lumbar wedge resection osteotomy for fixed sagittal imbalance: surgical technique and early results.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective consecutive case series, radiographic analysis, outcomes analysis, and report on complications. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the radiographic and functional outcomes of a reconstructive realignment procedure for fixed sagittal imbalance and discuss the complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: We describe a modification of an existing technique permitting greater single-level correction for which no reports exist in the peer-reviewed literature. METHODS: Twenty-four patients were eligible for 2-year minimum follow-up (average, 4.0 years). Etiologies included iatrogenic (n = 17), post-traumatic (n = 3), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 2), degenerative (n = 1), and congenital (n = 1). Patients were evaluated by standardized upright radiographs, chart review, and National Spine Network questionnaire. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had undergone 17 previous procedures. Seven of 24 patients required augmentation with anterior structural grafting. The majority of osteotomies were performed at L3 (15); others included L2 (6), L4 (2), and L5 (1). Lumbar lordosis before surgery averaged 13 degrees (range, 55 degrees to -65 degrees) and improved to 53 degrees (range, 20 degrees to 99 degrees), an average correction of 40%. The sagittal vertical axis measured from C7-S1 demonstrated a preoperative sagittal decompensation averaging 11.4 cm (range, 5.5-23 cm) with correction to 2.4 cm (-9.0 cm or 79% average correction). Coronal balance did not change significantly. There were 17 complications in 14 patients. Nine patients required additional surgery at latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transpedicular wedge resection osteotomy procedure is a very effective technique to correct fixed sagittal imbalance and provide biomechanical stability. The high complication rate mandates a careful assessment of the risk/benefit ratio before undertaking what is a major reconstructive procedure. Most patients are satisfied, particularly when sagittal balance is achieved.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of maximal oxygen consumption between black and white prepubertal and pubertal children.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) differed between two selected groups of black and white children and whether a difference existed to determine whether it was related to hematologic profiles, body composition, and/or physical activity/inactivity level. Forty-five prepubertal and 42 pubertal, clinically normal black and white children participated. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to determine body composition. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen was used to determine visceral adipose tissue and s.c. adipose tissue. Daily physical activity/inactivity was assessed by questionnaire. Black prepubertal and pubertal children had lower VO2max values when compared with white children (28.8 +/- 7.8 versus 35.0 +/- 6.5 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1), p < 0.01; 33.7 +/- 6.4 versus 40.4 +/- 10.2 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1), p < 0.05; respectively). Black prepubertal and pubertal children had lower Hb concentrations ([Hb]) and hematocrits than white children (prepubertal: 12.1 +/- 0.5 versus 12.8 +/- 0.9 g/dL, p < 0.001; 35.6 +/- 1.4 versus 37.4 +/- 2.3%, p < 0.01, respectively; pubertal: 13.0 +/- 0.9 versus 13.6 +/- 0.7 g/dL, p < 0.05; 37.7 +/- 2.5 versus 39.5 +/- 2.1%, p < 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, these findings indicate that black prepubertal and pubertal children had lower VO2max when compared with their white peers matched for age, pubertal stage, and body mass index. This difference in VO2max could be attributed at least in part to comparatively lower [Hb] and more sedentary lifestyle in the black children. Further investigations should study Hb flow rate (a function of [Hb] x maximal cardiac output) in black and white children as it relates to VO2max.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Pilot external quality assessment survey for post-market vigilance of in vitro diagnostic medical devices and investigation of trueness of participants' results.

The Czech External Quality Assessment Scheme organized a survey using 14 fresh-frozen sera targeted for cholesterol and glucose by reference measurement procedures. The objective was to investigate whether it could fulfil a post-market vigilance function for in vitro diagnostic medical devices and assess trueness of participants' results. It revealed a mean bias of +5.1% for cholesterol and +3.7% for glucose (n approximately 150). However, the bias source (manufacturer or laboratory) could not be identified unequivocally because of the lack of homogeneous groups. This was due to the fact that laboratories mainly used reagents from manufacturers that do not market instruments or combined calibrators and reagents from different sources. Consequently, these habits did not allow the survey to fulfil the vigilance function. On the other hand, we were able to show the individual participants results for patient samples deviating from the true value (deviations >10% in approximately 20% of the laboratories). However, again, the survey failed in problem-solving via peer-group evaluation, even for participants that applied homogeneous tests. If other European schemes confirm this outcome, cooperation and/or participation of manufacturers may be the solution. The survey pointed out to the other participants, interchanging instrument, reagent and calibrator, that they are themselves responsible for the problems shown and hence also for problem-solving.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed2002

Effects of a social norm feedback campaign on the drinking norms and behavior of Division I student-athletes.

Social norm feedback is a promising strategy for reducing alcohol misuse on college campuses. However, little is known about the impact of these interventions on at-risk populations, such as student-athletes. This study examined the effects of a campus-wide media campaign on Division I student-athletes at three universities. A discriminant function analysis revealed that a composite measure of perceived campus drinking norms distinguished between two campaign exposure groups. With the exception of one perceived norm measure (closest friends), the campaign-exposed group reported more conservative estimates of alcohol use in peers. However, there was no evidence that the campaign had reduced alcohol use. The inability of the campaign to reduce perceptions of alcohol use among one's closest friends may have accounted for the lack of change in drinking behavior. Discussion is directed to the potential limitations of using social norm feedback campaigns to reduce alcohol misuse in high-risk groups, such as student-athletes.

Adult↗