The Effect of Instruction through Mathematical Modelling on Modelling Skills of Prospective Elementary Mathematics Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ciltas, Alper; Isik, Ahmet

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the modelling skills of prospective elementary mathematics teachers who were studying the mathematical modelling method. The research study group was composed of 35 prospective teachers. The exploratory case analysis method was used in the study. The data were obtained via semi-structured interviews and a…

Prospective Primary Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety-Apprehension and Its Causes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özdemir, Emine; Seker, Burcu Sezginsoy

2017-01-01

The study aims to investigate the mathematics anxiety-apprehension of prospective primary school teachers and its causes. The mathematics anxiety-apprehension of the prospective primary school teachers was analyzed using a number of variables. The prospective teachers were asked to provide written answers to open-ended questions about the causes…

Examining Prospective Mathematics Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge on Fractions in Terms of Students' Mistakes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahin, Ömer; Gökkurt, Burçin; Soylu, Yasin

2016-01-01

The aim of the study is to examine prospective mathematics teachers' pedagogical content knowledge in terms of knowledge of understanding students and knowledge of instructional strategies which are the subcomponents of pedagogical content knowledge. The participants of this research consist of 98 prospective teachers who are studying in two…

Perceptions of Prospective Teachers on Digital Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çam, Emre; Kiyici, Mübin

2017-01-01

The aim of the quantitative study is to identify the digital literacy levels of prospective teachers in terms of several variables. The sample consisted of 354 prospective teachers studying in different departments of Sakarya University College of Education. The 30-item instrument used to gather the data was the "Digital Literacy Scale"…

Prospective Special Education Teachers' Metaphorical Perceptions on the Concept of Special Education Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deniz, Levent

2016-01-01

The aim of this research is to define the perceptions of prospective special education teachers regarding special education teacher through metaphors. Phenomenology design was used in this research. The study group comprised 116 third year prospective special education teachers studying at Marmara University, Ataturk Faculty of Education, Special…

A Quantitative Investigation of Prospective Teachers' Hopes and Their Motivational Forces

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eren, Altay; Yesilbursa, Amanda

2017-01-01

The present study aimed to investigate the diverse aspects of prospective teachers' dispositional hopes, teaching-specific hopes, and their sources, as well as to explore whether these would significantly predict their preparation for the teaching profession. A total of 851 prospective teachers voluntarily participated in the study. A series of…

Prospective Mathematics Teachers' Perceptions on and Adaptation of Student-Centred Approach to Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osmanoglu, Aslihan; Dincer, Emrah Oguzhan

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate prospective secondary mathematics teachers' perceptions on and adaptation of student-centred approach to teaching. The study was conducted with 58 prospective secondary mathematics teachers who were the graduates from mathematics departments from different universities' Science and Literature faculties.…

Prospective Teachers' Future Time Perspective and Professional Plans about Teaching: The Mediating Role of Academic Optimism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eren, Altay

2012-01-01

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of prospective teachers' academic optimism in the relationship between their future time perspective and professional plans about teaching. A total of 396 prospective teachers voluntarily participated in the study. Correlation, regression, and structural equation modeling analyses were conducted in…

A Comparative Study of Problematic Internet Use and Loneliness among Turkish and Korean Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tutgun, Aylin; Deniz, Levent; Moon, Man-Ki

2011-01-01

The main aim of this study is to compare the problematic internet use and its relation to loneliness among two nations' prospective teachers, Turkey and South Korea. Five hundred and ninety five prospective teachers from three universities, two from Turkey and one from South Korea participated in the study. Generalized Problematic Internet Use…

The Evaluation of the Opinions of Prospective Teachers about the Objectives of Human Rights Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özbek, Ramazan

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate opinions of prospective teachers attending Social Sciences Teaching Department Primary Education Section on the objectives of Human Rights Education in the scope of Citizenship and Democracy Education Curriculum. This study is vital for learning of democratic life. 25 prospective teachers studying in the 8th…

Investigation of Prospective Teachers' Beliefs towards Authentic Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kinay, Ismail

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to examine the prospective teachers' beliefs toward authentic assessment in relation to various variables. The survey method has been used in this study and the sample of the study is comprised of 612 prospective teachers 368 (60.1%) of whom are female and 244 (39.9%) of whom are male. The "Authentic Assessment Belief…

A Relative Investigation on Purposes of Computer and Internet Use of Prospective Geography Teachers in Turkey and China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turan, Ilhan

2015-01-01

This study investigated Chinese and Turkish prospective geography teachers' use of computer and internet applications as indispensable instruments in and out of education. 292 prospective geography teachers students from Shanghai, China, and Izmir, Turkey, participated in this study. The aim of this study was to examine the use of computers and…

Examining Mathematical Task and Pedagogical Usability of Web Contents Authored by Prospective Mathematics Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akayuure, Peter; Apawu, Jones

2015-01-01

The study was designed to engage prospective mathematics teachers in creating web learning modules. The aim was to examine the mathematical task and perceived pedagogical usability of the modules for mathematics instructions in Ghana. The study took place at University of Education, Winneba. Classes of 172 prospective mathematics teachers working…

Perceived Problem Solving Skills: As a Predictor of Prospective Teachers' Scientific Epistemological Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Temel, Senar

2016-01-01

This study aims to determine the level of perceived problem solving skills of prospective teachers and the relations between these skills and their scientific epistemological beliefs. The study was conducted in the fall semester of 2015-2016 academic year. Prospective teachers were applied Problem Solving Inventory which was developed by Heppner…

Do Prospective Classroom Teachers Perceive Themselves as Effective and Willing to Teach Young Learners English?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sad, Süleyman Nihat

2015-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the perceived efficacy and willingness levels of prospective classroom teachers to teach English at the primary level. The study was designed as a baseline descriptive survey, followed by complementary correlational and ex post facto models. Participants were 251 prospective classroom teachers. Data was collected…

Effects of Formative Assessment on Prospective Teachers' Achievement, Attitudes and Self-Regulation Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kincal, Remzi Y.; Ozan, Ceyhun

2018-01-01

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of formative assessment on prospective teachers' academic achievement, attitudes towards educational measurement and self-regulation skills. In the study, quasi-experimental design including non-equivalent pre-test and post-test control group. There are 40 prospective teachers in each one of the…

The Relationship between Attitudes of Prospective Physical Education Teachers towards Education Technologies and Computer Self-Efficacy Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kalemoglu Varol, Yaprak

2014-01-01

The aim of research is to investigate the relationship between attitudes of prospective physical education teacher towards education technologies and their computer self-efficacy beliefs. Relational research method has been used in the study. Study group consists of 337 prospective physical education teachers ("M"[subscript age] = 21.57…

Are Creative Comparisons Developed by Prospective Chemistry Teachers Evidence of Their Conceptual Understanding? The Case of Inter- and Intramolecular Forces

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sendur, Gulten

2014-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine prospective chemistry teachers' creative comparisons about the basic concepts of inter- and intramolecular forces, and to uncover the relationship between these creative comparisons and prospective teachers' conceptual understanding. Based on a phenomenological research method, this study was conducted with…

The Relationship between the Individual Values and Critical Thinking Skills of Prospective Social Sciences Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nalcaci, Ahmet

2012-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the individual values and critical thinking skills of prospective social sciences teachers. The sample of the research is composed of a total of 298 prospective teachers, who are first-year, second-year, third-year and fourth-year students. These prospective teachers were randomly…

Predictive Power of Prospective Physical Education Teachers' Attitudes towards Educational Technologies for Their Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varol, Yaprak Kalemoglu

2015-01-01

The aim of the research is to determine the predictive power of prospective physical education teachers' attitudes towards educational technologies for their technological pedagogical content knowledge. In this study, a relational research model was used on a study group that consisted of 529 (M[subscript age]=21.49, SD=1.44) prospective physical…

Analysis of Teaching Materials Developed by Prospective Mathematics Teachers and Their Views on Material Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koparan, Timur

2017-01-01

This study aimed at exploring the quality of teaching materials developed by prospective mathematics teachers and their viewpoints on developing teaching materials. It was carried out with 170 prospective teachers from 4 classes in the Fall Semester of 2014-2015 Academic Year. During the first 8 weeks of the 14-week-long study, the theoretical…

An Analysis of Prospective Chemistry Teachers' Cognitive Structures through Flow Map Method: The Subject of Oxidation and Reduction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Temel, Senar

2016-01-01

This study aims to analyse prospective chemistry teachers' cognitive structures related to the subject of oxidation and reduction through a flow map method. Purposeful sampling method was employed in this study, and 8 prospective chemistry teachers from a group of students who had taken general chemistry and analytical chemistry courses were…

The Study of Validity and Reliability of the Perceived Value Scale of Prospective Teachers in Terms of Teaching Profession

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Demir, Engin; Budak, Yusuf; Demir, Cennet Gologlu

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to develop "Perceived Value Scale in regard to Teaching Profession of Prospective Teachers." The validity and reliability analysis of the scale, developed for prospective elementary school teachers, was performed. In order to determine the values of the teaching profession, first of all, the related literature…

Prospective High School Physics Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching Practices: From Traditionalist to Constructivist

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Demirci, Neset

2015-01-01

The main aim of this study was to determine the teaching practices of prospective high school physics teachers with respect to their preference for teaching as a traditionalist or as a constructivist. To study the beliefs of prospective high school physics teachers on this subject, firstly, the Teacher Belief Survey was administered to 135…

ICT and the Teaching of Reading Comprehension in English as a Second Language in Secondary Schools: Problems and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maduabuchi, Chinyere Henrietta; Emechebe, Vivian I.

2016-01-01

This study is aimed at identifying both prospects and problems of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching reading comprehension in English as Second Language. To achieve this aim, a total of 25 secondary school English teachers were interviewed through the use of questionnaire. The teachers were purposively and…

Conducting Science Fair Activities: Reflections of the Prospective Science Teachers on Their Expectations, Opinions, and Suggestions Regarding Science Fairs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Durmaz, Hüsnüye; Oguzhan Dinçer, Emrah; Osmanoglu, Ashhan

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to examine the reflections of the prospective science teachers on their expectations, opinions, and suggestions towards science fairs. The study was conducted with 34 prospective science teachers. All participants had education in junior class of Science Teaching Program of a university located in western part of Turkey in…

The Whole Is Greater than the Sum of the Parts: The Effects of an Antenatal Orientation Interviews Training for Prospective Parents Postnatal Depression Levels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bulut, Pinar; Barut, Yasar

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine an antenatal orientation interviews training for prospective parents' postnatal depression levels. A quasi-experimental study carried out with 26 (12 experimental, 14 control) prospective mother and father. Participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale one week before the intervention and 12…

Robotic Surgery Readiness (RSR): A Prospective Randomized Skills Decay Recognition and Prevention Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-2-0030 TITLE: Robotic Surgery Readiness (RSR): A Prospective Randomized Skills Decay Recognition and Prevention Study...20164. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Robotic Surgery Readiness (RSR): A Prospective Randomized Skills Decay 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER R ognition and Prevention Study...be recruited and many have completed the proficiency phase of this project and will be moving on to AIM 1. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Robotic Surgery

A Structural Model of Prospective Science Teachers' Nature of Science Views

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mugaloglu, Ebru Z.; Bayram, Hale

2010-01-01

This study aims to establish a viable structural model of prospective science teachers' nature of science (NOS) views, which could be used as an analytical tool for understanding the complex relationships between prospective teachers' conceptions of NOS and factors possibly affecting their conceptions. In order to construct such a model, likely…

Prospective Teachers' Perceptions about the Concept of Sustainable Development and Related Issues in Oman

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ambusaidi, Abdullah; Al Washahi, Maryam

2016-01-01

This study aims to investigate, from the Omani's prospective, teachers' perceptions about the concept of sustainable development (SD) and three related issues (cultural diversity, renewable energy and equity). The sample consisted of 159 prospective teachers from Sultan Qaboos University. Data were collected via a questionnaire comprising a list…

Understanding Prospective Teachers' Mathematical Modeling Processes in the Context of a Mathematical Modeling Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeytun, Aysel Sen; Cetinkaya, Bulent; Erbas, Ayhan Kursat

2017-01-01

This paper investigates how prospective teachers develop mathematical models while they engage in modeling tasks. The study was conducted in an undergraduate elective course aiming to improve prospective teachers' mathematical modeling abilities, while enhancing their pedagogical knowledge for the integrating of modeling tasks into their future…

Prospective Teachers' Views about Video-Enhanced General Biology Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çetin, Gülcan

2014-01-01

The aim of the study is to determine the views of the prospective physics and chemistry teachers about the video-enhanced General Biology instruction. The participants included 19 second-year prospective teachers (10 in Physics and 9 in Chemistry Education) at Necatibey Faculty of Education, Balikesir University, Turkey in the 2011-2012 academic…

Developing Prospective Elementary Teachers' Abilities to Identify Evidence of Student Mathematical Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spitzer, Sandy M.; Phelps, Christine M.; Beyers, James E. R.; Johnson, Delayne Y.; Sieminski, Elizabeth M.

2011-01-01

This study investigated the effects of a classroom intervention on prospective elementary teachers' ability to evaluate evidence of student achievement of mathematical learning goals. The intervention was informed by a framework for teacher education which aims to provide prospective teachers (PTs) with the skills needed to systematically learn…

The Relationship between Prospective Teachers' Critical Thinking Dispositions and Their Educational Philosophies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aybek, Birsel; Aslan, Serkan

2017-01-01

The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between prospective teachers' critical thinking dispositions and their educational philosophies. The research used relational screening model. The study hosts a total of 429 prospective teachers selected by the simple random sampling method. Research data has been collected through…

The Evaluation of Prospective Teachers' Attitudes towards Citizenship and Citizenship Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramazan, Özbek; Ezlam, Susam

2017-01-01

This study aims to determine the attitudes of prospective teachers studying pedagogical formation education towards citizenship and citizenship education based on their gender, area of specialization, ethnicity and geographical area. This study explains the global implications of the concepts of citizenship, and citizenship education. A…

Conceptual Understanding of Definite Integral with Geogebra

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tatar, Enver; Zengin, Yilmaz

2016-01-01

This study aimed to determine the effect of a computer-assisted instruction method using GeoGebra on achievement of prospective secondary mathematics teachers in the definite integral topic and to determine their opinions about this method. The study group consisted of 35 prospective secondary mathematics teachers studying in the mathematics…

Prospective Teachers' Metaphorical Perceptions on the Concept of Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aysegul, Derman; Serdar, Derman

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to reveal prospective teachers' perceptions of the concept of science by asking them to use metaphors to describe it. A metaphor elicitation method was employed in this study. The data obtained from the study were considered with both quantitative and qualitative (Content Analysis) analyses. The study determined the…

The Effects of Problem Solving Applications on the Development of Science Process Skills, Logical Thinking Skills and Perception on Problem Solving Ability in the Science Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seyhan, Hatice Güngör

2015-01-01

This study was conducted with 98 prospective science teachers, who were composed of 50 prospective teachers that had participated in problem-solving applications and 48 prospective teachers who were taught within a more researcher-oriented teaching method in science laboratories. The first aim of this study was to determine the levels of…

Reflections from the Application of Different Type of Activities: Special Training Methods Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karadeniz, Mihriban Hacisalihoglu

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to reveal the benefits gained from "Special Training Methods II" course and the problems prospective mathematics teachers encountered with it. The case study method was used in the study. The participants in the study were 34 prospective mathematics teachers studying at a Primary School Mathematics Education…

Development in Children with Achondroplasia: A Prospective Clinical Cohort Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ireland, Penelope J.; Donaghey, Samantha; McGill, James; Zankl, Andreas; Ware, Robert S.; Pacey, Verity; Ault, Jenny; Savarirayan, Ravi; Sillence, David; Thompson, Elizabeth; Townshend, Sharron; Johnston, Leanne M.

2012-01-01

Aim: Achondroplasia is characterized by delays in the development of communication and motor skills. While previously reported developmental profiles exist across gross motor, fine motor, feeding, and communication skills, there has been no prospective study of development across multiple areas simultaneously. Method: This Australasian…

Metaphoric Investigation of the Phonic-Based Sentence Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dogan, Birsen

2012-01-01

This study aimed to understand the views of prospective teachers with "phonic-based sentence method" through metaphoric images. In this descriptive study, the participants involve the prospective teachers who take reading-writing instruction courses in Primary School Classroom Teaching Program of the Education Faculty of Pamukkale…

Lecture Attendance Is a Pivotal Factor for Improving Prospective Teachers' Academic Performance in Teaching and Learning Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alzhanova-Ericsson, Alla T.; Bergman, Christina; Dinnétz, Patrik

2017-01-01

The value and importance of lectures in higher education is part of a modern education discourse worldwide. This study aims to estimate the importance of lectures for prospective teachers of kindergarten, preschool and early primary school. We analysed academic achievements of prospective teachers who had either mandatorily or voluntarily attended…

Prospective Science Teachers' Perception Related to Formative Assessment Approaches in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yasar, M. Diyaddin

2017-01-01

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the perceptions and competences of prospective science teachers about formative assessment approaches. Qualitative case study methodology was used in the study. Research group consisted of 17 senior students of science education. As a data collection tool, a semi-structured "Formative Assessment…

Two-Year Diagnostic Stability in Early-Onset First-Episode Psychosis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Castro-Fornieles, Josefina; Baeza, Immaculada; de la Serna, Elena; Gonzalez-Pinto, Ana; Parellada, Mara; Graell, Montserrat; Moreno, Dolores; Otero, Soraya; Arango, Celso

2011-01-01

Background: Only one study has used a prospective method to analyze the diagnostic stability of first psychotic episodes in children and adolescents. The Child and Adolescent First-Episode Psychosis Study (CAFEPS) is a 2-year, prospective longitudinal study of early-onset first episodes of psychosis (EO-FEP). Aim: To describe diagnostic stability…

Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention among Prospective Graduates of Higher Institutions Case of Wolaita Sodo University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tegegn, Tesfahun; Paulos, Mesfin; Desalegn, Yonatan

2016-01-01

This study entitled "Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention among Prospective Graduates of Higher Institutions, Case of Wolaita Sodo University" aimed at profiling entrepreneurship among graduating class students at WSU and identify determinants of their entrepreneurial intentions. The study used survey design and collected…

Multiple Intelligence Distribution of Prospective Teachers: The Case at Yildiz Technical University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çeliköz, Mine

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to find out whether intelligence distributions differ or not according to gender and departmental variables by determining the dominant intelligence (Multiple Intelligence) distributions of prospective teachers studying at Yildiz Technical University Education Faculty. The population of the research constitutes the…

Prospective Associations between Dietary Patterns and Cognitive Performance during Adolescence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nyaradi, Anett; Foster, Jonathan K.; Hickling, Siobhan; Li, Jianghong; Ambrosini, Gina L.; Jacques, Angela; Oddy, Wendy H.

2014-01-01

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate prospective associations between dietary patterns and cognitive performance during adolescence. Methods: Participants were sourced from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study that includes 2868 children born between 1989 and 1992 in Perth, Western Australia. When the children were…

Prospective Chemistry and Science Teachers' Views and Metaphors about Chemistry and Chemical Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Onen Ozturk, Fatma; Aglarci, Oya

2017-01-01

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the metaphors created by prospective chemistry and science teachers and their views about how the studies in the field of chemistry are carried out in relation to the grade level and department. Research Methods: Case study as a qualitative research design was used. Participants in the study included…

An Analysis of the Relationship between Prospective Teachers' Thinking Styles and Their Attitudes to Teaching Profession According to Various Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uygun, Mehmet; Kunt, Halil

2014-01-01

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between primary school prospective teachers' thinking styles and their attitudes to teaching profession. The study group for the research consisted of fourth-grade Primary School of Elementary Education, Social Sciences Education and Science Education students studying at Dumlupinar University Education…

A Study on Teaching Gases to Prospective Primary Science Teachers through Problem-Based Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Senocak, Erdal; Taskesenligil, Yavuz; Sozbilir, Mustafa

2007-01-01

The aim of this study was to compare the achievement of prospective primary science teachers in a problem-based curriculum with those in a conventional primary science teacher preparation program with regard to success in learning about gases and developing positive attitudes towards chemistry. The subjects of the study were 101 first year…

The Physics of Music with Interdisciplinary Approach: A Case of Prospective Music Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turna, Özge; Bolat, Mualla

2016-01-01

Physics of music is an area that is covered by interdisciplinary approach. In this study it is aimed to determine prospective music teachers' level of association with physics concepts which are related to music. The research is a case study which combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Eighty-four students who were studying at the…

How Can We Get the Information about Democracy? The Example of Social Studies Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tonga, Deniz

2014-01-01

In this research, the information about democracy, which social studies prospective teachers have, and interpretation of the information sources are aimed. The research was planned as a survey research methodology and the participants were determined with criterion sampling method. The data were collected through developed open-ended questions…

Friendly and Hostile Country Perceptions of Prospective Social Studies Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaya, Beytullah; Topçu, Ersin

2017-01-01

Peace education requires that students have a correct and academic perception regarding other countries. These perceptions of students, who acquire certain perceptions starting from primary school to university, need to be based on real facts and should not contain extravagance. This study aims to determine whether 3rd year Prospective Social…

Students' Perception on the Prospect of Economics Education Study Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meiriza, Mica Siar

2015-01-01

This study aims to determine the extent to which perceptions of students on the prospect of the Economics Education Program. The method used in this research is descriptive method in which the required data is obtained through questionnaire and technique of analyzing data used is percentages. Questionnaires were distributed through the Student…

Opinions of Prospective Classroom Teachers about Their Competence for Individualized Education Program (IEP)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Debbag, Murat

2017-01-01

This research aims to determine the opinions of prospective classroom teachers about preparation and implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP). In this study, a qualitative research method was used. The participants were 20 classroom-teaching students that had been selected through the purposive sampling method. In the study, the…

Perceptions of Prospective Teachers about School Principals: Prejudice or Real

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tosun, Figen Çam

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to reveal prospective teachers' thoughts and observations about school principals. In the study, the qualitative and quantitative research methods were used together. In quantitative research method, a questionnaire was developed and survey research was conducted with the help of this questionnaire. In the qualitative…

Exploring Prospective English Language Teachers' Perceptions of the "Internet" through Metaphorical Conceptualizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yaman, Ismail

2016-01-01

This qualitative phenomenological study aims to explore prospective English language teachers' perceptions of the "Internet" through metaphors. The study has been conducted with the participation of 143 Grade 1 and Grade 2 students attending the English Language Teaching (ELT) Programme at Ondokuz Mayis University. A form with a simple…

Enhancing life prospects of socially vulnerable youth through sport participation: a mixed methods study.

PubMed

Super, Sabina; Hermens, Niels; Verkooijen, Kirsten; Koelen, Maria

2014-07-09

Sport participation has been associated with improved life prospects such as academic performance and employability prospects. As such, promoting sport participation might be a way to increase life prospects, especially for socially vulnerable youth because they are less physically active than their peers. However, the evidence for the causal effect of sport participation on these outcomes is still limited and little is known about factors that play a role in this possible effect. The aim of this study is four-fold. First, the causal effect of sport participation on life prospects is studied and the underlying mechanisms of this relation are explored. Secondly, the life experiences of the youngsters in the sport context, that may contribute to skill development, are studied. Thirdly, social conditions for a positive effect are explored, as sport is likely to have a positive effect under specific conditions. Fourthly, this study aims to provide insights on the elements of successful partnerships between youth care organisations and local sport clubs. This protocol reports on a mixed method study. An intervention that aims to increase the sport participation of socially vulnerable youth, between 12-23 years old, is implemented in three regions of a Rotterdam youth care organisation. The youngsters in the two control regions receive care-as-usual. The main outcome variables, collected via questionnaires, are the life prospect, sense of coherence and self-regulation skills of the youngsters after 6 and 18 months of follow-up. The Motivational Climate Scale is administered to explore the social conditions for a positive effect and interviews are conducted with sport coaches to explore their role in skill development. Interviews with the youngsters are conducted to gain insight on the life experiences that may lead to skill development. The elements of successful partnerships are collected during interviews with youth care professionals, sport coaches and other stakeholders in the sport context. The results of this study can support efforts of youth care organisations and local sport clubs to improve the life prospects of socially vulnerable youth through sport participation. Trialregister.nl NTR4621 Date of Registration: 2 June 2014.

Enhancing life prospects of socially vulnerable youth through sport participation: a mixed methods study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Sport participation has been associated with improved life prospects such as academic performance and employability prospects. As such, promoting sport participation might be a way to increase life prospects, especially for socially vulnerable youth because they are less physically active than their peers. However, the evidence for the causal effect of sport participation on these outcomes is still limited and little is known about factors that play a role in this possible effect. The aim of this study is four-fold. First, the causal effect of sport participation on life prospects is studied and the underlying mechanisms of this relation are explored. Secondly, the life experiences of the youngsters in the sport context, that may contribute to skill development, are studied. Thirdly, social conditions for a positive effect are explored, as sport is likely to have a positive effect under specific conditions. Fourthly, this study aims to provide insights on the elements of successful partnerships between youth care organisations and local sport clubs. Methods and design This protocol reports on a mixed method study. An intervention that aims to increase the sport participation of socially vulnerable youth, between 12–23 years old, is implemented in three regions of a Rotterdam youth care organisation. The youngsters in the two control regions receive care-as-usual. The main outcome variables, collected via questionnaires, are the life prospect, sense of coherence and self-regulation skills of the youngsters after 6 and 18 months of follow-up. The Motivational Climate Scale is administered to explore the social conditions for a positive effect and interviews are conducted with sport coaches to explore their role in skill development. Interviews with the youngsters are conducted to gain insight on the life experiences that may lead to skill development. The elements of successful partnerships are collected during interviews with youth care professionals, sport coaches and other stakeholders in the sport context. Discussion The results of this study can support efforts of youth care organisations and local sport clubs to improve the life prospects of socially vulnerable youth through sport participation. Trial registration Trialregister.nl NTR4621 Date of Registration: 2 June 2014 PMID:25011430

Effect of the 5E Model on Prospective Teachers' Conceptual Understanding of Diffusion and Osmosis: A Mixed Method Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Artun, Huseyin; Costu, Bayram

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to explore a group of prospective primary teachers' conceptual understanding of diffusion and osmosis as they implemented a 5E constructivist model and related materials in a science methods course. Fifty prospective primary teachers' ideas were elicited using a pre- and post-test and delayed post-test survey consisting…

Opinions and Attitudes of Prospective Teachers for the Use of Mobile Phones in Foreign Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cakir, Ismail

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to explore the current use of mobile phones in a foreign language teaching context where English is used as the medium of instruction by prospective teachers. To this end, it presents the views of prospective English teachers on utilizing the mobile phone as an instructional tool for foreign language learning purposes in…

Prospective Science Teachers' Attitudes and Views of Using Journal Writing in the "Methods of Teaching Science" Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ambusaidi, Abdullah

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of prospective science teachers at Sultan Qaboos University towards and their views about using journal writing in the Methods of Teaching Science course. Twenty-six prospective science teachers were asked to write about each topic in the course in their journal to show their understanding of…

The Risk of Reduced Physical Activity in Children with Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Dido; Lingam, Raghu; Mattocks, Calum; Riddoch, Chris; Ness, Andy; Emond, Alan

2011-01-01

The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder have an increased risk of reduced moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), using data from a large population based study. Prospectively collected data from 4331 children (boys = 2065, girls = 2266) who had completed motor…

Recurrence Risk after a First Remote Symptomatic Unprovoked Seizure in Childhood: A Prospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramos-Lizana, J.; Aguirre-Rodriguez, J.; Aguilera-Lopez, P.; Cassinello-Garcia, E.

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess recurrence risk after a first remote symptomatic unprovoked seizure in childhood. All consecutive patients younger than 14 years with a first remote symptomatic unprovoked seizure who were seen at our hospital between 1994 and 2006 were included in the study and prospectively followed. Only two patients received…

Transition from Model to Proof: Example of Water Treatment Plant

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Güler, Gürsel

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to research the prospective mathematics teachers' ability to construct a mathematical model for a real life problem and to prove these models by generalizing them to use in similar situations. The study was conducted with 129 prospective teachers determined on a volunteering basis. The data were obtained with the help of…

Predictors and Health-Related Outcomes of Positive Body Image in Adolescent Girls: A Prospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrew, Rachel; Tiggemann, Marika; Clark, Levina

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate prospective predictors and health-related outcomes of positive body image in adolescent girls. In so doing, the modified acceptance model of intuitive eating was also examined longitudinally. A sample of 298 girls aged 12 to 16 years completed a questionnaire containing measures of body appreciation, potential…

Prospective Physics Teachers' Level of Understanding Energy, Power and Force Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saglam-Arslan, Aysegul; Kurnaz, Mehmet Altan

2009-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine prospective physics teachers' level of understanding of the concepts of energy and the related concepts of force and power. The study was carried out with the participation of 56 physics education department students at a university in Karadeniz region. All participants had previously taken an introductory…

Factors Influencing Teaching Choice, Professional Plans about Teaching, and Future Time Perspective: A Mediational Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eren, Altay; Tezel, Kadir Vefa

2010-01-01

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of prospective English teachers' future time perspectives in relation to their motivations for teaching, beliefs about the profession, career choice satisfaction, and professional plans. A total of 423 prospective English teachers voluntarily participated in the study. The mediating role of the future…

Prospective Middle-School Mathematics Teachers' Quantitative Reasoning and Their Support for Students' Quantitative Reasoning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kabael, Tangul; Akin, Ayca

2018-01-01

The aim of this research is to examine prospective mathematics teachers' quantitative reasoning, their support for students' quantitative reasoning and the relationship between them, if any. The teaching experiment was used as the research method in this qualitatively designed study. The data of the study were collected through a series of…

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Problem Solving Skills in Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deniz, Sabahattin

2013-01-01

This study aims to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and problem solving. The sample set of the research was taken from the Faculty of Education of Mugla University by the random sampling method. The participants were 386 students--prospective teachers--(224 females; 182 males) who took part in the study voluntarily.…

Investigating Plane Geometry Problem-Solving Strategies of Prospective Mathematics Teachers in Technology and Paper-and-Pencil Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koyuncu, Ilhan; Akyuz, Didem; Cakiroglu, Erdinc

2015-01-01

This study aims to investigate plane geometry problem-solving strategies of prospective mathematics teachers using dynamic geometry software (DGS) and paper-and-pencil (PPB) environments after receiving an instruction with GeoGebra (GGB). Four plane geometry problems were used in a multiple case study design to understand the solution strategies…

The Acquaintance Level of Turkish Prospective Teachers with Qualified Works of Children's Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çer, Erkan; Sahin, Ertugrul

2016-01-01

The aim of this cross-sectional study is investigate to what extent acquainted prospective Turkish teachers are with qualified works of children's literature. A convenience sample of 146 university students studying at the Turkish teaching department at a university in the Central Black Sea Region completed a questionnaire to determine the…

[Prospective memory - concepts, methods of assessment, neuroanatomical bases and its deficits in mental disorders].

PubMed

Wiłkość, Monika; Izdebski, Paweł; Zajac-Lamparska, Ludmiła

2013-01-01

In the last two decades of the last century there has been a shift in the studies on memory. In psychology of memory the criticism of the laboratory approach resulted in development of the ecological approach. One of the effects of this change was to initiate researches on memory that includes plans for the future, which has resulted in the distinction of the concept of prospective memory. Prospective memory is used in many aspects of everyday life. It deals with remembering intentions and plans, it is connected with remembering about specific task or activity in the future. There are three types of PM: event-based prospective memory, time-based prospective memory and activity-based prospective memory. Current research in this field have already established its own paradigm and tools measuring PM and there is still increasing scientific interest in this issue. Prospective memory assessment may be carried out in various ways. Among them, the most frequently used are: a) questionnaires, b) psychological tests, c) experimental procedures. Within the latter, the additional distinction can be introduced for: the experiments conducted under natural conditions and the laboratory procedures. In Polish literature, there are only a few articles on PM. The aim of this work is to review studies on assessment methods of PM. Its neuroanatomical bases and its functioning in different mental disorders are analyzed. The work is aimed to focus clinicians attention on prospective memory as an area which is important for complex diagnosis of cognitive processes.

Prospective Primary Teachers' Beliefs about Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maasepp, Brooke; Bobis, Janette

2015-01-01

Concerns about the negative mathematical beliefs of prospective primary teachers have arisen from evidence that such beliefs detrimentally impact future teaching practices. The aim of this study was to explore factors contributing to the effectiveness of a mathematics content-focused intervention designed to nurture positive mathematical beliefs.…

The Effects of Web-Based Interactive Virtual Tours on the Development of Prospective Mathematics Teachers' Spatial Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kurtulus, Aytac

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of web-based interactive virtual tours on the development of prospective mathematics teachers' spatial skills. The study was designed based on experimental method. The "one-group pre-test post-test design" of this method was taken as the research model. The study was conducted with 3rd year…

The Effect of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Based Training Programs Used in Astronomy Classes on the Success Levels of Science Teacher Candidates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sensoy, Onder; Yildirim, Halil Ibrahim

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) based educational practices in astronomy lectures on prospective science teachers' success levels. The study was conducted on 4th-grade prospective science teachers of a public university and lasted for 14 weeks. In the study,…

Prediction of Participation and Sensory Modulation of Late Preterm Infants at 12 Months: A Prospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bart, O.; Shayevits, S.; Gabis, L. V.; Morag, I.

2011-01-01

The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the differences in participation and sensory modulation between late preterm infants (LPI) and term babies, and to predict it by LPI characteristics. The study population includes 124 late preterm infants at gestational age between 34 and 35 6/7 weeks who were born at the same medical center. The…

Knowledge Sources and Opinions of Prospective Social Studies Teachers about Possible Risk and Benefit Analysis: Nuclear Energy and Power Stations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yazici, Hakki; Bulut, Ramazan; Yazici, Sibel

2016-01-01

In this study, it was aimed to determine the trust status of prospective social studies teachers regarding various knowledge sources related to nuclear energy and power stations regarded as a controversial socio-scientific issue and their perceptions on the possible risks and benefits of nuclear energy and power stations. Target population of the…

Mentoring Prospective Principals: Determinants of Productive Mentor-Mentee Relationship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schechter, Chen

2014-01-01

Mentoring contributes to prospective principals' growth, easing their transition from the role of teacher to that of administrator. This article reports findings from a study aimed at examining the determinant factors affecting the mentor-mentee relationship in a uniquely designed principal preparation program in New York City. The study…

Emotional Intelligence Levels and Counselling Skills of Prospective Psychological Counsellors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odaci, Hatice; Degerli, Fatma Irem; Bolat, Neslihan

2017-01-01

This research aimed to determine the correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and counselling skills of Turkish prospective psychological counsellors and to investigate differences in both EI and counselling skills in terms of sex, previous experience of group studies, and class levels. Within a correlational pattern, the sample of the…

Internet Self-Efficacy Preferences of Internet Based Environments and Achievement of Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozyalcin Oskay, Ozge

2011-01-01

The aims of this study are to determine prospective chemistry teachers' internet self-efficacy and preferences of constructivist internet-assisted environments and to examine the relationship between their internet self-efficacy and their preferences for constructivist internet-assisted environments, the relationship between their achievement in…

Anxiety Sensitivity as a Prospective Predictor of Alcohol Use Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmidt, Norman B.; Buckner, Julia D.; Keough, Meghan E.

2007-01-01

Emerging evidence suggests that elevated anxiety sensitivity (AS) is associated with substance use disorders. However, prospective evidence regarding this association is currently lacking. The primary aim of the present study was to determine whether AS is involved in the pathogenesis of substance-related psychopathology. A large, nonclinical…

Pre-Service Teachers' Retrospective and Prospective Evaluations: Program, Self, and Teaching Profession

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ulusoy, Mustafa

2015-01-01

This study aimed to investigate teacher candidates' retrospective and prospective evaluations about the classroom teacher education program, self, and the teaching profession. Observations, interviews, focus group interviews, and surveys were used to collect data from the 240 subjects. Teacher candidates believed that the teaching profession is…

The Short-Term Impact of Involuntary Migration in China's Three Gorges: A Prospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hwang, Sean-Shong; Cao, Yue; Xi, Juan

2011-01-01

The aim of this study is to measure the short-term impact of involuntary migration resulting from China's Three Gorges Dam project on the 1.3 million persons being displaced. We focus on the social, economic, and mental and physical health impact using three sets of indicators. Using a prospective research design, we gathered information about…

The Effects of Using Jigsaw Method Based on Cooperative Learning Model in the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karacop, Ataman

2017-01-01

The main aim of the present study is to determine the influence of a Jigsaw method based on cooperative learning and a confirmatory laboratory method on prospective science teachers' achievements of physics in science teaching laboratory practice courses. The sample of this study consisted of 33 female and 15 male third-grade prospective science…

Environmental Approach to the Study of the Modern Stage of Information Society Development: Research Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ivlev, Vitali Yu.; Barkova, Eleonora V.; Ivleva, Marina I.; Buzskaya, Olga M.

2016-01-01

The paper analyses modern information society in terms of an information ecology approach. Its aim is to determine the place of the human being in the human-society-ecosystem relations system and to study the prospects of a humanistic approach to the understanding of the essence of subject-object relationships in the communication space of…

Prospective study of luminous radiation associated technology photosensitive compounds for treatment of diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pires-Santos, Gustavo M.; de Oliveira, Susana C. P. S.; Monteiro, Juliana S. C.; Sampaio, Fernando José P.; Brugnera, Aldo; Zanin, Fátima Antônia A.; Almeida, Paulo; Pinheiro, Antônio L. B.

2015-03-01

Prospective studies are based on the analysis of patent documents and aims to assess the both technological history and development providing innovation opportunities. This study was a technological prospection mapping aiming to identify breakthrough in PDT and the new possibilities of the technology. Therefore, research in the bank patent 'Spacenet Patent Search' was performed using determinants descriptors associated with the theme: 'A61K41', 'A61N5 / 06'. Were analyzed in this study 326 documents. In evaluating these patents, it was possible to observe an increase in the number of deposits over time, with peak between 1990 and 2000. The highest number of inventors of this area are part of the private sector and the US appear as main producer of technology. It was also observed that blue light, porphyrins and their derivatives are the main topics. It may be concluded that PDT still offers a large opportunity for growth as several wavelengths, and photosensitizers that may be used in the technique.

Prospective Teachers' Personal Characteristics to Multicultural Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eskici, Menekse

2016-01-01

The aim of this paper is to determine prospective teachers' personal characteristics to multicultural education. It is also aimed to reveal whether there are meaningful differences in prospective teachers' personal characteristics to multicultural education according to their genders, age and number of siblings. The descriptive model was chosen to…

Predicting Ecstasy Use among Young People at Risk: A Prospective Study of Initially Ecstasy-Naive Subjects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vervaeke, Hylke K.E.; Benschop, Annemieke; Van Den Brink, Wim; Korf, Dirk J.

2008-01-01

Our aim is to identify predictors of first-time ecstasy use in a prospective study among young people at risk. As part of the multidisciplinary Netherlands XTC Toxicity Study (NeXT), we monitored 188 subjects aged up to 18 years who were ecstasy-naive at baseline but seemed likely to start taking ecstasy in the near future. After an 11- to…

Investigation of the Cognitive Structures of Prospective Preschool Teachers on the Concepts of Circle, Disk and Annulus with the Word Association Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gok Colak, Feride; Tugluk, Mehmet Nur

2017-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the cognitive structures of prospective preschool teachers and to identify their misconceptions about the concepts of circle, disk and annulus. In the study, the Word Association Test was used as the data collection instrument. The study was conducted in the fall semester of the 2014-2015 academic year with the…

Learning Styles of the Students of Biology Department and Prospective Biology Teachers in Turkey and Their Relationship with Some Demographic Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Günes, M. Handan

2018-01-01

This study has been carried out with the aim of researching dominant learning styles of the students studying at the biology departments of the faculty of science or the faculty of arts and sciences as well as the dominant learning styles of the prospective biology teachers studying at the faculty of education of universities in Turkey, by taking…

Effects of Self-Regulatory Strategy on Prospective Science Teachers' Chemistry Self Efficacy According to Class Level and Gender

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seyhan, Hatice Güngör

2016-01-01

This study aimed at determining the self-regulatory strategies and the chemistry self-efficacies of a total of one hundred and eighty-nine prospective science teachers in a state university in Turkey while studying the chemistry lesson according to the class level and gender factors. An additional goal was to examine the relationship level between…

Language Learning and Intercultural Education: Barriers and Prospects in the Cypriot Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hajisoteriou, Christina; Angelides, Panayiotis

2017-01-01

The main goal of this study is to examine the barriers and prospects of intercultural education in Cypriot schools of the southern part of the island with regard to not only learning the language of the reception country, but also the language of origin. Taking this as the point of departure, this study aims to explore the content and goals of…

Degrees of Resilience: Profiling Psychological Resilience and Prospective Academic Achievement in University Inductees

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allan, John F.; McKenna, Jim; Dominey, Susan

2014-01-01

University inductees may be increasingly vulnerable to stressors during transition into higher education (HE), requiring psychological resilience to achieve academic success. This study aimed to profile inductees' resilience and to investigate links to prospective end of year academic outcomes. Scores for resilience were based on a validated…

A Review of Relationship between Prospective Science Teachers' Attitudes towards Science Education and Their Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Türer, Betül; Kunt, Halil

2015-01-01

In this research, we aim to review relationship between prospective science teachers' attitudes against science education (physics, chemistry, biology, laboratory) and their self-efficacy. Population of the research constitutes 497 students studying Science Education in Department of Elementary Education in Celal Bayar University Faculty of…

Creativity from Two Perspectives: Prospective Mathematics Teachers and Mathematician

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yazgan-Sag, Gönül; Emre-Akdogan, Elçin

2016-01-01

Although creativity plays a critical role in mathematics, it remains underestimated in the context of a mathematics classroom. This study aims to explore the views and differences creativity displays in prospective teachers and one of their lecturers with respect to the characteristics and practices of creative teachers and the characteristics of…

Stylistics in Teacher Training: Research Programs and Future Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ventura, Ana Clara

2016-01-01

The aim of this research is to analyse and systematize the conceptual and empirical bases of the available literature on research approaches, objects of study, and future prospects in the field of stylistics, in order to encourage best practice in teacher training. Three research approaches are presented: the empiricist-behaviorist approach, the…

Selective effects of acute alcohol intake on the prospective and retrospective components of a prospective-memory task with emotional targets.

PubMed

Walter, Nora T; Bayen, Ute J

2016-01-01

Prospective memory involves remembering to do something in the future and has a prospective component (remembering that something must be done) and a retrospective component (remembering what must be done and when it must be done). Initial studies reported an impairment in prospective-memory performance due to acute alcohol consumption. Retrospective-memory studies demonstrated that alcohol effects vary depending on the emotionality of the information that needs to be learned. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible differential effects of a mild acute alcohol dose (0.4 g/kg) on the prospective and retrospective components of prospective memory depending on cue valence. Seventy-five participants were allocated to an alcohol or placebo group and performed a prospective-memory task in which prospective-memory cue valence was manipulated (negative, neutral, positive). The multinomial model of event-based prospective memory (Smith and Bayen 2004) was used to measure alcohol and valence effects on the two prospective-memory components separately. Overall, no main effect of alcohol or valence on prospective-memory performance occurred. However, model-based analyses demonstrated a significantly higher retrospective component for positive compared with negative cues in the placebo group. In the alcohol group, the prospective component was weaker for negative than for neutral cues and the retrospective component was stronger for positive than for neutral cues. Group comparisons showed that the alcohol group had a significantly lower prospective component for negative cues and a lower retrospective component for neutral cues. This is the first study to demonstrate selective alcohol effects on prospective-memory components depending on prospective-memory cue valence.

The Contribution of Peer and Media Influences to the Development of Body Satisfaction and Self-Esteem in Young Girls: A Prospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dohnt, Hayley; Tiggemann, Marika

2006-01-01

This study aimed to prospectively examine the role of peer and media influences in the development of body satisfaction (incorporating the desire for thinness and satisfaction with appearance) in young girls, as well as the relationship between body satisfaction and self-esteem. A sample of 97 girls 5-8 years of age completed individual interviews…

A 12-Month Prospective, Observational Study of Treatment Regimen and Quality of Life Associated with ADHD in Central and Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goetz, Michal; Yeh, Chin-Bin; Ondrejka, Igor; Akay, Aynur; Herczeg, Ilona; Dobrescu, Iuliana; Kim, Boong Nyun; Jin, Xingming; Riley, Anne W.; Martenyi, Ferenc; Harrison, Gavan; Treuer, Tamas

2012-01-01

Objectives: This prospective, observational, non-randomized study aimed to describe the relationship between treatment regimen prescribed and the quality of life (QoL) of ADHD patients in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Eastern Asia over 12 months. Methods: 977 Male and female patients aged 6-17 years seeking treatment for…

Engaging Prospective Teachers in Peer Assessment as Both Assessors and Assessees: The Case of Geometrical Proofs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavy, Ilana; Shriki, Atara

2014-01-01

One aspect of professional development of mathematics teachers relates to the development of assessment skills. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of engaging prospective mathematics teachers in peer assessment, both as assessors and assessees, on the development of their assessment skills in general and assessment of geometrical…

Burnout, Self-Efficacy, and Successful Intelligence among Chinese Prospective and In-Service School Teachers in Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, David W.

2007-01-01

This study assessed the three components of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment), perceived self-efficacy, and the three triarchic abilities (analytical, synthetic, and practical) of successful intelligence in a sample of 267 Chinese prospective and in-service teachers in Hong Kong. The aim was to…

The Analysis of Prospective Chemistry Teachers' Cognitive Structure: The Subject of Covalent and Ionic Bonding

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Temel, Senar; Özcan, Özgür

2016-01-01

This study aims to analyse prospective chemistry teachers' cognitive structure related to the subject of covalent and ionic bonding. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants in order to determine their cognitive structure, and the interviews were audio recorded to prevent the loss of data. The data were transcribed and…

Prospective EFL Teachers' Perceptions of ICT Integration: A Study of Distance Higher Education in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hismanoglu, Murat

2012-01-01

This paper aims to investigate the perceptions of prospective EFL teachers in the distance higher education system toward ICT implementation in teaching English as a foreign language. The majority of respondents who expressed negative attitudes to ICT integration found the nature, level and delivery of the training inadequate and accordingly…

The Relationship between Prospective Teachers' Readiness and Satisfactions about Web-Based Distance Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozturk, Duygu Saniye; Ozturk, Faruk; Ozen, Rasit

2018-01-01

Distance education is a kind of education in which learner and teacher communicate through a means either simultaneously or at different times being present in different places. In this study, it is aimed to determine the prospective teachers' readiness and satisfaction levels after the procedure related with the courses which they take through…

Views of HR Specialists on Formal Mentoring: Current Situation and Prospects for the Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laiho, Maarit; Brandt, Tiina

2012-01-01

Purpose: The article aims to report the findings of quantitative and qualitative analysis of the benefits, drawbacks and future prospects of formal mentoring in medium-sized and large organisations. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical data for the study were collected via an online survey, and consist of responses from 152 human resource…

Factors Affecting University Image Formation among Prospective Higher Education Students: The Case of International Branch Campuses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkins, Stephen; Huisman, Jeroen

2015-01-01

Previous research has found that the images of universities formed by prospective students greatly influence their choices. With the advent of international branch campuses in several higher education hubs worldwide, many international students now attempt to construct images of these institutions when deciding where to study. The aim of this…

An Italian Prospective Experience on the Association between Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garofoli, Francesca; Lombardi, Giuseppina; Orcesi, Simona; Pisoni, Camilla; Mazzucchelli, Iolanda; Angelini, Micol; Balottin, Umberto; Stronati, Mauro

2017-01-01

The aim of this retrospective study, with prospective data collection, was to correlate congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to define its prevalence. Seventy proven congenitally-infected infants, born between 2007 and 2012, were referred to our centre for CMV diagnosis and follow-up, which consisted…

Foreign Language Teaching Practicum Beliefs of Student Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sariçoban, Arif

2016-01-01

This study to be conducted with English Language Teachers at the secondary education in our country during the first semester 2014-2015 academic year, aims to explore the beliefs of these in-service ELT teachers during the micro teaching sessions by the prospective ELT teacher candidates. This study aims at reporting the progress inbetween the…

Effects of Achievement Goals on Perceptions of Competence in Conditions of Unfavourable Social Comparisons: The Mastery Goal Advantage Effect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kamarova, Sviatlana; Chatzisarantis, Nikos L. D.; Hagger, Martin S.; Lintunen, Taru; Hassandra, Mary; Papaioannou, Athanasios

2017-01-01

Background: Previous prospective studies have documented that mastery-approach goals are adaptive because they facilitate less negative psychological responses to unfavourable social comparisons than performance-approach goals. Aims: This study aimed to confirm this so-called "mastery goal advantage" effect experimentally. Methods: A…

Prospects of A and Z identification experiments at LBNL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gates, Jacklyn M.

2016-12-01

The identification of six new elements within the last 15 years and with proton numbers, Z = 113-118 has transformed the heavy element field. However, one key piece of information on these nuclei remains unmeasured: their proton and mass numbers, A. At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the heavy element group has undertaken a program to study these new elements to perform experiments aimed at measuring the Z and A.Here, an overview of recent experiments aimed towards identifying the Z of SHE, and the prospects for Z and A identification experiments at LBNL are presented.

A Comparative Analysis of Graduate Employment Prospects in European Labour Markets: A Study of Graduate Recruitment in Four Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Branine, Mohamed; Avramenko, Alex

2015-01-01

The aim of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of higher education and the graduate labour markets in selected European countries (France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom) in the context of the expectations of graduates and prospective employers, and respective recruitment and selection practices. Expectations of graduating students…

Assessment of Prospective Teachers' Views Regarding the Concept of Criticism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karakus, Neslihan

2015-01-01

Critical thinking is one of the skills that exist in the Turkish course curriculum and is aimed to be acquired by students. The objective of the study is to determine prospective Turkish teachers' perspectives regarding the concept of critism, which is both a mental exercise and carries an important role in the world of ideas. In order to assess…

A Suggested Model for Developing and Assessing Competence of Prospective Teachers in Faculties of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alqiawi, Dalal A.; Ezzeldin, Sawsan M.

2015-01-01

Background: Competence assessment of teachers has long been a concern for teachers in the Faculties of Education. The decision makers have been looking for a model to assess the competence of prospective students. Tools and assessment models are used to gauge the competency of teachers in all disciplines. Objective: The present study aimed at…

The Effect on Prospective Teachers of the Learning Environment Supported by Dynamic Statistics Software

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koparan, Timur

2016-01-01

In this study, the effect on the achievement and attitudes of prospective teachers is examined. With this aim ahead, achievement test, attitude scale for statistics and interviews were used as data collection tools. The achievement test comprises 8 problems based on statistical data, and the attitude scale comprises 13 Likert-type items. The study…

An Investigation into Prospective Science Teachers' Attitudes towards Laboratory Course and Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Laboratory Use

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aka, Elvan Ince

2016-01-01

The aim of the current study is to identify the attitudes towards the laboratory course and self-efficacy beliefs in the laboratory use of prospective teachers who are attending Gazi University Gazi Education Faculty Primary Education Science Teaching program, and to investigate the relationship between the attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs.…

A Research Focused on Improving Vocalisation Level on Violin Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parasiz, Gökalp

2018-01-01

The research aimed to improve vocalisation levels of music teacher's candidates on performance works for violin education moving from difficulties faced by prospective teachers. At the same time, it was aimed to provide new perspectives to violin educators. Study group was composed of six 3rd grade students studying violin education in a State…

Content knowledge of prospective elementary school teacher for fractional concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pattimukay, N.; Juniati, D.; Budiarto, M. T.

2018-03-01

The aim of this study was to describe the content knowledge especially the concept of fraction of prospective elementary school teacher. The purpose of this study is to describe the content knowledge, especially the concept of fraction of prospective elementary school teacher. The subject of the study was one of prospective elementary school teacher of Pattimura University. This research is qualitative research. Data were collected through the provision of tests to explore the knowledge content of primary school teacher candidates about fractional concepts. Then continued with qualitative data analysis. The results of this study are as follows: that the prospective primary school teacher defines fractions as part of the whole if an object is divided into equal parts, so that the part that has been divided is part of the whole. Furthermore, the prospective elementary school teacher understood the fractions as division shown in two ways, namely the prospective elementary school teacher understood the fraction as a division operation, the primary school teacher candidate interpreted the fraction as a division when an object is divided be part of the same. Meanwhile, the fraction as a ratio is interpreted as the relationship between a pair of numbers. Then, the denominations are interpreted as a ratio between the numerator and the denominator of the same value. The prospective elementary school teacher also understands fractions of value when simplifying fractions. Primary school teacher candidates understand the concept of fractional operations.

The Effect of Using Writer's Workshop Approach on Developing Basic Writing Skills (Mechanics of Writing) of Prospective Teachers of English in Egypt

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salem, Ashraf Atta M. S.

2013-01-01

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of using a program based on the writing workshop approach on developing basic writing skills of prospective teachers of English in Hurgada faculty of Education. For that purpose, the researcher constructed and validated a teaching program based on the writing workshop approach, checklist of the…

Examining How Prospective Teachers Come To Understand Two Science Constructs, Evaporation and Condensation, as a Result of Class Discussion and Textbook Reading.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

You, Li-Ching; Schallert, Diane L.

As part of a larger project aimed at exploring how students' conceptual growth results from interacting with the teacher and the assigned readings associated with a course, this study focused on how prospective elementary teachers conceptualized two concepts, evaporation and condensation in a Concepts in Earth Science Course. In the conceptual…

Using Video Analysis to Support Prospective K-8 Teachers' Noticing of Students' Multiple Mathematical Knowledge Bases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roth McDuffie, Amy; Foote, Mary Q.; Bolson, Catherine; Turner, Erin E.; Aguirre, Julia M.; Bartell, Tonya Gau; Drake, Corey; Land, Tonia

2014-01-01

As part of a larger research project aimed at transforming preK-8 mathematics teacher preparation, the purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which prospective teachers notice children's competencies related to children's mathematical thinking, and children's community, cultural, and linguistic funds of knowledge or what…

An Investigation into the Academic Success of Prospective Teachers in Terms of Learning Strategies, Learning Styles and the Locus of Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akça, Figen

2013-01-01

The present research aims to investigate the relationship between the learning strategies, learning styles, the locus of control and the academic success of prospective teachers. The study group consists of 198 university students in various departments at the Uludag University Faculty of Education. Research data were collected with the Locus of…

Examination of Attitudes to Learning and Educational Stress in Prospective Primary School Teachers: Izmir-Buca Sample

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamurcu, Hülya

2018-01-01

Many factors interact with each other in learning and internalizing a subject along with performing a new task. Attitudes and stress are the two of these factors. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes to learning and educational stress in third and fourth year students as prospective primary school teachers. The relational model was used…

PROSPECT - A Precision Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xianyi; Prospect Collaboration

2017-01-01

PROSPECT, the PRecision Oscillation and SPECTrum Experiment, is a multi-phased short baseline reactor antineutrino experiment that aims to precisely measure the U-235 antineutrino spectrum and prob for oscillation effects involving a possible Δm2 1 eV2 scale sterile neutrino. In PROSPECT Phase-I, an optically segmented Li-6 loaded liquid scintillator detector will be deployed at at the baseline of 7-12m from the High Flux Isotope Reactor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. PROSPECT will measure the spectrum of U-235 to aid in resolving the unexplained inconsistency between predictive spectral models and recent experimental measurements using LEU cores, while the oscillation measurement will probe the best fit region suggested by global fitting studies within 1-year data taking. This talk will introduce the design of PROSPECT Phase-I, the discovery potential of the experiment, and the progress the collaboration has made toward realizing PROSPECT Phase-I. Department of Energy

The Clinical Presentation of Mitochondrial Diseases in Children with Progressive Intellectual and Neurological Deterioration: A National, Prospective, Population-Based Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Verity, Christopher M.; Winstone, Anne Marie; Stellitano, Lesley; Krishnakumar, Deepa; Will, Robert; McFarland, Robert

2010-01-01

Aim: Our aim was to study the clinical presentation, mode of diagnosis, and epidemiology of mitochondrial disorders in children from the UK who have progressive intellectual and neurological deterioration (PIND). Method: Since April 1997, we have identified patients aged 16 years or younger with suspected PIND through the monthly notification card…

Early Developmental Assessment of Children with Major Non-Cardiac Congenital Anomalies Predicts Development at the Age of 5 Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mazer, Petra; Gischler, Saskia J.; van der Cammen-van Zijp, Monique H. M.; Tibboel, Dick; Bax, Nicolaas M. A.; Ijsselstijn, Hanneke; van Dijk, Monique; Duivenvoorden, Hugo J.

2010-01-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive and motor development in children with major congenital anomalies and the predictability of development at age 5 years. Method: A prospective, longitudinal follow-up study was undertaken. The Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development--Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and…

A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review of Prospective Memory in Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Landsiedel, Julia; Williams, David M.; Abbot-Smith, Kirsten

2017-01-01

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to remember to carry out a planned intention at an appropriate moment in the future. Research on PM in ASD has produced mixed results. We aimed to establish the extent to which two types of PM (event-based/time-based) are impaired in ASD. In part 1, a meta-analysis of all existing studies indicates a large…

An Investigation of Learner Autonomy in Turkish EFL Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cakici, Dilek

2017-01-01

This study investigated the teachers' perceptions as to what extent learners should be involved in decision making processes concerning the general aspects of learner autonomy. The primary aim of the research was to find out learning autonomy perceptions of Turkish prospective teachers of English. It is also aimed to explore the effect of gender…

Social importance enhances prospective memory: evidence from an event-based task.

PubMed

Walter, Stefan; Meier, Beat

2017-07-01

Prospective memory performance can be enhanced by task importance, for example by promising a reward. Typically, this comes at costs in the ongoing task. However, previous research has suggested that social importance (e.g., providing a social motive) can enhance prospective memory performance without additional monitoring costs in activity-based and time-based tasks. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of social importance in an event-based task. We compared four conditions: social importance, promising a reward, both social importance and promising a reward, and standard prospective memory instructions (control condition). The results showed enhanced prospective memory performance for all importance conditions compared to the control condition. Although ongoing task performance was slowed in all conditions with a prospective memory task when compared to a baseline condition with no prospective memory task, additional costs occurred only when both the social importance and reward were present simultaneously. Alone, neither social importance nor promising a reward produced an additional slowing when compared to the cost in the standard (control) condition. Thus, social importance and reward can enhance event-based prospective memory at no additional cost.

Longitudinal Development of Hand Function in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmefur, Marie; Krumlinde-Sundholm, Lena; Bergstrom, Jakob; Eliasson, Ann-Christin

2010-01-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe how the usefulness of the hemiplegic hand develops in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) aged between 18 months and 8 years. Method: A prospective longitudinal study of 43 children (22 males, 21 females) with unilateral CP was conducted. Inclusion age was 18 months to 5 years 4 months (mean 2y…

The Development of the Nature of Science View Scale (NOSvs) at University Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Temel, Senar; Sen, Senol; Özcan, Özgür

2018-01-01

Background: Determining individuals' views of the nature of science is quite important for researchers since it is both a component of scientific literacy and a fundamental aim of science education. Purpose: This study aims to develop a NOSvs for assessing prospective teachers' views of the nature of science and to analyse their psychometric…

The Perceptions of Prospective Teachers on the Democratic Aspects of the Constructivist Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bay, Erdal; Gundogdu, Kerim; Kaya, Halil Ibrahim

2010-01-01

Introduction: The nations which have the aim to create democratic societies should also realize the same ideals in educational practices. Related literature declare that learning environments based on constructivist approach is assumed to be democratic. In line with this frame, the aim of this study is to determine the perceptions of prospective…

Validation of prospective portion size and latency to eat as measures of reactivity to snack foods.

PubMed

van den Akker, Karolien; Bongers, Peggy; Hanssen, Imke; Jansen, Anita

2017-09-01

In experimental studies that investigate reactivity to the sight and smell of highly palatable snack foods, ad libitum food intake is commonly used as a behavioural outcome measure. However, this measure has several drawbacks. The current study investigated two intake-related measures not yet validated for food cue exposure research involving common snack foods: prospective portion size and latency to eat. We aimed to validate these measures by assessing prospective portion size and eating latencies in female undergraduate students who either underwent snack food exposure or a control exposure. Furthermore, we correlated prospective portion size and latency to eat with commonly used measures of food cue reactivity, i.e., self-reported desire to eat, salivation, and ad libitum food intake. Results showed increases in prospective portion size after food cue exposure but not after control exposure. Latency to eat did not differ between the two conditions. Prospective portion size correlated positively with desire to eat and food intake, and negatively with latency to eat. Latency to eat was also negatively correlated with desire to eat and food intake. It is concluded that the current study provides initial evidence for the prospective portion size task as a valid measure of reactivity to snack foods in a Dutch female and mostly healthy weight student population. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonsuicidal self-injury in community adolescents: A systematic review of prospective predictors, mediators and moderators.

PubMed

Valencia-Agudo, Fatima; Burcher, Georgina Corbet; Ezpeleta, Lourdes; Kramer, Tami

2018-06-01

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) usually starts during adolescence and is associated with an array of psychological and psychiatric symptoms and future suicide attempts. The aim of this study is to determine prospective predictors, mediators and moderators of NSSI in adolescent community samples in order to target prevention and treatment strategies. Two team members searched online databases independently. Thirty-nine studies were included in the review. Several variables were seen to prospectively predict NSSI: female gender, family-related variables, peer victimisation, depression, previous NSSI and self-concept. Few studies analysed mediators and moderators. Low self-concept was highlighted as a relevant moderator in the relationship between intra/interpersonal variables and NSSI. Implications of these findings are discussed. The considerable heterogeneity between studies posed a limitation to determine robust predictors of NSSI. Further prospective studies using standardised measures of predictors and outcomes are needed to ascertain the most at risk individuals and develop prevention strategies. Copyright © 2018 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Prospective Study of Infectious Mononucleosis in College Students.

PubMed

Jason, Leonard A; Katz, Ben; Gleason, Kristen; McManimen, Stephanie; Sunnquist, Madison; Thorpe, Taylor

2017-01-01

The present study aims to prospectively investigate possible biological and psychological factors present in college students who will go on to develop chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) following Infectious Mononucleosis (IM). Identification of risk factors predisposing patients towards developing CFS may help to understand the underlying mechanisms and ultimately prevent its occurrence. Our study is enrolling healthy college students over the age of 18. Enrollment began in March of 2013 and is ongoing. Biological and psychological data are collected when students are well (Stage 1), when they develop IM (Stage 2), and approximately 6 months after IM diagnosis (Stage 3). Two case studies demonstrate the progression of student symptomology across all three stages. The Case Studies presented illustrate the usefulness of a prospective research design that tracks healthy students, following their trajectory of IM illness to either a) full recovery or b) diagnosis with CFS.

A Prospective Study of Infectious Mononucleosis in College Students

PubMed Central

Jason, Leonard A.; Katz, Ben; Gleason, Kristen; McManimen, Stephanie; Sunnquist, Madison; Thorpe, Taylor

2017-01-01

Background The present study aims to prospectively investigate possible biological and psychological factors present in college students who will go on to develop chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) following Infectious Mononucleosis (IM). Identification of risk factors predisposing patients towards developing CFS may help to understand the underlying mechanisms and ultimately prevent its occurrence. Our study is enrolling healthy college students over the age of 18. Enrollment began in March of 2013 and is ongoing. Methods Biological and psychological data are collected when students are well (Stage 1), when they develop IM (Stage 2), and approximately 6 months after IM diagnosis (Stage 3). Results Two case studies demonstrate the progression of student symptomology across all three stages. Conclusion The Case Studies presented illustrate the usefulness of a prospective research design that tracks healthy students, following their trajectory of IM illness to either a) full recovery or b) diagnosis with CFS. PMID:28717787

Predictors of Dropout From Inpatient Substance Use Treatment: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PubMed

Andersson, Helle Wessel; Steinsbekk, Aslak; Walderhaug, Espen; Otterholt, Eli; Nordfjærn, Trond

2018-01-01

Dropout from inpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) is an ongoing challenge. The aim of this study was to identify demographic, substance use, and psychological factors that predict dropout from postdetoxification inpatient SUD treatment. A total of 454 patients from 5 inpatient SUD centers in Central Norway were consecutively included in this naturalistic, prospective cohort study. A total of 132 patients (28%) did not complete the planned treatment stay (dropped out). Cox regression analysis showed that higher levels of intrinsic motivation for changing personal substance use reduced the dropout risk (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.79). Higher levels of mental distress were associated with an increased risk for dropout (adjHR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11-1.97). The role of mental health and motivation in reducing dropout risk from inpatient SUD treatment should be targeted in future prospective intervention studies.

Prospective Links between Friendship and Early Physical Aggression: Preliminary Evidence Supporting the Role of Friendship Quality through a Dyadic Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salvas, Marie-Claude; Vitaro, Frank; Brendgen, Mara; Cantin, Ste´phane

2016-01-01

Positive friendships have been related to decreasing levels of children's physical aggression over time. While this evidence calls for interventions aimed at helping children build good-quality friendships, tests of causality through experimental manipulations are still needed. The goal of this study was to examine whether an intervention aimed to…

Organisational justice and mental health: a systematic review of prospective studies.

PubMed

Ndjaboué, Ruth; Brisson, Chantal; Vézina, Michel

2012-10-01

The models most commonly used, to study the effects of psychosocial work factors on workers' health, are the demand-control-support (DCS) model and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) model. An emerging body of research has identified Organisational Justice as another model that can help to explain deleterious health effects. This review aimed: (1) to identify prospective studies of the associations between organisational justice and mental health in industrialised countries from 1990 to 2010; (2) to evaluate the extent to which organisational justice has an effect on mental health independently of the DCS and ERI models; and (3) to discuss theoretical and empirical overlap and differences with previous models. The studies had to present associations between organisational justice and a mental health outcome, be prospective, and be entirely available in English or in French. Duplicated papers were excluded. Eleven prospective studies were selected for this review. They provide evidence that procedural justice and relational justice are associated with mental health. These associations remained significant even after controlling for the DCS and ERI models. There is a lack of prospective studies on distributive and informational justice. In conclusion, procedural and relational justice can be considered a different and complementary model to the DCS and ERI models. Future studies should evaluate the effect of change in exposure to organisational justice on employees' mental health over time.

Associations between sleep bruxism and (peri-) implant complications: a prospective cohort study

PubMed Central

Thymi, Magdalini; Visscher, Corine M; Yoshida-Kohno, Eiko; Crielaard, Wim; Wismeijer, Daniel; Lobbezoo, Frank

2017-01-01

Objectives/Aims: To describe the protocol of a prospective cohort study designed to answer the question: ‘Is sleep bruxism a risk factor for (peri-)implant complications?’. Materials and Methods: Our study is a single-centre, double-blind, prospective cohort study with a follow-up time of 2 years. Ninety-eight participants fulfilling inclusion criteria (planned treatment with implant-supported fixed suprastructure(s) and age 18 years or older) will be included. Sleep bruxism will be monitored at several time points as masticatory muscle activity during sleep by means of a portable single-channel electromyographic device. Our main outcomes are biological complications (i.e., related to peri-implant bleeding, probing depth, marginal bone height, quality of submucosal biofilm and loss of osseointegration) and technical complications (i.e., suprastructure, abutment, implant body or other). Results: The study is currently ongoing, and data are being gathered. Discussion: The results of this prospective cohort study will provide important information for clinicians treating bruxing patients with dental implants. Furthermore, it will contribute to the body of evidence related to the behaviour of dental implants and their complications under conditions of high mechanical loadings that result from sleep bruxism activity. Conclusion: The protocol of a prospective cohort study designed to investigate possible associations between sleep bruxism and (peri-) implant complications was presented. PMID:29607076

Mathematical Thinking: Challenging Prospective Teachers to Do More than "Talk the Talk"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prendergast, Mark; Johnson, Patrick; Fitzmaurice, Olivia; Liston, Miriam; O'Keeffe, Lisa; O'Meara, Niamh

2014-01-01

This paper reports on a research project which aims to improve prospective mathematics teachers' relational understanding and pedagogical beliefs for teaching in second-level Irish classrooms. Prospective mathematics teachers complete their teacher education training with varying pedagogical beliefs, and often little relational understanding of…

Modeling Initiation into Drug Injection among Street Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roy, Elise; Godin, Gaston; Boudreau, Jean-Francois; Cote, Philippe-Benoit; Denis, Veronique; Haley, Nancy; Leclerc, Pascale; Boivin, Jean-Francois

2011-01-01

This study aimed at examining the predictors of initiation into drug injection among street youth using social cognitive theory framework. A prospective cohort study based on semi-annual interviews was carried out. Psychosocial determinants referred to avoidance of initiation. Other potential predictors were: sociodemographic characteristics,…

Prospective memory performance in non-psychotic first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia: a controlled study.

PubMed

Zhou, Fu-Chun; Hou, Wei-Min; Wang, Chuan-Yue; Ungvari, Gabor S; Chiu, Helen F K; Correll, Christoph U; Shum, David H K; Man, David; Liu, Deng-Tang; Xiang, Yu-Tao

2014-01-01

We aimed at investigating prospective memory and its socio-demographic and neurocognitive correlates in non-psychotic, first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with schizophrenia compared to patients with first episode schizophrenia (FES), and healthy controls (HCs). Forty-seven FES patients, 50 non-psychotic FDRs (23 offspring and 27 siblings) of patients with chronic schizophrenia (unrelated to the FES group) and 51 HCs were studied. The Chinese version of the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (C-CAMPROMPT) was used to measure time-based prospective memory (TBPM) and event-based prospective memory (EBPM) performance. Other cognitive functions (involving respective memory and executive functions) were evaluated with standardized tests. After controlling for basic demographic characteristics including age, gender and educational level, there was a significant difference between FDRs, FES and HCs with respect to both TBPM (F(2,142) = 10.4, p<0.001) and EBPM (F(2,142) = 10.8, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that lower scores of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and the STROOP Word-Color Test (SWCT) contributed to TBPM impairment, while lower educational level and higher scores of the Color Trails Test-2 (CTT-2) contributed to EBPM deficit in FDRs. FDRs share similar but attenuated prospective memory impairments with schizophrenia patients, suggesting that prospective memory deficits may represent an endophenotype of schizophrenia.

Laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision versus Open Complete Mesocolic Excision for Transverse Colon Cancer: Long-Term Survival Results of a Prospective Single Centre Non-Randomized Study.

PubMed

Storli, Kristian Eeg; Eide, Geir Egil

2016-01-01

Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) used in the treatment of transverse colon cancer has been questioned on the basis of the technical challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the medium- and long-term clinical and survival outcomes after laparoscopic and open CME for transverse colon cancer and to compare the 2 approaches. This study was a retrospective non-randomized study of patients with prospectively registered data on open and laparoscopic CME for transverse colon cancer tumour-node-metastasis stages I-III operated on between 2007 and 2014. This was a single-centre study in a community teaching hospital. A total of 56 patients with transverse colon cancer were included, excluding those with tumours in the colonic flexures. The outcome aims were 4-year time to recurrence (TTR) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Morbidity was also measured. The 4-year TTR was 93.9% in the laparoscopic group and 91.3% in the open group (p = 0.71). The 4-year CSS was 97.0% in the laparoscopic group and 91.3% in the open group (p = 0.42). This was a prospective single-institution study with a small sample size. Results of the study suggest that the laparoscopic CME approach might be the preferred approach for transverse colon cancer, especially regarding its benefits in terms of short-term morbidity, length of stay and oncological outcome. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

[Voluntary abortion cost in France and prospective payment system: to raise the issue of so many misstatements].

PubMed

Betala Belinga, J-F; Valence, A; Zaccabri, A; Fresson, J

2010-11-01

Despite the implementation of prospective payment approach in France, induced legal abortion are still paid by capitation. Our aim was to evaluate the real cost of induced abortion in a public hospital in France. This study took place during the year 2008 in a public health hospital. Induced abortion cost was calculated according to national study cost's recommendations. The cost drawn from this was compared to what is paid by the medical insurance for spontaneous abortion. Induced abortion calculated cost was 562 €, the capitation amount was 286.86 €, the spontaneous abortion compensation amount was 645 €. Induced abortion should be paid by a prospective payment evaluation similar to diagnosis related groups approaches rather than a capitation payment, in order to reduce misstatements. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Optimal Decision Stimuli for Risky Choice Experiments: An Adaptive Approach.

PubMed

Cavagnaro, Daniel R; Gonzalez, Richard; Myung, Jay I; Pitt, Mark A

2013-02-01

Collecting data to discriminate between models of risky choice requires careful selection of decision stimuli. Models of decision making aim to predict decisions across a wide range of possible stimuli, but practical limitations force experimenters to select only a handful of them for actual testing. Some stimuli are more diagnostic between models than others, so the choice of stimuli is critical. This paper provides the theoretical background and a methodological framework for adaptive selection of optimal stimuli for discriminating among models of risky choice. The approach, called Adaptive Design Optimization (ADO), adapts the stimulus in each experimental trial based on the results of the preceding trials. We demonstrate the validity of the approach with simulation studies aiming to discriminate Expected Utility, Weighted Expected Utility, Original Prospect Theory, and Cumulative Prospect Theory models.

The Relation between Lifelong Learning Tendency and Educational Philosophies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaygin, Hüseyin; Yilmaz, Emrullah; Semerci, Çetin

2017-01-01

This study aims to reveal the relationship between lifelong learning and philosophies of education. The sampling of the study consisted of 570 prospective teachers attending a pedagogical formation course at Bartin University and Bülent Ecevit University in 2016. Relational screening model was used in the study and the data were collected through…

The Relation between Prospective Teachers' and Their Parents' Learning Styles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vural, Levent

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between the learning styles of teacher candidates and those of their parents. Relational survey method has been employed to conduct the study. The target group contains 211 novice teachers studying at different teacher training departments of a Turkish university. The Grasha-Riechmann Student…

Infant Brain Structures, Executive Function, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Problems at Preschool Age. A Prospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ghassabian, Akhgar; Herba, Catherine M.; Roza, Sabine J.; Govaert, Paul; Schenk, Jacqueline J.; Jaddoe, Vincent W.; Hofman, Albert; White, Tonya; Verhulst, Frank C.; Tiemeier, Henning

2013-01-01

Background: Neuroimaging findings have provided evidence for a relation between variations in brain structures and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, longitudinal neuroimaging studies are typically confined to children who have already been diagnosed with ADHD. In a population-based study, we aimed to characterize the…

The Relationship between Teacher Candidates' Attitudes towards Teacher Credentialing Courses and Instructor Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gül, Ibrahim

2017-01-01

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between the attitudes of prospective teachers towards teaching profession courses and teaching staff behaviors. The research is a quantitative study. The study's study group is composed of 537 education faculty student. "Attitude Scale towards Credentialing Courses" and…

The Relation between Lifelong Learning Tendency and Achievement Motivation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yilmaz, Emrullah; Kaygin, Hüseyin

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to reveal the relation between lifelong learning tendency and achievement motivation. The sampling of the study consisted of 570 prospective teachers attending a pedagogical formation course at two universities in Turkey in 2016. Relational screening model was used in the study and the data were collected through…

Progression of Amygdala Volumetric Abnormalities in Adolescents after Their First Manic Episode

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bitter, Samantha M.; Mills, Neil P.; Adler, Caleb M.; Strakowski, Stephen M.; DelBello, Melissa P.

2011-01-01

Objective: Although previous neuroimaging studies suggest that adolescents with bipolar disorder exhibit smaller amygdala volumes compared with healthy adolescents, whether these abnormalities are present at illness onset or instead develop over time remains unclear. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective longitudinal investigation…

Prospective relationships of physical activity with quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Physical activity can enhance quality of life for cancer survivors. However, few longitudinal studies have examined whether physical activity has a sustained effect on improvements in quality of life. The present study aims to examine the relationships between physical activity and quality of life o...

Does Loss of Spasticity Matter? A 10-Year Follow-up after Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in Cerebral Palsy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tedroff, Kristina; Lowing, Kristina; Jacobson, Dan N. O.; Astrom, Eva

2011-01-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: Nineteen children (four females, 15 males; mean age 4y 7mo, SD 1y 7mo) with bilateral spastic CP, were prospectively assessed at baseline and 18 months, 3 years, and 10 years after SDR. Assessments…

Predictors of Dropout From Inpatient Substance Use Treatment: A Prospective Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Andersson, Helle Wessel; Steinsbekk, Aslak; Walderhaug, Espen; Otterholt, Eli; Nordfjærn, Trond

2018-01-01

Introduction: Dropout from inpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) is an ongoing challenge. The aim of this study was to identify demographic, substance use, and psychological factors that predict dropout from postdetoxification inpatient SUD treatment. Materials and methods: A total of 454 patients from 5 inpatient SUD centers in Central Norway were consecutively included in this naturalistic, prospective cohort study. Results: A total of 132 patients (28%) did not complete the planned treatment stay (dropped out). Cox regression analysis showed that higher levels of intrinsic motivation for changing personal substance use reduced the dropout risk (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.79). Higher levels of mental distress were associated with an increased risk for dropout (adjHR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11-1.97). Conclusions: The role of mental health and motivation in reducing dropout risk from inpatient SUD treatment should be targeted in future prospective intervention studies. PMID:29531472

The treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) according to present evidence. A systematic review.

PubMed

Weiss, H-R; Goodall, D

2008-06-01

Traditionally, the treatment options for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the most common form of scoliosis, are exercises; in-patient rehabilitation; braces and surgery. The outcomes of treatments are usually compared with the natural history or observation (non-intervention). The aim of this paper was to provide a synopsis of all treatment options in the light of evidence based practice (EBP). A systematic review was carried out using the most encompassing databases available. Literature has been searched for the outcome parameter ''rate of progression'' and only prospective controlled studies that have considered the treatment versus the natural history have been included. The search strategy included the following terms: ''adolescent idiopathic scoliosis''; ''idiopathic scoliosis''; ''natural history''; ''observation''; ''physiotherapy''; ''physical therapy''; ''rehabilitation''; ''bracing''; ''orthotics'' and ''surgery''. Prospective short-term studies have been found to support outpatient physiotherapy. One prospective controlled study was found to support scoliosis in-patient rehabilitation (SIR). One prospective multi-centre study, a long-term prospective controlled study and a meta-analysis have been found to support bracing. No controlled study, neither short, mid nor long-term, was found to reveal any substantial evidence to support surgery as a treatment for this condition. There is some evidence supporting the conservative treatment for AIS. No substantial evidence has been found in terms of prospective controlled studies to support surgical intervention. In light of the unknown long-term effects of surgery, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) seems necessary. Due to the presence of evidence to support conservative treatments, a plan to compose a RCT for conservative treatment options seems unethical. But it is also important to conclude that the evidence for conservative treatments is weak in number and length.

Measuring Technology Acceptance Level of Turkish Pre-Service English Teachers by Using Technology Acceptance Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirmizi, Özkan

2014-01-01

The aim of this study is to investigate technology acceptance of prospective English teachers by using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in Turkish context. The study is based on Structural Equation Model (SEM). The participants of the study from English Language Teaching Departments of Hacettepe, Gazi and Baskent Universities. The participants…

Does Social Support Protect against Depression & Psychological Distress? Findings from the RELACHS Study of East London Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khatib, Yasmin; Bhui, Kamaldeep; Stansfeld, Stephen A.

2013-01-01

Few prospective studies have examined the relationship between social support and psychological distress and depressive symptoms in adolescents. The aims of this study were to test whether social support is protective against psychological distress and depressive symptoms in an ethnically diverse population of adolescents and whether differences…

Historians or History Teachers? A Qualitative Study in Pedagogical Formation Program in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ünisen, Ali

2016-01-01

This study aims to determine how the history teaching career is perceived by prospective history teachers who attended the pedagogical formation program in Adiyaman University in 2014-2015 academic year. The study was conducted through content analysis of 5 sets of essays dealing with various aspects of history teaching. The essays topics were…

Hospital-based surveillance for acute pesticide poisoning caused by neurotoxic and other pesticides in Tanzania.

PubMed

Lekei, Elikana; Ngowi, Aiwerasia V; London, Leslie

2014-12-01

Acute pesticide poisoning (APP), particularly with neurotoxic agents, is often under-reported in developing countries. This study aimed to estimate the burden of APP in Tanzania due to neurotoxic and other pesticides in order to propose a surveillance system. The study reviewed hospital admission data for APP retrospectively (2000-2005) in 30 facilities in four regions of Tanzania. A prospective follow-up over 12 months in 2006 focused on 10 facilities with the highest reporting of APP. The majority of known poisoning agents were organophosphates or WHO class I and II pesticides. APP involving suicide was significantly more likely to be fatal in both retrospective (PRR fatal/non-fatal=3.8; 95% CI=1.8-8.0) and in prospective (PRR=8.7; 95% CI=1.1-65) studies. There was a significant association between suicide and gender (PRR female/male=1.5; 95% CI=1.1-2.0) in the prospective study. Occupational circumstances as a cause of APP, which was relatively small in both studies (8.5% in the retrospective and 10.2% in the prospective study) was less common amongst men compared to women (6.1% for males versus 12.0% for females) in the retrospective study but almost equal in prospective study (10.2% for males versus 10.1% for females). Contrasting retrospective to prospective studies, the annual incidence rate almost tripled (from 1.43 to 4.05 per 100,000) and mortality rate doubled (from 0.11 to 0.22 per 100,000). Case fatality declined accordingly from 7.8% to 5.6% in prospective study. The study revealed a substantial improvement in the completeness of data with prospective data collection. Missing data for circumstances and agents declined by 24.1% and 9.9%, respectively. Despite this improvement, routine reporting could only generate 33-50% of the information needed for a notification of banned or severely restricted chemicals under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) convention. The two to threefold increase in rates with prospective data collection suggests significant under-reporting of APP by neurotoxic and other pesticides. Routine reporting is likely to under-estimate the burden from pesticides, particularly for women in occupational settings. The burden of APP and the specific pesticides causing serious problems in Tanzania would continue to be missed without improved surveillance systems. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Clinical Utility of Informants' Appraisals on Prospective and Retrospective Memory in Patients with Early Alzheimer's Disease

PubMed Central

Hsu, Yen-Hsuan; Huang, Ching-Feng; Tu, Min-Chien; Hua, Mau-Sun

2014-01-01

Increasing studies suggest the importance of including prospective memory measures in clinical evaluation of dementia due to its sensitivity and functional relevance. The Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRQM) is originally a self-rated memory inventory that offers a direct comparison between prospective and episodic memory. However, the informant's report has been recognized as a more valid source of cognitive complaints. We thus aimed to examine the validity of the informant-rated form of the PRMQ in assessing memory function of the patients and in detecting individuals with early dementia. The informants of 140 neurological outpatients with memory complaints completed the Taiwan version of the PRMQ. Tests of prospective memory, short-term memory, and general cognitive ability were also administered to non-demented participants and patients with early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results showed significant relationships between the PRMQ ratings and objective cognitive measures, and showed that higher ratings on the PRMQ were associated with increasing odds of greater dementia severity. Receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves showed an adequate ability of the PRMQ to identify patients with dementia (93% sensitivity and 84% specificity). Hierarchical regression revealed that the PRMQ has additional explanatory power for dementia status after controlling for age, education and objective memory test results, and that the prospective memory subscale owns predictive value for dementia beyond the retrospective memory subscale. The present study demonstrated the external validity and diagnostic value of informants' evaluation of their respective patients' prospective and retrospective memory functioning, and highlighted the important role of prospective memory in early dementia detection. The proxy-version of the PRMQ is a useful tool that captures prospective and episodic memory problems in patients with early AD, in combination with standardized cognitive testing. PMID:25383950

Facebook and body image concern in adolescent girls: A prospective study.

PubMed

Tiggemann, Marika; Slater, Amy

2017-01-01

The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship across time between Facebook use and body image concern in adolescent girls. A sample of 438 girls in the first two years (Years 8 and 9) of high school (aged 13-15 years) at Time 1 completed questionnaire measures of Facebook consumption and body image concerns, and again two years later (Time 2). Facebook involvement increased substantially over the two year time period. Body image concerns also increased. Number of Facebook friends was found to prospectively predict the observed increase in drive for thinness. On the other hand, internalization and body surveillance prospectively predicted the observed increase in number of Facebook friends. It was concluded that Facebook "friendships" represent a potent sociocultural force in the body image of adolescent girls. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:80-83). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fitting observed and theoretical choices - women's choices about prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

PubMed

Seror, Valerie

2008-05-01

Choices regarding prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome - the most frequent chromosomal defect - are particularly relevant to decision analysis, since women's decisions are based on the assessment of their risk of carrying a child with Down syndrome, and involve tradeoffs (giving birth to an affected child vs procedure-related miscarriage). The aim of this study, based on face-to-face interviews with 78 women aged 25-35 with prior experience of pregnancy, was to compare the women' expressed choices towards prenatal diagnosis with those derived from theoretical models of choice (expected utility theory, rank-dependent theory, and cumulative prospect theory). The main finding obtained in this study was that the cumulative prospect model fitted the observed choices best: both subjective transformation of probabilities and loss aversion, which are basic features of the cumulative prospect model, have to be taken into account to make the observed choices consistent with the theoretical ones.

Learning Styles of Medical Students Change in Relation to Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gurpinar, Erol; Bati, Hilal; Tetik, Cihat

2011-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate if any changes exist in the learning styles of medical students over time and in relation to different curriculum models with these learning styles. This prospective cohort study was conducted in three different medical faculties, which implement problem-based learning (PBL), hybrid, and integrated…

Subtraction Performances of Primary School Prospective Mathematics Teachers Having Different Cognitive Styles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayvaz, Ülkü; Gündüz, Nazan; Durmus, Soner; Dündar, Sefa

2016-01-01

Cognitive styles defined as the way by which individuals prefer to use in order to obtain, edit, utilize, remember the information are discussed as the indication of individual differences in many studies. The study aims to investigate behavioral data of mathematics teacher candidates categorized according to their cognitive styles while they…

The Conceptualization of the Mathematical Modelling Process in Technology-Aided Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hidiroglu, Çaglar Naci; Güzel, Esra Bukova

2017-01-01

The aim of the study is to conceptualize the technology-aided mathematical modelling process in the frame of cognitive modelling perspective. The grounded theory approach was adopted in the study. The research was conducted with seven groups consisting of nineteen prospective mathematics teachers. The data were collected from the video records of…

Female Overweight and Obesity in Adolescence: Developmental Trends and Ethnic Differences in Prevalence, Incidence, and Remission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huh, David; Stice, Eric; Shaw, Heather; Boutelle, Kerri

2012-01-01

Despite substantial increases in the prevalence of adolescent overweight and obesity documented in recent decades, few studies have prospectively tracked their development during the entire adolescent period. The aims of this study were to characterize developmental trends in prevalence, incidence, and remission of overweight and obesity using…

Plasma fatty acids, oxylipins, and risk of myocardial infarction: the Singapore Chinese health study

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objective: We aimed to examine the prospective association between plasma fatty acids (FAs), oxylipins and risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a Singapore Chinese population. Methods: A nested case-control study with 744 incident AMI cases and 744 matched controls aged 47-83 years was condu...

Levetiracetam in Absence Epilepsy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Verrotti, Alberto; Cerminara, Caterina; Domizio, Sergio; Mohn, Angelika; Franzoni, Emilio; Coppola, Giangennaro; Zamponi, Nelia; Parisi, Pasquale; Iannetti, Paola; Curatolo, Paolo

2008-01-01

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of levetiracetam therapy in children and adolescents with absence epilepsy. Twenty-one participants (11 male, 10 female) with typical absence seizures were enrolled in this prospective study from seven centres in Italy. The mean age and age range at time of enrolment into…

"Women's Ways of Knowing" among Female Saudi Student Teachers: Implications for Teaching and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aldegether, Reem

2017-01-01

This exploratory quantitative research investigated how "women's ways of knowing" (WWK) apply to female Saudi student teachers, and aimed to provide a useful contribution for further prospective study about this subject. The study used the Attitudes to Thinking and Learning Survey (ATTLS) questionnaire to investigate two such ways of…

Economic Disadvantage and Young Children's Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Mechanisms of Risk

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rijlaarsdam, Jolien; Stevens, Gonneke W. J. M.; van der Ende, Jan; Hofman, Albert; Jaddoe, Vincent W. V.; Mackenbach, Johan P.; Verhulst, Frank C.; Tiemeier, Henning

2013-01-01

This study aimed to establish potential mechanisms through which economic disadvantage contributes to the development of young children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Prospective data from fetal life to age 3 years were collected in a total of 2,169 families participating in the Generation R Study. The observed physical home…

Coordination and management of multicenter clinical studies in trauma: Experience from the PRospective Observational Multicenter Major Trauma Transfusion (PROMMTT) Study

PubMed Central

Rahbar, Mohammad H.; Fox, Erin E.; del Junco, Deborah J.; Cotton, Bryan A.; Podbielski, Jeanette M.; Matijevic, Nena; Cohen, Mitchell J.; Schreiber, Martin A.; Zhang, Jiajie; Mirhaji, Parsa; Duran, Sarah; Reynolds, Robert J.; Benjamin-Garner, Ruby; Holcomb, John B.

2011-01-01

Aim Early death due to hemorrhage is a major consequence of traumatic injury. Transfusion practices differ among hospitals and it is unknown which transfusion practices improve survival. This report describes the experience of the PRospective Observational Multicenter Major Trauma Transfusion (PROMMTT) Study Data Coordination Center in designing and coordinating a study to examine transfusion practices at ten Level 1 trauma centers in the U.S. Methods PROMMTT was a multisite prospective observational study of severely injured transfused trauma patients. The clinical sites collected real-time information on the timing and amounts of blood product infusions as well as colloids and crystalloids, vital signs, initial diagnostic and clinical laboratory tests, life saving interventions and other clinical care data. Results Between July 2009 and October 2010, PROMMTT screened 12,561 trauma admissions and enrolled 1,245 patients who received one or more blood transfusions within 6 hours of ED admission. A total of 297 massive transfusions were observed over the course of the study at a combined rate of 5.0 massive transfusion patients/week. Conclusion PROMMTT is the first multisite study to collect real-time prospective data on trauma patients requiring transfusion. Support from the Department of Defense and collaborative expertise from the ten participating centers helped to demonstrate the feasibility of prospective trauma transfusion studies. The observational data collected from this study will be an invaluable resource for research in trauma surgery and it will guide the design and conduct of future randomized trials. PMID:22001613

Optimal Decision Stimuli for Risky Choice Experiments: An Adaptive Approach

PubMed Central

Cavagnaro, Daniel R.; Gonzalez, Richard; Myung, Jay I.; Pitt, Mark A.

2014-01-01

Collecting data to discriminate between models of risky choice requires careful selection of decision stimuli. Models of decision making aim to predict decisions across a wide range of possible stimuli, but practical limitations force experimenters to select only a handful of them for actual testing. Some stimuli are more diagnostic between models than others, so the choice of stimuli is critical. This paper provides the theoretical background and a methodological framework for adaptive selection of optimal stimuli for discriminating among models of risky choice. The approach, called Adaptive Design Optimization (ADO), adapts the stimulus in each experimental trial based on the results of the preceding trials. We demonstrate the validity of the approach with simulation studies aiming to discriminate Expected Utility, Weighted Expected Utility, Original Prospect Theory, and Cumulative Prospect Theory models. PMID:24532856

Diurnal Cortisol Secretion at Home and in Child Care: A Prospective Study of 2-Year-Old Toddlers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ouellet-Morin, Isabelle; Tremblay, Richard E.; Boivin, Michel; Meaney, Michael; Kramer, Michael; Cote, Sylvana M.

2010-01-01

Background: Previous studies indicate that children may experience disrupted cortisol secretion in child care. The extent to which this is a transient or long-term disruption is not known, as most studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, and age-heterogeneous small sample sizes. This study aims to (a) compare cortisol secretion measured at…

Prospect Theory for Online Financial Trading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang-Yu; Nacher, Jose C.; Ochiai, Tomoshiro; Martino, Mauro; Altshuler, Yaniv

2014-03-01

Prospect theory is widely viewed as the best available descriptive model of how people evaluate risk in experimental settings. According to prospect theory, people make decisions based on the potential value of losses and gains rather than the final outcome. People are risk-averse with respect to gains and risk-seeking with respect to losses, a phenomenon called ``loss aversion''. Despite of the fact that prospect theory has been well studied in behavioral economics at the theoretical level, there exist very few empirical research and most of them has been undertaken with micro-panel data. Here we analyze the trading activities of over 1.5 million members of an online financial trading community over 28 months, aiming to explore the large-scale empirical aspect of prospect theory. By analyzing and comparing the behaviour of ``winners'' and ``losers'', i.e., traders with positive or negative final net profit, we find clear evidence of the loss aversion phenomenon, an essence in prospect theory. This work demonstrates an unprecedented large-scale empirical evidence of prospect theory. It has immediate implication in financial trading, e.g., developing new trading strategies by minimizing the effect of loss aversion. It also provides opportunity to augment online social trading, where users are allowed to watch and follow the trading activity of others, by predicting potential winners based on their historical trading behaviour.

Zinc Status and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus—A Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies

PubMed Central

Chu, Anna; Foster, Meika; Samman, Samir

2016-01-01

Zinc is an essential trace element with proposed therapeutic effects in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), however, the associations between zinc status and the prospective risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and Type 2 DM have not been evaluated. The current systematic review aims to determine the relationships between zinc intake or plasma/serum zinc levels and prospective incidence of CVD and Type 2 DM. Fourteen papers describing prospective cohort studies were included, reporting either CVD (n = 91,708) and/or Type 2 DM (n = 334,387) outcomes. Primary analyses from four out of five studies reported no association between zinc intake and CVD events, when adjusted for multiple variables. Higher serum zinc level was associated with lower risk of CVD in three out of five studies; pronounced effects were observed in vulnerable populations, specifically those with Type 2 DM and patients referred to coronary angiography. The limited evidence available suggests no association between zinc status and Type 2 DM risk. Further investigations into the mechanisms of zinc’s action on the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and additional evidence from observational studies are required to establish a recommendation for dietary zinc in relation to the prevention of CVD and Type 2 DM. PMID:27827959

Neurological Outcomes Following Suicidal Hanging: A Prospective Study of 101 Patients

PubMed Central

Jawaid, Mohammed Turab; Amalnath, S. Deepak; Subrahmanyam, D. K. S.

2017-01-01

Context: Survivors of suicidal hanging can have variable neurological outcomes – from complete recovery to irreversible brain damage. Literature on the neurological outcomes in these patients is confined to retrospective studies and case series. Hence, this prospective study was carried out. Aims: The aim is to study the neurological outcomes in suicidal hanging. Settings and Design: This was a prospective observational study carried out from July 2014 to July 2016. Subjects and Methods: Consecutive patients admitted to the emergency and medicine wards were included in the study. Details of the clinical and radiological findings, course in hospital and at 1 month postdischarge were analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS advanced statistics 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Univariate analysis was performed using Chi-square test for significance and Odd's ratio was calculated. Results: Of the 101 patients, 6 died and 4 had residual neuro deficits. Cervical spine injury was seen in 3 patients. Interestingly, 39 patients could not remember the act of hanging (retrograde amnesia). Hypotension, pulmonary edema, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score <8 at admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and cerebral edema on plain computed tomography were more in those with amnesia as compared to those with normal memory and these findings were statistically significant. Conclusions: Majority of patients recovered without any sequelae. Routine imaging of cervical spine may not be warranted in all patients, even in those with poor GCS. Retrograde amnesia might be more common than previously believed and further studies are needed to analyze this peculiar feature. PMID:28584409

Physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout: A systematic review of prospective studies

PubMed Central

Melanda, Francine Nesello; Mesas, Arthur Eumann; González, Alberto Durán; Gabani, Flávia Lopes

2017-01-01

Burnout is a syndrome that results from chronic stress at work, with several consequences to workers’ well-being and health. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence of the physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout in prospective studies. The PubMed, Science Direct, PsycInfo, SciELO, LILACS and Web of Science databases were searched without language or date restrictions. The Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Prospective studies that analyzed burnout as the exposure condition were included. Among the 993 articles initially identified, 61 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 36 were analyzed because they met three criteria that must be followed in prospective studies. Burnout was a significant predictor of the following physical consequences: hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hospitalization due to cardiovascular disorder, musculoskeletal pain, changes in pain experiences, prolonged fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, severe injuries and mortality below the age of 45 years. The psychological effects were insomnia, depressive symptoms, use of psychotropic and antidepressant medications, hospitalization for mental disorders and psychological ill-health symptoms. Job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, new disability pension, job demands, job resources and presenteeism were identified as professional outcomes. Conflicting findings were observed. In conclusion, several prospective and high-quality studies showed physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout. The individual and social impacts of burnout highlight the need for preventive interventions and early identification of this health condition in the work environment. PMID:28977041

The effect on prospective teachers of the learning environment supported by dynamic statistics software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koparan, Timur

2016-02-01

In this study, the effect on the achievement and attitudes of prospective teachers is examined. With this aim ahead, achievement test, attitude scale for statistics and interviews were used as data collection tools. The achievement test comprises 8 problems based on statistical data, and the attitude scale comprises 13 Likert-type items. The study was carried out in 2014-2015 academic year fall semester at a university in Turkey. The study, which employed the pre-test-post-test control group design of quasi-experimental research method, was carried out on a group of 80 prospective teachers, 40 in the control group and 40 in the experimental group. Both groups had four-hour classes about descriptive statistics. The classes with the control group were carried out through traditional methods while dynamic statistics software was used in the experimental group. Five prospective teachers from the experimental group were interviewed clinically after the application for a deeper examination of their views about application. Qualitative data gained are presented under various themes. At the end of the study, it was found that there is a significant difference in favour of the experimental group in terms of achievement and attitudes, the prospective teachers have affirmative approach to the use of dynamic software and see it as an effective tool to enrich maths classes. In accordance with the findings of the study, it is suggested that dynamic software, which offers unique opportunities, be used in classes by teachers and students.

Practical Aspects of Designing and Conducting Validation Studies Involving Multi-study Trials.

PubMed

Coecke, Sandra; Bernasconi, Camilla; Bowe, Gerard; Bostroem, Ann-Charlotte; Burton, Julien; Cole, Thomas; Fortaner, Salvador; Gouliarmou, Varvara; Gray, Andrew; Griesinger, Claudius; Louhimies, Susanna; Gyves, Emilio Mendoza-de; Joossens, Elisabeth; Prinz, Maurits-Jan; Milcamps, Anne; Parissis, Nicholaos; Wilk-Zasadna, Iwona; Barroso, João; Desprez, Bertrand; Langezaal, Ingrid; Liska, Roman; Morath, Siegfried; Reina, Vittorio; Zorzoli, Chiara; Zuang, Valérie

This chapter focuses on practical aspects of conducting prospective in vitro validation studies, and in particular, by laboratories that are members of the European Union Network of Laboratories for the Validation of Alternative Methods (EU-NETVAL) that is coordinated by the EU Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM). Prospective validation studies involving EU-NETVAL, comprising a multi-study trial involving several laboratories or "test facilities", typically consist of two main steps: (1) the design of the validation study by EURL ECVAM and (2) the execution of the multi-study trial by a number of qualified laboratories within EU-NETVAL, coordinated and supported by EURL ECVAM. The approach adopted in the conduct of these validation studies adheres to the principles described in the OECD Guidance Document on the Validation and International Acceptance of new or updated test methods for Hazard Assessment No. 34 (OECD 2005). The context and scope of conducting prospective in vitro validation studies is dealt with in Chap. 4 . Here we focus mainly on the processes followed to carry out a prospective validation of in vitro methods involving different laboratories with the ultimate aim of generating a dataset that can support a decision in relation to the possible development of an international test guideline (e.g. by the OECD) or the establishment of performance standards.

Problem Analysis: Application in Developing Marketing Strategies for Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, John; Moore, Thomas

1991-01-01

The problem analysis technique can help colleges understand students' salient needs in a competitive market. A preliminary study demonstrates the usefulness of the approach for developing strategies aimed at maintaining student loyalty and improving word-of-mouth promotion to other prospective students. (Author/MSE)

Randomized Prospective Trial on the Occurrence of Laparoscopic Trocar Site Hernias

ClinicalTrials.gov

2010-11-12

The Aim of the Study is to Analyze the Incidence of Trocar Site Hernia (TSH); in Orifices Created by Trocars Measuring ≥10 mm in Diameter,; and to Determine Whether Closure of the External Fascial Layer Prevents; TSH and Potential Related Complications.

Young men's endorsement and pursuit of appearance ideals: The prospective role of appearance investment.

PubMed

Kling, Johanna; Rodgers, Rachel F; Frisén, Ann

2016-03-01

Appearance investment has been proposed as a risk factor for the development of body dissatisfaction. Despite this, few studies have explored men's investment in their appearance. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine appearance investment as a prospective predictor of young men's endorsement and pursuit of appearance ideals. A community sample of 187 young men participated in a study at ages 21 and 24. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that appearance investment, as hypothesized, was a prospective predictor of increases in leanness orientation, media-ideal internalization, and muscularity behaviors. However, appearance investment did not predict increases in muscularity dissatisfaction. The present findings highlight the importance of including appearance investment in sociocultural models of the development of men's body image, and suggest that appearance investment may be an important target variable to consider when designing body dissatisfaction prevention and intervention programs tailored to young men. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association between telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

PubMed

Naing, Cho; Aung, Kyan; Lai, Pei Kuan; Mak, Joon Wah

2017-01-05

Human chromosomes are capped and stabilized by telomeres. Telomere length regulates a 'cellular mitotic clock' that defines the number of cell divisions and hence, cellular life span. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We searched relevant studies in electronic databases. When two or more observational studies reported the same outcome measures, we performed pooled analysis. All the analyses were performed on PBL using PCR. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association. Seven studies (with 8 datasets) were included in this meta-analysis; 3 prospective studies, 3 retrospective studies and 1 study with a separate prospective and retrospective designs. The pooled analysis of 4 prospective studies (summary OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.77-1.34, I 2 :30%) and 4 retrospective studies (summary OR 1.65, 95% CI: 0.96-2.83, I 2 :96%) showed no relationship between PBL telomere length and the CRC risk. A subgroup analysis of 2 prospective studies exclusively on females also showed no association between PBL telomere length and the CRC risk (summary OR, 1.17, 95% CI:0.72-1.91, I 2 :57%). The current analysis is insufficient to provide evidence on the relationship between PBL telomere length and the risk of CRC. Findings suggest that there may be a complex relationship between PBL telomere length and the CRC risk or discrepancy between genetics, age of patients and clinical studies. Future well powered, large prospective studies on the relationship between telomere length and the risk of CRC, and the investigations of the biologic mechanisms are recommended.

Aspects of Quality of Life in Adults Diagnosed with Autism in Childhood: A Population-Based Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Billstedt, Eva; Gillberg, I. Carina; Gillberg, Christopher

2011-01-01

The present study is a long-term prospective follow-up study of a population-based cohort of 120 individuals diagnosed with autism in childhood, followed into late adolescence/early adulthood. Specific aims of the study were to attempt to measure and study social aspects/quality of life in those 108 individuals with autism alive and available for…

A comparison of propensity score-based approaches to health service evaluation: a case study of a preoperative physician-led clinic for high-risk surgical patients.

PubMed

Pham, Clarabelle T; Gibb, Catherine L; Mittinty, Murthy N; Fitridge, Robert A; Marshall, Villis R; Karnon, Jonathan D

2016-10-01

A physician-led clinic for the preoperative optimization and management of high-risk surgical patients was implemented in a South Australian public hospital in 2008. This study aimed to estimate the costs and effects of the clinic using a mixed retrospective and prospective observational study design. Alternative propensity score estimation methods were applied to retrospective routinely collected administrative and clinical data, using weighted and matched cohorts. Supplementary survey-based prospective data were collected to inform the analysis of the retrospective data and reduce potential unmeasured confounding. Using weighted cohorts, clinic patients had a significantly longer mean length of stay and higher mean cost. With the matched cohorts, reducing the calliper width resulted in a shorter mean length of stay in the clinic group, but the costs remained significantly higher. The prospective data indicated potential unmeasured confounding in all analyses other than in the most tightly matched cohorts. The application of alternative propensity-based approaches to a large sample of retrospective data, supplemented with a smaller sample of prospective data, informed a pragmatic approach to reducing potential observed and unmeasured confounding in an evaluation of a physician-led preoperative clinic. The need to generate tightly matched cohorts to reduce the potential for unmeasured confounding indicates that significant uncertainty remains around the effects of the clinic. This study illustrates the value of mixed retrospective and prospective observational study designs but also underlines the need to prospectively plan for the evaluation of costs and effects alongside the implementation of significant service innovations. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Prospective studies on dynamics of depression from preadolescence to early adolescence].

PubMed

Bomba, Jacek; Modrzejewska, Renata

2006-01-01

The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes in prevalence and dynamics of depression during puberty. It was conducted in prospective studies in a representative group of large-town primary school students. A group of 1993, 10 year-old students were chosen in a two-stage draw. They were studied with the Karków Depression Inwentory (KID) in the subsequent years 2001, 2002, 2003. The point prevalence of depression was respectively 29%, 30% and 26% for 10, 11 and 12 year-olds. The spread-out rate of depressive disorder was relatively stable. Depression is more common in pre-adolescent boys than girls. The dynamics of the disorder, when studied in these three years show that depression is a disorder with a very unequivocal course amongst the preadolescents.

Strategies for Prospecting and Extracting Water on Mars for Long-Term Human Exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rolley, R. J.; Saikia, S. J.

2017-02-01

We aim to develop a specific set of criteria to classify water reserves on Mars, and to design water prospecting and extraction systems for various human landing sites using a requirements-driven framework.

Dietary potassium intake and risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.

PubMed

Larsson, Susanna C; Orsini, Nicola; Wolk, Alicja

2011-10-01

Potassium intake has been inconsistently associated with risk of stroke. Our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective studies to assess the relation between potassium intake and stroke risk. Pertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed from January 1966 through March 2011 and by reviewing the reference lists of retrieved articles. We included prospective studies that reported relative risks with 95% CIs of stroke for ≥3 categories of potassium intake or for potassium intake analyzed as a continuous variable. Study-specific results were pooled using a random-effects model. Ten independent prospective studies, with a total of 8695 stroke cases and 268 276 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. We observed a statistically significant inverse association between potassium intake and risk of stroke. For every 1000-mg/day increase in potassium intake, the risk of stroke decreased by 11% (pooled relative risk, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.97). In the 5 studies that reported results for stroke subtypes, the pooled relative risks were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.97) for ischemic stroke, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.83 to 1.09) for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 1.08 (95% CI, 0.92 to 1.27) for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Dietary potassium intake is inversely associated with risk of stroke, in particular ischemic stroke.

Use or Avoid? The Perceptions of Prospective English Teachers in Turkey about L1 Use in English Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yildiz, Mine; Yesilyurt, Savas

2017-01-01

This paper following a mixed-method research design investigates the role of L1 use in L2 teaching from the perspectives of Turkish prospective English teachers. Data were collected from 374 Turkish prospective teachers in ELT department of four state universities in Turkey through a questionnaire. It was aimed to obtain a general view about…

Milestone in English Language Teacher Education: How to Use European Profiling Grid in the Assessment of Prospective EFL Teachers' Qualifications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Su Bergil, Ayfer; Sariçoban, Arif

2016-01-01

This research intends to exemplify one of the new practices that can be used for the assessment of prospective English language teachers' qualifications. Thus, the scope of this research covers the prospective EFL teachers and the implementation of European Profiling Grid (EPG) aimed to be commonly used for language teacher education in Europe.…

Are High School Students Living in Lodgings at an Increased Risk for Internalizing Problems?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wannebo, Wenche; Wichstrom, Lars

2010-01-01

This study aimed to investigate whether leaving home to live in lodgings during senior high school can be a risk factor for the development of internalizing problems. Utilizing two large-scale prospective community studies of 2399 and 3906 Norwegian students (age range 15-19 years), respectively, the difference in internalizing symptoms between…

Psychological Counseling Processes of Prospective Psychological Counsellors: An Investigation of Client-Counsellor Interactions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sanberk, Ismail; Akbas, Turan

2015-01-01

The general purpose of this study is to investigate the client-counsellor interaction in the psychological counseling process at the verbal behavior level. The study also aims to analyze the relationship between the behaviors observed in the process with both clients and counsellors' evaluations of sessions and whether changes were observed in…

The (Inter)disciplinarity of Media Studies: Pedagogical Challenges and Opportunities From the Perspective of Teaching Staff

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iqani, Mehita; Feigenbaum, Anna

2015-01-01

In a series of Teaching Exchange (TE) staff development workshops aimed at exploring prospective, bottom-up quality assurance in media studies in the United Kingdom, interdisciplinarity arose as a key topic. This article reflects on teaching staff's views expressed in the TE workshops around interdisciplinarity in relation to their experiences in…

Online Computer Games as Collaborative Learning Environments: Prospects and Challenges for Tertiary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papastergiou, Marina

2009-01-01

This study is aimed at presenting a critical overview of recent research studies on the use of educational online games as collaborative learning environments in Tertiary Education (TE), namely higher education and vocational training, with a view to identifying: a) the elements that online games should include in order to support fruitful and…

A Longitudinal Study on Mathematics Teaching Efficacy: Which Factors (Un)Support the Development?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Isiksal-Bostan, Mine

2016-01-01

The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine prospective teachers' mathematics teaching efficacy belief during their enrollment in teacher education program and at the end of their first year of teaching. In addition, the factors that enhance or inhibit participants' efficacy belief and how these factors affect their mathematics teaching…

Course and Prognosis of Childhood Epilepsy: 5-Year Follow-Up of the Dutch Study of Epilepsy in Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arts, Willem F. M.; Brouwer, Oebele F.; Peters, A. C. Boudewijn; Stroink, Hans; Peeters, Els A. J.; Schmitz, Paul I. M.; van Donselaar, Cees A.; Geerts, Ada T.

2004-01-01

Knowing the prognosis of epilepsy will undoubtedly influence the treatment strategy. This study aimed to define the prospects of newly diagnosed childhood epilepsy, assess the dynamics of its course, identify relevant variables and develop models to assess the individual prognosis. Four hundred and fifty-three children with newly diagnosed…

Rural Youths' Participation in Agriculture: Prospects, Challenges and the Implications for Policy in Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Auta, Sarah Jehu; Abdullahi, Yusuf M.; Nasiru, Mohammed

2010-01-01

The study aimed at assessing rural youth participation in agriculture, their access to production resources and services and the effects of youths' access to inputs and services on farm productivity and youths' welfare. The study was conducted in three states (each randomly selected from the three agro-ecological zones of northern Nigeria). Two…

Breast Self-Examination Beliefs and Practices, Ethnicity, and Health Literacy: Implications for Health Education to Reduce Disparities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armin, Julie; Torres, Cristina Huebner; Vivian, James; Vergara, Cunegundo; Shaw, Susan J.

2014-01-01

Objective: This study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively examine breast cancer screening practices, including breast self-examination (BSE), and health literacy among patients with chronic disease. Design: A prospective, multi-method study conducted with a targeted purposive sample of 297 patients with diabetes and/or hypertension from four…

Arthritis, Rheumatism and Aging Medical Information System Post-Marketing Surveillance Program.

PubMed

Singh, G

2001-05-01

The Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Aging Post-Marketing Surveillance Program (ARAMIS-PMS) is a collection of multicenter, prospective, noninterventional, observational longitudinal studies of patients with rheumatic diseases. The ARAMIS-PMS program aims to study patients in normal clinical setting to evaluate the real-life effectiveness, toxicity, and cost effectiveness of various medications used to treat rheumatic diseases.

MEDITATION FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PROSPECTIVE

PubMed Central

Bhaskaran, K.

1991-01-01

SUMMARY The term “Meditation” is defined and the aims of meditation-practice are outlined. The physiological and psychological correlates of meditation, as found in different studies, are described. The need for an integrated approach to the study of consciousness is emphasized. The clinical applications of meditation practice are spelt out. Areas of further research are indicated. PMID:21897462

The Organic Foods System: Its Discursive Achievements and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nowacek, David M.; Nowacek, Rebecca S.

2008-01-01

Taking the emergence of the organic foods system as a case study, the authors aim to demonstrate both how the discursive richness of the organic foods system offers a challenge to the traditional operations of the market and how activity systems theory as understood in English studies can productively be tied to and enriched by theories of social…

Learning by Teaching: Can It Be Utilized to Develop Inquiry Skills?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aslan, Safiye

2017-01-01

This study aims to investigate the effect of learning by teaching on inquiry skills. With its explanatory sequential design, this particular study focuses on interrogating whether learning by teaching has an effect on prospective science teachers' inquiry skills and to unveil how it does so, only if it had an effect. The current research is…

Discharge Planning in Acute Care Hospitals in Israel: Services Planned and Levels of Implementation and Adequacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Auslander, Gail K.; Soskolne, Varda; Stanger, Varda; Ben-Shahar, Ilana; Kaplan, Giora

2008-01-01

This study aimed to examine the implementation, adequacy, and outcomes of discharge planning. The authors carried out a prospective study of 1,426 adult patients discharged from 11 acute care hospitals in Israel. Social workers provided detailed discharge plans on each patient. Telephone interviews were conducted two weeks post-discharge. Findings…

Predictors of Children's Kindergarten Classroom Engagement: Preschool Adult-Child Relationships, Self-Concept, and Hyperactivity/Inattention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Searle, Amelia Kate; Miller-Lewis, Lauren R.; Sawyer, Michael G.; Baghurst, Peter A.

2013-01-01

The aim of this prospective study was to identify preschool factors that are associated with children's classroom engagement during their 1st school year. The study was guided by a social-motivational process model that highlights the importance of parent-child and teacher-child relationships in promoting engagement. In preschool, parents and…

Telecommunication Policies in Seventeen Countries: Propects for Future Competitive Access.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eward, Ronald S.

This document is a review and study of current and prospective telecommunication policies in 17 countries with regard to the competitive market access those policies foster or promise. It explores the policies of each country toward information flow that will also have an impact on international competition. The aim of the study is to identify the…

Is the Predictability of New-Onset Postpartum Depression Better During Pregnancy or in the Early Postpartum Period? A Prospective Study in Croatian Women.

PubMed

Nakić Radoš, Sandra; Herman, Radoslav; Tadinac, Meri

2016-01-01

The researchers' aim was to examine whether it was better to predict new-onset postpartum depression (PPD) during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth. A prospective study conducted in Croatia followed women (N = 272) from the third trimester of pregnancy through the early postpartum period (within the first 3 postpartum days), to 6 weeks postpartum. Questionnaires on depression, anxiety, stress, coping, self-esteem, and social support were administered. Through regression analyses we showed that PPD symptoms could be equally predicted by variables from pregnancy (30.3%) and the early postpartum period (34.0%), with a small advantage of PPD prediction in the early postpartum period.

Transformational leadership and depressive symptoms: a prospective study.

PubMed

Munir, Fehmidah; Nielsen, Karina; Carneiro, Isabella Gomes

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the association between transformational leadership and depressive symptoms in employees working within healthcare. 447 employees completed a baseline survey and 274 completed a follow-up survey 18 months later. 188 completed both baseline and follow-up survey. Transformational leadership was measured using the Global Transformational Leadership Scale and depression was measured using with the Major Depression Inventory. Transformational leadership was negatively associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (beta=-0.31, p<.01, 8% variance) follow-up (beta=- 0.25, p<.01, 3% variance) and prospectively (beta=- 0.21, p<.05, 4% variance). Managers with a transformational leadership style may help toward protecting employees from developing major depression.

Prospect for Cell Phones as Instructional Tools in the EFL Classroom: A Case Study of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Begum, Roksana

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the potentiality of cell phone use in the EFL classroom of Bangladesh as an instructional tool. The researcher conducted a case study on Jahangirnagar University of Bangladesh. For the study, some SMS based class tests were conducted in the English Department of the university where one hundred…

The Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Metacognitive Awareness and Attitudes toward Chemistry of Prospective Teachers with Different Academic Backgrounds

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tosun, Cemal; Senocak, Erdal

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of Problem-based Learning (PBL) on the metacognitive awareness and attitudes toward chemistry of teacher candidates with different academic backgrounds. The study was carried out on one group using both pre-and post-test experimental studies. The findings of the study were obtained through…

Clinico-pathological study to evaluate oral lichen planus for the establishment of clinical and histopathological diagnostic criteria.

PubMed

Hiremath, Santhosh; Kale, Alka D; Hallikerimath, Seema

2015-01-01

Lichen planus and lichenoid lesions affecting the oral cavity show similar clinico-pathological features creating a diagnostic dilemma. Hence, the aim of the present study was to establish a clinical and histopathological correlation in the diagnosis of oral lichen planus, based on the modified WHO diagnostic criteria of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions proposed by Van der Meij and Van der Waal in 2003. In the present study, 100 cases of oral lichen planus were clinically and histopathologically analyzed. Out of the 100 cases, 50 were prospective and 50 were retrospective cases. Prospective cases were collected based on the clinical diagnosis of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesion. Retrospective cases were collected based on the histopathological diagnosis of oral lichen planus. Both the clinical and histopathological analyses were performed based on a proposal for a set of modified diagnostic criteria of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesion. A final diagnosis of oral lichen planus was made only after the correlation of the clinical diagnosis with the histopathological diagnosis. The interobserver agreement among three observers for both prospective and retrospective cases in the final diagnosis of oral lichen planus was found to be "good" to "very good" indicating high reproducibility. However, the final diagnoses of true oral lichen planus after clinico-pathological correlation in prospective and retrospective study groups appeared to be 38.0% and 54.0% respectively. The results of the present study revealed mild to moderate clinico-pathological correlation in the final diagnosis of oral lichen planus for the prospective and retrospective study groups respectively.

Prospect Theory for Online Financial Trading

PubMed Central

Martino, Mauro; Altshuler, Yaniv

2014-01-01

Prospect theory is widely viewed as the best available descriptive model of how people evaluate risk in experimental settings. According to prospect theory, people are typically risk-averse with respect to gains and risk-seeking with respect to losses, known as the “reflection effect”. People are much more sensitive to losses than to gains of the same magnitude, a phenomenon called “loss aversion”. Despite of the fact that prospect theory has been well developed in behavioral economics at the theoretical level, there exist very few large-scale empirical studies and most of the previous studies have been undertaken with micro-panel data. Here we analyze over 28.5 million trades made by 81.3 thousand traders of an online financial trading community over 28 months, aiming to explore the large-scale empirical aspect of prospect theory. By analyzing and comparing the behavior of winning and losing trades and traders, we find clear evidence of the reflection effect and the loss aversion phenomenon, which are essential in prospect theory. This work hence demonstrates an unprecedented large-scale empirical evidence of prospect theory, which has immediate implication in financial trading, e.g., developing new trading strategies by minimizing the impact of the reflection effect and the loss aversion phenomenon. Moreover, we introduce three novel behavioral metrics to differentiate winning and losing traders based on their historical trading behavior. This offers us potential opportunities to augment online social trading where traders are allowed to watch and follow the trading activities of others, by predicting potential winners based on their historical trading behavior. PMID:25330203

Prospective Fathers: Psychosocial Adaptation and Involvement in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy.

PubMed

Kuljanić, Karin; Dorčić, Tamara Martinac; Bistrović, Ivana Ljubičić; Brnčić-Fischer, Alemka

2016-12-01

Paternal involvement in pregnancy has been recognized to have an impact on new-born's outcomes and only recently got under the spot light of mental health perspective. The aim of this study was to test differences in paternal involvement in pregnancy, perceived stress and relationship quality regarding complications in pregnancy and pregnancy duration (gestational weeks) in the last trimester of pregnancy. The role of personality traits (neuroticism and extroversion), relationship quality satisfaction and perceived stress in prospective father's perception of pregnancy involvement were examined. One-hundred forty-three primiparus couples in the last trimester of their pregnancy participated in the study. Prospective fathers completed a booklet with questionnaires including The Quality of Marriage Index, The Perceived Stress Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Partner's Involvement in Pregnancy Scale. Prospective mothers completed only Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and questions on pregnancy complications and demographics. The prospective fathers showed high involvement in their partner's pregnancies, elevated levels of perceived stress and high relationship quality. There were found no differences in the above named variables regarding complications in pregnancy and pregnancy duration. Higher involvement of prospective fathers was related with older age, lower male neuroticism and higher female extroversion, better relationship quality and lower perceived stress. The findings demonstrate that prospective father's involvement in pregnancy is supported with psychological factors, namely personality traits, quality of relationship and perceived stress. These results should lead to target interventions that can modify and improve fathers' involvement perspective and promoting a couples mental health during pregnancy: thus clinically important for promotion of healthy prenatal behaviour and decrease in mothers' emotional distress.

Prospect theory for online financial trading.

PubMed

Liu, Yang-Yu; Nacher, Jose C; Ochiai, Tomoshiro; Martino, Mauro; Altshuler, Yaniv

2014-01-01

Prospect theory is widely viewed as the best available descriptive model of how people evaluate risk in experimental settings. According to prospect theory, people are typically risk-averse with respect to gains and risk-seeking with respect to losses, known as the "reflection effect". People are much more sensitive to losses than to gains of the same magnitude, a phenomenon called "loss aversion". Despite of the fact that prospect theory has been well developed in behavioral economics at the theoretical level, there exist very few large-scale empirical studies and most of the previous studies have been undertaken with micro-panel data. Here we analyze over 28.5 million trades made by 81.3 thousand traders of an online financial trading community over 28 months, aiming to explore the large-scale empirical aspect of prospect theory. By analyzing and comparing the behavior of winning and losing trades and traders, we find clear evidence of the reflection effect and the loss aversion phenomenon, which are essential in prospect theory. This work hence demonstrates an unprecedented large-scale empirical evidence of prospect theory, which has immediate implication in financial trading, e.g., developing new trading strategies by minimizing the impact of the reflection effect and the loss aversion phenomenon. Moreover, we introduce three novel behavioral metrics to differentiate winning and losing traders based on their historical trading behavior. This offers us potential opportunities to augment online social trading where traders are allowed to watch and follow the trading activities of others, by predicting potential winners based on their historical trading behavior.

Factors associated with non-participation in and dropout from cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies.

PubMed

Resurrección, Davinia Maria; Moreno-Peral, Patricia; Gómez-Herranz, Marta; Rubio-Valera, Maria; Pastor, Luis; Caldas de Almeida, Jose Miguel; Motrico, Emma

2018-06-01

Although evidence exists for the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation programmes to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients with cardiovascular disease, cardiac rehabilitation programmes are underused. We aimed systematically to review the evidence from prospective cohort studies on factors associated with non-participation in and/or dropping out from cardiac rehabilitation programmes. MedLine, Embase, Scopus, Open Grey and Cochrane Database were searched for relevant publications from inception to February 2018. Search terms included (a) coronary heart disease and other cardiac conditions; (b) cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention; and (c) non-participation in and/or dropout. Databases were searched following the PRISMA statement. Study selection, data extraction and the assessment of study quality were performed in duplicate. We selected 43 studies with a total of 63,425 patients from 10 different countries that met the inclusion criteria. Factors associated with non-participation in and dropout from cardiac rehabilitation were grouped into six broad categories: intrapersonal factors, clinical factors, interpersonal factors, logistical factors, cardiac rehabilitation programme factors and health system factors. We found that clinical factors, logistical factors and health system factors were the main factors assessed for non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation. We also found differences between the factors associated with non-participation and dropout. Several factors were determinant for non-participation in and dropout from cardiac rehabilitation. These findings could be useful to clinicians and policymakers for developing interventions aimed at improving participation and completion of cardiac rehabilitation, such as E-health or home-based delivery programmes. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) identifier: CRD42016032973.

[The importance of physical activity and fitness for human health].

PubMed

Brandes, M

2012-01-01

The decline of physical activity is considered to play an important role in the deterioration of health predictors, such as overweight, and the associated increase of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Therefore, most interventional strategies aim for increasing physical activity. Instead of physical activity, some studies use physical fitness as a key variable. Though physical fitness is influenced by genetic factors, physical fitness has to be developed by physical activity. As recent reports demonstrate the prospective associations between physical fitness and health and mortality, these associations are not reported for physical activity. Due to the fact that physical fitness-in contrast to physical activity-is evaluated with standardized laboratory measurements, it appears advisable to assess physical fitness for prospective health perspectives. Although physical fitness is determined by genetics, physical activity is the primary modifiable determinant for increasing physical fitness and should be aimed for to improve physical fitness in interventional strategies.

Antimicrobial stewardship: a review of prospective audit and feedback systems and an objective evaluation of outcomes.

PubMed

Chung, Gladys W; Wu, Jia En; Yeo, Chay Leng; Chan, Douglas; Hsu, Li Yang

2013-02-15

Antimicrobial stewardship is an emerging field currently defined by a series of strategies and interventions aimed toward improving appropriate prescription of antibiotics in humans in all healthcare settings. The ultimate goal is the preservation of current and future antibiotics against the threat of antimicrobial resistance, although improving patient safety and reducing healthcare costs are important concurrent aims. Prospective audit and feedback interventions are probably the most widely practiced of all antimicrobial stewardship strategies. Although labor-intensive, they are more easily accepted by physicians compared with formulary restriction and preauthorization strategies and have a higher potential for educational opportunities. Objective evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship is critical for determining the success of such programs. Nonetheless, there is controversy over which outcomes to measure and there is a pressing need for novel study designs that can objectively assess antimicrobial stewardship interventions despite the limitations inherent in the structure of most such programs.

Fluid mechanics moderate the effect of implementation intentions on a health prospective memory task in older adults.

PubMed

Brom, Sarah Susanne; Schnitzspahn, Katharina Marlene; Melzer, Marlen; Hagner, Franziska; Bernhard, Anka; Kliegel, Matthias

2014-03-01

The aim of the present study was to test if a cognitive strategy improves older adults' prospective memory performance in a naturalistic health task. Moreover, it was tested if a possible strategy effect is moderated by individual differences. Therefore, a group of older adults was asked to perform a task taken from the medication adherence literature (i.e., blood pressure monitoring). Half of them were asked to form implementation intentions. Additionally, crystallized pragmatics and fluid mechanics, conscientiousness, self-efficacy, and lifestyle factors were assessed as possible moderators. Results showed a strong positive strategy effect on prospective memory. Moreover, the effect was qualified by a significant interaction and only emerged for participants with low levels in fluid mechanics. No other moderator showed an effect. In conclusion, an enhancing effect of implementation intentions on prospective memory seems to be dependent on individual differences in cognitive capacity and less related to key motivational or personality variables.

Can iridology detect susceptibility to cancer? A prospective case-controlled study.

PubMed

Münstedt, Karsten; El-Safadi, Samer; Brück, Friedel; Zygmunt, Marek; Hackethal, Andreas; Tinneberg, Hans-Rudolf

2005-06-01

This prospective case-control study aimed to investigate the value of iridology as a diagnostic tool in detecting some common cancers. One hundred ten (110) subjects were enrolled in the study: 68 subjects had histologically proven cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus, prostate, or colorectum, and 42 were control subjects. All subjects were examined by an experienced practitioner of iridology, who was unaware of their gender or medical details. He was allowed to suggest up to five diagnoses for each subject and his results were then compared with each subject's medical diagnosis to determine the accuracy of iridology in detecting malignancy. Iridology identified the correct diagnosis in only 3 cases (sensitivity, 0.04). Iridology was of no value in diagnosing the cancers investigated in this study.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Oral Qing-Dai in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Single-Center Open-Label Prospective Study.

PubMed

Sugimoto, Shinya; Naganuma, Makoto; Kiyohara, Hiroki; Arai, Mari; Ono, Keiko; Mori, Kiyoto; Saigusa, Keiichiro; Nanki, Kosaku; Takeshita, Kozue; Takeshita, Tatsuya; Mutaguchi, Makoto; Mizuno, Shinta; Bessho, Rieko; Nakazato, Yoshihiro; Hisamatsu, Tadakazu; Inoue, Nagamu; Ogata, Haruhiko; Iwao, Yasushi; Kanai, Takanori

2016-01-01

Chinese herbal medicine Qing-Dai (also known as indigo naturalis) has been used to treat various inflammatory conditions. However, not much has been studied about the use of oral Qing-Dai in the treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Studies exploring alternative treatments for UC are of considerable interest. In this study, we aimed at prospectively evaluating the safety and efficacy of Qing-Dai for UC patients. The open-label, prospective pilot study was conducted at Keio University Hospital. A total of 20 patients with moderate UC activity were enrolled. Oral Qing-Dai in capsule form was taken twice a day (daily dose, 2 g) for 8 weeks. At week 8, the rates of clinical response, clinical remission, and mucosal healing were 72, 33, and 61%, respectively. The clinical and endoscopic scores, CRP levels, and fecal occult blood results were also significantly improved. We observed 2 patients with mild liver dysfunction; 1 patient discontinued due to infectious colitis and 1 patient discontinued due to mild nausea. This is the first prospective study indicating that oral Qing-Dai is effective for inducing remission in patients with moderate UC activity and can be tolerated. Thus, Qing-Dai may be considered an alternative treatment for patients, although further investigation is warranted. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Searching for non-genetic molecular and imaging PTSD risk and resilience markers: Systematic review of literature and design of the German Armed Forces PTSD biomarker study.

PubMed

Schmidt, Ulrike; Willmund, Gerd-Dieter; Holsboer, Florian; Wotjak, Carsten T; Gallinat, Jürgen; Kowalski, Jens T; Zimmermann, Peter

2015-01-01

Biomarkers allowing the identification of individuals with an above average vulnerability or resilience for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would especially serve populations at high risk for trauma exposure like firefighters, police officers and combat soldiers. Aiming to identify the most promising putative PTSD vulnerability markers, we conducted the first systematic review on potential imaging and non-genetic molecular markers for PTSD risk and resilience. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically screened the PubMed database for prospective longitudinal clinical studies and twin studies reporting on pre-trauma and post-trauma PTSD risk and resilience biomarkers. Using 25 different combinations of search terms, we retrieved 8151 articles of which we finally included and evaluated 9 imaging and 27 molecular studies. In addition, we briefly illustrate the design of the ongoing prospective German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) PTSD biomarker study (Bw-BioPTSD) which not only aims to validate these previous findings but also to identify novel and clinically applicable molecular, psychological and imaging risk, resilience and disease markers for deployment-related psychopathology in a cohort of German soldiers who served in Afghanistan. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Body composition impacts appetite regulation in middle childhood. A prospective study of Norwegian community children.

PubMed

Steinsbekk, Silje; Llewellyn, Clare H; Fildes, Alison; Wichstrøm, Lars

2017-05-30

Research suggests a role for both fat mass and muscle mass in appetite regulation, but the longitudinal relationships between them have not yet been examined in children. The present study therefore aimed to explore the prospective relationships between fat mass, muscle mass and the appetitive traits food responsiveness and satiety responsiveness in middle childhood. Food responsiveness and satiety responsiveness were measured using the parent-reported Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire in a representative sample of Norwegian 6 year olds, followed up at 8 and 10 years of age (n = 807). Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Applying a structural equation modeling framework we found that higher fat mass predicted greater increases in food responsiveness over time, whereas greater muscle mass predicted decreases in satiety responsiveness. This pattern was consistent both from ages 6 to 8 and from ages 8 to 10 years. Our study is the first to reveal that fat mass and muscle mass predict distinct changes in different appetitive traits over time. Replication of findings in non-European populations are needed, as are studies of children in other age groups. Future studies should also aim to reveal the underlying mechanisms.

Crestal Approach to Sinus Floor Elevation for Atrophic Maxilla Using Platelet-Rich Fibrin as the Only Grafting Material: A 1-Year Prospective Study.

PubMed

Kanayama, Takeo; Horii, Koichiro; Senga, Yasuko; Shibuya, Yasuyuki

2016-02-01

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been recently used as the sole grafting material in sinus floor elevation procedures. The aim of this prospective study was to measure the bone gain around the dental implant after using the crestal approach to sinus floor elevation using platelet-rich fibrin as the only grafting material in atrophic posterior maxillae with residual bone height <5 mm. Two different types of implants were used: hydroxyapatite (HA) and sandblasted acid-etched (SA) implants. Panoramic radiography and computed tomography were used to measure the endosinus bone gain. Twenty-seven patients with 39 implants (19 HA and 20 SA) were included in this study. The mean residual bone measurements before surgery in the SA and HA groups were 2.85 and 2.68 mm, respectively. The mean average bone gains for 1 year in the SA and HA groups were 4.38 and 4.00 mm, respectively. This prospective study showed that platelet-rich fibrin promoted endosinus bone gain when used as the grafting material in the crestal approach to sinus floor elevation.

Spectral mineral mapping for characterization of subtle geothermal prospects using ASTER data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abubakar, A. J.; Hashim, M.; Pour, A. B.

2017-05-01

In this study, the performance of ASTER data is evaluated for mapping subtle geothermal prospects in an unexplored tropical region having a number of thermal springs. The study employed a simple Decorrelation stretch with specific absorptions to highlight possible alteration zones of interest related to Geothermal (GT) systems. Hydrothermal alteration minerals are subsequently mapped using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) algorithms to target representative minerals such as clays, carbonates and AL-OH minerals as indicators of GT activity. The results were validated through field GPS survey, rock sampling and laboratory analysis using latest smart lab X-Ray Diffractometer technology. The study indicates that ASTER broadband satellite data could be used to map subtle GT prospects with the aid of an in-situ verification. However, it also shows that ASTER could not discriminate within specie minerals especially for clays using SWIR bands. Subsequent studies are aimed at looking at both ASTER and Hyperion hyperspectral data in the same area as this could have significant implications for GT resource detection in unmapped aseismic and inaccessible tropical regions using available spaceborne data.

Systematic Review of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation for Prospective Memory Deficits as a Consequence of Acquired Brain Injury.

PubMed

Mahan, Steven; Rous, Rebecca; Adlam, Anna

2017-01-19

Prospective memory (PM) impairments are common following acquired brain injury (ABI). PM is the ability to keep a goal in mind for future action and interventions have the potential to increase independence. This review aimed to evaluate studies examining PM rehabilitation approaches in adults and children with ABI. Relevant literature was identified using PsycARTICLES (1894 to present), PsycINFO (1880 to present), the Cochrane Library (1972 to present), MEDLINE PubMed, reference lists from relevant journal articles, and searches of key journals. Literature searches were conducted using variants of the terms brain injury, stroke, encephalitis, meningitis, and tumor, combined with variants of the terms rehabilitation and prospective memory. Of the 435 papers identified, 11 were included in the review. Findings demonstrated a variety of interventions to alleviate PM deficits, including compensatory strategies (e.g., external memory aids) that provide either content-specific or content-free cueing, and remediation strategies (e.g., meta-cognitive training programs) aimed at improving the self-monitoring of personal goals. Risk of bias for individual studies was considered and the strengths and limitations of each of the included studies and the review itself were discussed. Interventions used with adults can be effective; PM abilities can be improved by using simple reminder systems and performance can be generalized to facilitate everyday PM functioning. There is, however, a lack of research of PM interventions conducted with children with ABI, and pediatric interventions need to consider on-going cognitive maturation. (JINS, 2017, 22, 1-12).

Personal Characteristics and Experience of Primary Care Predicting Frequent Use of Emergency Department: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PubMed

Hudon, Catherine; Sanche, Steven; Haggerty, Jeannie L

2016-01-01

A small number of patients frequently using the emergency department (ED) account for a disproportionate amount of the total ED workload and are considered using this service inappropriately. The aim of this study was to identify prospectively personal characteristics and experience of organizational and relational dimensions of primary care that predict frequent use of ED. This study was conducted among parallel cohorts of the general population and primary care patients (N = 1,769). The measures were at baseline (T1), 12 (T2) and 24 months (T3): self-administered questionnaire on current health, health behaviours and primary care experience in the previous year. Use of medical services was confirmed using administrative databases. Mixed effect logistic regression modeling identified characteristics predicting frequent ED utilization. A higher likelihood of frequent ED utilization was predicted by lower socioeconomic status, higher disease burden, lower perceived organizational accessibility, higher number of reported healthcare coordination problems and not having a complete annual check-up, above and beyond adjustment for all independent variables. Personal characteristics such as low socioeconomic status and high disease burden as well as experience of organizational dimensions of primary care such as low accessibility, high healthcare coordination problems and low comprehensiveness of care are prospectively associated with frequent ED utilization. Interventions developed to prevent inappropriate ED visits, such as case management for example, should tailor low socioeconomic status and patients with high disease burden and should aim to improve experience of primary care regarding accessibility, coordination and comprehensiveness.

Evaluation of Professional Ethics Principles by Candidate Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahan, Gülsün

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the teaching ethics principles according to the opinions of the prospective teachers. From the teaching profession ethics principles of the students, the positive and negative aspects of professionalism, service, responsibility, justice, equality, ensuring a healthy and safe environment, morality, honesty,…

Examining Occupational Anxiety Level of Mathematics Teachers for Some Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tasdemir, Cahit

2015-01-01

The research aims to examine the occupational anxiety level of Mathematics teacher candidates according to some variables. The research sample included a total of 132 prospective teachers studying in Mathematics Teaching at Siirt University, Faculty of Education in the spring term of 2104-2015 academic year. The "Teacher Concern…

Intraorganizational Career Advancement and Voluntary Turnover in a Multinational Bank in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhao, Wei; Zhou, Xueguang

2008-01-01

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how various aspects of intraorganizational career advancement--current career attainments, recent pace of upward mobility, and future prospect of career advancement--affect voluntary turnover, drawing empirical evidence from a multinational corporation (MNC) in Taiwan's cultural and labor market environment.…

Evaluation of prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala.

PubMed

Mohan, Manju A; Chandrakumar, Abin

2016-01-01

The prospective study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care referral hospital in Kerala. A prospective observational study was conducted with the aim to study the prevalence, risk factors, complications, treatment pattern and cost analysis of GDM. The study was carried out in the Obstetrics & Gynecology dDepartment of Al Shifa hHospital located in northern Kerala. Over an eight-month period, 201 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for study from which prevalence of GDM was estimated at 15.9%. The study revealed higher prevalence of risk factors and complications such as age >25 years, BMI >26kg/m(2), family history of DM, past history GDM, history of big baby, gestational hypertension, vaginal candidiasis, premature rupture of membranes and hyperbilirubinemia in GDM group as compared to non-GDM group. The study also demonstrated that modern life-style was a major influencing factor for development of diabetes in the study population. The study reveals the necessity of proper screening diagnosis and management of GDM in pregnant women by the clinicians so as to prevent the future burden of type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2015 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psychosocial risk factors, pre-motor symptoms and first-time hospitalization with Parkinson's disease: a prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Clark, A J; Ritz, B; Prescott, E; Rod, N H

2013-08-01

Experimental studies support a link between stress and development of parkinsonian symptoms, but prospective population studies are lacking. The aim of the current study is to determine the effects of several psychosocial factors on the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as to identify potential pre-motor symptoms for PD in a large prospective cohort study. In 1991-1993, a total of 9955 women and men free of PD from the Copenhagen City Heart Study were asked about major life events, economic hardship, social network, impaired sleep and vital exhaustion. The participants were followed for first-time hospitalization with PD in nationwide registers until 2011. Vital exhaustion was associated with a higher risk of PD hospitalization in an exposure-dependent manner (P(trend) = 0.001), with high vs. low vital exhaustion being associated with a hazard ratio of 2.50 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28-4.89]. A slightly higher risk of PD hospitalization (hazard ratio = 1.49; 95% CI: 0.87-2.56) was suggested in participants with impaired sleep at baseline. No more than weak associations were observed for economic hardship, major life events or inadequate social network in the current study. Overall, the hypothesis that psychosocial risk factors affect the risk of PD is not supported. The results, however, suggest that vital exhaustion may be a pre-motor marker of the neurodegenerative process eventually leading to motor symptoms and clinical PD. Vital exhaustion may be useful for screening aimed at early detection and when considering disease-modifying therapies in people at high risk of clinical PD. © 2013 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2013 EFNS.

Mental Health Problems during Puberty: Tanner Stage-Related Differences in Specific Symptoms. The TRAILS Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oldehinkel, Albertine J.; Verhulst, Frank C.; Ormel, Johan

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between specific mental health problems and pubertal stage in (pre)adolescents participating in the Dutch prospective cohort study TRAILS (first assessment: N = 2230, age 11.09 [plus or minus] 0.56, 50.8% girls; second assessment: N = 2149, age 13.56 [plus or minus] 0.53, 51.0% girls). Mental…

A Survey of Swedish Teachers' Concerns for Preschool Children at Risk of Maltreatment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Svensson, Birgitta; Andershed, Henrik; Janson, Staffan

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate a problem that is related to pre-school teachers' prolonged and temporary concerns for children's home situations and the extent to which these children were in need of special support in pre-school and/or were reported to the CPA. Data were obtained from a Swedish prospective study (the SOFIA-study)…

What Subject Matter Knowledge Do Second-Level Teachers Need to Know to Teach Trigonometry? An Exploration and Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walsh, Richard; Fitzmaurice, Olivia; O'Donoghue, John

2017-01-01

This study reports on the level of trigonometry Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) of third and final-year pre-service second-level mathematics teachers () at an Irish third-level institution. The aim of the study was to determine if this sample of prospective teachers has an appropriate level of SMK to teach second-level trigonometric concepts. The…

Short-term prospective memory deficits in chronic back pain patients.

PubMed

Ling, Jonathan; Campbell, Carol; Heffernan, Thomas M; Greenough, Charles G

2007-01-01

Chronic pain, particularly low back pain, is widespread. Although a great deal is known about the impact that this has on quality of life and physical activity, relatively little has been established regarding the more cognitive effects of pain. This study aims to find out whether individuals with chronic pain experience memory deficits in prospective memory (PM), the process of remembering to do things at some future point in time. Examples of PM include remembering to keep an appointment, such as a visit to a clinic, or to perform a particular task, such as paying a bill on time. The PM of 50 participants with chronic pain was compared with 50 pain-free participants. Each participant completed the Prospective Memory Questionnaire, which assesses three aspects of prospective memory (short-term habitual, long-term episodic, and internally cued), and records the use of strategies to aid remembering. In comparison to those not in pain, participants with chronic pain had significantly impaired short-term prospective memory, an effect which was evident even after co-varying use of analgesics and other drugs. These findings provide new insights into prospective memory dysfunction in people with chronic pain. Possible mechanisms for this dysfunction are discussed and suggestions for future research given.

Fracture Risk Assessment in Chronic Kidney Disease, Prospective Testing Under Real World Environments (FRACTURE): a prospective study.

PubMed

West, Sarah L; Lok, Charmaine E; Jamal, Sophie A

2010-08-20

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased risk of fracture. Decreased bone mass and disruption of microarchitecture occur early in the course of CKD and worsens with the progressive decline in renal function so that at the time of initiation of dialysis at least 50% of patients have had a fracture. Despite the excess fracture risk, and the associated increases in morbidity and mortality, little is known about the factors that are associated with an increase in fracture risk. Our study aims to identify prognostic factors for bone loss and fractures in patients with stages 3 to 5 CKD. This prospective study aims to enroll two hundred and sixty men and women with stages 3 to 5 CKD. Subjects will be followed for 24 months and we will examine the ability of: 1) bone mineral density by dual x-ray absorptiometry at the spine, hip, and radius; 2) volumetric bone density by high resolution peripheral quantitated computed tomography at the radius and tibia; 3) serum markers of bone turnover; 4) bone formation rate by bone biopsy; and 5) muscle strength and balance to predict spine and non-spine fractures, identified by self-report and/or vertebral morphometry. All measurements will be obtained at baseline, at 12 and at 24 months with the exception of bone biopsy, which will be measured once at 12 months. Subjects will be contacted every 4 months to determine if there have been incident fractures or falls. This study is one of the first that aims to identify risk factors for fracture in early stage CKD patients. Ultimately, by identifying risk factors for fracture and targeting treatments in this group-before the initiation of renal replacement therapy--we will reduce the burden of disease due to fractures among patients with CKD.

[Prospective study on dynamics of depression in mid-adolescence].

PubMed

Bomba, Jacek; Modrzejewska, Renata

2006-01-01

The aim of the study is an evaluation of the occurrence and dynamics of depression during mid-adolescence. It was conducted in prospective studies on a representative group of gymnasium school adolescents in large towns. In a two-stage draw, a representative group of 1737, 13 year-old adolescents was chosen. They were surveyed by the Krakow Depression Inventory (KID) subsequently in the years 2001, 2002, 2003. The point-prevalence of depression was respectively 24.6%, 24.5% and 26.6% for 13, 14 and 15 year-olds. The spread-out rate of depressive disorder in the studied group turned out to be relatively stable. Depression is more common amongst mid-adolescent girls than boys. Dynamics of the disorder, when studied throughout the three years show that amongst the mid-adolescent population, depression is a disorder of an unequivocal nature.

Progression of osteoarthritis following TPLO surgery: a prospective radiographic study of 40 dogs.

PubMed

Rayward, R M; Thomson, D G; Davies, J V; Innes, J F; Whitelock, R G

2004-02-01

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the progression of osteoarthritis following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Osteoarthritis was monitored radiographically by means of an osteophyte scale on entry to the study, and at six weeks and six months following surgical intervention. Forty dogs were recruited to the study. At each visit, animals were assessed clinically, radiographically, by force platform analysis and by synovial fluid sampling. The radiographic data is the subject of this report. A significant increase in mean osteophyte score was noted between the entry and six-month examination time point. This increase in the mean osteophyte score was due to the increased score recorded in 16 dogs. However, in the majority of dogs, there was no progression of osteophytosis during the course of this study.

The role of rostral prefrontal cortex in prospective memory: a voxel-based lesion study.

PubMed

Volle, Emmanuelle; Gonen-Yaacovi, Gil; Costello, Angela de Lacy; Gilbert, Sam J; Burgess, Paul W

2011-07-01

Patients with lesions in rostral prefrontal cortex (PFC) often experience problems in everyday-life situations requiring multitasking. A key cognitive component that is critical in multitasking situations is prospective memory, defined as the ability to carry out an intended action after a delay period filled with unrelated activity. The few functional imaging studies investigating prospective memory have shown consistent activation in both medial and lateral rostral PFC but also in more posterior prefrontal regions and non-frontal regions. The aim of this study was to determine regions that are necessary for prospective memory performance, using the human lesion approach. We designed an experimental paradigm allowing us to assess time-based (remembering to do something at a particular time) and event-based (remembering to do something in a particular situation) prospective memory, using two types of material, words and pictures. Time estimation tasks and tasks controlling for basic attention, inhibition and multiple instructions processing were also administered. We examined brain-behaviour relationships with a voxelwise lesion method in 45 patients with focal brain lesions and 107 control subjects using this paradigm. The results showed that lesions in the right polar prefrontal region (in Brodmann area 10) were specifically associated with a deficit in time-based prospective memory tasks for both words and pictures. This deficit could not be explained by impairments in basic attention, detection, inhibition or multiple instruction processing, and there was also no deficit in event-based prospective memory conditions. In addition to their prospective memory difficulties, these polar prefrontal patients were significantly impaired in time estimation ability compared to other patients. The same region was found to be involved using both words and pictures, suggesting that right rostral PFC plays a material nonspecific role in prospective memory. This is the first lesion study showing that rostral PFC is crucial for time-based prospective memory. The findings suggest that time-based and event-based prospective memory might be supported at least in part by distinct brain regions. Two particularly plausible explanations for the deficit rest upon a possible role for polar prefrontal structures in supporting in time estimation, and/or in retrieving an intention to act. More broadly, the results are consistent with the view that the deficit of rostral patients in multitasking situations might at least in part be explained by a deficit in prospective memory. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time Estimation in Alzheimer's Disease and the Role of the Central Executive

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papagno, Costanza; Allegra, Adele; Cardaci, Maurizio

2004-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of short-term memory and attention in time estimation. For this purpose we studied prospective time verbal estimation in 21 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and compared their performance with that of 21 matched normal controls in two different conditions: during a digit span task and during an…

Maternal Postnatal Depression and the Development of Depression in Offspring up to 16 Years of Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Lynne; Arteche, Adriane; Fearon, Pasco; Halligan, Sarah; Goodyer, Ian; Cooper, Peter

2011-01-01

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the developmental risk pathway to depression by 16 years in offspring of postnatally depressed mothers. Method: This was a prospective longitudinal study of offspring of postnatally depressed and nondepressed mothers; child and family assessments were made from infancy to 16 years. A total of 702…

Being a Mentor: Novice Teachers' Mentors' Conceptions of Mentoring Prior to Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schatz-Oppenheimer, Orna

2017-01-01

This study deals with novice teachers' mentors' conceptions of mentoring prior to their mentoring training. In Israel, all novice teachers have to be supported and assessed by a mentor during their first year of teaching. The aim of this study was to elicit from prospective mentors their own conception of professional mentoring, as a basis for…

Material Development to Raise Awareness of Using Smart Boards: An Example Design and Development Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Günaydin, Serpil; Karamete, Aysen

2016-01-01

This study aims to develop training material that will help raise awareness in prospective teachers regarding the benefits of using smart boards in the classroom. In this study, a Type 2 design and development research method (DDR) was used. The material was developed by applying phases of ADDIE--an instructional systems design model. The…

Correlation of serum MMP3 and other biomarkers with clinical outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A pilot study

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The studies aimed to assess a set of biomarkers for their correlations with disease activity/severity of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 24 AS patients were treated with etanercept and prospectively followed for 12 weeks. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, IL6, IL1...

On Teaching the Scientific Complexity of Germination: A Study with Prospective Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vidal, Manuel; Membiela, Pedro

2014-01-01

This study reveals and discusses the problems of future elementary teachers after they have completed a practical on germination, including the fact that such practice is conceptually more complex than is usually considered, at least when the aim is to experiment with the determinant factors for germination. In this case there seemed to be some…

Lipoprotein(a) levels, apo(a) isoform size, and coronary heart disease risk in the Framingham Offspring Study

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The aim of this study was to assess the independent contributions of plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], Lp(a) cholesterol, and of apo(a) isoform size to prospective coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Plasma Lp(a) and Lp(a) cholesterol levels, and apo(a) isoform size were measured at examinati...

Deficits in Emotion-Regulation Skills Predict Alcohol Use during and after Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Alcohol Dependence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berking, Matthias; Margraf, Matthias; Ebert, David; Wupperman, Peggilee; Hofmann, Stefan G.; Junghanns, Klaus

2011-01-01

Objective: As emotion regulation is widely considered to be a primary motive in the misuse of alcohol, our aim in the study was to investigate whether deficits in adaptive emotion-regulation skills maintain alcohol dependence (AD). Method: A prospective study investigated whether emotion-regulation skills were associated with AD and whether these…

A Three-Year Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study of Medical Students' Attitudes toward Anatomy Teaching and Their Career Aspirations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bhangu, Aneel; Boutefnouchet, Tarek; Yong, Xu; Abrahams, Peter; Joplin, Ruth

2010-01-01

Today's medical students are faced with numerous learning needs. Continuously developing curricula have reduced time for basic science subjects such as anatomy. This study aimed to determine the students' views on the relevance of anatomy teaching, anatomical knowledge, and the effect these have on their career choices. A Likert scale…

Justification for the Subject of Congruence and Similarity in the Context of Daily Life and Conceptual Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dündar, Sefa; Gündüz, Nazan

2017-01-01

This study aims to examine prospective elementary mathematics teachers' conceptual knowledge level for congruence and similarity in triangles subject and to examine their ability to represent the knowledge, to associate the knowledge with daily life, and to justify and solve the geometry problems about this subject. The study is designed in a…

Predictors of ADHD Persistence in Girls at 5-Year Follow-Up

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mick, Eric; Byrne, Deirdre; Fried, Ronna; Monuteaux, Michael; Faraone, Stephen V.; Biederman, Joseph

2011-01-01

Objective: The main aim of this study was to examine the age-dependent remission from ADHD in girls transitioning through childhood into adolescence and early adulthood. Method: We conducted a 5-year prospective follow-up study of 123 girls with ADHD and 106 non-ADHD control girls aged between 6 and 17 years at ascertainment. ADHD was considered…

Prospects for Near Ultraviolet Astronomical Observations from the Lunar Surface — LUCI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathew, J.; Kumar, B.; Sarpotdar, M.; Suresh, A.; Nirmal, K.; Sreejith, A. G.; Safonova, M.; Murthy, J.; Brosch, N.

2018-04-01

We have explored the prospects for UV observations from the lunar surface and developed a UV telescope (LUCI-Lunar Ultraviolet Cosmic Imager) to put on the Moon, with the aim to detect bright UV transients such as SNe, novae, TDE, etc.

Telemedicine in a pediatric headache clinic: A prospective survey.

PubMed

Qubty, William; Patniyot, Irene; Gelfand, Amy

2018-05-08

The aim of this prospective study was to survey our patients about their experience with our clinic's telemedicine program to better understand telemedicine's utility for families, and to improve patient satisfaction and ultimately patient care. This was a prospective survey study of patients and their families who had a routine telemedicine follow-up visit with the University of California San Francisco Pediatric Headache Program. The survey was administered to patients and a parent(s) following their telemedicine visit. Fifty-one of 69 surveys (74%) were completed. All (51/51) patients and families thought that (1) telemedicine was more convenient compared to a clinic visit, (2) telemedicine caused less disruption of their daily routine, and (3) they would choose to do telemedicine again. The mean round-trip travel time from home to clinic was 6.8 hours (SD ± 8.6 hours). All participants thought telemedicine was more cost-effective than a clinic visit. Parents estimated that participating in a telemedicine visit instead of a clinic appointment saved them on average $486. This prospective, pediatric headache telemedicine study shows that telemedicine is convenient, perceived to be cost-effective, and patient-centered. Providing the option of telemedicine for routine pediatric headache follow-up visits results in high patient and family satisfaction. © 2018 American Academy of Neurology.

Prospective associations of meat consumption during childhood with measures of body composition during adolescence: results from the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohorts.

PubMed

Harris, Carla; Buyken, Anette; von Berg, Andrea; Berdel, Dietrich; Lehmann, Irina; Hoffmann, Barbara; Koletzko, Sibylle; Koletzko, Berthold; Heinrich, Joachim; Standl, Marie

2016-12-05

Higher meat and protein intakes have been associated with increased body weight in adults, but studies evaluating body composition are scarce. Furthermore, our knowledge in adolescents is limited. This study aimed to investigate the prospective associations of intakes of different meat types, and their respective protein contents during childhood, with body composition during adolescence. Dietary (using food frequency questionnaires) and body composition (measured by bioelectrical impedance) data were collected from the 10- and 15-year follow-up assessments respectively, of the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohort studies. Sex-stratified prospective associations of meat and meat protein intakes (total, processed, red meat and poultry) with fat mass index (FMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI), were assessed by linear regression models (N = 1610). Among males, higher poultry intakes at age 10 years were associated with a higher FMI at age 15 years [β = 0.278 (SE = 0.139), p = 0.046]; while higher intakes of total and red meat were prospectively associated with higher FFMI [0.386 (0.143), p = 0.007, and 0.333 (0.145), p = 0.022, respectively]. Additionally in males, protein was associated with FFMI for total and red meat [0.285 (0.145) and 0.356 (0.144), respectively]. Prospective associations of meat consumption with subsequent body composition in adolescents may differ by sex and meat source.

Rehabilitation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: results of exercises and bracing from a series of clinical studies. Europa Medicophysica-SIMFER 2007 Award Winner.

PubMed

Negrini, S; Atanasio, S; Zaina, F; Romano, M

2008-06-01

Rehabilitation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) requires a careful choice from among the possible treatments, such as bracing and exercises, according to the patient's needs. According to the literature, there is little evidence regarding the efficacy of these rehabilitation instruments. During the past few years, a full series of studies has been carried out to investigate their efficacy. The aim of this paper was to summarize all these results. Three systematic reviews (two on exercises and one on manual therapy), and four cohort prospective studies were performed. The prospective studies included two trials with a prospective control group on exercises (one to avoid bracing and one in preparation to bracing) and two trials with retrospective control group on a new brace developed by the Authors (Sforzesco brace and SPoRT concept of correction versus Lyon brace and Risser cast). Results show that in literature there is proof of level 1b on exercises but no studies on manual therapy. High quality exercises like Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) have more efficacy than usual physiotherapy, significantly reducing brace prescription in one year from 25% of cases to 6%. Moreover, such exercises help to obtain the best results in bracing first correction. The Sforzesco brace has proved to have more efficacy than the Lyon brace, whereas it has the same efficacy--but reduced side effects and impact on quality of life--than the Risser brace. With an efficient management of data collection, it is possible to develop a set of studies aimed at verifying the efficacy of clinical daily rehabilitation approaches.

Treatment of mandibular angle fracture with a 2mm, 3 dimensional rectangular grid compression miniplates: A prospective clinical study.

PubMed

Mansuri, Samir; Abdulkhayum, Abdul Mujeeb; Gazal, Giath; Hussain, Mohammed Abid Zahir

2013-12-01

Surgical treatment of fracture mandible using an internal fixation has changed in the last decades to achieve the required rigidity, stability and immediate restoration of function. The aim of the study was to do a Prospective study of 10 patients to determine the efficacy of rectangular grid compression miniplates in mandibular fractures. This study was carried out using 2.0 rectangular grid compression miniplates and 8 mm multidirectional screws as a rigid internal fixation in 10 patients without post operative intermaxillary fixation (IMF). Follow up was done for period of 6 months. All fractures were healed with an absolute stability in post operative period. None of the patient complained of post operative difficulty in occlusion. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that rectangular grid compression miniplates was rigid, reliable and thus can be recommended for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures. How to cite this article: Mansuri S, Abdulkhayum AM, Gazal G, Hussain MA. Treatment of mandibular angle fracture with a 2mm, 3 dimensional rectangular grid compression miniplates: A prospective clinical study. J Int Oral Health 2013;5(6):93-100 .

Design and patient characteristics of ESHOL study, a Catalonian prospective randomized study.

PubMed

Maduell, Francisco; Moreso, Francesc; Pons, Mercedes; Ramos, Rosa; Mora-Macià, Josep; Foraster, Andreu; Soler, Jordi; Galceran, Josep M; Martinez-Castelao, Alberto

2011-01-01

Retrospective studies showed that online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) is associated with a risk reduction of mortality over standard hemodialysis (HD) in patients with end-stage renal disease. Until now, no information was available from prospective randomized clinical trials. A prospective, randomized, multicenter, open study was designed to be conducted in HD units from Catalonia (Spain). The aim of the study is to compare 3-year survival in prevalent end-stage renal disease patients randomized to OL-HDF or to continue on standard HD. The minimum sample size was calculated according to Catalonian mortality of patients on dialysis and assuming a risk reduction associated with OL-HDF of 35% (1-sided p<0.05 and a statistical power of 0.8) and a rate of dropout due to renal transplantation or loss to follow-up of 30%. From May 2007 to September 2008, 906 patients were included and randomized to OL-HDF (n=456) or standard HD (n=450). Demographics and analytical data at the time of randomization were not different between both groups of patients. Patients will be followed during a 3-year period. The present study will contribute to evaluating the benefit for patient survival of OL-HDF over standard HD.

Which factors are important predictors of non-recovery from major depression? A 2-year prospective observational study.

PubMed

Viinamäki, Heimo; Haatainen, Kaisa; Honkalampi, Kirsi; Tanskanen, Antti; Koivumaa-Honkanen, Heli; Antikainen, Risto; Valkonen-Korhonen, Minna; Hintikka, Jukka

2006-01-01

Our aim was to study factors associated with long-term non-recovery from major depression. A total of 109 patients with major depression were followed prospectively for 2 years. A diagnosis of major depression based on SCID interviews at follow-up indicated non-recovery. The effect of several established risk factors was assessed. A third (30%) of the patients did not recover. Severity of initial depression were associated with poor outcome according to univariate analysis. Nevertheless, personality disorder and rural area of residence were associated with non-recovery in final multivariate analysis. Major depression in patients with personality disorder should be treated as effectively as possible. Moreover, service planning in rural areas needs attention.

Type 1 diabetes: prospective cohort studies for identification of the environmental trigger.

PubMed

Rønningen, Kjersti S

2013-12-01

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic diseases with childhood onset, and the disease incidence has increased two to fivefold over the past half century by as yet unknown means. T1D occurs when the body's immune system turns against itself, destroying in a very specific and targeted way-the pancreatic β-cells. T1D results from poorly defined interactions between susceptibility genes and environmental determinants. In contrast to the rapid progress in finding T1D genes, identification and confirmation of environmental determinants remain a formidable challenge. This review article will give an overview of ongoing prospective cohort studies aiming to identify the environmental trigger(s) causing T1D.

The efficacy of focus group discussion in teaching ESP speaking skill for prospective vocational school teacher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurmasitah, Sita; Faridi, Abdurrachman; Utomo, Aryo Baskoro; Astuti, Pudji

2018-03-01

The aims of the study were to implement the focus group discussion in teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) speaking skill for prospective Vocational School teacher and also to find out its effectiveness in improving their English speaking skill in ESP course. Quasi-experimental design was employed in this research. Thirty students of Family Welfare Vocational Education Study Program who were taking ESP course, were divided into two classes; experimental and control class. The research data were collected through interview, observation and the students' speaking assessment. The result showed that the implementation of focus group discussion method in the experimental class effectively increased the students' speaking skill compared to the control class.

Social support as a moderator of functional disability's effect on depressive feelings in early rheumatoid arthritis: a four-year prospective study.

PubMed

Benka, Jozef; Nagyova, Iveta; Rosenberger, Jaroslav; Calfova, Anna; Macejova, Zelmira; Lazurova, Ivica; van Dijk, Jitse P; Groothoff, Johan W

2014-02-01

To examine associations of depressive feelings with disease-related variables and explore the moderating effect of social support on depressive feelings in individuals with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prospectively over 4 years. Data were collected annually over 4 years. The sample consisted of 124 individuals with diagnosed RA (85.5% women; mean age 47.9 years; mean disease duration 22.2 months). The strength of cross-sectional and prospective associations of sociodemographic, disease-related variables and the direct and moderating effects of social support on depression were tested using correlations, multilevel models, and hierarchical linear regressions. The study showed that emotional support moderated the influence of functional disability on depressive feelings in individuals with RA. This was not detected for instrumental support. Further prospective associations between functional status, marital status, and depressive feelings were also found. Overall, the strongest association was found between initial depressive feelings and depressive feelings over time. Initial depression seemed to be a risk factor in explaining later depressive feelings, but emotional support might be prospectively beneficial, especially for individuals with higher levels of disability. Early detection of individuals at risk for depression and providing interventions aimed at the specific functions of social support might help to decrease mental health problems. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of stroke: A prospective study and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Sun, Qi; Pan, An; Hu, Frank B.; Manson, JoAnn E.; Rexrode, Kathryn M.

2012-01-01

Background and Purpose Despite evidence suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may lead to elevated cardiovascular disease risk, results regarding the association of 25(OH)D levels with stroke risk are inconclusive. We aimed to examine this association in a prospective study in women and to summarize all existing data in a meta-analysis. Methods We measured 25(OH)D levels among 464 women who developed ischemic stroke and an equal number of controls who were free of stroke through 2006 in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles published through March 2011 that prospectively evaluated 25(OH)D levels in relation to stroke. Results After multivariable adjustment for lifestyle and dietary covariates, lower 25(OH)D levels were associated with an elevated risk of ischemic stroke in the NHS: the odds ratio (95% CI) comparing women in the lowest vs. highest tertiles was 1.49 (1.01, 2.18; Ptrend=0.04). We found 6 other prospective studies that examined 25(OH)D in relation to stroke outcomes. After pooling our results with these prospective studies that included 1,214 stroke cases in total, low 25(OH)D levels were associated with increased risk of developing stroke outcomes in comparison to high levels: the pooled relative risk (95% CI) was 1.52 (1.20, 1.85; I2 = 0.0%, Pheterogeneity=0.63). In two studies that explicitly examined ischemic stroke, this association was 1.59 (1.07, 2.12; I2 = 0.0%, Pheterogeneity=0.80). Conclusions These data provide evidence that low vitamin D levels are modestly associated with risk of stroke. Maintaining adequate vitamin D status may lower risk of stroke in women. PMID:22442173

Applications of Data Mining Methods in the Integrative Medical Studies of Coronary Heart Disease: Progress and Prospect

PubMed Central

Wang, Yixin; Guo, Fang

2014-01-01

A large amount of studies show that real-world study has strong external validity than the traditional randomized controlled trials and can evaluate the effect of interventions in a real clinical setting, which open up a new path for researches of integrative medicine in coronary heart disease. However, clinical data of integrative medicine in coronary heart disease are large in amount and complex in data types, making exploring the appropriate methodology a hot topic. Data mining techniques are to analyze and dig out useful information and knowledge from the mass data to guide people's practices. The present review provides insights for the main features of data mining and their applications of integrative medical studies in coronary heart disease, aiming to analyze the progress and prospect in this field. PMID:25544853

A prospective randomized study comparing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) versus Lichtenstein repair for bilateral inguinal hernias.

PubMed

Ielpo, Benedetto; Duran, Hipolito; Diaz, Eduardo; Fabra, Isabel; Caruso, Riccardo; Malavé, Luis; Ferri, Valentina; Lazzaro, Sara; Kalivaci, Denis; Quijano, Yolanda; Vicente, Emilio

2017-07-19

In literature, only a few studies have prospectively compared the results of laparoscopic with open inguinal hernia repair yet none have compared bilateral inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this study is to compare the open Lichtenstein repair (OLR) with laparoscopic trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair in patients undergoing surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia. Patients were prospectively randomized between March 2013 and March 2015. Outcome parameters included hospital stay, operation time, postoperative complications, immediate postoperative pain and chronic pain, recurrence and quality of life. Sixty-one patients underwent TAPP repair and 73 underwent OLR. TAPP procedure had less early post-operative pain up to 7 days from surgery (p = 0.003), a shorter length of hospital stay (p = 0.001), less postoperative complications (p = 0.012) and less chronic pain (0.04) when compared with the OLR approach. TAPP procedure for bilateral inguinal hernia effectively reduces early postoperative pain, hospital stay and postoperative complications. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Worry and Metacognitions as Predictors of Anxiety Symptoms: A Prospective Study

PubMed Central

Ryum, Truls; Kennair, Leif Edward Ottesen; Hjemdal, Odin; Hagen, Roger; Halvorsen, Joar Øveraas; Solem, Stian

2017-01-01

Both worry and metacognitive beliefs have been found to be related to the development of anxiety, but metacognitive theory (Wells and Matthews, 1994; Wells, 2009) suggest that metacognitive beliefs may play a more prominent role. The aim of the present prospective study was to examine whether worry, metacognitive beliefs or the interaction between worry and metacognitive beliefs, were the best predictor of anxiety over time, utilizing a longitudinal, prospective study design. An undergraduate student sample (N = 190) was assessed on measures of worry (PSWQ), metacognitive beliefs (MCQ-30) and anxiety (BAI) at three points in time over a 7-month period. A mixed-model analysis revealed that both worry and metacognitive beliefs predicted development of anxiety, independently of each other, with no indication of an interaction-effect (PSWQ * MCQ-30). Further, analyses of the MCQ-30 subscales indicated that negative metacognitive beliefs may be particularly important in the development of anxiety. While gender was correlated with worry, gender predicted anxiety beyond the effect of worry. Taken together, the results imply that both worry and metacognitive beliefs play a prominent role for the development of anxiety. PMID:28620338

Summary and Prospect.

PubMed

Wei, Zhengde; Chen, Xueli; Zhang, Xiaochu

2017-01-01

In this chapter, the main content is to summarize the similarities and differences between substance and non-substance addictions in several aspects, involving definition, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment. We try to display the complete picture of addictions in a brief but comprehensive way. Mechanism includes molecule and neural circuit, genetics, neuroimaging and cognitive psychology; diagnosis includes diagnostic criterion, diagnostic scales, biochemical diagnosis and new diagnostic techniques; treatment includes drug therapy, physical therapy, traditional Chinese medical therapy, nutrition support therapy, psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This chapter also covers some prospect which will induct future studies on addiction. We aim at providing the researchers and graduate students with better understanding of substance and non-substance addictions.

Bridging the Digital Divide--An Australian Story

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broadbent, Robyn; Papadopoulos, Theo

2013-01-01

There is increasing evidence that the lack of access to information and communication technology (ICT) or the "digital divide" severely limits education, employment and economic prospects. This paper reports on the evaluation of a project that aims to bridge the digital divide. In particular, the case study data has been used to bring to…

Implementing E-Learning in Northern Ireland: Prospects and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uhomoibhi, James O.

2006-01-01

Purpose: Aims to examine trends in the development of e-learning in Northern Ireland, report on existing policies, practices and issues affecting its implementation across the sectors. Design/methodology/approach: The present study draws on e-learning policies and strategies that have been developed for Northern Ireland. Examples were drawn from…

Instructional Materials Commonly Employed by Foreign Language Teachers at Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çakir, Ismail

2015-01-01

This study aimed to determine the teachers' choices of instructional materials in teaching English at elementary schools. The reasons behind preferring or not preferring some certain instructional materials specified within the research were analysed. To this end, during the course of School Experience, 68 prospective English teachers observed 38…

Involuntary Mental Time Travel and Its Effect on Prospective Teachers' Situational Intrinsic Motivations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eren, Altay

2010-01-01

Recent cognitive psychological research has argued that involuntary mental time travel is an important individual difference variable that has the potential to affect an individual's motivation. However, this issue has not been empirically investigated in educational settings such as teacher education. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the…

Mother-Infant Dyadic State Behaviour: Dynamic Systems in the Context of Risk

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coburn, Shayna S.; Crnic, Keith A.; Ross, Emily K.

2015-01-01

Dynamic systems methods offer invaluable insight into the nuances of the early parent-child relationship. This prospective study aimed to highlight the characteristics of mother-infant dyadic behavior at 12?weeks post-partum using state space grid analysis (total n?=?322). We also examined whether maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and…

Student Teachers' Outlooks upon the Ethics of Their Mentors during Teaching Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atjonen, Paivi

2012-01-01

The aim of this study is to describe student teachers' experiences of their mentors' ethical decisions during their teaching practice sessions for teacher education. The data was gathered from 201 prospective class and subject teachers who described from an ethical viewpoint both positive and negative mentoring experiences. The data analysis is…

The Development of Critical Thinking Attitudes Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özelçi, Serap Yilmaz; Saracaloglu, A. Seda

2017-01-01

This research aims to develop an independent scale that measures the critical thinking attitudes of classroom teacher candidates. The research was designed in a screening model. The universe of the research was composed of 384 prospective teachers who are studying in the education faculty of a university in the western part of Turkey. In the…

Achievement among First-Year University Students: An Integrated and Contextualised Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Clercq, Mikaël; Galand, Benoît; Dupont, Serge; Frenay, Mariane

2013-01-01

This paper presents a prospective study aimed at identifying the predictors of academic achievement among first-year university students. It tries to develop an inclusive view of academic achievement by taking into account the possible differential impact of several predictors in two different faculties of the university. Some 317 university…

Bringing Open Educational Practice to a Research-Intensive University: Prospects and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Masterman, Elizabeth

2016-01-01

This article describes a small-scale study that explored the relationship between the pedagogical practices characterised as "open" and the existing model of undergraduate teaching and learning at a large research-intensive university (RIU). The aim was to determine the factors that might enable (conversely impede) the greater uptake of…

Awakening Pre-Service Teachers to Children's Social Exclusion in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gedžune, Ginta

2015-01-01

Children's social exclusion in the classroom is a threat to the sustainability of education. Teachers should be sensitised to this issue, which raises important implications for teacher education. This paper reports on an action research study in the context of pre-service teacher education aimed at enriching prospective early childhood educators'…

Developing a Scale for Quality of Using Learning Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tasci, Guntay; Yurdugul, Halil

2016-01-01

This study aims to develop a measurement tool to measure the quality of using learning strategies. First, the quality of using learning strategies was described based on the literature. The 32 items in the 5-point Likert scale were then administered to 320 prospective teachers, and they were analysed with exploratory factor analysis using…

Professional Development of Academic Library Professionals in Kerala

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathew, K. Susan; Baby, M. D.; Pillai, S. Sreerekha

2011-01-01

The paper aims to bring out the problems and prospects of the professional development opportunities of academic library professionals in the Universities in Kerala. The study is a part of research undertaken to survey the professional development activities and educational needs of library professionals in the major Universities of Kerala in the…

An Evaluation of Literature Component of Hacettepe University English Language Teaching Department

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arikan, Arda

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study is to collect and interpret views of prospective teachers on literature courses offered in Hacettepe University, Faculty of Education, English Language Teaching (EL T) department. Hence, this research encompasses experiential knowledge of the participants and the results aim to inform the curriculum development practice…

An Evaluation of Literature Curriculum in H.U. English Language Teaching Department

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arikan, Arda

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study was to collect and interpret views of prospective teachers on literature courses offered in Hacettepe University, Faculty of Education, English Language Teaching (ELT) department. Hence, such research encompasses experiential knowledge of the participants and the results aim to inform the curriculum development practice…

The King's Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury and Injury Severity and Outcome Measures in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calvert, Sophie; Miller, Helen E.; Curran, Andrew; Hameed, Biju; McCarter, Renee; Edwards, Richard J.; Hunt, Linda; Sharples, Peta Mary

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to relate discharge King's Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury (KOSCHI) category to injury severity and detailed outcome measures obtained in the first year post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). We used a prospective cohort study. Eighty-one children with TBI were studied: 29 had severe, 15 moderate, and 37 mild TBI. The…

What are the health benefits of active travel? A systematic review of trials and cohort studies.

PubMed

Saunders, Lucinda E; Green, Judith M; Petticrew, Mark P; Steinbach, Rebecca; Roberts, Helen

2013-01-01

Increasing active travel (primarily walking and cycling) has been widely advocated for reducing obesity levels and achieving other population health benefits. However, the strength of evidence underpinning this strategy is unclear. This study aimed to assess the evidence that active travel has significant health benefits. The study design was a systematic review of (i) non-randomised and randomised controlled trials, and (ii) prospective observational studies examining either (a) the effects of interventions to promote active travel or (b) the association between active travel and health outcomes. Reports of studies were identified by searching 11 electronic databases, websites, reference lists and papers identified by experts in the field. Prospective observational and intervention studies measuring any health outcome of active travel in the general population were included. Studies of patient groups were excluded. Twenty-four studies from 12 countries were included, of which six were studies conducted with children. Five studies evaluated active travel interventions. Nineteen were prospective cohort studies which did not evaluate the impact of a specific intervention. No studies were identified with obesity as an outcome in adults; one of five prospective cohort studies in children found an association between obesity and active travel. Small positive effects on other health outcomes were found in five intervention studies, but these were all at risk of selection bias. Modest benefits for other health outcomes were identified in five prospective studies. There is suggestive evidence that active travel may have a positive effect on diabetes prevention, which may be an important area for future research. Active travel may have positive effects on health outcomes, but there is little robust evidence to date of the effectiveness of active transport interventions for reducing obesity. Future evaluations of such interventions should include an assessment of their impacts on obesity and other health outcomes.

What Are the Health Benefits of Active Travel? A Systematic Review of Trials and Cohort Studies

PubMed Central

Saunders, Lucinda E.; Green, Judith M.; Petticrew, Mark P.; Steinbach, Rebecca; Roberts, Helen

2013-01-01

Background Increasing active travel (primarily walking and cycling) has been widely advocated for reducing obesity levels and achieving other population health benefits. However, the strength of evidence underpinning this strategy is unclear. This study aimed to assess the evidence that active travel has significant health benefits. Methods The study design was a systematic review of (i) non-randomised and randomised controlled trials, and (ii) prospective observational studies examining either (a) the effects of interventions to promote active travel or (b) the association between active travel and health outcomes. Reports of studies were identified by searching 11 electronic databases, websites, reference lists and papers identified by experts in the field. Prospective observational and intervention studies measuring any health outcome of active travel in the general population were included. Studies of patient groups were excluded. Results Twenty-four studies from 12 countries were included, of which six were studies conducted with children. Five studies evaluated active travel interventions. Nineteen were prospective cohort studies which did not evaluate the impact of a specific intervention. No studies were identified with obesity as an outcome in adults; one of five prospective cohort studies in children found an association between obesity and active travel. Small positive effects on other health outcomes were found in five intervention studies, but these were all at risk of selection bias. Modest benefits for other health outcomes were identified in five prospective studies. There is suggestive evidence that active travel may have a positive effect on diabetes prevention, which may be an important area for future research. Conclusions Active travel may have positive effects on health outcomes, but there is little robust evidence to date of the effectiveness of active transport interventions for reducing obesity. Future evaluations of such interventions should include an assessment of their impacts on obesity and other health outcomes. PMID:23967064

Consumption of garlic and risk of colorectal cancer: An updated meta-analysis of prospective studies

PubMed Central

Hu, Ji-Yi; Hu, Yi-Wang; Zhou, Jiao-Jiao; Zhang, Meng-Wen; Li, Dan; Zheng, Shu

2014-01-01

AIM: To conduct an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies addressing the association between garlic consumption and colorectal cancer. METHODS: Eligible cohort studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (PubMed) and screening the references of related articles published up to October 2013. Meta-analyses were conducted for colorectal cancer in relation to consumption of raw and cooked (RC) garlic and garlic supplements, separately. The summary relative risks (RR) with 95%CI were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects model depending on the heterogeneity among studies. RESULTS: A total of 5 prospective cohort studies were identified. In contrast to the previous meta-analysis, no significant associations were found between consumption of RC garlic (RR: 1.06; 95%CI: 0.95-1.19) or garlic supplements (RR: 1.12; 95%CI: 0.96-1.31) and risk of colorectal cancer. A non-significant protective effect of garlic supplement intake against colorectal cancer was observed in females (RR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.64-1.11), but the opposite was the case in males (RR: 1.24; 95%CI: 0.96-1.59). CONCLUSION: Consumption of RC garlic or garlic supplements is not significantly associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk. PMID:25386091

University Marketing: Perceptions, Practices and Prospects in the Less Developed World

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maringe, Felix

2005-01-01

The article reports on research conducted in Zimbabwe's 11 universities between 2001 and 2003. The research was aimed at finding how vice chancellors and internal marketers perceived the marketing concept and its organization within the universities including the extent to which prospective university customers considered the arrangements for…

Mathematical Language Skills of Mathematics Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gürefe, Nejla

2018-01-01

Effective mathematics teaching can be actualized only with correct use of the mathematical content language which comprises mathematical rules, concepts, symbols and terms. In this research, it was aimed to examine the mathematics prospective teachers' content language skills in some basic geometric concepts which are ray, angle, polygon,…

Prevalence and associated factors of stress, anxiety and depression among prospective medical students.

PubMed

Yusoff, Muhamad Saiful Bahri; Abdul Rahim, Ahmad Fuad; Baba, Abdul Aziz; Ismail, Shaiful Bahari; Mat Pa, Mohamad Najib; Esa, Ab Rahman

2013-04-01

Many studies have reported that the prevalence of psychological distress among medical students during medical training was high. However, there are very few studies exploring on the psychological health of prospective medical students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors for stress, anxiety and depression symptoms among the prospective medical students. A cross-sectional study was done on two cohorts of applicants to a public medical school. A total of 839 applicants were invited to participate in the study. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale was administered to the applicants after they completed interviews. A total of 743 (92.2%) applicants took part in the study. The prevalence of moderate to extremely severe level of stress, anxiety and depression were 3.6%, 54.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Stress was significantly associated with extra-curricular activity (p<0.001) and race (p<0.001). Anxiety was associated with extra-curricular activity (p<0.001), race (p<0.001), mother education level (p=0.002) and CGPA group (p=0.034). Depression was associated with academic performance in class (p<0.001) and race (p=0.004). Prevalence of stress and depression among entering medical students was low; however prevalence of anxiety was high which could be due to worry about the interviews to enter medical course. The associated factors of psychological distress among prospective medical students were related to academic, non-academic, parent education and cultural backgrounds. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fear, Rationality and Opportunity: Reasons and Motives for Not Trying Ecstasy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vervaeke, Hylke Karen Eva; Benschop, Annemieke; Korf, Dirk Jan

2008-01-01

Aim: To gain more insight into the reasons and motives why people do not start taking ecstasy. Method: As part of the NeXT Study, we prospectively monitored 188 subjects who were ecstasy-naive at baseline but seemed likely to take ecstasy (MDMA) of their own accord during the course of the study. After an 11- to 26-month follow-up period, 160…

The Role of Context Free Collaboration Design Patterns in Learning Design within LAMS: Lessons Learned from an Empirical Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kordaki, Maria

2011-01-01

This study presents an experiment aimed at the design of short learning courses in the context of LAMS, using a number of specific context-free collaboration design patterns implemented within LAMS. In fact, 25 Prospective Computer Engineers (PCEs) participated in this experiment. The analysis of the data shows that PCEs fully used these context…

The Behavioral Determinants of Breast-Feeding in the Netherlands: Predictors for the Initiation of Breast-Feeding

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kools, Els J.; Thijs, Carel; de Vries, Hein

2005-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral determinants of the initiation of breast-feeding at birth. The prospective cohort study used the attitude, social influence, self-efficacy (ASE) model in 373 pregnant women in five child health care centers. Prenatally, 72% of the women had the intention to breast-feed, and 73% actually started…

An Evaluation into the Views of Candidate Mathematics Teachers over "Tablet Computers" to be Applied in Secondary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aksu, Hasan Hüseyin

2014-01-01

This study aims to investigate, in terms of different variables, the views of prospective Mathematics teachers on tablet computers to be used in schools as an outcome of the Fatih Project, which was initiated by the Ministry of National Education. In the study, scanning model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. In the population…

Predicting Oral Health-Related Behaviour in the Parents of Preschool Children: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van den Branden, Sigrid; Van den Broucke, Stephan; Leroy, Roos; Declerck, Dominique; Hoppenbrouwers, Karel

2015-01-01

Objective: This study aimed to test the predictive validity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) when applied to the oral health-related behaviours of parents towards their preschool children in a cross-sectional and prospective design over a 5-year interval. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from parents of 1,057 children born…

[Prospect and application of microsatellite population genetics in study of geoherbs].

PubMed

Zhang, Wen-Jing; Zhang, Yong-Qing; Yuan, Qing-Jun; Huang, Lu-Qi; Jiang, Dan; Jing, Li

2013-12-01

The author introduces the basic concepts of microsatellite and population genetics and its characteristics, expounds the application of these theories for population genetic structure and genetic diversity, gene flow and evolutionary significant unit ESU division research. This paper discuss its applicationin study of genetic causes, origin of cultivation, different regional origins of geoherbs, aiming at providing a new theory and method for geoherbs.

Long-Term Effects of Early-Life Otitis Media on Language Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zumach, Anne; Gerrits, Ellen; Chenault, Michelene; Anteunis, Lucien

2010-01-01

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the long-term consequences of early-life otitis media (OM) and the associated hearing loss (HL) on language skills of school-aged children. Method: In a prospective study, the middle-ear status of 65 Dutch healthy-born children was documented every 3 months during their first 2 years of life;…

Death of Parents and Adult Psychological and Physical Well-Being: A Prospective U.S. National Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marks, Nadine F.; Jun, Heyjung; Song, Jieun

2007-01-01

Guided by a life course perspective, attachment theory, and gender theory, this study aims to examine the impact of death of a father, a mother, or both parents, as well as continuously living with one or both parents dead (in contrast to having two parents alive) on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being (depressive symptoms, happiness,…

Perceived future career prospects in general practice: quantitative results from questionnaire surveys of UK doctors

PubMed Central

Lambert, Trevor W; Smith, Fay; Goldacre, Michael J

2016-01-01

Background There are more studies of current job satisfaction among GPs than of their views about their future career prospects, although both are relevant to commitment to careers in general practice. Aim To report on the views of GPs compared with clinicians in other specialties about their future career prospects. Design and setting Questionnaire surveys were sent to UK medical doctors who graduated in selected years between 1974 and 2008. Method Questionnaires were sent to the doctors at different times after graduation, ranging from 3 to 24 years. Results Based on the latest survey of each graduation year of the 20 940 responders, 66.2% of GPs and 74.2% of hospital doctors were positive about their prospects and 9.7% and 8.3%, respectively, were negative. However, with increasing time since graduation and increasing levels of seniority, GPs became less positive about their prospects; by contrast, over time, surgeons became more positive. Three to 5 years after graduation, 86.3% of those training in general practice were positive about their prospects compared with 52.9% of surgical trainees: in surveys conducted 12–24 years after graduation, 60.2% of GPs and 76.6% of surgeons were positive about their prospects. Conclusion GPs held broadly positive views of their career prospects, as did other doctors. However, there was an increase in negativity with increasing time since graduation that was not seen in hospital doctors. Research into the causes of this negativity and policy measures to ameliorate it would contribute to the continued commitment of GPs and may help to reduce attrition. PMID:27578813

A Differential Deficit in Time- versus Event-based Prospective Memory in Parkinson's Disease

PubMed Central

Raskin, Sarah A.; Woods, Steven Paul; Poquette, Amelia J.; McTaggart, April B.; Sethna, Jim; Williams, Rebecca C.; Tröster, Alexander I.

2010-01-01

Objective The aim of the current study was to clarify the nature and extent of impairment in time- versus event-based prospective memory in Parkinson's disease (PD). Prospective memory is thought to involve cognitive processes that are mediated by prefrontal systems and are executive in nature. Given that individuals with PD frequently show executive dysfunction, it is important to determine whether these individuals may have deficits in prospective memory that could impact daily functions, such as taking medications. Although it has been reported that individuals with PD evidence impairment in prospective memory, it is still unclear whether they show a greater deficit for time- versus event-based cues. Method Fifty-four individuals with PD and 34 demographically similar healthy adults were administered a standardized measure of prospective memory that allows for a direct comparison of time-based and event-based cues. In addition, participants were administered a series of standardized measures of retrospective memory and executive functions. Results Individuals with PD demonstrated impaired prospective memory performance compared to the healthy adults, with a greater impairment demonstrated for the time-based tasks. Time-based prospective memory performance was moderately correlated with measures of executive functioning, but only the Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test emerged as a unique predictor in a linear regression. Conclusions Findings are interpreted within the context of McDaniel and Einstein's (2000) multi-process theory to suggest that individuals with PD experience particular difficulty executing a future intention when the cue to execute the prescribed intention requires higher levels of executive control. PMID:21090895

Habitual coffee consumption and risk of cognitive decline/dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

PubMed

Liu, Qing-Ping; Wu, Yan-Feng; Cheng, Hong-Yu; Xia, Tao; Ding, Hong; Wang, Hui; Wang, Ze-Mu; Xu, Yun

2016-06-01

Findings from epidemiologic studies of coffee consumption and risk for cognitive decline or dementia are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective studies to assess the association between coffee consumption and the risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase databases between 1966 and December 2014. Prospective cohorts that reported relative risk (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of coffee consumption with dementia incidence or cognitive changing were eligible. Study-specific RRs were combined by using a random-effects model. Eleven prospective studies, including 29,155 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. The combined RR indicated that high coffee consumption was not associated with the different measures of cognitive decline or dementia (summary RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84-1.11). Subgroup analyses suggested a significant inverse association between highest coffee consumption and the risk for Alzheimer disease (summary RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55-0.97). The dose-response analysis, including eight studies, did not show an association between the increment of coffee intake and cognitive decline or dementia risk (an increment of 1 cup/d of coffee consumed; summary RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98-1.02). The present study suggests that higher coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk for Alzheimer disease. Further randomized controlled trials or well-designed cohort studies are needed to determine the association between coffee consumption and cognitive decline or dementia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reduction of the estimated radiation dose and associated patient risk with prospective ECG-gated 256-slice CT coronary angiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efstathopoulos, E. P.; Kelekis, N. L.; Pantos, I.; Brountzos, E.; Argentos, S.; Grebáč, J.; Ziaka, D.; Katritsis, D. G.; Seimenis, I.

2009-09-01

Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography has been widely used since the introduction of 64-slice scanners and dual-source CT technology, but high radiation doses have been reported. Prospective ECG-gating using a 'step-and-shoot' axial scanning protocol has been shown to reduce radiation exposure effectively while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. 256-slice scanners with 80 mm detector coverage have been currently introduced into practice, but their impact on radiation exposure has not been adequately studied. The aim of this study was to assess radiation doses associated with CT coronary angiography using a 256-slice CT scanner. Radiation doses were estimated for 25 patients scanned with either prospective or retrospective ECG-gating. Image quality was assessed objectively in terms of mean CT attenuation at selected regions of interest on axial coronary images and subjectively by coronary segment quality scoring. It was found that radiation doses associated with prospective ECG-gating were significantly lower than retrospective ECG-gating (3.2 ± 0.6 mSv versus 13.4 ± 2.7 mSv). Consequently, the radiogenic fatal cancer risk for the patient is much lower with prospective gating (0.0176% versus 0.0737%). No statistically significant differences in image quality were observed between the two scanning protocols for both objective and subjective quality assessments. Therefore, prospective ECG-gating using a 'step-and-shoot' protocol that covers the cardiac anatomy in two axial acquisitions effectively reduces radiation doses in 256-slice CT coronary angiography without compromising image quality.

Prospective memory, level of disability, and return to work in severe mental illness.

PubMed

Burton, Cynthia Z; Vella, Lea; Twamley, Elizabeth W

2018-02-25

Prospective memory (the ability to remember to do things) has clear implications for everyday functioning, including employment, in people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). This study aimed to evaluate prospective memory performance and its relationship to real-world functional variables in an employment-seeking sample of people with SMI (Clinical Trial registration number NCT00895258). 153 individuals with DSM-IV diagnosis of depression (n = 58), bipolar disorder (n = 37), or schizophrenia (n = 58) who were receiving outpatient psychiatric care at a university clinic enrolled in a trial of supported employment and completed a baseline assessment. Prospective memory was measured with the Memory for Intentions Test (MIST); real-world functional status included work history variables, clinical history variables, baseline functional capacity (UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment-Brief), and work outcomes (weeks worked and wages earned during two years of supported employment). Participants with schizophrenia performed worse on the MIST than did those with affective disorders. Independent of diagnosis, education, and estimated intellectual functioning, prospective memory significantly predicted variance in measures of disability and illness burden (disability benefits, hospitalization history, current functional capacity), and work outcomes over two years of supported employment (weeks worked). Worse prospective memory appears to be associated with greater illness burden and functional disability in SMI. Mental health clinicians and employment specialists may counsel clients to use compensatory prospective memory strategies to improve work performance and decrease functional disability associated with SMI.

Direct Costs of Very Old Persons with Subsyndromal Depression: A 5-Year Prospective Study.

PubMed

Ludvigsson, Mikael; Bernfort, Lars; Marcusson, Jan; Wressle, Ewa; Milberg, Anna

2018-03-15

This study aimed to compare, over a 5-year period, the prospective direct healthcare costs and service utilization of persons with subsyndromal depression (SSD) and non-depressive persons (ND), in a population of very old persons. A second aim was to develop a model that predicts direct healthcare costs in very old persons with SSD. A prospective population-based study was undertaken on 85-year-old persons in Sweden. Depressiveness was screened with the Geriatric Depression Scale at baseline and at 1-year follow-up, and the results were classified into ND, SSD, and syndromal depression. Data on individual healthcare costs and service use from a 5-year period were derived from national database registers. Direct costs were compared between categories using Mann-Whitney U tests, and a prediction model was identified with linear regression. For persons with SSD, the direct healthcare costs per month of survival exceeded those of persons with ND by a ratio 1.45 (€634 versus €436), a difference that was significant even after controlling for somatic multimorbidity. The final regression model consisted of five independent variables predicting direct healthcare costs: male sex, activities of daily living functions, loneliness, presence of SSD, and somatic multimorbidity. SSD among very old persons is associated with increased direct healthcare costs independently of somatic multimorbidity. The associations between SSD, somatic multimorbidity, and healthcare costs in the very old need to be analyzed further in order to better guide allocation of resources in health policy. Copyright © 2018 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Azathioprine-induced Acute Pancreatitis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases—A Prospective Study on Incidence and Severity

PubMed Central

Mohl, Wolfgang; Bokemeyer, Bernd; Bündgens, Burkhard; Büning, Jürgen; Miehlke, Stephan; Hüppe, Dietrich; Maaser, Christian; Klugmann, Tobias; Kruis, Wolfgang; Siegmund, Britta; Helwig, Ulf; Weismüller, Joseph; Drabik, Attyla; Stallmach, Andreas

2016-01-01

Background and Aims: Azathioprine [AZA] is recommended for maintenance of steroid-free remission in inflammatory bowel disease IBD. The aim of this study has been to establish the incidence and severity of AZA-induced pancreatitis, an idiosyncratic and major side effect, and to identify specific risk factors. Methods: We studied 510 IBD patients [338 Crohn’s disease, 157 ulcerative colitis, 15 indeterminate colitis] with initiation of AZA treatment in a prospective multicentre registry study. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed in accordance with international guidelines. Results: AZA was continued by 324 [63.5%] and stopped by 186 [36.5%] patients. The most common cause of discontinuation was nausea [12.2%]. AZA-induced pancreatitis occurred in 37 patients [7.3%]. Of these: 43% were hospitalised with a median inpatient time period of 5 days; 10% had peripancreatic fluid collections; 24% had vomiting; and 14% had fever. No patient had to undergo nonsurgical or surgical interventions. Smoking was the strongest risk factor for AZA-induced acute pancreatitis [p < 0.0002] in univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions: AZA-induced acute pancreatitis is a common adverse event in IBD patients, but in this study had a mild course in all patients. Smoking is the most important risk factor. PMID:26468141

Structural correlates of subjective and objective memory performance in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Pardini, Matteo; Bergamino, Maurizio; Bommarito, Giulia; Bonzano, Laura; Luigi Mancardi, Gian; Roccatagliata, Luca

2014-04-01

Subjective and objective memory deficits represent a frequent and ill-understood aspect of multiple sclerosis (MS), and a significant cause of disability and quality of life reduction. The aim of the study is to verify the role of hippocampal and temporal associative fibers' damage in MS-related memory complaints. To reach this aim, 25 patients with low disability relapsing-remitting MS and 19 healthy controls were included in the study. All subjects underwent 3D T1 structural imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Additionally, MS patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation of objective (Selective Reminding Test and Spatial Recall Test) and of subjective (Perceived Deficit Questionnaire, Retrospective and Prospective Memory Subscales) memory deficits. Normalized hippocampal volume (NHV) and mean Fractional Anisotropy (FA) for the uncinate fasciculus (UF) and for the ventral division of the cingulum bundle (VCB) were calculated for all subjects. We showed that, compared to controls, MS subjects presented with reduced right NHV and with reduced mean FA bilaterally in the UF and the VCB. In the MS group, verbal memory scores correlated with left NHV, spatial memory scores correlated with right NHV, while perceived retrospective and prospective memory deficits correlated with left VCB and left UF mean FA respectively. Our data confirm an early involvement of memory-related brain structures in MS patients. Our data suggest that verbal and nonverbal memory as well as perceived retrospective and prospective memory deficits are related to alterations of discrete anatomical structures in the low-disability phase of MS. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prospective Validation of Objective Prognostic Score for Advanced Cancer Inpatients in South Korea: A Multicenter Study.

PubMed

Yoon, Seok Joon; Suh, Sang-Yeon; Lee, Yong Joo; Park, Jeanno; Hwang, Sunwook; Lee, Sanghee Shiny; Ahn, Hong Yup; Koh, Su-Jin; Park, Keon Uk

2017-01-01

Objective Prognostic Score (OPS) was developed as an easy and simple prognosticating tool in South Korea. It has been validated retrospectively in a single center in South Korea. We aimed to validate the OPS prospectively for advanced cancer inpatients in South Korea using a multicenter study. This was a prospective cohort study. We enrolled 243 advanced cancer patients admitted in five palliative care units in South Korea from May 2013 till March 2015. Seven members of the Korean Palliative Medicine Research Network who are experts of palliative care led the study. Clinical variables (dyspnea/anorexia/performance status) and laboratory variables (total leukocyte counts/serum total bilirubin/serum creatinine/lactate dehydrogenase) were collected at the enrollment. Survival time was calculated as days from enrollment to death during admission. A total of 217 patients were included in the final analysis (feasibility: 89.3%). Survival time of the higher OPS group (OPS ≥3) and the lower OPS group (OPS <3) was 10.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.72-12.28) days and 32.0 (95% CI 25.44-38.56) days, respectively. There were significant differences between the 2 groups (p < 0.001). Overall accuracy of OPS ≥3 for predicting survival less than three weeks was 71.0%. OPS was successfully validated using a prospective multicenter study in South Korea. It is a useful method to predict three-week survival of Korean inpatients with advanced cancer.

The neuroaesthetics of prose fiction: pitfalls, parameters and prospects.

PubMed

Burke, Michael

2015-01-01

There is a paucity of neuroaesthetic studies on prose fiction. This is in contrast to the very many impressive studies that have been conducted in recent times on the neuroaesthetics of sister arts such as painting, music and dance. Why might this be the case, what are its causes and, of greatest importance, how can it best be resolved? In this article, the pitfalls, parameters and prospects of a neuroaesthetics of prose fiction will be explored. The article itself is part critical review, part methodological proposal and part opinion paper. Its aim is simple: to stimulate, excite and energize thinking in the discipline as to how prose fiction might be fully integrated in the canon of neuroaesthetics and to point to opportunities where neuroimaging studies on literary discourse processing might be conducted in collaborative work bringing humanists and scientists together.

The neuroaesthetics of prose fiction: pitfalls, parameters and prospects

PubMed Central

Burke, Michael

2015-01-01

There is a paucity of neuroaesthetic studies on prose fiction. This is in contrast to the very many impressive studies that have been conducted in recent times on the neuroaesthetics of sister arts such as painting, music and dance. Why might this be the case, what are its causes and, of greatest importance, how can it best be resolved? In this article, the pitfalls, parameters and prospects of a neuroaesthetics of prose fiction will be explored. The article itself is part critical review, part methodological proposal and part opinion paper. Its aim is simple: to stimulate, excite and energize thinking in the discipline as to how prose fiction might be fully integrated in the canon of neuroaesthetics and to point to opportunities where neuroimaging studies on literary discourse processing might be conducted in collaborative work bringing humanists and scientists together. PMID:26283953

Anxiety sensitivity as a predictor of panic disorder symptoms: a prospective 3-year study.

PubMed

Jurin, Tanja; Biglbauer, Sonja

2018-07-01

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety symptoms, a feature proven to be an important vulnerability factor for anxiety pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine whether AS (as well as its factors) predicts the onset of panic disorder symptoms when controlling for the contribution of trait anxiety. We conducted a prospective 3 year follow up study. The participants, students at the Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb (N = 1087), completed an Anxiety Sensitivity Index and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait form) and, after a period of three years, were asked to self-assess criteria for panic disorder (according to the DSM-5). The predictive validity of AS for the onset of panic disorder symptoms, regardless of trait anxiety, was confirmed. Furthermore, the physical concerns dimension of AS was the only significant predictor of panic disorder symptoms. The optimal cutoff score of 25 on the ASI provides poor to moderate accuracy indices in detecting participants who will manifest panic disorder symptoms in the next three years. This study contributes to our current understanding of AS as a prospective risk factor for panic disorder symptoms.

Are lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness associated with incident depression? A systematic review of prospective cohort studies.

PubMed

Schuch, Felipe B; Vancampfort, Davy; Sui, Xuemei; Rosenbaum, Simon; Firth, Joseph; Richards, Justin; Ward, Philip B; Stubbs, Brendon

2016-12-01

Physical activity (PA) is protective from future depression, however, the potential impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the development of depression is less clear. We aimed to investigate if lower levels of CRF are associated with a higher risk for depression onset. Major electronic databases were searched, from inception to January 2016 for prospective cohort studies evaluating the association between CRF and incident depression. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Three prospective studies were identified and data from two studies were pooled. Our data provide preliminary evidence found that people with low CRF and medium CRF were at increased risk of developing depression (n=1,128,290, HR=1.76, 95% CI 1.61-1.91, p<0.001, I 2 =11.88, and HR=1.23, 95% CI 1.20-1.38, p<0.001, I 2 =0, respectively). Considered alongside the wider benefits of higher levels of CRF, these findings further support the rationale for interventions specifically targeting fitness, in order to reduce the significant burden associated with depression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Long-term prospective memory impairment following mild traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness: findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

PubMed

Bedard, Marc; Taler, Vanessa; Steffener, Jason

2017-12-18

We aimed to examine the extent to which loss of consciousness (LOC) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may be associated with impairments in time- and event-based prospective memory (PM). PM is thought to involve executive processes and be subserved by prefrontal regions. Neuroimaging research suggests alterations to these areas of the brain several years after mTBI, particularly if LOC was experienced. However, it remains unclear whether impairments in time- or event-based functioning may persist more than a year after mTBI, and what the link with duration of LOC may be. Analyses were run on data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationwide study on health and aging involving individuals between the ages of 45-85. The present study consisted of 1937 participants who experienced mTBI more than 12 months prior, of whom 1146 reported spending less than 1 min unconscious, and 791 had LOC between 1 and 20 min, and 13,525 cognitively healthy adults. Participants were administered the Miami Prospective Memory Test, and tests of retrospective memory and executive functioning. Both mTBI groups were impaired in time-based PM relative to people with no history of TBI. Time- and event-based impairments were predicted by older age, and executive dysfunction among those who spent more time unconscious. Those with mTBI with LOC may experience impairments in PM, particularly in conditions of high demand on executive processes (time-based PM). Implications for interventions aimed at ameliorating PM among those who have experienced mTBI are discussed.

Effort--reward imbalance and medically certified absence for mental health problems: a prospective study of white-collar workers.

PubMed

Ndjaboué, R; Brisson, C; Vézina, M; Blanchette, C; Bourbonnais, R

2014-01-01

Little is known about the effects of psychosocial work factors on objectively assessed mental health problems leading to medically certified absence. Only one study has evaluated the prospective effects of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) at work with regards to this outcome. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of ERI on the incidence of medically certified absence for mental health problems. The study included 2086 white-collar workers (63.3% women) employed in public organisations in Quebec city. Participants were followed over a 9-year period. Medical absences from work were collected from employers' files and psychosocial factors were measured using the ERI questionnaire. Cox regression models were used to estimate the incidence of certified sickness absence due to mental health problems that lasted 5 workdays or more, while controlling for confounders. Workers exposed to ERI had a higher risk of a first spell of medically certified absence for mental health problems (HR=1.38, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.76) compared with unexposed workers. Low reward was significantly associated with a high risk among men (HR=2.80, 95% CI 1.34 to 5.89) but not in women. (HR=1.24, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.73). Effort at work had no effect on certified absence. All these effects were adjusted for potential confounders. ERI and low reward at work were prospectively associated with medically certified absence for mental health problems. These effects seem to differ by gender. Primary prevention that is aimed at reducing these stressors should be considered to help reduce the incidence of such severe mental health problems.

Science Perceptions of Prospective Class Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ulucinar Sagir, Safak

2017-01-01

The perceptions of class teachers, who will deliver science education at the elementary school, of information and science are significant as these affect the quality of education received by children. The aim of this research is to determine perceptions of prospective class teachers of science. The sample group of the research consists of 120…

Compensatory enlargement of the left main coronary artery: insights from the PROSPECT study.

PubMed

Inaba, Shinji; Mintz, Gary S; Shimizu, Takehisa; Weisz, Giora; Mehran, Roxana; Marso, Steven P; Xu, Ke; de Bruyne, Bernard; Serruys, Patrick W; Stone, Gregg W; Maehara, Akiko

2014-03-01

Glagov proposed that remodeling delayed development of significant coronary artery stenoses until plaque occupied, on average, 40% of arterial area (40% plaque burden). The aim of the current study was to confirm the previously proposed concept of coronary remodeling as first described by Glagov who studied postmortem left main coronary arteries (LMCAs). Using the in-vivo intravascular ultrasound data from the Providing Regional Observations to Study Predictors of Events in the Coronary Tree (PROSPECT) study, we evaluated 552 LMCAs in 552 patients. External elastic membrane cross-sectional areas (CSAs) increased in proportion to the increase in plaque and media CSAs (r=0.61, P<0.0001), especially when the plaque burden was 20% or lower (r=0.88, P<0.0001). For more advanced atherosclerosis (>40% plaque burden), there was an inverse relationship between lumen CSA and plaque burden (r=-0.57, P<0.0001), whereas this relationship was weak in the presence of less than 40% plaque burden. The frequency of virtual histology derived thin-cap fibroatheroma increased with increasing plaque burden. In contrast, the frequency of pathological intimal thickening decreased. The previously proposed remodeling concept of Glagov was validated in vivo in the PROSPECT study patients. In addition, the present study suggested that plaque phenotype worsened with increasing LMCA plaque growth.

Social Media in Health Professional Education: A Student Perspective on User Levels and Prospective Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maloney, Stephen; Moss, Alan; Ilic, Dragan

2014-01-01

Social Networking Sites (SNS) have seen exponential growth in recent years. The high utilisation of SNS by tertiary students makes them an attractive tool for educational institutions. This study aims to identify health professional students' use and behaviours with SNS, including students' perspectives on potential applications within…

Possible Link between Medical Students' Motivation for Academic Work and Time Engaged in Physical Exercise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aung, Myo Nyein; Somboonwong, Juraiporn; Jaroonvanichkul, Vorapol; Wannakrairot, Pongsak

2016-01-01

Physical exercise results in an active well-being. It is likely that students' engagement in physical exercise keeps them motivated to perform academic endeavors. This study aimed to assess the relation of time engaged in physical exercise with medical students' motivation for academic work. Prospectively, 296 second-year medical students…

Factors Associated with Use of Automated Smoking Cessation Interventions: Findings from the eQuit Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balmford, James; Borland, Ron; Benda, Peter; Howard, Steve

2013-01-01

The aim was to better understand structural factors associated with uptake of automated tailored interventions for smoking cessation. In a prospective randomized controlled trial with interventions only offered, not mandated, participants were randomized based on the following: web-based expert system (QuitCoach); text messaging program (onQ);…

Learning to Teach from Anticipating Lessons through Comics-Based Approximations of Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Chia-Ling

2012-01-01

Teaching is complex and relational work that involves teacher's interactions with individual or multiple students around the subject matter. It has been argued that observation experiences (e.g. field placement or watching video clips) are not sufficient to help prospective teachers to develop knowledge of teaching. This study aims to…

Applying to University with Criminal Convictions: A Comparative Study of Admissions Policies in the United States and United Kingdom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Custer, Bradley D.

2018-01-01

Higher education institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom increasingly require prospective students to disclose past criminal history on admissions applications. However, a social movement aimed at improving opportunities for people with criminal records may force higher education to reconsider this practice. This paper offers a…

Some Aspects of the Implementation of the Principle of Transparency in Russian Universities: Research, Experience, Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egorov, Evgeny Evgenievich; Lebedev?, Tatiana Evgenievna; Bulganina, Svetlana Viktorovna; Vasilyeva, Lyudmila Ivanovna

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to identify achieved successes, existing gaps and possible prospects of implementing the principle of transparency by Russian universities. It was focused upon the information transparency of educational activities from the perspective of legal requirements and interests of applicants and university students. The analysis…

Language Outcomes at 12 Years for Children Exposed Prenatally to Cocaine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Barbara A.; Minnes, Sonia; Short, Elizabeth J.; Min, Meeyoung O.; Wu, Miaoping; Lang, Adelaide; Weishampel, Paul; Singer, Lynn T.

2013-01-01

Purpose: In this study, the authors aimed to examine the long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) on the language development of 12-year-old children using a prospective design, controlling for confounding prenatal drug exposure and environmental factors. Method: Children who were exposed to cocaine in utero (PCE; "n" = 183)…

Comparison of Triadic and Provider-Led Intervention Practices in Early Intervention Home Visits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salisbury, Christine L.; Cushing, Lisa S.

2013-01-01

Despite calls for adoption and use of triadic early intervention practices, remarkably little research has prospectively compared this approach with traditional, provider-led service delivery. The aim of this study was to compare the actions of providers and caregivers within triadic and provider-led interactions with regard to the following: (1)…

Constructing a National Higher Education Brand for the UK: Positional Competition and Promised Capitals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lomer, Sylvie; Papatsiba, Vassiliki; Naidoo, Rajani

2018-01-01

This article examines national branding of UK higher education, a strategic intent and action to collectively brand UK higher education with the aim to attract prospective international students, using a Bourdieusian approach to understanding promises of capitals. We trace its development between 1999 and 2014 through a sociological study, one of…

PBL in Teacher Education: Its Effects on Achievement and Self-Regulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erdogan, Tolga; Senemoglu, Nuray

2017-01-01

Problem-based learning (PBL) as an educational practice continues to have great impact on all levels of education and across different disciplines. The aim of this experimental study is to examine the effects of PBL on prospective teachers' academic achievements and self-regulation. The treatment group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 21)…

Effectiveness and Impact of Technology-Enabled Project-Based Learning with the Use of Process Prompts in Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Ching-Huei; Chan, Lim-Ha

2011-01-01

This study investigated the effectiveness and impacts of process prompts on students' learning and computer self-efficacy within the technology-enabled project-based learning (PBL) context in an undergraduate educational technology course. If the aim is to prepare prospective teachers to effectively, efficiently, and engagingly use technologies in…

Spousal Support for Personal Goals and Relationship Satisfaction among Women during the Transition to Parenthood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salmela-Aro, Katariina; Nurmi, Jari-Erik; Saisto, Terhi; Halmesmaki, Erja

2010-01-01

The aim of this three-wave cross-lagged longitudinal study was to examine the prospective relationships between women's goal-related spousal support and their relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood. Two-hundred and forty-six Finnish women who were either married or cohabited (45% primiparous; 55% multiparous) filled in…

Independent Education in Western Europe, Second Edition. ISIS Document No. 34.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mason, Peter

In 1992, a study described the legal status, aims, organization, resources, role, and future prospects of the independent educational sector of the 17 countries of Western Europe and the context in which that sector operated. In the six years since the compilation, the European Economic Community has become the European Union. It has increased its…

Prospects for the Development and Internationalization of Higher Education in Asia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krechetnikov, Konstantin; Pestereva, Nina; Rajovic, Goran

2016-01-01

This study investigates the current process of internationalization of higher education in the countries of the Asia Pacific region (APR) through the example of China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Russia. The article aims to familiarize the reader with the experience of internationalizing higher education in APR states against a backdrop of…

Computer versus Paper-Based Reading: A Case Study in English Language Teaching Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solak, Ekrem

2014-01-01

This research aims to determine the preference of prospective English teachers in performing computer and paper-based reading tasks and to what extent computer and paper-based reading influence their reading speed, accuracy and comprehension. The research was conducted at a State run University, English Language Teaching Department in Turkey. The…

School Bullying and Drug Use Later in Life: A Meta-Analytic Investigation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ttofi, Maria M.; Farrington, David P.; Lösel, Friedrich; Crago, Rebecca V.; Theodorakis, Nikolaos

2016-01-01

The main aim of this article is to investigate whether there is a significant long-term association between bullying at school and drug use later in life. A meta-analysis is presented based on results from major prospective longitudinal studies with available unadjusted and adjusted effect sizes. Results are based on thorough systematic searches…

The Effects of Prospective Naturalistic Contact on the Stigma of Mental Illness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Couture, Shannon M.; Penn, David L.

2006-01-01

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether naturalistic, interpersonal contact with persons with a severe mental illness (SMI) could reduce stigma. Participants from the agency Compeer (which pairs volunteers with people with SMI) were compared to volunteers from a control agency and to nonvolunteer participants from the community on…

Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Obesity and Risk for Inattention and Negative Emotionality in Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodriguez, Alina

2010-01-01

Objective: This study aimed to replicate and extend previous work showing an association between maternal pre-pregnancy adiposity and risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. Methods: A Swedish population-based prospective pregnancy-offspring cohort was followed up when children were 5 years old (N = 1,714).…

A Tripartite Model of EFL Teacher Attributions, Burnout, and Self-Regulation: Toward the Prospects of Effective Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ghanizadeh, Afsaneh; Ghonsooly, Behzad

2014-01-01

The present study aims at delving into English as foreign language teachers' attributions by investigating the role of teacher attributions in teacher burnout and teacher self-regulation. This is accomplished by building a causal structural model through which the associations among these constructs are estimated. The results demonstrate that…

Determination of Students' Alternative Conceptions about Chemical Equilibrium: A Review of Research and the Case of Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozmen, Haluk

2008-01-01

This study aims to determine prospective science student teachers' alternative conceptions of the chemical equilibrium concept. A 13-item pencil and paper, two-tier multiple choice diagnostic instrument, the Test to Identify Students' Alternative Conceptions (TISAC), was developed and administered to 90 second-semester science student teachers…

Challenges Faced by Pre-Service Science Teachers during the Teaching and Learning Process in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Takaoglu, Zeynep Baskan

2017-01-01

Pre-service teachers' first experiences and ideas prior to application affect their teaching activities. For this reason, it is aimed to determine transferring the experiences and ideas of prospective science teachers before lesson activities and its development with lesson activities. The study was carried out with 29 third year prospective…

Who Is Responsible for Vulnerable Pupils? The Attitudes of Teacher Candidates in Serbia and Slovenia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pecek, Mojca; Macura-Milovanovic, Suncica

2012-01-01

In the ongoing trend towards inclusive education, initial teacher education programmes must ensure that prospective teachers are prepared to teach all pupils effectively. The study presented in this paper aimed to explore the attitudes of teacher candidates in Serbia and Slovenia towards responsibility for the teaching and learning of vulnerable…

Validation of a Method for Measuring Medical Students' Critical Reflections on Professionalism in Gross Anatomy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wittich, Christopher M.; Pawlina, Wojciech; Drake, Richard L.; Szostek, Jason H.; Reed, Darcy A.; Lachman, Nirusha; McBride, Jennifer M.; Mandrekar, Jayawant N.; Beckman, Thomas J.

2013-01-01

Improving professional attitudes and behaviors requires critical self reflection. Research on reflection is necessary to understand professionalism among medical students. The aims of this prospective validation study at the Mayo Medical School and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine were: (1) to develop and validate a new instrument for…

Planning and Realization of Complex Intentions in Traumatic Brain Injury and Normal Aging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kliegel, Matthias; Eschen, Anne; Thone-Otto, Angelika I. T.

2004-01-01

The realization of delayed intentions (i.e., prospective memory) is a highly complex process composed of four phases: intention formation, retention, re-instantiation, and execution. The aim of this study was to investigate if executive functioning impairments are related to problems in the formation, re-instantiation, and execution of a delayed…

Thinking Forwards and Backwards: Metamemory and Metacomprehension Abilities and Strategies in Text Processing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eriksson, Asa

The aim of the present thesis was to investigate high-school students' metamemory and metacomprehension of texts. In three studies, the students read texts and then made prospective as well as retrospective ratings of their own immediate and delayed performance (i.e., measured via text recall and answering performance of comprehension questions).…

A risk score for the prediction of advanced age-related macular degeneration: Development and validation in 2 prospective cohorts

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We aimed to develop an eye specific model which used readily available information to predict risk for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We used the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) as our training dataset, which consisted of the 4,507 participants (contributing 1,185 affected v...

Psychosocial work factors and sleep problems: findings from the French national SIP survey.

PubMed

Chazelle, Emilie; Chastang, Jean-François; Niedhammer, Isabelle

2016-04-01

This study aimed at exploring the cross-sectional and prospective associations between psychosocial work factors and sleep problems. The study population consisted of a national representative sample of the French working population (SIP survey). The sample sizes were 7506 and 3555 for the cross-sectional and prospective analyses. Sleep problems were defined by either sleep disturbances or insufficient sleep duration at least several times a week. Psychosocial work factors included classical (job strain model factors) and emergent factors (recognition, insecurity, role/ethical conflict, emotional demands, work-life imbalance, etc.). Occupational factors related to working time/hours and physical work environment were also included as well as covariates related to factors outside work. Statistical analyses were performed using weighted Poisson regression analysis. In the cross-sectional analyses, psychological demands, low social support, low recognition, emotional demands, perception of danger, work-life imbalance and night work were found to be associated with sleep problems. In the prospective analyses, psychological demands and night work were predictive of sleep problems. Using a less conservative method, more factors were found to be associated with sleep problems. Dose-response associations were observed, showing that the more frequent the exposure to these factors, the higher the risk of sleep problems. No effect of repeated exposure was found on sleep problems. Classical and emergent psychosocial work factors were associated with sleep problems. More prospective studies and prevention policies may be needed.

Prospective memory training in older adults and its relevance for successful aging.

PubMed

Hering, Alexandra; Rendell, Peter G; Rose, Nathan S; Schnitzspahn, Katharina M; Kliegel, Matthias

2014-11-01

In research on cognitive plasticity, two training approaches have been established: (1) training of strategies to improve performance in a given task (e.g., encoding strategies to improve episodic memory performance) and (2) training of basic cognitive processes (e.g., working memory, inhibition) that underlie a range of more complex cognitive tasks (e.g., planning) to improve both the training target and the complex transfer tasks. Strategy training aims to compensate or circumvent limitations in underlying processes, while process training attempts to augment or to restore these processes. Although research on both approaches has produced some promising findings, results are still heterogeneous and the impact of most training regimes for everyday life is unknown. We, therefore, discuss recent proposals of training regimes aiming to improve prospective memory (i.e., forming and realizing delayed intentions) as this type of complex cognition is highly relevant for independent living. Furthermore, prospective memory is associated with working memory and executive functions and age-related decline is widely reported. We review initial evidence suggesting that both training regimes (i.e., strategy and/or process training) can successfully be applied to improve prospective memory. Conceptual and methodological implications of the findings for research on age-related prospective memory and for training research in general are discussed.

The risk of avascular necrosis following chevron osteotomy: a prospective study using bone scintigraphy.

PubMed

Shariff, Raheel; Attar, Fahad; Osarumwene, Donald; Siddique, Rehan; Attar, Gulam Dastagir

2009-04-01

Controversy exists with regard to the effects of chevron osteotomy on blood supply and subsequent development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the first metatarsal head. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of avascular necrosis in our centre following chevron osteotomy for hallux valgus, using bone scintigraphy. Thirty nine patients who had a chevron osteotomy for treatment of hallux valgus were prospectively studied. Mean follow-up was 14 months. Bone scintigraphy was used to assess metatarsal head perfusion at an average 8.5 weeks post operatively. Three patients (7.7%) showed abnormal bone scan around the metatarsal head. Further evaluation of these patients did not show any sign of AVN. We conclude there appears to be a risk of circulatory disturbance to the metatarsal head following chevron osteotomy of the first metarsal (7.7% in this study); however this does not translate into clinically significant AVN.

The Mediterranean diet and age-related cognitive functioning: A systematic review of study findings and neuropsychological assessment methodology.

PubMed

Knight, Alissa; Bryan, Janet; Murphy, Karen

2017-10-01

The primary aims of this review were to identify studies investigating the association between the MedDiet pattern and age-related cognitive function, to determine the current status of knowledge, and to ascertain whether a lack of standardization with the operationalization of age-related cognitive function and differences in the chosen neuropsychological assessment methodology impacted on the results and findings. The systematic review protocol for this paper was carried out following the statement and general principles of PRISMA and the UK Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD). A systematic search of electronic databases yielded two cross-sectional studies, two cross-sectional/prospective studies, and 11 prospective studies for inclusion. Among this group of studies, conflicting results and conclusions regarding the efficacy of the MedDiet as a therapeutic approach for age-related cognitive function were found. Of importance, clear differences among studies in relation to neuropsychological assessment methodology were identified. Such disparity appeared to be one plausible factor contributing to the lack of consensus among study findings. One of the important challenges for future research will be to aim toward some kind of standardized neuropsychological assessment criteria. This type of endeavor will enable the ability to validate with greater confidence, whether or not adherence to a MedDiet does promote benefit for age-related cognitive function.

Proteomic prediction and Renin angiotensin aldosterone system Inhibition prevention Of early diabetic nephRopathy in TYpe 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (PRIORITY): essential study design and rationale of a randomised clinical multicentre trial.

PubMed

Lindhardt, Morten; Persson, Frederik; Currie, Gemma; Pontillo, Claudia; Beige, Joachim; Delles, Christian; von der Leyen, Heiko; Mischak, Harald; Navis, Gerjan; Noutsou, Marina; Ortiz, Alberto; Ruggenenti, Piero Luigi; Rychlik, Ivan; Spasovski, Goce; Rossing, Peter

2016-03-02

Diabetes mellitus affects 9% of the European population and accounts for 15% of healthcare expenditure, in particular, due to excess costs related to complications. Clinical trials aiming for earlier prevention of diabetic nephropathy by renin angiotensin system blocking treatment in normoalbumuric patients have given mixed results. This might reflect that the large fraction of normoalbuminuric patients are not at risk of progression, thereby reducing power in previous studies. A specific risk classifier based on urinary proteomics (chronic kidney disease (CKD)273) has been shown to identify normoalbuminuric diabetic patients who later progressed to overt kidney disease, and may hold the potential for selection of high-risk patients for early intervention. Combining the ability of CKD273 to identify patients at highest risk of progression with prescription of preventive aldosterone blockade only to this high-risk population will increase power. We aim to confirm performance of CKD273 in a prospective multicentre clinical trial and test the ability of spironolactone to delay progression of early diabetic nephropathy. Investigator-initiated, prospective multicentre clinical trial, with randomised double-masked placebo-controlled intervention and a prospective observational study. We aim to include 3280 type 2 diabetic participants with normoalbuminuria. The CKD273 classifier will be assessed in all participants. Participants with high-risk pattern are randomised to treatment with spironolactone 25 mg once daily, or placebo, whereas, those with low-risk pattern will be observed without intervention other than standard of care. Treatment or observational period is 3 years.The primary endpoint is development of confirmed microalbuminuria in 2 of 3 first morning voids urine samples. The study will be conducted under International Conference on Harmonisation - Good clinical practice (ICH-GCP) requirements, ethical principles of Declaration of Helsinki and national laws. This first new biomarker-directed intervention trial aiming at primary prevention of diabetic nephropathy may pave the way for personalised medicine approaches in treatment of diabetes complications. NCT02040441; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Independent and combined relationship of habitual unhealthy eating behaviors with depressive symptoms: A prospective study.

PubMed

Huang, Cong; Momma, Haruki; Cui, Yufei; Chujo, Masahiko; Otomo, Atsushi; Sugiyama, Shota; Ren, Zhongyu; Niu, Kaijun; Nagatomi, Ryoichi

2017-01-01

Unhealthy eating has been found to be associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms. However, prospective evidence of the combined effects of unhealthy eating and depressive symptoms has not been reported. This study aimed to elucidate the prospective relationship between habitual unhealthy eating habits and depressive symptoms. A 2-year prospective cohort study of 376 Japanese adults aged 24-83 years without depressive symptoms at baseline was conducted. Information about participants' eating behaviors was obtained via a self-administered questionnaire, in which skipping breakfast, eating dinner shortly before bedtime, and snacking after dinner were recorded. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Japanese version of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. The 2-year incidence of depressive symptoms was found to be 23.7% (89/376). Covariate-adjusted multivariate Poisson regression analyses showed that habitual snacking after dinner was significantly associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms (relative risk [RR] 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-3.14, p = 0.049), whereas no relationship was found between skipping breakfast or eating dinner shortly before bedtime and depressive symptoms. On the other hand, there was an interaction effect of snacking after dinner and dinner before bedtime on depressive symptoms (p for the interaction = 0.044). Participants with more than two unhealthy eating behaviors had a higher incidence of depressive symptoms compared to those with fewer than two unhealthy eating behaviors (RR 1.71; 95% CI, 1.06-2.77, p = 0.028). This prospective study is the first to reveal the combined relationship between unhealthy eating and the incidence of depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2016. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Prospective memory functioning among ecstasy/polydrug users: evidence from the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT).

PubMed

Hadjiefthyvoulou, Florentia; Fisk, John E; Montgomery, Catharine; Bridges, Nikola

2011-06-01

Prospective memory (PM) deficits in recreational drug users have been documented in recent years. However, the assessment of PM has largely been restricted to self-reported measures that fail to capture the distinction between event-based and time-based PM. The aim of the present study is to address this limitation. Extending our previous research, we augmented the range laboratory measures of PM by employing the CAMPROMPT test battery to investigate the impact of illicit drug use on prospective remembering in a sample of cannabis only, ecstasy/polydrug and non-users of illicit drugs, separating event and time-based PM performance. We also administered measures of executive function and retrospective memory in order to establish whether ecstasy/polydrug deficits in PM were mediated by group differences in these processes. Ecstasy/polydrug users performed significantly worse on both event and time-based prospective memory tasks in comparison to both cannabis only and non-user groups. Furthermore, it was found that across the whole sample, better retrospective memory and executive functioning was associated with superior PM performance. Nevertheless, this association did not mediate the drug-related effects that were observed. Consistent with our previous study, recreational use of cocaine was linked to PM deficits. PM deficits have again been found among ecstasy/polydrug users, which appear to be unrelated to group differences in executive function and retrospective memory. However, the possibility that these are attributable to cocaine use cannot be excluded.

Use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in postpartum psychosis--a naturalistic prospective study.

PubMed

Babu, Girish N; Thippeswamy, Harish; Chandra, Prabha S

2013-06-01

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a severe psychiatric condition requiring rapid restoration of health in view of significant risks to both mother and the infant. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is often used for treatment of severe PPP. The aims of the study were to describe the indications for ECT among women admitted with PPP to a psychiatric hospital in India. It also aimed at assessing whether women with PPP who received ECT differed in their clinical history, diagnosis, severity of illness, psychopathology, drug dosage, and duration of hospital stay, compared to women who did not receive ECT. Infants of mothers who were breast-feeding their infants while receiving ECT were assessed for adverse effects. This was a naturalistic prospective study of 78 women admitted with PPP, 34 (43.6 %) of whom received ECT. Presence of catatonia, augmentation of medications, and suicidality were common indications for ECT. Catatonic symptoms were significantly higher among women who received ECT. There was no significant difference in duration of hospitalization or severity of psychopathology between women who did and did not receive ECT. Transient side effects to ECT were observed in few women, with no adverse effects noted in infants who were breast-fed. The current study supports the use of ECT as an effective and safe treatment for women with severe PPP.

Safer laparoscopic trocar entry: it's all about pressure.

PubMed

Tsaltas, Jim; Pearce, Scott; Lawrence, Anthony; Meads, Alan; Mezzatesta, Joseph; Nicolson, Scott

2004-08-01

This prospective observational study aimed to assess the feasibility of adapting peritoneal hyperdistention to 25 mmHg during laparoscopy in an Australian hospital environment. A total of 1150 consecutive diagnostic or operative laparoscopies were performed. All cases were monitored for early detection of untoward physiological changes. All patients had Veress needle insufflation with distension to 25 mmHg prior to insertion of the primary trocar. No patients experienced any surgical entry complications or adverse clinical effects noted during anaesthetic. The aim of the current study is to assess the feasibility and safety of increasing the peritoneal insufflation pressure to 25 mmHg for primary trocar insertion.

Prenatal coke: what's behind the smoke? Prenatal cocaine/alcohol exposure and school-age outcomes: the SCHOO-BE experience.

PubMed

Delaney-Black, V; Covington, C; Templin, T; Ager, J; Martier, S; Compton, S; Sokol, R

1998-06-21

Despite media reports and educators' concerns, little substantive data have been published to document or refute the emerging reports that children prenatally exposed to cocaine have serious behavioral problems in school. Recent pilot data from this institution have indeed demonstrated teacher-reported problem behaviors following prenatal cocaine exposure after controlling for the effects of prenatal alcohol use and cigarette exposure. Imperative in the study of prenatal exposure and child outcome is an acknowledgement of the influence of other control factors such as postnatal environment, secondary exposures, and parenting issues. We report preliminary evaluation from a large ongoing historical prospective study of prenatal cocaine exposure on school-age outcomes. The primary aim of this NIDA-funded study is to determine if a relationship exists between prenatal cocaine/alcohol exposures and school behavior and, if so, to determine if the relationship is characterized by a dose-response relationship. A secondary aim evaluates the relationship between prenatal cocaine/alcohol exposures and school achievement. Both relationships will be assessed in a black, urban sample of first grade students using multivariate statistical techniques for confounding as well as mediating and moderating prenatal and postnatal variables. A third aim is to evaluate the relationship between a general standardized classroom behavioral measure and a tool designed to tap the effects thought to be specific to prenatal cocaine exposure. This interdisciplinary research team can address these aims because of the existence of a unique, prospectively collected perinatal Database, funded in part by NIAAA and NICHD. The database includes repeated measures of cocaine, alcohol, and other substances for over 3,500 births since 1986. Information from this database is combined with information from the database of one of the largest public school systems in the nation. The final sample will be composed of over 600 first grade students for whom the independent variables, prenatal cocaine/alcohol exposures, were prospectively assessed and quantified at the university maternity center. After informed consent, the primary dependent variable, school behavior, is assessed, using the PROBS-14 (a teacher consensus developed instrument), the Child Behavior Check List, and the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale. The secondary dependent measure, school achievement, is measured by the Metropolitan Achievement Text and the Test of Early Reading Ability. Control variables, such as the environment and parenting, are measured by several instruments aimed at capturing the child and family ecology since birth. All analyses will be adjusted as appropriate for prospectively gathered control variables such as perinatal risk, neonatal risk, and other prenatal drug and cigarette exposures. Further adjustment will be made for postnatal social risk factors which may influence outcome. Of particular concern are characteristics of the home (adaptation of HOME), parent (depression, stress), and neighborhood (violence exposure). Finally, postnatal exposure to lead and other drugs is being considered.

Cytological changes in the oral mucosa after use of a mouth rinse with alcohol: A prospective double blind control study

PubMed Central

Vera-Sempere, Francisco; Marzal, Cristina; Pellín-Carcelén, Ana; Martí-Bonmatí, Ezequiel; Bagan, Leticia

2012-01-01

Aim: The aim of this preliminary study was to detect cytological changes in the oral mucosa after using a mouth wash with alcohol. Material and Methods: A prospective double-blind, controlled study was performed, for 6 months. Group 1 consisted of 30 subjects who used a mouth rinse with 26.9% of alcohol [Listerine®] and Group 2 consisted of 30 subjects who used a mouth rinse with the same ingredients but with no alcohol. We obtained three cytological samples from the oral mucosa. The presence of cytological atypia, binucleation and karyorrhesis, and type of cells were studied. We also used a fluorescent in situ hybridization technique (FISH) in 15 samples in each group, for the micronucleus. Results: We found no clinical mucosal alteration after using the mouth wash at the end of the study in either group. We observed no cytological differences between the groups at the end of the study (p>0.05). Regarding the study of the micronucleus by FISH, we observed no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Our results showed no cytological alteration in patients using a mouth rinse with alcohol, but these findings should be considered preliminary results, to be confirmed in a greater sample of patients. Key words:Mouth wash, oral mucosa, cytological change, alcohol. PMID:23085712

Self-reported Hypoglycaemia in Patients treated with Insulin: A Large Slovenian Retrospectively-prospective Study

PubMed Central

Pongrac Barlovič, Draženka; Zavratnik, Andrej; Skvarča, Aleš; Janša, Karmen; Vukelič, Bojana; Tomažič, Marjeta; Ravnik Oblak, Maja

2017-01-01

Abstract Introduction Hypoglycaemia is the major barrier for glycaemic target achievement in patients treated with insulin. The aim of the present study was to investigate real-world incidence and predictors of hypoglycaemia in insulin-treated patients. Methods More than 300 consecutive patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin were enrolled during regular out-patient visits from 36 diabetes practices throughout the whole country. They completed a comprehensive questionnaire on hypoglycaemia knowledge, awareness, and incidence in the last month and last six months. In addition, in the prospective part, patients recorded incidence of hypoglycaemic events using a special diary prospectively on a daily basis, through 4 weeks. Results At least one hypoglycaemic event was self-reported in 84.1%, and 56.4% of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively, during the prospective period of 4 weeks. 43.4% and 26.2% of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively, experienced a nocturnal hypoglycaemic event. In the same time-period, severe hypoglycaemia was experienced by 15.9% and 7.1% of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Lower glycated haemoglobin was not a significant predictor of hypoglycaemia. Conclusions Rates of self-reported hypoglycaemia in patients treated with insulin in the largest and most comprehensive study in Slovenia so far are higher than reported from randomised control trials, but comparable to data from observational studies. Hypoglycaemia incidence was high even with high glycated haemoglobin values. PMID:29062399

Remember to do: insomnia versus control groups in a prospective memory task.

PubMed

Fabbri, Marco; Tonetti, Lorenzo; Martoni, Monica; Natale, Vincenzo

2015-01-01

Primary insomnia is characterized by difficulty in falling asleep and/or remaining asleep, by early morning awakening and/or nonrestorative sleep, and resultant daytime dysfunction in the absence of specific physical, mental, or substance-related causes. However, the studies on daytime cognitive functioning of insomnia patients report inconclusive results. This retrospective study aimed to compare the performance of insomnia patients (N = 54) to that of controls (N = 113) in a naturalistic prospective memory task. Task performance was defined by the percentage of times the event-marker button of an actigraph was pressed, at lights-off time and at wake-up time. The performance pattern in the prospective memory task was similar in both groups. In addition, the task was performed better at lights-off time than at wake-up time regardless of group. Post-hoc subgroup analysis showed that there were more insomnia patients who performed the task perfectly (i.e., 100%) than controls. Performance at wake-up time was significantly correlated to objective sleep quality (i.e., sleep efficiency) only in insomnia patients.

The written mathematical communication profile of prospective math teacher in mathematical proving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pantaleon, K. V.; Juniati, D.; Lukito, A.; Mandur, K.

2018-01-01

Written mathematical communication is the process of expressing mathematical ideas and understanding in writing. It is one of the important aspects that must be mastered by the prospective math teacher as tool of knowledge transfer. This research was a qualitative research that aimed to describe the mathematical communication profile of the prospective mathematics teacher in mathematical proving. This research involved 48 students of Mathematics Education Study Program; one of them with moderate math skills was chosen as the main subject. Data were collected through tests, assignments, and task-based interviews. The results of this study point out that in the proof of geometry, the subject explains what is understood, presents the idea in the form of drawing and symbols, and explains the content/meaning of a representation accurately and clearly, but the subject can not convey the argument systematically and logically. Whereas in the proof of algebra, the subject describes what is understood, explains the method used, and describes the content/meaning of a symbolic representation accurately, systematically, logically, but the argument presented is not clear because it is insufficient detailed and complete.

Studies of a new multi-layer compression bandage for the treatment of venous ulceration.

PubMed

Scriven, J M; Bello, M; Taylor, L E; Wood, A J; London, N J

2000-03-01

This study aimed to develop an alternative graduated compression bandage for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Alternative bandage components were identified and assessed for optimal performance as a graduated multi-layer compression bandage. Subsequently the physical characteristics and clinical efficacy of the optimal bandage combination was prospectively examined. Ten healthy limbs were used to develop the optimal combination and 20 limbs with venous ulceration to compare the physical properties of the two bandage types. Subsequently 42 consecutive ulcerated limbs were prospectively treated to examine the efficacy of the new bandage combination. The new combination produced graduated median (range) sub-bandage pressures (mmHg) as follows: ankle 59 (42-100), calf 36 (27-67) and knee 35 (16-67). Over a seven-day period this combination maintained a comparable level of compression with the Charing Cross system, and achieved an overall healing rate at one year of 88%. The described combination should be brought to the attention of healthcare professionals treating venous ulcers as a possible alternative to other forms of multi-layer graduated compression bandages pending prospective, randomised clinical trials.

Prospective risk analysis prior to retrospective incident reporting and analysis as a means to enhance incident reporting behaviour: a quasi-experimental field study.

PubMed

Kessels-Habraken, Marieke; De Jonge, Jan; Van der Schaaf, Tjerk; Rutte, Christel

2010-05-01

Hospitals can apply prospective and retrospective methods to reduce the large number of medical errors. Retrospective methods are used to identify errors after they occur and to facilitate learning. Prospective methods aim to determine, assess and minimise risks before incidents happen. This paper questions whether the order of implementation of those two methods influences the resultant impact on incident reporting behaviour. From November 2007 until June 2008, twelve wards of two Dutch general hospitals participated in a quasi-experimental reversed-treatment non-equivalent control group design. The six units of Hospital 1 first conducted a prospective analysis, after which a sophisticated incident reporting and analysis system was implemented. On the six units of Hospital 2 the two methods were implemented in reverse order. Data from the incident reporting and analysis system and from a questionnaire were used to assess between-hospital differences regarding the number of reported incidents, the spectrum of reported incident types, and the profession of reporters. The results show that carrying out a prospective analysis first can improve incident reporting behaviour in terms of a wider spectrum of reported incident types and a larger proportion of incidents reported by doctors. However, the proposed order does not necessarily yield a larger number of reported incidents. This study fills an important gap in safety management research regarding the order of the implementation of prospective and retrospective methods, and contributes to literature on incident reporting. This research also builds on the network theory of social contagion. The results might indicate that health care employees can disseminate their risk perceptions through communication with their direct colleagues. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Viewpoints of Instructors about the Effects of Teacher Education Programs on Prospective Teachers' Affective Characteristics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taneri, Pervin Oya

2017-01-01

Purpose: The affective skills in teacher education should pay attention and look for ways to include feelings, attitudes and beliefs of teachers in the discussion of effective teachers' competencies. This paper aims to reveal the perspectives of instructors about the teacher characteristics that prospective teachers will gain after taking the…

Prospective Turkish Elementary Science Teachers' Knowledge Level about the Greenhouse Effect and Their Views on Environmental Education in University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kisoglu, Mustafa; Gürbüz, Hasan; Erkol, Mehmet; Akar, Muhammed Said; Akilli, Mustafa

2010-01-01

The fundamental factor of environmental education is teachers who are well-informed about environmental issues. This research aimed to determine prospective Turkish elementary science teachers' knowledge level about causes, consequences and reducing of the greenhouse effect and to investigate the effect of gender, information source and membership…

Prospective Teachers' Ideas about Teacher Recruitment and Their Professional Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahin, Idris

2011-01-01

This research aimed to reveal how prospective teachers viewed their professional future and to discern how their lives would be affected in case they were not recruited as teachers. The research was conducted on senior students at Buca Faculty of Education. The sample of the research consisted of 149 senior students, including 82 girls and 67…

The Effect of Simulation-Based Learning on Prospective Teachers' Inference Skills in Teaching Probability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koparan, Timur; Yilmaz, Gül Kaleli

2015-01-01

The effect of simulation-based probability teaching on the prospective teachers' inference skills has been examined with this research. In line with this purpose, it has been aimed to examine the design, implementation and efficiency of a learning environment for experimental probability. Activities were built on modeling, simulation and the…

Withholding and canceling a response in ADHD adolescents

PubMed Central

Bhaijiwala, Mehereen; Chevrier, Andre; Schachar, Russell

2014-01-01

Background Deficient response inhibition in situations involving a trade-off between response execution and response stopping is a hallmark of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). There are two key components of response inhibition; reactive inhibition where one attempts to cancel an ongoing response and prospective inhibition is when one withholds a response pending a signal to stop. Prospective inhibition comes into play prior to the presentation of the stop signal and reactive inhibition follows the presentation of a signal to stop a particular action. The aim of this study is to investigate the neural activity evoked by prospective and reactive inhibition in adolescents with and without ADHD. Methods Twelve adolescents with ADHD and 12 age-matched healthy controls (age range 9–18) were imaged while performing the stop signal task (SST). Results Reactive inhibition activated right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in both groups. ADHD subjects activated IFG bilaterally. In controls, prospective inhibition invoked preactivation of the same part of right IFG that activated during reactive inhibition. In ADHD subjects, prospective inhibition was associated with deactivation in this region. Controls also deactivated the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) during prospective inhibition, whereas ADHD subjects activated the same area. Discussion This pattern of activity changes in the same structures, but in opposite directions, was also evident across all phases of the task in various task-specific areas like the superior and middle temporal gyrus and other frontal areas. Conclusion Differences between ADHD and control participants in task-specific and default mode structures (IFG and MPFC) were evident during prospective, but not during reactive inhibition. PMID:25328838

Overt versus covert conduct disorder symptoms and the prospective prediction of antisocial personality disorder.

PubMed

Le Corff, Yann; Toupin, Jean

2014-12-01

Studies have shown strong continuity between conduct disorder (CD) in adolescence and antisocial personality disorder (APD) in adulthood. Researchers have been trying to explain why some adolescents with CD persist into adult APD and others do not. A few studies reported that overt and covert CD symptoms have a differential predictive power for APD, with mixed results. The present study aimed to evaluate the prospective association of overt and covert CD symptoms with APD in a sample of male adolescents with CD (N = 128, mean age = 15.6, SD = 1.6). Participants were recruited at intake in Quebec Youth Centers and reassessed 3 years later (n = 73). CD and ADHD symptoms were assessed at intake with the DISC-R while APD was assessed 3 years later with the SCID-II. Logistic regression results showed that, contrary to previous prospective studies (Lahey, Loeber, Burke, & Applegate, 2005; Washburn et al., 2007), overt (OR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.29, 3.50]) but not covert (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [0.69, 1.56]) symptoms predicted later APD, controlling for ADHD symptoms and socioeconomic status. It is hypothesized that the divergence with previous studies may be explained by the higher mean number and wider range of overt CD symptoms in our sample.

The MS@Work study: a 3-year prospective observational study on factors involved with work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

PubMed

van der Hiele, Karin; van Gorp, Dennis A M; Heerings, Marco A P; van Lieshout, Irma; Jongen, Peter J; Reneman, Michiel F; van der Klink, Jac J L; Vosman, Frans; Middelkoop, Huub A M; Visser, Leo H

2015-08-12

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological disability in young and middle-aged adults. At this stage in life most people are in the midst of their working career. The majority of MS patients are unable to retain employment within 10 years from disease onset. Leading up to unemployment, many may experience a reduction in hours or work responsibilities and increased time missed from work. The MS@Work study examines various factors that may influence work participation in relapsing-remitting MS patients, including disease-related factors, the working environment and personal factors. The MS@Work study is a multicenter, 3-year prospective observational study on work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. We aim to include 350 patients through 15-18 MS outpatient clinics in the Netherlands. Eligible participants are 18 years and older, and either currently employed or within three years since their last employment. At baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 years, the participants are asked to complete online questionnaires (including questions on work participation, work problems and accommodations, cognitive and physical ability, anxiety, depression, psychosocial stress, quality of life, fatigue, empathy, personality traits and coping strategies) and undergo cognitive and neurological examinations. After six months, patients are requested to only complete online questionnaires. Patient perspectives on maintaining and improving work participation and reasons to stop working are gathered through semi-structured interviews in a sub-group of patients. Prospective studies with long-term follow-up on work participation in MS are rare, or take into account a limited number of factors. The MS@Work study provides a 3-year follow-up on various factors that may influence work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. We aim to identify factors that relate to job loss and to provide information about preventative measures for physicians, psychologists and other professionals working in the field of occupational health.

Transcultural adaptation and validation of the patient empowerment in long-term conditions questionnaire.

PubMed

Garcimartin, Paloma; Comin-Colet, Josep; Delgado-Hito, Pilar; Badosa-Marcé, Neus; Linas-Alonso, Anna

2017-05-04

Patient empowerment is a key element to improve the results in health, increase satisfaction amongst users and obtain higher treatment compliance. The main objective of this study is to validate the Spanish version of the questionnaire "Patient empowerment in long-term conditions" which evaluates the patients' level of empowerment of chronic diseases. The secondary objective is to identify factors which predict basal empowerment and changes (improvement or deterioration) in patients with Heart Failure (HF). An observational and prospective design of psychometric type to validate a questionnaire (aim 1) and a prospective study of cohorts (aim 2). The study will include 121 patients with confirmed diagnosis of HF. Three measurements (basal, at 15 days and at 3 months) will be carried out: quality of life, self-care and empowerment. Descriptive and inferential analyses will be used. For the first aim of the study (validation), the test-retest reproducibility will be assessed through intraclass correlation coefficient; internal consistency will be assessed through Cronbach's alpha coefficient; construct validity through Pearson's correlation coefficient; and sensibility to change through effect size coefficient. Set a valid questionnaire to measure the level of empowerment of patients with chronic diseases could be an effective tool to assess the results from the provision of the health care services. It will also allow us to identify at an early stage, those groups of patients with a low level of empowerment. Hence, they could become a risk group due to poor management of the disease, with a high rate of decompensation and a higher use rate of the health system resources.

Safety of topical minoxidil solution: a one-year, prospective, observational study.

PubMed

Shapiro, Jerry

2003-01-01

Topical minoxidil solution (TMS) is widely used for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and this is the first report of a large safety trial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety profile of TMS by comparing hospitalization and death rates among subjects using TMS with controls. Cardiovascular safety and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated, and usage patterns were described. All subjects were followed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Usage patterns, pregnancy status, overnight hospital stays, and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Subjects rated effectiveness of TMS in the treatment of AGA. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine if TMS was associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization. TMS is a safe and effective treatment for AGA. There were no increases in cardiovascular events and no apparent increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This large, prospective study demonstrated the overall safety of TMS in the treatment of AGA.

Going Back to School: Why STEM Professionals Decide to Teach through Alternative Certification Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morettini, Brianne W.

2014-01-01

Prompted by the emergence of alternative pathways to teacher certification as well as federal, state, and local policy directives aimed at raising student achievement, this study explores the extent to which prospective teachers' reasons to teach have or have not changed since before the enactment of such changes in public schools. In addition,…

Brief Report: The Impact of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms on Academic Performance in an Adolescent Community Sample

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Birchwood, James; Daley, Dave

2012-01-01

Less is understood about the relationship between ADHD symptoms and academic performance in adolescents than the relationship in younger children. As such, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prospective relationship between ADHD symptoms and academic performance in a community adolescent sample. Three hundred and twenty-four…

Maternal Sensitivity and Children's Behavior Problems: Examining the Moderating Role of Infant Sleep Duration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bordeleau, Stephanie; Bernier, Annie; Carrier, Julie

2012-01-01

The current study aimed to examine infant sleep duration as a moderator of the relations between maternal sensitivity and child externalizing and internalizing symptoms, in a prospective longitudinal design. Fifty-five Caucasian infants (33 girls) took part in 2 assessments, at 1 and 4 years. Maternal sensitivity was rated at 1 year, based on…

A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Parents as Sexual Health Educators Resulting in Delayed Sexual Initiation and Increased Access to Condoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campero, Lourdes; Walker, Dilys; Atienzo, Erika E.; Gutierrez, Juan Pablo

2011-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention for parents of first year high school students in the State of Morelos, Mexico, whose aim was to impact adolescents' sexual behavior, knowledge and access to contraception. Material and methods: Quasi-experimental prospective study with eleven control and eleven intervention…

Mothers, Fathers, and Toddlers: Parental Psychosocial Functioning as a Context for Young Children's Sleep

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bernier, Annie; Bélanger, Marie-Ève; Bordeleau, Stéphanie; Carrier, Julie

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective relations between parental psychosocial functioning and toddlers' sleep consolidation. Investigators met with 85 families 3 times, when children were 15 months (Time 1 [T1]), 18 months (T2), and 2 years of age (T3). Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires pertaining to their parenting…

Injuries, Falls and Accidents among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Prospective Cohort Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finlayson, J.; Morrison, J.; Jackson, A.; Mantry, D.; Cooper, S.-A.

2010-01-01

Background: Injuries are among the leading causes of death and disability in the world and a major public health concern. Falls are a common cause. Young persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) have a higher rate and different pattern of injuries than the general population, but little is known regarding adults. Methods: The aim of this study…

Library Automation at the University for Development Studies: Challenges and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Edwin S.; Pwadura, Joana

2014-01-01

The automation of a library that basically aims at improving the management of the library's resources and increasing access to these same resources by users has caught on so well in the western world that virtually all academic libraries in that part of the world have automated most of their services. In Africa, however, several challenges are…

Omega-6 fatty acid biomarkers and incident type 2 diabetes: Pooled analysis of individual-level data for 39740 adults from 20 prospective cohort studies

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The metabolic effects of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) remain contentious, and little evidence is available regarding their potential role in primary prevention of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to assess the associations of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid biomarkers with incident type 2...

Reciprocal Gains in Higher Order Thinking and Course Content in Teaching Students to Argue and Think Critically

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wyandotte, Annette

2009-01-01

The author examines the effectiveness of a curriculum aimed to raise awareness of prospective English teachers and writers while studying the psychological and sociological impact of language use. Action research tested whether students already knew how to argue and think critically when they came to a 200-level undergraduate course. Finding that…

Pre-Attack Symptomatology and Temperament as Predictors of Children's Responses to the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lengua, Liliana J.; Long, Anna C.; Smith, Kimberlee I.; Meltzoff, Andrew N.

2005-01-01

Background: The aims of this study were to assess the psychological response of children following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC and to examine prospective predictors of children's post-attack responses. Method: Children's responses were assessed in a community sample of children in Seattle, Washington,…

A Secure Base from Which to Regulate: Attachment Security in Toddlerhood as a Predictor of Executive Functioning at School Entry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bernier, Annie; Beauchamp, Miriam H.; Carlson, Stephanie M.; Lalonde, Gabrielle

2015-01-01

In light of emerging evidence suggesting that the affective quality of parent-child relationships may relate to individual differences in young children's executive functioning (EF) skills, the aim of this study was to investigate the prospective associations between attachment security in toddlerhood and children's EF skills in kindergarten.…

Integration of Audio Visual Multimedia for Special Education Pre-Service Teachers' Self Reflections in Developing Teaching Competencies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sediyani, Tri; Yufiarti; Hadi, Eko

2017-01-01

This study aims to develop a model of learning by integrating multimedia and audio-visual self-reflective learners. This multimedia was developed as a tool for prospective teachers as learners in the education of children with special needs to reflect on their teaching competencies before entering the world of education. Research methods to…

Examining the Influence of Perceived Stress on Developmental Change in Memory and Perceptual Speed for Adopted and Nonadopted Individuals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ricker, Ashley A.; Corley, Robin; DeFries, John C.; Wadsworth, Sally J.; Reynolds, Chandra A.

2018-01-01

The present study prospectively evaluated cumulative early life perceived stress in relation to differential change in memory and perceptual speed from middle childhood to early adulthood. We aimed to identify periods of cognitive development susceptible to the effects of perceived stress among both adopted and nonadopted individuals. The sample…

Implementing clinical protocols in oncology: quality gaps and the learning curve phenomenon.

PubMed

Kedikoglou, Simos; Syrigos, Konstantinos; Skalkidis, Yannis; Ploiarchopoulou, Fani; Dessypris, Nick; Petridou, Eleni

2005-08-01

The quality improvement effort in clinical practice has focused mostly on 'performance quality', i.e. on the development of comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines. This study aimed to assess the 'conformance quality', i.e. the extent to which guidelines once developed are correctly and consistently applied. It also aimed to assess the existence of quality gaps in the treatment of certain patient segments as defined by age or gender and to investigate methods to improve overall conformance quality. A retrospective audit of clinical practice in a well-defined oncology setting was undertaken and the results compared to those obtained from prospectively applying an internally developed clinical protocol in the same setting and using specific tools to increase conformance quality. All indicators showed improvement after the implementation of the protocol that in many cases reached statistical significance, while in the entire cohort advanced age was associated (although not significantly) with sub-optimal delivery of care. A 'learning curve' phenomenon in the implementation of quality initiatives was detected, with all indicators improving substantially in the second part of the prospective study. Clinicians should pay separate attention to the implementation of chosen protocols and employ specific tools to increase conformance quality in patient care.

Ahmed glaucoma valve in post-penetrating-keratoplasty glaucoma: A critically evaluated prospective clinical study

PubMed Central

Panda, Anita; Prakash, Vadivelu Jaya; Dada, Tanuj; Gupta, Anoop Kishore; Khokhar, Sudarshan; Vanathi, Murugesan

2011-01-01

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the outcome of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in post-penetrating-keratoplasty glaucoma (PKPG). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 20 eyes of 20 adult patients with post-PKPG with intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mmHg, on two or more antiglaucoma medications, underwent AG (model FP7) implantation and were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Absolute success was defined as 5

Liposuction Assisted Lipoma Removal – Option or Alternative?

PubMed Central

Peev, Igor; Spasevska, Liljana; Mirchevska, Elizabeta; Tudzarova-Gjorgova, Smilja

2017-01-01

BACKGROUND: Lipomas are the most frequent soft -tissue tumors arising from adipose tissue. Traditionally, open surgery is a mainstay of their treatment. Recently, new treatment modalities emerge in order to decrease morbidity, to increase satisfaction rate in patents, but not to raise recurrence risk at the same time. AIM: The aim of this article is to present our experience with liposuction assisted lipoma removal in terms of efficacy, complications, risk of recurrence and patient satisfaction. METHODS: The study was prospective in which treated lipomas with vacuum suction were analyzed. Preoperative diagnosis comprised clinical exam and additional diagnostic tools as to rule out malignancy. Subcutaneous lipomas with diameter of at least 5 cm were taken into account. Tumescent liposuction technique with modification was used. RESULTS: Lipoma’s size, distribution and demographics are given. Total removal with affordable rate of complication was achieved in each case. No recurrences in 12 months follow-up period were seen. Satisfaction rate in patients was high. CONCLUSION: Liposuction assisted lipoma removal is a good alternative to open approach lipectomy and we would recommend its use in selected cases where, it might be more advantageous. However, prospective randomized controlled studies are needed in order to estimate its accurate clinical value. PMID:29104686

Insight, social functioning and readmission to hospital in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: prospective associations.

PubMed

Startup, Mike; Jackson, Mike C; Startup, Sue

2010-06-30

It has been claimed that insight is capable of predicting important clinical outcomes among people with schizophrenia. However, the supporting evidence is sparse. Although many cross-sectional studies have been undertaken, only prospective studies can provide convincing evidence. The aims of the present research were to assess the ability of insight to predict subsequent readmissions to hospital and social functioning. Patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (N=90) were recruited at the time of an acute psychotic episode and then re-assessed after 6, 12, and 24 months. Assessments included insight, three measures of social functioning, and symptoms of psychosis. There was no evidence that having been readmitted to hospital since a previous assessment was associated with insight at the previous assessment. None of the associations between insight at one assessment and social functioning at subsequent assessments was significant. Changes in insight were associated with changes in contemporary functioning, but it was found that changes in insight made no significant contributions to changes in functioning which were independent of changes in symptoms. The general aim of improving clinical outcomes would probably be better met with interventions designed to improve functioning rather than interventions to improve insight.

Musculoskeletal health and work ability in physically demanding occupations: study protocol for a prospective field study on construction and health care workers.

PubMed

Lunde, Lars-Kristian; Koch, Markus; Knardahl, Stein; Wærsted, Morten; Mathiassen, Svend Erik; Forsman, Mikael; Holtermann, Andreas; Veiersted, Kaj Bo

2014-10-16

Musculoskeletal disorders have a profound impact on individual health, sickness absence and early retirement, particularly in physically demanding occupations. Demographics are changing in the developed countries, towards increasing proportions of senior workers. These senior workers may have particular difficulties coping with physically demanding occupations while maintaining good health. Previous studies investigating the relationship between physical work demands and musculoskeletal disorders are mainly based on self-reported exposures and lack a prospective design. The aim of this paper is to describe the background and methods and discuss challenges for a field study examining physical demands in construction and health care work and their prospective associations with musculoskeletal disorders, work ability and sickness absence. This protocol describes a prospective cohort study on 1200 construction and health care workers. Participants will answer a baseline questionnaire concerning musculoskeletal complaints, general health, psychosocial and organizational factors at work, work demands, work ability and physical activity during leisure. A shorter questionnaire will be answered every 6th months for a total of two years, together with continuous sickness absence monitoring during this period. Analysis will prospectively consider associations between self-reported physical demands and musculoskeletal disorders, work ability and sickness absence. To obtain objective data on physical exposures, technical measurements will be collected from two subgroups of N = 300 (Group A) and N = 160 (Group B) during work and leisure. Both group A and B will be given a physical health examination, be tested for physical capacity and physical activity will be measured for four days. Additionally, muscle activity, ground reaction force, body positions and physical activity will be examined during one workday for Group B. Analysis of associations between objectively measured exposure data and the outcomes described above will be done separately for these subpopulations. The field study will at baseline produce objectively measured data on physical demands in the construction and health care occupations. In combination with clinical measurements and questionnaire data during follow-up, this will provide a solid foundation to prospectively investigate relationships between physical demands at work and development of musculoskeletal disorders, work ability and sickness absence.

Use of prophylactic Saccharomyces boulardii to prevent Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized patients: a controlled prospective intervention study.

PubMed

Carstensen, Jeppe West; Chehri, Mahtab; Schønning, Kristian; Rasmussen, Steen Christian; Anhøj, Jacob; Godtfredsen, Nina Skavlan; Andersen, Christian Østergaard; Petersen, Andreas Munk

2018-05-03

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common complication to antibiotic use. Saccharomyces boulardii has shown effect as a prophylactic agent. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of S. boulardii in preventing CDI in unselected hospitalized patients treated with antibiotics. We conducted a 1 year controlled prospective intervention study aiming to prescribe Sacchaflor (S. boulardii 5 × 10 9 , Pharmaforce ApS) twice daily to hospitalized patients treated with antibiotics. Comparable departments from three other hospitals in our region were included as controls. All occurrences of CDI in patients receiving antibiotics were reported and compared to a baseline period defined as 2 years prior to intervention. Results were analyzed using run chart tests for non-random variation in CDI rates. In addition, odds ratios for CDI were calculated. S. boulardii compliance reached 44% at the intervention hospital, and 1389 patients were treated with Sacchaflor. Monthly CDI rates dropped from a median of 3.6% in the baseline period to 1.5% in the intervention period. S. boulardii treatment was associated with a reduced risk of CDI at the intervention hospital: OR = 0.06 (95% CI 0.02-0.16). At two control hospitals, CDI rates did not change. At one control hospital, the median CDI rate dropped from 3.5 to 2.4%, possibly reflecting the effects of simultaneous multifaceted intervention against CDI at that hospital. The results from this controlled prospective interventional study indicate that S. boulardii is effective for the prevention of CDI in an unselected cohort of mainly elderly patients from departments of internal medicine.

Hemorrhage Control for Major Traumatic Vascular Injuries

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-01

subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO...aims: 1) Determine current practice patterns for the treatment of patients with NCTH among 4 clinical sites using a retrospective study design (Phase...competency, and training issues for catheter-based hemorrhage control (Phase 1b); 3) Conduct a prospective 4-site observational study to test the hypothesis

Maternal feeding practices predict weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviors in young children: a prospective study

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Maternal feeding practices have been proposed to play an important role in early child weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviors. However, to date longitudinal investigations in young children exploring these relationships have been lacking. The aim of the present study was to explore prospective relationships between maternal feeding practices, child weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviors in 2-year-old children. The competing hypothesis that child eating behaviors predict changes in maternal feeding practices was also examined. Methods A sample of 323 mother (mean age = 35 years, ± 0.37) and child dyads (mean age = 2.03 years, ± 0.37 at recruitment) were participants. Mothers completed a questionnaire assessing parental feeding practices and child eating behaviors at baseline and again one year later. Child BMI (predominantly objectively measured) was obtained at both time points. Results Increases in child BMI z-scores over the follow-up period were predicted by maternal instrumental feeding practices. Furthermore, restriction, emotional feeding, encouragement to eat, weight-based restriction and fat restriction were associated prospectively with the development of obesogenic eating behaviors in children including emotional eating, tendency to overeat and food approach behaviors (such as enjoyment of food and good appetite). Maternal monitoring, however, predicted decreases in food approach eating behaviors. Partial support was also observed for child eating behaviors predicting maternal feeding practices. Conclusions Maternal feeding practices play an important role in the development of weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviors in young children and are potential targets for effective prevention interventions aiming to decrease child obesity. PMID:23414332

What can we learn from psychoanalysis and prospective studies about chemically dependent patients?

PubMed

Ramos, Sérgio de Paula

2004-04-01

Despite the common occurrence of drug abusers in the psychoanalytic clinic, contemporary literature on the subject, particularly among publications in the IJP, is sparse. This paper aims to review the most important psychoanalytic contributions on drug dependency in the past 100 years, then attempts to compare their postulations to the findings of pertinent prospective studies. In these patients, a persistent symbiotic object relationship is found, which ties them to narcissistic functioning, where drug use is viewed in the light of both pleasure without object and omnipotently controlled need. The author also discusses the possible contribution of the mother and father in the genesis of this condition, focusing on the compromise of the paternal function as the deciding factor. The theoretical and technical implications of this approach are illustrated by clinical material.

[Identification of the patient with acute severe pancreatitis. A prospective, comparative study of the Ranson and the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Nutrition criteria].

PubMed

Uscanga-Domínguez, L F; Herrera-Asencio, E; Enriquez, J R; Vargas-Vorackova, F; Robles-Díaz, G

1998-01-01

Early detection of severe acute pancreatitis could represent a formidable task for the clinician with limited resources. We have previously proposed a series of parameters that can identify patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The aim of this prospective study was to compare Ranson criteria with those previously described by the authors (INNSZ criteria) in 78 patients with acute pancreatitis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were similar in both scores. We found a good correlation (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and agreement (z = 5.0, Kappa 0.69, p < 0.001) between Ranson and INNSZ criteria. Our results allow us to propose INNSZ severity criteria as an easy and inexpensive alternative in the evaluation of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Does dairy food intake predict arterial stiffness and blood pressure in men?: Evidence from the Caerphilly Prospective Study.

PubMed

Livingstone, Katherine M; Lovegrove, Julie A; Cockcroft, John R; Elwood, Peter C; Pickering, Janet E; Givens, D Ian

2013-01-01

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease events and mortality, and like blood pressure, may be influenced by dairy food intake. Few studies have investigated the effects of consumption of these foods on prospective measures of arterial stiffness. The present analysis aimed to investigate the prospective relationship between milk, cheese, cream, and butter consumption and aortic pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as cross-sectional relationships between these foods and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and metabolic markers using data from the Caerphilly Prospective Study. Included in this cohort were 2512 men, aged 45 to 59 years, who were followed up at 5-year intervals for a mean of 22.8 years (number follow-up 787). Augmentation index was 1.8% lower in subjects in the highest quartiles of dairy product intake compared with the lowest (P trend=0.021), whereas in the highest group of milk consumption systolic blood pressure was 10.4 mm Hg lower (P trend=0.033) than in nonmilk consumers after a 22.8-year follow-up. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that across increasing quartiles of butter intake, insulin (P trend=0.011), triacylglycerol (P trend=0.023), total cholesterol (P trend=0.002), and diastolic blood pressure (P trend=0.027) were higher. Across increasing groups of milk intake and quartiles of dairy product intake, glucose (P trend=0.032) and triglyceride concentrations (P trend=0.031) were lower, respectively. The present results confirm that consumption of milk predicts prospective blood pressure, whereas dairy product consumption, excluding butter, is not detrimental to arterial stiffness and metabolic markers. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms that underpin these relationships.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review from 2013 to 2015 and a Comparison with Previous Studies

PubMed Central

Luger, Maria; Lafontan, Max; Bes-Rastrollo, Maira; Winzer, Eva; Yumuk, Volkan; Farpour-Lambert, Nathalie

2018-01-01

Objective Partly inconsistent findings from previous reviews have fueled discussions on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on obesity development. The aim was to systematically review the recent evidence in children and adults. Methods Data were retrieved from the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library for the period January 2013 to October 2015. A systematic review of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relating SSBs to weight measures was conducted. Results 30 publications met the inclusion criteria. Prospective cohort studies (96%; n = 26) showed a positive association between consumption of SSBs and weight/BMI in adults and children (n = 242,352), and only one cohort study in children showed no association. Findings from three RCTs in children demonstrated that SSB consumption had an effect on BMI/BMI z-score. The one RCT in adults showed no significant effect of the intervention. 63% of the studies were of good, 30% of medium quality, and none was funded by industry. Conclusion Recent evidence suggests that SSB consumption is positively associated with or has an effect on obesity indices in children and adults. By combining the already published evidence with the new one, we conclude that public health policies should aim to reduce the consumption of SSBs and encourage healthy alternatives such as water. PMID:29237159

Multicentre prospective validation of a urinary peptidome-based classifier for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetic nephropathy

PubMed Central

Siwy, Justyna; Schanstra, Joost P.; Argiles, Angel; Bakker, Stephan J.L.; Beige, Joachim; Boucek, Petr; Brand, Korbinian; Delles, Christian; Duranton, Flore; Fernandez-Fernandez, Beatriz; Jankowski, Marie-Luise; Al Khatib, Mohammad; Kunt, Thomas; Lajer, Maria; Lichtinghagen, Ralf; Lindhardt, Morten; Maahs, David M; Mischak, Harald; Mullen, William; Navis, Gerjan; Noutsou, Marina; Ortiz, Alberto; Persson, Frederik; Petrie, John R.; Roob, Johannes M.; Rossing, Peter; Ruggenenti, Piero; Rychlik, Ivan; Serra, Andreas L.; Snell-Bergeon, Janet; Spasovski, Goce; Stojceva-Taneva, Olivera; Trillini, Matias; von der Leyen, Heiko; Winklhofer-Roob, Brigitte M.; Zürbig, Petra; Jankowski, Joachim

2014-01-01

Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major late complications of diabetes. Treatment aimed at slowing down the progression of DN is available but methods for early and definitive detection of DN progression are currently lacking. The ‘Proteomic prediction and Renin angiotensin aldosterone system Inhibition prevention Of early diabetic nephRopathy In TYpe 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria trial’ (PRIORITY) aims to evaluate the early detection of DN in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using a urinary proteome-based classifier (CKD273). Methods In this ancillary study of the recently initiated PRIORITY trial we aimed to validate for the first time the CKD273 classifier in a multicentre (9 different institutions providing samples from 165 T2D patients) prospective setting. In addition we also investigated the influence of sample containers, age and gender on the CKD273 classifier. Results We observed a high consistency of the CKD273 classification scores across the different centres with areas under the curves ranging from 0.95 to 1.00. The classifier was independent of age (range tested 16–89 years) and gender. Furthermore, the use of different urine storage containers did not affect the classification scores. Analysis of the distribution of the individual peptides of the classifier over the nine different centres showed that fragments of blood-derived and extracellular matrix proteins were the most consistently found. Conclusion We provide for the first time validation of this urinary proteome-based classifier in a multicentre prospective setting and show the suitability of the CKD273 classifier to be used in the PRIORITY trial. PMID:24589724

Paroxetine and fluoxetine in pregnancy: a prospective, multicentre, controlled, observational study

PubMed Central

Diav-Citrin, Orna; Shechtman, Svetlana; Weinbaum, Dafna; Wajnberg, Rebecka; Avgil, Meytal; Di Gianantonio, Elena; Clementi, Maurizio; Weber-Schoendorfer, Corinna; Schaefer, Christof; Ornoy, Asher

2008-01-01

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT In recent years there has been concern regarding the possibility that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) cause an increased rate of congenital cardiovascular anomalies. As of today, there is still debate in the literature as to the possible effects of paroxetine and fluoxetine on the embryonic cardiovascular system. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS Based on prospective data from three Teratogen Information Services, we have demonstrated an increased rate of congenital cardiovascular anomalies among the offspring of fluoxetine- and paroxetine-treated mothers. AIMS Recent studies have suggested a possible association between maternal use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in early pregnancy and cardiovascular anomalies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the teratogenic risk of paroxetine and fluoxetine. METHODS This multicentre, prospective, controlled study evaluated the rate of major congenital anomalies after first-trimester gestational exposure to paroxetine, fluoxetine or nonteratogens. RESULTS We followed up 410 paroxetine, 314 fluoxetine first-trimester exposed pregnancies and 1467 controls. After exclusion of genetic and cytogenetic anomalies, there was a higher rate of major anomalies in the SSRI groups compared with the controls [paroxetine 18/348 (5.2%), fluoxetine 12/253 (4.7%) and controls 34/1359 (2.5%)]. The main risk applied to cardiovascular anomalies [paroxetine 7/348 (2.0%), crude odds ratio (OR) 3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13, 10.58; fluoxetine 7/253 (2.8%), crude OR, 4.81 95% CI 1.56, 14.71; and controls 8/1359 (0.6%)]. On logistic regression analysis only cigarette smoking of ≥10 cigarettes day−1 and fluoxetine exposure were significant variables for cardiovascular anomalies. The adjusted ORs for paroxetine and fluoxetine were 2.66 (95% CI 0.80, 8.90) and 4.47 (95% CI 1.31, 15.27), respectively. CONCLUSION This study suggests a possible association between cardiovascular anomalies and first-trimester exposure to fluoxetine. PMID:18754846

The Impact of Training-Intensive Labour Market Policies on Labour and Educational Prospects of NEETS: Evidence from Catalonia (Spain)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alegre, Miquel Àngel; Casado, David; Sanz, Jordi; Todeschini, Federico A.

2015-01-01

Background: The literature has shown that the way active labour market policies (ALMP) aimed at youth are designed and implemented can influence the labour and educational prospects of youngsters. The evaluation of the Catalan PQPIs (initial vocational qualification programmes) presented here seeks to provide new evidence on the effectiveness of…

Prognostic value of quantitative sensory testing in low back pain: a systematic review of the literature

PubMed Central

Marcuzzi, Anna; Dean, Catherine M; Wrigley, Paul J; Chakiath, Rosemary J; Hush, Julia M

2016-01-01

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures have recently been shown to predict outcomes in various musculoskeletal and pain conditions. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the emerging body of evidence investigating the prognostic value of QST measures in people with low back pain (LBP). The protocol for this review was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. An electronic search of six databases was conducted from inception to October 2015. Experts in the field were contacted to retrieve additional unpublished data. Studies were included if they were prospective longitudinal in design, assessed at least one QST measure in people with LBP, assessed LBP status at follow-up, and reported the association of QST data with LBP status at follow-up. Statistical pooling of results was not possible due to heterogeneity between studies. Of 6,408 references screened after duplicates removed, three studies were finally included. None of them reported a significant association between the QST measures assessed and the LBP outcome. Three areas at high risk of bias were identified which potentially compromise the validity of these results. Due to the paucity of available studies and the methodological shortcomings identified, it remains unknown whether QST measures are predictive of outcome in LBP. PMID:27660486

Prognostic value of quantitative sensory testing in low back pain: a systematic review of the literature.

PubMed

Marcuzzi, Anna; Dean, Catherine M; Wrigley, Paul J; Chakiath, Rosemary J; Hush, Julia M

2016-01-01

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures have recently been shown to predict outcomes in various musculoskeletal and pain conditions. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the emerging body of evidence investigating the prognostic value of QST measures in people with low back pain (LBP). The protocol for this review was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. An electronic search of six databases was conducted from inception to October 2015. Experts in the field were contacted to retrieve additional unpublished data. Studies were included if they were prospective longitudinal in design, assessed at least one QST measure in people with LBP, assessed LBP status at follow-up, and reported the association of QST data with LBP status at follow-up. Statistical pooling of results was not possible due to heterogeneity between studies. Of 6,408 references screened after duplicates removed, three studies were finally included. None of them reported a significant association between the QST measures assessed and the LBP outcome. Three areas at high risk of bias were identified which potentially compromise the validity of these results. Due to the paucity of available studies and the methodological shortcomings identified, it remains unknown whether QST measures are predictive of outcome in LBP.

Alcohol consumption, smoking and development of visible age-related signs: a prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Schou, Anne L; Mølbak, Marie-Louise; Schnor, Peter; Grønbæk, Morten; Tolstrup, Janne S

2017-12-01

Visible age-related signs indicate biological age, as individuals that appear old for their age are more likely to be at poor health, compared with people that appear their actual age. The aim of this study was to investigate whether alcohol and smoking are associated with four visible age-related signs (arcus corneae, xanthelasmata, earlobe crease and male pattern baldness). We used information from 11 613 individuals in the Copenhagen City Heart Study (1976-2003). Alcohol intake, smoking habits and other lifestyle factors were assessed prospectively and visible age-related signs were inspected during subsequent examinations. The risk of developing arcus corneae, earlobe crease and xanthelasmata increased stepwise with increased smoking as measured by pack-years. For alcohol consumption, a high intake was associated with the risk of developing arcus corneae and earlobe crease, but not xanthelasmata. High alcohol consumption and smoking predict development of visible age-related signs. This is the first prospective study to show that heavy alcohol use and smoking are associated with generally looking older than one's actual age. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Algorithms for detecting and predicting influenza outbreaks: metanarrative review of prospective evaluations

PubMed Central

Spreco, A; Timpka, T

2016-01-01

Objectives Reliable monitoring of influenza seasons and pandemic outbreaks is essential for response planning, but compilations of reports on detection and prediction algorithm performance in influenza control practice are largely missing. The aim of this study is to perform a metanarrative review of prospective evaluations of influenza outbreak detection and prediction algorithms restricted settings where authentic surveillance data have been used. Design The study was performed as a metanarrative review. An electronic literature search was performed, papers selected and qualitative and semiquantitative content analyses were conducted. For data extraction and interpretations, researcher triangulation was used for quality assurance. Results Eight prospective evaluations were found that used authentic surveillance data: three studies evaluating detection and five studies evaluating prediction. The methodological perspectives and experiences from the evaluations were found to have been reported in narrative formats representing biodefence informatics and health policy research, respectively. The biodefence informatics narrative having an emphasis on verification of technically and mathematically sound algorithms constituted a large part of the reporting. Four evaluations were reported as health policy research narratives, thus formulated in a manner that allows the results to qualify as policy evidence. Conclusions Awareness of the narrative format in which results are reported is essential when interpreting algorithm evaluations from an infectious disease control practice perspective. PMID:27154479

Anger: cause or consequence of posttraumatic stress? A prospective study of Dutch soldiers.

PubMed

Lommen, Miriam J J; Engelhard, Iris M; van de Schoot, Rens; van den Hout, Marcel A

2014-04-01

Many studies have shown that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience more anger over time and across situations (i.e., trait anger) than trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD. There is a lack of prospective research, however, that considers anger levels before trauma exposure. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the relationship between trait anger and PTSD symptoms, with several known risk factors, including baseline symptoms, neuroticism, and stressor severity in the model. Participants were 249 Dutch soldiers tested approximately 2 months before and approximately 2 months and 9 months after their deployment to Afghanistan. Trait anger and PTSD symptom severity were measured at all assessments. Structural equation modeling including cross-lagged effects showed that higher trait anger before deployment predicted higher PTSD symptoms 2 months after deployment (β = .36), with stressor severity and baseline symptoms in the model, but not with neuroticism in the model. Trait anger at 2 months postdeployment did not predict PTSD symptom severity at 9 months, and PTSD symptom severity 2 months postdeployment did not predict subsequent trait anger scores. Findings suggest that trait anger may be a pretrauma vulnerability factor for PTSD symptoms, but does not add variance beyond the effect of neuroticism. Copyright © 2014 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Hypothermia and Fever after organophosphorus poisoning in humans--a prospective case series.

PubMed

Moffatt, Alison; Mohammed, Fahim; Eddleston, Michael; Azher, Shifa; Eyer, Peter; Buckley, Nick A

2010-12-01

There have been many animal studies on the effects of organophosphorus pesticide (OP) poisoning on thermoregulation with inconsistent results. There have been no prospective human studies. Our aim was to document the changes in body temperature with OP poisoning. A prospective study was conducted in a rural hospital in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. We collected data on sequential patients with OP poisoning and analyzed 12 patients selected from 53 presentations who had overt signs and symptoms of OP poisoning and who had not received atropine prior to arrival. All patients subsequently received specific management with atropine and/or pralidoxime and general supportive care. Tympanic temperature, ambient temperature, heart rate, and clinical examination and interventions were recorded prospectively throughout their hospitalization. Initial hypothermia as low as 32°C was observed in untreated patients. Tympanic temperature increased over time from an early hypothermia (<35°C in 6/12 patients) to later fever (7/12 patients >38°C at some later point). While some of the late high temperatures occurred in the setting of marked tachycardia, it was also apparent that in some cases fever was not accompanied by tachycardia, making excessive atropine or severe infection an unlikely explanation for all the fevers. In humans, OP poisoning causes an initial hypothermia, and this is followed by a period of normal to high body temperature. Atropine and respiratory complications may contribute to fever but do not account for all cases.

Cladocera from bottom deposits as an indicator of changes in climate and ecological conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frolova, L. A.

2018-01-01

Diatoms, pollen, and remains of higher vegetation are used as indicator groups in paleoecological studies. Using certain groups of zoological indicators such as planktonic and benthic organisms (Ostracoda, Cladocera, Chironomidae) has recently become popular in paleolimnology and paleoecology. This study aims to estimate the possibilities, benefits, problems and prospects of Cladocera use in the composition of zoothanatocoenosis of lakes’ sediments as one of the biological indicators in paleoenvironmental studies and paleoreconstructions of abiotic conditions of the past.

NYU Lung Cancer Biomarker Center — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

A. SPECIFIC AIMS 1. To develop and prospectively follow a large cohort at high-risk for lung cancer. Individuals are recruited to one of two different study groups: The Screening Cohort includes people with and without increased risk for lung cancer. The Rule-Out Lung Cancer Patient Group is recruited from patients referred for evaluation of suspicious nodules. All individuals answer a questionnaire, obtain PFTs, chest CT scan, sputum induction and phlebotomy. For patients undergoing lung resections or biopsies, tissue samples are collected and banked. Individuals are recruited for research bronchoscopy. All participants are then followed prospectively. The specimens obtained are banked and used for biomarker discovery and validation studies. 2. To identify and validate biomarkers for the early detection of lung cancer, and to describe preneoplastic cellular changes and lesions. Biomarker studies include DNA adducts, DNA methylation, protein markers, and other collaborations. Preneoplasia studies include: fluorescence and Superdimension bronchoscopies to obtain biopsies of preneoplastic lesions and biomarker studies in individuals with preneoplasias.

The early growth and development study: a prospective adoption design.

PubMed

Leve, Leslie D; Neiderhiser, Jenae M; Ge, Xiaojia; Scaramella, Laura V; Conger, Rand D; Reid, John B; Shaw, Daniel S; Reiss, David

2007-02-01

The Early Growth and Development Study is a prospective adoption study of birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children (N=359 triads) that was initiated in 2003. The primary study aims are to examine how family processes mediate or moderate the expression of genetic influences in order to aid in the identification of specific family processes that could serve as malleable targets for intervention. Participants in the study are recruited through adoption agencies located throughout the United States, following the birth of a child. Assessments occur at 6-month intervals until the child reaches 3 years of age. Data collection includes the following primary constructs: infant and toddler temperament, social behavior, and health; birth and adoptive parent personality characteristics, psychopathology, competence, stress, and substance use; adoptive parenting and marital relations; and prenatal exposure to drugs and maternal stress. Preliminary analyses suggest the representativeness of the sample and minimal confounding effects of current trends in adoption practices, including openness and selective placement. Future plans are described.

[Fecal bacteriotherapy for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis used in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital Brno in 2010-2014 - a prospective study].

PubMed

Polák, P; Freibergerová, M; Husa, P; Juránková, J; Svačinka, R; Mikešová, L; Kocourková, H; Mihalčin, M; Skalická, R; Stebel, R; Porubčanová, M

2015-10-01

The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of fecal bacteriotherapy in the treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis. A prospective study of fecal bacteriotherapy in 80 adult patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Brno between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014. During the study period, 80 patients were treated with fecal bacteriotherapy. The majority of the study group received fecal bacteriotherapy via a nasojejunal tube (n=78) and two patients via a rectal enema. Six patients were instilled with 20 g of feces, with a success rate of 50 %. The outcomes of nine patients were unevaluable. In the rest of 65 patients, the success rate with 40 g of feces was 83.1 %. There were no severe adverse events or mortality associated with fecal bacteriotherapy. Fecal bacteriotherapy is a safe and effective treatment modality in Clostridium difficile colitis.

The Early Growth and Development Study: A Prospective Adoption Design

PubMed Central

Leve, Leslie D.; Neiderhiser, Jenae M.; Ge, Xiaojia; Scaramella, Laura V.; Conger, Rand D.; Reid, John B.; Shaw, Daniel S.; Reiss, David

2014-01-01

The Early Growth and Development Study is a prospective adoption study of birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children (N = 350 triads) that was initiated in 2003. The primary study aims are to examine how family processes mediate or moderate the expression of genetic influences in order to aid in the identification of specific family processes that could serve as malleable targets for intervention. Participants in the study were recruited following the birth of the child through adoption agencies located throughout the United States. Assessments occur at 6-month intervals until child age 3 years. Data collection includes the following primary constructs: infant/toddler temperament, social behavior, and health; birth and adoptive parent personality characteristics, psychopathology, competence, stress, and substance use; adoptive parenting and marital relations; and prenatal exposure to drugs and maternal stress. Preliminary analyses suggest the representativeness of the sample and minimal confounding effects of current trends in adoption practices, including openness and selective placement. Future plans are described. PMID:17539368

Prospective Incidence of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in New Zealand in 2015: Results From the Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in New Zealand (PINZ) Study.

PubMed

Lopez, Robert N; Evans, Helen M; Appleton, Laura; Bishop, Jonathan; Chin, Simon; Mouat, Stephen; Gearry, Richard B; Day, Andrew S

2018-05-01

The global incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. Much of the evidence attesting to this has arisen from North America and Europe. There is a relative paucity of information on the epidemiology of paediatric IBD in the Southern Hemisphere. The present study aimed to document the prospectively collected incidence of paediatric IBD in New Zealand in 2015. All patients younger than 16 years of age and diagnosed with IBD in New Zealand between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were identified. Demographic and disease phenotypic details were collected and entered into a secure database. Age-specific population data for New Zealand were obtained and national incidence rates for IBD and its subtypes were calculated. The prospectively calculated incidence of paediatric IBD, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), and IBD unclassified in New Zealand in 2015 were 5.2 (95% confidence interval 3.9-6.8), 3.5 (2.4-4.8), 1.0 (0.5-1.8), and 0.7 (0.3-1.4) per 100,000 children, respectively. Incidence rates of paediatric IBD in New Zealand are comparable to the highest rates published in the literature from Western Europe and North America. Ongoing prospective ascertainment of the incidence of paediatric IBD is required to better understand the environmental factors, which are accounting for this increase in disease burden.

Associations between vigorous physical activity and chronic diseases in older adults: a study in 13 European countries.

PubMed

Marques, Adilson; Peralta, Miguel; Sarmento, Hugo; Martins, João; González Valeiro, Miguel

2018-05-14

This study aimed to assess cross-sectional and prospective relationships between vigorous physical activity (VPA) and the risk of major chronic diseases among European older adults. Participants were 37 524 older adults who responded to the fourth (in 2011) and fifth (in 2013) wave of the SHARE project, from 13 European countries. Participants answered interview questions about the presence of chronic conditions and VPA. The cross-sectional and prospective association between PA and the number of chronic diseases was assessed using logistic regression models. Among men and women, the prevalence of chronic diseases was significantly lower among those who reported VPA once a week or more than once a week. For men, VPA once a week was prospectively related with lower odds of heart attack, chronic lung disease, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. VPA more than once a week was prospectively related with lower odds of having all chronic diseases. Women who engaged in VPA once a week presented lower odds of having chronic diseases, except for hypertension, high blood cholesterol and cancer. For VPA more than once a week, cancer was the only disease not associated with physical activity. VPA is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases in men and women. Even the practice of VPA once a week seems to be sufficient to reduce risks of chronic diseases.

Psychosocial factors at work and self reported health: comparative results of cross sectional and prospective analyses of the French GAZEL cohort

PubMed Central

Niedhammer, I; Chea, M

2003-01-01

Background: Psychosocial factors at work have been found to be significant contributors to health, especially cardiovascular health. Aims: To explore the relation between psychosocial factors at work and self reported health, using cross sectional and prospective analyses for a large occupational cohort of men and women. Methods: Psychosocial factors at work were evaluated using the Karasek questionnaire, designed to measure psychological demands, decision latitude, social support, and physical demands. Self reported health was used as health outcome. Covariates included chronic diseases, and sociodemographic, occupational, and behavioural factors. The cross sectional and prospective analyses concerned respectively 11 447 and 7664 workers. Men and women were analysed separately. Results: Cross sectional analysis revealed significant associations between psychological demands, decision latitude, social support, and physical demands, and self reported health for both men and women. Prospective analysis showed that high psychological demands for both genders, low decision authority for men, and low social support and high physical demands for women were predictive of poor self reported health. These results were independent of potential confounding variables. Conclusions: Results highlight the predictive effects of psychosocial factors at work on self reported health in a one year follow up study. They also underline the need for longitudinal study design and separate analyses for men and women in the field of psychosocial factors at work. PMID:12819285

High prevalence of HIV p24 antigen among HIV antibody negative prospective blood donors in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

PubMed

Japhet, Margaret Oluwatoyin; Adewumi, Moses Olubusuyi; Adesina, Olufisayo Adeyemi; Donbraye, Emmanuel

2016-01-01

Blood transfusion service centers in Nigeria screen donated blood for markers of HIV infection using antibody- (Ab) based rapid test and in some centers, positives are re-tested using Ab-based ELISA. Paucity of data exists on p24 antigen prevalence among HIV Ab-negative donors in Nigeria. This study aims at detecting HIV p24 antigen among prospective blood donors in Osun State, Nigeria. Prospective blood donors negative for HIV antibodies using Determine test kit were re-tested using BIORAD GENSCREEN Ultra Ag-Ab ELISA kit, a fourth-generation ELISA kit that detects HIV antibodies/p24 antigen. Of the 169 HIV Ab-negative prospective donors, 10 (5.9%) were positive for HIV p24 antigen and 70% (7/10) of them were in the age range 18-30 years. Results of this study show that blood transfusion is still one of the major routes of HIV transmission in Nigeria and a higher proportion is among youth. Inclusion of p24 antigen testing into the blood donor screening will help reduce transfusion associated HIV in Nigeria if Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) of all blood donor samples is not affordable; also, HIV enlightenment programs tailored toward youth may help reduce this rate among donors since more young people donate blood in low/middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

The Influence of Emotional Material on Encoding and Retrieving Intentions: An ERP Study in Younger and Older Adults

PubMed Central

Hering, Alexandra; Kliegel, Matthias; Bisiacchi, Patrizia S.; Cona, Giorgia

2018-01-01

Prospective memory is a cognitive process that comprises the encoding and maintenance of an intention until the appropriate moment of its retrieval. It is of highly relevance for an independent everyday life, especially in older adults; however, there is ample evidence that prospective memory declines with increasing age. Because most studies have used neutral stimuli, it is still an open question how emotional factors influence age-related differences in prospective remembering. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of emotional material on prospective memory encoding, monitoring, maintaining, and retrieval in younger and older adults using behavioral and electrophysiological measures. We tested 24 younger adults (M = 26.4 years) and 20 older adults (M = 68.1 years) using a picture one-back task as ongoing activity with an embedded prospective memory instruction. The experimental task consisted of three sessions. In each session, participants had to encode series of images that represented the prospective memory cues for the consecutive block. The images were either of pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral valence. The pictures used in the ongoing task were likewise of pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral valence. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded to assess the neural correlates of intention encoding, maintenance, and self-initiated retrieval. We did not find age differences between younger and older adults on the behavioral level. However, the ERP results revealed an interesting pattern that suggested for both age groups elevated attentional processing of emotional cues during encoding indicated by an elevated LPP for the emotional cues. Additionally, younger adults showed increased activity for unpleasant cues. During the maintenance phase, both age groups engaged in strategic monitoring especially for pleasant cues, which led to enhanced sustained positivity. During retrieval, older adults showed increased activity of ERP components related to cue detection and retrieval mainly for pleasant cues indicating enhanced relevance for those cues. In conclusion, emotional material may influence prospective remembering in older adults differently than in younger adults by supporting a mixture of top-down and bottom-up controlled processing. The results demonstrated a negativity bias in younger adults and a positivity bias in older adults. PMID:29503622

Fall incidence in Germany: results of two population-based studies, and comparison of retrospective and prospective falls data collection methods.

PubMed

Rapp, Kilian; Freiberger, Ellen; Todd, Chris; Klenk, Jochen; Becker, Clemens; Denkinger, Michael; Scheidt-Nave, Christa; Fuchs, Judith

2014-09-20

Fall incidence differs considerably between studies and countries. Reasons may be differences between study samples or different assessment methods. The aim was to derive estimates of fall incidence from two population-based studies among older community-living people in Germany and compare retrospective and prospective falls data collection methods. Data were derived from the 2008-11 wave of the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1), and the Activity and Function of the Elderly in Ulm study (ActiFE-Ulm). Data collection took place in community facilities (DEGS1) or participants' homes (ActiFE-Ulm). Participation rates were 42% (newly recruited) and 64% (panel component) in DEGS1 and 19.8% in ActiFE-Ulm. Self-report retrospective fall data covering the previous 12 month period in DEGS1 and ActiFE-Ulm were collected, but only ActiFE-Ulm used prospective 12 month fall calendars. The incidence of 'any fall' and 'recurrent falls' were calculated for both methods. Fall rates increased with age in men but not women. The ActiFE-Ulm prospectively assessed incidence (95% confidence interval) in women and men aged 65- < 90 years were 38.7 (36.9-40.5) and 29.7 (28.1-31.3) fallers/year and 13.7 (12.5-14.9) and 10.9 (9.9-12.0) recurrent fallers/year, respectively. Retrospective and prospective fall incidence in ActiFE-Ulm did not differ.The retrospectively assessed incidence of 'any fall' among persons 65- < 80 years were significantly lower in DEGS1 than ActiFE-Ulm (women: 25.7% (22.4-29.2) versus 37.4% (34.8-39.9); men: 16.3% (13.6-19.3) versus 28.9% (26.6-31.1). Retrospective incidence estimates of recurrent falls were similar in both studies for women (10.4% (8.3-12.9) versus 10.2% (8.5-11.8)) and men (6.1% (4.3-8.5) versus 8.4% (7.1-9.8)). Both studies were population-based, but retrospective self-reported fall incidence differed between studies. Study design influences retrospective reported fall incidence considerably. Costly collection of prospective data gives similar rates to the cheaper retrospective report method.

Plasma vitamin C level, fruit and vegetable consumption, and the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus: the European prospective investigation of cancer--Norfolk prospective study.

PubMed

Harding, Anne-Helen; Wareham, Nicholas J; Bingham, Sheila A; Khaw, KayTee; Luben, Robert; Welch, Ailsa; Forouhi, Nita G

2008-07-28

Epidemiologic studies suggest that greater consumption of fruit and vegetables may decrease the risk of diabetes mellitus, but the evidence is limited and inconclusive. Plasma vitamin C level is a good biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake, but, to our knowledge, no prospective studies have examined its association with diabetes risk. This study aims to examine whether fruit and vegetable intake and plasma vitamin C level are associated with the risk of incident type 2 diabetes. We administered a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to men and women from a population-based prospective cohort (European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk) study who were aged 40 to 75 years at baseline (1993-1997) when plasma vitamin C level was determined and habitual intake of fruit and vegetables was assessed. During 12 years of follow-up between February 1993 and the end of December 2005, 735 clinically incident cases of diabetes were identified among 21 831 healthy individuals. We report the odds ratios of diabetes associated with sex-specific quintiles of fruit and vegetable intake and of plasma vitamin C levels. A strong inverse association was found between plasma vitamin C level and diabetes risk. The odds ratio of diabetes in the top quintile of plasma vitamin C was 0.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.52) in a model adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables. In a similarly adjusted model, the odds ratio of diabetes in the top quintile of fruit and vegetable consumption was 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.60-1.00). Higher plasma vitamin C level and, to a lesser degree, fruit and vegetable intake were associated with a substantially decreased risk of diabetes. Our findings highlight a potentially important public health message on the benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables for the prevention of diabetes.

Long-term application of computer-based pleoptics in home therapy: selected results of a prospective multicenter study.

PubMed

Kämpf, Uwe; Shamshinova, Angelika; Kaschtschenko, Tamara; Mascolus, Wilfried; Pillunat, Lutz; Haase, Wolfgang

2008-01-01

The paper presents selected results of a prospective multicenter study. The reported study was aimed at the evaluation of a software-based stimulation method of computer training applied in addition to occlusion as a complementary treatment for therapy-resistant cases of amblyopia. The stimulus was a drifting sinusoidal grating of a spatial frequency of 0.3 cyc/deg and a temporal frequency of 1 cyc/sec, reciprocally coordinated with each other to a drift of 0.33 deg/sec. This pattern was implemented as a background stimulus into simple computer games to bind attention by sensory-motor coordination tasks. According to an earlier proposed hypothesis, the stimulation aims at the provocation of stimulus-induced phase-coupling in order to contribute to the refreshment of synchronization and coordination processes in the visual transmission channels. To assess the outcome of the therapy, we studied the development of the visual acuity during a period of 6 months. Our cooperating partners of this prospective multicenter study were strabologic departments in ophthalmic clinics and private practices as well. For the issue of therapy control, a partial sample of 55 patients from an overall sample of 198 patients was selected, according to the criterion of strong therapy resistance. The visual acuity was increased about two logarithmic steps by an occlusion combined with computer training in addition to the earlier obtained gain of the same amount by occlusion alone. Recalculated relatively to the duration of the therapy periods, the computer training combined with occlusion was found to be about twice as effective as the preceding occlusion alone. The results of combined computer training and occlusion show an additional increase of the same amount as the preceding occlusion alone, which yielded at its end no further advantage to the development of visual acuity in the selected sample of our 55 therapy-resistant patients. In a concluding theoretical note, a preliminary hypothesis about the neuronal mechanisms of the stimulus-induced treatment effect is discussed.

Unstable Longitudinal Motor Performance in Preterm Infants from 6 to 24 Months on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Second Edition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Janssen, Anjo J. W. M.; Akkermans, Reinier P.; Steiner, Katerina; de Haes, Olga A. M.; Oostendorp, Rob A. B.; Kollee, Louis A. A.; Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Maria W. G.

2011-01-01

Preterm birth increases the risk for neurologic and developmental disabilities and therefore long-term follow-up is important. This prospective follow-up study aims to describe longitudinal motor performance in preterm infants from 6 to 24 months and to detect the influence of risk factors on motor performance trajectories. We included preterm…

The Openness of the University of the Philippines Open University: Issues and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Villamejor-Mendoza, Maria Fe

2013-01-01

This paper is a self-reflection on the state of openness of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). An exploratory and descriptive study, it aims not only to define the elements of openness of UPOU, but also to unravel the causes and solutions to the issues and concerns that limit its options to becoming a truly open university.…

Developmental Coordination Disorder, Sex, and Activity Deficit over Time: A Longitudinal Analysis of Participation Trajectories in Children with and without Coordination Difficulties

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cairney, John; Hay, John A.; Veldhuizen, Scott; Missiuna, Cheryl; Faught, Brent E.

2010-01-01

Aim: Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are known to participate in active play less than typically developing children. However, it is not known whether the activity deficit between children with and without DCD widens or diminishes over time. Method: Data were obtained from a large, prospective cohort study of children…

Sufficient vitamin K status combined with sufficient vitamin D status is associated with better lower extremity function: a prospective analysis of two knee osteoarthritis cohorts

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objective: Vitamins K and D are important for the function of vitamin K-dependent proteins in joint tissues. It is unclear if these nutrients are mutually important to functional outcomes related to knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to evaluate the association of vitamin K and D status with...

Incentivizing the Medical Home

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-25

Outcomes of Implementing Patient -Centered Medical Home Interventions: A Review of the Evidence From Prospective Evaluation Studies in the United States...The Quadruple Aim: Working Together, Achieving Success 2011 Military Health System Conference Incentivizing the Medical Home 25 January 2011 CAPT...TITLE AND SUBTITLE Incentivizing the Medical Home 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER

Alcohol Habits in Patients with Long-Term Musculoskeletal Pain: Comparison with a Matched Control Group from the General Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thelin Bronner, Kerstin Birgitta; Wennberg, Peter; Kallmen, Hakan; Schult, Marie-Louise Birgitta

2012-01-01

This prospective study aimed to describe alcohol habits in patients with chronic pain compared with those in a matched control group from the general Swedish population. In total, 100 consecutive patients enrolled were matched against 100 individuals in a control group on the basis of age and sex. Alcohol habits were measured using the Alcohol Use…

The Use of Problem-Solving Techniques to Develop Semiotic Declarative Knowledge Models about Magnetism and Their Role in Learning for Prospective Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ismail, Yilmaz

2016-01-01

This study aims to develop a semiotic declarative knowledge model, which is a positive constructive behavior model that systematically facilitates understanding in order to ensure that learners think accurately and ask the right questions about a topic. The data used to develop the experimental model were obtained using four measurement tools…

Educational Technology Program for Nova Scotia: Initial Phase. A Report on the Federal-Provincial Study of Educational Technology in Nova Scotia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

deVille, Barry, Ed.

This is a preliminary examination of the present status and future prospects of educational technology in Nova Scotian schools. It is aimed at developing a plan to enhance the quality of educational technology by concentrating on systems which will be conducive to realizing educational goals at a reasonable cost. An overview of the institutional…

Psychosis prediction and clinical utility in familial high-risk studies: Selective review, synthesis, and implications for early detection and intervention

PubMed Central

Shah, Jai L.; Tandon, Neeraj; Keshavan, Matcheri S.

2016-01-01

Aim Accurate prediction of which individuals will go on to develop psychosis would assist early intervention and prevention paradigms. We sought to review investigations of prospective psychosis prediction based on markers and variables examined in longitudinal familial high-risk (FHR) studies. Methods We performed literature searches in MedLine, PubMed and PsycINFO for articles assessing performance characteristics of predictive clinical tests in FHR studies of psychosis. Studies were included if they reported one or more predictive variables in subjects at FHR for psychosis. We complemented this search strategy with references drawn from articles, reviews, book chapters and monographs. Results Across generations of familial high-risk projects, predictive studies have investigated behavioral, cognitive, psychometric, clinical, neuroimaging, and other markers. Recent analyses have incorporated multivariate and multi-domain approaches to risk ascertainment, although with still generally modest results. Conclusions While a broad range of risk factors has been identified, no individual marker or combination of markers can at this time enable accurate prospective prediction of emerging psychosis for individuals at FHR. We outline the complex and multi-level nature of psychotic illness, the myriad of factors influencing its development, and methodological hurdles to accurate and reliable prediction. Prospects and challenges for future generations of FHR studies are discussed in the context of early detection and intervention strategies. PMID:23693118

Breast-feeding and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Jäger, Susanne; Jacobs, Simone; Kröger, Janine; Fritsche, Andreas; Schienkiewitz, Anja; Rubin, Diana; Boeing, Heiner; Schulze, Matthias B

2014-07-01

We aimed to examine the association between breast-feeding and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes and to investigate whether this association is mediated by anthropometric and biochemical factors. A case-cohort study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam Study between 1994 and 2005 including 1,262 childbearing women (1,059 in a random sub-cohort and 203 incident cases) mainly aged between 35 and 64 years at baseline was applied. Self-reported lifetime duration of breast-feeding was assessed by questionnaire. Blood samples were used for biomarker measurement (HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, C-reactive protein, fetuin-A, γ-glutamyltransferase, adiponectin). A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was conducted of prospective cohort studies investigating breast-feeding and risk of type 2 diabetes. The HR for each additional 6 months of breast-feeding was 0.73 (95% CI 0.56, 0.94) in EPIC-Potsdam. Meta-analysis of three previous prospective studies and the current study revealed an inverse association between breast-feeding duration and risk of diabetes (pooled HR for lifetime breast-feeding duration of 6-11 months compared with no breast-feeding 0.89; 95% CI 0.82, 0.97). Adjustment for BMI and waist circumference attenuated the association (HR per six additional months in EPIC-Potsdam 0.80; 95% CI 0.61, 1.04). Further controlling for potentially mediating biomarkers largely explained this association (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.68, 1.16). Longer duration of breast-feeding may be related to a lower risk of diabetes. This potentially protective effect seems to be reflected by a more favourable metabolic profile; however, the role of body weight as a mediator or confounder remains uncertain.

Circulating linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid and glucose metabolism: the Hoorn Study.

PubMed

Cabout, Mieke; Alssema, Marjan; Nijpels, Giel; Stehouwer, Coen D A; Zock, Peter L; Brouwer, Ingeborg A; Elshorbagy, Amany K; Refsum, Helga; Dekker, Jacqueline M

2017-09-01

Data on the relation between linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk are scarce and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum LA and ALA with fasting and 2 h post-load plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). This study included 667 participants from third examination (2000) of the population-based Hoorn study in which individuals with glucose intolerance were overrepresented. Fatty acid profiles in serum total lipids were measured at baseline, in 2000. Diabetes risk markers were measured at baseline and follow-up in 2008. Linear regression models were used in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. In cross-sectional analyses (n = 667), serum LA was inversely associated with plasma glucose, both in fasting conditions (B = -0.024 [-0.045, -0.002]) and 2 h after glucose tolerance test (B = -0.099 [-0.158, -0.039]), but not with HbA1c (B = 0.000 [-0.014, 0.013]), after adjustment for relevant factors. In prospective analyses (n = 257), serum LA was not associated with fasting (B = 0.003 [-0.019, 0.025]) or post-load glucose (B = -0.026 [-0.100, 0.049]). Furthermore, no significant associations were found between serum ALA and glucose metabolism in cross-sectional or prospective analyses. In this study, serum LA was inversely associated with fasting and post-load glucose in cross-sectional, but not in prospective analyses. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of serum LA and ALA levels and dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in glucose metabolism.

Body mass index and complications following major gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective, international cohort study and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Nepogodiev, Dmitri

2018-06-13

Previous studies reported conflicting evidence on the effects of obesity on outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. The aims of this study were to explore the relationship of obesity with major post-operative complications in an international cohort and to present a meta-analysis of all available prospective data. This prospective, multi-centre study included adults undergoing both elective and emergency gastrointestinal resection, reversal of stoma, or formation of stoma. The primary endpoint was 30-day major complications (Clavien-Dindo grades III-V). A systematic search was undertaken for studies assessing the relationship between obesity and major complications after gastrointestinal surgery. Individual patient meta-analysis (IPMA) was used to analyse pooled results. This study included 2519 patients across 127 centres, of whom 560 (22.2%) were obese. Unadjusted major complication rates were lower in obese versus normal weight patients (13.0% versus 16.2%, respectively), but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.863) on multivariate analysis for patients having surgery for either malignant or benign conditions. IPMA demonstrated that obese patients undergoing surgery for malignancy were at increased risk of major complications (odds ratio 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.49-2.96, p<0.001), whereas obese patients undergoing surgery for benign indications were at decreased risk (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46-0.75, p<0.001), compared to normal weight patients. In our international data, obesity was not found to be associated with major complications following gastrointestinal surgery. Meta-analysis of available prospective data made a novel finding of obesity being associated with different outcomes depending on whether patients were undergoing surgery for benign or malignant disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic performance of reproducible chest wall tenderness to rule out acute coronary syndrome in acute chest pain: a prospective diagnostic study

PubMed Central

Gräni, Christoph; Senn, Oliver; Bischof, Manuel; Cippà, Pietro E; Hauffe, Till; Zimmerli, Lukas; Battegay, Edouard; Franzen, Daniel

2015-01-01

Objectives Acute chest pain (ACP) is a leading cause of hospital emergency unit consultation. As there are various underlying conditions, ranging from musculoskeletal disorders to acute coronary syndrome (ACS), thorough clinical diagnostics are warranted. The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether reproducible chest wall tenderness (CWT) on palpation in patients with ACP can help to rule out ACS. Methods In this prospective, double-blinded diagnostic study, all consecutive patients assessed in the emergency unit at the University Hospital Zurich because of ACP between July 2012 and December 2013 were included when a member of the study team was present. Reproducible CWT on palpation was the initial step and was recorded before further examinations were initiated. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by a study-independent physician. Results 121 patients (60.3% male, median age 47 years, IQR 34–66.5 years) were included. The prevalence of ACS was 11.6%. Non-reproducible CWT had a high sensitivity of 92.9% (95% CI 66.1% to 98.8%) for ACS and the presence of reproducible CWT ruled out ACS (p=0.003) with a high negative predictive value (98.1%, 95% CI 89.9% to 99.7%). Conversely non-reproducible CWT ruled in ACS with low specificity (48.6%, 95% CI 38.8% to 58.5%) and low positive predictive value (19.1%, 95% CI 10.6% to 30.5%). Conclusions This prospective diagnostic study supports the concept that reproducible CWT helps to rule out ACS in patients with ACP in an early stage of the evaluation process. However, ACS and other diagnoses should be considered in patients with a negative CWT test. Trial registration number ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT01724996. PMID:25631316

Empirical use of antibiotics and adjustment of empirical antibiotic therapies in a university hospital: a prospective observational study

PubMed Central

Mettler, Julian; Simcock, Mathew; Sendi, Pedram; Widmer, Andreas F; Bingisser, Roland; Battegay, Manuel; Fluckiger, Ursula; Bassetti, Stefano

2007-01-01

Background Several strategies to optimise the use of antibiotics have been developed. Most of these interventions can be classified as educational or restrictive. Restrictive measures are considered to be more effective, but the enforcement of these measures may be difficult and lead to conflicts with prescribers. Any intervention should be aimed at targets with the highest impact on antibiotic prescribing. The aim of the present study was to assess the adequacy of empirical and adjusted antibiotic therapies in a Swiss university hospital where no antibiotic use restrictions are enforced, and to identify risk factors for inadequate treatment and targets for intervention. Methods A prospective observational study was performed during 9 months. All patients admitted through the emergency department who received an antibiotic therapy within 24 hours of admission were included. Data on demographic characteristics, diagnoses, comorbidities, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) parameters, microbiological tests, and administered antibiotics were collected prospectively. Antibiotic therapy was considered adequate if spectrum, dose, application modus, and duration of therapy were appropriate according to local recommendations or published guidelines. Results 2943 admitted patients were evaluated. Of these, 572 (19.4%) received antibiotics within 24 hours and 539 (94%) were analysed in detail. Empirical antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 121 patients (22%). Initial therapy was adjusted in 168 patients (31%). This adjusted antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 46 patients (27%). The main reason for inadequacy was the use of antibiotics with unnecessarily broad spectrum (24% of inadequate empirical, and 52% of inadequate adjusted therapies). In 26% of patients with inadequate adjusted therapy, antibiotics used were either ineffective against isolated pathogenic bacteria or antibiotic therapy was continued despite negative results of microbiological investigations. Conclusion The rate of inadequate antibiotic therapies was similar to the rates reported from other institutions despite the absence of a restrictive antibiotic policy. Surprisingly, adjusted antibiotic therapies were more frequently inappropriate than empirical therapies. Interventions aiming at improving antibiotic prescribing should focus on both initial empirical therapy and streamlining and adjustment of therapy once microbiological results become available. PMID:17386104

Procreative beneficence and the prospective parent

PubMed Central

Herissone‐Kelly, P

2006-01-01

Julian Savulescu has given clear expression to a principle—that of “procreative beneficence”—which underlies the thought of many contemporary writers on bioethics. The principle of procreative beneficence (PPB) holds that parents or single reproducers are at least prima facie obliged to select the child, out of a range of possible children they might have, who will be likely to lead the best life. My aim in this paper is to argue that prospective parents, just by dint of their being prospective parents, are in fact not obliged to act on PPB. That is, there is something about their filling the role of prospective parents that exempts them from selecting the child with the best life. I urge that it is more realistic to view prospective parents as bound by a principle of acceptable outlook, which holds that they ought not to select children whose lives will contain an unacceptable amount of suffering. PMID:16507665

Procreative beneficence and the prospective parent.

PubMed

Herissone-Kelly, P

2006-03-01

Julian Savulescu has given clear expression to a principle-that of "procreative beneficence"-which underlies the thought of many contemporary writers on bioethics. The principle of procreative beneficence (PPB) holds that parents or single reproducers are at least prima facie obliged to select the child, out of a range of possible children they might have, who will be likely to lead the best life. My aim in this paper is to argue that prospective parents, just by dint of their being prospective parents, are in fact not obliged to act on PPB. That is, there is something about their filling the role of prospective parents that exempts them from selecting the child with the best life. I urge that it is more realistic to view prospective parents as bound by a principle of acceptable outlook, which holds that they ought not to select children whose lives will contain an unacceptable amount of suffering.

Advances in helical stent design and fabrication thermal treatment and structural interaction studies of the simulated plaque-laden artery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welch, Tre Raymond

Advancements in processing biomaterials have lead to the development of bioresorbable PLLA drug-loaded stents with different geometric configurations. To further advance the technology, systematic studies have been carried out. This dissertation consists of five specific aims: (1) To characterize the effects of thermal annealing on the mechanical characteristics of PLLA helical stent, (2) To characterize the mechanical characteristics of a PLLA double helix stent, (3) To characterize the physical and chemical properties of PLLA films impregnated with niacin and curcumin, (4) To characterize the mechanical interaction of expanded stent and vascular wall with both model simulation and experimental studies using PDMS phantom arteries, (5) To simulate the stent-plaque-artery interactions using computer models. Results and their significances in bioresorbable PLLA drug-loaded stents technology as well as clinical prospects will be presented. For Aim1, thermal annealing is shown to improve mechanical characteristics of the helical stent, including pressure-diameter response curves, incremental stiffness, and collapse pressure. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis of stent fiber reveals that thermal annealing contribute to increased percent crystallinity, thus enhanced mechanical characteristics of the stent. For Aim 2, the new double helix design was shown to leads to improved mechanical characteristics of stent, including pressure-diameter response curves, incremental stiffness, and collapse pressure. Further, it was found to lead to an increased percent crystallinity and reduced degradation rate. For Aim 3, the changes in mechanical properties, crystallinity in PLLA polymer loaded with curcumin, or niacin, or both from that of control are clearly delineated. Results from Aim 4 shed lights on the mechanical disturbance in the vicinity of deployed stent and vascular wall as well as the abnormal shear stresses on the vascular endothelium. Their implications in triggering thrombi formation are discussed. Results from Aim 5 provided insights on the stent-plaque-artery mechanical interaction and how the altered mechanical environment after stent deployment could affect vascular remodeling and factors lead to re-stenosis. The significances of this work in advancing the bioresorbable PLLA drug-loaded stents technology as well as its clinical prospects are presented.

Horner's syndrome in patients admitted to the intensive care unit that have undergone central venous catheterization: a prospective study.

PubMed

Butty, Z; Gopwani, J; Mehta, S; Margolin, E

2016-01-01

PurposeCentral venous catheterization (CVC) is estimated to be performed in millions of patients per year. Swan-Ganz catheters used for CVC are most often inserted into the internal jugular vein and during this procedure they may come into contact with the sympathetic chain. This study aims to determine the incidence of Horner's syndrome in patients admitted to intensive care unit that have undergone internal jugular CVC insertion during their admission and to determine whether ultrasonography-assisted insertion has decreased the frequency of this complication.Patients and methodsA total of 100 prospective patients admitted to the ICU were examined for the presence of anisocoria and ptosis after undergoing recent CVC. Presence of Horner's syndrome was confirmed by testing with 0.5% apraclonidine and looking for the reversal of anisocoria.ResultsFrequency of Horner's syndrome after CVC was 2% in a sample of 100 prospectively examined patients.ConclusionHorner's syndrome remains a relatively rare but definitive complication of CVC. ICU physicians should be educated about its existence and prevalence and ophthalmologists should inquire about any history of ICU admission necessitating CVC insertion in any patient presenting with Horner's syndrome.

The beneficial effects of Kampo medicine Dai-ken-chu-to after hepatic resection: a prospective randomized control study.

PubMed

Nishi, Masaki; Shimada, Mitsuo; Uchiyama, Hideaki; Ikegami, Toru; Arakawa, Yusuke; Hanaoka, Jun; Kanemura, Hirofumi; Morine, Yuji; Imura, Satoru; Miyake, Hidenori; Utsunomiya, Toru

2012-10-01

After hepatic resection, delayed flatus and impaired bowel movement often cause problematic postoperative ileus. Kampo medicine, Dai-kenchu-to (DKT), is reported to have a various beneficial effects on bowel systems. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate effects of DKT after hepatic resection. Thirty-two patients who underwent hepatic resection between July 2007 and August 2008 in Tokushima University Hospital were prospectively divided into DKT group (n=16) and control group (n=16). In DKT group, 2.5 g of DKT was administered orally three times a day from postoperative day (POD) 1. Blood was examined on POD 1, 3, 5 and 7. Postoperative first flatus, bowel movement and full recovery of oral intake, hospital stays and complications were checked. In DKT group, levels of c-reactive protein and beta-(1-3)-D-glucan on POD 3 were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, postoperative periods for the first flatus, bowel movement and the full recovery of oral intake were significantly shortened in DKT group (p<0.05). DKT suppressed inflammatory reaction, stimulated bowel movement and improved oral intake after hepatic resection, which may decrease serious morbidity after hepatic resection.

Understanding social anxiety as a risk for alcohol use disorders: Fear of scrutiny, not social interaction fears, prospectively predicts alcohol use disorders

PubMed Central

Buckner, Julia D.; Schmidt, Norman B.

2009-01-01

Increasing evidence indicates that social anxiety may be a premorbid risk factor for alcohol use disorders (AUD). The aim of this study was to replicate and extend previous work examining whether social anxiety is a risk factor for AUD by evaluating both the temporal antecedence and non-spuriousness of this relationship. We also examined whether social anxiety first-order factors (social interaction anxiety, observation anxieties) served as specific predictors of AUD. A non-referred sample of 404 psychologically healthy young adults (i.e. free from current or past Axis I psychopathology) was prospectively followed over approximately two years. Social anxiety (but not depression or trait anxiety) at baseline significantly predicted subsequent AUD onset. The relationship between social anxiety and AUD remained even after controlling for relevant variables (gender, depression, trait anxiety). Further, social anxiety first-order factors differentially predicted AUD onset, such that observation anxieties (but not social interaction anxiety) were prospectively linked to AUD onset. This study provides further support that social anxiety (and fear of scrutiny specifically) appears to serve as an important and potentially specific AUD-related variable that deserves serious attention as a potential vulnerability factor. PMID:18547587

Slingram EMI prospection: Are vertical orientated devices a suitable solution in archaeological and pedological prospection?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thiesson, Julien; Rousselle, Gabrielle; Simon, François Xavier; Tabbagh, Alain

2011-12-01

Electromagnetic induction (EMI) is one of the geophysical techniques widely used in soil studies, the slingram devices being held horizontally over the soil surface, i.e. with the coils located at the same height above the ground surface. Our study aims assessing the abilities of slingram devices when held vertically. 1D and 3D modelling have been achieved in order to compare the theoretical responses of vertical devices to the horizontal ones. Some comparative surveys were also undertaken in archaeological contexts to confirm the reliability of theoretical conclusions. Both approaches show that vertical slingram devices are suitable for survey and can constitute an alternative to the usual horizontal orientation. We give a table in Appendix A which contains the calibration coefficient allowing transforming of the values given by some of commercially available devices which would be advantageous to use in vertical orientation

Ill Health-Related Job Loss: A One-Year Follow-Up of 54,026 Employees.

PubMed

Dutheil, Frédéric; Naughton, Geraldine; Sindyga, Patricia; Lesage, François-Xavier

2016-09-01

The diagnoses of workers being unfit to work may be a relevant health indicator. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the one-year incidence of an unfit to work diagnosis. This one-year prospective study included all workers undergoing annual work medical examination from occupational health services in Troyes, France. Twenty-one occupational physicians followed 54,026 employees. The all-cause incidence of being unfit to return to work was 0.772%. The two main causes of being unfit to work were musculoskeletal disorders (61%) and psychopathologies (24%). The relative risk (RR) of being unfit to work, independent of the cause, was higher when employees were aged over 50 years (RR = 2.51), and female (RR = 1.51). Prospective results from occupational physicians' medical records may provide significant and cost-effective directions to prioritize actions and target health promotion in the workplace.

The Sleeping Remnant. Effect of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass on Plasma Levels of Gastric Biomarkers in Morbidly Obese Women: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Marchesi, Federico; Tartamella, Francesco; De Sario, Giuseppina; Forlini, Clarissa; Caleffi, Alberta; Riccò, Matteo; Di Mario, Francesco

2017-07-01

Morpho-functional modifications of the gastric remnant after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have not been completely defined, due to its inaccessibility for bioptic mapping. The aim of the study is to evaluate such modifications using Gastropanel®, a non-invasive blood test cross-checking four gastric biomarkers, able to provide a snapshot of mucosa conditions. Twenty-four women undergoing RYGB were prospectively enrolled. Gastropanel® parameters (pepsinogens, Gastrin-17 and immunoglobulins against Helicobacter pylori), biometrical/clinical data were collected preoperatively and at 6-months follow-up. All parameters showed significant reduction (p < 0.05). Pepsinogen I reduction correlated with BMI percent decrease. The exclusion of food transit is responsible for significant drop in gastric output, hardly representing a risk factor in the remnant carcinogenesis, being unexposed to alimentary carcinogenic agents.

Exploring self-efficacy as a predictor of disease management.

PubMed

Clark, N M; Dodge, J A

1999-02-01

Self-efficacy is posited in social cognitive theory as fundamental to behavior change. Few health behavior studies have examined self-efficacy prospectively, viewed it as part of a reciprocal behavioral process, or compared self-efficacy beliefs in the same population across different behaviors. This article first discusses self-efficacy in its theoretical context and reviews the available prospective studies. Second, it explores self-efficacy as a predictor of disease management behaviors in 570 older women with heart disease. Although the R2 statistics in each case were modest, the construct is shown to be a statistically significant (p<.05) predictor at both 4 and 12 months postbaseline of several disease management behaviors: using medicine as prescribed, getting adequate exercise, managing stress, and following a recommended diet. Building self-efficacy is likely a reasonable starting point for interventions aiming to enhance heart disease management behaviors of mature female patients.

Changes in Waist Circumference among German Adults over Time – Compiling Results of Seven Prospective Cohort Studies

PubMed Central

Haftenberger, Marjolein; Mensink, Gert B.M.; Vogt, Susanne; Thorand, Barbara; Peters, Annette; Herzog, Beatrice; Hartwig, Saskia; Greiser, Karin Halina; Ittermann, Till; Schipf, Sabine; Völzke, Henry; Merz, Benedikt; Nöthlings, Ute; Koch, Manja; Neamat-Allah, Jasmine; Katzke, Verena; Kaaks, Rudolf; Boeing, Heiner; Bachlechner, Ursula; Scheidt-Nave, Christa; Schienkiewitz, Anja

2016-01-01

Aim This study aims to quantify longitudinal changes in waist circumference (WC) among adults aged 45–64 years in Germany. Methods Data of 15,444 men and 17,207 women from one nationwide and six regional prospective German cohort studies were analyzed. The sex-specific mean change in WC per year of follow-up was assessed for each study separately. Findings from the cohort-by-cohort analysis were combined by applying meta-analytic methods. Progression to central obesity (WC ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women) within a standardized period of 10 years was described for each study. Results The estimated mean change in WC per year of follow-up for all cohorts combined was 0.53 (95s% confidence interval 0.29–0.76) cm/year for men and 0.63 (0.48–0.77) cm/year for women, but varied between the included studies. Within 10 years, about 20s% of individuals with low WC (<94 cm in men; <80 cm in women) and about 50s% of individuals with intermediate WC (94–102 cm in men; 80–88 cm in women) progressed to central obesity. Conclusion The increase in mean WC with aging along with a profound increase of central adiposity is obviously and may have several adverse health effects. Obesity prevention programs should also focus on abdominal obesity. PMID:27701174

Dose-response relationship between dietary magnesium intake, serum magnesium concentration and risk of hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

PubMed

Han, Hedong; Fang, Xin; Wei, Xin; Liu, Yuzhou; Jin, Zhicao; Chen, Qi; Fan, Zhongjie; Aaseth, Jan; Hiyoshi, Ayako; He, Jia; Cao, Yang

2017-05-05

The findings of prospective cohort studies are inconsistent regarding the association between dietary magnesium intake and serum magnesium concentration and the risk of hypertension. We aimed to review the evidence from prospective cohort studies and perform a dose-response meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and serum magnesium concentrations and the risk of hypertension. We searched systematically PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases from October 1951 through June 2016. Prospective cohort studies reporting effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension in more than two categories of dietary magnesium intake and/or serum magnesium concentrations were included. Random-effects models were used to combine the estimated effects. Nine articles (six on dietary magnesium intake, two on serum magnesium concentration and one on both) of ten cohort studies, including 20,119 cases of hypertension and 180,566 participates, were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. We found an inverse association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of hypertension [relative risk (RR) = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98] comparing the highest intake group with the lowest. A 100 mg/day increment in magnesium intake was associated with a 5% reduction in the risk of hypertension (RR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.00). The association of serum magnesium concentration with the risk of hypertension was marginally significant (RR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.02). Current evidence supports the inverse dose-response relationship between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of hypertension. However, the evidence about the relationship between serum magnesium concentration and hypertension is limited.

Maternal depression and childhood obesity: a systematic review.

PubMed

Lampard, Amy M; Franckle, Rebecca L; Davison, Kirsten K

2014-02-01

Maternal depression is prevalent and has been associated with parenting practices that influence child weight. In this systematic review we aimed to examine the prospective association between maternal depression and child overweight. We searched four databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, and Academic Search Premier) to identify studies for inclusion. We included studies with a prospective design with at least one year follow-up, measuring maternal depression at any stage after childbirth, and examining child overweight or obesity status, body mass index z-score or percentile, or adiposity. Two authors extracted data independently and findings were qualitatively synthesized. We identified nine prospective studies for inclusion. Results were examined separately for episodic depression (depression at a single measurement occasion) and chronic depression (depression on multiple measurement occasions). Mixed results were observed for the relationship between episodic depression and indicators of child adiposity. Chronic depression, but not episodic depression, was associated with greater risk for child overweight. While chronic depression may be associated with child overweight, further research is needed. Research is also needed to determine whether maternal depression influences child weight outcomes in adolescence and to investigate elements of the family ecology that may moderate the effect of maternal depression on child overweight. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical coding of prospectively identified paediatric adverse drug reactions--a retrospective review of patient records.

PubMed

Bellis, Jennifer R; Kirkham, Jamie J; Nunn, Anthony J; Pirmohamed, Munir

2014-12-17

National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the UK use a system of coding for patient episodes. The coding system used is the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10). There are ICD-10 codes which may be associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and there is a possibility of using these codes for ADR surveillance. This study aimed to determine whether ADRs prospectively identified in children admitted to a paediatric hospital were coded appropriately using ICD-10. The electronic admission abstract for each patient with at least one ADR was reviewed. A record was made of whether the ADR(s) had been coded using ICD-10. Of 241 ADRs, 76 (31.5%) were coded using at least one ICD-10 ADR code. Of the oncology ADRs, 70/115 (61%) were coded using an ICD-10 ADR code compared with 6/126 (4.8%) non-oncology ADRs (difference in proportions 56%, 95% CI 46.2% to 65.8%; p < 0.001). The majority of ADRs detected in a prospective study at a paediatric centre would not have been identified if the study had relied on ICD-10 codes as a single means of detection. Data derived from administrative healthcare databases are not reliable for identifying ADRs by themselves, but may complement other methods of detection.

Peripartum changes in social support among women with and without anxiety and depressive disorders prior to pregnancy: a prospective-longitudinal study.

PubMed

Asselmann, E; Wittchen, H-U; Erler, L; Martini, J

2016-12-01

This study aims to prospectively examine peripartum changes in social support in women with and without anxiety and depressive disorders prior to pregnancy. Data come from the Maternal Anxiety in Relation to Infant Development (MARI) Study, a prospective-longitudinal investigation among n = 306 expectant mothers. DSM-IV anxiety and depressive disorders were assessed in early pregnancy using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Women (CIDI-V). Social support was assessed with the Social Support Questionnaire during pregnancy as well as 4 and 16 months postpartum. Perceived social support in the total sample declined from prepartum to postpartum. Levels of prepartum and postpartum social support were lower in women with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders compared to those with pure depressive disorder(s), pure anxiety disorder(s), or comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders prior to pregnancy. Moreover, social support more strongly declined from prepartum to postpartum in women with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders compared to those without anxiety and depressive disorder prior to pregnancy. Findings suggest that women with a previous history of comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders are at particular risk for deficient social support during pregnancy and after delivery and might thus profit from targeted early interventions.

Prospective risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviour in adolescents with onset, maintenance or cessation of direct self-injurious behaviour.

PubMed

Koenig, Julian; Brunner, Romuald; Fischer-Waldschmidt, Gloria; Parzer, Peter; Plener, Paul L; Park, JiYeon; Wasserman, Camilla; Carli, Vladimir; Hoven, Christina W; Sarchiapone, Marco; Wasserman, Danuta; Resch, Franz; Kaess, Michael

2017-03-01

Direct self-injurious behaviour (D-SIB) is associated with suicidal behaviour and suicide risk. It is not known if D-SIB cessation reduces these risks. The aim of this study was to explore trajectories of D-SIB and their prospective influence on suicidal thoughts and behaviour during adolescence. Data (n = 506; 62.06 % females, 14.53 years) from the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe study were analysed. D-SIB and suicidal thoughts and behaviour were assessed at baseline (T0), 1- (T1) and 2-year follow-up (T2). Onset and maintenance of D-SIB between T0 and T1 were associated with a two to threefold increased odds ratio for suicidal thoughts and behaviour at T2. Suicidal thoughts and behaviour in those terminating D-SIB before T1 were similar compared to those with no life-time history of D-SIB. Late onset and maintenance of D-SIB prospectively indicate risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviour. This is the first study showing that D-SIB cessation reduces later risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviour in adolescence. Suicide prevention efforts should set one focus on reducing adolescent D-SIB.

Influence of body habitus on feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic liver resections: a prospective study.

PubMed

Ratti, Francesca; D'Alessandro, Valentina; Cipriani, Federica; Giannone, Fabio; Catena, Marco; Aldrighetti, Luca

2016-06-01

The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate whether the anthropometric measures of A Body Shape Index (ABSI, taking into account waist circumference adjusted for height and weight) affects feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic liver resections. One hundred patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection were prospectively included in the study (2014-2015). Preoperative clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI) and ABSI were evaluated for associations with intraoperative outcome and postoperative results (morbidity, mortality and functional recovery). Twenty-two and 78 patients underwent major and minor hepatectomies, respectively. Conversion rate was 9%, mean blood loss was 210 ± 115 ml. Postoperative morbidity was 15% and mortality was nil. Mean length of stay was 4 days. When considering the entire series, ABSI was not associated with intra and postoperative outcome. After stratification of patients according to difficulty score, Pearson's correlation demonstrated an association between ABSI and intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.03) and time for functional recovery (P = 0.05) in patients undergoing resections with high score of difficulty. Body habitus has an influence on outcome of laparoscopic liver resections with high degree of difficulty, while feasibility and outcome of low difficulty resections seem not to be affected by anthropometric measures. © 2016 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

Psychosocial work environment and intention to leave the nursing profession: a cross-national prospective study of eight countries.

PubMed

Li, Jian; Shang, Li; Galatsch, Michael; Siegrist, Johannes; Miüller, Bernd Hans; Hasselhorn, Hans Martin

2013-01-01

Many countries throughout the world are facing a serious nursing shortage, and retention of nurses also is a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive contribution of a broad spectrum of psychosocial work factors, including job strain, effort-reward imbalance, and alternative employment opportunity, to the probability of intention to leave the nursing profession. A total of 7,990 registered female nurses working in hospitals in eight countries (Germany, Italy, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, and China) were included in the one-year prospective study. A standardized questionnaire on job strain, effort-reward imbalance, employment opportunity, and intention to leave the nursing profession was used in the survey. Multilevel logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the data. Results showed that an imbalance between high effort and low reward (in particular, poor promotion prospects) and good employment opportunity at baseline were independently associated with a new intention to leave the nursing profession at follow-up. However, job strain appeared to have relatively less explanatory power. Findings suggest that interventions to improve the psychosocial work environment, especially the reciprocity experienced between effort and reward, may be effective in improving retention of nurses and tackling the international nursing shortage.

Quit and Smoking Reduction Rates in Vape Shop Consumers: A Prospective 12-Month Survey

PubMed Central

Polosa, Riccardo; Caponnetto, Pasquale; Cibella, Fabio; Le-Houezec, Jacques

2015-01-01

Aims: Here, we present results from a prospective pilot study that was aimed at surveying changes in daily cigarette consumption in smokers making their first purchase at vape shops. Modifications in products purchase were also noted. Design: Participants were instructed how to charge, fill, activate and use their e-cigarettes (e-cigs). Participants were encouraged to use these products in the anticipation of reducing the number of cig/day smoked. Settings: Staff from LIAF contacted 10 vape shops in the province of the city of Catania (Italy) that acted as sponsors to the 2013 No Tobacco Day. Participants: 71 adult smokers (≥18 years old) making their first purchase at local participating vape shops were asked by professional retail staff to complete a form. Measurements: Their cigarette consumption was followed-up prospectively at 6 and 12 months. Details of products purchase (i.e., e-cigs hardware, e-liquid nicotine strengths and flavours) were also noted. Findings: Retention rate was elevated, with 69% of participants attending their final follow-up visit. At 12 month, 40.8% subjects could be classified as quitters, 25.4% as reducers and 33.8% as failures. Switching from standard refillables (initial choice) to more advanced devices (MODs) was observed in this study (from 8.5% at baseline to 18.4% at 12 month) as well as a trend in decreasing the e-liquid nicotine strength, with more participants adopting low nicotine strength (from 49.3% at baseline to 57.1% at 12 month). Conclusions: We have found that smokers purchasing e-cigarettes from vape shops with professional advice and support can achieve high success rates. PMID:25811767

Vedolizumab Effectiveness and Safety Over the First Year of Use in an IBD Clinical Practice

PubMed Central

Vivio, Emily E.; Kanuri, Navya; Gilbertsen, Joanna J.; Monroe, Kelly; Dey, Neelendu; Chen, Chien-Huan; Gutierrez, Alexandra M.

2016-01-01

Background and aims: Vedolizumab inhibits leucocyte vascular adhesion and migration into the gastrointestinal tract through α4β7 integrin blockade. This agent became available in mid-2014 for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD) and UC (UC). The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of use, effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinical practice. Methods: Patients beginning vedolizumab were enrolled with informed consent. A prospective cohort was followed with laboratory, disease activity and quality-of-life assessments made during infusion visits up to week 14. Duration of vedolizumab use, mucosal healing and safety were analysed retrospectively for all patients not captured in the prospective component of this study. Results: One hundred and two patients started vedolizumab, with 51 patients (30 CD, 21 UC) followed prospectively. The CD patients exhibited a significant decrease in Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (p = 0.04) and Harvey–Bradshaw index (p < 0.01) by week 14. The UC patients demonstrated improved partial Mayo scores at weeks 6 (p < 0.01) and 14 (p < 0.001). Ninety percent of all CD and UC patients remained on vedolizumab up to week 14. IBD-related quality of life was improved by week 6 in CD and UC cohorts (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01 respectively). Colectomy for lack of response and systemic histoplamosis were notable reasons for early discontinuation of vedolizumab, which was otherwise well tolerated. Conclusions: Vedolizumab was efficacious and a high percentage of patients continued this therapy beyond induction dosing. Observed safety signals may be attributed to the refractory IBD disease state of this early-adopting clinical cohort. PMID:26681763

Effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Glenoid Fossa and Condyle-Fossa Relationship in Growing Patients (MEGP): Study Protocol for a Controlled Clinical Trial

PubMed Central

Ghoussoub, Mona Sayegh; Rifai, Khaldoun; Garcia, Robert; Sleilaty, Ghassan

2018-01-01

Aims and Objectives: Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthodontic nonsurgical procedure aiming at increasing the width of the maxilla by opening mainly the intermaxillary suture in patients presenting a transverse maxillary skeletal deficiency. The objectives of the current prospective controlled clinical and radiographic study are to evaluate the hypothesis that RME in growing patients will result in radiographic changes at the level of interglenoid fossa distance, condyle-fossa relationship, and nasal cavity widths compared to the group who received no treatment initially and served as untreated control. Materials and Methods: In this prospective controlled clinical and radiographic study, forty healthy growing patients selected from a school-based population following a large screening campaign, ranging in age between 8 and 13 years, presenting a maxillary constriction with bilateral crossbite, and candidates for RME are being recruited. The first group will include participants willing to undergo treatment (n = 25) and the other group will include those inclined to postpone (n = 15). Results: The primary outcome is to compare radiologically the interglenoid fossa distance and the condyle-fossa relationship; nasal cavity width will be a secondary outcome. A multivariable analysis of Covariance model will be used, with the assessment of the time by group interaction, using age as covariate. The project protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Lebanese University, National Institute in Lebanon (CUEMB process number 31/04/2015). The study is funded by the Lebanese University and Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Lebanon (Number: 652 on 14/04/2016). Conclusion: This prospective controlled clinical trial will give information about the effect of RME on the glenoid fossa and condyle-fossa relationship and its impact on the nasal cavity width. Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered in BioMed Central (DOI10.1186/ISRCTN77788053). PMID:29780738

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Hearing Impaired Individuals (RBANS-H) before and after Cochlear Implantation: A Protocol for a Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study.

PubMed

Claes, Annes J; Mertens, Griet; Gilles, Annick; Hofkens-Van den Brandt, Anouk; Fransen, Erik; Van Rompaey, Vincent; Van de Heyning, Paul

2016-01-01

Background: Currently, an independent relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults is suggested by large prospective studies. In general, cochlear implants improve hearing and the quality of life in severely to profoundly hearing impaired older persons. However, little is known about the effects of cochlear implantation on the cognitive evolution in this population. Aim of the study: The primary goal of this prospective, longitudinal cohort study is to explore the cognitive profile of severely to profoundly postlingually hearing impaired subjects before and after cochlear implantation. In addition, the current study aims to investigate the relationship between the cognitive function, audiometric performances, quality of life, and self-reliance in these patients. Methods: Twenty-five patients aged 55 or older, scheduled for cochlear implantation, will be enrolled in the study. They will be examined prior to implantation, at 6 and 12 months after implantation and annually thereafter. The test battery consists of (1) a cognitive examination, using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status adapted for Hearing impaired persons (RBANS-H), (2) an audiological examination, including unaided and aided pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry in quiet and speech audiometry in noise, (3) the administration of four questionnaires evaluating quality of life and subjective hearing benefit and (4) a semi-structured interview about the self-reliance of the participant. Discussion: Up until now only one study has been conducted on this topic, focusing on the short-term effects of cochlear implantation on cognition in older adults. The present study is the first study to apply a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment adapted for severely to profoundly hearing impaired subjects in order to investigate the cognitive capabilities before and after cochlear implantation. Trial registration: The present protocol is retrospectively registered at Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov) on June 9th, 2016. The first participant was enrolled on June 22nd, 2015. The protocol identifier is NCT02794350.

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Hearing Impaired Individuals (RBANS-H) before and after Cochlear Implantation: A Protocol for a Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Claes, Annes J.; Mertens, Griet; Gilles, Annick; Hofkens-Van den Brandt, Anouk; Fransen, Erik; Van Rompaey, Vincent; Van de Heyning, Paul

2016-01-01

Background: Currently, an independent relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults is suggested by large prospective studies. In general, cochlear implants improve hearing and the quality of life in severely to profoundly hearing impaired older persons. However, little is known about the effects of cochlear implantation on the cognitive evolution in this population. Aim of the study: The primary goal of this prospective, longitudinal cohort study is to explore the cognitive profile of severely to profoundly postlingually hearing impaired subjects before and after cochlear implantation. In addition, the current study aims to investigate the relationship between the cognitive function, audiometric performances, quality of life, and self-reliance in these patients. Methods: Twenty-five patients aged 55 or older, scheduled for cochlear implantation, will be enrolled in the study. They will be examined prior to implantation, at 6 and 12 months after implantation and annually thereafter. The test battery consists of (1) a cognitive examination, using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status adapted for Hearing impaired persons (RBANS-H), (2) an audiological examination, including unaided and aided pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry in quiet and speech audiometry in noise, (3) the administration of four questionnaires evaluating quality of life and subjective hearing benefit and (4) a semi-structured interview about the self-reliance of the participant. Discussion: Up until now only one study has been conducted on this topic, focusing on the short-term effects of cochlear implantation on cognition in older adults. The present study is the first study to apply a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment adapted for severely to profoundly hearing impaired subjects in order to investigate the cognitive capabilities before and after cochlear implantation. Trial registration: The present protocol is retrospectively registered at Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov) on June 9th, 2016. The first participant was enrolled on June 22nd, 2015. The protocol identifier is NCT02794350. PMID:27895549

Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields and Sleep Quality: A Prospective Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Mohler, Evelyn; Frei, Patrizia; Fröhlich, Jürg; Braun-Fahrländer, Charlotte; Röösli, Martin

2012-01-01

Background There is persistent public concern about sleep disturbances due to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate whether sleep quality is affected by mobile phone use or by other RF-EMF sources in the everyday environment. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study with 955 study participants aged between 30 and 60 years. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness was assessed by means of standardized questionnaires in May 2008 (baseline) and May 2009 (follow-up). We also asked about mobile and cordless phone use and asked study participants for consent to obtain their mobile phone connection data from the mobile phone operators. Exposure to environmental RF-EMF was computed for each study participant using a previously developed and validated prediction model. In a nested sample of 119 study participants, RF-EMF exposure was measured in the bedroom and data on sleep behavior was collected by means of actigraphy during two weeks. Data were analyzed using multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders. Results In the longitudinal analyses neither operator-recorded nor self-reported mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness. Also, exposure to environmental RF-EMF did not affect self-reported sleep quality. The results from the longitudinal analyses were confirmed in the nested sleep study with objectively recorded exposure and measured sleep behavior data. Conclusions We did not find evidence for adverse effects on sleep quality from RF-EMF exposure in our everyday environment. PMID:22624036

REDUCTION IN ASTHMA MORBIDITY IN CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF HOME REMEDIATION AIMED AT MOISTURE SOURCES

EPA Science Inventory

Objective: Home dampness, presence of mold and allergens have been associated with asthma morbidity. We examined changes in asthma morbidity in children as a result of home remediation aimed at moisture sources.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Part...

Promoting Best Practices in Teaching and Learning in Nigerian Universities through Effective E-Learning: Prospects and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Obuekwe, Grace Ifeoma; Eze, Rose-Ann Ifeoma

2017-01-01

The importance of e-learning in our educational system as well as the nation's development cannot be over-emphasized. The use of e-learning in impartation and acquisition of knowledge by lecturers and students is becoming a vital tool in meeting the demands of education in the 21st century. The paper is aimed at exploring the prospects and…

Analysis of 2014 Post UTME Score of Candidates in the University of Ibadan with Two Methods of Standard Setting to Set Cut Off Points

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oladele, Babatunde

2017-01-01

The aim of the current study is to analyse the 2014 Post UTME scores of candidates in the university of Ibadan towards the establishment of cut off using two methods of standard settings. Prospective candidates who seek admission to higher institution are often denied admission through the Post UTME exercise. There is no single recommended…

Basic Reading Skills in Swedish Children with Late Developing Language and with or without Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miniscalco, Carmela; Sandberg, Annika Dahlgren

2010-01-01

Reading skills at age 7-8 years were examined in a community-representative sample of 21 screened and clinically examined children with language delay (LD) followed prospectively from 2.5 years of age. The present study aimed to (1) determine whether these children with a history of LD had deficits in basic reading skills, i.e. decoding and…

Media Exposure in Very Young Girls: Prospective and Cross-Sectional Relationships with BMIz, Self-Esteem and Body Size Stereotypes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodgers, Rachel F.; Damiano, Stephanie R.; Wertheim, Eleanor H.; Paxton, Susan J.

2017-01-01

Media exposure among young children has been suggested to influence self-concept and the adoption of social stereotypes regarding body weight, as well as being associated with increased weight. The aim of this study was to examine the role of TV/DVD viewing in the development of positive stereotypes toward thinness, self-esteem and body mass index…

Effects of Psychological and Social Work Factors on Self-Reported Sleep Disturbance and Difficulties Initiating Sleep.

PubMed

Vleeshouwers, Jolien; Knardahl, Stein; Christensen, Jan Olav

2016-04-01

This prospective cohort study examined previously underexplored relations between psychological/social work factors and troubled sleep in order to provide practical information about specific, modifiable factors at work. A comprehensive evaluation of a range of psychological/social work factors was obtained by several designs; i.e., cross-sectional analyses at baseline and follow-up, prospective analyses with baseline predictors (T1), prospective analyses with average exposure across waves as predictor ([T1 + T2] / 2), and prospective analyses with change in exposure from baseline to follow-up as predictor. Participants consisted of a sample of Norwegian employees from a broad spectrum of occupations, who completed a questionnaire at two points in time, approximately two years apart. Cross-sectional analyses at T1 comprised 7,459 participants, cross-sectional analyses at T2 included 6,688 participants. Prospective analyses comprised a sample 5,070 of participants who responded at both T1 and T2. Univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regressions were performed. Thirteen psychological/social work factors and two aspects of troubled sleep, namely difficulties initiating sleep and disturbed sleep, were studied. Ordinal logistic regressions revealed statistically significant associations for all psychological and social work factors in at least one of the analyses. Psychological and social work factors predicted sleep problems in the short term as well as the long term. All work factors investigated showed statistically significant associations with both sleep items, however quantitative job demands, decision control, role conflict, and support from superior were the most robust predictors and may therefore be suitable targets of interventions aimed at improving employee sleep. © 2016 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Similar early migration when comparing CR and PS in Triathlon™ TKA: A prospective randomised RSA trial.

PubMed

Molt, Mats; Toksvig-Larsen, Sören

2014-10-01

The objective of this study was to compare the early migration of the cruciate retaining and posterior stabilising versions of the recently introduced Triathlon™ total knee system, with a view to predicting long term fixation performance. Sixty patients were prospectively randomised to receive either Triathlon™ posterior stabilised cemented knee prosthesis or Triathlon™ cruciate retaining cemented knee prosthesis. Tibial component migration was measured by radiostereometric analysis postoperatively and at three months, one year and two years. Clinical outcome was measured by the American Knee Society Score and Knee Osteoarthritis and Injury Outcome Score. There were no differences in rotation around the three coordinal axes or in the maximum total point motion (MTPM) during the two year follow-up. The posterior stabilised prosthesis had more posterior-anterior translation at three months and one year and more caudal-cranial translation at one year and two years. There were no differences in functional outcome between the groups. The tibial tray of the Triathlon™ cemented knee prosthesis showed similar early stability. Level I. Article focus: This was a prospective randomised trial aiming to compare the single radius posterior stabilised (PS) Triathlon™ total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to the cruciate retaining Triathlon™ TKA system with regard to fixation. Strengths and limitations of this study: Strength of this study was that it is a randomised prospective trial using an objective measuring tool. The sample size of 25-30 patients was reportedly sufficient for the screening of implants using RSA [1]. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00436982. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sexual functioning in women after mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy for early-stage breast cancer: a prospective controlled study.

PubMed

Aerts, L; Christiaens, M R; Enzlin, P; Neven, P; Amant, F

2014-10-01

Breast cancer (BC) and/or its treatments may affect sexual functioning based on physiological and psychosocial mechanisms. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate sexual adjustment of BC patients during a follow-up period of one year after mastectomy (ME) or breast conserving therapy (BCT). In this prospective controlled study, women with BC and an age-matched control group of healthy women completed the Beck Depression Inventory Scale, World Health Organization 5 Well-being scale, Body Image Scale, EORTC QLQ questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Short Sexual Functioning Scale and Specific Sexual Problems Questionnaire to assess various aspects of sexual and psychosocial functioning before surgery, six months and one year after surgical treatment. In total, 149 women with BC and 149 age-matched healthy controls completed the survey. Compared to the situation before surgery, significantly more BCT women reported problems with sexual arousal six months after surgery and significantly more women of the ME group reported problems with sexual desire, arousal and the ability to achieve an orgasm six months and one year after surgery. While in comparison with healthy controls, no significant differences in sexual functioning were found after BCT surgery, significantly more women who underwent ME reported problems with sexual desire, arousal, the ability to achieve an orgasm and intensity of the orgasm. Although little differences were seen in sexual functioning in the BCT group during prospective analyses and in comparison with healthy controls, analyses revealed that women who underwent a ME were at risk for post-operative sexual dysfunctions. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Dietary Polyphenols, Mediterranean Diet, Prediabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review of the Evidence

PubMed Central

Merino, Jordi; Fitó, Montse

2017-01-01

Dietary polyphenols come mainly from plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, coffee, tea, and nuts. Polyphenols may influence glycemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) through different mechanisms, such as promoting the uptake of glucose in tissues, and therefore improving insulin sensitivity. This review aims to summarize the evidence from clinical trials and observational prospective studies linking dietary polyphenols to prediabetes and T2D, with a focus on polyphenol-rich foods characteristic of the Mediterranean diet. We aimed to describe the metabolic biomarkers related to polyphenol intake and genotype-polyphenol interactions modulating the effects on T2D. Intakes of polyphenols, especially flavan-3-ols, and their food sources have demonstrated beneficial effects on insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Several prospective studies have shown inverse associations between polyphenol intake and T2D. The Mediterranean diet and its key components, olive oil, nuts, and red wine, have been inversely associated with insulin resistance and T2D. To some extent, these associations may be attributed to the high amount of polyphenols and bioactive compounds in typical foods conforming this traditional dietary pattern. Few studies have suggested that genetic predisposition can modulate the relationship between polyphenols and T2D risk. In conclusion, the intake of polyphenols may be beneficial for both insulin resistance and T2D risk. PMID:28883903

Transcranial electric stimulation (tES) and NeuroImaging: the state-of-the-art, new insights and prospects in basic and clinical neuroscience.

PubMed

Soekadar, Surjo R; Herring, Jim Don; McGonigle, David

2016-10-15

Transcranial electric stimulation (tES) of the brain has attracted an increased interest in recent years. Yet, despite remarkable research efforts to date, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of tES' effects are still incompletely understood. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the state-of-the-art in studies combining tES and neuroimaging, while introducing most recent insights and outlining future prospects related to this new and rapidly growing field. The findings reported here combine methodological advancements with insights into the underlying mechanisms of tES itself. At the same time, they also point to the many caveats and specific challenges associated with such studies, which can arise from both technical and biological sources. Besides promising to advance basic neuroscience, combined tES and neuroimaging studies may also substantially change previous conceptions about the methods of action of electric or magnetic stimulation on the brain. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Prospective memory functioning: a new area of investigation in the clinical neuropsychology and rehabilitation of Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Review of evidence.

PubMed

Costa, Alberto; Carlesimo, Giovanni Augusto; Caltagirone, Carlo

2012-10-01

The integrity of prospective memory (PM) is likely crucial for independent human behavior. PM refers to the ability to execute an intention after a certain delay. Its impaired functioning may significantly affect the correct execution of common daily activities, such as taking a pill at a certain time or complying with future plans. The results of recent studies indicate that PM is impaired pervasively and early in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we reviewed studies investigating the characteristics of PM disorders in these individuals and the potential for cognitive rehabilitation. The PM profiles of individuals with MCI and PD indicate that interventions aimed at enhancing the different cognitive processes underlying their PM disorders could be useful. At the current state of the art, however, no evidence-based protocols are available. Therefore, the discussion proposed here should be considered an attempt to identify some valuable perspectives for future research and interventions.

Prediction of PTSD in police officers after six months--a prospective study.

PubMed

Schütte, Nils; Bär, Olaf; Weiss, Udo; Heuft, Gereon

2012-11-01

The aim of this prospective study was to explore the predictors for the development of PTSD in police officers six months after encountering situations of a potentially traumatic nature. Fifty-nine police officers were studied immediately after the event (T1) and six months later (T2). At T2 PTSD was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). PTSD was predicted by intrusions (Impact of Event Scale-Revised; IES-R), the impairment scale (is), global assessment of functioning scale (GAF), gender, age and sense of coherence scale (SOC). The diagnosis of an acute stress disorder (ASD) at T1 had a high specificity for identifying PTSD at T2. The strongest predictor for the development of PTSD was found to be the factor intrusions. Contrary to our expectations, age was not a significant predictive factor for PTSD. Thus, acute stress disorder (ASD) and a high degree of intrusions experienced immediately after a traumatic incident helped to identify early police officers at risk of developing chronic PTSD.

Factors predictive for incidence and remission of internet addiction in young adolescents: a prospective study.

PubMed

Ko, Chih-Hung; Yen, Ju-Yu; Yen, Cheng-Fang; Lin, Huang-Chi; Yang, Ming-Jen

2007-08-01

The aim of the study is to determine the incidence and remission rates for Internet addiction and the associated predictive factors in young adolescents over a 1-year follow-up. This was a prospective, population-based investigation. Five hundred seventeen students (267 male and 250 female) were recruited from three junior high schools in southern Taiwan. The factors examined included gender, personality, mental health, self-esteem, family function, life satisfaction, and Internet activities. The result revealed that the 1-year incidence and remission rates for Internet addiction were 7.5% and 49.5% respectively. High exploratory excitability, low reward dependence, low self-esteem, low family function, and online game playing predicted the emergency of the Internet addiction. Further, low hostility and low interpersonal sensitivity predicted remission of Internet addiction. The factors predictive incidence and remission of Internet addiction identified in this study could be provided for prevention and promoting remission of Internet addiction in adolescents.

Surrogate markers of visceral fat and response to anti-depressive treatment in patients with major depressive disorder: a prospective exploratory analysis.

PubMed

Tønning, Morten; Petersen, Dorthe; Steglich-Petersen, Marie; Csillag, Claudio

2017-02-01

Body mass index (BMI) and body weight have been shown to be associated to treatment outcome in patients with major depressive disorder, but this relationship is not clear. Visceral fat might be an underlying mechanism explaining this relationship. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate whether visceral fat, as measured by hip-to-waist ratio and waist circumference, affects treatment outcome in patients with major depressive disorder in patients attending a hospital psychiatric care unit in Denmark. The study was conducted as an observational prospective study including 33 patients with major depressive disorder. Assessments were made at enrolment and after 8 weeks. Primary variables were hip-to-waist ratio and waist circumference. Outcome were remission or response of depressive symptoms measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D 17 ) interviews and HAM-D 6 self-rating questionnaires. No differences were found in outcome between groups of patients with high vs low visceral fat in this population. The lack of association was evident for all surrogate markers of visceral fat, and suggests that visceral fat has no impact on outcomes of depressive symptoms. However, study limitations might have contributed to this lack of association, especially sample size and considerable variations on multiple parameters including treatment received during the 8 weeks of follow-up.

The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in liver functional restoration of patients with obstructive jaundice after endoscopic treatment: a prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

PubMed

Fekaj, Enver; Gjata, Arben; Maxhuni, Mehmet

2013-09-22

In patients with obstructive jaundice, multi-organ dysfunction may develop. This trial is a prospective, open-label, randomized, and controlled study with the objective to evaluate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in liver functional restoration in patients with obstructive jaundice after endoscopic treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in liver functional restoration of patients with obstructive jaundice after endoscopic treatment. The hypothesis of this trial is that patients with obstructive jaundice, in which will be administered UDCA, in the early phase after endoscopic intervention will have better and faster functional restoration of the liver than patients in the control group.Patients with obstructive jaundice, randomly, will be divided into two groups: (A) test group in which will be administered ursodeoxycholic acid twenty-four hours after endoscopic procedure and will last fourteen days, and (B) control group.Serum-testing will include determination of bilirubin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gama-glutamil transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and cholesterol levels. These parameters will be determined one day prior endoscopic procedure, and on the third, fifth, seventh, tenth, twelfth and fourteenth days after endoscopic intervention. This trial is a prospective, open-label, randomized, and controlled study to asses the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in liver functional restoration of patients with obstructive jaundice in the early phase after endoscopic treatment.

The metastatic infiltration at the metastasis/brain parenchyma-interface is very heterogeneous and has a significant impact on survival in a prospective study

PubMed Central

Siam, Laila; Bleckmann, Annalen; Chaung, Han-Ning; Mohr, Alexander; Klemm, Florian; Barrantes-Freer, Alonso; Blazquez, Raquel; Wolff, Hendrik A.; Lüke, Florian; Rohde, Veit; Stadelmann, Christine; Pukrop, Tobias

2015-01-01

The current approach to brain metastases resection is macroscopic removal of metastasis until reaching the glial pseudo-capsule (gross total resection (GTR)). However, autopsy studies demonstrated infiltrating metastatic cells into the parenchyma at the metastasis/brain parenchyma (M/BP)-interface. Aims/Methods: To analyze the astrocyte reaction and metastatic infiltration pattern at the M/BP-interface with an organotypic brain slice coculture system. Secondly, to evaluate the significance of infiltrating metastatic tumor cells in a prospective biopsy study. Therefore, after GTR, biopsies were obtained from the brain parenchyma beyond the glial pseudo-capsule and analyzed histomorphologically. Results: The coculture revealed three types of cancer cell infiltration. Interestingly, the astrocyte reaction was significantly different in the coculture with a benign, neuroectodermal-derived cell line. In the prospective biopsy study 58/167 (34.7%) samples revealed infiltrating metastatic cells. Altogether, 25/39 patients (64.1%) had proven to exhibit infiltration in at least one biopsy specimen with significant impact on survival (OS) (3.4 HR; p = 0.009; 2-year OS was 6.6% versus 43.5%). Exceptionally, in the non-infiltrating cohort three patients were long-term survivors. Conclusions: Metastatic infiltration has a significant impact on prognosis. Secondly, the astrocyte reaction at the M/BP-interface is heterogeneous and supports our previous concept of the organ-specific defense against metastatic (organ-foreign) cells. PMID:26299612

Genetic, clinical and pharmacological determinants of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: rationale and outline of the AmsteRdam Resuscitation Studies (ARREST) registry.

PubMed

Blom, M T; van Hoeijen, D A; Bardai, A; Berdowski, J; Souverein, P C; De Bruin, M L; Koster, R W; de Boer, A; Tan, H L

2014-01-01

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major public health problem. Recognising the complexity of the underlying causes of OHCA in the community, we aimed to establish the clinical, pharmacological, environmental and genetic factors and their interactions that may cause OHCA. We set up a large-scale prospective community-based registry (AmsteRdam Resuscitation Studies, ARREST) in which we prospectively include all resuscitation attempts from OHCA in a large study region in the Netherlands in collaboration with Emergency Medical Services. Of all OHCA victims since June 2005, we prospectively collect medical history (through hospital and general practitioner), and current and previous medication use (through community pharmacy). In addition, we include DNA samples from OHCA victims with documented ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation during the resuscitation attempt since July 2007. Various study designs are employed to analyse the data of the ARREST registry, including case-control, cohort, case only and case-cross over designs. We describe the rationale, outline and potential results of the ARREST registry. The design allows for a stable and reliable collection of multiple determinants of OHCA, while assuring that the patient, lay-caregiver or medical professional is not hindered in any way. Such comprehensive data collection is required to unravel the complex basis of OHCA. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant scientific symposia.

Predictors of postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster: a pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies from North and Latin America and Asia.

PubMed

Kawai, Kosuke; Rampakakis, Emmanouil; Tsai, Tsen-Fang; Cheong, Hee Jin; Dhitavat, Jittima; Covarrubias, Alejandro Ortiz; Yang, Lin; Cashat-Cruz, Miguel; Monsanto, Homero; Johnson, Kelly; Sampalis, John S; Acosta, Camilo J

2015-05-01

The most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ) is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent pain that can substantially affect quality of life (QoL). This analysis aimed to evaluate predictors of PHN in HZ patients. A pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies of HZ patients aged ≥ 50 years from North America (Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina), and Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand) was performed. Patients within 14 days of rash onset were included. The incidence of PHN was defined as a worst pain score of ≥ 3, persisting/appearing at >90 days after rash onset. Socio-demographics, HZ disease characteristics, treatment, pain-related interference with activities of daily living, and health-related QoL were assessed. Of 702 patients with HZ, 148 (21.1%) developed PHN. Similar risks of PHN were observed across geographic regions. On multivariate analysis, older age, greater severity of pain at rash onset, employment status, walking problems at enrollment, and pain interference affecting social relationships were significantly associated with the development of PHN. In addition to older age and severe acute pain, this study suggests that impaired physical and social functioning from acute zoster pain may play a role in the development of PHN in this prospective cohort study of HZ patients from North and Latin America and Asia. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Exposure to bullying behaviors as a predictor of mental health problems among Norwegian nurses: results from the prospective SUSSH-survey.

PubMed

Reknes, Iselin; Pallesen, Ståle; Magerøy, Nils; Moen, Bente Elisabeth; Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Einarsen, Ståle

2014-03-01

The relationship between workplace bullying and mental health problems are well documented in previous cross-sectional studies, but knowledge on how this relationship develops over time is still scarce. The aim of this study was to explore the prospective relationship between exposure to bullying behaviors at baseline, and increased symptoms of mental health problems (anxiety, depression, fatigue) one year later. Furthermore, the reverse relationship was investigated. This is a prospective longitudinal study, where members of the Norwegian Nurses Organization answered identical questions regarding workplace bullying and mental health problems, at baseline (2008-2009) and follow-up (2010). Altogether, 1582 nurses completed both questionnaires. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that exposure to bullying behaviors at baseline predicted subsequent increased symptoms of anxiety and fatigue, after adjusting for baseline symptoms of anxiety and fatigue respectively, age, gender, night work and job demands. Moreover, symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue at baseline predicted increased exposure to bullying behaviors one year later, after adjusting for exposure to bullying behaviors at baseline, age, gender, night work and job demands. In this study we find support for a reciprocal relationship between exposure to bullying behaviors and symptoms of anxiety and fatigue, respectively. Thus, the results may indicate a vicious circle where workplace bullying and mental health problems mutually affect each other negatively. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The impact of vegan diet on B-12 status in healthy omnivores: five-year prospective study.

PubMed

Mądry, Edyta; Lisowska, Aleksandra; Grebowiec, Philip; Walkowiak, Jarosław

2012-04-02

There are no long-term prospective studies assessing the impact of the vegan diet on vitamin B-12 (B-12) status. Many vegans take B-12 supplements irregularly or refuse to adopt them at all, considering them to be "unnatural" products. The use of B-12 fortified food may be an alternative. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the long-term effect of a vegan diet on serum B-12 concentrations in healthy omnivore adults, comparing the influence of natural products consumption and B-12 fortified food. A five year prospective study was carried out comprising 20 omnivore healthy adult subjects, who moved to strict vegan diet for 5 years. Ten volunteers followed vegan diet based entirely on natural products, while the remaining ten subjects consumed food fortified in B-12. In all subjects serum vitamin B-12 concentration was determined before and 6, 12, 24 and 60 months after the implementation of the diet. A significant decrease (p < 0.0002) of serum B-12 concentrations in the whole studied group was noted after 60 months of vegan diet. However, observed changes were in fact limited to the subgroup consuming exclusively natural products (p < 0.0001). Transition from omnivore to vegan diet is associated with the risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency. B-12 fortified products might constitute a valuable alternative in vegans refusing to take vitamin supplements.

[Early episodic memory impairments in Alzheimer's disease].

PubMed

Ergis, A-M; Eusop-Roussel, E

2008-05-01

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) show early episodic memory impairments. Such deficits reflect specific impairments affecting one or several stages of encoding, storage and retrieval processes. However, AD patients not only have great difficulty retrieving memories and information but also suffer from distortions of memory, as intrusions and false recognitions. Intrusions can be defined as the unintentional recall of inappropriate information in a laboratory-learning tasks such as word-list recall and story recall. False recognition refers to the erroneous recognition of information that was not previously presented. The first objective of this review is to present studies from the literature that allowed a better understanding of the nature of episodic memory deficits in AD, and to examine recent research on false memories. The second part of this review is aimed at presenting recent research conducted on prospective memory (PM) in Alzheimer's disease. Prospective memory situations involve forming intentions and then realizing those intentions at some appropriate time in the future. Everyday examples of prospective memory include remembering to buy bread on the way home from work, remembering to give friends a message upon next encountering them, and remembering to take medication. Patients suffering from AD show difficulties in performing prospective tasks in daily life, according to the complaints of their care givers, and these difficulties are massively present at the first stages of the disease. Nevertheless, very few studies have been dedicated to this subject, although the evaluation of PM could be helpful for the early diagnosis of AD.

Disturbed dreaming during the third trimester of pregnancy.

PubMed

Lara-Carrasco, Jessica; Simard, Valérie; Saint-Onge, Kadia; Lamoureux-Tremblay, Vickie; Nielsen, Tore

2014-06-01

The majority of women develop sleep impairments during pregnancy, but alterations in dream experiences remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess prospectively and comparatively the recall of dreaming and of disturbed dreaming in late pregnancy. Fifty-seven nulliparous, third-trimester pregnant women (mean age±SD, 28.7±4.06 years) and 59 non-pregnant controls (mean age±SD, 26.8±4.21 years) completed demographics and psychological questionnaires. A 14-day prospective home log assessed sleep and dream characteristics and the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire measured retrospective dream and disturbed dream recall. Even though pregnant and non-pregnant women showed similar prospective dream recall (P=0.47), pregnant women reported prospectively more bad dreams (P=0.004). More pregnant women (21%) than non-pregnant women (7%) reported a nightmare incidence exceeding moderately severe pathology (>1/week) (P=0.03). Pregnant women also reported overall lower sleep quality (P=0.007) and more night awakenings (P=0.003). Higher prospective recall of bad dreams (r = -0.40, P=0.002) and nightmares (r = -0.32, P=0.001) both correlated with lower sleep quality in pregnant women. Late pregnancy is a period of markedly increased dysphoric dream imagery that may be a major contributor to impaired sleep at this time. Further polysomnographic assessments of pregnant women are needed to clarify relationships between sleep and disturbed dream production in this population. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multicenter Prospective Study of Angiogenesis Polymorphism Validation in HCC Patients Treated with Sorafenib. An INNOVATE Study Protocol.

PubMed

Casadei Gardini, Andrea; Faloppi, Luca; Aprile, Giuseppe; Brunetti, Oronzo; Caparello, Chiara; Corbelli, Jody; Chessa, Luchino; Bruno, Daniele; Ercolani, Giorgio; Leonetti, Alessandro; de Stefano, Giorgio; Farella, Nunzia; Foschi, Francesco Giuseppe; Lanzi, Arianna; Dadduzio, Vincenzo; Marisi, Giorgia; Masi, Gianluca; Negri, Francesca V; Pagan, Flavia; Santini, Daniele; Scarpi, Emanuela; Silletta, Marianna; Silvestris, Nicola; Tamburini, Emiliano; Tassinari, Davide; Vivaldi, Caterina; Gentilucci, Umberto Vespasiani; Zagonel, Vittorina; Calvetti, Lorenzo; Cascinu, Stefano; Frassineti, Giovanni Luca; Scartozzi, Mario

2017-12-01

Introduction Although sorafenib is the upfront standard of care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), molecular predictors of efficacy have not been identified yet. In the ALICE-1 study, rs2010963 of VEGF-A and VEGF-C proved to be independent predictive factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in multivariate analysis. The ALICE-1 study results were confirmed in the ALICE-2 study, in which VEGF and VEGFR SNPs were analyzed. In the ePHAS study we analyzed the SNPs of eNOS. In univariate analysis, patients homozygous for an eNOS haplotype (HT1: T-4b at eNOS-786/eNOS VNTR) had significantly shorter median PFS and OS than those with other haplotypes. These data were confirmed in the validation set. Methods This nonpharmacological, interventional, prospective multicenter study aims to determine whether eNOS, HIF-1, VEGF, Ang2 and VEGFR polymorphisms play a role in predicting the objective response rate, PFS, and OS of advanced HCC patients treated with sorafenib. The study will involve 160 advanced HCC patients with Child-Pugh class A disease. The primary aim is to validate the prognostic or predictive roles of eNOS, Ang2, HIF-1, VEGF and VEGFR polymorphisms in relation to the clinical outcome (PFS) of HCC patients treated with sorafenib. Conclusions Overall, our data may suggest that polymorphism analysis of the VEGF, VEGFR-2, HIF and eNOS genes can identify HCC patients who are more likely to benefit from sorafenib.

Fruit and vegetable intake and prostate cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

PubMed Central

Travis, Ruth C.; Appleby, Paul N.; Tsilidis, Konstantinos K.; Tjønneland, Anne; Olsen, Anja; Overvad, Kim; Katzke, Verena; Kühn, Tilman; Trichopoulou, Antonia; Peppa, Eleni; Kritikou, Maria; Sieri, Sabina; Palli, Domenico; Sacerdote, Carlotta; Tumino, Rosario; Bueno‐de‐Mesquita, H. B(as); Agudo, Antonio; Larrañaga, Nerea; Molina‐Portillo, Elena; Ardanaz, Eva; Chirlaque, Maria‐Dolores; Lasheras, Cristina; Stattin, Pär; Wennberg, Maria; Drake, Isabel; Malm, Johan; Schmidt, Julie A.; Khaw, Kay‐Tee; Gunter, Marc; Freisling, Heinz; Huybrechts, Inge; Aune, Dagfinn; Cross, Amanda J; Riboli, Elio; Key, Timothy J.

2017-01-01

Several dietary factors have been studied in relation to prostate cancer; however, most studies have not reported on subtypes of fruit and vegetables or tumor characteristics, and results obtained so far are inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the prospective association of total and subtypes of fruit and vegetable intake with the incidence of prostate cancer overall, by grade and stage of disease, and prostate cancer death. Lifestyle information for 142,239 men participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition from 8 European countries was collected at baseline. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). After an average follow‐up time of 13.9 years, 7,036 prostate cancer cases were identified. Compared with the lowest fifth, those in the highest fifth of total fruit intake had a significantly reduced prostate cancer risk (HR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.83–0.99; p‐trend = 0.01). No associations between fruit subtypes and prostate cancer risk were observed, except for citrus fruits, where a significant trend was found (HR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.86–1.02; p‐trend = 0.01). No associations between total and subtypes of vegetables and prostate cancer risk were observed. We found no evidence of heterogeneity in these associations by tumor grade and stage, with the exception of significant heterogeneity by tumor grade (p heterogeneity<0.001) for leafy vegetables. No significant associations with prostate cancer death were observed. The main finding of this prospective study was that a higher fruit intake was associated with a small reduction in prostate cancer risk. Whether this association is causal remains unclear. PMID:28419475

Increased postural sway during quiet stance as a risk factor for prospective falls in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

PubMed

Johansson, Jonas; Nordström, Anna; Gustafson, Yngve; Westling, Göran; Nordström, Peter

2017-11-01

fall-related injuries constitute major health risks in older individuals, and these risks are projected to increase in parallel with increasing human longevity. Impaired postural stability is a potential risk factor related to falls, although the evidence is inconclusive, partly due to the lack of prospective studies. This study aimed to investigate how objective measures of postural sway predict incident falls. this prospectively observational study included 1,877 community-dwelling individuals aged 70 years who participated in the Healthy Ageing Initiative between June 2012 and December 2015. postural sway was measured during eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) trials using the Wii Balance Board. Functional mobility, muscle strength, objective physical activity and cognitive performance were also measured. Participants reported incident falls 6 and 12 months after the examination. during follow-up, 255 (14%) prospective fallers were identified. Division of centre of pressure (COP) sway lengths into quintiles revealed a nonlinear distribution of falls for EO trial data, but not EC trial data. After adjustment for multiple confounders, fall risk was increased by 75% for participants with COP sway lengths ≥400 mm during the EO trial (odds ratio [OR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.79), and approximately doubled for sway lengths ≥920 mm during the EC trial (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.12-3.22). objective measures of postural sway independently predict incident falls in older community-dwelling men and women. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether postural sway length is of interest for the prediction of incident falls in clinical settings. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society.All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Evaluation of three methods for retrospective correction of vignetting on medical microscopy images utilizing two open source software tools.

PubMed

Babaloukas, Georgios; Tentolouris, Nicholas; Liatis, Stavros; Sklavounou, Alexandra; Perrea, Despoina

2011-12-01

Correction of vignetting on images obtained by a digital camera mounted on a microscope is essential before applying image analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate three methods for retrospective correction of vignetting on medical microscopy images and compare them with a prospective correction method. One digital image from four different tissues was used and a vignetting effect was applied on each of these images. The resulted vignetted image was replicated four times and in each replica a different method for vignetting correction was applied with fiji and gimp software tools. The highest peak signal-to-noise ratio from the comparison of each method to the original image was obtained from the prospective method in all tissues. The morphological filtering method provided the highest peak signal-to-noise ratio value amongst the retrospective methods. The prospective method is suggested as the method of choice for correction of vignetting and if it is not applicable, then the morphological filtering may be suggested as the retrospective alternative method. © 2011 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2011 Royal Microscopical Society.

AGORA--IV. The Low-Skilled on the European Labour Market: Prospects and Policy Options. Towards a Minimum Learning Platform (Thessaloniki, Greece, October 29-30, 1998). CEDEFOP Panorama.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Thessaloniki (Greece).

This booklet describes the proceedings of the fourth AGORA conference in Greece conducted by a European team of the Newskills project. (The Newskills project examines the employment prospects of those with a low level of formal education in Europe, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of a minimum learning platform after consultation with…

The effects of the Mediterranean diet on rheumatoid arthritis prevention and treatment: a systematic review of human prospective studies.

PubMed

Forsyth, Casuarina; Kouvari, Matina; D'Cunha, Nathan M; Georgousopoulou, Ekavi N; Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B; Mellor, Duane D; Kellett, Jane; Naumovski, Nenad

2018-05-01

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease characterised by severely swollen and painful joints. To compliment pharmacotherapy, people living with rheumatoid arthritis often turn to dietary interventions such as the Mediterranean diet. The aim of the present systematic review is to discuss the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the management and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in human prospective studies. Four studies met the inclusion criteria, including two intervention studies reporting improvement in the pain visual analogue scale (p < 0.05) and a decrease in the health assessment questionnaire for rheumatoid arthritis score (p < 0.05) in the Mediterranean diet groups. Only one study reported a reduction in the 28 joint count disease activity score for rheumatoid arthritis for the Mediterranean diet group (p < 0.05). This review has identified beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet in reducing pain and increasing physical function in people living with rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to support widespread recommendation of the Mediterranean diet for prevention of rheumatoid arthritis.

Incidence of ulcerative colitis in Central Greece: A prospective study

PubMed Central

Ladas, Spiros D.; Mallas, Elias; Giorgiotis, Konstantinos; Karamanolis, Georgios; Trigonis, Dimitrios; Markadas, Apostolos; Sipsa, Vana; Raptis, Sotirios A.

2005-01-01

AIM: To study the incidence of ulcerative colitis UC in the prefecture of Trikala, Central Greece. METHODS: A prospective and population based epidemiological study of UC from 1990 to the end of 1994 was conducted. Trikala is a semirural prefecture of Central Greece with a population of 138946 (census 1991). Three gastroenterologists (one hospital based, two private doctors) of the prefecture participated in this study. RESULTS: During the study period, 66 new histologically verified cases of UC were recorded. The mean annual incidence of the disease in 1990-1994 was 11.2 per 105 inhabitants (95%CI: 8.7-14.3). There was no difference between men and women (annual incidence: 10.5 and 12.0 per 105 inhabitants respectively), either among urban, semirural or rural populations (annual incidence: 11.7, 17.1 and 9.9 per 105 inhabitants respectively). The majority (56%) of the patients never smoked and a quarter were ex-smokers. About a half of all cases had proctitis. CONCLUSION: UC is common in Central Greece and its incidence is similar to that in North-Western European countries. PMID:15793864

[Characteristics of growth and development in children from families at social risk].

PubMed

Stojadinović, A

2001-01-01

Body height and weight are important indicators of children's health status. There are many evidences that children from disadvantaged families have lower height and weight than children of the same age from families without social risk. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics of growth and development of children from economically disadvantaged families. The study was partly retrospective and partly prospective. The retrospective study included 509 children from disadvantaged families hospitalized at the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health Care in Novi Sad, during a five-year period. The prospective study included 90 children from disadvantaged families (experimental group) and 132 children from families without social risk (control group) hospitalized at the Institute during a six month period. Height/length, weight, head circumference, and psychomotor/intellectual development have been examined. In the retrospective study results were compared with theoretically expected values, whereas the prospective study results of experimental and control group were compared. In the retrospective study that included only children from disadvantaged families, 136 (26.7%) children had height/length, 173 (34%) had weight, and 86 (16.9%) children had head circumference below 10th percentile. Delay in psychomotor/intellectual development was established in 177 (34.8%) children. Children from families with social risk have significantly more often height/length, weight, head circumference and developmental delay than theoretically expected. In the prospective study 40 (44.4%) children from experimental group had height/length, 29 (32.2%) had weight, 20 (22.2%) children had head circumference below 10th percentile, and 17 (26.2%) had delay in psychomotor/intellectual development. Children from disadvantaged families (experimental group) significantly more often had delay in growth and development comparing with children from families without social risk (control group). Children from disadvantaged families significantly more often exhibit delay in growth and development, comparing with children of the same age from families without social risk. Therefore, pediatricians should consider social risk factors whenever treating children with growth or developmental delay.

A prospective, multicenter pilot study to investigate the feasibility and safety of a 1-year controlled exercise training after adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients.

PubMed

Piringer, Gudrun; Fridrik, Michael; Fridrik, Alfred; Leiherer, Andreas; Zabernigg, August; Greil, Richard; Eisterer, Wolfgang; Tschmelitsch, Jörg; Lang, Alois; Frantal, Sophie; Burgstaller, Sonja; Gnant, Michael; Thaler, Josef

2018-04-01

Despite advances in adjuvant chemotherapy, 20-30% of patients in stages II-III colorectal cancer will eventually relapse. Observational studies showed a reduction in relapse rate, colon cancer-specific mortality, and overall mortality by physical activity. Results from prospective randomized interventional studies to confirm these observational data are lacking. The aims of this prospective single-arm multicenter pilot study are to evaluate feasibility and safety of exercise training after adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients. The training was performed three times per week for 1 year and was increased gradually in three phases until reaching 18 metabolic equivalent task hours per week. Overall, 30 patients were included. The planned training intensity could be achieved in all three phases. Patients experienced a performance increase of median 35.5 watt, a weight-loss of a median of 3.0 kg, and a reduction in body fat content of median 1.0% during this exercise training. The analysis showed early study termination due to non-compliance in 10/30 patients (33.3%), disease progression in 4 patients (13.3%), and serious adverse events in 2 patients (6.7%). About half of patients (46.7%) completed the pilot study as planned. Biomarker analysis from 20 patients showed a non-significant reduction in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGF-BP3) levels, significant increases in adiponectin and leptin levels, and a non-significant increase in C-peptide levels. Exercise training is feasible in patients with colorectal cancer after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. The main problem encountered during the study was compliance. To improve compliance of exercise training, several measures were adapted for the upcoming prospective randomized ABCSG C08 Exercise II study.

Barriers and facilitators experienced in collaborative prospective research in orthopaedic oncology: A qualitative study.

PubMed

Rendon, J S; Swinton, M; Bernthal, N; Boffano, M; Damron, T; Evaniew, N; Ferguson, P; Galli Serra, M; Hettwer, W; McKay, P; Miller, B; Nystrom, L; Parizzia, W; Schneider, P; Spiguel, A; Vélez, R; Weiss, K; Zumárraga, J P; Ghert, M

2017-05-01

As tumours of bone and soft tissue are rare, multicentre prospective collaboration is essential for meaningful research and evidence-based advances in patient care. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators encountered in large-scale collaborative research by orthopaedic oncological surgeons involved or interested in prospective multicentre collaboration. All surgeons who were involved, or had expressed an interest, in the ongoing Prophylactic Antibiotic Regimens in Tumour Surgery (PARITY) trial were invited to participate in a focus group to discuss their experiences with collaborative research in this area. The discussion was digitally recorded, transcribed and anonymised. The transcript was analysed qualitatively, using an analytic approach which aims to organise the data in the language of the participants with little theoretical interpretation. The 13 surgeons who participated in the discussion represented orthopaedic oncology practices from seven countries (Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Denmark, United States and Canada). Four categories and associated themes emerged from the discussion: the need for collaboration in the field of orthopaedic oncology due to the rarity of the tumours and the need for high level evidence to guide treatment; motivational factors for participating in collaborative research including establishing proof of principle, learning opportunity, answering a relevant research question and being part of a collaborative research community; barriers to participation including funding, personal barriers, institutional barriers, trial barriers, and administrative barriers and facilitators for participation including institutional facilitators, leadership, authorship, trial set-up, and the support of centralised study coordination. Orthopaedic surgeons involved in an ongoing international randomised controlled trial (RCT) were motivated by many factors to participate. There were a number of barriers to and facilitators for their participation. There was a collective sense of fatigue experienced in overcoming these barriers, which was mirrored by a strong collective sense of the importance of, and need for, collaborative research in this field. The experiences were described as essential educational first steps to advance collaborative studies in this area. Knowledge gained from this study will inform the development of future large-scale collaborative research projects in orthopaedic oncology. Cite this article: J. S. Rendon, M. Swinton, N. Bernthal, M. Boffano, T. Damron, N. Evaniew, P. Ferguson, M. Galli Serra, W. Hettwer, P. McKay, B. Miller, L. Nystrom, W. Parizzia, P. Schneider, A. Spiguel, R. Vélez, K. Weiss, J. P. Zumárraga, M. Ghert. Barriers and facilitators experienced in collaborative prospective research in orthopaedic oncology: A qualitative study. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:-314. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2016-0192.R1. © 2017 Ghert et al.

[Robotic prostatectomy: The anesthetist's view for robotic urological surgeries, a prospective study].

PubMed

Oksar, Menekse; Akbulut, Ziya; Ocal, Hakan; Balbay, Mevlana Derya; Kanbak, Orhan

2014-01-01

Although many features of robotic prostatectomy are similar to those of conventional laparoscopic urological procedures (such as laparoscopic prostatectomy), the procedure is associated with some drawbacks, which include limited intravenous access, relatively long operating time, deep Trendelenburg position, and high intra-abdominal pressure. The primary aim was to describe respiratory and hemodynamic challenges and the complications related to high intra-abdominal pressure and the deep Trendelenburg position in robotic prostatectomy patients. The secondary aim was to reveal safe discharge criteria from the operating room. Fifty-three patients who underwent robotic prostatectomy between December 2009 and January 2011 were prospectively enrolled. Main outcome measures were non-invasive monitoring, invasive monitoring and blood gas analysis performed at supine (T0), Trendelenburg (T1), Trendelenburg + pneumoperitoneum (T2), Trendelenburg-before desufflation (T3), Trendelenburg (after desufflation) (T4), and supine (T5) positions. Fifty-three robotic prostatectomy patients were included in the study. The main clinical challenge in our study group was the choice of ventilation strategy to manage respiratory acidosis, which is detected through end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure and blood gas analysis. Furthermore, the mean arterial pressure remained unchanged, the heart rate decreased significantly and required intervention. The central venous pressure values were also above the normal limits. Respiratory acidosis and "upper airway obstruction-like" clinical symptoms were the main challenges associated with robotic prostatectomy procedures during this study. Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.