Relationship between sleep spindles and hypersomnia

Despite the substantial experimental literature that has accrued on factors associated with a reduction in neglect, few empirical studies have attempted to extrapolate these findings to clinical assessment and evaluate the efficacy of neglect-reducing strategies on patient performance. The current study developed a modified version of the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) by aligning the response alternatives in a column, in the right hemispace. Three groups of patients (right brain-damaged (RBD) with neglect, RBD without neglect, and orthopaedic controls) were administered abbreviated versions of the revised format, and performance was compared to the standard presentation format. The efficacy of left cues with the revised format was also investigated. Presence of neglect was assessed via the Schenkenberg Line Bisection Task and the Bells Test. Results showed a significant performance decrement among RBD neglect patients under all conditions. However, contrary to predictions, RBD neglect patients did not reveal significantly better performance on the revised version as compared to the standard presentation format. No significant effects associated with left side cueing were observed. The finding that no significant performance changes emerged as a function of stimulus modification and verbal prompts suggests that, although these manipulations may be employed by clinicians to maximize patient performance, empirical support for the efficacy of these procedures is lacking.     

The psychosocial functioning and family environment of depressed adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study examined measures of functional impairment and family relations in a sample of 62 adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 38 normal controls with no history of psychiatric illness. METHOD: Ratings of the following domains were obtained: mother-child relations, father-child relations, spousal relations, sibling relations, peer relations, and school performance. Ratings of each domain for the 3-month period preceding the assessment were derived from information obtained using a semistructured interview administered independently to the adolescents and one of their parents. RESULTS: Adolescents with MDD were found to have severe difficulties in all areas. Ninety percent of the depressed adolescents had scores greater than 2 SD above the mean of the normal controls on one or more of the domain ratings. In addition, adolescents with difficulties in parent-child relations were more likely than those adolescents without problems in family relations to have difficulties in peer relations and school performance. CONCLUSIONS: The authors discuss the importance of systematically examining psychosocial variables in future studies of the etiology, course, and treatment of MDD in adolescents.     

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Will this therapy continue to be as efficacious in the future?

The efficacy of ECMO has been discussed. If only a dichotomous live/die outcome is used as a measure of utility, ECMO is efficacious for infants with a greater than 20% mortality rate. Using a Bayesian approach and neonatal follow-up data, one concludes that ECMO, as used at present, is effective. Future measures of efficacy will vary depending on utility measures used, the populations studied, and the relative efficacy of alternative therapies.     

In-home family-focused reunification: an experimental study

Intensive, in-home family-based services were employed in reunifying families separated by the placement of a child in out-of-home care. After a 90-day service period, 93% of the 57 families randomly assigned to receive the intensive treatment were reunited-compared to 28% of the 53 families in a control group who received routine out-of-home care services. Follow-up data were collected six and 12 months after the end of treatment. Estimates of outcomes suggest that the experimental treatment had a substantial impact on families and that treatment effects endured for upwards of 12 months following cessation of direct intervention services.     

An expandable implant fixture

This literature review concerns both well known facts on mechanisms of action of calcium channels blockers and less known effects on different systems of the body. In addition to vascular dilatation, the blockers produce neuroprotective action, promote dysaggregation. Detailed information is given on usage of soluble calcium antagonist-nimotop.     

A comparison of the efficacy of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray and loratadine, alone and in combination, for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement in patient comfort and field positional accuracy provided by a new pelvic stabilization system when delivering multiple field radiotherapy to the pelvis. The Pelvic Cradle (BEHTS Manufacturing, Brisbane, Qld, Australia) is a stabilization device that provides reproducible patient positioning and levelling. Ninety patients were randomized into three groups. The first group was treated using the Pelvic Cradle, the second group was treated using current stabilization practices, and the third group was treated using the Pron Pillo (Chattanooga Pharmacal Company, USA) and current stabilization practices. Port films were assessed for field displacement in the lateral and cranio-caudal directions. A patient survey was used to evaluate the patient's perception of comfort while receiving treatment. When compared to the control group, the pelvic cradle group demonstrated a 48% improvement in the mean lateral deviation from 3.8 mm to 2.0 mm (P < 0.001) and a 36% improvement in the mean cranio-caudal deviation from 3.9 mm to 2.5 mm (P < 0.001). The Pelvic Cradle was found to provide an improved level of field positional accuracy while maintaining patient comfort.     

RE hybrid systems: Improving competitiveness for RE

Naturally, the main reason for creating any type of hybrid system is a wish to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts; one in which the shortcomings of one element is offset by another. The combination of wind and solar energy is familiar to us all from a range of applications, including power supply to private households. This combination is also used for more specific purposes, however, many of them every bit as vital. Britt Johansen, Grundfos, Denmark describes how hybrid systems can help promote use of renewable energy within off-grid water supply, and addresses recent technological developments within this area.