Controlling baseline trend in single-case research.

School psychologists commonly conduct interventions for individual students and evaluate their success through single-case research designs, most of which include a baseline observation period. However, concluding intervention effectiveness from a single-case design is problematic when pronounced baseline trend is evident. With positive baseline trend, interpretation of the measured mean difference between phases is ambiguous, and an invalid interpretation is probable. Although an adequate method for controlling baseline trend exists, it is rarely applied in published studies. This article seeks wider application of baseline trend control by describing a modified technique that blends more easily with visual analysis. A second goal of this article is to encourage better informed use of baseline trend control, by empirically demonstrating its need in published studies, and its impact on R2 effect sizes and on autocorrelation. Finally, baseline trend control is combined with elimination of autocorrelation, for results that can withstand the scrutiny of the broader research community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expression of the serine rich Entamoeba histolytica protein (SREHP) in the avirulent vaccine strain Salmonella typhi TY2 chi 4297 (delta cya delta crp delta asd): safety and immunogenicity in mice

Infection by the intestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica remains a significant threat to health in much of the world. Here we describe the successful expression of the serine rich Entamoeba histolytica protein (SREHP), a protective antigen of ameba, in an attenuated vaccine strain Salmonella typhi TY2 chi 4297 (delta cya delta crp delta asd). The attenuation of S. typhi TY2 chi 4297 was not altered by expression of the SREHP-maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion protein and mice parenterally vaccinated with S. typhi TY2 chi 4297 expressing SREHP-MBP developed serum anti-amebic and anti-LPS antibodies. S. typhi TY2 chi 4297 expressing SREHP-MBP represents a prototype combination vaccine designed to prevent both amebiasis and typhoid fever.     

Expression of deletion-containing dystrophins in mdx muscle: implications for gene therapy and dystrophin function

The expression of full-length dystrophin and various dystrophin deletion mutants was monitored in mdx mouse muscle after intramuscular injection of dystrophin-encoding plasmid DNAs. Recombinant dystrophin proteins, including those lacking either the amino terminus, carboxyl terminus, or most of the central rod domain, showed localization to the plasma membrane. This suggests that there are multiple attachment sites for dystrophin to the plasma membrane. Only those constructs containing the carboxyl terminus were able to stabilize dystrophin-associated proteins (DAP) at the membrane, consistent with other studies that suggest that this domain is critical to DAP binding. Colocalization with DAP was not necessary for membrane localization of the various dystrophin molecules. However, stabilization and co-localization of the DAP did seem to be a prerequisite for expression and/or stabilization of mutant dystrophins beyond 1 wk and these same criteria seemed important for mitigating the histopathological consequences of dystrophin deficiency.     

A comparative clinical evaluation of the Wisdom Straight, Plaque Control and Angled toothbrushes compared to the Oral-B 35

PURPOSE: Many patients attend orthopedic departments complaining of pain on the plantar aspect of the calcaneum. The symptoms may subside spontaneously, but often persist. Treatment is usually by local injection of a corticosteroid, orthopedic devices or other standard treatment. If these methods fail, X-ray treatment may be considered. The efficacy of radiotherapy of the calcaneal spur was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1981 through December 1991, 18 patients with painful heel were irradiated mostly with the caesium or telecobalt unit, usually with a dose of 4 times 0.5 Gy. Among these patients, 12 could be followed up during a prolonged period on the basis of questionnaires. RESULTS: According to the categories of v. Pannewitz 17% of the patients were pain-free by the end of the treatment course, 22% showed marked improvement, 33% showed improvement and in 28% the pain was not influenced. Over an average of 41.5 months 58% of the patients reported freedom from pain. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose radiotherapy appears to relieve the painful heel syndrome in a high proportion of patients. The overall treatment risk appears to be very small. The mechanism of low-dose radiotherapy is unknown.     

Reconstructive operations on the head and neck using a microsurgical technic

Eighty-one patients with defects and deformations of the head and neck of various origin were examined and treated. Microsurgical autotransplantation of vascularized tissue complexes was carried out in all the cases. Profound preliminary examinations of patients helped objectively define the indications for the use of this method. Special attention was paid to the choice of donor zone. Due to correct selection of a complex graft, good functional and cosmetic results were attained. Despite repeated corrective operations in 16 patients, virtually complete social and communal rehabilitation was attained in 74 (91.4%) patients by using a limited number of donor areas. The authors persuasively demonstrate the advantages of microsurgery in repair of complex and extensive defects on the head and neck.     

Pharmacodynamic modeling of the electroencephalographic effects of flumazenil in healthy volunteers sedated with midazolam

The purpose of this study was to model pharmacodynamically the reversal of midazolam sedation with flumazenil. Ten human volunteers underwent four different sessions. In session 1, individual midazolam pharmacokinetics and electroencephalographic pharmacodynamics were determined. In sessions 2 and 3, a computer-controlled infusion of midazolam with individual volunteer pharmacokinetic data was administered, targeting a plasma concentration corresponding to a light or deep level of sedation (20% or 80% of the maximal midazolam electroencephalographic effect) for a period of 210 minutes. After obtaining a stable electroencephalographic effect and constant midazolam plasma concentrations, a zero-order infusion of flumazenil was started until complete reversal of midazolam electroencephalographic effect was obtained. The flumazenil infusion was then stopped and the volunteer was allowed to resedate because of the constant midazolam drug effect. The electroencephalographic response was measured during a 180-minute period and analyzed by aperiodic analysis and fast-Fourier transforms. In session 4, a midazolam plasma concentration corresponding to a deep level of sedation was targeted for 210 minutes to examine for the possible development of acute tolerance. No flumazenil was given in session 4. For a light sedation level, with a mean midazolam plasma concentration of 160 +/- 64 ng/ml, the mean half-life of the equilibration rate constant of flumazenil reversal is 5.0 +/- 2.5 minutes, and the mean effect site concentration causing 50% of Emax is 13.7 +/- 5.8 ng/ml. For a deep level of sedation, with a mean midazolam plasma concentration of 551 +/- 196 ng/ml, the mean half-life of the equilibration rate constant is 3.9 +/- 1.5 minutes, and the mean effect site concentration causing 50% of Emax is 20.6 +/- 6.8 ng/ml. This study provides an estimate of the magnitude of the blood/central nervous system equilibration delay for flumazenil antagonism of midazolam sedation and further defines the usefulness of the electroencephalogram as a measure of midazolam pharmacodynamic effect.     

T helper cell differentiation in immune response

Significant progress has been made in understanding the maturation of antigen-specific CD4+ T helper cell responses. Recent progress centers on the network of cytokines, accessory molecules, and cell types that shapes the differentiation of distinct T helper cell subsets. Use of transgenic and knockout mice and well characterized in vivo models have helped clarify the interdependence or independence of many of these complex factors.