Teen Triple P: A universal approach to reducing risk factors for behavioural and emotional problems in adolescents at the transition to high school

Teen Triple P is a multilevel system of intervention that is designed to provide parents with specific strategies to promote the positive development of their teenage children as they make the transition into high school and through puberty. The program is based on a combination of education about the developmental needs of adolescents, skills training to improve communication and problem-solving, plus specific modules to deal with common problems encountered by parents and adolescents that can escalate into major conflict and violence. It is designed to increase the engagement of parents of adolescent and pre-adolescent children by providing them with easy access to evidencebased parenting advice and support. This paper presents data collected as part of a survey of over 1400 students in first year high school at 9 Brisbane schools. The survey instrument was constructed to obtain students' reports about behaviour which is known to be associated with their health and wellbeing, and also on the extent to which their parents promoted or discouraged such behaviour at home, at school, and in their social and recreational activities in the wider community. Selected data from the survey were extracted and presented to parents at a series of parenting seminars held at the schools to promote appropriate parenting of teenagers. The objectives were to provide parents with accurate data about teenagers' behaviour, and about teenagers' reports of how they perceived their parents' behaviour. Normative data on parent and teenager behaviour will be presented from the survey as well as psychometric data relating to the reliability and validity of this new measure. Implications of this strategy for increasing parent engagement in parenting programs that aim to reduce behavioural and emotional problems in adolescents will be discussed.

High speed versus conventional grinding in high removal rate machining of alumina and alumina-titania

High removal rate (up to 16.6 mm(3)/s per mm) grinding of alumina and alumina-titania was investigated with respect to material removal and basic grinding parameters using a resin-bond 160 mu m grit diamond wheel at the speeds of 40 and 160 m/s, respectively. The results show that the material removal for the single-phase polycrystalline alumina and the two-phase alumina-titania composite revealed identical mechanisms of microfracture and grain dislodgement under the grinding conditioned selected. There were no distinct differences in surface roughness and morphology for both materials ground at either conventional or high speed. An increase in material removal rate did not necessarily worsen the surface toughness for the two materials at both speeds. Also the grinding forces for the two ceramics demonstrated similar characteristics at any grinding speeds and specific removal rates. Both normal and tangential grinding forces and their force ratios at the high speed were lower than those at the conventional speed, regardless of removal rates. An increase in specific removal rate caused more rapid increases in normal and tangential forces obtained at the conventional grinding speed than those at the high speed. Furthermore, it is found that the high speed grinding at all the removal rates exerted a great amount of coolant-induced normal forces in grinding zone, which were 4-6 times higher than the pure normal grinding forces. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

GABAergic REGULATION OF AUDITORY SENSORY GATING IN LOW- AND HIGH-ANXIETY RATS SUBMITTED TO A FEAR CONDITIONING PROCEDURE

The inferior colliculus (IC) is primarily involved in the processing of acoustic stimuli, being in a position to send auditory information to motor centers that participate in behaviors such as prey catching and predators` avoidance The role of the central nucleus of the IC (CIC) on fear and anxiety has been suggested on the basis that rats are able to engage in tasks to decrease the aversiveness of CIC stimulation, increased Fos immunolabeling during diverse aversive states and increased CIC auditory evoked potentials (AEP) induced by conditioned fear stimuli Additionally it was shown that brainstem AEP, represented by wave V, for which the main generator is the IC, is increased during experimentally induced anxiety Rats segregated according to their low or high emotional reactivity have been used as an important tool in the study of fear and anxiety The IC contains a high density of GABA receptors Since the efficacy of an anxiolytic compound is a function of the animal`s anxiety level, it is possible that GABA-benzodiazepine (Bzp) agents affect LA and HA animals differently In this study we investigated the GABA-Bzp influence on the modulation of AEP in rats with low (LA) or high-anxiety (HA) levels, as assessed by the elevated plus maze test (EPM) GABA-Bzp modulation on the unconditioned AEP response was analyzed by using intra CIC injections (0 2 mu l) of the GABA-Bzp agonists muscimol (121 ng) and diazepam (30 mu g) or the GABA inhibitors bicuculline (10 ng) and semicarbazide (7 mu g) In a second experiment, we evaluate the effects of contextual aversive conditioning on AEP using foot shocks as unconditioned stimuli On the unconditioned fear paradigm GABA inhibition in creased AEP in LA rats and decreases this measure in HA counterparts Muscimol was effective in reducing AEP in both LA and HA rats Contextual fear stimuli increased the magnitude of AEP In spite of no effect obtained with diazepam in LA rats the drug inhibited AEP in HA animals The specificity of the regulatory mechanisms mediated by GABA Bzp for the ascending neurocircuits responsible for the acquisition of aversive information in LA and HA animals shed light on the processing of sensory information underlying the generation of defensive reactions (C) 2010 IBRO Published by Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Surface foam film waves studied with high-speed linescan camera

Dynamic foam films have been investigated using an improved experimental set-up with a CCD high-speed linescan camera in conjunction with the Scheludko micro-interferometric cell for studying the drainage and rupture of liquid foam films. The improved experimental set-up increased the sensibility of detection of the local thickness heterogeneities and domains during the film evolution. The evolution of the foam films up to the formation of black spots was recorded in the time intervals of 50ms. The wavelengths of the propagating surface waves and their frequencies were determined experimentally. The experimental results show that the current quasi-static hydrodynamic theory does not properly describe the wave dynamics with inter-domain channels. However, the thermodynamic condition for formation of black spots in the foam films was met by the experimental results. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

What the reasons for no inbreeding and high genetic diversity of the neotropical fig tree Ficus arpazusa ?

Ficus arpazusa Casaretto is a fig tree native to the Atlantic Rain Forest sensu lato. High levels of genetic diversity and no inbreeding were observed in Ficus arpazusa. This genetic pattern is due to the action of its pollinator, Pegoscapus sp., which disperses pollen an estimated distance of 5.6 km, and of Ficus arpazusa`s mating system which, in the study area, is allogamous. This study highlights the importance of adding both ecological and genetic data into population studies, allowing a better understanding of evolutionary processes and in turn increasing the efficacy of forest management and revegetation projects, as well as species conservation.

Phylogeny of the Limnophilinae (Limoniidae) and early evolution of the Tipulomorpha (Diptera)

Tipulomorpha (craneflies) comprise one of the largest subgroups of Diptera, but its phylogeny at different levels has been poorly explored. This study presents the most comprehensive cladistic analysis of the group ever made, with emphasis on the genera and subgenera of the subfamily Limnophilinae (Limoniidae), assumed to include some of the earliest lineages of Tipulomorpha sensu stricto and therefore important for the understanding of the early patterns in the evolution of the craneflies. Eighty-eight characters of the male imago were scored for 104 exemplar species. The most parsimonious trees were searched using implied weighting, in the framework of a sensitivity analysis with different values of k (2 to 6). The dataset based on the characters of adult male morphology showed high levels of homoplasy and yielded very incongruent and unstable phylogenetic results, which are very sensitive to changes in analytical parameters. In the preferred and most parsimonious phylogenetic hypothesis, the Pediciidae is the sister-group of all other Tipulomorpha sensu stricto. The results indicate the paraphyly of the Limoniidae with respect to the Cylindrotomidae and Tipulidae, which are considered sister-groups. The Limoniidae subfamilies Limnophilinae, Limoniinae and Chioneinae are considered non-monophyletic. The study allowed a reconstruction of the possible ground plan condition of selected features of the adult male morphology of craneflies. The genera/subgenera Epiphragma (Epiphragma), Acantholimnophila, Shannonomyia, Limnophila (Arctolimnophila), Eloeophila, Conosia, Polymera, Polymera (Polymerodes), Prionolabis, Eutonia, Phylidorea (Phylidorea), Metalimnophila, Gynoplistia (Cerozodia), Gynoplistia (Dirhipis), Nothophila, Pseudolimnophila (Pseudolimnophila), Pilaria and Ulomorpha are considered monophyletic, but in general are defined by combinations of very homoplastic character states. Two Temperate Gondwanan clades, (Tonnoirella + (Edwardsomyia + (Tinemyia + (Rhamphophila + (Nothophila))))) and ((Notholimnophila + Bergrothomyia) + (Mesolimnophila + (Chilelimnophila + Ctenolimnophila))) are recovered. The genera Limnophila, Neolimnomyia, Gynoplistia (sensu lato) and Hexatoma (sensu lato) are considered non-monophyletic. The systematic position and some morphological characters of `problematic` taxa, such as Dactylolabis, Elephantomyia, Helius and Atarba are discussed on the light of the proposed phylogeny and the analysis of the characters. Character states are richly illustrated. A detailed study of the morphology of the male genitalia is made, and several genera and species have the morphology of the male genitalia illustrated for the first time.

Low coral cover in a high-CO2 world

Coral reefs generally exist within a relatively narrow band of temperatures, light, and seawater aragonite saturation states. The growth of coral reefs is minimal or nonexistent outside this envelope. Climate change, through its effect on ocean temperature, has already had an impact on the world's coral reefs, with almost 30% of corals having disappeared since the beginning of the 1980s. Abnormally warm temperatures cause corals to bleach ( lose their brown dinoflagellate symbionts) and, if elevated for long enough, to die. Increasing atmospheric CO2 is also potentially affecting coral reefs by lowering the aragonite saturation state of seawater, making carbonate ions less available for calcification. The synergistic interaction of elevated temperature and CO2 is likely to produce major changes to coral reefs over the next few decades and centuries. Known tolerances of corals to projected changes to sea temperatures indicate that corals are unlikely to remain abundant on reefs and could be rare by the middle of this century if the atmospheric CO2 concentration doubles or triples. The combination of changes to sea temperature and carbonate ion availability could trigger large- scale changes in the biodiversity and function of coral reefs. The ramifications of these changes for the hundred of millions of coral reef - dependent people and industries living in a high- CO2 world have yet to be properly defined. The weight of evidence suggests, however, that projected changes will cause major shifts in the prospects for industries and societies that depend on having healthy coral reefs along their coastlines.

An evaluation of the evidence for linkages between mangroves and fisheries: A synthesis of the literature and identification of research directions

There is a widely held paradigm that mangroves are critical for sustaining production in coastal fisheries through their role as important nursery areas for fisheries species. This paradigm frequently forms the basis for important management decisions on habitat conservation and restoration of mangroves and other coastal wetlands. This paper reviews the current status of the paradigm and synthesises the information on the processes underlying these potential links. In the past, the paradigm has been supported by studies identifying correlations between the areal and linear extent of mangroves and fisheries catch. This paper goes beyond the correlative approach to develop a new framework on which future evaluations can be based. First, the review identifies what type of marine animals are using mangroves and at what life stages. These species can be categorised as estuarine residents, marine-estuarine species and marine stragglers. The marine-estuarine category includes many commercial species that use mangrove habitats as nurseries. The second stage is to determine why these species are using mangroves as nurseries. The three main proposals are that mangroves provide a refuge from predators, high levels of nutrients and shelter from physical disturbances. The recognition of the important attributes of mangrove nurseries then allows an evaluation of how changes in mangroves will affect the associated fauna. Surprisingly few studies have addressed this question. Consequently, it is difficult to predict how changes in any of these mangrove attributes would affect the faunal communities within them and, ultimately, influence the fisheries associated with them. From the information available, it seems likely that reductions in mangrove habitat complexity would reduce the biodiversity and abundance of the associated fauna, and these changes have the potential to cause cascading effects at higher trophic levels with possible consequences for fisheries. Finally, there is a discussion of the data that are currently available on mangrove distribution and fisheries catch, the limitations of these data and how best to use the data to understand mangrove-fisheries links and, ultimately, to optimise habitat and fisheries management. Examples are drawn from two relatively data-rich regions, Moreton Bay (Australia) and Western Peninsular Malaysia, to illustrate the data needs and research requirements for investigating the mangrove-fisheries paradigm. Having reliable and accurate data at appropriate spatial and temporal scales is crucial for mangrove-fisheries investigations. Recommendations are made for improvements to data collection methods that would meet these important criteria. This review provides a framework on which to base future investigations of mangrove-fisheries links, based on an understanding of the underlying processes and the need for rigorous data collection. Without this information, the understanding of the relationship between mangroves and fisheries will remain limited. Future investigations of mangrove-fisheries links must take this into account in order to have a good ecological basis and to provide better information and understanding to both fisheries and conservation managers.

High Penetrance of Pheochromocytoma Associated with the Novel C634Y/Y791F Double Germline Mutation in the RET Protooncogene

Context: Previous studies have shown that double RET mutations may be associated with unusual multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) phenotypes. Objective: Our objective was to report the clinical features of patients harboring a previously unreported double mutation of the RET gene and to characterize this mutation in vitro. Patients: Sixteen patients from four unrelated families and harboring the C634Y/Y791F double RET germline mutation were included in the study. Results: Large pheochromocytomas measuring 6.0-14 cm and weighing upto 640 g were identified in the four index cases. Three of the four tumors were bilateral. High penetrance of pheochromocytoma was also seen in the C634Y/Y791F-mutation-positive relatives (seven of nine, 77.7%). Of these, two cases had bilateral tumors, one presented with multifocal tumors, two cases had large tumors (>5 cm), and one case, which was diagnosed with a large (5.5 x 4.5 x 4.0 cm) pheochromocytoma, reported early onset of symptoms of the disease (14 yr old). The overall penetrance of pheochromocytoma was 84.6% (11 of 13). Development of medullary thyroid carcinoma in our patients seemed similar to that observed in patients with codon 634 mutations. Haplotype analysis demonstrated that the mutation did not arise from a common ancestor. In vitro studies showed the double C634Y/Y791F RET receptor was significantly more phosphorylated than either activated wild-type receptor or single C634Y and Y791F RET mutants. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the natural history of the novel C634Y/Y791F double mutation carries a codon 634-like pattern of medullary thyroid carcinoma development, is associated with increased susceptibility to unusually large bilateral pheochromocytomas, and is likely more biologically active than each individual mutation. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 95: 1318-1327, 2010)

Prevalence of Epilepsy in Children From a Brazilian Area of High Deprivation

This study assessed the prevalence rate of epilepsy and its causes in children and adolescents in one area of high deprivation in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, in Southeast Brazil. Between July 2005 and June 2006, 4947 families from a population of 22,013 inhabitants (including 10,405 children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 16 years) living in the shantytown of Paraisopolis, were interviewed. In the first phase, a validated questionnaire was administered, to identify the occurrence of seizures. In the second phase, clinical history, neurologic examination, electroencephalography, and structural neuroimaging were performed. The diagnosis of epilepsy, including etiology, seizure types, and epileptic syndrome classification, was according to criteria of the International League Against Epilepsy. The screening phase identified 353 presumptive cases. In the second phase, 101 of these cases (33.8%) received the diagnosis of epilepsy. Crude prevalence of epilepsy was 9.7/1000 and prevalence of active epilepsy was 8.7/1000. Partial seizures were the most frequent seizure type (62/101). Symptomatic focal epilepsy was the most common form, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy the most common etiology, reflecting the socioeconomic conditions of this specific population. Adequate public policies regarding perinatal assistance could help reduce the prevalence of epilepsy. (C) 2010 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment in dyslipidemic women: The Lipid Treatment Assessment Project (L-TAP) 2

Background Differences between women and men have been documented for both diagnostic testing and treatment in cardiology. This analysis evaluates whether low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) success rates according to current guidelines and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels differ by gender in the L-TAP 2 population. Methods Patients aged >= 20 years with dyslipidemia on stable lipid-lowering therapy were assessed in 9 countries between September 2006 and April 2007. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment by cardiovascular risk level and region and determinants of low HDL-C were compared between genders. Results Of 9,955 patients (45.3% women) evaluated, women had a significantly lower overall LDL-C success rate than men (71.5% vs 73.7%, P = .014), due entirely to the difference in the high-risk/coronary heart disease (CHD) group (LDL-C goal <100 mg/dL, 62.6% vs 70.6%, P < .0001) Among CHD patients with >= 2 additional risk factors, only 26.7% of women and 31.5% of men (P = .021) attained the optional LDL-C goal of <70 mg/dL. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was <50 mg/dL in 32.2% of women and <40 mg/dL in 26.8% of men (P < .0001), including 38.2% of women and 29.8% of men in the high risk/CHD group (P < .0001). Predictors of low HDL-C in women included diabetes, smoking, waist circumference, and hypertension. Conclusions Cholesterol treatment has, improved substantially since the original L-TAP a decade ago, when only 39% of women attained their LDL-C goal. However, high-risk women are undertreated compared to men, and a substantial opportunity remains to reduce their cardiovascular risk. (Am Heart J 2009; 158:860-6.)

Transfer of Cholesterol and Other Lipids From a Lipid Nanoemulsion to High-density Lipoprotein in Heart Transplant Patients

Background: Beyond the first year after a heart transplant (HT) procedure, patients often develop dyslipidemias, which may be implicated in the genesis of transplant coronary heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has a several anti-atherogenic properties, but the status of HDL in HT patients is still controversial. Nonetheless, determination of HDL cholesterol concentration is not sufficient for evaluation of the overall HDL protective role. In this study, a fundamental functional property of HDL, the ability to simultaneously receive the major lipid classes, was tested in HT patients. Methods: Twenty HT patients and 20 healthy normolipidemic subjects paired for gender, age and body mass index were studied. Blood samples were collected after 12-hour fasting for determination of plasma lipids, glucose, paraxonase I (PON 1) activity, HDL diameter and transfer of labeled lipids from an artificial nanoemulsion to HDL. Results: Plasma triglycerides (159 +/- 63 vs 94 +/- 35 mg/dl) and glucose (104 +/- 20 vs 86 +/- 10 mg/dl) were greater in HT patients than in control subjects. HDL cholesterol was lower and HDL diameter was smaller in the HT group (HDL cholesterol: 44 +/- 11 vs 55 +/- 15 mg/dl; HDL diameter: 8.8 +/- 0.6 vs 9.0 +/- 1.2 nm). PON 1 activity did not differ (87 +/- 47 vs 75 +/- 37 nmol/min/ml). The transfer rates of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters were diminished in HT patients (HT: 8.4 +/- 1.2% and 3.8 +/- 0.6%; controls: 9.7 +/- 1.9% and 4.7 +/- 1.2%, respectively). Conclusions: The transfer of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters to HDL is diminished in HT patients; disturbance in the ability of HDL to receive lipids may affect the anti-atherogenic properties of the lipoprotein. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009;28:1075-80. Copyright (C) 2009 by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Selective Vagal Denervation of the Sinus and Atrioventricular Nodes, Guided by Vagal Reflexes Induced by High Frequency Stimulation, to Treat Refractory Neurally Mediated Syncope

Vagal Denervation and Neurally Mediated Syncope. A 15-year-old female patient presented with frequent episodes of vasovagal syncope refractory to non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures. Two tilt-table tests performed before and after conventional therapy were positive and reproduced the patient`s clinical symptoms. Selective vagal denervation, guided by HFS, was performed. Six radiofrequency pulses were applied on the left and right sides of the interatrial septum, abolishing vagal responses at these locations. Basal sinus node and Wenckebach cycle lengths changed significantly following ablation. A tilt test performed after denervation was negative and revealed autonomic tone modification. The patient reported significant improvement in quality of life and remained asymptomatic for 9 months after denervation. After this period, three episodes of NMS occurred during a 4-month interval and a tilt test performed 11 months after the procedure demonstrated vagal activity recovery. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 20, pp. 558-563, May 2009).

Maternal and neonatal interleukin-1 receptor antagonist genotype and pregnancy outcome in a population with a high rate of pre-term birth

Problem We evaluated associations between a length polymorphism in intron 2 of the gene coding for IL-1ra (gene symbol IL1RN) and pregnancy outcome in a population with a high rate of preterm birth. Method of study Subjects were pregnant women in Maceio, Brazil and their newborns. DNA was tested for IL1RN genotypes and alleles by gene amplification using primer pairs that spanned the polymorphic region. Every subject completed a detailed questionnaire. Results The frequency of allele 2 (IL1RN*2) carriage was elevated in mothers with a spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in the current pregnancy (P = 0.02) and also with a prior preterm delivery (P = .01). Both SPTB with intact membranes (P = 0.01) and SPTB preceded by pre-term pre-mature rupture of membranes (P = .03) were associated with IL1RN*2 carriage. A previous fetal demise was more than twice as prevalent in mothers positive for two copies of IL1RN*2. Conclusion Maternal carriage of IL1RN*2 increases susceptibility to inflammation-triggered spontaneous pre-term birth.

The actual incidence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Brazil may not be as high as inferred - An estimate based on a public neonatal screening program in the state of Goias

The incidence of 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CYP21 D) congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in Brazil is purportedly one of the highest in the world (1:7,533). However, this information is not based on official data. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of CYP21 D CAH in the state of Goias, Brazil, based on the 2005 results of government-funded mandatory screening. Of the live births during this period, 92.95% were screened by heel-prick capillary 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP). Of these, 82,343 were normal, 28 were at high risk for CAH and 232 at low risk for CAH. Eight cases, all from the high risk group, were confirmed. Eight asymptomatic children at 6-18 months of age still have high 17-OHP levels and await diagnostic definition. Based on the number of confirmed CYP21 D CAH cases among the 82,603 screened, the estimated annual incidence of the disease was 1:10,325, lower than the previously reported rate in Brazil.