Showing papers by "Flinders University published in 1993"
TL;DR: Three dimensions of interpersonal relations among Australian school children were hypothesized as reflecting tendencies to bully others, to be victimized by others, and to relate to others in a prosocial and cooperative manner, supporting the factorial independence of the three hypothesized dimensions.
Abstract: Three dimensions of interpersonal relations among Australian school children were hypothesized as reflecting tendencies (a) to bully others, (b) to be victimized by others, and (c) to relate to others in a prosocial and cooperative manner. School children from two secondary schools (School A, n = 285; School B, n = 877) answered 20 questions assessing styles of interpersonal relations. Factor analyses of the item scores obtained from each of the two schools provided highly similar results, supporting the factorial independence of the three hypothesized dimensions. Students attending School B answered additional questions to assess self-esteem, level of happiness, and liking for school. Generally low levels of self-esteem were found among children who reported being more victimized than others, and high self-esteem among children practicing more prosocial behavior. The tendency to bully others was correlated negatively with happiness and liking school, but no relationship was found between this variable and self-esteem.
528 citations
TL;DR: It appears likely that the neocortical cholinergic deficit in AD can explain only a part of the entire clinical syndrome, and the role of these structures in cognition is sought.
Abstract: In the 1960s it became generally accepted that the cognitive impairment associated with old age was due to disorders with specific histological features rather than being an inevitable part of the aging process (see, e.g., Corsellis, 1962). Furthermore, two disorders appeared to account for the majority of cases of dementia amongst the elderly, one characterised by prominent disease of the cerebral vasculature and one with histological features similar to those described in a patient in her fifties by Alois Alzheimer early in the century. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was therefore recognised as a major cause ofdementia, rather than a rare neurodegenerative disease giving rise to presenile dementia. This observation, coupled with the identification of the neurochemical pathology underlying Parkinson’s disease and the success of L-DOPA treatment following its introduction in 1968, set the scene for the systematic biochemical study ofdementia in old age with the hope of producing similarly dramatic treatments. The demonstration of substantial cholinergic abnormalities in the brains of patients with AD suggested a basis for such rational pharmacological treatments. However, cases have been reported that raise some doubts as to the validity of the view of AD as a primary disorder of the cholinergic system (Bowen et al., 1977). One subset of patients with dementia had typical neuropathological findings of AD, yet their cortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was not selectively reduced (Palmer et al., 1986). Other demented patients with AD had normal numbers of cholinergic neurones in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (Perry et al., 1982; Pearson et al., 1983). A reduction in numbers of basal forebrain neurones and cortical ChAT specific activity of a magnitude similar to that seen in moderate to severe AD occurs in another neurodegenerative condition, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, yet cognitive impairment in this condition is not prominent (Kish et al., 1988). It appears likely that the neocortical cholinergic deficit in AD can explain only a part of the entire clinical syndrome. Since 1982 this group (Bowen, 1983) has focused much attention on the intrinsic neurones of the cerebral cortex. An extensive body of literature describes effects on learning and memory in humans exerted by lesions of the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus (Dudai, 1989). Experimental studies in animals have also sought to define the role of these structures in cognition. Lashley (as reviewed by Dudai, 1989) used conditioned rats and monkeys to perform various tasks, mechanically damaged the neocortex either before or after training, and then measured the effect of the lesions on acquisition and retention. He found that the amount of reduction in learning was dependent on the amount of neocortical tissue removed and, also, that the more complex the task, the greater the effect of the removal of neocortex. Studies have been extended to include the hippocampus and have also increased in subtlety by using excitotoxins, with analogous changes in behaviour (Francis et al., 1992~). The excitatory amino acids (EAA), glutamic (Glu) and aspartic acid, are the proposed transmitters of the cortical pyramidal cells and have been the subject of detailed studies in recent years. There is now strong evidence for an excitotoxic role of these amino acids in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischaemia (German0 et al.. 1987: Park et al., 1988: Sheardown et al., 1990).
251 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relevance of selected personality variables, namely Eysenck's factors of extraversion, psychoticism and neuroticism, and the psychological well being factor of self-esteem to the tendency to bully and to be victimized.
240 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is apparent that UGT2B7 variant has the capacity to glucuronidate with a degree of specificity both endogenous compounds and xenobiotics.
Abstract: A cDNA clone, designated UGT2B7 variant, encoding a 529-amino acid human liver microsomal uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) was isolated from a lambda gt11 human liver cDNA library. UGT2B7 variant synthesized in COS-7 cells was screened for activity toward a range of clinically used drugs and other xenobiotics. The expressed enzyme glucuronidated several carboxylic acid-containing nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents including, in order of relative substrate activity, naproxen, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, benoxprofen, zomepirac, diflunisal and indomethacin. Additionally, the stereoselectivity of ketoprofen, naproxen (S/R ratio approximately unity) and ibuprofen (S/R ratio 1.62) glucuronidation by the UGT2B7 variant was shown to differ. Two other carboxylic acid-containing drugs (clofibric acid and valproic acid) and a limited range of drugs containing an alcohol or phenolic functional group were also glucoronidated by expressed UGT2B7 variant. The deduced amino sequence of UGT2B7 variant was shown to differ only in one amino acid (tyrosine for histidine at position 268) from a previously published uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase cDNA, UGT2B7. Like the previously reported enzyme, this variant efficiently glucuronidated hyodeoxycholic acid, estriol, 4-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestriol. It is, therefore, apparent that UGT2B7 variant has the capacity to glucuronidate with a degree of specificity both endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. Preferred substrates for UGT2B7 variant include xenobiotic carboxylic acids, polyhydroxylated estrogens and hyodeoxycholic acid.
221 citations
TL;DR: The results predict that omeprazole clearance in vivo would be reduced in poor metabolisers of mephenytoin due to reduction in the dominant partial metabolic clearance to hydroxyomeprazole.
Abstract: 1 The in vitro metabolism of omeprazole was studied in human liver microsomes in order to define the metabolic pathways and identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms responsible for the formation of the major omeprazole metabolites. 2 The four major metabolites identified in vitro, in tentative order of importance, were hydroxyomeprazole, omeprazole sulphone, 5-O-desmethylomeprazole, and an unidentified compound termed metabolite X. Omeprazole pyridone was also detected but could not be quantitated. Incubation of hydroxyomeprazole and omeprazole sulphone with human microsomes resulted in both cases in formation of the hydroxysulphone. The kinetics of formation of the four primary metabolites studied were biphasic suggesting the involvement of multiple CYP isoforms in each case. Further studies used substrate concentrations at which the high affinity activities predominated. 3 Formation of the major metabolite, hydroxyomeprazole, was significantly correlated with S-mephenytoin hydroxylase and with benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and CYP3A content. Inhibition studies with isoform selective inhibitors also indicated a dominant role of S-mephenytoin hydroxylase with some CYP3A contribution in the formation of hydroxyomeprazole. Correlation and inhibition data for the sulphone and metabolite X were consistent with a predominant role of the CYP3A subfamily in formation of these metabolites. Formation of 5-O-desmethylomeprazole was inhibited by both R, S-mephenytoin and quinidine, indicating that both S-mephenytoin hydroxylase and CYP2D6 may mediate this reaction in human liver microsomes and in vivo. 4 The Vmax/Km (indicator of intrinsic clearance in vivo) for hydroxyomeprazole was four times greater than that for omeprazole sulphone. Consistent with findings in vivo, the results predict that omeprazole clearance in vivo would be reduced in poor metabolisers of mephenytoin due to reduction in the dominant partial metabolic clearance to hydroxyomeprazole.
215 citations
TL;DR: Investigating event-related potential indices of information processing in sufferers of posttraumatic stress disorder found that patients had abnormal difficulty distinguishing task stimuli of differing relevance, which may underlie the disturbed concentration and memory impairments found in PTSD.
203 citations
TL;DR: Results showed that self-efficacy was a significant predictor of later adherence to diabetes treatment even after past levels of adherence were taken into account, and posttest levels of adhere were significantly associated with posttest %HbA1c after control for illness severity.
Abstract: This study aims to predict adherence to diabetic treatment regimens and sustained diabetic control. During two clinic visits that were 2 months apart, 63 adult outpatients completed measures of diabetic history, current treatment, diabetic control, adherence, and self-efficacy about adherence to treatment. Results showed that self-efficacy was a significant predictor of later adherence to diabetes treatment even after past levels of adherence were taken into account. Posttest levels of adherence in turn were significantly associated with posttest %HbA1c after control for illness severity. A stepwise multiple regression to predict %HbA1c at post entered pretest measures of diabetic control, treatment type, and self-efficacy, which together predicted 50% of the variance. Results are related to self-efficacy theory and implications for practice are discussed.
191 citations
TL;DR: The extent and nature of bullying among South Australian primary school children and their self appraisals of peer relations were investigated and the tendency to be victimised correlated negatively with self appraisal of the number of friends, popularity, happiness at school and feelings of safety at school.
Abstract: The extent and nature of bullying among South Australian primary school children and their self appraisals of peer relations were investigated in a survey of 412 primary school children between the ages of 7 to 13 years. It was found that 10% of boys and 6% of girls were subject to peer group bullying and for 8% of such children the bullying episodes lasted 6 months or more. Factor analysis of styles of interpersonal relating amongst children identified three independent factors including a tendency to bully, to be victimised and to act in a pro-social manner. The tendency to be victimised correlated negatively with self appraisals of the number of friends, popularity, happiness at school and feelings of safety at school. The findings are discussed in relation to research linking negative self appraisals of interpersonal competence with isolation and proneness to depression in later years.
182 citations
TL;DR: An approach that allows for varying susceptibility to capture through individual parameters using a variant of the Rasch model from psychological measurement situations is developed that requires an additional recapture in the context of census undercount estimation.
Abstract: A central assumption in the standard capture-recapture approach to the estimation of the size of a closed population is the homogeneity of the “capture” probabilities. In this article we develop an approach that allows for varying susceptibility to capture through individual parameters using a variant of the Rasch model from psychological measurement situations. Our approach requires an additional recapture. In the context of census undercount estimation, this requirement amounts to the use of a second independent sample or alternative data source to be matched with census and Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) data. The models we develop provide a mechanism for separating out the dependence between census and PES induced by individual heterogeneity. The resulting data take the form of an incomplete 23 contingency table, and we describe how to estimate the expected values of the observable cells of this table using log-linear quasi-symmetry models. The projection of these estimates onto the unobserved...
157 citations
TL;DR: This pilot study suggests that evening bright light stimulation may be an effective nondrug treatment for early morning awakening insomnia.
Abstract: Past studies have predicted that early morning awakening insomnia is associated with advanced or early circadian rhythms. Because bright light stimulation in the evening can delay the phase of circadian rhythms, we tested its effects on nine (4 females, 5 males) early morning awakening insomniacs. Their sleep was evaluated with wrist actigraphy and their temperature and melatonin circadian rhythms were measured in constant routine procedures. In the initial evaluation, the temperature rhythm phase positions of these insomniacs did appear to be earlier than normal. The subjects were then exposed to bright light stimulation (2,500 lux) from 2000 to 2400 hours on two consecutive evenings. Following the evening bright light treatment, temperature rhythm phase markers were delayed 2-4 hours and melatonin phase markers were delayed 1-2 hours. Sleep onset times were not changed but the mean final wake-up time was delayed from 0459 hours to 0611 hours, resulting in a mean increase of total sleep time of > 1 hour. This pilot study suggests that evening bright light stimulation may be an effective nondrug treatment for early morning awakening insomnia.
154 citations
TL;DR: The TMB-tungstate reaction is more sensitive and reliable for immunocytochemistry than the benzidine dihydrochloride reaction and gives better ultrastructure than the gold-substituted silver peroxidase reaction.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used site-directed mutagenesis and cDNA expression in COS cells to characterize in detail the kinetics of tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations by seven CYP2C proteins (2C8, 2C9 and variants, and 2C10) in order to define the effects of small changes in amino acid sequences and the likely proteins responsible in the metabolism of these two drugs in man.
Abstract: Evidence from human studies in vivo and in vitro strongly suggests that the methylhydroxylation of tolbutamide and the 4-hydroxylation of phenytoin, the major pathways in the elimination of these two drugs, are catalysed by the same cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme(s). In the present study we used site-directed mutagenesis and cDNA expression in COS cells to characterize in detail the kinetics of tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations by seven CYP2C proteins (2C8, 2C9 and variants, and 2C10) in order to define the effects of small changes in amino acid sequences and the likely proteins responsible in the metabolism of these two drugs in man. Tolbutamide was hydroxylated to varying extents by all expressed cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes, although activity was much lower for the expressed 2C8 protein. While the apparent Km values for the 2C9/10 isoenzymes (71.6-131.7 microM) were comparable with the range of apparent Km values previously observed in human liver microsomes, the apparent Km for 2C8 (650.5 microM) was appreciably higher. The 2C8 enzyme also showed quite different sulphaphenazole inhibition characteristics. The 4-hydroxylation of phenytoin was also more efficiently catalysed by the 2C9/10 enzymes. These enzymes showed similarities in kinetics of phenytoin hydroxylation and sulphaphenazole inhibition compared with human liver phenytoin hydroxylase. Also of interest was the observation that, among the 2C9 variants, small differences in amino acid composition could appreciably affect both tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations. The amino acid substitution Cys-144-->Arg increased both the rates of tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations, while the Leu-359-->Ile change had a greater effect on phenytoin hydroxylation. We conclude that: (1) although 2C8 and 2C9/10 proteins metabolize tolbutamide. only 2C9/10 proteins play a major role in human liver; (2) 2C9/10 proteins also appear to be chiefly responsible for phenytoin hydroxylation; and (3) subtle differences in the amino acid composition of these 2C9/10 proteins can affect the functional specificities towards both tolbutamide and phenytoin.
TL;DR: The Australian public sector has been undergoing major changes in its philosophy, structure, processes and orientation since the early 1980s as mentioned in this paper and these changes have had major implications for accounting, auditing and accountability relationships and practices in Australian public-sector organizations.
TL;DR: Two new UDP-glucuronosyltransferase cDNAs, designated UGT 2B10 and UGT2B11, encoding 528 amino acid proteins were isolated from a human liver cDNA library and glucuronidation activity was not observed for expressed UGT1 family proteins.
TL;DR: Fourier regression analysis showed a significant 24-hour temperature rhythm, together with a 12-hour harmonic rhythm, in each condition, and Circadian rhythm parameters were altered by the sleep-evoked (or masking) effect.
Abstract: The circadian rhythm of deep body temperature consists of both an endogenous component and evoked components resulting from exogenous influences. Previous studies of the sleep-evoked effect have failed to control confounding influences, so that the effect of sleep per se has not been established. In the present study, eight good sleepers had their rectal temperatures recorded for 24 hours in each of two laboratory conditions employing a constant routine to control exogenous influences. Sleep was allowed at night in one condition. Following sleep onset, body temperature dropped more rapidly and remained lower than when wakefulness continued over the same time, resulting in a mean sleep-evoked decrease of 0.31 +/- 0.09 degree C. Fourier regression analysis showed a significant 24-hour (circadian) temperature rhythm, together with a 12-hour harmonic rhythm, in each condition. Circadian rhythm parameters were also altered by the sleep-evoked (or masking) effect, with the amplitude increased and the mean decreased when subjects slept at night in the constant routine. It was suggested that a constant routine methodology be used in studies of circadian rhythm differences and that Fourier regression be used in preference to simple cosine curve fitting to give a better approximation of the temperature rhythm.
TL;DR: The identification of NO as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter to gastrointestinal smooth muscle fills an important gap in the understanding of the physiological control of motility and opens up a wide range of new experimental possibilities, which may eventually lead to the development of new drugs for motility disorders.
Abstract: Motility of the gastrointestinal tract is directly controlled by enteric inhibitory and excitatory motor neurons that innervate the layers of smooth muscle. Inhibitory motor neurons mediate receptive and accommodative relaxations and control the opening of sphincters, thus playing an important role in normal gut motility. Recent studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is an important neurotransmitter released by inhibitory motor neurons in animal and human gut. Antagonists of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the synthetic enzyme for NO, reduce the effectiveness of transmission from inhibitory motor neurons. Exogenous NO mimics inhibitory nerve activation, and a variety of compounds that affect the availability of endogenously produced NO modulate relaxations of gastrointestinal smooth muscle. It is clear, however, that NO is unlikely to be the only transmitter released by enteric inhibitory motor neurons: several other substances such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), or related peptides, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are also likely to contribute to nerve-mediated inhibition. The identification of NO as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter to gastrointestinal smooth muscle fills an important gap in our understanding of the physiological control of motility and opens up a wide range of new experimental possibilities. It may eventually lead to the development of new drugs for motility disorders. It should be noted, however, that NO is important in the brain, in cardiovascular control, in blood cell function and in many other organ systems, suggesting that it may be difficult to achieve specific pharmacological intervention targeted on inhibitory neurotransmission in the gut, without undesirable side effects.
TL;DR: The staining pattern indicates that the trkB-like antigen is widely distributed and present within both glia and neurons, aiding the definition of neuronal and glial subpopulations of the central nervous system that may utilize BDNF.
TL;DR: It is suggested that unless clinical learning environments are deliberately manipulated to foster the construction and utilization of 'appropriate' action schemata, the considerable opportunities offered by the implementation of Project 2000 to improve both nursing education and nursing practice could be wasted.
Abstract: It is argued that the structures and processes of traditional patterns of pre-registration nurse education in the United Kingdom led to an apparent and relative desensitization of student nurses to human need. The processes underpinning this apparent desensitization were those which promoted both a 'compartmentalization' of concepts for theory and concepts for practice in the cognitions of student nurses and their habituation to examples of poor nursing practice. These processes are described and their nursing pedagogical implications are discussed. It is suggested that unless clinical learning environments are deliberately manipulated to foster the construction and utilization of 'appropriate' action schemata, the considerable opportunities offered by the implementation of Project 2000 to improve both nursing education and nursing practice could be wasted. It is further suggested that this deliberate manipulation should include nurse tutors teaching theory and practice in clinical areas if they are seriously concerned to render nursing care more intelligently responsive to human need.
TL;DR: In this article, a coarse-resolution ocean general circulation model was proposed to capture the low-salinity tongue of the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) in the South Pacific Ocean off southern Chile.
Abstract: Realistic representation of the low-salinity tongue of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) has been achieved in a coarse-resolution ocean general circulation model. The authors find that this water mass is not generated by direct subduction of surface water near the polar front. Instead, the renewal process is concentrated in the southeast Pacific Ocean off southern Chile. The outflow of the East Australian Current progressively cools (by heat loss to the atmosphere) and freshens (by assimilation of polar water, carried north by the surface Ekman drift) during its slow movement across the South Pacific toward the AAIW formation zone. Further, deep, warm advection near Chile enables more convective overturn, resulting in very deep mixed layers from which AAIW is fed into the South Pacific and also into the Malvinas Current. Along with this isolated region of AAIW renewal, the model relies on alongisopycnal mixing of fresh surface water from the polar front to capture a realistic circumpolar tongue...
TL;DR: The verbal fluency scores obtained by the schizophrenic subjects were significantly lower than the scores predicted from the regression equation, whereas a significant difference was not obtained in the matched controls.
Abstract: Schizophrenic subjects (N = 48) and individually matched healthy controls were administered the Verbal Scale of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (VIQ) and a test of verbal fluency. The verbal fluency and VIQ scores of the schizophrenic subjects were significantly lower than the scores of the control subjects. An additional sample of healthy subjects (N = 144) was used to generate a regression equation for the prediction of verbal fluency scores from Verbal IQ and age. The verbal fluency scores obtained by the schizophrenic subjects were significantly lower than the scores predicted from the regression equation, whereas a significant difference was not obtained in the matched controls. These results provide further evidence of frontal lobe dysfunction in schizophrenia.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of culture on decisional self-esteem, decisional stress, and self-reported decision coping styles is examined, and the results of a questionnaire study of 743 Japanese and 309 Australian university students showed that for both cultural groups decisionalself-esteem was positively correlated with the "choice" style of decision making, but was negatively correlated with decisionality stress and the "complacency," "avoidance," and "hypervigilance" coping styles in personal decision making.
Abstract: In this article, the effect of culture on decisional self-esteem, decisional stress, and self-reported decision coping styles is examined. Results of a questionnaire study of 743 Japanese and 309 Australian university students showed that for both cultural groups decisional self-esteem was positively correlated with the "choice" style of decision making, but was negatively correlated with decisional stress and the "complacency," "avoidance," and "hypervigilance" coping styles in personal decision making. Cultural differences were found, with Japanese students lower than Australian students on decisional self-esteem, higher on decisional stress, and higher on complacency, avoidance, and hypervigilance coping styles. These findings are related to cross-cultural differences between Australia (an individualistic culture) and Japan(a collectivistic or group-oriented culture).
TL;DR: The results provide the first evidence for the localization of NT-3-ir and indicate its presence in various peripheral organs and large sensory neurons, concluding thatNT-3 may function outside the nervous system in addition to a neurotrophic role within large sensory neuron.
TL;DR: The nature of peer group bullying among 631 Australian primary school children in years 5, 6 and 7 was surveyed in STUDY ONE to further understand the nature and effects of bullying as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The nature of peer group bullying among 631 Australian primary school children in years 5, 6 and 7 was surveyed in STUDY ONE to further understand the nature and effects of bullying. Over 6% of the sample reported being bullied 1‐2 days/ week and nearly 1/3 of the sample felt unsafe from bullying. For 16% of the children who are bullied the experience lasts six months or more. Approximately one quarter of the students felt that teachers did little to stop bullying while children gave as their reason for not helping a victim “it is none of my business” and “fear”. Bullying affected self perception with 65% feeling worse about themselves after the incident. In STUDY TWO 76 children were individually interviewed regarding their social problem solving capacities. Bullies, victims and “normals” differed in relation to their attribution for control for explanations of aggressive behaviour. Bullies were more “external” than victims or other children. Bullies chose more aggressive second best solutions to aggress...
TL;DR: With use of a "constant routine" to estimate circadian phase, a single 4-h pulse of light produced significant shifts in the phase of the core temperature rhythm, and the magnitude of the shift increased the closer the light pulse was to the individual's estimated core temperature minimum.
Abstract: Since the initial studies reporting that light can alter the phase position of the human circadian system, there has been increasing interest in the use of bright light as a tool for manipulating the phase position of the circadian pacemaker. Exposure protocols typically require subjects to receive 2–5 h of exposure over several circadian cycles. As a consequence, bright light treatment can involve a considerable time investment. However, recent studies indicate that a single pulse of bright light can produce significant phase shifts in the circadian pacemaker. If a single pulse of bright light can produce significant phase-shifting effects, multiple-pulse designs may be unnecessary. This study examined the phase-shifting effects of a single 4-h pulse of bright light (12,000 lux) in 14 male and one female subject aged between 19–45 years. With use of a “constant routine” to estimate circadian phase, a single 4-h pulse of light produced significant shifts in the phase of the core temperature rhythm. The ti...
TL;DR: The results showed that while total lymphocyte numbers altered only marginally in the aged, there were significant changes in the distribution of various sub‐populations; for example, there was lower numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ cells, and higher numbers ofCD16+ (NK) cells.
Abstract: This study used a panel of mAb and multiparameter flow cytometry to assess the composition of PBL from healthy aged individuals. The results showed that while total lymphocyte numbers altered only marginally in the aged (≥ 70 years) there were significant changes in the distribution of various sub-populations; for example, there were lower numbers of CD3 + and CD8 + cells, and higher numbers of CD16 + (NK) cells. As a direct result of these changes the numbers of CD2 + cells remained unchanged in the aged compared with young adult controls (18-25 years)
TL;DR: Evidence is added to the suggestion that the locus of control construct is useful in identifying adolescents at risk of engaging in suicidal behaviour and that a substantial proportion of individuals in the sample have suicidal ideation.
Abstract: Using a sample of high school students, this pilot study investigated the relationship between locus of control and a range of suicidal behaviours, the proportion of high school students in an Australian sample who report having engaged in such behaviours and the proportion of suicide attempters who received medical attention following an attempt. Two hundred male and 205 female students aged between 13 and 19 years (mean = 15, SD = 1), attending one randomly chosen metropolitan state high school, completed a questionnaire that included demographic details, the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children and questions concerning suicide. The findings indicated that a substantial proportion of individuals in the sample have suicidal ideation. A smaller proportion have engaged in a range of more serious and overt self-destructive and suicidal behaviours. Further, a majority of attempters in the sample had not received medical attention following their attempt. There was also a clear association between locus of control and suicidal behaviour, with the individuals who had engaged in suicidal behaviours characterized by a more external locus of control orientation. This study adds further weight of evidence to the suggestion that the locus of control construct is useful in identifying adolescents at risk of engaging in suicidal behaviour.
TL;DR: Despite the high prevalence of oral impairment, reflecting extensive disease activity in the past, high levels of untreated disease were relatively uncommon and a substantial need for basic forms of dental treatment in this group was created.
Abstract: There has been a growing recognition of the need to obtain information about the oral health of older Australians. The aim of this report is to provide descriptive epidemiological information about the oral health and treatment needs of non-institutionalized older adults in Adelaide. Data from interviews with 178 persons aged 60 + were obtained from a pilot study. Clinical data were available for 106 persons who participated in oral examinations. Among the 52.9 per cent of dentate persons, the prevalence of root decay (27.1 per cent) was slightly higher than coronal decay (23.6 per cent). Some 28.1 per cent of dentate persons had a serious periodontal condition, defined as the presence of four or more teeth with at least 5 mm or more of periodontal attachment loss and periodontal pocketing of 4 mm or more at one or more of those teeth. The majority of persons (83.8 per cent) wore one or two dentures. Disorders associated with dentures were frequent, affecting 77.4 per cent of upper denture wearers and 72.5 per cent of lower denture wearers. Persons who were older, who had lower educational attainment or lower household incomes were disadvantaged in aspects of oral health status and dental caries. However, there were no consistent associations between chronic medical conditions and oral disorders. Despite the high prevalence of oral impairment, reflecting extensive disease activity in the past, high levels of untreated disease were relatively uncommon. Instead, a high prevalence of oral disorders created a substantial need for basic forms of dental treatment in this group.
TL;DR: The present study demonstrates that the changes in mitochondrial respiration apparently result from a loss of activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC), which provides an early marker for degeneration in the dorsolateral striatum.
Abstract: Previous studies showed that in rats exposed to 30 min of forebrain ischemia, there were reductions in pyruvate-supported respiration within the first 3 h of recirculation in mitochondria isolated from the dorsolateral striatum (a region in which the majority of neurons are susceptible to ischemia) but not the ischemia-resistant paramedian neocortex. The present study demonstrates that the changes in mitochondrial respiration apparently result from a loss of activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC). In mitochondria from the dorsolateral striatum, incubated in the presence of pyruvate and ADP (state 3 conditions) and treated to preserve the phosphorylation state of PDHC, there was no significant change from preischemic activity after 30 min of ischemia or 1 h of recirculation. However, a significant reduction (to 71% of control value) was observed at 3 h of recirculation, and the activity decreased further at 6 and 24 h (to 64 and 43% of control values, respectively). Total PDHC activity in th...
TL;DR: Results are consistent with the hypothesis that the hyper-noradrenergic innervation of SHR vascular tissues results from an early elevation of NGF gene expression, and abnormal NGF levels are a cause or consequence of vascular smooth muscle growth.