Forecasting New Zealand Mudsnail invasion range: model comparisons using native and invaded ranges.

Evaluations of the potential distribution of invasive species can increase the efficiency of their management by focusing prevention measures. Generally, ecological models are built using occurrence data from a species' native range to predict the distribution in areas that the species may invade. However, historical and geographical constraints can limit a species' native distribution.

ADHD and comorbid disorders in relation to family environment and symptom severity.

Background: To examine the comorbidity of ADHD in association with family environment and the severity of ADHD.

Method: A screening for ADHD symptoms was conducted among adolescents in the Northern Finland 1986 Birth Cohort (N = 6622). A sample of those adolescents (n = 457), aged 16-18 years, with and without ADHD symptoms was assessed with a diagnostic interview (Kiddie-SADS-PL) and ADHD and comorbid disorders were studied in association with the family characteristics and the number of ADHD symptoms.

Sequencing and analysis of chromosome 1 of Eimeria tenella reveals a unique segmental organization.

Eimeria tenella is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects the intestinal tracts of domestic fowl and causes coccidiosis, a serious and sometimes lethal enteritis. Eimeria falls in the same phylum (Apicomplexa) as several human and animal parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, and the malaria parasite, Plasmodium. Here we report the sequencing and analysis of the first chromosome of E.

Familial association and frequency of learning disabilities in ADHD sibling pair families.

In a sample of 235 families with at least two children with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the frequency and familial association of learning disabilities (LD) were assessed. Familiality was examined both between sibling pairs and between parents and their children. Two methods for defining LD, a discrepancy-based and a low-achievement model, were employed to examine the occurrence of LD in this sample.

Hydrolytic degradation of electron beam irradiated high molecular weight and non-irradiated moderate molecular weight PLLA.

The purpose of this study is to examine the hydrolytic degradation of electron beam irradiated ring-opening polymerized (ROP) poly(l-lactide) (PLLA-ir) and non-irradiated melt polycondensation polymerized poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA-pc). It was observed that irradiation increases the hydrolytic degradation rate constant for ROP PLLA. This was due to a more hydrophilic PLLA-ir, as a result of irradiation.

Expanding ICU facilities in an epidemic: recommendations based on experience from the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Epidemics have the potential to severely strain intensive care resources and may require an increase in intensive care capability. Few intensivists have direct experience of rapidly expanding intensive care services in response to an epidemic. This contribution presents the recommendations of an expert group from Hong Kong and Singapore who had direct experience of expanding intensive care services in response to the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Relationship of family environment and parental psychiatric diagnosis to impairment in ADHD.

Objective: Family environmental factors as well as parental attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) status have shown associations with variability in ADHD. The purpose of the present study was to examine the links among family environment, parental psychiatric diagnosis, and child impairment within a sample of ADHD-affected sibling pairs (ASPs) ages 5 to 18 years.

Method: Parents in 220 ASP families completed a measure of family functioning, the Family Environment Scale.

Psychiatric comorbidity in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: findings from multiplex families.

Objective: Patterns of psychiatric comorbidity were assessed in adults with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) identified through a genetic study of families containing multiple children with ADHD.

Method: Lifetime ADHD and comorbid psychopathology were assessed in 435 parents of children with ADHD. Rates and mean ages at onset of comorbid psychopathology were compared in parents with lifetime ADHD, parents with persistent ADHD, and those without ADHD.

Clinical utility of EEG in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Electrophysiological measures were among the first to be used to study brain processes in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [4th ed.], American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and have been used as such for over 30 years (see Hastings & Barkley, 1978, for an early review). More recently, electroencephalography (EEG) has been used both in research to describe and quantify the underlying neurophysiology of ADHD, but also clinically in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD.

Temperament and character profiles and the dopamine D4 receptor gene in ADHD.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the link among attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, novelty-seeking temperament, and the 48-base pair (bp) dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene variant.

Method: This study drew from a larger molecular genetic study of ADHD in which the ascertainment criterion was having an affected sibling pair with ADHD. Parents (N=171) from 96 families provided data.

Toward localizing genes underlying cerebral asymmetry and mental health.

Genome investigations of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia suggest possible genetic overlap. Atypical cerebral asymmetry (ACA), the absence of the left hemisphere dominance for language, may be a shared phenotype due to genes located in regions of overlap. A binomal test is used to evaluate whether linked regions overlap more than expected by chance for 15 genome-wide scans in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.

Influence of electron-beam radiation on the hydrolytic degradation behaviour of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA).

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of electron-beam (e-beam) radiation on the hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) films. PLGA films were irradiated and observed to undergo radiation-induced degradation through chain scission, as observed from a drop in its average molecular weight with radiation dose. Irradiated (5, 10 and 20 Mrad) and non-irradiated (0 Mrad) samples of PLGA were subsequently hydrolytically degraded in phosphate-buffered saline solution at 37.

EEG correlates of methylphenidate response in ADHD: association with cognitive and behavioral measures.

The authors examined the association between EEG correlates of medication response and concomitant cognitive and behavioral changes among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Subjects were 36 children with ADHD, aged 8 to 12 years. EEG activity was recorded from nine active electrodes during placebo and medication conditions.

Effect of isothermal annealing on the hydrolytic degradation rate of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA).

Isothermal crystallization through annealing at 115 degrees C was conducted to increase the degree of crystallinity of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). The maximum increase in the degree of crystallinity (approximately 21%) was achieved after 60 min of annealing. The crystal size/perfection was observed to increase with annealing time.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: fine mapping supports linkage to 5p13, 6q12, 16p13, and 17p11.

We completed fine mapping of nine positional candidate regions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an extended population sample of 308 affected sibling pairs (ASPs), constituting the largest linkage sample of families with ADHD published to date. The candidate chromosomal regions were selected from all three published genomewide scans for ADHD, and fine mapping was done to comprehensively validate these positional candidate regions in our sample. Multipoint maximum LOD score (MLS) analysis yielded significant evidence of linkage on 6q12 (MLS 3.

Cubic AgPb(m)SbTe(2+m): bulk thermoelectric materials with high figure of merit.

The conversion of heat to electricity by thermoelectric devices may play a key role in the future for energy production and utilization. However, in order to meet that role, more efficient thermoelectric materials are needed that are suitable for high-temperature applications. We show that the material system AgPb(m)SbTe(2+m) may be suitable for this purpose.

Genome-wide scan of reading ability in affected sibling pairs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: unique and shared genetic effects.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading disability (RD) are common highly heritable disorders of childhood, which frequently co-occur. Data from twin and family studies suggest that this overlap is, in part, due to shared genetic underpinnings. Here, we report the first genome-wide linkage analysis of measures of reading ability in children with ADHD, using a sample of 233 affected sibling pairs who previously participated in a genome-wide scan for susceptibility loci in ADHD.

Pleural drainage using central venous catheters.

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of a single lumen 16 G central venous catheter for the drainage of uncomplicated pleural effusions in intensive care unit patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in two intensive care units of university-affiliated hospitals. The study involved 10 intensive care unit patients with non-loculated large effusions.

Ultrastructural evidence of early endothelial damage in coronary arteries of rat cardiac allografts.

Background: Events that occur early after transplantation, particularly immune recognition of allo-endothelium, initiate transplant vascular disease (TVD). Previous work suggests an important compromise of endothelial integrity as the allo-immune milieu evolves, although mechanisms by which integrity is altered remain unclear. Increased vascular permeability caused by endothelial damage may allow inflammatory cells, lipoproteins, other proteins, and plasma fluid to enter the sub-endothelial space, thereby contributing to the initiation of atherosclerosis.

Functional effects of the DAT1 polymorphism on EEG measures in ADHD.

Objective: This paper examines whether dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) allele status mediates medication-related change in cognitive and neurophysiological measures among children with attention-deficiency/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Method: A single 10-mg dose of methylphenidate was given in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion to children with ADHD who were seen for cognitive testing and EEG recording. Buccal samples were obtained and genotyped for the DAT1 polymorphism.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Context: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease with a 25% incidence of progression to acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and mortality exceeding 10%.

Objective: To describe the clinical spectrum and outcomes of ALI/ARDS in patients with SARS-related critical illness.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Retrospective case series of adult patients with probable SARS admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital in Singapore between March 6 and June 6, 2003.