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Controlled studies by groups throughout the world have proven the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exposure for “mental rehabilitation,” including treatment of Specific Phobias (SP), Social Phobia (SoP), and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia (PDA). In addition, many are now showing the power of adding VR to protocols to treat individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as to prevent PTSD by “inoculating” individuals against stressful situations they may encounter (Stress Inoculation Training). Others have shown how VR can be added to protocols for those needing “physical rehabilitation” to improve patient compliance and outcomes. In addition, studies have shown the addition of physiological monitoring and feedback to the VR protocol can have added benefit, both in terms of short term effectiveness and in terms of lowering recidivism in the long term. VR allows stimuli to be presented in a systematic, controlled fashion, and physiology provides objective evidence of when the stimuli are eliciting appropriate responses in the patient or trainee. This enables treatment and training to be individualized, focusing in on those specific parts of the experience which cause the individual the most difficulty. By combining such measures as subjective ratings, physiological data, personality type, and self-report questionnaire scores, with expert clinical observations; it is possible to further refine and improve clinical and research-based protocols. Decades after the first simulators were used to train fighter pilots, advanced technologies and simulations are now impacting military medicine. This paper highlights illustrative studies to introduce the reader to this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal sexual functioning has only recently become a prerogative of mentally retarded persons. More often, the sexuality of women and men with mental handicaps has been viewed as deviant and as cause for concern, restrictive policies, and clinical intervention. This paper critically evaluates scientific evidence for and against mentally retarded persons' increased risk of committing sexual offenses. Etiological theories of sexual offenses among the target population are discussed in detail. In addition, the authors describe treatment strategies for mentally retarded sexual offenders. Finally, the paper gives directions for future behavioral and social science research on issues concerning sexual offenses among mentally retarded persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing microarray data could help discover significant cancer genes and their mutual interactions, which can be used to generate hypothesis for the identification and validation of genetic biomarkers. However, the commonly used statistical significance analysis can only provide information of individual genes, thus neglecting influence of the mutual interactions. Therefore, methods aiming at discovering combinational gene signatures are highly valuable. In this paper, an integrated approach of support vector machine (SVM) and variable neighborhood search (VNS) is introduced in searching the gene signatures for predicting histologic response of chemotherapy on osteosarcoma patients. Cross validation results show that this method outperforms other existing algorithms. Further validation with the test dataset shows that only one of the fourteen samples is misclassified. The high testing accuracy further suggests that the proposed method has capability of extracting the stable discriminative signatures from microarray data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of being used in human therapeutic procedures such as tissue repair and gene therapy due to their multipotency. However, the expansion of MSCs is limited by the restricted use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) as the nutritional supplement. Hence, contamination by pathogens from the xenogenic component can be eliminated if a serum-free media were used. In this paper, we identified the human growth receptors (HGRs) and corresponding signaling pathways expressed in undifferentiated proliferative MSCs by analyzing available microarray data. The microarray datasets were generated by Affymetrix GeneChips and Illumina BeadArrays. The MSC samples used were cultured in both fetal bovine serum (FBS) and autologous serum (AS) at passage one. Results from the different platforms indicated 94 similarly expressed human growth receptors. Affymetrix was also able to detect 129.19% more HGRs than Illumina. We also discovered that HGR expressions across different types of serum were similar, indicating that type of serum had little impact on proliferation mechanisms in early passages. Next, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified 11 signaling pathways that were expressed in all four MSC cultures. In particular, the Notch Signaling Pathway and Transforming Growth Factor - Beta Signaling Pathway were consistently expressed in all MSC cultures. These 11 signaling pathways and 94 HGRs are important in understanding the maintenance of MSC undifferentiated proliferative state, and the corresponding growth factors are possibly required minimally in developing a serum-free medium for MSC expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realization of the full benefits of variable p-version finite elements requires the careful construction of prismatic elements in thin sections. This paper presents a procedure to automatically isolate the thin sections using the points on an approximate medial surface computed by an octree-based algorithm. Using the pairs of triangles associated with medial surface (MS) points, in conjunction with adjacency, classification and distance information, sets of surface triangles that are on opposite face patches in thin sections are identified. Mesh modifications are then executed to match the surface triangulations on the opposite face patches such that prismatic elements can be generated without diagonal edges through the thickness directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become increasingly clear that traditional African cultures and civilizations knew and accomplished much more than has traditionally been assumed. Even after we've "restored" ancient Egypt-a civilization that was the fountainhead of science-to its true and natural place on African soil as an African creation, there is vet a profound reluctance to admit that Africa contributed anything of substance to world science. In this paper, the author hopes to show that traditional African physicians evolved effective-even sophisticated-diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in medicine which belie the notion that Africa was without a medical science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses groups consisting of patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. An existential focal conflict concerning death, consisting of the wish to continue to be, opposed by the fear that non-being is inevitable, is described. This conflict and attempts at a group solution are presented as being reflected in various group properties, such as group composition, the role of the leader, group development and major therapeutic factors. It is concluded that the group provides a solution to the fear of nonbeing by functioning as a community where the memory of those who have died can be mourned, preserved and cherished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the area of client compliance with treatment regimens. The definition of compliance and rationale for social work involvement in compliance research are presented. Recommendations for specific topics and methodological procedures for social work research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter XVII of the book "The Dog," by William Youatt is presented. It explores the development of veterinary medicine to treatf diseases in dogs and other domestic animals. It discusses the challenges faced by veterinarians in selecting effective medical remedies for diseases. It provides information on some of the common veterinary medicines used in treating dog diseases including vinegar, nitric acid, prussic acid and acupuncturation.

Book V of the book "Venetia," by Benjamin Disraeli is presented. It explores the health condition of Lady Annabel Herbert which made her decide to stay in Weymouth, England with her daughter, as well as the challenges she encountered in fighting her illness. It highlights her stay at the villa where Venetia had passed two months before their stay at the villa, which was surrounded by a garden in the ornate and artificial style of the country.

Chapter 37 of the book "We Two" is presented. It focuses on the arrival of Herr Haeberlein to the residence of Luke Raeburn to be nursed due to health problems. It highlights the trial of Raeburn in which he was announced not guilty for his case of blasphemy. It also discusses the death of Haeberlein who did not recover from his illness days after his arrival.

A definition of the term "gene therapy" is presented. It refers to a novel medical technology in which a genetic material is transferred into a cell and translated into therapeutic gene products such as receptor proteins. Its basic form is the introduction of a gene into the patient to correct the defect of a single gene.

Chapter 27 of the book "A History of AIDS Social Work in Hospitals: A Daring Response to an Epidemic" is presented. It recalls the use of the term Lazarus Syndrome as a reference to HIV/AIDS patients. It discusses the life issues, struggles and challenges faced by an HIV-positive person that resulted from improved medications and longer life expectancy. It provides information on the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy and the benefits it provide to HIV/AIDS patients.

Focuses on the development of pharmaceutical medicine as a specialist discipline. Role of pharmaceutical agents at the foundation of medicine and therapeutics; Structure of organizations involved in pharmaceutical research and development; Professional support groups and postgraduate courses in pharmaceutical medicine.

The article informs that storytelling towards the articulation of some of the aspects of human existence does serve a therapeutic function. Topics discussed include taking fear into the domains of fictional writing, cinema and other visual and performance arts; metamorphosing its destructive energies into productivity, of countering the threat of dissolution by creating alternative worlds; and consideration of dark literature by authors and readers.

The article examines the importance rehabilitation to patients suffering from schizophrenia. It explains that the aim of rehabilitation is to enable patients to cope with their illness and make the most of their lives, by reducing symptoms and increasing abilities whenever possible and by providing supportive services to match individual need. It discusses on the environmental, social and cultural factors and outcome of schizophrenia also a detailed information on the role of rehabilitation.

The article presents an encyclopedia entry for "chemotherapy of cancer." Cancer chemotherapy refers to the use of small molecules that damage proliferating cells. It refers to systemic treatment in contrast to radiotherapy and surgery that represent local treatment. Together with hormone therapy and immunotherapy, cancer chemotherapy is designed to treat and ideally eradicate metastatic cancer.

An epidemic of obesity and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes is in progress across the world. The global burden of diabetes has been projected to rise, with an increase in the total number of people with type 2 diabetes from about 120 million in 1997 to about 215 million in 2010 (1). The obvious remedy for this development is to combat overweight and obesity, and to counteract the sedentary lifestyle of modern society. The basis for these actions must be a population strategy of prevention. However, an equally important mission, not least from an ethical standpoint, is to find and engage those individuals that are in most need of help (high-risk strategy). The screening procedure is used to identify these high-risk individuals. Screening in this chapter refers to prescriptive screening, whose aim is to use early detection and early treatment to control the outcome of the disease. In epidemiological surveys, the principal aim of the screening is to explore the prevalence and natural history of the variable in question and not to bring patients to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter six of the book "The Harmony of Illusions: Inventing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," is presented. It explores how patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are treated with both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It also describes that psychotherapies for PTSD fall into three categories including behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and psychodynamic therapies.

The article presents several superstitions related to cures from various countries.

The article offers information various topics related to girls. It suggests to Mary Majendie that warts may be touched with lunar caustic, but if warts were already in bad condition, a doctor should be consulted. It says that magnesia powder can be used to relieve scars. Furthermore, lettuce leaves are recommended to Daisy Taylor as a makeshift food for caterpillars before mulberry leaves come out.

Chapter XIV, Part I of the book "The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations" is presented. It focuses on the visit of Sir Matthew Fleet to May family who gave relief to Dr. May from much of the wearing suffering from hurt. Fleet also relieved Norman's extreme languor and depression as well as Margaret's feeling of despondency.

Chapter XXXVI of the book "Blind Love," by Wilkie Collins is presented. It explores the heated conversation of Mr. Vimpany with the Bolshide brothers regarding the sale of his work and his account. It highlights the meeting between Mr. Vimpany and Sir James wherein Mr. Vimpany objected in view regarding the new treatment for lungs-diseases.

The article offers information on different sources of astringents, cordials, and openers instrumental to health, which was collected by Francis Bacon, including rosemary, asparagus, and saffron.

Chapter V of the book "Evolution and Ethics And Other Essays," by Thomas H. Huxley is presented. It explores on the social diseases and their worse remedies. It highlights the letters which are collected together that are published in the "Times" journal on Mr. Booth's scheme, with a preface and introductory essay.