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Describes family sculpting as a widely used family assessment tool which enables family members to construct a living picture of their relationships at a given point in time by arranging family members in space. Introduces the concept of family sculpting using a flannel board, which is often less threatening and more manageable for many family members. (LLL)

Rehabilitation of memory remains an unmet need for many stroke survivors. Telehealth methods may provide a solution, however evidence supporting the efficacy of remotely-delivered therapy is needed. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was used with randomized onset of intervention across five individuals with chronic stroke-related memory complaints. A six-week compensatory memory skills programme was delivered individually via internet videoconferencing. Target behaviours of frequencies of self-reported lapses of everyday and prospective memory were measured weekly across baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases. A secondary outcome of functional goal attainment was measured once per phase, with participants setting two personal rehabilitation goals. Data were analysed visually and statistically. Improvements in memory functioning were statistically significant on at least one measure of target behaviour for four out of five participants at intervention or follow-up. Visual evidence of level change indicated at least modest improvements for all participants by follow-up. All participants attained at least one functional goal by follow-up. High rates of treatment adherence and participant satisfaction were observed. Technological issues were minimal and did not impact content delivery or engagement. These results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of a telehealth-delivered rehabilitation programme in improving memory function and achieving memory-related goals for stroke survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.03.009 Byline: David W. Lawson (a), Ruth Mace (b) Abstract: The social and health sciences have often emphasised the negative impacts of large sibship size and late birth order on childhood. For example, it is now well established that, other things being equal, children in large families and/or with many older siblings, receive lower allocations of care time from both parents, are more likely to grow up in conditions of economic hardship, and, as a likely consequence, exhibit relatively poor educational and physical health outcomes. Few researchers have, however, quantitatively assessed how siblings may influence indicators of mental health, where it is conceivable that social interactions with siblings may have a positive influence. Here, using data from a large British cohort survey (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children), we explored the effects of sibling configuration on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, as a multidimensional index for mental health problems. We demonstrate a significant socio-economic gradient in mental health between the ages of three and nine years, but little evidence for negative effects of large sibship size. Rerunning this analysis to examine birth order, a much clearer pattern emerged; the presence of older siblings was associated with relatively good mental health, while the presence of younger siblings was associated with relatively poor mental health. This suggests that being born into a large family, providing the child is not joined by subsequent siblings, may carry important benefits unconsidered by past research. We discuss possible interpretations of this pattern and the wider implications for understanding the family context of child development. Author Affiliation: (a) Centre for Population Studies, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK (b) Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, UK

This study investigated traditional masculine gender role differences between male partner abuser types using the Masculinity/Femininity subsection scales of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Structural Summary. We examined differences between four groups of partner-violent men (borderline, antisocial, psychotic features, and nonpathological partner violent) and one group of nonpartner-violent men on five MMPI-2 subscales: Masculinity-Femininity, Gender Role-Feminine, Gender Role-Masculine, Ego Inflation, and Low Self-esteem. Results indicated that the borderline group reported the most consistent traditional feminine gender role orientation of all the groups, whereas the antisocial group reported the most consistent traditional masculine gender role orientation of all the groups. The psychotic features group reported characteristics associated with both traditional masculinity and traditional feminine gender role making it distinct among all the groups. The nonpathological intimately violent group and the nonpartner-violent group reported no extreme scores when compared with the other three groups. The borderline and antisocial groups reported significantly more exposure to family of origin violence and use of more severe forms of partner abuse than the other three partner abuse groups. Treatment implications are addressed. Keywords: masculinity, gender role, partner violence, domestic violence DOI: 10.1037/a0019589

Child maltreatment (CM) is a major health problem in U.S. society, with 872,000 substantiated cases reported in 2004 and unofficial rates ranging from 2 to 10 million cases per year. Depending on the severity, CM can negatively affect a child's physical, emotional, and psychological functioning and development immediately following an abuse incident or incidents; in severe cases, it can affect adult functioning. The author examines the empirically supported research related to the incidence, consequences, treatment effectiveness, and models of treatment for CM., Since the early 1970s, legal and scholarly interest in child maltreatment (CM; includes children and adolescents) has increased dramatically, largely due to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of [...]

To determine the frequency, impact, and factors associated with self-reported neurobehavioural disability (NBD) in individuals with stroke. A secondary aim was to examine the course of self-reported NBD over time and associations with outcomes. Eighty-seven participants admitted for inpatient rehabilitation post-stroke completed the St Andrew's-Swansea Neurobehavioural Outcome Scale. Demographic and stroke details and measures of functional disability, cognitive impairment, mood, and self-rated impact of NBD symptoms were completed. Twenty-seven participants and 19 close-others were reassessed three to six months following discharge. Overall reporting of neurobehavioural problems was infrequent. The domains of interpersonal and cognitive difficulties were the most commonly identified but were still only reported occasionally. However, even mild NBD was significantly correlated with negative impact. Greater self-reported NBD was significantly correlated with greater functional dependence, anxiety, and depression during inpatient rehabilitation. Self-reports of NBD remained stable over time and, at follow-up, was significantly correlated with depressive symptoms both in participants with stroke and close-others. In survivors of stroke, self-report of NBD is associated with poor outcomes in function, anxiety, and depression. These findings highlight the importance of routine and comprehensive assessment and intervention to manage NBD following stroke. Despite relatively infrequent self-reporting, presence of NBD remained stable across a six month follow-up period following rehabilitation which highlights the potential persistent nature of these difficulties. Even mild levels of self-reported NBD were associated with emotional distress in both stroke survivors and their significant others indicating a need for relevant interventions to support long-term outcomes. Routine screening for the presence of NBD is recommended to facilitate early detection and intervention to optimise post-stroke recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is conducted to prove that a decarboxylase can be converted into an oxidase by mutating amino acids of the lid that include Glu162 with specificity switches of 282 000 (SEN161-3DAS), 275 000 (SENS161-4DSSN) AND 225 000 (SENS161-4DASN). Reversion of decarboxylase activity is achieved by reintroducing Glu162 to the SENS161-4DASN mutant to give a relative specificity switch of 25 600.

Using qualitative and quantitative data, the factors responsible for poverty modulations and continuity in different areas in Uganda, is discussed.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes a lifelong persistent infection within peripheral blood B cells with the surface phenotype of memory cells. To date there is no proof that these cells have the genotype of true germinal-center-derived memory B cells. It is critical to understand the relative contribution of viral mimicry versus antigen signaling to the production of these cells because EBV encodes proteins that can affect the surface phenotype of infected cells and provide both T cell help and B cell receptor signals in the absence of cognate antigen. To address these questions we have developed a technique to identify single EBV-infected cells in the peripheral blood and examine their expressed lg genes. The genes were all isotype-switched and somatically mutated. Furthermore, the mutations do not cause stop codons and display the pattern expected for antigen-selected memory cells based on their frequency, type, and location within the Ig gene. We conclude that latently infected peripheral blood B cells display the molecular hallmarks of classical antigen-selected memory B cells. Therefore, EBV does not disrupt the normal processing of latently infected cells into memory, and deviations from normal B cell biology are not tolerated in the infected cells. This article provides definitive evidence that EBV in the peripheral blood persists in true memory B cells. latent | mononucleosis | immunoglobulin | germinal center