bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A description of the origins, design and performance of the TRAITS–SGP Atlantic salmonSalmo salarL. cDNA microarray
Authors: Taggart J. B. , Bron J. E. , Martin S. A. M. , Seear P. J. , Høyheim B. , Talbot R. , Carmichael S. N. , Villeneuve L. A. N. , Sweeney G. E. , Houlihan D. F. , Secombes C. J. , Tocher D. R. , Teale A. J.
Published: June 2008

The origins, design, fabrication and performance of an Atlantic salmon microarray are described. The microarray comprises 16 950 Atlantic salmon‐derived cDNA features, printed in duplicate and mostly sourced from pre‐existing expressed sequence tag (EST) collections [SALGENE and salmon genome project (SGP)] but also supplemented with cDNAs from suppression subtractive hybridization libraries and candidate genes involved in immune response, protein catabolism, lipid metabolism and the parr–smolt transformation. A preliminary analysis of a dietary lipid experiment identified a number of genes known to be involved in lipid metabolism. Significant fold change differences (as low as 1·2×) were apparent from the microarray analysis and were confirmed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The study also highlighted the potential for obtaining artefactual expression patterns as a result of cross‐hybridization of similar transcripts. Examination of the robustness and sensitivity of the experimental design employed demonstrated the greater importance of biological replication over technical (dye flip) replication for identification of a limited number of key genes in the studied system. The TRAITS (TRanscriptome Analysis of Important Traits of Salmon)–salmon genome project microarray has been proven, in a number of studies, to be a powerful tool for the study of key traits of Atlantic salmon biology. It is now available for use by researchers in the wider scientific community.
Detection of anoxia‐responsive genes in cultured cells of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), using an optimized, genome‐wide oligoarray
Authors: Olohan L. A. , Li W. , Wulff T. , Jarmer H. , Gracey A. Y. , Cossins A. R.
Published: June 2008

The breadth of mechanistic analyses of environmental stress responses is greatly enhanced by the use of contemporary post‐genomic screening technologies, notably including massively parallel transcript analysis by microarray. These genome‐wide investigations are entirely dependent upon the creation of a suite of resources that are directed against the species under investigation. Here, the authors describe the use of in silico techniques for the filtering of large‐scale EST data sets for the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, down to a non‐redundant collection of c. 21 500 BLAST‐identified sequences. The authors describe simple optimization procedures to compare the performance of different oligonucleotide probes predicted to hybridize to each of the trout sequences, so that the best performing probe could be selected. The collection of optimized probes was then submitted to a commercial oligoarray fabrication platform and the arrays used for specific experiments. This design approach leverages publicly available sequence data, thereby dramatically reducing production costs. Given an ability to incorporate additional sequence data, and inexpensively commissioning the updated oligoarray designs, this offers a highly cost‐effective route to array experiments even for non‐model species. The authors have validated this new microarray by investigating the in vitro responses of cultured rainbow trout cells following anoxia exposure for up to 24 h. The array displays a dynamic range of 104, which greatly exceeds that for cDNA probes, and offers improved consistency between arrays. The authors define 57 genes displaying significant responses and interpret the genes identified within the context of responses to oxygen deprivation.
Effect of magnesium sulphate on urinary catecholamine excretion in severe tetanus
Authors: Thwaites C. L. , Yen L. M. , Cordon S. M. , Thwaites G. E. , Loan H. T. , Thuy T. T. D. , White N. J. , Soni N. , Macdonald I. A. , Farrar J. J.
Published: June 2008

Severe tetanus is characterised by muscle spasms and autonomic dysfunction. We recently reported the results of a randomised placebo controlled trial of magnesium sulphate infusions for the treatment of severe tetanus which showed magnesium was associated with improved muscle spasm and cardiovascular control. We hypothesised that magnesium controlled autonomic dysfunction by reducing catecholamine release and thus urinary excretion. Urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were measured during the first 24 h of therapy in 180 adults with severe tetanus randomised to treatment with magnesium (n = 92) or placebo (n = 88). Magnesium therapy was associated with lower urinary adrenaline excretion and higher urinary noradrenaline excretion. High urinary adrenaline concentrations were associated with documented autonomic dysfunction. Patients given magnesium had significantly less autonomic dysfunction, required less cardiovascular stabilising drugs, and had lower urinary concentrations of adrenaline. These findings suggest adrenaline is important in the pathophysiology of severe tetanus and magnesium controls autonomic dysfunction by reducing adrenaline release.
Lessons learnt in the pharmacokinetic analysis of the effect of haemoperfusion for acute overdose with sustained‐release diltiazem
Authors: Roberts D. M. , Roberts J. A. , Boots R. J. , Mason R. , Lipman J.
Published: June 2008

The effect of charcoal haemoperfusion on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem is described in a patient with severe clinical toxicity following acute overdose. The patient presented within 3 h following acute ingestion of multiple medications including sustained‐release diltiazem. Routine resuscitation and supportive care were administered, but hypotension did not resolve despite intravenous fluids and infusions of calcium, adrenaline, noradrenaline and vasopressin. Multiple‐doses of activated charcoal, haemodialysis and charcoal haemoperfusion were prescribed to expedite the elimination of diltiazem. The maximum diltiazem concentration (577 μg.l−1) was recorded 7 h post ingestion which was followed by an erratic and prolonged elimination phase. The maximum clearance of diltiazem due to haemoperfusion was calculated to be 19.4 and 15.1 ml.min−1 at different times, equating to removal of approximately 1.5 mg diltiazem during 4 h of haemoperfusion. Haemoperfusion did not appear to remove sufficient diltiazem to recommend its routine use in the treatment of patients with acute diltiazem overdose.
Comparison of fibreoptic‐guided intubation through ILMA versus intubation through LMA‐CTrach*
Authors: Sreevathsa S. , Linga Nathan P. , John B. , Danha R. F. , Mendonca C.
Published: June 2008

We compared the time taken to intubate the trachea of a manikin by fibreoptic‐guided intubation through an intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA‐FOS) with intubation through a laryngeal mask airway CTrach (LMA‐CTrach). Forty‐two anaesthetists participated in this randomised crossover study. Although the insertion time was similar, the time taken to intubate the trachea was significantly shorter with the LMA‐CTrach as compared with the ILMA‐FOS, with a mean time (SD) for ILMA‐FOS and CTrach 84 (32) and 53 (21) s, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean difference in the total time between the two techniques was 31 s, with a 95% confidence interval of 22 to 39 s. Thirty (71%) anaesthetists preferred LMA‐CTrach as compared with ILMA‐FOS (p = 0.008). We conclude that LMA‐CTrach is a suitable alternative to fibreoptic‐guided intubation through ILMA for the management of unanticipated failed intubation.
Severe hypophosphataemia mimicking Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Sebastian S. , Clarence D. , Newson C.
Published: June 2008

A 42 year‐old woman presented with neurological symptoms suggestive of Guillain–Barré syndrome and required ventilatory support. She was found to have severe hypophosphataemia that was corrected promptly after which her trachea was extubated. She then revealed that she had undergone a prolonged religious fast and had just started eating again when her symptoms started. Over the next 2 weeks she made a complete recovery.
Delirium is associated with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Rudolph J. L. , Marcantonio E. R. , Culley D. J. , Silverstein J. H. , Rasmussen L. S. , Crosby G. J. , Inouye S. K.
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this analysis was to determine if postoperative delirium was associated with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (at 7 days) and long‐term postoperative cognitive dysfunction (at 3 months). The International Study of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction recruited 1218 subjects ≥ 60 years old undergoing elective, non‐cardiac surgery. Postoperatively, subjects were evaluated for delirium using the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Subjects underwent neuropsychological testing pre‐operatively and postoperatively at 7 days (n = 1018) and 3 months (n = 946). Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was defined as a composite Z‐score > 2 across tests or at least two individual test Z‐scores > 2. Subjects with delirium were significantly less likely to participate in postoperative testing. Delirium was associated with an increased incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (adjusted risk ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.1), but not long‐term postoperative cognitive dysfunction (adjusted risk ratio 1.3, 95% CI 0.6–2.4). Delirium was associated with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction, but the relationship of delirium to long‐term postoperative cognitive dysfunction remains unclear.
Relationship between ghrelin and the metabolic syndrome in the elderly: a longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Serra‐Prat Mateu , Alfaro Sergio Rueda , Palomera Elisabet , Casamitjana Roser , Buquet Xavier , Fernández‐Fernández Cristián , Puig‐Domingo Manuel ,   the Mataró Ageing Study Group
Published: June 2008

Context  Ghrelin regulates energy homeostasis and may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in the elderly.

Objective  To study the relationship between ghrelin and the MS, IGF‐I and life style factors over a 2‐year follow‐up.

Design  Longitudinal population‐based study, starting from 2002; 2 years follow‐up.

Participants  Three hundred and thirteen (153 men/160 women) individuals living independently older than 70 years.

Results  MS was found in 54·9% of men and 61% of women. In the 229 subjects available at follow‐up, ghrelin was higher in men than in women at basal (P = 0·002) and 2‐year follow‐up (P = 0·004). Ghrelin decreased over time in both genders (P < 0·01). Ghrelin was lower in individuals showing MS compared to non‐MS (P = 0·08), but this difference was more evident at 2‐year follow‐up (P = 0·016), mostly due to men with MS (P = 0·002) and even after adjustment for BMI, gender and age. Individuals with MS had an OR of 1·67 (95% CI: 1·0–2·78) for low ghrelin (< first tertile); when adjusting by BMI, gender and age, only high triglycerides with OR 1·8 (1·0–3·3), remained statistically significant among the MS components. IGF‐I showed a positive correlation with ghrelin only in individuals without MS (rs 0·403, P < 0·001) with no gender differences; this relationship was not found in MS (rs 0·120, P = 0·129). A positive association of ghrelin was found with academic level, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Conclusions  Ghrelin is higher in old men in comparison to women and decreases over time with a steeper decline in subjects with MS; moreover, in these subjects ghrelin/IGF‐I correlation is lost.
Novel germline mutations of the MEN1 gene in Greek families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Authors: Peppa Melpomeni , Boutati Eleni , Kamakari Smaragda , Pikounis Vasilios , Peros Georgios , Koutsodontis Georgios , Metaxa‐Mariatou Vassiliki , Economopoulos Theofanis , Raptis Sotirios A. , Hadjidakis Dimitrios
Published: June 2008

Introduction  Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder associated with mutations of the MEN1 gene and characterized by the combined occurrence of tumours of the parathyroid glands, the pancreatic islet cells and the anterior pituitary.

Aim  To identify MEN1 gene mutations and characterize clinical manifestations in Greek patients with MEN1.

Patients and methods  We studied four unrelated index patients with MEN1, 17 relatives and 100 control subjects. Among the relatives, seven were clinically and/or biochemically affected, while 10 were unaffected. DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of the MEN1 exons 2–10 and exon/intron boundaries were performed according to standard procedures.

Results  We identified novel MEN1 gene mutations in three out of four index patients (75%) and in all affected (100%) relatives. Novel mutations included: a frameshift mutation in exon 4 (c.684_685insG) at codon 229 (index patient A); a frameshift mutation in exon 8 (c.1160_1170dupAGGAGCGGCCG) involving codons 387–390 (index patient B); and a missense mutation in exon 4 (c.776T > C), which substitutes leucine with proline at codon 259 (L259P) (index patient C). In the fourth index patient, a common polymorphism (D418D) was detected.

Conclusions  This is the first report to reveal a high prevalence of novel MEN1 gene mutations among Greek MEN1 patients with apparent absence of genotype–phenotype correlation. Because of the small number of patients examined, the high prevalence detected might be a chance phenomenon.
Collaboration at risk: registered nurses’ experiences on orthopaedic wards
Authors: Skei Kristin
Published: June 2008

Aim. To extract meaning from registered nurses’ lived experiences in their professional collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons.

Background. Interprofessional collaboration between registered nurses and orthopaedic surgeons faces challenges on many levels. The literature offers theories on collaboration, but reality seems to be in conflict with theory, especially in somatic hospitals. Little empirical research on lived experience has been conducted in these settings.

Method. I conducted narrative interviews with five registered nurses who work on orthopaedic wards in two different hospitals in Norway. I analysed the data using a phenomenological hermeneutical method inspired by Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation.

Results. The registered nurses emphasised disparate expectations and priorities when they described collaboration. They felt their performance was hindered and had difficulty in being assertive about their own area of work. Collaboration was perceived from the perspective of relations with orthopaedic surgeons, which were perceived as difficult as indicated by the themes identified: disparate expectations and priorities; feeling emotionally burdened; keeping a distance; accepting difficult relations; and being confident in difficult relations.

Conclusions. Registered nurses seem to focus on relations in work settings where chaos and unpredictability set the background for collaboration. They perceived relations through their focus on behaving responsibly. This highlights their resources and their ability to see and to meet others, as well as difficulties they experience in asserting the importance of their own professional sphere. Acknowledging strengths and weaknesses could help to strengthen nursing identity and make it more explicit.

Relevance to clinical practice. Both resources and weaknesses are revealed that could be used by all healthcare workers to improve collaboration with colleagues, thereby enhancing patient care.
An evaluation of fitness for practice curricula: self‐efficacy, support and self‐reported competence in preregistration student nurses and midwives
Authors: Lauder William , Watson Roger , Topping Keith , Holland Karen , Johnson Martin , Porter Mary , Roxburgh Michelle , Behr Aga
Published: June 2008

Aims and objectives.  This element of the larger Scottish evaluation aimed to explore differences between access routes, cohorts and higher education institutes (HEI) (universities and colleges) in levels of self‐efficacy, student support and self‐reported competence in a nationally representative sample of student nurses and midwives.

Background.  This paper reports findings from the National Review of Pre‐Registration Nursing and Midwifery Programmes in Scotland. Fitness for practice curricula have been the heart of many recent developments in nurse and midwifery education. Fitness for practice set out to map out the future direction of preregistration nursing and midwifery education with the aim of ensuring fitness for practice based on healthcare need. There have been no national evaluations of the effectiveness of this strategic objective. Previous major evaluations in the 1990s suggested that students may not have had the skills needed to be fit for practice.

Design.  The study design was a cross‐sectional survey of a stratified random sample of student nurses and midwives (n = 777). Data collected included demographic information, generalised perceived self‐efficacy, student support and self‐reported competency.

Results.  Students reported high levels of self‐reported competency. There were no significant differences between two cohorts or between students with different access routes. Students rated support from family and friends highest and support from HEI lowest. There was a significant difference in support levels between HEI. Self‐efficacy scores were similar to other population means and showed small‐moderate correlations with self‐report competence. Similarly, self‐reported competency appears to be at the higher end of the spectrum, although older students may have a more realistic perception of their competence. However, support from HEI was seen as less satisfactory and varied from one institution to another.

Conclusions.  This study portrays a relatively positive picture of preregistration fitness for practice curricula. Questions are raised about the relative value students place on support from educationalists and mentors and whether support from family and friends and from peers needs to feature more prominently in curricula. The study provides modest support for social cognitive theory.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The major drivers for changes in preregistration curricula stemmed from fears about the competence of students. This study did not provide support for this viewpoint, and students’ self‐reports suggest that curricula are, in this respect, meeting their objectives. Nevertheless support from mentors and from educational institutes may need to be improved.
The first year as a graduate nurse – an experience of growth and development
Authors: Wangensteen Sigrid , Johansson IS , Nordström G
Published: June 2008

Aim.  The aim of this paper was to illuminate how recently graduated nurses experience their first year as a nurse.

Background.  Graduate nurses are expected to identify themselves as members of an interdisciplinary team, to feel comfortable in chaos and to make and defend decisions. By graduation nurses expect to have the necessary competence to perform nursing. Recently graduated nurses lack competence, especially relating to leadership.

Design.  A qualitative design was chosen and 12 nurses working in hospitals and home care were individually interviewed.

Method.  The interviews were transcribed verbatim and the texts were analysed using manifest and latent content analysis.

Results.  The nurses gave descriptions covering numerous experiences, interpreted and categorised in the following eight subcategories: uncertainty and chaos; need for induction; need for a supportive environment; need for recognition; awareness of responsibility; need for positive experiences; becoming experienced; and managing challenges. These subcategories gave reason for the three categories: experience of being new; gaining nurse experience; and gaining competence. The nurses described a tough start as a nurse, but they most of all gave descriptions interpreted as an experience of growth and development, which constituted the theme in this study.

Conclusions.  Recently graduated nurses have a positive attitude to the challenges of being a new nurse. Although the initial period as a nurse was tough, the nurses appreciated their experiences because they learnt from them.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Recently graduated nurses should be spared from being the only nurse on duty. Employers both in hospital and home care should facilitate induction programmes for new graduate nurses.
Mentorship in contemporary practice: the experiences of nursing students and practice mentors
Authors: Myall Michelle , Levett‐Jones Tracy , Lathlean Judith
Published: June 2008

Aim.  This paper explores the role of the mentor in contemporary nursing practice in the UK. It presents findings from a recent study which investigated the impact of a locality‐based nursing education initiative on students, practice mentors and academic staff and draws on another study, conducted in the same setting and two Australian sites, to examine the perceptions of nursing students and mentors.

Background.  Within nursing, mentorship is integral to students’ clinical placement experiences and has attracted increasing interest among researchers. Despite a plethora of studies focussing on mentoring and its nature and application within the practice setting, limited attention has been paid to the extent to which guidelines provided by regulatory bodies for nursing inform and influence the practice of mentoring in contemporary health‐care settings.

Design.  The study used a two‐phased design with data on mentorship being focussed on the second phase.

Method.  Data were collected using an online survey questionnaire of pre‐qualifying students and a postal questionnaire for practice mentors.

Findings.  The findings highlight the importance of mentorship for prequalifying students and emphasise the need to provide mentors with adequate preparation and support. They confirm previous research, but also highlight improvements in bridging the gap between rhetoric and reality for mentorship. Results are further strengthened when compared with those of the second study.

Conclusions.  Findings provide new evidence of a narrowing of the gap between the theory and practice of mentoring and for the continuing implementation of national standards to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the mentor. They also suggest the benefits of developing such standards in countries with similar systems of support for nursing students.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Mentorship is pivotal to students’ clinical experiences and is instrumental in preparing them for their role as confident and competent practitioners.
A temporary home to nurture health: lived experiences of older nursing home residents in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Hsiu‐Hsin , Tsai Yun‐Fang
Published: June 2008

Aim.  This study explored the lived experiences of older nursing home residents in Taiwan.

Background.  With more long‐term care institutions in Taiwan, older people are more often placed in nursing homes than in the past. Increased understanding of their lived experience is essential to assess residents’ needs and determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.

Design.  A qualitative design was used to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of older nursing home residents in Taiwan.

Methods.  Focus groups, followed by in‐depth interviews, were used to gather information from 33 older residents at eight nursing homes in northern Taiwan. Participants were asked to describe what was important to them and what impressed them most in their daily lives in the nursing home. Participants (24 females and nine males) were on an average 75·3 years old. Verbatim transcripts of audiotaped focus groups and interviews were analysed by thematic analysis via ATLAS.ti software.

Results.  The core theme of older residents’ nursing home experience was ‘a temporary home to nurture health’. This core theme was reflected in participants’ descriptions of their overall life in the nursing home as a temporary experience to nurture their health. Their everyday experience was characterised by four subthemes: highly structured lifestyle, restricted activities, safety concerns and social interactions.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Our findings may enhance policy makers’ and healthcare providers’ understanding of the lived experience of older nursing home residents, thus guiding the evaluation and development of nursing home services to improve residents’ lives. For example, residents with the same characteristics could be placed in the same room or same floor, thus increasing their interactions with other residents. Residents’ interactions with family members could also be developed using the Internet or mobile telephones.
Planning: a necessary step in clinical care
Authors: Leach Matthew J
Published: June 2008

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance of care planning and to encourage the integration of a consistent and systematic planning process into nursing practice.

Background.  Many factors contribute to the successful achievement of clinical outcomes, including patient–practitioner rapport, comprehensive client assessment, accurate differential diagnosis, evidence‐based care and the objective evaluation of client progress. One element that is of equal importance to these aforementioned factors is the planning of patient care. However, there are concerns that some practitioners may not be adopting a planned approach to client care, possibly because of a lack of understanding, time, skill or interest in care planning.

Method.  This is a position paper on the planning of patient care.

Results.  The planning of patient care can be effectively implemented using a two‐stage process. In brief, the first step involves the construction of a general goal, which is the overall, desired outcome of care. The expected outcome, or specific goal, forms the second part of the planning process, which clearly directs clinical care by specifically indicating how and when an individual will achieve the general goal of treatment.

Conclusion.  This paper highlights the importance of care planning and that the use of a clear, systematic planning framework may help to deliver a more transparent and consistent approach to patient care, which may greatly improve patient health and well‐being by hastening the achievement of clinical outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The knowledge and strategies contained in this paper can be easily adopted by nurses and other clinicians to modify or build upon existing practice. This knowledge may help foster a more client‐centred, participative, individualised approach to care, which may lead to improvements in patient outcomes.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics and local hotspots of initial recruitment in vertebrate‐dispersed trees
Authors: Hampe Arndt , García‐Castaño Juan L. , Schupp Eugene W. , Jordano Pedro
Published: June 2008

Initial recruitment, or the arrival and establishment of propagules, is the most variable period in the life cycle of long‐lived plants, and the extent to which studies of initial recruitment can be used to predict patterns of regeneration remains unresolved.

We investigated the spatio‐temporal dynamics of initial recruitment across five populations of three fleshy‐fruited tree species from contrasting environments. Among‐year variation in total seedfall, dispersed seedfall and seedling distributions was examined using analytical approaches that are new to the field and that explicitly incorporate space and allow comparisons among studies.

Observed patterns ranged from remarkable across‐year consistency in seedfall distributions and strong spatial coupling between seed and seedling stages to extensive variation and almost complete independence of stages. Spatial distributions of frugivore‐mediated seedfall were markedly more consistent than those of the total seedfall in two of the five populations. Seedling distributions were generally more variable among years than seedfall distributions.

All populations showed a positive relationship between the long‐term mean density of recruitment at a given microsite and its year‐to‐year consistency. This relationship remained valid when considering only microsites away from fruiting tree canopies (i.e. those receiving actually dispersed seeds), and was virtually independent of their distance to the nearest fruiting tree.

Synthesis. Our results point to the existence of some general rules behind the idiosyncratic recruitment dynamics of perennial plant populations, which should help with projecting spatial patterns of plant establishment in long‐lived species. In particular, those microsites that combine a great intensity with a high year‐to‐year consistency of recruitment should represent potential regeneration ‘hotspots’ whose identification and characterization can be of great use for the management and conservation of naturally regenerating tree populations.
Non‐random seed abscission, long‐distance wind dispersal and plant migration rates
Authors: Soons Merel B. , Bullock James M.
Published: June 2008

In plants, long‐distance dispersal (LDD) is a widespread phenomenon of great importance, especially in spatial dynamics such as in metapopulations, invasions and migration. Much has become known about the mechanisms underlying LDD by wind, but selective release mechanisms have received little attention. Recent papers call for particular effort in clarification of the seed release stage of the dispersal process, which is our aim here.

We studied non‐random seed release at a range of spatial scales, from the individual plant to species’ spatial dynamics. We did this by combining wind tunnel experiments, field trap data and simulation and analytical models, using two common wind‐dispersed heathland plants (Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea) as study species.

In both species, seed release from the plant increases with increasing wind velocity. There is a minimum release threshold, above which the probability of seed release increases with increasing wind velocity. The drag caused by the wind is the motive force for seed release.

Simulations of seed dispersal with non‐random seed release match measured dispersal kernels better, especially in the tails, than ‘conventional’ simulations with random seed release. Seed release during gusts gives the most realistic kernel. This result matches previous findings that seeds are released primarily at the start of gusts and during turbulent wind flow.

Dispersal kernels assuming non‐random seed release had large impacts on analytically modelled population migration rates. Wavespeeds assuming seed release during gusts were, on average, more than double those assuming random seed release. Increases in wavespeeds under different seed release assumptions were due mostly to increases in the tail of the dispersal kernel.

Synthesis. This study shows how the small‐scale process of a seed being released from the plant could affect the large‐scale spatial dynamics of plant species in landscapes. The mechanism of non‐random seed release, i.e., seed release during gusts, is an important mechanism for attaining LDD by wind. As such, non‐random seed release influences landscape‐scale species dynamics such as invasions and migration.
Small seed size increases the potential for dispersal of wetland plants by ducks
Authors: Soons Merel B. , Van Der Vlugt Cornelis , Van Lith Bart , Heil Gerrit W. , Klaassen Marcel
Published: June 2008

Long‐distance dispersal (LDD) is important in plants of dynamic and ephemeral habitats. For plants of dynamic wetland habitats, waterfowl are generally considered to be important LDD vectors. However, in comparison to the internal (endozoochorous) dispersal of terrestrial plants by birds, endozoochorous dispersal of wetland plants by waterfowl has received little attention. We quantified the capacity for endozoochorous dispersal of wetland plants by waterfowl and identified the mechanisms underlying successful dispersal, by comparing the dispersal capacities of a large number of wetland plant species.

We selected 23 common plant species from dynamic wetland habitats and measured their seed characteristics. We fed seeds of all species to mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), a common and highly omnivorous duck species, and quantified seed gut survival, gut passage speed and subsequent germination. We then used a simple model to calculate seed dispersal distances.

In total 21 of the 23 species can be dispersed by mallards, with intact seed retrieval and subsequent successful germination of up to 32% of the ingested seeds. The species that pass fastest through the digestive tract of the mallards are retrieved in the greatest numbers (up to 54%) and germinate best (up to 87%). These are the species with the smallest seeds. Seed coat thickness plays only a minor role in determining intact passage through the mallard gut, but determines if ingestion enhances or reduces germination in comparison to control seeds.

Model calculations estimate that whereas the largest seeds can hardly be dispersed by mallards, most seeds can be dispersed up to 780 km, and the smallest seeds up to 3000 km, by mallards during migration.

Synthesis. This study demonstrates the mechanism underlying successful endozoochorous dispersal of wetland plant seeds by mallards: small seed size promotes rapid, and hence intact and viable, passage through the mallard gut. Mallards can disperse wetland plant seeds of all but the largest‐seeded species successfully in relatively large numbers (up to 32% of ingested seeds) over long distances (up to thousands of kilometres) and are therefore important dispersal vectors.
Threat or invasive status in legumes is related to opposite extremes of the same ecological and life‐history attributes
Authors: Bradshaw Corey J. A. , Giam Xingli , Tan Hugh T. W. , Brook Barry W. , Sodhi Navjot S.
Published: June 2008

The urgency and scale of the global biodiversity crisis requires the application of generalized predictors of a species’ likelihood of going extinct or becoming invasive in non‐native areas. A common approach is to correlate species’ ecological and life‐history characteristics (attributes, traits) with the probability of becoming either threatened (responding negatively to human activity), or invasive (responding positively). The limitation of previous studies is that the fates of becoming threatened or invasive have generally been treated in isolation.

Here we consider the problem of threat and invasiveness in unison based on analysis of one of the largest‐ever species attributes data bases (8906 species) compiled for a single plant family (Fabaceae). We used generalized linear mixed‐effects models (using taxonomic grouping to control for within‐family phylogenetic relationships) to correlate species’ life‐history and ecological traits to three response variables: probability of being (i) threatened or not, (ii) invasive or not, and (iii) threatened or invasive.

We found that tall, annual, range‐restricted species with tree‐like growth forms, inhabiting closed‐forest and lowland sites are more likely to be threatened. Conversely, climbing and herbaceous species that naturally span multiple floristic kingdoms and habitat types are more likely to become invasive.

Synthesis. These results support the idea that at least for one of the richest plant families, species’ life‐history and ecological traits correlate with a fate response to anthropogenic global change. Our results show that species do demonstrate particular susceptibility to either fate based on their evolved traits, and that traits generally correlated with invasiveness are also those that correlate with a reduced probability of becoming threatened.
Principles for the management of bruxism*
Authors: LOBBEZOO F. , Van Der ZAAG J. , Van SELMS M. K. A. , HAMBURGER H. L. , NAEIJE M.
Published: June 2008

Summary  The management of bruxism has been the subject of a large number of studies. A PubMed search, using relevant MeSH terms, yielded a total of 177 papers that were published over the past 40 years. Of these papers, 135 were used for the present review. Apparently, research into bruxism management is sensitive to fashion. Interest in studying the role of occlusal interventions and oral splints in the treatment of bruxism remained more or less constant over the years: between 1966 and 2007, approximately 40–60% of the papers dealt with this subject. The percentage of papers that dealt with behavioural approaches, on the other hand, declined from >60% in the first 2 decades (1966–1986) to only slightly >10% in the most recent decade (1997–2007). In the latter period, >40% of the papers studied the role of various medicines in the treatment of bruxism, while in the preceding decade (1987–1996), only approximately 5% of the studies dealt with the pharmacological management of bruxism. Unfortunately, a vast majority of the 135 papers have a too low level of evidence. Only 13% of the studies used a randomized clinical trial design, and even these trials do not yet provide clinicians with strong, evidence‐based recommendations for the treatment of bruxism. Hence, there is a vast need for well‐designed studies. Clinicians should be aware of this striking paucity of evidence regarding management of bruxism.
Assessment of bruxism in the clinic*
Authors: KOYANO K. , TSUKIYAMA Y. , ICHIKI R. , KUWATA T.
Published: June 2008

Summary  Bruxism is a much‐discussed clinical issue in dentistry. Although bruxism is not a life‐threatening disorder, it can influence the quality of human life, especially through dental problems, such as tooth wear, frequent fractures of dental restorations and pain in the oro‐facial region. Therefore, various clinical methods have been devised to assess bruxism over the last 70 years. This paper reviews the assessment of bruxism, provides information on various assessment methods which are available in clinical situations and discusses their effectiveness and usefulness. Currently, there is no definitive method for assessing bruxism clinically that has reasonable diagnostic and technical validity, affects therapeutic decisions and is cost effective. One future direction is to refine questionnaire items and clinical examination because they are the easiest to apply in everyday practice. Another possible direction is to establish a method that can measure actual bruxism activity directly using a device that can be applied to patients routinely. More clinical studies should examine the clinical impact of bruxism on oral structures, treatment success and the factors influencing the decision‐making process in dental treatment.
Differential expression of Bordetella pertussis iron transport system genes during infection
Authors: Brickman Timothy J. , Hanawa Tomoko , Anderson Mark T. , Suhadolc Ryan J. , Armstrong Sandra K.
Published: June 2008

Temporal expression patterns of the Bordetella pertussis alcaligin, enterobactin and haem iron acquisition systems were examined using alcA–, bfeA– and bhuR–tnpR recombinase fusion strains in a mouse respiratory infection model. The iron systems were differentially expressed in vivo, showing early induction of the alcaligin and enterobactin siderophore systems, and delayed induction of the haem system in a manner consistent with predicted changes in host iron source availability during infection. Previous mixed infection competition studies established the importance of alcaligin and haem utilization for B. pertussis in vivo growth and survival. In this study, the contribution of the enterobactin system to the fitness of B. pertussis was confirmed using wild‐type and enterobactin receptor mutant strains in similar competition infection experiments. As a correlate to the in vivo expression studies of B. pertussis iron systems in mice, sera from uninfected and B. pertussis‐infected human donors were screened for antibody reactivity with Bordetella iron‐repressible cell envelope proteins. Pertussis patient sera recognized multiple iron‐repressible proteins including the known outer membrane receptors for alcaligin, enterobactin and haem, supporting the hypothesis that B. pertussis is iron‐starved and responds to the presence of diverse iron sources during natural infection.
Galactic clusters with associated Cepheid variables – VII. Berkeley 58 and CG Cassiopeiae
Authors: Turner D. G. , Forbes D. , English D. , Leonard P. J. T. , Scrimger J. N. , Wehlau A. W. , Phelps R. L. , Berdnikov L. N. , Pastukhova E. N.
Published: June 2008

Photoelectric, photographic and CCD UBV photometry, spectroscopic observations and star counts are presented for the open cluster Berkeley 58 to examine a possible association with the 4.37 d Cepheid CG Cas. The cluster is difficult to separate from the early-type stars belonging to the Perseus spiral arm, in which it is located, but has reasonably well-defined parameters: an evolutionary age of ∼108yr, a mean reddening of E(B−V) (B0) = 0.70 ± 0.03 s.e. and a distance of 3.03 ± 0.17 kpc (V0−MV= 12.40 ± 0.12 s.d.). CG Cas is a likely cluster coronal member on the basis of radial velocity, and its period increase of +0.170 ± 0.014 s yr−1 and large light amplitude describe a Cepheid in the third crossing of the instability strip lying slightly blueward of strip centre. Its inferred reddening and luminosity are E(B−V) = 0.64 ± 0.02 s.e. and 〈MV〉=−3.06 ± 0.12. A possible K supergiant may also be a cluster member.
Scopoletin is biosynthesized viaortho‐hydroxylation of feruloyl CoA by a 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent dioxygenase inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kai Kosuke , Mizutani Masaharu , Kawamura Naohiro , Yamamoto Ryotaro , Tamai Michiko , Yamaguchi Hikaru , Sakata Kanzo , Shimizu Bun‐ichi
Published: June 2008

Coumarins are derived via the phenylpropanoid pathway in plants. The 2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one core structure of coumarins is formed via theortho‐hydroxylation of cinnamates,trans/cisisomerization of the side chain, and lactonization.Ortho‐hydroxylation is a key step in coumarin biosynthesis as a branch point from lignin biosynthesis; however,ortho‐hydroxylation of cinnamates is not yet fully understood. In this study, scopoletin biosynthesis was explored usingArabidopsis thaliana, which accumulates scopoletin and its β‐glucopyranoside scopolin in its roots. T‐DNA insertion mutants of caffeoyl CoAO‐methyltransferase 1 (CCoAOMT1) showed significant reduction in scopoletin and scopolin levels in the roots, and recombinant CCoAOMT1 exhibited 3′‐O‐methyltransferase activity on caffeoyl CoA to feruloyl CoA. These results suggest that feruloyl CoA is a key precursor in scopoletin biosynthesis.Ortho‐hydroxylases of cinnamates were explored in the oxygenase families inA. thaliana, and one of the candidate genes in the Fe(II)‐ and 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent dioxygenase (2OGD) family was designated as F6′H1. T‐DNA insertion mutants ofF6′H1showed severe reductions in scopoletin and scopolin levels in the roots. The pattern ofF6′H1expression is consistent with the patterns of scopoletin and scopolin accumulation. The recombinant F6′H1 protein exhibitedortho‐hydroxylase activity for feruloyl CoA (Km = 36.0 ± 4.27 μm;kcat = 11.0 ± 0.45 sec−1) to form 6′‐hydroxyferuloyl CoA, but did not hydroxylate ferulic acid. These results indicate that Fe(II)‐ and 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent dioxygenase is the pivotal enzyme in theortho‐hydroxylation of feruloyl CoA in scopoletin biosynthesis.
Autophagy regulated by day length determines the number of fertile florets in wheat
Authors: Ghiglione Hernán O. , Gonzalez Fernanda G. , Serrago Román , Maldonado Sara B. , Chilcott Charles , Curá José A. , Miralles Daniel J. , Zhu Tong , Casal Jorge J.
Published: June 2008

The wheat spikelet meristem differentiates into up to 12 floret primordia, but many of them fail to reach the fertile floret stage at anthesis. We combined microarray, biochemical and anatomical studies to investigate floret development in wheat plants grown in the field under short or long days (short days extended with low‐fluence light) after all the spikelets had already differentiated. Long days accelerated spike and floret development and greening, and the expression of genes involved in photosynthesis, photoprotection and carbohydrate metabolism. These changes started while the spike was in the light‐depleted environment created by the surrounding leaf sheaths. Cell division ceased in the tissues of distal florets, which interrupted their normal developmental progression and initiated autophagy, thus decreasing the number of fertile florets at anthesis. A massive decrease in the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, a decrease in soluble carbohydrate levels, and an increase in the expression of genes involved in programmed cell death accompanied anatomical signs of cell death, and these effects were stronger under long days. We propose a model in which developmentally generated sugar starvation triggers floret autophagy, and long days intensify these processes due to the increased carbohydrate consumption caused by the accelerated plant development.
A very strict guideline reduces the number of erythrocyte transfusions in preterm infants
Authors: Mimica A. F. M. A. , Dos Santos A. M. N. , Da Cunha D. H. F. , Guinsburg R. , Bordin J. O. , Chiba A. , Barros M. M. O. , Kopelman B. I.
Published: June 2008

Background and Objectives  Benefits of adopting restrictive guidelines for erythrocyte transfusions are still controversial. The objective of this study was to verify if a very strict guideline could reduce erythrocyte transfusions in preterm infants without adverse outcomes.

Materials and Methods  Two prospective cohorts of neonates with gestational age < 37 weeks and birth weight < 1500 g were studied. Neonates born in Period 1 were submitted to a strict guideline for erythrocyte transfusions. In Period 2, a new stricter protocol was introduced. Infants of both periods were compared regarding number of transfusions and clinical outcome.

Results  The median number of transfusions decreased from 2 (1 to 14) in Period 1 to 1 (1–9), P = 0·001, in Period 2. The linear regression multivariate analysis showed that the implementation of the stricter guideline was associated with a reduction in the number of transfusions received by patients by 0·55 (95% confidence interval: –0·08; –1·02) units/patients. Number of apnea episodes, weight at 28 days of life and days of hospital stay were similar in both periods. Intra‐hospital death was lower in Period 2.

Conclusion  A very strict guideline reduced the number of erythrocyte transfusions in preterm infants, without threatening their clinical course.
Transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Dwyre D. M. , Holland P. V.
Published: June 2008

Transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease (TA‐GvHD) is a rare complication of transfusion of cellular blood components producing a graft‐versus‐host clinical picture with concomitant bone marrow aplasia. The disease is fulminant and rapidly fatal in the majority of patients. TA‐GvHD is caused by transfused blood‐derived, alloreactive T lymphocytes that attack host tissue, including bone marrow with resultant bone marrow failure. Human leucocyte antigen similarity between the transfused lymphocytes and the host, often in conjunction with host immunosuppression, allows tolerance of the grafted lymphocytes to survive the host immunological response. Any blood component containing viable T lymphocytes can cause TA‐GvHD, with fresher components more likely to have intact cells and, thus, able to cause disease. Treatment is generally not helpful, while prevention, usually via irradiation of blood components given to susceptible recipients, is the key to obviating TA‐GvHD. Newer methods, such as pathogen inactivation, may play an important role in the future.