bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weak Ehrenfeucht-Fraïssé games
Authors: Hyttinen Tapani , Kulikov Vadim
Published: January 2011

In this paper we define a game which is played between two players

I

\textbf {I}

and

II

\textbf {II}

and two mathematical structures

A

\mathcal {A}

and

B

\mathcal {B}

. The players choose elements from both structures in

α
\alpha

moves, and at the end of the game player

II

\textbf {II}

wins if the chosen structures are isomorphic. Thus the difference between this and the ordinary Ehrenfeucht-Fraïssé game is that the isomorphism can be arbitrary, whereas in the ordinary EF-game it is determined by the moves of the players. We investigate determinacy of the weak EF-game for different

α
\alpha

(the length of the game) and its relation to the ordinary EF-game.
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Authors: Carslaw Helen
Published: January 2011

‘Developmental dyspraxia’, also known as ‘developmental coordination disorder’ (DCD), describes a condition of impaired motor function. Children with the disorder are impacted to the extent that activities of daily living are impaired. It is generally thought that there will be at least one child with DCD in each class at school. Therefore, it is important that GPs are aware of how DCD presents and the type of challenges that children with the condition face. It is also useful to know some practical strategies that can be used to make the environment easier for children with DCD.
Diagnosis of deep‐seated lymphomas by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration combined with flow cytometry
Authors: Stacchini A. , Carucci P. , Pacchioni D. , Accinelli G. , Demurtas A. , Aliberti S. , Bosco M. , Bruno M. , Balbo Mussetto A. , Rizzetto M. , Bussolati G. , De Angelis C.
Published: January 2011

A. Stacchini, P. Carucci, D. Pacchioni, G. Accinelli, A. Demurtas, S. Aliberti, M. Bosco, M. Bruno, A. Balbo Mussetto, M. Rizzetto, G. Bussolati and C. De Angelis  Diagnosis of deep‐seated lymphomas by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration combined with flow cytometry

Objective:  Although endoscopic ultrasound combined with fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is rapidly becoming the preferred diagnostic approach for the sampling and diagnosis of gastrointestinal and mediastinal malignancies, there are limited data as to its use in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders. Therefore, we carried out a retrospective evaluation of the performance of EUS‐guided FNA combined with flow cytometry (FC) as a tool to improve overall sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Methods:  Of 1560 patients having EUS‐guided FNA during the period of the study, a total of 56 patients were evaluated by cytology with FC after EUS‐FNA. There was adequate material to perform FC analysis for all but one case.

Results:  EUS‐FNA‐FC gave a diagnosis of lymphoma in 11 cases and of reactive lymphadenopathy in 20. A specific histological type was defined by FC alone in eight cases. The remaining cases were diagnosed later by cytology and cell block sections: 13 carcinomas, nine granulomatous lymphadenopathies and one mediastinal extramedullary haematopoiesis. One case was considered only suspicious for lymphoma on cytology and FC but was not confirmed on molecular analysis and one had insufficient material for FC.

Conclusions:  Our results show that a combination of EUS‐FNA‐FC is a feasible and highly accurate method, which may be used for the diagnosis and subtyping of deep‐seated lymphoma, providing a significant improvement to cytomorphology alone both for diagnosis and treatment planning, as long as immunocytochemistry is available for non‐lymphoma cases.
A systematic review of randomised controlled trials of the effects of warmed irrigation fluid on core body temperature during endoscopic surgeries
Authors: Jin Yinghui , Tian Jinhui , Sun Mei , Yang Kehu
Published: January 2011

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this systematic review was to establish whether warmed irrigation fluid temperature could decrease the drop of body temperature and incidence of shivering and hypothermia.

Background.  Irrigation fluid, which is used in large quantities during endoscopic surgeries at room temperature, is considered to be associated with hypothermia and shivering. It remains controversial whether using warmed irrigation fluid to replace room‐temperature irrigation fluid will decrease the drop of core body temperature and the occurrence of hypothermia.

Design.  A comprehensive search (computerised database searches, footnote chasing, citation chasing) was undertaken to identify all the randomised controlled trials that explored temperature of irrigation fluid in endoscopic surgery. An approach involving meta‐analysis was used.

Method.  We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCI, China academic journals full‐text databases, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese scientific journals databases and Chinese Medical Association Journals for trials that meet the inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using standards recommended by Cochrane Library Handbook 5.0.1. Disagreement was resolved by consensus.

Results.  Thirteen randomised controlled trials including 686 patients were identified. The results showed that room‐temperature irrigation fluid caused a greater drop of core body temperature in patients, compared to warmed irrigation fluid (p < 0·00001; I2 = 85%). The occurrence of shivering [odds ratio (OR) 5·13, 95% CI: 2·95–10·19, p < 0·00001; I2 = 0%] and hypothermia (OR 22·01, 95% CI: 2·03–197·08, p = 0·01; I2 = 64%) in the groups having warmed irrigation fluid were lower than the group of studies having room‐temperature fluid.

Conclusions.  In endoscopic surgeries, irrigation fluid is recommended to be warmed to decrease the drop of core body temperature and the risk of perioperative shivering and hypothermia.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Warming irrigating fluid should be considered standard practice in all endoscopic surgeries.
Workplace mentor support for Foundation degree students: a hermeneutic phenomenological study
Authors: Wareing Mark
Published: January 2011

Aims and objectives.  This paper presents findings from a small piece of interpretive research into the lived experience of trained nurses who fulfilled the role of workplace mentors for Foundation degree students. The interprofessional landscape of workplace learning is also examined.

Background.  The participants were all employed in acute care settings in a large UK National Health Service hospital and provided mentorship to Healthcare Assistants studying the adult pathway of a Foundation degree in Health and Social Care; in preparation for the role of the Assistant Practitioner.

Design.  A purposive sample of eight workplace mentors (who had supported at least one Foundation degree student) were interviewed using a semi‐structured questionnaire.

Method.  All interviews were audio recorded and subsequently transcribed. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to uncover the lived experience of workplace mentors and 10 major themes were generated from the data.

Results.  The findings suggest that the mentorship of work‐based learners presents mentors with a range of challenges that are quite different from pre‐registration students given the situatedness of the learner in their clinical team.

Conclusion.  While the mentorship of work‐based learners in busy clinical environments is challenging, the relationship between mentor and mentee appears to have greater equality due to the situatedness of the student in the clinical team. As a result workplace mentors seem to benefit from a relationship lacking in the hierarchical features that characterise traditional mentoring. Awareness of the unique experience of work‐based learners and mentors needs to be raised, particularly where students are seeking to complete their Foundation degree to emerge as Assistant Practitioners.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Trained nurses undertaking the role of workplace mentor in support of Foundation degree students, do so to provide coaching that (in a developmental relationship), places them in the vanguard of an emerging professional group; the Assistant Practitioner.
Nurturing and nourishing: the nurses’ role in nutritional care
Authors: Jefferies Diana , Johnson Maree , Ravens Jennifer
Published: January 2011

Aims.  Researchers collaborated with clinicians, consumers and dietitians to develop a policy defining how nurses could support their patients’ nutritional care.

Background.  A high prevalence of hospital malnutrition has been reported in Australia, Europe and the UK. A patient’s nutritional status can deteriorate during admission. Malnutrition can increase complications, length of stay, mortality rates and health care costs. As the nursing role has become increasingly complex, traditional nurturing activities such as serving the patients’ meals have devolved to other categories of staff leaving the role of nurses in their patients’ nutritional care ill‐defined.

Design.  The research team systematically reviewed relevant research literature using the principles of qualitative metasynthesis to identify appropriate nursing strategies that would assist in reducing the prevalence of hospital malnutrition.

Method.  The policy was developed using a systematic review approach: devising a clinical question, searching the literature, appraising research evidence, analysing existing policy documents, synthesising evidence into dominant themes and once the policy was drafted, initiating a wide ranging consultation and ratification process.

Results.  A literature search located 147 articles. Forty articles were identified as being within the scope of the clinical question. Most were reports of audits or observation studies. The dominant themes were developed into standards that assisted nurses in supporting the oral nutrition of their patients. These included the following: a focussed mealtime, management of mealtime environments, management of staff mealtimes and a designated nutrition support nurse in each clinical area to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the policy.

Conclusions.  There is a distinct role for nurses that will assist in reducing the prevalence of hospital malnutrition but successful implementation can only occur with the support of the multidisciplinary team.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This policy provides a framework to define and invigorate nursing’s role in supporting the patient’s nutrition care.
Mental health nursing in emergency departments: the case for a nurse practitioner role
Authors: Nicholls Daniel , Gaynor Nick , Shafiei Touran , Bosanac Peter , Farrell Gerald
Published: January 2011

Aims and objectives.  This paper aims to explore the effectiveness of the mental health nurse practitioner role in the emergency department in the context of the growing use of special units or segregated areas to manage particular kinds of mental health presentations, often complicated by substance use.

Background.  In recent years, there has been a significant increase in mental health presentations to emergency departments, often complicated by substance abuse. Emergency departments have introduced a variety of mechanisms to address this growing problem. With the introduction of mental health nurse practitioners, opportunities arise to reconsider these mechanisms.

Design.  Discursive paper.

Methods.  In this discursive paper, contemporary practices are described in relation to ‘special care areas’, ‘psychiatric emergency centres’ and ‘short‐stay units’. The mental health nurse practitioner role in training and capacity building is also explored and the notion of ‘locational processes’ described. Rather than being presented as an alternative to short‐stay units, the mental health nurse practitioner role is explored in its potential to enhance mental health nursing practice in a sometimes difficult clinical environment.

Results.  The paper provides evidence from literature and practice that the clinical outcome for consumers is enhanced through the mental health nurse practitioner role.

Conclusions.  It is argued that the introduction of the mental health nurse practitioner role in the emergency department leads to increased staff competence and confidence in interacting with those presenting with mental health issues. The mental health nurse practitioner role also addresses the serious problem of stigma associated with those with a mental health issue.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is expected that those presenting with mental health issues to the emergency department will benefit through the increased assessment and management skills of staff.
Nurse and allied health professional consultants: perceptions and experiences of the role
Authors: Stevenson Kay , Ryan Sarah , Masterson Abigail
Published: January 2011

Aims and objectives.  To explore the perceptions and experiences of nurse and allied health professional consultants and key stakeholders.

Background.  Nurse and allied health professional consultants’ roles were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1999 with defined role criteria and a remit to improve patient outcomes. Although these roles have now existed for over a decade, there is a lack of research as to whether these roles have achieved their intended impact on clinical care. Through an exploration of the experiences of consultant nurses and allied health professionals and key stakeholders who work with these practitioners, a greater understanding of the consultant role can be achieved.

Design.  Qualitative.

Methods.  A purposive sample of seven non‐medical consultants (five nurses, one physiotherapist and a pharmacist) and eight stakeholders took part in focus group interviews. Each focus group was audio‐taped and lasted between 1·5–2 hours. Content analysis was used to interpret the data.

Results.  Four main themes were identified: (1) Role interpretation – core features include clinical practice, leadership, education and research. Debate surrounded the need to incorporate managerial responsibilities into the role. (2) Role implementation required political skills and emotional intelligence. (3) Role impact especially on clinical practice was a major priority for both groups. (4) Challenges included lack of organisational and administrative support.

Conclusion.  There was consensus amongst the two groups regarding the value of the role, key role functions and skills and the emerging impact on clinical practice.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Both groups were able to identify the clinical impact of the role including helping patients manage chronic pain, reducing the need for follow‐up appointments and managing emergency admissions. To capture the clinical diversity of the roles, a variety of evaluation strategies should be implemented.
Creating an agreed discharge: discharge planning for clients with high care needs
Authors: Tomura Hikari , Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko , Nagata Satoko , Murashima Sachiyo , Suzuki Shigemi
Published: January 2011

Aims. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model of discharge planning by discharge planning nurses for clients returning home with high care needs.

Background. In Japan, discharge planning plays an important role in the smooth and timely discharge of clients from medical facilities. Discharge planning nurses often oversee such processes, especially for clients with high care needs. However, a conceptual model that guides discharge planning nurses during the discharge planning process is currently lacking.

Design. Qualitative.

Methods. A constant comparative approach was used to collect and analyse data from semi‐structured interviews conducted with 13 discharge planning nurses working at medical centres throughout Japan. Each discharge planning nurse described her discharge planning activities for a client with high care needs.

Results. ‘Creating an agreed discharge’ was a core category of the discharge planning process carried out by discharge planning nurses. The process consisted of: (1) developing a blueprint, (2) reaching an agreement, (3) materialising the agreed plan and (4) sending the client home. The discharge planning nurse starts by developing a blueprint of client/family life after discharge. The blueprint guides each discharge planning nurse thereafter throughout their various activities. She or he also strives to reach an agreement with the client/family regarding the discharge plan. Discharge planning nurse activities detailed here are based on the client/family’s daily life, and adjustments to the plan are made within an agreeable range.

Conclusions. Developing a blueprint, revising and refining it to establish an agreed discharge plan based on the client/family’s situations and preferences and coming to an agreement for further revisions and the final plan were essential in the discharge planning process. A precise projection of the client’s condition, community resource knowledge, estimating family care and understanding specific client/family thoughts on returning home were vital to a successful discharge planning process.

Relevance to clinical practice. These findings may be useful for the development of discharge planning guidelines.
Opinion of Japanese rheumatology physicians on methods of assessing the quality of rheumatoid arthritis care
Authors: Higashi Takahiro , Fukuhara Shunichi , Nakayama Takeo
Published: January 2011

Objective  To examine the opinion of rheumatology physicians in Japan regarding desirable quality assessment methods.

Methods  We conducted a cross‐sectional self‐administered mail survey on a random sample of physicians and surgeons registered with the Japan Rheumatism Foundation. In the survey, respondents were asked to rank seven proposed assessment methods for the quality of rheumatoid arthritis care, namely patient satisfaction, risk‐adjusted outcomes such as complication incidence and admission rate, guideline compliance, waiting time at clinics, voting by local general practitioners, degree of newspaper and magazine reportage, and volume of patients receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Results  Among 531 respondents (response rate 48%), the respondents ranked patient satisfaction most favourably (mean rank 1.6), followed by complication/admission rate and number of patients. Guideline adherence was ranked almost the same as voting by local physicians. Waiting time and media reportage were not considered good methods for quality evaluation. Ranking distribution did not differ by working facility or place, volume of patients or years in practice. Multivariate analysis revealed that respondents who care for a large number of rheumatoid arthritis patients (>40 regular patients) were less likely to rank guideline adherence highly (first to third) than those who care for few patients (≤10 regular patients), with an odds ratio of 0.38 (P < 0.01) after adjustment for other variables.

Conclusions  A majority of Japanese rheumatology physicians consider patient satisfaction the most trustworthy method of assessing the quality of rheumatoid arthritis care. Future research should explore convincing methods of assessing the technical quality of rheumatoid arthritis care.
Impact of HAART exposure and associated lipodystrophy on advanced liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients
Authors: Loko M.‐A. , Bani‐Sadr F. , Winnock M. , Lacombe K. , Carrieri P. , Neau D. , Morlat P. , Serfaty L. , Dabis F. , Salmon D. ,   for the ANRS CO 13 HEPAVIH Study Group
Published: January 2011

Summary.  The impact of antiretroviral drug exposure and associated lipodystrophy and/or insulin resistance (IR) on advanced liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients is not fully documented. We determined the prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis (defined by hepatic stiffness ≥9.5 kPa) and associated factors, focusing on the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy and its major adverse effects (lipodystrophy and IR), in 671 HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients included in the ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort. One hundred ninety patients (28.3%) had advanced liver fibrosis. In univariate analysis, advanced liver fibrosis was significantly associated with male sex, higher body mass index, HCV infection through intravenous drug use, a lower absolute CD4 cell count, a longer history of antiretroviral treatment, longer durations of protease inhibitors, non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and NRTI exposure, lipodystrophy, diabetes, and a high homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA) value. The only antiretroviral drugs associated with advanced liver fibrosis were efavirenz, stavudine and didanosine. In multivariate analysis, male sex (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.5; P = 0.018), HCV infection through intravenous drug use (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.6; P = 0.018), lipodystrophy (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.3; P = 0.01), median didanosine exposure longer than 5 months (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.8; P = 0.04) and a high HOMA value (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2; P = 0.005) remained significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis. Mitochondrial toxicity and IR thus appear to play a key role in liver damage associated with HIV/HCV‐coinfection, and this should be taken into account when selecting and optimizing antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral drugs with strong mitochondrial toxicity (e.g. didanosine) or a major effect on glucose metabolism should be avoided.
Viral level is an indicator of long‐term outcome of hepatitis B virus e antigen‐negative carriers with persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Nakazawa T. , Shibuya A. , Takeuchi A. , Shibata Y. , Hidaka H. , Okuwaki Y. , Takada J. , Tanaka Y. , Watanabe M. , Minamino T. , Sakurai K. , Koizumi W.
Published: January 2011

Summary.  The association between viral level and the long‐term outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers who test negative for hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) but have persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels (PNALT) remains unclear. We examined hepatocarcinogenesis, hepatitis reactivation, predictive factors and the time course of HBV DNA levels during follow‐up in 104 HBeAg‐negative Japanese carriers with PNALT. During a mean follow‐up period of 6.4 ± 3.4 years, 5 patients (4.8%) had hepatocarcinogenesis and 14 (13.5%) had hepatitis reactivation. At 5 and 10 years, the cumulative rates of hepatocarcinogenesis were 2.4% and 9.9%, while those of hepatitis activation were 13.7% and 15.5%, respectively. An HBV DNA level of ≥5 log10 copies/mL was the sole predictor of hepatocarcinogenesis with a univariate analysis. An HBV DNA level of ≥5 log10 copies/mL and an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level of >20 to ≤40 IU/L were independent predictors of hepatitis reactivation in a Cox model. Because there was no association between hepatocarcinogenesis and ALT activity, the HBV DNA level was considered an essential predictor. In addition, the baseline HBV DNA level was related to the future level and was not subject to wide fluctuations. Our results showed that an HBV DNA level of ≥5 log10 copies/mL predicts subsequent hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatitis reactivation in HBeAg‐negative carriers with PNALT. As the baseline HBV DNA level reflects the future level, appropriate clinical management according to the viral level is expected to decrease future risk.
Climate change and forest diseases
Authors: Sturrock R. N. , Frankel S. J. , Brown A. V. , Hennon P. E. , Kliejunas J. T. , Lewis K. J. , Worrall J. J. , Woods A. J.
Published: January 2011

As climate changes, the effects of forest diseases on forest ecosystems will change. We review knowledge of relationships between climate variables and several forest diseases, as well as current evidence of how climate, host and pathogen interactions are responding or might respond to climate change. Many forests can be managed to both adapt to climate change and minimize the undesirable effects of expected increases in tree mortality. We discuss four types of forest and disease management tactics – monitoring, forecasting, planning and mitigation – and provide case studies of yellow‐cedar decline and sudden aspen decline to illustrate how forest diseases might be managed in the face of climate change. The uncertainties inherent to climate change effects can be diminished by conducting research, assessing risks, and linking results to forest policy, planning and decision making.
Potential strategies and future requirements for plant disease management under a changing climate
Authors: Juroszek P. , von Tiedemann A.
Published: January 2011

Climate change will probably influence the occurrence, prevalence and severity of plant diseases. This will also affect disease management with regard to timing, preference and efficacy of chemical, physical and biological measures of control and their utilization within integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Prediction of future requirements in disease management is of great interest for agroindustries, extension services and practical farmers. A comprehensive analysis of potential climate‐change effects on disease control is difficult because current knowledge is limited and fragmented. This review reveals that certain existing preventive plant protection measures, such as use of a diversity of crop species in cropping systems, adjustment of sowing or planting dates, use of crop cultivars with superior resistance and/or tolerance to diseases and abiotic stress, use of reliable tools to forecast disease epidemics, application of IPM strategies, and effective quarantine systems, may become particularly important in the future. Effective crop protection technologies are available and will provide appropriate tools to adapt to altered climatic conditions, although the complexity of future risks for plant disease management may be considerable, particularly if new crops are introduced in an area. Overall, the challenge of adapting disease control measures to climate change is not likely to be fundamentally different from the adjustments to technological innovations or changes in the economic framework already required in current crop protection. Potential beneficial effects of climate change, such as longer growing seasons, fewer frosts and shifted precipitation patterns, must not be neglected, as they could counteract the presumed enhancement of particular diseases.
Climate change and diseases of food crops
Authors: Luck J. , Spackman M. , Freeman A. , Tre˛bicki P. , Griffiths W. , Finlay K. , Chakraborty S.
Published: January 2011

Despite complex regional patterns of projected climate change, significant decreases in food crop yields have been predicted using the ‘worst case’ CO2 emission scenario (A1FI) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Overall, climate change is predicted to have a progressively negative effect on the yield of food crops, particularly in the absence of efforts to mitigate global CO2 emissions. As with all species, plant pathogens will have varying responses to climate change. Whilst the life cycle of some pathogens will be limited by increasing temperatures, e.g. Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, other climatic factors such as increasing atmospheric CO2, may provide more favourable conditions for pathogens such as Fusarium pseudograminearum. Based on published literature and unpublished work in progress, we have reviewed the qualitative effects of climate change on pathogens that cause disease of four major food crops: wheat, rice, soybean and potato. The limited data show that the influence will be positive, negative or neutral, depending on the host–pathogen interaction. Quantitative analysis of climate change on pathogens of these crops is largely lacking, either from field or laboratory studies or from modelling‐based assessments. Systematic quantitative analysis of these effects will be necessary in developing future disease management plans, such as plant breeding, altered planting schedules, chemical and biological control methods and increased monitoring for new disease threats.
Survival of pathogens of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group) in crop residues
Authors: Köhl J. , Vlaswinkel M. , Groenenboom‐de Haas B. H. , Kastelein P. , van Hoof R. A. , van der Wolf J. M. , Krijger M.
Published: January 2011

Mycosphaerella brassicicola (ringspot), Alternaria brassicicola and A. brassicae (dark leaf spot) and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (black spot) can infect leaves of Brussels sprouts resulting in yield losses. Infections of outer leaves of sprouts cause severe losses in quality. Crop residues can be a major primary inoculum source of the pathogens. Their population dynamics were followed in residues of leaves and stalks of crops of Brussels sprouts during 24 months using real‐time PCR assays. Leaf residues on the soil surface or buried in soil decomposed within 4 months. However, residues of stalks were present in the field after 24 months. In such residues, M. brassicicola populations increased during the first 2 months, but decreased thereafter and the pathogen was found only occasionally in the second year. Alternaria brassicicola multiplied on stalks exposed on the surface of field soil and was present on such residues after 24 months. Survival was less on residues buried in soil. Alternaria brassicae population increased in stalks exposed on the soil surface during the first months but decreased thereafter under the detection limit. Xanthomonas campestris cv. campestris populations fluctuated in time but 1 × 104 cells mg−1 stalk residue were still found after 24 months. Additionally, the four pathogens were present in residues of 11 commercial rapeseed crops that were analysed. The observed variation in population sizes of the pathogens between individual pieces of crop residues indicates a stochastic spread of pathogens. Unravelling the underlying processes will support the development of novel methods for sustainable disease prevention.
CD4+Foxp3+ Regulatory T‐cell Impairment by Paclitaxel is Independent of Toll‐like Receptor 4
Authors: Zhu Y. , Liu N. , Xiong S. D. , Zheng Y. J. , Chu Y. W.
Published: January 2011

Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most widely used clinical antitumour drugs in chemotherapy nowadays. Its effect on immune system has become a hot spot of research in recent years. Here, we demonstrated that PTX not only decreased the percentage of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells both in vitro and in vivo but also impaired cell viability and cytokine production of Treg cells rather than CD4+Foxp3− effector T (Teff) cells. As PTX has been reported to mimic the activity of LPS to trigger the toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling pathway in macrophages, we investigated the possible role of TLR4 in the effect of PTX. However, although TLR4 expression on Treg cells was higher than that on Teff cells, the expression level remained unaltered in both Treg and Teff cells after PTX treatment. Surface molecules and activation markers in Treg and Teff cells did not change, either. Further study showed that the effect of PTX on TLR4−/− mice deficient in TLR4 signalling was similar to that on C57BL/6 mice both in vivo and in vitro. These data indicate that the selective impairment of Treg cells by PTX is independent of TLR4.
Toxocara canis infection is associated with eosinophilia and total IgE in blood donors from a large Brazilian centre
Authors: Dattoli V. C. C. , Freire S. M. , Mendonça L. R. , Santos P. C. , Meyer R. , Alcantara‐Neves N. M.
Published: January 2011

Objective  To investigate the association between Toxocara canis infection and total IgE levels and eosinophilia in blood donors from a large Brazilian city.

Methods  Two hundred and sixty‐eight blood donors from a government blood bank were tested. No helminth infection was diagnosed by parasitological stool examination. Total IgE levels and T. canis infection status were determined by ELISA. Eosinophil levels were determined using an automatic blood cell counter.

Results  Toxocara canis IgG antibodies were found in 124 (46.3%); 102 (38.0%) had eosinophilia ≥4% and 29 (10.8%) had eosinophilia ≥10%, respectively; 140 (52.2%) individuals had total IgE antibodies above the cut‐off levels. Both total IgE and eosinophil levels ≥10% were positively associated with the infection.

Conclusion  This study revealed a high prevalence of T. canis infection in blood donors, highlighting the need for screening for this infection. It also demonstrated that this population otherwise healthy has higher levels of blood eosinophils and total IgE and that both parameters are associated with T. canis infection.
Poxvirus infection in a cat with presumptive human transmission
Authors: Herder Vanessa , Wohlsein Peter , Grunwald Dorothea , Janssen Hanno , Meyer Hermann , Kaysser Philipp , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Beineke Andreas
Published: January 2011

The present report describes a case of generalized cowpox virus infection with necrotizing facial dermatitis in a cat and a likely transmission to an animal keeper. The viral aetiology was confirmed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, PCR, virus isolation, DNA sequencing and electron microscopy. Histopathological examination of the cat’s skin revealed a severe, necrotizing dermatitis with ballooning degeneration and hyperplasia of epithelial cells with pathognomonic cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. Additionally, at post‐mortem examination, a systemic poxvirus infection was detected affecting pancreas, thymus, lymph node, liver and lung. The human patient’s skin biopsy revealed an ulcerative dermatitis with epidermal hyperplasia and ballooning degeneration. Serological investigation displayed a high orthopoxvirus‐specific antibody titre in the human patient. Environmental factors increase the natural reservoir host population for cowpox viruses, such as voles, which results in a higher risk of infection for cats and subsequently for humans. Due to this zoonotic potential, a cowpox virus infection must be considered as an aetiological differential in cases of necrotizing dermatitis in cats.
Liver and combined lung and liver transplantation for cystic fibrosis: Analysis of the UNOS database
Authors: Arnon Ronen , Annunziato Rachel A. , Miloh Tamir , Padilla Maria , Sogawa Hiroshi , Batemarco Linda , Willis Asha , Suchy Frederick , Kerkar Nanda
Published: January 2011

Arnon R, Annunziato RA, Miloh T, Padilla M, Sogawa H, Batemarco L, Willis A, Suchy F, Kerkar N. Liver and combined lung and liver transplantation for cystic fibrosis: Analysis of the UNOS database. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 254–264. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  A proportion of patients with CF develop cirrhosis and portal hypertension. LT and combined LLT are rarely performed in patients with CF. To determine the outcome of LT and LLT in patients with CF. Patients with CF who had LT or LLT between 10/1987 and 5/2008 were identified from UNOS database. A total of 182 children (<18 yr) and 48 adults underwent isolated LT for CF. Seven more children and eight adults with CF underwent combined LLT. One‐ and five‐yr patient and graft survival were not significantly different in patients who underwent LT in comparison with patients who underwent LLT (patient survival: LT; 83.9%, 75.7%, LLT; 80%, 80%; graft survival: LT; 76.1%, 67.0%, LLT; 80.0%, 80.0%, respectively). The two major causes of death after LT were pulmonary disease (15 patients, 22.7%) and hemorrhage (12 patients, 18.2%). Bilirubin was identified as a risk factor for death, and previous liver transplant and prolonged cold ischemic time were identified as risk factors for graft loss in LT patients. LT is a viable option for children and young adults with CF and end‐stage liver disease. Outcome of LLT patients with CF was comparable to the outcome of patients with CF who underwent isolated LT.
Mortality of a herbivorous insect is greater on non‐indigenous congeneric compared to native rush in coastal salt marsh
Authors: Harvey Kerinne J , Britton David R , Minchinton Todd E
Published: January 2011

Within endangered coastal salt marsh of south‐east Australia, the non‐indigenous rush Juncus acutus L. (Juncaceae) is displacing the native rush Juncus kraussii Hochst. (Juncaceae), with concurrent changes to the structure and composition of insect species assemblages. Here we test hypotheses that the abundance of a common and widespread sap‐sucking herbivore, the planthopper Haplodelphax iuncicola Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), differed between the non‐indigenous J. acutus and the native J. kraussii, and that these differences were due to differential survivorship. Surveys at two salt marshes revealed that there were significantly fewer H. iuncicola on J. acutus than J. kraussii, and that J. kraussii at sites not invaded by J. acutus supported more than double the number of H. iuncicola than J. kraussii at invaded sites. A field experiment enclosing H. iuncicola on both Juncus species revealed complete mortality of planthoppers on the non‐indigenous rush J. acutus in about 2 weeks, whereas there was greater than 80% survivorship on the native rush J. kraussii. Measurements of plant architecture showed that J. acutus is structurally different to the native rush J. kraussii, with thicker, taller and less densely packed stems, suggesting that J. acutus might therefore provide unsuitable habitat or food resources for H. iuncicola. These results suggest that J. acutus does not play a functionally similar role to J. kraussii for native insect assemblages.
Floral visitation in the Australian native shrub genus Acrotriche R.Br (Ericaceae): an abundance of ants (Formicidae)
Authors: Schneemilch Melanie , Williams Craig , Kokkinn Michael
Published: January 2011

The genus Acrotriche is a group of predominantly winter flowering Australian native plants with small flowers that use a unique method of secondary pollen presentation. The mating system of one species has been determined as requiring transfer of pollen from one plant to another to enable effective pollination and floral conformity in other species suggests similar breeding systems. Previous authors have suggested non‐flying mammal pollination for members of the genus based on floral traits and reports of floral consumption; however, this hypothesis does not stand up to scrutiny. Acrotriche floral traits can also be interpreted as indicative of crawling invertebrate pollination. The identification of floral visitors and their potential for pollination has not been conducted previously for any Acrotriche species. To identify potential pollinators, the floral visitors to six different species of Acrotriche were observed throughout an entire 24 h period at a range of sites throughout South Australia. Ants were identified as the most common and abundant floral visitors for all Acrotriche species. Ant pollination is considered rare due to the negative effects that ant secretions can have on pollen viability. To determine these effects in relation to Acrotriche, pollen germination experiments were undertaken after contact with the integument of several ant species. Reductions in pollen viability varied between plants and ant species but in all experiments viable pollen remained after ant contact. These results, along with observed behaviour of ant visitors, indicate that ants may contribute to pollination in Acrotriche.
Introduction to biodegradable polylactic acid ureteral stent application for treatment of ureteral war injury
Authors: Li Gang , Wang Zhong‐Xin , Fu Wei‐Jun , Hong Bao‐Fa , Wang Xiao‐Xiong , Cao Lei , Xu Fu‐Qiang , Song Qiang , Cui Fu‐Zhai , Zhang Xu
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

• To study the operability and effectiveness of a biodegradable ureteral stent for clinical treatment of ureteral war injury using a canine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• A device was designed and employed to generate firearm fragment wounds in unilateral ureters (on randomly chosen sides) of nine beagles (Group A). The wounded ureters were then debrided and sutured.

• Intravenous pyelography (IVP) and radioactive renography were performed 40, 80 and 120 days postoperatively. In Group B, firearm fragment wounds were made to the bilateral ureters in nine beagles. A polylactic acid stent was placed unilaterally (on a randomly chosen side) whereas the ureter on the other side was debrided and sutured without stenting.

• Both IVP and radioactive renography were performed 40, 80 and 120 days postoperatively. The operability and effectiveness of the biodegradable ureteral stent were studied thereafter.

RESULTS

• In Group A, hydronephrosis and hydroureter occurred and worsened postoperatively on the wounded sides in all nine beagles. The ratio of the renal partial concentration indices (RPCI) between the kidneys (unwounded side : wounded side) increased.

• The ratio of the kidney washout half‐time between the kidneys (unwounded side : wounded side) decreased. In Group B, neither hydronephrosis nor hydroureter was found postoperatively in the stented ureters but both occurred in the unstented ureters in all nine beagles.

• The ratio of RPCI between kidneys (stented side : unstented side) increased whereas the kidney washout half‐time ratio between the stented and unstented sides decreased. Differences were significant.

CONCLUSION

• In Group A, the new canine model for firearm fragment wounds was tested and proved to be operable and effective. In Group B, hydronephrosis and hydroureter were effectively prevented in ureters by biodegradable stent placement compared with the non‐stented ureters where hydronephrosis and hydroureter occurred. The renal concentration capacity was effectively protected and the half‐time of kidney washout was shortened.
The Z‐shaped ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy: an 18 years experience with 329 patients
Authors: Neuzillet Yann , Yonneau Laurent , Lebret Thierry , Herve Jean‐Marie , Butreau Martine , Botto Henry
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results in terms of functional results and morbidity of Z‐shaped ileal neobladder performed in a single center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

329 consecutive male patients who had an orthotopic bladder replacement using the Z‐shaped ileal neobladder between May 1990 and January 2009.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 64.4 ± 9.6 years, with a mean follow‐up of 59.4 ± 55 months.

Eighty‐three early complications in 80/294 patients (27.2%) occurred. The average Clavian rate of these early complications was 2.24. Among these, 12 complications in 12 patients (4.1%) were pouch‐related, and 3 reoperations were required. Two patients died from cardiac complications. Sixty‐three late complications in 60/294 patients (20.4%) were recorded. The average Clavian rate of these late complications was 2.98. Among these, 47 complications in 45/294 patients (15.3%) were pouch‐related, and 18 reoperations were required, essentially for ureteral anastomosis stricture.

Satisfactory daytime urinary continence was achieved in 92% of patients. Daytime continence was obtained within, on average, 6.8 ± 16.4 months. The interval between each daytime urination was 2.6 ± 0.8 h (median = 2.5 [1–5] h). Forty‐four (15%) patients developed metabolic acidosis which only required oral medication.

Satisfactory nocturnal urinary continence was achieved in 87% of patients. Night‐time continence was obtained within, on average, 10.8 ± 22.4 months.

Hyper‐continence with subsequent need for CISC was observed in 4%.

CONCLUSION

In our series of 329 patients, compared with the other techniques, the Z‐shaped ileal neobladder had an ‘expected’ complication rate for this high risk surgery with satisfactory daytime and night‐time continence in nine out of ten patients.
The effect of corporate governance on firm’s credit ratings: further evidence using governance score in the United States
Authors: Alali Fatima , Anandarajan Asokan , Jiang Wei
Published: January 2011

We investigate whether corporate governance affects firms’ credit ratings and whether improvement in corporate governance standards is associated with improvement in investment grade rating. We use the Gov‐score of Brown and Caylor (2006), the Gomper’s G index and an entrenchment score of Bebchuk et al. (2009) to proxy for corporate governance. Using a sample of US firms, we find that firms characterized by stronger corporate governance have a significantly higher credit rating, and that this association is accentuated for smaller firms relative to larger firms. We find that an improvement in corporate governance is associated with improvement in bond rating.
SPATIAL HOMOGAMY: THE GEOGRAPHICAL DIMENSIONS OF PARTNER CHOICE
Authors: HAANDRIKMAN KAREN
Published: January 2011

Individuals tend to find life partners who are similar to themselves, a phenomenon known as homogamy. This study focuses on spatial homogamy, which is the similarity regarding the geographical origin of partners. Adopting a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the geographical dimension of partner choice is explored for the Netherlands. Distance decay is highly pertinent for Dutch cohabitation partners: half of them meet within a 6 kilometre distance. The level of spatial homogamy not only varies by demographic and socio‐economic characteristics of individuals, but also exhibits a spatial distribution. The spatial variation can be explained by a combination of cultural, geographical and socio‐economic factors. In a case study in a rural area in eastern Netherlands, villagers indicated that a partner from close by is seen as convenient, familiar and trustworthy. The distance at which partners are found is influenced by the perceived mentality and culture of neighbouring places.
The acid test? Competing theses on the nationality – democracy nexus and the case of Switzerland†
Authors: DARDANELLI PAOLO , STOJANOVIĆ NENAD
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT. This article deals with the connection between nationality and democracy and explores the role Switzerland plays in the scholarly debate on this question. It identifies three main theses – liberal‐nationalist, liberal‐multinationalist and liberal‐postnationalist – and shows that each of them uses the Swiss case to claim empirical support. It then analyses the connections between nationality and democracy in Switzerland and demonstrates that the country is neither multinational nor postnational, but is best characterised as a mononational state. These findings expose the fallacy of using Switzerland to claim support for either the multinational or the postnational thesis and call for a reconsideration of them. Additionally, they show that “civic nationalism” and “civic republicanism” can be conflated and that a predominantly civic nation is viable and sustainable and is not necessarily an ethnic nation in disguise. The Swiss case thus provides qualified empirical support for the liberal‐nationalist thesis.
A tale of ambiguity: citizenship, nationalism and democracy in Turkey
Authors: KEYMAN E. F. , KANCI TUBA
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT. We argue that historically the official Turkish nationalism and citizenship regime have been marked by an ambiguity that arises from the simultaneous existence of – and repeatedly occurring swings between – the ethno‐centric and civic‐political understandings of citizenship. We also suggest that the concept of territoriality, which took precedence over other factors in the creation of a new state in 1923, has functioned as a hegemonic reference in the official conceptualisations of the Turkish nation and self. The territorial focus, over time, has been conflated with the ethnic conceptualisations of the nation: both become the underlining elements of the discourse of official nationalism in Turkey, and are utilised in the successive reformulations of citizenship into the 2000s. Through the analysis of schoolbooks and curricula, we further argue that the major oscillations in nationalism nevertheless coincided with the ruptures that characterised the making of modern Turkey: modernisation, democratisation, globalisation and Europeanisation.