bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Density‐dependent dispersal in birds and mammals
Authors: Matthysen Erik
Published: June 2005

Density‐dependent dispersal can be caused by various mechanisms, from competition inducing individuals to emigrate (positive density‐dependence) to social crowding effects impeding free movement (negative density‐dependence). Various spatial population models have incorporated positively density‐dependent dispersal algorithms, and recent theoretical models have explored the conditions for density‐dependent dispersal (DD) to evolve. However, while the existence of DD is well documented in some taxa such as insects, there is no clear picture on its generality in vertebrates. Here I review the available empirical data on DD in birds and mammals, focusing mainly on variation in dispersal between years and on experimental density manipulations. Surprisingly few studies have explicitly focused on DD, and interpretation of the available data is often hampered by differences in approach, small sample sizes and/or statistical shortcomings. Positive DD was reported in 50 and 33% of the selected mammal and bird studies, respectively, while two studies on mammals (out of eight) reported negative DD. Among bird studies, DD was more often reported for emigration rates or long‐distance recoveries than for average distances within finite study areas. Experimental studies manipulating densities (mainly on mammals) have consistently generated positive DD, typically showing reduced emigration in response to partial population removal. Studies that examined dispersal in relation to seasonal changes in density (small mammals only) have more often reported negative DD. Studies that compared dispersal between sites differing in density, also show a mixture of positive and negative DD. This suggests that dispersal changes in a more complex way with seasonal and spatial density variation than with annual densities, and/or that these results are confounded by other factors differing between seasons and sites, such as habitat quality. I conclude that both correlational and experimental studies support the existence of positive, rather than negative, density‐dependent dispersal in birds and mammals.
Canopy insect herbivores in the Azorean Laurisilva forests: key host plant species in a highly generalist insect community
Authors: Ribeiro Sérvio P. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Gaspar Clara , Melo Catarina , Serrano Artur R. M. , Amaral João , Aguiar Carlos , André Genage , Quartau José A.
Published: June 2005

This article explores patterns of insect herbivore distribution in the canopy of the Laurisilva forests on seven islands in the Azores archipelago. To our knowledge, this is one of the first extensive study of this type in tree or shrub canopies of oceanic island ecosystems. One of the most frequently debated characteristics of such ecosystems is the likely prevalence of vague, ill‐defined niches due to taxonomic disharmony, which may have implications for insect‐plant interactions. For instance, an increase in ecological opportunities for generalist species is expected due to the lack of predator groups and reduced selection for chemical defence in host plants. The following two questions were addressed: 1) Are specialists species rare, and insect herbivore species randomly distributed among host plant species in the Azores? 2) Are the variances in insect herbivore species composition, frequency and richness explained by host plants or by regional island effects? We expect a proportional distribution of herbivore species between host plants, influenced by host frequency and distinct island effects; otherwise, deviation from expectation might suggest habitat preference for specific host tree crowns. Canopy beating tray samples were performed on seven islands, comprising 50 transects with 1 to 3 plant species each (10 replicates per species), giving 1320 samples from ten host species trees or shrubs in total. From a total of 129 insect herbivore species, a greater number of herbivore species was found onJuniperus brevifolia(s=65) andErica azorica(s=53). However, the number of herbivore species per individual tree crown was higher forE. azoricathan for any other host, on all islands, despite the fact that it was only the fourth more abundant plant. In addition, higher insect species richness and greater insect abundance were found on the trees of Santa Maria Island, the oldest in the archipelago. Insect species composition was strongly influenced by the presence ofE. azorica, which was the only host plant with a characteristic fauna across the archipelago, whereas the fauna of other plant crowns was grouped by islands. The great insect occurrence onE. azoricareflects strong habitat fidelity, but only four species were clearly specialists. Our findings indicate a broadly generalist fauna. The simplicity of Azorean Laurisilva contributed to the understanding of insect‐plant mechanisms in canopy forest habitats.
Migration of hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata from Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Authors: Troëng Sebastian , H. Dutton Peter , Evans Daniel
Published: June 2005

The hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata is a widely distributed and critically endangered species that feeds on sponges and fills an important ecological role in the coral reef ecosystem. At Tortuguero, Costa Rica, trend analyses indicate considerable decline in nesting estimated at 77.2–94.5% between 1956 and 2003, as a result of excessive turtle fishing. We analyzed flipper tag returns, satellite telemetry and genetic samples to determine movements and habitat use of adult female Tortuguero hawksbills. Tag returns and satellite telemetry show hawksbills migrate to foraging grounds in Nicaragua and Honduras. Genetic analysis indicates the hawksbills may also migrate to Cuban, Puerto Rican, and possibly Mexican waters. We conclude hawksbills represent an internationally shared resource. There is a close correlation between tag recapture sites, hawksbill foraging grounds and coral reef distribution. Caribbean coral reef decline may reduce food availability and negatively impact hawksbill turtles. Conversely, hawksbill decline may shift the balance on coral reefs by reducing predation pressure on sponges and hence make coral reefs less resilient to natural and anthropogenic threats. Strategies aiming to conserve hawksbills and coral reefs must consider both the extensive hawksbill migrations and the close relationship between the species and the coral reef ecosystem.
The Secret Diary of Corporate Venturing
Authors: Birkinshaw Julian
Published: June 2005

Like problem children, if they're not handled well corporate ventures can cause their parents financial heartache and make them wish they'd never been born. But they can bring rich rewards if gently nurtured to their best ability. Julian Birkinshaw offers advice on practical corporate parenting.
Palsy of the rear limbs in Mycobacterium lepraemurium-infected mice results from bone damage and not from nerve involvement
Authors: Rojas-Espinosa O , Becerril-Villanueva E , Wek-Rodríguez K , Arce-Paredes P , Reyes-Maldonado E
Published: June 2005

A small but relatively constant proportion (3–5%) of mice chronically infected with Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) develops bilateral paralysis of the rear limbs. The aim of the study was to investigate whether or not the bilateral leg palsy results from nerve involvement. Direct bacterial nerve infection or acute/delayed inflammation might possibly affect the nerves. Therefore, palsied animals were investigated for the presence of: (a) histopathological changes in the leg tissues including nerves, bones and annexes, and (b) serum antibodies to M. lepraemurium and M. leprae lipids, including phenolic glycolipid I from M. leprae. Histopathological study of the palsied legs revealed that the paralysis was not the result of direct involvement of the limb nerves, as neither bacilli nor inflammatory cells were observed in the nerve branches studied. Antibodies to brain lipids and cardiolipin were not detected in the serum of the palsied animals, thus ruling out an immune response to self-lipids as the basis for the paralysis. Although high levels of antibodies to MLM lipids were detected in the serum of palsied animals they were not related to limb paralysis, as the nerves of the palsied legs showed no evidence of inflammatory damage. In fact, nerves showed no evidence of damage. Paralysis resulted from severe damage of the leg bones. Within the bones the bone marrow became replaced by extended bacilli-laden granulomas that frequently eroded the bone wall, altering the normal architecture of the bone and its annexes, namely muscle, tendons and connective tissue. Although this study rules out definitively the infectious or inflammatory damage of nerves in murine leprosy, it opens a new avenue of research into the factors that participate in the involvement or the sparing of nerves in human and murine leprosy, respectively.
Leaky phenotype of X-linked agammaglobulinaemia in a Japanese family
Authors: Kaneko H , Kawamoto N , Asano T , Mabuchi Y , Horikoshi H , Teramoto T , Matsui E , Kondo M , Fukao T , Kasahara K , Kondo N
Published: June 2005

X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is an inherited immunodeficiency that is caused by a block in early B-cell differentiation. Whereas early B precursors in the bone marrow are present in substantial numbers, XLA-affected individuals have dramatically reduced numbers of circulating mature B cells, plasma cells and immunoglobulins of all isotypes. We report on a Japanese family with 3 XLA patients, in whom the serum immunoglobulin levels and number of B cells showed a significant difference among them in spite of harbouring the same splice donor site mutation in the BTK gene. We developed concise method for detection of this mutation, which is helpful for discovering the carrier. Patient 2 showed a significant serum immunoglobulin levels of all isotypes, including allergen-specific IgE. Expression of a normal and truncated size BTK gene was detected in patient 2′s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Expression of BTK protein was also detected in some B cells. These results suggest that the leaky phenotype in patient 2 was caused in part by the expression of a normal BTK gene transcript. The increased frequency of infection with age expanded the number of B cells with normal BTK gene expression and produced the serum immunoglobulin, including IgE.
NewLactobacillus acidophilusisolates reduce the release of leptin by murine adipocytes leading to lower interferon-γ production
Authors: Bleau C , Lamontagne L , Savard R
Published: June 2005

Leptin produced by adipocytes increases Th1-dependent immunostimulation and autoimmune diseases. Lactobacilli are known to promote or suppress Th1 responses according to the isolates. We have investigated whether the sensitivity of Suriss Jim Lambert (SJL) mice to Th1-dependent immune diseases, when compared with C57BL/6 mice, may be modulated by selected lactobacilli able to decrease leptin release by adipocytes. White adipocytes were isolated from both C57BL/6 and SJL mice and incubated with bacterial extracts from new CBA4P and TPA3P isolates of Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. rhamnosus 9595 (LR), or with conditioned media (CM) from lactobacillus-treated macrophages. Immunomodulation induced by supernatants of treated adipocytes was determined by metabolic activity of syngenic splenic lymphocytes. Leptin produced by adipocytes, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β by macrophages, and IFN-γ and IL-4 by lymphocytes were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. Results revealed that supernatants from CBA4P- and LR-treated adipocytes decreased the metabolic activity of lymphocytes from SJL mice, whereas adipocytes incubated with CM from CBA4P-treated macrophages showed no stimulation of lymphocytes. Such effects correlated with leptin levels. Lower levels of leptin were produced by adipocytes from SJL mice in the presence of CBA4P and LR extracts. Lymphocytes from SJL mice produced low levels of IFN-γ when incubated with supernatants from CBA4P-treated cells. Such immunosuppressive effects were dependent on levels of TNF-α and IL-1β produced by lactobacillus-treated macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the CBA4P isolate reduces levels of leptin in SJL mice, leading to lower IFN-γ production. Therefore, the CBA4P isolate of L. acidophilus is a promising new probiotic strain for the control of Th1 inflammatory diseases.
The interaction between staphylococcal superantigen-like proteins and human dendritic cells
Authors: Al-Shangiti A M , Nair S P , Chain B M
Published: June 2005

Staphylococcus aureus produce a family of exotoxins (staphylococcal superantigen like proteins, SSLs) with structural, but not functional, homology to superantigens. These proteins have previously been shown to interact selectively with antigen presenting cells, including dendritic cells. The functional consequences of this interaction are now explored. SSL7 and 9 had no effect on viability or morphology of dendritic cells. The proteins did not induce dendritic cell maturation, as measured by cell surface phenotype. Exposure to SSL did not alter the ability of dendritic cells to take up FITC-dextran. Finally, exposure to SSLs did not impair the ability of the dendritic cells to stimulate allogeneic or antigen specific T cell responses. However, dendritic cells loaded with SSL7 or 9 were able to stimulate a T cell proliferative response in 3/8 healthy individuals tested. Sera from nine out of 10 individuals tested contained antibodies against both SSL7 and SSL9, and the response to each SSL was specific and not cross-reactive. The results demonstrate that SSLs are immunogenic in humans at both the B and T cell level, but it remains unclear whether this response is to the benefit of the bacterium or the host.
ProbioticLactobacillus-induced improvement in murine chronic inflammatory bowel disease is associated with the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lamina propria mononuclear cells
Authors: Matsumoto S , Hara T , Hori T , Mitsuyama K , Nagaoka M , Tomiyasu N , Suzuki A , Sata M
Published: June 2005

IL-6/STAT-3 signals play key roles in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is known that Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) improves inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of LcS on murine chronic IBD and to clarify the mechanism. We focused the inhibitory effect of LcS on the production of IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated large intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LI-LPMC) isolated from mice with chronic colitis and in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. We also determined in vivo the effect of LcS on murine chronic IBD models induced with dextran sodium sulphate and SAMP1/Yit mice. Finally, we examined the cellular determinants of LcS for the down-regulation of IL-6 secretion by LI-LPMC, RAW264.7 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). LcS, but not other strains of Lactobacillus, inhibited the production of IL-6 in LPS-stimulated LI-LPMC and RAW264.7 cells, down-regulating the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The LcS-diet-improved murine chronic colitis is associated with the reduction of IL-6 synthesis by LI-LPMC. LcS also improved chronic ileitis in SAMP1/Yit mice. The release of IL-6 in vitro in LPS-stimulated LI-LPMC, RAW 264.7 cells and UC-PBMC was inhibited by a polysaccharide-peptidoglycan complex (PSPG) derived from LcS. This probiotic-induced improvement in murine chronic inflammatory bowel disease is associated with the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IFN-γ production in LPMC. Therefore, LcS may be a useful probiotic for the treatment of human inflammatory bowel disease.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine; immunogenicity in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia
Authors: Stray-Pedersen A , Aaberge I S , Früh A , Abrahamsen T G
Published: June 2005

The immunodeficiency in Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is characterised by low T and B cell counts, low levels of IgE, IgA and/or IgG2, and especially low levels of pneumococcal antibodies. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has previously been shown not to be effective in A-T, but these patients are capable of making protective antibodies to other vaccines such as diphtheria and tetanus toxin, promising effect of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV7).

Nine A-T patients and 25 age and sex matched controls were vaccinated with both PCV7 and PPV23, and three A-T patients were vaccinated with PCV7 only. In the A-T patients, no significant increase in pneumococcal antibody levels were observed after the single PCV7, while the subsequent PPV23 vaccination resulted in a significant increase in antibody levels to the PPV23 mix, as well as to serotype 4, 14, 19F and to the geometric mean of serotype 4, 6B, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F which increased from median 0·2 (range 0·1–0·5) microg/mL to 0·6 (0·2–1·5) microg/mL (P= 0·014). Compared to the patients’ baseline levels, the vaccinations induced a 1·5- to 7-fold increase in antibodies to the six different serotypes tested. The increases in pneumococcal antibody titres were lower than those observed in the controls (9- to 34-fold increase). The results are valuable in planning the care of A-T patients, using PCV7 to trigger and PPV23 to booster the immune response and possibly prevent severe pneumococcal disease.
Interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α production by CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes in AIDS patients with tuberculosis
Authors: De Castro Cunha R M , Kallas E G , Rodrigues D S , Nascimento Burattini M , Salomao R
Published: June 2005

Tuberculosis (TB) is usually more severe in HIV-infected patients, and the immune derangement found in co-infected patients may differ from that in each isolated disease. Following mitogen stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production was evaluated in T cells by flow cytometry, and in culture supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 33 individuals: 11 AIDS patients with tuberculosis, six asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients, eight patients with tuberculosis and eight healthy controls. The proportion of CD4+ T lymphocytes expressing IFN-γ did not differ between the groups, whereas a trend towards increased proportions of TNF-α-expression in CD4+ T cells was observed in the TB compared to the HIV group, while intermediate values were observed in co-infected patients. Detection of IFN-γ and TNF-α in CD8+ T lymphocytes was higher in TB than in HIV individuals. Co-infected patients presented intermediate values for IFN-γ, while TNF-α detection was similar to that in HIV mono-infection. In conclusion, the proportion of T cells expressing IFN-γ was relatively preserved in co-infected patients compared to TB patients, while the percentage of T cells expressing TNF-α was decreased, mainly in CD8+ T lymphocytes. However, the marked reduction in T lymphocyte numbers in co-infected patients led to a striking reduction of both cytokines in PBMC supernatants, a finding that is consistent with the impaired response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Epitope analysis of insulin autoantibodies using recombinant Fab
Authors: Padoa C J , Crowther N J , Thomas J W , Hall T R , Bekris L M , Torn C , Landin-Olsson M , Ortqvist E , Palmer J P , Lernmark Å , Hampe C S
Published: June 2005

Autoantibodies to insulin are often the first autoantibodies detected in young children with type 1 diabetes and can be present before the onset of clinical diabetes. These autoantibodies and their epitopes are, however, not well characterized. We explored the use of monoclonal antibodies and their recombinant Fab as reagents for epitope analysis. In this study we cloned and characterized the recombinant Fab of the insulin-specific monoclonal antibody CG7C7. We found the epitope of this antibody to be located predominantly at the A-chain loop of the insulin molecule. The recombinant Fab was then used to compete for insulin binding against insulin autoantibodies present in sera from patients with type 1 or type 1·5 diabetes. In competition experiments with sera positive for autoantibodies to insulin the recombinant Fab significantly reduced the binding to [125I]-insulin by sera of type 1 (n = 35) and type 1·5 diabetes [latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)] (n = 14) patients (P < 0·0001). We conclude that competition between insulin-specific monoclonal antibodies or their recombinant Fab and insulin autoantibodies should prove useful in the epitope analysis of autoantibodies to insulin.
Distinct gene expression patterns of peripheral blood cells in hyper–IgE syndrome
Authors: Tanaka T , Takada H , Nomura A , Ohga S , Shibata R , Hara T
Published: June 2005

Hyper-immunoglobulin E (IgE) syndrome (HIES) is one of the primary immunodeficiency syndromes. Although the cytokine dysregulation is suggested to play a role in its pathophysiology, the causative gene has not yet been identified. To investigate the pathophysiology and candidate genes involved in this disease, we performed microarray analysis of unstimulated peripheral CD4+ T cells and CD14+ cells, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus isolated from HIES patients and healthy controls. By microarray analysis, 38 genes showed over 2-fold differences between the HIES patients and healthy controls in purified CD14+ cells, although only small differences in the gene expression profiles were observed between the two groups in purified CD4+ T cells. RGC32 expression levels showed the greatest difference between the two groups, and were significantly  elevated  in  HIES  compared  with  those  in  severe  atopic  dermatitis or healthy controls using real-time PCR. A significantly larger number of lysosome-related genes were up-regulated, and significantly larger number of genes related to cell growth and maintenance were down-regulated in HIES. After the stimulation of PBMNC with Staphylococcus aureus, 51 genes showed over 3-fold differences between HIES patients and healthy controls. A significantly large number of immunoglobulin-related genes were up-regulated in HIES. The distinct patterns of gene expression profiles and RGC32 expression levels will be useful for understanding the pathophysiology and for diagnosis of HIES, respectively.
Galectin‐3 is not useful in thyroid FNA
Authors: Mills L. J. , Poller D. N. , Yiangou C.
Published: May 2005

Introduction:  Previous studies have suggested that galectin‐3 immunohistochemistry may be useful in the fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma as it has been reported to selectively stain carcinomas and not adenomas or goitres.

Methods:  Fifty‐one patients were included in a prospective study of galectin‐3 in thyroid FNA; 88.2% were female and 11.8% male, mean age 53 years, range 25–87 years. Cell blocks were prepared and stained for galectin‐3 if any cells were present in needle washings from the respective FNAs.

Results:  Twelve of 51 (23.5%) of cell blocks contained epithelial cells. One benign and one inadequate FNA were negative for galectin‐3 staining. One of five non‐diagnostic FNA cases, a papillary carcinoma on final histology showed positive staining. Four follicular neoplasm/suspicious of carcinoma cases showed negative staining. One malignant FNA case, a papillary carcinoma showed positive staining with galectin‐3 but three further carcinomas, two papillary and one follicular were galectin‐3 negative.

Conclusion:  Galectin‐3 immunohistochemistry does not appear to be a useful adjunct to diagnosis in thyroid FNA as it does not reliably distinguish malignant and benign lesions. Many thyroid aspirates are of low cellularity and are not suitable for cell block immunohistochemistry.
BSCC, Bethesda or other? Terminology in cervical cytology European panel discussion
Authors: Kocjan G. , Priollet B. C. , Desai M. , Koutselini H. , Mahovlic V. , Oliveira M. H. , Pohar‐Marinsek Z. , Sauer T. , Schenk U. , Shabalova I. , Herbert A.
Published: May 2005

The European panel agreed that reproducibility and translatability of terminology in cervical cytology were essential, auguring well for harmonization of reporting systems. The majority at this meeting use a modification of the Bethesda system (BS). Local modifications involved reporting subcategories within high grade and low grade lesions, which would not alter the overall translatability of their systems both with each other and BS. The majority agree that low grade lesions with and without koilocytosis should be managed similarly as should high grade lesions (moderate dysplasia/CIN2 or worse). Those systems linking moderate dysplasia with mild rather than severe dysplasia would need to define moderate dysplasia as such, if their results were to be translatable, which would be preferable to their using a different definition of low grade and high grade lesions. Translation between systems might anyway be facilitated by reporting moderate dysplasia as a subcategory within high grade, which was favoured by most of those present. Therefore, there is no need for exact agreement of terminology if broad principles are agreed. This useful discussion adds weight to the British Society for Clinical Cytology recommendation that the new classification should be adopted by the UK National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme. If the new classification is adopted, the UK would join the European consensus opinion on terminology.
Use of scaled forms of the infiltration equation for the estimation of unsaturated soil hydraulic properties (the Beerkan method)
Authors: Braud I. , De Condappa D. , Soria J. M. , Haverkamp R. , Angulo‐Jaramillo R. , Galle S. , Vauclin M.
Published: June 2005

Water movement in soil can be described accurately at the local scale, provided that soil hydraulic properties can be determined with precision. Traditional methods for characterizing soil are often time consuming, and large areas cannot be sampled easily. We present a simple method for overcoming these difficulties. It is easy to implement and cheap. It is known as the Beerkan method, and it relies on particle‐size analysis, dry bulk density and simple infiltration tests in cylinders. We describe the experimental protocol and the method of data analysis, leading to the estimation of parameters describing hydraulic properties. Shape parameters depend on soil texture and are derived from particle‐size data. Normalization parameters depend on soil structure. They are derived by inverse modelling and optimization from the infiltration tests. The theoretical background relies on the sorptivity concept and scaled forms of the infiltration equation. The formalism for one‐ and three‐dimensional analysis is described. We assess the accuracy of the method using published data and simulated values, showing the soundness of the approach. For the purpose of illustration, we implemented a simple optimization technique on two bounding cases.
Structural differences between bulk and rhizosphere soil
Authors: Whalley W. R. , Riseley B. , Leeds‐Harrison P. B. , Bird N. R. A. , Leech P. K. , Adderley W. P.
Published: June 2005

The physical characteristics of the soil at the root–soil interface are crucial because they determine both physical aspects of root function such as water and nutrient uptake and the microbial activity that is most relevant to root growth. Because of this we have studied how root activity modifies the structure and water retention characteristic of soil adjacent to the root for maize, wheat and barley. These plants were grown in pots for a 6‐week growth period, then the soil adjacent to the root (rhizosphere soil) and bulk soil aggregates were harvested. These soil aggregates were then saturated and equilibrated at matric potentials between −600 kPa and saturation, and the water retention characteristics were measured. From subsamples of these aggregates, thin sections were made and the porosity and pore‐size distributions were studied with image analysis. Both image analysis and estimates of aggregated density showed that the rhizosphere soil and bulk soil had similar porosities. Growing different plants had a small but significant effect on the porosity of the soil aggregates. Image analysis showed that for all the plant species the structure of the rhizosphere soil was different to that of the bulk soil. The rhizosphere soil contained more larger pores. For maize and barley, water retention characteristics indicated that the rhizosphere soil tended to be drier at a given matric potential than bulk soil. This effect was particularly marked at greater matric potentials. The difference between the water retention characteristics of the bulk and rhizosphere soil for wheat was small. We compare the water retention characteristics with the data on pore‐size distribution from image analysis. We suggest that differences in wetting angle and pore connectivity might partly explain the differences in water retention characteristic that we observed. The impact of differences between the water retention properties of the rhizosphere and bulk soil is discussed in terms of the likely impact on root growth.
Carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of bulk soils, particle‐size fractions and organic material after treatment with hydrofluoric acid
Authors: Schmidt M. W. I. , Gleixner G.
Published: June 2005

Soils and sediments contain only small amounts of organic matter, and large concentrations of paramagnetic metals can give poor solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of organic matter. Pretreatment of samples with hydrofluoric acid (HF) dissolves significant proportions of the mineral matrix and extracts paramagnetic elements. We investigated the effects of 10% HF treatment on the stable isotope content of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) of organic matter from soils, composts and shales. Additionally we inferred molecular and isotopic characteristics of lost materials from calculations of isotope mass balances. Treatment with HF enriched C and N in mineral samples substantially (factors 2.5–42.4), except for Podzol B horizons (1.1–1.7) and organic material (1.0–1.3). After treatment most of the C (59.7–91.7%) and N (53.7–86.6%) was recovered, although changing C/N ratios often indicated a preferential loss of N‐rich material. Isotope ratios of C and N in the remaining material became more negative when net alterations exceeded 0.3‰. The isotope ratios of the lost material contained more 13C (1–2‰) and 15N (1–4‰) than the initial organic matter. Acid hydrolysis typically removes proteins, amino acids and polysaccharides, all of which are enriched in 13C, and in the case of proteins and amino acids, enriched in 15N as well. We conclude that HF treatment released fresh, soluble, probably microbial, biomass in addition to carbohydrates. Net changes of the bulk chemical composition of organic matter were small for most soils, size fractions and plant material, but not for samples containing little organic matter, or those rich in easily soluble organic matter associated with iron oxides, such as Podzol B horizons.
Sorption and leaching behaviour of polar aromatic acids in agricultural soils by batch and column leaching tests
Authors: Celis R. , Real M. , Hermosín M. C. , Cornejo J.
Published: June 2005

Aromatic acids can reach the soil from direct anthropogenic activities or, indirectly, from the degradation of many aromatic compounds, such as pesticides or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Because of the anionic character of aromatic acids at the pH of most soil and sediment environments, they are expected to move rapidly through the soil profile and to pose a great risk of ground water contamination. We designed batch and column leaching tests to characterize the behaviour of three aromatic acids differing in their chemical structures, picloram (4‐amino‐3,5,6‐trichloropicolinic acid), phthalic acid (2,2‐benzenedicarboxylic acid), and salicylic acid (2‐hydroxybenzoic acid), in four European soils with different physicochemical characteristics. Batch experiments revealed that the persistence of the three acids in soil:water suspensions decreased in the order: picloram ≫ phthalic acid > salicylic acid, and their dissipation curves were relatively independent of soil type. Sorption by the soils, their clay‐size fractions and model sorbents indicated much greater affinity of soil constituents for salicylic acid than for picloram or phthalic acid, most likely due to the ability of salicylic acid to form bidentate complexes with positively charged soil components. The extent of leaching of the aromatic acids in hand‐packed soil columns decreased in the order: picloram (90–96%) > phthalic acid (25–90%) > salicylic acid (0–37%), which was consistent with the sorption and persistence results of the batch tests. The organic C content, the amount of small‐size pores, and the initial concentration of aromatic acid in soil appeared to be important factors influencing the leaching patterns of phthalic acid and salicylic acid in the soils studied, but did not greatly influence the leaching pattern of picloram. Sorption and leaching of polar aromatic acids in soil can therefore vary considerably depending on the structural characteristics of the aromatic acid or soil type.
Hip fracture: family caregivers’ burden and related factors for older people in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Pi‐Chu , Lu Chang‐Ming
Published: June 2005

Aims.  The purpose of this study was to explore the burden experienced by caregivers during the transition from hospital to home.

Background.  With a growing older population, home‐based care has gradually gained more recognition. Most older people with hip fracture in Taiwan have to be discharged at a relatively early stage. Therefore, the caregiving tasks falls on the families.

Methods.  A total of 98 older people with hip fracture and their caregivers were interviewed. The sample was selected from three medical centres in Taipei, and questionnaires were collected at one week and one month following hospital discharge.

Results.  (i) Family caregivers were usually women (63.3%) with spouses being the primary caregivers in most cases (30.6%). About one‐third of caregivers took care of other family members on top of their responsibilities caring for the sick elders at home, and 77.6% shared the care tasks with others. (ii) The caregivers experienced moderate burdens. About 91.8% of caregivers reported ‘I feel sad watching the elder's health deteriorating’, 84.9% reported ‘I must keep an eye on the elder constantly’ and 56.7% reported ‘Taking care of the sick elder at home makes me feel exhausted’. (iii) Caregiver burden and the functional level of older people were adversely correlated. (iv) Caregivers who were unable to access other resources for help and/or had provided care to the older person prior to the fracture resulting in hospitalization experienced a higher burden.

Conclusions.  These findings should be helpful in the formulation of evidence‐based discharge planning and home health care services.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Comprehensive discharge planning and developing social support systems for family caregivers to reduce caregivers burden are needed.
Clinical education facilitators: a literature review
Authors: Lambert Veronica , Glacken Michèle
Published: June 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this literature review, set within an Irish context, is to present a broad overview of former and existing clinical support personnel, explore the concept of facilitation and examine what is known about the role of the clinical education facilitator.

Background.  The importance of providing a supportive clinical environment to enhance clinical teaching and learning is strongly portrayed in the literature. While the past two decades have borne witness to various clinical support personnel, the literature identifies conflicting demands that these personnel face. No suggestions are advanced as to how to overcome these difficulties, which inevitably influence the quality and quantity of their clinical teaching role. An identifiable gap exists over who has prime responsibility for clinical teaching. It is timely that alternative possibilities for organizing clinical teaching are investigated. A new post emerging in practice settings is that of the clinical education facilitator who is meant to be the key linchpin in clinical areas for reducing the theory–practice gap.

Method.  Relevant literature for this review was sourced using the computerized databases CINAHL, Medline and Synergy. Manual searching of relevant nursing journals and sourcing of secondary references extended the search. Government reports and other relevant documents were obtained through pertinent websites.

Results.  Papers that explicitly examined the concept of facilitation and explored the posts of clinical education facilitators were included; six research papers were accessed and reviewed. In addition seven non‐empirical papers were included.

Conclusions.  It is clear that considerable lack of role clarity resides over what constitutes clinical facilitation and the role of the clinical facilitator. Thus, it is paramount to strengthen this support role with Irish empirical evidence.

Relevance to clinical practice.  A major advantage in having a ward‐based clinical education facilitator is the benefit of having access to someone who can concentrate solely on clinical education and support with attempts to narrow the theory–practice divide.
Exploration of patients’ needs for information on arrival at a geriatric and rehabilitation unit
Authors: McKain Silvana , Henderson Amanda , Kuys Suzanne , Drake Susan , Kerridge Lynne , Ahern Kay
Published: June 2005

Aim.  The aim of this study was to gather information about patients’ needs prior to transferring from an acute care facility to a rehabilitation setting that could assist patients to engage actively in rehabilitation activities upon entering the unit.

Background.  The provision of information is an important aspect of health care as it assists patients to become informed and actively participate in this care. Improved recovery has been associated with patients’ adherence to care regimes.

Method.  Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with a convenient sample of nine patients shortly after admission/transfer to a rehabilitation unit and with four of these patients after discharge. The intent was to learn what information patients receive prior to admission to the rehabilitation unit, whether this information is useful and whether different information would be more useful to facilitate patients’ engagement in the activities central to rehabilitation treatment.

Results.  Interviews revealed that, generally, patients received very little information about what to expect on admission to the rehabilitation unit and patients’ engagement was more dependent on perceptions about rehabilitation. Thematic analysis identified that, in general, rehabilitation was perceived as ‘a ticket out’ and ‘a good thing’. In relation to provision of information of participants identified that ‘doesn't matter that I don't know’; ‘information is not always meaningful’ and ‘I will adjust in my own time’.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health professionals need to recognize that patients are often compliant with decisions made while they are inpatients of the current health care system. Even though patients may ‘actively participate’ in rehabilitation processes it is often still as a passive recipient of health care.
Comparison of plain ice and flavoured ice for preventing oral mucositis associated with the use of 5 fluorouracil
Authors: Nikoletti Sue , Hyde Susan , Shaw Thérèse , Myers Helen , Kristjanson Linda J.
Published: June 2005

Aims and objectives.  The study aimed to compare the use of plain ice, flavoured ice and standard care, to evaluate the effect on mucositis and to determine patients’ perceptions of the two forms of oral cryotherapy.

Background.  Despite evidence that oral cryotherapy is useful in preventing mucositis in patients receiving 5‐fluorouracil, concerns have been expressed about its clinical utility, due to potential side effects and negative perceptions.

Design.  A randomized, controlled, crossover trial was conducted in the outpatient chemotherapy department of an acute care teaching hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Patients were randomized to receive each of three interventions across three cycles of chemotherapy: standard care alone; standard care plus plain ice; and standard care plus flavoured ice.

Methods.  Oral mucositis was assessed by nurses prior to each of the three chemotherapy cycles and 15 days after each intervention. Two assessment tools were used, the Oral Assessment Guide, and the Western Consortium Cancer Nursing Research Scale. Participants completed a questionnaire to determine their comfort and satisfaction with oral cryotherapy, as well as factors affecting compliance.

Results.  Findings from 67 patients revealed that when participants used standard care alone, they were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of mucositis than when they used either plain or flavoured ice. Odds ratios were at least threefold higher for standard care alone, varying according to the instrument used. The two main concerns reported were the taste of flavoured ice and the time required to complete the cryotherapy interventions. Side effects such as nausea, sensitivity and headache were reported more frequently for flavoured ice (n = 11) compared with plain ice (n = 5) and standard care (n = 1).

Conclusions.  Both forms of oral cryotherapy were effective in reducing the severity of oral mucositis after chemotherapy and were more effective than standard care alone. Flavoured ice was associated with the highest frequency of side effects.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The benefits of cryotherapy appear to outweigh the problems in this sample of patients. The intervention should be tailored to individual patients, based on preferences for plain versus flavoured ice and small chips vs. larger blocks. Unsweetened frozen fruit juices should be evaluated. Time constraints could be addressed by providing transportable containers of ice.
40Ar/39Ar dating of Usol'skii sill in the south‐eastern Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province: evidence for long‐lived magmatism
Authors: Ivanov Alexei V. , Rasskazov Sergei V. , Feoktistov Gennady D. , He Huaiyu , Boven Ariel
Published: June 2005

Main part of the Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province was formed in a short time‐span at the Permo‐Triassic boundary c. 250 Ma. New 40Ar/39Ar dating results for the Usol'skii dolerite sill in south‐eastern part of the province indicate its probable emplacement c. 6 Myr after the main Permo‐Triassic magmatic phase. Compilation of the published 40Ar/39Ar and U‐Pb ages implies that basaltic and related magmatism lasted in total as long as 22–26 Myr. Therefore, similar to other large igneous provinces, magmatism of the Siberian Traps combined voluminous short‐lived and less prominent long‐lived events.
Latest Miocene to Quaternary horizontal and vertical displacement rates during simultaneous contraction and extension in the Southern Apennines orogen, Italy
Authors: Ferranti Luigi , Oldow John S.
Published: June 2005

Foreland contraction and hinterland extension in the Southern Apennines orogen of Italy produced a complex spatial and temporal pattern of vertical and horizontal displacement. Remarkably, Late Miocene to mid‐Pleistocene foreland migration of the contractional front at ∼16 mm yr−1 was not accompanied by uplift and the frontal thrust belt remained at or below sea level. Only following a mid‐Pleistocene reduction in horizontal displacement did the frontal thrust belt and foreland begin uplift at ∼0.5 mm yr−1, a rate that increased to ∼1 mm yr−1 after 125 ka. Although the extensional hinterland experienced net subsidence during formation of the Tyrrhenian basin, an extensional transition zone adjacent to the frontal thrust belt records sustained uplift at ∼0.3 mm yr−1. The interaction of preexisting crustal structure and deep tectonic processes resulted in time‐integrated displacement rates suggesting steady‐state deformation for periods of 106 years. Displacement rate changes were abrupt and occurred over intervals of 105 years or less.
U/Pb and Pb/Pb zircon ages for arc‐related intrusions of the Bolu Massif (W Pontides, NW Turkey): evidence for Late Precambrian (Cadomian) age
Authors: Ayda Ustaömer P. , Mundil Roland , Renne Paul R.
Published: June 2005

We present new U/Pb and Pb/Pb radiometric age data from two tectono‐stratigraphic units of the regionally extensive Bolu Massif, in the W Pontides (İstanbul Fragment), N Turkey. A structurally lower unit (Sünnice Group) is cut by small meta‐granitic intrusions, whereas the structurally higher unit comprises meta‐volcanic rocks (Çaşurtepe Fm) cut by meta‐granitic plutons (Tüllükiriş and Kapıkaya plutons). U/Pb single‐crystal dating of zircons from the Kapıkaya Pluton yielded a concordant cluster, with a mean 238U/206Pb age of 565.3 ± 1.9 Ma. Zircons from the Tüllükiriş Pluton (affected by Pb loss) gave a 207Pb/206Pb age of 576 ± 6 Ma age (Late Precambrian). Small meta‐granitic intrusions cutting the Sünnice Group yielded a less precise 207Pb/206Pb age of 262 ± 19 Ma (Early Permian). The older ages from the Bolu Massif confirm the existence of latest Precambrian arc magmatism related to subduction of a Cadomian ocean. We infer that the Bolu Massif represents a fragment of a Cadomian active margin. Cadomian orogenic units were dispersed as exotic terranes throughout the Variscan and Tethyan orogens, and the Bolu Massif probably reached its present position prior to latest Palaeozoic time. Our dating results also confirm that NW Turkey was affected by Hercynian magmatism related to subduction of Palaeotethys, as inferred for other areas of the Pontides.
Out of Africa: detrital zircon provenance of central Madagascar and Neoproterozoic terrane transfer across the Mozambique Ocean
Authors: Fitzsimons I. C. W. , Hulscher B.
Published: June 2005

The Neoproterozoic East African Orogen reflects closure of the Mozambique Ocean and collision of the Congo and Dharwar cratons. This palaeogeographical change and its environmental consequences are poorly understood, but new detrital zircon ages from Madagascar and published data from elsewhere provide evidence for multiple ocean basins and two‐stage collision. We propose that central Madagascar rifted from the Congo Craton and crossed a Palaeomozambique Ocean to collide with the Dharwar Craton at c. 700 Ma, opening a Neomozambique Ocean in its wake. Closure of the Neomozambique Ocean at c. 600 Ma juxtaposed the Congo and Dharwar cratons and resulted in prolonged collisional orogenesis concluding at c. 500 Ma.
A new scenario for related IOCG and Ni–(Cu) mineralization: the relationship with giant mid‐crustal mafic sills, Variscan Iberian Massif
Authors: Tornos Fernando , Casquet Cesar
Published: June 2005

Both magmatic Ni–(Cu) and hydrothermal iron oxide–copper–gold mineralization coexist in ancient belts but their relationship remains poorly known. Geochronology and field geology evidence show that in SW Iberia both styles of mineralization were coeval with widespread metaluminous to peraluminous Variscan magmatism (350–330 Ma). We propose that mineralization was probably related to a hidden large layered mafic–ultramafic layered complex, recently inferred from geophysics, that was emplaced in a mid‐crustal decollement zone. Contamination of a primitive mantle‐derived magma with continental crust in the layered complex led to fractional crystallization accompanied by high‐T–low‐P metamorphism and the incorporation of volatiles into the melt. Hot hypersaline CO2–CH4‐bearing brines were subsequently released and focused along major thrusts and strike‐slip faults to produce the IOCG mineralization. Assimilation of continental crust also led to the formation of sulphide magmas that were tectonically injected high into the crust, leading to the formation of pipe‐like breccia‐hosted Ni–(Cu) ore bodies. All these processes took probably place as a consequence of oblique ridge– and/or continent–continent collision.