bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The species distinction of the narrow‐leaved Festuca from East Africa based on AFLP fingerprinting and morphology
Authors: Namaganda Mary , Lye Kåre A. , Heun Manfred
Published: October 2008

The distinctness of the species Festuca claytonii, F. elgonensis and F. pilgeri (endemic species in East Africa) was assessed by comparison to the widespread narrow‐leaved species F. abyssinica, F. chodatiana and F. richardii. The six species were analysed using 56 morphological characters and 375 AFLPs. Principal components and discriminant analyses of the morphological data revealed that the endemic species F. claytonii and F. pilgeri are good species, but that F. abyssinica,F. elgonensis and F. richardii do intergrade. Relevant morphological characters were identified for an overall species distinction but also for pairwise comparisons. A principal coordinate analysis of the AFLPs confirmed the species distinction mentioned above. In conclusion, four narrow‐leaved species of Festuca occur in Uganda, viz. F. abyssinica, F. chodatiana, F. claytonii and F. pilgeri. F. elgonensis and F. richardii should be included in F. abyssinica. A key to the species is given.
Dealing with virtual aggregation – a new index for analysing heterogeneous point patterns
Authors: Schiffers Katja , Schurr Frank M. , Tielbörger Katja , Urbach Carsten , Moloney Kirk , Jeltsch Florian
Published: October 2008

Point pattern analyses such as the estimation of Ripley's K‐function or the pair‐correlation function g are commonly used in ecology to characterise ecological patterns in space. However, a major disadvantage of these methods is their missing ability to deal with spatial heterogeneity. A heterogeneous intensity of points causes a systematic bias in estimates of the K‐ and g‐functions, a phenomenon termed “virtual aggregation” in the recent literature.

To address this problem, we derive a new index, called K2‐index, as an extension of existing point pattern characteristics. The K2‐index has a heuristic interpretation as an approximation to the first derivative of the g‐function.

We estimate the K‐, g‐ and K2‐functions for six different types of simulated point patterns and show that the K2‐index may provide important information on point patterns that the other methods fail to detect. The results indicate that particularly the small‐scale distributions of points are better represented by the K2‐index. This might be important for testing hypotheses on ecological processes, because most of these processes, such as direct neighbour interactions, occur very locally.

When applied to empirical patterns of molehill distribution, the results of the K2‐analysis show regularity up to distances between 0.1 and 0.4 m in most of the study areas, and aggregation of molehills up to distances between 0.2 and 1.1 m. The type and scale of these deviations from randomness agree with a priori expectations on the hill‐building behaviour of moles. In contrast, the estimated g‐functions merely indicate aggregation at the full range from 0 to 7 m (or even above).

Considering the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods, we suggest that the K2‐index should be used as a complement to existing approaches, particularly for point patterns generated by processes that act on more than one scale.
Dynamic occupancy models reveal within‐breeding season movement up a habitat quality gradient by a migratory songbird
Authors: Betts Matthew G. , Rodenhouse Nicholas L. , Scott Sillett T. , Doran Patrick J. , Holmes Richard T.
Published: October 2008

The timing of settlement decisions likely influences the quality of breeding site choices.This is particularly the case in migratory birds, because the conditions that enhance breeding success are often not apparent upon arrival after migration. A strategy that addresses this problem is to adjust settlement decisions when reliable information becomes available.

We used a new indirect method – dynamic site occupancy modeling – to estimate apparent movement of black‐throated blue warblersDendroica caerulescensamong sites within a breeding season. Because individuals should disperse to sites that maximize their fitness, we hypothesized that warblers would move up a habitat quality gradient when opportunities arose. For our study species, that would involve moving into sites with greater shrub density and at higher elevation within northern hardwoods forest, as these two features are positively correlated with reproduction and apparent survival in this species.

Although the probability of site occupancy in our study landscape remained consistent throughout the breeding season (range: 0.66–0.69), occupancy models revealed substantial support for apparent movement of individuals within the breeding season. The mean probability of emigration from a point count site was 0.21 (±0.03 SE), and the mean probability of immigration to a site not previously occupied was 0.51 (±0.05 SE). The spatial distribution of this movement was a function of habitat quality. A portion of the black‐throated blue warbler population appears to arrive on the breeding grounds and settle initially in sub‐optimal habitat, moving subsequently into high quality densely shrubbed habitat at higher elevations. This modeling approach provides a new means to test hypotheses about habitat selection and movement by using presence–non‐detection data.
Influence of cytoplasmic heat shock protein 70 on viral infection of Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: CHEN ZHAORONG , ZHOU TAO , WU XUEHONG , HONG YIGUO , FAN ZAIFENG , LI HUAIFANG
Published: October 2008

The accumulation of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) generally occurs in plants infected with viruses. However, the effect of Hsp70 accumulation on plant viral infection and pathogenesis remains elusive. In this study, the expression of six Hsp70 genes was found to be induced by the four diverse RNA viruses, Tobacco mosaic virus, Potato virus X (PVX), Cucumber mosaic virus and Watermelon mosaic virus, in Nicotiana benthamiana. Heat treatment enhanced the accumulation and systemic infection of these viruses. Similar results were obtained for viral infection in plants heterologously expressing an Arabidopsis cytoplasmic Hsp70 through either a PVX vector or Agrobacterium infiltration. In contrast, viral infection was compromised in cytoplasmic NbHsp70c‐1 gene‐silenced plants. These data demonstrate that the cytoplasmic Hsp70s can enhance the infection of N. benthamiana by diverse viruses.
Nutritional management of patients with acute pancreatitis: a Dutch observational multicentre study
Authors: SPANIER B. W. M. , MATHUS‐VLIEGEN E. M. H. , TUYNMAN H. A. R. E. , VAN DER HULST R. W. M. , DIJKGRAAF M. G. W. , BRUNO M. J. ,   ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE EARL STUDY GROUP
Published: October 2008

Background  Following a nil per os (NPO) regimen, most patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) can resume normal oral intake within 1 week. If not tolerated, it is recommended to initiate artificial feeding, preferably by the enteral route.

Aim  To evaluate the nutritional management of patients with AP in a Dutch cohort (EARL study).

Methods  Observational study in 18 hospitals. Total days of NPO, tube feeding (TF) with/without oral feeding, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and total starvation time were analysed.

Results  In mild AP, a majority of cases (80.7%, 117/145) were managed with an NPO regimen only. Twenty‐seven patients (18.6%) with mild AP additionally received TF; one received TPN. Of those with severe AP, more than half of the patients (56.2%, nine of 16) were treated with TF besides an NPO regimen; four received TPN. TF was delivered preferably via the jejunal route. The median period of total starvation was 2 days for both mild and severe AP. Only 5.5% (nine of 164) of patients had a prolonged starvation time of more than 5 days.

Conclusions  The total time of starvation was limited in a majority of patients admitted for AP. According to international guidelines, additional nutritional interventions were quickly undertaken with enteral feeding via the jejunum as the preferred route.
Staphylococcus aureusinfection after splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation in BALB/c mice
Authors: Teixeira F M , Fernandes B F , Rezende A B , Machado R R P , Alves C C S , Perobelli S M , Nunes S I , Farias R E , Rodrigues M F , Ferreira A P , Oliveira S C , Teixeira H C
Published: October 2008

Splenectomy results in an increased risk of sepsis. The autogenous transplant of the spleen is an option for preserving splenic functions after total splenectomy. In this study, the capacity of animals undergoing autogenous spleen transplantation to respond to Staphylococcus aureus infection was investigated. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: splenectomy followed by autotransplantation in the retroperitonium (AT), splenectomized only (SP) and operated non-splenectomized sham control (CT). Thirty days after surgery the mice were infected intravenously with S. aureus. Splenectomized mice had a higher number of colony-forming units (CFU) of S. aureus in liver and lungs in comparison with either AT or with CT mice (P < 0·05). Higher CFU numbers in lung of SP mice correlated with elevated production of interleukin-10 associated with a lower production of interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α. However, systemically, the level of tumour necrosis factor-α was higher in the SP group than in CT or AT. Lower titres of specific anti-S. aureus immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG1 were observed 6 days after infection in SP mice in comparison either with the AT or CT groups. Thus, splenectomy is detrimental to the immune response of BALB/c mice against infection by S. aureus which can be re-established by autogenous implantation of the spleen.
High mortality rate of (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice induced by administration of lipopolysaccharide attributes to high production of tumour necrosis factor-α by increased numbers of dendritic cells
Authors: Koike-Kiriyama N , Adachi Y , Iwasaki M , Amou Y , Shigematsu A , Koike Y , Minamino K , Mukaide H , Shi M , Yanai S , Matsumura M , Ikehara S
Published: October 2008

(NZW × BXSB)F1 mice (W/BF1 mice) have been reported to be a type of autoimmune-prone mice, showing symptoms of proteinuria, anti-DNA antibodies and anti-platelet antibodies. In this paper, we report that W/BF1 mice show hyperproduction of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, responding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in comparison with normal mice, resulting in induction of death. In normal mice, monocytes/macrophages (Mo/MØ) are the main producer of TNF-α, while both Mo/MØ and dendritic cells (DCs) produce TNF-α in W/BF1 mice. Because the number of DCs is higher in W/BF1 mice, the main producers of TNF-α in W/BF1 mice are thought to be DCs. Moreover, administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies rescued the W/BF1 mice from death induced by LPS, suggesting that TNF-α is crucial for the effect of LPS. Although there is no significant difference in the expression of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) on DCs between B6 and W/BF1 mice, nuclear factor kappa b activity of DCs from W/BF1 mice is augmented under stimulation of LPS in comparison with that of normal mice. These results suggest that the signal transduction from TLR-4 is augmented in W/BF1 mice in comparison with normal mice, resulting in the hyperproduction of TNF-α and reduced survival rate. The results also suggest that not only the quantity of endotoxin, but also the host conditions, the facility to translate signal from TLR, and so on, could reflect the degree of bacterial infections and prognosis.
Octreotide LAR vs. surgery in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly: a randomized, open‐label, multicentre study
Authors: Colao Annamaria , Cappabianca Paolo , Caron Philippe , De Menis Ernesto , Farrall Andrew J. , Gadelha Monica R. , Hmissi Abdel , Rees Aled , Reincke Martin , Safari Mitra , T'Sjoen Guy , Bouterfa Hakim , Cuneo Ross C.
Published: October 2008

Objective  This prospective randomized study evaluated the efficacy and safety of octreotide LAR vs. surgery in newly diagnosed acromegalic patients.

Methods  Totally 104 male and female patients were enrolled in a 50‐week, exploratory, open‐label and randomized study. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either octreotide LAR 20 mg every 28 days or to undergo surgery. Efficacy was assessed by changes in mean GH and IGF‐I serum concentrations, at weeks 12, 24 and 48. Tumour volume was assessed by contrast‐enhanced MRI. In both groups, treatment adjustment was performed for patients uncontrolled at week 12 or 24. Octreotide LAR patients received a dose increased to 30 mg or, if already receiving this dose, investigator and patients could decide to cross‐over to surgery. Patients uncontrolled after surgery received octreotide LAR 20 mg, increased to 30 mg if acromegaly was still uncontrolled.

Results  Overall success rates at weeks 24 and 48 were 25% and 28% for the octreotide LAR group and 49% and 39% for the surgery group. Only the difference observed at week 24 was statistically significant (P = 0·047). Both groups had a significant (> 20%) tumour shrinkage: 73% of patients in the octreotide LAR group and 95% in the surgery group. Major differences between octreotide LAR and surgery group in the occurrence of adverse events were gastrointestinal (71%vs. 27%), hepatobiliary (41%vs. 8%) and respiratory (5%vs. 28%).

Conclusion  This first randomized study in unselected patients indicates that the 48‐week treatment outcome of octreotide LAR as first‐line treatment of acromegaly does not significantly differ from surgery. As a complete response to surgery in GH‐secreting macro‐adenomas can be difficult, first‐line therapy with octreotide LAR can be considered as a viable alternative for most patients with acromegaly, due to its low complication rate.
Intra‐specific variation affects the structure of the natural enemy assemblage attacking pea aphid colonies
Authors: HAZELL STEAPHAN P. , FELLOWES MARK D. E.
Published: October 2008

Abstract 1. Intra‐specific variation in plant defence traits has been shown to profoundly affect herbivore community structure. Here we describe two experiments designed to test whether similar effects occur at higher trophic levels, by studying pea aphid–natural enemy interactions in a disused pasture in southern England.

2. In the first experiment, the numbers and identity of natural enemies attacking different monoclonal pea aphid colonies were recorded in a series of assays throughout the period of pea aphid activity.

3. In the summer assay, there was a significant effect of clone on the numbers of aphidophagous hoverfly larvae and the total number of non‐hoverfly natural enemies recruited. Clone also appeared to influence the attack rate suffered by the primary predator in the system, the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus, by Diplazon laetatorius, an ichneumonid parasitoid. Colonies were generally driven to extinction by hoverfly attack, resulting in the recording of low numbers of parasitoids and entomopathogens, suggesting intense intra‐guild predation.

4. To further examine the influence of clonal variation on the recruitment of natural enemies, a second experiment was performed to monitor the temporal dynamics of community development. Colonies were destructively sampled every other day and the numbers of natural enemies attacking aphid colonies were recorded. These data demonstrated that clonal variation influenced the timing, abundance, and identity of natural enemies attacking aphid colonies.

5. Taken together, these data suggest that clonal variation may have a significant influence on the patterns of interactions between aphids and their natural enemies, and that such effects are likely to affect our understanding of the ecology and biological control of these insect herbivores.
Low serum fetuin‐A concentration predicts poor outcome only in the presence of inflammation in prevalent haemodialysis patients
Authors: Metry G. , Stenvinkel P. , Qureshi A. R. , Carrero J. J. , Yilmaz M. I. , Bárány P. , Snaedal S. , Heimbürger O. , Lindholm B. , Suliman M. E.
Published: October 2008

Background  Fetuin‐A, a negative acute phase protein that inhibits vascular calcification, has a controversial association with mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Chronic inflammation, which is common in CKD, may promote vascular calcification.

Materials and methods  We investigated the impact of inflammation on the relationship between serum fetuin‐A and mortality (42 months) in 222 prevalent haemodialysis (HD) patients.

Results  Serum fetuin correlated negatively with comorbidity score (assessed by Davies score) and circulating inflammatory markers. Patients with low fetuin‐A levels (< median) had higher mortality (Hazard ratio ‘HR’ 2·2; CI 1·4–3·5, P < 0·001), but this association was lost after adjustment for age, gender, comorbidities score, dialysis vintage and inflammation (CRP > median). In inflamed patients with low fetuin a significantly independent association with mortality (HR 2·3; CI 1·2–4·5, P = 0·01) was observed compared to non‐inflamed patients with high fetuin‐A, after adjusting for the same variables. Non‐inflamed patients with low fetuin‐A and inflamed patients with high fetuin‐A did not have increased mortality compared to non‐inflamed patients with high fetuin‐A.

Conclusions  The results show that low levels of serum fetuin‐A are associated with increased mortality in HD patients only in the presence of inflammation. This suggests that coexistence of a low serum fetuin‐A level and low‐grade inflammation exerts an additive effect on the risk of death in HD patients.
Migration velocity analysis and waveform inversion
Authors: Symes William W.
Published: October 2008

Least‐squares inversion of seismic reflection waveform data can reconstruct remarkably detailed models of subsurface structure and take into account essentially any physics of seismic wave propagation that can be modelled. However, the waveform inversion objective has many spurious local minima, hence convergence of descent methods (mandatory because of problem size) to useful Earth models requires accurate initial estimates of long‐scale velocity structure. Migration velocity analysis, on the other hand, is capable of correcting substantially erroneous initial estimates of velocity at long scales. Migration velocity analysis is based on prestack depth migration, which is in turn based on linearized acoustic modelling (Born or single‐scattering approximation). Two major variants of prestack depth migration, using binning of surface data and Claerbout's survey‐sinking concept respectively, are in widespread use. Each type of prestack migration produces an image volume depending on redundant parameters and supplies a condition on the image volume, which expresses consistency between data and velocity model and is hence a basis for velocity analysis. The survey‐sinking (depth‐oriented) approach to prestack migration is less subject to kinematic artefacts than is the binning‐based (surface‐oriented) approach. Because kinematic artefacts strongly violate the consistency or semblance conditions, this observation suggests that velocity analysis based on depth‐oriented prestack migration may be more appropriate in kinematically complex areas. Appropriate choice of objective (differential semblance) turns either form of migration velocity analysis into an optimization problem, for which Newton‐like methods exhibit little tendency to stagnate at nonglobal minima. The extended modelling concept links migration velocity analysis to the apparently unrelated waveform inversion approach to estimation of Earth structure: from this point of view, migration velocity analysis is a solution method for the linearized waveform inversion problem. Extended modelling also provides a basis for a nonlinear generalization of migration velocity analysis. Preliminary numerical evidence suggests a new approach to nonlinear waveform inversion, which may combine the global convergence of velocity analysis with the physical fidelity of model‐based data fitting.
Yield and nutritive value of timothy as affected by temperature, photoperiod and time of harvest
Authors: Bertrand A. , Tremblay G. F. , Pelletier S. , Castonguay Y. , Bélanger G.
Published: October 2008

Scenarios of global climate change forecast an increase in air temperature of 3°C over the next 100 years in eastern Canada. Growth and nutritive value of cool‐season grasses are known to be affected by air temperature. It is also believed that grasses grown at high latitude have a greater nutritive value. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of four combinations of day/night temperature and photoperiod (15 h–17/5°C; 15 h–22/10°C; 15 h–28/15°C; and 17 h‐17/5°C) on dry‐matter (DM) yield, in vitro true DM digestibility (IVTD), in vitro digestibility of neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF), and concentrations of NDF, acid‐detergent fibre (ADF), lignin, minerals and non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) in timothy grown under controlled conditions. Furthermore, herbage was harvested in the morning and in the afternoon to assess the impact of the time of harvest. The dietary cation–anion difference [DCAD = (K+ + Na+) − (Cl− + 0·6 S2−)] and the grass tetany index [GT index = K+/(Ca2+ + Mg2+)] were also calculated. Higher temperature regimes significantly decreased IVTD and digestibility of NDF but had a limited effect on concentrations of NDF, ADF and lignin. DM yield of herbage was less and the concentration of NSC was greater in timothy grown under a temperature regime of 28/15°C than the 17/5°C and 22/10°C regimes; this effect is mainly explained by a response to temperature stress. Values of DCAD and the GT index of herbage were also lower under the 28/15°C than the 17/5°C and 22/10°C regimes as a result of a decreased plant K concentration. Under the 17/5°C regime, an increase in 2 h of photoperiod resulted in increased DM yield, decreased concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, Cl and N, and an increased starch concentration; IVTD or digestibility of NDF were not affected, although lignin concentration was reduced. Harvesting timothy in the afternoon rather than in the morning resulted in higher NSC, mainly sucrose, concentrations, and decreased ADF and NDF concentrations. The forecasted increase in air temperature in eastern Canada over the next 100 years will result in lower yields and nutritive value of timothy.
Determinants of diversity in afrotropical herbivorous insects (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): plant diversity, vegetation structure or abiotic factors?
Authors: Axmacher Jan C. , Brehm Gunnar , Hemp Andreas , Tünte Henry , Lyaruu Herbert V. M. , Müller‐Hohenstein Klaus , Fiedler Konrad
Published: October 2008

Aim  This study was conducted to investigate the potential of predicting alpha diversity and turnover rates of a highly diverse herbivorous insect family (Geometridae) based on vascular plant species richness and vegetation structure.

Location  The study was carried out on the south‐western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro within a wide range of habitats between 1200 and 3150 m elevation.

Methods  The floristic and structural composition of the vegetation was recorded at 48 plots of 400 m2. Geometrid moths were sampled manually at light sources located at the plot centres. Principal components analysis, redundancy analysis and multiple linear regression were used to explore how alpha diversity and species turnover of geometrid moths are related to vegetation structure and plant species richness.

Results  Alpha diversity of geometrid moths was significantly correlated with species diversity patterns in the most common vascular plant families (R2 = 0.49) and with plant structural parameters (R2 = 0.22), but not with overall floristic diversity. Species turnover of geometrid moths was strongly linked to diversity changes in a range of plant families (40% explained variance), less strongly to changes in vegetation physiognomy (25%), and only weakly to overall floristic diversity (5%). Changes in elevation were a better predictor of both alpha diversity and species turnover of geometrid moths than any principal component extracted from the vegetation data.

Main conclusions  Vegetation composition, diversity and structure all showed significant correlations with the diversity and species composition of geometrid moth assemblages. Nevertheless, in most cases relationships were indirect, via environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity, which influenced both vegetation and moth fauna. Possible direct links between geometrid diversity and potential food plants were much weaker. The lack of a significant correlation between overall plant species richness and geometrid diversity indicates that tropical geometrid moths may not be very selective in their food plant choice. Accordingly, a clear correlation between floral diversity and herbivore species richness must be regarded as overly simplistic, and the diversity of vascular plants cannot universally be used as a suitable biodiversity indicator for diverse insect taxa at higher trophic levels.
Phylogeographic structure of Pinus strobiformis Engelm. across the Chihuahuan Desert filter‐barrier
Authors: Moreno‐Letelier Alejandra , Piñero Daniel
Published: October 2008

Aim  To explore the genetic and phylogeographic structure of a temperate forest species, Pinus strobiformis Englem., in a subtropical region in the context of climate change during the Pleistocene. It is expected that the colder conditions during glacial stages favoured range expansions of P. strobiformis, thus promoting gene flow.

Location  Mexico and the United States.

Methods  Estimates of genetic diversity and structure were obtained using chloroplast microsatellite loci of 23 populations of P. strobiformis across its entire range, seven neighbouring populations of Pinus ayacahuite Ehrenb. ex. Schtdl, and one population of Pinus flexilis James.

Results  The genetic diversity of P. strobiformis (He = 0.856) was found to be high, especially in western populations, whereas eastern populations were less variable and more genetically similar to P. ayacahuite of central Mexico. We found evidence of significant phylogeographic structure (NST = 0.444; P = 0.026), high genetic structure (RST = 0.270), and isolation by distance. Pairwise RST and samova (spatial analysis of molecular variance) results indicated an east–west partition of genetic variation, with populations within each group showing little differentiation and no isolation by distance.

Main conclusions  The phylogeographic structure of P. strobiformis across the entire range was pronounced, with two main genetic and geographic groups separated by the Chihuahuan Desert. However, within each of the two groups there was little population differentiation and no isolation by distance, suggesting genetic connectivity as a result of population expansions within these areas during glacial stages.
Perceived adverse patient outcomes correlated to nurses’ workload in medical and surgical wards of selected hospitals in Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Kandari Fatimah , Thomas Deepa
Published: October 2008

Aim.  This study was carried out to identify the perceived adverse patient outcomes as related to nurses’ workload. It also assessed nurses’ perception of variables contributing to the workload and adverse patient outcomes.

Background.  Several studies have been published on adverse patient outcomes in which a correlation was found between nurses’ workload and some adverse patient outcomes.

Design.  A cross‐sectional survey was conducted between registered nurses (n = 780) working in medical and surgical wards of five general governmental hospitals in Kuwait.

Data collection instruments.  Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire consisting of three sections to elicit information about the sample characteristics, perception of workload and perceived adverse patient outcomes during the last shift and last working week.

Results.  The three major perceived adverse outcomes reported by the nurses while on duty during their last shift were: complaints from patients and families (2%), patients received a late dose or missed a dose of medication (1·8%) and occurrences of pressure ulcer (1·5%). Similarly, the reported adverse outcomes over the past week were complaints from patients and families (5%), patients received a late dose or missed a dose of medication (5·3%) and discovery of a urinary tract infection (3·7%). Increases in nurse‐patient load, bed occupancy rate, unstable patients’ condition, extra ordinary life support efforts and non‐nursing tasks; all correlated positively with perceived adverse patient outcomes.

Conclusion.  This study sheds light on an important issue affecting patient safety and quality of care as perceived by the nurses themselves as caregivers.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses’ perception of variables contributing to adverse patient outcomes and their workload could significantly affect the provided nursing care and nursing care recipients. The findings could help in policy formulation and planning strategies to decrease adverse patient outcomes in many countries with a health care structure similar to that of Kuwait.
Working memory functioning in children with learning disabilities: does intelligence make a difference?
Authors: Maehler C. , Schuchardt K.
Published: October 2008

Background  Children with learning disabilities are identified by their severe learning problems and their deficient school achievement. On the other hand, children with sub‐average school achievement and sub‐average intellectual development are thought to suffer from a general intellectual delay rather than from specific learning disabilities. The open question is whether these two groups are characterised by differences in their cognitive functioning. The present study explored several functions of working memory.

Method  A working memory battery with tasks for the phonological loop, the visual–spatial sketchpad and central executive skills was presented in individual sessions to 27 children with learning disabilities and normal IQ (ICD‐10: mixed disorders of scholastic skills), 27 children with learning disabilities and low IQ (intellectual disabilities), and a control group of 27 typically developing children with regular school achievement levels and normal IQ.

Results  The results reveal an overall deficit in working memory of the two groups with learning disabilities compared with the control group. However, unexpectedly, there were no differences between the two groups of children with disabilities (normal vs. low IQ).

Conclusions  These findings do not support the notion of different cognitive functioning because of differences in intelligence of these two groups. In the ongoing discussion about the role of intelligence (especially as to the postulated discrepancy between intelligence and school achievement in diagnosis and special education), our findings might lead to rethinking the current practice of treating these two groups as fundamentally different.
An exploratory analysis of the use of cognitive, adaptive and behavioural indices for cluster analysis of ASD subgroups
Authors: Bitsika V. , Sharpley C. F. , Orapeleng S.
Published: October 2008

Background  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes symptoms that vary in severity and frequency between children. Consequently, multiple psychometric assessment procedures are recommended to detect an ASD, including scales which asses the presence and nature of ASD‐related behaviour. However, to date, few studies have examined the relative and specific contribution which such behaviourally oriented scales can make to the diagnosis of individual children with ASD.

Method  Cluster analysis was used to explore the common characteristics of a group of 53 preschool and elementary school children with an ASD, based upon scores on tests of cognitive ability, adaptive behaviour and behavioural checklists designed to measure the presence of typical ASD.

Results  Data confirmed the expected variability in intelligence test scores. In addition, measures of adaptive behaviour and data from a behaviourally based rating scale suggested that children with Asperger's Disorder and autism might be reclassified into subgroups according to the presence of particular ASD‐specific behaviours.

Conclusions  As well as confirming that children with ASD vary in their adaptive behaviour and cognitive levels, these data emphasise the limited contribution such assessment procedures make to an understanding of the child's day‐to‐day behaviour and functioning, thus arguing for the inclusion of behaviourally based rating scales to develop ideographic intervention plans.
‘Destructive Whirlwind’: nurses' perceptions of patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
Authors: WOOLLASTON K. , HIXENBAUGH P.
Published: October 2008

Research suggests that nurses have negative perceptions and subsequently negative interactions with patients diagnosed as having Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, this research is mainly quantitative in nature and does not allow nurses to speak freely about their experiences of working with this client group. The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' relationships with BPD patients from their own perspective. Semi‐structured interviews were used to elicit the participants' experiences of BPD patients and thematic analysis was used to raise themes from the data. One core theme and four major themes were identified. The core theme was: ‘Destructive Whirlwind’, which refers to the nurses perceiving these patients as a powerful, dangerous, unrelenting force that leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. The major themes were: care giving; idealized and demonized; manipulation and threatening. The study concludes that nurses experience BPD patients in a negative manner. This can be attributed to the unpleasant interactions they can have with them and feeling that they lack the necessary skills in working with this group. The results also indicate that nurses want to improve their relationships with BPD patients.
Facilitating recovery by making sense of suffering: a Nietzschean perspective
Authors: ROBERTS M.
Published: October 2008

One of the most challenging figures in the history of ideas, the 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, exerts a powerful and enduring influence over modern thought. Indeed, while those working in the healthcare professions may have traditionally found Nietzsche's work largely inaccessible, there is now an emerging body of healthcare research that seeks to elucidate and explore the relevance of his ideas for the healthcare professions generally, and for the theory and practice of nursing in particular. Accordingly, this paper will seek to contribute to this emerging body of research by suggesting that Nietzsche's work can be employed to provide a productive understanding of how recovery from mental illness can be facilitated, and it will attempt to do this by focusing on what is arguably Nietzsche's most seemingly obscure notion, namely, the ‘eternal return’. In particular, by drawing upon contemporary research into the concept and experience of recovery, the paper will suggest that the discovery of new meaning is central to that process and that, this being so, Nietzsche's notion of the eternal return can provide a productive theoretical framework that can be employed by mental health professionals to orientate and guide therapeutic interventions towards that end.
‘In the mind of another’ shame and acute psychiatric inpatient care: an exploratory study. A report on phase one: service users
Authors: JONES A. , CROSSLEY D.
Published: October 2008

In the UK and internationally, there are concerns for the quality of health care available to people with mental health problems. A number of surveys and reports suggest that hospital admission for acute psychiatric care can be stigmatizing and non‐therapeutic. This paper describes the setting up and progress to date, of an ongoing qualitative research study carried out in Wales. The study explores service users' subjective experience of shame before, during and after psychiatric hospital admission. The research study's aims are to learn about situations that might influence quality of care because of shame experienced by individuals and groups of people. The study also seeks to explore specifically ways that relationships with healthcare professionals are influenced because of shame related experiences. This paper reports on phase one of the study, service users views and reviews acknowledged benefits and difficulties experienced to date. Both phases of the study encompassed mixed membership focus groups conducted by both researchers. Although the data analysis is still in progress, provisional findings of this research study suggest that an awareness of the complexities in relation to ways shame is aroused in individuals and groups of people because of mental health problems could contribute to improving the quality of care provided to service users, before, during and after hospital treatment and care. Although not initially part of the study's intentions, the views of all focus group participants so far indicate that collaborative research is found to be empowering. Information gained to date indicates that we will gain a better understanding of situations that provoke feelings of shame in established service users and those experiencing emotional distress for the first time.
Pharmacokinetic behavior in sheep and cattle of 5‐chloro‐2‐(methylthio)‐6‐(1‐naphthyloxy)‐1H‐benzimidazole, a new fasciolicide agent
Authors: RAMÍREZ N. , MAYET L. , DEL RIVERO L. , IBARRA‐VELARDE F. , CASTILLO R. , HERNÁNDEZ‐CAMPOS A. , JUNG‐COOK H.
Published: October 2008

The physicochemical properties, pKa, Log P and solubility of compound alpha, (5‐chloro‐2‐(methylthio)‐6‐(1‐naphthyloxy)‐1H‐benzimidazole), a new fasciolicide agent, were characterized using conventional methods. Also, its pharmacokinetics was evaluated in sheep and cattle. In both species an oral dose of 12 mg/kg was administered. Blood samples were collected during 144 h and analyzed by using an HPLC assay. Results showed that compound alpha is a weak base with a pKa value of 2.87 and log P of 1.44. The solubility was very low in aqueous solvents. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that in both species compound alpha could not be detected at any sampling time. The mean half‐life (t½) values of alpha sulphoxide in sheep and cattle were 19.86 and 29.87 h, while the half‐life values of alpha sulphone were 19.43 and 46.32 h respectively. Cmax values of alpha sulphoxide did not differ between species while alpha sulphone values were higher in cattle. Plasma protein binding of alpha sulphoxide was between 82% and 86%. These results, combined with the previous efficacy studies, suggest that compound alpha could be a promising fasciolicide agent.
Failure of adefovir 20 mg to improve suboptimal response in lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B patients treated with adefovir 10 mg and lamivudine
Authors: Viganò M. , Lampertico P. , Facchetti F. , Lunghi G. , Colombo M.
Published: October 2008

Summary.  Nine patients with lamivudine‐resistant chronic hepatitis B infection who had been treated with adefovir 10 mg/day and had had a suboptimal response but did not have genotypic resistance to adefovir were treated with high‐dose adefovir (20 mg/day). The response to the increased dose of adefovir was compared with the response in 15 patients with a suboptimal response who did not receive an increase in the dose of adefovir. The increase in the dose of adefovir did not lead to a significant reduction in hepatitis B DNA when compared with patients maintained on the standard dose. These data suggest that increasing the dose of adefovir in patients with a suboptimal response does not lead to an improved response.
Simian hepatitis A virus derived from a captive rhesus monkey in India is similar to the strain isolated from wild African green monkeys in Kenya
Authors: Arankalle V. A. , Ramakrishnan J.
Published: October 2008

Summary.  A simian hepatitis A virus (HAV) was identified retrospectively in a faecal sample from a rhesus monkey in India, inoculated in 1995 with a faecal suspension from a suspected patient of non‐A to E hepatitis. The monkey was in captivity for 2 years in one of the experimental primate facilities in western India before being moved to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for experimentation. Phylogenetic analysis based on a partial sequence of the 5′ noncoding region placed this virus in genotype V, the only other member being the AGM‐27 strain recovered in 1986 from African green monkeys in Kenya. The source of infection of the monkey remains unclear. The full genome was amplified in nine fragments and sequenced. The genome of the Indian simian HAV (IND‐SHAV) is 7425 nucleotides long including the poly‐A tail of 14 nucleotides at the 3′ end. At the nucleotide and amino acid levels, IND‐SHAV was 99.8 and 100% identical with AGM27, respectively.
Cortical deactivations during gastric fundus distension in health: visceral pain‐specific response or attenuation of ‘default mode’ brain function? A H215O‐PET study
Authors: Van Oudenhove L. , Vandenberghe J. , Dupont P. , Geeraerts B. , Vos R. , Bormans G. , Van Laere K. , Fischler B. , Demyttenaere K. , Janssens J. , Tack J.
Published: October 2008

Abstract  Gastric distension activates a cerebral network including brainstem, thalamus, insula, perigenual anterior cingulate, cerebellum, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and potentially somatosensory regions. Cortical deactivations during gastric distension have hardly been reported. To describe brain areas of decreased activity during gastric fundus distension compared to baseline, using data from our previously published study (Gastroenterology, 128, 2005 and 564). H215O‐brain positron emission tomography was performed in 11 healthy volunteers during five conditions (random order): (C1) no distension (baseline); isobaric distension to individual thresholds for (C2) first, (C3) marked, (C4) unpleasant sensation and (C5) sham distension. Subtraction analyses were performed (in SPM2) to determine deactivated areas during distension compared to baseline, with a threshold of Puncorrected_voxel_level < 0.001 and Pcorrected_cluster_level < 0.05. Baseline–maximal distension (C1–C4) yielded significant deactivations in: (i) bilateral occipital, lateral parietal and temporal cortex as well as medial parietal lobe (posterior cingulate and precuneus) and medial temporal lobe (hippocampus and amygdala), (ii) right dorsolateral and dorso‐ and ventromedial PFC, (iii) left subgenual ACC and bilateral caudate head. Intragastric pressure and epigastric sensation score correlated negatively with brain activity in similar regions. The right hippocampus/amygdala deactivation was specific to sham. Gastric fundus distension in health is associated with extensive cortical deactivations, besides the activations described before. Whether this represents task‐independent suspension of ‘default mode’ activity (as described in various cognitive tasks) or an visceral pain/interoception‐specific process remains to be elucidated.
Increased swallowing frequency in GORD is likely to be caused by perception of reflux episodes
Authors: Hemmink G. J. M. , Weusten B. L. A. M. , Bredenoord A. J. , Timmer R. , Smout A. J. P. M.
Published: October 2008

Abstract  Patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) swallow air more frequently and have more gas‐containing reflux episodes than healthy controls. One explanation for this phenomenon may be that GORD patients primarily swallow more frequently and, as a consequence, have more swallow‐ or transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation‐associated reflux episodes. Another explanation may be that GORD patients swallow more often in response to perception of reflux episodes. The aim of this study was to differentiate between these two possible mechanisms. In 34 patients with typical reflux symptoms oesophageal 24‐h pH‐impedance monitoring was performed twice, once off and once on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The number of reflux episodes and number of swallows and air swallows was evaluated. The symptom association probability (SAP) was used to distinguish patients with a good relationship between symptoms and reflux episodes (SAP+) from those who had not (SAP−). In both the SAP+ (n = 21) as SAP− patients (n = 13), the acid exposure time decreased during PPI therapy. In the SAP+ patients, the number of swallows decreased on PPI (829 ± 85 off vs 701 ± 79 on PPI, P < 0.05), whereas in the SAP− patients, the incidence of swallows (802 ± 93 off vs 814 ± 69 on PPI, P = NS) was not influenced by the PPI therapy. PPI therapy reduces the number of swallows in patients with a positive SAP, but not in those with a negative SAP. This finding supports the hypothesis that the increased incidence of swallows in GORD is brought about by responses to perceived reflux events.
BYDV PREDICTOR: a simulation model to predict aphid arrival, epidemics of Barley yellow dwarf virus and yield losses in wheat crops in a Mediterranean‐type environment
Authors: Thackray D. J. , Diggle A. J. , Jones R. A. C.
Published: October 2008

BYDV PREDICTOR, a simulation model, was developed to forecast aphid outbreaks and Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) epidemics in wheat crops in the grainbelt region of southwest Australia, which has a Mediterranean‐type climate. The model used daily rainfall and mean temperature to predict aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) buildup in each locality before the commencement of the cereal‐growing season in late autumn, and to forecast the timing of aphid immigration into crops. The introduction of BYDV by aphid immigrants, aphid buildup within the crop, spread of BYDV, and yield losses were predicted for different sowing dates. The model simulations were validated with 10 years’ field data from five different sites in the grainbelt, representing a wide range of scenarios. When first aphid arrival dates ranging from 1 June to 2 September were compared with predictions, 65% of the variation between sites and years was explained. Progress curves for the predicted percentage of plants infected with the serotype BYDV‐PAV closely resembled the starting point and shape of those recorded in 14 out of 18 scenarios. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the combination of a high proportion of immigrants vectoring BYDV, early sowing of crops and early start to aphid arrival relative to sowing date led to the most BYDV spread and greatest yield loss. The model was incorporated into a decision support system used by farmers in targeting sprays against aphids to prevent virus spread in autumn and winter. BYDV PREDICTOR could serve as a template for modelling similar virus/aphid vector pathosystems in other regions of the world, especially those with Mediterranean‐type climates.