bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a negative plant–soil feedback in the expansion zone of the clonal grass Ammophila arenaria following root formation and nematode colonization
Authors: Van Der Stoel C. D. , Van Der Putten W. H. , Duyts H.
Published: March 2003

The feedback between individual plants and their soil communities is a major driver of plant community processes. We analyse the rate at which plant–soil feedback develops in the root zone of the clonal dune grass Ammophila arenaria.

Ammophila arenaria grows vigorously when it can form new roots in newly deposited windblown beach sand. The colonization zone is hypothesized to provide an enemy‐free space, with root pathogens and parasites possibly contributing to degeneration of A. arenaria when deposition stops.

We quantified root biomass and plant parasitic nematode densities in new and 1‐year‐old root zones, as well as in degenerate stands, in the field at monthly intervals. Each month, we studied the biomass production of Ammophila seedlings in controlled conditions in sterilized and non‐sterilized soil from the different sampling sites, with and without nematicides.

Colonization of newly deposited sand by the endoparasitic nematodes Heterodera arenaria and Pratylenchus spp. within 1 month of root formation coincided with a negative feedback in the bioassays. Nematicides counteracted growth reduction significantly, but their effectiveness decreased in soil samples collected later in the growing season.

In older layers, roots and nematodes were already present before the sampling started. Growth reduction in unsterilized sand was observed at all sampling events, but was not counteracted by nematicides.

In the field, root biomass of A. arenaria in the newly colonized sand increased throughout the growing season, despite the development of a negative plant‐soil feedback.

We conclude that the development of negative plant–soil feedback in the root zone of A. arenaria closely follows the colonization of newly deposited sand by roots and then by the endoparasitic nematode species Heterodera arenaria. There seems to be a shift in organisms causing this feedback during the first growing season, but root biomass nevertheless increases. However, in older root layers and in the degenerate stand, ongoing negative plant–soil feedback may contribute to a gradual decrease in root biomass.
Stand dynamics over 18 years in a southern mixed hardwood forest, Texas, USA
Authors: Harcombe P. A. , Bill C. J. , Fulton M. , Glitzenstein J. S. , Marks P. L. , Elsik I. S.
Published: March 2003

1 Using 18 years of permanent‐plot data from a 4‐ha stand, we investigated whether stand dynamics is predictable, i.e. driven by competition (inferred from species shade tolerances), or unpredictable (driven by frequent exogenous disturbance or other factors). We also considered whether small disturbance might accelerate or retard succession. The study involved dynamics of stems ≥ 4.5 cm diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) for 10 important species in a southern mixed hardwood forest 80 years after selective removal of Pinus taeda.

2 Shade‐tolerant species (Ilex opaca, Fagus grandifolia, Magnolia grandiflora, Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica) increased in small d.b.h. classes, whereas intermediate (Quercus alba) and shade‐intolerant species (Q. nigra, Q. hemisphaerica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Pinus taeda) did not.

3 Per‐capita ingrowth was higher for shade‐tolerant species (0.016–0.024) than for intermediate and shade‐intolerant species (0–0.006), whereas mortality was lower ((0.006–0.015 vs. 0.019–0.035).

4 Over 18 years, ingrowth exceeded mortality loss slightly, resulting in an increase in number of stems of about 1%, from 995 to 1029 stems ha−1; average live basal area (BA; 35.9 m2 ha−1) varied by less than 2% over eight surveys spanning 18 years. Basal area increased substantially for three species (Ilex opaca, Pinus taeda, Acer rubrum), and declined strongly for three others (Quercus nigra, Q. hemisphaerica and Fagus grandifolia).

5 The stand d.b.h. distribution had a rotated sigmoid form which became flatter over time. Species d.b.h. distributions were mostly bell‐shaped for intolerant species, and irregular‐to‐monotonic declining for shade‐tolerant species. Over time, bell‐shaped distributions moved to the right and irregular distributions remained irregular.

6 A hurricane in 1986 caused loss of 4.5% of standing BA. Compositional change was most rapid during the hurricane interval and ingrowth was highest in the two intervals following the hurricane. Effects on species trends in density, basal area, mortality or recruitment were minor.

7 Temporal trends in species abundances mostly supported the hypothesis of predictable successional change related to competition for light. However, d.b.h. distributions of shade‐tolerant species and rapid declines in BA of Quercus nigra and Fagus indicated that other processes are also important and will limit predictability of change.
Spatial and temporal variations in mortality of the biennial plant, Lysimachia rubida: effects of intraspecific competition and environmental heterogeneity
Authors: Suzuki Ryo O. , Kudoh Hiroshi , Kachi Naoki
Published: March 2003

We studied mortality, growth and spatial distribution of individuals of Lysimachia rubida to elucidate causes and consequences of temporal and spatial variations in mortality. This short‐lived monocarpic biennial grows in open dry habitats on rocky coastal cliffs of the subtropical Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands, Japan.

All individuals of two successive cohorts that appeared in a 8 × 8‐m quadrat were mapped, and their fate and size were recorded at 2–3 month intervals from March 1998 to July 2000. We analysed spatial and temporal changes in the relative importance of plant size, local densities of neighbouring plants and ground surface conditions to determine plant mortality. We also examined spatially non‐random mortality and its spatial scales.

Patchy seed dispersal from scattered mother plants resulted in a clumped distribution of seedlings. During the growth cycle of L. rubida, we recognized two growth stages that differed in the relative importance of the factors affecting plant mortality.

At the earlier growth stage, after germination in March until July, mortality was caused mainly by local density. Smaller plants within areas of high local densities were more likely to die. The spatial patterns of surviving and dead plants tended to be regular and aggregated, respectively, in comparison with those expected from random mortality. The spatial scale of aggregation of the dead plants was 5–25 cm, corresponding to the distance of direct interactions between neighbours.

At the later growth stages, in October until May of the following year, mortality was affected mainly by ground surface conditions. Both surviving and dead plants were spatially aggregated at spatial scales of 20–100 cm. Plants tended to survive in microhabitats of smaller gravel, which had a greater water‐holding capacity.

This study also showed the consequence of spatial variations in mortality on population structures of L. rubida. Patchy seed dispersal and subsequent temporal and spatial variations in mortality are likely to contribute to the scattered distribution of L. rubida individuals observed at the study site.
Hydrological studies on blanket peat: the significance of the acrotelm‐catotelm model
Authors: Holden J. , Burt T. P.
Published: March 2003

Runoff production in blanket peat catchments of the northern Pennine hills, UK was measured through monitoring and experimentation at the plot, hillslope and catchment scale. Water flow from soil pipes was measured in one of the study catchments and overland flow, throughflow and water table were measured in runoff plots; rainfall simulation and tension‐infiltrometry provided information on infiltration characteristics of the peat.

Saturation‐excess overland flow was found to dominate the flashy flow regime; acrotelm stormflow, subsurface pipeflow and macropore flow were also found to be important components of the ecohydrological system.

Surface cover, topography and preferential flowpaths were found to be important factors in controlling infiltration and runoff production.

Streamflow generation processes that are consistent with the acrotelm‐catotelm model are shown to occur in blanket peat with and without Sphagnum cover, but in one of the catchments studied an estimated 10% of the discharge bypassed this route and discharged via pipes.

The spatial and temporal variation in hillslope‐scale runoff production was demonstrated in the study catchments. This variability in runoff production will be important for hydroecological understanding in peatlands but is often neglected because of over‐simplification of processes provided by the traditional two‐dimensional acrotelm‐catotelm model.
Compliance with US asthma management guidelines and specialty care: a regional variation or national concern?
Authors: Meng Ying‐Ying , Leung Kwan‐Moon , Berkbigler Dale , Halbert Ronald J. , and . , Legorreta Antonio P.
Published: March 2003

The objective of this study was to examine the compliance with the National Asthma Education Program (NAEP) guidelines among asthmatic members of eight health plans (regions) in seven states, as well as the factors related to the compliance. Information was gathered by means of a cross‐sectional survey in a managed care environment. The participants were 6703 respondents (ages 14–65) with moderate or severe asthma. The main outcome measures were compliance with the NAEP guidelines on the use of inhaled steroids, inhaled beta2‐agonists, peak flow measurement, and allergy evaluations. Among the results of this survey we found that although these health plans are located from the West Coast to the East Coast and the socioeconomic status of their members varied greatly, compliance with the NAEP guidelines was low among asthmatic members across all geographical regions. The major areas of low compliance identified were inappropriate pharmacological therapy, lack of objective measurement of lung function through peak flow meter, and insufficient environmental trigger control. The regression analyses indicated that the effect of the health plan explained little of the variation in compliance across these regions (only 0.3% at maximum). Low compliance was associated with young age, smoking, moderate asthma, being asthmatic for a few years, currently working, and being treated by a generalist rather than a specialist. In conclusion, this study showed that the compliance with the national guidelines for asthma care was consistently low across different geographical regions in the nation. Improvement in care for asthmatics will require greater commitment and involvement by all stakeholders including physicians, patients, health plans, and employers. We suggest a need for a national strategy to disseminate clinical guidelines not only to the medical community but also to patients themselves.
Evidentiary challenges to evidence‐based medicine
Authors: Djulbegovic Benjamin , Morris Lou , Lyman Gary H.
Published: March 2003

The evidence‐based medicine (EBM) movement has exerted a strong influence on contemporary medicine. It has been used to define the hierarchy of knowledge in clinical medicine by classifying clinical findings according to the perceived relevance and validity of the respective methodologies of studies from which evidence was collected. In the spectrum of theories of knowledge, EBM predominantly relies on findings obtained from population‐derived clinical research. This reliance on knowledge obtained from population studies sharply contrasts with a physiologic model of clinical knowledge advocated by basic science researchers and many clinicians. An apparent schism between proponents of physiologic and population models in the approach to the practice of medicine has been created. This dichotomy between practising physicians and EBM physicians in the approach to clinical knowledge should not be irreconcilable. We advocate a consilient approach to the interpretation of evidence and the integration of medical knowledge. This approach relies on ‘linking of facts and fact‐based theory across various disciplines to create a common groundwork of explanation’.
Including qualitative research in systematic reviews: opportunities and problems
Authors: Dixon‐Woods Mary , Fitzpatrick Ray , Roberts Karen
Published: March 2003

Qualitative research has been increasingly recognized in recent years as having a distinctive and important contribution to make to health care research. It is capable of being used as a methodologically sufficient approach in its own right, as a precursor to quantitative studies, during or after trials to explain processes and outcomes, and as a means of enhancing the link between evidence and practice. However, qualitative research has been little used as an evidence resource for systematic reviews. We argue that formal synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative forms of research is essential, and we discuss some of the problems that need to be overcome in carrying out such syntheses. These include methodological prejudice, problems in searching for qualitative evidence, and issues in synthesizing qualitative data. We call for progress to be made on the science and methods of including qualitative research in the evidence base of medicine.
Outcomes‐based trial of an inpatient nurse practitioner service for general medical patients
Authors: Pioro Mathilde H. , Landefeld C. Seth , Brennan Patricia F. , Daly Barbara , Fortinsky Richard H. , Kim Unhee , Rosenthal Gary E.
Published: March 2003

Although teaching hospitals are increasingly using nurse practitioners (NPs) to provide inpatient care, few studies have compared care delivered by NPs and housestaff or the ability of NPs to admit and manage unselected general medical patients. In a Midwest academic teaching hospital 381 patients were randomized to general medical wards staffed either by NPs and a medical director or medical housestaff. Data were obtained from medical records, interviews and hospital databases. Outcomes were compared on both an intention to treat (i.e. wards to which patients were randomized) and actual treatment (i.e. wards to which patients were admitted) basis. At admission, patients assigned randomly to NP‐based care (n = 193) and housestaff care (n = 188) were similar with respect to demographics, comorbidity, severity of illness and functional parameters. Outcomes at discharge and at 6 weeks after discharge were similar (P > 0.10) in the two groups, including: length of stay; charges; costs; consultations; complications; transfers to intensive care; 30‐day mortality; patient assessments of care; and changes in activities of daily living, SF‐36 scores and symptom severity. However, after randomization, 90 of 193 patients (47%) assigned to the NP ward were actually admitted to housestaff wards, largely because of attending physicians and NP requests. None the less, outcomes of patients admitted to NP and housestaff wards were similar (P > 0.1). NP‐based care can be implemented successfully in teaching hospitals and, compared to housestaff care, may be associated with similar costs and clinical and functional outcomes. However, there may be important obstacles to increasing the number of patients cared for by NPs, including physician concerns about NPs' capabilities and NPs' limited flexibility in managing varying numbers of patients and accepting off‐hours admissions.
Hawthorne effects and research into professional practice
Authors: Holden John D.
Published: March 2003

The Hawthorne studies in the 1930s demonstrated how difficult it is to understand workplace behaviour, and this includes professional performance. Studies of interventions to improve professional performance, such as audit, can provide useful information for those considering using such methods, but cannot replace judgement. In particular, there is no single phenomenon that can be labelled ‘the Hawthorne effect’. The process of triangulation, considering a subject from different perspectives, might overcome the problems of Hawthorne effects better than using a single method such as controlled trials.
Are serum anticonvulsant levels in people with epilepsy appropriately monitored?
Authors: Thapar Ajay , Richens Alan , Roland Martin , Jacoby Ann , Russell Ian , Roberts Chris , Porter Elaine , Wall Sonya
Published: March 2003

The medical care of people with epilepsy has often been described as being poor, although objective markers for the quality of epilepsy care are lacking. This paper describes the results of using a simple quality marker, appropriate measuring of serum anticonvulsant levels, in assessing the quality of epilepsy care. The checking of serum phenytoin levels in certain clinical circumstances is advocated, whereas the checking of serum sodium valproate levels is not generally supported. A total of 1254 people with epilepsy in the community had their medical records examined for evidence of checking of anticonvulsant levels and 1204 of these individuals completed questionnaires about their epilepsy and its treatment. Of those on phenytoin, only 26% to 47% had phenytoin levels checked appropriately; 23% of patients on sodium valproate were inappropriately having their serum levels checked. The only clinical or organizational factor that predicted whether checking of serum phenytoin levels was performed was whether or not patients reported three common phenytoin side‐effects but this still showed a small effect size (odds ratio 2.4).
Problems in using health survey questionnaires in older patients with physical disabilities. The reliability and validity of the SF‐36 and the effect of cognitive impairment
Authors: Seymour D. Gwyn , Ball Anne E. , Russell Elizabeth M. , Primrose William R. , Garratt Andrew M. , Crawford John R.
Published: March 2003

Reliability and validity of the SF‐36 Health Survey Questionnaire was assessed in older rehabilitation patients, comparing cognitively impaired with cognitively normal subjects. The SF‐36 was administered by face‐to‐face interview to 314 patients (58–93 years) in the day hospital and rehabilitation wards of a department of medicine for the elderly. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha (for internal consistency) on the main sample and intraclass correlation coefficients on a test–retest sample; correlations with functional independence measure (FIM) were examined to assess validity. In 203 cognitively normal patients (Mini‐Mental State Examination ≥24), Cronbach’s alpha scores on the eight dimensions of the SF‐36 ranged from 0.545 (social function) to 0.933 (bodily pain). The range for the 111 cognitively impaired patients was 0.413–0.861. Cronbach’s alpha values were significantly higher (i.e. reliability was better) in the cognitively normal group for bodily pain (P = 0.003), mental health (P = 0.03) and role emotional (P = 0.04). In test–retest studies on a further 67 patients, an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.7 was attained for five out of eight dimensions in cognitively normal patients, and four out of eight dimensions in the cognitively impaired. Only the physical function dimension in the cognitively normal group attained the criterion level (r > 0.4) for construct validity when correlated with the FIM. In this group of older physically disabled patients, levels of reliability and validity previously reported for the SF‐36 in younger subjects were not attained, even on face‐to‐face testing. Patients with coexistent cognitive impairment performed worse than those who were cognitively normal.
Aeromonas hydrophila causes ‘black disease' in fairy shrimps (Anostraca; Crustacea)
Authors: Dierckens  , Vandenberghe  , Beladjal  , Huys  , Mertens  , Swings
Published: March 2003

A total of 51 bacterial strains were isolated from fairy shrimps [Branchipus schaefferi (Fisher), Chirocephalus diaphanus (Prévost) and Streptocephalus torvicornis (Waga)] showing signs of ‘black disease'. The fairy shrimps showed black nodules on the thoracic appendages, the cercopods, the antennae and sometimes at the back of the head. The infection sites on the thoracic appendages were restricted to the proximal parts of the endopodite, the exopodite and endite I. In order to check Koch's postulates, pure bacterial cultures were administered to healthy fairy shrimps. One bacterial pathogen was identified as Aeromonas hydrophila using BIOLOG and the genotypic fingerprinting technique AFLP.
Experimental identification of the actinosporean stage of Sphaerospora renicola Dykova & Lom 1982 (Myxosporea: Sphaerosporidae) in oligochaete alternate hosts
Authors: Molnár K. , El‐Mansy A. , Székely Cs , Baska F.
Published: March 2003

The extrapiscine development of Sphaerospora renicola, a myxosporean parasite of the kidney of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., was studied in the experimentally infected oligochaetes Tubifex tubifex (Müller) and Branchiura sowerbyi (Beddard). After the infection of these tubificids with homogenized common carp kidneys containing myxospores of S. renicola, the development of actinosporean stages was first observed under light microscopy 8 days after infection in pathogen‐free T. tubifex. Infection of B. sowerbyi with mature actinosporean stages was first observed 91 days after infection. At that stage of development, pansporocysts containing neoactinospores filled the intestinal epithelium of the worm. Ninety‐five days after infection, pansporocysts containing actinospores and free actinospores were found in the gut lumen of B. sowerbyi. Actinospores of S. renicola emerged from B. sowerbyi after 98 days of intraoligochaete development. These were floating in the water and showed the typical form of neoactinospores. The shape of the spores was triangular in apical view and elliptical in lateral view. The prevalence of infection reached 37%. Control specimens of B. sowerbyi proved to be free of neoactinospores. Except for a single specimen of B. sowerbyi, the only early developmental stages (pansporocysts) were found in T. tubifex.
Influence of oxidized lipids in diets on the development of rainbow trout fry syndrome
Authors: Daskalov H. , Robertson P A W. , Austin B.
Published: March 2003

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), fry fed with a diet containing high levels of oxidized lipid, i.e. 46/128–54/164 meq kg−1 oil, fared less well than controls following challenge with Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS). In three experiments, a greater number of fish fed with the diet containing oxidized lipid died after challenge in comparison to the controls. Moreover, the pathogen was recovered as pure culture growth from the gills and kidney of dead fry. The use of diets rich in oxidized lipids led to dystrophic changes in the liver, kidney and muscle. In comparison, histopathological changes were not observed in fish fed control diets. Overall, a link was demonstrated between the presence of elevated levels of oxidized lipids in the diet and the development of RTFS.
Protective immunity of sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus Thunberg, against experimental viral nervous necrosis
Authors: Tanaka S , Mori K , Arimoto M , Iwamoto T , Nakai T
Published: March 2003

This paper describes the protective immune responses of sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus Thunberg, immunized with live piscine nodavirus, the causative agent of viral nervous necrosis (VNN), or the Escherichia coli– expressed recombinant coat protein. Nodavirus‐neutralizing antibodies were detected at titres ranging from 1:158 to 1:1257 in serum of sevenband grouper which survived intramuscular injection with the virus, by a cell culture assay system. The virus‐neutralizing ability of immune serum was also confirmed by injecting virus previously treated with serum into fish. This indicates establishment of acquired immunity in survivors and thus explains why survivors from natural infection are resistant to recurrence of the disease. Young sevenband grouper were immunized twice by intramuscular injections with the recombinant coat protein. Immunized fish produced neutralizing antibodies at high titres for at least 110 days and showed significantly lower mortalities in virus challenge tests. These results suggest the potential for vaccination against VNN in sevenband grouper, which is susceptible to piscine nodavirus at all life‐stages.
Morphometric discrimination of Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg (Monogenea) from species of Gyrodactylus parasitising British salmonids using novel parameters
Authors: Shinn A P , Gibson D I , Sommerville C
Published: March 2003

Morphometric data were collected from scanning electron micrographs of released hamuli and marginal hooks collected from five species and three morphotypes of Gyrodactylus parasitising salmonids in the UK and Canada. Five new parameters for measurement from the hamulus are described: shaft‐point length, hamulus angle, hamulus width, shaft area and the root area; and three from the marginal hook: sickle aperture, toe length and the marginal hook area. Univariate statistics were used to select seven of nine useful metrical hamulus features and seven of eight marginal hook features. Of the hamulus features, the shaft‐point length discriminated all Gyrodactylus salaris populations from all other Gyrodactylus populations and the hamulus angle discriminated only the Swedish G. salaris populations from those gyrodactylids on British salmonids. The marginal hook features, the sickle length, sickle aperture, total length and shaft length of G. salaris were significantly larger than those of all other gyrodactylids included within the study. Of the British fauna, it was found that G. derjavini from Welsh salmon was significantly smaller than all other British collections of Gyrodactylus in this study, having smaller hamuli point lengths, total lengths and shaft lengths. Separate principal components analyses were performed on the variables selected for the hamuli and for the marginal hooks. The principal component analysis (PCA) analysis demonstrated that individual structures from either the hamulus or the marginal hook, significantly discriminate every specimen of G. salaris from all other gyrodactylid specimens included within the analysis. The discrimination of G. derjavini from G. truttae by this method, was however, not possible and the description of additional morphometric parameters may be necessary before this separation can be achieved.
Molecular characterization of Portuguese strains of Yersinia ruckeri isolated from fish culture systems
Authors: Sousa  , Magariños  , Eiras  , Toranzo  , Romalde
Published: March 2003

A total of 23 Portuguese strains of Yersinia ruckeri, the causative agent of enteric redmouth disease (ERM), were comparatively studied by means of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and outer membrane protein (OMP) analysis, plasmid profiling and ribotyping in order to investigate the heterogeneity among isolates and the usefulness of these methods as epidemiological markers. Only two LPS profiles were observed among the isolates studied, corresponding with the serotypes O1 and O3 of Y. ruckeri. A higher heterogeneity was detected analysing the OMP, seven different patterns being observed. Although some isolates carried different small plasmids, all the serotype O1 isolates showed a plasmid band of 50 MDa and all the serotype O3 strains shared in common a extrachromosomic DNA band of 30 MDa. The analysis of the ribopatterns obtained using three different enzymes, separated the strains into 10 ribotypes, indicating genetic heterogeneity among the isolates. The heterogeneity was greater within serotype O1 isolates, six ribotypes being detected, than within serotype O3 in which only three ribotypes were found. Although OMP analysis and ribotyping can be useful for the differentiation of strains on the basis of farm and/or season of isolation, we consider that ribotyping is the best candidate for epidemiological studies because it is easier to perform and offers a slightly better discriminative power.
Pathogenesis and epidemiology of spontaneous exophthalmos in the West Australian dhufish, Glaucosoma hebraicum Richardson
Authors: Stephens F J , Cleary J J , Jenkins G , Jones B , Raidal S R , Thomas J B
Published: March 2003

The West Australian dhufish, Glaucosoma hebraicum Richardson (family Glaucosomatidae) is a potentially valuable aquaculture species, but spontaneous exophthalmos is common in freshly caught and cultured dhufish. To investigate the epidemiology and pathogenesis of exophthalmos in tanks of wild‐caught and captive‐bred dhufish, records of culture conditions, the prevalence of lesions and pathological examinations were used to study the disease and associated environmental and management factors. Naturally occurring cases of exophthalmos that were examined were mostly unilateral and occurred more frequently in summer months during periods of increasing water temperature. In 15 affected eyes that were examined histologically gas bubbles and haemorrhages were consistently present in the choroid. In some, gas bubbles and haemorrhage were also present in retrobulbar tissues associated with perforation of the sclera. Oxygen concentrations were measured in 12 exophthalmic eyes and concentrations of 50–73% were recorded in gas bubbles in the anterior chamber of three of these that were acute cases. Very low oxygen tensions were recorded at the retinal–vitreal junction of four eyes with retrobulbar haemorrhages indicating that there may have been disruption of arterial blood supply to the choroid in chronic lesions or with perforation of the sclera. The results of experiments to determine the significance of exercise, high water temperature, sudden increases in light intensity, fish handling or tank cleaning indicate that exercise and/or high water temperature (25.5 °C) may be important risk factors for the development of exophthalmos in dhufish. Possible mechanisms for the formation of gas bubbles and haemorrhage in the choroid are discussed.
Pathological changes induced by three myxosporeans in the intestine of cultured tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes (Temminck and Schlegel)
Authors: Tun Tin , Ogawa K , Wakabayashi H
Published: March 2003

Pathological changes in cultured tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes, with emaciation disease in Kyushu, Japan were studied histologically. In most cases, diseased fish were heavily infected with at least one of three myxosporeans (Myxidium fugu, Myxidium sp. and Leptotheca fugu) and two unidentified hyperparasitic microsporeans, attached to, or in, the intestinal epithelium. Myxidium fugu attached to the surface of the epithelium, caused no noticeable effects on the host tissue, irrespective of its infection with the hyperparasite. Myxidium sp., which proliferated in the epithelium, induced severe pathological changes including accumulation of cell debris between the epithelium and lamina propria and resultant detachment of the epithelium. Leptotheca fugu, another histozoic myxosporean, induced degeneration of the epithelium, associated with massive infiltration of macrophages into the epithelium to encapsulate parasites. When L. fugu was infected with its hyperparasitic microsporean, shortened villi were also observed. This is probably because passage of macrophage‐parasite aggregates through the basement membrane of the epithelium severely damaged the epithelial structure. It is evident histologically that, unlike epicellular M. fugu, histozoic Myxidium sp. and L. fugu with or without hyperparasitic microsporeans, were highly pathogenic to host fish. This strongly suggests that they are causative agents of the emaciation disease.
Clinical and histopathological features of naturally occurring pancreas disease in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: McLoughlin M F , Nelson R N , McCormick J I , Rowley H M , Bryson D B
Published: March 2003

Pancreas disease (PD) is a serious disease of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. It was first described in Scotland in 1976 and has subsequently been found in Ireland, Norway and North America. The disease primarily affects Atlantic salmon smolts during their first year at sea and losses can be as high as 50% of the yearly smolt input, but more recently it has become more common in one sea winter fish. Although there have been numerous descriptions of presenting signs or of specific lesions, there has been no complete sequential clinical and histopathological description of the disease. The present study was therefore based on detailed observations on two farms in expectation of typical outbreaks of PD during 1991 and the subsequent evaluation of these findings in the context of a wide range of diagnostic submissions to the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Northern Ireland laboratory from 1992 to 1996. It aims to accurately describe and set diagnostic criteria for this important economic disease of farmed Atlantic salmon.
Pharmacokinetics of oxolinic acid in gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L.
Authors: Rigos G , Alexis M , Tyrpenou A E , Nengas I , Piper I , Troisi G
Published: March 2003

This is the first study on the pharmacokinetic parameters of oxolinic acid (OA) in gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L. The kinetic profile of OA was studied after a single intravascular injection (20 mg kg−1) in 100 g fish at 20 °C. The distribution half‐life (t1/2α) and the elimination half‐life (t1/2β) of the drug were found to be short (0.51 and 12.60 h, respectively). The drug penetration from the plasma to the tissues was adequate as the apparent volume of distribution of the drug at steady‐state (Vd(ss)) was found to be 2.11 L kg−1. The mean residence time (MRT) of OA was short (14.25 h) and the total clearance rate (ClT) of the drug was low (0.15 L kg−1 h−1). The bioavailability (F %) of OA following oral administration (30 mg kg−1) was also low (14%). Maximum values were observed for muscle at 0.5 h after injection, with levels declining as with subsequent sampling. At the first two time points (0.5 and 1 h) plasma levels of OA were higher than muscle, however, the reverse was evident for subsequent samples. Following oral administration, highest muscle levels were found at 16 h and, with the exception of the 24‐h sampling, muscle OA concentrations were higher than plasma at all time points. The fast elimination of OA suggests short withdrawal times with reference to human consumption of treated fish.
Vitamin A deficiency in cystic fibrosis resulting in xerophthalmia
Authors: Campbell D. C. , Tole D. M. , Doran R. M. L. , Conway S. P.
Published: March 2003

We report a case of severe vitamin A deficiency in a patient with cystic fibrosis due to a combination of poor compliance, malabsorption and probable disordered metabolism of vitamin A in the liver. He presented with severe xerophthalmia, clinical resolution of which necessitated intramuscular vitamin A administration.
Reliability of a nutrition screening tool for use in elderly day hospitals
Authors: Mackintosh M. A. , Hankey C. R.
Published: March 2003

Background

There are a plethora of nutrition screening tools (NSTs) in use in a variety of clinical settings that are either unvalidated and/or not client specific. There is a need for an NST for all elderly patients attending community day hospitals. At present such a validated tool is unavailable.

Aims

To assess the reliability and reproducibility of a developed NST; and to identify elderly patients attending day hospitals who have, or are at risk of, poor nutritional status.

Methods

Three day hospitals were selected and 70 admissions were prospectively assessed by Nursing staff and independently by a State Registered Dietitian (SRD) The patients’ nutritional status was anthropometrically assessed using the NST.

Results

The level of agreement between the nurse and the dietitian for each of the levels of the NST and the overall score was either ‘good agreement’ or ‘very good agreement’ as defined by Cohen’s Kappa. Spearman’s Rank Correlation between objective markers of assessment and the Nurse or Dietitian score from the NST were all statistically significant (P=0.42). As an identifier of risk, the NST has low levels of sensitivity, but high levels of specificity.

Conclusion

The Ayrshire NST is a reliable and valid tool which can be used by qualified Nursing staff to assist in screening elderly patients at high risk of poor nutritional status.
What nutritional support literature do hospital nursing staff require?
Authors: Peake H. , Stockely M. , Frost G.
Published: March 2003

Background

Many patients require nutritional intervention to help treat and/or prevent malnutrition. Nursing staff play a key role in identifying malnourished patients. To improve the management of artificial nutritional support, the Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust has produced guidelines. This audit aimed to assess the need and adequacy of these guidelines and to examine any additional information required.

Methods

The dietetic department and nursing practice group developed a questionnaire. A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed by dietitians, 10 copies of the questionnaire to nurses on 26 wards. The completed forms were returned by internal post or collected the dietitian.

Results

The response rate was 29%. All 77 nurses who responded felt there was a need for nutrition literature. Seventy‐three per cent of nurses were aware that the guidelines existed; however, referral to the resource was poor. Requests for additional information encompassed tube feeding and catering information. To provide this information, 84% requested a nutrition tutorial, 81% a preprinted care plan and 96% a ward manual specific to their speciality.

Conclusions

All nurses who were surveyed requested nutrition information. The current guidelines already reflect the requested information, but usage is poor. We aim to improve access and awareness by the hospital intranet, nutrition education and induction programme. The next update will cover gaps identified and additional requirements outside the guidelines remit will be discussed with the nursing practice group.
Family screening is effective in picking up undiagnosed Asian vitamin D deficient subjects
Authors: Iqbal S. J. , Featherstone S. , Kaddam I. M. S. , Mortimer J. , Manning D.
Published: March 2003

Vitamin D deficiency has been described in the Asian migrants to the UK from the early 1960s. In spite of some suggestions that this problem is declining, we continue to see clinical cases of vitamin D deficiency with osteomalacia presenting to hospital. As the aetiology of this condition is associated with social, cultural and dietary factors, we screened associated family members of 18 index cases (three males 15 females, age range 12–73 years) who presented with clinical vitamin D deficiency to hospital. Of the 36 (21 females, 15 males) screened, 67% of these had evidence of vitamin D deficiency as judged by a 25(OH)VitD of < 5 μg L–1 (5–40). Some subjects also had hypocalcaemia (n=2), low PO4 (n=7), raised PTH (n=8) and raised alkaline phosphatase (n=11), indicating severe symptomatic, but unrecognized, vitamin D deficiency. Family screening seems an effective way of identifying Asian subjects with vitamin D deficiency who otherwise remain undiagnosed. A preventative policy with implementation is long overdue for this easily treatable condition.
Probability of assertive behaviour, interpersonal anxiety and self‐efficacy of South African registered dietitians
Authors: Paterson M. , Green J. M. , Basson C. J. , Ross F.
Published: March 2003

Objectives

There is little information on the probability of assertive behaviour, interpersonal anxiety and self‐efficacy in the literature regarding dietitians. The objective of this study was to establish baseline information of these attributes and the factors affecting them.

Method

Questionnaires collecting biographical information and self‐assessment psychometric scales measuring levels of probability of assertiveness, interpersonal anxiety and self‐efficacy were mailed to 350 subjects, who comprised a random sample of dietitians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Results

Forty‐one per cent (n=145) of the sample responded. Self‐assessment inventory results were compared to test levels of probability of assertive behaviour, interpersonal anxiety and self‐efficacy. The inventory results were compared with the biographical findings to establish statistical relationships between the variables. The hypotheses were formulated before data collection.

Conclusion

Dietitians had acceptable levels of probability of assertive behaviour and interpersonal anxiety. The probability of assertive behaviour was significantly lower than the level noted in the literature and was negatively related to interpersonal anxiety and positively related to self‐efficacy.
An investigation into school children's knowledge and awareness of food and nutrition
Authors: Hart K. H. , Bishop J. A. , Truby H.
Published: March 2003

With the diet and exercise behaviours of UK school children showing little improvement over recent years, the need for dietary change is clearly indicated. This study aimed to assess the nutritional knowledge and understanding of primary school children in order to identify the most effective format for future nutrition messages. A qualitative methodology was employed and 114 children, aged 7–11 years, took part in 23 focus groups separated by age, gender and socio‐economic status (SES). Issues discussed included parental food rules, children's perceptions of `good' and `bad' foods, diet–disease links and food groupings.

Across the groups restrictive food rules were most frequently reported whilst between groups gender and SES differences were apparent in relation to parental control over food and children's nutritional knowledge. The limitations of the children's cognitive development could be seen in their conceptualization of food groups, where concrete grouping schemes were frequently used, and in the lack of understanding inherent in their food–health or food–nutrient associations. Taste and preference were confirmed as consistent influences in children's food classification.

Primary school children may be receptive to food based dietary guidelines based on familiar, concrete food classifications. These should be cognitively appropriate and possibly need to be gender specific.
An audit of referrals of children with autistic spectrum disorder to the dietetic service
Authors: Bowers L.
Published: March 2003

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developing area for dietetic referrals. There is little published data on current dietetic practice. Some children with ASD are referred for gluten/casein free diet. The theory is that abnormal metabolites in the urine may be a result of incomplete breakdown of gluten and casein in the gut. There are some published open studies that support the efficiency of such a diet [Knivsberg et al. (1995) Scand. J. Educ. Res.39: 223; Lucarelli et al. (1995) Panminerva Med.37: 137; Whiteley et al. (1999) Int. J. Res. Practice3: 45] and also that there are many anecdotal reports that the diet helps some children.

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to audit the types of referral made to the dietetic service to identify key dietetic issues and to describe factors which may influence outcome/disease management.

Methods

Dietetic records were used to audit the referrals to the dietetic service over a 3‐month period. Seven‐day diet histories were assessed using computer food composition tables and topics of interest recorded against a draft protocol agreed within the profession.

Results

Requests for gluten‐free and casein‐free dietetic advice, and/or the management of food selectivity and dysfunctional feeding behaviour constituted the majority of referrals. In many cases, child's environment was rarely simple.

Conclusions

Despite the limitations of this small study, the findings suggest that the management of these referrals is highly complex. A dietitian's input should ensure that the nutritional adequacy of the diet is maintained or restored.
Relationship between knowledge and claimed compliance with genuine and false nutrition messages
Authors: Main F. A. M. , Wise A.
Published: March 2003

Nutrition education messages about eight different foods, four of them genuine and four false, were set in a Latin square and eight questionnaires were produced and distributed to customers sitting in a cafe. For each message, subjects were asked to score the extent of their agreement and compliance. Scores were adjusted to remove effects of sex, age group and social class. Correlation coefficients between agreement and compliance scores were significant (P < 0.001) for each message. Subjects who had correct knowledge tended towards correct behaviour and those who agreed with misconceptions tended to have incorrect behaviour.
Defining and reporting diarrhoea during enteral tube feeding: do health professionals agree?
Authors: Whelan K. , Judd P. A. , Taylor M. A.
Published: March 2003

Introduction  The criteria used to define diarrhoea during enteral tube feeding (ETF) and the interrater reliability of nursing staff reporting it in clinical practice has not been investigated.

Methods  A structured questionnaire was sent to a cohort of dietitians, specialist stroke nurses, intensive therapy unit (ITU) nurses and consultant gastroenterologists regarding their criteria for defining ETF diarrhoea. In a clinical study, nursing staff independently inspected faeces from patients receiving ETF and were asked whether they considered the patient to have diarrhoea.

Results  Thirty‐five healthcare workers responded to the questionnaire. Faecal frequency, faecal consistency and faecal quantity were all considered important criteria in defining ETF diarrhoea. Faecal frequency was considered more important than consistency and quantity (P = 0.048), although not all professional groups agreed on the order of importance. In the clinical study, nursing staff agreed on the presence or absence of diarrhoea on 75% of occasions, with agreement being only fairly reliable (κ = 0.48).

Conclusion  Healthcare workers use a range of criteria to define ETF diarrhoea, but may not agree on the importance of each criteria. In order to prevent confusion between professional groups, healthcare workers should be encouraged to describe faecal characteristics rather than rely on the term ‘diarrhoea’.
Staff:staff and staff:client reliability of the Schalock & Keith (1993) Quality of Life Questionnaire
Authors: Rapley M. , Ridgway J. , Beyer S.
Published: March 2003

A small‐scale study of the inter‐rater and staff:client reliability of the Schalock & Keith (1993) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL‐Q) was conducted. Whilst the sample size was small and the QOL‐Q achieved an acceptable overall level of reliability, the study replicated the pattern of low staff:client concordance and staff overestimation of the independence and autonomy of clients reported by Reiter & Bendov (1996). The results are briefly discussed in the context of the ongoing debate about the utility of proxy response in the literature.
The development of a self‐report measure to assess the location and intensity of pain in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Bromley J. , Emerson E. , Caine A.
Published: March 2003

The performance of a target group of 20 people with intellectual disability (ID) and a comparison group of 20 people who did not have ID was investigated on a series of tasks involving the judgement of the location of pain (on a bodymap) and the intensity of pain (on an analogue colour scale) in response to a series of photographs of simulated painful experiences. The results of the study indicated that: (1) there were no differences between the target and comparison groups in judging pain location for 93% of test items; (2) the performance of the target group in judging pain location was stable over time; (3) people with ID rated the pain images as more intense than the comparison group on all the ‘mild’ pain stimuli and 36% of the ‘severe’ pain stimuli; (4) the performance of the target group in judging pain intensity was logically consistent for 65% of comparisons (clear trends towards significance being apparent for a further 10% of items); (5) the performance of the target group in judging pain intensity was stable over time; and (6) the performance of the target group was unrelated to indicators of cognitive ability.