bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conformation-induced self-assembly of rubrene on Au(111) surface
Authors: Wang Li , Kong Huihui , Chen Xiu , Du Xinli , Chen Feng , Liu Xiaoqing , Wang Hongming
Published: August 2009

Large -area well-ordered monolayer of rubrene has been fabricated on Au(111) surface by gradually annealing a multilayer of rubrene in vacuum. Scanning tunneling microscopy clearly demonstrates that the rubrene monolayer experiences a disorder-order transition with increase of the annealing temperature and the molecules form dimer rows with opposite directions for two neighbored rows. The π-π and π-H interactions between the molecules induced by conformation of the molecules in monolayer account for the main driving forces to form this kind of ordered layer.
Gate tunable photoconductivity of p-channel Se nanowire field effect transistors
Authors: Liao Zhi-Min , Hou Chong , Zhao Qing , Liu Li-Ping , Yu Da-Peng
Published: August 2009

We have investigated the photoelectrical properties of p-type selenium nanowire field effect transistors. The hole concentrations are estimated to be 4.1×1017 and 2.5×1018 cm−3 for the device under dark and illumination, respectively. The photoelectrical on/off ratio can be tunable from 4 to 160 as the gate voltage decreases from 20 to −20 V.
Optical and electron beam studies of carrier transport in quasibulk GaN
Authors: Lin Y. , Flitsyian E. , Chernyak L. , Malinauskas T. , Aleksiejunas R. , Jarasiunas K. , Lim W. , Pearton S. J. , Gartsman K.
Published: August 2009

Variable temperature light-induced transient grating technique combined with electron beam-induced current measurements in situ in a scanning electron microscope were employed for carrier transport studies in quasibulk hydride-vapor phase epitaxy grown undoped GaN layers. Diffusion length of carriers independently determined from both techniques was found to increase with temperature in the range from 70 to 400 K. This increase was attributed to the temperature-induced growth of carrier lifetime, as was confirmed by light-induced transient grating measurements below 300 K and by cathodoluminescence above room temperature.
Hydrogen desorption from 6H-SiC(0001) surfaces during graphitization
Authors: Aoki Yuki , Hirayama Hiroyuki
Published: August 2009

Desorption of hydrogen from 6H-SiC(0001) has been systematically studied during graphitization. The surface structure was controlled by thermal desorption of silicon at high temperatures in an ultrahigh vacuum and was characterized by low energy diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy. The temperature of the dominant peak in the hydrogen desorption spectrum was found to shift from 670 to 490 K between 3×3 and 3×3R30° reconstructions. The shift can be assigned to a change of the adsorption sites from silicon to carbon.
Determining the effect of stocking rate on the spatial distribution of cattle for the subtropical savannas
Authors: Tomkins N. W. , O'Reagain P. J. , Swain D. , Bishop-Hurley G. , Charmley E.
Published: August 2009

With the commercial development of the global positioning system (GPS), it is now possible to monitor the distribution of free ranging cattle and derive measures to describe landscape use. Animal GPS data can be integrated with a geographic information system (GIS) detailing topography, vegetation, soil type and other landscape features. Combining GPS and GIS information is useful for understanding how animals respond to spatial variability. This study quantified land-type preferences for Brahman cross steers over three time periods, from October 2004 to March 2006 in a replicated trial, under heavy (4 ha/AE; animal equivalent of ~450 kg steer) and light (8 ha/AE) stocking in four, ~105 ha paddocks of subtropical semi-arid savanna near Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. The grazing trail was conducted at a scale much less than would be found in commercial situations. Consequently, the spatial pattern of cattle reported here may not represent what occurs at a commercial scale and implications are discussed. Results were analysed in terms of the spatial distribution of steers fitted with GPS devices in each of the four paddocks and for each stocking rate to provide insight into cattle distribution and land-type preferences. Steers walked in excess of 6 km per day, regardless of stocking rate, and exhibited diurnal patterns of movement, with peak activity around dawn (0500–0700 hours) and dusk (1800–2000 hours). The spatial distribution of the collared steers was not uniform and appeared to be strongly influenced by the prevailing drought conditions and location of water points within each paddock. A hierarchy of drivers for distribution was identified. With the exception of drinking water location, land subtype based on soil-vegetation associations influenced animal distribution. Preference indices (ŵi) indicated that steers selected sites associated with heavy clay and texture contrast soils dominated by Eucalyptus coolabah Blakely & Jacobs (ŵi = 5.33) and Eucalyptus brownii Maiden & Cambage (ŵi = 3.27), respectively, and avoiding Eucalyptus melanophloia F.Muell. ridges (ŵi = 0.26) and Eucalyptus cambageana Maiden (ŵi = 0.12) on sodosols. The results suggest that spatial variation in cattle distribution within a paddock may be more critical than overall stocking rate in influencing the pattern of biomass utilisation. However, to quantifying the effects of different grazing land management practices on animal distribution on a commercial scale, additional studies in extensive paddocks are required.
Improvement of yield and botanical composition in meadows: effects of N fertilisation, irrigation on locations having different water table levels
Authors: Comakli Binali , Haliloglu Kamil , Dasci Mahmut , Mentese Omer
Published: August 2009

Meadows dominated by native herbaceous species and having a high water table are an important source of feed for livestock in semi-arid regions of Turkey. This research investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilisation (ammonium sulfate) on two meadows having different water table levels and different soils. Dry matter production was 8868 kg ha–1 at location 1 and 7276 kg ha–1 at location 2. The application of 225 kg N ha–1 increased the crude protein content of the forage from 7.1 to 10.8%. A level of 150 kg ha–1 (CP 9.6%) is recommended as a result of this study. Crude protein yield increased from 303 to 1113 kg ha–1 with the highest rate of nitrogen application. The percentage of grasses in the forage averaged 92.5% and the weeds averaged 7.5%. Increasing nitrogen fertilisation resulted in an increase in the grass percentage and a decrease in the proportion of weeds. The differences in water table depth between location 1 and location 2 were not consistent between the years, and these differences influenced the irrigation applications which were applied according to soil moisture criteria.
Sharing Skippy: how can landholders be involved in kangaroo production in Australia?
Authors: Cooney Rosie , Baumber Alex , Ampt Peter , Wilson George
Published: August 2009

For 2 decades, calls for Australian rangeland landholders to expand their reliance on the abundant species of native kangaroos and decrease their reliance on introduced stock have been made. These calls have received recent impetus from the challenge of climate change. Arguments for landholder involvement in kangaroo production include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, better management of total grazing pressure, reduced land degradation, improved vegetation and biodiversity outcomes, and greater valuation of kangaroos by landholders. However, there is little understanding of how landholders could be involved in kangaroo harvest and production, and there is a widespread misconception that this would include domestication, fencing, mustering and trucking. This paper reviews the options for landholder involvement in managing and harvesting wild kangaroos, and assesses the possible benefits and feasibility of such options. We conclude that collaboration among landholders, as well as between landholders and harvesters, forms the basis of any preferred option, and set out a proposed operating model based on the formation of a kangaroo management, processing and marketing co-operative.
The influence of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) on biodiversity in an arid Australian landscape
Authors: Smyth A. , Friedel M. , O'Malley C.
Published: August 2009

Buffel grass [Cenchrus ciliaris L. syn. Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link] is an exotic species that has been widely planted in Australian arid and semi-arid grazing lands, and has become an important resource for livestock. It establishes readily and has expanded into such a diversity of land types beyond grazing lands that it is also regarded as a serious environmental weed. Although there is an abundance of literature on the production benefits of buffel grass, there is relatively little about its influence on native flora and fauna in arid Australia, particularly when its cover levels are low.
This study attempted to clarify the influence of buffel grass and environmental patterns on the occurrence of ground vegetation, birds, reptiles and ants in a gneissic hill habitat in central Australia where buffel grass has encroached. Despite poor conditions for growth, we were able to distinguish the influence of buffel grass from that of other variables like overstorey cover, soil pH, fire and transect orientation. Cover of buffel grass did not exceed ~20% but it still accounted for a small amount of the variation in the composition of ground vegetation and birds, and of the ‘ground-dwelling’ bird guild and the ‘hot climate specialist’ functional group of ants. There were insufficient reptiles for analysis.
We conclude that, even when cover is low, buffel grass can have a detectable influence on some aspects of community dynamics. Given the evidence from published literature and from this study, we expect the influence of buffel grass on the diversity of native flora and fauna to increase, particularly if buffel grass expands into land types previously thought unsuited to its environmental needs.
Buffel grass in Queensland's semi-arid woodlands: response to local and landscape scale variables, and relationship with grass, forb and reptile species
Authors: Eyre Teresa J. , Wang Jian , Venz Melanie F. , Chilcott Chris , Whish Giselle
Published: August 2009

Buffel grass [Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link] has been widely introduced in the Australian rangelands as a consequence of its value for productive grazing, but tends to competitively establish in non-target areas such as remnant vegetation. In this study, we examined the influence landscape-scale and local-scale variables had upon the distribution of buffel grass in remnant poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea F.Muell.) dominant woodland fragments in the Brigalow Bioregion, Queensland. Buffel grass and variables thought to influence its distribution in the region were measured at 60 sites, which were selected based on the amount of native woodland retained in the landscape and patch size. An information-theoretic modelling approach and hierarchical partitioning revealed that the most influential variable was the percent of retained vegetation within a 1-km spatial extent. From this, we identified a critical threshold of ~30% retained vegetation in the landscape, above which the model predicted buffel grass was not likely to occur in a woodland fragment. Other explanatory variables in the model were site based, and included litter cover and long-term rainfall. Given the paucity of information on the effect of buffel grass upon biodiversity values, we undertook exploratory analyses to determine whether buffel grass cover influenced the distribution of grass, forb and reptile species. We detected some trends; hierarchical partitioning revealed that buffel grass cover was the most important explanatory variable describing habitat preferences of four reptile species. However, establishing causal links – particularly between native grass and forb species and buffel grass – was problematic owing to possible confounding with grazing pressure. We conclude with a set of management recommendations aimed at reducing the spread of buffel grass into remnant woodlands.
The impact of heat waves on the elderly living in Australia: how should a heat health warning system be developed to protect them?
Authors: van Iersel Renate , Bi Peng
Published: August 2009

Heat waves with extreme temperatures are increasingly being recognised as an important public health problem, together with a need to develop appropriate public health interventions. Although heat waves cannot be prevented, their harmful health consequences can be reduced by the development and implementation of early warning systems that target vulnerable regions and populations. This is particularly important for Australian society, given its ageing population structure and vulnerable characteristics of ageing people. It is crucial that a heat health warning system (HHWS) for an ageing population be based on accurate information about the location of vulnerable people, their access to communication technology, the facilities available to them and their ability to respond effectively to a HHWS. This accurate information is critical for the development and implementation of such a system. More importantly, the right stakeholders should be identified, and public’s perception and knowledge about heat waves should be evaluated.
Effects of grazing intensity, soil variables, and topography on vegetation diversity in the subalpine meadows of the Zhongtiao Mountains, China
Authors: Zhang Jin-Tun , Dong Yiru
Published: August 2009

Montane meadows in the Zhongtiao Mountains (located at 111°15′–112°37′E, 34°36′–35°53′N) of North China are important for local animal husbandry and the provision of ecosystem services. However, owing to poor management, serious degradation has occurred on these subalpine meadows. The aim of this paper is to present a quantitative analysis of effects of stocking rate, grazing intensity, soil and topography on the status and diversity of montane meadow communities and to provide direction for improved management. Three regions in the Zhongtiao Mountain meadows were selected for monitoring the impacts of stocking rates and different grazing intensities on the meadow plant communities. Forty-one plots of 10 × 10 m and quadrats of 1 × 1 m in each plot were set up to collect data on site characteristics and vegetation status in the three regions. The relationships between community composition and structure, species diversity, and grazing intensity, soil and topographic variables were analysed by multivariate methods (TWINSPAN, DCA and CCA). The results showed that nine meadow communities were identified by TWINSPAN. The first DCA and CCA axis identified a grazing intensity gradient, which illustrated that grazing intensity was an important factor influencing meadow types, composition and structure. Soil and topographic variables were also important to meadow vegetation, although most soil variables were sensitive to grazing intensity. Species richness, diversity and evenness were closely related to grazing intensity. It is concluded that grazing intensity and grazing method must be changed from the current heavy continuous grazing to rotational grazing to enable grassland rehabilitation to occur in the meadows of the Zhongtiao Mountains.
The impact of individual Callitris glaucophylla (white cypress pine) trees on agricultural soils and pastures of the north-western slopes of NSW, Australia
Authors: McHenry Melinda T. , Wilson Brian R. , Lockwood Peter V. , Guppy Christopher N. , Sindel Brian M. , Tighe Matthew K. , Growns Ivor O. , Lemon John M.
Published: August 2009

Woody vegetation thickening occurs in agri-ecosystems worldwide, often with negative consequences for production. Dense Callitris glaucophylla (Joy Thomps. & L.A.S. Johnson) stands affect landscapes across NW NSW, Australia, and strategies to reduce tree density to levels which maintain biodiversity values alongside agricultural production are currently being sought. We investigated soil chemical and groundcover patterns associated with individual small and large C. glaucophylla trees at six sites of variable management history and lithology in NW NSW, Australia. We posed two questions: (1) do individual C. glaucophylla trees impose patterns on soil and groundcover (soil extractable P, C, N, S and pH, litter biomass, litter P and pasture cover), and, (2) if patterns exist, do they differ between tree sizes?
Results showed that extractable P, C and pH decreased away from trees of both sizes, but significantly higher values were recorded adjacent to the stem of large trees. Litter biomass exhibited a strong site-related trend independent of soil variables. Positive correlations between litter and soil variables existed for some sites and not others, indicative of processes such as grazing which contribute to the transport of litter away from the tree. Irrespective of tree size ground-storey vegetation cover increased significantly away from the stem, presumably as a consequence of competition for soil water.
Further results indicated that single C. glaucophylla trees enrich soils in patterns analogous to other species in similar environments worldwide. However, localised soil improvements must be weighed up against the negative effects of decreased groundcover associated with trees, and the potential for the species to re-seed prolifically into managed paddocks. Future research will discern the impact of individual C. glaucophylla trees at higher densities, where soil patterning may be modified by intense within-stand competition.
What drives plant biodiversity in the clay floodplain grasslands of NSW?
Authors: Lewis Tom , Clarke Peter J. , Whalley Ralph D. B. , Reid Nick
Published: August 2009

An assessment of the relative influences of management and environment on the composition of floodplain grasslands of north-western New South Wales was made using a regional vegetation survey sampling a range of land tenures (e.g. private property, travelling stock routes and nature reserves). A total of 364 taxa belonging to 55 different plant families was recorded. Partitioning of variance with redundancy analysis determined that environmental variables accounted for a greater proportion (61.3%) of the explained variance in species composition than disturbance-related variables (37.6%). Soil type (and fertility), sampling time and rainfall had a strong influence on species composition and there were also east–west variations in composition across the region. Of the disturbance-related variables, cultivation, stocking rate and flooding frequency were all influential. Total, native, forb, shrub and subshrub richness were positively correlated with increasing time since cultivation. Flood frequency was positively correlated with graminoid species richness and was negatively correlated with total and forb species richness. Site species richness was also influenced by environmental variables (e.g. soil type and rainfall). Despite the resilience of these grasslands, some forms of severe disturbance (e.g. several years of cultivation) can result in removal of some dominant perennial grasses (e.g. Astrebla spp.) and an increase in disturbance specialists. A simple heuristic transitional model is proposed that has conceptual thresholds for plant biodiversity status. This knowledge representation may be used to assist in the management of these grasslands by defining four broad levels of community richness and the drivers that change this status.
Foliar sclereids in tea and its wild allies, with reference to their taxonomy
Authors: Zhang Wei , Hu Yuxi , Li Zhenyu , Wang Pingsheng , Xu Mei
Published: August 2009

Camellia sinensis (L.) O.Kuntze and most of its wild allies are used for tea throughout China and in many other parts of the world. Although they all belong to Camellia section Thea, their infrasectional classification remains controversial, resulting from heavy reliance on macromorphological features. Furthermore, the identification of tea from the fragments of processed leaves is quite difficult because of the lack of reliable characters. Here, foliar sclereids of 28 species and five varieties were investigated and used to explore their utility in addressing taxonomic problems and identification of commercial teas. Our data showed that foliar sclereids exhibit a wide diversity in this section. They could be divided into 12 types (including a newly recorded dendritic type) and two distribution patterns in the leaf blade. Their forms, type combinations and distribution patterns are reliable features, not particularly influenced by environmental factors, although their distribution density sometimes varies. In addition, they appear constant in individuals of different ages within the same wild population. We conclude that foliar sclereids in the section Thea are relatively stable and their diversity and regularity are of some taxonomic value.
The phylogeny, biogeography and morphological evolution of Gaultheria (Ericaceae) from Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Bush Catherine M. , Wagstaff Steven J. , Fritsch Peter W. , Kron Kathleen A.
Published: August 2009

Phylogenetic relationships within Gaultheria L. from Australia and New Zealand were examined by using DNA sequence data from matK, ndhF, nrITS, waxy and lfy. In the combined parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses, all Australia/New Zealand species form a clade that is sister to a clade of temperate South American species. Optimisation of morphological characters that have been emphasised in classifications of Gaultheria onto the molecular phylogeny revealed that, within the Australia/New Zealand clade, non-fleshy fruiting calyces, berries and solitary-flowered inflorescences each evolved twice, from fleshy fruiting calyces, capsules and multiple-flowered inflorescences, respectively. A historical biogeographical analysis that included the temperate southern hemisphere element in Gaultheria supports a South American origin of the Australia/New Zealand clade, followed by three dispersal events from New Zealand to Australia. Whether the origin is from temperate or tropical South America is ambiguous in our analysis.
A taxonomic revision of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae)
Authors: McDonald M. W. , Brooker M. I. H. , Butcher P. A.
Published: August 2009

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. has one of the widest natural distributions of any Australian tree species. It is represented in most climatic zones and the majority of river systems across Australia. Numerous studies have documented morphological and genotypic variation among populations from across its range. Its adaptation to a wide range of environments has contributed to it becoming one of the most widely cultivated eucalypts across a range of arid, temperate and tropical countries. A recent range-wide study of E. camaldulensis with microsatellite markers concluded that its patterns of genetic variation were consistent with it comprising seven infraspecific taxa. As foreshadowed in that study, here we describe these taxa, viz. subsp. acuta, subsp. arida, subsp. camaldulensis, subsp. minima, subsp. obtusa, subsp. refulgens and subsp. simulata. A key to subspecies is presented, with each subspecies being illustrated and the main differences tabulated. Operculum shape, the arrangement of stamens in the bud and the reticulation density of adult leaves are some of the main characters distinguishing taxa. Clustering patterns from further analyses of the microsatellite data were consistent with morphological affinities among subspecies. Typification issues and lignotuber status are among topics discussed.
Positron emission tomography imaging of drug-induced tumor apoptosis with a caspase-3/7 specific [
18
F]-labeled isatin sulfonamide
Authors: Nguyen Quang-Dé , Smith Graham , Glaser Matthias , Perumal Meg , Årstad Erik , Aboagye Eric O.
Published: September 2009

Of the molecular biochemical alterations that occur during apoptosis, activation of caspases, notably caspase-3, is probably the most attractive for developing specific in vivo molecular imaging probes. We recently designed a library of isatin-5 sulfonamides and selected [
18
F]ICMT-11 for further evaluation on the basis of subnanomolar affinity for activated capsase-3, high metabolic stability, and facile radiolabeling. In this present study, we have demonstrated that [
18
F]ICMT-11 binds to a range of drug-induced apoptotic cancer cells in vitro and to 38C13 murine lymphoma xenografts in vivo by up to 2-fold at 24 h posttreatment compared to vehicle treatment. We further demonstrated that the increased signal intensity in tumors after drug treatment, detected by whole body in vivo microPET imaging, was associated with increased apoptosis. In summary, we have characterized [
18
F]ICMT-11 as a caspase-3/7 specific PET imaging radiotracer for the assessment of tumor apoptosis that could find utility in anticancer drug development and the monitoring of early responses to therapy.
Ajit Varki: On the origin of maladies
Authors: Maxmen Amy
Published: August 2009

Some say language makes us human, others say it's art or free will. Ajit Varki points out how our diseases set us apart from the apes.
Prolonged calcium influx after termination of light-induced calcium release in invertebrate photoreceptors
Authors: del Pilar Gomez Maria , Nasi Enrico
Published: August 2009

In microvillar photoreceptors, light stimulates the phospholipase C cascade and triggers an elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ that is essential for the regulation of both visual excitation and sensory adaptation. In some organisms, influx through light-activated ion channels contributes to the Ca2+ increase. In contrast, in other species, such as Lima, Ca2+ is initially only released from an intracellular pool, as the light-sensitive conductance is negligibly permeable to calcium ions. As a consequence, coping with sustained stimulation poses a challenge, requiring an alternative pathway for further calcium mobilization. We observed that after bright or prolonged illumination, the receptor potential of Lima photoreceptors is followed by the gradual development of an after-depolarization that decays in 1–4 minutes. Under voltage clamp, a graded, slow inward current (Islow) can be reproducibly elicited by flashes that saturate the photocurrent, and can reach a peak amplitude in excess of 200 pA. Islow obtains after replacing extracellular Na+ with Li+, guanidinium, or N-methyl-d-glucamine, indicating that it does not reflect the activation of an electrogenic Na/Ca exchange mechanism. An increase in membrane conductance accompanies the slow current. Islow is impervious to anion replacements and can be measured with extracellular Ca2+ as the sole permeant species; Ba can substitute for Ca2+ but Mg2+ cannot. A persistent Ca2+ elevation parallels Islow, when no further internal release takes place. Thus, this slow current could contribute to sustained Ca2+ mobilization and the concomitant regulation of the phototransduction machinery. Although reminiscent of the classical store depletion–operated calcium influx described in other cells, Islow appears to diverge in some significant aspects, such as its large size and insensitivity to SKF96365 and lanthanum; therefore, it may reflect an alternative mechanism for prolonged increase of cytosolic calcium in photoreceptors.
Reproducibility of the Surveillance Effect to Decrease Nosocomial Infection Rates
Authors: Gastmeier P. , Schwab F. , Sohr D. , Behnke M. , Geffers C.
Published: August 2009

Objective.

To investigate whether the reduction effect due to participation in a nosocomial infection surveillance system for laboratory-confirmed central venous catheter (CVC)-associated primary bloodstream infection (BSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and surgical site infection (SSI) is reproducible for different time periods, independent of confounding factors that might occur during a specific time period.

Methods.

Data from the German national nosocomial infection surveillance system from the period January 1997 through June 2008 were used. CVC-associated BSI data and SSI data were analyzed for 3 starting periods, and VAP data were analyzed for 2 starting periods. Monthly infection rates were calculated for the following 36 months, and relative risks comparing the first and third surveillance years of each period were calculated.

Results.

A total of 2,399 CVC-associated BSI cases from 267 intensive care units, 3,637 VAP cases from 150 intensive care units, and 829 SSIs following 3 different procedures from 113 departments were analyzed. A significant reduction in VAP was shown for both starting periods investigated (overall relative risk [RR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.74-0.86]). A significant reduction in CVC-associated BSI was demonstrated for 2 of 3 starting periods (overall RR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75-0.91]). A significant reduction in SSI was found for 2 starting periods for knee prosthesis insertion (overall RR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.38-0.82]), for all of the 3 starting periods for cesarean delivery (overall RR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.61-0.93]), and for none of the 3 starting periods for endoscopically performed cholecystectomy (overall RR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.62-1.27]).

Conclusions.

The surveillance effect, manifest as a significant reduction of nosocomial infection rates between the first and third years of participation in a surveillance system, was observed independently from the calendar year in which the surveillance activities started.
Effects of Preoperative Skin Preparation on Postoperative Wound Infection Rates A Prospective Study of 3 Skin Preparation Protocols
Authors: Swenson Brian R. , Hedrick Traci L. , Metzger Rosemarie , Bonatti Hugo , Pruett Timothy L. , Sawyer Robert G.
Published: September 2009

Objective.

To compare the effects of different skin preparation solutions on surgical-site infection rates.

Design.

Three skin preparations were compared by means of a sequential implementation Design. Each agent was adopted as the preferred modality for a 6-month period for all general surgery cases. Period 1 used a povidone-iodine scrub-paint combination (Betadine) with an isopropyl alcohol application between these steps, period 2 used 2% Chlorhexidine and 70% isopropyl alcohol (ChloraPrep), and period 3 used iodine povacrylex in isopropyl alcohol (DuraPrep). Surgical-site infections were tracked for 30 days as part of ongoing data collection for the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project initiative. The primary outcome was the overall rate of surgical-site infection by 6-month period performed in an intent-to-treat manner.

Setting.

Single large academic medical center.

Patients.

All adult general surgery patients.

Results.

The study comprised 3,209 operations. The lowest infection rate was seen in period 3, with iodine povacrylex in isopropyl alcohol as the preferred preparation method (3.9%, compared with 6.4% for period 1 and 7.1% for period 2;P= .002). In subgroup analysis, no difference in outcomes was seen between patients prepared with povidone-iodine scrub-paint and those prepared with iodine povacrylex in isopropyl alcohol, but patients in both these groups had significantly lower surgical-site infection rates, compared with rates for patients prepared with 2% Chlorhexidine and 70% isopropyl alcohol (4.8% vs 8.2%;P= .001).

Conclusions.

Skin preparation solution is an important factor in the prevention of surgical-site infections. Iodophor-based compounds may be superior to Chlorhexidine for this purpose in general surgery patients.
Integron Class 1 Reservoir among Highly Resistant Gram-Negative Microorganisms Recovered at a Dutch Teaching Hospital
Authors: Mooij Marlies J. , Willemsen Ina , Lobbrecht Marihe , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina , Kluytmans Jan , Savelkoul Paul H. M.
Published: August 2009

Integrons play an important role in the dissemination of resistance genes among bacteria. Nearly 70% of highly resistant gram-negative bacteria isolated at a tertiary care hospital harbored an integron. Epidemiologic analysis suggests that horizontal gene transfer is an important mechanism of resistance spread and has a greater contribution than cross-transmission to levels of resistance in settings where highly resistant gram-negative bacteria are endemic.
The blocks of the Brauer algebra in characteristic zero
Authors: Cox Anton , De Visscher Maud , Martin Paul
Published: August 2009

We determine the blocks of the Brauer algebra in characteristic zero. We also give information on the submodule structure of standard modules for this algebra.
Sediment–biota interactions and mapping marine habitats: an Introduction
Authors: Noji Thomas , Rumohr Heye , Smith Stephen J.
Published: August 2009

Noji, T., Rumohr, H., and Smith, S. J. 2009. Sediment–biota interactions and mapping marine habitats: an Introduction. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 2012.
Rehabilitation Management of Neuromuscular Disease: The Role of Exercise Training
Authors: Abresch R Ted , Han Jay J , Carter Gregory T
Published: August 2009

This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding exercise and neuromuscular diseases/disorders (NMDs) and reviews salient studies in the literature. Unfortunately, there is inadequate evidence in much of the NMDs to make specific recommendations regarding exercise prescriptions. This review focuses on the role of exercise in a few of the specific NMDs where most research has taken place and recommends future research directions.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome after Vaccination in United States: Data From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (1990-2005)
Authors: Souayah Nizar , Nasar Abu , Suri M Fareed K , Qureshi Adnan I
Published: August 2009

Background:

There are isolated reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after receiving vaccination.

Objective:

To determine the rates and characteristics of GBS after administration of vaccination in United States

Methods:

We used data for 1990 to 2005 from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is a cooperative program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration.

Results:

There were 1000 cases (mean age, 47 years) of GBS reported after vaccination in the United States between 1990 and 2005. The onset of GBS was within 6 weeks in 774 cases, >6 weeks in 101, and unknown in 125. Death and disability after the event occurred in 32 (3.2%) and 167 (16.7%) subjects, respectively. The highest number (n = 632) of GBS cases was observed in subjects receiving influenza vaccine followed by hepatitis B vaccine (n = 94). Other vaccines or combinations of vaccines were associated with 274 cases of GBS. The incidence of GBS after influenza vaccination was marginally higher in subjects <65 years compared with those ≥65 years (P = 0.09); for hepatitis vaccine, the incidence was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the <65 group. Death was more frequent in subjects ≥65 years compared with those <65 years (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that vaccines other than influenza vaccine can be associated with GBS. Vaccination-related GBS results in death or disability in one fifth of affected individuals, which is comparable to the reported rates in the general GBS population.
A Systematic Review of Anti-inflammatories for Mild to Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Hamamoto Filho Pedro Tadao , Leite Fabio Vicente , Ruiz Tania , de Lima Resende Luiz Antonio
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory drugs in the medium- and long-term management of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild and moderate cases of CTS. There were included only randomized, double-blind clinical trials. Six publications referring to five trials were included in the review. No study on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs met our inclusion criteria. Although neurophysiological studies have not shown great differences resulting from the application of corticosteroids, the symptomatic benefit provided by such drugs is clear. In the short term, local infiltration provides better results than systemic administration of corticosteroids. Over a 1-year period, however, this difference does not persist. Further double-blind randomized trials evaluating therapeutic efficacy for a longer follow-up period are required to provide stronger evidence for both steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
Congestive Heart Failure With Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure in a Manifesting Female Carrier of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy With Duplication of Dystrophin Gene
Authors: Tunteeratum Atchara , Witoonpanich Rawiphan , Phudhichareonrat Suchart , Eu-ahsunthornwattana Jakris , Pingsuthiwong Sarinee , Srichan Kanoknan , Sura Thanyachai
Published: August 2009

We report a 69-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea, orthopnea, and acute renal failure. She also had proximal muscle weakness suggestive of muscle disease. Her symptoms were alleviated by induced dieresis, although there was high-serum creatine kinase. Investigations for any possible etiologies of rhabdomyolysis were all negative. An X-linked recessive muscle disease was highly suspicious in view of the fact that both of her sons had suffered from muscle disease and died of respiratory failure at the ages of 22 and 29, respectively. Her muscle biopsy showed mosaic pattern with dystrophin antibody against amino-terminal, carboxy-terminal, and rod domain. Her DNA study revealed heterozygous duplication at exon 1 to 6 of the dystrophin gene as well. Therefore, she is a manifesting carrier of dystrophinopathy who was first diagnosed in late adulthood with congestive heart failure, acute episode of spontaneous rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure.
Electrodiagnostic Findings in a Patient With Waardenburg Syndrome
Authors: Ahmed Aiesha , Simmons Zachary
Published: August 2009

Waardenburg syndrome is associated with a variety of clinical features, which may include polyneuropathy. We describe a patient with Waardenburg syndrome type 2 and provide detailed electrodiagnostic findings, thus complementing the biopsy data and brief descriptions of nerve conduction studies found in the literature.
Radial Nerve Palsy in Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Scherer Katalin
Published: August 2009

The risk of focal compression neuropathy in the setting of an underlying inflammatory polyneuropathy is unknown. A man developed ascending weakness and severe sensory ataxia and could not walk. Electromyography was diagnostic of Guillain-Barré syndrome. He improved with gammaglobulin and was released home 1 month later. Shortly after discharge, he developed severe left arm pain followed by wrist and finger drop. He was readmitted for another round of gamma-globulin without improvement. Subsequent electromyography showed severe radial neuropathy. Only then did he disclose that he usually slept with his wife's head on his arm at home. Two years later, he had recovered from Guillain-Barré syndrome with minimal gait imbalance, but wrist and finger extension remained weak. Reduced awareness of warning paresthesias coupled with the underlying polyneuropathy may account for this case of severe radial nerve compression. Potential mechanisms underlying increased nerve susceptibility to compression in the setting of polyneuropathy are reviewed.
Neurosarcoidosis Presenting as Guillain-Barré-Like Syndrome. A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Fahoum Firas , Drory Vivian E , Issakov Josephine , Neufeld Miri Y
Published: August 2009

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease that can affect the nervous system. Cranial neuropathies are the most frequent presentation of neurosarcoidosis. Involvement of the peripheral nervous system is less common. The presentation is usually subacute or chronic sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, whereas acute polyradiculopathy is extremely rare. We report a case of Guillain-Barré-like syndrome probably secondary to sarcoidosis. A review of the literature revealed 9 similar cases. The possibility of a Guillain-Barré-like syndrome as a presenting symptom of sarcoidosis should be considered, especially in patients with atypical features such as cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis.
Novel SPG3A and SPG4 Mutations in Two Patients With Silver Syndrome
Authors: Salameh Johnny S , Shenoy Anant M , David William S
Published: August 2009

Hereditary spastic paraplegia encompasses a group of disorders that are characterized by progressive lower extremity weakness and spasticity. We describe two patients with Silver phenotype including one with a novel SPG4 (Spastin) mutation and a second with a known SPG 4 mutation (previously unassociated with this phenotype) and a concomitant previously unreported mutation in SPG3A (Atlastin). These cases suggest that Silver syndrome may be associated with a wider variety of genotypes than previously described.
Microvasculitis in Diabetic Lumbosacral Radiculoplexus Neuropathy
Authors: Tracy Jennifer A , Engelstad JaNean K , Dyck P James B
Published: August 2009

We present a case of a 60-year-old man with mild type 2 diabetes mellitus and step-wise progression of bilateral lower limb weakness, numbness, and pain over a 1-year period. At the time of evaluation, he used a walker. He had elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein, abnormal cooling and heat-pain thresholds on quantitative sensory testing, and nerve conduction studies/electromyography consistent with bilateral lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathies. Because it was not clear whether the disease was still active, a right superficial peroneal nerve biopsy was performed and showed evidence of active axonal degeneration, ischemic injury, and microvasculitis. On the basis of these results, the patient was diagnosed with diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy and was treated with weekly intravenous methylprednisolone with marked improvement of neurologic symptoms and signs. This case illustrates the typical clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic features of diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy and the utility of nerve biopsy to judge ongoing disease activity.
What's in the Literature?
Authors: Simmons Zachary
Published: August 2009

This issue's literature review uncovered an excellent recent article summarizing the epidemiology and outcome in myasthenic crisis as derived from a database of more than 1000 community hospitals nationwide. Large series such as this are extremely useful in broadening our perspective of neuromuscular diseases, most of which are uncommon. In the realm of muscle disease, there is some interesting information on classification of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies and a study that offers a glimmer of hope for treatment of inclusion body myositis. The treatment of acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies is featured in several articles, which should prove to be of substantial interest to most clinicians. Other articles on peripheral neuropathies feature discussions of diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain, a subject many of us encounter on a daily basis. The increasingly complex realm of hereditary spastic paraplegia is addressed in several articles. Finally, motor neuron diseases once again feature prominently in the literature, primarily with attention to epidemiology, genetics, and prognosis.
Evolution and spectral tuning of visual pigments in birds and mammals
Authors: Hunt David M. , Carvalho Livia S. , Cowing Jill A. , Davies Wayne L.
Published: August 2009

Variation in the types and spectral characteristics of visual pigments is a common mechanism for the adaptation of the vertebrate visual system to prevailing light conditions. The extent of this diversity in mammals and birds is discussed in detail in this review, alongside an in-depth consideration of the molecular changes involved. In mammals, a nocturnal stage in early evolution is thought to underlie the reduction in the number of classes of cone visual pigment genes from four to only two, with the secondary loss of one of these genes in many monochromatic nocturnal and marine species. The trichromacy seen in many primates arises from either a polymorphism or duplication of one of these genes. In contrast, birds have retained the four ancestral cone visual pigment genes, with a generally conserved expression in either single or double cone classes. The loss of sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a feature of both mammalian and avian visual evolution, with UV sensitivity retained among mammals by only a subset of rodents and marsupials. Where it is found in birds, it is not ancestral but newly acquired.
The evolution of early vertebrate photoreceptors
Authors: Collin Shaun P. , Davies Wayne L. , Hart Nathan S. , Hunt David M.
Published: August 2009

Meeting the challenge of sampling an ancient aquatic landscape by the early vertebrates was crucial to their survival and would establish a retinalbauplanto be used by all subsequent vertebrate descendents. Image-forming eyes were under tremendous selection pressure and the ability to identify suitable prey and detect potential predators was thought to be one of the major drivers of speciation in the Early Cambrian. Based on the fossil record, we know that hagfishes, lampreys, holocephalans, elasmobranchs and lungfishes occupy critical stages in vertebrate evolution, having remained relatively unchanged over hundreds of millions of years. Now using extant representatives of these ‘living fossils’, we are able to piece together the evolution of vertebrate photoreception. While photoreception in hagfishes appears to be based on light detection and controlling circadian rhythms, rather than image formation, the photoreceptors of lampreys fall into five distinct classes and represent a critical stage in the dichotomy of rods and cones. At least four types of retinal cones sample the visual environment in lampreys mediating photopic (and potentially colour) vision, a sampling strategy retained by lungfishes, some modern teleosts, reptiles and birds. Trichromacy is retained in cartilaginous fishes (at least in batoids and holocephalans), where it is predicted that true scotopic (dim light) vision evolved in the common ancestor of all living gnathostomes. The capacity to discriminate colour and balance the tradeoff between resolution and sensitivity in the early vertebrates was an important driver of eye evolution, where many of the ocular features evolved were retained as vertebrates progressed on to land.
The three trehalases Nth1p, Nth2p and Ath1p participate in the mobilization of intracellular trehalose required for recovery from saline stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Garre Elena , Matallana Emilia
Published: August 2009

Trehalose accumulation is a common response to several stresses in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This metabolite protects proteins and membrane lipids from structural damage and helps cells to maintain integrity. Based on genetic studies, degradation of trehalose has been proposed as a required mechanism for growth recovery after stress, and the neutral trehalase Nth1p as the unique degradative activity involved. Here we constructed a collection of mutants for several trehalose metabolism and transport genes and analysed their growth and trehalose mobilization profiles during experiments of saline stress recovery. The behaviour of the triple Δnth1Δnth2Δath1 and quadruple Δnth1Δnth2Δath1Δagt1 mutant strains in these experiments demonstrates the participation of the three known yeast trehalases Nth1p, Nth2p and Ath1p in the mobilization of intracellular trehalose during growth recovery after saline stress, rules out the participation of the Agt1p H+-disaccharide symporter, and allows us to propose the existence of additional new mechanisms for trehalose mobilization after saline stress.