bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workforce churning, human capital disruption, and organisational performance in different technological contexts
Authors: Della Torre Edoardo , Zatzick Christopher D. , Sikora David , Solari Luca
Published: September 2017

We assess the influence of workforce churning on the relationship between organisational human capital and labour productivity. Building on collective turnover research and human capital theory, we examine how the components of workforce churning (i.e., voluntary turnover, involuntary turnover, and new hires) influence the relationship between existing human capital and labour productivity. Further, we examine how this influence varies according to a firm's technological intensity. Our data come from 1,911 Italian manufacturing firms and reveals that collective voluntary turnover negatively affects the relationship between organisational human capital and labour productivity regardless of an organisation's level of technological intensity. In contrast, collective involuntary turnover enhances the relationship between human capital and labour productivity, and its effect is even stronger for organisations with more technologically intensive operations. Finally, our results suggest that the integration of new hires disrupts the relationship between human capital and productivity, particularly for firms with technologically intensive operations.
Response to combination of mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin A and corticosteroid treatment in lupus nephritis patients with persistent proteinuria
Authors: Kasitanon Nuntana , Boripatkosol Pornkamon , Louthrenoo Worawit
Published: September 2017

Objective

To study the response of lupus nephritis (LN) patients with persistent proteinuria (≥ 1 g/day after ≥ 6 months corticosteroid and single immunosuppressant treatment, or ≥ 3 g/day after ≥ 3 months of corticosteroid and single immunosuppressant treatment) to corticosteroid combined with two immunosuppressants, and to evaluate associated factors of response within 1 year.

Method

A retrospective study of proteinuria and renal function observed in LN patients with persistent proteinuria after adding a second immunosuppressant at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Result

Twenty‐one LN patients (100.0% female) with persistent proteinuria were treated with corticosteroid and two immunosuppressants (mycophenolate mofetil [MMF] plus cyclosporine A [CSA]). Their mean age and duration from first immunosuppressant to initiating a combination therapy were 33.2 ± 10.2 years and 17.5 ± 15.7 months, respectively. Twelve (57.1%) patients had proteinuria levels ≥ 3 g/day. The renal pathology from 18 patients were Classes III or IV in 11 (61.1%). Fifteen patients (71.4%) responded to treatment (complete remission [CR], proteinuria ≤ 0.5 g/day, in seven patients and partial remission [PR], proteinuria reduced > 50%, in eight patients). Changing from a single immunosuppressant to combined immunosuppressants was associated with CR within 1 year (hazards ratio = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.78–0.99). Adverse events consisted of one patient with severe infection, two herpes zoster and one with transient increased serum creatinine level.

Conclusion

Approximately 70% of LN patients with persistent proteinuria responded to MMF plus CSA. However, infection should be a concern with these patients.
Local steroid injection versus wrist splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: So Ho , Chung Vincent C. H. , Cheng Joseph C. K. , Yip Ronald M. L.
Published: September 2017

Aim

We conducted a prospective randomized parallel clinical trial comparing the efficacy of local steroid injection and nocturnal wrist splinting in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods

The well‐validated and disease‐specific Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was employed and its score at 4 weeks after treatment was used as the primary outcome measure. Important secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, the change of an objective finger dexterity test and the side effects.

Results

Twenty‐five patients in the local steroid group and 25 patients in the wrist splinting group completed the study procedures. At 4 weeks after treatment, there was significant improvement of the BTCQ scores in both the steroid group and splinting group. There was improvement of the finger dexterity test only in the steroid group but not in the splinting group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the changes of BTCQ scores between the two groups after treatment. Patient satisfaction score was higher in the steroid group. Patients in the steroid group took fewer painkillers after treatment. Four patients developed side effects after splinting and three after local steroid injection, which was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Although local steroid injection and nocturnal wrist splinting were equally effective in the treatment of patients with CTS, only the former improved objective hand function. Local steroid injection also resulted in better patient satisfaction and less painkiller use without causing more side effects.
Cloninger's Temperament and Character Dimensions of Personality and Binge Drinking Among College Students
Authors: Gierski Fabien , Benzerouk Farid , De Wever Elodie , Duka Theodora , Kaladjian Arthur , Quaglino Véronique , Naassila Mickaël
Published: September 2017

Background

Temperament and character dimensions of personality remain largely unexplored in young adults exhibiting binge drinking (BD) patterns. Moreover, the available studies do not consider gender differences and dismiss possible personality heterogeneity among binge drinkers. In this study, we aimed to compare temperament and character dimensions between young binge drinkers and age‐ and sex‐matched social drinkers. We further applied cluster analysis to investigate the potential heterogeneity of personality patterns among BD college students.

Methods

This study included 200 university students of 18 to 24 years of age, who were recruited via an invitation to take an alcohol use survey. These participants included 100 individuals (50 females and 50 males) with a BD pattern, and 100 participants (50 females and 50 males) with a social drinking (SD) pattern. These subjects were evaluated with regard to their use of alcohol and other substances, impulsiveness, sensation seeking, mood, and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory.

Results

Between‐group comparisons revealed that both male and female binge drinkers were characterized by high levels of novelty seeking, and low levels of persistence and self‐directedness. However, cluster analyses within the binge drinker group revealed 2 distinct groups that differed between males and females. These groups shared similarities with Cloninger's type I (high harm‐avoidance) and II (high novelty‐seeking) alcoholism typology.

Conclusions

The present findings support the subdivision of binge drinkers according to gender and personality dimensions. Male and female binge drinkers should not be considered a unitary group, but rather a population of individuals that encompasses at least 2 distinct personality patterns. These findings have major implications for prevention and treatment approaches.
The limits of the treatment‐enhancement distinction as a guide to public policy
Authors: Erler Alexandre
Published: September 2017

Many believe that the treatment‐enhancement distinction (TED) marks an important ethical boundary that we should use to shape public policy on biomedical interventions. A common justification for this purported normative force appeals to the idea that, whereas treatments respond to genuine medical needs, (most) enhancements can only satisfy mere preferences or “expensive tastes”. This article offers a critique of that justification, while still accepting the TED as a conceptual tool, as well as some of the key ethical axioms endorsed by its proponents. I begin by laying out the TED, the practical implications that tend to be drawn from it, and the justification just sketched for these implications. Using examples drawn from preventive medicine, biomedical technology, and other categories of biomedical interventions, I then go on to challenge both the presupposition of a fundamental dichotomy between treatments and enhancements, and the assumption that enhancements – barring rare exceptions – cannot serve legitimate medical needs. Finally, I consider some ways in which supporters of the TED might try re‐formulating the distinction to blunt the force of my critique. I conclude that such a move cannot fully succeed, and that while the TED does have some degree of normative force, it nevertheless cannot play the role that its advocates expect from it. Seeking to justify a general presumption against enhancements based on the rationale I critique here would mean ignoring their various potential benefits, including medical or therapeutic, and would reflect a prejudice – which I refer to as “treatment fetishism”.
‘Things aren't so bad!’: Preschoolers overpredict the emotional intensity of negative outcomes
Authors: Kopp Leia , Atance Cristina M. , Pearce Sean
Published: September 2017

Adults often overpredict the emotional intensity of future events, but little is known about whether this ‘intensity bias’ is present in early childhood. We asked 48 3‐ to 5‐year‐olds to (1) predict and (2) report their emotions concerning two desirable (receiving four stickers, scoring up to two points in a ball toss) and two undesirable (receiving one sticker, scoring no points) outcomes. Children showed the intensity bias by overpredicting how negatively they would feel if they received one sticker, but not for scoring no points. We discuss how task factors (e.g., personal volition) and cognitive mechanisms (e.g., immune neglect) may influence children's tendency to show the intensity bias.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Adults tend to overpredict the intensity of their emotional reactions to future events.

Whether similar ‘affective forecasting’ errors characterize preschoolers' predictions is not known.

What does this study add?

We created two forecasting tasks (‘sticker’ and ‘ball’) with both desirable and undesirable outcomes.

We obtained evidence for a ‘negativity’ but not a ‘positivity’ bias in children's predictions.

On the sticker task, children overpredicted how badly they would feel after receiving one, versus, four stickers.
The arms race between heliconiine butterflies and Passiflora plants – new insights on an ancient subject
Authors: de Castro Érika C. P. , Zagrobelny Mika , Cardoso Márcio Z. , Bak Søren
Published: September 2017

Heliconiines are called passion vine butterflies because they feed exclusively on Passiflora plants during the larval stage. Many features of Passiflora and heliconiines indicate that they have radiated and speciated in association with each other, and therefore this model system was one of the first examples used to exemplify coevolution theory. Three major adaptations of Passiflora plants supported arguments in favour of their coevolution with heliconiines: unusual variation of leaf shape within the genus; the occurrence of yellow structures mimicking heliconiine eggs; and their extensive diversity of defence compounds called cyanogenic glucosides. However, the protection systems of Passiflora plants go beyond these three features. Trichomes, mimicry of pathogen infection through variegation, and production of extrafloral nectar to attract ants and other predators of their herbivores, are morphological defences reported in this plant genus. Moreover, Passiflora plants are well protected chemically, not only by cyanogenic glucosides, but also by other compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenolics. Heliconiines can synthesize cyanogenic glucosides themselves, and their ability to handle these compounds was probably one of the most crucial adaptations that allowed the ancestor of these butterflies to feed on Passiflora plants. Indeed, it has been shown that Heliconius larvae can sequester cyanogenic glucosides and alkaloids from their host plants and utilize them for their own benefit. Recently, it was discovered that Heliconius adults have highly accurate visual and chemosensory systems, and the expansion of brain structures that can process such information allows them to memorize shapes and display elaborate pre‐oviposition behaviour in order to defeat visual barriers evolved by Passiflora species. Even though the heliconiine–Passiflora model system has been intensively studied, the forces driving host‐plant preference in these butterflies remain unclear. New studies have shown that host‐plant preference seems to be genetically controlled, but in many species there is some plasticity in this choice and preferences can even be induced. Although much knowledge regarding the coevolution of Passiflora plants and heliconiine butterflies has accumulated in recent decades, there remain many exciting unanswered questions concerning this model system.
Canopy height variation and environmental heterogeneity in the tropical dry forests of coastal Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Salas‐Morales Silvia H. , González Edgar J. , Meave Jorge A.
Published: September 2017

Despite its importance for carbon storage and other ecosystem functions, the variation in vegetation canopy height is not yet well understood. We examined the relationship between this community attribute and environmental heterogeneity in a tropical dry forest of southern Mexico. We sampled vegetation in 15 sites along a 100‐km coastal stretch of Oaxaca State, and measured the heights of all woody plants (excluding lianas). The majority of theca. 4000 individuals recorded concentrated in the 4–8 m height range. We defined three plant sets to describe overall community canopy height at each site: a set including all plants, a set made up by the tallest plants representing 10 percent of all individuals, and a set comprising the 10 tallest plants. For each site we computed maximum height and the mean and median heights of the three sets. Significant collinearity was observed between the seven resulting height variables, but null distributions constructed through bootstrap revealed their different behaviors as functions of species richness and density of individuals. Through linear modeling and a model selection procedure, we identified 21 models that best described the variation in canopy height variables. These models pointed out to soil (measured asPC1 of a principal component analysis performed on 10 soil variables), water stress, and elevation as the main drivers of canopy height variation in the region. In the event of increasing water stress resulting from global climate change, the studied tropical dry forests could become shorter and thus decrease their carbon storage potential.
Portuguese adopted adolescents' perception of attachment relationships to parents
Authors: Barroso Raquel , Barbosa‐Ducharne Maria , Coelho Vanessa
Published: September 2017

The establishment of emotional bonds is one of the most important tasks of the adoptive family. Most research about attachment in adoption focuses on young adopted children, as opposed to adoptees in other stages of development. The present study aims at assessing the adopted adolescents' self‐perception of attachment relationships with their adoptive parents, by pairing them with a group of institutionalized adolescents and another one of adolescents in the community. One hundred sixty‐five adolescents (55 adopted, 55 in residential care, and 55 living with their birth family), aged 12 to 19, participated in this study. Data were collected using the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment to assess attachment relationships with parents on three dimensions: trust, communication, and alienation. The results showed that adoptees perceived their relationship with their parents in a similar way to peers in the community and presented higher results when compared to institutionalized adolescents in trust and communication and lower scores in alienation. The results highlighted the relevance of family context experiences and suggested that adoption can offer the possibility of building a secure attachment relationship, which is not the case in the context of collective care, as happens within institutionalized care.
Founding family and auditor choice: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Hwa‐Hsien , Lin Che‐Hung , Tsao Shou‐Min
Published: September 2017

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

From an agency perspective, we investigate whether family ownership and control configurations are systematically associated with a firm's choice of auditor. Our analysis focuses on three different characteristics of family ownership and control: family ownership (cash flow rights), disparity between cash flow and voting rights held by family owners (cash–vote divergence), and the family identities of CEOs.

Research Findings/Insights

Our findings suggest that different family ownership and control configurations lead to different agency effects. The alignment effect prevails in family firms with greater family ownership, founder CEOs, and professional CEOs, whereas the entrenchment effect prevails when there is greater cash–vote divergence. Despite the presence of two distinct types of agency effects, regardless of differences in family ownership and control configurations, none of these firms is inclined to appoint higher‐quality auditors.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study advances our understanding of the varied agency effects arising from family ownership, cash–vote divergence, and the family identities of CEOs, as well as the impact of family ownership and control features on auditor choice. Our empirical evidence provides a unique insight, showing that higher‐quality auditors do not tend to be appointed in firms where family alignment with outside investors is relatively strong, as this lowers demand for such auditors. In addition, although family entrenchment may create greater outside investor demand for higher‐quality auditors, such demand is difficult to realize.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Auditors are an important external governance mechanism. This study offers insights for policymakers, family owners, auditors, and other capital market participants, with regard to the varied effects of different family ownership and control features on auditor choice.
Completeness and coverage of open‐access freshwater fish distribution data in the United States
Authors: Troia Matthew J. , McManamay Ryan A.
Published: September 2017

Aim

Open‐access databases provide unprecedented access to records of species occurrence, but their utility depends on how complete species inventories are at given surveying resolutions and how uniformly distributed surveys are in space and time. Our aims were to assess (1) the completeness of freshwater fish surveys across spatial scales and among habitats and (2) survey coverage along spatial and temporal gradients.

Location

Contiguous United States.

Methods

We compiled occurrence records of freshwater fish species from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, the Multi‐State Aquatic Resources Information Server and federally administered surveys. We evaluated survey completeness across seven spatial resolutions, and separately for lotic and lentic habitats using three thresholds of two survey completeness indices. We evaluated survey coverage from 1800 to 2016 and along climatic and local environmental gradients using histograms and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests.

Results

Over 21 million reliable abundance (>1.5 million incidence) records representing 892 species were available from 1800 to 2016. The proportion of catchments containing >1 record increased as spatial resolution coarsened, as did the proportion of surveyed catchments classified as well‐surveyed. Records were distributed among 37,775 lotic reaches, but only 1,626 lentic water bodies. Thirteen percentage of surveyed lotic reaches and 33% of surveyed lentic water bodies were well‐surveyed based on the most conservative completeness thresholds. Most well‐surveyed lotic reaches (94%) and lentic water bodies (96%) were surveyed since 1980. Climates representative of the west and gulf coasts as well as headwater streams and small ponds were under‐represented.

Main conclusions

Contemporary surveys of freshwater fish communities are abundant and generally representative of environmental characteristics in the contiguous USA. Survey clustering within MARIS‐participating states highlights the value of state agency data for biodiversity science and should encourage participation in this—and similar—data compilation endeavours. Future work should focus on surveying more lakes and reservoirs, compiling historical data and filling environmental gaps.
Breaking down rural and urban bias and interrogating spatial inequality, evidence from South Africa
Authors: Zimbalist Zack
Published: September 2017

This article investigates current socioeconomic disparities within rural and urban areas. The empirical analysis is grounded in an examination of urban and rural bias theories, which have often underpinned poverty analysis. This article suggests that poverty analysis can be improved by moving beyond the rural–urban binary and investigating differences across all geographical types (when data are available). Using 2012 household survey data on South Africa, the article sheds lights on substantial differences—in household composition and access to services and assets—that are likely to make households located in particular geotypes far more vulnerable to poverty. Finally, the article discusses how development policy can better address the specific income‐generating constraints that disadvantaged areas face.
Atrial fibrillation is associated with cognitive decline in stroke‐free subjects: the Tromsø Study
Authors: Tiwari S. , Løchen M. L. , Jacobsen B. K. , Hopstock L. A. , Nyrnes A. , Njølstad I. , Mathiesen E. B. , Arntzen K. A. , Ball J. , Stewart S. , Wilsgaard T. , Schirmer H.
Published: September 2017

Background and purpose

Previous studies have shown associations between atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive decline. We investigated this association in a prospective population study, focusing on whether stroke risk factors modulated this association in stroke‐free women and men.

Methods

We included 4983 participants (57% women) from the fifth survey of the Tromsø Study (Tromsø 5, 2001), of whom 2491 also participated in the sixth survey (Tromsø 6, 2007–2008). Information about age, education, blood pressure, body mass index, lipids, smoking, coffee consumption, physical activity, depression, coronary and valvular heart disease, heart failure and diabetes was obtained at baseline. AF status was based on hospital records. The outcome was change in cognitive score from Tromsø 5 to Tromsø 6, measured by the verbal memory test, the digit–symbol coding test and the tapping test.

Results

Mean age at baseline was 65.4 years. The mean reduction in the tapping test scores was significantly larger in participants with AF (5.3 taps/10 s; 95% CI: 3.9, 6.7) compared with those without AF (3.8 taps/10 s; 95% CI: 3.5, 4.1). These estimates were unchanged when adjusted for other risk factors and were similar for both sexes. AF was not associated with change in the digit–symbol coding or the verbal memory tests.

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation in stroke‐free participants was independently associated with cognitive decline as measured with the tapping test.
Nutrients and temperature additively increase stream microbial respiration
Authors: Manning David W. P. , Rosemond Amy D. , Gulis Vladislav , Benstead Jonathan P. , Kominoski John S.
Published: September 2017

Rising temperatures and nutrient enrichment are co‐occurring global‐change drivers that stimulate microbial respiration of detrital carbon, but nutrient effects on the temperature dependence of respiration in aquatic ecosystems remain uncertain. We measured respiration rates associated with leaf litter, wood, and fine benthic organic matter (FBOM) across seasonal temperature gradients before (PRE) and after (ENR1, ENR2) experimental nutrient (nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]) additions to five forest streams. Nitrogen and phosphorus were added at different N:P ratios using increasing concentrations of N (~80–650 μg/L) and corresponding decreasing concentrations of P (~90–11 μg/L). We assessed the temperature dependence, and microbial (i.e., fungal) drivers of detrital mass‐specific respiration rates using the metabolic theory of ecology, before vs. after nutrient enrichment, and across N and P concentrations. Detrital mass‐specific respiration rates increased with temperature, exhibiting comparable activation energies (E, electronvolts [eV]) for all substrates (FBOM E = 0.43 [95% CI = 0.18–0.69] eV, leaf litter E = 0.30 [95% CI = 0.072–0.54] eV, wood E = 0.41 [95% CI = 0.18–0.64] eV) close to predicted MTE values. There was evidence that temperature‐driven increased respiration occurred via increased fungal biomass (wood) or increased fungal biomass‐specific respiration (leaf litter). Respiration rates increased under nutrient‐enriched conditions on leaves (1.32×) and wood (1.38×), but not FBOM. Respiration rates responded weakly to gradients in N or P concentrations, except for positive effects of P on wood respiration. The temperature dependence of respiration was comparable among years and across N or P concentration for all substrates. Responses of leaf litter and wood respiration to temperature and the combined effects of N and P were similar in magnitude. Our data suggest that the temperature dependence of stream microbial respiration is unchanged by nutrient enrichment, and that increased temperature and N + P availability have additive and comparable effects on microbial respiration rates.
A Nursing Intervention Increases Quality of Life and Self‐Efficacy in Migraine: A 1‐Year Prospective Controlled Trial
Authors: Leroux Elizabeth , Beaudet Line , Boudreau Guy , Eghtesadi Marzieh , Marchand Luc , Pim Heather , Chagnon Miguel
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To compare the impact of a combined nursing and medical approach to a medical follow‐up only on headache outcomes, quality of life, and self‐efficacy in a cohort of migraineurs.

Background

Interdisciplinary approaches have been proposed for migraine management. A nursing intervention could improve patient outcomes.

Methods

We prospectively studied new patients referred to our tertiary headache center for migraine. The control group was followed by a physician; the active group was also followed by a nurse with a personalized intervention including adaptation of the lifestyle.

Results

Two hundred patients (176 women and 24 men, mean age 40 years old) were included and classified according to headache frequency. Each group was followed for 12 months with daily headache diaries. One hundred and sixty‐two completed the study. There were no significant differences between groups for the decrease in headache days, the percent of chronic patients reverting to episodic status or the cessation of medication overuse. Patients in the control group were more likely to find a successful prophylaxis (55.6 vs 27.7%, P = .002). Despite this, the mean decrease in HIT‐6 scores at month 8 was 5.23 ± 9.18 for the active group compared with a decrease of 2.10 ± 9.27 for the control group (P = .030, clinically significant difference of 3.13). Headache Management Self‐Efficacy Scale (HMSE) scores, representing the feeling of self‐efficacy, increased by 14.35 ± 18.41 for the active group vs 4.69 ± 21.22 in the control group (P = .002).

Conclusion

A nursing intervention can lower the impact of migraines on the patient's life. The improvement in the HIT‐6 score in this study was correlated with improvements in self‐efficacy.
Effect of heat shock protein 27 on the in vitro degradation of myofibrils by caspase‐3 and μ‐calpain
Authors: Ding Zhenjiang , Huang Feng , Zhang Chunjiang , Zhang Liang , Sun Hongxia , Zhang Hong
Published: September 2017

This study was designed to investigate the effect of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) on the in vitro degradation of myofibrils induced by caspase‐3 or μ‐calpain. Myofibrillar proteins were prepared from at‐death beef muscles and incubated with caspase‐3 or μ‐calpain with and without HSP27, or with HSP27 alone, at 30 °C for 2 h, and protein degradation was assessed. Results showed that caspase‐3 promoted the degradation of titin, nebulin and troponin‐T, and μ‐calpain promoted the degradation of nebulin, desmin and troponin‐T, observed during normal PM ageing. Moreover, the addition of HSP27 restricted the degradation of troponin‐T in μ‐calpain‐ and caspase‐3‐treated myofilaments, and restricted the degradation of desmin in μ‐calpain‐treated myofilaments. Therefore, HSP27 may indirectly or directly interact with caspase‐3 and μ‐calpain, reducing their activity and mediating PM proteolysis of muscle proteins to affect meat tenderisation.
Quality and consumer acceptance of radio frequency and traditional heat pasteurised kiwi puree during storage
Authors: Lyu Xiaoying , Peng Xiaoli , Wang Shaojin , Yang Baowei , Wang Xin , Yang Hua , Xiao Yingping , Baloch Allah Bux , Xia Xiaodong
Published: September 2017

To explore the feasibility of using radio frequency (RF) heating as a method to process kiwi puree, this study compared the effects of RF heating with traditional heat pasteurisation (TP) on various properties of kiwi puree. RF treatment completely inactivate of microbes in kiwi puree, with total aerobic bacteria counts (TAC) decreased by 4.81 log CFU mL−1 and yeast and mould counts (YMC) decreased by 2.62 log CFU mL−1, which are similar to TP treatment. During the 7 weeks’ storage, RF‐treated puree showed retarded growth of microbes. The pH, titratable acidity and °Brix values of RF‐treated samples were significantly different from those of the control. The vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of RF‐treated samples were significantly higher than those of TP‐treated samples during storage. RF‐treated sample retained better colour than TP‐treated sample throughout storage. The customer satisfaction analysis indicated that consumers prefer RF‐treated kiwi puree than TP‐treated samples. These findings suggest that RF heating has potential applications in processing of kiwi puree or similar products.
STUDIES OF EPIDEMIC POLYARTHRITIS : THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THREE GROUP A ARBOVIRUSES ISOLATED FROM MOSQUITOES IN QUEENSLAND
Authors: DOHERTY, R. L. , GORMAN, B. M. , WHITEHEADS R. H. , CARLEY J. G.
Published: September 2017

Epidemics of polyarthritis with rash at Cairns in 1961, and at Brisbane, in western Queensland and in western New South Wales in 1962, were associated with evidence of group A arthropod‐borne virus infection. Antibodies were detected more frequently and to higher titre against T48, a group A virus recently isolated from mosquitoes collected in North Queensland, than against Getah, Bebaru or Sindbis viruses. T48 is considered to be at least closely related to the agent of epidemic polyarthritis and may be identical with it. It will provide a more useful diagnostic test than has previously been available.
ANGIOKERATOMA CORPORIS DIFFUSUM (FABRY'S SYNDROME)
Authors: FONE D. J. , KING W. E.
Published: September 2017

Five cases with angiokeratoma corporis diffusum (Fabry's syndrome) are described. The characteristic clinical features and skin rash were seen in four cases, and the familial tendency is illustrated since the cases included two pairs of brothers. A characteristic renal lesion is seen histologically in the disorder, and was demonstrated in three of the five cases; it is probably a constant finding, and was in fact the means of making the diagnosis in one case.

The clinical and histological features are discussed in the hope that the diagnosis may be made more frequently.
STUDIES OF THE ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL VARIABILITY OF CHYLURIA
Authors: CAMPBELL B. L. , WILSON J. D. , SCOTT P. J.
Published: September 2017

Findings are reported in four cases of chyluria; in three instances this was due to filariasis. Lymphangiography was carried out on two patients whose proteinuria was investigated further. The findings are compared with those of similar studies in the nephrotic syndrome. Although orally administered lipid has been shown to enter chylous urine relatively rapidly, there is a delay in the appearance of intravenously injected labelled proteins. Results of the present studies suggest the existence of an indirect pathway for the passage of plasma proteins into abdominal lymph, and that low‐density‐lipoprotein synthesized in the liver, or possibly in the gut wall, does not reach the systemic circulation by way of the chyle.
STUDIES IN FAMILIAL HYPOKALÆMIC PERIODIC PARALYSIS
Authors: NIALL J. F. , PAK POY R. K.
Published: September 2017

Metabolic studies have been made in a case of familial hypokalæmic periodic paralysis. The results suggest that during an attack of paralysis, sodium and water move out of muscle cells, associated with a reciprocal transfer of potassium. Plasma volume expansion was found during attacks without gain in overall body weight, consistent with a redistribution of water between cells and extra‐cellular fluid.

Oliguria associated with sodium and potassium retention was found during attacks. During recovery, either spontaneous or produced by potassium chloride administration, a marked coincident diuresis of sodium, potassium and water occurred, with the excretion of an alkaline urine. Failure to demonstrate any reciprocity between sodium reabsorption and potassium and hydrogen ion excretion during oliguria or mannitol‐induced sodium diuresis, suggests that the site of sodium reabsorption is proximal to the distal convoluted tubule. The rate of excretion of aldosterone fell as paralysis increased, coinciding with the time of plasma volume expansion.
HISTIOCYTOSIS X AND DOUBLE DIABETES
Authors: HURLEY P. J. , HITCHCOCK G. C. , WILSON J. D.
Published: September 2017

A case of histiocytosis X is reported. This is remarkable because of the prolonged symptomatic course of 22 years, and the association of diabetes insipidus with diabetes mellitus, only once previously recorded in a patient with histiocytosis X.

The patient had severe pulmonary involvement with eosinophilic granuloma which was diagnosed by lung biopsy. Treatment with steroids produced considerable histological resolution of active disease. He developed a postoperative pneumothorax, to which these patients are susceptible, and died after a myocardial infarction.

There is a short review of the literature relevant to the unusual features of this case.
COMPLETE HEART BLOCK COMPLICATING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: EXPERIENCE WITH 33 PATIENTS
Authors: SALTUPS A. , MUSHIN G. , MCLEAN K. H.
Published: September 2017

Thirty‐three patients in whom complete heart block complicated acute myocardial infarction are described. The patients can be divided into three groups of comparable size on the basis of the treatment they received.

In one group hæmodynamic complications of complete heart block were treated with sympathomimetic drugs and steroids; in another group transvenous endocardial pacing was used for similar indications. The third group was monitored in the coronary care unit and pacing was started electively at the time of diagnosis of complete heart block.

Ten of the 33 patients survived, in nine of whom the heart returned to sinus rhythm; one required permanent pacing.

The incidence of previous myocardial infarction was high among the patients in this study, and its presence had a markedly adverse effect on prognosis. The outlook was favourable if hæmodynamic complications did not develop, or if the response to pacing was prompt when these did occur.
A CASE OF NEUROLOGICAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN THE ADULT WITH FOCAL MANIFESTATIONS
Authors: SINGH B. N. , TAYLOR D. E. M. , EYRE K. E. D.
Published: September 2017

A case of neurological toxoplasmosis in a man aged 48 years who presented with focal symptoms and signs is described. The diagnosis was considered on the basis of persistent cerebro‐spinal fluid abnormalities—and confirmed by appropriate serological tests. The infection appeared to be confined to the central nervous system. Treatment with pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine led to the resolution of the infection. It is emphasized that neurological involvement with acquired toxoplasmosis in the adult may not be as rare an entity as is generally believed, and the diagnosis should be considered in cases of obscure meningitis with or without focal features.
HYPONATRÆMIA AND RENOVASCULAR HYPERTENSION
Authors: BONNIN J. MARK , EDWARDS R. G. , SCROOP G. C. , SKINNER S. L. , WHELAN R. F.
Published: September 2017

A case of traumatic renal artery thrombosis in which the patient developed the hyponatnemic hypertensive syndrome is described. Decreased vascular sensitivity to angiotensin, grossly elevated plasma renin levels, hypertension and hyponatræmia returned to normal after unilateral nephrectomy. Sequential renin and electrolyte studies indicated that this syndrome was caused by the pressor and natriuretic actions of high circulating levels of renin and angiotensin. No evidence could be found to support the suggestion that the high renin levels were secondary to sodium depletion. A positive result to a phentolamine test was recorded, leading to initial problems in diagnosis. The patient is normotensive and well three years after this episode.
MONONEURITIS MULTIPLEX COMPLICATING THE POST‐PERFUSION SYNDROME
Authors: WALSH J. C.
Published: September 2017

The post‐perfusion syndrome is a well recognized complication of open heart surgery which resolves without sequelae. A case of the post‐perfusion syndrome complicated by the development of mononeuritis multiplex is reported. The pathological lesion was shown to be Wallerian degeneration.
AUTORADIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF PROTEINS SYNTHESIZED BY HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES
Authors: FORBES I. J. , LAWTON J. M. W.
Published: September 2017

The immunoglobulins synthesized by circulating lymphocytes were analysed in four cases of multiple myeloma and five cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulimemia.

No evidence was found of peripheral lymphocytes synthesizing myeloma globulin in multiple myeloma. The data suggested that excessive amounts of macroglobulin were made by lymphocytes in four of the five cases of macroglobulinæmia.

Deficiencies in the synthesis of one or more immunoglobulins were seen in a number of these cases. It is therefore suggested that there are two types of abnormality in these conditions: firstly, synthesis of a particular immunoglobulin molecule by excessive numbers of cells, possibly malignant cells derived from a single mutant; secondly, a failure of recruitment of lymphocytes for the synthesis of normal immunoglobulins. The second abnormality may be explained by a failure of the mechanism of terminal immunological differentiation.

Pitfalls in the interpretation of autoradiographs of immunoelectrophoresis patterns are discussed.
THE ONE‐HOUR SYNTHETIC CORTICOTROPHIN TEST FOR RAPID ASSESSMENT OF ADRENAL FUNCTION
Authors: BROWNLIE B. E. W. , ABERNETHY M. H. , BEAVEN D. W.
Published: September 2017

In the last 18 months more than 200 one‐hour intramuscular “Synacthen” tests have been performed without side effects. It has been found to be a valuable screening test of adrenal responsiveness when iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency is suspected. We have found the one‐hour response to be a more reliable index of adrenal function than the half‐hour response used by previous workers.
AUTOANTIBODIES IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS
Authors: WHITTINGHAM SENGA , IRWIN JANET , MACKAY IAN R. , MARSH SALLY , COWLING DAVID C.
Published: September 2017

The laboratory diagnosis of autoimmune disease depends mainly on the demonstration of autoantibodies.

We determined the prevalence in an apparently healthy Australian population of the following autoantibodies : anti‐nuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, smooth muscle antibody, anti‐mitochondrial and anti‐microsomal antibody, and antibody to adrenal, thyroid and gastric cells.

The percentage of females with one or more autoantibodies was greater than that of males throughout life, and the prevalence of autoantibodies increased with age in both sexes: over the age of 60 years more than 50% of subjects had one or more autoantibodies.

It is essential in autoimmune serological studies to include “controls” precisely matched for age and sex to interpret the significance of autoantibodies in any given disease.

Ageing is coincidental with, and could even be in part due to, an increasing incidence of subclinical autoimmune reactions in elderly persons.
HEPATIC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH HYPOXÆMIA DUE TO CHRONIC PULMONARY DISEASE
Authors: WHELAN GREGORY , PIERCE ALAN K. , SCHENKER STEVEN , COMBES BURTON
Published: September 2017

The effects of chronic hypoxæmia on hepatic function were appraised by routine liver function tests and by a prolonged BSP infusion procedure in patients with chronic pulmonary disease unaccompanied by heart failure. Despite the presence of hypoxæmia sufficient to severely limit exercise, hepatic function was unimpaired. Abnormalities in hepatic function described previously in patients with chronic pulmonary disease by others may have been due to accompanying heart failure.
THE PLACE OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTIC IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS
Authors: EREMIN JENNIFER , MARSHALL VERNON C.
Published: September 2017

The use of prophylactic antibiotic in peritoneal dialysis fluid is still widely recommended. Over a 12‐month period, a trial was carried out in order to assess the necessity for the use of antibiotic, and, when infection occurred, to correlate bacterial sensitivity with the antibiotic used.

Patients requiring peritoneal dialysis for acute or chronic renal failure, who were dialysed in the one nursing environment using standard techniques, were included in the trial.

Ampicillin, in a concentration of 12 x 5 µg/ml, was added to the dialysate, or withheld, according to the patient's unit record number.

A total of 248 dialyses were performed for 56 patients, the number per patient varying from one to 21. The incidence of peritoneal infection was found to be low whether or not antibiotic was used. The infecting organism was insensitive to ampicillin on each occasion.

It was concluded that the use of prophylactic antibiotic in peritoneal dialysate is unnecessary, when present techniques are employed, and that the organisms involved are not sensitive to any safe, broad spectrum antibiotic.
Comparative Pulmonary and Systemic Venous Responses to Reduction of Venous Return
Authors: Potanin Constantine , Sinclair-Smith Bruce
Published: September 2017

Thirty‐five patients with chronic heart disease were subjected to infraxiphisternal lower body negative pressure, a procedure which causes immediate reduction of venous return to the heart. Responses were charted for right atrial and pulmonary capillary venous pressures. Pressure fall (x) did depend on the height of initial supine pressure (Y), but in the presence of pathologically elevated pressures, the responses of the two venous circuits were different: Y = 6.8x ‐ 23 (r.70, P < .01, Sy, x = 8) for right atrial pressures; and Y = 1.8x + 1 (r.88, P < .01, Sy, x = 5) for pulmonary capillary venous pressures. These differences in response suggest that the volume and capacity of the systemic venous system (but not the pulmonary venous system) can be greatly increased in heart failure.
Disturbed Oesophageal Manometric Responses in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Pulmonary Aspergilloma
Authors: Scobie B. A.
Published: September 2017

Two patients suffering from pulmonary aspergilloma and ankylosing spondylitis were found to have major disturbances of oesophageal function as demonstrated by measurements of oesophageal pressure. One patient suffered from dysphagia; a barium meal suggested the presence of a hiatus hernia. The other patient had no oesophageal symptoms; a barium swallow was normal. Manometry showed that in both subjects the gastrooesophageal sphincter failed to relax on swallowing and there was defective peristalsis in the oesophagus. It is postulated that these abnormalities predispose the subject to pulmonary complications which occasionally develop in ankylosing spondylitis.
An Association of Thyroid Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Clubb John S. , Black Peter J. , Wallace David C.
Published: September 2017

Three cases are presented, each of them women who while quite young developed a disease triad of diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis and severe thyroid disease. The relative incidence of each disease in the community is briefly discussed. The possibility of such a combination of diseases occurring in any one patient merely by chance would be extremely small. Genetic, autoimmune and psychogenic factors are discussed as possible aetiological factors.
Hyperosmolality in Leptospirosis
Authors: Lim P.
Published: September 2017

A case of leptospirosis with renal and hepatic involvement developed hyperosmolar coma while undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The generous use of hypertonic (4.25% glucose) dialysing fluid combined with uraemia and liver dysfunction were probably important aetiological factors. Such factors commonly occur in severe leptospirosis. More‐over, the patient had an abnormal cortisone‐glucose tolerance test although his glucose tolerance test was normal. The development of marked diuresis during and immediately following dialysis as occurs in the case described would suggest the presence of severe hyperglycaemia with hyperosmolality.
Narrow hybrid zones in spite of very low population differentiation in neutral markers in an island bird species complex
Authors: Delahaie B. , Cornuault J. , Masson C. , Bertrand J. A. M. , Bourgeois Y. X. C. , Milá B. , Thébaud C.
Published: September 2017

Patterns of phenotypic and genic frequencies across hybrid zones provide insight into the origin and evolution of reproductive isolation. The Reunion grey white‐eye, Zosterops borbonicus, exhibits parapatrically distributed plumage colour forms across the lowlands of the small volcanic island of Reunion (Mascarene archipelago). These forms meet and hybridize in regions that are natural barriers to dispersal (rivers, lava fields). Here, we investigated the relationship among patterns of differentiation at neutral genetic (microsatellite) markers, phenotypic traits (morphology and plumage colour) and niche characteristics across three independent hybrid zones. Patterns of phenotypic divergence revealed that these hybrid zones are among the narrowest ever documented in birds. However, the levels of phenotypic divergence stand in stark contrast to the lack of clear population neutral genetic structure between forms. The position of the hybrid zones coincides with different natural physical barriers, yet is not associated with steep changes in vegetation and related climatic variables, and major habitat transitions are shifted from these locations by at least 18 km. This suggests that the hybrid zones are stabilized over natural dispersal barriers, independently of environmental boundaries, and are not associated with niche divergence. A striking feature of these hybrid zones is the very low levels of genetic differentiation in neutral markers between forms, suggesting that phenotypic divergence has a narrow genetic basis and may reflect recent divergence at a few linked genes under strong selection, with a possible role for assortative mating in keeping these forms apart.