bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐harm, substance use and psychological distress in the Australian general population
Authors: Moller Carl I. , Tait Robert J. , Byrne Don G.
Published: July 2012

Aims

To examine predictors of self‐harm, especially substance use and psychological distress, in an Australian adult general population sample.

Design

Sequential‐cohort design with follow‐up every four years.

Setting

Australian general population.

Participants

A random sample of adults aged 20–24 and 40–44 years (at baseline) living in and around the Australian Capital Territory.

Measurements

Self‐report survey including items on four common forms of self‐harm. Psychological distress was indexed by the combined Goldberg Anxiety and Depression scale scores and alcohol problems by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Findings

Four thousand one hundred and sixty people (84% of baseline) were re‐interviewed at 8 years: 4126 reported their self‐harm status. Past year self‐harm was reported by 8.2% (95% CI 7.4–9.0%) of participants [males: 9.3% (8.0–10.6%), females: 7.3% (6.2–8.4%)]. Several forms of substance use—smoking (OR = 1.52), marijuana use (OR = 1.77) and drinking alcohol at a level likely to cause dependence (AUDIT score ≥ 20) (OR = 2.08)—were independently predictive of past year self‐harm. Additional key risk factors for self‐harm in the past year were childhood sexual abuse by a parent (OR = 3.07), bisexual orientation (OR = 2.65), younger age (OR = 2.23) and male gender (OR = 1.86). Other independent predictors were years of education, adverse life events, psychological distress and financial strain.

Conclusions

Self‐harm in young and middle‐aged adults appears to be associated with current smoking, marijuana and ‘dependent’ alcohol use. Other independent predictors include younger age, male gender, bisexual orientation, financial strain, education level, psychological distress, adverse life events and sexual abuse by a parent.
A sense of belonging in a changeable everyday life – a follow‐up study of young people in kinship, network, and traditional foster families
Authors: Hedin Lena
Published: July 2012

This in‐depth follow‐up study of 15 foster youth shows the importance of an ‘open foster family’, open to letting the foster youth into the family life and to cooperating with the adolescent's birth family. Previous findings about the importance of negotiations, mutual rituals, and having fun together in foster families for the creation of social bonds and belonging are strengthened in the follow‐up interview. A lack of these mutual practices is observed prior to disruptions. Most adolescents still living with the same foster family feel a sense of belonging to both their foster and birth families, especially when both families cooperate. This is most evident in kinship families. Over time, adolescents in traditional foster families have also strengthened their social bonds to the foster family, which makes the difference to youth in network foster families less pronounced than in the previous study. Despite life changes, above all changing schools and peers, most adolescents reveal personal agency by still coping with their situation. However, therapeutic support is now more common than 1 year ago, for girls in particular. Methods used are interviews, network maps and text responses (‘beepers’).
Sex worker and mother: managing dual and threatened identities
Authors: Dodsworth Jane
Published: July 2012

This paper draws on a qualitative study that sought to understand and develop theory based upon 24 women's subjective accounts of their childhood and adult experiences and involvement in sex work in the UK. It specifically examines the management of dual and threatened identities for the 17 women who were also mothers. To ensure the centrality of the women's voices in the analysis and theory generation, a grounded theory approach was taken using a psychosocial framework that drew on concepts of resilience to explore how the meanings of those experiences were reflectively appraised by participants. The findings indicate that there is a need to cope with the threat to identity inherent in society's diametrically opposed perceptions of sex worker and ‘good mother’ and simultaneously to manage the coexistence of the roles and identities of mother and sex worker. What appear significant in determining how these tensions are managed are the accumulated risk factors of early childhood, and the resources available to individuals in adulthood to manage both identities. Services must recognize not only individual but wider environmental and familial factors impacting on women with the dual identity of sex worker and mother in order to promote their resilience as mothers, whether living with or apart from their children.
Anti‐IL‐5 attenuates activation and surface density of β2‐integrins on circulating eosinophils after segmental antigen challenge
Authors: Johansson M. W. , Gunderson K. A. , Kelly E. A. B. , Denlinger L. C. , Jarjour N. N. , Mosher D. F.
Published: July 2012

Background

IL‐5 activates αMβ2 integrin on blood eosinophils in vitro. Eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) following segmental antigen challenge have activated β2‐integrins.

Objective

To identify roles for IL‐5 in regulating human eosinophil integrins in vivo.

Methods

Blood and BAL eosinophils were analysed by flow cytometry in ten subjects with allergic asthma who underwent a segmental antigen challenge protocol before and after anti‐IL‐5 administration.

Results

Blood eosinophil reactivity with monoclonal antibody (mAb) KIM‐127, which recognizes partially activated β2‐integrins, was decreased after anti‐IL‐5. Before anti‐IL‐5, surface densities of blood eosinophil β2, αM and αL integrin subunits increased modestly post challenge. After anti‐IL‐5, such increases did not occur. Before or after anti‐IL‐5, surface densities of β2, αM, αL and αD and reactivity with KIM‐127 and mAb CBRM1/5, which recognizes high‐activity αMβ2, were similarly high on BAL eosinophils 48 h post‐challenge. Density and activation state of β1‐integrins on blood and BAL eosinophils were not impacted by anti‐IL‐5, even though anti‐IL‐5 ablated a modest post‐challenge increase on blood or BAL eosinophils of P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1), a receptor for P‐selectin that causes activation of β1‐integrins. Forward scatter of blood eosinophils post‐challenge was less heterogeneous and on the average decreased after anti‐IL‐5; however, anti‐IL‐5 had no effect on the decreased forward scatter of eosinophils in post‐challenge BAL compared with eosinophils in blood. Blood eosinophil KIM‐127 reactivity at the time of challenge correlated with the percentage of eosinophils in BAL post‐challenge.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

IL‐5 supports a heterogeneous population of circulating eosinophils with partially activated β2‐integrins and is responsible for up‐regulation of β2‐integrins and PSGL‐1 on circulating eosinophils following segmental antigen challenge but has minimal effects on properties of eosinophils in BAL. Dampening of β2‐integrin function of eosinophils in transit to inflamed airway may contribute to the decrease in lung inflammation caused by anti‐IL‐5.
Lipid transfer protein syndrome: clinical pattern, cofactor effect and profile of molecular sensitization to plant‐foods and pollens
Authors: Pascal M. , Muñoz‐Cano R. , Reina Z. , Palacín A. , Vilella R. , Picado C. , Juan M. , Sánchez‐López J. , Rueda M. , Salcedo G. , Valero A. , Yagüe J. , Bartra J.
Published: July 2012

Background

Multiple plant‐food sensitizations with a complex pattern of clinical manifestations are a common feature of lipid transfer protein (LTP)‐allergic patients. Component‐resolved diagnosis permits the diagnosis of the allergen sensitization profile.

Objective

We sought to clinically characterize and describe the plant‐food and pollen molecular sensitization profile in patients with LTP syndrome.

Methods

Forty‐five subjects were recruited, after being diagnosed with multiple plant‐food allergies sensitized to LTP, but not to any other plant‐food allergen, according to the molecular allergen panel tested (Pru p 3 (LTP), Pru p 1 (Bet v 1‐like), Pru p 4 (profilin) and those included in a commercial microarray of 103 allergenic components). IgE‐mediated food‐allergy symptoms and pollinosis were collected. Patients were skin prick tested with a plant‐food and pollens panel, and specific IgE to Tri a 14 was evaluated.

Results

A heterogeneous group of plant‐foods was involved in local and systemic symptoms: oral allergy syndrome (75.6%), urticaria (66.7%), gastrointestinal disorders (55.6%) and anaphylaxis (75.6%), 32.4% of which were cofactor dependent (Non‐Steroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs, exercise). All tested subjects were positive to peach and Pru p 3, Tri a 14 and to some of the LTPs included in the microarray. Pollinosis was diagnosed in 75.6% of subjects, with a broad spectrum of pollen and pollen‐allergen sensitization. Plane tree and mugwort were the statistically significant pollens associated with Pru p 3.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Several plant‐foods, taxonomically unrelated, independent of peach involvement, are implicated in LTP syndrome. Local symptoms should be evaluated as a risk marker for anaphylaxis because they are frequently associated with cofactor‐dependent anaphylaxis. The association of these symptoms with pollinosis, especially plane tree pollinosis, could be part of this syndrome in our area.
Elevated neutrophil elastase and acrolein-protein adducts are associated with W256 regression
Authors: Jaganjac M , Poljak-Blazi M , Schaur R J , Zarkovic K , Borovic S , Cipak A , Cindric M , Uchida K , Waeg G , Zarkovic N
Published: July 2012

The involvement of granulocytes in immune response against cancer is not well understood. Depending on the cytokine milieu in which they act and on their oxidative burst, granulocytes may play either an inhibitory or stimulatory role in tumour growth. Unsaturated fatty acids, essential components of cellular membranes and storage lipids, are susceptible to granulocyte-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can induce lipid peroxidation (LPO) resulting in the destruction of biomembranes. Thus, murine W256 tumour progressing and tumour regressing animal models were used to study the involvement of plasma inflammatory mediators and oxidative burst of circulating granulocytes in malignant destruction and detrimental tumour growth. The involvement of LPO-derived aldehydes (i.e. acrolein, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and malondialdehyde) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) appearance in the granulocyte anti-cancer response were further evaluated. The results obtained revealed a significant increase in neutrophil elastase in animals with regressing tumour. Furthermore, the presence of MPO in tumour microenvironment was accompanied by the formation of acrolein only 5 h after tumour transplantation and its presence increased during tumour regression. Later, at an early stage of tumour regression, the presence of other LPO-derived aldehydes were also observed. The results obtained suggest that elevated neutrophil elastase and initiation of LPO may play an important role in the tumour development leading to tumour regression.
T cell phenotypes in patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders: associations with clinical phenotypes in comparison with other groups with recurrent infections
Authors: Bateman E A L , Ayers L , Sadler R , Lucas M , Roberts C , Woods A , Packwood K , Burden J , Harrison D , Kaenzig N , Lee M , Chapel H M , Ferry B L
Published: July 2012

Common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) are a group of heterogeneous conditions that have in common primary failure of B cell function, although numerous T cell abnormalities have been described, including reduced proliferative response and reduced regulatory T cells. This study compared the T cell phenotype of CVID patients subdivided into clinical phenotypes as well as patients with partial antibody deficiencies [immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclass deficiency and selective IgA deficiency], X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) and healthy and disease controls. Absolute numbers of T cell subpopulations were measured by four-colour flow cytometry: naive T cells, central and effector memory and terminally differentiated (TEM) T cells, using CD45RA and CCR7 expression. Early, intermediate and late differentiation status of T cells was measured by CD27/CD28 expression. Putative follicular T cells, recent thymic emigrants and regulatory T cells were also assessed. Significant reduction in naive CD4 T cells, with reduced total CD4 and recent thymic emigrant numbers, was observed in CVID patients, most pronounced in those with autoimmune cytopenias or polyclonal lymphoproliferation. These findings suggest a lack of replenishment by new thymically derived cells. CD8 naive T cells were reduced in CVID patients, most significantly in the autoimmune cytopenia subgroup. There was a reduction in early differentiated CD4 and CD8 T cells and increased CD8 TEM in the CVID patients, particularly autoimmune cytopenia and polyclonal lymphoproliferation subgroups, suggesting a more activated T cell phenotype, due perhaps to an antigen-driven process. XLA patients had significantly reduced putative follicular T cells, which may depend on B cells for survival, while no significant alterations were observed in the T cells of those with IgG subclass deficiency or selective IgA deficiency.
Fatty liver and insulin resistance in children with hypobetalipoproteinemia: the importance of aetiology
Authors: Della Corte Claudia , Fintini Danilo , Giordano Ugo , Cappa Marco , Brufani Claudia , Majo Fabio , Mennini Chiara , Nobili Valerio
Published: July 2012

Objective

Hepatic steatosis is strongly associated with insulin resistance, but causative mechanisms that link these conditions are still largely unknown. Nowadays, it is difficult to establish whether fatty liver is the cause of insulin resistance or instead the complex metabolic derangements of insulin resistance determine hepatic steatosis and its progression to fibrosis. In patients with familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL), hepatic steatosis is because of the genetically determined defective form of apolipoprotein B, independently of metabolic derangements. Therefore patients with FHBL represent a good in vivo model to evaluate the relationships between fatty liver and insulin sensitivity.

Methods

We evaluated insulin resistance through HOMA‐IR in 60 children with echografic and histological features of steatosis; 30 of whom had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 30 had FHBL.

Results

All patients had histological features of hepatic steatosis. Patients with FHBL were hypolipidemic, as expected. No significant differences between two groups were observed in liver function tests. IRI and HOMA‐IR were statistically higher in NAFLD subjects compared to the FHBL group.

Conclusion

In our study, we demonstrated that in children with FHBL, hepatic steatosis is dissociated from insulin resistance. This finding suggests that fat accumulation per se may be not a sufficient causal factor leading to insulin resistance, and that other mediators may be involved in the development of alteration in glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome in patients with NAFLD.
Sensory constraints on prey detection performance in an ensemble of vespertilionid understorey rain forest bats
Authors: Schmieder Daniela A. , Kingston Tigga , Hashim Rosli , Siemers Björn M.
Published: July 2012

1. Bats evolved different strategies to find prey close to vegetation. Previous studies on European bats of the genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae) revealed an association between echolocation call bandwidth and the ability to find and capture prey close to vegetation. Here, we investigated whether the role of call bandwidth in prey detection is a more general principle in bat sensory ecology. We focused on eight palaeotropical species of the vespertilionid subfamilies Kerivoulinae and Murininae, as they also achieve very broad bandwidths with the first harmonic of their echolocation calls.

2. All species emitted calls of bandwidths broader than 90 kHz with extremely high start frequencies (max. 230 kHz), and all of five experimentally tested species were able to catch prey closer than 6 cm, occasionally even closer than 2·5 cm, to a standardized vegetation‐like background. The performance and call data corroborate the hypothesis that bats with very broadband calls and high‐frequency components have access to prey very close to vegetation and establish this as a more general principle in bat sensory ecology.

3. In a second experiment, we questioned whether echolocation is the only sensory cue used by the bats to find prey. Echo‐acoustic prey dummies that did not smell or taste like arthropods and did not produce any sounds or movement were presented to all five species. In 80 of 83 cases, the bats caught or attempted to catch the dummy, indicating that the bats used only echo‐acoustic information for prey detection and recognition in our experiments.

4. We then tested whether the sensory difficulty in finding prey close to clutter constrains the bats' attacks on prey – or whether flight manoeuvrability may be limiting – by manipulating the echo reflection properties of the background. The bats were able to find prey very slightly, but significantly closer to a background with lower echo reflection (an easier sensory task), which corroborates the limiting role of sensory performance.

5. While silent, motionless prey close to and in vegetation will be accessible to these specialists, it will go undetected by other bats. This scenario supports the idea that sensory specialization mediates resource access and niche separation (‘sensory niche partitioning’).
Host manipulation revisited: no evidence for a causal link between altered photophobia and increased trophic transmission of amphipods infected with acanthocephalans
Authors: Perrot‐Minnot Marie‐Jeanne , Maddaleno Matthieu , Balourdet Aude , Cézilly Frank
Published: July 2012

1.Many parasites with complex life cycles critically rely on trophic transmission to pass from an intermediate host to a final host. Parasite‐induced behavioural alterations in intermediate hosts are often supposed to be adaptive through increasing the susceptibility of intermediate hosts to predation by final hosts. However, the evidence is so far only correlational, and direct evidence for a causal link between one single behavioural alteration and increased trophic transmission is still missing.

2.Here, we addressed, for the first time, the relationship between increased vulnerability to fish predation and altered photophobia in an amphipod,Gammarus pulex, infected with a fish acanthocephalan,Pomphorhynchus tereticollis.

3.In microcosms, naturally‐infected amphipods were significantly more vulnerable to fish predation than uninfected ones at two different light intensities. However, although variation in illumination significantly affected the extent of difference in photophobia between infected and uninfected individuals, it had no effect on predation bias towards infected amphipods.

4.In addition, although an injection of a mixture of serotonin and fluoxetine in uninfected amphipods mimicked the parasite‐induced decreased photophobia, injected individuals were not more vulnerable to fish predation that uninfected ones injected with a control solution.

5.Overall, our results indicate that the decreased photophobia in infected intermediate hosts does not play in itself a causal role in the trophic transmission of the parasite to its final host. The actual role a parasite‐induced behavioural alteration plays in trophic transmission should be carefully assessed before an adaptive interpretation is given.
The push and pull of climate change causes heterogeneous shifts in avian elevational ranges
Authors: Tingley Morgan W. , Koo Michelle S. , Moritz Craig , Rush Andrew C. , Beissinger Steven R.
Published: July 2012

Projected effects of climate change on animal distributions primarily focus on consequences of temperature and largely ignore impacts of altered precipitation. While much evidence supports temperature‐driven range shifts, there is substantial heterogeneity in species' responses that remains poorly understood. We resampled breeding ranges of birds across three elevational transects in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, USA, that were extensively surveyed in the early 20th century. Presence–absence comparisons were made at 77 sites and occupancy models were used to separate significant range shifts from artifacts of false absences. Over the past century, rising temperature pushed species upslope while increased precipitation pulled them downslope, resulting in range shifts that were heterogeneous within species and among regions. While 84% of species shifted their elevational distribution, only 51% of upper or lower range boundary shifts were upslope. By comparison, 82% of range shifts were in a direction predicted by changes in either temperature or precipitation. Species were significantly more likely to shift elevational ranges than their ecological counterparts if they had small clutch sizes, defended all‐purpose territories, and were year‐round residents, results that were in opposition to a priori predictions from dispersal‐related hypotheses. Our results illustrate the complex interplay between species‐specific and region‐specific factors that structure patterns of breeding range change over long time periods. Future projections of increasing temperature and highly variable precipitation regimes create a strong potential for heterogeneous responses by species at range margins.
Sapling growth responses to warmer temperatures ‘cooled’ by browse pressure
Authors: Fisichelli Nicholas , Frelich Lee E. , Reich Peter B.
Published: July 2012

Rising temperatures are predicted to cause temperate tree species to expand north into currently boreal dominated forests. Other factors, such as overabundant deer, may hinder temperate expansion. We examined how interactions among temperature, browse pressure, light availability, and initial size impact height and radial growth of naturally regenerated, competing temperate and boreal saplings across their overlapping range limits in central North America. In 9 of 10 growth model comparisons, the inclusion of mean summer temperature and browse damage as explanatory variables strongly improved model performance over the base model with only initial size and light availability as parameters. Potential growth reductions due to browse damage and temperature limitation were similar in magnitude (up to ~50%). Temperate sapling growth increased and boreal growth decreased with temperature across a regional summer temperature gradient (2.3 °C), causing a rank reversal in growth rates, and suggesting that temperature is a key driver of sapling performance and range boundaries. However, under high browse pressure positive temperate responses to temperature were eliminated, essentially pushing the crossover point in growth between temperate and boreal species further south. These results highlight the importance of interactions among global change agents and potential impediments for tree species to track a rapidly changing climate.
The use of a rising plate meter to evaluate lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) height as an important agronomic trait enabling yield estimation
Authors: Hakl J. , Hrevušová Z. , Hejcman M. , Fuksa P.
Published: July 2012

A rising plate meter (RPM) is an instrument used for the measurement of compressed sward height and estimation of yield on grasslands. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of an RPM to evaluate lucerne height as an agronomic trait enabling yield estimation. Compressed height (CH), stem length, plant and stem density and yield measurements were recorded from the late‐vegetative stage to flowering in the first cut and from the late‐bud stage to flowering in the second and third cuts, during three successive years. For lucerne maximal stem‐length prediction, CH could be used successfully (with R
2 over 0·90) in developmental stages before flowering and for stem lengths up to 80 cm, irrespective of stand density or order of cut. The dry‐matter yield of lucerne was better predicted using CH (R
2 = 0·72) than maximal stem length (MSL) (R
2 = 0·53). The recommended number of observations was 7–9 per treatment in the first cut and twice this in subsequent cuts because of higher variability in stand structure. The use of RPM to measure CH of lucerne is not recommended when MSL exceeds 80 cm, or in the case of lodging. RPM may also be suitable for similar forage crops with erect or semi‐erect stems, subject to consideration of disc weight and diameter. Heavy discs are unsuitable for lucerne height prediction but could be more suitable for yield prediction.
A technique for placement of apical MTA plugs using modified Thermafil carriers for the filling of canals with wide apices
Authors: Giovarruscio M. , Uccioli U. , Malentacca A. , Koller G. , Foschi F. , Mannocci F.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To describe a technique for the placement of apical Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plugs in canals with wide apices.

A novel technique to fill root canals with an apical diameter larger than 0.4 mm is presented. The technique includes three main stages; three Thermafil carriers of increasing size, previously de‐sheathed by removing the Gutta‐percha coating, are selected to engage 1, 2 and 3 mm short of the apex. Their use allows the negotiation of acute curvatures and ledged canals. Subsequently, an MTA plug matching the apical gauge is pre‐formed with a pellet block, placed and condensed using the modified carriers in sequence. The presented protocol for the management of teeth with apices of a diameter greater than 0.4 mm allows a favourable apical control of the MTA. Clinical cases completed using this methodology are presented.

Key learning points

MTA placement in teeth with wide apices was facilitated by using de‐sheathed Thermafil carriers, to create an appropriate seal and stable platform for Gutta‐percha backfilling or subsequent fibre post placement.

The use of de‐sheathed Thermafil carriers of different sizes allows predictable placement of pre‐formed MTA plugs.

Gauging of Thermafil carriers enhances control of the condensation phase to limit the extrusion of MTA.
Loss of interactions with ants under cold climate in a regional myrmecophilous butterfly fauna
Authors: Pellissier Loïc , Litsios Glenn , Fiedler Konrad , Pottier Julien , Dubuis Anne , Pradervand Jean‐Nicolas , Salamin Nicolas , Guisan Antoine
Published: July 2012

Aim  Specialized mutualistic clades may revert and thus increase their autonomy and generalist characteristics. However, our understanding of the drivers that trigger reductions in mutualistic traits and of the consequences for the tolerance of these species to various environmental conditions remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between the environmental niche and the degree of myrmecophily (i.e. the ability to interact with ants) among members of the Lycaenidae.

Location  The western Swiss Alps.

Methods  We measured the tolerance of Lycaenidae species to low temperatures by comparing observations from a random stratified field sampling with climatic maps. We then compared the species‐specific degree of myrmecophily with the species range limits at colder temperatures while controlling for phylogenetic dependence. We further evaluated whether the community‐averaged degree of myrmecophily increases with temperature, as would be expected in the case of environmental filters acting on myrmecophilous species.

Results  Twenty‐nine Lycaenidae species were found during sampling. Ancestral state reconstruction indicated that the 24 species of Polyommatinae displayed both strong myrmecophily and secondary loss of mutualism; these species were used in the subsequent statistical analyses. Species with a higher degree of ant interaction were, on average, more likely to inhabit warmer sites. Species inhabiting the coldest environments displayed little or no interaction with ants.

Main conclusions  Colder climates at high elevations filter out species with a high degree of myrmecophily and may have been the direct evolutionary force that promoted the loss of mutualism. A larger taxon sampling across the Holarctic may help to distinguish between the ecological and evolutionary effects of climate.
From East Gondwana to Central America: historical biogeography of the Alstroemeriaceae
Authors: Chacón Juliana , de Assis Marta Camargo , Meerow Alan W. , Renner Susanne S.
Published: July 2012

Aim  The Alstroemeriaceae is among 28 angiosperm families shared between South America, New Zealand and/or Australia; here, we examine the biogeography of Alstroemeriaceae to better understand the climatic and geological settings for its diversification in the Neotropics. We also compare Alstroemeriaceae with the four other Southern Hemisphere families that expanded from Patagonia to the equator, to infer what factors may have permitted such expansions across biomes.

Location  South America, Central America, Australia and New Zealand.

Methods  Three chloroplast genes, one mitochondrial gene and one nuclear DNA region were sequenced for 153 accessions representing 125 of the 200 species of Alstroemeriaceae from throughout the distribution range; 25 outgroup taxa were included to securely infer evolutionary directions and be able to use both ingroup and outgroup fossil constraints. A relaxed‐clock model relied on up to three fossil calibrations, and ancestral ranges were inferred using statistical dispersal–vicariance analysis (S‐DIVA). Southern Hemisphere disjunctions in the flowering plants were reviewed for key biological traits, divergence times, migration directions and habitats occupied.

Results  The obtained chronogram and ancestral area reconstruction imply that the most recent common ancestor of Colchicaceae and Alstroemeriaceae lived in the Late Cretaceous in southern South America/Australasia, the ancestral region of Alstroemeriaceae may have been South America/Antarctica, and a single New Zealand species is due to recent dispersal from South America. Chilean Alstroemeria diversified with the uplift of the Patagonian Andes c. 18 Ma, and a hummingbird‐pollinated clade (Bomarea) reached the northern Andes at 11–13 Ma. The South American Arid Diagonal (SAAD), a belt of arid vegetation caused by the onset of the Andean rain shadow 14–15 Ma, isolated a Brazilian clade of Alstroemeria from a basal Chilean/Argentinean grade.

Main conclusions  Only Alstroemeriaceae, Calceolariaceae, Cunoniaceae, Escalloniaceae and Proteaceae have expanded and diversified from Patagonia far into tropical latitudes. All migrated northwards along the Andes, but also reached south‐eastern Brazil, in most cases after the origin of the SAAD. Our results from Alstroemeria now suggest that the SAAD may have been a major ecological barrier in southern South America.
Insular avian adaptations on two Neotropical continental islands
Authors: Wright Natalie A. , Steadman David W.
Published: July 2012

Aim Most studies of avian insular adaptations have focused on oceanic islands, which may not allow characters that are insular adaptations to be teased apart from those that benefit dispersal and colonization. Using birds on continental islands, we investigated characters that evolvedin situin response to insular environments created by late Pleistocene sea level rise.

Location Trinidad and Tobago and continental South America.

Methods We weighed fresh flight muscles and measured museum skeletal specimens of seven species of birds common to the continental islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

Results When corrected for body size, study species exhibited significantly smaller flight muscles, sterna and sternal keels on Tobago than on larger Trinidad and continental South America. Tobago populations were more ‘insular’ in their morphologies than conspecifics on Trinidad or the continent in other ways as well, including having longer bills, longer wings, longer tails and longer legs.

Main conclusions We hypothesize that the longer bills enhance foraging diversity, the longer wings and tails compensate for the smaller pectoral assemblage (allowing for retention of volancy, but with a probable reduction in flight power and speed), and the longer legs expand perching ability. Each of these differences is likely to be related to the lower diversity and fewer potential predators and competitors on Tobago compared with Trinidad. These patterns of smaller flight muscles and larger bills, legs, wings and tails in island birds are not the results of selection for island dispersal and colonization, but probably arose from selection pressures acting on populations already inhabiting these islands.
Gender differences in quality of life after stroke and TIA: a cross‐sectional survey of out‐patients
Authors: Franzén‐Dahlin Åsa , Laska Ann Charlotte
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore how a stroke or a transient ischemic attack affects quality of life and to identify gender differences.

Background.  The negative effect of a stroke on the patients’ quality of life has previously been studied, while the effect on patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) is more unknown, especially in relation to gender. As poor quality of life may have a negative effect on rehabilitation it is important to investigate quality of life in this group.

Design.  A descriptive cross‐sectional survey.

Methods.  All stroke and transient ischemic attack patients appointed to the out‐patient stroke clinic between May 2008–August 2009 were asked to complete the Nottingham Health Profile.

Results.  Of 1048 patients, 379 (50%) of the stroke patients and 117 (40%) of the patients with transient ischemic attack completed the form within the first months after onset. Female stroke patients were significantly more negatively affected in all domains except the social domain than were male stroke patients. Female transient ischemic attack patients were significantly more negatively affected in all domains than were male transient ischemic attack patients. Male stroke patients had a significantly more negatively affected quality of life than male transient ischemic attack patients in the emotional, energy, social and total domains, while female stroke patients and female transient ischemic attack patients were equally negatively affected.

Conclusions.  This study shows that female stroke patients are more negatively affected in their quality of life than male stroke patients and that female transient ischemic attack patients are as affected as female stroke patients. This indicates that female patients with both stroke and TIA need more attention concerning their life situation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Increased knowledge about how transient ischemic attack patients are affected, indicate that this group need support postdischarge to the same extension as stroke patients.
Quality of life of individuals with schizophrenia living in the community: relationship to socio‐demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics
Authors: Hsiao Chiu‐Yueh , Hsieh Ming‐Hong , Tseng Chiu‐Jung , Chien Shu‐Hui , Chang Ching‐Chi
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine the level of quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia and to test its association with socio‐demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics.

Background.  Quality of life has been a focus of concern in mental health care, yet the level of quality of life and its determinants for individuals with schizophrenia are not well known.

Design.  Cross‐sectional, descriptive design.

Methods.  A total of 148 individuals with schizophrenia participated in the study. A demographic information sheet, the 18‐item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Chinese Health Questionnaires, the Mutuality Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, brief version, were used to collect data. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, Pearson product–moment correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression.

Results.  Most of participants were single, unemployed, had a low education level and were supported financially by family. Quality of life was positively correlated with age of mental illness onset, mutuality, employment status and monthly household income, whereas it was negatively associated with the length of mental illness, symptom severity and health status. Health status, mutuality, symptom severity, monthly household income and employment status were found to be key significant predictors with mutuality having the greatest effect on quality of life.

Conclusions.  The findings increase our understanding of socio‐demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics influencing the degree of quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia. Incorporation of families and communities into the treatment programmes would enhance patients’ capabilities of social integration and satisfaction with their lives.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health care providers should make use of community‐oriented intervention programmes that aim to strengthen psychosocial functioning. Particularly, programmes that enhance health status and mutuality should be identified and developed for both individuals with schizophrenia and their families.
Addressing incontinence for people with dementia living at home: a documentary analysis of local English community nursing service continence policies and clinical guidance
Authors: Drennan Vari M , Norrie Caroline , Cole Laura , Donovan Sheila
Published: July 2012

Aim and objectives.  To establish whether the problems and issues experienced by people with dementia living at home and their carers were addressed in the clinical guidance for continence management for community nursing services in England.

Background.  Internationally, the numbers of people with dementia are rising. Managing incontinence is a significant issue as the presence of incontinence is one of the triggers for people with dementia to move their residence to a care home. People with dementia living at home and their family carers report difficulties in accessing knowledgeable professionals and acceptable continence products.

Design.  A review by documentary analysis of clinical policies and guidance from a sample of community nursing services in all Strategic Health Authority regions of England.

Methods.  A sample of clinical policy and guidance documents for continence assessment and management from up to four community nursing services in each of the ten Strategic Health Authority regions in England was sought. Documentary analysis was undertaken on the relevance of the documents identified for people with dementia living at home.

Findings.  Ninety‐eight documents from 38 local community nursing services spread across ten Strategic Health Authority areas were obtained and analysed. Only in the documents of three services were nurses offered detailed guidance about the management of incontinence for people with dementia at home. In the documentation of only one service were people with dementia identified as a special case which warranted the provision of additional continence products.

Conclusion.  Clinical guidance on continence assessment and management for community nurses in many parts of England does not address the specific needs of people with dementia living at home or their carers.

Relevance for clinical practice.  Nurses working in community settings and those providing clinical leadership in continence care should review their clinical guidance and policies to ensure relevance for people with dementia living at home and their family carers.
Adolescent bereavement: embodied responses, coping and perceptions of a body awareness support programme
Authors: Bugge Kari E , Haugstvedt Karen TS , Røkholt Eline G , Darbyshire Philip , Helseth Sølvi
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study describes the implementation and evaluation of a new Body Awareness Programme (BAP) in bereavement support for adolescents. The BAP’s aims were to provide information and insight into adolescents bodily reactions, to help them develop a deeper understanding of the reasons for bodily reactions and to introduce adolescents to healthy coping techniques.

Background.  Three main bodily reactions can follow a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one. The arousal of physical responses causes restlessness, concentration problems and disturbed sleep while ‘flashbacks’ of unpleasant memories contribute to increased tension. Active avoidance manifests as increased activity and avoidance of talking or thinking about unpleasant memories. These reactions may interfere with an adolescent’s development and inhibit a healthy grieving process.

Design.  A qualitative, hermeneutic–phenomenological design.

Methods.  Data were collected using the BAP together with in‐depth interviews with adolescents, focusing particularly on their experiences or recollections of their bodily reactions and coping. Seven adolescents participated, aged 13–18 years, who use our bereavement services.

Results.  The adolescents in our study internalised their struggles, and beneath their facade of coping, they reported having painful bodies that were stiff and restless. They were also anxious, experiencing painful thoughts of the deceased. The adolescents found the BAP helpful because they gained awareness of the body–behaviour–feelings connections, experiencing the techniques as helpful and possibly useful in their everyday lives.

Conclusion.  The results of this evaluation of the BAP are positive and suggest that this approach is both necessary and valuable in a bereavement support programme for adolescents.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Adolescents must recognise their own embodied reactions and understand their underlying causes before they can change their attitudes or seek appropriate help during bereavement. Health professionals should see beyond adolescents’ facades and offer them support.
The lived experience of women victims of intimate partner violence
Authors: Loke Alice Yuen , Wan Mei Lan Emma , Hayter Mark
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study aims to gain a better understanding of the lived experience of female victims of intimate partner violence.

Background.  Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex and prevalent social problem associated with significant impairment in the physical and psychological health of victims.

Design.  Exploratory, qualitative design.

Methods.  Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted among nine IPV female victims who presented themselves at an emergency department of a regional hospital. Data were subject to thematic analysis.

Results.  Victims are often ashamed to disclose their situation and reluctant to seek help, afraid of being ridiculed or ignored. Violent experiences also lead to low self‐esteem, depression, and suicidal ideas. They are ambivalent about staying in an abusive relationship and endure violent incidents in silence until they cannot tolerate any more and seek help at an emergency department. They have negative experiences in help‐seeking: other family members and health professionals coloured by cultural restraints generally ignore their complaints and need for help.

Conclusions.  Provided a preliminary understanding of the experience of Chinese women in Hong Kong. In support of these women’s help‐seeking behaviours, continuing education programmes are needed to better prepare health professionals for caring for these women.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health professionals should be astute in identifying IPV victims with whom they come into contact at work. They should assess the immediate physical and emotional needs of these women, be empathetic, show acceptance, extend a helping hand and assess home safety before discharge.
The cross‐level impact of patient safety climate on nursing innovation: a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey
Authors: Weng Rhay‐Hung , Huang Ching‐Yuan , Huang Jin‐An , Wang Man‐His
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore the cross‐level effects of the four dimensions of patient safety climate on nursing innovation.

Background.  Across the globe, nursing innovation is highly encouraged by nursing experts to improve nursing outcome. Nursing innovation, in turn, is affected by organisational climate, and a critical aspect of organisational climate is patient safety.

Design.  This is a cross‐sectional study.

Methods.  We employed a questionnaire survey to collect data and selected nurses from Taiwan hospitals as samples. A total of 808 valid questionnaires in 172 teams of four hospitals were collected. Patient safety climate was aggregated by individual‐level data; thus, we examined rwg, ICC 1 and ICC 2. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to analyse the data.

Results.  Of these three dimensions of nursing innovation, the level of knowledge creation was perceived by the nurses as the highest. In terms of patient safety climate, managerial practices regarding patient safety scored the highest, followed by patient safety procedures, patient safety information flow and patient safety priority. Only patient safety information flow yielded a significant positive influence on knowledge creation, innovation behaviour or innovation diffusion.

Conclusion.  Hospital nurses do achieve better performance in knowledge creation. Patient safety information flow has positive and cross‐level impact on nursing innovation; therefore, the method to increase safety information flow is the key focus of nursing innovation management.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Through the improvements made in patient safety climate, hospital managers could promote the development of nursing innovation. Patient safety information flow is positively associated with nursing innovation. Patient safety information could be integrated in nursing training in all levels. Rules and procedures regarding patient safety should be drafted in simple and clear terms. A procedure to review and revise the rules and procedures will also be helpful in improving patient safety information flow.
Role of social support in cognitive function among elders
Authors: Zhu Shuzhen , Hu Jie , Efird Jimmy T
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine cognitive function and its relationships to demographic characteristics and social support among elders in central China.

Background.  Cognitive decline is prevalent among elders. Few studies have explored the relationship between social support and cognitive function among elders.

Design.  A cross‐sectional, descriptive correlational study.

Methods.  A quasi‐random, point of reference sample of 120 elders residing in central China was recruited for study. Instruments used included a: Socio‐demographic Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale on Perceived Social Support and the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Hierarchical multiple regression was performed to examine the relationships among demographic variables, social support and cognitive function.

Results.  Age, education and social support accounted for 45·2% of the variance in cognitive function. Family support was the strongest predictor of cognitive function. Elders who had higher educational levels and more family support had better cognitive function.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Community healthcare providers should consolidate social support among elders in China and use family support interventions to reduce or delay cognitive decline, especially among those of increased age who are illiterate.

Conclusion.  Elders who had higher educational level and more family support had better cognitive function levels. Interventions that include family support are needed to improve cognitive function among elders in China.