bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The one degree war plan
Authors: Randers Jorgen , Gilding Paul
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the idea of a global crisis plan that will be demanded when global society finally decides that the climate challenge is a real threat, requiring immediate and strong policy action at the super‐national level. The authors believe that this demand will arise before 2020, and the authors hope that this paper will encourage others to improve on the plan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper seeks to achieve the purpose by presenting the first draft of such a plan – “The one degree war plan” – in rather concrete terms, and estimating (in quantitative terms) the expected reduction in climate gas emissions that would result from implementing the crisis plan.

Findings

The paper finds that it is surprisingly simple to develop a plan which will reduce global emissions by 50 per cent in five years. It also seems possible to lower global emissions to zero in the ensuing decade, and then run negative emissions of 6 GtCO2e/year for the rest of the century (through carbon capture in various forms). The result, using the C‐ROADS climate model, is to keep the temperature rise in 2100 below +1°C above the pre‐industrial level. Much work needs to assure these conclusions.

Practical implications

The authors argue that public awareness of the dangers associated with climate change will increase over the next decade, to the level where it is perceived to be a significant threat to global economic and geopolitical stability. The public will then demand emergency action to cut global climate gas emissions. The authors argue that such emergency action ought to be based on a well‐prepared crisis response plan that seeks to keep global warming below +1°C over pre‐industrial levels. The paper presents a draft of the crisis response plan and encourages further efforts to improve the plan.

Social implications

The social value of having a well‐considered and well‐prepared climate crisis plan in place once the public demand immediate climate action from their politicians, can hardly be overestimated.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, no similar crisis plan has been published.
Individuals receiving addiction treatment: are medical costs of their family members reduced?
Authors: Weisner Constance , Parthasarathy Sujaya , Moore Charles , Mertens Jennifer R.
Published: May 2010

Aims  To examine whether alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment is related to reduced medical costs of family members.

Design  Using the administrative databases of a private, integrated health plan, we matched AOD treatment patients with health plan members without AOD disorders on age, gender and utilization, identifying family members of each group.

Setting  Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Participants  Family members of abstinent and non‐abstinent AOD treatment patients and control family members.

Measurements  We measured abstinence at 1 year post‐intake and examined health care costs per member‐month of family members of AOD patients and of controls through 5 years. We used generalized estimating equation methods to examine differences in average medical cost per member‐month for each year, between family members of abstinent and non‐abstinent AOD patients and controls. We used multilevel models to examine 4‐year cost trajectories, controlling for pre‐intake cost, age, gender and family size.

Results  AOD patients’ family members had significantly higher costs and more psychiatric and medical conditions than controls in the pre‐treatment year. At 2–5 years, each year family members of AOD patients abstinent at 1 year had similar average per member‐month medical costs to controls (e.g. difference at year 5 = $2.63; P > 0.82), whereas costs for family members of non‐abstinent patients were higher (e.g. difference at year 5 = $35.59; P = 0.06). Family members of AOD patients not abstinent at 1 year, had a trajectory of increasing medical cost (slope = $10.32; P = 0.03) relative to controls.

Conclusions  Successful AOD treatment is related to medical cost reductions for family members, which may be considered a proxy for their improved health.
Continuous, categorical and mixture models of DSM‐IV alcohol and cannabis use disorders in the Australian community
Authors: Baillie Andrew J. , Teesson Maree
Published: May 2010

Aims  To apply item response mixture modelling (IRMM) to investigate the viability of the dimensional and categorical approaches to conceptualizing alcohol and cannabis use disorders.

Design  A cross‐sectional survey assessing substance use and DSM‐IV substance use disorders.

Setting and participants  A household survey of a nationally representative sample of 10 641 Australia adults (aged 18 years or older).

Measurements  Trained survey interviewers administered a structured interview based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).

Findings  Of the 10 641 Australian adults interviewed, 7746 had drunk alcohol in the past 12 months and 722 had used cannabis. There was no improvement in fit for categorical latent class nor mixture models combining continuous and categorical parameters compared to continuous factor analysis models. The results indicated that both alcohol and cannabis problems can be considered as dimensional, with those with the disorder arrayed along a dimension of severity.

Conclusions  A single factor accounts for more variance in the DSM‐IV alcohol and cannabis use criteria than latent class or mixture models, so the disorders can be explained most effectively by a dimensional score.
Sexual orientation and substance use trajectories in emerging adulthood
Authors: Talley Amelia E. , Sher Kenneth J. , Littlefield Andrew K.
Published: May 2010

Aims  The current study examined developmental changes in substance use behaviors (SUBS) based upon sexual orientation. The analyses also attempted to address a number of methodological limitations in the extant longitudinal literature (i.e. distinct operationalizations of sexual orientation, timing of sexual orientation assessment with respect to reports of SUBs, non‐linear growth).

Participants  Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of incoming first‐time college students at a large public university (n = 3720).

Design  After a paper‐and‐pencil assessment just prior to matriculation, participants completed a web‐based survey every fall and spring for 4 years (sub‐sample n = 2854).

Findings  Latent growth models revealed that sexual minorities demonstrated significant heterogeneity with regard to substance use trajectories. Initial levels and trajectories of the frequency of substance use for sexual minority individuals were distinct, generally, from their exclusively heterosexual peers. Methodologically, the timing of the assessment of sexual orientation influenced the results, and modeling non‐linear components indicated that sexual minorities are at risk for exponential increases in their frequency of certain SUBs over time (i.e. drunkenness; cannabis use).

Conclusions  Sexual minority and majority individuals exhibited differences in SUBs during emerging adulthood, especially when using self‐identification to define sexual orientation. Individuals who endorsed a sexual minority self‐identification at the onset of emerging adulthood, as opposed to 4 years later, evidenced exponential increases in rates of drunkenness and cannabis use. These results support that the timing of assessment is important and that some trajectories of sexual minority SUBs are non‐linear during this developmental period.
Matching motivation enhancement treatment to client motivation: re‐examining the Project MATCH motivation matching hypothesis
Authors: Witkiewitz Katie , Hartzler Bryan , Donovan Dennis
Published: May 2010

Aims  The current study was designed to re‐examine the motivation matching hypothesis from Project MATCH using growth mixture modeling, an analytical technique that models variation in individual drinking patterns.

Design, setting and participants  Secondary data analyses of data from Project MATCH (n = 1726), a large multi‐site alcoholism treatment‐matching study.

Measurements  Percentage of drinking days was the primary outcome measure, assessed from 1 month to 12 months following treatment. Treatment assignment, alcohol dependence symptoms and baseline percentage of drinking days were included as covariates.

Findings  The results provided support for the motivation matching hypothesis in the out‐patient sample and among females in the aftercare sample: the majority of individuals with lower baseline motivation had better outcomes if assigned to motivation enhancement treatment (MET) compared to those assigned to cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT). In the aftercare sample there was a moderating effect of gender and alcohol dependence severity, whereby males with lower baseline motivation and greater alcohol dependence drank more frequently if assigned to MET compared to those assigned to CBT.

Conclusions  Results from the current study lend partial support to the motivation‐matching hypothesis and also demonstrated the importance of moderating influences on treatment matching effectiveness. Based upon these findings, individuals with low baseline motivation in out‐patient settings and males with low levels of alcohol dependence or females in aftercare settings may benefit more from motivational enhancement techniques than from cognitive–behavioral techniques.
Plant glandular trichomes mediate protective mutualism in a spider–plant system
Authors: MORAIS‐FILHO JOSÉ CESAR , ROMERO GUSTAVO Q.
Published: May 2010

1. Although several species of Peucetia (Oxyopidae) live strictly in association with plants bearing glandular trichomes worldwide, to date little is known about whether these associations are mutualistic.

2. In this study we manipulated the presence of Peucetia flava on the glandular plant Rhynchanthera dichotoma in the rainy and post‐rain season, to test the strength of its effects on leaf, bud, and flower damage and plant reproductive output. In addition, we ran independent field experiments to examine whether these sticky structures improve spider fidelity to plants.

3. Peucetia suppressed some species of foliar phytophages, but not others. Although spiders have reduced levels of leaf herbivory, this phenomenon was temporally conditional, i.e. occurred only in the post‐rain but not in the rainy season. Floral herbivory was also reduced in the presence of spiders, but these predators did not affect plant fitness components.

4. Plants that had their glandular trichomes removed retained fewer insects than those bearing such structures. Spiders remained longer on plants with glandular trichomes than on plants in which these structures had been removed. Isotopic analyses showed that spiders that fed on live and dead labelled flies adhered to the glandular hairs in similar proportions.

5. Spiders incurred no costs to the plants, but can potentially increase individual plant fitness by reducing damage to reproductive tissues. Temporal conditionality probably occurred because plant productivity exceeded herbivore consumption, thus dampening top‐down effects. Specialisation to live on glandular plants may have favoured scavenging behaviour in Peucetia, possibly an adaptation to periods of food scarcity.
Bryozoans of the Weddell Sea continental shelf, slope and abyss: did marine life colonize the Antarctic shelf from deep water, outlying islands orin siturefugia following glaciations?
Authors: Barnes David K. A. , Kuklinski Piotr
Published: May 2010

Aim At the height of glaciations such as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), benthic life on polar continental shelves was bulldozed off nearly all of the Antarctic shelf by grounded ice sheets. The origins of the current shelf benthos have become a subject of considerable debate. There are several possible sources for the current Antarctic shelf fauna, the first of which is the continental slope and deep sea of the Southern Ocean. The high levels of reported eurybathy for many Antarctic species are taken as evidence supporting this. A second possible source for colonists is the southern margins of other continents. Finally, shelves could have been recolonized from refugia on the continental shelves or slopes around Antarctica. The current study investigates whether the patchily rich and abundant biota that now occurs on the Antarctic continental shelf recolonized from refugiain situor elsewhere.

Location Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Methods We examined bryozoan samples of the BENDEX, ANDEEP III and SYSTCO expeditions, as well as the literature. Using similarity matrices (Sørensen coefficient), we assessed similarities of benthos sampled from around Antarctica. By assessing numbers of species shared between differing depths and adjacent shelf areas, we evaluated the origins of cheilostome bryozoan communities.

Results Bryozoans decreased from 28, 6.5 and 0.3 colonies per trawl, and 0.16, 0.046 and 0.0026 colonies per cm2of hard surface from shelf to slope to abyssal depths. We found little and no support for recolonization of the Weddell Sea shelf by bryozoans from the adjacent slope and abyss, in the scenario of LGM faunal wipe‐out. The Weddell Sea shelf bryozoan fauna was considerably more similar to those on other Antarctic shelves than to that of the adjacent (Weddell Sea) continental slope. The known bryozoan fauna of the Weddell Sea shelf is not a subset of the Weddell Sea slope or abyssal faunas.

Main conclusions We consider that the composition of the current Weddell Sea bryozoan fauna is most easily explained byin situsurvival. Thus we consider that at least some of the Weddell Sea fauna persisted throughout the LGM, although not necessarily at the same locations throughout, to recolonize the large area currently occupied.
Womens’ opinions on intrapartal care: development of a theory‐based questionnaire
Authors: Wilde‐Larsson Bodil , Larsson Gerry , Kvist Linda J , Sandin‐Bojö Ann‐Kristin
Published: May 2010

Aim.  To develop a patient questionnaire specific to intrapartal care, based on the theoretical foundation of the general instrument Quality from the Patient’s Perspective (QPP).

Background.  Existing general patient questionnaires do not take intrapartal care aspects fully into account, and available intrapartal‐specific patient questionnaires tend to have a weak theoretical foundation.

Design.  A cross‐sectional, nationwide study carried out during a two‐week period in 2007 at Swedish maternity units.

Method.  An intrapartal‐specific QPP‐questionnaire (QPP‐I) was developed by combining a selection of 22 items from the short and long versions of the QPP with 10 newly constructed items. Responses were obtained from 739 women (63% response rate). The dimensionality of the QPP‐I was assessed using structural equation modelling (a nested factor model). Non‐parametric statistics were used for subgroup comparisons.

Results.  A nested model with a general factor including all 32 items and 10 subordinate factors was developed. Most scales had acceptable reliability coefficients (0·73–0·93), and a meaningful pattern of subgroup differences was obtained.

Conclusions.  The QPP‐I is theory based and has its roots in a patient perspective. It was developed using a nationwide sample of Swedish women receiving intrapartal care, and an advanced statistical method was used. The outcome of this initial empirical trial was promising but needs to be tested in different countries and cultures.

Relevance to clinical practice.  By combining womens’ responses on perceived reality and subjective importance ascribed to the various aspects of care measured, the QPP‐I offers the care provider better guidelines on which elements to focus quality improvement work on, than would be the case if only a rank order of perceived reality ratings was available.
Triage, treat and transfer: reconceptualising a rural practice model*
Authors: Sullivan Elise , Francis Karen , Hegney Desley
Published: May 2010

Aim.  This article argues that the current model of emergency practice in rural Victorian hospitals, which relies heavily on visiting medical officers, needs to be reconceptualised if emergency services are to be supplied to rural communities.

Background.  Medical workforce shortages are manifesting in Victoria as a reduction in emergency care services from rural hospitals. The suggested alternative model of emergency care involves advancing nursing practice to enable a redistribution of clinical capacity across the health care team. Clinicians will need to work collaboratively and continuously negotiate their roles to meet the patient’s and the clinical team’s needs.

Design.  Systematic review.

Methods.  This article is based on a review of the Victorian and Australian literature on the subject of Victorian health services and policy, emergency care, collaboration, communication and rural nurse scope of practice and roles. Emergency care activity was drawn from data held in the Victorian Emergency Management Dataset and personal communications between one of the authors and hospital executives in a small selection of rural hospitals in Victoria.

Results.  The evidence reviewed suggests that the current emergency practice profile of rural hospitals in Victoria does not reflect the reconceptualised model of rural emergency practice. Instead, only a small proportion of non‐urgent presentations is managed by nurses without medical support, and the data suggest that metropolitan nurses are more likely to manage without medical support than rural nurses.

Conclusion.  Reconceptualising rural emergency care in Victoria will require significantly greater investment in rural nurses’ knowledge and skills to enable them to operate confidently at a more advanced level. Clinical teams that deliver emergency service in rural hospitals will be expected increasingly to work collaboratively and interprofessionally.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This article offers some directions for advancing nursing practice and strategies for improving interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of rural emergency care.
Life stories and biography: a means of connecting family and staff to people with dementia
Authors: Kellett Ursula , Moyle Wendy , McAllister Margaret , King Christopher , Gallagher Fran
Published: May 2010

Aims.  This article assesses the Family Biography Workshop (FBW) designed to support family and staff to co‐construct the history of the person with dementia in residential care.

Background.  Family–staff conflict in residential dementia care is a major stressor that disturbs effective relationships and contributes to stress. Biographical research has been found to improve communication and promote family–staff relations. Few studies focus on family biography as an approach that promotes positive relations that translate into inclusive care interactions.

Design.  A qualitative descriptive approach was used to assess the influence of participation in the FBW and the impact of developing biographical knowledge on family–staff caregiver attitudes, perceptions of roles, conflict and the subsequent management of stress using participatory care practices.

Methods.  The FBW process involved seven family caregivers, seven staff and one researcher working collaboratively through a series of six weekly two‐hour sessions, designed to help them build a biography of the person with dementia.

Results.  For family caregivers, reviving memories of their relatives as ‘whole’ persons enabled some to ‘stand outside’ and see beyond the disease‐saturated context. For staff, ‘opening possibilities’ of ‘seeing’ the resident within the family context empowered them to engage in genuine participatory practices. Residents benefited from being connected as staffs’‘know how’ in initiating and engaging developed.

Conclusion.  Future research will examine the effects of the FBW on the dynamics of family–staff roles and relationships. This research aims to reduce stress from role inadequacy, task burden, poor relationships and improve staff attitudes towards family participation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study substantiated the FBW by revealing understanding of the meaning of biography work for family and relatives in care; providing effective support that empowered staff to confidently relate; and fostering engagement in inclusive care practices that encouraged residents’ initiatives.
Effectiveness of the auscultatory and pH methods in predicting feeding tube placement
Authors: Turgay Ayşe San , Khorshid Leyla
Published: May 2010

Aims and objectives.  This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of the auscultatory and pH methods in predicting feeding tube location in critically ill patients.

Background.  There is confusion about how nurses should asses feeding tubes location at the bedside. The most common method for determining tube location is the auscultatory method. It is known that auscultation is an unreliable method and additional data relating to bedside methods are needed to assist nurses in making a decision regarding tube location.

Design.  A methodological study.

Methods.  The sample consisted of 44 new insertions of feeding tubes. Data from a total of 44 auscultations relating to tube position and gastrointestinal aspirates for pH were obtained from 32 critically ill adult patients ranging in age from 38–87 years. Results from the auscultatory and pH tests were compared with the location of the tube as determined by radiography. A total of 44 feeding tube applications were investigated using the auscultatory and pH methods and concurrently with X‐rays to determine the feeding tube position. Nurses used the auscultatory method to predict tube position, a concurrent researcher aspirated fluid from the feeding tube, and samples were tested for pH within five minutes of radiographs taken to determine tube location. pH was measured with a test strip.

Results.  Mean pH level in the gastrointestinal aspirates was 4·23 (SD 1·20). Approximately 89% of the pH strip readings from gastrointestinal fluid were between 0–5. A pH of <5 successfully identified 90·4% of the 44 feeding tube cases.

Conclusion.  The pH method is effective in determining the feeding tube position, but the auscultatory method is not effective in determining the feeding tube position.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Simple bedside assessment of gastrointestinal aspirate pH is useful for predicting feeding tube position.
Nutritional factors associated with survival following enteral tube feeding in patients with motor neurone disease
Authors: Rio A. , Ellis C. , Shaw C. , Willey E. , Ampong M.‐A. , Wijesekera L. , Rittman T. , Nigel Leigh P. , Sidhu P. S. , Al‐Chalabi A.
Published: May 2010

Background:  Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease leading to limb weakness, wasting and respiratory failure. Prolonged poor nutritional intake causes fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Consequently, disease progression requires decisions to be made regarding enteral tube feeding. The present study aimed to investigate the survival, nutritional status and complications in patients with MND treated with enteral tube feeding.

Methods:  A retrospective case note review was performed to identify patients diagnosed with MND who were treated with enteral tube feeding. A total of 159 consecutive cases were identified suitable for analysis. Patients were treated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) or nasogastric feeding tube (NGT). Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI) and % weight loss (% WL). Serious complications arising from tube insertion and prescribed daily energy intake were both recorded.

Results:  Median survival from disease onset was 842 days [interquartile range (IQR) 573–1263]. Median time from disease onset to feeding tube was PEG 521 days (IQR 443–1032), RIG 633 days (IQR 496–1039) and NGT 427 days (IQR 77–781) (P = 0.28). Median survival from tube placement was PEG 200 (IQR 106–546) days, RIG 216 (IQR 83–383) days and NGT 28 (IQR 14–107) days. Survival between gastrostomy and NGT treated patients was significant (P ≤ 0.001). Analysis of serious complications by nutritional status was BMI (P = 0.347) and % WL (P = 0.489).

Conclusions:  Nutritional factors associated with reduced survival were weight loss, malnutrition and severe dysphagia. Serious complications were not related to nutritional status but to method of tube insertion. There was no difference in survival between PEG and RIG treated patients.
Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission to ileal longitudinal muscle predominates in neonatal guinea pigs
Authors: Patel B. A. , Dai X. , Burda J. E. , Zhao H. , Swain G. M. , Galligan J. J. , Bian X.
Published: May 2010

Background Inhibitory neurotransmission to the longitudinal muscle is more prominent in the neonatal than in the adult guinea pig ileum.

Methods Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission was investigated usingin vitroileal longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus (LMMP) preparations made from neonatal (≤48 h postnatal) and adult (∼4 weeks postnatal) guinea pigs.

Key Results Amperometric measurements of nicotine‐induced nitric oxide (NO) release (measured as an oxidation current) from myenteric ganglia revealed larger currents in neonatal (379 ± 24 pA)vsadult (119 ± 39 pA,P < 0.05) tissues. Nicotine‐induced oxidation currents were blocked by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, nitro‐l‐arginine (NLA, 100 μmol L−1). Nicotine‐induced, NLA‐sensitive oxidation currents could be detected in the tertiary plexus of neonatal but not adult tissues. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated stronger NOS immunoreactivity in neonatal compared with adult myenteric ganglia. Western blot studies revealed higher levels of NOS in neonatal compared with adult LMMP. Cell counts revealed that the total number of myenteric neurons in the small intestine was greater in adults than in neonatal guinea pigs, however, the ratio of NOS : Calbindin neurons was significantly higher in neonatal compared with adult tissues.

Conclusions & Inferences Nitric oxide signaling to the longitudinal muscle is stronger in neonatal compared with adult guinea pig ileum. Nitric oxide synthase‐containing neurons are diluted postnatally by cholinergic and other, as yet unidentified neuronal subtypes.
Fact or hypothesis: Taenia crassiceps as a model for Taenia solium, and the S3Pvac vaccine
Authors: LIGHTOWLERS M. W.
Published: May 2010

Research undertaken over the past 40 years has established many of the general principals concerning immunity to taeniid cestodes. Although much is well understood about the host‐protective mechanisms against taeniids and this knowledge has been exploited in studies on vaccine development, many aspects require further investigation or confirmation. Some phenomena have come to be regarded as being well established, while careful analysis of the published data would suggest that they may be better regarded as hypotheses rather than established facts. This review considers one selected issue pertaining to immunity to cestode infections and examines carefully the nature of the evidence that is available to support conclusions that have been made in this area. The issue examined is the use of Taenia crassiceps as a model for cysticercosis in pigs caused by Taenia solium, together with the S3Pvac vaccine, which has been developed based on this model. Strong evidence is found to support the conclusion that defined T. crassiceps antigens can limit intraperitoneal proliferation of the ORF strain of T. crassiceps in mice; however, the potential for these antigens to affect T. solium infection in pigs requires further confirmation.
Sensitivity and specificity of the Leishmania OligoC‐TesT and NASBA‐oligochromatography for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya
Authors: Basiye Frank L. , Mbuchi Margaret , Magiri Charles , Kirigi George , Deborggraeve Stijn , Schoone Gerard J. , Saad Alfarazdeg A. , El‐Safi Sayda , Matovu Enock , Wasunna Monique K.
Published: May 2010

Objective  To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the OligoC‐TesT and nucleic acid sequence‐based amplification coupled to oligochromatography (NASBA‐OC) for molecular detection of Leishmania in blood from patients with confirmed visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and healthy endemic controls from Kenya.

Methods  Blood specimens of 84 patients with confirmed VL and 98 endemic healthy controls from Baringo district in Kenya were submitted to both assays.

Results  The Leishmania OligoC‐TesT showed a sensitivity of 96.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90–98.8%) and a specificity of 88.8% (95% CI: 81–93.6%), while the sensitivity and specificity of the NASBA‐OC were 79.8% (95% CI: 67–87%) and 100% (95% CI: 96.3–100%), respectively.

Conclusion  Our findings indicate high sensitivity of the Leishmania OligoC‐TesT on blood while the NASBA‐OC is a better marker for active disease.
Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of patients with visceral leishmaniasis and HIV co‐infection in northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Hurissa Zewdu , Gebre‐Silassie Samuel , Hailu Workagegnehu , Tefera Tewodros , Lalloo David G , Cuevas Luis E. , Hailu Asrat
Published: May 2010

Objectives  To describe the clinical presentation of patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection and factors associated with poor outcome in northwest Ethiopia.

Method  Retrospective review of 241 patients with VL (92 with and 149 without HIV co‐infection).

Results  HIV co‐infection was present in 92 (38%) of the patients. Clinical presentation of VL was indistinguishable between patients with and without HIV co‐infection. Co‐infected patients had a poorer outcome i.e. either death or treatment failure (31.5%vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). The presence of tuberculosis or sepsis syndrome among patients with VL and HIV co‐infected independently predicted death or treatment failure [odds ratio 4.5 (95% CI 1.47–13.92, P = 0.009) and 9.1 (95% CI 2.16–37.97, P = 0.003), respectively]. Despite having similar clinical presentation at the time of diagnosis, VL and HIV co‐infected patients had a higher mortality and treatment failure than immunocompetent patients.

Conclusion  The frequency of HIV co‐infection among patients with VL is high in the study area, and this co‐infection was associated with death or treatment failure. The clinical management of VL in HIV co‐infected patients is a major challenge that requires new treatment approaches to improve its outcome.
Comparative biochemical and serological studies on two fish‐pathogenic Rhabdoviruses (VHS‐V and SVC‐V)
Authors: Deuter A. , Enzmann P.‐J.
Published: May 2010

The two rhabdoviruses VHS‐V (viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus) and SVC‐V (spring viraemia of carp virus) were compared under identical conditions. Using biochemical and serological methods a relationship between these two virus strains could be established. The density of purified virus particles was determined in sucrose, percoll and metrizamide gradients. In sucrose gradients SVC‐V proved to be very unstable so for further analysis only virus particles from inert metrizamide gradients were used. Analysis by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) indicated for VHS‐V the proteins, L, G, N, M1 and M2 with molecular weights of >90, 63, 42, 24, 20 kilodalton and for SVC‐V the proteins L, G, N, NS1, NS2 and M with molecular weights of > 90, 73, 50, 39, 26 and 22 kilodalton (the proteins are named according to the nomenclature of Matthews, 1982). Limited proteolysis showed that there is a biochemical relationship between corresponding structural proteins of VHS‐V and SVC‐V to a diminishing degree from M1—NS2 to M2—M, N—N and G—G. Furthermore, it was found that the protein NS1 of SVC‐V is a cleavage product of protein N. A serological relationship was found with counter‐immunoelectrophoresis and two‐dimensional “rokket” immunoelectrophoresis. From these results we conclude that VHS‐V and SVC‐V belong to the same genus of the family rhabdoviridae.

Vergleichende biochemische und serologische Untersuchungen an zwei Fisch‐pathogenen Rhabdoviren (VHS‐V und SVC‐V)

Die beiden Rhabdoviren VHS‐V (Virale Haemorrhagische Septicaemie) und SVC‐V (spring viraemia of carp) wurden unter identischen Umständen verglichen. Indem man biochemische und serologische Methoden benutzte, konnte man die Verwandtschaft zwischen diesen beiden Virusstämmen nachweisen. Die Dichte der gereinigten Viruspartikel wurde in Sucrose‐, Percoll‐ und Metrizamid‐Gradienten bestimmt. In Sucrosegradienten erwies sich das SVC‐V als sehr labil, daher wurden für weitere Analysen nur Viruspartikel von Metrizamidgradienten benutzt. Analysen durch SDS‐Polyakrylamid‐Gel‐Elektrophorese (SDS‐PAGE) wiesen für VHS‐V auf die Proteine L, G, N, M1 und M2 mit Molekulargewichten von > 90, 63, 42, 24 und 20 Kilodalton und für SVC‐V die Proteine L, G, N, NS1 und M mit Molekulargewichten von > 90, 73, 50, 39, 26 und 22 Kilodalton hin (die Proteine wurden nach der Nomenklatur von Matthews, 1982, benannt). Eine limitierte Proteolyse ergab, daß eine biochemische Verwandtschaft zwischen entsprechenden strukturellen Proteinen von VHS‐V und SVC‐V in einem abgeschwächten Maße von M1 — NS2 zu M2 — M, N — N und G — G besteht. Außerdem wurde gefunden, daß das Protein NS1 von SVC‐V ein Spaltprodukt des Proteins N ist. Eine serologische Verwandtschaft wurde bei Gegenstromimmunelektrophoresen und zweidimensionalen “rocket”‐Immunelektrophoresen gefunden. Aufgrund dieser Ergebnisse folgerten wir, daß VHS‐V und SVC‐V zu demselben Genus der Familie Rhabdoviridae gehören.
Zur Diagnostik und Vorkommen von Yersinia enterocolitica in Wasser
Authors: Stengel G.
Published: May 2010

Diagnosis and occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica in water

As a possible reservoir for Yersinia enterocolitica, water has been for long considered a possibility. A summary of previous investigations, together with the author's own studies, suggest that in only very few instances can the occurrence of pathogenic strains in water be considered likely. The isolates were predominantly members of the species Yersinia intermedia and Yersinia frederiksenii, the pathogenic significance of which has not so far been established. From 430 samples of Berlin drinking water a total of 4 Yersinia strains were isolated (Yersinia intermedia serotypes 0:5, 0:17, 0:38; Y. frederiksenii, serotype 0:39). Fifty samples from street springs were all negative. After enrichment of the samples with phosphate buffered salt solution, modified with 1% sorbite and 0.15% bile salts, the cultivation was sought with sodium deoxycholate‐citrate‐mannin‐agar and cefsulodin‐irgasan‐novobiocin‐agar.

Biochemical differentiation was carried out both by the conventional coloured row in tubes and also in a miniaturized test system and the two methods gave very similar results. Testing of the isolates in 4 pathogenicity models (invasiveness in HeLa cell culture, enterotoxin production, autoagglutination and calcium dependance) showed that, in contrast to 3 reference strains (Y. enterocolitica serotypes 0:3, 0:8, 0:9) the results were negative and so indicated that the strains were nonpathogenic.

Als ein mögliches Keimreservoir für Yersinia enterocolitica wird bislang auch Wasser angesehen. Eine zusammenfassende Darstellung bisheriger Untersuchungsergebnisse und die Resultate eigener Versuche lassen aber vermuten, daß nur in wenigen Ausnahmen mit dem Vorkommen pathogener Stämme in Wasser gerechnet werden kann. Überwiegend handelt es sich bei den Isolaten um Vertreter der Species Yersinia intermedia und Yersinia frederiksenii, deren humanpathogene Bedeutung noch nicht geklärt ist. Aus 430 Oberflächenwasserproben Berliner Gewässer gelang der Nachweis von 4 Yersinien‐Stämmen (Yersinia intermedia Serotyp 0:5, 0:17, 0:38; Yersinia frederiksenii Serotyp 0:39). Als negativ erwiesen sich 50 Wasserproben aus Straßenbrunnen. Nach Anreicherung der Proben in phosphatgepufferter Kochsalzlösung, modifiziert mit 1% Sorbit und 0,15% Gallensalzen, erfolgte die Kultivierung auf dem Natriumdesoxycholat‐Citrat‐Mannit‐Agar und dem Cefsulodin‐Irgasan‐Novobiocin‐Agar.

Die biochemische Differenzierung wurde sowohl mit der konventionellen Bunten Reihe im Röhrchen wie auch mit einem minaturisiertem Testsystem (Minitek) durchgeführt, die beide weitgehend übereinstimmende Resultate ergaben. Die Prüfung der Isolate in 4 Pathogenitätsmodellen (Invasivität in der HeLa‐Zellkultur, Enterotoxinbildung, Antogglutination, Kalziumabhängigkeit) verlief, im Gegensatz zu 3 Referenzstämmen (Yersinia enterocolitica Serotyp 0:3, 0:8, 0:9), negativ; sie können daher als apathogen eingestuft werden.
Failure to demonstrate adherence of Pasteurella multocida involved in atrophic rhinitis to swine nasal epithelial cells
Authors: Frymus T. , Wittenbrink M.‐M. , Petzoldt K.
Published: May 2010

The adhesive properties of 5 toxigenicPasteurella multocida(P. m.) strains isolated from pigs with atrophic rhinitis and 7 non‐toxigenic strains derived from nasal cavities of normal pigs were studiedin vitro.The bacteria were grown either in brain heart infusion broth or on blood agar. For adherence testing, swine nasal epithelial cells, nasopharyngeal and tracheobronchial epithelia, bladder epithelia, human buccal epithelia and tissue culture cells (Buffalo green monkey and HeLa cells) were used. The time of incubation of bacteria and cell mixtures ranged between 0.5 and 2 hours.

All P. m. strains showed very poor adherence to swine nasal epithelial cells and other cell types used, regardless of the conditions of their cultivation or modifications of adherence testing. The average adherence was 0.07 ± 0.3 bacteria per cell, whereas aBordetella bronchisepticastrain tested as a control adhered at a mean level of 15.3 bacteria per cell.

Keine Adhärenz von an Rhinitis atrophicans beteiligtenPasteurella multocida‐Stämmen an Nasenepithelzellen des Schweines

An 5 toxinogenenPasteurella multocida(P. m.) Stämmen, die von Schweinen mit atrophischer Rhinitis isoliert worden waren, und an 7 nicht atoxinogenen Stämmen, die aus Nasenhöhlen von gesunden Schweinen stammten, wurdein vitrountersucht, ob eine Anheftung an Zellen stattfindet. Die Anzüchtung der Bakterien erfolgte entweder in “Brain Heart Infusion Bouillon” oder auf Blutagar. Für den Anheftungstest wurden nasale Epithelzellen vom Schwein, nasopharyngeales und tracheobronchiales Epithel, Blasenepithel, humanes Mundschleimhautepithel und Gewebekulturzellen (Buffalo green monkey und HeLa‐Zellen) verwendet. Die Inkubationszeit der Bakterien und der Zellkulturen lag zwischen 0,5 und 2 Stunden.

Alle P. m.‐Stämme hefteten sich nur sehr schwach an die Nasenepithelzellen vom Schwein und an die anderen untersuchten Zellarten an, worauf auch die Wachstumsbedingungen oder Veränderungen des Anheftungstestes keinen Einfluß hatten. Die durchschnittlichen Anheftungswerte lagen bei 0,07 ± 0,3 Bakterien pro Zelle, während einBordetella bronchiseptica‐Stamm, welcher als Kontrolle diente, einen mittleren Anheftungswert von 15,3 Bakterien pro Zelle aufwies.
Nachweis von IPNV‐Antikörpern in Forellenseren mit der indirekten Immunofluoreszenztechnik
Authors: Ahne W. , Delventhal H. , Kohlmeyer G. , Thomsen I.
Published: May 2010

Mit der indirekten Immunofluoreszenz konnten mit Hilfe von markierten Antiforellenimmunglobulin IPNV‐spezifische Antikörper im Serum von Forellen ermittelt werden. Verglichen mit dem Neutralisationstest erwies sich der IF‐Test als empfindlicher und erbrachte Arbeits‐ und Zeitersparnis. Der IF‐Test war sensitiv genug, um IPNV‐Sp, IPNV‐Ab und IPNV‐He‐Antikörper in den Forellenseren zu unterscheiden.

Detection of IPNV‐antibodies in sera of rainbow trout by use of an indirect immunofluorescent technique

IPNV‐specific antibodies could be demonstrated in the serum of rainbow trout by use of an indirect immunofluorescent technique. The IF test was more sensitive than the neutralization test, it saved material and it was sensitiv enough to distinguish between antibodies in trout sera directed against IPNV‐Sp, IPNV‐Ab and IPN‐He.

Danksagung

Die Arbeit wurde vom Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten, Bonn, finanziell unterstützt.

Ein Teil der Forellen wurde freundlicherweise von Herrn Dr. v. Lukowicz, Bayerische Landesanstalt für Fischerei, Starnberg, zur Verfügung gestellt.
Occurrence and Isolation in Tissue Culture of Equine Rotaviruses*
Authors: Eichhorn W. , Bachmann P. A. , Werhahn H. , Jacobi R.
Published: May 2010

During an outbreak of diarrheal disease in foals on a stud farm in north Germany rotavirus was demonstrated by 1 or more of 4 tests in 6 out of 24 samples tested. From one of the 6 positive samples equine rotavirus was isolated in cell culture. This isolate belonged to group A of rotaviruses and was classified in subgroup I.

Vorkommen und Isolierung in Zellkultur von equinen Rotaviren

Während eines Ausbruchs von Durchfallerkrankungen bei Fohlen eines Gestüts in Nord‐deutschland konnte bei sechs von 24 untersuchten Kotproben Rotavirus nachgewiesen werden. Aus einer Probe ließ sich equines Rotavirus in der Zellkultur isolieren. Dieses Isolat gehört zur Gruppe A der Rotaviren und innerhalb dieser Gruppe in die Untergruppe I.
Antibacterial Mechanism of Volatile Fatty Acids in the Intestinal Tract of Pigs againsEscherichia coli
Authors: Prohászka L.
Published: May 2010

Inin vitrostudies usingE. coli, a VFA‐associated antibacterial effect was demonstrable in the colon contents of pigs. The mean VFA concentration of the colon contents was 96 to 120 mmol/kg; acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid constituted 65, 25, and 10% of total VFA, respectively. In the colon the VFA concentration is controlled by a bioregulatory mechanism and so VFA concentration always remains within a range sufficient for the antibacterial action. The bioregulation of VFA can be altered by depriving the intestinal portion of its blood supply, which results in a rise of VFA concentration, or by fasting the pigs for 3 to 4 days, which leads to a decrease of VFA concentration.

The antibacterial effect is caused by the non‐dissociated VFA molecules and so this effect is extremely pH‐sensitive. In the pig colon, the pH may vary between 5.6 and 7.2, depending on the metabolic status, and may be influenced also by feeding. Antibacterial activity is demonstrable only between pH 5.6 and 6.6; above pH 6.6 the proportion of non‐dissociated VFA molecules is so low that the antibacterial effect ceases. Consequently, the antibacterial defence mechanism functioning in the colon is sensitive to all nutritional factors which alter the pH of the colon.

Antibakterielle Abwehrmechanismen im Darmtrakt von Schweinen gegenEscherichia coli

Mitin vitro‐Untersuchungen wurde im Coloninhalt von Schweinen ein antibakterieller Effekt gegenE. coli‐Bakterien nachgewiesen, der eng mit dem Gehalt an flüchtigen Fettsäuren korrelierte. Die mittlere Konzentration an flüchtigen Fettsäuren lag im Coloninhalt zwischen 96 und 120 mmol/kg. Essigsäure, Propionsäure und Buttersäure machten je 65%, 25% und 10% des gesamten flüchtigen Fettsäuregehaltes aus. Im Colon wird die flüchtige Fettsäurekonzentration durch einen Bioregulationsmechanismus kontrolliert, der gewährleistet, daß die flüchtige Fettsäurekonzentration immer in einem Bereich bleibt, der für eine antibakterielle Wirkung ausreicht. Diese Bioregulation kann z. B. durch eine Unterbrechung der Blutversorgung im Darm gestört werden, was zu einem Anstieg der flüchtigen Fettsäurekonzentration führt. Eine Abnahme der Fettsäurekonzentration erreicht man dagegen z. B. bei Schweinen durch einen 3‐ bis 4tägigen Futterentzug.

Da die antibakterielle Wirkung der flüchtigen Fettsäuren auf nicht spaltbaren Molekülen beruht, ist diese Wirkung extrem pH‐empfindlich. Im Schweinecolon schwankt, je nach Stoffwechselstatus und Fütterung, der pH‐Wert zwischen 5,6 und 7,2. Eine antibakterielle Aktivität tritt nur bei pH‐Werten zwischen 5,6 und 6,6 auf; über pH 6,6 ist der Anteil der nicht spaltbaren Moleküle der flüchtigen Fettsäuren so gering, daß eine antibakterielle Wirkung nicht mehr nachzuweisen ist. Da über die Fütterung der pH‐Wert des Colons beeinflußt werden kann, hängt der antibakterielle Abwehrmechanismus des Schweinecolons direkt mit der Fütterung zusammen.
Isolation and Identification of a Poxvirus from a Domestic Cat and a Human Contact Case
Authors: Egberink H. F. , Willemse A. , Horzinek M. C.
Published: May 2010

A poxvirus infection in a domestic cat and transmission to a human contact have recently been reported. The isolation and identification of the virus from the cat and the owner are described. The viruses isolated show features of a “cowpox” virus.

Isolierung und Identifizierung eines Pockenvirus von einer Hauskatze und einer Kontaktperson

Über eine Pockeninfektion bei einer Hauskatze und die Übertragung auf einen Menschen durch Kontakt wurde kürzlich berichtet.

Die Isolierung und Identifizierung des Virus aus der Katze und dem Besitzer werden beschrieben. Die isolierten Viren zeigen die Merkmale des “Kuhpocken‐Virus”.
Unterschiedliche biologische Eigenschaften 4 cyprinidenpathogener Rhabdovirusisolate
Authors: Ahne W.
Published: May 2010

Different biological properties of four rhabdoviruses isolated from cyprinid fishes

Four rhabdoviruses were isolated from carp (Cyprinus carpio) and from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The agents differed in virulence and serological properties. Isolates from carp (10/5, 10/6 and V77) were neutralized with different degrees of NI by SVC‐antiserum. The isolate from grass carp (V 76) was neutralized to the same extent by PFR‐antiserum.

Von Karpfen (Cyprinus carpio) und Graskarpfen (Ctenopharyngodon idella) wurden 4 Rhabdoviren isoliert, die sich hinsichtlich der Virulenz und der serologischen Eigenschaften unterscheiden. Die Karpfenisolate 10/5, 10/6 und V77 konnten mit unterschiedlichen NI‐Werten mit SVC‐Antiserum neutralisiert werden. Das Graskarpfen‐pathogene Isolat V 76 wurde mit PFR‐Antiserum partiell neutralisiert.
Studies on Transplacental Transmissibility of a Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) Vaccine Virus in Cattle III. Occurrence of Central Nervous System Malformations in Calves Born from Vaccinated Cows
Authors: Trautwein G. , Hewicker M. , Liess B. , Orban S. , Grunert E.
Published: May 2010

In two cattle herds pregnant cows and heifers without neutralizing antibodies to BVD virus were vaccinated with a commercial live virus vaccine at various stages of gestation. Seven calves, derived from dams vaccinated between the 90th and 118th day of gestation, showed central nervous symptoms with ataxia, torticollis, astasia and opisthotonus and/or growth retardation. BVD virus was isolated from several organs of one calf and from the cerebrospinal fluid of a second calf. In a third case BVD viral antigen was demonstrated in the brain and other organs by direct immunofluorescence. Post mortem examination revealed severe cerebellar hypoplasia associated with hydranencephaly in 4, cerebellar hypoplasia alone in 1, and slight internal hydrocephalus in 2 animals.

Untersuchungen zur transplazentaren Übertragung eines “Bovine Virusdiarrhoe (BVD)”‐Vakzinevirus III. Auftreten von Fehlentwicklungen des Zentralnervensystems bei Kälbern vakzinierter Muttertiere

In zwei Rinderherden wurden tragende Kühe und Färsen, die keine neutralisierenden Anti‐körper gegen BVD‐Virus aufwiesen, mit einer kommerziellen Lebendvirus‐Vakzine in verschiedenen Trächtigkeitsstadien geimpft. Sieben neugeborene Kälber, bei denen die Muttertiere zwischen dem 90. und 118. Trächtigkeitstag vakziniert worden waren, zeigten zentralnervöse Störungen mit Auftreten von Ataxie, Torticollis, Astasie bzw. Opisthotonus. BVD‐Virus ließ sich aus mehreren Organen eines Kalbes isolieren. Bei einem weiteren Kalb war BVD‐Virus im Liquor cerebrospinalis enthalten. in einem dritten Fall ließ sich zusätzlich BVD‐Virusantigen immunfluoreszenzmikroskopisch im Gehirn und in verschiedenen Organen nachweisen. Pathologisch‐anatomisch fanden sich hochgradige Kleinhirnhypoplasie und Hydranenzephalie bei 4 Kälbern, Kleinhirnhypoplasie ohne Großhirnveränderungen bei einem Kalb sowie leichter Hydrocephalus internus bei 2 Kälbern.