bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An intervention study exploring the effects of providing older adult hip fracture patients with an information booklet in the early postoperative period
Authors: Murphy Siobhan , Conway Col , McGrath Niamh B , O’Leary Breda , O’Sullivan Mary P , O’Sullivan Dawn
Published: July 2011

Aim.  To determine whether the provision of an information booklet on mobilisation improves early mobility postsurgical repair of hip fracture.

Background.  Hip fracture among older people can have long‐lasting consequences with the majority of patients failing to achieve their prefracture functional status. Early postoperative mobility may have a positive effect on long‐term recovery. The importance of providing postoperative information on mobility has been highlighted. It is suggested that patients remain passive in their recovery when they do not understand the importance of mobilisation.

Design.  The study used a pretest–post‐test design of two treatments and a usual care control group.

Methods.  Eighty‐three adults postsurgical repair of hip fracture, aged 65 years and older, were recruited to the study. Participants were assigned to one of three groups, a usual care group, treatment group 1 (T1) usual care plus basic information booklet or treatment group 2 (T2) usual care plus detailed information booklet. Data collection three days postsurgery and prior to discharge included the Mini‐Mental State Examination, a Demographic Questionnaire, the Elderly Mobility Scale and a Numerical Pain Scale.

Results.  Greatest improvements in Elderly Mobility Scale scores occurred in T1, with least changes observed in T2. Changes did not reach significance level (p = 0·105).

Conclusion.  The results of the study suggest that the provision of basic information is preferable and highlights a deficiency of education in usual care.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Hip fracture patients should be provided with an educational booklet containing basic information on mobility to promote optimal recovery.
Managing mealtime tasks: told by persons with dementia
Authors: Johansson Linda , Christensson Lennart , Sidenvall Birgitta
Published: July 2011

Aim.  To capture the self‐description of managing mealtime tasks by persons with dementia.

Background.  There are several factors that negatively affect food intake in persons with dementia that may increase the risk of developing malnutrition. Difficulties in managing daily activities increase gradually and mealtime tasks like food shopping, cooking and eating often become troublesome. Still, little is known about how persons with dementia themselves experience this issue.

Design.  A qualitative study with an ethnographic approach.

Method.  Ten women and five men aged 69–86 with dementia were interviewed. Interviews were carried out in the informants’ own homes and a thematic analysis was performed.

Results.  The informants described that they wanted to be independent and that the memory loss was not affecting them to a great extent. Old habits and routines, as well as newly developed strategies, helped them manage mealtime tasks despite the disease. Informants were satisfied with their current situation, even though it sometimes meant that they had changed their way of managing mealtime tasks, for instance receiving meals‐on‐wheels.

Conclusions.  Persons with dementia seem to be able to manage mealtime tasks and these activities were based on old habits and routines. Independence was highly valued and managing mealtime tasks seems to be one way to appear independent.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is important for caregivers to understand that persons with dementia might not express difficulties in managing mealtime tasks for fear of losing their independence. It is, therefore, important to create a trustful relationship even before problems arise to be able to support the persons when necessary.
Eating difficulties among stroke patients in the acute state: a descriptive, cross‐sectional, comparative study
Authors: Medin Jörgen , Windahl Jenny , von Arbin Magnus , Tham Kerstin , Wredling Regina
Published: July 2011

Aims and objectives.  To examine eating difficulties among stroke patients – a comparison between women and men.

Background.  Gender differences have been reported in studies of stroke, but the findings are inconclusive and few of these studies have specifically focused on gender differences in eating difficulties.

Design.  This study was a descriptive, cross‐sectional, comparative study.

Method.  Patients with stroke were recruited at a general hospital in Sweden. To detect eating difficulties, individual observations of the patients were made during one meal using a structured observation protocol. Assessment also included measurements of nutritional and oral status, degree of independence, stroke severity, neglect and well‐being.

Results.  One hundred and four patients (53·8% women) were included in the study. The proportion of stroke patients with one or more eating difficulties was 81·7%. The most common eating difficulties were ‘managing food on the plate’ (66·3%), ‘food consumption’ (54·8%) and ‘sitting position’ (45·2%). Women had lower ‘food consumption’, more severe stroke (p = 0·003), worse functional status (p = 0·001) and lower quality of life (QoL) (p = 0·038) than men. More women than men were malnourished and living alone. After adjustment for functional status and motor arm, the odds ratio of having difficulties with food consumption was four times higher among women than men (1·7–9·4, confidence interval 95%).

Conclusions.  More women than men with stroke suffered from inadequate food consumption. The women had more severe strokes, experienced poorer QoL and showed lower functional status than the men. In the rehabilitation process of women with stroke, these factors should be taken into consideration.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Structured observation of meals, including assessment of food consumption, might be necessary in acute stroke care to detect patients, especially women, who might need closer supervision and nutritional intervention.
Defining the limit to resistance in a drought‐tolerant grassland: long‐term severe drought significantly reduces the dominant species and increases ruderals
Authors: Evans Sarah E. , Byrne Kerry M. , Lauenroth William K. , Burke Ingrid C.
Published: July 2011

1. Models predict that the duration and intensity of drought will increase under future climate regimes. Although semi‐arid grasslands are adapted to moisture limitation, the sensitivity of semi‐arid grassland vegetation to extreme and sustained dry periods that may occur in the future has not been tested.

2. In this study, we analysed vegetation cover data from an 11‐year drought manipulation in the semi‐arid shortgrass steppe in Colorado, USA. We examined changes in total vegetation cover, dominant plant (Bouteloua gracilis) cover and ruderal cover in plots receiving 25% and 50% of ambient precipitation during the growing season.

3. We found that 11 years of drought resulted in large reductions in total cover and cover of the dominant species, but significant differences did not emerge until the 4th and 7th year of drought. Drought severity significantly influenced the degree to which ruderal cover increased in the later period of the drought, but reductions in B. gracilis cover under drought were not significantly different under different drought severities. Bouteloua gracilis reduction did correspond strongly with increases in ruderal cover and species richness, suggesting that the dominant species plays a strong role in maintaining the structure of communities in the shortgrass steppe.

4. Synthesis. Our results suggest that the shortgrass steppe, and most notably the dominant species B. gracilis, can be significantly perturbed by long‐term droughts that may be more common in future decades. By quantifying the resistance‐limit of a drought‐tolerant system, our results can inform theories of stability and management decisions for grassland systems under new climate regimes and provide a new temporal context for previous and future manipulation studies.
Development of an aquatic pathogen database (AquaPathogen X) and its utilization in tracking emerging fish virus pathogens in North America
Authors: Emmenegger E J , Kentop E , Thompson T M , Pittam S , Ryan A , Keon D , Carlino J A , Ranson J , Life R B , Troyer R M , Garver K A , Kurath G
Published: July 2011

The AquaPathogen X database is a template for recording information on individual isolates of aquatic pathogens and is freely available for download (http://wfrc.usgs.gov). This database can accommodate the nucleotide sequence data generated in molecular epidemiological studies along with the myriad of abiotic and biotic traits associated with isolates of various pathogens (e.g. viruses, parasites and bacteria) from multiple aquatic animal host species (e.g. fish, shellfish and shrimp). The cataloguing of isolates from different aquatic pathogens simultaneously is a unique feature to the AquaPathogen X database, which can be used in surveillance of emerging aquatic animal diseases and elucidation of key risk factors associated with pathogen incursions into new water systems. An application of the template database that stores the epidemiological profiles of fish virus isolates, called Fish ViroTrak, was also developed. Exported records for two aquatic rhabdovirus species emerging in North America were used in the implementation of two separate web‐accessible databases: the Molecular Epidemiology of Aquatic Pathogens infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (MEAP‐IHNV) database (http://gis.nacse.org/ihnv/) released in 2006 and the MEAP‐ viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (http://gis.nacse.org/vhsv/) database released in 2010.
From global to local genetic structuring in the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata: the interplay between oceanographic conditions and limited larval dispersal
Authors: MOKHTAR‐JAMAÏ K. , PASCUAL M. , LEDOUX J.‐B. , COMA R. , FÉRAL J.‐P. , GARRABOU J. , AURELLE D.
Published: July 2011

Defining the scale of connectivity among marine populations and identifying the barriers to gene flow are tasks of fundamental importance for understanding the genetic structure of populations and for the design of marine reserves. Here, we investigated the population genetic structure at three spatial scales of the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata (Cnidaria, Octocorallia), a key species dwelling in the coralligenous assemblages of the Mediterranean Sea. Colonies of P. clavata were collected from 39 locations across the Mediterranean Sea from Morocco to Turkey and analysed using microsatellite loci. Within three regions (Medes, Marseille and North Corsica), sampling was obtained from multiple locations and at different depths. Three different approaches (measures of genetic differentiation, Bayesian clustering and spatially explicit maximum‐difference algorithm) were used to determine the pattern of genetic structure. We identified genetic breaks in the spatial distribution of genetic diversity, which were concordant with oceanographic conditions in the Mediterranean Sea. We revealed a high level of genetic differentiation among populations and a pattern of isolation by distance across the studied area and within the three regions, underlining short effective larval dispersal in this species. We observed genetic differentiation among populations in the same locality dwelling at different depths, which may be explained by local oceanographic conditions and which may allow a process of local adaptation of the populations to their environment. We discuss the implications of our results for the conservation of the species, which is exposed to various threats.
Colony stage and not facultative policing explains pattern of worker reproduction in the Saxon wasp
Authors: BONCKAERT W. , Van ZWEDEN J. S. , D’ETTORRE P. , BILLEN J. , WENSELEERS T.
Published: July 2011

Inclusive fitness theory predicts that in colonies of social Hymenoptera headed by a multiple‐mated queen, workers should benefit from policing eggs laid by other workers. Foster & Ratnieks provided evidence that in the vespine wasp Dolichovespula saxonica, workers police other workers’ eggs only in colonies headed by a multiple‐mated queen, but not in those headed by a single‐mated one. This conclusion, however, was based on a relatively small sample size, and the original study did not control for possible confounding variables such as the seasonal colony progression of the nests. Our aim, therefore, was to reinvestigate whether or not facultative worker policing occurs in D. saxonica. Remarkably, our data show that in the studied Danish population, there was no correlation between worker–worker relatedness and the percentage of worker‐derived males. In addition, we show that variability in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles among the workers did not significantly correlate with relatedness and that workers therefore probably did not have sufficient information on queen mating frequency from the workers’ cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. Hence, there was no evidence that workers facultatively policed other workers’ eggs in response to queen mating frequency. Nevertheless, our data do show that the seasonal progression of the nest and the location in which the males were reared both explain the patterns of worker reproduction found. Overall, our results suggest that the earlier evidence for facultative worker policing in D. saxonica may have been caused by accidental correlations with certain confounding variables, or, alternatively, that there are large interpopulation differences in the expression of worker policing.
Metabolic rate in diapause and nondiapause brown locust eggs correlated with embryonic development
Authors: KAMBULE INNOCENT N. , HANRAHAN SHIRLEY A. , DUNCAN FRANCES D.
Published: July 2011

Insects use dormancy to survive adverse conditions. Brown locust Locustana pardalina (Walk.) eggs offer a convenient model to study dormancy (diapause and quiescence), which contributes to their survival under arid conditions. The metabolic rates of developing nondiapause, diapause and quiescent eggs are compared in the present study using closed‐system respirometry. The embryo becomes committed to continue development and hatch or to enter diapause 6 days after the eggs are placed on moist soil. The metabolic rate of nondiapause eggs increases exponentially until hatching, whereas that of diapause eggs is low and stable. The metabolic rate of diapause laboratory eggs (1.9 ± 0.6 µL CO2 mg−1 h−1) is significantly higher than that of field eggs (0.5 ± 0.3 µL CO2 mg−1 h−1), although the ranges of metabolic rate overlap and the embryos are all in late anatrepsis. The metabolic rate of quiescent eggs is similar to that of diapause eggs but decreases with time. Low metabolic rates during arrested development allow eggs to persist over long periods before hatching.
Implication of hrpW in virulence of Pseudomonas cichorii
Authors: Kajihara S. , Hojo H. , Koyanagi M. , Tanaka M , Mizumoto H. , Ohnishi K. , Kiba A. , Hikichi Y.
Published: July 2011

Pseudomonas cichorii strain SPC9018 harbours hrp genes that encode a type III secretion system. The hrp mutants have reduced virulence on lettuce and lose virulence on aubergine. Of the hrp genes, the B3 gene (B3) is located next to hrpW, encoding a harpin, and is predicted to encode a small (12 kDa) acidic (pI = 5·21) chaperone. In this study, involvement of the two genes in SPC9018 virulence was analysed. An hrpW‐mutant (CWN1) and a B3‐deleted mutant (ΔB3) of SPC9018 lacked virulence on aubergine and had reduced virulence on lettuce. Furthermore, both mutants also lost their ability to induce the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco leaves. The phenotypes were similar to those of the hrpL‐deficient mutant (SPC9018‐L). Transformation of CWN1 and ΔB3 with the plasmid containing hrpW and B3, respectively, originating from SPC9018 restored their virulence and ability to induce the HR in tobacco leaves. The population of CWN1 drastically decreased in aubergine following inoculation. In contrast, the population of ΔB3 was retained after inoculation, which was similar to that observed with SPC9018‐L. RT‐PCR analysis showed that hrpW and B3 are transcribed as a single transcript and its expression is dependent on HrpL. The two‐hybrid analysis showed association of HrpW with the B3 protein. Therefore, HrpW can be implicated in the virulence of P. cichorii and its ability to induce the HR in tobacco, with some assistance from the B3 protein, probably acting as a chaperone.
Do earthquake storms repeat in the Apennines of Italy?
Authors: Chiarabba Claudio , De Gori Pasquale , Amato Alessandro
Published: July 2011

Terra Nova, 23, 300–306, 2011

Series of multiple main shocks that develop on adjacent faults is a typical way in which active extension is accommodated in the Apennines of Italy. This behaviour is explained by fault interaction that occurs at a scale ranging from seconds to days, yielding a space–time clustering of earthquakes, termed as earthquake storms. We show that the seismic energy released by historical earthquakes in central Apennines is clustered into two main small time periods, around 600 and 300 years ago, during which a great portion of the normal faulting belt failed. We favour the hypothesis that clustering results from sudden input of deep fluids into the brittle upper crust. The roughly 300 years periodicity and the 3–4 mm year−1 of tectonic extension suggest that earthquake storms need to be taken into account in seismic hazard scenarios.
Attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion in Bamenda, Republic of Cameroon
Authors: Koster J. , Hassall O. W.
Published: July 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted in Bamenda, Cameroon. The objectives of the study were to develop a theoretical framework to better understand local attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion, to identify factors that motivate and deter blood donation and to identify interventions to improve the supply of blood for transfusion at Bamenda Regional Hospital.

Background: The supply of blood for transfusion in sub‐Saharan Africa is insufficient. Cameroon has no national blood service and the collection and screening of blood is the responsibility of individual hospitals. At Bamenda Regional Hospital patient relatives recruit replacement blood donors, who may or may not be family members, and shortages of blood and delays in transfusion are frequent.

Materials and Methods: Qualitative research methods were used: direct observation, in‐depth interviews, focus group discussions and a simulation exercise. Participants were clinical and laboratory staff, patient relatives, blood donors, secondary school students and community members.

Results: Attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion fit a transanctionalist framework of health decision making. Deterrents to blood donation are multiple and varied. Some form of compensation is often expected, even by family members, although the blood donation is still considered ‘voluntary’ by the donor.

Conclusion: This study confirms that interventions to improve the blood supply must take into account local attitudes and conditions. In Bamenda, a variety of pragmatic approaches are required including education around specific biological misperceptions identified in the study and the retention of replacement donors as repeat donors. Issues around compensation for blood donation require further work.
HCV prevalence and co‐infection with HIV among pregnant women in Saint Camille Medical Centre, Ouagadougou
Authors: Zeba Moctar T. A. , Karou Simplice D. , Sagna Tani , Djigma Florencia , Bisseye Cyrille , Ouermi Djeneba , Pietra Virginio , Pignatelli Salvatore , Gnoula Charlemagne , Sia Joseph D. , Moret Remy , Nikiema Jean‐Baptiste , Simpore Jacques
Published: July 2011

Objective  To determine hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and the rate of HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection in pregnant women attending Saint Camille medical centre (SCMC) in Ouagadougou.

Methods  A total of 607 pregnant women, 16–45 years old, with <32 weeks amenorrhoea were screened for HCV and HIV using rapid tests. The majority of the women included in the study were previously known as HIV infected, as the centre is a reference centre for the programme of prevention against mother‐to‐child HIV transmission in the country. HCV RNA was extracted and quantified using the cDNA polymerase chain reaction with the nested primers at the 5′ untranslated region. Transaminases were measured from plasma samples using spectrophotometric method.

Results  Of women, 62.27% were infected with HIV. The prevalence of HCV was 2.14% in the screened pregnant women: 1.75% in HIV‐negative women and 2.38% in HIV‐positive ones. This prevalence is not significantly different between HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative pregnant women (P = 0.81). HCV RNA was found in all women with anti‐HCV. A significant transaminase increase was noted in women infected with HCV (P = 0.01 and P < 0.01 for glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase and glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase, respectively). Risk factors significantly associated with HCV positivity in pregnant women included transfusion and genital excision. In addition, the infection was linked with the educational level of the women.

Conclusion  The issue of this study revealed that effort should be made to promote safe medical practices and fight against women genital excision that are found to be the main risk factors associated with the HCV infection.
Blockade of GABAA receptors in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus attenuates voluntary ethanol intake and activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis
Authors: Li Jing , Bian Weiliang , Dave Vaidehi , Ye Jiang‐Hong
Published: July 2011

The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the hypothalamus is the main integration site that controls the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) neuroendocrine stress system. Disruption of this system has been linked with alcoholism, but the specific role of the PVN has not been fully explored. Of particular interest is the ability of γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) in the PVN, to regulate ethanol self‐administration behavior, as these receptors appear to play an essential role in mediating the effects of ethanol in the central nervous system and in the regulation of PVN activity. We observed that Long–Evans rats, in the intermittent access to 20% ethanol paradigm, consumed high amounts of ethanol and subsequently developed ethanol dependence. Microinjection of the GABAAR antagonist picrotoxin into the PVN, but not to the lateral ventricle of the brain, significantly reduced the intake of ethanol, but not the intake of sucrose. Picrotoxin‐induced reduction was mimicked by another GABAAR antagonist bicuculline but was attenuated by the GABAAR agonist muscimol. Moreover, increased ethanol consumption was associated with lowered blood corticosterone levels, indicating a blunted HPA signaling, which was reversed by intra‐PVN injection of picrotoxin, as indicated by the increased Fos immunostaining‐positive cells in the PVN and the increased blood corticosterone levels. Taken together, our data provide evidence that in ethanol‐dependent rats, the function of GABAARs in the PVN is upregulated, leading to a dampened HPA system. Moreover, it demonstrates that the GABAAR antagonists normalize HPA axis signaling and reduce excessive ethanol drinking. Therefore, drugs targeting GABAARs may be beneficial for alcoholics.
Identification of a novel HLA‐C*07:02:25 allele by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing in a Chinese leukemia patient
Authors: Tao S.‐D. , Zhang W. , Zhu F.‐M. , Lv H.‐J. , Yan L.‐X.
Published: July 2011

Nucleotide sequence of HLA‐C*07:02:25 allele was different from that of HLA‐C*07:02:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 78C>G.
Identification of a novel HLA‐DRB1 allele, HLA‐DRB1*12:27, in a Chinese individual
Authors: He Y.‐M. , Zhang W. , Zhu F.‐M. , Lv H.‐J. , Yan L.‐X.
Published: July 2011

Nucleotide sequence of HLA‐DRB1*12:27 allele was different from that of HLA‐DRB1*12:02:01 by three‐nucleotide substitution at position 165A>C, 171G>C, and 175C>T.
Sequencing of a new HLA‐DRB1*04:98 allele in a Spanish donor
Authors: Balas A. , Sánchez‐Gordo F. , García‐Sánchez F. , Prat I. , Vicario J. L.
Published: July 2011

DRB1*04:98 shows four nucleotide changes regarding DRB1*04:01:01, resulting in two amino acids replacement at positions A73G and A74R.
Reproductive biology of Diopatra neapolitana (Annelida, Onuphidae), an exploited natural resource in Ria de Aveiro (Northwestern Portugal)
Authors: Pires Adília , Gentil Franck , Quintino Victor , Rodrigues Ana M.
Published: July 2011

Diopatra neapolitana Delle Chiaje, 1841 (Annelida, Onuphidae) is an important economic natural resource in Ria de Aveiro (northwestern coast of Portugal) and throughout Europe. The species is intensively harvested for use as fresh bait. However, there is only limited knowledge about its life cycle derived from a previous study in Mediterranean Sea. Reproduction and development patterns are known to vary biogeographically, making it important to base management decisions on locally appropriate information. This work examines reproduction patterns for populations from the Eastern Atlantic, which have not previously been assessed, with an eye towards drawing Atlantic–Mediterranean comparisons and informing local management strategies. The study was conducted from May 2007 to April 2009 in Ria de Aveiro. The reproductive biology of D. neapolitana was described from the proportional variation of worms with gametes in the coelom and from the progression of the oocyte diameter. Individuals with gametes inside the coelom were found all year round, but the peak reproductive period occurred between May and August, when almost all individuals had gametes in the coelom and females contained more oocytes than at any other time of the year. The overall male:female ratio was close to 1:1 and the oocyte diameter ranged from 40 to 240 μm. In vitro fertilization was performed and the results compared to other studies. Based on the present results, some protection measures are suggested to implement a sustainable exploitation of the species.
Temperature variability and algal isotopic heterogeneity on a Floridian coral reef
Authors: Stokes Malcolm D. , Leichter James J. , Wing Stephen , Frew Russell
Published: July 2011

On Conch Reef, Florida Keys, USA, we examine relationships between temperature variability measured with a unique, high‐resolution sensor network, and the abundance of benthic reef organisms and carbon, nitrogen and oxygen stable isotopic composition of two abundant macroalgal species. Visualization of spatial temperature anomalies mapped onto measured reef bathymetry reveals episodic thermal patchiness and persistent thermal features likely indicating meter scale variability in nutrient supply. These patterns result from the relatively shallow depths of the offshore thermocline and an active internal wave field creating a hydrographic structure conducive to interactions of an offshore, subthermocline nutrient pool with reef topography. The distribution of major benthic reef organism taxa, as well as the stable isotopic composition of C, N and O, from the macroalgae Dictyota menstrualis and Halimeda tuna are all highly variable on scales of less than 10 m and are not necessarily depth‐dependent. Covariability between spatial patterns of the temperature minima, depth and δ13C of D. menstrualis and H. tuna suggest a role of oceanographic forcing in inorganic carbon acquisition in these species. Comparisons of the measured temperature with the predicted temperature based on δ18O from H. tuna aragonite suggest a possible influence of low salinity water in the system and non‐linear interactions between ambient conditions and calcification at fine temporal and spatial scales. These observations have implications for the interpretation of both contemporary and paleontologic reef environments where oceanographic forcing interacts with complex reef topography.
78,XX Testicular DSD Syndrome in a Mongrel Dog
Authors: Max A , Grabiec A , Sacharczuk M , Sysa P , Jurka P , Krzyżewska A
Published: July 2011

Contents

Because of an apparent sexual ambiguity (enlarged clitoris), a 1‐year‐old mongrel dog was presented to the clinic. A positive result on a GnRH stimulation test revealed the existence of functional testicular tissue. A midline laparotomy was performed, and gonads resembling testes were resected along with the adherent parts of the uterine horns. Microscopic examination confirmed that the sampled gonads were testes. Cross‐sections of the head and tail of the epididymis revealed their typical structures. All layers of the uterine wall were well‐developed. The lumen was stellar, covered by columnar cylindrical epithelium, although locally some epithelial cells had changed in height from columnar to flat. The uterine glands were distributed in functional layer of endometrium in a non‐uniform way. Cytogenetic analysis based on the evaluation of metaphase plates of blood lymphocytes showed a female karyotype, 78,XX. PCR amplification of the SRY gene was negative in the studied mongrel dog. This canine disorder may be genetically heterogeneous, potentially with a different mutation in different breeds. An autosomal recessive inheritance for the XX male is suggested in such cases. The present case of sex reversal syndrome concerns a non‐purebred dog. In mongrels, it is definitely less likely for the defect to be inherited because of a recessive disorder. According to the recently proposed nomenclature, the described case should be classified as 78,XX testicular DSD syndrome.
Effect of Varying Glucose Concentrations during In Vitro Maturation and Embryo Culture on Efficiency of In Vitro Embryo Production in Buffalo
Authors: Kumar P , Verma A , Roy B , Rajput S , Ojha S , Anand S , Yadav P , Arora J , De S , Goswami SL , Datta TK
Published: July 2011

Contents

This study was aimed to optimize glucose level at different stages of buffalo in vitro embryo production procedure. Three glucose levels (1.5, 5.6 and 10 mm) along with a control (0 mm) were used at three phases of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure viz. in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro culture (IVC‐I) (12–72 hpi) and IVC‐II (72 hpi to 7 dpi). Maturation rate of oocytes was found different under different glucose concentrations, and significantly more number of oocytes reached to MII under 5.6 mm glucose. The glucose levels at each phase (IVM, IVC‐I and IVC‐II) individually had significant effect on blastocyst rate, and the level used at one phase had significant effect on the outcome of next phase. Complete withdrawal of glucose from any of these stages irrespective of concentrations used at subsequent stage/s resulted in significantly lower number of blastocysts. However, the changing levels of glucose had differential effects during different phases of IVF steps. The most prominent effect of glucose level was observed during IVM. The presence of 5.6 mm glucose at all stages was most effective to yield highest blastocyst rate in buffalo IVF system.
Physiological and Biochemical Parameters in Response to Electroejaculation in Adult and Yearling Anesthetized Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) Males
Authors: Fumagalli F , Villagrán M , Damián JP , Ungerfeld R
Published: July 2011

Contents

The aim of this study was to characterize changes in physiological and biochemical parameters during electroejaculation (EE) under general anaesthesia in adult and yearling pampas deer males (Ozotoceros bezoarticus). The relation between heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate and oximetry with EE voltages was studied. The changes in cortisol, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and rectal temperature were determined before and after electroejaculation (BEE and AEE). Heart rate and pulse rate values increased during EE, with a greater increase in heart rate in adults (p < 0.01). Respiratory rate and SpO2were not affected by EE or category. The rectal temperature decreased in adults and yearlings during EE (p = 0.0001). Alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations increased AEE (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in young than in adult males (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the EE under general anaesthesia in the pampas deer provoked increases in heart and pulse rates, as well as in creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, and a decrease in rectal temperature in both categories. Oximetry values were especially low during the procedure. Heart rate increase was greater in adult males, and alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in yearlings.
Education debate: clinical diagnostic reasoning
Authors: Boyd G. W.
Published: July 2011

Whilst it is clear that experienced clinicians adopt a rational approach of diagnosis, the logic of their clinical reasoning has been difficult to define. I outline here an approach based on the four categories of a complete diagnosis: Anatomical diagnosis (system involved); Pathological diagnosis (nature of the condition); Physiological diagnosis (functional consequences) and Aetiological diagnosis (background cause). Each phrase of the history and examination data is assigned to one or other of these categories as the case unfolds, with interpretations and interactions allowing sub‐conclusions that gradually build to a final clinical diagnosis overall. The system has the advantage of facilitating a diagnosis individualized to the patient, rather than to some previously learned diagnostic ‘checklist’. As such, it should provide an advance over current problem‐based approaches to clinical diagnosis.
Comparison of epinephrine vs lipid rescue to treat severe local anesthetic toxicity – an experimental study in piglets
Authors: Mauch Jacqueline , Martin Jurado Olga , Spielmann Nelly , Bettschart‐Wolfensberger Regula , Weiss Markus
Published: July 2011

Objectives:  Local anesthetic (LA) intoxication with severe hemodynamic compromise is a potential catastrophic event. Lipid resuscitation has been recommended for the treatment of LA‐induced cardiac arrest. However, there are no data about effectiveness of Intralipid® for the treatment of severe cardiovascular compromise prior to cardiac arrest. Aim of this study was to compare effectiveness of epinephrine and Intralipid® for the treatment of severe hemodynamic compromise owing to bupivacaine intoxication.

Methods:  Piglets were anesthetized with sevoflurane, intubated, and ventilated. Bupivacaine was infused with a syringe driver via a central venous catheter at a rate of 1 mg·kg−1·min−1 until invasively measured mean arterial pressure (MAP) dropped to 50% of the initial value. Bupivacaine infusion was then stopped, and epinephrine 3 μg·kg−1 (group 1), Intralipid® 20% 2 ml·kg−1 (group 2), or Intralipid® 20% 4 ml·kg−1 (group 3) was immediately administered. Survival, hemodynamic course, and ETCO2 were recorded.

Results:  Twenty‐one piglets (3 × 7), with median age of 26 days (19–43) and weighing 4.9 kg (4.3–5.8), were investigated. All animals in group 1 (100%) but only four of seven (57%) piglets in group 2 and group 3, respectively, survived. Normalization of hemodynamic parameters (HR, MAP) and ETCO2 was fastest in group 1 with all piglets achieving HR and MAP values at or above baseline within 1 min.

Conclusion:  For the treatment of severe hemodynamic compromise owing to bupivacaine intoxication in piglets, first‐line rescue with epinephrine was more effective than Intralipid® with regard to survival as well as normalization of hemodynamic parameters and ETCO2.
Understanding the Role of Value‐Focused Thinking in Idea Management
Authors: Selart Marcus , Johansen Svein Tvedt
Published: July 2011

In a couple of classical studies, Keeney proposed two sets of variables labelled as value‐focused thinking (VFT) and alternative‐focused thinking (AFT). Value‐focused thinking (VFT), he argued, is a creative method that centres on the different decision objectives and how as many alternatives as possible may be generated from them. Alternative‐focused thinking (AFT), on the other hand, is a method in which the decision maker takes notice of all the available alternatives and then makes a choice that seems to fit the problem best. The impact of these two methods on idea generation was measured using a sample of employees. The results revealed that employees in the value‐focused thinking condition (VFT) produced fewer ideas. Thus, value‐focused thinking (VFT) is not only able to facilitate ideation fluency but also to constrain it. Factors such as cognitive effort and motivation may play a part here. However, the quality of the ideas was judged to be higher in terms of creativity and innovativeness. Hence, value‐focused thinking (VFT) seems to have a positive impact on the quality of ideas in terms of creativity and innovativeness regardless of ideation fluency. Implications for the design of idea management systems are discussed.
Stimulating Creative Rationality to Stimulate Innovation
Authors: Forest Joëlle , Faucheux Michel
Published: July 2011

The present contribution examines how the Western tradition of thought has pushed ‘creative rationality’ to one side and how rediscovering, that is to say, reintegrating this type of rationality provides a way of stimulating creativity and innovation. Exploring creative rationality has indeed great practical implications. It leads to promotion of a ‘pedagogy of adventure’.
Country‐Specific Risk Premium, Taylor Rules, and Exchange Rates
Authors: Annicchiarico Barbara , Piergallini Alessandro
Published: July 2011

The adoption of a Taylor‐type monetary policy rule and an inflation target for emerging market economies that choose a flexible exchange rate regime is often advocated. This paper investigates the issue of exchange rate determination when interest‐rate feedback rules are implemented in a continuous‐time optimizing model of a small open economy facing an imperfect global capital market. It is demonstrated that when a risk premium on external debt affects the monetary policy transmission mechanism, the Taylor principle is not a necessary condition for determinacy of equilibrium. On the other hand, it is shown that exchange rate dynamics critically depend on whether monetary policy is active or passive. In terms of optimal monetary policy, it is demonstrated that the degree of responsiveness of the nominal interest rate to inflation should be related to the stock of foreign debt. Specifically, it is optimal to implement a more passive monetary policy stance in response to larger levels of the outstanding foreign‐currency‐denominated debt.
Testing the ‘Inaction Corridor’ in a Three‐Regime Threshold Error Correction Model with an Application to a Buffer‐Stock Model for US Money Demand
Authors: Krishnakumar Jaya , Neto David
Published: July 2011

In this paper, we develop a test for the existence of a middle ‘band of inaction’ in a three‐regime threshold vector error correction model (TVECM). A Wald statistic is proposed for this purpose, its limiting distribution is derived (which is non‐standard) and critical values calculated through simulations. Our methodology is applied to estimate a buffer‐stock model for the US money demand and to test for the existence of an inaction middle range within which the money balance is free to fluctuate without portfolio adjustments. Our data seem to corroborate this hypothesis.
TIA management – speed and expertise are key
Authors: Giles M. F.
Published: July 2011

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
Risk of erosion in peat soils – an investigation using Bayesian belief networks
Authors: Aalders I. , Hough R. L. , Towers W.
Published: July 2011

Peat is an important carbon sink in the context of climate change. However, well‐documented examples suggest that risk of peat erosion is widespread and significant. Our understanding of peat vulnerability to erosion is commonly constrained by the complexity of drivers, and their interactions, in this process. However, the key constraints are: limited, consistent and comprehensive quantitative data relating to this process and, more significantly, the explicit relationships between the occurrence of peat erosion and its causes and drivers. Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) provide a methodology for integrating qualitative and quantitative knowledge. BBNs can capture and structure available knowledge and rationalize complex interactions, where empirical data are limited or poorly compatible and processes are complex or uncertain. In this article we explore the BBN potential to advance our understanding and to identify gaps in current knowledge. BBN has been demonstrated to be a useful tool in structuring and utilizing currently available knowledge, often with limited evidence, of peat’s actual exposure to erosive forces. Despite considerable research into peat erosion processes and understanding the inherent vulnerability of peat, results presented indicate clear gaps in knowledge regarding the role of land management, spatially explicit data related to land management as well as limited evidence of the relevant relationships between many of the variables. The attention of further research will focus on these gaps. The BBN approach provides a framework in which different scenarios of biophysical, climatic and land management (social and economic) conditions can examine and assess the probability of erosion.
Does soil biology hold the key to optimized slurry management? A manifesto for research
Authors: Harris J. A. , Tyrrel S. F. , Ritz K. , Lanigan G. J. , Griffiths B. S. , Brennan F. P. , Bourdin F. , Massey P. A. , Moynihan E. L. , Rogers N. E. , Kibblewhite M. G. , Pawlett M. , Sakrabani R. , Hoekstra N. J. , Creamer R. E. , Schulte R. P. O. , Richards K. G.
Published: July 2011

The application of agricultural biosolids to land is likely to increase on farms as pressures intensify to manage nutrients and carbon, especially with regard to slurry. Although much work has been carried out in this area, it has tended to focus on specific aspects of the application‐use cycle, without a coherent framework and notably the role of soil biology has been little studied in this context, or considered appropriately in the development and application of slurry management systems. In this review article we present a hypothesis that the configuration of the soil microbial community is determined by the history of long‐term inputs to which the community has been subjected and that the resultant configuration determines the instantaneous responses of the associated soil to the presence of slurries, and posit a set of critical questions which would effectively test this.
Prevalence and Treatment of Headaches in Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Patil Vijaya K. , St. Andre Justin R. , Crisan Elena , Smith Bridget M. , Evans Charlesnika T. , Steiner Monica L. , Pape Theresa L.
Published: July 2011

(Headache 2011;51:1112‐1121)

Objectives.— To report the prevalence and characteristics of headaches in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to describe most common treatment strategies after neurological evaluation.

Methods.— We conducted a retrospective cohort study. The setting was a United States Veterans Healthcare Administration Polytrauma Network Site. The study participants consisted of 246 veterans with confirmed diagnosis of mild TBI. The main outcome measures were: Self‐reported head pain occurring 30 days prior to initial mild TBI screening; headache severity measured by the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory; headache characteristics; and treatment prescribed by neurologists.

Results.— The majority (74%) of veterans with a confirmed diagnosis of mild TBI (N = 246), due largely to blast exposure, reported headaches in the 30 days preceding the initial mild TBI evaluation. Thirty‐three percent of these veterans (N = 81) were referred to neurology for persistent headaches. Of the 56 veterans attending the neurology evaluation, 45% were diagnosed with migraine headaches and 20% with chronic daily headaches. The most commonly used abortive agents were triptans (68%) and the most common preventive medications were anticonvulsants (55%) and tricyclics (40%).

Conclusion.— There was an increased prevalence of headaches in veterans with mild TBI. Most of the TBI veterans in our study group were exposed to blast injury and findings indicate that the nature of head trauma may be contributing to headaches. Findings highlight the need for developing effective headache prevention and treatment strategies for all persons with mild TBI and in particular for veterans with blast‐related mild TBI.
Bruxism, Temporomandibular Dysfunction, Tension‐Type Headache, and Migraine
Authors: Evans Randolph W. , Bassiur Jennifer P. , Schwartz Anthony H.
Published: July 2011

(Headache 2011;51:1169‐1172)
Neuroadaptations in Adenosine Receptor Signaling Following Long‐Term Ethanol Exposure and Withdrawal
Authors: Butler Tracy R. , Prendergast Mark A.
Published: July 2011

Ethanol affects the function of neurotransmitter systems, resulting in neuroadaptations that alter neural excitability. Adenosine is one such receptor system that is changed by ethanol exposure. The current review is focused on the A1 and the A2A receptor subtypes in the context of ethanol‐related neuroadaptations and ethanol withdrawal because these subtypes (i) are activated by basal levels of adenosine, (ii) have been most well‐studied for their role in neuroprotection and ethanol‐related phenomena, and (iii) are the primary site of action for caffeine in the brain, a substance commonly ingested with ethanol. It is clear that alterations in adenosinergic signaling mediate many of the effects of acute ethanol administration, particularly with regard to motor function and sedation. Further, prolonged ethanol exposure has been shown to produce adaptations in the cell surface expression or function of both A1 and the A2A receptor subtypes, effects that likely promote neuronal excitability during ethanol withdrawal. As a whole, these findings demonstrate a significant role for ethanol‐induced adaptations in adenosine receptor signaling that likely influence neuronal function, viability, and relapse to ethanol intake following abstinence.
The State and the Internet: A Call for Collective Responsibility
Authors: SARKOZY NICOLAS
Published: July 2011

The other great transformation in the world besides the rising power of the emerging economies has been the ever deeper penetration of the Internet in civil society and the economy. Alone among world leaders, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sought to address the sticky issue of how to “civilize the Internet” in the G‐8, a key forum of global governance which France chairs this year. As a kind of historical document, in this section we publish Sarkozy's speech to the leading information technologists and entrepreneurs he gathered in Paris in May for the first “e‐G‐8” Summit. Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, was among the attendees. We include his report to the 21st Century Council of the Nicolas Berggruen Institute.
The Saudi Counter‐Revolution I
Authors: CROOKE ALASTAIR
Published: July 2011

Just as the Arab Spring blossomed, the al‐Qaeda‐led era of terrorism came to an end with the killing of Osama Bin Laden in his Pakistani lair by American special forces. We asked two of the most contentious experts on all things Islamic—Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Tariq Ramadan—to assess the meaning of these historic moments on the future. Amr Moussa, the leading candidate for Egypt's presidency, and Ehud Barak, Israel's defense minister, also offer their views. Two top former intelligence agents from MI6 and the CIA look at the next turn of events—the Saudi counter‐revolution.