bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early up-regulation of Th2 cytokines and late surge of Th1 cytokines in an atopic dermatitis model
Authors: CHEN L , MARTINEZ O , OVERBERGH L , MATHIEU C , PRABHAKAR B S , CHAN L S
Published: November 2004

We investigated cytokine profiles in interleukin (IL)-4 transgenic (Tg) mice with a skin inflammatory disease resembling human atopic dermatitis. cDNA microarray revealed that the mRNAs encoding IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β and interferon (IFN)-γ were up-regulated in the skin of late lesion Tg mice and to a lesser degree in non-lesion Tg mice when compared to those of non-Tg mice. Real time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses indicated that the cDNA copy numbers of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ from the skin of late, early and non-lesions increased significantly compared to non-Tg mice. IL-2 and IL-12p40 cDNA copy numbers were increased significantly in early, but not late, lesions. Interestingly, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cDNAs were increased significantly the skin of before-onset and/or non-lesion mice. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated an increased percentage of keratinocytes producing IL-4 as the disease progressed. The percentage of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ-producing T cells and IL-12-producing antigen-presenting cells in skin-draining lymph nodes and inflammatory skin also increased, particularly in mice with late lesion. These results suggest that disease induction is primarily triggered by Th2 cytokines and that Th1, Th2 and non-Th proinflammatory cytokines are all involved in the disease process.
Differential expression of the cytokine receptors for human interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 on lymphocytes of both CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ phenotype from tonsils, cord and adult peripheral blood
Authors: BOFILL M , ALMIRALL E , MCQUAID A , PEÑA R , RUIZ-HERNANDEZ R , NARANJO M , RUIZ L , CLOTET B , BORRÀS F E
Published: November 2004

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the variable expression of cytokine receptors on naive versus memory human CD4+ T cell subpopulations in tonsillar tissue, cord blood and adult blood. We prove that the receptors for both interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 are expressed exclusively on memory T cells. This observation was seen not only on the CD45RO+ memory T cells but also on a significant percentage of the CD45RA+, CD62L–, CD27– and CCR7– populations. Furthermore, CD45RA+ CD62L+, CD27+ or CCR7+ CD4+ T cells that expressed IL-12Rβ1 and IL-18Rα did not express CD31, a marker for recent thymic emigrants. We reveal that cord blood lymphocytes do not express IL-12Rβ1 whereas IL-18Rα expression was detected at low levels. Importantly, the IL-12Rβ2 signalling chain, which is absent in all resting T cells, was up-regulated in both CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ T cells as a result of stimulation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in vitro. This observed up-regulation was, however, restricted to 80% of the total CD4+ population. Finally, a very small proportion of the CD4+ CD45RO+ tonsillar T cells expressed the IL-12 and IL-18 receptors, thereby establishing the differential expression of these receptors between peripheral and tonsillar memory T cell subpopulations.
Diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis by FNAC, microbiological methods and PCR: a comparative study
Authors: Aljafari A. S. , Khalil E. A. G. , Elsiddig K. E. , El Hag I. A. , Ibrahim M. E. , Elsafi M. E. M. O. , Hussein A. M. , Elkhidir I. M. , Sulaiman G. S. , Elhassan A. M.
Published: November 2004

Despite its usefulness in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) faces several limitations, and its sensitivity and specificity are not well established. The diagnostic accuracy and limitations of FNAC were studied in comparison with conventional microbiological methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sixty patients with lymphadenopathy and a clinical diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis were subjected to FNA. The aspirate was used for cytological examination, Ziehl‐Neelsen staining, mycobacterial culture and PCR. PCR was performed using two sets of oligonucleotide primers for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a single primer for M. bovis species. The results of FNAC, microbiological methods and PCR correlated with the clinical outcome after follow‐up for an average period of 24 months. Twenty‐five cases (41.6%) were treated and responded well to anti‐tuberculosis therapy, among them 17 were correctly diagnosed by FNAC (68%), eight by microbiological methods (32%) and 24 by PCR (96%). When PCR is considered the gold standard, FNAC predicted the correct diagnosis in 62% of cases with a high false negative rate (38%) due to the absence of granuloma/necrosis in smears from cases of early tuberculosis. In the latter group PCR proved to be the most valuable and a diagnostic success of 100% was achieved when FNAC and PCR were combined. In addition, PCR allowed immediate characterization of M. tuberculosis in the vast majority (96.2%) of cases in the study population.
Analysing soil variation in two dimensions with the discrete wavelet transform
Authors: Lark R. M. , Webster R.
Published: November 2004

Complex spatial variation in soil can be analysed by wavelets into contributions at several scales or resolutions. The first applications were to data recorded at regular intervals in one dimension, i.e. on transects. The theory extends readily to two dimensions, but the application to small sets of gridded data such as one is likely to have from a soil survey requires special adaptation. This paper describes the extension of wavelet theory to two dimensions. The adaptation of the wavelet filters near the limits of a region that was successful in one dimension proved unsuitable in two dimensions. We therefore had to pad the data out symmetrically beyond the limits to minimize edge effects.

With the above modifications and Daubechies's wavelet with two vanishing moments the analysis is applied to soil thickness, slope gradient, and direct solar beam radiation at the land surface recorded at 100‐m intervals on a 60 × 101 square grid in south‐west England. The analysis revealed contributions to the variance at several scales and for different directions and correlations between the variables that were not evident in maps of the original data. In particular, it showed how the thickness of the soil increasingly matches the geological structure with increasing dilation of the wavelet, this relationship being local to the strongly aligned outcrops. The analysis reveals a similar pattern in slope gradient, and a negative correlation with soil thickness, most clearly evident at the coarser scales. The solar beam radiation integrates slope gradient and azimuth, and the analysis emphasizes the relations with topography at the various spatial scales and reveals additional effects of aspect on soil thickness.
Adsorption and desorption of organotin compounds in organic and mineral soils
Authors: Huang J.‐H. , Matzner E.
Published: November 2004

Organotin compounds (OTC) are deposited from the atmosphere into terrestrial ecosystems and can accumulate in soils. We studied the adsorption and desorption of methyltin and butyltin compounds in organic and mineral soils in batch experiments. The adsorption and desorption isotherms for all species and soils were linear over the concentration range of 10–100 ng Sn ml−1. The strength of OTC adsorption correlated well with the carbon content and cation exchange capacity of the soil and was in the order mono‐ > di‐ > tri‐substituted OTCs and butyltin > methyltin compounds. The OTC adsorption coefficients were much larger in organic soils (Kd > 104) than in mineral soils. The adsorption and desorption showed a pronounced hysteresis. Trimethyltin adsorption was partly reversible in all soils (desorption 2–12% of the adsorbed amounts). Dimethyltin, tributyltin and dibutyltin exhibited reversible adsorption only in mineral soils (desorption 4–33% of the adsorbed amounts). Mono‐substituted OTCs adsorbed almost irreversibly in all soils (desorption < 1% of adsorbed amounts). Trimethyltin was more mobile and more bioavailable in soils than other OTCs. It might therefore be leached from soils and accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. The other OTCs are scarcely mobile and are strongly retained in soils.
Spatial location of carbon decomposition in the soil pore system
Authors: Strong D. T. , Wever H. DE , Merckx R. , Recous S.
Published: November 2004

We sought to examine the distribution of carbon (C) decomposition within the framework of the soil pore system. Soils were sampled from a transect having a natural gradient in pore‐size distribution. After the addition of labelled wheat straw (13C) the repacked soil columns were incubated (25°C) at soil water matric potentials of either −75 kPa or −5 kPa and for either 4 or 90 days. Pore‐size distribution was determined for each soil column after incubation and soils were then analysed for soluble C, label‐derived residual C, label‐derived and native biomass C, nematode abundance, and ergosterol concentration as an indicator of fungal biomass. Overall, the data suggested that pore‐size distribution and its interaction with soil water give rise to a highly stratified biogeography of organisms through the pore system. This results in different rates of decomposition in pores of different size. Added plant material seemed to decompose most rapidly in soils with a relatively large volume of pores with neck diametersc. 15–60 µm and most slowly in soils with large volumes of pores with neck diameters < 4 µm. Regression analysis suggested that at matric potentials of both −75 kPa and −5 kPa the fastest decomposition of organic substrate occurred close to the gas–water interface. This analysis also implied that slower rates of decomposition occur in the pore class 60–300 µm. Correlations between the mass of soil biota and the pore volume of each pore class point to the importance of fungi and possibly nematodes in the rapid decomposition of C in the poresc. 15–60 µm during the early stages of decomposition.
Eluviation of dissolved organic carbon under wetting and drying and its influence on water infiltration in degraded soils restored with vegetation
Authors: Zhang B. , Peng X. H. , Zhao Q. G. , Hallett P. D.
Published: November 2004

One mechanism in the restoration of severely degraded soil by vegetation might be the movement of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to macropore and aggregate surfaces. We propose that this lowers the soil wetting rate and subsequently its slaking resistance by creating a partially hydrophobic surface. In this study, we determined how wetting and drying (w/d) cycles redistribute DOC to soil surfaces, and how DOC affects hydrophobicity where it accumulates, in relation to the soil surface area to volume ratio and to different types of vegetation planted to restore a severely degraded soil. Repacked soil cores that simulate different soil aggregate sizes were tested. The results showed that w/d cycles increase surface DOC concentration through a depletion of DOC in the interior of the soil. Correspondingly, w/d cycles enhanced hydrophobicity, measured as a water repellency index, R, from 1.5–2.3 to 3.6–7.6, the values affected significantly by the type of vegetation. This index (R) did not change for a control soil with no vegetation. The link between the amount of DOC and water repellency was weak (coefficient of determination r2 = 0.06–0.26), indicating that DOC quality was probably more important than its quantity. Although increasing the core size resulted in a greater accumulation of DOC on the drying surface of the core, the impact of this on water repellency was minimal. Incubation caused a decrease in the amount of DOC, but had minimal influence on water repellency. This work improves the understanding of changes in soil wetting and soil stabilization under processes of natural weathering and vegetation restoration.
Factors affecting habitat selection by a small spawning charr population, bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus: implications for recovery of an endangered species
Authors: Wissmar R. C. , Craig S. D.
Published: November 2004

Bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus (Suckley), populations are declining in many streams of North America and are listed under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Many small populations are isolated in fragmented habitats where spawning conditions and success are not well understood. Factors affecting habitats selected for redds by spawning bull trout and redd habitat characteristics within Gold Creek, a headwater stream in the Yakima River within the Columbia River basin, Washington State, USA, were evaluated. Most spawning (>80% of the redds) occurred in upstream habitats after dewatering of downstream channels isolated fish. Habitats were selected or avoided in proportions different to their availability. For example, most bull trout selected pools and glides and avoided riffles despite the latter being more readily available. Although preferences suggest influences of prolonged fish entrapment, site fidelity could be important. A habitat with redds commonly contained abundant cover, gravel substratum and higher stream flows. The major factors influencing habitat selection by spawning fish and their persistence in streams of the Yakima and Columbia River regions include entrapment of fish by dewatering of channels and geographical isolation by dams. The goal of the US Government's recovery plan is ‘to ensure the long‐term persistence of self‐sustaining bull trout populations’. Recovery plans linked to provisions for protecting and conserving bull trout populations and their habitats were recommended. Landscape approaches are needed that provide networks of refuge habitats and greater connectivity between populations. Concurrent recovery efforts are encouraged to focus on protecting small populations and minimizing dangers of hybridization.
A canopy photosynthesis model to predict the dry matter production of cocksfoot pastures under varying temperature, nitrogen and water regimes
Authors: Peri P. L. , Moot D. J. , McNeil D. L.
Published: November 2004

Daily net canopy photosynthesis (Pn) of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was predicted for combinations of temperature, herbage nitrogen (N) concentration and water status from the integration of models of leaf photosynthesis of the light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax), photosynthetic efficiency (α) and the degree of curvature (θ) of leaf light‐response curves. The effect on Pn, maximum Pn (Pn max) and the optimum leaf area index (LAI at Pn max) was examined when any one of these factors was limiting. The ranges that gave the optimum values of Pn (Pn max = 30·8–33·5 g CO2m−2 d−1) for temperature (19–22°C) and N concentration (40–50 g N kg−1 DM) were smaller than those for net leaf photosynthesis. Also, Pn fell to 0 at a lower level of water stress (pre‐dawn leaf water potential, ψlp = −12·5 bar) than for Pmax. The canopy photosynthesis model was then used to compare predicted and measured dry matter (DM) production for cocksfoot pastures grown under a diverse range of environmental conditions with field data from New Zealand and Argentina. To predict DM production leaf area index and leaf canopy angle were included from field measurements. The model explained about 0·85 of the variation in cocksfoot DM production for the range of 6·5–134 kg DM ha−1 d−1. The canopy model overestimated the DM production by 0·10 which indicates that a further Pmax function for leaves of different ages and a partitioning sub‐model may be needed to improve predictions of DM production.
Effects of cutting or grazing grass swards on herbage yield, nitrogen uptake and residual soil nitrate at different levels of N fertilization
Authors: Nevens F. , Rehuel D.
Published: November 2004

On a Flemish sandy loam soil, cut and grazed swards were compared at different levels of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization. Economically optimal N fertilization rates were 400 (or more) and 200 kg N ha−1 yr−1 on cut and grazed swards respectively. Considering the amounts of residual soil nitrate‐N in autumn, these N rates also met the current Flemish legal provisions, i.e. no more than 90 kg ha−1 nitrate‐N present in the 0–90 cm soil layer, measured between 1 October and 15 November. The N use efficiency was considerably higher in cut grassland systems than in grazed systems, even when the animal component of a cut and conservation system was included. The results indicate that, for cut grasslands, two N application rates should be considered: intensively managed grasslands with high amounts of N (400 kg ha−1 yr−1 or more) or extensively managed grasslands with white clover and no more than 100 kg N ha−1 yr−1.
Effects of formalin treatment on epithelial structure and mucous cell densities in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), skin
Authors: Buchmann K , Bresciani J , Jappe C
Published: November 2004

Formalin bath treatments of rainbow trout are widely used for control of ectoparasitic infections in fish farms and the effects of this chemical on parasite infections have been studied. In addition, tolerance of the host to various concentrations of formalin are also known. However, effects of formaldehyde on the skin epithelium integrity and mucous cell density still need elucidation. The present study revealed that exposure of rainbow trout fry 2 months post‐hatching to various concentrations of formalin affected the mucous cell dynamics of the fish. Limited exposure (50 ppm, 1 h) stimulated mucous cell proliferation as indicated by the slight increase in densities of Alcian blue positive cells in tail fin epidermis. In contrast, high concentrations (200–300 ppm, 1 h) or lengthy exposure (24 h) at lower concentrations caused a decrease in mucous cell density. Scanning electron microscopy revealed effects on the epithelial structure of fish fins. Blebbing of epithelial cell membranes was the first sign of injury. The dilated openings of mucous cells indicated increased release of mucus. Highly irregular organization of the cells followed, with regional differences occurring in different parts of fins. The implications of formalin bathing for susceptibility or resistance of fish to subsequent pathogen exposure are discussed.
Advice available on the Internet for people with coeliac disease: an evaluation of the quality of websites
Authors: England C. Y. , Nicholls A. M.
Published: November 2004

Background  The Internet may be a useful resource for people with coeliac disease as a great deal of health‐related information is published online. However, not all of it is accurate. It has been suggested that accurate information is most likely found on transparent sites and kitemarks are awarded on this basis. This paper examines whether the Internet is a useful resource for people with coeliac disease and whether transparency criteria can be used in identifying accurate sites.

Method  An evaluation tool was developed using selected transparency criteria and clinical guidelines for accuracy. A total of 63 websites were evaluated.

Results  In the study, 66% of the websites scored less than 50% for accuracy. This was primarily because of incomplete information but 15.9% of sites contained inaccuracies. Over 50% of sites scored less than 50% for transparency. No correlation was found between sites that scored highly for accuracy and those that scored highly for transparency.

Conclusion  There are useful information available for people with coeliac disease but transparency criteria alone cannot be used to identify accurate sites.
Canadian dietitians’ views and practices regarding obesity and weight management
Authors: Barr S. I. , Yarker K. V. , Levy‐Milne R. , Chapman G. E.
Published: November 2004

Objective  To provide insight into Canadian dietitians’ attitudes and practices regarding obesity and weight management.

Design  Cross‐sectional mail survey of a stratified random sample of members of Canadian dietetic associations.

Subjects  A total of 514 dietitians (74% of those surveyed), 350 (69%) of whom actively counselled overweight/obese clients.

Measurements  Participants received a questionnaire to assess dietitians’ attitudes regarding obesity and overweight, views regarding their role in weight management, counselling practices, and the criteria used to judge success. Demographic variables were collected.

Results  Most dietitians believed that obesity contributes to morbidity and mortality, and that small weight losses produced important health benefits. However, 80% agreed that health indicators other than weight loss should be the focus of obesity management, and 55% specifically recommended that clients not weigh themselves. Instead, weight management was promoted by recommending healthy eating and increased physical activity. Three‐quarters agreed that they are the profession best trained to manage obesity but two‐thirds believed their time would be better spent preventing rather than managing obesity. Dietitians most valued education received from on‐the‐job support and mentoring from other dietitians. Participants reported wanting to learn more about motivational and behavioural modification counselling techniques.

Conclusions  Canadian dietitians follow a lifestyle approach to weight management. Studies are required to formally assess the effectiveness of various aspects of this approach.
Attitudes and barriers to dietary advice aimed at reducing risk of type 2 diabetes in first‐degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Brekke H. K. , Sunesson Å. , Axelsen M. , Lenner R. A.
Published: November 2004

Objective  To evaluate the attitudes to and adoption of dietary advice in nondiabetic first‐degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes and to examine barriers to adherence.

Design  One‐year controlled intervention study, where treatment group (n = 73) received lifestyle education. Attitudes towards dietary advice, change in dietary habits and importance of potential barriers to adherence were evaluated by questionnaires. Nondiabetic relatives (25–55 years; males and females) of individuals with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Education was based on current nutrition recommendations and aimed at improving dietary fat quality, increasing intake of fruit and vegetables, with additional advice to reduce dietary glycaemic index (GI).

Main outcome measures  Attitudes and importance of barriers were classified by the intervened subjects into four categories ranging from ‘No problem’ to ‘Yes, definitely a problem’. Dietary adherence was monitored by food frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 1 year.

Results  Participants were generally in favour of advice aimed at improving dietary fat quality. Attitudes towards advice to reduce GI varied widely. Food selection changed in accordance with predefined dietary goals. ‘Forgetfulness’, ‘low availability in lunch restaurant’ and ‘lack of ideas for cooking’ were barriers to adherence.

Conclusions  Dietary advice aimed at reducing risk of type 2 diabetes was generally positively received and adopted in subjects with heredity for the disease. The most prevalent barriers reported are potentially modifiable.
Home enteral feeding audit
Authors: Evans S. , MacDonald A. , Holden C.
Published: November 2004

Objective  To determine the main problems that families experience in the first month after their child is discharged from hospital on home enteral tube feeds (HETF) in terms of obtaining feed and equipment, managing tube feeding and accessing health professionals.

Methods  A multiple choice/short answer questionnaire was used to interview 81 parents/carers of children aged 0–16 years discharged from a supra regional children's hospital on HETF for the first time between December 2001 and August 2003. Questions addressed issues such as: contact with the home delivery company (HDC); delivery of feed and equipment; training; ability to access help; illnesses associated with tube feeding; and understanding of procedures post‐discharge.

Results  The main problems identified were: delayed first deliveries (≥7 days post‐discharge; 47%); equipment missing from the first delivery (41%); difficulty obtaining a prescription from the general practitioner (GP) (17%); changing to different equipment post‐discharge with minimal training on the new equipment (26%).

Conclusions  There were many problems with delays in delivery of equipment, incorrect equipment and changing of equipment when patients were first discharged on HETF. Significant improvements are necessary in organization of home enteral feeding systems when patients are first discharged.
Application of Heatless Glass® as a coating material for denture base‐evaluation of denture retentive force1
Authors: Yamaguchi Y. , Yamabe Y. , Hisatsune K. , Fujii H.
Published: November 2004

summary  Heatless Glass® (HG) was applied to the basal surface of dentures as a coating material. To evaluate the influence of this material on the retentive force of the dentures, the adhesive force of pairs of resin specimens (heat curing resin), metal specimens (Co–Cr alloy), and HG metal specimens (Co–Cr alloy coated with HG), using tap water or resting saliva as a medium was measured, and the following results were obtained. (i) The adhesive force of metal specimens coated with HG material was significantly larger (by 2·3–2·6 times) than that of resin materials (P < 0·001), and it was slightly lower (0·8–0·9 times) than that of metal specimens, showing no significant difference (P > 0·10). (ii) The adhesive force of specimens using tap water as a medium was approximately one‐half to two‐third of that of specimens using resting saliva as a medium. (iii) When resting saliva was used as the medium, the maximum difference in the adhesive force of the specimens among subjects was 1·7 times. (iv) These findings suggested that, from the perspective of adhesive force, HG coating material is suitable for application to the basal surface of dentures.
Effect of 10% sodium ascorbate on the shear bond strength of composite resin to bleached bovine enamel
Authors: Türkün M. , Kaya A. D.
Published: November 2004

summary  The purpose of this study was to comparatively investigate the effect of antioxidant treatment and delayed bonding after bleaching with three different concentrations of carbamide peroxide (CP) on the shear bond strength of composite resin to enamel. One hundred flat buccal enamel surfaces obtained from bovine incisors were divided into three bleaching groups of 10, 16 and 22% CP (n = 30) and a control group. Each bleaching group was then divided into three subgroups (n = 10). Group 1 consisted of specimens bonded immediately after bleaching. Group 2 specimens were treated with antioxidant agent, 10% sodium ascorbate, while Group 3 specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 1 week after bleaching. Specimens in the control group were not bleached. After the specimens were bonded with Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil AP‐X, they were thermocycled and tested in shear until failure. Fracture analysis of the bonded enamel surface was performed using scanning electron microscope. The shear bond strength data was subjected to one‐way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple range test at a significance level of P < 0·05. Shear bond strength of composite resin to enamel that was bonded immediately after bleaching with 10, 16 and 22% CP was significantly lower than that of unbleached enamel (P < 0·05). For all three bleaching groups, when the antioxidant‐treated and delayed bonding (1 week) subgroups were compared with the control group, no statistically significant differences in shear bond strength were noted (P < 0·05).
The reality of practice development for nurses working in an inpatient service for people with severe and enduring mental health problems
Authors: CARRADICE A. , ROUND D.
Published: November 2004

Nursing practice development is a growing priority for the British National Health Service. However, the nature of practice development remains poorly articulated. Despite the growing number of papers on practice development in nursing, there is insufficient guidance in the literature for the practical day‐to‐day management of the role, particularly in the inpatient environment. This paper explores the tensions experienced by practitioners engaged in practice development within a service for people mainly with a diagnosis of psychosis. The entrenched culture of the environment is described, which was resistant to change therefore did not easily embrace practice development. Within such a culture it is important to balance effective management with team development and support. Although this balance is essential for positive change, it is the maintenance of the balance that often leads to the tensions experienced by practice development practitioners. The paper describes numerous tensions including the competing agendas, influencing ‘hearts and minds’ rather than forcing change and working where people are at. Each tension is explored alongside possible survival strategies. The material presented aims to be realistic and although it may not be generalizable to other settings and staff groups, the authors hope to stimulate debate about similar or contrasting experiences of practice development.
The use and nursing management of benzodiazepines in acute, mental health inpatient care: a discussion
Authors: DUXBURY J. A. , BAKER J.
Published: November 2004

The use of medication in acute mental health is common practice however, there is a lack of research into all aspects of pharmacology within inpatient settings. This paper explores the specific use of benzodiazepines and areas of potential mismanagement. A number of priorities for investigation are raised and implications for nursing roles and responsibilities discussed.
Sleep complaints in patients with myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Laberge Luc , Bégin Paul , Montplaisir Jacques , Mathieu Jean
Published: November 2004

The aim of this study was to document the clinical picture of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and of other sleep disturbances, and to study the relationship of daytime sleepiness to anthropometric data, muscular impairment, and CTG trinucleotide repeat expansion in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). A total of 157 DM1 patients were surveyed using a modified version of the Sleep Questionnaire and Assessment of Wakefulness. Other measurements included muscular impairment rating and the size of the trinucleotide repeat. Factor analysis and reliability estimates were used to produce a daytime sleepiness scale with five items of the questionnaire. Thirty‐eight healthy family members were studied as control subjects. It was found that EDS was present in 33.1% of DM1 patients. Severity of daytime sleepiness correlated with the degree of muscular impairment but not with age, gender, body mass index, age at onset of symptoms, duration of illness, and CTG repeat. DM1 patients reported a longer sleep period, a less restorative sleep, and more difficulty falling asleep, being alert in the morning and staying awake after meals than controls, but a similar incidence of narcolepsy auxiliary symptoms. Compared with DM1 patients without EDS, those with EDS reported greater hypnagogic hallucinations, and greater pain associated with nocturnal awakenings and in their legs upon morning awakenings. In sum, both DM1 patients with and without EDS exhibit characteristics of sleep duration and sleepiness comparable with those found in idiopathic hypersomnia. The severity of daytime sleepiness is weakly related to the extent of muscular impairment but not to CTG repeat.
Is there a specific polysomnographic sleep pattern in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
Authors: Kirov Roumen , Kinkelbur Joerg , Heipke Susanne , Kostanecka‐Endress Tatiana , Westhoff Moritz , Cohrs Stefan , Ruther Eckart , Hajak Goran , Banaschewski Tobias , Rothenberger Aribert
Published: November 2004

The aim of the study was to characterize the sleep pattern in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By means of polysomnography (PSG), sleep patterns were studied in 17 unmedicated preadolescent boys rigorously diagnosed with ADHD and 17 control boys precisely matched for age and intelligence. Although ADHD children did not display a general sleep alteration, major PSG data showed a significant increase in the duration of the absolute rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and the number of sleep cycles in ADHD group when compared with controls. In addition, REM sleep latency tended to be shorter in ADHD children. These results suggest that in ADHD children, a forced REM sleep initiation may produce a higher incidence of sleep cycles and may also contribute to an increased duration of the absolute REM sleep. The overall pattern of the findings implies that a forced ultradian cycling appears characteristic for the sleep in ADHD children, which may be related to alterations of brain monoamines and cortical inhibitory control accompanying the ADHD psychopathology.
The nature of arousal in sleep
Authors: Halász Péter , Terzano Mario , Parrino Liborio , Bódizs Róbert
Published: November 2004

The role of arousals in sleep is gaining interest among both basic researchers and clinicians. In the last 20 years increasing evidence shows that arousals are deeply involved in the pathophysiology of sleep disorders. The nature of arousals in sleep is still a matter of debate. According to the conceptual framework of the American Sleep Disorders Association criteria, arousals are a marker of sleep disruption representing a detrimental and harmful feature for sleep. In contrast, our view indicates arousals as elements weaved into the texture of sleep taking part in the regulation of the sleep process. In addition, the concept of micro‐arousal (MA) has been extended, incorporating, besides the classical low‐voltage fast‐rhythm electroencephalographic (EEG) arousals, high‐amplitude EEG bursts, be they like delta‐like or K‐complexes, which reflects a special kind of arousal process, mobilizing parallely antiarousal swings. In physiologic conditions, the slow and fast MA are not randomly scattered but appear structurally distributed within sleep representing state‐specific arousal responses. MA preceded by slow waves occurs more frequently across the descending part of sleep cycles and in the first cycles, while the traditional fast type of arousals across the ascending slope of cycles prevails during the last third of sleep. The uniform arousal characteristics of these two types of MAs is supported by the finding that different MAs are associated with an increasing magnitude of vegetative activation ranging hierarchically from the weaker slow EEG types (coupled with mild autonomic activation) to the stronger rapid EEG types (coupled with a vigorous autonomic activation). Finally, it has been ascertained that MA are not isolated events but are basically endowed with a periodic nature expressed in non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep by the cyclic alternating pattern (CAP). Understanding the role of arousals and CAP and the relationship between physiologic and pathologic MA can shed light on the adaptive properties of the sleeping brain and provide insight into the pathomechanisms of sleep disturbances. Functional significance of arousal in sleep, and particularly in NREM sleep, is to ensure the reversibility of sleep, without which it would be identical to coma. Arousals may connect the sleeper with the surrounding world maintaining the selection of relevant incoming information and adapting the organism to the dangers and demands of the outer world. In this dynamic perspective, ongoing phasic events carry on the one hand arousal influences and on the other elements of information processing. The other function of arousals is tailoring the more or less stereotyped endogenously determined sleep process driven by chemical influences according to internal and external demands. In this perspective, arousals shape the individual course of night sleep as a variation of the sleep program.
Plasma pharmacokinetics and urine concentrations of meropenem in ewes
Authors: EL‐Sooud K. ABO
Published: November 2004

The pharmacokinetics of meropenem was studied in five ewes after single i.v. and i.m. dose of 20 mg/kg bw. Meropenem concentrations in plasma and urine were determined using microbiological assay method. A two‐compartment open model was best described the decrease of meropenem concentration in plasma after an i.v. injection. The drug was rapidly eliminated with a half‐life of elimination (t1/2β) of 0.39 ± 0.30 h. Meropenem showed a small steady‐state volume of distribution [Vd(ss)] 0.055 ± 0.09 L/kg. Following i.m. injection, meropenem was rapidly absorbed with a t1/2ab of 0.25 ± 0.04 h. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 48.79 ± 8.83 μg/mL was attained after 0.57 ± 0.13 h (tmax). The elimination half‐life (t1/2el) of meropenem was 0.71 ± 0.12 h and the mean residence time (MRT) was 1.38 ± 0.26 h. The systemic bioavailability (F) after i.m. injection was 112.67 ± 10.13%. In vitro protein‐binding percentage of meropenem in ewe's plasma was 42.80%. The mean urinary recoveries of meropenem over 24 h were 83% and 91% of the administered dose after i.v. and i.m. injections respectively. Thus, meropenem is likely to be efficacious in the eradication of many urinary tract pathogens in sheep.
Fine‐scale spatial genetic correlation analyses reveal strong female philopatry within a brush‐tailed rock‐wallaby colony in southeast Queensland
Authors: HAZLITT S. L. , ELDRIDGE M. D. B. , GOLDIZEN A. W.
Published: November 2004

We combine spatial data on home ranges of individuals and microsatellite markers to examine patterns of fine‐scale spatial genetic structure and dispersal within a brush‐tailed rock‐wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) colony at Hurdle Creek Valley, Queensland. Brush‐tailed rock‐wallabies were once abundant and widespread throughout the rocky terrain of southeastern Australia; however, populations are nearly extinct in the south of their range and in decline elsewhere. We use pairwise relatedness measures and a recent multilocus spatial autocorrelation analysis to test the hypotheses that in this species, within‐colony dispersal is male‐biased and that female philopatry results in spatial clusters of related females within the colony. We provide clear evidence for strong female philopatry and male‐biased dispersal within this rock‐wallaby colony. There was a strong, significant negative correlation between pairwise relatedness and geographical distance of individual females along only 800 m of cliff line. Spatial genetic autocorrelation analyses showed significant positive correlation for females in close proximity to each other and revealed a genetic neighbourhood size of only 600 m for females. Our study is the first to report on the fine‐scale spatial genetic structure within a rock‐wallaby colony and we provide the first robust evidence for strong female philopatry and spatial clustering of related females within this taxon. We discuss the ecological and conservation implications of our findings for rock‐wallabies, as well as the importance of fine‐scale spatial genetic patterns in studies of dispersal behaviour.
Prevalence and differential host‐specificity of two avian blood parasite genera in the Australo‐Papuan region
Authors: BEADELL JON S. , GERING EBEN , AUSTIN JEREMY , DUMBACHER JOHN P. , PEIRCE MIKE A. , PRATT THANE K. , ATKINSON CARTER T. , FLEISCHER ROBERT C.
Published: November 2004

The degree to which widespread avian blood parasites in the generaPlasmodiumandHaemoproteuspose a threat to novel hosts depends in part on the degree to which they are constrained to a particular host or host family. We examined the host distribution and host‐specificity of these parasites in birds from two relatively understudied and isolated locations: Australia and Papua New Guinea. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we detected infection in 69 of 105 species, representing 44% of individuals surveyed (n = 428). Across host families, prevalence ofHaemoproteusranged from 13% (Acanthizidae) to 56% (Petroicidae) while prevalence ofPlasmodiumranged from 3% (Petroicidae) to 47% (Ptilonorhynchidae). We recovered 78 unique mitochondrial lineages from 155 sequences. Related lineages ofHaemoproteuswere more likely to derive from the same host family than predicted by chance at shallow (average LogDet genetic distance = 0,n = 12,P = 0.001) and greater depths (average distance = 0.014,n = 11,P < 0.001) within the parasite phylogeny. Within two majorHaemoproteussubclades identified in a maximum likelihood phylogeny, host‐specificity was evident up to parasite genetic distances of 0.029 and 0.007 based on logistic regression. We found no significant host relationship among lineages ofPlasmodiumby any method of analysis. These results support previous evidence of strong host‐family specificity inHaemoproteusand suggest that lineages ofPlasmodiumare more likely to form evolutionarily–stable associations with novel hosts.
The rare silver gum, Eucalyptus cordata, is leaving its trace in the organellar gene pool of Eucalyptus globulus
Authors: MCKINNON GAY E. , VAILLANCOURT RENÉ E. , STEANE DOROTHY A. , POTTS BRAD M.
Published: November 2004

The process of genetic assimilation of rare species by hybridizing congeners has been documented in a number of plant genera. This raises the possibility that some of the genetic diversity found in phylogeographical studies of widespread species has been acquired through hybridization with species that are now rare or extinct. In this fine‐scale phylogeographical analysis, we show that a rare eucalypt species is leaving its trace in the chloroplast genome of a more abundant congener. The heart‐leafed silver gum, Eucalyptus cordata, is a rare endemic of south‐eastern Tasmania. Its populations are scattered amidst populations of more abundant related species, including the Tasmanian blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus. Using 339 samples from across the full range of both species, we compared chloroplast (cp) DNA haplotype phylogeography in E. globulus and E. cordata. The genealogy and distribution of chloroplast haplotypes suggest that E. globulus has acquired cpDNA from E. cordata in at least four different mixed populations. Shared haplotypes are highest in E. globulus sampled within 2 km of known E. cordata populations and drop to zero at a distance of 25 km from the nearest known E. cordata population. Localized haplotype sharing occurs in the absence of obvious hybrid zones or locally shared nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences. Given that the future loss of E. cordata from some mixed populations is likely, these findings indicate that phylogeographical analyses of organellar DNA should consider the possibility of introgression, even from species that have been eliminated from the sites of interest.
Ecological and life history characteristics predict population genetic divergence of two salmonids in the same landscape
Authors: WHITELEY ANDREW R. , SPRUELL PAUL , ALLENDORF FRED W.
Published: November 2004

Ecological and life history characteristics such as population size, dispersal pattern, and mating system mediate the influence of genetic drift and gene flow on population subdivision. Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) differ markedly in spawning location, population size and mating system. Based on these differences, we predicted that bull trout would have reduced genetic variation within and greater differentiation among populations compared with mountain whitefish. To test this hypothesis, we used microsatellite markers to determine patterns of genetic divergence for each species in the Clark Fork River, Montana, USA. As predicted, bull trout had a much greater proportion of genetic variation partitioned among populations than mountain whitefish. Among all sites,FSTwas seven times greater for bull trout (FST = 0.304 for bull trout, 0.042 for mountain whitefish. After removing genetically differentiated high mountain lake sites for each speciesFST, was 10 times greater for bull trout (FST = 0.176 for bull trout;FST = 0.018 for mountain whitefish). The same characteristics that affect dispersal patterns in these species also lead to predictions about the amount and scale of adaptive divergence among populations. We provide a theoretical framework that incorporates variation in ecological and life history factors, neutral divergence, and adaptive divergence to interpret how neutral and adaptive divergence might be correlates of ecological and life history factors.
Genetic drift outweighs balancing selection in shaping post‐bottleneck major histocompatibility complex variation in New Zealand robins (Petroicidae)
Authors: MILLER HILARY C. , LAMBERT DAVID M.
Published: November 2004

The Chatham Island black robin, Petroica traversi, is a highly inbred, endangered passerine with extremely low levels of variation at hypervariable neutral DNA markers. In this study we investigated variation in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes in both the black robin and its nonendangered relative, the South Island robin Petroica australis australis. Previous studies have shown that Petroica have at least four expressed class II B MHC genes. In this study, the sequences of introns flanking exon 2 of these loci were characterized to design primers for peptide‐binding region (PBR) sequence analysis. Intron sequences were comprised of varying numbers of repeated units, with highly conserved regions immediately flanking exon 2. Polymerase chain reaction primers designed to this region amplified three or four sequences per black robin individual, and eight to 14 sequences per South Island robin individual. MHC genes are fitness‐related genes thought to be under balancing selection, so they may be more likely to retain variation in bottlenecked populations. To test this, we compared MHC variation in the black robin with artificially bottlenecked populations of South Island robin, and with their respective source populations, using restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and DNA sequencing of the PBR. Our results indicate that the black robin is monomorphic at class II B MHC loci, while both source and bottlenecked populations of South Island robin have retained moderate levels of variation. Comparison of MHC variation with minisatellite DNA variation indicates that genetic drift outweighs balancing selection in determining MHC diversity in the bottlenecked populations. However, balancing selection appears to influence MHC diversity over evolutionary timescales, and the effects of gene conversion are evident.