bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of anti-pertussis toxin IgG in oral fluids for use in diagnosis and surveillance of Bordetella pertussis infection in children and young adults
Authors: Litt David J. , Samuel Dhanraj , Duncan John , Harnden Anthony , George Robert C. , Harrison Timothy G.
Published: August 2006

Bordetella pertussis infection is being increasingly recognized as a cause of prolonged, distressing cough (without whooping symptoms) in children and young adults. Diagnosis of infection in this population is important for treatment and surveillance purposes, and may also prove useful in reducing transmission to unvaccinated babies, for whom disease can be fatal. Serum IgG titres against pertussis toxin (PT) are routinely used as a marker of recent or persisting B. pertussis infection. However, collection of serum from young children is difficult, and compliance amongst these subjects to give samples is low. To circumvent these problems, an IgG-capture ELISA capable of detecting anti-PT IgG in oral fluid was devised. The assay was evaluated by comparison to a serum ELISA, using 187 matched serum and oral fluid samples from children (aged 5–16 years) with a history of prolonged coughing, whose serum anti-PT titre had already been determined (69 seropositive, 118 seronegative). The results showed that, using a cutoff of 70 arbitrary units (AU), the oral fluid assay detected seropositive subjects with a sensitivity of 79.7 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 68.3–88.4] and a specificity of 96.6 % (95 % CI 91.5–99.1). Thus, oral fluid titres of ⩾70 AU would possess a positive predictive value of 76.2–93.2 % for pertussis amongst children with chronic coughs when used as a surrogate for the serum ELISA (assuming disease prevalence of 12–37 %). This oral fluid ELISA will greatly assist in the convenience of B. pertussis disease diagnosis and surveillance.
Bacterial killing in gastric juice – effect of pH and pepsin on Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Zhu H. , Hart C. A. , Sales D. , Roberts N. B.
Published: August 2006

The susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori to pH and the effect of pepsin-mediated proteolysis were investigated. This was to establish the relative importance of their bacterial killing properties in gastric juice. Solutions in the pH range 1.5–7.4 with or without pig pepsin A were used, together with seven gastric juice samples obtained from patients undergoing routine gastric collection. Escherichia coli C690 (a capsulate strain), E. coli K-12 (a rough mutant) and Helicobacter pylori E5 were selected as the test organisms. Suspensions of bacteria (1×106
E. coli ml−1 and 1×108
H. pylori ml−1) were pre-incubated with test solutions at 37 °C for up to 2 h, and then cultured to establish the effect on subsequent growth. Survival of bacteria was diminished at pHs of less than 3.5, whereas killing required a pH of less than 2.5. Pre-incubation with pig pepsin at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg ml−1 at pH 3.5 reduced viable counts by 100 % for E. coli 690 and E. coli K-12 after 100 min incubation. With H. pylori, the viable counts decreased to 50 % of the control after 20 min incubation in 1 mg pepsin ml−1 at pH 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The gastric juices showed bactericidal activity at pH 3.5, and the rate of killing was juice dependent, with complete death of E. coli 690 occurring between 5 and 40 min post-incubation. Thus, killing of E. coli and H. pylori occurs optimally at pHs of less than 2.5. At pH 3.5, little effect is observed, whereas addition of pepsin alone or in gastric juice causes a marked increase in bacterial susceptibility, suggesting an important role for proteolysis in the killing of bacteria.
Broilers do not play a dominant role in the Campylobacter fetus contamination of humans
Authors: Kempf Isabelle , Dufour-Gesbert Fabienne , Hellard Gwenaelle , Prouzet-Mauléon Valérie , Mégraud Francis
Published: August 2006

Campylobacter fetus causes severe infections in humans and can be isolated from various mammals and reptiles. However, although poultry are considered to be the main reservoir of Campylobacter jejuni, little is known about the presence of C. fetus in poultry. Thus, specific pathogen-free chickens were experimentally inoculated with a mixture of either three non-thermotolerant or four thermotolerant human strains of C. fetus. Faecal samples were regularly sampled after inoculation and caeca and intestines were collected 21 or 40 days after inoculation. All samples were analysed for the presence of Campylobacter using culture techniques. No Campylobacter could be re-isolated. This result strongly suggests that broilers do not play an important part in the C. fetus contamination of humans.
β-Mercaptoethanol-modified ELISA for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Abass Elfadil M. , Mansour Durria , el Mutasim Mohamed , Hussein Muna , el Harith Abdallah
Published: August 2006

Following antigen preparation procedures similar to those of the direct agglutination test (DAT), an IgG ELISA employing intact β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME)-treated Leishmania donovani promastigotes was developed. The performance of the β-ME ELISA thus developed was assessed in patients with confirmed visceral leishmaniasis (VL), revealing slightly lower sensitivity (39/40=97.5 %) than that of the DAT (40/40=100 %). When challenged with sera of individuals with non-VL conditions, including leukaemia and African trypanosomiasis, the specificity of the β-ME ELISA was 100 % (158/158), compared to 98.8 % (156/158) for DAT. In an endemic population (n=145) manifesting a clinical suspicion of VL, results obtained with the β-ME ELISA were highly concordant with those of DAT, both in the seropositive (65/68=95.6 %) and seronegative (77/80=96.3 %) groups. Furthermore, the incorporated intact antigen demonstrated higher sensitivity in ELISA (16/18=88.9 %) than the water-soluble equivalent (13/18=72.2 %). The stability of the formaldehyde-fixed antigen (2 months at 4 °C) in β-ME ELISA, as well as the option for direct testing of whole-blood samples and visual reading of results (within 2 h, compared to 18 h for DAT), advocate the simultaneous application of the technique with DAT for confirmation of VL in laboratories with limited facilities.
Isopod infestation of postspawning Nassau grouper around Little Cayman Island
Authors: Semmens B. X. , Luke K. E. , Bush P. G. , McCoy C. M. R. , Johnson B. C.
Published: August 2006

Attacks by the isopod Excorallana tricornis tricornis on Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus caught in Antillean fish traps around Little Cayman Island, Cayman Islands, are recorded. Divers reported heavily parasitized fish during the study period, suggesting that trapping did not exclusively precipitate parasitism. Parasitic infestations were reported to be common in Nassau grouper immediately following their spawning season in mid‐winter.
Intraspecific differences in patterns of courtship behaviours between the Pacific Ocean and Japan Sea forms of the three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Ishikawa M. , Mori S. , Nagata Y.
Published: August 2006

The courtship behaviour of the Pacific Ocean and Japan Sea forms of the three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatuswere studied in seven populations. The intraspecific difference in behavioural patterns, zigzag dance and weak dorsal pricking in the Pacific Ocean form and lateral display and vigorous dorsal pricking in the Japan Sea form, was clearly distinguishable regardless of the type of habitat the males lived in.
The goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus and its follower fishes at an oceanic island in the tropical west Atlantic
Authors: Sazima C. , Krajewski J. P. , Bonaldo R. M. , Guimarães P. R.
Published: August 2006

The influence of a substratum‐disturbing forager, the spotted goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus on the assemblage of its escorting, opportunistic‐feeding fishes was examined at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (tropical west Atlantic). Followers attracted to spotted goatfish foraging singly differed from followers of spotted goatfish foraging in groups in several characteristics. The larger the nuclear fish group, the greater the species richness and number of individuals of followers. Moreover, groups of foraging spotted goatfish attracted herbivores, not recorded for spotted goatfish foraging singly. The size of follower individuals increased with the size and the number of foraging spotted goatfish. The zoobenthivorous habits of the spotted goatfish and its ability to disturb a variety of soft substrata render it an important nuclear fish for several follower species of the reef fish assemblage at Fernando de Noronha.
Assessing nursery habitat quality for native smelts (Osmeridae) in the low‐salinity zone of the San Francisco estuary
Authors: Hobbs J. A. , Bennett W. A. , Burton J. E.
Published: August 2006

Habitat quality was assessed for two native osmerids, delta smelt Hypomesus transpacificus and longfin smelt Spirinchus thaleichthys, between two distinct nursery areas located in the low‐salinity zone of the San Francisco estuary. The relationship between several variables was investigated including fish density, fish size, feeding success and the general condition of larvae as well as juveniles for both species. The nursery habitats that were evaluated included the North and South Channels of Suisun Bay. The results showed higher densities of zooplankton and decreased water velocities for the North Channel when compared to the South Channel. The dominant prey item was calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus forbesi for both species although longfin smelt residing in the North Channel also included another copepod in their diets, Acanthocyclops spp. In both locations, delta smelt fed predominantly during daytime flood tides, while longfin smelt feeding appeared to continue into the night hours. When both locations were compared, delta smelt in the North Channel exhibited higher densities, larger sizes, increased somatic condition and larvae <15 mm standard length demonstrated greater feeding success. Longfin smelt, exhibited similar densities, feeding success and size distributions between both channels, but generally showed poorer somatic condition for the South Channel, potentially due to energetic costs associated with documented vertical migration behaviour. Overall, the physical conditions of the North Channel provided superior habitat for both species, while the South Channel afforded only marginal habitat for longfin smelt and very poor habitat for delta smelt. Therefore, the North Channel of Suisun Bay acts as critical nursery habitat by providing better feeding and growing conditions leading to increased health and survival for both species.
Successful induction of tolerance to infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease and prior severe infusion reactions
Authors: DUBURQUE C. , LELONG J. , IACOB R. , SEDDIK M. , DESREUMAUX P. , FOURNIER C. , WALLAERT B. , CORTOT A. , COLOMBEL J.‐F.
Published: August 2006

Aim

To appraise the tolerance and efficacy of an induction of tolerance protocol to infliximab permitting the re‐administration of the drug to patients with Crohn's disease having had infusion reactions requiring suspension of treatment.

Methods

Fourteen patients were included in the induction of tolerance protocol. Each infusion of infliximab (5 mg/kg) was divided into 11 escalating 15 min increments over a 3‐h time period. The induction of tolerance procedure was repeated for subsequent infusions.

Results

Ten patients (71.4%) received all the three infusions for the induction treatment. Nine (64.3%) had a significant response and six (48.8%) still benefited from infliximab infusions. Seven patients (50%) achieved a complete remission, after a mean of 2.5 (two to three) infusions. Four patients (28.6%) had no response and the protocol was stopped. Three patients (21.4%) experienced mild immediate hypersensitivity reactions, which were controlled, two patients (14.2%) experienced severe immediate hypersensitivity reactions, leading to interruption of the treatment and one patient developed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.

Conclusion

Our induction of tolerance protocol allows some patients who have experienced severe or repetitive infusion reactions to infliximab to be safely retreated with the drug in a hospitalized setting, with a clinical response achieved in a majority of these patients.
A patient follow‐up survey programme for alosetron: assessing compliance to and effectiveness of the risk management programme
Authors: MILLER D. , BENNETT L. , HOLLIS K. , TENNIS P. , COOK S. , ANDREWS E.
Published: August 2006

Background

In November 2002, alosetron HCl (Lotronex, GlaxoSmithKline Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) was re‐introduced to the US marketplace for women with severe diarrhoea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome. In support of the re‐introduction, a risk management programme was implemented, which included a patient follow‐up study in which all users of alosetron could participate.

Aim

We report on the methods used and the effectiveness of key elements of the risk management programme.

Methods

Patients voluntarily enroled in the study and completed questionnaires at baseline, after 5 and 10 weeks, and quarterly thereafter. Questions focussed on patient eligibility, knowledge of risks and benefits, and adherence to the recommended programme elements for education, prescribing and dispensing.

Results

Between December 2002 and 2004, 4803 patients enrolled in the study, and <3% were lost to follow‐up. The average follow‐up time was approximately 6 months, and the response rate for each assessment was >95%. A total of 90% of patients at baseline met the full clinical criteria recommended for the treatment. Patient adherence to the risk management programme was >87%.

Conclusions

Using the Lotronex risk management programme, patients met clinical criteria, were knowledgeable about treatment risks and benefits, and were adherent to the process elements of the programme. These patients seemed to engage in active dialogue with their physicians about symptoms and use of alosetron.
Stability of E‐cadherin methylation status in gastric mucosa associated with histology changes
Authors: CHAN A. O. O. , HUANG C. , HUI W. M. , CHO C. H. , YUEN M. F. , LAM S. K. , RASHID A. , WONG B. C.‐Y.
Published: August 2006

Background

We have previously shown reversal of E‐cadherin methylation in gastric mucosa from patients with dyspepsia at week 6 after Helicobacter pylori‐eradication therapy. But the long‐term methylation status of these patients was unknown.

Aim

To investigate the methylation status at E‐cadherin at year 3 after H. pylori‐eradication therapy.

Methods

35 patients (25 with and 10 without H. pylori eradicated) enrolled in our previous study were recruited into the present study (year 3 analysis). Methylation at E‐cadherin was evaluated by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction method.

Results

There was no difference in age and sex distribution in the two groups. Methylation at E‐cadherin in patients with H. pylori eradicated at weeks 0, 6 and year 3 were 52%, 20% and 20%, respectively. Concordant methylation status at week 6 and year 3 was 92%. Methylation at E‐cadherin in patients without H. pylori at weeks 0, 6 and year 3 were 50%, 60% and 60%, respectively. Concordant methylation status between week 6 and year 3 was 90%. Stability of E‐cadherin methylation status was associated with histological changes. No association between E‐cadherin methylation status and age was observed.

Conclusion

The methylation pattern is stable for a long period, thus suggesting the effect of environment on methylation.
Comparison of simple tests for the non‐invasive diagnosis of clinically silent cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: BORRONI G. , CERIANI R. , CAZZANIGA M. , TOMMASINI M. , RONCALLI M. , MALTEMPO C. , FELLINE C. , SALERNO F.
Published: August 2006

Background

Biopsy is the gold standard for assessing cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, but it is expensive and at risk of complications. Alternative non‐invasive methods have been developed but their usefulness remains uncertain.

Aim

To compare the accuracy of five non‐invasive scores in detecting cirrhosis.

Methods

We reviewed the charts and liver biopsies of 228 consecutive, treatment‐naïve, hepatitis C virus‐positive patients, 13.2% of whom with histological diagnosis of cirrhosis. The five alternative scores were age‐platelet index, cirrhosis discriminant score, aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index, Pohl's index, and aspartate transaminases/alanine transaminases ratio.

Results

The specificities of the scores were good (87–100%), but not so their sensitivities (17–67%). Accordingly positive likelihood ratios were generally good but negative likelihood ratios were suboptimal. Combinations of the scores independently related to cirrhosis only slightly change this diagnostic accuracy. Using double cut‐offs to exclude/diagnoses cirrhosis, cirrhosis discriminant score classified 21% of patients without misdiagnoses and aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index classified 85% of case with 9% of misdiagnoses.

Conclusions

The five scores showed variable sensitivities and specificities in detecting liver cirrhosis, both individually and in combination. The use of double cut‐off points may make the cirrhosis discriminant score and aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index useful to reduce the number of patients submitted to liver biopsy.
Methotrexate therapy for the symptomatic treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis patients, who are biochemical incomplete responders to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy
Authors: BABATIN M. A. , SANAI F. M. , SWAIN M. G.
Published: August 2006

Background

Ursodeoxycholic acid is widely used as the standard therapy for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis and other cholestatic liver diseases. Although it has been shown to improve biochemical markers and delay disease progression, its effect upon fatigue and pruritus, is at best uncertain.

Aim

To assess the safety and efficacy of methotrexate for treating symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis patients who were biochemical partial responders or non‐responders to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.

Methods

We treated eight consecutive primary biliary cirrhosis patients with methotrexate who were followed in a single hepatology clinical practice, who were symptomatic, and who had had an incomplete biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Pruritus and fatigue were assessed at each clinic visit and graded from 0 (asymptomatic) to 4 (incapacitating).

Results

The median dose of methotrexate was 13.75 mg/week (range 7.5–15) and the mean duration of methotrexate therapy was 49 months (range 11–126). At the end of follow‐up pruritus in six of seven patients had improved, and fatigue in all patients had improved with the addition of methotrexate therapy (pruritus: baseline 2.9 ± 1.1 vs. end of treatment 0.6 ± 1.5, P ≤ 0.0175, and fatigue: baseline 3.0 ± 0.8, vs. end of treatment 1.0 ± 0.8, P ≤ 0.0023). Improvement in symptoms was associated with a significant improvement in biochemical markers of cholestasis. No significant adverse effects of methotrexate were documented.

Conclusions

Methotrexate should be considered as a potential additive treatment for symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis patients who are incomplete biochemical responders to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.
Systematic review: proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the healing of reflux oesophagitis – a comparison of esomeprazole with other PPIs
Authors: EDWARDS S. J. , LIND T. , LUNDELL L.
Published: August 2006

Background

No randomized controlled trial has compared all the licensed standard dose proton pump inhibitors in the healing of reflux oesophagitis.

Aim

To compare the effectiveness of esomeprazole with licensed standard dose proton pump inhibitors for healing of reflux oesophagitis (i.e. lansoprazole 30 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, pantoprazole 40 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg).

Methods

Systematic review of CENTRAL, BIOSIS, EMBASE and MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials in patients with reflux oesophagitis. Searching was completed in February 2005. Data on endoscopic healing rates at 4 and 8 weeks were extracted and re‐analysed if not analysed by intention‐to‐treat. Meta‐analysis was conducted using a fixed effects model.

Results

Of 133 papers identified in the literature search, six were of sufficient quality to be included in the analysis. No studies were identified comparing rabeprazole with esomeprazole. A meta‐analysis of healing rates of esomeprazole 40 mg compared with standard dose proton pump inhibitors gave the following results: at 4 weeks [relative risk (RR) 0.92; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.94; P < 0.00001], and 8 weeks (RR 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.97; P < 0.00001). Publication bias did not have a significant impact on the results. The results were robust to changes in the inclusion/exclusion criteria and using a random effects model.

Conclusion

Esomeprazole consistently demonstrates higher healing rates when compared with standard dose proton pump inhibitors.
The impact of hormonal contraceptives on blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Atthobari Jarir , Gansevoort Ron T. , Visser Sipke T. , De Jong Paul E. , De Jong‐van den Berg Lolkje T. W. ,   the PREVEND study group
Published: August 2006

Aim

In short‐term studies, hormonal contraceptives (HC) have been suggested to induce a rise in blood pressure (BP) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE), while the effect of HC in renal function (GFR) is still under debate. Data on long‐term and withdrawal effects of HC use on these outcomes are, however, not available. We therefore studied whether the start and cessation of HC induce changes in BP, UAE and GFR.

Methods

We used data from the PREVEND Study, a prospective cohort of subjects aged 28–75 years. Eligible were women aged ≤ 45 years with complete clinical and pharmacy data on baseline and follow‐up screening (4 years later). Multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of HC on BP, UAE and GFR in those who started (n = 73), stopped (n = 117) or continued (n = 183) with those who never used HC (n = 286) as the reference group.

Results

BP increased among starters and fell in stoppers. These changes compared with never‐users were statistically significant, even after adjustment for relevant variables. UAE increased by 14.2% in starters (P = 0.074) and fell by 10.6% in stoppers (P = 0.021), while GFR fell by 6.3% in starters (P < 0.001) and did not change in stoppers. The effects of stopping HC on UAE and GFR were significantly different compared with changes among never‐users, even after adjustment for other variables (P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively).

Conclusions

The start of HC was independently associated with worsening of BP, UAE and GFR, while stopping HC use resulted in an improvement. These data suggest that long‐term HC use (aged 28–45 years) may be deleterious from the cardiovascular and renal point of view, but stopping may result in correction of these effects.
Foster fathers: their experiences and contributions to fostering
Authors: Wilson Kate , Fyson Rachel , Newstone Simon
Published: August 2006

The paper reports some of the findings of an exploratory study that looks at foster fathers’ experiences of fostering and discusses their routes into foster care and their perspectives on their roles and tasks. The study collected quantitative and qualitative data by approaching all foster fathers registered with a single independent fostering agency based in south‐east England. They were asked about their personal and professional attributes, and their experiences of and views concerning the role of a foster father. The study discusses the foster fathers’ motivation to foster, and argues that what they see as the benefits and drawbacks of fostering, and how it fits into their own family lives, are all relevant to improving service recruitment, delivery and retention. The study produced some evidence about the distinctive and positive contribution that foster fathers see themselves making to the lives of the children they foster. Further research is needed to refine our knowledge of what this contribution may be. Such knowledge could potentially develop our understanding of the roles of fathers in child development more generally as well as fine‐tuning practice in matching what particular placements have to offer to the needs of individual children.
Preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living
Authors: Freundlich Madelyn , Avery Rosemary J. , Padgett Deborah
Published: August 2006

This paper reports on findings from a qualitative study that focused on the quality and adequacy of preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living. This study, conducted in New York, NY, USA, explored the extent to which youth feel prepared to leave care and the opportunities they are given to participate in planning and decision‐making regarding issues that personally affect their future. Interviews were conducted with professionals and young adults who had exited foster care after placements in congregate care settings. Both professionals and young adults stated concerns about the quality of independent living preparation. Many young adults stated that they were not ready to live independently and expressed concerns about failure of staff to begin preparing youth sufficiently in advance of their discharge dates. Young adults also reported limited opportunities to participate in the planning and decision‐making processes affecting them. Recommendations for improvement of independent living preparation are proposed.
Interleukin-18 overexpression as a hallmark of the activity of autoimmune inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Tucci M , Quatraro C , Dammacco F , Silvestris F
Published: August 2006

The objective of this study was to explore the role of interleukin (IL)-18 in patients with inflammatory myopathies (IM) such as dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) in relation to the possible predominance of a Th1 immune response in their pathogenesis. Serum concentrations of IL-18, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and IL-6 were measured in six patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-18 expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization (ISH), whereas CD68, CD8 and CD83 were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to define the main producers of IL-18. Lastly, the expression of both IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was also explored by IHC. High serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ, and conversely low titres of IL-4 and IL-6, were demonstrated in both diseases. In addition, IL-18 was overexpressed in muscle biopsy specimens from patients with IM. Both macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) surrounding either perivascular and perimysium areas in DM or endomysium in PM were the main producers of IL-18. Endothelial cells (EC), smooth muscle cells (SMC) and CD8+ T cells expressed a high content of IL-18R. Vessel cells overexpressed MCP-1 in parallel with IL-18R. High concentrations of serum IL-18 as well as muscular up-regulation of IL-18 and IL-18R suggest that deregulation of the IL-18/IL-18R pathway is a pathogenetic mechanism in IM. Measurement of IL-18 may thus predict the severity of both DM and PM.
Limitation of nesting resources for ants in Colombian forests and coffee plantations
Authors: ARMBRECHT INGE , PERFECTO IVETTE , SILVERMAN EMILY
Published: August 2006

Abstract 1. This study examines limitation of nesting resources for leaf‐litter and twig‐nesting ants as a mechanism of diversity loss across an intensification gradient of coffee production in Colombia. Twelve farms were selected and classified into four management types: forest, polygeneric shade coffee, monogeneric shade coffee, and sun coffee (unshaded coffee monocultures).

2. At each of the farms, four treatment subplots were established at the corners of each of 10 25 m2 plots: (i) twig augmentation (adding 10 empty bamboo twigs); (ii) litter augmentation (tripling existing litter profile); (iii) twig and litter augmentation; and (iv) no manipulation control, for a total of 480 subplots. A twig addition experiment was also performed on coffee bushes.

3. The results showed significantly more ant colonies in the forest and monogeneric shade coffee litter augmentation plots after 4 months. Litter‐nesting ant species richness was higher in all three shade systems than in the sun coffee. The identities of ants nesting on coffee bushes were different from those in the soil level litter. Fewer species nested in bamboo twigs placed in litter in the most intensive systems.

4. More ants nested in the resource addition treatments, and more ant species were found in forested habitats; however, a single mechanism cannot explain the observed patterns. It was concluded that a combination of bottom‐up and top‐down effects might lead to the loss of associated fauna with the intensification of these agroecosystems.
To be an intra‐guild predator or a cannibal: is prey quality decisive?
Authors: MONTSERRAT MARTA , JANSSEN ARNE , MAGALHÃES SARA , SABELIS MAURICE W.
Published: August 2006

Abstract1. Many cannibalistic species are also intra‐guild predators. Such predators will often face the decision whether to consume a conspecific or a heterospecific prey from the same guild. This decision may depend on the relative quality and abundance of the prey but also on other factors such as relatedness by descent, prey‐specific defence and the probability of the victim harbouring shared diseases.

2. Here, intra‐guild interactions among two cannibalistic species of predatory mites,Iphiseius degeneransandNeoseiulus cucumeris(Acari: Phytoseiidae) that belong to closely related genera were studied.

3. Individuals ofI. degeneranswere offered a diet of conspecifics or heterospecifics. BecauseI. degeneransis capable of recognising kin individuals from non‐kin, and they were exclusively offered conspecifics that were either distantly related or non‐kin, it was expected that it would not refrain from cannibalising for reasons of possible relatedness.

4. When corrected for numbers of victims eaten, survival, and juvenile development of predators fed with intra‐guild prey was higher than that of cannibals. This was probably caused by a higher quality of heterospecific victims, even though conspecific victims were larger and therefore potentially contained more food. This led to the prediction that the predators should strongly prefer heterospecific prey. This was indeed borne out in independent choice experiments. Thus, the choice of predators between heterospecific and conspecific prey is not only affected by avoidance of consuming conspecifics, but also by relative prey quality.
Drought stress differentially affects leaf‐mining species
Authors: STALEY JOANNA T. , MORTIMER SIMON R. , MASTERS GREGORY J. , MORECROFT MICHAEL D. , BROWN VALERIE K. , TAYLOR MICHELE E.
Published: August 2006

Abstract 1. The impact of climate change on phytophages is difficult to predict, due in part to variation between species in their responses to factors such as drought stress. Here, the hypothesis that several species within the leaf‐mining feeding guild will respond in a consistent way to changes in rainfall patterns is tested, using a manipulative field experiment.

2. Summer drought, enhanced summer rainfall, and control treatments were imposed on a calcareous grassland community, and the responses of five leaf‐mining species were assessed.

3. One leaf‐mining species was more abundant under enhanced rainfall, one was more abundant under drought, and the other three species showed no consistent response to the rainfall treatments. Higher parasitism levels under drought may partly explain the response of one species (Stephensia brunnichella) to the treatments.

4. These results show that generalisations relating to drought stress impacts cannot be drawn at the feeding guild level for leaf‐mining insects.
Stability of the Wabash River fish assemblages from 1974 to 1998
Authors: PYRON MARK , LAUER THOMAS E. , GAMMON JAMES R.
Published: August 2006

1. We measured temporal variability of the fish assemblage in the Wabash River using a 25‐year electrofishing dataset through a combination of a time‐lag analysis and multivariate analysis.

2. The fish assemblage had substantial year‐to‐year variation, but the overall abundance pattern did not change. Based on time‐lag analyses and ordinations, there was only weak predictable directional change at individual sites. At the scale of the entire reach, however, the overall combined data had a statistically significant directionality with the time‐lag analysis.

3. These results support the hypothesis that the middle Wabash River stream fish assemblage has undergone change over a time period of 25 years, although at the scale of individual sites this change was not detectable.
R3 Increasing the awareness of the role of the dental team in child protection
Authors: CAIRNS* A. M. , WELBURY R. R.
Published: August 2006

Aims:  Construction and delivery of a multiagency child protection (CP) course for the dental team in five health board areas; increase knowledge of the signs of physical child abuse (CA); increase likelihood of referral when concerned; aid development of individual practice protocols; increase familiarity with local referral protocols and procedures.

Method:  A 3‐hour course was designed and delivered in five health board areas by two paediatric dentists and a member of the local CP team. The course content included: orofacial signs of CA; role of the dental team in CP; and local referral procedures and protocols. Questionnaires concerning the above topics were distributed to the course participants immediately prior to the start, and 1 month after the course.

Results:  A total of 117 members of the dental team completed the first questionnaire and 65 the second. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of CA improved from 68.5% to 81%. Prior to and following the course: 58.9% and 40.6% reported that a fear of consequences to the child would influence the decision to report (P = 0.019); 79.5% and 38.5% were concerned that their lack of knowledge would negatively influence the decision to report (P < 0.001); 19.4% and 38.9% had a practice protocol (P < 0.001); 17.3% and 48.4% had seen their local guidelines (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  The course achieved increased: knowledge of the signs of CA; likelihood to refer due to reduction in fear of consequences to child and increased knowledge of both indicators of CA and referral procedures; dental practice protocols; familiarity with local procedures and protocols.
R6 Interventions for treating traumatised non‐vital immature permanent incisors
Authors: AL ANSARY* M. , DAY P. , DUGGAL M. , BRUNTON P.
Published: August 2006

In traumatised non‐vital immature permanent incisors, clinicians are challenged by thin root dentine walls and a wide‐open apex. Apexification involves using a temporary paste to stimulate the formation of calcified tissue at the apex; while apical plug techniques involve packing of a material into the apical 2–4 mm of an immature canal to act as a barrier against which gutta‐percha is condensed. The risk of root fracture during apexification in immature roots is a concern. This complication has lead researchers to explore ways of root strengthening in addition to inducing a barrier.

Objectives:  To assess the effectiveness of methods for inducing an apical barrier or root strengthening and immediate & long‐term side effects of these interventions.

Design:  Cochrane Systematic Review of randomised controlled trials.

Methods:  Electronic and manual search using controlled vocabulary and free text terms with no language restrictions. The methodological quality of each study is assessed using the criteria described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Primary results:  Multi‐database electronic search via OVID revealed 117 total hits.

Conclusions:  Primary analysis of reports yielded 10 studies initially fulfilled inclusion criteria, five retrospective studies, 18 in vitro studies, six animal studies, 53 case reports & review articles and 25 not applicable reports.
C3 Undiagnosed cardiomyopathy in a child with features of Papillon Lefevre syndrome
Authors: DAY P. , FAYLE S. , JUDGE M. , SUVARNA K. , MILROY C.
Published: August 2006

Presenting problem:  We report on a child under long‐term dental care for prepubertal periodontitis, premature root resorption of primary teeth, granulomatous, furrowed cobblestone oral mucosa and gingivae, hypodontia and peg shaped lateral incisors, caries and angular cheilitis who suffered a sudden unexpected death. Subsequent post mortem confirmed an undiagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy. This may have triggered ventricular fibrillation, which caused her death. Prior to her death, she had also been seen by several dermatologists with respect to palmar plantar hyperkeratosis, striae keratoderma, wiry hair and abnormal finger nails.

Discussion:  In spite of being seen by a number of clinicians in several centres in the UK a satisfactory clinical diagnosis was never established. A detailed search of the literature revealed no previously reported link between Papillon Lefevre syndrome and cardiac pathology. This case report details the patient's specific clinical presentation, which included features similar to ectodermal dysplasia, Papillon Lefevre or oral Crohn's associated with skin pathology. Possible diagnoses are suggested. Clinicians seeing similar features in future should send the child for cardiac screening to rule out any potentially life threatening pathology.
C7 Management of hypodontia and caries in a dry mouth
Authors: YOUNG* N. , NORTH S.
Published: August 2006

Presenting problem:  A fit and well 14‐year‐old girl was referred by a Consultant Orthodontist for management of her hypodontia. The patient's complaint was of difficulty chewing and poor dental appearance. Previous dental treatment comprised fissure sealants on first permanent molars and anterior restorations. A bilateral posterior open bite was present with a class three incisor relationship on a skeletal base III. Soft tissue examination revealed a dry mouth with a sinus associated with 53.There was severe hypodontia with retained 53, 55, 63, and 65. Caries was present in 11, 12, 16, 21, 22, 26, 36, 46, 53, 63, and 65.

Clinical management:  A rigorous preventive programme was implemented together with investigation of the cause of the xerostomia. Fissure sealants were placed on all non‐carious molars and premolars. Carious teeth were restored with composite, amalgam and preformed metal crowns all under local anaesthesia. The pulp of non‐vital 53 was extirpated and calcium hydroxide was placed to the extent of the root canal.

Discussion:  Diagnosis of the xerostomia was an important clinical finding, which had major implications for this patient with hypodontia. A combined team approach will be used to correct her malocclusion and provide a long‐term stable dentition.
Clear Cell Trichoblastomas in Two Dogs
Authors: Sharif M. , Reinacher M.
Published: August 2006

Two cases of clear cell trichoblastomas were diagnosed in young dogs. The tumour had ribbons of basaloid cells as seen in ribbon trichoblastomas, as well as differentiation to external root sheath of the hair follicle and few cells with sebaceous differentiation. This is the first report of clear cell trichoblastoma in dogs.
Diagnosis and Manifestation of Encephalitozoonosis in Mice after Experimental Infection with Different Species and Application of Dexamethasone
Authors: Herich R. , Levkutová M. , Kokinčáková T. , Reiterová K. , Hipíková V. , Levkut M.
Published: August 2006

Twenty‐eight BALB/c mice were infected with different strains of Encephalitozoon species (Encephalitozoon cuniculi II – mouse type, E. cuniculi III – dog type, Encephalitozoon hellem, Encephalitozoon intestinalis). Five of them were infected with E. cuniculi II (mouse type) and simultaneously immunosuppressed with dexamethasone. Clinical signs of encephalitozoonosis were not remarkable. Ascites was found in two mice of dexamethasone‐treated group 14 days post‐infection (p.i.). The histopathological changes were found mainly in spleen and liver in the form of lymphoepithelioid granuloma. Spores were found in faeces since day 14 p.i. and visualized by Calcoflour White M2R. After cultivation on cellular cultures (VERO E6 – monkey kidney cells, RK‐13 – rabbit kidney fibroblasts), the species differentiation was performed by PCR using panmicrosporidial primers (PMP1, PMP2) and specific primers (ECUN‐F, ECUN‐R, V1, SI‐500). The differences were recorded in the immune response of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice. At day 60 p.i., the titres of specific antibodies measured by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test were lower (1:4096) in dexamethasone‐treated mice when compared with non‐immunosuppressed animals (1:8196). The significant increases of antibody titres were recorded in particular infected groups within the experiment (P < 0.01 between day 14 p.i. and day 30 p.i., P < 0.001 between day 14 p.i. and day 60 p.i.). Experimental encephalitozoonosis in non‐immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed mice provides a useful model for the study of immune response and lesions associated with these protozoans.
Vertebral Osteoma in a Dromedary Camel
Authors: Carbonell D. , Orós J. , Gutierrez C.
Published: August 2006

A case of vertebral osteoma observed in a female 4‐year‐old dromedary camel is presented. The patient showed a progressive ataxia, incoordination and finally a permanent recumbence position. Treatment was unfruitful and the animal was humanely euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed an expansive growth at vertebral body of the 10th thoracic vertebra, which was histologically classified as an osteoma. To the author's knowledge, this would be the first description of an osteoma in a camelid species.
URGENT AND EMERGENCY CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING FOR ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES
Authors: Chen Yi , Almeida Aubrey A. , Goldstein Jacob , Shardey Gilbert C. , Pick Adrian W. , Moshinsky Randall , Kejriwal Nand K. , Lowe Cassie , Jolley Damien , Smith Julian A.
Published: August 2006

Background:  Urgent and emergency coronary artery bypass grafting may be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We report our recent experience with this group of patients.

Methods:  A retrospective analysis of 441 patients undergoing urgent and emergency surgery over a 3‐year period was carried out. Multivariate analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients who were most at risk of death.

Results:  The 30‐day mortality was 3.3 and 16.3% in the urgent and emergency groups, respectively. Urgent surgery was associated with significantly shorter duration of ventilation (16 h vs 69 h) and stay at the intensive care unit (31 h vs 102 h). The incidence of pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, renal failure and neurological events were also less in the urgent group. The preoperative use of the intra‐aortic balloon pump was low (0.8% in the urgent group and 4.8% in the emergency group). Multivariate analysis showed that patients over 70 years of age (odds ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1–9.5) with left main stenosis (odds ratio 4.4, 95% confidence interval 1.5–12.4) complicated by cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 17.8, 95% confidence interval 5.2–61.1) were at highest risk of death. Patients transferred directly to theatre from cardiac catheter laboratory following failed percutaneous interventions were found to be most at risk. Mortality in this group was 29%, with 50% patients being in shock and 36% having left main stenosis.

Conclusion:  Satisfactory results have been obtained in urgent coronary artery bypass grafting, but acute coronary syndromes complicated by cardiogenic shock remain a high‐risk group. Further studies are needed to define the optimal operative management in this group of patients.
SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HEPATIC HAEMANGIOMAS: A 15‐YEAR EXPERIENCE
Authors: Gourgiotis Stavros , Moustafellos Panagiotis , Zavos Apostolos , Dimopoulos Nikitas , Vericouki Christina , Hadjiyannakis Evangelos I.
Published: August 2006

Background:  Hepatic haemangiomas are congenital vascular malformations. They are the most common benign tumours of the liver and are often asymptomatic. Spontaneous or traumatic rupture, intratumoral bleeding, consumption coagulopathy and rapid growth are the mandatory surgical indications. We present our experience over the last 15 years with the surgical management of 15 liver haemangiomas to clarify the safety and effectiveness of this treatment.

Methods:  There were 15 patients with hepatic haemangiomas who were surgically treated from 1990 to 2004. Indications for the operation were spontaneous or traumatic rupture, consumption coagulopathy, rapid growth, abdominal pain and uncertain diagnosis. Four of these lesions were located on the left lobe, nine on the right lobe; one lesion was located on the left and the right lobes and one on segments VII and VIII. Methods for diagnosis included ultrasonography, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and selective hepatic arteriography or combinations of more than one technique.

Results:  The procedures included five right‐extended lobectomies, five right lobectomies, one left‐extended lobectomy, two left lobectomies and two segmental resections. There was no death. The postoperative morbidity was minimal and was mainly correlated to two subdiaphragmatic collections, one intra‐abdominal collection and one wound infection. The postoperative hospital stay was 12.7 days (range, 10–19 days). During the follow‐up period, there was no recurrence.

Conclusion:  The resection of the hepatic haemangioma is safe. The indications for resection, however, should be carefully analysed before embarking on such a major operation.
DIFFERENTIAL PRODUCTION OF CYTOKINES FOLLOWING COLORECTAL SURGERY
Authors: Chuang Danny , Paddison Johanna S. , Booth Roger J. , Hill Andrew G.
Published: August 2006

Background:  Colorectal surgery is associated with a number of postoperative complications, including anastomotic leak and local recurrence. These complications are more common after rectal surgery than after colon surgery. Cytokines are secreted into the peritoneal cavity after colorectal surgery and have a number of metabolic and immunological effects. Hence we suggested that differential secretion of these may contribute to the differences in complications between colon and rectal surgeries.

Methods:  Patients undergoing either elective rectal excision or colectomy for benign or malignant disease were recruited into the study. The region in relation to the anastomosis was drained with a silastic drain for 12–18 h. Drain fluid was collected on the morning following surgery. The drain fluid was assayed for interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and IL‐13 using multiplexed biomarker immunoassays.

Results:  Interleukin‐8 concentrations were significantly higher in the region of the anastomosis after rectal excision compared with colectomy. Also, IL‐6 levels were very high in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Although the concentrations of IL‐10 were higher in the rectal group relative to the colectomy group, only low levels of this cytokine were present in the drain fluids. No other cytokines were consistently detected in significant concentrations.

Conclusion:  This study has shown that the concentration of IL‐8 in the region of the anastomosis of patients who have undergone rectal surgery is much higher than those who have undergone colonic surgery. The increased level of IL‐8 may provide a milieu conducive to local recurrence and anastomotic leak.