bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triiodothyronine Expands the Lactotroph and Maintains the Lactosomatotroph Population, Whereas Thyrotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Augments Thyrotroph Abundance in Aggregate Cell Cultures of Postnatal Rat Pituitary Gland
Authors: Pals K. , Vankelecom H. , Denef C.
Published: January 2006

In the present study, we used a three‐dimensional pituitary cell culture system from early postnatal rats to examine the in vitro developmental potential of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyrotrophin‐releasing hormone (TRH). Cell types were identified at the hormone mRNA level by single‐cell reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and any change in abundance was further examined by immunofluorescence staining of the corresponding hormone protein. In aggregates from 14‐day‐old rats, long‐term (12–16 days) treatment with T3 (0.5 nM) increased the abundance of cells expressing prolactin mRNA (PRLmRNA cells) by 2.5‐fold and lowered that of nonhormonal cells and thyroid‐stimulating hormone β (TSHβ)mRNA cells. The abundance of growth hormone (GH) mRNA cells decreased during culture compared to that in the freshly dispersed pituitary gland and T3 did not significantly affect this cell population. Cells coexpressing PRL mRNA and GH mRNA virtually disappeared during culture but reappeared in the presence of T3. T3 increased the abundance of PRL‐immunoreactive (ir) cells in aggregates from 14‐day‐old rats, as well as in aggregates from newborn and 1‐week‐old rats. As estimated by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling, a 3‐day treatment with T3 enhanced the number of PRL‐ir cells that had incorporated BrdU, but did not yet expand the total population of PRL‐ir cells. Long‐term treatment with TRH (100 nM) did not affect the proportion of PRLmRNA or GHmRNA cells, but consistently increased the proportional number of TSHβmRNA and TSHβ‐ir cells. The present data confirm the findings obtained in recent in vivo loss of function genetic studies suggesting that T3 plays a prominent role in postnatal expansion of the lactotroph population and that TRH is important for thyrotroph development. The data suggest that the effect of T3 is brought about by a direct action on the pituitary gland through a cell proliferation mechanism. T3 also appears to support the lactosomatotroph population. In view of the established theory that lactotrophs develop from GH‐expressing progenitor cells and that this is a post mitotic event, we propose that T3 is mitogenic for GHmRNA cells that lack GH‐ir material and that transdifferentiate into PRL‐ir cells, but that a pathway of PRL cell development from mitotic nonhormonal cell progenitors may also be involved.
Regional differences in thein vitropenetration of hydrocortisone through equine skin
Authors: MILLS P. C. , CROSS S. E.
Published: January 2006

Little is known about the transdermal penetration of hydrocortisone in the horse and, although commercial formulations containing hydrocortisone are registered for topical use in the horse, there have been no studies investigating the movement of this glucocorticoid through different regions of equine skin. Skin was harvested from the thorax, groin and leg (dorsal metacarpal) regions of five Thoroughbred geldings and frozen (−20 °C) until required. Defrosted skin was placed in Franz‐type diffusion cells and the amount of radiolabelled (3H) hydrocortisone, in a saturated solution of unlabelled hydrocortisone in 50% ethanol (w/w), which penetrated through and remained within skin samples was measured over 24 h. Significantly higher (P < 0.001) maximum flux (Jmax; mol/cm2/h) was measured when hydrocortisone was applied to skin from the leg, compared to thorax and groin, although significantly less hydrocortisone (P < 0.001) was retained within skin from the leg at 24 h. Topical application of hydrocortisone in a vehicle containing ethanol would penetrate faster through leg skin from the lower leg when compared with the thorax or groin, which depending on cutaneous blood flow, may result in higher systemic drug concentrations or greater efficiency in treating local inflamed tissue.
Clinical efficacy of local administration of ceftiofur in aStaphylococcus aureusinfection in tissue cages in ponies
Authors: BOSCH G. , VAN DUIJKEREN E. , BERGWERFF A. A. , RIJKENHUIZEN A. B. M. , ENSINK J. M.
Published: January 2006

Ceftiofur concentrations in an infected and uninfected environment were compared and the efficacy of locally administered ceftiofur was evaluated in an experimental infection withStaphylococcus aureusin tissue cages.

Eight ponies had tissue cages (TCs) implanted s.c. on each side of the neck. Into one of the cages 150 mg of ceftiofur was administered and fluid samples were taken to determine ceftiofur concentrations. After 1 week the other TC was infected withS. aureusand subsequently treated with 150 mg ceftiofur administered locally into the TC once daily for 21 days. Samples of fluid were taken to determine ceftiofur concentrations and for bacterial counts. Ceftiofur concentrations did not differ significantly in the infected and uninfected environments after single dose of 150 mg of ceftiofur. Concentrations were considerably in excess of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of theS. aureusstrain used. A marked decrease of viable bacteria in tissue cage fluid (TCF) occurred. In five of seven ponies; however, the infection was not eliminated and abscess formation occurred. Therefore, local application of ceftiofur alone is not advisable for infections withS. aureusin secluded sites in horses, but should be used only with adjunctive therapy.
Application of risk assessment and management principles to the extralabel use of drugs in food‐producing animals
Authors: GEHRING R. , BAYNES R. E. , RIVIERE J. E.
Published: January 2006

A risk assessment of the food safety implications of drugs used in food‐producing animals is an essential component of the regulatory approval process for products containing these drugs. This ensures that there is negligible risk to human health if these drugs are used according to the instructions that appear on the approved label. A relative paucity of approved products for veterinary species; however, forces veterinarians worldwide to use drugs in an extralabel manner to treat disease and alleviate suffering in animals. In food‐producing animals, this may result in residues that are potentially harmful to the human consumer. This review describes how risk assessment principles can be extended to evaluate the risks posed by different classes of extralabel drug use. Risk management practices in the United States and Europe are summarized and contrasted to illustrate the application of these principles.
Pharmacokinetics of levamisole in broiler breeder chickens
Authors: EL‐KHOLY H. , KEMPPAINEN B. , RAVIS W. , HOERR F.
Published: January 2006

The pharmacokinetics of levamisole was studied in 20 broiler breeder chickens (chickens that give eggs to breed broilers). A single dose of levamisole (40 mg/kg) was administered orally or intravenously to chickens before the onset of egg production, prelay (age = 22 weeks), and repeated at the peak of egg production (age = 32 weeks). A high‐pressure liquid chromatographic with ultraviolet detection method (HPLC‐UV) was used for quantification of levamisole in plasma. Using compartmental analysis, levamisole followed a three‐compartmental open model with mean values of α = 0.1224 and 0.4968, β = 0.01663 and 0.01813, γ = 0.002 and 0.002/min at the prelay and at the peak of egg production periods, respectively. The mean values for volume of distribution at steady state (Vss), determined by compartmental analysis, were significantly different for prelay and peak of egg production (8.358 and 13.581 mL/kg), respectively.
Derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence, a simple method to detect a key point mutation conferring acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitor herbicide resistance in grass weeds
Authors: KAUNDUN S S , WINDASS J D
Published: January 2006

Substitution of isoleucine by leucine at the equivalent of residue 1781 of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) in Alopecurus myosuroides (I1781L) has been shown to be a key point mutation conferring resistance to most aryloxypropionate and cyclohexanedione herbicides in Lolium spp., A. myosuroides, Avena fatua and Setaria viridis. This substitution results from changing an adenine residue to either thymine or cytosine at position 5341 in the ACCase coding sequence of A. myosuroides and at the homologous position in the other species. The I1781L mutation can be detected by allele‐specific amplification assays. These are, however, very dependent on the conservation of the nucleotide sequences flanking the causative single nucleotide polymorphism. Moreover, such assays cannot distinguish between homozygous and heterozygous individuals in a single polymerase chain reaction reaction. Here we present an alternative derived Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (dCAPS) method to define I1781L status in the ACCase enzyme of four grass weeds. This dCAPS approach is simple, economical, highly transferable between species and can readily distinguish homozygous Leu/Leu 1781 and heterozygous Ile/Leu 1781 resistant individuals, providing the basis for accurate measures of the frequency of the dominant Leu allele in a given population.
Malaria and blood transfusion
Authors: Kitchen A. D. , Chiodini P. L.
Published: January 2006

The transmission of malaria by blood transfusion was one of the first recorded incidents of transfusion‐transmitted infection. Although a number of different infections have been reported to be transmitted by transfusion since then, on a global scale malaria remains one of the most common transfusion‐transmitted infections. Transfusion‐transmitted malaria can have serious consequences, as infection withPlasmodium falciparummay prove rapidly fatal. Ensuring that, in non‐endemic countries, the blood supply is free from malaria is problematical, especially as travel to malarious areas is increasing and there is some spread of the disease into new areas, as well as a resurgence of malaria in areas where previously it had been eradicated. In non‐endemic countries, donor deferral can be effective, but clear guidelines are needed. In endemic countries the problem is far greater as the majority of donors may be potentially infected with malaria parasites. In both situations, the simple deferral of donors may be wasteful and can eventually erode the donor base. Thus, other strategies are needed to ensure safety with sufficiency. However, the screening of donations for evidence of malaria is not without its problems. Although the examination of blood films is still the basis for diagnosing acute malaria, in most situations it is not sufficiently sensitive for blood bank screening. In non‐endemic countries, donor deferral in combination with screening for specific antimalarial immunoglobulin provides an effective means of minimizing the risk of transmission. In endemic countries, more specific donor questioning, consideration of seasonal variation and geographical distribution may help to identify the population of donors who are most likely to be infected. In addition, the administration of antimalarials to transfusion recipients may help to prevent transmission. Nonetheless, no matter what strategy is adopted, it is likely that cases of transfusion‐transmitted malaria may still occur, so malaria must always be considered in any patient with a febrile illness post‐transfusion.
Spatial and Temporal Definition of Weed Patches Using Quantitative Image Analysis
Authors: Krohmann P. , Gerhards R. , Kühbauch W.
Published: January 2006

Populations of Alopecurus myosuroides were studied in maize, sugar beet, winter wheat and winter barley over 5 years. Objective definitions for a ‘weed aggregation’ and a ‘weed patch’ within weed distribution maps were determined. Weedy areas in 1 year, whose distance to each other not exceeded a certain maximum value, are defined as ‘weed aggregation’. Field areas, which were defined as a weed aggregation in at least 1 year, were investigated for weed occurrence in the other years. Therefore, the resulting field area was determined by the spatial expansion of the aggregations of all years. Image analysis was a helpful tool for further investigation of the visually obtained information. With this method, marginal changes within the weed aggregations could be determined. The analysed weed populations were largely stable in their existence throughout the period of the study. Still, the aggregations varied in their size depending on the crop. ‘Weed patches’ were defined as weeds that appear in 4 of the 5 years at the same location and were limited themselves to very small field segments. Identification of the weed patches was enabled by image analysis. It is obvious that the field segments become smaller by increasing requirements on the repetition rate of a weed population at the same location.
Growth and Yield Response of Facultative Wheat to Winter Sowing, Freezing Sowing and Spring Sowing at Different Seeding Rates
Authors: Ozturk A. , Caglar O. , Bulut S.
Published: January 2006

Growth and yield of wheat are affected by environmental conditions and can be regulated by sowing time and seeding rate. In this study, three sowing times [winter sowing (first week of September), freezing sowing (last week of October) and spring sowing (last week of April)] at seven seeding rates (325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575 and 625 seeds m−2) were investigated during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, in Erzurum (Turkey) dryland conditions, using Kirik facultative wheat. A split‐plot design was used, with sowing times as main plots and seeding rates randomized as subplots. There was a significant year × sowing time interaction for grain yield and kernels per spike. Winter‐sown wheat produced a significantly higher leaf area index, leaf area duration, spikes per square metre, kernel weight and grain yield than freezing‐ and spring‐sown wheat. The optimum time of sowing was winter for the facultative cv. Kirik. Grain yields at freezing and spring sowing were low, which was largely the result of hastened crop development and high temperatures during and after anthesis. Increasing seeding rate up to 525 seeds m−2 increased the spikes per square metre at harvest, resulting in increased grain yield. Seeding rate, however, was not as important as sowing time in maximizing grain yield. Changes in spikes per square metre were the major contributors to the grain‐yield differences observed among sowing times and seeding rates. Yield increases from higher seeding rates were greater at freezing and spring sowing. We recommended that a seeding rate of 525 seeds m−2 be chosen for winter sowing, and 575 seeds m−2 for freezing and spring sowing.
Body weights at weaning and 18 months of Zebu, Brown Swiss, Charolais and crossbred heifers in south‐east Mexico
Authors: Magaña J.G. , Segura‐Correa J.C.
Published: January 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate the body weights up to 18 months of age of 12 breed groups of Zebu (Z), Brown Swiss (BS) and Charolais heifers (CH), and their crosses under tropical conditions. A total of 1434 data on weaning weights adjusted to 240 days (WW8), average daily gain to 240 days (ADG8) and 1025 body weights adjusted to 550 days (BW18) and average postweaning daily gain (ADG18) of heifers born from 1981 to 1995 were used. Cows and calves remained together from birth to weaning and grazed on Guinea grass (Panicum maximum). Years of birth were grouped in three periods, because of the small numbers of observations per year (1981–85, 1986–90 and 1991–95). Similarly, months of birth were grouped in three seasons: dry (February to May), rainy (June to September) and windy and rainy (October to January). Ages of dams were classified in six groups (≤3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and ≥8 years). Breed groups were animals with 12.5%, 25.0%, 50.0%, 62.5%, 75.0% and 100% BS genes and 25.0%, 50.0%, 75.0% and 100% CH genes and also Z and undefined crossbred animals. Data were analysed using a fixed model that included effects of period, and season of birth, age of dam and breed group of heifer. Analyses of variance showed significant (p < 0.05) effects of period, season and breed group for all traits. However, parity was significant (p < 0.05) only for WW8 and ADG8. Interactions among main factors were not significant (p > 0.05). Z heifers gained the least weight to weaning but were similar to BS at 18 months of age. CH were heavier at 18 months of age than BS heifers, but not at weaning. Body weights at 18 months of age of 1/8 and 1/4 BS crossbred heifers were similar (p > 0.05) and lower than F1 (BS × Z) (p < 0.05); however, the later and higher grades of BS had the highest body weights at 18 months of age and were similar to CH and 1/4 CH × 3/4 Z heifers. Undefined crossbred heifers had better performance than the Z breed group. Environmental factors were important sources of variation for pre‐ and postweaning traits. Under the conditions of this study, crossbred heifers generally performed better than Z heifers up to 18 months of age.
Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): III. juvenile survival
Authors: Isberg S.R. , Thomson P.C. , Nicholas F.W. , Barker S.G. , Moran C.
Published: January 2006

Mortality records of 1302 juvenile crocodiles were available for analysis. Crocodiles that were slaughtered during this study were treated as censored (n = 2151). Additionally, records from animals that had neither died nor been slaughtered, i.e. were still alive in the production system (n = 1582), were censored at the last date of data collection. There were a total of 3733 censored records. The data were all full‐sib records from 29 parental pairs from Janamba Croc Farm (Northern Territory, Australia), collected over nine consecutive years. Data were analysed using an extension of Cox's proportional hazards model to include frailty (random) terms to account for genetic effects. Heritability of log survival time for juvenile crocodile survival was 0.15 (SE 0.04). The probability of a juvenile crocodile surviving to day 400 was estimated to be only 51%. These results are the first to quantify juvenile survival in a captive breeding situation. Also, this is the first heritability estimate of crocodile survival and is a fundamental element in the development of a genetic improvement programme.
Economic values for production and functional traits and assessment of their influence on genetic improvement in the Boran cattle in Kenya
Authors: Rewe T.O. , Indetie D. , Ojango J.M.K. , Kahi A.K.
Published: January 2006

Economic values for production (sale weight in steers, SWs, kg and heifers, SWh, kg; dressing percentage, DP; consumable meat percentage, CMP and milk yield, MY, kg) and functional (cow weight, CoWT, kg; cow survival rate, CoSR, %; postweaning survival rate, PSR, %; feed intake of cows, FIc, heifers, FIh and steers, FIs, kg DM) traits were estimated for six production systems utilizing the Boran breed in Kenya. The influence of the estimated economic values on genetic improvement was also assessed using different selection indices. The six production systems were described according to their sale age, levels of input and final goal, namely, short‐fed medium input beef (SMB); long‐fed medium input beef (LMB); short‐fed high input beef (SHB); long‐fed high input beef (LHB); long‐fed low input dual purpose (LLD); and long‐fed medium input dual purpose (LMD). Two evaluation bases were considered: fixed herd size and fixed pasture input. In the fixed herd‐size situation, the economic values for production (except MY in beef systems) and functional traits (except FI in all systems) were positive meaning a unit increase in genetic merit of these traits had greater influence on revenues than costs. As expected, the economic value for MY was negative in the pure beef systems (SMB, LMB, SHB and LHB) and positive in the dual‐purpose systems (LLD and LMD). When compared with the economic values estimated in the fixed herd‐size situation, in the fixed pasture input situation they were lower for feed intake in the three classes of livestock and other traits related to it in all systems. These traits were CoSR, CoWR, PSR, CoWT, SWh and MY. The economic values for CoWT in LLD and LMD were negative (KSh −11.14 and −15.33 respectively). The economic values did not influence much the direction of the genetic response in each trait in the different production systems. However, the magnitude of the actual gain was dependent on the index applied. The magnitude of the economic values for production and functional traits estimated in this study suggest that genetic improvement of these traits will have a positive effect on profitability of Boran cows kept in dual‐purpose systems and when herd size is restricted. In beef systems, genetic improvement of MY will have a negative effect on profitability, especially when restrictions on herd size and feed exists.
Modelling number of services per conception of Japanese Black cattle by random regression
Authors: Nishida A. , Aziz M.A. , Nishida S. , Suzuki K.
Published: January 2006

Repeated records of number of services per conception (NSC) were collected on 607 Japanese Black cows. Data were analysed by random regression (RRM) and multiple trait (MTM) models, considering NSC in each parity as a separate trait. The chosen RRM included additive genetic and permanent environmental effects fitted with a third‐order Legendre polynomials of parity. Heritabilities (h2) estimated by RRM decreased along the NSC trajectory from 0.15 in the first parity to 0.04 in the sixth parity and then increased up to 0.22 in the 10th parity. The corresponding estimates obtained by MTM ranged between 0.04 in parity 9 and 0.13 in parity 1. Permanent environmental proportions (p2) of the total phenotypic variance estimated by RRM showed similar pattern and magnitude to those of h2 estimated by the same method. On the contrary, the p2 estimated by MTM ranged between 0.04 in the first parity and 0.11 in the 10th parity. Additive genetic (rG), permanent environmental (rP) and phenotypic (rPH) correlations were also estimated. The values estimated by RRM between adjacent parities were higher than those of parities far apart. The corresponding values estimated by MTM were lower than those estimated by RRM with no certain trend. The results indicated that NSC in heifers is more heritable than NSC in cows with different parities. Reproductive traits are economically important traits and hence, they should be considered in breeding goals.
Use of survival analysis as a tool for the genetic improvement of age at first conception in Nellore cattle
Authors: Pereira E. , de Oliveira H.N. , Eler J.P. , Silva J.A. II de V. , Van Melis M.H.
Published: January 2006

Restricted breeding seasons in beef cattle lead to censoring of reproductive data. In this paper, age at first conception (AFC) of Nellore females exposed to the sires for the first time between 11 and 16 months of age, was studied aiming to verify the possibility of genetically advance sexual precocity using a survival model. The final data set contained 6699 records of AFC in days. Records of females that did not calve in the next year following exposure to the sire were considered censored (77.5% of total). The model used was a Weibull mixed survival model including effects of contemporary groups, period (fixed) and animal (random). The effect of the contemporary groups on AFC was important (p < 0.01). Heritabilities were 0.51 and 0.76 in logarithmic and original scales respectively. Results indicate that it is possible to genetically advance sexual precocity, using the outcome of survival analysis of AFC as selection criterion. They also suggest that improvements of the environment could advance sexual precocity too, thus an adequate pregnancy rate for farmers could quickly be achieved.
Semi‐automated detection of the foveal avascular zone in fluorescein angiograms in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Conrath John , Valat Olivier , Giorgi Roch , Adel Mouloud , Raccah Denis , Meyer Franck , Ridings Bernard
Published: January 2006

Abstract

Background:  The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) is known to enlarge in diabetic retinopathy. In a preliminary study, the authors applied a region growing algorithm to fluorescein angiograms to detect the FAZ in a semi‐automated fashion.

Methods:  The FAZ in 44 fluorescein angiograms of 44 eyes of 41 patients with diabetic retinopathy underwent manual outlining, then analysis with the region growing function of the ENVI image analysis software. The same algorithm was applied after median filtering of the images.

Results:  Correlation coefficient was 0.98 between the first two authors, 0.89 between the first author and semi‐automated detection before median filtering and 0.91 after median filtering. Average surface areas however, were smaller with semi‐automated detection (1951 pixels before and 2226 pixels after median filtering) than with manual detection (3032 pixels).

Conclusions:  Semi‐automated detection of the FAZ is possible, but refinements need to be made in angiogram quality and/or image pretreatment to improve results.
Eye care service utilization in older people seeking aged care
Authors: Tay Tien , Rochtchina Elena , Mitchell Paul , Lindley Richard , Wang Jie Jin
Published: January 2006

Abstract

Background:  To assess the need for, and the use of eye care services in older people seeking aged care.

Methods:  In total, 188 people (69.1% of those eligible) aged 65+ years who were assessed for aged care provision at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, were recruited in 2003 and re‐examined a year later. At baseline, presenting visual acuity (VA) was randomly assessed in half the participants. People with under‐corrected refractive error (pinhole VA improved at least 10 letters in those with presenting VA <6/6), bilateral visual impairment (better eye VA <6/12), or self‐reported visual problems, were recommended to have further assessment by eye care professionals. At follow up, information on utilization of eye care services in the past 12 months was collected and VA was assessed in all returned participants.

Results:  Of the 188 baseline participants, 121 (70% of survivors) were revisited a year later. Overall, 90/121 participants (74%) had seen an eye care professional in the previous year. Of the 66 participants who were recommended to see an eye care professional, 42 (64%) were revisited and 37/42 (88%) complied with the recommendation. At revisit, bilateral visual impairment was found in 49/120 (41%). The proportion with bilateral visual impairment was lower in participants whose vision was assessed at baseline (35%) than in those whose vision was not assessed (47%, P = 0.17), and also lower among people who had visited an eye care professional during the previous 12 months (39%) than those who had not (45%, P = 0.57).

Conclusions:  This pilot study indicates a relatively high need for, and high utilization of eye care services in the subgroup of older people seeking aged care services.
Photographic Essay
Authors: Barsam Allon , Heatley Catherine J , Herbert Luke
Published: January 2006

Abstract

Suprachoroidal haemorrhage occurs most commonly as an intraoperative or a postoperative complication of ocular surgery. Spontaneous suprachoroidal haemorrhage is rare. Herein a case is described of spontaneous suprachoroidal haemorrhage in a patient who received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for the treatment of a myocardial infarction. Systemic thrombolysis may induce spontaneous suprachoroidal haemorrhage. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the likelihood of a favourable visual outcome. To the authors’ knowledge, there have been only three previous reports in the literature of spontaneous suprachoroidal haemorrhage secondary to thrombolysis.
Clinical Case Notes
Authors: Cilliers Helena , Harper C Alex
Published: January 2006

Abstract

This interventional case report describes a patient with a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which was treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Verteporfin. A 17‐year‐old girl presented with a combined hamartoma of the retina and RPE. Progressive decrease in vision due to vascular leakage and macular involvement led to the decision to treat this lesion with PDT. Rapid vascular closure occurred after PDT as confirmed by fundus fluorescein angiography and the clinical appearance gradually improved. However, visual acuity did not improve substantially. PDT with Verteporfin could be considered as a treatment modality for combined hamartomas of the retina and RPE, which demonstrate progressive vascular leakage.
Paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy: setting new frontiers
Authors: SAMAD LUBNA , AQUIL SHAHID , ZAIDI ZAFAR
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and outcome of paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for atypical cases and compare the results with ‘standard’ unilateral paediatric PCNL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed children who had had a PCNL between December 1997 and December 2004. Patients were grouped as follows: group 1, aged >5–16 years with normal anatomy and normal renal function undergoing unilateral PCNL or staged bilateral PCNL; group 2, ≤ 5 years with normal anatomy and renal function undergoing unilateral PCNL; group 3, undergoing bilateral simultaneous PCNL; group 4, impaired renal function in addition to renal stone disease; group 5, renal anatomical abnormality with calculi in the same kidney. Demographics, stone profile, procedure and outcome indicators were analysed for each group.

RESULTS

In all, 188 consecutive PCNLs in 169 children were included (mean age 3.3–10.3 years, mean stone burden 19.1–33.3 mm in the five groups). The mean duration of PCNL was 69–115 min. Stone clearance was satisfactory with single tract access in 90–100% of patients. Transient postoperative fever was the commonest complication (12.5–51%) followed by hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia. Blood transfusion was required in 0–7.7%. The mean stone clearance rates were 47–90% in the five groups; additional extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy increased the cumulative clearance rates to 90–100%.

CONCLUSION

PCNL is safe for treating renal stones, with excellent results and minimal complications. Comparable results are achieved in the very young child, children with anatomically abnormal kidneys, children with impaired renal function and children with bilateral renal stones undergoing simultaneous bilateral PCNL. Hence none of these factors should be considered as relative contraindications.
The ‘Europeanisation’ of Social Exclusion: British Adaptation to EU Co-Ordination
Authors: Armstrong Kenneth A.
Published: January 2006

The Labour government came to power in 1997 pledging to tackle social exclusion and to end child poverty within a generation. The European Union has also committed to making a decisive impact on poverty and social exclusion within the framework of the Lisbon Strategy of economic and social policy reform. To this end, the EU has adopted an ‘open method of co-ordination’ intended to stimulate reflection, and to promote action, on member states' policies and strategies to tackle social exclusion. The aim of this article is to analyse and assess this attempt to ‘Europeanise’ policy-making in the United Kingdom (including the devolved institutions) in the field of social exclusion.
The European Disunion
Authors: Gamble Andrew
Published: January 2006

This article explores the state of the UK debate on Europe following the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty by France and the Netherlands in 2005. It examines the conflict between the intergovernmental and supranational conceptions of the EU that lay at the heart of the Constitutional Treaty, various scenarios that have been proposed for how the EU might now develop and different overlapping images of Europe that have defined the European debate. The contradictory nature of Britain's attitude to the EU is noted. The British remain strongly attached to an intergovernmental conception of the EU and reject any further pooling of sovereignty, while at the same time they are strongly attached to the virtues of a liberal world order, requiring constant subordination of national sovereignty to achieve it. It is argued that a re-founding of the European Union on Euro-sceptic principles might be a necessary precondition for further advance.
Beyond Prospective Accountancy: Reassessing the Case for British Membership of the Single European Currency Comparatively
Authors: Hay Colin , Smith Nicola J. , Watson Matthew
Published: January 2006

The fact that Britain will, at most, be a late signatory to the single European currency means that the strategic deliberations it faces in deciding whether to enter EMU are rather different to those of earlier entrants. However, this crucial point is lost in almost all discussion of the subject. To date, the academic debate has been dominated by what we term ‘prospective accountancy’, in which a series of abstract counterfactuals ostensibly inform a stylised cost–benefit analysis. This article moves beyond such an approach by combining conjectures about the specificities of the British case with a concrete analysis of the experiences of the Eurozone member whose economy appears most closely to resemble Britain's: namely, Ireland. The comparative dimension of our work facilitates more empirically-based analysis of the merits and demerits of British entry into EMU. Yet, it is important not to lose sight of the limits of an exclusively comparative approach, for the British growth model is qualitatively different to that of other European Union economies. British growth since the early 1990s has been consumption led, and this in turn has been fuelled to a considerable degree by the release of equity from the housing market. The likely impact of EMU on the British economy will be determined to a significant extent, then, by its effect upon this key catalyst of British growth. Sadly, no retrospective comparison can inform such an assessment.
Confronting Europe: UK Political Parties and the EU 2000–2005
Authors: Sherrington Philippa
Published: January 2006

The unease at being part of the EU, as presently constructed at all levels of state and society in the UK, means that the main political parties have to wrestle with finding a clear policy direction towards the EU. Historical analysis of the UK's exceptionalism towards the EU is well documented. While it is perfectly acceptable to view the UK position as a pro and anti dichotomy, this fails to account for the nuances in the debate, and the strategies and difficulties that all three major UK political parties have in dealing with the EU issue. The approach of the main UK political parties towards the EU from the setting up of the European Convention to the first three months of the UK presidency of the EU in 2005 has shifted, with the EU issue being repackaged within the broader themes of political economy and internationalism. Through these, the UK government and Labour Party, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have found appropriate mechanisms for confronting Europe.
Adapting to Europe: Is it Harder for Britain?
Authors: Schmidt Vivien A.
Published: January 2006

Britain has had difficulties adapting to European integration. The problems result not so much from the EU-related changes in national policies, which have actually been rather moderate, or from the EU-related changes in governance practices, although these have been significant, affecting national institutional structures, policy-making processes and representative politics. They do not even follow from the serious challenges that the EU-related changes in governance practices pose for traditional ideas about democracy. Rather, they come from the lack of a discourse capable of legitimating such changes. To demonstrate this, the article considers Britain's problems in comparative perspective with those of France, which has had greater changes in policies and practices, greater challenges to national ideas, but a more legitimating discourse, and Germany and Italy, where changes in the practices and challenges to ideas have not been as significant.
Improving classroom dynamics to support students' learning and social inclusion: a collaborative approach
Authors: DOVESTON MARY , KEENAGHAN MARIAN
Published: January 2006

In this article, Mary Doveston and Marian Keenaghan discuss their work with teachers and students in developing more effective and satisfying interpersonal relationships in the classroom. Their approach focuses on increasing the capacity of a classroom community to address and measure its progress in the social and emotional competencies which that community has identified as being important. The principles of Appreciative Inquiry and Solution Focused Thinking underpin their approach to working with students and teachers, with the researchers supporting teachers to facilitate student participation in a process which they have described as ‘Growing Talent for Inclusion’ (GTi).
Listening to the views of those involved in the inclusion of pupils with Down's syndrome into mainstream schools
Authors: JOHNSON DEBBIE
Published: January 2006

Debbie Johnson is a teacher who provides an account of her involvement in researching the inclusion of pupils with Down's syndrome over a number of years. Her work has not only increased her own understanding but has had a significant influence upon her practice, both as a class teacher and in her current advisory role. Writing in a highly personalised way, Debbie describes how she developed a systematic approach to collecting data and analysing this to provide her with insights into those factors which may encourage or inhibit inclusive practice.
Working collaboratively with teachers to promote effective learning
Authors: ATKINSON CATHY , REGAN TERESA , WILLIAMS CHRISTINE
Published: January 2006

The work of educational psychologists (EPs) is often focused on those children identified as having special educational needs. This focus may restrict opportunities for EPs to become involved in the wider application of psychology within education. This article explores ways in which EPs can make an effective contribution to the enhancement of learning opportunities for all children by working collaboratively with teachers.

As a group of EPs working in the same local education authority (LEA), we undertook a small‐scale action research project with teachers in order to explore ways to promote children's thinking and learning skills. The study involved us working with Year 5 class teachers in three mainstream primary schools over a six‐week period, with the aim of developing materials which helped pupils develop an awareness of their own learning techniques (metacognition) and a positive and confident approach to learning (self‐efficacy). Some of the benefits of and barriers to joint research are considered, as well as implications for future collaborative work between teachers and EPs.
‘When something is different people fear it’: children's perceptions of an arts‐based inclusion project
Authors: WHITEHURST TERESA , HOWELLS AMY
Published: January 2006

In this article Teresa Whitehurst and Amy Howells describe how pupils and staff from mainstream and special settings worked together on a project, resulting in a musical performance. They demonstrate at the outset that, even after several decades of ‘integration’ and then inclusion, there remains an attitudinal hurdle to overcome. Mainstream pupils in this study report feelings of fear, lack of preparation and alienation with regard to pupils with severe and c o m p l ex learning difficulties. The project in question prompted these pupils to significantly change their perceptions of their peers with learning difficulties, a process substantially assisted by the involvement of all children in the production of a school performance.
Automated Production of Schematic Maps for Mobile Applications
Authors: Mark Ware J. , Taylor George E. , Anand Suchith , Thomas Nathan
Published: January 2006

The advent of high‐end miniature technology, together with the increasing availability of large scale digital geographic data products, has created a demand for techniques and methodologies that assist in the automated generation of maps specifically tailored to mobile GIS applications. This paper concerns itself with the problem of automatic generation of schematic maps. Schematic maps are diagrammatic representations based on linear abstractions of networks. In the context of mobile mapping they are seen as being a particularly useful means of displaying transportation networks. This paper describes an algorithm that automates the production of schematic maps. The algorithm makes use of the simulated annealing optimisation technique. An implementation of the algorithm is also presented, together with experimental results.
Investigating New Wireless Technologies and Their Potential Impact on Children's Spatiality: A Role for GIS
Authors: Williams Morris , Jones Owain , Wood Lucy , Fleuriot Constance
Published: January 2006

This paper outlines exploratory research undertaken by the “A New Sense of Place?” Project in Bristol, UK, into the potential new, location sensitive, computing technologies may have for enhancing urban children's socio‐spatial practices. The paper describes a series of workshops held with children in which mapping activities and use of the technologies are supported by the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS). The paper suggests that sound‐enabled GIS could play a major role in the management of such technologies.
Generating Agricultural Landscapes for Alternative Futures Analysis: A Multiple Attribute Decision‐Making Model
Authors: Berger Patricia A.
Published: January 2006

This paper describes the development of a multi‐attribute decision model that generates depictions of the agricultural landscape for use in alternative futures studies. The fundamental assumption of the model is that changes in agricultural land cover are due to rational decisions made by an agricultural producer that are based on the attributes of the producer, the crops, and the field. The model first evaluates any changes in the land base due to conversion of farmland to non‐agricultural uses, and then uses field descriptions, crop characteristics, and the decision paradigm of an agricultural producer to determine the preferred crop for each field under a particular policy scenario. By cycling over the fields for each time‐step in the simulation, future depictions of the agricultural system that respond to various drivers of change are generated. An example implementation of an alternative futures model is provided to show how this method can be used to examine alternative policy or management options.
Polygon‐to‐Polygon Spatial Accessibility Using Different Aggregation Approaches: A Case Study of National Forests in the US Mountain West Region
Authors: Crawford Thomas W.
Published: January 2006

Spatial accessibility is an enduring topic of spatial analysis that is intimately tied to issues of spatial representation and scale. A variety of methods to measure accessibility have been developed with most research focusing on metropolitan‐sized spatial extents using census‐defined aggregation units and relying on vector point representation to calculate Euclidean or network distances as key ingredients in measure formulations. Less research considers broader scales where both origin and destination points are treated as polygons. This research develops alternative gravity‐based measures of polygon‐to‐polygon accessibility for a case study of county‐level accessibility to national forests in the western US. Different methods of county and forest representation are implemented using census block centroids and a lattice approach for disaggregation and re‐aggregation. Other characteristics that are analyzed include origin‐destination linkage definitions, population weighting, and distance thresholds. Correlation analysis is used to assess relationships of alternative measures with a simple percentage measure and with each other. Low correlations would suggest that measures capture different aspects of accessibility that are related to their qualitative characteristics. Results show the alternative measures to be dissimilar from the percentage measure; however, high correlations among alternative measures suggest that there is little to differentiate certain disaggregated measures in spite of their richer qualitative interpretation.
Pharmacology of botulinum toxin: differences between type A preparations
Authors: Rosales R. L. , Bigalke H. , Dressler D.
Published: January 2006

Different types of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) block different proteins of thesolubleN‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factorattachment proteinreceptor (SNARE) protein complex within cholinergic nerve terminals, producing blockade of cholinergic neuromuscular and autonomic synapses. Animal studies indicate the longest duration of action for BoNT type A (BoNTA) followed by types B, F, and E. Diffusion to adjacent and remote muscles may be related to protein composition, dilutions, volume, target muscle selection, and injection technique. A review of head‐to‐head, randomized, controlled trials of BoNTA preparations (Botox® and Dysport®) suggests that Dysport® tends to have higher efficacy, longer duration, and higher frequency of adverse effects. Conversion factors between the preparations varied, however, and remain controversial. In clinical settings, a Botox®:Dysport® conversion ratio of 1:3 may be appropriate. Animal studies suggest a conversion ratio of 1:2.5–3. When therapeutic effects between these preparations are attempting to be equalized, Dysport® seems to produce more adverse effects. In mice, Botox® appears to have a better safety margin than Dysport® and BoNTB. In rats, diffusion margins are similar for Botox® and Dysport®. Jitter derived from stimulation single‐fiber EMG of injected and remote muscles show no differences between Botox® and Dysport®. Atrophy of extrafusal muscle fibers of injected and remote muscles do not differ between the BoNTA preparations.
Botulinum toxin in blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia: comparing different botulinum toxin preparations
Authors: Bhidayasiri R. , Cardoso F. , Truong D. D.
Published: January 2006

Amongst all regions of the body, the craniocervical region is the one most frequently affected by dystonia. Whilst blepharospasm – involuntary bilateral eye closure – is produced by spasmodic contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscles, oromandibular dystonia may cause jaw closure with trismus and bruxism, or involuntary jaw opening or deviation, interfering with speaking and chewing. Both forms of dystonia can be effectively treated with botulinum toxin injection. This article summarizes injection techniques in both forms of dystonia and compares doses, potency and efficacy of different commercially available toxins, including Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and Myobloc®/NeuroBloc®.
Management of spasticity in adults: practical application of botulinum toxin
Authors: Pathak M. S. , Nguyen H. T. , Graham H. K. , Moore A. P.
Published: January 2006

Spasticity, characterized by increased muscle tone, exaggerated stretch reflexes, and abnormal limb posture, is a common sequel of central nervous system pathology. Historically, medicinal treatments have been of limited efficacy. This review discusses the clinical features of spasticity, the functional and pathological consequences, and treatment. It reviews the most common patterns of spasticity encountered in the upper and lower limbs and focuses on focal treatment of spastic muscles with the three commercially available botulinum toxins Botox®, Dysport®, and Myobloc®/NeuroBloc®. It addresses practical details such as muscle selection and identification, drug dilution, and doses.