bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of rabbit caecal fermentation characteristics from faeces by in vitro gas production technique: roughages
Authors: Bovera F. , Calabrò S. , Cutrignelli M. I. , Infascelli F. , Piccolo G. , Nizza S. , Tudisco R. , Nizza A.
Published: May 2008

To find equations able to estimate the fermentation characteristics of the caecum from that of faeces, caecal content and faeces of 10 hybrid Hyla rabbits were used as inocula for an in vitro gas production trial. About 1 g of 12 roughages, 11 hays (ryegrass, alfalfa, sulla, oat, vetch, sulla‐lolium, vetch‐oat, sulla‐oat, clover, ryegrass‐clover, sulla‐vetch‐oat) and a wheat straw, was weighed, in triplicate per inoculum, in 120‐ml flasks; 75 ml of anaerobic medium and 4 ml of reducing solution were added and the flasks were placed at 39 °C. Caecal content and faeces were diluted respectively 1:2 (CI) and 1:8 (FI) with anaerobic medium and were introduced into their respective flasks (10 ml). Gas production was recorded 20 times at 2–24 h intervals throughout fermentation (120 h). The fermentation characteristics (i.e. degraded organic matter, OMd; potential gas production, A; maximum fermentation rate, Rmax; volatile fatty acid, VFA; ammonia, NH3) were studied by inocula and substrates. The two inocula did not differ in OMd but CI produced significantly higher gas (A, 213.1 vs. 199.4 ml/g, respectively, for CI and FI, p < 0.01) in less time (Rmax, 3.08 vs. 2.24 ml/h, respectively, for CI and FI, p < 0.01). CI also produced higher levels of total VFA (57.86 vs. 46.70 mmol/g OM, respectively, for CI and FI, p < 0.01) and showed a higher branched chain proportion (0.023 vs. 0.018, respectively, for CI and FI, p < 0.01). For some parameters (as OMd pH and propionate) the equations for the estimation of caecal fermentation characteristics from that of faeces were accurate (R2 > 0.8828) and reliable (CV < 10.78%) suggesting that faeces can be successfully used for the estimation of these parameters.
Detection of estrogenically active substances in diets for sows by an in vitro bioassay supported by HPLC analysis
Authors: Winter P. , Nau H. , Lampen A. , Kamphues J.
Published: May 2008

There is considerable evidence that exogenous estrogenic compounds can have adverse effects on fertility. The main reason cited in literature for hyperestrogenism in pigs is contamination of feedstuffs by the mycotoxin zearalenone (Boehm, 2000), but further estrogenically active substances might also be involved in cases of impaired fertility with symptoms like enlarged, red‐coloured vulvae in piglets, irregular estrus cycles and anestrus of sows (Bennetts et al., 1946; Drane et al., 1981). It is well known that soy used in diets for pigs as a main protein source contains phytoestrogens. Amongst them, isoflavones like genistein and daidzein are of particular interest. Aim of this study was to optimize and use an established bioassay (Kluczka, 2003) to determine estrogenic activity in feedstuffs for pigs related to isoflavones and further substances with estrogenic potential. This bioassay is a reporter gene assay based on stably transfected human embryonal kidney cells (HEK 293) that contains either α or β estrogen receptor (α‐ or β‐HEK). The estrogenic activity measured in the luciferase assay was expressed in estradiol‐equivalents (EEQ) and the results were compared with the isoflavone content (genistein, daidzein) obtained by chemical analysis using high performance liquid chromatography–Ultraviolet (HPLC–UV). Mean estrogenic activity in diets fed to sows in herds with altered fertility was 275.8 μg EEQ/kg feed in α‐HEK cells and 295.0 μg EEQ/kg feed in β‐HEK cells. Feedstuffs from herds without any altered fertility showed an average estrogenic activity of 204.9 μg EEQ/kg feed in α‐HEK and 213.3 μg EEQ/kg feed in β‐HEK. The estrogenic activity was strongly related to the concentration of the isoflavones (α‐HEK, r2 = 0.9488; β‐HEK, r2 = 0.9427). Clinically relevant zearalenone concentrations (>50–150 μg/kg feed) displayed estrogenic effects in the bioassay that did not differ significantly from those caused by high isoflavone concentration because of the use of soy as protein source.
Estimation of protein requirement for maintenance in adult parrots (Amazona spp.) by determining inevitable N losses in excreta
Authors: Westfahl C. , Wolf P. , Kamphues J.
Published: May 2008

Especially in older pet birds, an unnecessary overconsumption of protein – presumably occurring in human custody – should be avoided in view of a potential decrease in the excretory organs’ (liver, kidney) efficiency. Inevitable nitrogen (N)‐losses enable the estimation of protein requirement for maintenance, because these losses have at least to be replaced to maintain N equilibrium. To determine the inevitable N losses in excreta of adult amazons (Amazona spp.), a frugivor‐granivorous avian species from South America, adult amazons (n = 8) were fed a synthetic nearly N‐free diet (in dry matter; DM: 37.8% starch, 26.6% sugar, 11.0% fat) for 9 days. Throughout the trial, feed and water intake were recorded, the amounts of excreta were measured and analysed for DM and ash content, N (Dumas analysis) and uric acid (enzymatic‐photometric analysis) content. Effects of the N‐free diet on body weight (BW) and protein‐related blood parameters were quantified and compared with data collected during a previous 4‐day period in which a commercial seed mixture was offered to the birds. After feeding an almost N‐free diet for 9 days, under the conditions of a DM intake (20.1 g DM/bird/day) as in seeds and digestibility of organic matter comparable with those when fed seeds (82% and 76% respectively), it was possible to quantify the inevitable N losses via excrements to be 87.2 mg/bird/day or 172.5 mg/kg BW0.75/day. Assuming a utilization coefficient of 0.57 this leads to an estimated protein need of approximately 1.9 g/kg BW0.75/day (this value does not consider further N losses via feathers and desquamated cells; with the prerequisite that there is a balanced amino acid pattern).
Adipose tissue gene expression in obese dogs after weight loss
Authors: Leray V. , Serisier S. , Khosniat S. , Martin L. , Dumon H. , Nguyen P.
Published: May 2008

Body weight (BW) mainly depends on a balance between fat storage (lipogenesis) and fat mobilization (lipolysis) in adipocytes. BW changes play a role in insulin resistance (IR), the inability of insulin target tissue to respond to physiological levels of insulin. This results in inhibition of lipogenesis and stimulation of lipolysis. Weight gain leads to IR whereas, weight loss improves insulin sensitivity (IS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weight loss and recovery of IS on the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis in weight losing dogs. Gene expression was studied in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Obese dogs received a hypoenergetic low fat high protein diet (0.6 × NRC recommendation). Before and after weight loss, IS was assessed using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Gene expression of IRS‐2, SREBP, intracellular insulin effectors, ACC, FAS, FABP, ADRP, PEPCK, lipogenesis key proteins, perilipin and HSL, lipolysis key proteins were quantified using real‐time RT‐PCR in subcutaneous and visceral fat. BW decreased from 15.2 ± 0.5 to 11.4 ± 0.4 kg (p < 0.05) over 78 ± 8 days. When obese, dogs were insulin resistant. After weight loss, IS was improved. In the subcutaneous adipose tissue, the expression of only the IRS‐2 was increased. In the visceral adipose tissue, the expression of the genes involved in the lipogenesis was decreased whereas one of the genes implied in the lipolysis did not change. The expression profile of genes involved in lipid metabolism, as measured after weight loss, is indicative for a lower lipogenesis after weight loss than in obese dogs. Our results also confirm dramatic differences in the lipid metabolism of visceral and subcutaneous fat. They should be completed by comparing gene expression during weight losing and normal weight steady state.
Opportunistic immunisation of infants admitted to hospital: Are we doing enough?
Authors: Ressler Kelly‐Anne , Orr Karen , Bowdler Suzie , Grove Sandra , Best Pauline , Ferson Mark J
Published: May 2008

Aim:  To determine the accuracy and effectiveness of opportunistic immunisation of children admitted to the paediatric unit of a large teaching hospital using retrospectively collected data.

Methods:  Immunisation status, documented using clinical indicator (CI) forms, of all admissions over a 1‐year period was compared with that recorded by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. In order to determine the effectiveness of providing catch‐up plans, we analysed the difference in catch‐up times of the children with and without a catch‐up plan on their CI form.

Results:  The details of 614 admissions in the study period were included. Comparing the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register with the CI for assessing immunisation status, we found that 83 of the 573 (14.5%) were incorrectly recorded, and only 25 of the 82 admissions in which the infant was overdue were identified on the ward. Children were more likely to be vaccinated within 30 days and 90 days of admission if they had been given a catch‐up plan. Of the children who had not been given a catch‐up plan, almost half were still overdue at 90 days.

Conclusions:  Admission to hospital provides opportunities for both routine and catch‐up immunisation; however, for opportunistic immunisation to be effective, health service screening and immunisation documentation must be accurate.
Growth patterns in preterm infants born appropriate for gestational age
Authors: Dodrill Pamela , Cleghorn Geoff , Donovan Tim , Davies Peter
Published: May 2008

Aim:  This study aimed to document the growth patterns of a contemporary cohort of preterm infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). It was hypothesised that preterm AGA (PT‐AGA) infants would display poorer growth than full‐term AGA (FT‐AGA) infants.

Methods:  Sixty‐four PT‐AGA infants and 64 FT‐AGA infants were assessed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 months of corrected age (CA). Measurements of weight and length were recorded at each of the specified ages. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth data were used to calculate Z‐scores for weight and length based on CA.

Results:  The mean length and weight Z‐scores of PT‐AGA infants were found to be significantly less than those of FT‐AGA infants at term, 4, 8 and 12 months of CA (P < 0.001). The mean weight Z‐score of PT‐AGA infants was found to be less than their mean length Z‐score at each time point, though the differences were not significant.

Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that PT‐AGA infants are likely to display poorer growth than FT‐AGA infants until at least 1 year of CA. Long‐term growth monitoring in this population is recommended.
Significance of acanthosis nigricans in childhood obesity
Authors: Guran Tulay , Turan Serap , Akcay Teoman , Bereket Abdullah
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is among the most common dermatologic manifestations of obesity and hyperinsulinism. In this study, we aimed to find the clinical and laboratory differences in obese children with AN and without AN (non‐AN).

Methods:  In total, 160 obese children were included in the study. The duration of obesity, body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐scores, birth weight, parental BMI, lipid profile, fasting and post‐meal (PM) glucose and insulin levels were compared in 67 obese with AN and 93 obese without AN.

Results:  Age was similar in both groups. AN group had higher male to female ratio (42/25 in AN, 43/50 in non‐AN; P = 0.03), higher BMI (30.3 ± 6.1 in AN, 26.4 ± 3.6 in non‐AN; P < 0.001) and weight for height (162.6 ± 28.8 in AN, 144.6 ± 15.8 in non‐AN; P < 0.001) than non‐AN group. There were no significant differences between the groups in birth weight, parental BMI and blood pressure. AN group had higher fasting (19.9 ± 16.2 mU/L in AN, 10.4 ± 7.6 mU/L in non‐AN; P < 0.001) and PM insulin (88.6 ± 87.3 mU/L in AN, 51.1 ± 42.0 mU/L in non‐AN; P = 0.01) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (4.0 ± 2.5 in AN, 2.2 ± 1.8 in non‐AN; P < 0.001) than non‐AN group. However, fasting and PM glucose, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein‐, high‐density lipoprotein‐ and total cholesterol levels were similar in both groups.

BMI was correlated with HOMA‐IR in both groups (r = 0.40 for AN, r = 0.28 for non‐AN). PM glucose and PM insulin were correlated in both groups (r = 0.56 for AN, r = 0.39 for non‐AN). However, fasting glucose and fasting insulin were correlated in only non‐AN (r = 0.25), but not in AN group.

Conclusions:  Obese children with AN show higher insulin levels and HOMA‐IR. AN is an important predictor of the insulin resistance in childhood obesity. Insulin secretory dynamics seem to be disrupted in fasting state initially, which is reflected as the loss of fasting insulin–glucose correlation in AN group.
Bibbulung Gnarneep (‘solid kid’): Causal pathways to poor birth outcomes in an urban Aboriginal birth cohort
Authors: Eades Sandra , Read Anne W , Stanley Fiona J , Eades Francine N , McCaullay Daniel , Williamson Anna
Published: May 2008

Aim:  To explore the causal pathways leading to poor birth outcomes among a cohort of Aboriginal infants.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was conducted. Data were collected via face‐to‐face interviews conducted 6–12 weeks post partum and links to the WA Midwives' Notification System. Two hundred and seventy‐three Aboriginal infants and their families from Perth, Western Australia were recruited in the mid to late 1990s.

Results:  Poor birth outcome was defined as low birth weight and/or preterm birth. Criteria for poor birth outcome were met by 12.3% of the cohort. A history of maternal hypertension, vaginal bleeding and consumption of excess spirits in pregnancy were independent predictors of poor birth outcome. Mother being raised on a mission, maternal education, smoking during pregnancy and being exposed to passive smoke during pregnancy were also important risk factors.

Conclusions:  Results indicate that maternal social exposures, maternal ill‐health before the index pregnancy and maternal ill‐health during the index pregnancy are all important contributors to poor birth outcomes for urban Aboriginal infants. While the causes of poor birth outcomes are complex, the current study highlights several areas where preventive measures may be useful.
Black hairy tongue in a 2‐month‐old infant
Authors: Poulopoulos Athanasios K , Antoniades Demetrios Z , Epivatianos Apostolos , Grivea Ioanna N , Syrogiannopoulos George A
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  Black hairy tongue (BHT) is an unusual condition in adults, and is characterised by marked accumulation of keratin on the filiform papillae of the dorsum of the tongue resulting in a hairlike appearance. The colour of the papillae may vary from brown to black. We describe a case of BHT in a 2‐month‐old infant. An extended review of the literature suggests that our case is the youngest ever reported. In conclusion, although BHT is considered benign, clinical, haematological and histological, evaluation is recommended to exclude several entities which can present as pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa.
Kawasaki disease with lymphadenopathy and fever as sole initial manifestations
Authors: Kubota Masaru , Usami Ikuya , Yamakawa Masaru , Tomita Yasuhiko , Haruta Tsunekazu
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Initial presentation with only cervical lymphadenopathy and fever is one of the pitfalls in the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease (KD). As the number of such patients is small, their clinical features have remained uncertain. The purpose of the present study is to characterise the features of such KD patients, especially in comparison with those of patients with common onset.

Methods:  We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 136 consecutive KD patients admitted to Kobe City General Hospital from April of 2000 to March of 2006. Twenty‐nine of the 136 patients initially presented with only cervical lymphadenopathy and fever and were classified into the lymphadenopathy‐KD (LKD); they were compared with the remaining 107 KD patients with other presentations (other‐KD).

Results:  Age, days of fever to diagnosis, and duration of fever were significantly higher or longer in LKD patients, who also showed higher C‐reactive protein levels and neutrophil alkaline phosphatase activity. There were no significant differences between two groups in gender, duration of hospitalization, frequency of high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration, coronary artery lesions (CALs), white blood cell or platelet counts, and levels of hemoglobin or albumin on admission.

Conclusions:  Although a delay in diagnosis and stronger inflammation were found in LKD patients, such differences did not have any significant effect on patients' outcomes as assessed by the frequency of IVIG administration and the presence of CALs.
Transient bilateral blindness and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: A rare complication of enuresis treatment
Authors: Branson Joceline A. , Dale Russell C.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  Enuresis is a common paediatric problem which is sometimes treated with anticholinergic drugs. We report a 4‐year‐old girl who presented with acute bilateral blindness, a focal seizure and hypertension 10 days after commencing oxybutynin to treat enuresis. Magnetic resonance imaging brain showed features of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, a recognised but rare complication of hypertension in children. Discontinuing the oxybutynin leads to complete neurological recovery associated with normalisation of her blood pressure. We believe this case represents a rare complication of anticholinergic therapy. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a treatable and reversible cause of acute encephalopathy with blindness, as long as an early diagnosis is made.
An ecofeminist conceptual framework to explore gendered environmental health inequities in urban settings and to inform healthy public policy
Authors: Chircop Andrea
Published: May 2008

This theoretical exploration is an attempt to conceptualize the link between gender and urban environmental health. The proposed ecofeminist framework enables an understanding of the link between the urban physical and social environments and health inequities mediated by gender and socioeconomic status. This framework is proposed as a theoretical magnifying glass to reveal the underlying logic that connects environmental exploitation on the one hand, and gendered health inequities on the other. Ecofeminism has the potential to reveal an inherent, normative conceptual analysis and argumentative justification of western society that permits the oppression of women and the exploitation of the environment. This insight will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying gendered environmental health inequities and inform healthy public policy that is supportive of urban environmental health, particularly for low‐income mothers.
Challenges in providing breast and cervical cancer screening services to Vietnamese Canadian women: the healthcare providers’ perspective
Authors: Donnelly Tam Truong
Published: May 2008

Breast cancer and cervical cancer are major contributors to morbidity and mortality among Vietnamese Canadian women. Vietnamese women are at risk because of their low participation rate in cancer‐preventative screening programmes. Drawing from the results of a larger qualitative study, this paper reports factors that influence Vietnamese women's participation in breast and cervical cancer screening from the healthcare providers’ perspectives. The women participants’ perspective was reported elsewhere.

Semistructured interviews were conducted with six healthcare providers. Analysis of these interviews reveals several challenges which healthcare providers encountered in their clinical practice. These include the physicians’ cultural awareness about the private body, patient's low socioeconomic status, the healthcare provider–patient relationship, and limited institutional support.

This is the first Canadian study to identify the healthcare providers’ perspective on giving breast and cervical cancer preventive care to the Vietnamese immigrant women. The insight gained from these healthcare providers’ experiences are valuable and might be helpful to healthcare professionals caring for immigrant women of similar ethno‐cultural backgrounds. Recommendations for the promotion of breast cancer and cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese women include: (i) effort should be made to recruit Vietnamese‐speaking female healthcare professionals for breast and cervical health‐promotion programmes; (ii) reduce woman–physicians hierarchical relationship and foster effective doctor–patient communication; (iii) healthcare providers must be aware of their own cultural beliefs, values and attitudes that they bring to their practice; and (iv) more institutional support and resources should be given to both Vietnamese Canadian women and their healthcare providers.
The conceptualization and operationalization of race and ethnicity by health services researchers
Authors: Moscou Susan
Published: May 2008

Racial and ethnic variables are routinely used in health services research. However, there is a growing debate within nursing and other disciplines about the usefulness of these variables in research. A qualitative study was undertaken (July 2004 – November 2004) to ascertain how researchers conceptualize and operationalize racial and ethnic data. Data were derived from interviews with 33 participants in academic health centers in differing geographic regions. Content analyses extracted manifest and latent meanings to construct categories depicting respondents' understandings of race and ethnicity in research. Race and ethnicity held several meanings but the subtext was often not clear because these terms were not operationalized. Measuring race and ethnicity quantitatively necessitated uniform classifications thus it was often necessary to impose a single racialized identity. Respondents recognized the problems with racial and ethnic variables but the majority still believed these variables were necessary and useful. Several researchers understood that racial and ethnic variables were used in ways that may stigmatize the populations studied. These respondents collected data on variables other than race and ethnicity to ascertain the causes of health differentials. The policy recommendation calls for a shift in thinking about how to use racial and ethnic variables in research.
Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy: Our experience with 74 cases
Authors: El‐Moula Mohamed Gad , Abdallah Adel , El‐Anany Fathy , Abdelsalam Yaser , Abolyosr Ahmad , Abdelhameed Diaa , Izaki Hirofumi , Elhaggagy Abdelmoneim , Kanayama Hiro‐omi
Published: May 2008

Objectives:  We retrospectively evaluated our experience with a relatively uncommon procedure, the laparoscopic ureterolithotomy, for the treatment of ureteral stones.

Methods:  Between April 2002 and October 2006, a total of 74 patients (56 males, 18 females) with upper (54 cases), middle (18 cases) and lower (two cases) ureteral stones underwent laparoscopic ureterolithomy. The mean age was 39.4 years (range, 19–74). The stones were in the right side in 44 cases (59.5%) and in the left side in 30 (40.5%) cases. The mean stone size was 1.8 cm (range 1.5–2.8). The procedure was retroperitoneal in 66 cases (89.2%) and transperitoneal in eight (10.8%) cases. Laparoscopic guided flexible ureterorenoscopic extraction of kidney stone was carried out in one case as an adjuvant procedure. The ureter was stented and not sutured in 64 cases (86.5%).

Results:  The procedure was successfully completed in 94.6% of cases and an open conversion was carried out in four (5.4%) patients. The mean operative time was 58.7 min, and the mean blood loss was 90.6 mL. No major complications were encountered. Prolonged urinary leakage occurred in one patient. The mean hospital stay was 6.4 days. One patient developed ureteral stricture during follow up and was treated by endoscopic dilatation and stenting.

Conclusion:  In our experience laparoscopic ureterolithotomy represents a safe and effective treatment option for ureteral stones either as primary for large impacted stones or as a salvage procedure after failed shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. This procedure fulfills the advantages of minimal blood loss and analgesia requirements, good cosmetic appearance, short hospital stay and convalescence period.
Risk of renal stone formation induced by long‐term bed rest could be decreased by premedication with bisphosphonate and increased by resistive exercise
Authors: Okada Atsushi , Ohshima Hiroshi , Itoh Yasunori , Yasui Takahiro , Tozawa Keiichi , Kohri Kenjiro
Published: May 2008

Objectives:  To clarify the influence of long‐term bed rest on renal stone formation and to analyze the mechanism of bed‐rest‐induced stone formation and prevention by bisphosphonate and bed‐rest exercise.

Methods:  Twenty‐five men aged 26–48 years and divided into control (CON: n = 9), exercise (EX: n = 9), and pamidronate (PMD: n = 7) groups, rested on a 6° head‐down tilt bed for 90 days. The exercise group carried out resistive exercise every 3 days. Pamidronate (60 mg) was intravenously given 2 weeks before the initiation of bed rest. Abdominal X‐ray examination and urine biochemistry were carried out during 90 days of bed rest and 90 days of reloading.

Results:  Renal stone formation was observed in two (22.2%) and four (44.4%) subjects in the control and exercise groups, respectively. No stone was seen in the pamidronate group. In the exercise group, urinary oxalate and phosphate excretion were significantly higher than in the control group. In the pamidronate group, urinary calcium excretion and relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate and brushite were lower than in the control group throughout the bed‐rest and recovery period.

Conclusion:  Long‐term bed‐rest‐induced renal stone formation was found to be induced by increased urinary calcium and subsequent crystal formation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. Exercise during bed rest for the prevention of bone mineral loss and contracture might increase the risk of renal stone formation. Pamidronate is useful for the prevention of renal stone formation during and after bed rest.
Physiological integration of roots and shoots in plant defense strategies links above‐ and belowground herbivory
Authors: Kaplan Ian , Halitschke Rayko , Kessler Andre , Rehill Brian J. , Sardanelli Sandra , Denno Robert F.
Published: May 2008

Roots play a critical, but largely unappreciated, role in aboveground anti‐herbivore plant defense (e.g. resistance and tolerance) and root–leaf connections may therefore result in unexpected coupling between above‐ and belowground consumers. Using the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) system we highlight two examples of this phenomenon. First, the secondary metabolite nicotine is produced in roots, yet translocated aboveground for use as a foliar resistance trait. We demonstrate that nematode root herbivory interferes with foliar nicotine dynamics, resulting in positive effects on aboveground phytophagous insects. Notably, nematode‐induced facilitation only occurred on nicotine‐producing plants, and not on nicotine‐deficient mutants. In the second case, we use stable isotope and invertase enzyme analyses to demonstrate that foliar herbivory elicits a putative tolerance response whereby aboveground nutritional reserves are allocated to roots, resulting in facilitation of phytoparasitic nematodes. Thus, plants integrate roots in resistance and tolerance mechanisms for leaf defense, and such root–leaf connections inherently link the dynamics of above‐ and belowground consumers.
Resource availability influences the diversity of a functional group of heterotrophic soil bacteria
Authors: Langenheder Silke , Prosser James I.
Published: May 2008

Resource availability is a key factor regulating biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, but the relationship between resource availability and diversity has only been rarely investigated in microbial communities. The aim of this study was to determine how diversity and community structure of a functional group of soil bacteria are influenced by resource concentration. To achieve this, we used soil microcosms to investigate degradation of benzoate, which served as a model compound, by soil bacterial communities. Microcosms were supplied with 13C‐labelled benzoate at four concentrations and RNA‐stable isotope probing followed by molecular fingerprinting analysis of 16S rRNA genes was employed to identify bacteria able to assimilate benzoate at different concentrations. The composition of the benzoate degrader community differed at different concentrations and there was a significant decrease in taxa evenness at the highest substrate concentration. Active organisms could be grouped into generalists, occurring at all substrate concentrations, specialists, active at one particular benzoate concentration only, and taxa that were active at either the two lowest or two highest concentrations. The study comprises the first explicit demonstration that resource availability has an effect on the diversity of a functional group of heterotrophic soil bacteria.
Organization and expression of photosynthesis genes and operons in anoxygenic photosynthetic proteobacteria
Authors: Liotenberg Sylviane , Steunou Anne‐Soisig , Picaud Martine , Reiss‐Husson Françoise , Astier Chantal , Ouchane Soufian
Published: May 2008

Genes belonging to the same metabolic route are usually organized in operons in microbial genomes. For instance, most genes involved in photosynthesis were found clustered and organized in operons in photosynthetic Alpha‐ and Betaproteobacteria. The discovery of Gammaproteobacteria with a conserved photosynthetic gene cluster revives the questions on the role and the maintenance of such organization in proteobacteria. In this paper, we report the analysis of the structure and expression of the 14 kb cluster (crtEF‐bchCXYZ‐pufBALMC‐crtADC) in the photosynthetic betaproteobacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus, with the purpose of understanding the reasons and the biological constraints that might have led to the clustering of photosynthesis genes. The genetic analyses are substantiated by reverse transcription‐PCR data which reveal the presence of a transcript encompassing the 14 genes and provide evidence of a polycistronic ‘super‐operon’ organization starting at crtE and ending 14 kb downstream at the crtC gene. Furthermore, genetic analyses suggest that one of the selection pressures that may have driven and maintained the photosynthesis operons/super‐operons in proteobacteria could very likely be the coexpression and regulation of the clustered genes/operon.
Metachronous squamous‐cell carcinoma of the colon and treatment of rectal squamous carcinoma with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Brammer R. D. , Taniere P. , Radley S.
Published: May 2008

Rectal squamous‐cell carcinoma is a rare tumour with an incidence of less than 1 per 1000 cases. We report such a case treated with chemoradiotherapy. The patient developed a metastasis in the spleen and a further squamous tumour in the right colon, both of which were successfully resected. No histological evidence of recurrent rectal tumour has been found. Two years following presentation, the patient remains disease‐free although symptomatic from a radiotherapy‐induced stricture of the rectum.
Subtotal colectomy for toxic and fulminant colitis in the era of immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Stewart D. , Chao A. , Kodner I. , Birnbaum E. , Fleshman J. , Dietz D.
Published: May 2008

Objective  Prolonged use of immunosuppressive medication to avoid surgery is becoming more common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with severe or fulminant colitis. The effect of immunosuppression on postoperative outcomes was reviewed.

Method  Patients undergoing subtotal colectomy (STC) for fulminant or toxic colitis from 1992 to 2006 were studied to define the effect of immunosuppression (IS) on postoperative complications (POCs). Patient characteristics, diagnosis, operative indication, details of surgery, use of IS, and POC’s were reviewed and univariate and multivariate analysis was performed.

Results  Eighty‐nine patients were studied (55 males). Seventy‐two (91%) patients had fulminant colitis and 17 (20%) had toxic colitis. The preoperative diagnosis was ulcerative colitis in 74, indeterminate in 10, and Crohn’s disease in five patients. Eighty‐two (92%) patients were on some form of immunosuppression, and 14 had a perforation at surgery. Thirty‐nine (43.8%) patients experienced a POC. There was no operative mortality. Univariate analysis identified perforation (P = 0.048) and length of surgery (P = 0.002) as predictive of POCs, while multivariate analysis failed to identify a predictor of complications.

Conclusion  There was no association between immunosuppression and postoperative complications. Complications in this setting are a result of the severity of the inflammatory bowel disease.
Improving patient survival with the colorectal cancer multi‐disciplinary team
Authors: MacDermid E. , Hooton G. , MacDonald M. , McKay G. , Grose D. , Mohammed N. , Porteous C.
Published: May 2008

Objective  There is little information on the impact of the colorectal multi‐disciplinary team (MDT) in the United Kingdom. Our single operator presented his patients before and after the inception of an MDT meeting in June 2002. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of this on his patients’ survival, and trends in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Method  Data were collected on all patients (n = 310) undergoing colectomy for colorectal cancer by one surgeon. Excluding patients with Dukes A stage, the pre‐MDT cohort from January 1997 to May 2002 was 176 and the post‐MDT cohort from June 2002 to December 2005 was 134. Three‐year survival rates were calculated using Kaplan–Meier life table analysis. Prognostic factors were analysed using Cox‐proportional hazard regression, and chemotherapy data analysed using the chi‐squared test. Independent prognostic indicators of chemotherapy prescription were examined using binary logistic testing.

Results  MDT status was shown to be an independent predictor of survival on hazard regression analysis (P = 0.044). A significantly greater number of patients were prescribed adjuvant chemotherapy in the post‐MDT cohort (P = 0.0002). MDT status was shown to be a significant prognostic indicator of chemotherapy prescription (P < 0.0001). Three‐year survival for Dukes C patients was 58% in the pre‐MDT group, and 66% in the post‐MDT group (P = 0.023).

Conclusion  There was a significant increase in patients undergoing adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy after the inception of the MDT. This was associated with a significant survival benefit in patients with Dukes C disease. The data suggest that the MDT process has resulted in an increase in the prescription of adjuvant chemotherapy, with 3‐year survival being greater after its inception.
Barriers to biodiversity conservation in marine fishery certification
Authors: Ward Trevor J
Published: May 2008

Two global certification and ecolabelling systems – the generic global dolphin‐safe ecolabel and the global Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel – are assessed for their present and potential contributions to improving biodiversity conservation in marine capture fisheries. The dolphin‐safe ecolabel appears to have played a minor role in a reduction of dolphin mortality in tuna fisheries, but dolphin populations in the worst‐affected area have not recovered, and it appears that the current level of dolphin by‐catch sanctioned by present‐day fishery management and the ecolabel is not effective enough to achieve population recovery. The MSC ecolabel has established a poorly expressed environmental standard that has resulted in variable interpretations by certifiers, creating an apparently systematic bias in application of the standard to the certified fisheries. Without substantial revision of both these systems, it seems unlikely that they will be able to make major contributions to marine biodiversity conservation because of barriers created by limitations in programme design, lack of robust linkages between the certification standard and biodiversity conservation outcomes, and unclear standards and their inconsistent application in the certification of fisheries.
Modelling fish growth: multi‐model inference as a better alternative to a priori using von Bertalanffy equation
Authors: Katsanevakis Stelios , Maravelias Christos D.
Published: May 2008

The common practice among researchers who study fish growth is to a priori adopt the von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM), which is the most used and ubiquitous equation in the fisheries literature. However, in many cases VBGM is not supported by the data and many species seem to follow different growth trajectories. The information theory approach frees the researcher from the limiting concept that a ‘true’ growth model exists. Multi‐model inference (MMI) based on information theory is proposed as a more robust alternative to study fish growth. The proposed methodology was applied to 133 sets of length‐at‐age data. Four candidate models were fitted to each data set: von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM), Gompertz model, Logistic and the Power model; the three former assume asymptotic and the latter non‐asymptotic growth. In each case, the ‘best’ model was selected by minimizing the small‐sample, bias‐corrected form of the Akaike information criterion (AICc). To quantify the plausibility of each model, the ‘Akaike weight’wi of each model was calculated. Following a MMI approach, the model averaged asymptotic length for each case was estimated, by model averaging estimations of interpreting Akaike weights as a posterior probability distribution over the set of candidate models. The VBGM was not selected as the best model in 65.4% of the cases. Most often VBGM was either strongly supported by the data (with no other substantially supported model) or had very low or no support by the data. The estimation of asymptotic length was greatly model dependent; as estimated by VBGM was in every case greater than that estimated by the Gompertz model, which in turn was always greater than that estimated by the Logistic model. The percentage underestimation of the standard error of , when ignoring model selection uncertainty, was on average 18% with values as high as 91%. Ignoring model selection uncertainty may have serious implications, e.g. when comparing the growth parameters of different fish populations. Multi‐model inference by model averaging, based on Akaike weights, is recommended as a simple and easy to implement method to model fish growth, for making robust parameter estimations and dealing with model selection uncertainty.
The role of growth history in determining age and size at maturation in exploited fish populations
Authors: Kuparinen Anna , O’Hara Robert B , Merilä Juha
Published: May 2008

Recently, a great deal of attention has been focused on investigating whether decreased ages and sizes at maturation in exploited fish populations could be evolutionary responses to selective fishing. To this end, the main focus has been on isolating the effects of growth changes from the process of maturation, but little effort has been invested in assessing how growth actually affects ages and sizes at maturation in a population. Here, we develop a probabilistic description of the process of maturation, which makes explicit the mathematical links between maturation, growth and the probabilistic maturation reaction norm. Apart from providing a mathematically explicit yet heuristically simple framework for assessing the role of growth in the age and size at maturation, we demonstrate by simulation that changes in growth rates can result in considerable shifts in the age and size at maturation. Focusing more attention on growth histories of individuals would provide a better position to understand the processes constituting phenotypic shifts in the age and size at maturation and help in disentangling environmentally induced plastic changes in maturation from those caused by evolutionary responses to fisheries‐induced selection.
Auditor independence, executive pay and firm performance
Authors: Iyengar Raghavan J. , Zampelli Ernest M.
Published: May 2008

This paper investigates whether compensation committees actively intervene to adjust accounting performance‐based incentive schemes for the real, or perceived, reduced earnings credibility signalled by the purchase of non‐audit services. Using a nonlinear, two‐stage least‐squares method that accounts for the simultaneity of executive pay, firm performance and non‐audit fees, we find a significant negative relationship between non‐audit fees and the sensitivity of chief executive officer (CEO) pay to firm performance. Point estimates suggest that the reduced weight applied to accounting performance lowers the incentive component of executive pay between roughly 5 and 8 per cent for the CEO of the ‘average firm’.
Effect of different types of feedback on the level of auditors’ configural information processing
Authors: Leung Patrick W. , Trotman Ken T.
Published: May 2008

Previous audit judgement research has emphasized the importance of auditors processing information configurally (i.e. jointly considering the impact of different cues). This paper examines the impact of four different forms of feedback (outcome, task properties, cognitive and combined) on increasing the extent of configural information processing by auditors. We find that task properties, cognitive and combined (task properties plus cognitive) feedback all lead to increased configural information processing. There is no impact of outcome feedback. We also find that the extent of configural processing is positively associated with our measure of judgement performance. We discuss the implications of the results for audit firms.
Do students’ perceptions matter? A study of the effect of students’ perceptions on academic performance
Authors: Ferreira Aldónio , Santoso Andrijani
Published: May 2008

Prior accounting education literature documents that students typically associate accounting subjects with negative perceptions, but there are also recent suggestions that the stereotype of the accountant has positive associations. These perceptions of accounting are likely to affect students’ attitudes towards learning and, consequently, influence their performance. We examine the relationship between students’ perceptions and students’ performance. The present study involved undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in management accounting subjects. Our findings indicate that students’ performance is negatively affected by the negative perceptions of accounting that students bring to the subject. Our findings also suggest that positive perceptions of accounting held by students at the end of the semester have a positive impact on students’ performance.
Value relevance of voluntary disclosure in the annual report
Authors: Banghøj Jesper , Plenborg Thomas
Published: May 2008

This paper examines whether the level of voluntary disclosure affects the association between current returns and future earnings. Economic theory suggests that firms might find it advantageous to provide additional pieces of information (i.e. voluntary disclosure) to investors and analysts. Our results indicate that more voluntary disclosure does not improve the association between current returns and future earnings (i.e. current returns do not reflect more future earnings news). This finding raises the question of whether voluntary information in the annual report contains value‐relevant information about future earnings or if investors are simply not capable of incorporating voluntary information in the firm value estimates.
Spirit of the game: Empowering students as designers in schools?
Authors: Lim Cher Ping
Published: May 2008

The aim of this paper and the one which follows is to explore how the potential of computer games may be taken up in schools to support learning engagement among students. It is not the intention of the papers to dismiss existing classroom practices or overlook accounts of innovative practices in schools; the papers' aim is to provide educators who are interested in exploring the use of computer games in schools with information and ideas about how these games may be effectively used to engage students in their learning. This paper questions whether the empowerment of students to create games for one another based on the school curriculum may address the insignificance of computer games in the sociocultural setting of the school. Both papers have been commissioned by Microsoft (Asia‐Pacific) under the Partners‐In‐Learning Initiative. Under this initiative, Microsoft establishes partnerships with ministries of education, national and local government bodies, and other stakeholders to empower students and teachers to realize their full potential, mediated by information and communication technologies.
Exploring the effects of gender and learning styles on computer programming performance: implications for programming pedagogy
Authors: Lau Wilfred W. F. , Yuen Allan H. K.
Published: May 2008

Computer programming has been taught in secondary schools for more than two decades. However, little is known about how students learn to program. From the curriculum implementation perspectives, learning style helps address the issue of learner differences, resulting in a shift from a teacher‐centred approach to a learner‐focused approach. This study aims to investigate the effects of gender and learning styles on computer programming performance. The Gregorc Style Delineator (GSD) was employed to measure learning styles. A test was administered to assess students’ programming performance. Two hundred and seventeen secondary school students of age from 14 to 19 participated in this study. Results indicated that no gender differences in programming performance were found after controlling for the effect of student ability. Academic ability had a differential effect on programming knowledge. Sequential learners in general performed better than random learners. These results suggest the importance of the ordering dimension of the GSD in influencing programming performance. Implications of the findings in relation to programming pedagogy are discussed in this paper.
‘Mind the gap’: An empirical study of the gap between intention and actual usage of corporate e‐learning programmes in the financial industry
Authors: Luor Tainyi , Hu Changya , Lu His‐Peng
Published: May 2008

While numerous previous studies have focused on the use of some corporate e‐learning programmes (CELP), little is known about the difference between users’ pre‐installation reactions to CELP and user's post‐installation reactions to CELP. This study narrows the above gap with two investigations into a financial company's CELP. In the pre‐installation phase, we surveyed users' need for cognition, attitudes towards corporate e‐learning and intentions for the use of corporate e‐learning (INT) in relation to the CELP. Ten months after the installation, we conducted a second investigation to examine learning outcomes on the basis of users' perceptions of CELP utility, CELP satisfaction, affective reaction to CELP and the actual CELP usage (UGE). We examined the proposed model with multiple regression analyses and found a gap between INT and UGE. The second investigation identified potential factors that contributed to the differences in UGE between two groups of high‐INT learners. Results indicated that time management and technical problems were the two critical factors that led to UGE differences. Findings of this study can illuminate relationships among learners' attitudes, usage and reaction towards the CELP.