bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field Evaluations of Leaf Spot Resistance and Yield in Peanut Genotypes in the United States and Bolivia
Authors: Gremillion S. K. , Culbreath A. K. , Gorbet D. W. , Mullinix B. G. , Pittman R. N. , Stevenson K. L. , Todd J. W. , Escobar R. E. , Condori M. M.
Published: October 2010

Field experiments were conducted in 2002 to 2006 to characterize yield potential and disease resistance in the Bolivian landrace peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cv. Bayo Grande, and breeding lines developed from crosses of Bayo Grande and U.S. cv. Florida MDR-98. Diseases of interest included early leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercospora arachidicola, and late leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercosporidium personatum. Bayo Grande, MDR-98, and three breeding lines, along with U.S. cvs. C-99R and Georgia Green, were included in split-plot field experiments in six locations across the United States and Bolivia. Whole-plot treatments consisted of two tebuconazole applications and a nontreated control. Genotypes were the subplot treatments. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for percent defoliation due to leaf spot was lower for Bayo Grande and all breeding lines than for Georgia Green at all U.S. locations across years. AUDPC for disease incidence from one U.S. location indicated similar results. Severity of leaf spot epidemics and relative effects of the genotypes were less consistent in the Bolivian experiments. In Bolivia, there were no indications of greater levels of disease resistance in any of the breeding lines than in Bayo Grande. In the United States, yields of Bayo Grande and the breeding lines were greater than those of the other genotypes in 1 of 2 years. In Bolivia, low disease intensity resulted in the highest yields in Georgia Green, while high disease intensity resulted in comparable yields among the breeding lines, MDR-98, and C-99R. Leaf spot suppression by tebuconazole was greater in Bolivia than in the United States. This result indicates a possible higher level of fungicide resistance in the U.S. population of leaf spot pathogens. Overall, data from this study suggest that Bayo Grande and the breeding lines may be desirable germplasm for U.S. and Bolivian breeding programs or production.
Pelvic fins in teleosts: structure, function and evolution
Authors: Yamanoue Y. , Setiamarga D. H. E. , Matsuura K.
Published: October 2010

The pelvic fins of teleosts are paired appendages that are considered to be homologous to the hind limbs of tetrapods. Because they are less important for swimming, their morphology and function can be flexibly modified, and such modifications have probably facilitated the adaptations of teleosts to various environments. Recently, among these modifications, pelvic‐fin loss has gained attention in evolutionary developmental biology. Pelvic‐fin loss, however, has only been investigated in a few model species, and various biological aspects of pelvic fins in teleosts in general remain poorly understood. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding pelvic fins, such as their structure, function and evolution, to elucidate their contribution to the considerable diversity of teleosts. This information could be invaluable for future investigations into various aspects of pelvic fins, which will provide clues to understanding the evolution, diversity and adaptations of teleosts.
The ears of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae): ‘hearing generalists' on noisy coral reefs?
Authors: Webb J. F. , Herman J. L. , Woods C. F. , Ketten D. R.
Published: October 2010

Analysis of the morphology of all three otolithic organs (sacculus, lagena and utriculus), including macula shape, hair cell morphology, density, orientation pattern, otolith morphology and the spatial relationships of the swimbladder and ear, reveals that butterflyfishes in the genera Chaetodon (which has anterior swimbladder horns) and Forcipiger (which lacks anterior swimbladder horns) both demonstrate the ear morphology typical of teleosts that lack otophysic connections, fishes that have traditionally been considered to be ‘hearing generalists'.
Sympatric occurrence of triploid, aneuploid and tetraploid weatherfish Misgurnus fossilis (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae)
Authors: Drozd B. , Flajšhans M. , Ráb P.
Published: October 2010

Ploidy analyses of 116 weatherfish Misgurnus fossilis individuals revealed the sympatric occurrence of triploid, intermediate aneuploid and tetraploid specimens in a 1:1:4 ratio. No diploids were detected and the sex ratio of triploids and tetraploids was 1:1, while that of aneuploids was skewed at 3:1 for males. An origin of intermediate aneuploids from mating triploids with tetraploids is hypothesized.
Chinese herbal anti‐asthma tea to go!
Authors: Wang Y‐H , Hogan S. P.
Published: October 2010

Cite this as: Y‐H Wang and S. P. Hogan, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1590–1592.
Fisheries mismanagement in a Natura 2000 area in western Greece
Authors: GONZALVO J. , MOUTOPOULOS D. K. , BEARZI G. , STERGIOU K. I.
Published: October 2010

Abstract  The impact of fisheries within a Natura 2000 area in western Greece was assessed over a 12‐month period in 2007. The estimated total biomass removed annually by 307 fishing boats averaged 3503.5 t. Purse seiners, beach seiners and trawlers took 70% of the total landings. Purse seiners, contributing 3% of the total fishing fleet, were responsible for 33% of total biomass removed. Beach and purse seiners primarily caught small pelagic species, whereas trawlers and trammel netters mostly demersal species. A mismatch was found between the Common Fisheries Register (CFR) and an in situ assessment of the active fishing fleet; the number of industrial fishing boats exceeded those registered in CFR for the three administrative ports involved, and a large proportion of the CFR netters were small and effectively inactive. Fishery management measures for the recovery of an ecosystem considerably damaged by overfishing are proposed.
Plant traits that predict resistance to herbivores
Authors: Carmona Diego , Lajeunesse Marc J. , Johnson Marc T.J.
Published: October 2010

1. Although secondary metabolites are recognized as fundamental to the defence of plants against insect and mammalian herbivores, their relative importance compared to other potential defensive plant traits (e.g. physical resistance, gross morphology, life‐history, primary chemistry and physiology) are not well understood.

2. We conducted a meta‐analysis to answer the question: What types of genetically variable plant traits most strongly predict resistance against herbivores? We performed a comprehensive literature search and obtained 499 separate measurements of the strength of covariation (measured as genetic correlations) between plant traits and herbivore susceptibility – these were extracted from 72 studies involving 19 plant families.

3. Surprisingly, we found no overall association between the concentrations of secondary metabolites and herbivore susceptibility – plant traits other than secondary metabolites most strongly predicted herbivore susceptibility. Specifically, genetic variation in life‐history traits (e.g. flowering time, growth rate) consistently exhibited the strongest genetic correlations with susceptibility. Genetic variation in gross morphological traits (e.g. no. branches, plant size) and physical resistance traits (e.g. latex, trichomes) were also frequently correlated with variation in herbivore susceptibility, but these relationships depended on attributes of the herbivores (e.g. feeding guild) and plants (e.g. longevity).

4. These results call into question the conventional wisdom that secondary metabolites are the most important anti‐herbivore defence of plants. We propose the hypothesis that herbivores select most strongly on genetic variation in life‐history, morphological and physical resistance traits, but the greater pleiotropic effects of genes controlling these traits impose strong constraints on their evolution. Meanwhile, secondary metabolites could have evolved to be important defensive mechanisms not because they have the largest effect on herbivores, but because the constraints on their evolution are the weakest.
Do dichogamy and herkogamy reduce sexual interference in a self‐incompatible species?
Authors: Dai Can , Galloway Laura F.
Published: October 2010

1. Dichogamy and herkogamy respectively represent the temporal and spatial separation of male and female reproductive functions. They are regarded as mechanisms to avoid selfing, to promote outcrossing and, particularly in self‐incompatible plants, to reduce sexual interference. However, little is known about the extent to which these mechanisms reduce sexual interference, and whether this reduction impacts fitness.

2. We studied patterns of dichogamy and herkogamy, their influence on sexual interference, and the fitness outcome in self‐incompatible Passiflora incarnata. We manipulated flowers to be adichogamous or unisexual to evaluate fruit production under increased and decreased sexual interference.

3. Incomplete protandry guaranteed that almost half of the pollen could be successfully exported without interfering with the stigmas, indicating dichogamy may facilitate male pollination success. We found no difference in pollen deposition between natural and emasculated flowers, suggesting that herkogamy does not decrease self pollination. Increased herkogamy resulted in reduced pollen deposition and lower probability of setting fruits, however, a higher seed number. No difference in female fitness was detected under experimentally increased or decreased sexual interference.

4. Taken together, our results suggest that dichogamy is mostly driven by the advantage to male fitness and herkogamy is chiefly determined by female fitness. The lack of difference in female fitness under varied levels of sexual interference indicates that male function is more likely to play a role in shaping floral traits that reduce sexual interference.
Current trends in the evolutionary ecology of plant defence
Authors: Agrawal Anurag A.
Published: October 2010

1. In this essay I summarize current trends in the evolutionary ecology of plant defence, while advocating for approaches that integrate community ecology with specific tests of classic evolutionary hypotheses. Several conclusions emerge.

2. The microevolution of defence is perhaps best studied by reciprocal transplant experiments of differentiated plant populations while simultaneously manipulating the presence of the herbivore(s) hypothesized to be the agent(s) of natural selection.

3.Although there is continued interest in the costs of defence, I argue that some empirical approaches to estimating costs (e.g. genetic engineering) may provide limited insight into evolutionary processes.

4. Essentially all plants employ several different lines of defence against herbivory. It is thus time to abandon searching for single silver bullet traits and the simple trade‐off model (where traits are arbitrarily expected to negatively covary across genotypes or species). We still know very little about which trait combinations are most effective and have repeatedly evolved together. Thus, some of our prominent theories (e.g. a predicted trade‐off between direct and indirect defence) need to be revised.

5. Studies of the macroevolution of plant defence are enjoying renewed interest due to available phylogenies and analytical methods. Although general trends are not currently surmisable, we will soon have strong case studies evaluating both biotic and abiotic drivers of convergent evolution in defence strategies and the role of defence evolution in the adaptive radiation of plant lineages.

6. The evolution of specificity is proposed as a final frontier in understanding complexity in plant–herbivore interactions. Although it is abundantly clear that plants can deploy highly specific defensive responses that are differentially perceived by herbivore species, how such responses evolve and are physiologically regulated remains an important gap. Relatively straightforward methodologies are now available to close the loop between plant perception of herbivory, hormonal responses, and production of defensive end‐products across genotype or species.
T‐cell autoantigens in the non‐obese diabetic mouse model of autoimmune diabetes
Authors: Babad Jeffrey , Geliebter Ari , DiLorenzo Teresa P.
Published: October 2010

The non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes has contributed greatly to our understanding of disease pathogenesis and has facilitated the development and testing of therapeutic strategies to combat the disease. Although the model is a valuable immunological tool in its own right, it reaches its fullest potential in areas where its findings translate to the human disease. Perhaps the foremost example of this is the field of T‐cell antigen discovery, from which diverse benefits can be derived, including the development of antigen‐specific disease interventions. The majority of NOD T‐cell antigens are also targets of T‐cell autoimmunity in patients with type 1 diabetes, and several of these are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Here we review the journeys of these antigens from bench to bedside. We also discuss several recently identified NOD T‐cell autoantigens whose translational potential warrants further investigation.
Linking patterns in phylogeny, traits, abiotic variables and space: a novel approach to linking environmental filtering and plant community assembly
Authors: Pavoine Sandrine , Vela Errol , Gachet Sophie , de Bélair Gérard , Bonsall Michael B.
Published: October 2010

1. We introduce a novel method that analyses environmental filtering of plant species in a geographic and phylogenetic context. By connecting species traits with phylogeny, traits with environment, and environment with geography, this comprehensive approach partitions the ecological and evolutionary processes that influence community assembly.

2. Our analysis extendsRLQordination, which connects site attributes in matrixR(here environmental variables and spatial positions) with species attributes in matrixQ(here biological traits and phylogenetic positions), through the composition of sites in terms of species presences or abundances (matrixL). This methodology, which explores and identifies environmental filters that organize communities, was developed to answer four questions: which combinations of trait states are filtered by the environment, which lineages are affected by these filters, which environmental variables contribute to the assemblage of local communities and where do these filters act?

3. At La Mafragh in north‐eastern Algeria, our approach shows that plant species traits were distributed according to environmental filters associated with a salinity gradient. Traits associated with the salinity gradient were convergent among Juncaceae, Cyperaceae and Amaranthaceae. The observed phylogenetic and trait patterns were related to how species survived the xeric season. Juncaceae and Cyperaceae, being perennials and anemogamous, tolerate the xeric hot season by restricting their range to the humid centre of the study area (where conditions are close to a subtropical climate). Several Amaranthaceae species co‐occur with the Juncaceae and Cyperaceae in two areas with the highest salinity. Most dicots were observed at higher elevations (up to 7 m a.s.l.), had hairy structures that can retain water and reflect solar radiation and were mostly annual or biennial, completing their life cycle before the onset of the xeric season.

4. Synthesis. Our methodology describes environmental filters in terms of identified combinations of traits and environmental factors. It allows spatial and phylogenetic signals to be determined by identifying convergent and conserved patterns in the evolution of traits and spatial scales that structured the environment. Our statistical framework is generic and can be readily extended to a wide range of exciting issues, such as host‐parasite, plant‐pollinator and predator–prey interactions.
Doctor pharmaceutical utilization behaviour changed by the global budget programme strategies on hypertensive outpatient prescription
Authors: Wei Ching‐Kuo , Wang Shun‐Mu , Yeh Ming‐Kung
Published: October 2010

Rationale, aims and objectives  This study was to examine changes in doctor pharmaceutical utilization behaviour in response to Taiwan's newly implemented National Health Insurance individual hospital global budget (GB) programme and the changes in health care costs and prescription trends for hypertensive (HT) patients.

Method  We analysed hospital outpatient prescription utilization with a pre–post individual hospital GB group and comparison group (the hospitals who did not join the programme) to evaluate the impact of GB strategies on hypertensive expenditure. Descriptive analyses were performed based on the average daily medication expenditure for each prescription, and average number of items per prescription.

Results  This study reviewed 16 770 057 outpatient records and prescription records of 213 568 hypertensive patients. The average total medication expense (+17.6%), HT medication expense (+8.8%), daily medication expense (+16.3%), and daily HT medication expense (+6.3%) significantly increased after the action. After the individual hospital GB action, hospital doctors participating in action switched their patients' prescription drugs to other less expensive drugs such as rennin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitors (−1.1%). The increase in volume of medications prescribed for control group were significantly larger for both alfa‐ and beta‐adrenergic blocking agents (1.5%), and calcium channel blocking agents (3.9%).

Conclusion  The individual hospital GB programme slowed down the trend of prescription drug cost increasing rate and reduced the prescription drug volume in hospitals.
Sedimentary characteristics of large‐scale lacustrine beach‐bars and their formation in the Eocene Boxing Sag of Bohai Bay Basin, East China
Authors: JIANG ZAIXING , LIU HUI , ZHANG SHANWEN , SU XIN , JIANG ZHENGLONG
Published: October 2010

The beach‐bar reservoir play has become an important exploration target within the Bohai Bay Basin, especially in the Boxing Sag within the Dongying Depression, where a large‐scale lacustrine beach‐bar oil pool has been discovered recently. The sedimentary characteristics, distribution patterns and formation mechanisms of beach‐bar sand bodies in the upper fourth member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es4s) in the Boxing Sag were studied in detail based on seismic, well log data and core data. The Es4s in the Boxing Sag is composed of a third‐order sequence consisting of three systems tracts, i.e. a lowstand systems tract, a transgressive systems tract and a highstand systems tract. Beach‐bar sand bodies were deposited widely in the basin during the lowstand systems tract period. The sandy beach‐bars are characterized by siltstones, fine‐grained silty sandstones interbedded with thin mudstone units. The presence of well‐developed sedimentary structures, such as swash bedding, parting lineation, parallel bedding, ellipsoidal mud clasts, ripples, terrestrial plant debris and vertical burrows, suggests that beach‐bars were deposited in a relatively shallow water environment under the influence of strong hydrodynamics. Laterally, the sandy beach facies occurred as a more continuous sheet‐like body around the sandy bar in most parts of the sag. Stratigraphically, beach‐bars were distributed mainly in the lowstand systems tract and they were less well‐developed in the transgressive systems tract and highstand systems tract. Several factors were probably responsible for the occurrence of the large‐scale beach‐bars during the lowstand systems tract period, including: (i) a gentle palaeoslope and relatively weak structural activities; (ii) a shallow‐water condition with a strong hydrodynamic environment; (iii) high‐frequency oscillations of the lake level; and (iv) an abundant terrigenous clastic feeding system with multiple‐point and linear sediment sources.
Origin of Early Carboniferous pseudo‐adakites in northern Brittany (France) through massive amphibole fractionation from hydrous basalt
Authors: Barboni Mélanie , Bussy François , Chiaradia Massimo
Published: October 2010

Terra Nova, 23, 1–10, 2011

The first Variscan pseudo‐adakites were identified in close association with the Saint‐Jean‐du‐Doigt (SJDD) mafic intrusion (Brittany, France) in a geodynamic context unrelated to subduction. These rocks are trondhjemites emplaced 347 ± 4 Ma ago as 2–3 km2 bodies and dykes. Trace‐element concentrations and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope ratios indicate that the SJDD pseudo‐adakites probably resulted from extreme differentiation of an SJDD‐type hydrous basaltic magma in a lower continental crust of normal thickness (0.8 GPa). Modelling shows that garnet is not a required phase, which was commonly believed to be the case for continental arc‐derived adakite‐like rocks. A massive fractionation of amphibole fits the data much better and does not require high pressures, in agreement with the inferred extensional tectonic regime at the time of pluton emplacement. Alternatively, the SJDD pseudo‐adakites could have resulted from the melting of newly underplated SJDD mafic precursors, but thermal considerations lead us to believe that this was not the case.
The chloroplastic 2‐oxoglutarate/malate transporter has dual function as the malate valve and in carbon/nitrogen metabolism
Authors: Kinoshita Hiromu , Nagasaki Junko , Yoshikawa Nanako , Yamamoto Aya , Takito Shizuka , Kawasaki Michio , Sugiyama Tatsuo , Miyake Hiroshi , Weber Andreas P. M. , Taniguchi Mitsutaka
Published: October 2010

Transport of dicarboxylates across the chloroplast envelope plays an important role in transferring carbon skeletons to the nitrogen assimilation pathway and exporting reducing equivalent to the cytosol to prevent photo‐inhibition (the malate valve). It was previously shown that the Arabidopsis plastidic 2‐oxoglutarate/malate transporter (AtpOMT1) and the general dicarboxylate transporter (AtpDCT1) play crucial roles at the interface between carbon and nitrogen metabolism. However, based on the in vitro transport properties of the recombinant transporters, it was hypothesized that AtpOMT1 might play a dual role, also functioning as an oxaloacetate/malate transporter, which is a crucial but currently unidentified component of the chloroplast malate valve. Here, we test this hypothesis using Arabidopsis T‐DNA insertional mutants of AtpOMT1. Transport studies revealed a dramatically reduced rate of oxaloacetate uptake into chloroplasts isolated from the knockout plant. CO2‐dependent O2 evolution assays showed that cytosolic oxaloacetate is efficiently transported into chloroplasts mainly by AtpOMT1, and supported the absence of additional oxaloacetate transporters. These findings strongly indicate that the high‐affinity oxaloacetate transporter in Arabidopsis chloroplasts is AtpOMT1. Further, the knockout plants showed enhanced photo‐inhibition under high light due to greater accumulation of reducing equivalents in the stroma, indicating malfunction of the malate valve in the knockout plants. The knockout mutant showed a phenotype consistent with reductions in 2‐oxoglutarate transport, glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase activity, subsequent amino acid biosynthesis and photorespiration. Our results demonstrate that AtpOMT1 acts bi‐functionally as an oxaloacetate/malate transporter in the malate valve and as a 2‐oxoglutarate/malate transporter mediating carbon/nitrogen metabolism.
Novel major histocompatibility complex class I alleles extracted from two rhesus macaque populations
Authors: Otting N. , Mörner A. , Bontrop R. E.
Published: October 2010

We report here the novel Mamu‐A and ‐B alleles that were detected in two groups of rhesus monkeys.
Shape at the cross‐roads: homoplasy and history in the evolution of the carnivoran skull towards herbivory
Authors: FIGUEIRIDO B. , SERRANO‐ALARCÓN F. J. , SLATER G. J. , PALMQVIST P.
Published: October 2010

Patterns of skull shape in Carnivora provide examples of parallel and convergent evolution for similar ecomorphological adaptations. However, although most researchers report on skull homoplasies among hypercarnivorous taxa, evolutionary trends towards herbivory remain largely unexplored. In this study, we analyse the skull of the living herbivorous carnivorans to evaluate the importance of natural selection and phylogenetic legacy in shaping the skulls of these peculiar species. We quantitatively estimated shape variability using geometric morphometrics. A principal components analysis of skull shape incorporating all families of arctoid carnivorans recognized several common adaptations towards herbivory. Ancestral state reconstructions of skull shape and the reconstructed phylogenetic history of morphospace occupation more explicitly reveal the true patterns of homoplasy among the herbivorous carnivorans. Our results indicate that both historical constraints and adaptation have interplayed in the evolution towards herbivory of the carnivoran skull, which has resulted in repeated patterns of biomechanical homoplasy.
Efficacy outcomes in a randomised trial of liposomal amphotericin B based on revised EORTC/MSG 2008 definitions of invasive mould disease
Authors: Cornely Oliver A. , Maertens Johan , Bresnik Mark , Ebrahimi Ramin , Dellow Emma , Herbrecht Raoul , Donnelly J. Peter
Published: October 2010

In 2008, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) published revised definitions for diagnosing invasive fungal disease. A previous prospective trial of liposomal amphotericin B for invasive mould disease (AmBiLoad) used modified EORTC/MSG 2002 criteria. We wished to re‐evaluate the response and survival based on the revised definitions to compare the outcomes of early vs. late treatment. Patients who had received an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant or who were neutropaenic (absolute neutrophil count <500 μl−1 within 14 days of study entry) had been recruited on the basis of a halo or air crescent sign on chest computerised tomography. Originally classified as probable invasive mould disease, they were categorised as possible invasive mould disease using 2008 criteria. Patients had received liposomal amphotericin B at either 3 or 10 mg kg−1 QD for 14 days, followed by 3 mg kg−1 QD. Response at end of treatment and the 12‐week survival were re‐calculated according to 2008 definitions. Six‐week survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Of 201 patients with invasive mould disease, 118 (59%) had a diagnosis based on halo signs (possible cases). Mycological evidence was present in 83 (41%) cases (probable/proven cases). Survival rates at 12 weeks for possible vs. probable/proven cases in the 3 mg kg−1 QD group were 82% vs. 58% (P = 0.006), and 65% vs. 50% (P = 0.15) in the 10 mg kg−1 QD group. At 6 weeks, rates were 87% vs. 69% in the 3 mg kg−1 QD group (P = 0.009), and 75% vs. 61% in the 10 mg kg−1 QD group (P = 0.01). Patients with possible invasive mould disease based on EORTC/MSG 2008 criteria had improved survival rates compared with those treated for probable/proven invasive mould disease. As possible invasive mould disease probably reflects an early‐stage of disease, a better outcome might be expected when treatment with liposomal amphotericin B is started preemptively.
Surviving multi‐trauma in the past
Authors: Cornish Brian , Solomon Lucian Bogdan , Walshe Keryn
Published: October 2010

Background:  Surviving multi‐trauma is strongly associated with emergent resuscitation and treatment in modern medical facilities. Multi‐trauma survival before the advent of modern medicine is likely to have been extremely uncommon, particularly in primitive societies. The aim of this study was to investigate the case of an ancient Australian Aboriginal who appeared to have survived multi‐trauma.

Methods:  We investigated the skeletal remains of an adult Australian Aboriginal with healed fractures of the right femur and humerus. The time of death was assessed by carbon dating. The sex and approximate age of the subject were assessed from the skeleton's morphometry. The fractured bones were assessed by visual inspection, plain radiographs and computer tomography (CT) scanning.

Results:  The remains were of a male aged approximately 50 years at the time of his death, approximately 1000 years ago, preceding European settlement. Analysis of the malunions indicated that all fractures occurred in one traumatic event, normally a life‐threatening injury combination, and that the subject survived for years after this incident, despite no or failed active treatment of his fractures.

Conclusions:  The survival of a man living in a primitive society after multi‐trauma reflects an impressive depth of nursing and social support in a community of hunter gatherers.
Working hours and roster structures of surgical trainees in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: O'Grady Gregory , Loveday Benjamin , Harper Simon , Adams Brandon , Civil Ian D. , Peters Matthew
Published: October 2010

Background:  The working hours of surgical trainees are a subject of international debate. Excessive working hours are fatiguing, and compromise performance, learning and work–life balance. However, reducing hours can impact on continuity of care, training experience and service provision. This study defines the current working hours of Australasian trainees, to inform the working hours debate in our regions.

Methods:  An online survey was conducted of all current Australasian trainees. Questions determined hours spent at work (AW) and off‐site on‐call (OC) per week, and roster structures were evaluated by training year, specialty and location.

Results:  The response rate was 55.3%. Trainees averaged 61.4 ± 11.7 h/week AW, with 5% working ≥80 h. OC shifts were worked by 73.5%, for an average of 27.8 ± 14.3 h/week. Trainees of all levels worked similar hours (P= 0.10); however, neurosurgical trainees worked longer hours than most other specialties (P < 0.01). Tertiary centre rotations involved longer AW hours (P= 0.01) and rural rotations more OC (P < 0.001). Long days (>12 h) were worked by 86%; median frequency 1:4.4 days; median duration 15 h. OC shifts of 24‐h duration were worked by 75%; median frequency 1:4.2 days; median sleep: 5–7 h/shift; median uninterrupted sleep: 3–5 h/shift.

Conclusions:  This study has quantified the working hours and roster structures of Australasian surgical trainees. By international standards, Australasian trainee working hours are around average. However, some rosters demand long hours and/or induce chronic sleep loss, placing some trainees at risk of fatigue. Ongoing efforts are needed to promote safe rostering practices.
Learning‐dependent dynamics of beta‐frequency oscillations in the basal forebrain of rats
Authors: Quinn Laleh K. , Nitz Douglas A. , Chiba Andrea A.
Published: October 2010

Cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic projection neurons of the basal forebrain (BF) innervate widespread regions of the neocortex and are thought to modulate learning and attentional processes. Although it is known that neuronal cell types in the BF exhibit oscillatory firing patterns, whether the BF as a whole shows oscillatory field potential activity, and whether such neuronal patterns relate to components of cognitive tasks, has yet to be determined. To this end, local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded from the BF of rats performing an associative learning task wherein neutral objects were paired with differently valued reinforcers (pellets). Over time, rats developed preferences for the different objects based on pellet‐value, indicating that the pairings had been well learned. LFPs from all rats revealed robust, short‐lived bursts of beta‐frequency oscillations (∼25 Hz) around the time of object encounter. Beta‐frequency LFP events were found to be learning‐dependent, with beta‐frequency peak amplitudes significantly greater on the first day of the task when object–reinforcement pairings were novel than on the last day when pairings were well learned. The findings indicate that oscillatory bursting field potential activity occurs in the BF in freely behaving animals. Furthermore, the temporal distribution of these bursts suggests that they are probably relevant to associative learning.
Comparative analysis of gonadal morphology in six fish species of the Incertae Sedis genera in Characidae of occurrence in the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil
Authors: Martins Yuri Simões , Arantes Fábio Pereira , Sato Yoshimi , dos Santos José Enemir , Rizzo Elizete , Bazzoli Nilo
Published: October 2010

Martins, Y.S., Arantes, F.P., Sato, Y., dos Santos, J.E., Rizzo, E. and Bazzoli, N. 2012. Comparative analysis of gonadal morphology in six fish species of the Incertae Sedis genera in Characidae of occurrence in the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 48–56.

This study presents a comparative analysis aiming to show the remarkable differences found in gonad morphology between six fish species from the genera Incertae Sedis in the Characidae family. Maturing ovaries of Astyanax fasciatus presented grayish color whilst the other species’ were yellowish in color. The cortical alveoli of the analyzed species are small (5.20 ± 1.44–8.28 ± 2.02 μm) and are formed by various discontinuous layers of vesicles except in the Bryconops affinis, where they are large (12.87 ± 2.41 μm) and form various continuous layers of vesicles. The pellucid zone is thin and varies from 2.44 ± 0.90 to 5.79 ± 1.90 μm and is thickest in B. affinis (10.57 ± 2.08 μm). Folds in the pellucid zone were observed in Astyanax bimaculatus, A. fasciatus, Hemigrammus marginatus, and Moenkhausia costae. The follicular cells of B. affinis are columnar (28.19 ± 13.71 μm), while they are squamous in other species (1.52 ± 0.64–2.12 ± 0.78 μm). This study showed that the morphologic and biometric characteristics of the B. affinis vitellogenic oocytes are statistically different than the analyzed other ones Incertae Sedis of the Characidae family. In advanced maturing testis of A. bimaculatus and A. fasciatus, the spermatozoa were embedded in acidophilic secretion which was gradually reabsorbed in the seminiferous tubules when males were partially spent.
Sexual dimorphism in Leptodactylus latinasus (Anura, Leptodactylidae): nasal capsule anatomy, morphometric characters and performance associated with burrowing behavior
Authors: Ponssa María Laura , Barrionuevo José Sebastián
Published: October 2010

Ponssa, M.L. and Barrionuevo, J.S. 2012. Sexual dimorphism in Leptodactylus latinasus (Anura, Leptodactylidae): nasal capsule anatomy, morphometric characters and performance associated with burrowing behavior. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 57–67.

In anurans, the ability to burrow has been associated with the characteristics of external morphology, with modifications in the musculoskeletal system and even in some brain regions. Male Leptodactylus fuscus construct subterranean chambers with the snout, where the eggs are deposited and early larval stages develop. Leptodactylus latinasus, a member of the L. fuscus group, is a good model to test the relationship among digging behavior of males, sexual divergence in the morphology of the nasal region, cranial‐dimensions, and performance as digger. The goal of this work is to provide a detailed morphological description of the olfactory region, which allows detecting sexually dimorphic characters, to evaluate sexual divergence with head dimension data, and to test whether differences exist in the digging performance of each sex. Our data do not clearly indicate sexual dimorphism in head size, nasal region morphology or digging performance that can be linked with the burrowing behavior. Thus, the only unequivocal sexually dimorphic character associated with the construction of the nuptial chamber by males would be the rigid, chisel‐like snout, present exclusively in males.
Self‐management after prostate cancer treatment: evaluating the feasibility of providing a cognitive and behavioural programme for lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Faithfull Sara , Cockle‐Hearne Jane , Khoo Vincent
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Self‐management intervention has been shown to be effective for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in benign prostate disease.

The evidence base for self‐management of LUTS after treatment for prostate cancer is small and characterised by heterogeneous samples in terms of disease stage, treatment profiles, timings and intervention content.

This pilot study provides data suggesting that a narrowly targeted, cognitive and behavioural self‐management intervention can improve LUTS in men who have had radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.

The intervention could be applied in routine practice and further testing in an adequately powered randomized controlled trial is required.

OBJECTIVE

• To test the feasibility of a self‐management intervention to help men cope with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A quasi‐experimental design was used incorporating a pre‐post‐test evaluation. In total, a population of 71 men were screened for moderate to severe urinary symptoms 3 months or longer post‐radiotherapy. Of these mean, 22 were recruited into the intervention from an eligible population of 43 symptomatic men.

• Urinary symptoms were measured before the intervention and again after 4 months of follow‐up through International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) and bladder diaries.

• Health‐related quality of life was measured in relation to cancer per se and prostate cancer specifically, and confidence to cope was measured by a self‐efficacy questionnaire.

• The self‐management intervention comprised pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder retraining, patient education and problem solving and coping strategies

RESULTS

• Lower urinary tract symptoms, as measured by the IPSS, showed a significant improvement, with a median score change of 5 (P < 0.005).

• This was supported by objective changes in median bladder void volume of +7.5 mL (P < 0.05) and the median number of daily voids of −1 (P < 0.005).

• In addition, decreases in emotional distress and problems associated with urinary function suggest that the intervention had a positive impact on health‐related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

• The provision of such an intervention was feasible within the clinical setting and provided benefits for men.

• Symptom change vs those of normative recovery values for IPSS showed an intervention effect.

• This intervention could be applied in routine practice and further testing is required in a randomized controlled trial.
Paediatric robotic‐assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy (RALIMA): feasibility of and initial experience with the University of Chicago technique
Authors: Gundeti Mohan S. , Acharya Sujeet S. , Zagaja Gregory P. , Shalhav Arieh L.
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

There is no information on robotic laparoscopic approach for reconstruction of the bladder and this is the first study to find out the feasibility and technique with this approach and see if there are any outcome differences. In the short term we have seen the advantages of early recuperation and less need of analgesic medication.

OBJECTIVE

To present the first series of complete intracorporeal robotic‐assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendico‐vesicostomy (RALIMA) in a paediatric population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February to November 2008, six patients with neurogenic bladder secondary to spina bifida (status post corrective spine surgery) were selected to undergo RALIMA by a single surgeon (MSG) at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Patients had constipation, day and night‐time incontinence, with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), and failed attempts at anticholinergic therapy and clean intermittent catheterization. All had low‐capacity bladders with poor compliance and high leak point pressures.

Preoperative bowel preparation was not performed. Mean follow‐up is 18 months.

RESULTS

One patient required conversion to open ileal augmentation because of failure to progress and another underwent augmentation ileocystoplasty without appendico‐vesicostomy. The average age of patients was 9.75 years (range 8–11 years).

Average operative time was 8.4 h (range 6–11 h). There were no intraoperative complications. One patient had a postoperative wound infection, one had a lower extremity venous thrombus, and another had temporary unilateral lower extremity paresthesia that has resolved. Three patients required revision of their stoma at the skin‐level.

Perioperatively, patients only required oral analgesia for 24–36 h (excluding one patient with paralytic ileus), started on liquid diet after 7.5 hours (range 6–10 h), on regular diet after 24 h (range 12–36 h) and were discharged home within 7 days.

Postoperatively, patients demonstrated no leak on follow‐up cystogram, and were catheterizing per apendico‐vesicostomy (three patients by 6 weeks) or urethra (1 patient at 4 weeks).

All patients now have day and night‐time continence with no UTIs, and bladder capacity of 250–450 mL.

CONCLUSION

While longer follow‐up will be necessary to see if these results are durable, this series demonstrates that RALIMA is a safe, feasible and effective procedure in the short term, with the possible added benefits of reduced analgesia, shorter recovery time and improved aesthetic appearance.
Overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma initially treated with bevacizumab plus interferon‐α2a and subsequent therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a retrospective analysis of the phase III AVOREN trial
Authors: Bracarda Sergio , Bellmunt Joaquim , Melichar Bohuslav , Négrier Sylvie , Bajetta Emilio , Ravaud Alain , Sneller Vesna , Escudier Bernard
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Multiple active treatment options are available for patients with mRCC. Current data suggest that it is difficult to use these therapies in combination due to toxicity concerns. The ability to use these active therapies sequentially provides the potential for improved patient outcomes.

This retrospective post‐hoc analysis from a double‐blind, randomized phase III study provides further evidence for improved outcomes with sequential treatment in patients with mRCC. Additionally, it suggests the potential for improved outcomes and long‐term survival (>3 years) with first‐line bevacizumab plus IFN followed by subsequent TKI therapy in patients with mRCC and good/intermediate MSKCC risk at baseline.

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively evaluate the effect of subsequent tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) after first‐line bevacizumab + interferon‐α2a (IFN) or IFN + placebo in the phase III AVOREN (Avastin and Roferon in Renal Cell Carcinoma) trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 649 patients with untreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) were randomized to receive IFN (9 MIU three times a week for up to 1 year) in combination with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) or placebo until disease progression.

The protocol allowed the use of any post‐protocol anti‐cancer therapy for patients with progressive disease or those in whom the trial therapy was discontinued. Data regarding the timing and type of subsequent therapy were recorded and overall survival (OS) analysed.

RESULTS

Patients were randomized to bevacizumab + IFN (n= 327) or IFN + placebo (n= 322); 180 (55%) patients in the bevacizumab + IFN, and 202 (63%) in the IFN + placebo arm, received post‐protocol anti‐cancer therapy.

TKIs were the most common post‐protocol therapy, received by 113 (35%) and 120 (37%) patients in the bevacizumab + IFN and IFN + placebo arms, respectively.

The median OS in patients who received any subsequent TKI was 38.6 months in the bevacizumab + IFN arm and 33.6 months in IFN + placebo arm [hazard ratio (HR), 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56–1.13; P= 0.203]. In an additional retrospective analysis that censored patients who received subsequent TKIs, median OS was 25.0 and 20.7 months, respectively, in the bevacizumab + IFN and IFN + placebo arms (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67–1.05; P= 0.123).

CONCLUSIONS

These retrospective exploratory data of sequential bevacizumab + IFN followed by TKIs in patients able to receive multiple lines of therapy suggest that sequential therapy could be a promising approach to improve patient outcomes in mRCC.
Bladder regeneration in a canine model using hyaluronic acid‐poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic‐acid) nanoparticle modified porcine small intestinal submucosa
Authors: Roth Christopher C. , Mondalek Fadee G. , Kibar Yusuf , Ashley Richard A. , Bell Cardin H. , Califano John A. , Madihally Sundar V. , Frimberger Dominic , Lin Hsueh‐Kung , Kropp Bradley P.
Published: October 2010

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Urinary bladder tissue can be produced by several regenerative techniques although consistent regeneration remains elusive and no single protocol is superior to the others. Small intestinal submucosa has been used as substrate for regeneration in several models and allows for full‐thickness bladder regeneration. Nanotechnology has been applied to impart specific physical and biological properties onto biological substrates.

Nanoparticles composed of PLGA can be modified by the addition of hyaluronic acid and can be added to SIS. This modified SIS demonstrates a potential improvement in biological activity as suggested by more consistent smooth muscle regeneration in a canine model of bladder regeneration. This study demonstrates both the feasibilty and potential of synthetically‐modified natural biomaterials.

OBJECTIVE

• To determine if hyaluronic acid (HA) can be incorporated into porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) through poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide‐acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to improve the consistency of the naturally derived biomaterial and promote bladder tissue regeneration.

METHODS

• Beagle dogs were subjected to 40% partial cystectomy followed by bladder augmentation with commercial SIS or HA‐PLGA‐modified SIS.

• Urodynamic testing was performed before and after augmentation to assess bladder volume.

• A scoring system was created to evaluate gross and histological presentations of regenerative bladders.

RESULTS

• All dogs showed full‐thickness bladder regeneration.

• Histological assessment showed improved smooth muscle regeneration in the HA‐PLGA‐modified SIS group.

• For both groups of dogs, urodynamics and graft measurements showed an approximate 40% reduction in bladder capacity and graft size from pre‐augmentation to post‐regeneration measurements.

• Application of the scoring system and statistical analysis failed to show a significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

• SIS can be modified through the addition of HA‐PLGA nanoparticles. The modified grafts showed evidence of improved smooth muscle regeneration on histological assessment, although this difference was not evident on a novel grading scale.

• The volume loss and graft shrinkage experienced are consistent with previous models of SIS bladder regeneration at the 10‐week time point.

• Additional research into the delivery of HA and the long‐term benefits of HA on bladder regeneration is needed to determine the full benefit of HA‐PLGA‐modified SIS. In addition, a more objective biochemical characterization will be needed to evaluate the quality of regeneration.