bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Reprocessing Methods, Residual Viable Bioburden, and Soil Levels in Patient-Ready Endoscopic Retrograde Choliangiopancreatography Duodenoscopes Used in Canadian Centers
Authors: Alfa Michelle J. , Olson Nancy , DeGagne Pat , Jackson Michele
Published: February 2006

Objectives:

To obtain information about current reprocessing practices and to obtain samples from the biopsy channel to quantitate soil levels and bioburden in patient-ready flexible duodenoscopes used for endoscopic retrograde choliangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Design:

Participating centers were sent a questionnaire and a kit for on-site collection of samples from the biopsy channel of the duodenoscope.

Setting:

Thirty-seven hospitals from across Canada participated. The only criterion was that they currently used and reprocessed flexible duodenoscopes for ERCP procedures.

Methods:

The questionnaire obtained information on reprocessing practices. The kit included a detailed instruction booklet outlining sample collection and all of the tubes, sterile water, and brushes needed for it. Samples were collected on-site from all ERCP scopes in each center on Monday morning and shipped by overnight courier on ice to the research center. Each sample was assayed by routine microbiologic methods for total viable count and protein, blood, carbohydrate, and endotoxin levels.

Results:

Microbial overgrowth was present in 7% of 119 scope samples. Cleaning appeared to be reasonably well done in most of the centers, and 43% of the centers were in total compliance with basic national guidelines. The data from the scope samples indicated that there was significantly greater buildup of protein, carbohydrate, and endotoxin associated with ERCP scopes from centers using glutaraldehyde, compared with those using peracetic acid. Carbohydrate was the soil component detected most frequently and in the highest concentration in scope channels.

Conclusions:

Although cleaning was generally well done, areas for improvement included ensuring the availability of written reprocessing protocols, immersion of scopes during manual cleaning, use of adequate fluid volume for rinsing, adequate drying of scopes prior to storage, and the separation of ERCP valves from scopes during storage.
Skin Colonization byMalasseziain Neonates and Infants
Authors: Ashbee H. Ruth , Leck Astrid K. , Puntis John W. L. , Parsons Wendy J. , Evans E. Glyn V.
Published: February 2006

Objective:

To identify the timing, pattern, and determinants of colonization of neonates byMalassezia.

Design:

Prospective observational study.

Setting:

A neonatal medical and surgical unit consisting of 10 special care, 10 high-dependency, 10 intensive care, and 10 surgical cots.

Participants:

All neonates (≤ 28 days of age) or infants (> 28 days of age) admitted to the unit during the 20-week period from October 1995 to March 1996.

Methods:

All infants or neonates were swabbed on the day of admission and every third day thereafter and risk factors were collected for every day on the unit.

Results:

During the study period, 245 neonates and 42 infants were sampled for their entire duration of stay on the unit. Of these, 41 infants (97.6%) were colonized withMalasseziaon admission to the unit and thereafter, as assessed by subsequent samples. Within the neonate population, 78 (31.8%) became colonized, but none were colonized immediately after birth. Univariate analysis showed that many factors appeared to be significantly associated with colonization in the neonates, including use of ventilation, presence of central venous catheters, use of parenteral nutrition, and use of antibacterial or antifungal drugs. However, when the data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to control for confounding variables, only gestational age and length of stay on the unit were found to be significantly associated with colonization.

Conclusion:

Colonization of infants is not as unusual as previously thought and many infants have established a cutaneousMalasseziacommensal flora by the age of 3 to 6 months. Factors that predispose to colonization in neonates may not be the same as those that predispose to infection.
Temporal Trends in Tuberculosis Hospitalization Rates Before and After Implementation of Directly Observed Therapy: New York City, 1988–1995
Authors: Terry Mary Beth , Desvarieux Moïse , Short Margaret
Published: February 2006

New York City hospitalization rates were analyzed to investigate whether tuberculosis (TB) hospitalizations declined after implementation of directly observed therapy QOOT) for TB. TB hospitalization rates mirrored incidence rates in pattern but not in magnitude. Rates have declined significantly following widespread implementation of DOT in 1993.
Occlusive Scrub Suits in Operating Theaters During Cataract Surgery: Effect on Airborne Contamination
Authors: Andersen Bjørg Marit , Solheim Nette
Published: February 2006

The effect of wearing occlusive scrub suits on bacterial contamination of air was studied during cataract operations. All personnel regularly wore cotton scrub suits. During the intervention period, all wore occlusive scrub suits, which, compared with cotton scrub suits, were associated with more than a 50% reduction in the load of airborne bacteria during operations.
Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Oncology Outpatients: A New Healthcare Systems Challenge
Authors: Smith Theresa L. , Pullen Gregg T. , Crouse Vonda , Rosenberg Jon , Jarvis William R.
Published: February 2006

Objective:

To investigate a perceived increase in central venous catheter (CVC)–associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) among pediatric hematology–oncology outpatients.

Design:

A case–control study.

Setting:

A pediatric hematology–oncology outpatient clinic at Fresno Children's Hospital.

Patients:

Pediatric hematology–oncology clinic outpatients with CVCs at Fresno Children's Hospital between November 1994 and October 1997.

Methods:

A case-patient was defined as any hematology–oncology outpatient with a CVC-associated BSI at Fresno Children's Hospital from November 1996 to October 1997 (study period) without a localizable infection. To identify case-patients, we reviewed Fresno Children's Hospital records for all hematology–oncology clinic patients, those with CVCs and those with CVCs and BSIs. Control-patients were randomly selected hematology–oncology outpatients with a CVC but no BSI during the study period. Case-patient and control-patient demographics, diagnoses, caretakers, catheter types, catheter care, and water exposure were compared.

Results:

Twenty-five case-patients had 42 CVC-associated BSIs during the study period. No significant increase in CVC-associated BSI rates occurred among pediatric hematology–oncology patients. However, there was a statistically significant increase in nonendogenous, gram-negative (eg, Pseudomonas species) BSIs during summer months (May–October) compared with the rest of the year. Case-patients and control-patients differed only in catheter type; case-patients were more likely than control-patients to have a transcutaneous CVC. Summertime recreational water exposures were similar and high in the two groups.

Conclusions:

Hematology–oncology clinic patients with transcutaneous CVCs are at greater risk for CVC-associated BSI, particularly during the summer. Caretakers should be instructed on proper care of CVCs, particularly protection of CVCs during bathing and recreational summer water activities, to reduce the risk of nonendogenous, gram-negative BSIs.
Bacterial Contamination of Hospital Pagers
Authors: Singh Deepjot , Kaur Hanspreet , Gardner William G. , Treen Lisa B.
Published: February 2006

We assessed the bacterial contamination of the pagers of healthcare personnel and the efficacy of disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Microorganisms were isolated from all pagers; 21% yielded Staphylococcus aureus, of which 14% were methicillin resistant. Cleaning with alcohol reduced the total colony count by an average of 94%. Bacterial load varied by healthcare worker group and service assignment.
Control of Transmission of Norwegian Scabies
Authors: Zafar Abdul B. , Beidas Sary O. , Sylvester Linda K.
Published: February 2006

Seven staff members developed scabies after exposure to a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia and hyperkeratotic skin lesions. They were treated and prophylaxis was given to 11 staff members in September 1998. The hospital has had no nosocomial scabies since then despite the admission of 11 patients with AIDS and Norwegian scabies.
Genotypic Analysis by 27A DNA Fingerprinting ofCandida albicansStrains Isolated During an Outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Boccia Stefania , Posteraro Brunella , Sorda Marilena La , Vento Giovanni , Matassa Piero Giuseppe , Tempera Alessia , Petrucci Stefano , Fadda Giovanni
Published: February 2006

We describe an outbreak ofCandida albicanssystemic infection involving five premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. Molecular and epidemiologic characterization of allC. albicansisolates was performed by DNA fingerprinting with the 27A probe. This genotypic analysis demonstrated that the isolates were identical, providing evidence for the circulation of a uniqueC. albicansstrain.
Application of Environmental Sampling to Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing: The Importance of Monitoring the Rinse Water
Authors: Muscarella Lawrence F.
Published: February 2006

The routine sampling of environmental surfaces within a healthcare facility is generally not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), and several other healthcare organizations. There are a few circumstances, however, for which some organizations do recommend this practice. For instance, the CDC and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) recommend environmental sampling as clinically required during an outbreak investigation. The CDC and AAMI also recommend routine sampling of the rinse water used during hemodialyzer (but not endoscope) reprocessing. The rationale for this recommendation is based in part on reports of pyrogenic responses, patient infections, and bacteremia due to waterborne, gram-negative bacteria during hemodialysis. To determine whether the basis for this rationale might similarly apply to the rinse water used during endoscope reprocessing, the Food and Drug Administration's medical device reporting database, the endoscope reprocessing literature, and other sources were reviewed. The results of this review indicate that nosocomial outbreaks linked to endoscopes contaminated with gram-negative bacteria have been frequently reported. As a result, for several reasons, including to minimize the risk of patient infection due to gram-negative bacteria following endoscopy, this article recommends routine microbiologic sampling of the rinse water used during endoscope reprocessing.
On the Lévy constants for quadratic irrationals
Authors: Wu Jun
Published: February 2006

We prove that the set of Lévy constants for quadratic irrationals is dense in

[
log
⁡

5

+
1

2

,
∞
)

[\log \frac {\sqrt {5}+1}{2}, \infty )

.
Sur certains paquets d’Arthur et involution d’Aubert-Schneider-Stuhler généralisée
Authors: Mœglin C.
Published: February 2006

In this paper, we construct a set of representations for classical

p
p

-adic groups. This set contains the discrete series and the unipotent representations. It is the basic tool to study Arthur’s packets. The construction is done in two different ways: The first one uses Jacquet modules and gives explicit knowledge. The second one uses a generalization of the Aubert-Schneider-Stuhler involution and gives a resolution in the Grothendieck group.
On optimal propagule size and developmental time
Authors: Kiflawi Moshe
Published: February 2006

A negative relationship between propagule size and development time is often imposed as a constraint on the evolution of optimal propagule size. Here I argue that when mortality is size‐dependent, the optimisation of propagule size is in fact independent of the length of the ensuing developmental period. Furthermore, I show that whether larger or smaller propagules are favoured in response to factors that affect growth and mortality rates will depend on which of these variables scale more sharply with size. I use marine fish to exemplify some of the points raised in this note.
Disentangling the selective factors that act on male colour in wild guppies
Authors: P. Millar Nathan , N. Reznick David , T. Kinnison Michael , P. Hendry Andrew
Published: February 2006

The colour pattern of male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) is thought to evolve as a compromise between sexual selection (favouring conspicuousness) and natural selection (favouring crypsis). Underpinning this classic explanation is the observation that guppies living with dangerous fish predators are less colourful than guppies living without these predators. However, high fish‐predation sites are generally farther downstream than low fish‐predation sites, and so may also differ in physical habitat features related to stream size, as well as in the abundance of predatory prawns (Macrobrachium crenulatum). The goal of our study was to disentangle the effects of fish predation on colour evolution from the potential effects of physical habitat features and predation by prawns. We collected 20 male guppies from each of 29 sites in two Trinidadian rivers. We then quantified the colour pattern of these fish; each spot was measured for size and assigned to a colour category. For each site, we determined the fish predation regime and quantified stream size, water colour, canopy openness, and prawn abundance. We then used regressions to assess the relative importance of these factors in explaining variation in guppy colour. Supporting previous work, the presence of predatory fishes was the most important explanatory variable for many components of colour pattern. Physical habitat features explained some of the remaining variation, but in inconsistent ways between the two rivers. The abundance of predatory prawns also explained variation in male colour. Our results suggest that predatory fishes impose the strongest selection on the colour pattern of male guppies but that other factors are also important.
Optimal time allocation in parasitic wasps searching for hosts and food
Authors: Tenhumberg Brigitte , Siekmann Gitta , Keller Michael A.
Published: February 2006

Many species of parasitic wasp feed on sugar sources such as nectar and honeydew in order to replenish their energy reserves and so extend their life expectancy, which is often correlated with higher reproductive success. Recent research suggests that carbohydrates are also a key component in flight fuel in such insects. The importance of sugar in fuelling locomotion suggests location of sugar‐rich food may be more important in parasitoid foraging behaviour than has previously been assumed. If sugar sources and hosts are separated in space, parasitoids have to allocate their time between sugar‐searching and host‐searching. Using a stochastic dynamic programming model we predict optimal time allocation decisions of parasitoids. Although the model was parameterized using data forCotesia rubecula, the sensitivity analysis shows that the model predictions are applicable to many parasitoid wasp species. The key prediction of the model is that parasitoids should always search for food if energy reserves drop to low levels, even if the probability of finding food and the average food reward are small. This is in stark contrast to an alternative model proposed bySirot and Bernstein (1996)which suggests parasitoids should never search for food if food availability is low.
Species richness–variability relationships in multi‐trophic aquatic microcosms
Authors: Vogt Richard J. , Romanuk Tamara N. , Kolasa Jurek
Published: February 2006

While species loss may affect the temporal variability of populations and communities differently in multi‐ versus single‐trophic level communities, the nature of these differences are poorly understood. Here, we report on an experiment where we manipulated species richness of multi‐trophic rock pool invertebrate communities to determine the effects of species richness, S, on the temporal variability of communities, populations, and individual species. As in single‐trophic level studies, temporal variability in community abundance decreased with increasing species richness. However, in contrast to most studies in single‐trophic level systems, temporal variability of populations also decreased as species richness increased. Furthermore, the variability of the constituent populations strongly correlated with variability of community abundance suggesting that, in rock pools, S affects community variability through its stabilizing effect on component populations. Our results suggest that species loss may affect population and community variability differently in multi‐trophic versus single trophic level communities. If this is so, then the mechanisms proposed to underlie the effects of S on community variability in single‐trophic communities may have to be supplemented by those that describe contributions to population stability in order to fully describe the patterns observed in multi‐trophic communities.
OMA‐1 is a P granules‐associated protein that is required for germline specification in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos
Authors: Shimada Masumi , Yokosawa Hideyoshi , Kawahara Hiroyuki
Published: February 2006

In Caenorhabditis elegans, CCCH‐type zinc‐finger proteins have been shown to be involved in the differentiation of germ cells during embryonic development. Previously, we and others have identified novel redundant CCCH‐type zinc‐finger proteins, OMA‐1 and OMA‐2, that are involved in oocyte maturation. In this study, we report that the cytoplasmic expression level of OMA‐1 protein was largely reduced after fertilization. In contrast to its cytoplasmic degradation, OMA‐1 was found to accumulate exclusively on P granules in germline blastomeres during embryogenesis. A notable finding is that embryos with partially suppressed oma‐1; oma‐2 expression showed inappropriate germline specification, including abnormal distributions of PGL‐1, MEX‐1 and PIE‐1 proteins. Thus, our results suggest that oma gene products are novel multifunctional proteins that participate in crucial processes for germline specification during embryonic development.
Modulation of Alp4 function in Schizosaccharomyces pombe induces novel phenotypes that imply distinct functions for nuclear and cytoplasmic γ‐tubulin complexes
Authors: Masuda Hirohisa , Toda Takashi , Miyamoto Rumi , Haraguchi Tokuko , Hiraoka Yasushi
Published: February 2006

The γ‐tubulin complex acts as a nucleation unit for microtubule assembly. It remains unknown, however, how spatial and temporal regulation of the complex activity affects microtubule‐mediated cellular processes. Alp4 is one of the essential components of the S. pombeγ‐tubulin complex. We show here that overproduction of a carboxy‐terminal form of Alp4 (Alp4C) and its derivatives tagged to a nuclear localization signal or to a nuclear export signal affect localization of γ‐tubulin complexes and induces novel phenotypes that reflect distinct functions of nuclear and cytoplasmic γ‐tubulin complexes. Nuclear Alp4C induces a Wee1‐dependent G2 delay, reduces the levels of the γ‐tubulin complex at the spindle pole body, and results in defects in mitotic progression including spindle assembly, cytoplasmic microtubule disassembly, and chromosome segregation. In contrast, cytoplasmic Alp4C induces oscillatory nuclear movement and affects levels of cell polarity markers, Bud6 and Tip1, at the cell ends. These results demonstrate that regulation of nuclear γ‐tubulin complex activity is essential for cell cycle progression through the G2/M boundary and M phase, whereas regulation of cytoplasmic γ‐tubulin complex activity is important for nuclear positioning and cell polarity control during interphase.
The carboxy‐terminus of Alp4 alters microtubule dynamics to induce oscillatory nuclear movement led by the spindle pole body in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Masuda Hirohisa , Miyamoto Rumi , Haraguchi Tokuko , Hiraoka Yasushi
Published: February 2006

Alp4 is an essential component of the S. pombeγ‐tubulin complex. Overproduction of the carboxy‐terminus of Alp4 induces oscillatory nuclear movement led by the spindle pole body (SPB). The movement is not dependent on cytoplasmic dynein dhc1, or kinesin‐related proteins pkl1 and klp2. Rates of SPB movement correlate with elongation rates of microtubules (MTs) extending backwards from the moving SPB (backward‐extending MTs), showing that pushing forces exerted by backward‐extending MTs move the nucleus via the SPB. These backward‐extending MTs are more stable than those of control cells and, thus, are able to push the SPB further towards the cell end, inducing nuclear oscillation with larger amplitudes than in control cells. SPB movement is biased towards the new end of the cell where levels of the CLIP170 homolog Tip1 increase, suggesting that the movement is related to MT‐mediated cell polarity control. These results demonstrate that the carboxy‐terminus of Alp4 alters MT dynamics and induces nuclear oscillation by modulating a nuclear positioning mechanism based on the balance of MT pushing forces, and suggest that regulation of γ‐tubulin complex activity is important for controlling MT dynamics and nuclear positioning.
Blue light‐induced association of phototropin 2 with the Golgi apparatus
Authors: Kong Sam‐Geun , Suzuki Tomomi , Tamura Kentaro , Mochizuki Nobuyoshi , Hara‐Nishimura Ikuko , Nagatani Akira
Published: February 2006

Phototropins 1 and 2 (phot1 and phot2) function as blue light (BL) photoreceptors for phototropism, chloroplast relocation, stomatal opening and leaf flattening in Arabidopsis thaliana. Phototropin consists of two functional domains, the N‐terminal photosensory domain and the C‐terminal Ser/Thr kinase domain. However, little is known about the signal transduction pathway that links the photoreceptors and the physiological responses downstream of BL perception. To understand the mechanisms by which phot2 initiates these responses, we transformed the phot1phot2 double mutant of Arabidopsis with constructs encoding translationally fused phot2:green fluorescent protein (P2G). P2G was fully functional for the phot2‐specific physiological responses in these transgenic plants. It localized strongly to the plasma membrane and weakly to the cytoplasm in the dark. Upon illumination with BL, punctate P2G staining was formed within a few minutes in addition to the constitutive plasma membrane staining. This punctate distribution pattern matched well with that of the Golgi‐localized KAM1ΔC:mRFP. Brefeldin A (BFA), an inhibitor of vesicle trafficking, induced accumulation of P2G around the perinuclear region even in darkness, but the punctate pattern was not observed. After treatment of these cells with BL, P2G exhibited the punctate distribution pattern that matched with that of the Golgi marker. Hence, the light‐dependent association of P2G with the Golgi apparatus was BFA‐insensitive. A structure/function analysis indicated that the kinase domain was essential for the Golgi localization of phot2. The BL‐induced Golgi localization of phot2 may be one of important signaling steps in the phot2 signal transduction pathway.
Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis: a rare presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Aydogan Kenan , Karadogan Serap Koran , Adim Saduman Balaban , Tunali Şukran
Published: February 2006

Background Urticarial vasculitis is a small‐vessel vasculitis, presenting clinically as persistent urticarial skin lesions and microscopically as leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS) is a distinct type of urticarial vasculitis with multiorgan involvement, whose etiology and link with other diseases are still unknown. Some authors have suggested that HUVS can be accompanied by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and others believe that it is a rare subtype of SLE. Urticarial vasculitis is seen in 7–8% of SLE, while 50% of HUVS patients are diagnosed with SLE.

Observations and results We report a case of HUVS associated with SLE with fatal outcome unresponsive to the combination of systemic corticosteroids and azathioprine.

Conclusions SLE and HUVS share both clinical and laboratory features and are probably not separate entities. It is mostly likely that HUVS and SLE fall into the same spectrum of autoimmune diseases. HUVS is probably a subset of SLE. As both diseases can fatally, it should be kept in mind that the overlap of SLE and HUVS may exhibit a relatively rapid progression and poor prognosis.
A retrospective survey of outpatients with long‐term tracheostomy
Authors: Björling G. , Johansson U.‐B. , Andersson G. , Schedin U. , Markström A. , Frostell C.
Published: February 2006

Background:  The Respiratory Unit (RU) at Danderyd University Hospital opened in 1982, with the expressed goal of supporting outpatients with long‐term tracheostomy. The primary aim of this retrospective study in tracheostomized patients was to compare the need for hospital care in the 2‐year period before and after the tracheostomy.

Methods:  Data were collected from patient medical records at the RU, from the National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden and from the Official Statistics of Sweden. The subjects were RU patients in 1982 (Group 1, n = 27) and in 1997 (Group 2, n = 106) with long‐term tracheostomy surviving at least 4 years after the tracheostomy.

Results:  Both groups had few and unchanged needs for hospital care after tracheostomy. They spent ≥ 96% of their time out of hospital. In 1997, (group 2) the number of patients, diagnoses and need for home mechanical ventilation had increased. Life expectancy was assessed for patients in Group 1. Data showed that they lived as long as an age‐matched and gender‐adjusted control cohort.

Conclusions:  Long‐term tracheostomy may not increase the need for hospital care and does not reduce life expectancy. These clinical observations were made in a setting where patients had regular access to a dedicated outpatient unit.
Post‐operative rounds by anaesthesiologists after hip fracture surgery: a pilot study
Authors: Foss N. B. , Christensen D. S. , Krasheninnikoff M. , Kristensen B. B. , Kehlet H.
Published: February 2006

Background:  Efforts to optimize the peri‐operative care of hip fracture patients through multidisciplinary intervention have focused on orthopaedic–geriatric liaisons, which have not resulted in significant outcome changes. The early phase of rehabilitation could potentially be optimized through a multidisciplinary effort between anaesthesiologists and orthopaedic surgeons.

Methods:  During the first 25 weeks of 2004, 98 consecutive community‐residing patients admitted to a hip fracture unit received daily rounds by anaesthesiologists during the first four post‐operative days, on weekdays only, focusing on all facets of peri‐operative care. Two hours were allotted to rounds in the 14‐bed unit. One hundred and twenty‐six consecutive patients admitted to the unit in 2003, receiving the same well‐defined care programme, were chosen as a control group. Outcome measures were morbidity and the need for visits by external specialists.

Results:  The intervention group received 291 rounds by anaesthesiologists. Active therapeutic interventions were prescribed in 76% of all patient confrontations. The control group received 128 requested visits from internal medicine specialists, which was reduced to 50 in the intervention group (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference between post‐operative morbidity and hospital stay in the control and intervention groups; in‐hospital mortality was 12% in the control group and 7% in the intervention group (P = 0.24). The rounds by anaesthesiologists improved nursing care conditions.

Conclusion:  This pilot study, with insufficient power to show significant differences in outcome, supports further evaluation of the concept of intensified orthopaedic‐anaesthesiological co‐operation after hip fracture surgery. Such a randomized trial should evaluate economic and clinical outcome aspects, providing anaesthesiological rounds 7 days per week.
Face and gaze processing in normally developing children: a magnetoencephalographic study
Authors: Kylliäinen Anneli , Braeutigam Sven , Hietanen Jari K. , Swithenby Stephen J. , Bailey Anthony J.
Published: February 2006

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to study the neural mechanisms underlying face and gaze processing in ten normally developing boys aged between 8 and 11 years and 12 adult males. The participants performed two tasks in which they had to decide whether images presented sequentially in pairs, depicted the same person or the same motorbike. In the first task, the participants saw pictures of faces in which the eyes were either open or shut and pictures of motorbikes. In the second task, participants saw pairs of faces with gaze averted to the left or right. In children there was no evidence of the face sensitive, low amplitude short latency (30–60 ms) activity seen previously in adults. A strong, midline posterior response at approximately 100 ms was observed in children, which was earlier and somewhat stronger to faces than to motorbikes; in adults the signal at this latency was weak. A clear face sensitive response was seen in adults at 135 ms, predominantly over the right inferior occipito‐temporal regions. Although activity was observed in the children at the same latency, it was less prominent, not lateralized and was evoked similarly by faces and motorbikes. Averted gaze conditions evoked strong right‐lateralized activity at approximately 245 ms in children only. These findings indicate that even in middle childhood the neural mechanisms underlying face processing are less specialized than in adults, with greater early activation of posterior occipital cortices and less specific activation of ventral occipito‐temporal cortex.
Reduced expression of the TrkB receptor in Huntington's disease mouse models and in human brain
Authors: Ginés Silvia , Bosch Miquel , Marco Sonia , Gavaldà Núria , Díaz‐Hernández Miguel , Lucas José J. , Canals Josep M. , Alberch Jordi
Published: February 2006

Deficits of neurotrophic support caused by reduced levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been implicated in the selective vulnerability of striatal neurones in Huntington's disease (HD). Therapeutic strategies based on BDNF administration have been proposed to slow or prevent the disease progression. However, the effectiveness of BDNF may depend on the proper expression of its receptor TrkB. In this study, we analysed the expression of TrkB in several HD models and in postmortem HD brains. We found a specific reduction of TrkB receptors in transgenic exon‐1 and full‐length knock‐in HD mouse models and also in the motor cortex and caudate nucleus of HD brains. Our findings also demonstrated that continuous expression of mutant huntingtin is required to down‐regulate TrkB levels. This was shown by findings in an inducible HD mouse model showing rescue of TrkB by turning off mutant huntingtin expression. Interestingly, the length of the polyglutamine tract in huntingtin appears to modulate the reduction of TrkB. Finally, to analyse the effect of BDNF in TrkB we compared TrkB expression in mutant huntingtin R6/1 and double mutant (R6/1 : BDNF+/–) mice. Similar TrkB expression was found in both transgenic mice suggesting that reduced TrkB is not a direct consequence of decreased BDNF. Therefore, taken together our findings identify TrkB as an additional component that potentially might contribute to the altered neurotrophic support in HD.
Alcohol increases efficacy of immature synapses in a neurosteroid‐dependent manner
Authors: Mameli Manuel , Valenzuela C. Fernando
Published: February 2006

Fetal ethanol exposure persistently affects hippocampal circuits leading to learning and memory disabilities. Although the mechanisms responsible for these effects are not fully understood, several studies implicate neurosteroids as mediators of the actions of ethanol. A neurosteroid that appears to be critical for the fetal actions of ethanol is pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS). We found that chronic prenatal ethanol exposure increases PREGS levels in the fetal brain and that an endogenous PREGS‐like neurosteroid strengthens excitatory transmission in the neonatal hippocampus. Therefore, we hypothesized that ethanol could affect synaptic transmission in the developing hippocampus in a PREGS‐dependent manner. We used patch‐clamp electrophysiological techniques and found that 50 mmethanol strengthens AMPA receptor‐mediated transmission in the CA1 region by reducing the failure rate of low‐efficacy synapses. This effect was age‐dependent and was occluded by application of exogenous PREGS. An anti‐PREGS antibody scavenger and blockade of PREGS synthesis prevented the effect of ethanol. These data indicate that the deleterious effects of ethanol on hippocampal development are mediated in part by alterations in neurosteroid production, which results in premature stabilization of excitatory synapses.
A local GABAergic system within rat trigeminal ganglion cells
Authors: Hayasaki H. , Sohma Y. , Kanbara K. , Maemura K. , Kubota T. , Watanabe M.
Published: February 2006

We investigated the GABAergic system within the Sprague–Dawley rat (2–3‐weeks old) trigeminal ganglion (TG). Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis revealed expression of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65 and GAD67 mRNAs and mRNAs encoding GABAA receptor subunits α1–6, β1–3, γ1–3, and δ. In situ hybridization revealed that GAD65 and GAD67 mRNAs were expressed in neuronal cell bodies but not satellite cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that only GAD65 was expressed in all neuronal cell bodies, and approximately 70% of all neurons exhibited GABA immunoreactivity. Satellite cells were strongly immunopositive for GABA. GABAA receptor α1, α5, β2/3 and γ1/2/3 subunit immunoreactivities were observed in the majority of neurons, but no immunoreactivity for α2 was observed. Two types of cells were identified in TG based on cell size and morphology, type A and B. The percentage of cells expressing α3, α4, α6, and δ subunits appeared to be dependent on cell size, as δ and α6 expression were only observed in small (B‐type) neurons. In whole‐cell patch clamp experiments, GABA application induced inward Cl– currents in all neurons examined. The EC50 for GABA varied from 5.3 to 240 µm, and the Hill Coefficient (nH) varied between 0.98 and 2.6 at −60 mV. We found that GABA was released from TG cells by increasing extracellular K+ concentration to 100 mm. We speculate that GABA acts as a nonsynaptically released diffusible neurotransmitter, which may modulate somatic inhibition of neurons within the TG.
Insecticidal activity of garlic juice in two dipteran pests
Authors: Prowse Gareth M. , Galloway Tamara S. , Foggo Andrew
Published: February 2006

Abstract 

Botanical products excluding pyrethroids constitute a small, but growing portion of the U.K. pesticides market. With increasing legislative pressure upon chemical pesticides such as organophosphates, interest in this sector is increasing steadily.

Garlic Allium sativum L. juices and extracts form the basis of several commercially available pest control products, but the performance of these products is variable, possibly due to lack of quality control upon batches of materials in the manufacturing process.

Some garlic products designed for use in the food industry are subjected to rigorous batch‐control to ensure organoleptic consistency. We studied the insecticidal efficacy of a commercially produced food grade garlic juice using two target dipteran pests, Delia radicum (L.) and Musca domestica L.

Exposure of the two species to different concentrations of garlic juice revealed variability in insecticidal effect across life stages. LC50 values recorded for D. radicum were: eggs (7‐day exposure) 0.8%; larvae (24‐h exposure) 26.4%; larvae (48‐h exposure) 6.8%; and adults (24‐h exposure) 0.4%. LC50 values recorded for M. domestica were: eggs (7‐day exposure) 1.6%; larvae (24‐h exposure) 10.1%; larvae (24‐h exposure) 4.5%; and adults (24‐h exposure) 2.2%.

Mortality rates caused by the garlic juice were comparable with those obtained with the organophosphate pesticide Birlane®, indicating parity of effect at various concentrations depending on life stage.

We conclude that this product may provide an effective, naturally‐derived insecticide for use in agricultural systems against dipteran pests.
Effects of reduced pesticide dosages on carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in winter wheat
Authors: Navntoft S. , Esbjerg P. , Riedel W.
Published: February 2006

Abstract 

The effects of reduced insecticide and herbicide dosages on total dry mass of carabids and their generic components were examined using fenced pitfall traps in winter wheat fields on three farms in Southern Zealand, Denmark.

The estimated total dry mass of carabids increased by 25% when the pesticides were reduced to one fourth of the normal application rates.

At reduced dosages, the activity of the genus Pterostichus was increased by 62%. The activities of Loricera and Demetrias were increased by 67% and 56%, respectively, although significant interaction terms indicated that the dosage effect was not uniform for these genera on all farms. Calathus tended to be more numerous with reduced pesticide applications. By contrast, catches of Bembidion, Synuchus and Trechus decreased by up to 45% at reduced dosages.

A higher weed cover due to reduced herbicide applications probably benefited most species, except those having habitat associations with sparse vegetation such as the field‐inhabiting Bembidion and Synuchus.

The higher activity of larger carabids may lead to enhanced predation on smaller carabids and hence different carabid assemblages.
A migration analysis of Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Homoptera: Delphacidae) using hourly catches and a three‐dimensional simulation model
Authors: Otuka Akira , Watanabe Tomonari , Suzuki Yoshito , Matsumura Masaya , Furuno Akiko , Chino Masamichi , Kondo Tomoya , Kamimuro Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2006

Abstract 

Migrations of Sogatella furcifera captured in Japan in the 2003 season were analysed using hourly catches and a simulation model.

The catch data showed several clear migration peaks, with average durations of 4 h. The peaks were separated from each other by approximately 12 h, corresponding to the observed fact that planthoppers take off at dusk or dawn.

The simulation model comprised two components: a numerical weather forecast submodel, MM5, and a particle dispersion submodel, GEARN. The simulation model used three‐dimensional meteorological data and calculated the relative aerial density of migrating planthoppers to allow analysis of the timing and area of migrations in Japan.

The simulation model, together with the hourly catches, enabled an estimation of migration source regions.

Possible migration sources during our hourly observation period were located in the coastal area of Fujian province in China, as well as Taiwan.
The effects of floral understoreys on parasitism of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on apples in New Zealand
Authors: Irvin N. A. , Scarratt S. L. , Wratten S. D. , Frampton C. M. , Chapman R. B. , Tylianakis J. M.
Published: February 2006

Abstract 

Field and laboratory experiments on the conservation biocontrol of lepidopteran leafroller pests were carried out in apples at Lincoln, New Zealand.

Apple understoreys were planted with replicated treatments of alyssum (Lobularia maritima), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum).

Rates of parasitism of experimentally released larvae of the light‐brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were significantly lower in phacelia and control treatments, and leafroller pupae were significantly more abundant in controls than in buckwheat and alyssum treatments.

Naturally occurring leafroller damage was up to 29% lower above all the floral understorey treatments compared with controls and there were more than twice as many D. tasmanica cocoons in the alyssum and buckwheat treatments than in controls.

Suction sampling of the understoreys gave D. tasmanica adult densities that were significantly more abundant in alyssum compared with other treatments. Numbers of Anacharis zealandica (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) (a parasitoid of larvae of the predatory brown lacewing) did not differ between treatments.

In the laboratory, flowering buckwheat and alyssum enhanced D. tasmanica longevity by up to 78% compared with the control, and buckwheat also enhanced potential fecundity by 62%.

In choice experiments, leafroller larvae in the laboratory consumed more than three‐fold more apple leaf material than they did of the three understorey species, although alyssum increased leafroller fecundity and longevity.

The use of floral understoreys for conservation biocontrol of apple pests is discussed, along with the potential negative effects of some flowering species on pest populations and orchard agronomic practices.
Reducing sea turtle by‐catch in pelagic longline fisheries
Authors: Gilman Eric , Zollett Erika , Beverly Stephen , Nakano Hideki , Davis Kimberly , Shiode Daisuke , Dalzell Paul , Kinan Irene
Published: February 2006

Reducing by‐catch of sea turtles in pelagic longline fisheries, in concert with activities to reduce other anthropogenic sources of mortality, may contribute to the recovery of marine turtle populations. Here, we review research on strategies to reduce sea turtle by‐catch. Due to the state of management regimes in most longline fisheries, strategies to reduce turtle interactions must not only be effective but also must be commercially viable. Because most research has been initiated only recently, many results are not yet peer‐reviewed, published or readily accessible. Moreover, most experiments have small sample sizes and have been conducted over only a few seasons in a small number of fisheries; many study designs preclude drawing conclusions about the independent effect of single factors on turtle by‐catch and target catch rates; and few studies consider effects on other by‐catch species. In the US North Atlantic longline swordfish fishery, 4.9‐cm wide circle hooks with fish bait significantly reduced sea turtle by‐catch rates and the proportion of hard‐shell turtles that swallowed hooks vs. being hooked in the mouth compared to 4.0‐cm wide J hooks with squid bait without compromising commercial viability for some target species. But these large circle hooks might not be effective or economically viable in other longline fisheries. The effectiveness and commercial viability of a turtle avoidance strategy may be fishery‐specific, depending on the size and species of turtles and target fish and other differences between fleets. Testing of turtle avoidance methods in individual fleets may therefore be necessary. It is a priority to conduct trials in longline fleets that set gear shallow, those overlapping the most threatened turtle populations and fleets overlapping high densities of turtles such as those fishing near breeding colonies. In addition to trials using large 4.9‐cm wide circle hooks in place of smaller J and Japan tuna hooks, other fishing strategies are under assessment. These include: (i) using small circle hooks (≤ 4.6‐cm narrowest width) in place of smaller J and Japan tuna hooks; (ii) setting gear below turtle‐abundant depths; (iii) single hooking fish bait vs. multiple hook threading; (iv) reducing gear soak time and retrieval during daytime; and (v) avoiding by‐catch hotspots through fleet communication programmes and area and seasonal closures.
Capture for culture: artificial shelters for grouper collection in SE Asia
Authors: Mous Peter J , Sadovy Yvonne , Halim Abdul , Pet Jos S
Published: February 2006

This paper addresses a little‐discussed relationship between wild capture and mariculture, when the latter involves grow‐out of small wild‐caught fish or invertebrates in captivity. Seafood generated in this way is typically considered to be a form of aquaculture because it is assumed that, for animals removed from the wild when natural mortality is still very high, the protection conferred by culture operations will improve survivorship and enhance production. This assumption does not necessarily, however, apply when animals are removed well past the time of early high mortality. As one example of the implications of an early life‐history phase (ELP) fishery supplying culture operations, a preliminary study was conducted on an ELP fishery supplying live reef fish, especially groupers, in Southeast Asia. Grouper culture depends on both hatchery‐produced and wild‐caught fish which are then grown out to market size. Following interest to develop grow‐out operations in Indonesia, a pilot study was conducted to determine the sizes and capture rates of species of interest to the live fish trade, and to determine the likely environmental footprint of an artificial shelter (gango) type of capture method. From the results of the 15‐month study, we drew inferences regarding the sustainability of this fishing method and requirements of space, fish and materials for a viable grow‐out operation. The results showed that gangos were unselective for either species or size. Only 1.4% of the total fish catch (by number) were target species, mainly the grouper Epinephelus coioides, and most were large (mean total length was 13.6 cm) enough to have bypassed the early high mortality phase. Moreover, there were large non‐target catches that included many food fish species too small to be useful in catches. Given the large number and area of gangos needed for a viable operation, and that many groupers captured could probably have survived to reproduce, the ecological footprint of this approach could be substantial. These results, and literature on other ELP fisheries, suggest that these may often need management, have important links to other capture fishery sectors, and require careful evaluation of potential costs and benefits before introduction or development.
GLOBAL PRODUCTION AND WORKER RESPONSE: THE STRUGGLE AT VOLKSWAGEN OF MEXICO
Authors: Nuñez Huberto Juárez
Published: February 2006

The transformation of work and labor relations in the global auto industry has gathered momentum over the last twenty‐five years, driven by the introduction of new systems of industrial organization derived from the “Toyota Model.” There are few countries where the pace of change has matched that of Mexico. It is difficult to make generalizations about what this has meant for Mexican autoworkers and their unions given the highly decentralized nature of collective bargaining. There is no national union of autoworkers and, even within a single company, there is little coordination between plant‐level unions. Even so, several trends are evident: intensified work, stagnant or falling real wages, and close collaboration between government and corporate leaders to promote investment and suppress worker resistance. At the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, these trends have played themselves out in an especially high‐profile conflict between the company and the independent union representing workers. The history of this struggle provides valuable insights on the problems and prospects that Mexican autoworkers confront as their industry is transformed by global capital.