bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Association Between Childhood Physical Abuse and Migraine
Authors: Fuller‐Thomson Esme , Baker Tobi Michelle , Brennenstuhl Sarah
Published: March 2010

(Headache 2010;50:749‐760)

Background.— Recent clinical and population‐based studies suggest that adults who were physically abused as children are more likely to experience migraine than those who were not abused.

Objectives.— To investigate the relationship between childhood physical abuse and migraine while controlling for age, race, and gender, in addition to the following potential confounders: adverse childhood conditions; adult socioeconomic indicators; current health behaviors; current stressors; history of physical health conditions, and history of mood and/or anxiety disorders.

Methods.— Secondary analysis of the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey was undertaken using a regional sample of 13,089 men and women from Manitoba and Saskatchewan (response rate = 83.3% and 84.1%, respectively) of which 7.4% (n = 1025) of respondents reported childhood physical abuse. A series of logistic regression models were used to determine the association between abuse and self‐report of a health professional diagnosis of migraine.

Results.— Prevalence of a migraine was almost twice as high for those who reported childhood physical abuse in comparison with those who did not (17.9% vs 8.8%). The crude odds ratio was 2.27 (99% CI = 1.80, 2.86). The odds ratio of migraine was 1.77 (99% CI = 1.39, 2.25) for those who reported childhood physical abuse in comparison with those who did not when only age, gender, and race were adjusted for. When all 6 clusters of potential confounders were included in a final model the odds ratio declined but remained significant at 1.36 (99% CI = 1.04, 1.79).

Conclusions.— This study found a stable association between childhood physical abuse and migraine that persisted when 6 clusters of potentially confounding factors were adjusted for. Future research should investigate possible mechanisms which explain the abuse–migraine association.
A Prospective Comparison Between ICHD‐II and Probability Menstrual Migraine Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Marcus Dawn A. , Bernstein Cheryl D. , Sullivan Erin A. , Rudy Thomas E.
Published: March 2010

Objective.— To prospectively evaluate the diagnosis of menstrual migraine (MM) by comparing 2 diagnostic systems.

Methods.— Female migraineurs self‐reporting a substantial relationship between migraine and menses were evaluated with 3 consecutive months of daily headache recording diaries. A relationship between menses and migraine was evaluated using International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD‐II) criteria and a probability model called Probability MM.

Results.— Three months of pretreatment prospective diaries were completed by 126 women. ICHD‐II menstrually related migraine was diagnosed in 73.8% with pure MM in 7.1%. ICHD‐II and Probability diagnoses agreed for all cases of ICHD‐II non‐MM and pure MM, with disagreement among women diagnosed with ICHD‐II menstrually related migraine, only half of whom were identified as having a relationship with menses greater than chance alone using the Probability model. Interestingly, 20% of those women self‐reporting a substantial relationship between migraine and menses were not prospectively diagnosed with MM using either diagnostic system. Differences in menstrual vs nonmenstrual headaches were greater when using the Probability model.

Conclusions.— Prospective headache diaries are needed to diagnose MM. A probability‐based method, which considers the chance occurrence of headaches during the menstrual cycle, identifies fewer women as having menstrually related migraine compared with the diary‐based methods recommended by the current ICHD‐II candidate criteria.

(Headache 2010;50:539‐550)
Perimenstrual Eletripan Prevents Menstrual Migraine: An Open‐Label Study
Authors: Marcus Dawn A. , Bernstein Cheryl D. , Sullivan Erin A. , Rudy Thomas E.
Published: March 2010

Objective.— To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of perimenstrual prophylaxis with eletriptan to reduce headaches in women identified with menstrual migraine (MM).

Methods.— Female migraineurs self‐reporting a substantial relationship between migraine and menses were evaluated with 3 consecutive months of daily headache recording diaries. A relationship between menses and migraine was evaluated using International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD‐II) criteria and a probability model called Probability MM. Women prospectively diagnosed with ICHD‐II MM were treated for 3 consecutive months with perimenstrual eletriptan 20 mg 3 times daily starting 2 days prior to the expected onset of menstruation and continued for a total of 6 days. Headache activity was compared during the 3 months of recording prior to eletriptan therapy and 3 months with eletriptan perimenstrual prevention therapy.

Results.— Three months of pretreatment prospective diaries were completed by 126 women. ICHD‐II menstrually related migraine was diagnosed in 74%, with pure MM in 7%. Among those women diagnosed with ICHD‐II MM, 61 completed at least 1 treatment month. Overall change in headache activity was a 46% decrease. The mean percentage of treated menses without migraine occurring during the 6 days of treatment was 71%. The percentage of subjects with 1, 2, and 3 migraine‐free menstrual periods (no migraines occurring 2 days before menses through the first 3 days of menstruation) with eletriptan, respectively, were 14%, 19%, and 53%. Among those subjects who remained headache‐free during the 6 days of eletriptan treatment, migraine occurred during the 3 days immediately after discontinuing eletriptan for 9%. Perimenstrual eletriptan was generally tolerated and no abnormalities were identified on the 6th day of treatment using either blood pressure recording or electrocardiogram.

Conclusions.— Among patients with prospectively identified MM, eletriptan 20 mg 3 times daily effectively reduced MM. A significant reduction in headache activity occurred for 53% of patients.

(Headache 2010;50:551‐562)
Expression of DRG candidate pain molecules after nerve injury – a comparative study among five inbred mouse strains with contrasting pain phenotypes
Authors: Persson Anna‐Karin , Xu Xiao‐Jun , Wiesenfeld‐Hallin Zsuzsanna , Devor Marshall , Fried Kaj
Published: March 2010

Neuropathic pain that develops after trauma to a nerve may be caused by altered transcription of genes in the damaged neurons. We have previously investigated the effect of nerve injury on the expression of six dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pain candidate molecules in five inbred mouse strains with different pain phenotypes after nerve injury. In this study, we present a detailed morphological examination of mRNA expression in the DRG in the same mouse strains. For Nav 1.9, TRPA1, and TRPM8, the size spectra of labeled neurons remained mostly unchanged after injury in all strains. However, in CBA, AKR, and C58 mice, injury caused a preferential downregulation of Nav 1.8 in large diameter neurons. In CBA mice there was a shift toward larger neuronal profiles expressing TRPV1 after injury, indicating de novo (or upregulated) expression of TRPV1 in a subpopulation of neurons that normally does not express this gene. Finally, in C58 mice there was a shift toward smaller P2X3‐expressing neuronal profiles after injury, suggesting that a loss of P2X3 mRNA transcript occurred preferentially in medium‐sized cells. We used a multivariate statistical model to compare the regulation patterns of the six DRG genes. Clustering patterns suggested that genes of similar phylogenetic origin and function are regulated similarly.
Non‐length dependent small fiber neuropathy. A prospective case series
Authors: Gemignani Franco , Giovanelli Michela , Vitetta Francesca , Santilli Daniele , Bellanova Maria F. , Brindani Francesca , Marbini Adriana
Published: March 2010

We report the features of non‐length dependent small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and compare them to those with distal length‐dependent SFN. In a series of 224 consecutive neuropathy patients, we evaluated 44 patients with SFN diagnosed in the presence of both symptoms and signs. Eleven were classified as non‐length dependent SFN. Disease associations were Sjögren's syndrome (two patients), impaired glucose tolerance, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C virus, Crohn's disease, and idiopathic (five patients). In the 33 patients with distal SFN, the age of onset was significantly older and more had impaired glucose metabolism (16/33). In both groups, pain was mainly characterized as burning, but patients with non‐length dependent SFN more often reported an “itchy” quality and allodynia to light touch.
Morphologic Evaluation of Cervical and Lumbar Facet Joints: Intra‐Articular Facet Block Considerations
Authors: Senoglu Nimet , Senoglu Mehmet , Safavi‐Abbasi Sam , Shedd Steven A. , Crawford Neil R.
Published: March 2010

Study Design:  Needle orientations for lumbar and cervical facet injection were measured in cadavers and compared with facet angles measured on magnetic resonance images (MRIs).

Objectives:  To establish facet orientation relative to clinical procedures of a facet joint block in the cervical and lumbar spine.

Methods:  Needle orientation angles were measured from 20 unembalmed human cadaveric specimens (13 cervical and 7 lumbar). Spinal needles were inserted into the midpoints of the facet joint spaces from C3 to C7 and L1 to L5. Needle trajectories were measured with an optical tracking system. For comparison, facet angles from 100 clinical MRIs of lumbar spines were also measured. Facet orientations on MRIs were measured at their intersection with the transverse plane, and angles were quantified using image analysis software.

Results:  Typical angles for insertion of the needle into the cervical facets were oriented closer to the coronal plane, whereas insertion angles for lumbar needles were oriented closer to the sagittal plane. Relative to the sagittal plane, the mean cervical angle was 72 degrees and the mean lumbar angle was 33 degrees. The insertion points of the cervical facets were a mean of 29 mm from the midsagittal plane compared with a mean of 22 mm for the lumbar facets. MRI‐based facet joint angles correlated poorly with actual injection angles, which were overestimated 5 to 23 degrees, depending on the lumbar level.

Conclusions:  Knowledge of the quantitative anatomy of the facets may help improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. These data also may aid in constructing more realistic computer simulations.
Less Common Etiologies of Status Epilepticus
Authors: Bleck Thomas P.
Published: March 2010

Status epilepticus is treated as a neurologic emergency and only later are the potential etiologies assessed. While sometimes the cause for status epilepticus is apparent (e.g., antiepileptic drug withdrawal), all too often it is not identified, even after extensive diagnostic testing has been performed. With emphasis on the less-common etiologies, this review will cover various probable and known causes of status epilepticus among adults, children, and those patients with refractory epilepsy.
SV2A in Epilepsy: The Plot Thickens
Authors: Sills Graeme J.
Published: March 2010

Decreased Expression of Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2A, the Binding Site for Levetiracetam, during Epileptogenesis and Chronic Epilepsy. van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Redeker S, Boer K, Gorter JA. Epilepsia 2009;50(3):422–433. PURPOSE: We previously showed that gene expression of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), the binding site for the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam, is reduced during epileptogenesis in the rat. Since absence of SV2A has been associated with increased epileptogenicity, changes in expression of SV2A could have consequences for the progression of epilepsy. Therefore, we investigated hippocampal SV2A protein expression of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and in rats during epileptogenesis and in the chronic epileptic phase. METHODS: SV2A immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed on the hippocampus of autopsy controls, patients that died from status epilepticus (SE), and pharmacoresistant TLE patients. In addition, in epileptic rats, SV2A expression was determined after SE during the acute, latent, and chronic epileptic phase. RESULTS: In control tissue, presynaptic SV2A was expressed in all hippocampal subfields, with strongest expression in mossy fiber terminals. SV2A positive puncta were distributed in a patchy pattern over the somata and dendrites of neurons. SV2A decreased throughout the hippocampus of TLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), compared to autopsy control, SE, and non-HS tissue. In most rats, SV2A was already decreased in the latent period especially in the inner molecular layer and stratum lucidum. Similarly as in humans, SV2A was also decreased throughout the hippocampus of chronic epileptic rats, specifically in rats with a progressive form of epilepsy. DISCUSSION: These data support previous findings that reduced expression of SV2A could contribute to the increased epileptogenicity. Whether this affects the effectiveness of levetiracetam needs to be further investigated.
Adenosine Prevents Kindled Seizures—An Effect as Smooth as Silk
Authors: Stafstrom Carl E.
Published: March 2010

Antiepileptic Effects of Silk-Polymer Based Adenosine Release in Kindled Rats. Szybala C, Pritchard EM, Lusardi TA, Li T, Wilz A, Kaplan DL, Boison D. Exp Neurol 2009;219(1):126–135. Pharmacotherapy for epilepsy is limited by high incidence of pharmacoresistance and failure to prevent development and progression of epilepsy. Using the rat hippocampal kindling model, we report on the therapeutic potential of novel silk-based polymers engineered to release the anticonvulsant adenosine. Polymers were designed to release 1,000 ng adenosine per day during a time span of 10 days. In the first experiment, rats were kindled by hippocampal electrical stimulation until all animals reacted with stage 5 seizures. Adenosine-releasing or control polymers were then implanted into the infrahippocampal fissure ipsilateral to the site of stimulation. Subsequently, only recipients of adenosine-releasing implants were completely protected from generalized seizures over a period of 10 days corresponding to the duration of sustained adenosine release. To monitor seizure development in the presence of adenosine, adenosine-releasing or control polymers were implanted prior to kindling. After 30 stimulations—delivered from days 4–8 after implantation—control animals had developed convulsive stage 5 seizures, whereas recipients of adenosine-releasing implants were still protected from convulsive seizures. Kindling was resumed after 9 days to allow expiration of adenosine release. During additional 30 stimulations, recipients of adenosine-releasing implants gradually resumed kindling development at seizure stages corresponding to those when kindling was initially suspended, while control rats resumed kindling development at convulsive seizure stages. Blockade of adenosine A1 receptors did not exacerbate seizures in protected animals. We conclude that silk-based adenosine delivery exerts potent anti-ictogenic effects, but might also have at least partial anti-epileptogenic effects. Thus, silk-based adenosine augmentation holds promise for the treatment of epilepsy.
A Model for Adjusting for Nonignorable Verification Bias in Estimation of the ROC Curve and Its Area with Likelihood‐Based Approach
Authors: Liu Danping , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: March 2010

Summary In estimation of the ROC curve, when the true disease status is subject to nonignorable missingness, the observed likelihood involves the missing mechanism given by a selection model. In this article, we proposed a likelihood‐based approach to estimate the ROC curve and the area under the ROC curve when the verification bias is nonignorable. We specified a parametric disease model in order to make the nonignorable selection model identifiable. With the estimated verification and disease probabilities, we constructed four types of empirical estimates of the ROC curve and its area based on imputation and reweighting methods. In practice, a reasonably large sample size is required to estimate the nonignorable selection model in our settings. Simulation studies showed that all four estimators of ROC area performed well, and imputation estimators were generally more efficient than the other estimators proposed. We applied the proposed method to a data set from research in Alzheimer's disease.
Bayesian Estimation of the Time‐Varying Sensitivity of a Diagnostic Test with Application to Mother‐to‐Child Transmission of HIV
Authors: Brown Elizabeth R.
Published: March 2010

Summary We present a Bayesian model to estimate the time‐varying sensitivity of a diagnostic assay when the assay is given repeatedly over time, disease status is changing, and the gold standard is only partially observed. The model relies on parametric assumptions for the distribution of the latent time of disease onset and the time‐varying sensitivity. Additionally, we illustrate the incorporation of historical data for constructing prior distributions. We apply the new methods to data collected in a study of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV and include a covariate for sensitivity to assess whether two different assays have different sensitivity profiles.
Emergency Medicine Resident Documentation: Results of the 1999 American Board of Emergency Medicine In‐Training Examination Survey
Authors: Howell John , Chisholm Carey , Clark Andrew , Spillane Linda ,   the SAEM Graduate Medical Education Committee
Published: March 2010

Abstract. Objectives: To assess how emergency medicine (EM) residents perform medical record documentation, and how well they comply with Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) Medicare charting guidelines. In addition, the study investigated their abilities and confidence with billing and coding of patient care visits and procedures performed in the emergency department (ED). Finally, the study assessed their exposure to both online faculty instruction and formal didactic experience with this component of their curriculum. Methods: A survey was conducted consisting of closed‐ended questions investigating medical record documentation in the ED. The survey was distributed to all EM residents, EM—internal medicine, and EM—pediatrics residents taking the 1999 American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) In‐Training examination. Five EM residents and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) board of directors prevalidated the survey. Summary statistics were calculated and resident levels were compared for each question using either chi‐square or Fisher's exact test. Alpha was 0.05 for all comparisons. Results: Completed surveys were returned from 88.5% of the respondents. A small minority of the residents code their own charts (6%). Patient encounters are most frequently documented on free‐form handwritten charts (38%), and a total of 76% of the respondents reported using handwritten forms as a portion of the patient's final chart. Twenty‐nine percent reported delays of more than 30 minutes to access medical record information for a patient evaluated in their ED within the previous 72 hours. Twenty‐five percent “never” record their supervising faculty's involvement in patient care, and another 25% record that information “1‐25%” of the time. Seventy‐nine percent are “never” or “rarely” requested by their faculty to clarify or add to medical records for billing purposes. Only 4% of the EM residents were “extremely confident” in their ability to perform billing and coding, and more than 80% reported not knowing the physician charges for services or procedures performed in the ED. Conclusions: The handwritten chart is the most widely used method of patient care documentation, either entirely or as a component of a templated chart. Most EM residents do not document their faculty's participation in the care of patients. This could lead to overestimation of faculty noncompliance with HCFA billing guidelines. Emergency medicine residents are not confident in their knowledge of medical record documentation and coding procedures, nor of charges for services rendered in the ED.
An equilibrium displacement approach to oligopoly market analysis: an application to trade in the Korean infant formula market
Authors: Ahn Byeong‐Il , Lee Hyunok
Published: March 2010

This article uses an equilibrium displacement model (EDM) to assess the impact of a change in trade policy in the Korean infant formula market that is assumed to be oligopolistic. Domestic oligopolists compete in a market for a homogenous good with importing firms who enjoy the same level of market power as the domestic producers. Within an EDM framework, we investigate how the market adjusts to a new equilibrium in response to an external policy shock that improves access to foreign goods. Our empirical work consists of two steps. We first econometrically estimate the market demand elasticity and market power parameter. Then, using these estimates, we simulate our EDM model to assess the distributional effects of tariff cuts and other changes in marginal cost. Simulation results show that, with a lower market price and increased consumption, the change in consumer surplus resulting from tariff reduction is unambiguously positive, but that the change in social welfare can be in either direction, depending on who receives market rents associated with imports. When importing firms are domestic, the domestic welfare change is definitely positive. However, in the case of foreign importing firms, the direction of the welfare change crucially depends on the demand elasticity.
Determinants of smallholder farmers' participation in banana markets in Central Africa: the role of transaction costs
Authors: Ouma Emily , Jagwe John , Obare Gideon Aiko , Abele Steffen
Published: March 2010

A bivariate probit model was employed to jointly and separately estimate banana market participation decisions of buying and selling households in Rwanda and Burundi using household survey data. Selectivity bias was corrected for estimating the transacted volumes using Heckman's procedure. The results showed that transaction cost‐related factors such as geographical location of households, market information sources, and travel time to the nearest urban center influence market participation. Non‐price‐related factors such as security of land tenure, labor availability, off‐farm income, gender of the household head, and years of farming experience had a significant influence on the transacted volumes. Output prices had a significant correlation with sales volume, indicating price incentives increased supply by sellers. Generally, the findings suggest that policies aimed at investments in rural road infrastructure, market information systems, collective marketing, and value addition of banana products may provide a potential avenue for mitigating transaction costs and enhancing market participation and production of marketed surplus by rural households.
Factor V Leiden and prothrombin 21210G>A mutation and paediatric ischaemic stroke: a case–control study and two meta‐analyses
Authors: Laugesaar R , Kahre T , Kolk A , Uustalu Ü , Kool P , Talvik T
Published: March 2010

Aim:  To determine whether factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin (PT) 20210G>A mutation are associated with paediatric ischaemic stroke.

Methods:  The study consisted of two parts. Case–control study included neuroradiologically confirmed paediatric ischaemic stroke patients from two tertiary children’s hospitals in Estonia. For control group, DNA was obtained from 400 anonymous screening test cards of newborns born consecutively in all delivery departments of Estonia in January 2005. Meta‐analyses was performed to assess the association between paediatric sinovenous thrombosis and FVL and PT 20210G>A.

Results:  A total of 75 children (45 boys, 30 girls) were included into the case–control study: 19 with childhood arterial ischaemic stroke, 49 with perinatal arterial ischaemic stroke and seven with cerebral venous thrombosis. Both FVL and PT 20210G>A occurred significantly more frequently among patients with sinovenous thrombosis compared with controls (OR = 12.9; 95% CI: 2.3–73.0 and OR = 11.9; 95% CI: 2.1–67.2, respectively). The difference was not significant between childhood/perinatal arterial ischaemic stroke and controls. Meta‐analyses (including our study) revealed that both FVL and PT 20210G>A are associated with paediatric sinovenous thrombosis (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.8–5.5 and OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4–6.8, respectively).

Conclusion:  FVL and PT 20210G>A are associated with paediatric sinovenous thrombosis.
The Distant Future? Reading Franco Moretti
Authors: Serlen Rachel
Published: March 2010

Franco Moretti’s suggestion that we swap close for distant reading has shaken up the academy. Yet while so many critics knows Moretti’s name, it can be difficult to pin down exactly what he’s saying. Without any single magnum opus to his name, Moretti’s points are instead scattered across a score of articles and a handful of short books. This article attempts to join the insights of books like Atlas of the European Novel and Graphs, Maps, Trees to those of articles like ‘Conjectures on World Literature’ and ‘The Slaughterhouse of Literature,’ in hopes of providing a fuller picture of exactly what kind of reading (and what kinds of distance) are implied by distant reading.
Deploying ‘Ethics’ in Victorian England
Authors: Li Hao
Published: March 2010

Current survey studies of Victorian ethics have clearly and helpfully charted the different strands of ethical thought (e.g. utilitarianism, intuitionism). This article approaches ethics as a linguistic practise. It explores the major shifts in the use of the term ‘ethics’ by bringing together Victorian literary writings and those of philosophers and other public figures. Throughout this period, as ethical thinking had to meet the challenge of social changes, the use of the term became increasingly broadened and diversified. What could be taken as common, though tenuously shared, terms of understanding in the early Victorian period became more entangled and ambiguous in the mid‐Victorian period. In the mid‐ and late‐Victorian period, through periodical publishing, ethical debates also enabled writers to find themselves not only contesting with but also arguing past one another due to a gradual loss of common context. Yet, it was by means of rhetorical manipulations, especially irony, that the Victorian writers were able effectively to balance the contingency of articulating an ethical position with their desire to make a normative statement.
SEXUAL MEDICINE HISTORY: The History of Female Ejaculation
Authors: Korda Joanna B. , Goldstein Sue W. , Sommer Frank
Published: March 2010

Introduction

The existence of female ejaculation and the female prostate is controversial; however, most scientists are not aware that historians of medicine and psychology described the phenomenon of female ejaculation approximately 2,000 years ago.

Aim

To review historical literature in which female ejaculation is described.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic literature review.

Main Outcome Measure

Emission of fluid at the acme of orgasm and/or sexual pleasure in females was considered as a description of female ejaculation and therefore all documents referring to this phenomenon are included.

Results

Physicians, anatomists, and psychologists in both eastern and western culture have described intellectual concepts of female ejaculation during orgasm. In ancient Asia female ejaculation was very well known and mentioned in several Chinese Taoist texts starting in the 4th century. The ancient Chinese concept of female ejaculation as independent of reproduction was supported by ancient Indian writings. First mentioned in a 7th century poem, female ejaculation and the Gräfenberg spot (G-spot) are described in detail in most works of the Kāmaśāstra. In ancient Western writings the emission of female fluid is mentioned even earlier, depicted about 300 B.C. by Aristotle and in the 2nd century by Galen. Reinjier De Graaf in the 16th century provided the first scientific description of female ejaculation and was the first to refer to the periurethral glands as the female prostate. This concept was held by other scientists during the following centuries through 1952 A.D. when Ernst Gräfenberg reported on “The role of the urethra in female orgasm. Current research provides insight into the anatomy of the female prostate and describes female ejaculation as one of its functions.

Conclusions

Credible evidence exists among different cultures that the female prostate and female ejaculation have been discovered, described and then forgotten over the last 2,000 years.
Adjustment of Forest Ecosystem Root Respiration as Temperature Warms
Authors: Burton Andrew J. , Melillo Jerry M. , Frey Serita D.
Published: March 2010

Adjustment of ecosystem root respiration to warmer climatic conditions can alter the autotrophic portion of soil respiration and influence the amount of carbon available for biomass production. We examined 44 published values of annual forest root respiration and found an increase in ecosystem root respiration with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT), but the rate of this cross‐ecosystem increase (Q10= 1.6) is less than published values for short‐term responses of root respiration to temperature within ecosystems (Q10= 2–3). When specific root respiration rates and root biomass values were examined, there was a clear trend for decreasing root metabolic capacity (respiration rate at a standard temperature) with increasing MAT. There also were tradeoffs between root metabolic capacity and root system biomass, such that there were no instances of high growing season respiration rates and high root biomass occurring together. We also examined specific root respiration rates at three soil warming experiments at Harvard Forest, USA, and found decreases in metabolic capacity for roots from the heated plots. This decline could be due to either physiological acclimation or to the effects of co‐occurring drier soils on the measurement date. Regardless of the cause, these findings clearly suggest that modeling efforts that allow root respiration to increase exponentially with temperature, with Q10values of 2 or more, may over‐predict root contributions to ecosystem CO2efflux for future climates and underestimate the amount of C available for other uses, including net primary productivity.
A Novel Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Gene in Maize (Zea mays), ZmMPK3, is Involved in Response to Diverse Environmental Cues
Authors: Wang Jinxiang , Ding Haidong , Zhang Aying , Ma Fangfang , Cao Jianmei , Jiang Mingyi
Published: March 2010

In search for components of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades in maize (Zea mays) involved in response to abscisic acid (ABA) stimulus, a novel MAPK gene, ZmMPK3, from ABA‐treated maize leaves cDNA was isolated and characterized. The full length of the ZmMPK3 gene is 1 520 bp and encodes a 376 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 43.5 kD and a pI of 5.83. ZmMPK3 contains all 11 MAPK conserved subdomains and the phosphorylation motif TEY. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed that ZmMPK3 shared high identity with group‐A MAPK in plants. A time course (30–360 min) experiment using a variety of signal molecules and stresses revealed that the transcripts level of ZmMPK3 accumulated markedly and rapidly when maize seedlings were subjected to exogenous signaling molecules: ABA, H2O2, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, various abiotic stimuli such as cold, drought, ultraviolet light, salinity, heavy metal and mechanical wounding. Its transcription was also found to be tissue‐specific regulated. Here, we show that ABA and H2O2 induced a significant increase in the ZmMPK3 activity using immunoprecipitation and in‐gel kinase assay. Furthermore, the results showed that the ZmMPK3 protein is localized mainly to the nucleus. These results suggest that the ZmMPK3 may play an important role in response to environmental stresses.
Reducing heart disease through the vegetarian diet using primary prevention
Authors: Sticher Megan A. , Smith Christine B. , Davidson Susan
Published: March 2010

Purpose: To evaluate research on the vegetarian diet for its safety, effectiveness in reducing heart disease, special considerations, contraindications, and its association with decreased cardiovascular disease risk.

Data sources: Selected research and evidence‐based dietary guidelines found by searching CINAHL, PubMed, Ovid databases, and the World Wide Web.

Conclusions: A carefully planned vegetarian diet with adequate supplementation may be effective for primary prevention of heart disease. The vegetarian diet is cost effective, safe, and relatively easy to implement.

Implications for practice: Improved dietary choices can help improve many chronic conditions. Guidelines for proper nutrition within a vegetarian lifestyle are readily accessible to patients and professionals alike. Referral to a dietitian is an appropriate option in primary care settings.
Nurse practitioner prescribing practice in Australia
Authors: Dunn Sandra V. , Cashin Andrew , Buckley Thomas , Newman Claire
Published: March 2010

Purpose: In Australia, nurse practitioner (NP) services are a relatively new development with little being known about the prescribing practices of Australian NPs. The aim of this study was to conduct the first national study of Australian NP prescribing practices.

Data sources: Focus groups were conducted to inform construction of an electronic survey that was available for all NPs and NP candidates across Australia to complete.

Conclusions: Seventy‐two percent of authorized NPs and 39% of NP candidates reported that their practice involved prescribing pharmaceutical agents. Of those respondents who did prescribe during the course of their practice, 59% (n = 29) of the authorized NPs and 64% (n = 16) of the NP candidates reported that they usually prescribe at least once a day. The results from this study suggest that fewer Australian NPs prescribe than do NPs in the United States, and those who do prescribe do so less frequently.

Implications for practice: The current health policy framework in Australia while creating space for the role of the NP is restricting the role's utility and potential contribution to the health care of Australians.
Not just another case of nausea and vomiting: A review of postinfectious gastroparesis
Authors: Thorn Allison R.
Published: March 2010

Purpose: To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of postinfectious gastroparesis (PIGP).

Data sources: Review of literature using Medscape, the Internet, and PubMed. The following search terms were used: gastroparesis, postinfectious gastroparesis, postviral gastroparesis, and idiopathic gastroparesis. There was no limitation placed on publication year. Only articles in English were used.

Conclusions: PIGP is a rare illness that can affect all ages and both genders, although more prominent in middle‐aged women. It is defined as delayed gastric emptying after an acute self‐limited viral infection in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Limited research is available on PIGP. It is a complicated disorder with an unclear pathogenesis and narrow treatment options, therefore affecting the patient's quality of life significantly. Fortunately, the prognosis of PIGP is good, although in some instances it can take years to recover completely.

Implications for practice: There is a huge lack of awareness of PIGP among primary care providers (PCPs). The importance of this illness is greatly underestimated. Educating PCPs about PIGP leads to quicker referrals and therefore faster treatment for patients, which in turn improves their health and quality of life, and thereby decreases healthcare costs as well.
Becoming a super preceptor: A practical guide to preceptorship in today's clinical climate
Authors: Barker Elizabeth R. , Pittman Oralea
Published: March 2010

Purpose: To provide both potential and active preceptors with practical information that will help with the decision to become a preceptor, and to develop the preceptor partnership among the preceptor, the faculty, the student, and the patient. The article suggests ways to apply realistic techniques to assure that the preceptorship is successful in today's fast‐paced practice climate. The article also presents successful evaluation strategies for the experience.

Data sources: Evidence‐based reports, anecdotal experiences, personal conversations, and reports of proven preceptorship techniques.

Conclusions: Through a review of available literature and the authors' experience as preceptors and faculty, it is clear that it is possible to implement a mutually beneficial preceptor experience even in today's productivity‐based practice models. Preplanning and use of suggested strategies can make precepting an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Implications for practice: The education of tomorrow's practitioners is a mutual professional partnership among the stakeholders in the educational process. Application of practical strategies for enhancing this partnership will make the experience realistic and rewarding.
Veterans' perceptions of care by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians: A comparison from satisfaction surveys
Authors: Budzi Dorothy , Lurie Sue , Singh Karan , Hooker Roderick
Published: March 2010

Purpose: To examine the differences in patient satisfaction with care provided by nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and physicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system.

Data source: Secondary data was obtained from the VHA's Survey of Healthcare Experience of Patients (SHEP), a monthly survey designed to measure patient satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were calculated and categorical variables were summarized with frequency counts.

Conclusions: Of the 2,164,559 surveys mailed to the veterans, 1,601,828 (response rate 64%) were returned. The study found that satisfaction scores increased by 5% when the number of NPs was increased compared to 1.8% when the number of physicians was increased and slightly increased or remained the same when the number of PAs was increased. Physician to PA/NP ratio was 7:3.

Implications for practice: The VHA is the largest healthcare system and the single largest employer of NPs and PAs in the country. This study shows that a majority of the primary care clinic patients prefer to see NPs as compared with PAs and physicians. Besides clinical care, NPs focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education, attentiveness, and counseling. Physicians and PAs should be educated on these characteristics to promote patient satisfaction and expected outcomes.
Development of a new humane toxin for predator control in New Zealand
Authors: EASON Charles T. , MURPHY Elaine C. , HIX Steve , MACMORRAN Duncan B.
Published: March 2010

The endemic fauna of New Zealand evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and their introduction has been responsible for many extinctions and declines. Introduced species including possums (Trichosurus vulpeculaKerr), ship rats (Rattus rattusL.) and stoats (Mustela ermineaL.) are targeted to protect native birds. Control methodologies currently rely largely on labor‐intensive trapping or the use of increasingly unpopular poisons, or poisons that are linked with low welfare standards. Hence, the development of safer humane predator toxins and delivery systems is highly desirable. Para‐aminopropiophenone (PAPP) is being developed as a toxin for feral cats (Felis catusL.) and stoats. Carnivores appear to be much more susceptible to PAPP than birds, so it potentially has high target specificity, at least in New Zealand. Pen trials with 20 feral cats and 15 stoats have been undertaken using meat baits containing a proprietary formulation of PAPP. A PAPP dose of 20–34 mg kg−1was lethal for feral cats and 37–95 mg kg−1was lethal for stoats. Our assessments suggest that PAPP, for the control of feral cats and stoats, is a humane and effective toxin. PAPP causes methaemoglobinaemia, resulting in central nervous system anoxia, lethargy and death.
Review of issues concerning the use of reproductive inhibitors, with particular emphasis on resolving human‐wildlife conflicts in North America
Authors: FAGERSTONE Kathleen A. , MILLER Lowell A. , KILLIAN Gary , YODER Christi A.
Published: March 2010

This manuscript provides an overview of past wildlife contraception efforts and discusses the current state of research. Two fertility control agents, an avian reproductive inhibitor containing the active ingredient nicarbazin and an immunocontraceptive vaccine, have received regulatory approval with the Environmental Protection Agency and are commercially available in the USA. OvoControl G Contraceptive Bait for Canada Geese and Ovo Control for pigeons are delivered as oral baits. An injectable immunocontraceptive vaccine (GonaCon Immunocontraceptive Vaccine) was registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for use in female white‐tailed deer in September 2009. An injectable product (GonaCon Immunocontraceptive Vaccine) is registered for use in female white‐tailed deer. Both products are labeled for use in urban/suburban areas where these species are overabundant. Several other compounds are currently being tested for use in wildlife in the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand that could have promise in the future. The development and use of reproductive inhibitors for resolving human–wildlife conflicts will depend on a number of factors, including meeting the requirements of regulatory agencies for use in the environment and on the biological and economical feasibility of their use. Use will also be dependent on health and safety issues and on public acceptance of the techniques.
Detection ofChlamydophila psittacifrom feral pigeons in environmental samples: problems with currently available techniques
Authors: GEIGENFEIND Ila , HAAG‐WACKERNAGEL Daniel
Published: March 2010

Chlamydophila psittaci(Lillie, 1930) Everettet al., 1999, the pathogenic agent of human ornithosis, is widespread in feral pigeon populations and many cases of transmission from feral pigeons to humans have been reported. The aim of the present study was to detectC. psittaciin environmental samples to find out more about possible transmission routes and, therefore, to assess the zoonotic risk for humans. Fecal samples were collected from nest boxes in a feral pigeon loft. Additionally, samples were taken from the feather dust film covering the water surface of public fountains where pigeons regularly bathe. The samples were tested for the presence of chlamydial antigen using an antigen enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to prove shedding ofC. psittaciby feral pigeons. This test detects a genus specific lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of the chlamydial bacteria. Samples were tested using the IDEIAPCEChlamydia Test kit (DakoCytomation) and positive results were verified with IDEIA Chlamydia Blocking Reagents (DakoCytomation). The IDEIAPCEChlamydia Test yields a high proportion of positive results. However, when IDEIA Chlamydia Blocking was performed, most of the positive results turned out to be negative or could not be interpreted. We conclude that antigen‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay tests are not suitable for detectingC. psittaciin environmental samples. Previous publications where no blocking test was used should be reconsidered critically.
Managing crop damage caused by house mice (Mus domesticus) in Australia
Authors: KABOODVANDPOUR Shahram , LEUNG Luke K.‐P.
Published: March 2010

A large‐scale outbreak of the house mouse populations occurs in grain growing in Australia on average once every four years. High densities of mice cause major yield losses to cereal crops, and low to moderate densities of mice also cause some losses. Several predictive models based on rainfall patterns have been developed to forecast mouse density. These models carry some uncertainty and the economic value of basing management actions on these models is not clear. Baiting is the most commonly used method and zinc phosphide and other rodenticide bait are effective in reducing up to 90% of mouse populations. Ecologically‐based best farming practice for controlling mice has recently been developed on the basis of long‐term field studies of mouse populations. No effective biological control method has been developed for mice. However, grain growers still cannot make economically rational decisions to implement control because they do not know the pest threshold density (DT) above which the economic benefits of control exceed the economic costs of control. Applied predator‐prey theory suggests that understanding the relationship between mouse density and damage is the basis for determining DT. Understanding this relationship is the first research priority for managing mouse damage. The other research priority is to develop a reliable method to estimate unbiased mouse density.
Vertebrate pesticide risk assessment by indigenous communities in New Zealand
Authors: OGILVIE Shaun C. , ATARIA James M. , WAIWAI James , DOHERTY James , MILLER Aroha , ROSS James G. , EASON Charles T.
Published: March 2010

In New Zealand, the vertebrate pesticide sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is aerially applied in baits for control of the brush‐tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr, 1792). Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have raised concerns about 1080 impacts on culturally‐important species. Here, we outline two steps taken to help Maori assess 1080 risk. First, field research was undertaken to determine if naturally‐occurring plants utilized by a Maori community for food and medicine would take up 1080 from baits. Single baits were placed at the base of individual plants of two species, pikopiko (Asplenium bulbiferum) and karamuramu (Coprosma robusta). Plants were sampled at various times up to 56 days, and samples were analyzed for 1080 content. No 1080 was detected in any of the pikopiko samples, whereas 1080 was detected in karamuramu, at a maximum concentration of 5 ppb after seven days, and 2.5 ppb after 14 days. This concentration decreased to 0 at 28 days, indicating that 1080 was not persistent. The results of the present study suggest there is negligible risk of humans being poisoned by consuming plants that have taken up 1080 from baits. To allay community concerns that minute concentrations of 1080 might influence the medicinal properties of plants, it is suggested that a withholding period of 30 days after 1080 control operations could be adopted. Second, after further consultation we undertook a review of the scientific literature relating to 1080 impacts on additional non‐target species of cultural importance to Maori. The information was presented on an interactive foodweb database that allowed the collection and presentation of a large volume of complex information about 1080 in a holistic and pictorial fashion. This database was presented to many Maori communities throughout New Zealand, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The database is likely to play a key role in informing these communities about 1080, and is seen as an important new tool to help these communities make their own risk assessments.
Teaching Language Categories and Learning About Language Categories from Teaching
Authors: Yamahashi Sachiko
Published: March 2010

Familiar category terms, such as ‘noun’, ‘verb’, and ‘adjective’, are usually used in language classes. However, the application of these labels in the target language is not necessarily intuitive. English learners of Japanese often have problems with: (i) ‘deverbal nouns’, problems that stem from the ‘noun–verb’ distinction, and (ii) ‘adjectives’, which are divided into two types unlike English ‘adjectives’. This article builds on these examples toward an analysis of Japanese involving four categories defined by the intersection of the nominative case and tense markers. The moral is that a language could be learned more accurately and readily if categories were based on such salient distinctions in the target language.