bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Src-dependent Ezrin Phosphorylation in Adhesion-mediated Signaling
Authors: Srivastava J. , Elliott B. E. , Louvard D. , Arpin M.
Published: January 2005

In addition to providing a regulated linkage between the membrane and the actin cytoskeleton, ezrin participates in signal transduction pathways. Here we describe that expression of the ezrin Y145F mutant delays epithelial cell spreading on fibronectin by inhibiting events leading to FAK activation. The defect in spreading was rescued by the overexpression of catalytically functional Src. We demonstrate that ezrin Y145 is phosphorylated in A431 cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and in v-Src–transformed cells. Moreover in cells devoid of Src, SYF-/-fibroblasts, ezrin Y145 phosphorylation could only be detected upon the introduction of an active form of Src. The phosphorylation of ezrin at Y145 required prior binding of the Src SH2 domain to ezrin. Our results further show that Src activity influences its binding to ezrin and a positive feedback mechanism for Src-mediated Y145 phosphorylation is implied. Interestingly, cells expressing ezrin Y145F did not proliferate when cultured in a 3D collagen gel. Collectively, our results demonstrate a key signaling input of Src-dependent ezrin phosphorylation in adhesion-mediated events in epithelial cells.
Reconsolidation after remembering an odor-reward association requires NMDA receptors
Authors: Torras-Garcia Meritxell , Lelong Julien , Tronel Sophie , Sara Susan J.
Published: January 2005

A rapidly learned odor discrimination task based on spontaneous foraging
behavior of the rat was used to evaluate the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate
(NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) in ongoing memory consolidation. Rats were trained
in a single session to discriminate among three odors, one of which was
associated with palatable food reward. Previous experiments showed that the
NMDAR antagonist DL-APV induced amnesia for this task when injected
immediately after training. In the present study, memory was reactivated 24 h
after training by exposure to the rewarded odor within the experimental
context after which rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of APV.
Combined reactivation-drug treatment induced profound amnesia when tested 48 h
later. Animals receiving drug alone, in absence of reactivation, showed
perfect retention. It is concluded that NMDARs support a consolidation process
taking place after memory reactivation.
The role of job evaluation in determining equal value in tribunals
Authors: Gilbert Kay
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Aims to identify standards set for job evaluation and assess the use of job evaluation by its executors.

Design/methodology/approach

Before examining the Employment Tribunals’ approach, focuses on research already undertaken with a view to assessing job evaluation methods as an approach to achieve pay equity. Examines the establishment of standards set by case law and goes on to consider the way in which job evaluation methods have been used in employment tribunal cases, how the standards apply, and whether there are wider issues being considered.

Findings

Finds that in addition to determining equal pay, in some cases job evaluation has acted as a barrier or weapon against those making such a claim. The standards set for job evaluation appear to have been used variably in determining that the jobs are not equal in value under the guises of no reasonable grounds, material factor defences and in Tribunal decision making.

Originality/value

Demonstrates that job evaluation as a tool can and does provide the means of assessing jobs to make an equal value decision. However, at times it appears not be used, thoroughly or methodically.
Human resource management: the Achilles heel of school governance
Authors: Grieves Jim , Hanafin Peter
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Aims to examine current debates about the recruitment and retention of teachers and explore the views of Local Education Authority Human Resource Advisors, governors and teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

Addresses the issue of whether the Government is actually achieving its stated aims of best value in selecting, recruiting and retaining the most effective teachers in primary and secondary education.

Findings

The conclusion for the appointment of teachers in schools is that structured panel interviews, with trained panel members, and preferably including an HR professional, would represent best practice.

Originality/value

Raises serious concerns about the delegation of HR practice.
Internet ticketing in a not‐for‐profit, service organization
Authors: Olson John R. , Boyer Kenneth K.
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at the ways in which the internet has changed the way in which many organizations now do business. The internet has made the transference of information easy but fulfilling online orders has proved to be a challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents detailed analysis of 238 customers of a world‐renowned not‐for‐profit organization – the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Our sample of customers consists of patrons who ordered tickets online at least once during the 2001/2002 concert seasons. Factors influencing the development of an e‐loyal customer database were examined.

Findings

The results indicate that customers realize significant benefits from using the internet to purchase concert tickets. Patrons also indicated that they were satisfied with their internet service experience.

Originality/value

The role of the internet within organizations will change dramatically over the next decade. For organizations that are attempting to use the internet as a primary sales medium, they must realize that their success hinges on the development of a sustainable customer base. For established organizations, the integration of the internet into their existing business will be one of the keys to future success.
Hostile territory – managing the new style of M&A
Authors: Lye Kate
Published: January 2005

Economists and investment managers have spoken with one voice in predicting a future rise in mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity across the USA, Europe and the UK. Whilst 2003 experienced a steady volume of deal activity, it only took until February this year for the dollar value of worldwide M&A activity to exceed the previous October 2000 record of $286.3 billion.
Does pattern of soil resource heterogeneity determine plant community structure? An experimental investigation
Authors: WIJESINGHE DUSHYANTHA K. , JOHN ELIZABETH A. , HUTCHINGS MICHAEL J.
Published: January 2005

Spatial and temporal pattern of nutrient delivery to individual plants and plant populations can affect growth and allocation of biomass to roots and shoots. We predicted that it would also affect attributes of plant community structure, including species composition, diversity, and partitioning of biomass between above‐ and below‐ground parts. We tested these predictions experimentally by providing the same quantity of nutrients in five different patterns to sown plant communities grown under field conditions for 2 years. We used orthogonal contrasts to compare the effects on community structure of homogeneous vs. heterogeneous nutrient supply, supply of nutrients in patches at two different densities, and provision of nutrients in spatially predictable vs. unpredictable patches. We harvested above‐ and below‐ground plant biomass, and measured species richness, diversity, and species population sizes.

Pattern of nutrient delivery significantly affected community biomass and below‐ground : above‐ground biomass partitioning. Treatments with the lowest density of nutrient‐rich patches supported 44% more total biomass than homogeneous treatments, largely as a result of greater (71% more) below‐ground biomass, which resulted in a 39% increase in community below‐ground : above‐ground biomass ratio.

Above‐ground community composition was also affected by treatment. There were several instances in which biomass, percentage cover or population sizes of different species, were affected by treatment. There were few significant differences between communities in treatments with predictable and unpredictable nutrient patches. Treatment did not affect species richness or diversity, despite high power to detect small differences.

We conclude that the spatial and temporal pattern of nutrient supply strongly affects some important facets of plant community structure, but has less influence on others. Further understanding of community responses to the pattern of nutrient supply will require experiments testing the responses of individual species to heterogeneity with and without competitors present.
Biotic resistance to invader establishment of a southern Appalachian plant community is determined by environmental conditions
Authors: VON HOLLE BETSY
Published: January 2005

Tests of the relationship between resident plant species richness and habitat invasibility have yielded variable results. I investigated the roles of experimental manipulation of understorey species richness and overstorey characteristics in resistance to invader establishment in a floodplain forest in south‐western Virginia, USA.

I manipulated resident species richness in experimental plots along a flooding gradient, keeping plot densities at their original levels, and quantified the overstorey characteristics of each plot.

After manipulating the communities, I transplanted 10 randomly chosen invaders from widespread native and non‐native forest species into the experimental plots. Success of an invasion was measured by survival and growth of the invader.

Native and non‐native invader establishment trends were influenced by different aspects of the biotic community and these relationships depended on the site of invasion. The most significant influence on non‐native invader survival in this system of streamside and upper terrace plots was the overstorey composition. Non‐native species survival in the flooded plots after 2 years was significantly positively related to proximity to larger trees. However, light levels did not fully explain the overstorey effect and were unrelated to native survivorship. The effects of understorey richness on survivorship depended on the origin of the invaders and the sites they were transplanted into. Additionally, native species growth was significantly affected by understorey plot richness.

The direction and strength of interactions with both the overstorey (for non‐native invaders) and understorey richness (for natives and non‐natives) changed with the site of invasion and associated environmental conditions. Rather than supporting the hypothesis of biotic resistance to non‐native invasion, my results suggest that native invaders experienced increased competition with the native understorey plants in the more benign upland habitat and facilitation in the stressful riparian zone.
Multiple resources limit plant growth and function in a saline‐alkaline desert community
Authors: JAMES J. J. , TILLER R. L. , RICHARDS J. H.
Published: January 2005

We investigated resource limitations in a saltbrush scrub community along a salinity‐alkalinity gradient in the Mojave Desert of North America. Previous studies have shown that, as productivity declines with increasing soil stress, there are parallel declines in leaf Ca and Mg, suggesting availability of these resources may limit growth in addition to water, N and P limitations expected in deserts.

To determine which soil resources limited growth of the dominant shrub, Atriplex parryi, and whether this differed along the soil stress gradient or among life stages, water and nutrients were applied in combination at different rates to plants at high‐ and low‐stress sites. We developed and applied a conceptual model to identify resource limitations from this experiment. We also investigated how those limitations interacted to influence A. parryi growth and physiological function at the high‐stress site.

Availability of soil N and P limited growth at the low‐stress site and N, P and Mg limited growth at the high‐stress site for both adult and juvenile life stages. There was no evidence that availability of water alone or K, Ca or other nutrients, or increasing soil Na and B, limited growth along the soil stress gradient.

When N, P, Mg and water were supplied in combination, plant growth increased more than 16‐fold. Supply of these resources interacted to influence both plant growth and function. Because of the high demand for N relative to other resources, N supply rate was the major driver of these interactions, influencing the magnitude by which P and Mg affected growth. The major mechanism behind these growth responses was an increase in allocation to leaves relative to fine roots, rather than nutrient or water effects on water relations, photosynthesis or water use efficiency.

Multiple, interacting resources limit the growth and distribution of A. parryi on a saline, alkaline Mojave Desert site. Similar interactions between multiple limiting resources are likely to be instrumental in shaping community and species distributions along other abiotic stress gradients.
The impact of hemiparasitic plant litter on decomposition: direct, seasonal and litter mixing effects
Authors: QUESTED HELEN M. , CALLAGHAN TERRY V. , CORNELISSEN J. HANS C. , PRESS MALCOLM C.
Published: January 2005

Nutrient‐rich litter of hemiparasites (and N‐fixers) has the potential to influence ecosystem‐level decomposition and nutrient cycling, which may be important in ecosystems where productivity is nutrient limited. This influence may be both direct, and indirect via impacts on the decomposition of other species’ litters in mixed‐species litter layers.

We investigate the importance of these direct and indirect effects of sub‐arctic hemiparasite litter in a litterbed study and a field litterbag experiment, and compare these data with those from a microcosm study also involving litter mixtures.

Field‐placed litterbags demonstrate for the first time the direct importance of hemiparasite litter on decomposition and nutrient cycling in a field setting: litter of the hemiparasite Bartsia alpina lost 18 times more N over 2 years than Betula nana litter.

The majority of this N was released during the growing season, strongly supporting the proposal that hemiparasites can have a substantial direct impact on nutrient availability to other plants. The short spring and autumn periods were important for litter mass and N dynamics, with consequences for predicting effects of environmental change.

However, hemiparasite litter did not indirectly affect the decomposition rate or nutrient release from litter mixtures in field‐placed litterbags. Furthermore, the direction and magnitude of litter mixing effects on mass loss varied strongly between methods; interactions were absent or negative in the litterbed, non‐significant in field litterbags and positive in microcosms.

We thereby demonstrate the importance of the decomposition environment, rather than species‐specific litter quality, in determining litter‐mixing interactions, with implications for evaluating the impact of particular species on ecosystem carbon and nutrient fluxes via litter mixing

We conclude that hemiparasites have a particular functional role in sub‐arctic heath systems: in effect they ‘short circuit’ generally slow nutrient cycles, with potential impacts on resource patchiness and local scale biodiversity.
An evaluation of peripheral blood eosinophil/basophil progenitors following nasal allergen challenge in patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Wilson A. M. , Duong M. , Crawford L. , Denburg J.
Published: January 2005

Objective
To evaluate the effect of a single nasal allergen challenge on peripheral blood eosinophil/basophil (Eo/B) progenitor cells and induced sputum eosinophil counts in subjects with allergic rhinitis.

Methods
Sixteen adults entered a sequential nasal control and allergen challenge study, outside the pollen season. Blind assessment of peripheral blood Eo/B progenitor colony forming units (CFU), induced sputum and nasal lavage cell counts was made before and 24 h after both challenges. Subjects recorded their rhinitis symptoms and nasal peak inspiratory flow, hourly at home, following both challenges.

Results
When comparing the values 24 h after the control vs. the allergen challenge, there were no significant differences in Eo/B progenitor CFU (control (mean, SD): 3.6 (1.0)/106 cells; allergen: 4.4 (1.1)/106 cells) or sputum eosinophils (control (median, inter‐quartile range): 1.0 (0.3–1.7)%; allergen: 0.7 (0.0–1.3)%) despite a significant increase in the percentage (median (inter‐quartile range) of eosinophils in nasal lavage (control: 0.6 (0.1–0.9)%; allergen; 1.9 (0.9–8.1)% and significant worsening of nasal peak inspiratory flow and rhinitis symptoms.

Conclusions
Despite a significant increase in nasal symptoms and lavage eosinophil counts, a single nasal allergen challenge was not sufficient to elicit a measurable haemopoietic response in circulation, or an increase in sputum eosinophil counts.
Induction of nasal hyper‐responsiveness by allergen challenge in allergic rhinitis: the role of afferent and efferent nerves
Authors: Sheahan P. , Walsh R. M. , Walsh M. A. , Costello R. W.
Published: January 2005

Background
Hyper‐responsiveness of nasal secretory function and volume changes are features of allergic rhinitis (AR) that are mediated in part by neural mechanisms. The finding of nasal hyper‐responsiveness in subjects with AR who are currently symptomatic, but not in those who are currently out of season and asymptomatic, suggests that induction of neural reflexes in allergic subjects occurs as a result of allergic inflammation.

Objectives
To investigate whether allergen exposure in subjects with asymptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) may lead to induction of neural reflexes, and to investigate the components of the reflexes involved in this induction.

Methods
Asymptomatic subjects with (out‐of‐season) SAR underwent a nasal bradykinin challenge, before and 24 h after preceding ipsilateral (n=11) and contralateral (n=11) antigen challenge. Challenges were performed and nasal secretions collected using filter paper disks, and changes in nasal minimal cross‐sectional area (Amin) were measured using acoustic rhinometry.

Results
Preceding ipsilateral antigen challenge led to the induction of a contralateral secretory reflex (P=0.01), which was absent in control experiments (P=0.34). Ipsilateral secretion weights were also enhanced. Preceding contralateral antigen challenge also induced a contralateral secretory reflex (P=0.03). Enhancement of the reduction in contralateral Amin was also seen (P=0.02). Ipsilateral responses were unchanged.

Conclusions
Allergen exposure in asymptomatic allergic subjects leads to induction of neural reflexes, resulting in nasal hyper‐responsiveness, which persists beyond the resolution of the acute allergic response. Our data suggest that the mechanisms of allergen‐induced hyper‐responsiveness involve both afferent and efferent components.
Atopy, asthma, and experimental approaches based on the linear model of T cell maturation
Authors: Loza M. J. , Peters S. P. , Penn R. B.
Published: January 2005

The linear model of maturation of IFN‐γ‐producing cells from a proliferative pool of type 2 cytokine‐producing T cells represents a fundamental shift in interpreting how changes in cytokine production by T cell populations are regulated. A major tenet of this model is antigen‐independent, bystander proliferation of type 2 T cells and their maturation to IFN‐γ+ cells. Both clinical observations and prevailing theories of immune system development in asthma are consistent with this highly interpretative in vitro model, which allows unambiguous characterization of the modulation of the intrinsic features of T cell proliferation and differentiation by environmental and genetic factors. Hypotheses based on the linear model of T cell maturation are readily testable and should lead to a greater understanding of not only allergen‐specific responses, but also the non‐specific, bystander effects associated with specific responses to allergens or pathogens. Topics to be discussed in the context of the linear model of T cell maturation in this review include: (1) allergic responses to an inciting allergen that may enhance sensitivity to subsequent yet different allergens; (2) dampening the preferential accumulation of type 2 T cells during a typical immune response against viral and bacterial pathogens; (3) allergen‐independent sensitization in asthmatics: (4) the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ for the reported increased allergy development in industrialized countries; (5) elevated IFN‐γ levels in asthmatics, in addition to the expected high levels of type 2 cytokines; (6) testing the effects of inflammatory mediators, as well as various anti‐inflammation therapies on T cell maturation; and (7) testing the influence of gene variation on T cell maturation.
Forest dynamics and agents that initiate and expand canopy gaps inPicea–Abiesforests of Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, USA
Authors: WORRALL JAMES J. , LEE THOMAS D. , HARRINGTON THOMAS C.
Published: January 2005

Data from elevations ranging from mixed hardwood‐conifer forest at 600 m to subalpineAbies balsameaforest at 1120 m indicate that canopy gaps are not static but expand over time due to mortality of trees at the gap margin and coalescence of gaps. Gap expansion is more frequent than gap initiation. Ultimately such disturbance patches may become more extensive than is normally considered as typical of gap‐phase disturbance, but the processes of development are the same.

Disturbance agents involved in gap initiation tend to differ from those involved in gap expansion. Spruce beetle, dwarf mistletoe and most root diseases predominate as agents of gap initiation, while windthrow/windsnap, chronic wind stress and Armillaria root disease are important agents of gap expansion.

Concepts of equilibrium gap‐phase dynamics and a shifting‐mosaic steady state do not fully account for the dynamics of these spruce‐fir forests. A spruce beetle outbreak in the late 1970s/early 1980s killed most of a cohort of dominant, emergentPicea rubens. This epidemic initiated a long‐term cycle of disturbance and release that is likely to be repeated in many years when a new cohort ofP. rubensbecomes sufficiently large to sustain another major bark beetle outbreak.

Episodic disturbance agents affect long‐lived, dominant species at infrequent but regular intervals (up to hundreds of years) and operate at the landscape level. Gap‐phase cycles appear to be nested within the long‐term cycle. Over the long term, episodic disturbance drives such ‘nested bicycle’ dynamics.

Spatial and temporal distribution of disturbance results not only from stochastic events such as storms, but also from host specificity of agents of disturbance, their tendency to attack certain age classes of trees, local and regional contagion, and susceptibility of trees at the edge of disturbance patches.
Climate change effects on species interactions in an alpine plant community
Authors: KLANDERUD KARI
Published: January 2005

I examined the role of species interactions on the population dynamics of the herb Thalictrum alpinum and the sedge Carex vaginata by removing the dwarf shrub Dryas octopetala over four growing seasons at Finse, in the alpine region of south Norway, Furthermore, by increasing temperature (open top chambers) and nutrient availability (nutrient addition), I assessed the effects of climate warming on biotic interactions.

Dryas removal increased the number of Thalictrum and Carex leaves, and flowering frequency of Carex. Flower stems and leaf stalks of Thalictrum, and the leaves of Carex, became significantly shorter following Dryas removal. Warming and nutrient addition increased vegetative plant growth, whereas warming alone had positive effects on sexual reproductive effort of the target species. My results suggest that there is both competition for nutrients, and a facilitative shelter effect of Dryas on its neighbours.

Species interactions affected population dynamics of Thalictrum and Carex. Interactions between the impacts of Dryas removal and abiotic factors on leaf production, suggested that interactions between Dryas and neighbouring species might be modified if temperature and, in particular, nutrient availability increase under global warming.

This study shows that both biotic interactions and abiotic environmental conditions may affect alpine plant population dynamics. Furthermore, it shows that climate change may modify species interactions.

Species interaction effects should be included in climate change experiments and in future models predicting plant community changes under global warming.
Drought, fire and tree survival in a Borneo rain forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: VAN NIEUWSTADT MARK G. L. , SHEIL DOUGLAS
Published: January 2005

Droughts and fires are increasingly recognized as a significant component of tropical rain forest dynamics but detailed large‐scale assessments of such events are scarce. Here we examine tree mortality in a lowland rainforest in East Kalimantan after an extreme drought (the most severe ever reported in a tropical forest study), and a subsequent fire. Eighteen 1.8‐ha paired permanent plots that crossed a firebreak allowed us to examine the separate effects of the two events.

Eight months after the drought, stem mortality in unburned forests reached 18.5 ± 5.6% (average ± SD ≥ 10 cm diameter breast height, d.b.h.). After 21 months, this increased to 26.3 ± 5.0%. Mortality was higher in larger stems, being 46.6 ± 18.7% in stems > 80 cm d.b.h., but falling to 23.9 ± 3.7% in stems 10–20 cm d.b.h. (after 21 months). The burned forest showed an overall mortality of 64.2 ± 12.2%. This increased to 79.0 ± 10.2% after 21 months.

By subtracting mortality after drought alone from mortality with fire in each plot pair, we can estimate the distinct influence of drought and subsequent fire. Fire caused near complete mortality for individuals < 10 cm d.b.h., but did not increase tree mortality for individuals > 70 cm d.b.h.

Drought contributes approximately 30% of the stem death observed in the burned forest after 21 months but the estimated contributions to dead basal area and biomass are higher at 52% and 63%, respectively. The forest contained around 7.3 tonnes ha−1 (± 2.2, 95% confidence) of above‐ground biomass as dead trees (≥ 10 cm d.b.h) prior to the drought, rising to 133 ± 30 tonnes ha−1 21 months after drought alone, and 207 ± 50 tonnes ha−1 in burned forest.

Eusideroxylon zwageri survived the drought with only 5% mortality after 21 months. Overall per‐species mortality appears negatively correlated to wood density, though Koompassia malaccensis, with 64% mortality, is an outlier.

Though species‐specific mortality varied from 11 to 91% in burned forest, overall stem survival after fire was significantly correlated with greater bark thickness at larger sizes. Consequently, species well represented at large sizes, mainly Dipterocarpaceae, increase in relative dominance compared with smaller taxa. Palm mortality was low, reaching only 3% after drought and 10% in burned forest.

The stem mortalities recorded in this study are amongst the most severe ever observed in rainforest. Such droughts, though rare, are potent determinants of forest structure and composition. Drought and fire are an especially destructive combination as they act on larger and smaller stems, respectively.
Forest edges benefit adults, but not seedlings, of the mistletoe Alepis flavida (Loranthaceae)
Authors: BACH CATHERINE E. , KELLY DAVE , HAZLETT BRIAN A.
Published: January 2005

We tested the hypothesis that different life‐history stages of the same plant species show different responses to forest edge and interior environments. We investigated the effects of forest edges on growth, survival and density of seedlings, juveniles and adults of an endemic New Zealand mistletoe, Alepis flavida, over a 5‐year period.

Rates of establishment and growth were significantly higher for seedlings in forest interior than on forest edges but both juveniles and adults grew significantly faster on forest edges.

Mortality rates were greater for juveniles than for adults, but there was no significant difference between forest edge and interior.

Densities of seedlings and the larger size class of juvenile plants were significantly greater in the forest interior than on forest edges, whereas densities of the larger size class of adults were significantly greater on edges.

Changes in densities over 5 years showed that larger juveniles increased in density only in the forest interior, whereas larger adults increased in density only on forest edges.

Thus, seedlings of A. flavida have strong advantages in the forest interior, whereas juveniles and adults grow faster on forest edges.

This study emphasizes the need to examine multiple life‐history stages in studies of edge effects.
Do vigour of introduced populations and escape from specialist herbivores contribute to invasiveness?
Authors: STASTNY MICHAEL , SCHAFFNER URS , ELLE ELIZABETH
Published: January 2005

Plant species may become invasive due to a lack of natural enemies (e.g. herbivores) in their introduced range. Absence of herbivores may result in selection for the loss of costly herbivore‐resistance traits, which are expected to show a trade‐off with vigour or competitive ability (the evolution of increased competitive ability, or EICA, hypothesis).

We conducted a common garden experiment in Switzerland, in which we compared herbivore resistance and vigour of Senecio jacobaea plants exposed to the specialist flea beetle Longitarsus jacobaeae, for four populations originating within the native range (Europe), and four from regions where it had been introduced (New Zealand, USA) and was unaffected by L. jacobaeae. Our predictions were that, compared with plants from the native populations, plants from introduced populations would experience greater herbivory (due to loss of resistance traits), and exhibit more vigorous growth.

As expected, we found that introduced S. jacobaea grew larger, and had greater reproductive output, than plants from the native range. Larger plants experienced more feeding damage, and introduced plants were consumed more even when size differences were controlled. Introduced plants also exhibited a greater relative ability to reproduce after damage was sustained, i.e. higher tolerance to herbivory.

Contrary to predictions, however, plants from introduced populations had higher total pyrrolizidine alkaloid production (chemical defence against herbivores).

Although plants from introduced ranges exhibited life‐history traits consistent with EICA predictions, similar phenotypes were common in one of the populations from the native range, suggesting that EICA may not fully explain the invasion success of S. jacobaea.

Our results imply that increased competitive ability (vigour) of invasive plants may be associated with changes in resistance as well as tolerance to herbivory, and both types of anti‐herbivore defence may need to be examined simultaneously to advance our understanding of invasiveness.
How open were European primeval forests? Hypothesis testing using palaeoecological data
Authors: MITCHELL FRASER J. G.
Published: January 2005

The Vera hypothesis that large herbivores maintained an open landscape in the primeval landscape of lowland Europe is tested using palaeoecological data. The hypothesis suggests that the high abundance of Quercus and Corylus apparent in European pollen diagrams could not have derived from a landscape dominated by closed canopy forests. If natural forest landscapes were indeed more open, current forest conservation management policy across Europe would need to be reconsidered.

Relative proportions of Quercus and Corylus pollen are compared from regions which supported large herbivores with data from Ireland, where large herbivores were excluded. Similarity between the two data sets indicates that large herbivores were not required to maintain these taxa in the primeval landscape.

Fine spatial resolution pollen data from small hollows in Europe and eastern USA were also reviewed. Data from moss polsters show that percentage arboreal pollen is a reliable indicator of canopy openness in theses sites. The palaeoecological data demonstrate that open canopy forest has only ever been maintained by human exploitation.

Large herbivores in Europe do not therefore appear to have maintained an open landscape in primeval times although evidence suggests that they would have influenced the species composition of the forest canopy.

It is proposed that data sources other than pollen should be explored as proxies for past forest structure to test this hypothesis more thoroughly.
Misrepresentations about palliative options and prognosis in motor neurone disease: some legal considerations
Authors: Foster Charles
Published: January 2005

If euthanasia were legalized, clinicians would be under a duty to explain to patients requesting euthanasia what the prognosis and palliative options were. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some patients suffering from motor neurone disease may request euthanasia because of a fear of choking to death. The literature indicates that with competent palliative care this is unlikely to occur. It is assumed, for the purposes of argument, that responsible clinicians would accordingly reassure patients that such a fear was unwarranted, and that such a reassurance would cause patients for whom choking was the main concern either to withdraw a request for euthanasia or not to make it in the first place. The legal consequences of both negligent and deliberate failure to represent the true prognostic and palliative situation are discussed. In the case of a deliberate failure, with the intention to induce the patient to consent to euthanasia, it is suggested that a verdict of murder would be ethically right. It is argued that such a failure is best regarded as an omission. The English law currently does not countenance the possibility of murder by omission. It is suggested that the distinction between acts and omissions, while sometimes convenient, can sometimes produce injustice, and that the distinction should not be allowed to prevent conviction for murder where this is clearly appropriate.
Breast cancer incidence: what do the figures mean?
Authors: Johnson Ann , Shekhdar Jane
Published: January 2005

Rationale, aims and objectives  Against the background of a general rise in the incidence of breast cancer temporal variations appear in different age groups, including changes attributable to the introduction of breast screening. This paper attempts to distinguish the influence of breast screening and to examine any underlying patterns.

Methods  The incidence data published by the Office of National Statistics for England and Wales have been examined using the method of least squares regression. These data have been subjected to major revision: a new system was introduced in 1971. That year, therefore, has been taken as the starting point for the analyses. Regression lines were fitted from 1971, 1984 and 1988 (when breast screening was started).

Results  Between 1971 and 1984 breast cancer incidence was unchanged in women under 50 years. In all other age groups and time periods the incidence has risen throughout 1971–1999. The rate of increase remained constant for women over 64 but changed in 1984 for all women under 65 years. The rate of increase is rising exponentially with age since 1984 in the women under 65. The superimposed increases due to screening have been separated from the underlying rates.

Conclusions  In the period surveyed there appears to have been a change in the rates of increase in incidence of breast cancer in women under 65 that dates from 1984. This change can be separated from the spurious increase due to breast screening. The rates in women over 64 have remained constant.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted to medical departments
Authors: Raveh D. , Gratch L. , Yinnon A.M. , Sonnenblick M.
Published: January 2005

Introduction  The significant changes, which have affected departments of medicine over the last two decades, have been much editorialized. Surprisingly few data have been published that document these changes. We describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted to one hospital's departments of internal medicine.

Methods  During a 3 months prospective study, 1039 patients (46% of all 2277 new admissions to the departments of medicine, consisting of ± 175 beds) were randomized for inclusion. Information was extracted from the medical records regarding  demography;  functional  capacity;  clinical  data  and  outcome.

Results  The mean age of the patients was 72 ± 16 years (mean ± SD); 51% were male, 56% were married, and 83% lived at home. Although 293 patients (28%) were defined as dependent, the majority lived at home (170, 58%). Cognition was normal in only 74%. The four most common disease categories leading to admission were infections (383 patients, 37%), cardiovascular disorders (372, 36%), respiratory conditions (284, 27%) and genito‐urinary problems (90, 9%). Overall, 98 persons died (9%). Independent risk factors for death were: mechanical ventilation; a ‘do not resuscitate’ order; a high APACHE‐II score; a low serum albumin level; higher age; and not being married (P < 0.01). 

Conclusions  Geriatric patients occupy a central position in our medical wards. These data are relevant for allocation of special resources for departments with high proportions of geriatric patients; for the design of employment conditions that ascertains continuing job satisfaction; as well as for the planning of teaching opportunities for residents and students.
Selecting a subjective health status measure for optimum utility in everyday orthopaedic practice
Authors: McQueen David A. , Long Michael J. , Schurman John R.
Published: January 2005

Background  The time required to complete patient  outcome question‐naires such as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Short Form General Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) can sometimes threaten elderly, compromised patients sufficiently to compromise compliance with follow‐up clinics. Incomplete questionnaires can also present problems of data bias. A little used (in the USA), patient‐friendly questionnaire, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) has the potential to reduce the statistical and practical problems associated with the more generally used instruments. We hypothesized that NHP will produce similar results to WOMAC and SF‐36 and is more sensitive to small changes in patient outcomes than SF‐36 and MFA.

Method  Twenty‐three patients blindly completed WOMAC, SF‐36 and NHP questionnaires. Spearman's Rank Order Correlation was used to compare the component scores of each instrument. Simulation of the before and after results of 10 fictitious patient comparing MFA and NHP was conducted using the related sample t‐test.

Results  Seven of nine correlation coefficients were statistically significant and ranged from 0.711 to 0.901. The significance of the before and after difference on the five‐point scale response was P = 0.05 when the NHP was used and P = 0.07 when MFA was used. The before and after difference on ‘yes–no’ response questions was P < 0.001 when NHP was used but showed no difference when the MFA was used.

Conclusions  Our hypothesis was supported and we suggest that NHP can be used with confidence as an alternative to other patient outcome instruments.
The epidemiology of peripheral vein complications: evaluation of the efficiency of differing methods for the maintenance of catheter patency and thrombophlebitis prevention
Authors: Myrianthefs Pavlos , Sifaki Maria , Samara Irini , Baltopoulos George
Published: January 2005

Background and aims  Peripheral vein catheter patency and infusion thrombophlebitis remains a significant problem in everyday clinical practice. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology of peripheral vein complications and to evaluate three different methods for the maintenance of peripheral vein catheter patency and the prevention of vein thrombophlebitis.

Methods  A total of 300 post‐operative patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery were prospectively studied. Patients were divided into three groups: controls – catheters not flushed following drug administration; saline group – the catheters flushed with 3 mL of normal saline 0.9% after each catheter use; heparin group – the catheters flushed with 3 mL of 100‐U/mL heparin in normal saline 0.9% after each catheter use.

Results  Complications occurred in 36% of the patients and the incidence of thrombophlebitis was 8% and only 4% in the control group. In the normal saline group there was a significant increase in total complications and obstruction together with thrombophlebitis as compared with the control  group.  Kaplan‐Meier  curves  demonstrate  that  the  control  group  had a  significantly  higher  proportion  of  catheters  without  complications.

Conclusions  The use of normal saline solutions in post‐operative patients thus should be avoided for catheter maintenance. In patients receiving low molecular weight heparin, no intravenous flushing should be used for preventing catheter obstruction or thrombophlebitis in order to reduce costs and nursing workload.
Angiotensinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 gene polymorphism in relation to chronic allograft dysfunction*
Authors: Reis Kadriye , Arinsoy Turgay , Derici Ulver , Gonen Sevim , Bicik Zerrin , Soylemezoglu Oguz , Yasavul Unal , Hasanoglu Enver , Sindel Sukru
Published: January 2005

Abstract:  Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is the most common cause of allograft failure in the long‐term, and current immunologic strategies have little effect on this condition. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) plays important roles progression of chronic renal disease. It is thought that plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) functions in the RAS, in addition to involvement in thrombotic risk and fibrosis. This study investigated possible links between angiotensinogen (AGT) genotypes (M235T/MM, MT, TT) and PAI‐1 genotypes (4G4G, 4G5G, 5G5G) and CAD assessments of both types of polymorphism were performed in 82 renal allograft recipients. One hundred healthy subjects were also investigated for AGT polymorphism, and 80 healthy subjects for PAI‐1 polymorphism. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence‐specific primers, and PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Kidney recipients with CAD had significantly lower frequencies of the MM genotype and the M allele than the recipients without CAD (p < 0.05 and <0.001). The transplant recipients with CAD also had significantly lower frequencies of the 5G5G genotype and the 5G allele than those without CAD (p < 0.001 and <0.05). Determination of AGT M235T and PAI‐1 genotypes prior to transplantation may help identify patients who at risk for chronic renal transplant dysfunction.
Novel rescue therapy for C4d‐positive acute humoral renal allograft rejection
Authors: Min Liu , Shuming Ji , Zheng Tang , Daxi Ji , Huiping Chen , Zhihong Liu , Leishi Li
Published: January 2005

Abstract:  Objective:  To investigate the efficacy of immunoadsorption (IA) in combination with tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) rescue therapy for C4d‐positive acute humoral rejection (AHR) of renal transplants.

Methodology:  Six of 185 cadaveric renal allograft recipients transplanted at our institute developed AHR over a mean period of 4.8 ± 0.8 d after operation. The ages ranged from 35 to 51 yr (mean 42.6 ± 5.6 yr). C4d deposits in peritubular capillaries (PTC) and accumulation of granulocytes in PTC were observed. IA with staphylococcal protein A and TAC–MMF combination therapy were given.

Results:  After subjected to IA for 6.3 ± 1.03 sessions combined with TAC (0.14–0.16 mg/kg/d) and MMF (1.5 g/d) therapy, renal function recovered in all the patients. The mean duration of treatment when serum creatinine decreased was 14 ± 2.9 d. The pre‐IA panel reactive antibody reactivity was as high as 50.2 ± 6.1%, and was significantly reduced to 8.3 ± 2.9% after IA. Repeated allograft kidney biopsy in four of six patients revealed a favorable remission of AHR. With a mean follow‐up of 18.8 ± 5.46 months, patient and allograft survival are 100%, renal function remained stable with a mean serum creatinine of 1.2 ± 0.22 mg/dL.

Conclusion:  The optimal treatment for alloantibody‐mediated AHR remains undefined. Our findings suggest that a therapeutic approach combining IA and TAC–MMF rescue has excellence to improve the outcome of AHR.
Standard chronic immunosuppression after kidney transplantation for systemic lupus erythematosus eliminates recurrence of disease
Authors: Dong Guanglong , Panaro Fabrizio , Bogetti Diego , Sammartino Cinzia , Rondelli Damiano , Sankary Howard , Testa Giuliano , Benedetti Enrico
Published: January 2005

Abstract:  Background:  There is only limited experience in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with drugs that have developed for immunosuppression after organ transplantation, namely calcineurin inhibitors (CI). The aim of this study is to determine the effect of these drugs on disease activity after kidney transplant in patients affected by SLE.

Methods:  Between January 1990 to March 2003, 13 patients with end‐ stage renal disease secondary to SLE received 14 kidney transplants. The outcome variables assessed include graft and patient survival as well as clinical and serological lupus activity.

Results:  All received CI‐based immunosuppression (cyclosporine or tacrolimus). Actuarial patient and graft survivals at 5 yr were 100 and 93%, respectively. Recurrence of clinical or serological disease was never detected.

Conclusions:  To date, only anecdotal experience with CI in the treatment of SLE has been reported. The favorable response observed in our patients suggests that CI at low‐doses are effective in preventing SLE‐reactivation. Further studies focused on calcineurin inhibitor treatment in SLE patients who fail to respond to standard medical management should be conducted.