bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of nutrient loading and extreme rainfall events on coastal tallgrass prairies: invasion intensity, vegetation responses, and carbon and nitrogen distribution
Authors: SIEMANN EVAN , ROGERS WILLIAM E. , GRACE JAMES B.
Published: September 2007

Soil fertility and precipitation are major factors regulating transitions from grasslands to forests. Biotic regulation may influence the effects of these abiotic drivers. In this study, we examined the effects of extreme rainfall events, anthropogenic nutrient loading and insect herbivory on the ability of Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) to invade coastal prairie to determine how these factors may influence woody invasion of a grassland. We manipulated soil fertility (NPK addition) and simulated variation in frequency of extreme rainfall events in a three growing season, full factorial field experiment. Adding water to or pumping water out of plots simulated increased and decreased rainfall frequencies. We added Sapium seeds and seedlings to each plot and manipulated insect herbivory on transplanted Sapium seedlings with insecticide. We measured soil moisture, Sapium performance, vegetation mass, and carbon and nitrogen in vegetation and soils (0–10 cm deep, 10–20 cm deep). Fertilization increased Sapium invasion intensity by increasing seedling survival, height growth and biomass. Insect damage was low and insect suppression had little effect in all conditions. Recruitment of Sapium from seed was very low and independent of treatments. Vegetation mass was increased by fertilization in both rainfall treatments but not in the ambient moisture treatment. The amount of carbon and nitrogen in plants was increased by fertilization, especially in modified moisture plots. Soil carbon and nitrogen were independent of all treatments. These results suggest that coastal tallgrass prairies are more likely to be impacted by nutrient loading, in terms of invasion severity and nutrient cycling, than by changes in the frequency of extreme rainfall events.
Effect of stand age on greenhouse gas fluxes from a Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] chronosequence on a peaty gley soil
Authors: BALL TOM , SMITH KEITH A. , MONCRIEFF JOHN B.
Published: September 2007

The influence of forest stand age in a Picea sitchensis plantation on (1) soil fluxes of three greenhouse gases (GHGs – CO2, CH4 and N2O) and (2) overall net ecosystem global warming potential (GWP), was investigated in a 2‐year study. The objective was to isolate the effect of forest stand age on soil edaphic characteristics (temperature, water table and volumetric moisture) and the consequent influence of these characteristics on the GHG fluxes. Fluxes were measured in a chronosequence in Harwood, England, with sites comprising 30‐ and 20‐year‐old second rotation forest and a site clearfelled (CF) some 18 months before measurement. Adjoining unforested grassland (UN) acted as a control. Comparisons were made between flux data, soil temperature and moisture data and, at the 30‐year‐old and CF sites, eddy covariance data for net ecosystem carbon (C) exchange (NEE). The main findings were: firstly, integrated CO2 efflux was the dominant influence on the GHG budget, contributing 93–94% of the total GHG flux across the chronosequence compared with 6–7% from CH4 and N2O combined. Secondly, there were clear links between the trends in edaphic factors as the forest matured, or after clearfelling, and the emission of GHGs. In the chronosequence sites, annual fluxes of CO2 were lower at the 20‐year‐old (20y) site than at the 30‐year‐old (30y) and CF sites, with soil temperature the dominant control. CH4 efflux was highest at the CF site, with peak flux 491±54.5 μg m−2 h−1 and maximum annual flux 18.0±1.1 kg CH4 ha−1 yr−1. No consistent uptake of CH4 was noted at any site. A linear relationship was found between log CH4 flux and the closeness of the water table to the soil surface across all sites. N2O efflux was highest in the 30y site, reaching 108±38.3 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1 (171 μg N2O m−2 h−1) in midsummer and a maximum annual flux of 4.7±1.2 kg N2O ha−1 yr−1 in 2001. Automatic chamber data showed a positive exponential relationship between N2O flux and soil temperature at this site. The relationship between N2O emission and soil volumetric moisture indicated an optimum moisture content for N2O flux of 40–50% by volume. The relationship between C : N ratio data and integrated N2O flux was consistent with a pattern previously noted across temperate and boreal forest soils.
Photosynthesis drives anomalies in net carbon‐exchange of pine forests at different latitudes
Authors: LUYSSAERT S. , JANSSENS I. A. , SULKAVA M. , PAPALE D. , DOLMAN A. J. , REICHSTEIN M. , HOLLMÉN J. , MARTIN J. G. , SUNI T. , VESALA T. , LOUSTAU D. , LAW B. E. , MOORS E. J.
Published: September 2007

The growth rate of atmospheric CO2 exhibits large temporal variation that is largely determined by year‐to‐year fluctuations in land–atmosphere CO2 fluxes. This land–atmosphere CO2‐flux is driven by large‐scale biomass burning and variation in net ecosystem exchange (NEE). Between‐ and within years, NEE varies due to fluctuations in climate. Studies on climatic influences on inter‐ and intra‐annual variability in gross photosynthesis (GPP) and net carbon uptake in terrestrial ecosystems have shown conflicting results. These conflicts are in part related to differences in methodology and in part to the limited duration of some studies. Here, we introduce an observation‐driven methodology that provides insight into the dependence of anomalies in CO2 fluxes on climatic conditions. The methodology was applied on fluxes from a boreal and two temperate pine forests. Annual anomalies in NEE were dominated by anomalies in GPP, which in turn were correlated with incident radiation and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). At all three sites positive anomalies in NEE (a reduced uptake or a stronger source than the daily sites specific long‐term average) were observed on summer days characterized by low incident radiation, low VPD and high precipitation. Negative anomalies in NEE occurred mainly on summer days characterized by blue skies and mild temperatures. Our study clearly highlighted the need to use weather patterns rather than single climatic variables to understand anomalous CO2 fluxes. Temperature generally showed little direct effect on anomalies in NEE but became important when the mean daily air temperature exceeded 23 °C. On such days GPP decreased likely because VPD exceeded 2.0 kPa, inhibiting photosynthetic uptake. However, while GPP decreased, the high temperature stimulated respiration, resulting in positive anomalies in NEE. Climatic extremes in summer were more frequent and severe in the South than in the North, and had larger effects in the South because the criteria to inhibit photosynthesis are more often met.
C4‐derived soil organic carbon decomposes faster than its C3 counterpart in mixed C3/C4 soils
Authors: WYNN JONATHAN G. , BIRD MICHAEL I.
Published: September 2007

The large difference in the degree of discrimination of stable carbon isotopes between C3 and C4 plants is widely exploited in global change and carbon cycle research, often with the assumption that carbon retains the carbon isotopic signature of its photosynthetic pathway during later stages of decomposition in soil and sediments. We applied long‐term incubation experiments and natural 13C‐labelling of C3 and C4‐derived soil organic carbon (SOC) collected from across major environmental gradients in Australia to elucidate a significant difference in the rate of decomposition of C3‐ and C4‐derived SOC. We find that the active pool of SOC (ASOC) derived from C4 plants decomposes at over twice the rate of the total pool of ASOC. As a result, the proportion of C4 photosynthesis represented in the heterotrophic CO2 flux from soil must be over twice the proportional representation of C4‐derived biomass in SOC. This observation has significant implications for much carbon cycle research that exploits the carbon isotopic difference in these two photosynthetic pathways.
Belowground competition and the response of developing forest communities to atmospheric CO2 and O3
Authors: ZAK DONALD R. , HOLMES WILLIAM E. , PREGITZER KURT S. , KING JOHN S. , ELLSWORTH DAVID S. , KUBISKE MARK E.
Published: September 2007

As human activity continues to increase CO2 and O3, broad expanses of north temperate forests will be simultaneously exposed to elevated concentrations of these trace gases. Although both CO2 and O3 are potent modifiers of plant growth, we do not understand the extent to which they alter competition for limiting soil nutrients, like nitrogen (N). We quantified the acquisition of soil N in two 8‐year‐old communities composed of trembling aspen genotypes (n= 5) and trembling aspen–paper birch which were exposed to factorial combinations of CO2 (ambient and 560 μL L−1) and O3 (ambient = 30–40 vs. 50–60 nL L−1). Tracer amount of 15NH4+ were applied to soil to determine how these trace gases altered the competitive ability of genotypes and species to acquire soil N. One year after isotope addition, we assessed N acquisition by measuring the amount of 15N tracer contained in the plant canopy (i.e. recent N acquisition), as well as the total amount of canopy N (i.e. cumulative N acquisition). Exposure to elevated CO2 differentially altered recent and cumulative N acquisition among aspen genotypes, changing the rank order in which they obtained soil N. Elevated O3 also altered the rank order in which aspen genotypes obtained soil N by eliciting increases, decreases and no response among genotypes. If aspen genotypes respond similarly under field conditions, then rising concentrations of CO2 and O3 could alter the structure of aspen populations. In the aspen–birch community, elevated CO2 increased recent N (i.e. 15N) acquisition in birch (68%) to a greater extent than aspen (19%), suggesting that, over the course of this experiment, birch had gained a competitive advantage over aspen. The response of genotypes and species to rising CO2 and O3 concentrations, and how these responses are modified by competitive interactions, has the potential to change the future composition and productivity of northern temperate forests.
Exploring research supervision through Peshkin’s I’s: the yellow brick road
Authors: Bradbury‐Jones Caroline
Published: September 2007

Title. Exploring research supervision through Peshkin’s I’s: the yellow brick road

Aim.  This paper is a report of a systematic approach used to explore subjectivity as a research student and demonstrates how the process enhanced the quality of the research experience.

Background.  High non‐completion rates of research students are of global concern and means of enhancing the quality of the doctoral experience are needed. Among the literature on doctoral education, very little is authored by students. This paper is influenced by the work of Peshkin from the discipline of education. Peshkin articulated the need for researchers to systematically identify their subjectivity by searching for their subjective I’s. I share my experience of adopting this approach as a research student by using reflexive journal entries made during 2005–2007 as data.

Findings.  I use the analogy of the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ from The Wizard of Oz to represent my experience of being a doctoral student and draw comparisons between my subjectivity and the characters in the story. I demonstrate how a systematic approach to exploring my subjectivity revealed aspects of my being as a research student that had potential for influence throughout the entirety of my experience. I argue that cognizance of my subjective I’s improved the quality of my research endeavour.

Conclusion.  The approach is offered for consideration by other research students as a means of exploring subjectivity. I argue that the resultant self‐awareness can enhance the quality of the doctoral experience. The flexibility of the approach means it has transferability across a number of disciplines and cultural contexts.
Women’s experience of internal radiation treatment for uterine cervical cancer
Authors: So Winnie Kwok‐wei , Chui Ying‐yu
Published: September 2007

Title. Women’s experience of internal radiation treatment for uterine cervical cancer

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the experiences of women undergoing internal radiation for cervical cancer.

Background.  Cervical cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. Women’s experiences of undergoing internal radiation for cervical cancer remain relatively unexplored, in particular in Hong Kong. Better understanding of the experiences of this specific group could inform the provision of supportive care services and provide useful information to be included in education programmes for them.

Method.  A phenomenological approach was adopted and unstructured telephone interviews were carried out with eight participants between July and October 2004. The interviews were audio‐taped and analysed using the procedures described by Giorgi, 1985.

Findings.  Three themes were identified from the data: (1) isolation versus social intercourse, (2) unbearable symptom distress versus endurance and coping and (3) growth from the experience. The most distressing aspects of undergoing internal cervical irradiation reported by the patients were the experience of isolation and various physical and psychological symptoms. Specific provisions in the physical environment, psychological support provided by healthcare professionals, family and fellow patients and a positive attitude helped them to cope. They also felt that they became stronger through their hardship and suffering.

Conclusion.  The findings highlight the importance of adequate preparation of patients, carers and friends before the procedure, more sensitive support during the procedure and debriefing afterwards. There might also be benefits in delivering therapy to two women in adjacent beds to enable them to support each other.
Barriers to evidence‐based nursing: a focus group study
Authors: Hannes Karin , Vandersmissen Jo , De Blaeser Liesbeth , Peeters Gert , Goedhuys Jo , Aertgeerts Bert
Published: September 2007

Title. Barriers to evidence‐based nursing: a focus group study

Aim.  This paper reports a study to explore the barriers to evidence‐based nursing among Flemish (Belgian) nurses.

Background.  Barriers obstructing the call for an increase in evidence‐based nursing have been explored in many countries, mostly through quantitative study designs. Authors report on lack of time, resources, evidence, authority, support, motivation and resistance to change. Relationships between barriers are seldom presented.

Methods.  We used a grounded theory approach, and five focus groups were organized between September 2004 and April 2005 in Belgium. We used purposeful sampling to recruit 53 nurses working in different settings. A problem tree was developed to establish links between codes that emerged from the data.

Findings.  The majority of the barriers were consistent with previous findings. Flemish (Belgian) nurses added a potential lack of responsibility in the uptake of evidence‐based nursing, their ‘guest’ position in a patient’s environment leading to a culture of adaptation, and a future ‘two tier’ nursing practice, which refers to the different education levels of nurses. The problem tree developed serves as (1) a basic model for other researchers who want to explore barriers within their own healthcare system and (2) a useful tool for orienting change management processes.

Conclusion.  Despite the fact that the problem tree presented is context‐specific for Flanders (Belgium), it gives an opportunity to develop clear objectives and targeted strategies for tackling obstacles to evidence‐based nursing.
Encounters in Swedish nursing homes: a hermeneutic study of residents’ experiences
Authors: Westin Lars , Danielson Ella
Published: September 2007

Title. Encounters in Swedish nursing homes: a hermeneutic study of residents’ experiences

Aim. This paper is a report of a study to illuminate and interpret the meaning of residents’ experiences of encounters with nurses in nursing homes.

Background. A large number of older people suffer from illness and become dependent on other people in their daily living. These people are often in need of care in nursing homes. It is assumed that encounters between nurses and residents are of importance in how residents experience care in nursing homes.

Method. Twelve residents from three nursing homes in Sweden were interviewed in 2004–2005 about their experiences in encounters with nurses. The interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. A hermeneutic method was used to describe and interpret the meaning of residents’ experiences.

Findings. Three themes emerged: ‘being somebody’, ‘being nobody’ and ‘being in a community’. The encounters had both positive and negative influences on residents, expressed as being somebody and belonging somewhere or being nobody and not being seen as a person or simply being left out of things. Encounters between residents and nurses have a mutual dependency where residents certainly have some influence on the relationship. The nurses have both an influence on the relationship and a professional responsibility for the outcome of encounters with residents.

Conclusion. The insights gained from the study can guide nurses in their encounters with residents in nursing homes so that they feel respected as unique human beings and part of a community.
Best practice interventions to improve the management of older people in acute care settings: a literature review
Authors: Hickman Louise , Newton Phillip , Halcomb Elizabeth J. , Chang Esther , Davidson Patricia
Published: September 2007

Title. Best practice interventions to improve the management of older people in acute care settings: a literature review

Aim. This paper is a report of a literature review of experimental evidence describing interventions to manage the older adult in the acute care hospital setting.

Background. Older people are increasingly being cared for in a system largely geared towards acute care. This approach is often inadequate to meet the needs of older patients with chronic and complex conditions. In response to these challenges, evidence‐based interventions are required to improve health outcomes.

Method. The MEDLINE and CINAHL databases and the Internet were searched using the keywords elderly, older, geriatric and aged care. Studies published between 1985 and 2006 were included if they reported, in English, a controlled trial of an intervention designed to improve the management of older adults in the acute care setting. The findings were synthesized using the method of a modified integrative literature review.

Findings. Only 26 controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The following elements of interventions appear critical in providing optimal health outcomes for older people admitted to acute care: (1) a team approach to care delivery either directly in a designated unit for older patients or indirectly using gerontological expertise in a consultancy model; (2) targeted assessment techniques to prevent complications; (3) an increased emphasis on discharge planning and (4) enhanced communication between care providers across the care continuum.

Conclusion. A multidisciplinary team approach, using gerontological expertise, in acute care settings is recommended to improve the care of older patients. Care delivery should occur in a specially designed unit, with communication strategies that emphasize discharge planning.
Non‐gradual variation in colour morphs of the strawberry poison frog Dendrobates pumilio: genetic and geographical isolation suggest a role for selection in maintaining polymorphism
Authors: RUDH ANDREAS , ROGELL BJÖRN , HÖGLUND JACOB
Published: September 2007

The relative roles that geographical isolation and selection play in driving population divergence remain one of the central questions in evolutionary biology. We approached this question by investigating genetic and morphological variation among populations of the strawberry poison frog, Dendrobates pumilio, in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama. We found significant population genetic structure and isolation by distance based on amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Snout vent length (SVL), coloration and the extent and size of dorsal black spots showed large variation among the studied populations. Differences in SVL correlated with genetic distance, whereas black spot patterns and other coloration parameters did not. Indeed, the latter characters were observed to be dramatically different between contiguous populations located on the same island. These results imply that neutral divergence among populations may account for the genetic patterns based on amplified fragment length polymorphism markers and SVL. However, selective pressures need to be invoked in order to explain the extraordinary variation in spot size and coverage, and coloration. We discuss the possibility that the observed variation in colour morphs is a consequence of a combination of local variation in both natural selection on an aposematic signal towards visual predators and sexual selection generated by colour morph‐specific mate preferences.
Functional significance of genetically different symbiotic algae Symbiodinium in a coral reef symbiosis
Authors: LORAM J. E. , TRAPIDO‐ROSENTHAL H. G. , DOUGLAS A. E.
Published: September 2007

The giant sea anemone Condylactis gigantea associates with members of two clades of the dinoflagellate alga Symbiodinium, either singly or in mixed infection, as revealed by clade‐specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction of large subunit ribosomal DNA. To explore the functional significance of this molecular variation, the fate of photosynthetically fixed carbon was investigated by 14C radiotracer experiments. Symbioses with algae of clades A and B released ca. 30–40% of fixed carbon to the animal tissues. Incorporation into the lipid fraction and the low molecular weight fraction dominated by amino acids was significantly higher in symbioses with algae of clade A than of clade B, suggesting that the genetically different algae in C. gigantea are not functionally equivalent. Symbioses with mixed infections yielded intermediate values, such that this functional trait of the symbiosis can be predicted from the traits of the contributing algae. Coral and sea anemone symbioses with Symbiodinium break down at elevated temperature, a process known as ‘coral bleaching’. The functional response of the C. gigantea symbiosis to heat stress varied between the algae of clades A and B, with particularly depressed incorporation of photosynthetic carbon into lipid of the clade B algae, which are more susceptible to high temperature than the algae of clade A. This study provides a first exploration of how the core symbiotic function of photosynthate transfer to the host varies with the genotype of Symbiodinium, an algal symbiont which underpins corals and, hence, coral reef ecosystems.
The effects of cyclic dynamics and mating system on the effective size of an island mouflon population
Authors: KAEUFFER RENAUD , COLTMAN DAVID W. , CHAPUIS JEAN‐LOUIS , RÉALE DENIS , PONTIER DOMINIQUE
Published: September 2007

The Haute Island mouflon (Ovis aries) population is isolated on one small (6.5 km2) island of the remote Kerguelen archipelago. Given a promiscuous mating system, a cyclic demography and a strong female‐biased sex ratio after population crashes, we expected a low effective population size (Ne). We estimated Ne using demographic and temporal genetic approaches based on genetic information at 25 microsatellite loci from 62 and 58 mouflons sampled in 1988 and 2003, respectively. Genetic Ne estimates were higher than expected, varying between 104 and 250 depending on the methods used. Both demographic and genetic approaches show the Haute Island Ne is buffered against population crashes. The unexpectedly high Ne likely results from the cyclic winter crashes that allow young males to reproduce, limiting the variance of male reproductive success. Based on individual‐based simulations, we suggest that despite a strongly female‐biased sex ratio, the effects of the mating system on the effective population size more closely resemble random mating or weak polygyny.
Ecological and evolutionary consequences of size‐selective harvesting: how much do we know?
Authors: FENBERG PHILLIP B. , ROY KAUSTUV
Published: September 2007

Size‐selective harvesting, where the large individuals of a particular species are preferentially taken, is common in both marine and terrestrial habitats. Preferential removal of larger individuals of a species has been shown to have a negative effect on its demography, life history and ecology, and empirical studies are increasingly documenting such impacts. But determining whether the observed changes represent evolutionary response or phenotypic plasticity remains a challenge. In addition, the problem is not recognized in most management plans for fish and marine invertebrates that still mandate a minimum size restriction. We use examples from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats to illustrate some of the biological consequences of size‐selective harvesting and discuss possible future directions of research as well as changes in management policy needed to mitigate its negative biological impacts.
Orthotopic liver transplantation for subacute hepatic failure following partial treatment of isoniazid‐resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Nash K.L. , Yeung T.M. , Lehner P.J. , Gibbs P. , Griffiths W.J.H.
Published: September 2007

Abstract: The management of patients with pre‐existing tuberculosis (TB) undergoing liver transplantation is challenging. Cautious immunosuppression is required to prevent reactivation of disease, and second‐line anti‐tuberculous treatment may be necessary to prevent graft hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, liver transplantation in the context of isoniazid‐resistant TB has seldom been reported. We report on a 44‐year‐old man with recent isoniazid‐resistant extra‐pulmonary TB who developed subacute hepatic failure requiring emergency liver transplantation and treatment with second‐line anti‐tuberculous therapy. We demonstrate that patients who have pre‐existing TB can be successfully treated with alternative anti‐tuberculous medication while under immunosuppression post transplantation. Pre‐existing TB, including resistant strains, should not be an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation.
Ability of Moderately Halophilic Bacteria to Control Grey Mould Disease on Tomato Fruits
Authors: Sadfi‐Zouaoui N. , Essghaier B. , Hajlaoui M. R. , Fardeau M. L. , Cayaol J. L. , Ollivier B. , Boudabous A.
Published: September 2007

Tomato is one of the leading crops in Tunisia in terms of weight consumed (20 kg/per person/year). Preserving the quality of the fruit from field to consumer is essential to successful marketing. Grey mould rot induced by Botrytis cinerea is an important cause of postharvest loss depending on season and handling practices. We describe here the ability of halotolerant to moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from different Tunisian Sebkhas (hypersaline soils) to protect fresh‐market tomato fruits from B. cinerea. The tomatoes tested were at two different stages of ripening, (i) mature‐green and (ii) red. Six strains significantly reduced growth of the pathogens from 67% to 87%. The effectiveness of these antagonists was also confirmed on green tomatoes; in which the fruit rot protection rate ranged from 74% to 100%. The antagonists were characterized by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests as well as 16S rDNA sequencing. The halotolerant effective isolates were identified as belonging to one of the species Bacillus subtilis (M1‐20, J9) or B. licheniformis (J24). One effective moderately halophilic isolate (M2‐26) was identified as Planococcus rifietoensis. These strains are a source of hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinases, proteases, laminarinases, amylases, lipases and cellulases. For comparison, 12 halotolerant or moderately halophilic strains obtained from DSM culture collection were also evaluated for their antifungal activity against B. cinerea on tomato fruits. The most effective strains were Halomonas subglaciescola, Halobacillus litoralis, Marinococcus halophilus, Salinococcus roseus, Halovibrio variabilis and Halobacillus halophilus with a percentage of grey mould rot reduction ranging from 71% to 97%. Inoculation of mature‐green tomatoes by the bacterial antagonist of Halobacillus trueperi resulted in no disease development. Our results indicate that the use of halotolerant to halophilic micro‐organisms should be helpful in reducing grey mould disease of stored tomatoes.
What prognostic factors are important for resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma?
Authors: Paik Kwang Yeol , Jung Jun Chul , Heo Jin Seok , Choi Seong Ho , Choi Dong Wook , Kim Yong Il
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  Our aim was to evaluate the predictive factors for survival and disease‐free survival of patients with resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Methods:  Between October 1994 and 2005, 97 patients with ICC underwent curative hepatic resection. The tumors in 97 patients were reviewed retrospectively to examine the prognosis of ICC.

Results:  The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 74.9%, 51.8% and 31.1%, respectively. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year disease‐free survival rates were 21.3%, 6.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, tumor number, the gross type, resection margin status, T‐stage and lymph node involvement were significant prognostic factors. Multiple tumors and cancer cells in the resection margin were found in multivariate analysis to be significantly related to the prognosis. In the multivariate analysis disease free survival was poor for the patients with a large tumor, multiple lesions, a high CA 19‐9 level, cancer in the resection margin, advanced T‐stage and lymph node involvement.

Conclusions:  The overall 5‐year survival rate of ICC was 31.1%. Multiple intrahepatic lesions were a sign of a poor prognosis for ICC. Better survival could be achieved by curative resection with a tumor‐free margin.
Interstrain differences in susceptibility to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Yamazaki Yuichi , Kakizaki Satoru , Takizawa Daichi , Ichikawa Takeshi , Sato Ken , Takagi Hitoshi , Mori Masatomo
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim: The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain unclear. There are differences in the susceptibility to NASH between the different species and sexes. The investigation of the precise mechanism of interstrain differences may provide new means by which the pathophysiological mechanisms of NASH may be understood.

Methods: C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice were administered a methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet to establish a dietary model of NASH.

Results: An elevation of the serum alanine aminotransferase and increased infiltration of inflammatory cells were predominant in C57BL/6N mice at 8 weeks. The increase in the steatosis and lipid contents in the liver was greater in C57BL/6N mice than in C3H/HeN mice. The indices of lipid peroxidation demonstrated by F2‐isoprostanes or 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine also increased in the livers of C57BL/6N mice. Furthermore, Sirius red staining revealed an increase in the degree of fibrosis in C57BL/6N mice given the MCD diet. As a result, the C57BL/6N strain had a higher susceptibility to NASH than the C3H/HeN mice. The carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (in β‐oxidation) mRNA and mitochondrial 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA synthase 2 (in ketogenesis) mRNA were downregulated in the C57BL/6N mice in comparison with C3H/HeN mice. There were no differences in the expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein or sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 between the C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice.

Conclusion: There were interstrain differences in susceptibility to NASH observed in a rodent dietary model. Further evaluations of the precise molecular mechanism of this interstrain difference may provide some indications of the pathophysiological mechanisms of NASH in humans.
Role of phosphatidylcholine saturation in preventing bile salt toxicity to gastrointestinal epithelia and membranes
Authors: Dial Elizabeth J , Rooijakkers Suzan H M , Darling Rebecca L , Romero Jim J , Lichtenberger Lenard M
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  The mechanism which protects the biliary and intestinal mucosa from the detergent properties of bile acids is not fully understood. We employed three contrasting in vitro model systems (human red blood cells, polarized intestinal [Caco‐2] cells, and synthetic liposomes), to compare the efficacy of saturated and unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) to protect cells and membranes from bile salt injury.

Methods:  Hemolysis of red blood cells, electrical resistance across confluent monolayers of Caco‐2 cells, and disruption of synthetic PC liposomes were assessed after incubation with varying concentrations of bile salt (sodium deoxycholate) alone or in the presence of saturated or unsaturated PC.

Results:  The hemolytic activity of deoxycholate on red blood cells was observed at ≥2 mM, and could be blocked by equimolar concentration or greater of both saturated or unsaturated PC. In contrast, exposure of Caco‐2 cells to deoxycholate at ≥0.8 mM induced a maximal decrease in resistance, which was reversed by ≥0.8 mM unsaturated PC or 5 mM saturated PC. Similarly, synthetic liposomes were permeabilized by 0.8 mM deoxycholate and were protected by a lower concentration of unsaturated PC (2 mM) than saturated (5 mM).

Conclusions:  Cells can show variable resistance to bile salt toxicity. Extracellular PC, especially in the unsaturated state, can directly protect cell and artificial membranes from bile salt injury. These findings support a role for biliary PC in the formation of mixed micelles that have low cytotoxic properties.
Congenital veno‐venous malformations of the liver: Widely variable clinical presentations
Authors: Witters Peter , Maleux Geert , George Christophe , Delcroix Marion , Hoffman Ilse , Gewillig Marc , Verslype Chris , Monbaliu Diethard , Aerts Raymond , Pirenne Jacques , Van Steenbergen Werner , Nevens Frederik , Fevery Johan , Cassiman David
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  Congenital portosystemic veno‐venous malformations are rare abnomalities that often remain undiagnosed. Typically they are classified by their anatomical characteristics according to Morgan (extrahepatic, Abernethy malformations type Ia,b and II) and Park (intrahepatic, types 1–4). However, their clinical presentation is less dependent on the anatomical type.

Method:  We reviewed the clinical characteristics of six cases drawn from our files (from 1970 to 2006).

Results:  One patient, a 25‐year‐old male, had extrahepatic shunting whereby the liver receives only arterial blood because the portal vein (PV) connects with the inferior caval vein (ICV) (Abernethy Ib); he presented with episodes of jaundice and pruritus. Three patients had extrahepatic shunting with patent intrahepatic portal veins, but with shunting of splenomesenterial blood towards the ICV (Abernethy II); these included a 66‐year‐old male with hepatic encephalopathy, a 17‐year‐old female with (porto?‐)pulmonary hypertension without portal hypertension, and a 33‐year‐old female with epidsodes of acute pain secondary to spontaneous bleeding within a primary liver tumor. Two patients had intrahepatic shunting; these included an 8‐year‐old boy who was diagnosed incidentally during work‐up for abnormal liver enzymes with a communication between right PV and ICV (Park type 1), and a 59‐year‐old male with multiple PV‐ICV–shunts in several liver segments (Park, type 4) who presented with hepatic encephalopathy.

Conclusion:  Patients often present with signs of hepatic shunting (encephalopathy, pulmonary hypertension, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and/or hypoglycemia) with relative sparing of the synthetic liver function in the absence of portal hypertension. Some shunts present with space‐occupying lesions (focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatocellular carcinoma, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, etc.) or biliary atresia. Finally, some cases are detected incidentally.
Activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α by dietary fish oil attenuates steatosis, but does not prevent experimental steatohepatitis because of hepatic lipoperoxide accumulation
Authors: Larter Claire Z , Yeh Matthew M , Cheng Jenny , Williams Jacqueline , Brown Sandie , Dela Pena Aileen , Bell‐Anderson Kim S , Farrell Geoffrey C
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is the result of an imbalance in hepatic lipid partitioning that favors fatty acid synthesis and storage over fatty acid oxidation and triglyceride secretion. The progressive, inflammatory disorder of steatohepatitis can be prevented or reversed by correcting this lipid imbalance by activating peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) α, a transcription factor which regulates fatty acid oxidation. n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as those found in fish oil (FO), are naturally occurring PPARα ligands which also suppress lipid synthesis.

Methods:  We tested the role of dietary activation of PPARα by feeding mice a n‐3 PUFA‐enriched FO diet in the methionine and choline deficient (MCD) model of steatohepatitis. Results were compared with mice fed the corresponding diet supplemented with monounsaturated fatty acids as olive oil (OO).

Results:  As expected, FO feeding led to robust hepatic PPARα activation in control mice, and decreased expression of genes involved with fatty acid synthesis. Such lipolytic gene expression profile was also clearly evident in FO MCD‐fed mice, and was associated with reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in comparison with mice fed OO MCD diet. FO feeding in control mice also caused marked hepatic accumulation of lipoperoxides compared with OO and chow‐fed mice. This was further exacerbated in FO MCD‐fed animals, which developed steatohepatitis characterized by mild steatosis and moderate inflammation in comparison with OO MCD‐fed mice; such inflammatory recruitment was not related to NF‐κB activation or enhanced cyclooxygenase‐2 activity.

Conclusions:  Feeding an n‐3 PUFA‐enriched diet activated PPARα and suppressed hepatic de novo lipogenesis, but failed to prevent development of steatohepatitis in the presence of methionine and choline deficiency. Instead, the very high levels of hepatic lipoperoxides may have abrogated the protection that would otherwise be conferred by PPARα activation, and could also be responsible for lipotoxic hepatocellular injury and inflammatory recruitment.
Delusional disorder: Study from North India
Authors: GROVER SANDEEP , BISWAS PARTHASARATHY , AVASTHI AJIT
Published: September 2007

Abstract  The aim of the present study was to study sociodemographic profile, clinical parameters including comorbidity, usefulness of antipsychotics especially atypicals, family history, and follow‐up rates for delusional disorder. The records of all subjects who were seen in the Department of Psychiatry during a period of 10 years (i.e. 1994–2003) were reviewed. Eighty‐eight subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The sample consisted predominantly of female subjects (55.7%), most of the total subjects were married and had favorable social functioning. The most common delusion was persecutory (54.5%), followed by delusion of reference (46.6%). The majority of the subjects had a comorbid psychiatric disorder. Education was negatively correlated with age at onset and positively correlated with the number of delusions. Age at onset was negatively correlated with total number of delusions. The sociodemographic profile of delusional disorder is consistent across various cultures, has high comorbidity and, when treated appropriately, responds to various antipsychotic agents.
Prolongation of P300 latency is associated with the duration of illness in male schizophrenia patients
Authors: MORI YUKIKO , KUROSU SADATOSHI , HIROYAMA YUJI , NIWA SHIN‐ICHI
Published: September 2007

Abstract  The association of P300 components with age, illness duration and gender were examined in schizophrenia patients and whether such variables indicate a progressive course. A total of 60 patients with schizophrenia and 70 healthy controls were studied utilizing standard auditory oddball tasks. Both healthy and schizophrenia groups had a significant positive correlation between age and P300 latency. There was also a significant positive correlation between illness duration and P300 latency in the schizophrenia group. The prolonged latency of P300, associated with age or illness duration, was more prominent in male than female schizophrenia subjects. These findings suggest gender differences in disease progression in schizophrenia.
Characteristics of left and right scanning in schizophrenia patients using exploratory eye movements: Comparison with healthy subjects
Authors: NISHIURA SACHIKO , MORITA KIICHIRO , KURAKAKE KOUJI , IGIMI HIROYASU , MAEDA HISAO
Published: September 2007

Abstract  To characterize the left and right scanning function and the effect of affection in schizophrenia patients exploratory eye movements as biologic markers were recorded in 44 schizophrenia patients and 72 age‐matched healthy controls. The total eye scanning length (TESL) and total number of gaze points (TNGP) in the left and right visual fields were calculated as subjects viewed neutral or affectively charged pictures. TESL of patients was shorter than that of controls when viewing pictures of smiling babies and open circles. TESL of patients was shorter for smiling faces than for crying babies, but TESL of controls was longer for smiling faces than for crying babies. Left TNGP for smiling faces and circles was lower in patients than in controls. In patients, left TNGP for crying babies was higher than for either smiling babies or circles. In controls, left TNGP for smiling babies was higher than crying babies. In patients, left TNGP for smiling babies and circles was smaller than the right TNGP. In controls, left TNGP was larger for smiling than for crying babies. When viewing smiling babies, both TESL and TNGP were negatively correlated with negative symptom scores in patients. Patients' eye movements in the left visual field were clearly different from controls', suggesting that visual cognitive function is impaired in schizophrenia patients. Exploratory eye movements are a useful marker of visual cognitive function, and are a useful tool to evaluate the influence of affection in schizophrenia patients.
Clinical effectiveness of the Kampo medicine kamishoyosan for adjunctive treatment of tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia: A 16‐week open trial
Authors: LEE JUNG GOO , SHIN BAE SUB , LEE YU CHEOL , PARK SUNG WOO , KIM YOUNG HOON
Published: September 2007

Abstract  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of kamishoyosan for antipsychotic‐induced tardive dyskinesia, and to investigate the relationship between tardive dyskinesia and serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Sixty‐nine schizophrenia patients were enrolled; of these, 49 presented with tardive dyskinesia while the remaining 20 patients showed no tardive dyskinesia. The tardive dyskinesia group was treated for 16 weeks with kamishoyosan and assessed using the abnormal involuntary movement scale. The abnormal involuntary movement scale scores in the tardive dyskinesia group were evaluated at baseline and after 4, 8, and 16 weeks of treatment. The BDNF levels of all subjects were measured at baseline in order to compare differences in serum BDNF levels between the tardive dyskinesia group and the non‐tardive dyskinesia group, and to correlate the severity of tardive dyskinesia and serum BDNF in the tardive dyskinesia group. A meaningful reduction in total abnormal involuntary movement scale scores was observed in the tardive dyskinesia group treated with kamishoyosan at 4, 8, and 16 weeks of treatment (P < 0.01). No significant differences in serum BDNF levels were detected between the tardive dyskinesia group and the non‐tardive dyskinesia group at baseline. Furthermore, no significant correlation was seen between the severity of tardive dyskinesia and serum BDNF levels. The present study suggests that kamishoyosan might be a promising adjunctive treatment for antipsychotic‐induced tardive dyskinesia.
International study on antidepressant prescription pattern at 20 teaching hospitals and major psychiatric institutions in East Asia: Analysis of 1898 cases from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan
Authors: UCHIDA NAOKI , CHONG MIAN‐YOON , TAN CHAY HOON , NAGAI HIROSHI , TANAKA MARIKO , LEE MIN‐SOO , FUJII SENTA , YANG SHU‐YU , SI TAINMEI , SIM KANG , WEI HAO , LING HE YAN , NISHIMURA RYOJI , KAWAGUCHI YOSHICHIKA , EDWARDS GLEN , SARTORIUS NORMAN , SHINFUKU NAOTAKA
Published: September 2007

Abstract  The purpose of the present study was to review the prescription patterns of antidepressants in different countries in East Asia. The survey was conducted in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan from October 2003 to March 2004 using the unified research protocol and questionnaire. Twenty teaching hospitals and major psychiatric hospitals participated and a total of 1898 patients receiving antidepressants were analyzed. The survey provided a number of interesting characteristics on the prescription patterns of antidepressant in East Asia. Out of 56 antidepressants listed in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) index by the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Drug Statistics Methodology (Oslo), only 26 antidepressants were prescribed in participating countries in East Asia. On average 38.4% of prescriptions of antidepressants were for patients with diagnoses other than depressive disorders. The availability and commonly prescribed antidepressants varied greatly by country. The selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors (SSRI) and other newer antidepressants were prescribed in approximately 77.0% of all cases. At the time of the survey, only two SSRI medications were available in Japan. However, five types of SSRI were available and were often prescribed in Korea.
Effect of serotonergic antidepressant therapy on temperament and character scales in patients with chronic tension‐type headache
Authors: BOZ CAVIT , GAZIOGLU SIBEL , ALTUNAYOGLU VILDAN , HOCAOGLU CICEK
Published: September 2007

Abstract  The purpose of the present study was to assess a group of patients with chronic tension‐type headache (CTTH) and control subjects using the personality questionnaire proposed by Cloninger and to determine possible changes in the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) patterns of CTTH patients after therapy with serotonergic antidepressants. Forty‐five patients with CTTH filled out the TCI and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and after 4‐month prophylactic therapy with serotonergic antidepressants. A total of 50 age‐, sex‐ and education level‐matched healthy subjects were selected as a control group. During the pretreatment period patients were found to have higher harm avoidance and lower self‐directedness scores than healthy comparison subjects. During the post‐treatment period, although harm avoidance scores decreased and self‐directedness scores increased, harm avoidance scores were still significantly higher and self‐directedness scores significantly lower in CTTH patients than in controls. After using BDI score and age as covariates at the post‐treatment period, harm avoidance scores were still higher in patients with CTTH while self‐directedness scores did not differ between CTTH patients and controls. These findings suggest state and trait dependence of harm avoidance, and strong state dependence of self‐directedness scores in CTTH patients. When interpreting data regarding personality measured by the TCI in CTTH patients, the effects of depressive symptomatology should be taken into account.