bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative genetics and behavioural correlates of digit ratio in the zebra finch
Authors: Forstmeier Wolfgang
Published: October 2005

A recent study on a captive zebra finch population suggested that variation in digit ratio (i.e. the relative length of the second to the fourth toe) might be an indicator of the action of sex steroids during embryo development, as is widely assumed for human digits. Zebra finch digit ratio was found to vary with offspring sex, laying order of eggs within a clutch, and to predict aspects of female mating behaviour. Hence, it was proposed that the measurement of digit ratio would give insights into how an individual's behaviour is shaped by its maternal environment. Studying 500 individuals of a different zebra finch population I set out to: (1) determine the proximate causes of variation in digit ratio by means of quantitative genetics and (2) to search for phenotypic and genetic correlations between digit ratio, sexual behaviour and aspects of fitness. In contrast to the earlier study, I found no sexual dimorphism in digit ratio and no effect of either laying order or experimentally altered hatching order on digit ratio. Instead, I found that variation in digit ratio was almost entirely additive genetic, with heritability estimates ranging from 71 to 84%. The rearing environment (from egg deposition to independence) explained an additional 5–6% of the variation in digit ratio, but there was no indication of any maternal effects transmitted through the egg. I found highly significant phenotypic correlations (and genetic correlations of similar size) between digit ratio and male song rate (positive correlation) as well as between digit ratio and female hopping activity in a choice chamber (negative correlation). Rather surprisingly, the strength of these correlations differed significantly between subsequent generations of the same population, illustrating how quickly such correlations can appear and disappear probably due to genotype–environment interactions.
Predictors of early survival in Soay sheep: cohort-, maternal- and individual-level variation
Authors: Jones Owen R , Crawley Michael J , Pilkington Jill G , Pemberton Josephine M
Published: October 2005

A demographic understanding of population dynamics requires an appreciation of the processes influencing survival—a demographic rate influenced by parameters varying at the individual, maternal and cohort level. There have been few attempts to partition the variance in demography contributed by each of these parameter types. Here, we use data from a feral population of Soay sheep (
Ovis aries
), from the island of St Kilda, to explore the relative importance of these parameter types on early survival. We demonstrate that the importance of variation occurring at the level of the individual, and maternally, far outweighs that occurring at the cohort level. The most important variables within the individual and maternal levels were birth weight and maternal age class, respectively. This work underlines the importance of using individual based models in ecological demography and we, therefore, caution against studies that focus solely on population processes.
Adaptive plasticity of floral display size in animal-pollinated plants
Authors: Harder Lawrence D , Johnson Steven D
Published: October 2005

Plants need not participate passively in their own mating, despite their immobility and reliance on pollen vectors. Instead, plants may respond to their recent pollination experience by adjusting the number of flowers that they display simultaneously. Such responsiveness could arise from the dependence of floral display size on the longevity of individual flowers, which varies with pollination rate in many plant species. By hand-pollinating some inflorescences, but not others, we demonstrate plasticity in display size of the orchid
Satyrium longicauda
. Pollination induced flower wilting, but did not affect the opening of new flowers, so that within a few days pollinated inflorescences displayed fewer flowers than unpollinated inflorescences. During subsequent exposure to intensive natural pollination, pollen removal and receipt increased proportionally with increasing display size, whereas pollen-removal failure and self-pollination accelerated. Such benefit–cost relations allow plants that adjust display size in response to the prevailing pollination rate to increase their attractiveness when pollinators are rare (large displays), or to limit mating costs when pollinators are abundant (small displays). Seen from this perspective, pollination-induced flower wilting serves the entire plant by allowing it to display the number of flowers that is appropriate for the current pollination environment.
Graph topology plays a determinant role in the evolution of cooperation
Authors: Santos F.C , Rodrigues J.F , Pacheco J.M
Published: October 2005

We study the evolution of cooperation in communities described in terms of graphs, such that individuals occupy the vertices and engage in single rounds of the Prisoner's Dilemma with those individuals with whom they are connected through the edges of those graphs. We find an overwhelming dominance of cooperation whenever graphs are dynamically generated through the mechanisms of growth and preferential attachment. These mechanisms lead to the appearance of direct links between hubs, which constitute sufficient conditions to sustain cooperation. We show that cooperation dominates from large population sizes down to communities with nearly 100 individuals, even when extrinsic factors set a limit on the number of interactions that each individual may engage in.
Microhabitat use and preferences of the endangered Cottus gobio in the River Voer, Belgium
Authors: Van Liefferinge C. , Seeuws P. , Meire P. , Verheyen R. F.
Published: October 2005

Microhabitat use and preferences of juvenile and adult bullhead Cottus gobio, from the River Voer, Flanders, were studied and compared across different seasons. Water depth, water velocity near the substratum, surface water velocity and substratum type used by C. gobio differed between seasons. These differences, however, were not attributable to differences in microhabitat availability. Adults appeared to prefer higher water velocities and coarser substrata than the average ones available in the basin. Although water depth appeared to have little influence on seasonal variation of microhabitat use in adult C. gobio, juveniles preferred deeper water and coarser substrata in winter, whereas in summer they appeared to use shallower water. There was a difference in microhabitat use between juvenile and adult bullhead only in summer.
On the occurrence of Cheilopogon furcatus in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Ben Souissi J. , Golani D. , Mejri H. , Capapé C.
Published: October 2005

The spotfin flyingfish Cheilopogon furcatus is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, near Zarzis, in the Gulf of Gabès, southern Tunisia. This record is probably due to migration from the eastern Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Movement patterns of Cephalopholis cruentata in a marine reserve in St Lucia, W.I., obtained from ultrasonic telemetry
Authors: Popple I. D. , Hunte W.
Published: October 2005

Home range size and shape, and within home range movement patterns were determined from 10 adult graysby Cephalopholis cruentata implanted with acoustic transmitters on two reefs within the Soufriere Marine Management Area, St Lucia. The mean home range area was 2120 m2(range 1200 to 4000 m2) and non‐circular in shape. All fish demonstrated a clear preference for a specific area in their home range where, on average, 72·9% of an individuals position were located. Time spent in this favoured area was correlated with reef complexity. Fish with greater activity and displacement possessed a larger home range. Activity and displacement were higher by night than by day, and consistent with this, fish spent less time in the preferred area of their home range by night than by day. Tagged individuals demonstrated a strong tendency to avoid sand habitat present at reserve boundaries.
A kinematic examination of wild sockeye salmon jumping up natural waterfalls
Authors: Lauritzen D. V. , Hertel F. , Gordon M. S.
Published: October 2005

Wild Alaskan sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka jumping natural waterfalls were observed and photographed to obtain insight into factors important to the fish in dealing with obstacles during their upstream spawning migrations. The fish showed preferences for specific sets of conditions related to heights of waterfalls and depths in pools below waterfalls. Successful jumps appeared to result from running starts, not standing fast starts. The proportion of observed jumps that were successful was low (10% at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park, Alaska, U.S.A.). Successful jumping behaviour was modelled mathematically and predictions were compared to measured kinematic variables of successful and unsuccessful jumping obtained from analyses of digital video photographs. There were statistically significant differences between the two data sets, but the model identified takeoff velocities and angles, and distances between takeoffs and successful landings as important variables.
Analysis of major histocompatibility complex class II Beta genes from rockfishes (genusSebastes)
Authors: Aguilar A. , Garza J. C.
Published: October 2005

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) beta genes were isolated from 12 species of rockfish (genusSebastes). Multiple sequences were found in each of the species. The majority of sequences displayed the characteristics of functional MHC genes, with a small group of sequences that were possibly pseudogenes.
Photoperiod affects growth, behaviour and stress variables in Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Almazán‐Rueda P. , Van Helmond A. T. M , Verreth J. A. J. , Schrama J. W.
Published: October 2005

Short periods of light or no light (18D : 06L and 24D : 00L) resulted in an increased growth compared to extended periods of light (06D : 18L and 12D : 12L) in African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Fish under longer periods of light (12D : 12L and 18D : 06L) showed higher swimming activity, more aggression (injuries on the body) and higher lactate, free fatty acids and cortisol levels compared to those who were reared at shorter periods of light (24D : 00L and 18D : 06L). Feeding activity during light and dark periods in this experiment showed that C. gariepinus had both night and day feeding activities, with a preference to diurnal feeding in the 12D : 12L photoperiod. The results showed that light plays an important role in the African catfish behaviour and its well‐being. As the hours of light increased during the 24 h cycle, data suggests that the fish were more stressed and aggressive, compared to those under a reduced number of light hours.
Daily ration and prey size of juvenile piscivore Japanese Spanish mackerel
Authors: Shoji J. , Tanaka M.
Published: October 2005

Daily ration of juvenile Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius(32·1–33·1 mm standard length, LS) was estimated at three temperatures (18·6, 19·5 and 21·2° C) in the laboratory. Gastric evacuation rate ranged between 0·398 (18·6° C) and 0·431 (21·2° C). Diel change in instantaneous consumption rate indicated that juvenile Japanese Spanish mackerel are daylight feeders. The estimated values of the daily ration ranged between 66·1%(18·6° C) and 82·6%(21·2° C) of body mass. These per cent values of daily ration were converted to daily consumption in mg (28 mg at 18·6° C to 34 mg at 21·2° C) using the mean dry body mass of juvenile Japanese Spanish mackerel of 30 mm (42·1 mg). Stomach content analysis of wild specimens collected in the Seto Inland Sea, south‐western Japan, revealed that the majority of wild Japanese Spanish mackerel larvae and juveniles ingested fish larvae with a body size >50% of the predator LS. Based on the predator‐prey size relationship, the daily consumption of a Japanese Spanish mackerel juvenile of 30 mm was equivalent to 5·1 (18·6° C) to 6·4 (21·2° C) Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus larvae which was the dominant prey organism in stomachs of the wild Japanese Spanish mackerel.
Effect of diet on fatty acid compositions in Sciaenops ocellatus
Authors: Turner J. P. , Rooker J. R.
Published: October 2005

The role of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the fatty acid composition of juvenile red drum Sciaenops ocellatus was investigated. Individuals (n = 435) were fed three natural diets (Gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus, brown shrimp Farfantapenaeus aztecus and Atlantic brief squid Lolliguncula brevis) that had significantly different proximate composition, energy density and PUFA compositions for 40 days. Diets were characterized as containing: high lipid, high protein, high energy and low PUFA (fish‐based), low lipid, low protein, low energy, moderate PUFA (shrimp‐based), and low lipid, high protein, moderate energy and high PUFA levels (squid‐based), respectively. Specimens were collected at days 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 to evaluate rate of dietary fatty acid composition in tissues. Two‐source mixing models were used to calculate dietary fatty acid accumulation in consumer tissues. Results indicated that juvenile red drum incorporated an average of 35% dietary PUFAs after 5 days. Although relative biomass and dietary proximate composition had an effect upon the dietary fatty acid contribution, red drum averaged 91% incorporation of the five most prevalent PUFAs [18 : 2 (n − 6), 20 : 4 (n − 6), 20 : 5 (n − 3), 22 : 5 (n − 3) and 22 : 6 (n − 3)] across all diets after 40 days. Growth varied as a function of diet and rates were higher for individuals fed the squid diet than those fed shrimp or fish diets primarily due to increased levels of protein and PUFAs [including 22 : 6 (n − 3); 25·8%] in the diet. Red drum fed squid exhibited the greatest increase in average dietary fatty acid contribution by day 5, a trend that continued for the duration of the experiment. Since PUFA composition in red drum was significantly influenced by diet in as few as 5 days and almost completely incorporated into body tissues after 40 days, results from this study support the premise that fatty acids (especially PUFAs) are promising dietary indicators and may be useful for future studies examining trophic relationships of estuarine and marine fishes.
Exercise as a treatment for depression in elders
Authors: Palmer Carol
Published: October 2005

Purpose

To describe the use of exercise when treating depression in elders and to discuss the data supporting the relationship between increased physical activity and decreased depression.

Data sources

Extensive review of recent scientific literature, both medical and gerontological in content.

Conclusions

Increasing physical activity markedly reduces depressive symptoms and is a safe adjunct or alternative to medication therapy.

Implications for practice

Exercise has numerous physical and psychological benefits to patients. Physical activity should be recommended to all patients of all ages.
Recognizing health risks in childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Nelson Mary Baron , Meeske Kathy
Published: October 2005

Purpose

To provide information about the special health needs of childhood cancer survivors through a discussion of Wilms’ tumor, a common childhood renal tumor, and case studies of two survivors of Wilms’ tumor, who encountered significant health problems as adults. This information may be generalized to many cancer survivors.

Data sources

Actual case studies as well as extensive review of the current literature on childhood cancer survivorship.

Conclusions

Adult healthcare practitioners may help to decrease morbidity of childhood cancer survivors in adulthood when they are knowledgeable about the risks of this population. Resources are readily available, both in the medical literature and on the Internet.

Implications for practice

With well‐established success in the treatment of childhood cancer, there are many young and middle‐aged adult survivors of the disease. However, as many as two‐thirds of survivors may have chronic long‐term effects of treatment. Most survivors eventually discontinue follow‐up with their pediatric oncologists and receive primary health care from adult providers, many of whom are unaware of survivors’ health risks. Awareness of primary care providers regarding the special health needs of childhood cancer survivors is critical to decrease morbidity and improve quality of life. The ever‐increasing number of childhood cancer survivors is creating a public health issue as they transition into adulthood.
Polypharmacy in the elderly: A literature review
Authors: Fulton Maryann M. , Riley Allen Elizabeth
Published: October 2005

Purpose

To review the body of literature addressing polypharmacy in individuals aged 60 years and older to (a) determine primary care providers’ definition of polypharmacy, (b) explore how polypharmacy was assessed in primary care, and (c) seek tested interventions that address polypharmacy.

Data sources

A systematic review of electronic bibliographic databases (e.g. EBSCOHost, InfoTrac, OVID, FirstSearch, and FirstSearch Deluxe) utilizing the search terms “polypharmacy,”“polypharmacy and elderly,”“polypharmacy and research,” and “multiple medications” for the period January 1991 to October 2003 was completed. The search was supplemented with online site searches of relevant journals and review of reference lists of each article.

Conclusions

Results of the literature review revealed that polypharmacy continues to be a significant issue and little research has been conducted regarding the methods primary care providers utilize to assess polypharmacy. Also, there is a gap in the literature regarding the interventions implemented by primary care providers to address polypharmacy.

Implications for practice

The following definition of polypharmacy in clinical practice might be more practical: the use of medications that are not clinically indicated. Selecting appropriate limits for numbers of medications may be counterproductive in populations with multiple comorbidities.
Primary care needs of patients who have undergone gender reassignment
Authors: Sobralske Mary
Published: October 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to inform nurse practitioners (NPs) about the primary care needs of patients who have undergone gender reassignment, either by hormone therapy alone or in conjunction with surgery.

Data sources

Data sources used were mainly from a review of the literature about gender identity disorder and gender reassignment. Information was also gathered from several leading surgeons on gender reassignment surgical procedures and subsequent clinical considerations.

Conclusions

There is very little written on the primary care clinical ramifications of transsexual patients and how clinicians can adapt their approaches to healthcare delivery to accommodate their special situations.

Implications for practice

Implications for practice include how an NP can adapt clinical practice approaches to provide for patients who have undergone gender reassignment. Changes that occur in the transsexual process may warrant noncustomary primary healthcare screening and examination.
Toward a predictive model of patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner care
Authors: Green Ann , Davis Sheila
Published: October 2005

Purpose

(a) To determine if caring behaviors of nurse practitioners (NPs), gender of NPs, setting (urban or rural), and age, gender, ethnicity, education, and income of patients were predictors of patient satisfaction; (b) to determine which of these characteristics was the best predictor(s) of patient satisfaction; and (c) begin to develop a conceptual model for explaining patient satisfaction with NP care.

Data sources

Responses to the Caring Behaviors Inventory (CBI) and a demographic inquiry by 348 NPs in Louisiana and completion of the Di’Tomasso–Willard Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (DWPSQ) and a demographic inquiry from 817 patients in Louisiana served as data sources. A predictive modeling design explored which variable(s) is the best predictor of patient satisfaction, and multiple regression was used to determine the equation for the best‐fitting line and the optimal model for the best predictor(s) of patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

CBI mean scores were high for all NPs. No statistically significant difference was found between male NPs’ and female NPs’ total mean CBI scores and between urban or rural total mean CBI scores. DWPSQ mean scores and subscale scores indicated high satisfaction with NP care. No statistically significant relationships were found between the NPs’ CBI mean scores and the patients’ DWPSQ mean scores. There were significant relationships between the DWPSQ subscales, including Wait Time and Patient Management. Stepwise linear regression revealed that patients’ age group was a predictor of DWPSQ total mean scores.

Implications for practice

NPs need to be aware of developmental differences in all age groups and the differences in perceptions of care. There are many variables to consider when determining patient satisfaction with care, including the patients’ sociodemographic and health variables, the healthcare system, and characteristics of the healthcare providers. Awareness of these variables may affect how NPs deliver care and ensure quality care with which the patients are satisfied.
Factors influencing women's decisions to self‐treat vaginal symptoms
Authors: Theroux Rosemary
Published: October 2005

Purpose

To review the research on women's self‐treatment of vaginal symptoms, describe factors influencing this phenomenon, identify evidence‐based interventions, and suggest strategies for nurse practitioners (NPs) to promote safe and effective self‐treatment decisions by women.

Data sources

Research articles identified through Medline and CINAHL databases.

Conclusions

The primary factors influencing women's decisions to self‐treat vaginal symptoms were personal (attitudes, beliefs, values, knowledge and experience, and emotions) and environmental (culture, social networks and norms, media, and life context).

Implications for practice

Women's self‐diagnostic skills and decision making for self‐treatment can be improved through education and support from NPs. The traditional office visit may not provide an opportunity to teach women appropriate self‐care because many women do not access providers for advice or information. Different methods of providing information to large numbers of women through consumer publications need to be developed and evaluated.
Birefringence and Microstructure of Anisotropic Borosilicate Glasses
Authors: TAKAMORI TAKESHI , TOMOZAWA MINORU
Published: October 2005

Optically anisotropic glasses were obtained by the uniaxial stretching of phase‐separated borosilicate glasses in the transformation temperature range. The sign inversion of the birefringence, induced by subsequent heat treatments, was correlated with microstructure. The positive birefringence is attributed to form birefringence and the negative birefringence to “distribution birefringence” caused by the anisotropic distribution of the separated phase.
Electrical Conductivity of Heat‐Treated SnO2 Films
Authors: RACCANELLI ALVISE , MADDALENA AMEDEO
Published: October 2005

Variations in electrical conduction which were caused by heat treatment of SnO2 films vapor‐deposited on glass were studied. In the range 20° to 230°C, the relative importance of semiconduction processes attributed to 3 types of donors (probably O vacancies, interstitial Sn ions, and Cl ions) was determined as a function of heat treatment. A decrease in conductivity at constant temperature above 230°C was ascribed to grain growth of the SnO2 crystals deposited initially.
Application of Transmission Electron Microscopy to Engineering Practice in Ceramics: Introduction, Fundamentals, and Application to Precipitation Phenomena
Authors: HEUER A. H.
Published: October 2005

This paper, the first of eight in this issue of the Journal devoted to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of ceramics, provides a brief introduction to the physics of electron optics as it relates to the study of microstructural defects in crystalline solids. The particular application of TEM discussed in this paper, the study of subsolidus precipitation in star sapphire (Ti‐doped AI2O3) and in magnesia‐partially stabilized zirconia (Mg‐PSZ), illustrates the usefulness of this technique in providing detailed crystallographic and microstructural information on precipitation reactions. In star sapphire, TEM was used to identify unambiguously the needle‐like precipitate phase responsible for the asterism in gem‐quality crystals as rutile, the stable tetragonal form of TO2. The observed orientation relation between precipitate and matrix allows good lattice matching between the two phases. The work on PSZ described in the present paper consists of “deciphering” the precipitation history of a commercial, sintered, polycrystalline ceramic showing, in particular, that precipitation occurred in three distinguishable stages. Although tetragonal ZrO2 is the precipitate phase in all three stages, a polymorphic transformation to monoclinic symmetry occurs in two of the three types of precipitates; the tetragonal symmetry is retained metastably in the third. Furthermore, the internal structure of the precipitates and the precipitate/cubic zirconia host microstructural relations are different in each case; these differences can profoundly affect mechanical properties.
Fast Ion Conductors
Authors: DE JONGHE LUTGARD C.
Published: October 2005

The results of transmission electron microscopy and their relation to some practical aspects of Na β‐ nd β‐alumina solid electrolytes are reviewed. Grain and grain‐boundary morphology, crystallographic defects, nonstoichiometry, and second‐phase formation are discussed.
Electron Microscopy of Ferrites
Authors: MISHRA RAJA K. , THOMAS GARETH
Published: October 2005

This paper describes some electron microscopy studies of magnetic ferrites with special emphasis on LiFe4O8 and including some results on NiFe2O4 and SrFe12O18, The paper is concerned with analysis of the crystallography, defect structure, and phase transformations and their relations to magnetic properties, viz. coercivity and hysteresis characteristics.
Exploration of genes showing intramuscular fat deposition‐associated expression changes in musculus longissimus muscle
Authors: Sasaki Y. , Nagai K. , Nagata Y. , Doronbekov K. , Nishimura S. , Yoshioka S. , Fujita T. , Shiga K. , Miyake T. , Taniguchi Y. , Yamada T.
Published: October 2005

Marbling, as defined by the amount of intramuscular fat, is an economically important trait in beef cattle. Intramuscular fat deposition is postulated to arise mainly from a series of adipogenic events in intramuscular adipocyte‐lineage cells and in the physiological or anatomical milieux surrounding them. This study was designed to investigate gene‐expression patterns associated with fat deposition in musculus longissimus muscle, including adipocyte‐lineage cells and part of the milieux. Differential‐display PCR (ddPCR) was used to examine expression differences between low‐marbled and high‐marbled steer groups at 8, 10, 12 and 14 months of age, encompassing the time that marbling starts to appear. Seventy‐four of 2114 total bands on ddPCR gel‐bands were significant (P < 0.05) for the group effect, the interaction effect between group and age, or both the group and the interaction effects. Sequence analysis of 72 of these bands revealed 77 genes, including 35 annotated genes and 42 novel sequences. Among the 35 annotated genes, 6 (BTG2, PDHB, SORBS1, TRDN, TTN and MGP) have been related to changes in intramuscular fat deposition, possibly by exerting effects on adipocyte‐lineage cells or on the milieux surrounding them.
Interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12 responses to Chlamydia trachomatis infection in adolescents
Authors: Wang C , Tang J , Crowley-Nowick P A , Wilson C M , Kaslow R A , Geisler W M
Published: October 2005

Chlamydia trachomatis infects epithelial cells at the mucosal surface. While in vitro and animal studies have shown changes in mucosal TH1-associated cytokines in the presence of C. trachomatis infection and with its progression to the upper genital tract or clearance, in vivo cytokine responses to chlamydial infection in humans are not well understood. Using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we examined the endocervical production of two TH1-associated cytokines, i.e. interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12, in relation to C. trachomatis infection in adolescents. At a randomly selected visit for 396 females, median endocervical IL-2 levels were significantly lower (190 versus 283 pg/ml, P = 0·02) and median IL-12 levels significantly higher (307 versus 132 pg/ml, P < 0·001) in subjects testing positive versus negative for C. trachomatis. These divergent TH1-associated cytokine responses were: (1) confirmed in paired analyses of 96 individuals before and after infection within 6-month intervals, (2) reversible in 97 patients who cleared infection during consecutive visits, (3) not attributable to sociodemographic factors or other genital infections and (4) independent of common genetic variants at the IL2 and IL12B loci associated previously with differential gene expression. From these findings we infer that increased IL-12 and decreased IL-2, observed commonly during mucosal inflammation, are important features of mucosal immune defence against C. trachomatis infection.
Dendritic cell immunizations alone or combined with low doses of interleukin-2 induce specific immune responses in melanoma patients
Authors: Escobar A , López M , Serrano A , Ramirez M , Pérez C , Aguirre A , González R , Alfaro J , Larrondo M , Fodor M , Ferrada C , Salazar-Onfray F
Published: October 2005

Dendritic cell (DC)-based therapy has proved to be effective in patients with a variety of malignancies. However, an optimal immunization protocol using DCs and the best means for delivering antigens has not yet been described. In this study, 20 patients with malignant melanoma in stages III or IV were vaccinated with autologous DCs pulsed with a melanoma cell lysate, alone (n = 13) or in combination with low doses of subcutaneous (s.c.) interleukin (IL)-2 injections (n = 7), to assess toxicity, immunological and clinical responses. Monocyte-derived DCs were morphological, phenotypic and functionally characterized in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), harvested from patients either prior to and after the treatment, were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT). After vaccination, 50% of the patients tested (seven of 13) from the first group and (three of seven) from the second, showed an increase in interferon (IFN)-γ production in response to allogeneic melanoma cell lines but not to controls. Four of five tested human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2+ patients with anti-melanoma activity also showed specific T cell responses against peptides derived from melanoma-associated antigens. Delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) against melanoma cell lysate was observed in six of 13 patients from the group treated with DC vaccines only and four of seven from the group treated with the combination of DCs and IL-2. Significant correlations were found between DTH-positive responses against tumour lysate and both disease stability and post-vaccination survival on the stage IV patients. There were no toxicities associated with the vaccines or evidence of autoimmunity including vitiligo. Furthermore, no significant enhancement was observed as a result of combining DC vaccination with IL-2. Our data suggest that autologous DCs pulsed with tumour lysate may provide a standardized and widely applicable source of melanoma specific antigens for clinical use. It is safe and causes no significant side effects and has been demonstrated to be partially efficient at triggering effective anti-melanoma immunity.
Using multivariate adaptive regression splines to predict the distributions of New Zealand's freshwater diadromous fish
Authors: LEATHWICK J. R. , ROWE D. , RICHARDSON J. , ELITH J. , HASTIE T.
Published: October 2005

1. Relationships between probabilities of occurrence for fifteen diadromous fish species and environmental variables characterising their habitat in fluvial waters were explored using an extensive collection of distributional data from New Zealand rivers and streams. Environmental predictors were chosen for their likely functional relevance, and included variables describing conditions in the stream segment where sampling occurred, downstream factors affecting the ability of fish to move upriver from the sea, and upstream, catchment‐scale factors mostly affecting variation in river flows.

2. Analyses were performed using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), a technique that uses piece‐wise linear segments to describe non‐linear relationships between species and environmental variables. All species were analysed using an option that allows simultaneous analysis of community data to identify the combination of environmental variables best able to predict the occurrence of the component species. Model discrimination was assessed for each species using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) statistic, calculated using a bootstrap procedure that estimates performance when predictions are made to independent data.

3. Environmental predictors having the strongest overall relationships with probabilities of occurrence included distance from the sea, stream size, summer temperature, and catchment‐scale drivers of variation in stream flow. Many species were also sensitive to variation in either the average and/or maximum downstream slope, and riparian shade was an important predictor for some species.

4. Analysis results were imported into a Geographic Information System where they were combined with extensive environmental data, allowing spatially explicit predictions of probabilities of occurrence by species to be made for New Zealand's entire river network. This information will provide a valuable context for future conservation management in New Zealand's rivers and streams.
Threshold elemental ratios for carbon versus phosphorus limitation in Daphnia
Authors: ANDERSON THOMAS R. , HESSEN DAG O.
Published: October 2005

1. The transition from carbon (C) to phosphorus (P) limited growth in Daphnia depends not only on the C : P ratio in seston, i.e. food quality, but also on food quantity. Carbon is commonly believed to be limiting at low food because of the energetic demands of basal metabolism. The critical C : P ratio in seston (otherwise known as the threshold elemental ratio, TER) above which P is limiting would then be high when food is scarce.

2. A new model that differentiates between the C : P requirements for growth and maintenance is presented that includes terms for both C and P in basal metabolism. At low food the calculated TERs for Daphnia of around 230 are only slightly higher than values of 200 or so at high intake. Seston C : P often exceeds 230, particularly in oligotrophic lakes where phytoplankton concentration is low and detritus dominates the diet, indicating the potential for limitation by P.

3. The analysis highlights the importance of P, as well as C, in maintenance metabolism and the overall metabolic budget, such that food quality is of importance even when intake is low. Further measurements of C and P metabolism at low food, in particular basal respiration and excretion rates, are needed in order to improve our understanding of the interacting roles of food quantity and quality in zooplankton nutrition.
Direct and indirect effects of solar ultraviolet‐B radiation on long‐term decomposition
Authors: Pancotto Verónica A. , Sala Osvaldo E. , Robson T. Matthew , Caldwell Martyn M. , Scopel Ana L.
Published: October 2005

As a result of stratospheric ozone depletion, more solar ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B, 280–315 nm) is reaching the Earth's surface. Enhanced levels of UV‐B may, in turn, alter ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Solar UV‐B radiation could affect decomposition both indirectly, by changes in the chemical composition of leaves during growth, or directly by photochemical breakdown of litter and through changes in decomposer communities exposed to sunlight. In this experiment, we studied indirect and direct effects of solar UV‐B radiation on decomposition of barley (Hordeum vulgare). We used barley straw and leaf litter grown under reduced UV‐B (20% of ambient UV‐B) or under near‐ambient UV‐B (90% of ambient UV‐B) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and decomposed the litter under reduced or near‐ambient solar UV‐B for 29 months in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

We found that the UV‐B treatment applied during growth decreased the decay rate. On the other hand, there was a marginally significant direct effect of elevated UV‐B during the early stages of decomposition, suggesting increased mass loss. The effect of UV‐B during growth on decomposition was likely the result of changes in plant litter chemical composition. Near‐ambient UV‐B received during plant growth decreased the concentrations of nitrogen, soluble carbohydrates, and N/P ratio, and increased the concentrations of phosphorus, cellulose, UV‐B‐absorbing compounds, and lignin/N ratio. Thus, solar UV‐B radiation affects the decomposition of barley litter directly and indirectly, and indirect effects are persistent for the whole decomposition period.
Evidence of history in explaining diversity patterns in tropical riverine fish
Authors: Tedesco Pablo A. , Oberdorff Thierry , Lasso Carlos A. , Zapata Milton , Hugueny Bernard
Published: October 2005

Aim  Documentation of the ongoing effect of rain forest refuges at the last glacial maximum (LGM) on patterns of tropical freshwater fish diversity.

Location  Tropical South and Central America, and West Africa.

Methods  LGM rain forest regions and species richness by drainage were compiled from published data. GIS mapping was applied to compile drainage area and contemporary primary productivity. We used multiple regression analyses, applied separately for Tropical South America, Central America and West Africa, to assess differences in species richness between drainages that were connected and disconnected to rain forest refuge zones during the LGM. Spatial autocorrelation of the residuals was tested using Moran's I statistic. We added an intercontinental comparison to our analyses to see if a historical signal would persist even when a regional historical effect (climate at the LGM) had already been accounted for.

Results  Both area and history (contact with LGM rain forest refuge) explained the greatest proportions of variance in the geographical pattern of riverine species richness. In the three examined regions, we found highest richness in drainages that were connected to the rain forest refuges. No significant residual spatial autocorrelation was detected after considering area, primary productivity and LGM rain forest refuges. These results show that past climatic events still affect West African and Latin American regional and continental freshwater fish richness. At the continental scale, we found South American rivers more species‐rich than expected on the basis of their area, productivity and connectedness to rain forest refuge. Conversely, Central American rivers were less species‐diverse than expected by the grouped model. African rivers were intermediate. Therefore, a historical signal persists even when a regional historical effect (climate at the LGM) had already been accounted for.

Main conclusions  It has been hypothesized that past climatic events have limited impact on species richness because species have tracked environmental changes through range shifts. However, when considering organisms with physically constrained dispersal (such as freshwater fish), past events leave a perceptible imprint on present species diversity. Furthermore, we considered regions that have comparable contemporary climatic and environmental characteristics, explaining the absence of a productivity effect. From the LGM to the present day (a time scale of 18,000 years), extinction processes should have played a predominant role in shaping the current diversity pattern. By contrast, the continental effects could reflect historical contingencies explained by differences in speciation and extinction rates between continents at higher time scales (millions of years).
A survey of off‐label prescribing for inpatients with mild intellectual disability and mental illness
Authors: Haw C. , Stubbs J.
Published: October 2005

Background  The term ‘off‐label prescribing’ refers to the use of a drug outside the terms of its Marketing Authorisation, including prescribing for an unlicensed indication. There have been few reports about off‐label prescribing in psychiatry. The aims of the study were to determine the frequency of off‐label prescribing of psychotropics for inpatients with mild intellectual disability (ID) and mental illness resident in a large psychiatric hospital, the nature of the off‐label clinical indications and details about patient consent and case note documentation of the off‐label usage.

Methods  Cross‐sectional survey of inpatients of the ID division of a charitable hospital was carried out. Interviews with consultant psychiatrists about off‐label use of psychotropics were also made.

Results  Of the 56 patients studied, 38 (67.9%) were receiving one or more psychotropic drugs and 26 (46.4%) were receiving at least one off‐label psychotropic. The most frequently cited off‐label indications were: reduction of aggression, arousal and behavioural disturbance (14 cases) and mood stabilization of affective disturbance (13). The principle psychotropics involved were atypical antipsychotics (17 cases) and mood stabilizers (13). Although in most instances the psychiatrist was aware the drug was being used off‐label and had consulted other professionals, in only two (6%) instances had the patient been informed of the off‐label usage, largely because the psychiatrist felt they lacked the capacity to understand the off‐label concept. In most cases the off‐label usage had not been documented in the case notes.

Conclusions  Off‐label prescribing is common in patients with comorbid ID and mental disorder. When prescribing off‐label, psychiatrists need to consider the evidence that the drug is likely to be effective for the unlicensed indication and any risks involved. Where there is limited evidence of benefit a trial of the drug, with clinical monitoring may be indicated. Patients should be fully informed about their medication. However, many patients with ID cannot understand the off‐label concept. In some circumstances psychiatrists may find it helpful to consult other professionals before prescribing off‐label. Good case note documentation of the process is important and supports the prescriber.
Personality disorders in people with learning disabilities: follow‐up of a community survey
Authors: Lidher J. , Martin D. M. , Jayaprakash M. S. , Roy A.
Published: October 2005

Background  A sample of community‐based service users with intellectual disability (ID) was re‐examined after 5 years to determine the impact of a diagnosis of personality disorder (PD).

Methods  Seventy‐five of the original 101 participants were followed up. Of these, 21 people had a PD identified during the original study.

Results  Compared with controls, people with a PD were significantly more likely to receive central nervous system (CNS) drugs, have more contact with psychiatric services, show increased offending behaviour, score higher on the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist and score above the threshold on the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disability (PAS‐ADD). Participants with PD recorded were more likely to have a recorded psychiatric disorder, have contact with specialist teams, and have more hospital admissions.

Conclusion  People with ID and PD are able to live in the community with specialist support but improved assessment, diagnosis and support services need to be targeted more effectively to them.
The behavioural profile of psychiatric disorders in persons with intellectual disability
Authors: Kishore M. T. , Nizamie S. H. , Nizamie A.
Published: October 2005

Background  Problems associated with psychiatric diagnoses could be minimized by identifying behavioural clusters of specific psychiatric disorders.

Methods  Sixty persons with intellectual disability (ID) and behavioural problems, aged 12–55 years, were assessed with standardized Indian tools for intelligence and adaptive behaviour. Clinical diagnoses were conferred as per International Classification of Diseases – 10th Revision (ICD‐10) criteria. Subsequently Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behaviors (RSMB) and AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale‐Part II were administered independently.

Results  Aggression and rebellious behaviours were more common in affective disorders and personality disorders. Psychotic and paranoid features were significantly more in psychosis group. Those with behavioural problems had significantly low scores on the sub‐scales of RSMB.

Conclusion  RSMB and AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale‐Part II will be useful to identify behavioural clusters, which will complement clinical psychiatric diagnoses in individuals with ID.
Primary intracranial myopericytoma: report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Rousseau A. , Kujas M. , Van Effenterre R. , Boch A.‐L. , Carpentier A. , Leroy J.‐P. , Poirier J.
Published: October 2005

Myopericytoma is a benign tumour generally arising in the subcutaneous and superficial soft tissues of the extremities. Very few cases have been reported in other locations and intracranial examples are exceptional. We now report on three cases of primary intracranial myopericytoma and review the literature on that rare entity. The patients were women in their fifties who presented with decreased visual acuity in two cases and raised intracranial pressure in one case. The tumour involved, respectively, the anterior cranial fossa, the orbital apex and the pineal region. Gross total resection was achieved in all three cases. Histological analysis revealed oval‐to‐spindle shaped myoid‐appearing cells with a striking tendency for concentric perivascular growth. The lesional cells showed apparent differentiation towards perivascular myoid cells as witnessed by smooth muscle actin expression. In one case, an epithelioid differentiation was also present. None of the patients received adjuvant therapy. One patient died of unrelated causes 6 months after surgery. The other two are alive and well at 9 and 12 month follow‐up respectively. Myopericytoma is a recently described neoplasm, and it is likely that reappraisal of intracranial haemangiopericytoma with which it shares many histopathologic features will lead to more case reports of primary intracranial myopericytoma.
Mixed glioneuronal tumour of the fourth ventricle with prominent rosette formation
Authors: Jacques T. S. , Eldridge C. , Patel A. , Saleem N. M. , Powell M. , Kitchen N. D. , Thom M. , Revesz T.
Published: October 2005

We describe three unusual tumours characterized by a mixture of glial and neuronal differentiation, involvement of the posterior fossa and formation of rosettes. Mixed glial‐neuronal tumours of the posterior fossa are rare and poorly described neoplasms. However, several distinctive entities have appeared in the literature over recent years under a variety of different names. Our cases demonstrate the morphological features of the ‘rosette‐forming glioneuronal tumour of the fourth ventricle’, a recently identified tumour characterised by its unique location, neurocytic pseudo‐rosette formation and the presence of a low grade astrocytoma component. The long term prognosis of these tumours remains unclear. However, the clinical data available including the cases presented here, along with the histological features, suggest that these are low grade tumours with a good prognosis after surgical resection.