bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Robot-Assisted Pelvic Surgery
Authors: Singh Iqbal , Hemal Ashok K.
Published: June 2009

The purpose of this study was to assess the current role of robot-assisted urological surgery in the female pelvis. The recently published English literature was reviewed to evaluate this role, with special emphasis on reconstructive procedures. These included colposuspension for genuine female stress urinary incontinence, repair of female genitourinary fistulas, ureterosciatic hernias, sacrocolpopexy for vault prolapse, ureterolysis and omental wrap for retroperitoneal fibrosis, ureteric reimplantation, and bladder surgery. To date, a wide spectrum of urogynecological reconstructive procedures have been performed with the assistance of the surgical robot and have been reported worldwide. Currently, a number of female pelvic ablative and reconstructive procedures are technically feasible with the aid of the surgical robot. While the role of robot-assisted surgery for bladder cancer, ureterolysis, ureteric reimplantation, repair of genitourinary fistulas, colposuspension, and sacrocolpopexy is nearly established among urologists, other procedures, such as myomectomy, simple hysterectomy, trachelectomy, and Wertheim's hysterectomy, are still evolving with gynecologists. The advantages of robot assistance include better hand-eye coordination, three-dimensional magnified stereoscopic vision with depth perception, intuitive movements with increased precision, and filtering of hand tremors. For most of the currently performed procedures in selected patients, the robot-assisted surgical outcomes appear to be relatively superior as compared to an open and purely laparoscopic surgical procedure.
Performance Evaluation of Calypso®4D Localization and Kilovoltage Image Guidance Systems for Interfraction Motion Management of Prostate Patients
Authors: Ogunleye Tomi , Rossi Peter J. , Jani Ashesh B. , Fox Tim , Elder Eric
Published: June 2009

Prostate cancer represents a model site for advances in understanding inter- and intrafraction motion for radiotherapy. In this study, we examined the correlation of the electromagnetic transponder system/Calypso®4D Localization System with conventional on-board imaging (OBI) using kilovoltage imaging. Initially using a quality assurance (QA) phantom and subsequently using data of seven patients, the vector distances between Calypso- and OBI-recorded shifts were compared using the t-test. For the 30 phantom measurements, the average differences between the measured Calypso offset and the calculated OBI shift were 0.4 ± 0.4, 0.2 ± 0.3, and 0.4 ± 0.3 mm in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions, respectively (p= 0.73,p= 0.91, andp= 0.99, respectively), and the average difference vector for all sessions was 0.8 ± 0.4 mm. For the 259 patient measurements, the average differences between the measured Calypso offset and the calculated OBI shift were 0.7 ± 0.5, 1.1 ± 0.9, and 1.2 ± 0.9 mm in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions, respectively (p= 0.45,p= 0.28, andp= 0.56, respectively), and the average difference vector for all sessions was 2.1 ± 1.0 mm. Our results demonstrated good correlation between Calypso and OBI. While other studies have explored the issue of Calypso/OBI correlation, our analysis is unique in our use of phantom validation and in our performing the patient analysis on an initial population prior to routine setup using Calypso without OBI. Implications for Calypso's role as a QA tool are discussed.
Spinal Cord Injury Research in Mice: 2008 Review
Authors: Steuer Inge , Guertin Pierre A.
Published: June 2009

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an irreversible condition causing damage to myelinated fiber tracts that carry sensation and motor signals to and from the brain. SCI is also associated with gray matter damage and often life-threatening secondary complications. This mini-review aims to provide the nonspecialist reader with a comprehensive description of recent advances made in 2008 using murine models of SCI. A variety of approaches, including advanced genetics and molecular techniques, have allowed a number of key findings in the field of secondary degeneration, repair, regeneration (including insights from peripheral nerve lesion models), metabolic dysfunctions, and pharmacological neuromodulation.
Cadherin-11 regulates protrusive activity in Xenopus cranial neural crest cells upstream of Trio and the small GTPases
Authors: Kashef Jubin , Köhler Almut , Kuriyama Sei , Alfandari Dominique , Mayor Roberto , Wedlich Doris
Published: June 2009

Xenopus Cadherin-11 (Xcad-11) is expressed when cranial neural crest cells (CNC) acquire motility. However, its function in stimulating cell migration is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Xcad-11 initiates filopodia and lamellipodia formation, which is essential for CNC to populate pharyngeal pouches. We identified the cytoplasmic tail of Xcad-11 as both necessary and sufficient for proper CNC migration as long as it was linked to the plasma membrane. Our results showing that guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)-Trio binds to Xcad-11 and can functionally substitute for it like constitutively active forms of RhoA, Rac, and cdc42 unravel a novel cadherin function.
Mutation of the Membrane-Associated M1 Protease APM1 Results in Distinct Embryonic and Seedling Developmental Defects inArabidopsis
Authors: Peer Wendy Ann , Hosein Fazeeda N. , Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Makam Srinivas N. , Otegui Marisa S. , Lee Gil-Je , Blakeslee Joshua J. , Cheng Yan , Titapiwatanakun Boosaree , Yakubov Bahktiyor , Bangari Bharat , Murphy Angus S.
Published: June 2009

Aminopeptidase M1 (APM1), a single copy gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes a metallopeptidase originally identified via its affinity for, and hydrolysis of, the auxin transport inhibitor 1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). Mutations in this gene result in haploinsufficiency. Loss-of-function mutants show irregular, uncoordinated cell divisions throughout embryogenesis, affecting the shape and number of cotyledons and the hypophysis, and is seedling lethal at 5 d after germination due to root growth arrest. Quiescent center and cell cycle markers show no signals in apm1-1 knockdown mutants, and the ground tissue specifiers SHORTROOT and SCARECROW are misexpressed or mislocalized. apm1 mutants have multiple, fused cotyledons and hypocotyls with enlarged epidermal cells with cell adhesion defects. apm1 alleles show defects in gravitropism and auxin transport. Gravistimulation decreases APM1 expression in auxin-accumulating root epidermal cells, and auxin treatment increases expression in the stele. On sucrose gradients, APM1 occurs in unique light membrane fractions. APM1 localizes at the margins of Golgi cisternae, plasma membrane, select multivesicular bodies, tonoplast, dense intravacuolar bodies, and maturing metaxylem cells. APM1 associates with brefeldin A–sensitive endomembrane structures and the plasma membrane in cortical and epidermal cells. The auxin-related phenotypes and mislocalization of auxin efflux proteins in apm1 are consistent with biochemical interactions between APM1 and NPA.
A 1-Megadalton Translocation Complex Containing Tic20 and Tic21 Mediates Chloroplast Protein Import at the Inner Envelope Membrane
Authors: Kikuchi Shingo , Oishi Maya , Hirabayashi Yoshino , Lee Dong Wook , Hwang Inhwan , Nakai Masato
Published: June 2009

Chloroplast protein import is mediated by two hetero-oligomeric protein complexes, the Tic and Toc translocons, which are located in the inner and outer envelope membranes. At the inner membrane, many Tic components have been identified and characterized, but it remains unclear how these Tic proteins are organized to form a protein-conducting channel or whether a stable Tic core complex that binds translocating preproteins exists. Here, we report the identification of a 1-megadalton (MD) translocation complex as an intermediate during protein translocation across the inner membrane in Arabidopsis thaliana and pea (Pisum sativum). This complex can be detected by blue native PAGE using the mild detergent digitonin without any chemical cross-linkers. The preprotein arrested in the 1-MD complex can be chased into its fully translocated form after a subsequent incubation. While Tic20 and Tic21 appear to be involved in the 1-MD complex, Tic110, a well-characterized Tic component, exists as a distinct entity from the complex. Several lines of evidence suggest that the 1-MD complex functions in between the Toc and Tic110-containing complexes, most likely as a protein-conducting channel at the inner envelope.
Analytical Methods for Trichothecenes Surveillance — An Overview Over the Period 1990—2000
Authors: Samar M.M. , Resnik S.L.
Published: June 2009

This article reviews some aspects of analytical methods used to determine the occurrence of type A and B trichothecenes in grains and foodstuffs and their trends during the decade 1999—2000. A pronounced tendency to use extraction solvents less toxic than chloroform became evident. There was not a prevalent clean up process that pointed there were problems to obtain good recoveries of those mycotoxins. Taking into account the mean values of contamination found in the literature and the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake, a methodology suitable for a surveillance work should have a limit of quantification not greater than 50 μg/kg for deoxynivalenol and less than 10 μg/kg for T-2 and HT-2 toxins. Therefore, gas chromatography or thin layer chromatography could be used for type B trichothecenes while for type A trichothecenes, gas chromatography with electron capture or mass spectrometric detectors is the mandatory quantification method.
Review: Ochratoxin A (OTA) in Wines, Musts and Grape Juices: Occurrence, Regulations and Methods of Analysis
Authors: Bellí N. , Marín S. , Sanchis V. , Ramos A.J.
Published: June 2009

This work gives a general overview of ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence in wines and the methodology for OTA analysis. The results of more than two thousand samples taken from the literature have been taken into account to quite extensively describe the present situation of OTA contamination of wine. According to these data, OTA is much more commonly detected in red wines than in rosé and white wines, and OTA concentration is remarkably higher than in the latter ones. Thus OTA could be detected in 45% (median 34%) of white wine samples, whereas it was detected in 66% (median 66%) of rosé and 71% (median 90%) of red wine samples. When comparing the wines from Northern and Southern regions, the latter showed a higher contamination than those from the Northern area. It has been suggested that OTA accumulation could be due to fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus in wines from Southern European countries because the crops are exposed to elevated temperatures, which favour growth of OTA-producing Aspergillus species over Penicillium. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) associated with fluorescence detection preceded by extraction of OTA using commercially available immunoaffinity columns (IAC) is currently the most applied method for OTA determination in wines.
Note. Effect of Blanching and Frozen Storage on the Stability of β-Carotene and Capsanthin in Red Pepper (Capsicum Annuum) Fruit
Authors: Morais H. , Rodrigues P. , Ramos C. , Almeida V. , Forgács E. , Cserháti T. , Oliveira J.S.
Published: June 2009

The effect of blanching and frozen storage on the stability of pigments β-carotene and capsanthin in three cultivars of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruits was elucidated by the determination of pigments in samples treated by various blanching procedures. Pigment concentration was performed after different storage times by HPLC. The dependence of the concentration of pigments on the conditions of blanching and the storage time was assessed by stepwise regression analysis, and the similarities and dissimilarities among the cultivars and decomposition rates were calculated by principal component analysis. The stability of pigments depended significantly on the conditions of blanching, the storage time and the type of cultivar, the effect of storage time was higher than that of blanching conditions. The significant differences between the decomposition rate of pigments in various cultivars emphasizes the predominant importance of the selection of cultivars with advantageous storage characteristics.
Phase II study of oral fludarabine in combination with rituximab for relapsed indolent B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Tobinai Kensei , Ishizawa Ken‐ichi , Ogura Michinori , Itoh Kuniaki , Morishima Yasuo , Ando Kiyoshi , Taniwaki Masafumi , Watanabe Takashi , Yamamoto Joji , Uchida Toshiki , Nakata Masanobu , Terauchi Takashi , Nawano Shigeru , Matsusako Masaki , Hayashi Masaki , Hotta Tomomitsu
Published: June 2009

Oral fludarabine is more convenient than intravenous fludarabine in an outpatient setting. To assess the efficacy and toxicity of oral fludarabine in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed indolent B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL), we conducted a multicenter phase II study. Patients with relapsed indolent B‐NHL with two or fewer prior regimens and up to 16 doses of rituximab were eligible. Patients received 375 mg/m2 rituximab on day 1, and 40 mg/m2 oral fludarabine once daily on days 1 through 5 every 28 days for up to six cycles. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate. Forty‐one patients were enrolled, including 38 (93%) with follicular lymphoma. Thirty‐four patients (83%) had received rituximab as prior therapy. Twenty‐seven patients (66%) completed the planned six cycles. Dose reduction of oral fludarabine was required in 17 patients (41%). The overall response rate was 76% (31 of 41 patients; 95% confidence interval, 60–88%) with a complete response rate of 68% (28 of 41 patients; 95% confidence interval, 52–82%). Median progression‐free survival for the 41 patients was 19.7 months (95% confidence interval, 12.3–26.5 months). Hematological toxicities, including grade 4 neutropenia (68%), were the most frequent toxicities. Non‐hematological toxicities were mild, except for one patient who died of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia 4 months after the protocol treatment. In conclusion, oral fludarabine in combination with rituximab is a highly effective and convenient therapy for patients with relapsed indolent B‐NHL who have mostly been pretreated with rituximab. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00311129.) (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1951–1956)
c‐Ski overexpression promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis through inhibition of transforming growth factor‐β signaling in diffuse‐type gastric carcinoma
Authors: Kiyono Kunihiko , Suzuki Hiroshi I. , Morishita Yasuyuki , Komuro Akiyoshi , Iwata Caname , Yashiro Masakazu , Hirakawa Kosei , Kano Mitsunobu R. , Miyazono Kohei
Published: June 2009

c‐Ski, originally identified as a proto‐oncogene product, is an important negative regulator of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β family signaling through interaction with Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4. High expression of c‐Ski has been found in some cancers, including gastric cancer. We previously showed that disruption of TGF‐β signaling by dominant‐negative TGF‐β type II receptor in a diffuse‐type gastric carcinoma model accelerated tumor growth through induction of tumor angiogenesis by decreased expression of the anti‐angiogenic factor thrombospondin (TSP)‐1. Here, we examined the function of c‐Ski in human diffuse‐type gastric carcinoma OCUM‐2MLN cells. Overexpression of c‐Ski inhibited TGF‐β signaling in OCUM‐2MLN cells. Interestingly, c‐Ski overexpression resulted in extensive acceleration of the growth of subcutaneous xenografts in BALB/c nu/nu female mice (6 weeks of age). Similar to tumors expressing dominant‐negative TGF‐β type II receptor, histochemical studies revealed less fibrosis and increased angiogenesis in xenografted tumors expressing c‐Ski compared to control tumors. Induction of TSP‐1 mRNA by TGF‐β was attenuated by c‐Ski in vitro, and expression of TSP‐1 mRNA was decreased in tumors expressing c‐Ski in vivo. These findings suggest that c‐Ski overexpression promotes the growth of diffuse‐type gastric carcinoma through induction of angiogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1809–1816)
Capacity of purified peanut allergens to induce degranulation in a functional in vitro assay: Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 are the most efficient elicitors
Authors: Blanc F. , Adel‐Patient K. , Drumare M.‐F. , Paty E. , Wal J.‐M. , Bernard H.
Published: June 2009

Background
Peanut is a most common and potent food allergen. Many peanut allergens have been characterized using, in particular, IgE‐binding studies.

Objectives
We optimized an in vitro functional assay to assess the capacity of peanut allergens to degranulate humanized rat basophilic leukaemia cells, RBL SX‐38 cells, after sensitization by serum IgE from peanut‐allergic patients. We thus compared the activity of the main peanut allergens, i.e. Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3 and Ara h 6, purified from roasted peanut.

Methods
Sera of 12 peanut‐allergic patients were collected and total and peanut‐specific IgE were measured. They were used to sensitize RBL SX‐38 cells and the degranulation was induced by incubation with ranging concentrations of a whole peanut protein extract or of purified peanut allergens. The mediator release was quantified by the determination of β‐hexosaminidase activity in the supernatant. The intensity of the degranulation was expressed as maximum release and as EC50, corresponding to the dose of allergen that induced 50% of the maximum release.

Results
For each serum, only 10 IU/mL of human IgE was necessary to sensitize the cells and obtain an optimal degranulation. With all the allergens, the release was positively correlated with the concentration of allergen‐specific IgE in the serum used to sensitize the cells. The medians of EC50 obtained for Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 were 2.1 and 2.8 pm, respectively, while they were much higher for Ara h 3 and Ara h 1 (65 and 150 pm, respectively).

Conclusion
The RBL SX‐38 release assay proved to be sensitive, specific and reproducible. It allowed the comparison of the degranulation potential of different peanut allergens. For all the sera tested, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 were more potent than Ara h 1 or Ara h 3.
Regulatory T cells and asthma
Authors: Robinson D. S.
Published: June 2009

Airway inflammation in asthma is characterized by activation of T helper type‐2 (Th2) T cells, IgE production and eosinophilia. In many cases, this process is related to an inappropriate T cell response to environmental allergens, and other T cell‐dependent pathways may also be involved (such as Th17). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are T cells that suppress potentially harmful immune responses. Two major subsets of Treg are CD25hi, Foxp3+Tregs and IL‐10‐producing Tregs. There is evidence that the numbers or function of both subsets may be deficient in patients with atopic allergic disease. Recent work has extended these findings into the airway in asthma where Foxp3 expression was reduced and CD25hi Treg‐suppressive function was deficient. In animal models of allergic airways disease, Tregs can suppress established airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, and protocols to enhance the development, recruitment and function of Tregs have been described. Together with studies of patients and in vitro studies of human T cells, these investigations are defining potential interventions to enhance Treg function in the airway in asthma. Existing therapies including corticosteroids and allergen immunotherapy act on Tregs, in part to increase IL‐10 production, while vitamin D3 and long‐acting β‐agonists enhance IL‐10 Treg function. Other possibilities may be enhancement of Treg function via histamine or prostanoid receptors, or by blocking pro‐inflammatory pathways that prevent suppression by Tregs (activation of Toll‐like receptors, or production of cytokines such as IL‐6 and TNF‐α). As Tregs can also suppress the potentially beneficial immune response important for controlling infections and cancer, a therapeutic intervention should target allergen‐ or site‐specific regulation.
Comparison of the soil hydraulic conductivity predicted from its water retention expressed by the equation of Van Genuchten and different capillary models
Authors: Touma J.
Published: June 2009

Knowledge of water retention and conductivity is essential to study water transport in soil. Determination of the conductivity curve is difficult, and it is often predicted by application of a capillary model to the water retention relationship. Three expressions are predicted from the water retention described by the equation of Van Genuchten. Two expressions are obtained in combination with the capillary models of Mualem and Burdine. The third expression is obtained by a combination with the capillary model of Fatt & Dykstra. The three sets of soil properties were applied to clay in order to compute infiltration and infiltration rates according to the series solution of Philip. Comparison with this solution showed that the results of the first two combinations were severely under‐estimated, while those of the third were satisfactory. Similar results were obtained for sand by comparison with experimental data. Because conductivity estimated from the capillary model of Fatt & Dykstra is complicated, it was expressed by a power equation, the exponent of which is obtained by applying the Fatt & Dykstra capillary model to the water retention curve expressed according to Brooks & Corey and having the same asymptotic behaviour as the Van Genuchten equation. Application of this procedure to fifty soils selected from a published database gave satisfactory results. It is concluded that the hydraulic conductivity of a soil can be predicted from its water retention as expressed by the equation of Van Genuchten subject to the condition of the capillary model of Fatt & Dykstra and as expressed by the equation of Brooks & Corey, for which the exponent is obtained according to the same capillary model.
A stochastic‐geometric model of soil variation
Authors: Lark R. M.
Published: June 2009

Stochastic models of soil variation are used in geostatistical analysis, but in general they bear no relation to our mechanistic understanding of the processes in soil that cause its properties to vary spatially. It is proposed that we require a suitable stochastic model in which space is partitioned into discrete domains as a first step towards random spatial models that incorporate our understanding of processes in soil. Even though the soil is essentially continuous in its spatial variation, there are components of soil variation (e.g. differences between parent materials) which are discontinuous. This paper shows how variogram models can be derived directly from the Poisson Voronoi Tessellation (PVT), a stochastic‐geometric partition of d‐dimensional space. The PVT variogram models, for d= 2 and 3, were fitted to variograms estimated from data over disparate scales, including computerized tomographic images of soil aggregates (pixels of a few tens of micrometres long) and the land systems of Swaziland. In all cases, PVT variogram models fitted better than the conventional geostatistical ones. The good performance of PVT variogram models at these disparate scales encourages further work on tessellation models for soil variation. In principle such models could incorporate information on underlying factors of soil formation such as the spatial distribution of individual plants, the origin and growth of microbial colonies, spatial processes in soil chemistry (such as reaction–diffusion processes) and geometrical information on boundaries between geological strata or contrasting plant communities. PVT models may therefore be one component of a random model of soil variation which reflects our understanding of soil‐forming processes, and so have a stronger scientific basis than the models that are now in standard use.
Estimating the regional mean status and change of soil properties: two distinct objectives for soil survey
Authors: Lark R. M.
Published: June 2009

There is a general requirement for inventories to establish the status of soils with respect to key indicator properties, and for monitoring to detect changes in these indicators. The design of sampling protocols for soil survey must meet these dual requirements. This paper emphasizes that the status and change of an indicator are different variables and so their variability may differ. We therefore may not assume that a sampling scheme that is suitable for inventory is also suitable for monitoring; this poses a practical problem since information on the variability of the change in soil is not in general available at present.

In this paper some plausible statistical models of change in the soil are examined, and their implications for sampling to estimate mean change in large regions are considered. Paired sampling, with baseline and resampling at common sites, is generally preferable to sampling at independent sites on the two dates, unless the error from relocation of the sample sites is large by comparison to other sources of variation.

A simple process model of soil organic carbon in soils of lowland tropical forest is used to examine the problem of resampling to estimate change. This shows the expected advantages of paired sampling for change, and the very different sampling requirements that may pertain for inventory and monitoring. One implication of these results is that, while sampling schemes for inventory may be designed on the basis of available information (from samples taken at a single time), the precise requirements for monitoring might not be apparent until a reconnaissance resampling is undertaken subsequently.
The carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of Australian grasses in relation to climate
Authors: Murphy Brett P. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: June 2009

1. The carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of plants are known to be affected by environmental factors, especially water availability. While δ13C of C4 plants is generally assumed to be much less responsive to environmental variables than that of C3 plants, it is unclear whether the response of δ15N differs between the two photosynthetic pathways.

2. Focussing on differences in the response of members of the C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways to climate variables, we examined the foliar δ13C and δ15N of grasses collected from natural vegetation in a wide range of climatic zones throughout Australia.

3. An index of water availability was clearly related to foliar δ13C and δ15N of both C3 and C4 grasses. There was a negative relationship between water availability and δ13C of C3 grasses (r2 = 0·21), similar to that documented extensively in other C3 plants. An opposite, positive relationship was found between water availability and δ13C in C4 grasses (r2 = 0·17), an effect that has been reported only infrequently. Accounting for differences in δ13C between the different C4 types (NADP‐ME, PCK, NAD‐ME and Aristida) resulted in a substantial increase in the fit of the model relating δ13C to water availability (R2 = 0·48).

4. There was a negative relationship between water availability and δ15N (r2 = 0·40), that was similar in both C3 and C4 grasses, but temperature had no effect on δ15N. This provides strong support for the theory that water availability is the dominant factor determining soil and plant δ15N via its effect on the ‘openness’ of the nitrogen cycle.

5. We also found significant differences in δ15N between the different C4 types, with the highest values for PCK, followed by NADP‐ME and NAD‐ME, and the lowest values for Aristida. The difference in δ15N between PCK and Aristida was large, at 5·1‰.

6. The importance of water availability as a predictor of δ13C in both C3 and C4 grasses suggests that variation in water availability should be considered when estimating C4 grass abundance based on δ13C measurements (e.g. in herbivore diets or as a contributor to biospheric carbon sinks).
Individual responses in spring arrival date to ecological conditions during winter and migration in a migratory bird
Authors: Balbontín Javier , Møller Anders Pape , Hermosell Ignacio G. , Marzal Alfonso , Reviriego Maribel , De Lope Florentino
Published: June 2009

1. We studied lifetime arrival patterns in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica L.) in relation to variation in ecological conditions, as reflected by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the Sub‐Saharan winter quarters and at stopover sites in North Africa.

2. Migratory birds have recently advanced their arrival dates, but the relative role of microevolution and phenotypic plasticity as mechanisms of response to changing environmental conditions remains unknown. To distinguish between these two possibilities, we investigated the change in the arrival date using cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses.

3. We predicted that the effect (i.e. slopes) of environmental conditions in stopover or winter areas on arrival date should be similar using cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses in case phenotypic plasticity is the underlying mechanism, or they should differ in case microevolution is the mechanism.

4. As expected according to a previous cross‐sectional study, we found an advance in the arrival date when ecological conditions improve in stopover areas and a delay in the arrival date when ecological conditions improve in the winter quarters.

5. Change in the arrival time at the breeding grounds due to ecological conditions found en route and, in the winter areas, was mainly due to phenotypic plasticity as shown by similarities in the slopes found in these relationships using cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses.

6. We also investigated sex and age of barns swallows as sources of variation in the arrival time with respect to conditions experienced in winter and stopover areas. We found that earlier arrival at the breeding grounds due to prevailing ecological conditions found en route in North Africa was similar for males and females of all age‐classes. In contrast, individuals tended to delay departure when ecological conditions improved in the winter quarters, but this delay differed among age classes, with old individuals delaying departure more than middle‐aged and yearling birds.

7. The migratory response of individuals to changing climatic conditions experienced during different parts of their life provides evidence for individuals responding differently to prevailing conditions in the winter quarters depending on their age, but not to conditions experienced en route during spring migration.
Geographical patterns of genetic structure in marine species with contrasting life histories
Authors: Pelc R. A. , Warner R. R. , Gaines S. D.
Published: June 2009

Aim  Phylogeographical breaks may reflect historical or present‐day impediments to gene flow, and the congruence of these breaks across multiple species lends insight into evolutionary history and connectivity among populations. In marine systems, examining the concordance of phylogeographical breaks is challenging due to the varied sampling scales in population genetics studies and the diverse life histories of marine organisms. A quantitative approach that considers the effects of sampling scale and species life history is needed.

Location  The south‐east and south‐west coasts of the United States.

Methods  We quantitatively analysed previously published datasets of marine fauna to look for concordance among phylogeographical breaks. We used a bootstrap approach to determine the regions where phylogeographical breaks are more common than expected by chance among species with planktonic dispersal as well as those with restricted dispersal.

Results  On the south‐west coast, breaks were clustered near Point Conception among planktonic dispersers and near Los Angeles among restricted dispersers. On the south‐east coast, breaks were most common near the southern tip of Florida for planktonic dispersers and near Cape Canaveral for restricted dispersers.

Main conclusions  Dispersal ability is an important determinant of phylogeographical patterns in marine species. Breaks among planktonic dispersers on both coasts are congruent with present‐day flow‐mediated barriers to dispersal, suggesting that phylogeographical structure in species with planktonic larvae may reflect contemporary oceanography, while breaks in restricted dispersers reflect historical processes. These results highlight the importance of explicitly considering sampling scale and life history when evaluating phylogeographical patterns.
Caring in residential aged‐care. Qualitative findings from an e‐cohort sub‐study
Authors: Tuckett Anthony , Hughes Karen , Gilmour Jean , Hegney Desley , Huntington Annette , Turner Cathy
Published: June 2009

Aim.  The aim of this e‐cohort sub‐study was to explore and describe nurses’ understandings of ‘caring’ in residential aged‐care.

Background.  The quality of the work environment is an important issue for recruitment, retention and workforce planning. Knowledge about the people in and the place that is the residential aged‐care facility may assist with the problems surrounding the recruitment and retention of nurses in the workforce.

Design.  Qualitative electronic cohort sub‐study.

Methods.  This paper presents the qualitative research findings from an electronic cohort sub‐study of 58 registered and enrolled nurses working in the residential aged‐care sector in 2007. Data were collected through an open ended question and a qualitative content analysis was used to generate the core categories.

Results.  The concept of caring was grounded in and constrained by, the everyday reality of the nurses in the study. Organisational imperatives for the completion of documentation necessary for accreditation and funding combined with under‐staffing restricted the time available for caring practices. Some nurses represented residential care faculties as devoid of care, others as a place where the resident was central to their work and care. The staff perceived of themselves as an ageing workforce in need of rejuvenation and resourcing.

Conclusion.  The concept of caring is manifest in nurses’ language as they describe their workplace, the residents, themselves and the structures that impact on what they do. Good caring manifests itself when the residents are central to the business of the aged care facility. However, nurses in this study describe a range of restrictive factors impeding caring practices and diminishing workforce morale and motivation to create environments that can truly be called a ‘home‐away‐from‐home’ and one that all people would find acceptable.

Relevance to clinical practice.  These findings have implications for aged‐care sector recruitment, retention and workforce planning within residential aged‐care facilities.
Perceptions of nurses in nursing homes on the usage of benzodiazepines
Authors: Anthierens Sibyl , Grypdonck Mieke , De Pauw Liesbeth , Christiaens Thierry
Published: June 2009

Aim. This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study on how nurses perceive their own role in the use of benzodiazepines in nursing homes and to identify the factors that have an impact on the nurses’ role in the use of benzodiazepines.

Background. The use of benzodiazepines in nursing homes is of particular concern, as nursing‐home residents receive considerably more benzodiazepines than non‐institutionalised older persons. Evidence of their long‐term effectiveness is lacking. Nurses are important partners in the decision‐making process of starting and discontinuation of benzodiazepines.

Design. Qualitative descriptive.

Method. Three focus group interviews and 10 additional semi‐structured interviews were used with 33 registered nurses. The interviews were thematically analysed.

Findings. Nurses’ main concern is to work towards the comfort of the patient. Benzodiazepines are an easy option with not too many side effects and administration of benzodiazepines is experienced as a routine action. When prescribed they will almost automatically lead to chronic usage as there is no evaluation of their effect. There are three aspects that have an impact on nurse’s perceptions of their role in benzodiazepine usage: their own individual attitude and perceptions, their knowledge and organisational factors.

Conclusion. Nurses do not see benzodiazepines as a problem drug and once a prescription is initiated it will almost automatically lead to chronic usage. Nurses should work towards a pro‐active promotion of addressing sleeping problems and they can play a key role in non‐pharmacological interventions.

Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses can play a key role in suggesting non‐pharmacological alternatives. Education to provide more insight into the problems of insomnia and anxiety may positively influence their attitudes and behaviour. All caregivers in nursing homes should be informed about the relevance of this issue.
Educating patients to evaluate web‐based health care information: the GATOR approach to healthy surfing
Authors: Weber Bryan A , Derrico David J , Yoon Saunjoo L , Sherwill‐Navarro Pamela
Published: June 2009

Aims and objectives.  Teaching patients to assess web resources effectively has become an important need in primary care. The acronym GATOR (genuine, accurate, trustworthy, origin and readability), an easily memorized strategy for assessing web‐based health information, is presented in this paper.

Background.  Despite the fact that many patients consult the World‐Wide Web (or Internet) daily to find information related to health concerns, a lack of experience, knowledge, or education may limit ability to accurately evaluate health‐related sites and the information they contain. Health information on the Web is not subject to regulation, oversight, or mandatory updates and sites are often transient due to ever changing budget priorities. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for patients to develop a list of stable sites containing current, reliable information.

Design.  Commentary aimed at improving patient’s use of web based health care information.

Conclusions.  The GATOR acronym is easy to remember and understand and may assist patients in making knowledgeable decisions as they traverse through the sometimes misleading and often overwhelming amount of health information on the Web.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The GATOR acronym provides a mechanism that can be used to structure frank discussion with patients and assist in health promotion through education. When properly educated about how to find and evaluate Web‐based health information, patients may avoid negative consequences that result from trying unsafe recommendations drawn from untrustworthy sites. They may also be empowered to not only seek more information about their health conditions, treatment and available alternatives, but also to discuss their feelings, ideas and concerns with their healthcare providers.
Review of upper airway resistance syndrome: nursing and clinical management
Authors: Giblin Tara B
Published: June 2009

Aims.  This study aims to help nurses and nurse practitioners identify and manage paediatric patients with upper airway resistance syndrome. A review of upper airway resistance syndrome is provided, including the signs and symptoms of upper airway resistance syndrome, criteria for diagnosis, recommendations for treatment and implications for nursing in paediatric primary care.

Background.  Nurses often encounter sleep‐related problems in the paediatric primary care setting. Commonly, these problems are well known and include snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. Upper airway resistance syndrome is a relatively new diagnosis among sleep‐related breathing disorders with which nurses and nurse practitioners should be familiar. Upper airway resistance syndrome is characterised by incomplete obstruction of the airway during sleep, leading to increased respiratory efforts and frequent arousals despite normal oxygen saturations.

Design.  Systematic review.

Method.  A review of the sleep literature identified articles regarding sleep and/or sleep‐related breathing disorders and paediatrics, and upper airway resistance syndrome. Articles published since 2002 were prioritised; however, all articles describing upper airway resistance syndrome since 1993 were considered.

Conclusion.  Timely recognition of sleep‐disordered breathing is crucial to ensuring that patients receive effective and appropriate treatment. Upper airway resistance syndrome should be a part of the differential diagnosis when assessing a child with a sleep‐related breathing disorder.

Relevance to clinician practice.  Nurses and nurse practitioners should become comfortable and skilled in performing a thorough sleep history and physical examination to help identify when a child should receive a sleep study or referral to a specialist.
FishPathogens.eu/vhsv: a user‐friendly viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus isolate and sequence database
Authors: Jonstrup S P , Gray T , Kahns S , Skall H F , Snow M , Olesen N J
Published: June 2009

A database has been created, http://www.FishPathogens.eu, with the aim of providing a single repository for collating important information on significant pathogens of aquaculture, relevant to their control and management. This database will be developed, maintained and managed as part of the European Community Reference Laboratory for Fish Diseases function. This concept has been initially developed for viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus and will be extended in future to include information on other significant aquaculture pathogens. Information included for each isolate comprises sequence, geographical origin, host origin and useful key literature. Various search mechanisms make it easy to find specific groups of isolates. Search results can be presented in several different ways including table‐based, map‐based and graph‐based outputs. When retrieving sequences, the user is given freedom to obtain data from any selected part of the genome of interest. The output of the sequence search can be readily retrieved as a FASTA file ready to be imported into a sequence alignment tool of choice, facilitating further molecular epidemiological study.
Awareness of early warning signs and help‐seeking behaviours among patients with schizophrenia who utilize social rehabilitation facilities in Japan
Authors: KOICHI R. , MIYAMOTO Y. , AKIYAMA M. , TAKAMURA S.
Published: June 2009

Accessible summary

Schizophrenia is characterized by the occurrence of psychotic relapses. When this happens, early warning signs such as delusions, hallucinations, thought incoherencies and serious chaotic behaviours occur.

In this study, 56.5% of participants who had a history at least one early help‐seeking behaviour when they deteriorated was recognized from the following signs: sleep disorders, depression, hallucinations, nervousness, anxiety, fatigue, delusions, illusions and suicidal ideation.

Early help‐seeking behaviours were related to the following factors: recognition of early warning signs during deterioration, consultation with non‐professional and professional support persons during deterioration; consulting with public mental health workers; and living with family.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between early warning signs (EWS) and early help‐seeking behaviours (HSB) and to identify the characteristics of patients with schizophrenia who sought early help. A cross‐sectional study was carried out in 2004 using a self‐reported questionnaire. Participants were recruited from social rehabilitation facilities for the mentally ill; 224 subjects participated, 170 of whom had schizophrenia. The survey included questions about demographic characteristics, self‐care behaviours (HSB, recognition of EWS and others) and current service utilization and satisfaction. Fisher's exact test and Student's t‐test were used to compare the characteristics of study participants. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between recognition of EWS and early HSB. We found that 96 (56.5%) of 170 patients with schizophrenia reported at least one occasion of early HSB during their deterioration. Early HSB were related to the following factors: recognition of EWS, consultation with non‐professional and professional support persons during deterioration, consulting with public mental health workers and living with family. Care and support should be offered to patients with schizophrenia to enable them to recognize their own mental deterioration.
Entry of bluetongue vector Culicoides imicola into livestock premises in Spain
Authors: CALVETE C. , ESTRADA R. , MIRANDA M. A. , DEL RIO R. , BORRÁS D. , BELDRON F. J. , MARTÍNEZ A. , CALVO A. J. , LUCIENTES J.
Published: June 2009

Culicoides imicola Kieffer is considered to be the main vector of bluetongue disease (BT) and African horse sickness (AHS) in the Mediterranean basin. It has been assumed that this midge species is exophilic and, consequently, that stabling of livestock should provide effective protection against these diseases. This study presents the results of sampling surveys for C. imicola carried out both inside and outside stables on three farms in mainland Spain. The number of C. imicola captured varied as a function of the populations sampled and trap location (inside vs. outside). The daily mean number captured inside during the sampling of each farm population was directly correlated with the daily mean number captured outside, but daily correlation of captures was not observed. By contrast with previous studies, the mean catch of C. imicola inside was consistently higher than that outside. No clear effect of stable characteristics on the degree of entry was detected. In addition, proportions of males and age‐graded female groups varied among populations and with trap location. Proportionately more males and fewer engorged females were captured outside than inside, although the proportions varied among stables. These results contrast with those of previous studies, and with the assumed pronounced exophilic behaviour of C. imicola, and raise important questions about the vector activity of this species in the study area and its implications for the epidemiology of BT and/or AHS.
Polymorphism of intron‐1 in the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene of Anopheles gambiae s.s. populations from Cameroon with emphasis on insecticide knockdown resistance mutations
Authors: ETANG JOSIANE , VICENTE JOSE L. , NWANE PHILIPPE , CHOUAIBOU MOUHAMADOU , MORLAIS ISABELLE , DO ROSARIO VIRGILIO E. , SIMARD FREDERIC , AWONO‐AMBENE PARFAIT , TOTO JEAN CLAUDE , PINTO JOAO
Published: June 2009

Sequence variation at the intron‐1 of the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene in Anopheles gambiae M‐ and S‐forms from Cameroon was assessed to explore the number of mutational events originating knockdown resistance (kdr) alleles. Mosquitoes were sampled between December 2005 and June 2006 from three geographical areas: (i) Magba in the western region; (ii) Loum, Tiko, Douala, Kribi, and Campo along the Atlantic coast; and (iii) Bertoua, in the eastern continental plateau. Both 1014S and 1014F kdr alleles were found in the S‐form with overall frequencies of 14% and 42% respectively. Only the 1014F allele was found in the M‐form at lower frequency (11%). Analysis of a 455 bp region of intron‐1 upstream the kdr locus revealed four independent mutation events originating kdr alleles, here named MS1 ‐1014F, S1‐1014S and S2‐1014S kdr‐intron‐1 haplotypes in S‐form and MS3‐1014F kdr‐intron‐1 haplotype in the M‐form. Furthermore, there was evidence for mutual introgression of kdr 1014F allele between the two molecular forms, MS1 and MS3 being widely shared by them. Although no M/S hybrid was observed in analysed samples, this wide distribution of haplotypes MS1 and MS3 suggests inter‐form hybridizing at significant level and emphasizes the rapid diffusion of the kdr alleles in Africa. The mosaic of genetic events found in Cameroon is representative of the situation in the West–Central African region and highlights the importance of evaluating the spatial and temporal evolution of kdr alleles for a better management of insecticide resistance.