bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature, predator–prey interaction strength and population stability
Authors: RALL BJÖRN C. , VUCIC‐PESTIC OLIVERA , EHNES ROSWITHA B. , EMMERSON MARK , BROSE ULRICH 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWarming could strongly stabilize or destabilize populations and food webs by changing the interaction strengths between predators and their prey. Predicting the consequences of warming requires understanding how temperature affects ingestion (energy gain) and metabolism (energy loss). Here, we studied the temperature dependence of metabolism and ingestion in laboratory experiments with terrestrial arthropods (beetles and spiders). From this data, we calculated ingestion efficiencies (ingestion/metabolism) and per capita interaction strengths in the short and long term. Additionally, we investigated if and how body mass changes these temperature dependencies. For both predator groups, warming increased metabolic rates substantially, whereas temperature effects on ingestion rates were weak. Accordingly, the ingestion efficiency (the ratio of ingestion to metabolism) decreased in all treatments. This result has two possible consequences: on the one hand, it suggests that warming of natural ecosystems could increase intrinsic population stability, meaning less fluctuations in population density; on the other hand, decreasing ingestion efficiencies may also lead to higher extinction risks because of starvation. Additionally, predicted long‐term per capita interaction strengths decreased with warming, which suggests an increase in perturbation stability of populations, i.e., a higher probability of returning to the same equilibrium density after a small perturbation. Together, these results suggest that warming has complex and potentially profound effects on predator–prey interactions and food‐web stability.
Pyrosequencing the Manduca sexta larval midgut transcriptome: messages for digestion, detoxification and defence
Authors: Pauchet Y. , Wilkinson P. , Vogel H. , Nelson D. R. , Reynolds S. E. , Heckel D. G. , Ffrench‐Constant R. H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta is an important model for insect physiology but genomic and transcriptomic data are currently lacking. Following a recent pyrosequencing study generating immune related expressed sequence tags (ESTs), here we use this new technology to define the M. sexta larval midgut transcriptome. We generated over 387 000 midgut ESTs, using a combination of Sanger and 454 sequencing, and classified predicted proteins into those involved in digestion, detoxification and immunity. In many cases the depth of 454 pyrosequencing coverage allowed us to define the entire cDNA sequence of a particular gene. Many new M. sexta genes are described including up to 36 new cytochrome P450s, some of which have been implicated in the metabolism of host plant‐derived nicotine. New lepidopteran gene families such as the β‐fructofuranosidases, previously thought to be restricted to Bombyx mori, are also described. An unexpectedly high number of ESTs were involved in immunity, for example 39 contigs encoding serpins, and the increasingly appreciated role of the midgut in insect immunity is discussed. Similar studies of other tissues will allow for a tissue by tissue description of the M. sexta transcriptome and will form an essential complimentary step on the road to genome sequencing and annotation.
A literature review: factors that impact on nurses’ effective use of the Medical Emergency Team (MET)
Authors: Jones Lisa , King Lindy , Wilson Christine 
Published: November 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this literature review is to identify factors, both positive and negative, that impact on nurses’ effective use of the Medical Emergency Team (MET) in acute care settings.Background.  Outcomes for patients are often dependent on nurses’ ability to identify and respond to signs of increasing illness and initiate medical intervention. In an attempt to improve patient outcomes, many acute hospitals have implemented a rapid response system known as the Medical Emergency Team (MET) which has improved management of critically ill ward patients. Subsequent research has indicated that the MET system continues to be underused by nurses.Design.  A comprehensive thematic literature review.Methods.  The review was undertaken using key words and the electronic databases of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), OVID/MEDLINE, Blackwell Synergy, Science Direct and Informit. Fifteen primary research reports were relevant and included in the review.Results.  Five major themes emerged from the analysis of the literature as the major factors effecting nurses’ use of the MET system. They were: education on the MET, expertise, support by medical and nursing staff, nurses’ familiarity with and advocacy for the patient and nurses’ workload.Conclusions.  Ongoing education on all aspects of the MET system is recommended for nursing, medical and MET staff. Bringing MET education into undergraduate programs to prepare new graduates entering the workforce to care for acutely ill patients is also strongly recommended. Further research is also needed to determine other influences on MET activation.Relevance to clinical practice.  Strategies that will assist nurses to use the MET system more effectively include recruitment and retention of adequate numbers of permanent skilled staff thereby increasing familiarity with and advocacy for the patient. Junior doctors and nurses should be encouraged to attend ward MET calls to gain skills in management of acutely ill patients.
Nurses’ clinical reasoning concerning management of peripheral venous cannulae
Authors: Johansson Maria Eiman , Pilhammar Ewa , Willman Ania 
Published: November 2009

Aim.  The aim was to describe nurses’ clinical reasoning regarding peripheral venous cannulae management by focusing on the clinical information and circumstances considered during the decision‐making process.Background.  On every shift nurses make several decisions, among others concerning the management of peripheral venous cannulae. Thrombophlebitis is a common complication associated with its use, although more severe complications can arise. There are clinical practice guidelines within the area, but they are not always adhered to. Previous studies have examined decisions related to the management of peripheral venous cannulae, but did not include observations in a naturalistic setting.Design.  A qualitative study combining observations and interviews.Methods.  Participant observation facilitated open interviews about the clinical reasoning behind decision‐making in observed situations, as well as semi‐structured interviews regarding clinical reasoning about the general management of peripheral venous cannulae. Transcribed interview texts were analysed with content analysis.Results.  Three main categories describe clinical information and circumstances: the individual patient situation, the nurse’s work situation and experience of peripheral venous cannulae management. The overall theme of the interview texts was that the clinical reasoning was a balancing act between minimising patient discomfort and preventing complications from the peripheral venous cannulae.Conclusions.  At all times the patients’ well‐being was considered, but the ways the nurses approached this differed depending on how they considered clinical information in the individual patient situation, circumstances in their own work situation and their experience of peripheral venous cannulae management.Relevance to clinical practice.  Knowledge of the clinical information and circumstances considered in naturalistic settings, is valuable when implementing and adjusting clinical practice guidelines to local settings. This knowledge is also useful in nursing education as student nurses’ and nurses’ ability to balance between preventing complications and avoiding discomfort is important for enhancing patient care.
Advances in phase‐sensitive acoustic microscopy studies of polymer blend films: annealing effects and micro‐elastic characterization of PS/PMMA blends
Authors: KAMANYI A.E. , GRILL W. , NGWA W. , LUO W. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe unique phase‐sensitive acoustic microscope is used for the structural and mechanical characterization of thin films of polystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate blends. The effect of annealing on blends of polystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate spin coated from different solvents unto a substrate is studied. Varying the solvents according to vapour pressure and spin coating at different speeds (for thickness variation) led to changes in phase domain distributions and overall structural properties before annealing. Annealing in vacuum at 190°C for 48 h resulted in the elimination of solvent effects with all samples reverting to a similar morphology irrespective of common solvent and thickness. The Young's moduli at specific points on the film (Epolystyrene= 3.4 ± 0.3 GPa, Epolymethylmethacrylate= 4.2 ± 0.4 GPa) and over a given area (Epolystyrene/polymethylmethacrylate= 3.9 ± 0.4 GPa) were determined by combinatory use of the atomic force microscope and phase‐sensitive acoustic microscope. These results demonstrate a minimally invasive method for the quantitative characterization of polymer blend films.
Body Condition in Male Betta splendens Does Not Predict Their Ability to Perform Opercular Displays Under Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Kuperberg Elizabeth S. , Brown Alexandria C. , Clotfelter Ethan D. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractMany fish, including the fighting fish Betta splendens, perform a display in which the opercula are extended away from the head and gills. Previous work has shown that opercular display rates by male B. splendens decrease under conditions of reduced dissolved oxygen (hypoxia). We tested the hypothesis that the ability to maintain opercular display rates under hypoxic conditions is related to body condition in male B. splendens. We also tested the hypothesis that females would show a greater preference for males performing this display under hypoxic conditions, when the display should be a more reliable indicator of male phenotypic quality. We found no evidence to support either hypothesis. Male opercular display rate in hypoxic conditions was unrelated to natural or experimentally induced variation in body condition. Female B. splendens showed no differential preference for the opercular display, assessed through the use of computer animated male stimuli, in either acute or chronic hypoxia. We conclude that the presence of an air‐breathing organ in this species makes the opercular display an unreliable signal of male quality as measured by body condition.
Predator‐Associated Vocalizations in North American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus): To Whom are Alarm Calls Addressed and How do They Function?
Authors: Digweed Shannon M. , Rendall Drew 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAlarm vocalizations produced by prey species encountering predators can serve a variety of functions. North American red squirrels are a small‐bodied mammal popularly known for producing loud, conspicuous alarm calls, but functional accounts of calling in this species are few and contradictory. We conducted research over a 3‐yr period on a sample of 47 marked red squirrels in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. We recorded the production of alarm calls during encounters with natural predators and in a series of simulated predator experiments. We tested for variation in call production patterns consistent with three traditional hypotheses concerning the conspecific warning functions of alarm calling: namely that they serve as warnings to kin, to potential mates, or to territorial neighbors with which callers have an established relationship. Patterns of calling did not provide clear support for any of these hypothesized functions. We consider several possible qualifications to our results. We also consider the possibility that conspicuous calls given by red squirrels during encounters with predators are directed at the predators themselves and function to announce their detection and possibly deter them. This possibility is consistent with additional life‐history features of red squirrels including that they are a relatively solitary and territorial, food‐hoarding species that produces the same conspicuous vocalizations in response to other squirrels intruding on their territory to steal cones. An important corollary of this account is that red squirrel alarm calls probably do not entail referentially specific messages about different types of predator, as proposed previously.
Defence responses induced in embryogenic cultures of Norway spruce by two fractions of Gremmeniella abietina mycelia
Authors: Cvikrová M. , Malá J. , Hrubcová M. , Martincová O. , Cvrčková H. , Lipavská H. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryWe have examined defence responses in embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) elicited by intracellular protein and wall fractions (PF and WF, respectively) prepared from mycelia of the fungus Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerberg), focusing on changes in levels of phenolics (soluble and cell wall‐bound), polyamines (free and soluble conjugates) and activities of enzymes that catalyse important steps in their metabolism: phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) and diamine oxidase (DAO, EC 1.4.3.6), respectively. Treatment with both preparations induced increases in the spruce cells total contents of phenolic acids and polyamines but they responded more rapidly to WF than to PF. The contents of soluble (especially benzoic acid derivatives) and cell wall‐bound (especially ferulic acid) phenolic acids and soluble conjugates of putrescine (mainly amides of hydroxycinnamic acids), started to increase relative to controls (C) within 4 h of the addition of the WF preparation and, more weakly, within 8 h of exposure to the PF preparation. These changes correlated with the induction of PAL activity in spruce cells at 4 and 8 h following the addition of WF and PF preparations, respectively. Increases in the spruce cell’s DAO activity were also detected after just 4 h exposure to WF, and after 24 h exposure to PF. These results demonstrate that both intracellular protein and cell wall fractions prepared from A. abietina mycelium elicit changes in the metabolism of phenylpropanoids and polyamines, substances that are known to be heavily involved in the defence responses of plants to pathogens.
Cedrus libani: the most susceptible Turkish conifer species to local Heterobasidion isolates in spring inoculations
Authors: Lehtijärvi A. , Aday A. G. , Doğmuş‐Lehtijärvi H. T. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryFive‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus nigra, Pinus brutia, Abies nordmanniana ssp. bornmülleriana and Cedrus libani, 3‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus sylvestris, and 2‐year‐old seedlings of Juniperus excelsa were inoculated on the lower stem with Turkish Heterobasidion abietinum and Heterobasidion annosum s.s. isolates. In total, 300 seedlings were inoculated in April 2007 with five isolates of each Heterobasidion species and incubated in a glasshouse for 12 weeks. The daily maximum temperature increased gradually from 13°C to 31°C by the end of the incubation period. Infection incidence, mortality, lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in the xylem were examined. For H. abietinum, infection incidence ranged from 0% to 36%, and for H. annosum s.s. from 0% to 60%. Mortality was low; only 1% of the inoculated seedlings died. Mean lesion lengths varied between 7.6 and 11.9 mm for H. abietinum and 8.0 and 15.7 for H. annosum s.s. in all species apart from C. libani, in which the corresponding values were 42.2 and 42.6 mm respectively. Similarly, mean fungal growth in sapwood of C. libani was approximately 25 mm for both Heterobasidion species, in contrast to 0–3.2 mm in the other tree species. The H. abietinum isolates were not reisolated from P. nigra, P. sylvestris or J. excelsa. The H. annosum s.s. isolates did not infect Abies seedlings. Only P. brutia and C. libani were susceptible to both pathogens. Control seedlings showed no symptoms. The results indicated that C. libani is highly susceptible to Turkish isolates of Heterobasidion.
Sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor at term: A randomized prospective placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Zahran Kamal M. , Shahin Ahmed Y. , Abdellah Mohamad S. , Elsayh Khalid I. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAims:  To assess the effectiveness and safety of sublingual misoprostol (50 µg), compared with the same dose administered vaginally every 6 h for cervical ripening and labor induction in women with a viable fetus in the third trimester of pregnancy.Methods:  This double‐blind randomized prospective placebo‐controlled trial included 480 women with medical or obstetric indications for labor induction and undilated, uneffaced cervices. The patients were assigned randomly to receive 50 µg of sublingual or 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol every 6 h for 24 h. Maternal and neonatal outcome were analyzed.Results:  A total of 169 (70.4%) patients delivered vaginally in the sublingual group compared to 160 (66.7%) in the vaginal group. The main indications for cesarean section in both groups were fetal distress (33/71 [46.4%] vs 38/80 [47.5%]), followed by failure of labor progress. Thirty three (13.8%) patients in the sublingual group had meconium staining of the amniotic fluid compared to 39 (16.3%) in the vaginal group. There was no difference between the groups regarding the induction‐to‐delivery interval, duration of labor, neonatal outcome or maternal side‐effects.Conclusion:  Sublingual misoprostol is as effective as vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor at term. Moreover, the sublingual route is associated with a significantly higher patient satisfaction rate than vaginal misoprostol.
Short‐term effects of closure versus non‐closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum at cesarean section: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Anteby Eyal Y. , Kruchkovich Jenya , Kapustian Viki , Gdalevich Michael , Shenhav Simon , Gemer Ofer 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim:  To determine the effect of non‐closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum during cesarean section on short‐term postoperative morbidity.Methods:  A prospective randomized trial was conducted of 533 women undergoing primary cesarean section; 277 were randomized to closure and 256 to non‐closure of the peritoneum. Perioperative outcome measures, such as analgesia dosage and morbidly measures were compared.Results:  There was no significant difference between the non‐closure and closure groups in the mean number of narcotic analgesia doses (1.09 ± 1.2 vs 1.05 ± 1.0, P = 0.63; respectively), mean number of non‐narcotic analgesia doses (4.69 ± 2.7 vs 4.65 ± 2.8, P = 0.89; respectively), number of women with postoperative fever >38°C (18 vs 14, P = 0.37; respectively), number of women with wound infection (29 vs 35, P = 0.54; respectively) and mean number of hospitalization days (4.16 ± 0.91 vs 4.14 ± 0.71, P = 0.78; respectively).Conclusion:  Closure or non‐closure of the peritoneum at cesarean sections has no significant impact on postoperative analgesic usage and short‐term morbidity.
Rare form of extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma with solitary tumor in the abdominal wall: A case report and literature review
Authors: Matsuura Toshiki , Sugihara Kazuhiro , Kohmura Yasuhiro , Sugimura Haruhiko , Kanayama Naohiro 
Published: November 2009

AbstractCases of cancer presenting with microscopically confirmed metastatic malignancies for which no primary site can be detected are a challenge to stage clinically. Adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site is a subtype with high frequency that has no standard treatment and a poor prognosis. A 32‐year‐old female was found to have a tumor in the abdominal wall. Tumorectomy was conducted. A pathological examination indicated serous papillary adenocarcinoma, and peritoneal or ovarian cancer was suspected. Exploratory laparotomy and partial resection of the ovaries were carried out, but there were no malignant findings in the peritoneum, ovarian tissue or ascitic fluid. This is an extremely rare case of serous papillary adenocarcinoma with a cystic tumor that was categorized as extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (EPSPC) without other clinical findings.
The role of laparoscopic surgery for the management of acute large bowel obstruction
Authors: Gash K. , Chambers W. , Ghosh A. , Dixon A. R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of laparoscopic management of large bowel obstruction (LBO).Method  A prospective electronic database (April 2001–June 2009) was used to identify outcomes in consecutive patients presenting with LBO.Results  Twenty‐four patients (13 male) median age 68 years (range 56–92 years), ASA grade I (2), II (6), III (14) and IV (2), underwent surgery for LBO secondary to cancer (21) and diverticulosis (3). Supervised trainees performed four operations. Operations included anterior resection (10), Hartmann’s resection (6), right/extended hemicolectomy (7) and colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (1). The median operating time was 100 min (range 65–180 min). There were two (8%) conversions. The median time to normal diet was 24 h (range 2–192 h) and median hospital stay 3 days (range 1–30 days). Complications, seen in six patients, included atrial fibrillation (2), wound infection (2), ileus (2), CO2 retention (1), stoma necrosis (1), circulatory collapse/bowel ischaemia (1) and anastomotic leak (1). There was one (4%) readmission and two (8%) returns to theatre. One patient died.Conclusion  Laparoscopic resectional surgery in acute LBO is feasible and safe with a low complication rate that enables early hospital discharge.
Screening for cervical cancer among Israeli lesbian women
Authors: Ben‐Natan M. , Adir O. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  The proportion of lesbian women who contract the human papilloma virus may reach 13% or even 21%; however, lesbian women were found to receive Pap smear tests less often or less regularly.Aim:  To explore factors influencing lesbian women to undergo Pap smear tests and to determine whether the Health Belief Model (HBM) is able to predict whether lesbian women would be willing to undergo the test.Method:  This is a correlational quantitative study guided by the HBM. A convenience sample of 108 Israeli lesbian women was recruited from local events in the lesbian community in the city of Tel Aviv, Israel. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire.Findings:  Findings indicate that only 22.2% of the women had undergone Pap smear tests in the past, but a slightly higher proportion, 30.8%, intended to be tested during the next year. Older women were found to be more compliant with the test. Model‐based factors affecting actual testing were perceived benefits and barriers. Factors affecting women's intention to be tested were perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and general health motivation.Conclusions:  Effective strategies for nurses promoting cervical cancer screening among lesbians should address ways to improve familiarity with Pap smear tests, raise physicians' awareness of offering the test to lesbians and emphasize the importance of women‐based medical teams.