bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio‐cultural perceptions of sudden infant death syndrome among migrant Indian mothers
Authors: Aslam Henna , Kemp Lynn , Harris Elizabeth , Gilbert Emilee 
Published: October 2009

Aim:  To explore socio‐cultural influences on migrant mother decisions and beliefs regarding co‐sleeping as a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).Methods:  Semi‐structured interviews with five Indian‐born women in a socio‐economically disadvantaged suburb in the south‐west of Sydney were conducted between September and December 2007. Transcripts were analysed using principles of discourse analysis.Results:  Discourse analysis revealed that SIDS‐related decisions and beliefs about co‐sleeping as a risk factor for SIDS are constructed amid competing discourses of motherhood and child health. Mothers are either actively or unconsciously deciding how they negotiate or resist dominant Western discourses of motherhood and child health to make ‘the best’ health‐related decisions for their children. Participants resisted acknowledging child sleep practices recommended by health practitioners, particularly recommendations to put to sleep the baby in its own cot. This resistance was expressed by constructing messages as ‘inapplicable’ and ‘inappropriate’. Co‐sleeping was constructed as a highly valued practice for its physical and social benefits to the child, mother and family by facilitating child security, breastfeeding, bonding and family connectedness.Conclusion:  This study illustrates how decisions and behaviour are shaped by socio‐cultural influences embedded in discourses and context. It also shows that in‐depth investigation through a social constructivist lens is particularly useful for investigating influences on knowledge acquisition, interpretation and implementation among migrant groups. A greater appreciation of the social meanings and ideologies attached to behaviours can help to ensure that the correct messages reach the correct populations, and that child health outcomes can be achieved and maintained both for overseas and Australian‐born populations.
Resurgence of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Auckland, New Zealand: a 7‐year review of presentation and outcomes
Authors: Patel Dipika V , Rayner Sandra , McGhee Charles NJ 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To investigate the presentation, clinical characteristics and outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in Auckland, New Zealand over a 7‐year period.Methods:  Retrospective analysis of all cases of AK treated by the tertiary corneal service at Auckland City Hospital/ University of Auckland Department of Ophthalmology (August 2001 to May 2008). Data were collected regarding age, gender, contact lens history, presenting signs and symptoms, diagnosis at first presentation, time to final diagnosis, identifiable risk factors, presenting and final visual acuity, results of microbiological testing, medical treatment, surgical interventions, recurrence of disease and length of follow up. All photographs and in vivo confocal microscopy images were reviewed.Results:  Twenty‐five eyes of 25 patients were identified with a diagnosis of AK (mean age 40 ± 13 years). Ninety‐six per cent were contact lens wearers. Mean time to diagnosis was 41 ± 49 days (range 0–181 days, median 21 days). Fourteen patients (56%) had been treated with topical corticosteroids prior to the diagnosis. Early diagnosis of AK (<21 days) was associated with significantly better final visual acuity and did not require any surgical intervention compared with those diagnosed at a later stage. Six patients, all in the late diagnosis group, required surgical intervention.Conclusions:  AK has become significantly more common in New Zealand in the current decade. This study highlights the fundamental importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management in ensuring favourable outcomes. Practitioners should maintain a clinical suspicion of AK, especially as 96% of the subjects in this study were contact lens wearers.
Understanding the mechanism of the water drinking test: the role of fluid challenge volume in patients with medically controlled primary open angle glaucoma
Authors: Kerr Nathan M , Danesh‐Meyer Helen V 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  To determine whether a 500‐mL fluid challenge produces a different intraocular pressure (IOP) response profile compared with a 1000‐mL water drinking test (WDT).Methods:  Prospective, observer‐masked, cross‐over, observational study. Patients with primary open angle glaucoma were recruited from a private specialist glaucoma practice. One eye of each patient was included. Subjects were randomized to receive either a 500‐mL or 1000‐mL fluid challenge. Baseline IOP was recorded with a Goldmann applanation tonometer and then every 15 min for 1 h. A second WDT with the alternate volume of water was performed after a minimum washout period of 24 h. Primary statistical analysis was performed using a two‐way anova repeated measures of variance with a Bonferroni post‐hoc test.Results:  Fifteen patients were included in this study. The mean patient age was 67.0 ± 10.2 (SD) years, and 60% of patients were female. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline IOP between the 500‐mL and 1000‐mL WDTs (P = 0.11). Both fluid challenge volumes produced a statistically significant rise in IOP from baseline at 15, 30 and 45 min after water ingestion. However the mean maximum increase in IOP was less in the 500‐mL WDT (3.3 ± 1.8 mmHg [23.9%]) compared with the 1000‐mL WDT (4.9 ± 2.3 mmHg [32.5%]; P = 0.0095).Conclusion:  The 500‐mL WDT may provide an alternative for patients who are unable to tolerate drinking 1000 mL of water. However, because the maximum IOP obtained is less, a 500‐mL WDT cannot be used to directly estimate peak diurnal pressure.
How has the remnant population of the threatened frogLeiopelma pakeka(Anura: Leiopelmatidae) fared on Maud Island, New Zealand, over the past 25 years?
Authors: BELL BEN D. , PLEDGER SHIRLEY A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDespite widespread global reports of declining amphibian populations, supporting long‐term census data are few, limiting opportunities to study changes in numbers and survival over time. However, in New Zealand, for the past 25 years (1983–2008), we studiedLeiopelma pakeka, a threatened, terrestrial frog that inhabits rocky boulder banks under forest on Maud Island. Using night sampling at least annually on two 12 × 12 m plots, we had 5390 captures of 1000+ individuals, 327 on one plot (grid 1), 751 on the other (grid 2). The mean (±SE) number of frogs found per night was 11.3 (±0.6) on grid 1 and 25.6 (±1.4) on grid 2. We used capture‐recapture models to estimate population size, proportion of animals remaining beneath the surface and survival rate. The mean (±SE) population estimate was 131 (±14.7) frogs on grid 1 and 367 (±38.7) on grid 2. Over 25 years the estimated population increased on grid 1 and fluctuated on grid 2. Some frogs were captured on most sampling visits, others less often, evidently failing to emerge from cover each visit. Using a combination of open and closed population models, we estimated the mean (±SE) proportion remaining underground was 0.63 (±0.12) on grid 1 and 0.53 (±0.07) on grid 2. Our research represents one of the longest‐run population studies of any frog, and we recorded significant longevity, two males reaching 35+ and 37+ years, a female 34+ years. No significant differences occurred between mean annual survival rates of apparent females and males, or between the two sites. The number of toes clipped for individual identification had little influence on the return rate, once the effect of time of first capture was removed.
Classifying the fire‐response traits of plants: How reliable are species‐level classifications?
Authors: VIVIAN LYNDSEY MARIE , DOHERTY MICHAEL DAMIEN , CARY GEOFFREY JOHN 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPlant species in fire‐prone environments possess specific traits which allow them to survive fire. Species are commonly classified according to whether they survive fire and resprout or whether they are killed by fire and regenerate from seed. However, different populations of the same species have been shown to vary in their responses. Therefore, the classification of a species into a single category based on fire‐response traits may not necessarily be representative of every population under every circumstance. This study examined the extent of within‐species variation in fire‐response traits of woody plants in south‐eastern Australia after the 2003 fires. Species were then classified using two approaches: (i) using data from a field survey of fire‐response traits, taking into account within‐species variation; and (ii) using species' fire responses listed in a pre‐existing fire‐response database compiled from a variety of primary sources. Field data showed that the majority of species in the study area resprouted after fire with around one in 10 species variable in their resprouting response. Almost half of all species varied from site to site according to whether they regenerated from seed, either solely or in addition to resprouting. The numbers of species classified as resprouters and seed regenerators varied according to the classification method used. Differences were also found between the classification method when calculating the mean proportion of resprouters and seed regenerators across sites. The fire‐response traits for some species from the database were found to differ from the observed field responses. This study demonstrated that the application of a fire‐response trait, reported in a trait database, to an entire species, may not adequately represent the actual fire responses of the populations of interest. Rather than considering the fire‐response traits of a species, accurate prediction may be better achieved by considering how different populations of plants will respond to fire.
Relative impacts of cattle grazing and feral animals on an Australian arid zone reptile and small mammal assemblage
Authors: READ JOHN L. , CUNNINGHAM ROSS 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe effect of different levels of cattle grazing on an arid Australian small terrestrial mammal and lizard assemblage was assessed in a long‐tem series of cross‐fence comparisons. Cross‐fenced sites were closely matched for edaphic and vegetation characteristics and experienced near identical weather patterns, to ensure that cattle grazing pressure was the principal determinant of any differences in fauna assemblages. In addition, the effects of removal of cattle, cats, foxes and rabbits from three of these long‐term monitoring sites were assessed to determine the relative impacts of cattle grazing and feral animals. Small mammal captures, with the exception of Mus musculus, revealed a significant negative response to cattle grazing pressure but this response was of a considerably lower magnitude than the dramatic increase in rodent captures and species richness within the feral animal‐proof Arid Recovery Reserve. Higher kangaroo numbers in ungrazed controls, compared with treatments grazed by cattle, possibly negated the benefits to small mammals of removing cattle grazing. No reptile species responded significantly to the grazing treatments although reptile richness and captures of geckos and skinks were the lowest and agamid captures were the highest at heavily grazed sites. Nephrurus levis was the only reptile species to increase significantly, while captures of some smaller geckoes declined, within the feral‐proof treatment. Feral predation exerted a more significant effect on most small mammal species than the levels of cattle grazing assessed in this study, yet reptile responses to grazing or feral animals were less apparent and were likely primarily driven by changes in vegetation cover or secondary trophic impacts.
Responses of two species of heathland rodents to habitat manipulation: Vegetation density thresholds and the habitat accommodation model
Authors: MONAMY VAUGHAN , FOX BARRY J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe abundance of two native rodent species,Rattus lutreolusandPseudomys gracilicaudatus, has been shown to correlate with vegetation density in coastal wet heath. Fox's habitat accommodation model relates relative abundances of such small mammal species to heathland vegetation regeneration following disturbance. Implicit in the model is recognition that it is successional changes in vegetation, not time per se, that drives the responses of small mammal species along a regeneration axis. Using a brush‐cutter we deliberately removed approximately 85% of vegetation around trapping stations and recorded significant reductions in the abundance of bothP. gracilicaudatus(an earlier‐stage colonizing species) andR. lutreolus(a late seral‐stage species). A significant decrease in the abundance of only the latter had been demonstrated previously when 60–70% of the vegetation had been removed. Following the brush‐cutting both species re‐entered the mammalian secondary succession at different times, firstP. gracilicaudatusfollowed byR. lutreolusafter the vegetation cover thresholds of each species had been reached. The impact of this habitat manipulation experiment was to produce a retrogression of the small mammal succession, experimentally demonstrating causality between changes in vegetation density and subsequent small mammal habitat use.
Does stand structure influence susceptibility of eucalypt floodplain forests to dieback?
Authors: CUNNINGHAM SHAUN C. , THOMSON J. R. , READ J. , BAKER P. J. , NALLY R. MAC 
Published: October 2009

AbstractForest dieback is a worldwide problem that is likely to increase with climate change and increasing human demands for resources. Eucalyptus camaldulensis forests are an acute example of forest dieback, with 70% of the Victorian Murray River floodplain in some state of dieback. If we are to halt dieback in these floodplain forests, we need to understand what makes stands susceptible to dieback. Forest diebacks are often related to stand structure, with dieback more severe in senescent or high‐density stands. We determined whether certain stand structures make these forests more susceptible to dieback. We undertook an extensive survey of 176 stands across 100 000 ha of forest, covering the range of stand condition on this floodplain. Large and small trees (20‐, 40‐, 80‐ and 120‐cm diameter) showed a similar reduction in the probability of being alive with decreasing stand condition. A slight improvement in stand condition was found at higher densities and basal areas, which may reflect the higher productivity or younger age of these stands. Stand condition was moderately, positively correlated with longitude, with stand condition being higher in the east of the Murray River floodplain where flooding frequencies are currently higher. This suggests that dieback of these floodplain forests would be more effectively mitigated by increased water availability through flooding than by altering stand structure.
Assessment of sampling approaches for a multi‐taxa invertebrate survey in a South African savanna‐mosaic ecosystem
Authors: LOVELL S. J. , HAMER M. L. , SLOTOW R. H. , HERBERT D. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractInvertebrate diversity is seldom included in conservation assessments, primarily because information is lacking. Broad surveys may be too costly, difficult or ineffective. Here we assess a ‘shopping basket’ approach, targeting 17 taxa using a range of methods. We sampled 43 one‐hectare sites stratified within 560 km2of heterogenous African savanna. We achieved up to 80% sampling completeness for epigaeic fauna, but generally much lower completeness (around 50%) for plant‐dwelling and flying taxa. For the former we identified duplication of methods, and for the latter, addition of methods and increased temporal variation rather than effort would improve completeness. Within a taxon, sampling 75% of species present required, on average, about 784 individuals. When considering the local richness, 75% completeness required about 27 individuals per species, but these figures require validation in other areas. About 58 sites were required to achieve 75% sampling completeness, translating to about one site per 10 km2. The percentage of species sampled only in a particular month ranged between 4% and 46%, with greater temporal effects recorded for flying taxa than for epigaeic ones. The trend was similar for species unique to a particular year, with the most extreme case being 67% of the butterfly species sampled one year not previously recorded. We demonstrated and evaluated the feasibility of a simultaneous multi‐taxon survey approach to produce data useful for conservation planning and monitoring. We strongly recommend a quantified approach for surveys and inventories, with details such as specific methods decided based on the biome sampled, and taxonomic expertise available for identification.
Fissurectomy and anal advancement flap for anterior chronic anal fissure without hypertonia of the internal anal sphincter in females
Authors: Patti R. , Famà F. , Barrera T. , Migliore G. , Di Vita G. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  Lateral internal sphincterotomy is considered the surgical treatment of choice for chronic anal fissure after failure of medical therapy but it risks continence. The aim of the study was to evaluate fissurectomy with advancement flap for anterior chronic anal fissure (CAAF) resistant to medical therapy.Method  Sixteen women with CAAF without hypertonia of the internal anal sphincter, unresponsive to previous medical treatment, were included in the study. Absence of hypertonia was defined as a maximum anal resting pressure (MRP) of less than 85 mmHg. All patients underwent fissurectomy with an advancement skin flap.Results  Complete healing occurred in all patients within 30 days. The intensity and the duration of pain after defecation reduced from the first postoperative defecation. MRP before surgery and at 6 months showed no significant difference. At 1 month, four patients experienced a continence disturbance, two of whom had it preoperatively. At 12 months, two (12.5%) patients continued to experience a continence disturbance.Conclusion  Fissurectomy with skin advancement flap resulted in complete healing and full relief of symptoms in all patients. There was a low incidence of continence disturbance.
Downstaging of colorectal cancer by the national bowel cancer screening programme in England: first round data from the first centre
Authors: Ellul P. , Fogden E. , Simpson C. L. , Nickerson C. L. R. , Mckaig B. C. , Swarbrick E. T. , Veitch A. M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective  Data from randomized controlled trials of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) screening in Nottingham, UK and Funen, Denmark and pilot data from the English and Scottish arms of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (NBCSP) have demonstrated predominantly early‐stage disease amongst the screened population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether downstaging of cancers occurred in the NBCSP in Wolverhampton.Method  A case–control study was performed to compare the staging of CRC diagnosed in the NBCSP‐screened population during the prevalent round (2 years) of screening, with cancers diagnosed prior to the introduction of the NBCSP.Results  The total population in the screening area is 899 000. A total of 108 346 FOB kits were sent out of which 55 931 were returned (51.6% uptake), A total of 1039 colonoscopies were performed with a 94.75% unadjusted caecal intubation rate. There were three complications (haemorrhages 3) and no perforations. The NBCSP in Wolverhampton identified 106 (75% male) CRC in the first 2 years with 45.3% Dukes A, 21.7% B, 29.2% C and 3.8% D. Two hundred and fifty‐six (61% male) CRC were identified in the control group, 10.1% Dukes A, 50.0% B, 36.3% C and 3.5% D. There was a highly significant shift towards earlier stage disease in the screened group (P < 0.0001).Conclusion  The 2‐year data from the first English centre to start bowel cancer screening demonstrates significant downstaging of cancer, consistent with both the RCT and pilot data.
Short disease‐free interval is a significant risk factor for intrapulmonary recurrence after resection of pulmonary metastases in colorectal cancer
Authors: Takakura Y. , Miyata Y. , Okajima M. , Okada M. , Ohdan Hideki 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective  Surgical resection has been the first choice of treatment for resectable pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. However, early intrapulmonary recurrence is often observed and appropriate assessment of prognostic factors is controversial. The aim of this study was to define the factors affecting survival and intrapulmonary recurrence after surgical treatment of metastatic pulmonary tumours from colorectal cancer.Method  A retrospective analysis was performed of 56 consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary resection for colorectal metastases with a focus on prognostic factors and risk factors for intrapulmonary recurrence.Results  The overall 5‐year survival rate was 48.2%. In a univariate analysis, a short disease‐free interval (DFI), multiple pulmonary metastases and abnormal prethoracotomy carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were poor prognostic factors. In a multivariate analysis, a short DFI and abnormal prethoracotomy CEA levels were independent prognostic factors. Twenty‐two (39.3%) of the 56 patients had recurrences in the remnant lung after resection for pulmonary metastases, and 8 (36.4%) of these 22 patients underwent repeated pulmonary resections. The median DFI between first and second lung metastasis was 13 months. Univariate analyses revealed that multiple and bilateral lung metastases were risk factors for intrapulmonary recurrence. There was also a strong correlation between the DFI for intrapulmonary recurrence after the first pulmonary resection and the DFI for first pulmonary metastases.Conclusions  A short DFI was a risk factor for early tumour recurrence after resection for pulmonary metastases. The DFI might reflect oncological characteristics such as the tumour doubling time in colorectal cancer.
Effect of l‐arginine on the microcirculation in the neuropathic diabetic foot in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Jude E. B. , Dang C. , Boulton A. J. M. 
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med.AbstractObjective  To investigate the effect of l‐arginine on endothelial function, transcutaneous oxygen and clinical neuropathy in patients with peripheral neuropathy as a result of diabetes.Research design and methods  Thirty diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were randomized to receive l ‐arginine (3 g three times daily) or placebo (3 g three times daily) for 3 months. All patients had foot microcirculation and foot transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), neuropathy disability score (NDS) and vibration perception threshold (VPT) assessed at baseline and follow‐up.Results  No difference was observed in endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilation, TcPO2, NDS and VPT.Conclusions  l‐arginine has no effect on endothelial dysfunction, TcPO2 and clinical neuropathy.