bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex Allocation in Response to Maternal Condition: Different Tactics of Care‐Giving by Male and Female Zebra Finches
Authors: Foster Valerie S. , Burley Nancy Tyler 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWhile behavioral ecologists have studied sex allocation for 30 yr, almost nothing is known about the roles of male vs. female parents in making secondary allocation decisions in species with bi‐parental care. To investigate possible sex differences in tactics in zebra finches, we manipulated the condition of one cohort of females by trimming their flight feathers; a second cohort of females and all males were left intact. Focal observations of feeding behavior revealed that manipulated females did not reduce their feeding time, but rather focused their efforts on rearing sons, while control females allocated effort to rearing daughters. Males mated to manipulated females tended to focus effort to daughters, while control males showed no consistent response. Manipulated females experienced a lower reproductive rate, primarily because of a low daughter rate, relative to control females. Manipulated females also laid smaller clutches and had longer inter‐clutch intervals, which suggest that their ability to metabolize and allocate essential proteins from pectoral muscle mass during the egg‐laying period was impaired. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that parents of both sexes make active sex allocation decisions when the physiological condition of one parent is manipulated; males do not simply adopt female allocation patterns, but make complementary adjustments. Our results have implications for interpretation of handicapping studies that seek to understand the dynamics of inter‐sexual negotiations of care‐giving. Investigation of sex differences in sex allocation tactics in species with limited dietary protein, such as granivorous birds, is a potentially important direction for future research.
Large subunit rDNA and rbcL gene sequence data place Petrohua bernabei gen. et sp. nov. in the Batrachospermales (Rhodophyta), but do not provide further resolution among taxa in this order
Authors: Vis Morgan L. , Harper James T. , Saunders Gary W. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe phylogenetic relationship among 12 previously described batrachospermalean taxa and a novel member of the order were investigated using the LSU and rbcL genes separately and in combination. The primary goal of this research was to establish the phylogenetic placement of a previously undescribed freshwater red alga from Chile. The results showed that the new entity with pseudoparenchymatous tube morphology is a member of the Batrachospermales and Petrohua bernabei gen. et sp. nov. is described herein. This is the first record to our knowledge of a Lemanea‐like alga from Chile. It would appear that this thallus construction has evolved at least three times in the Batrachospermales and that the switch from a Batrachospermum‐like construction to a pseudoparenchymatous construction may be a repeated adaptive response to turbulent waterfall habitats. In addition to providing information about a new freshwater red alga, this study sought to determine whether combining the data from two genes would produce a more robust phylogeny, particularly for intermediate nodes, to resolve familial relationships within the order. As with previous analyses, the Batrachospermales was resolved as a clade and support was high for relationships resolved among relatively recent nodes. Unfortunately, combining the LSU and rbcL data did not have the desired effect of more fully resolving intermediate nodes among the Batrachospermales.
Possible surface carbohydrates involved in signaling during conjugation process in Zygnema cruciatum monitored with fluorescein isothiocyanate‐lectins (Zygnemataceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Kim Gwang Hoon , Yoon Minchul , West John A. , Klochkova Tatyana A. , Kim Sung‐Ho 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe changes of cell surface carbohydrates were examined with FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)‐labeled lectins during the conjugation process of the green alga Zygnema cruciatum. The Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA)‐specific materials were detected consistently on the surface of vegetative cells, but were absent on the surface of protruding papillae or conjugation tube. The tips of male and female papillae were labeled with soybean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) during conjugation. The SBA‐ and PNA‐specific materials appeared first at the tip of male papillae and began to accumulate on the surface of female papillae. No labeling of these lectins was detected on the surface of vegetative filaments throughout the conjugation process. FITC‐ConA (Concanavalin A) and FITC‐RCA (Ricinus communis agglutinin) did not label the vegetative filaments of Z. cruciatum, but a trace labeling of these lectins was observed on the surface of some swollen papillae occasionally. Blocking experiments with various lectins showed that these SBA‐ and PNA‐specific glycoconjugates might be involved in the signaling between male and female papillae.
Taxonomy, phylogeny, biogeography, and ecology of Sabulodinium undulatum (Dinophyceae), including an emended description of the species
Authors: Hoppenrath Mona , Horiguchi Takeo , Miyoshi Yukiko , Selina Marina , Taylor ‘Max’ F.J.R. , Leander Brian S. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYSamples of Sabulodinium undulatum Saunders et Dodge, the type species of the monospecific genus, were collected and characterized from Germany, Russia, Japan and Canada. This species has a laterally flattened, oval cell with a truncated apex and a dorsally pointing small episome. The dorsal margin of the hyposome has an undulating shape. A dorsal spine and/or antapical spine are sometimes present. The specimens of this heterotrophic species are 27.5–42.5 μm long and 18.5–36.0 μm wide, and have a theca with the plate arrangement apical pore complex (APC) 5′ 1a 6″ 5c 4s 6′′′ 1′′′′. The shape of the dorsal theca is variable. The species distribution seems to be restricted to northern temperate regions. Sabulodinium undulatum occurred in all sandy eulittoral areas throughout the year and was also present in sandy sublittoral and supralittoral (beach) samples. The species can tolerate a broad range of temperatures and salinities. Sabulodinium occurred from −2.0 to +24.3°C and 4–35 salinity. It is likely that the observed variability in morphology and habitat reflect several varieties. We propose to establish three varieties within the species, namely S. undulatum var. undulatum, S. undulatum var. glabromarginatum, and S. undulatum var. monospinum. The systematic position of Sabulodinium is discussed in the context of comparative morphological and molecular phylogenetic data.
BS16P MULTIFOCAL BREAST CANCER: WHICH DIMENSIONS CORRELATE WITH NODAL SPREAD AND OUTCOME?
Authors: Phillips C. , Turkiewicz D. , Pyke C. 
Published: April 2007

Purpose  In the presence of multifocal breast cancer, debate continues as to which dimension (the diameter of the largest lesion or combined total diameter of all synchronous lesions) correlates best with the likelihood of nodal spread, local and systemic recurrence and hence death. Pathological assessment and reporting on such tumours is a mandatory part of Breast Audit. What is the value of this?Methodology  Data from all women with multifocal breast cancer (as defined by more than one focus of invasive cancer in an ipsilateral breast on pathological examination) presenting during the period between 1997 and March 2003 was reviewed. Lymph node status, local recurrence, systemic recurrence and death were correlated with the diameter of the largest focus and aggregate diameter of all lesions.Results  63 patients with multifocal breast cancer (from 534 primary breast cancers treated) were reviewed. with a median follow‐up of 4.98 years. There were 10 cancer‐related deaths during this time. 34 tumours (54%) were upstaged using the aggregate diameter. “Aggregate diameter” correlated more strongly than the “largest diameter” with regards to survival however only nodal status and number of foci statistically significantly correlated with survival. “Aggregate diameter” and “largest diameter” were both similarly highly correlated with nodal status.Conclusions  The results obtained from this study suggest assessment and inclusion of all foci appears to be an important part of pathological breast cancer assessment. Our current work involves comparison to similarly staged unifocal tumours to determine whether multifocality per se can be used as a surrogate prognostic factor independent of the diameter of the largest focus.
BS23 TARGETED THERAPY
Authors: Bundred N. J. 
Published: April 2007

Breast cancer has led the way in developing drugs for targets (e.g. oestrogen receptor) since the initial excitement over the benefit of Tamoxifen and more latterly, Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) research has focussed on finding novel agents to other targets. The HER2 oncoprotein is targeted extracellularly by Herceptin with an appropriate 50% reduction in breast cancer recurrence in 4 major trials. Newer agents, such as the HER1/HER2 inhibitor, Lapatinib, are currently entering clinical trials.Problems arise when the target (e.g. HER1) does not reflect the growth drive of a tumour. Thus, targeted therapy to the HER1 receptor has largely been unsuccessful in breast cancer.Biological subtypes will help to improve trial development and identify which patients need which therapies. Importantly, it will allow rational development of combination therapies within subgroups. Newer agents becoming available include progesterone receptor antagonists and Src inhibitors which may only be effective in tumours expressing the receptor (i.e. luminal A or triple negative cancers respectively). Potential benefits of targeted therapy on breast cancer treatment will be discussed.
CT23 WHAT’S NEW IN ICU
Authors: Shaw G. M. 
Published: April 2007

Intensive care medicine is at the intersection of medical, surgical and engineering sciences. While the lion’s share of attention in medical research focuses on magic bullets, these have largely failed to deliver in intensive care. Specifically, significant improvements have come from improving what might be regarded as the ‘bread and butter’ of clinical practice. Improvements the management of sedation, ventilation, glycaemic control, sepsis, shock and renal support have resulted in significant improvements in patient outcomes.Simple measures such as switching off sedation on morning rounds can reduce duration of mechanical ventilation and length of intensive care stay by 32 to 35%1.Reduction of tidal volumes in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from 12 to 6 ml per kilogram has reduced mortality from 39.8% to 31% in a landmark study of 861 patients2. This is consistent with findings from smaller clinical trials and animal data linking shear forces in the lung, produced by mechanical ventilation, with biological injury.A recent study of 1548 mainly cardiothoracic surgical patients found that intensive insulin therapy reduced intensive care mortality from 8.0% with conventional treatment to 4.6%, with the greatest reduction in death due to multiple‐organ failure with a proven septic focus3. Bloodstream infections, acute renal failure, red‐cell transfusions, and critical‐illness polyneuropathy were also all reduced by over 40%.Early goal directed therapy reduced in‐hospital mortality from 46.5% to 30.5% in a cohort of 263 patients admitted to an emergency department in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock4. Significant benefits resulted from early resuscitation of shocked patients using predefined protocols.Summary  Targeted protocolised therapies across a wide range of intensive care conditions have resulted in the greatest outcome benefits for critically ill patients.
CR11 PATIENT RECALL OF INFORMED CONSENT INFORMATION PRIOR TO COLONOSCOPY
Authors: Thomson I. G. , Schache D. , Miller B. , Gourlas P. , Cohen J. 
Published: April 2007

Purpose  To determine if patients presenting for colonoscopy can remember information discussed in the informed consent process. Focusing on whether patients know of the possible risks.Methodology  A prospective study of patients presenting for elective colonoscopy through the Colorectal Unit. Patients were consented in outpatient clinics prior to the procedure using the colonoscopy consent form supplied by Queensland Health. On the day of the procedure a 2 page questionnaire with 13 questions was completed by the patient prior to their colonoscopy. Indications for colonoscopy date of consent & procedure and seniority of consenting doctor were obtained from medical records.Results  100 patients completed the questionnaire. 94% of patients could correctly identify colonoscopy as the procedure being undertaken. 45% of patients were able to identify that there were any risks involved with the procedure. Only 28% of patients could name perforation as a possible risk. h regard to other investigative options 83% could not identify any from a list of three. Despite this 92% felt they were given enough information and were happy to proceed.Conclusion  This study highlights room for improvement in the current informed consent process. The current process falls short in educating patients of the possible serious risks involved. Patients do not recall other therapeutic options given. The consent process does convey basic information allowing the patient to identify the name of the investigation and anatomical area investigated. Despite these shortcomings most patients felt they were given enough information to proceed.
CR16P METHYLENE BLUE INJECTION REDUCES PAIN AFTER LATERAL ANAL SPHINCTERTOMY
Authors: Seow‐Choen F. , Tan K. Y. 
Published: April 2007

Introduction  Intradermal methylene blue has been used successfully in pruritus ani. The mechanism is likely the destruction of dermal nerve endings. We report a new method in achieving postoperative pain relief using intradermal methylene blue injection to the perianal region after lateral anal sphincterotomy.Methods  Consecutive patients undergoing lateral anal sphincterotomy between July 2004 and January 2006 were studied prospectively. All were performed under local anesthesia. Four ml 1% methylene blue and 16 ml 1% lignocaine was injected into the perianal skin and intersphincteric space. Patients were asked to fill in a pain chart with a visual analog scale of 0 to 10.Results  There were 24 patients studied during this period. The median pain scores were under 2.5 for the first 4 days and were 0 from the 5th postoperative day. Nineteen out of 24 wound have healed by 2 weeks post sphincterotomy. There were no perianal complications.Conclusion  Intradermal injection of methylene blue together with local anesthetic gives good post‐operative pain control with minimal complications.
CR08 ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE WITH FAST‐TRACK SURGERY FOR ELECTIVE COLONIC RESECTION
Authors: Zargar Shoshtari K. , Connolly A. B. , Israel L. H. , Clark M. A. , Hill A. G. 
Published: April 2007

Purpose  Fast‐Track Surgery or Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs are becoming increasingly common. However there are concerns regarding safety, readmission rates and the impact on overall morbidity. We aimed to compare the results from our ERAS program for elective colonic surgery with those from our institution prior to commencement of ERAS.Method  We established an ERAS program for colonic resection at Manukau Surgical Centre (MSC) in Auckland. This included strategies such as epidural analgesia, early feeding and mobilisation. Patients were discharged once they were able to tolerate a full diet, had evidence of return of GI function and pain was managed with oral analgesia. They were followed up within a week.Results  From Dec 2005 to Dec 2006, 35 consecutive patients undergoing elective colonic resection at MSC under our ERAS program were studied prospectively. The control group consisted of 35 consecutive patients undergoing colonic resection under conventional care at the same institution prior to Dec 2005. Groups were comparable with respect to physiological and operative CR‐POSSUM scores. Median day stay for the ERAS group was 4 (3–27) compared to 8 (4–30) days for the conventional group (p < 0.001). ERAS was associated with a trend towards an earlier return of gastrointestinal function, reduced rate of infective and pulmonary complications. There were no differences in the readmission rates.Conclusion  ERAS is a practical and safe method of managing patients undergoing major colonic surgery and such structured care plans not only reduce hospital stay but may also be associated with reduced immediate post‐operative morbidity.
ES15P ATYPICAL FOLLICULAR’ FNAC – RELATIONSHIP WITH FINAL HISTOPATHOLOGY
Authors: Pang T. , Sidhu S. , Sywak M. , Reeve T. , Delbridge L. , Ihre‐Lundgren C. 
Published: April 2007

Background  Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a useful technique for the investigation of thyroid lesions. However, about 15% of FNAC results are classified as ‘atypical follicular’– a dilemma for the surgeon.Purpose  To investigate the relationship between ‘atypical follicular’ FNAC results and final histolopathological diagnosis.Methodology  Retrospective review of patients who underwent thyroid FNAC at the University of Sydney endocrine surgical unit.Results  Study period – 1985 to 2005; Study population – 424 patients with an atypical FNAC and a malignancy on final histopathology. This accounted for 21% of all atypical FNAC results (n = 1956). Demographics – 342 females, 82 males with a mean age of 47.2 (SD 16.7). The most common presentation in this group was a single thyroid nodule n = 252, followed by multinodular goiter n = 155. Overall, 269 (63.4%) had papillary/mixed (papillary and follicular) carcinoma, 106 (25%) had follicular carcinoma and 49 (11.6%) other malignant pathology. Of the subjects with papillary cancers, 34% had papillary microcarcinoma. Demographics were not predictors of pathology. Over the study period of 20 years, no changes in the pattern of histopathology findings were noted.Conclusion  Although the ‘atypical follicular’ FNAC has traditionally been considered to be either follicular adenoma or carcinoma, a great proportion of subjects actually have a papillary carcinoma demonstrated on histopathology. A significant proportion of this was accounted for by the presence of incidental papillary microcarcinoma.
ES18P ROLE OF EXTERNAL RADIOTHERAPY IN PARATHYROID CARCINOMA
Authors: Nair A. , Abraham D. T. , Paul M. J. , Seshadri M. S. , Nihal T. , Selvan C. K. 
Published: April 2007

Introduction  Parathyroid carcinoma is a challenging problem to a surgeon and adjuvant radiotherapy is important to reduce the recurrence.Methods  A retrospective review was conducted of all cases of parathyroid carcinoma from 1990–2006. 6 patients were identified.Results  There was a male preponderance. Mean age of presentation was 49 years. The clinical presentation was similar to benign primary hyperparathyroidism except for the presence of palpable nodule in 80% of patients with carcinoma compared to 11% among patients with benign primary hyperparathyroidism. One patient had chronic pancreatits propably secondary to hyperparathyroidism. All patients had hypercalcaemia with elevated serum PTH levels and no significant difference compared to benign hyperparathyroidism. Surgery was done in all. Local metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes was seen in 33% off patients. The tumors showed a high predilection to the inferior parathyroid glands.. All subjects underwent radiotherapy with cobalt at mean dose of 50 cGy. The mean duration of recurrence was about 2 years. 50% had local recurrence, 2 had recurrent tumor excision including one from vocal cord. Bony metastasis was found in one as evidenced by hot spots in sestamibi scan. 2 of the 6 died, both of them had unrelated disease as cause of death. 1 lost to follow up.Conclusion  Parathyroid carcinoma constitutes around 2–3% of patients. In the presence of a palpable nodule, chance of being malignant should be kept in mind. Recurrence rate can be reduced by post operative external radiotherapy.
GS13P OUTCOME OF TRANS‐ANAL EXCISION FOR RECTAL CANCER
Authors: Banerjee S. , Levitt M. D. 
Published: April 2007

Aims  The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of trans‐anal excision of rectal cancer in a single Surgeon’s practice and determine possible selection criteria for this procedure.Methods  Retrospective review of hospital records, specimen histopathology and imaging of consecutive patients with rectal cancer undergoing trans‐anal excision as the primary treatment.Results  25 patients had trans‐anal excision of rectal cancer including 3 cases of carcinoid tumour and 1 case of gastro‐intestinal stromal tumour (GIST). 5/25 proceeded to radical rectal resection because of the presence of adverse features including lympho‐vascular and peri‐neural invasion and poorly differentiated cell type; residual tumour was present in 4/5 cases, nodal metastases in 3/5 patients each of whom received pre‐operative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 2/25 patients developed recurrence at 12 and 48 months from excision. One of these patients had distant recurrence at 12 months having proceeded to radical rectal resection and the other patient (aged 99), managed with trans‐anal excision alone, recurred locally at 48 months. Both cases of recurrence were T3 tumours. Overall, 19/20 cases managed with trans‐anal excision alone had no recurrence with a follow‐up period of 12–48 months. 16 of these patients had T1 malignancy.Conclusion  T1 tumours may be treated with trans‐excision alone in the absence of adverse pathological features. It is unclear from our study whether T2 should be managed in this way due to their small number in this study and T3 tumours are clearly at high risk of recurrence with this treatment alone.
GS14P ROUTINE USE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY TEAMS IN MANAGING SURGICAL EMERGENCIES
Authors: Kim H. K. , Wong K. 
Published: April 2007

Introduction  Trauma teams and cardiac arrest teams provide an urgent and expert multi‐disciplinary response to time critical emergencies. The present study documents the contribution of a medical emergency team (MET) to managing non‐trauma surgical emergencies.Materials and Methods  Data was prospectively collected over a two year period concerning the contribution of medical emergency teams to the resuscitation of all patients with non‐trauma surgical emergencies and altered vital signs in hospital wards.Results  Over the study period, the details of 19 patients with surgical emergencies were recorded. 63% of emergencies occurred outside of normal working hours. In 53% of cases, the surgical registrar was off‐site or physically unavailable to attend the emergency immediately. In 11% of cases, the medical emergency team was activated prior to the arrival of the surgical registrar. In 26% of cases, the patient was left unattended whilst awaiting arrival of the surgical registrar. The medical emergency team provided resuscitation procedures and arranged urgent investigations in all patients, physically transported the patient to the operating theatre in 16% of patients and prepared for general anaesthetic in the operating theatre in 11% of cases. The surgical registrar complemented the medical emergency team response by liaising with consultant surgeons, anaesthetists and operating theatre staff in all cases. All patients received definitive treatment within 30 minutes of MET response.Conclusion  Routine use of medical emergency teams in the initial resuscitation of patients with surgical emergencies expedites definitive management.