bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumer participation in the planning and delivery of drug treatment services: the current arrangements
Authors: BRYANT JOANNE , SAXTON MELISSA , MADDEN ANNIE , BATH NICKY , ROBINSON SUZANNE 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Consumer participation in decision‐making about service planning is common in certain health services in Australia but is thought to be largely underdeveloped in drug treatment services. This paper (1) describes the current practices within Australian drug treatment services that aim to include consumers in service planning and provision; and (2) determines how much consumers know about the existing opportunities for involvement. Design and Method. Sixty‐four randomly selected service providers (representing 64 separate services) completed interviews about the current arrangements for consumer participation within their services (response rate = 82%). A total of 179 consumers completed interviews assessing their knowledge of the consumer participation activities available at the service they attended. Results. Consumer participation activities were not uncommon in drug treatment services, although the existing activities were concerned largely with providing information to or receiving information from consumers. Activities that included consumers in higher forms of involvement, such as those in which consumers took part in decision‐making, were largely uncommon. Consumers had a considerable lack of knowledge about the participation activities available to them, revealing a lack of communication between providers and consumers. Conclusions. While service providers were making efforts to engage consumers in service planning and provision (despite the general lack of State or Commonwealth policy directives and extra funding to do so), these appear ineffectual because of poor communication between providers and consumers. As a starting point, a critical part of any meaningful consumer participation initiative must include systems to ensure that consumers know about available opportunities.
Consumers' and providers' perspectives about consumer participation in drug treatment services: is there support to do more? What are the obstacles?
Authors: BRYANT JOANNE , SAXTON MELISSA , MADDEN ANNIE , BATH NICKY , ROBINSON SUZANNE 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Implementing consumer participation initiatives in Australian drug treatment services successfully is predicated on the support of those most centrally involved. This paper describes service providers' and consumers' (1) beliefs about and commitment to consumer participation; and (2) perceived barriers to conducting or participating in consumer participation. Design and Methods. Data were collected from 64 providers and 179 consumers of drug treatment services. Results. The data showed that almost all consumers (89.9%, n = 161) and providers (84.4%, n = 54) believed in the principle of consumer participation (that consumers' views should be included in service planning and delivery) and a large proportion would be willing to conduct or participate in consumer participation activities in future. Providers were less supportive of activities in which consumers would be involved in decision‐making that relates directly to staff (such as staff training, recruitment and performance appraisal), and expressed concerns about the practicality of operationalising such activities, the inadequacy of consumers' skills, consumers' lack of interest and the appropriateness of having consumers involved in such decision‐making. A small proportion of consumers also indicated that they did not want to participate, expressing beliefs that it was not their place to be involved and that they lacked the required skills. Conclusions. Overall, these findings revealed that there was considerable support for the further development of consumer participation in drug treatment services, but the predominant obstacle was the view that it is not consumers' place to take part, and that they lack the interest and skills to do so.
Issues with recruitment to randomised controlled trials in the drug and alcohol field: a literature review and Australian case study
Authors: THOMSON CLARE L. , MORLEY KIRSTEN C. , TEESSON MAREE , SANNIBALE CLAUDIA , HABER PAUL S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIssues. The randomised control trial (RCT) is a widely used tool for measuring the effectiveness of health treatments and services. However, subject recruitment is an ongoing challenge for those conducting RCTs and may have a serious impact on the success of the study and the reliability of the outcomes. Approach. In this review we present an examination of the problems and strategies associated with recruitment to RCTs, with particular reference to studies conducted in the drug and alcohol field. A case study of recruitment to an RCT for the treatment of alcohol dependence is presented, supplemented by PubMed, Current Contents and Medline searches to identify relevant publications. Key Findings. The literature suggests that the most common barriers to patient participation involve fears of assignment to placebo treatment, insufficient compensation and poor attendance at initial appointments. Moreover, subject referrals from staff may be a greater problem than reluctance of patients. Referrals are inhibited by complicated entry criteria, time constraints due to busy work schedules or a limited research culture. Implications. Subject recruitment may be promoted by financial reimbursement, close partnerships between research and referral staff; increasing the treatment group ratio in multi‐drug trials to minimise randomisation to placebo; addressing negative staff attitudes; and simplifying the referral process. Conclusion. The need for multi‐centre sites in Australian drug and alcohol treatment studies is highlighted.
Leukocyte Adhesion in Capillary‐Sized, P‐Selectin‐Coated Micropipettes
Authors: Sundd Prithu , Zou Xiaoyan , Goetz Douglas J. , Tees David F. J. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:Leukocyte retention in lung capillaries is observed in normal physiology and following a bacterial infection. It has been hypothesized that cells either become mechanically trapped or adhere to capillary endothelial cells via adhesion molecules. We propose that retention involves both mechanical and adhesive forces and that the biochemical adhesive force is modulated by mechanical forces that alter the area of contact between leukocytes and endothelium.Methods:To probe this hypothesis, an adhesion assay has been developed in which individual HL‐60 cells were aspirated into micropipettes pre‐coated with P‐selectin. Following aspiration, cells were exposed to physiological pressure differences.Results:Little adhesion was seen in micropipettes coated with BSA, whereas significant adhesion was observed in micropipettes coated with P‐selectin. The frequency of cell arrest on P‐selectin in the micropipette was much greater than on P‐selectin in a parallel plate flow chamber even though the disruptive force in the micropipette assay exceeds that in the parallel plate flow chamber. These results demonstrate that receptor–ligand interactions can enhance adhesion in a capillary geometry and that differences in capillary geometry vs. venule geometry can significantly influence the adhesive phenotype.Conclusions:Taken together, these observations support the hypothesis that an interplay between mechanical and biochemical adhesive forces can play a major role in retention.
Hydrogen Peroxide Emerges as a Regulator of Tone in Skeletal Muscle Arterioles During Juvenile Growth
Authors: Samora Julie Balch , Frisbee Jefferson C. , Boegehold Matthew A. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT Objective: The endothelium‐dependent dilation of skeletal muscle arterioles is mediated by factors that have not been identified in young rats, and partly mediated by an unidentified hyperpolarizing factor in maturing rats. This study was designed to determine if endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contributes to this arteriolar dilation at either of these growth stages. Methods: Gracilis muscle arterioles were isolated from rats at ages 24–26 days (“weanlings”) and 46–48 days (“juveniles”). We investigated the effects of catalase treatment on the endothelium‐dependent dilation of these vessels to simvastatin and acetylcholine (ACh). Catalase‐sensitive 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence also was measured as an index of H2O2 formation, and arteriolar dilation to exogenous H2O2 was pharmacologically probed in each age group. Results: Responses to simvastatin and ACh were attenuated by catalase in juvenile, but not weanling, arterioles. Juvenile, but not weanling, arterioles also displayed catalase‐sensitive DCF fluorescence that was increased by ACh. Exogenous H2O2 could induce dilation in juvenile, but not weanling, arterioles. In juvenile arterioles, this dilation was abolished by the K+ channel inhibitors TEA and glibenclamide, and attenuated by NOS inhibition or endothelial removal. Conclusions: These findings suggest that endogenous H2O2 contributes to endothelium‐dependent arteriolar dilation in juvenile rats, but not in younger rats, and that H2O2 acts in juvenile rats by stimulating endothelial NO release and activating smooth muscle K+ channels.
Parentage testing in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) using semi‐automated fluorescent multiplex PCRs with 10 microsatellite markers
Authors: Agapito J. , Rodríguez J. , Herrera‐Velit P. , Timoteo O. , Rojas P. , Boettcher P. J. , García F. , Espinoza J. R. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess and apply a microsatellite multiplex system for parentage determination in alpacas. An approach for parentage testing based on 10 microsatellites was evaluated in a population of 329 unrelated alpacas from different geographical zones in Perú. All microsatellite markers, which amplified in two multiplex reactions, were highly polymorphic with a mean of 14.5 alleles per locus (six to 28 alleles per locus) and an average expected heterozygosity (HE) of 0.8185 (range of 0.698–0.946). The total parentage exclusion probability was 0.999456 for excluding a candidate parent from parentage of an arbitrary offspring, given only the genotype of the offspring, and 0.999991 for excluding a candidate parent from parentage of an arbitrary offspring, given the genotype of the offspring and the other parent. In a case test of parentage assignment, the microsatellite panel assigned 38 (from 45 cases) offspring parentage to 10 sires with LOD scores ranging from 2.19 × 10+13 to 1.34 × 10+15 and Δ values ranging from 2.80 × 10+12 to 1.34 × 10+15 with an estimated pedigree error rate of 15.5%. The performance of this multiplex panel of markers suggests that it will be useful in parentage testing of alpacas.
Domatia reduce larval cannibalism in predatory mites
Authors: FERREIRA JOÃO A. M. , ESHUIS BRECHTJE , JANSSEN ARNE , SABELIS MAURICE W. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract1. Acarodomatia are small structures on the underside of leaves of many plant species, which are mainly inhabited by carnivorous and fungivorous mites.2. Domatia are thought to protect these mites against adverse environmental conditions and against predation. They are considered as an indirect plant defence; they provide shelter to predators and fungivores and these in turn protect the plants against herbivores and fungi.3. We studied the possible role of domatia of coffee (Coffea arabicaL.) (Rubiaceae) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annumL.) (Solanaceae) in reducing cannibalism in the mites inhabiting the domatia. We measured cannibalism of larvae by adults of the predatory mitesIphiseiodes zuluagaiDenmark & Muma andAmblyseius herbicolusChant on coffee leaf discs and of the predatory miteIphiseius degenerans(Berl.) on sweet pepper leaf. Domatia were closed with glue or left open.4. Cannibalism in all three species increased when domatia were closed. WithI. degenerans, moreover, we found that the previous diet of the cannibal attenuated the effect of domatia on cannibalism.5. We conclude that domatia can protect young predatory mites against cannibalism by adults and that the diet of cannibals affects the rate of cannibalism.
Timing is everything? Phenological synchrony and population variability in leaf‐chewing herbivores of Quercus
Authors: FORKNER REBECCA E. , MARQUIS ROBERT J. , LILL JOHN T. , CORFF JOSIANE LE 
Published: February 2008

Abstract 1. Specialization on ephemeral resources (e.g. new leaves) should produce large annual variation in herbivore population size when the timing of availability of those resources is unpredictable. Despite considerable evidence for impacts of synchrony with budburst on survival of larval Lepidoptera, previous studies of adult Geometridae and Noctuidae found no correlations between insect phenology and population variability.2. We surveyed larval Lepidoptera feeding on Quercus alba and Q. velutina in Missouri from 1993 to 2003 and examined population variability, measured as the coefficient of variation of population density (CV), in a subset of abundant species. We compared CV values among species whose larvae feed only in spring, early summer, mid‐summer, late summer, or all season. We predicted that univoltine species whose larvae eclose and complete development in spring during leaf expansion would have higher variability than species feeding later in the season, having multiple generations, or having longer development times.3. As predicted and consistent with hypotheses, spring‐feeding species had CV values 32% higher than species feeding in summer months. Coefficients of variation were also 34% higher in leaf‐rolling and mining guilds compared with free‐feeders, suggesting that mobile species may compensate for asynchrony with budburst by dispersing to higher quality plants or plant parts. Multivoltine species, however, did not differ from univoltine species in population variability.4. Our results suggest that asynchrony with plant phenology and factors that might exacerbate it, such as climate change, will have the largest impacts on the dynamics of spring‐feeding Lepidoptera, particularly species with limited mobility.
Effect of habitat conditions on reproduction of the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Strait of Sicily
Authors: BASILONE G. , GUISANDE C. , PATTI B. , MAZZOLA S. , CUTTITTA A. , BONANNO A. , VERGARA A.R. , MANEIRO I. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe aims of this study were to describe the reproductive cycle of the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) off the south coast of Sicily and determine whether intra‐ and inter‐annual reproductive trait variations, if any, are adaptive responses which maximize reproductive success under environmental fluctuations. Biological data were collected from purse seine and mid‐water pelagic trawl commercial catches landed in Sciacca (Sicily) over 6 yr (1997–2002) at fortnightly intervals, analysing a total of 84 581 individuals. No inter‐annual changes in length at first reproduction were observed, with a mean pooled value of 11.26 cm for both sexes being found. Spawning intensity, indicated by gonadosomatic index, condition factor and length–weight relationships, seem to be governed by food availability prior to spawning. Anchovy reproductive investment was limited by the area's low primary production. There was a synchrony between reproductive cycle and temperature. Water warming marks the onset of a period of high water stability in the area, and its later cooling marks the onset of a period with low water stability. The relationship between reproductive cycle and temperature is therefore probably a reproductive strategy having evolved to ensure that spawning takes place during the period of the year when water column stability is higher, favouring food concentration and egg and larval retention in the spawning areas.
The importance of individual behaviour for successful settlement of juvenile plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.): a modelling and field study in the eastern Irish Sea
Authors: FOX C. J. , MCCLOGHRIE P. , YOUNG E. F. , NASH R. D. M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTo study the transport of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) eggs and larvae in the eastern Irish Sea, we constructed a 3D‐baroclinic physical model and coupled it to a particle‐tracking scheme that allowed aspects of larval behaviour to be simulated. Starting positions for eggs were based upon data from a series of ichthyoplankton surveys and final positions were compared with results of settled plaice distributions from two beam trawl surveys conducted on beaches around the eastern Irish Sea. If simulated larval behaviour was limited to passive drift or horizontal swimming, the particles diffused away from the spawning areas but failed to reach nursery grounds in significant numbers (85–90% remaining offshore). In contrast, switching on circatidal vertical swimming significantly increased the numbers of larvae reaching the coast (only 23–30% remained offshore). Particles tended to accumulate in bays and estuaries and this pattern compared well with the distribution of settled plaice from the field surveys. Studies in the southern North Sea (where spawning and nursery grounds are widely separated) have also demonstrated the importance of selective tidal stream transport for successful recruitment of settling plaice to nursery grounds. Although our understanding of the ontogeny of this behaviour is still poor, the model results presented suggest that this aspect of behaviour is a key factor influencing plaice settlement success.
Indirect effects of the algivorous fishPlecoglossus altivelis altivelison the growth of two insectivorous benthic fish
Authors: KATANO OSAMU , NAKAMURA TOMOYUKI , ABE SHIN‐ICHIRO 
Published: February 2008

Summary1. Animals exploiting different resources may nevertheless interact if one species indirectly alters the abundance and distribution of the food of the other. To analyse this indirect effect, we conducted experiments in artificial pools and in the field to investigate the influence of the algivorous fishPlecoglossus altivelis altivelis(known as the ayu) on two species of insectivorous benthic fish,Pseudogobio esocinus esocinusand the gobyGymnogobius petschiliensis.2. In the pool experiments, algal biomass was not correlated with the number of ayu, but the percentage of blue‐green bacteria rose as the number increased. The number of aquatic macroinvertebrates on the upper surface of ceramic tiles placed in the pool bed decreased as the number of ayu increased.3. Although ayu and the benthic species did not interact directly, the reduction in invertebrate abundance on the upper surface of tiles in the pool reduced the growth rate of the benthic insectivores.4. In field experiments, the introduction of ayu into habitats withP. esocinus esocinusorG. petschiliensisreduced the growth rate of these benthic fish. In the field experiment that was carried out over 5 years in theG. petschiliensishabitat, the population density of the goby decreased when ayu were stocked.5. The ayu is a strong interactor or bioengineer in streams, affecting not only benthic algae but also aquatic invertebrates and fishes. We conclude that to predict the outcome of interspecific interactions amongst fishes in streams with high algal production, possible indirect effects must be considered alongside better known direct effects.
Comparative expression of calretinin in selected odontogenic tumours: a possible relationship to histogenesis
Authors: Alaeddini M , Etemad‐Moghadam S , Baghaii F 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Calretinin, a calcium‐binding protein, is expressed primarily in certain subtypes of neurons. It has also been reported to be present in mesotheliomas and other tumours. The aim was to determine the expression of calretinin in selected odontogenic neoplasms.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemistry for calretinin was performed on 55 odontogenic tumours consisting of 20 solid ameloblastomas, five calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumours, 10 adenomatoid odontogenic tumours, 10 ameloblastic fibromas and 10 odontogenic myxomas. The distribution, intensity, pattern and localization of immunoreactive cells were determined by conventional light microscopy. χ2 test was used for statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. All 20 ameloblastomas showed intense immunopositivity with a diffuse distribution pattern. None of the other neoplasms was reactive with calretinin. Differences in the proportion of calretinin expression between groups were statistically significant at P < 0.001.Conclusions:  Considering that ameloblastomas, in contrast to the other studied tumours, were consistently reactive for calretinin, this protein may have a role in the pathogenesis of this aggressive neoplasm.
Nodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma with prominent follicular colonization – difficulties in diagnosis: a study of 15 cases
Authors: Naresh K N 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  While colonization of reactive follicles is well described in mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, this is not fully appreciated in nodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma (NMZL). The aim was to address how to recognise this feature/entity and to discuss diagnostic difficulties faced by histopathologists in dealing with such lesions and their biological implications.Methods and results:  Fifteen NMZLs with prominent follicular colonization are described, 14 of which were referrals from other hospitals. All cases had a follicular pattern and showed prominent ‘follicular colonization’. In many follicles the colonization was partial, and follicles also had a reactive germinal centre component. The phenomenon of follicular colonization was highlighted by immunohistochemistry. The benign follicle centre cells expressed CD20, CD10 and Bcl‐6 and were negative for Bcl‐2 and MUM1. In contrast, the colonizing marginal zone lymphoma cells expressed CD20, Bcl‐2 and often MUM1 and were negative for Bcl‐6 and CD10. Partially colonized follicles showed a ‘moth‐eaten’ appearance on CD10, Bcl‐2, Bcl‐6 and MUM1 immunohistochemistry. In none except one was the referring diagnosis NMZL.Conclusion:  Recognizing and appreciating follicular colonization in a subset of NMZLs, appropriate use of immunohistochemistry and knowledge of immunohistological features can aid in making the correct diagnosis.
Expression of small breast epithelial mucin (SBEM) protein in tissue microarrays (TMAs) of primary invasive breast cancers
Authors: Skliris G P , Hubé F , Gheorghiu I , Mutawe M M , Penner C , Watson P H , Murphy L C , Leygue E , Myal Y 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Small breast epithelial mucin (SBEM) is a recently described gene product that shows promise as a new breast biomarker. The aim was to investigate for the first time SBEM protein expression in a large cohort (n = 300) of invasive breast cancers, its relationship to established clinical variables and its association with clinical outcome.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on tissue microarrays consisting of 149 oestrogen receptor (ER) α− and 151 ERα+ breast cancers. Overall, 18% of tumours were SBEM+ (n = 53/300). However, SBEM protein was more frequently observed in ER− (22%) than in ER+ cancers (13%; P = 0.049). A significant association with psoriasin/S100A7 expression (P ≤ 0.0001) was observed in the entire cohort. SBEM was also positively associated with HER‐2 (P = 0.046) in ER− cancers, and increased levels of SBEM were strongly associated with higher tumour grade (P = 0.0015). Furthermore, SBEM expression showed a trend towards an association with reduced overall survival and relapse‐free survival in the ER+ cohort (P = 0.063 and P = 0.072, respectively).Conclusions:  Our results suggest that SBEM may identify a unique subset of breast cancers with poor prognosis and may have future implications for therapeutic management of this disease.