bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compensatory growth in fishes: a response to growth depression
Authors: Ali M , Nicieza A , Wootton R J 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCompensatory growth (CG) is a phase of accelerated growth when favourable conditions are restored after a period of growth depression. CG reduces variance in size by causing growth trajectories to converge and is important to fisheries management, aquaculture and life history analysis because it can offset the effects of growth arrests.Compensatory growth has been demonstrated in both individually housed and grouped fish, typically after growth depression has been induced by complete or partial food deprivation. Partial, full and over‐compensation have all been evoked in fish, although over‐compensation has only been demonstrated when cycles of deprivation and satiation feeding have been imposed. Individually housed fish have shown that CG is partly a response to hyperphagia when rates of food consumption are significantly higher than those in fish that have not experienced growth depression. The severity of the growth depression increases the duration of the hyperphagic phase rather than maximum daily feeding rate. In many studies, growth efficiencies were higher during CG. Changes in metabolic rate and swimming activity have not been demonstrated yet to play a role.Periods of food deprivation induce changes in the storage reserves, particularly lipids, of fish. Apart from the strong evidence for the restoration of somatic growth trajectories, CG is a response to restore lipid levels. Although several neuro‐peptides, including neuropeptide‐Y, are probably involved in the control of appetite, their role and the role of hormones, such as growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF), in the hyperphagia associated with CG are still unclear.The advantages of CG probably relate to size dependencies of mortality, fecundity and diet that are characteristic of teleosts. These size dependencies favour a recovery from the effects of growth depression if environmental factors allow. High growth rates may also impose costs, including adverse effects on future development, growth, reproduction and swimming performance. Hyperphagia may lead to riskier behaviour in the presence of predators. CG's evolutionary consequences are largely unexplored. An understanding of why animals grow at rates below their physiological capacity, an evaluation of the costs of rapid growth and the identification of the constraints on growth trajectories represent major challenges for life‐history theory.
Elizabeth Blackwell—the forgotten herbalist?
Authors: Madge Bruce 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis article looks at the work of Elizabeth Blackwell (1707–1758), by all accounts the first British female herbalist. To raise funds to free her husband from debtors prison, she produced her hand drawn, engraved and coloured ‘Curious Herbal’ in 1735. Using the copies of the herbal in the British Library, the article will look at the circumstances surrounding production of the herbal, her influences and sources used, including the people who recommended production of the book to the Society of Apothecaries and some of the current projects to put her name back on the map.
Development of the National electronic Library for Mental Health: providing evidence‐based information for all
Authors: Dearness Karin Lee , Tomlin André 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThere has been an explosion of mental health literature available on the Internet over the past 5 years, with current estimates placing the number of health related Websites at over 100 000. The scope and depth of each site is unique and this serves to contribute to the difficulty of finding reliable, high‐quality literature. This paper details efforts being made within the UK to provide high quality, evidence‐based mental health literature for patients, clinicians and health policy makers as part of the National electronic Library for Health project.
Research governance: implications for health library and information professionals
Authors: Sen Barbara A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTheResearch Governance Framework for Health and Social Carepublished by the Department of Health in 2001 provides a model of best practice and a framework for research in the health and social care sector. This article reviews theDepartment of Health Research Governance Framework, discusses the implications of research governance for library and information professionals undertaking research in the health‐ and social‐care sector and recommends strategies for best practice within the information profession relating to research governance. The scope of theFrameworkdocument that covers both clinical and non‐clinical research is outlined. Any research involving, amongst other issues, patients, NHS staff and use or access to NHS premises may require ethics committee approval. Particular reference is made to the roles, responsibilities and professional conduct and the systems needed to support effective research practice. Issues such as these combine to encourage the development of a quality research culture which supports best practice. Questions arise regarding the training and experience of researchers, and access to the necessary information and support. The use of theFrameworkto guide research practice complements the quality issues within the evidence‐based practice movement and supports the ongoing development of a quality research culture. Recommendations are given in relation to the document's five domains of ethics, science, information, health and safety and finance and intellectual property. Practical recommendations are offered for incorporating research governance into research practice in ways which conform to theFramework’sstandards and which are particularly relevant for research practitioners in information science. Concluding comments support the use of theResearch Governance Frameworkas a model for best practice.
Evaluation of a multisite food service information system
Authors: Patch C. S. , Maunder K. A. , Fleming V. H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCentralized food production and distribution systems are reliant on the accurate and effective transfer of information. Computerized information systems (ISs) are often implemented to achieve this goal. However, rarely does the implementation of a new IS prompt a formal empirical evaluation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the business process of delivering accurate patient meals as well as identifying sources of error using the work‐centred analysis model as a framework for evaluation. A cross‐sectional observational study was carried out at three time points (4, 8 and 12 months) using an administered questionnaire. A total of 904 patients from five hospital sites were sampled. Twelve months after implementation and despite management intervention, no significant improvements were observed in the business process of providing patient meals. Overall, 20–35%[95% confidence interval (CI)] of patients admitted to hospital were not given the opportunity to select their own meal from a menu, and of those that did 10–30% (95% CI) received an incorrect meal. We hypothesize that a significant contribution of errors is largely systematic and a direct result of the centralization of meal plating and distribution.
The geological consequences of evolution
Authors: Knoll Andrew H. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTGeobiologists seek to understand the role of organisms in the Earth system. By extension, one can ask how evolutionary innovations and, more generally, the population genetic processes that mediate evolution have influenced the Earth's surface through time. The example of oxygenic photosynthesis and the redox history of atmospheres and oceans illustrates the complex relationship between evolution and environmental change. Biological innovations determine the dimensions of biological participation in the Earth system, but by themselves they seldom generate lasting environmental change. More commonly, environments change when physical drivers exceed the limited environmental buffering capacity conferred by population genetics and nutritional codependence. Environmental change, in turn, feeds back on biology, creating new opportunities for evolutionary innovation.
Geobiological analysis using whole genome‐based tree building applied to the Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
Authors: House Christopher H. , Runnegar Bruce , Fitz‐Gibbon Sorel T. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTWe constructed genomic trees based on the presence and absence of families of protein‐encoding genes observed in 55 prokaryotic and five eukaryotic genomes. There are features of the genomic trees that are not congruent with typical rRNA phylogenetic trees. In the bacteria, for example, Deinococcus radiodurans associates with the Gram‐positive bacteria, a result that is also seen in some other phylogenetic studies using whole genome data. In the Archaea, the methanogens plus Archaeoglobus form a united clade and the Euryarchaeota are divided with the two Thermoplasma genomes and Halobacterium sp. falling below the Crenarchaeota. While the former appears to be an accurate representation of methanogen‐relatedness, the misplacement of Halobacterium may be an artefact of parsimony. These results imply the last common ancestor of the Archaea was not a methanogen, leaving sulphur reduction as the most geochemically plausible metabolism for the base of the archaeal crown group. It also suggests that methanogens were not a component of the Earth's earliest biosphere and that their origin occurred sometime during the Archean. In the Eukarya, the parsimony analysis of five Eukaryotes using the Crenarchaeota as an outgroup seems to counter the Ecdysozoa hypothesis, placing Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda) below the common ancestor of Drosophila melanogaster (Arthropoda) and Homo sapiens (Chordata) even when efforts are made to counter the possible effects of a faster rate of sequence evolution for the C. elegans genome. Further analysis, however, suggests that the gene loss of ‘animal’ genes is highest in C. elegans and is obscuring the relationships of these organisms.
The mechanisms of resistance to antimalarial drugs in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Le Bras Jacques , Durand Rémy 
Published: December 2004

AbstractDrug‐resistant malaria is primarily caused by Plasmodium falciparum, a species highly prevalent in tropical Africa, the Amazon region and South‐east Asia. It causes severe fever or anaemia that leads to more than a million deaths each year. The emergence of chloroquine resistance has been associated with a dramatic increase in malaria mortality among inhabitants of some endemic regions. The rationale for chemoprophylaxis is weakening as multiple‐drug resistance develops against well‐tolerated drugs. Plasmodium falciparum drug‐resistant malaria originates from chromosome mutations. Analysis by molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches has shown that (i) impaired chloroquine uptake by the parasite vacuole is a common characteristic of resistant strains, and this phenotype is correlated with mutations of the Pfmdr1, Pfcg2 and Pfcrt genes; (ii) one to four point mutations of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), the enzyme target of antifolates (pyrimethamine and proguanil) produce a moderate to high level of resistance to these drugs; (iii) the mechanism of resistance to sulfonamides and sulfones involves mutations of dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), their enzyme target; (iv) treatment with sulphadoxine–pyrimethamine selects for DHFR variants Ile(51), Arg(59), and Asn(108) and for DHPS variants Ser(436), Gly(437), and Glu(540); (v) clones that were resistant to some traditional antimalarial agents acquire resistance to new ones at a high frequency (accelerated resistance to multiple drugs, ARMD). The mechanisms of resistance for amino‐alcohols (quinine, mefloquine and halofantrine) are still unclear. Epidemiological studies have established that the frequency of chloroquine resistant mutants varies among isolated parasite populations, while resistance to antifolates is highly prevalent in most malarial endemic countries. Established and strong drug pressure combined with low antiparasitic immunity probably explains the multidrug‐resistance encountered in the forests of South‐east Asia and South America. In Africa, frequent genetic recombinations in Plasmodium originate from a high level of malaria transmission, and falciparum chloroquine‐resistant prevalence seems to stabilize at the same level as chloroquine‐sensitive malaria. Nevertheless, resistance levels may differ according to place and time. In vivo and in vitro tests do not provide an adequate accurate map of resistance. Biochemical tools at a low cost are urgently needed for prospective monitoring of resistance.
Current treatments for scabies
Authors: Buffet M. , Dupin N. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractScabies is a frequent interhuman ectoparasitic infection. Several treatments are available worldwide. There are local treatments: synthetic pyrethrins, benzyl benzoate, lindane, crotamiton. Recently a few studies were published concerning ivermectin, systemic antiparasitic agent use in onchocercosis treatment.We reviewed the literature with an evidence‐based medicine method. We attempt to answer two questions in particular: what is the treatment of choice for common scabies in a patient otherwise in good health? What is the role of systemic ivermectin? We also report specific situations.Among local treatments, studies are heterogeneous according to products, countries, group of treated patients, with or without contact subjects, and the method of treatment application. There are very few high proof‐level controlled studies. In France, a combination of benzyl benzoate 10% and sulfiram 2% is used most, according to professional consensus. The most studied product is the cream permethrin 5%, available in the USA and UK. Its efficacy seems slightly superior to lindane and less toxic. It is more efficient than crotamiton. There is no study comparing benzyl benzoate and permethrin. Concerning systemic ivermectin, five controlled studies showed its efficiency in common scabies. But its relative efficiency over local treatment has not been established. A few open studies showed its efficacy in institutional epidemic, profuse scabies and in HIV‐positive patients.Local treatment of choice in common scabies remains to be determined among the four principal molecules. There is no study comparing permethrin or esdepallethrin to benzyl benzoate. In what cases should we prescribe crotamiton or lindane? Indication of ivermectin seems proved in common scabies and probably for HIV‐positive patients. It remains to be determined if it should be prescribed in the first instance, be double or triple, be associated or not with local treatment. In case of keratotic scabies, ivermectin seems interesting with two applications within 1 week, and should be associated with local treatment (duration remains to be defined). Ivermectin is probably useful in institutional epidemic, and therapeutic attitude remains to be defined. Ivermectin seems to have little or no risk.Treatment must be adapted case‐by‐case, according to feasibility. It is still important to treat contacts, and modality of this treatment remains to be specified.
Recent Use of Proton Pump Inhibitor‐Based Triple Therapies for the Eradication of H. pylori: A Broad Data Review
Authors: Ulmer Hans‐Joachim , Beckerling Andree , Gatz Gudrun 
Published: December 2004

abstractIntroduction. For the eradication of Helicobacter pylori a 1‐week triple therapy combining proton pump inhibitors with two antibiotics has been recommended as a gold standard therapy. However, a recent broad data review on the efficacy of the different regimens is missing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review the recent literature.Methods. We undertook a broad data review of the efficacy of nine different 7‐day triple therapies consisting of a proton pump inhibitor (lansoprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole) in its standard dosage and two antibiotics. Relevant original papers on H. pylori eradication in adults, published in English or German between 1995 and 2000, were identified from MEDLINE searches. Studies were reviewed and selected according to predefined criteria.Results. Our predefined criteria were fulfilled by 79 full paper articles including 112 study arms with 8383 patients on intention‐to‐treat, or 6787 patients on per‐protocol basis, respectively. The mean eradication rates unweighted or weighted by the number of patients in the study arm vary from 71.9% to 83.8% for intention‐to‐treat analysis and from 78.5% to 91.2% for per‐protocol analysis.Conclusions. All nine PPI based triple therapy regimens are very effective in H. pylori eradication. The current literature review underlines that the use of either lansoprazole, omeprazole, or pantoprazole combined with two antibiotics yield similar high eradication rates.
Quality of Life, Coping Strategies, and Family Routines in Children with Headache
Authors: Frare Mara , Axia Giovanna , Battistella Pier Antonio 
Published: December 2004

Objective.—To identify the relationship between headache severity, child coping, and quality of life (QoL) in the context of everyday family life.Background.—In the pediatric headache research only 3 studies have examined children's coping strategies and only 4 studies considered QoL.Methods.—A sample of 48 Italian families with children seeking treatment for primary headaches was interviewed using an adaptation of the Ecocultural Family Interview (EFI). The EFI is a parent interview that explores the daily routines of family life in which the child and parent participate and the main concerns regarding how that routine is organized.Results.—As expected the Lisrel analyses consistently showed that QoL is affected by a child's coping abilities in a causal direction. Headache frequency and duration have a significant impact on a child's QoL. The family daily routine influences significantly both the child's coping ability and QoL. Surprisingly enough, children's coping strategies are not related to headache severity.Conclusions.—More research is needed on the causal factors influencing child's ability to cope with pain, and in particular more attention should be devoted to the contextual and family factors related to pediatric headache.
Migraine Preventive Medication Reduces Resource Utilization
Authors: Silberstein Stephen D. , Winner Paul K. , Chmiel Joseph J. 
Published: December 2004

Objective.—To determine if long‐term resource utilization is reduced by adding a preventive medication to a migraine management regimen that already includes acute medication.Background.—In 2000, new evidence‐based guidelines for the treatment of migraine were released by the US Headache Consortium and the American Academy of Neurology. Although these guidelines emphasize the role of preventive medication in achieving significant clinical improvement, little yet is known concerning the impact of such management on medical and pharmaceutical resources.Methods.—Resource utilization information in a large claims database was analyzed retrospectively.Results.—Adding a preventive medication to migraine management reduced the use of other migraine medications, as well as visits to physician offices and emergency departments. In addition, both acute and preventive medications were associated with lower utilization of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans.Conclusion.—Migraine preventive drug therapy is effective in reducing resource consumption when added to therapy consisting only of an acute medication.
The Impact of an Over‐the‐Counter Migraine Medication Program on Quality of Life
Authors: Burk Caroline T. , Gilderman Alex , Salas Joyce , Berenbeim David , Nichol Michael B. 
Published: December 2004

Objective.—This study was conducted to assess the health‐related quality of life of patients treated with samples of an over‐the‐counter migraine medication.Background.—Population‐based epidemiologic studies have reported that over 90% of an estimated 28 million migraine sufferers in the United States use both prescription and nonprescription medications for their migraine headaches, with 60% taking over‐the‐counter medications exclusively. Despite the widespread use of nonprescription drugs, no published literature to date has assessed migraineurs' health‐related quality of life associated with use of over‐the‐counter headache medication.Methods.—This prospective and observational study evaluated the impact on health‐related quality of life of patients from a managed care organization who were diagnosed with migraine and prescribed migraine medications. Patients were enrolled from four different medical groups and were requested to complete health‐related quality‐of‐life questionnaires 2 and 4 months after they were provided with educational materials on migraine and samples of an over‐the‐counter migraine medication containing a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.Results.—A total of 99 patients who chose an over‐the‐counter medication as their initial treatment for acute migraine occurring over the ensuing 4 months completed a baseline Short‐Form 36, a validated and reliable general health status questionnaire. They then were retested at months 2 and 4. Results demonstrated significant improvements at months 2 and months 4 in one to four of the health‐related quality‐of‐life dimensions measured relative to scores recorded before the patients were given access to the over‐the‐counter medication (P  <  .05). In addition, patients who initially took an over‐the‐counter medication to treat their migraine headaches reported increased frequency of relief.Conclusion.—In the 4 months following availability of an over‐the‐counter migraine medication and educational migraine materials, health‐related quality of life and frequency of relief improved for the managed care migraine sufferers who participated in this study.
Shared Rearing Environment in Migraine: Results From Twins Reared Apart and Twins Reared Together
Authors: Svensson Dan A. , Larsson Bo , Waldenlind Elisabet , Pedersen Nancy L. 
Published: December 2004

Background.—Studies of twins who are separated from each other early in life and are reared in different environments offer the opportunity to resolve variation in liability to disease.Objective.—To evaluate the importance of genetic and environmental influences in migraine; in particular, addressing the role of the shared rearing environment.Methods.—A population‐based cohort of twins, including a subsample of 314 pairs reared apart and 364 matched control pairs reared together, was drawn from the Swedish Twin Registry. Data on lifetime migraine was collected via self‐administered questionnaires mailed to twins aged 42 to 81 years. Quantitative genetic models and regression models were used to analyze sources of twin similarity.Results.—We found nonsignificant shared rearing environmental influences on migraine for men (17%) and no rearing effects at all for women. The heritability of migraine was estimated at 38% (95% confidence interval, 0 to 73) for men and 48% (95% confidence interval, 27 to 65) for women. Among monozygotic twins reared apart, those separated at 3 years of age or earlier were more similar for lifetime migraine than those separated later, and this was especially true for women.Conclusion.—In agreement with previous twin data, family resistance in migraine is mainly due to genetic factors, whereas environmental influences make family members different, not similar.