Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Year Period (year + period)
Kinds of Year Period Selected AbstractsPsychosocial Adjustment Over a Two,Year Period in Children Referred for Learning Problems: Risk, Resilience, and AdaptationLEARNING DISABILITIES RESEARCH & PRACTICE, Issue 1 2003Lisa G. Sorensen Children with learning difficulties have an increased prevalence of psychosocial adjustment problems. We hypothesized that within the context of a risk and resilience model contextual variables influence adjustment, over and above any effects of academic performance. The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) was used to evaluate the relationship between psychosocial adjustment, changes in academic skills, and contextual factors longitudinally over a two,year period in 100 children (ages 7 to 11) referred for learning problems. Although there was little improvement in academic skills, contextual factors contributed to observed psychosocial outcome. Different factors were salient for parents, teachers, and children. Context,derived vulnerability and protective factors can be important determinants of adjustment in children with learning problems, even though the academic difficulties can remain chronic. [source] How predictive is a cervical smear suggesting glandular neoplasia?CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2002M. E. MATHERS How predictive is a cervical smear suggesting glandular neoplasia The prevalence of endocervical adenocarcinoma and its precursors has increased, in part due to increased diagnostic awareness of these lesions. To date, limited information has been published regarding the predictive value of glandular abnormalities in cervical smears. This study details the histological follow up of 418 cervical smears showing glandular abnormality, reported in our department over a six year period from 1993 to 1998. Histological follow up was available for 395 of the 418 smears (94.50%). The overall positive predictive value (PPV) for this group of smears was 72.66% for either significant glandular or squamous pathology (at least low grade cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN2 on follow up biopsy), and 55.70% for significant glandular pathology alone. Examination of subcategories of abnormal glandular smear showed that the PPV increased with the degree of abnormality reported within the smears. [source] How predictive is a cervical smear suggesting invasive squamous cell carcinoma?CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2001S. J. Johnson How predictive is a cervical smear suggesting invasive squamous cell carcinoma? Features have been described in severely dyskaryotic cervical smears that suggest frankly invasive or microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. These are reported in three separate categories in our department. The aim of the current study was to assess the positive predictive value of these categories for invasive disease on histology. All smears reported in these categories over a five year period were correlated with the histology results. 527 smears were assessed. The positive predictive value of a smear suggesting frank invasion was 55.7% for all invasive squamous carcinomas and 40% for stage IB or above. Smears suspicious of invasion or microinvasion predicted invasive disease in 22.3% and 17.2%, respectively, most carcinomas being stage IA. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma may be predicted to a limited degree by cervical cytology especially when the smear suggests frank invasion. [source] Langerhans cell histiocytosis in lymph nodes , cytomorphological diagnosis and pitfallsCYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2000S. Kakkar Background Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder of unknown aetiology that may present as a multisystem or unisystem disease. The Lymph nodes can be involved as part of disseminated disease, as a metastatic site draining a focus of LCH or may be a unisystem involvement. Paucity of literature on the cytomorphology of LCH in lymph nodes led us to undertake this study. Materials and methods Nine cases with a confirmed histological diagnosis of LCH and a prior lymph node aspirate were retrieved over a 12 year period (1988,1999). Five more cases were reviewed where the cytological diagnosis of LCH was rendered on a background of clinical and radiological findings. Papanicolaou and May Grunwald,Giemsa-stained smears were examined. S-100 protein staining was available in four cases. Results and conclusions Nine cases had multisystem involvement, while in five cases only lymph nodes were involved. There were eleven males and three females; age ranged from five months to 27 years. The cytological diagnosis of LCH had been rendered in six, suspected in four and missed in four. Of the latter, two were reclassified as LCH on review, one as reactive lymphadenitis and in one a necrotising lesion was suspected. The pathognomonic ,LCH cell' was identified in 12 of 14 cases along with varying numbers of eosinophils, polymorphs and lymphocytes. Giant cells were seen in only six cases. In conclusion lymph node involvement by LCH can be identified on aspirates. However, LCH must be differentiated from dermatopathic lymphadenitis, sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy and Hodgkin's disease. [source] Cancer risk from diagnostic radiology in a deliberate self-harm patientACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2010L. J. Norelli Norelli LJ, Coates AD, Kovasznay BM. Cancer risk from diagnostic radiology in a deliberate self-harm patient. Objective:, Patients who engage in recurrent deliberate self-harm (DSH) behaviours have increased morbidity and mortality and use emergency services more than others. Unrecognized iatrogenic injury may play a role. Specifically, we call attention to the potential danger of cumulative radiation exposure. Method:, Case presentation and discussion. Results:, A 29-year-old woman with multiple episodes of deliberate foreign body ingestion received over 400 diagnostic radiology examinations during a 12 year period. The patient's calculated total radiation dose reached an average of 20.5 mSv per year, a dose comparable to atomic bomb survivors and nuclear industry workers, populations in which there is a significant excess cancer risk. Conclusion:, Patients with recurrent self-injurious behaviours, frequent users of healthcare services who often undergo repeated medical assessment and treatment, are likely at higher risk for iatrogenic adverse events. Multiple diagnostic radiology examinations have recently come under scrutiny for causing increased lifetime risk of cancer. Healthcare providers, in particular psychiatrists and emergency department physicians, should consider the cumulative risks of radiological procedures when assessing and treating patients with DSH. [source] Intermediate-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion may be a valid diagnostic/interpretive categoryDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Esther Ravinsky M.D., F.R.C.P.(C) Abstract We undertook this study to assess the characteristics of smears with features intermediate between high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ISIL). We also wanted to determine how these smears correlate with high risk biopsy diagnosis and to compare this with the biopsy correlation of LSIL and HSIL. Seventy-four squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) smears were identified as intermediate-grade SIL smears taken at colposcopy in a 1 year period. They were correlated with concurrent colposcopically guided biopsies. Thirty-five percent of cases with intermediate-grade SIL smears had a biopsy diagnosis of moderate dysplasia or higher as compared with 12% for LSIL 74% for HSIL. This confirmed our hypothesis that intermediate-grade SIL smears have a rate of biopsy diagnosis of moderate dysplasia or higher intermediate to that of LSIL and HSIL. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A retrospective study of the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration for breast lesions and implications for future useDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Christina Day M.D. Abstract In recent years, the use of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnosis of breast lesions has declined in many institutions. We sought to evaluate the role of FNA for breast lesions and the annual rate of the procedure at our institution over a 4½ year period (May 2002,October 2006). A total of 831 FNAs were performed, with 258 (31%) having histologic follow-up. The number of FNAs obtained was 159 from 5/02 to 4/03, 192 from 5/03 to 4/04, 194 from 5/04 to 4/05, 191 from 5/05 to 4/06, and 95 from 5/06 to 10/06. Each case was placed into one of four categories: nondiagnostic (9%), benign (77.5%), atypical/suspicious (5.5%), or malignant (8%). Surgical tissue was available for 37% of nondiagnostic cases, 22% of benign cases, 80% of atypical/suspicious cases, and 72% of malignant cases. The overall sensitivity and specificity for FNA was 83 and 92% respectively. The overall positive and negative predictive values were 83 and 92% respectively. There were no false-positive cases, indicating a positive predictive value of 100% for a Dx of malignancy. For cases with surgical follow-up, the false-negative rate was 5.4%. Although there is a national trend away from FNAs of breast lesion, this has not been the experience at our institution. Although FNA may not be ideal in the initial evaluation of suspicious lesions, we argue that FNA for clinically benign palpable lesions and recurrent carcinomas has significant value. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Historic and contemporary sediment transfer in an upland Pennine catchment, UKEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 14 2008V. J. Holliday Abstract A sediment budget for an upland catchment,reservoir system at Burnhope Reservoir, North Pennines, UK has been developed. This provides a framework for quantifying historic and contemporary sediment yields and drainage basin response to disturbance from climate change and human activities in the recent past. Bathymetric survey, core sampling, 137Cs dating and aerial photographs have been used to assess sediment accumulation in the reservoir. The average reservoir sedimentation rate is 1·24 cm yr,1 (annual sediment yield 33·3 t km,2 yr,1 ± 10%, trap efficiency 92%). Mean annual reservoir sedimentation over the 67 year period has been estimated at 592 t ± 10%. Inputs of suspended sediment from direct catchwater streams account for 54% of sediment supply to the budget (best estimate yield of 318 t yr,1 ± 129%), while those from actively eroding reservoir shorelines contribute 328 t yr,1 ± 92%. Sediment yield estimates from stream monitoring and reservoir sedimentation are an order of magnitude lower than those reported from South Pennine reservoirs of comparable drainage basin area. Analysis of historical rainfall series for the catchment shows fluctuations in winter and summer rainfall patterns over the past 62 years. From 1976 to 1998 there has been a diverging trend between winter and summer rainfall, with a large increase in winter and a gradual decrease in summer totals. Periods of maximum variation occur during the summer drought events of the late 1970s, early 1980s and mid-1990s. Analysis of the particle size of core sediments highlights abrupt increases in sand-sized particles in the top 20 cm of the core. Based on the 137Cs chronology, these layers were deposited from the late 1970s onwards and relate to these diverging rainfall records and rapidly fluctuating reservoir levels. This provides evidence of potential sediment reworking within the reservoir by rapid water-level rise after drought. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Testing a model for predicting the timing and location of shallow landslide initiation in soil-mantled landscapesEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 9 2003M. Casadei Abstract The growing availability of digital topographic data and the increased reliability of precipitation forecasts invite modelling efforts to predict the timing and location of shallow landslides in hilly and mountainous areas in order to reduce risk to an ever-expanding human population. Here, we exploit a rare data set to develop and test such a model. In a 1·7 km2 catchment a near-annual aerial photographic coverage records just three single storm events over a 45 year period that produced multiple landslides. Such data enable us to test model performance by running the entire rainfall time series and determine whether just those three storms are correctly detected. To do this, we link a dynamic and spatially distributed shallow subsurface runoff model (similar to TOPMODEL) to an in,nite slope model to predict the spatial distribution of shallow landsliding. The spatial distribution of soil depth, a strong control on local landsliding, is predicted from a process-based model. Because of its common availability, daily rainfall data were used to drive the model. Topographic data were derived from digitized 1 : 24 000 US Geological Survey contour maps. Analysis of the landslides shows that 97 occurred in 1955, 37 in 1982 and ,ve in 1998, although the heaviest rainfall was in 1982. Furthermore, intensity,duration analysis of available daily and hourly rainfall from the closest raingauges does not discriminate those three storms from others that did not generate failures. We explore the question of whether a mechanistic modelling approach is better able to identify landslide-producing storms. Landslide and soil production parameters were ,xed from studies elsewhere. Four hydrologic parameters characterizing the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil and underlying bedrock and its decline with depth were ,rst calibrated on the 1955 landslide record. Success was characterized as the most number of actual landslides predicted with the least amount of total area predicted to be unstable. Because landslide area was consistently overpredicted, a threshold catchment area of predicted slope instability was used to de,ne whether a rainstorm was a signi,cant landslide producer. Many combinations of the four hydrological parameters performed equally well for the 1955 event, but only one combination successfully identi,ed the 1982 storm as the only landslide-producing storm during the period 1980,86. Application of this parameter combination to the entire 45 year record successfully identi,ed the three events, but also predicted that two other landslide-producing events should have occurred. This performance is signi,cantly better than the empirical intensity,duration threshold approach, but requires considerable calibration effort. Overprediction of instability, both for storms that produced landslides and for non-producing storms, appears to arise from at least four causes: (1) coarse rainfall data time scale and inability to document short rainfall bursts and predict pressure wave response; (2) absence of local rainfall data; (3) legacy effect of previous landslides; and (4) inaccurate topographic and soil property data. Greater resolution of spatial and rainfall data, as well as topographic data, coupled with systematic documentation of landslides to create time series to test models, should lead to signi,cant improvements in shallow landslides forecasting. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A CROSS-COUNTRY ANALYSIS OF EXPORT PRICES IN OECD COUNTRIESECONOMIC PAPERS: A JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS AND POLICY, Issue 4 2006ABBAS VALADKHANI This article distinguishes the extent to which export price variation consists of global versus country-specific changes for fourteen OECD countries. We find that sharp changes in global export prices are evidently becoming more important for many of the OECD countries over the last twenty-five years as compared with the previous twenty-five year period. The article also finds that, by a number of different measures, whilst Australia's export price growth has apparently become more highly associated with world export prices in recent years, it nonetheless continues to have one of the more volatile set of export prices among OECD countries. [source] Head injuries related to sports and recreation activities in school-age children and adolescents: Data from a referral centre in Victoria, AustraliaEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 1 2010Louise M Crowe Abstract Objectives:, Head injuries (HI) in children are common and even mild HI can lead to ongoing cognitive and behavioural changes. We set out to determine the causes of sport-related HI in school-age children presenting to a large urban ED as a basis for future interventions. Method:, Identification and medical record review of all sport-related HI in children aged 6,16 years at a tertiary children's hospital ED in Victoria, Australia, over a 1 year period. Information was collected on demographics, injury variables and radiology findings. HI were classified as mild, moderate and severe based on GCS and radiography reports. Results:, Over 12 months there were 406 HI in school-age children. Seventy per cent were male. A large number of HI (129; 33%) were related to sports. Of these, most were classified as mild and 13% were classified as moderate or severe. Among a range of sports, Australian Rules football was associated with more than 30% of all HI attributable to a sport and recreation cause. Equestrian activities were the main cause of moderate HI. Conclusion:, The present study identified sports as a major cause of HI in the Victorian paediatric emergency setting with Australian Rules football the most commonly involved sport. Further prevention initiatives should consider targeting Australian Rules football and equestrian activities. [source] 27 years of croup: An update highlighting the effectiveness of 0.15 mg/kg of dexamethasoneEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 4 2009Milana Dobrovoljac Abstract Objective: To update an earlier observational study (1980,1995) documenting dramatic improvements in the management of croup with the mandatory use of a single oral dose of dexamethasone and to ascertain whether a reduction from a dose of 0.6 to 0.15 mg/kg in 1995 maintained these improved outcomes over the next 11 years. Methods: We evaluated retrospectively the experience of children with croup in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, the only tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia, over the subsequent 11 year period from 1996 to 2006 inclusive. Data were updated from ED, general hospital and the intensive care unit records to show the numbers of children presenting to the hospital, admitted, transferred to intensive care and intubated. We also recorded the length of hospital stay and representation rate of all cases within 7 days. Results: The dramatic improvements in outcomes for croup, including reduced admission rates, length of stay, transfers to the intensive care unit, intensive care unit days and number of intubations as reported in our earlier paper, were maintained using 0.15 mg/kg dexamethasone. Admission rates for croup have fallen from 30% in the early 1990s to less than 15% in recent years, whereas the representation rate has risen slightly. Conclusion: The improved outcomes for children with croup presenting to our paediatric ED have been maintained with a reduced, single oral dose of 0.15 mg/kg of dexamethasone. [source] What is the nature of the emergence phenomenon when using intravenous or intramuscular ketamine for paediatric procedural sedation?EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 4 2009Greg Treston Abstract Objective: Ketamine has become the drug most favoured by emergency physicians for sedation of children in the ED. Some emergency physicians do not use ketamine for paediatric procedural sedation (PPS) because of concern about emergence delirium on recovery. The present study set out to determine the true incidence and nature of this phenomenon. Methods: Prospective data relating to any emergence agitation, crying, hallucinations, dreams, altered perceptions, delirium and necessary interventions were recorded in consecutive cases of ketamine PPS from March 2002 to June 2007, and analysed. Standard inclusion and exclusion criteria for the use of ketamine were followed. Results: A total of 745 prospective data collection records were available for analysis over the 5 year period. Of all, 93 (12.5%) children cried on awakening when recovering from PPS, 291 (39%) experienced pleasant altered perceptions and 16 (2.1%) experienced what was called ,emergence delirium'. None required any active treatment and all except one settled within 20 min. There was no evidence of an increased rate of nightmares on telephone follow up in the weeks post procedure. Conclusion: The belief that ketamine, in the doses used for ED PPS, causes frequent emergence delirium is flawed. A pleasant emergence phenomenon is common, but is not distressing for the child, and has no long-term (up to 30 days) negative sequelae. Rarely, there is anxiety or distress on awakening from ketamine sedation, which settles spontaneously. This should not deter emergency physicians from using ketamine for PPS. [source] Paediatric and adolescent horse-related injuries: Does the mechanism of injury justify a trauma response?EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 4 2008John A Craven Objective: To identify the frequency, variety and disposition of horse-related injury presentations to the ED and to use this information to evaluate the existing institutional trauma team activation criteria following horse-related injuries. Methods: A retrospective case analysis was performed of all horse-related injury presentations to the ED of Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Australia, in the 5 year period between January 1999 and December 2003. Results: A total of 186 children presented with horse-related injuries during the 5 year study period. The median age of injury was 9 years (range 1,17 years), with 81% of presentations female and 60% of patients hospitalized. The mechanism of injury was divided into four groups: 148 falls (79%), 28 kicks (15%), 7 tramples (4%) and 5 bites (3%). There was one death. Seven presentations rated an Injury Severity Score >15, with full trauma team activation occurring for two of these presentations. Conclusion: Although horse-related injury presentations are uncommon, severe injuries do occur. Patients presenting with severe horse-related injuries do not always activate a full trauma team response based on current trauma team activation criteria. These severe injury presentations are supported by a limited trauma team response, which activates on the mechanism of injury. The effectiveness of this as a contingency system needs to be evaluated. [source] Paediatric lap-belt injury: A 7 year experienceEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 1 2006Michael Shepherd Abstract Objective:, To highlight the injuries that result from lap-belt use and make recommendations for prevention, the recent experience of a regional paediatric trauma centre was reviewed. Methods:, Retrospective review of admissions to Starship Children's Hospital from 1996 to 2003, with significant injury following involvement in a motor vehicle crash, while wearing a lap-belt. Patients were identified from two prospectively collected databases and discharge coding data. Results:, In total, 19 patients were identified over the 7 year period. The morbidity sustained includes 15 patients with hollow viscus injury, 13 laparotomies, 7 spinal fractures, 2 paraplegia and 1 fatality. A total of 11 patients required laparotomy with a median delay of 24 h. Of patients in the present series, 58% were aged less than 8 years and thus were inappropriately restrained. Conclusions:, Lap-belt use can result in a range of life-threatening injuries or permanent disability in the paediatric population. The incidence of serious lap-belt injury does not appear to be decreasing. Morbidity and mortality could be reduced by the use of three-point restraints, age appropriate restraints and booster seats. [source] Dispersal capacity in the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioidesENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2004M. Eizaguirre Abstract Corn (Zea mays L.) borers are the primary target of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) transgenic maize. Management of corn borer resistance to Bt requires information on larval and adult dispersal capacities, a feature that is particularly unknown in Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the most damaging corn borer in Spain. Larval dispersal was studied over a 3 year period by infesting plants with egg masses and dissecting the neighbouring plants 7, 14, and 32 days later to measure larval dispersal at several ages. The number and age of larvae were recorded in the dissected plants. Only mature larvae dispersed in significant numbers; they moved at least to rows adjacent to those containing the infested plant, and down the row five plants. The percentage of larvae that dispersed from the infested plant was density-dependent. Adult dispersal was studied with directional light and pheromone uni-traps over 5 and 3 year periods, respectively. Directional light traps were placed in the margins between Bt and non-Bt maize fields, half oriented towards each of the two kinds of maize field. Pheromone traps were placed in the Bt and non-Bt fields at increasing distances (0,100 m) from the border. The numbers of males and females caught in directional light traps were not different in traps oriented towards Bt or non-Bt fields, but the number of males caught in the third flight in Bt fields was lower than in non-Bt fields. These results suggest that males from adjacent Bt and non-Bt fields mate indiscriminately with females emerging in any of the two kinds of maize fields. However, male movement in the third flight may not be sufficient to randomly distribute males between the two fields. [source] Segregation of temporal and spatial distribution between kleptoparasites and parasitoids of the eusocial sweat bee, Lasioglossum malachurum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae, Mutillidae)ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009Carlo POLIDORI Abstract Cuckoo bees and velvet ants use different resources of their shared host bees, the former laying eggs on the host pollen stores and the latter on immature stages. We studied the activity patterns of the cuckoo bee Sphecodes monilicornis and the velvet ant Myrmilla capitata at two nesting sites of their host, the social digger bee Lasioglossum malachurum, over a 3 year period. Due to the difference in host exploitation, we expected different temporal patterns of the two natural enemies as well as a positive spatial association with host nest density for both species. At a daily level, S. monilicornis was more abundant between 10.00 and 15.00 h, while M. capitata was most active in the early morning and late afternoon; both species activities were independent from host provisioning activity. The activity of cuckoo bees was in general positively correlated with the density of open host nests (but not with the total number of nests), while that of velvet ants was rarely correlated with this factor. Sphecodes monilicornis was seen both attacking the guard bees and directly entering into the host nests or digging close to nest entrances, while M. capitata only gained access to host nests through digging. We conclude that the temporal and spatial segregation between the two species may be, at least partially, explained both by the different resources exploited and by the different dynamics of host interactions. [source] Return to work following unilateral enucleation in 34 horses (2000,2008)EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010M. E. UTTER Summary Reasons for study: The effect of unilateral enucleation on vision and potential loss of performance in horses has received little study. Objective: To evaluate the likelihood of return to prior discipline following unilateral enucleation in horses, assessing the role of age at enucleation, equine discipline, reason for enucleation, time to vision loss and eye enucleated. Hypothesis: Unilateral enucleation has no significant effect on likelihood of return to work in horses, for both right and left eyes, across age and discipline. Method: A retrospective review of medical records identified 92 horses that underwent unilateral enucleation at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center from April 2000,April 2008. Case variables determined from the medical record included breed and sex of horse, age at enucleation, which eye was enucleated, reason for enucleation and onset of vision loss. Pre- and post operative occupations were determined by telephone interview with the owner or trainer of each horse. Results: Based on hospital surgery logs, 92 enucleations were performed over the 8 year period and 77 records were available for review, with follow-up information available for 34 horses. Of these, 29/34 (85%) horses returned to work in pleasure or trail riding (11/13), flat racing (7/10), hunter/jumpers (4/4), dressage (3/3), group lessons (1/1), eventing (1/1), steeplechase (1/1) and as a broodmare (1/1). Four of 5 horses (4/34, or 12% sample) that did not return to work (2 pleasure and 2 racing) were retired due to anticipated or perceived decrease in performance or behaviour change following unilateral enucleation, with the remaining horse retired from racing for lameness issues unrelated to enucleation. Twenty-two of 25 horses (88%) with acute vision loss and 7/9 horses (78%) with gradual vision loss returned to their previous discipline. Conclusions: Horses are able to return to a variety of occupations after unilateral enucleation. [source] Circumferential mural bands in the small intestine causing simple obstructive colic: a case seriesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2006J. F. PEREZ OLMOS Summary Reasons for performing study: Circumferential mural band (CMB) in the small intestine is an emerging condition in Ireland. The clinical presentation is a simple obstruction of the small intestine of unknown aetiology. Hypothesis: Horses affected with CMB in the small intestine have a good prognosis following surgical decompression into the caecum. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out and 28 cases identified from 559 colic surgeries performed over a 5.5 year period. An exploratory celiotomy was performed in every case. A simple obstruction at the mid or distal jejunum was identified caused by a CMB, which was multiple in some cases. All of the horses except 2 had undergone a regular anthelmintic programme. Results: Manual decompression of the small intestine into the caecum resulted in resolution of the simple jejunal obstruction. A constricted segment of small intestine was resected in one case, as the degree of constriction was severe. A full thickness biopsy was taken from another case. Histopathology was performed on both samples. All horses recovered from surgery and were discharged from the hospital 7,32 days post operatively. Short-term complications were observed. Survival rate was 100% at long-term follow-up. Histopathology showed inflammatory infiltration in the submucosa, muscularis and serosa with eosinophils predominating. Parasites were not detected. Conclusion and potential relevance: Small intestine circumferential mural bands have a good prognosis after surgical decompression of the small intestine into the caecum. [source] Inflammatory airway disease, nasal discharge and respiratory infections in young British racehorsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2005J. L. N. WOOD Summary Reasons for performing study: Respiratory disease is important in young Thoroughbred racehorses, but the variation in the rates of occurrence between different ages and training groups has not been characterised. Objectives: To determine the rates of respiratory disease, particularly inflammatory airway disease (IAD), as well as evidence of infection, and their variation between age and group. Methods: Horses were examined monthly in 7 British flat training yards over a 3 year period. IAD was defined as increased mucus in the trachea with increased proportions of neutrophils in tracheal wash samples. Frequencies of disease outcomes were estimated from the data. Results: The prevalence of IAD was 13.8% and the incidence was 8.9 cases/100 horses/month. Rates varied with training and age groups, decreasing in older animals. The prevalence of nasal discharge (ND) was 4.1%. Rates of bacterial isolation were more common than viral infections. The incidence and prevalence of several bacterial species decreased with age. Conclusions: IAD and ND were common in young racehorses, varying significantly between training groups and decreasing with age, consistent with infection playing a role in aetiology. Potential relevance: The high prevalence of IAD in 2-year-old horses in Britain suggests that routine endoscopic examination may be helpful in providing early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. The transmission of bacteria and viruses within and between groups of young animals and the role of infection, stable environment and factors inherent to each horse, including their genetic make-up, in the multifactorial aetiology of the disease all merit further study. [source] A survey of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death in the UK from 1988 to 1997EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003K. C. SMITH Summary Reasons for performing study: A detailed review of laboratory records for equine abortion is fundamental in establishing current disease trends and suggesting problems important for further research. Objectives: To review the causes of abortion and neonatal death in equine diagnostic submissions to the Animal Health Trust over a 10 year period. Methods: The diagnoses in 1252 equine fetuses and neonatal foals were reviewed and analysed into categories. Results: Problems associated with the umbilical cord, comprising umbilical cord torsion and the long cord/cervical pole ischaemia disorder, were the most common diagnoses (38.8%: 35.7% umbilical cord torsion and 3.1% long cord/cervical pole ischaemia disorder). Other noninfective causes of abortion or neonatal death included twinning (6.0%), intrapartum stillbirth (13.7%) and placentitis, associated with infection (9.8%). E. coli and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were the most common bacteria isolated. Neonatal infections not associated with placentitis accounted for 3.2% of incidents; and infections with EHV-1 or EHV-4 for 6.5%. Conclusions: Definitive diagnosis of equine abortion is possible in the majority of cases where the whole fetus and placenta are submitted for examination. Potential relevance: Given the high incidence of umbilical cord torsion and related problems as causes of abortion in UK broodmares, more research on factors determining umbilical cord length and risk of torsion is essential. [source] External Transaction Costs and Large-scale Farming in Moscow Oblast Coûts de transaction externes et agriculture à grande échelle dans la région de Moscou Externe Transaktionskosten und landwirtschaftliche Großbetriebe in der Oblast MoskauEUROCHOICES, Issue 2 2010Nikolai SvetlovArticle first published online: 3 AUG 2010 Summary External Transaction Costs and Large-scale Farming in Moscow Oblast The article addresses the reasons for the domination of large-scale corporate farms in the Moscow oblast of Russia and concludes that high external transaction costs are likely to be an important determining factor. Over the nine year period studied, larger farms are shown to achieve higher performance. Increasing returns to scale, however, were not significant in explaining the superior performance of the larger farms. It is hypothesised that high external transaction costs due to lack of transparency in the milk market, typical of underdeveloped markets, give the larger farms a competitive advantage. Their search costs per unit of output are relatively low and they are able therefore to achieve higher farm-gate prices for milk as a result. The results confirm the dependence of the farm-gate milk price on farm size due to the presence of high transaction costs in the market of milk, the major output of the studied farms. The high performance farms were able to grow during the study period whereas the lower performing farms had limited growth capacity. A more competitive and transparent market environment along with improved infrastructure could lower transaction costs and entry barriers and provide opportunities for smaller scale corporate farms to compete more effectively. Cet article essaie d'expliquer les raisons de la domination des grandes exploitations agricoles constituées en société de la région de Moscou et conclut que l'ampleur des coûts de transaction externes est probablement un facteur explicatif important. Au cours de la période étudiée qui couvre neuf années, les exploitations les plus grandes ont enregistré les performances les plus élevées. Les rendements d'échelle croissants n'ont cependant pas expliqué de manière significative la meilleure performance de ces exploitations. Nous faisons l'hypothèse que les forts coûts de transaction externes liés au manque de transparence sur le marché laitier, typique des marchés incomplètement développés, donnent à ces plus grandes exploitations un avantage compétitif. Leur coût de recherche par unité de produit est relativement bas et elles sont donc capables d'obtenir des prix au niveau de la ferme plus élevés pour le lait. Les résultats confirment la dépendance des prix à la ferme envers la taille de l'exploitation du fait de la présence de coûts de transaction élevés sur le marché laitier, le lait étant le principal produit des exploitations étudiées. Les exploitations très performantes ont pu croître au cours de la période examinée tandis que les capacités de développement des exploitations les moins performantes étaient limitées. Un environnement de marché plus concurrentiel et transparent ainsi que de meilleures infrastructures pourraient réduire les coûts de transaction et les barrières à l'entrée dans le secteur, et fournir des opportunités aux exploitations constituées en société de plus petite taille d'être concurrentielles de manière plus efficace. Dieser Beitrag untersucht, weshalb es in der russischen Oblast Moskau hauptsächlich große Corporate Farms gibt, und kommt zu dem Schluss, dass dafür wahrscheinlich hohe externe Transaktionskosten ausschlaggebend sind. Über den neunjährigen Untersuchungszeitraum waren größere Betriebe erfolgreicher. Steigende Skalenerträge waren jedoch bei der Begründung für den höheren Erfolg der größeren Betriebe nicht maßgeblich. Es wird angenommen, dass hohe externe Transaktionskosten aufgrund von fehlender Transparenz auf dem Milchmarkt , typisch für unterentwickelte Märkte , den größeren Betrieben einen Wettbewerbsvorteil verschaffen. Ihre Suchkosten pro Produkteinheit sind relativ gering, daher sind sie in der Lage, höhere Preise für Milch ab Hof zu erzielen. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Abhängigkeit des Preises für Milch ab Hof von der Betriebsgröße, weil es auf dem Markt für Milch (dem wichtigsten Produkt der untersuchten Betriebe) hohe Transaktionskosten gibt. Den erfolgreichen Betrieben gelang es, über den Untersuchungszeitraum zu wachsen, während die leistungsschwächeren Betriebe nur eingeschränkt wachstumsfähig waren. Ein wettbewerbsfähigeres und transparenteres Marktumfeld in Kombination mit einer besseren Infrastruktur könnte die Transaktionskosten und Marktzugangsbeschränkungen senken sowie kleineren Corporate Farms Möglichkeiten eröffnen, um effektiver am Wettbewerb teilzunehmen. [source] Routine use of Xeomin® in patients previously treated with Botox®: long term resultsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2009D. Dressler Background and purpose:, Based upon large and carefully performed studies Xeomin® was first registered in 2005. However, its real potential can only be assessed, when it is used outside of study design restrictions, in an independent setting, in off-label indications and during continued use. Methods and results:, Two hundred and sixty-three patients (91 with dystonia, 84 with spasticity, 17 with hemifacial spasm and re-innervation synkinesias, 64 with hyperhidrosis, 7 with hypersalivation), who were previously treated with Botox® for at least 1 year under stable conditions, were converted in a blinded fashion to Xeomin® using a 1:1 conversion ratio and identical treatment parameters. Therapeutic outcome and adverse effects were monitored by neurological examination and structuralised interviews. In 223 patients (all except those with axillary hyperhidrosis) Xeomin® was used continuously throughout a 3 year period. Altogether 1050 injection series were performed. Patients with dystonia received 261.5 ± 141.0 MU Botox®/Xeomin®, patients with spasticity 450.5 ± 177.1 MU, patients with hemifacial spasm and reinnervation synkinesias 44.7 ± 19.5 MU and patients with hyperhidrosis 286.9 ± 141.6 MU. The maximum botulinum toxin dose applied was 840 MU. There were no subjective or objective differences between Botox® and Xeomin® treatments with respect to onset latency, maximum and duration of their therapeutic effects and their adverse effect profiles. Long-term use did not reveal additional safety relevant aspects. None of the patients lost therapeutic efficacy during the observation period. Conclusions:, Xeomin® can be used safely in doses of up to 840 MU. Even when applied in high doses it did not produce secondary therapy failure. There were no diffusion differences between Botox® and Xeomin®. Using a conversion ratio of 1:1 Xeomin® and Botox® can easily be exchanged in a continued treatment. [source] Trends in water quality and discharge confound long-term warming effects on river macroinvertebratesFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009ISABELLE DURANCE Summary 1.,Climate-change effects on rivers and streams might interact with other pressures, such as pollution, but long-term investigations are scarce. We assessed trends among macroinvertebrates in 50 southern English streams in relation to temperature, discharge and water quality over 18 years (1989,2007). 2.,Long-term records, coupled with estimates from inter-site calibrations of 3,4 years, showed that mean stream temperatures in the study area had increased by 2.1,2.9 °C in winter and 1.1,1.5 °C in summer over the 26 year period from 1980 to 2006, with trends in winter strongest. 3.,While invertebrate assemblages in surface-fed streams were constant, those in chalk-streams changed significantly during 1989,2007. Invertebrate trends correlated significantly with temperature, but effects were spurious because (i) assemblages gained taxa typical of faster flow or well-oxygenated conditions, contrary to expectations from warming; (ii) more invertebrate families increased in abundance than declined and (iii) concomitant changes in water quality (e.g. declining orthophosphate, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand), or at some sites changes in discharge, explained more variation in invertebrate abundance and composition than did temperature. 4.,These patterns were reconfirmed in both group- and site-specific analyses. 5.,We conclude that recent winter-biased warming in southern English chalk-streams has been insufficient to affect invertebrates negatively over a period of improving water quality. This implies that positive management can minimize some climate-change impacts on stream ecosystems. Chalk-stream invertebrates are sensitive, nevertheless, to variations in discharge, and detectable changes could occur if climate change alters flow pattern. 6.,Because climatic trends now characterize many inter-annual time-series, we caution other investigators to examine whether putative effects on ecological systems are real or linked spuriously to other causes of change. [source] Coupling long-term studies with meta-analysis to investigate impacts of non-native crayfish on zoobenthic communitiesFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006JULIA M. MCCARTHY Summary 1. Biological invasions are widely recognised as a significant component of human-caused environmental change and a primary threat to native biodiversity. The negative impacts of species invasions are particularly evident for freshwater crayfish faunas. 2. This study provides novel insight into the ecological effects of native and non-native crayfish on zoobenthic communities (with emphasis on the non-native rusty crayfish, Orconectes rusticus) across broad scales by combining a meta-analysis of small-scale experimental studies with a long-term observational study conducted over a 24 year period in Sparkling Lake, Wisconsin, U.S.A. (46°00,N, 89°42,W). 3. The meta-analysis summarised quantitatively the results of cage experiments for seven species of crayfish spanning four continents. We found that total zoobenthos densities (primarily Gastropoda and Diptera) were significantly lower in treatments containing crayfish relative to controls; a result that was significant for non-native crayfish but not for crayfish in their native range, perhaps owing to a small sample size. In contrast to other species, rusty crayfish were also negatively associated with Ephemeroptera. 4. Results from the time series analysis comparing temporal trends in rusty crayfish and invertebrate abundances from Sparkling Lake were consistent with the findings from the meta-analysis. Rusty crayfish were negatively correlated with the abundance of total zoobenthos, Diptera, Ephemeroptera and Odonata, as well as families of Trichoptera. 5. By coupling the results from short and long-term research, our study offers greater insight into the nature of crayfish-invertebrate interactions in aquatic systems, revealing consistent effects of invasive crayfish on native fauna. The control and management of invasive species is facilitated by the knowledge that well executed small-scale studies may be extrapolated to understand larger-scale ecological interactions. [source] The long-term effect of artificial destratification on phytoplankton species composition in a subtropical reservoirFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2005JASON P. ANTENUCCI Summary 1. The response of phytoplankton to the installation of an artificial destratification system in North Pine Dam, Brisbane (Australia) was investigated over an 18 year period (1984,2002); 11 years before and 7 years after installation. 2. An overall increase in phytoplankton abundance was revealed for some groups (in particular, diatoms, cyanobacteria and chlorophytes), but not for others (chlorophytes). Changes in the abundance of chlorophyte functional groups was attributed to eutrophication. 3. A strong spatial gradient in phytoplankton abundance and chlorophyll a was observed, with low abundance in the downstream regions affected by the destratification system which was likely because of light limitation induced by vertical mixing. The upstream region acted as a surrogate for the unaltered state of the reservoir, particularly as an indicator of eutrophication without direct influence from the destratification system. Despite the continuous trend in eutrophication of the reservoir, there has been a definite decrease in the rate of eutrophication (approximately 30%) since the installation of the destratification system at the downstream locations. 4. Correlations of the dominant cyanobacteria Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii with other genera changed after destratification, indicating that prior to destratification the dominance of Cylindrospermopsis was because of its ability to compete for phosphorus, whereas after destratification its dominance was because of its ability to compete for light. [source] Seismicity of the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) since 1500GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2000N. N. Ambraseys Summary We use the earthquake history of the last 500 years to help evaluate the tectonic and hazard contexts of the 1999 earthquakes at Izmit and Düzce in western Turkey. The 20th century has been unusually active, but over the 500 year period the seismic moment release can account for the known right-lateral shear velocity across the Marmara region observed by GPS. Two areas of known late Quaternary faulting stand out as unusually quiet over this period: the northwest shore of the Sea of Marmara and the southern branch of the North Anatolian fault system between Bursa and Mudurnu. [source] Self-reported functional ability predicts three-year mobility and mortality in community-dwelling older personsGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2002Ryuichi Kawamoto Background:, A comprehensive evaluation of the functions of community-dwelling older persons was conducted in 1988. Three years after the 1988 study commenced, the relationship between these background factors and changes during the subsequent 3 years were examined. Methods: ,The study was a comprehensive evaluation of the daily functions of community-dwelling elderly people, and encompassed age, gender, mode of living, marital status, financial status, family relationships, basic activities of daily living, visual and hearing impairment, a history of disease, self-related feeling, social role, social support, habits and physical exercise and the relationship between independence and survival for 3 years after the basic study. The subjects were 2274 community-dwelling elderly people who participated in the first survey in July 1998 and who were aged 65 years and over at that time. Unassisted questionnaire sheets were used for the first survey and changes since the first survey. Results:, Thirty men and 60 women died during the 3 year period. Data were also gathered about the daily activity levels of 1709 persons (75.2%) with 1499 (87.7%) ranking J for independence and 210 persons (12.3%) ranking A to C for dependence. Age, gender, basic activities of daily living (BADL), history of falls, self-related happiness, participation in community events and physical-exercise habits were found to be explanatory variables for independence after three years; as were age, gender, and BADL for survival. Conclusion: , The explanatory variables relating to independence and prognosis of life of the elderly obtained in this study will be important in future considerations of the issue of care-taking and measures to enable it. [source] Strain persistence of invasive Candida albicans in chronic hyperplastic candidosis that underwent malignant changeGERODONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2001DW Williams Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess persistence and tissue invasion of Candida albicans strains isolated from a 65 year-old patient with chronic hyperplastic candidosis (CHC), that subsequently developed into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Materials and Methods: C. albicans (n=7) were recovered from the oral cavity of the patient over seven years. Confirmation of CHC and SCC in this patient was achieved by histopathological examination of incisional biopsy tissue. DNA fingerprinting was performed on the seven isolates from the CHC patient together with a further eight isolates from patients with normal oral mucosa (n=2), chronic atrophic candidosis (n=1), SCC (n=1) and CHC (n=4). Genotyping involved the use of inter-repeat PCR using the eukaryotic repeat primer 1251. Characterisation of the tissue invasive abilities of the isolates was achieved by infecting a commercially available reconstituted human oral epithelium (RHE; SkinEthic, Nice, France). After 24 h. C. albicans tissue invasion was assessed by histopathological examination. Results: DNA fingerprinting demonstrated strain persistence of C. albicans in the CHC patient over a seven year period despite provision of systemic antifungal therapy. The strain of C. albicans isolated from this patient was categorised as a high invader within the RHE compared to other isolates. Conclusions: Candidal strain persistence was evident in a patient with CHC over seven years. This persistence may be due to incomplete eradication from the oral cavity following antifungal therapy or subsequent recolonisation from other body sites or separate exogenous sources. The demonstration of enhanced in vitro tissue invasion by this particular strain may, in part, explain the progression to carcinoma. [source] A review of the therapeutic agents used in the management of polycythaemia veraHEMATOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Mary Frances McMullin Abstract The acquired clonal disorder Polycythaemia Vera leads to increased erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis and megakaryopoeisis. These anomalies result in an increased incidence of thromboembolic events, transformation to acute leukaemia and myelofibrosis. Treatments which aim to reduce the event rate may increase anaemia but may also affect the rate of complications. This paper reviews the evidence for the treatments which have been used in the management of the disorders over a 50 plus year period. Assessment of this evidence and its limitations form the basis for the current suggested management plans. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||