Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Serious Consequences (serious + consequence)
Selected AbstractsEnhancing the P trapping of pasture filter strips: successes and pitfalls in the use of water supply residue and polyacrylamideEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008M. R. Redding Summary In intensive pastoral systems the landscape at ground level is clad in dense, filtering vegetation , yet phosphorus losses in overland flow do occur, and pollution of surface waters is a serious consequence. The use of pre-applied polyacrylamide (PAM) or chitosan to trap particulate phosphorus (PP) and P-sorbing potable water treatment alum residue (PWTR) to enhance vegetative filtering effects is examined here using field and laboratory overland flow simulation (flows from 0.43 to 0.34 litres s,1 (m width),1) and analysis. Fitted equations suggest that up to 40% of dissolved reactive P applied (0.75 mg P litre,1) in overland flow could be captured in a flow length of 2.1 m (1 kg PWTR m,2). Unfortunately, drying decreased PWTR effectiveness, though little of the P captured was readily desorbed. This effect did not appear to be the result of gibbsite formation. Compared with the other treatments, there was a strong treatment effect of pre-applied PAM on the change in PP losses (P < 0.001) over time, though evidence suggests the PAM effect declined during a 44 minute flow period. We showed that the investigated two-pronged approach to the enhancement of the effectiveness of P trapping by pasture had limitations. Laboratory sheet-flow simulations suggest that a field-stable P sorber with sorption characteristics similar to those of the un-dried PWTR could be an effective retention enhancer for dissolved P. Pre-applied PAM can have an effect on particulate-P trapping but was rapidly dissolved and removed by flow. [source] Analysis of risk factors for persistent gestational trophoblastic diseaseAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Soo-Keat KHOO Setting:, Persistent disease is a serious consequence of molar pregnancies. Its early detection is critical to effective chemotherapy. Therefore, determination of risk becomes an important clinical decision. Objectives:, To determine the relative risk of persistent disease in a cohort of patients with partial and complete molar pregnancies by analysis of five factors derived from a database using multivariate analysis. Results:, Of 686 patients, 78 developed persistent disease which required treatment (rate of 11.3%). Risk was markedly increased when serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) failed to reach negative by 12 weeks after evacuation [hazard ratio (HR) = 120.78, P < 0.001]. Risk was markedly decreased when the interval from last pregnancy exceeded 12 months (HR = 0.24, P = 0.005). Other factors such as patient's age, stage of gestation and serum HCG level at presentation were not found to be strongly associated with risk of persistent disease. Conclusion:, These findings support the application of the following two factors in risk prediction for molar pregnancies: > 12 weeks to become HCG negative and interval from last pregnancy < 12 months. They will contribute to a greater awareness of persistent disease and assist in early detection and effective chemotherapy. [source] An overview of the dental pulp: its functions and responses to injuryAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 2007C. Yu Abstract The dental pulp is a unique tissue and its importance in the long-term prognosis of the tooth is often ignored by clinicians. It is unique in that it resides in a rigid chamber which provides strong mechanical support and protection from the microbial rich oral environment. If this rigid shell loses its structural integrity, the pulp is under the threat of the adverse stimuli from the mouth, such as caries, cracks, fractures and open restoration margins, all of which provide pathways for micro-organisms and their toxins to enter the pulp. The pulp initially responds to irritation by becoming inflamed and, if left untreated, this will progress to pulp necrosis and infection. The inflammation will also spread to the surrounding alveolar bone and cause periapical pathosis. The magnitude of pulp-related problems should not be underestimated since their most serious consequence is oral sepsis, which can be life threatening, and hence correct diagnosis and management are essential. Clinicians must have a thorough understanding of the physiological and pathological features of the dental pulp as well as the biological consequences of treatment interventions. [source] Review article: Paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: Emergency assessment and managementEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 5 2010Stephen R Allen Abstract Supracondylar humeral fractures in children are common presentations to the ED but might be challenging to both diagnose and assess clinically. The ED has a critical role in accurately assessing the child, the limb's neurovascular status and initiating treatment. A specific approach to the clinical assessment of such a child is required as failure to detect neurovascular compromise can delay appropriate treatment and result in serious consequences. Most children can be investigated with X-ray radiograph alone with further treatment directed by severity of the fracture, commonly described using the Gartland classification. Our review article provides an overview of supracondylar humeral fractures and a suggested clinical approach to leave the emergency physician better equipped to assess and manage these fractures. [source] Dental traumatology: essential diagnosis and treatment planningENDODONTIC TOPICS, Issue 1 2004Leif K. Bakland Traumatic dental injuries are for the most part unanticipated events that, if not managed appropriately, can have serious consequences for the patient. The purpose of this review is to describe the current concepts in establishing diagnosis descriptive of specific traumatic entities, and to delineate recommended treatment approaches for these injuries based on available evidence. [source] Improved Comet assay for the assessment of UV genotoxicity in Mediterranean sea urchin eggsENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 5 2008Sarah Nahon Abstract Gametes and embryos of broadcast spawners are exposed to a wide range of chemical and physical stressors which may alone, or in conjunction, have serious consequences on reproductive outcomes. In this study, two Mediterranean echinoid species, Paracentrotus lividus and Sphaerechinus granularis, were chosen as models to study the genotoxicity of UV radiation (UVR) on the eggs of broadcast-spawning marine invertebrates. The single cell gel electrophoresis, or Comet assay, was successfully adapted to assess DNA strand breakage in sea urchin eggs. The results demonstrated that the genetic material of sea urchin eggs is susceptible to environmentally realistic UV exposure. The induction of DNA damage in the irradiated unfertilized eggs suggests that the previously described defense mechanisms in sea urchin eggs do not completely protect the egg's DNA against UV toxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that UV-impairment of the genetic integrity of the eggs might have a role in postfertilization failures and abnormal embryonic development. Although both species were vulnerable to UVR, embryonic development was less dramatically impaired in P.Lividus. This observation supports the postulation that species inhabiting shallower environments possess more efficient mechanisms to overcome UV-induced DNA alterations. The present demonstration of the utility and sensitivity of the Comet assay to evaluate DNA integrity in eggs from marine invertebrates opens new perspectives for monitoring the long-term effects of environmental exposure on populations and for the routine screening of substances for genotoxicity in marine systems. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Seizures in multiple sclerosisEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2008Marcus Koch Summary Seizures have long been recognized to be part of the disease spectrum of multiple sclerosis (MS). While they occur in only a minority of patients with MS, epileptic seizures can have serious consequences. The treatment of MS can be epileptogenic, and antiepileptic treatment can conversely worsen the symptoms of MS. In this article we present an overview of the current literature on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathology, imaging, prognosis and treatment of epileptic seizures in MS. [source] Adrenal Insufficiency in Critically Ill Emergency Department Patients: A Taiwan Preliminary StudyACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 7 2001Shy-Shin Chang MD Objective: Unrecognized adrenal insufficiency can have serious consequences in critically ill emergency department (ED) patients. This prospective pilot study of adrenal function in patients with severe illness was undertaken to determine the prevalence of adrenal dysfunction and any relation to prior herbal drug use. Methods: In a high-volume urban tertiary care ED, adult patients with sepsis or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were eligible for the study. Over a two-month period, a convenience sample was enrolled by the authors on arrival to the ED. Inclusion criteria were systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria plus evidence of at least one organ dysfunction or cardiac marker plus electrocardiogram-proven AMI. Exclusion criteria included known corticosteroid use. Serum cortisol was measured on arrival and for those patients with a level of <15 ,g/dL (<414 nmol/L), an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed. Results: Of the 30 enrolled patients, 23 (77%) were suffering from severe sepsis and the other seven (23%) had an AMI. Thirteen of the 30 patients (43%; 95% CI = 25% to 65%) had serum cortisol levels of <15 ,g/dL, consistent with adrenal insufficiency, nine with severe sepsis and four with an AMI. Eight (62%; 95% CI = 32% to 86%) of the 13 patients with low cortisol levels reported using herbal medications, while only two (12%; 95% CI = 1% to 36%) of the 17 with normal cortisol levels reported taking herb drugs (p = 0.01). Only two (15%; 95% CI = 2% to 45%) of the patients with low cortisol levels failed their corticotropin stimulation test, suggestive of true adrenocortical insufficiency. Both reported using herbal preparations. Conclusions: These results indicate that adrenal dysfunction is common among a group of critically ill patients seen in this Taiwanese ED. Moreover, the use of herbal drugs was high in the patients with low serum cortisols. Further studies are required to both confirm these findings and clarify whether a number of herbal medications contain corticosteroids. [source] Resource quality and stoichiometric constraints on stream ecosystem functioningFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009SALLY HLADYZ Summary 1. Resource quality and stoichiometric imbalances in carbon : nutrient ratios between consumers and resources can influence key ecosystem processes. In many streams, this has important implications for food webs that are based largely upon the utilization of terrestrial leaf-litter, which varies widely among litter types in its value as a food source for detritivores and as a substrate for microbial decomposers. 2. We measured breakdown rates and macroinvertebrate colonization of leaf-litter from a range of native and exotic plants of differing resource quality and palatability to consumers [e.g. carbon : nitrogen : phosphorus (C : N : P) ratios, lignin and cellulose content], in a field experiment. We also measured C : N : P ratios of the principal leaf-shredding invertebrates, which revealed strong stoichiometric imbalances across trophic levels: C : N and C : P ratios typically differed by at least one order of magnitude between consumers and resources, whereas N : P imbalances were less marked. Application of the threshold elemental ratio approach, which integrates animal bioenergetics and body elemental composition in examining nutrient deficiency between consumers and resources, revealed less marked C : P imbalances than those based on the simpler arithmetic differences described above. 3. Litter breakdown rates declined as nutrient imbalances widened and resource quality fell, but they were independent of whether resources were exotic or native. The principal drivers of total, microbial and invertebrate-mediated breakdown rates were lignin : N, lignin : P and fungal biomass, respectively. However, multiple regression using orthogonal predictors yielded even more efficient models of litter breakdown, as consumers responded to more than one aspect of resource quality. For example, fungal biomass and litter C : N both influenced invertebrate-mediated breakdown. 4. Large stoichiometric imbalances and changes in resource quality are likely to have serious consequences for stream ecosystem functioning, especially when riparian zones have been invaded by exotic plant species whose chemical composition differs markedly from that of the native flora. Consequently, the magnitude and direction of change in breakdown rates and, thus, resource depletion, will be driven to a large extent by the biochemical traits (rather than taxonomic identity per se) of the resident and invading flora. [source] THE STORM OF NOVEMBER 1826 IN THE CANARY ISLANDS: POSSIBLY A TROPICAL CYCLONE?GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2010JOSÉ BETHENCOURT-GONZÁLEZ ABSTRACT. This work analyses a storm that occurred in the Canary Islands early in November 1826. Through a study based on historical climate data, some of the adverse effects of the storm are described and some of the possible causes are discussed. The main goal of this work is to establish an approximate reconstruction of this historical event which will allow us to compare it to a recent meteorological event that had a great impact on the archipelago: "Tropical Storm Delta", in November 2005. Studying and reviewing the origin of the 1826 storm verifies the hypothesis that extremely violent perturbations have not only occurred in the Canaries on other occasions, but that these past events were also more intense and had more serious consequences than Delta. Therefore, the idea that other tropical perturbations have occurred in the region of the Canary Islands before Delta is presented. [source] Parental medical neglect in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2001Victor Fornari Abstract Objective Although childhood sexual abuse has been a frequent focus of research on eating disorders, other forms of maltreatment have been less commonly reported. Parental medical neglect is examined in this study as having serious consequences for the treatment and prognosis of patients with anorexia nervosa. Method Two case studies illustrate parental interference with treatment in which Child Protective Services (CPS) had to be involved in compliance with state law. Two adolescent females who were admitted for treatment for anorexia nervosa are presented. Results In both cases, the parents refused to comply with the recommendations of the treatment team, placing their children's health in jeopardy. In compliance with reporting guidelines, CPS was notified in both cases. Conclusions Clinicians who treat minors with anorexia nervosa must consider parental compliance with treatment. Indications for the involvement of CPS are outlined. Optimally, this notification can ensure that the patient and family receive the requisite treatment. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 358,362, 2001. [source] Dental management of children with latex allergyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 5 2001S. M. Hashim Nainar Summary. This paper reviews the aetiology, epidemiology and dental management of children with latex allergy. The issue of latex allergy has serious consequences for the dental management of children with one or more of the following risk factors: spina bifida, atopy, first surgery before one year of age, history of multiple surgical procedures, congenital urologic abnormalities, gastrointestinal malformations, hydrocephalus internus, ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, spinal cord injuries, and family history of atopy. Management of latex allergy is based upon the diligent avoidance of latex exposure. Universal use of powder-free low-allergen latex gloves is recommended. [source] Non-adherence to antihypertensive medication and impaired cognition: which comes first?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 5 2010Paul R. Gard Abstract Objective, Antihypertensive medications are important in the prevention of serious consequences of hypertension, such as stroke and heart failure. Up to one-third of elderly hypertensive patients, however, do not adhere to their medication. Adherence to medication decreases with increasing age, and with decreasing cognitive ability, thus elderly, cognitively-impaired patients have poorer control of blood pressure. Good control of blood pressure is associated with decreased prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This study assessed the evidence that antihypertensive medications have effects on the prevalence or severity of mild cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Methods, The ISI Web of Knowledge database was searched; including replicates, the nine searches identified 14 400 publications since 1952, of which 9.9% had been published in 2009. This review considers the 18 studies meeting the set criteria published in 2009 or later. Key findings, Not all antihypertensive medications are equivalent in their positive cognitive effects, with brain-penetrating angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and possibly angiotensin receptor antagonists being the most effective. Conclusions, Based on evidence of blood-pressure control and cost, UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines recommend calcium-channel blockers or thiazide-type diuretics for the treatment of hypertension in patients over 55 years. These guidelines take no account of the potential cognitive effects of the antihypertensive therapies, consideration of which might lead to a review. There may be benefit in stressing that adherence to antihypertensive medication not only decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death, but may also decrease the risk or severity of mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. [source] Nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications: instrument development and validationJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2010Ghi-Yin Hsaio Abstract Title.,Nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications: instrument development andvalidation. Aim., This paper is a report of the development and validation of an instrument to measure nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications and to analyse known administration errors. Background., Insufficient knowledge is a factor in nurses' drug administration errors. Most errors do not harm patients, but incorrect administration of high-alert medications can result in serious consequences. Sufficient knowledge about high-alert medications is vital. Method., A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2006 in Taiwan using a questionnaire developed from literature review and expert input, and validated by subject experts and two pilot studies. Section 1 of the questionnaire (20 true,false questions) evaluated nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications and section 2 was designed to analyse known administration errors. Snowball sampling and descriptive statistics were used. Findings., A total of 305 nurses participated, giving a 79·2% response rate (305/385). The correct answer rate for section 1 was 56·5%, and nurses' working experience contributed to scores. Only 3·6% of nurses considered themselves to have sufficient knowledge about high-alert medications, 84·6% hoped to gain more training, and the leading obstacle reported was insufficient knowledge (75·4%). A total of 184 known administration errors were identified, including wrong drug (33·7%) and wrong dose (32·6%); 4·9% (nine cases; 9/184) resulted in serious consequences. Conclusion., The questionnaire was valid and reliable. Evidence-based results strongly suggest that nurses have insufficient knowledge about high-alert medications and could benefit from additional education, particularly associated with intravenous bolus administration of high-alert medications. Further research to validate the instrument is needed. [source] Census error and the detection of density dependenceJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2006ROBERT P. FRECKLETON Summary 1Studies aiming to identify the prevalence and nature of density dependence in ecological populations have often used statistical analysis of ecological time-series of population counts. Such time-series are also being used increasingly to parameterize models that may be used in population management. 2If time-series contain measurement errors, tests that rely on detecting a negative relationship between log population change and population size are biased and prone to spuriously detecting density dependence (Type I error). This is because the measurement error in density for a given year appears in the corresponding change in population density, with equal magnitude but opposite sign. 3This effect introduces bias that may invalidate comparisons of ecological data with density-independent time-series. Unless census error can be accounted for, time-series may appear to show strongly density-dependent dynamics, even though the density-dependent signal may in reality be weak or absent. 4We distinguish two forms of census error, both of which have serious consequences for detecting density dependence. 5First, estimates of population density are based rarely on exact counts, but on samples. Hence there exists sampling error, with the level of error depending on the method employed and the number of replicates on which the population estimate is based. 6Secondly, the group of organisms measured is often not a truly self-contained population, but part of a wider ecological population, defined in terms of location or behaviour. Consequently, the subpopulation studied may effectively be a sample of the population and spurious density dependence may be detected in the dynamics of a single subpopulation. In this case, density dependence is detected erroneously, even if numbers within the subpopulation are censused without sampling error. 7In order to illustrate how process variation and measurement error may be distinguished we review data sets (counts of numbers of birds by single observers) for which both census error and long-term variance in population density can be estimated. 8Tests for density dependence need to obviate the problem that measured population sizes are typically estimates rather than exact counts. It is possible that in some cases it may be possible to test for density dependence in the presence of unknown levels of census error, for example by uncovering nonlinearities in the density response. However, it seems likely that these may lack power compared with analyses that are able to explicitly include census error and we review some recently developed methods. [source] Why Is Such a Smart Person Like You Smoking?JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2005Using Self-Affirmation to Reduce Defensiveness to Cigarette Warning Labels When researchers communicate the negative health risks of smoking, smokers are likely to minimize such effects. This experiment addressed a way to reduce this defensiveness: allowing smokers to affirm aspects of the self. Smokers (n= 100) and nonsmokers (n= 30) viewed eight health-warning messages about smoking. Smokers were randomly assigned to view (a) warnings without a self-affirmation manipulation, (b) warnings after a self-affirmation manipulation, or (c) warnings that had a positive self-statement attached to it. Analyses indicated that compared to nonsmokers, no-affirmation smokers rated the warning messages as: (a) communicating less serious consequences, (b) less accurate, and (c) less likely to influence smokers. However, compared to no-affirmation smokers, smokers who affirmed the self were no more likely to rate the messages as serious, accurate, or effective. These data suggest that affirming the self before, or using a self-affirmation within a warning message may not encourage smokers to be more accepting of risk information. [source] Single-crystal structure validation with the program PLATONJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2003A. L. Spek The results of a single-crystal structure determination when in CIF format can now be validated routinely by automatic procedures. In this way, many errors in published papers can be avoided. The validation software generates a set of ALERTS detailing issues to be addressed by the experimenter, author, referee and publication journal. Validation was pioneered by the IUCr journal Acta Crystallographica Section C and is currently standard procedure for structures submitted for publication in all IUCr journals. The implementation of validation procedures by other journals is in progress. This paper describes the concepts of validation and the classes of checks that are carried out by the program PLATON as part of the IUCr checkCIF facility. PLATON validation can be run at any stage of the structure refinement, independent of the structure determination package used, and is recommended for use as a routine tool during or at least at the completion of every structure determination. Two examples are discussed where proper validation procedures could have avoided the publication of incorrect structures that had serious consequences for the chemistry involved. [source] Effects of culling on spatial associations of Mycobacterium bovis infections in badgers and cattleJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2007HELEN E JENKINS Summary 1Bovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, has serious consequences for Britain's cattle industry. European badgers (Meles meles) can transmit infection to cattle, and for many years the British government culled badgers in a series of attempts to reduce cattle infections. 2We investigated the impact of badger culling on the spatial distribution of M. bovis infection in badger and cattle populations in replicated areas in England. 3M. bovis infection was significantly clustered within badger populations, but clustering was reduced when culls were repeated across wide areas. A significant spatial association between M. bovis infections in badgers and cattle herds likewise declined across successive culls. These patterns are consistent with evidence that badgers are less territorial and range more widely in culled areas, allowing transmission to occur over greater distances. 4Prior to culling, M. bovis infections were clustered within cattle populations. Where badger culling was localised, and in unculled areas just outside widespread culling areas, cattle infections became less spatially clustered as badger culling was repeated. This is consistent with expanded badger ranging observed in these areas. 5In contrast, clustering of infection in cattle persisted over time on lands where badgers were repeatedly culled over wide areas. While this lack of a temporal trend must be interpreted with caution, it might reflect persistent infection within, and continued transmission between, cattle herds in areas where transmission from badgers to cattle had been reduced by badger culling. Continued spatial association of infections in cattle and badgers in such areas might partly reflect transmission from cattle. 6Synthesis and applications: Our findings confirm that badger culling can prompt spatial spread of M. bovis infection, a phenomenon likely to undermine the utility of this approach as a disease control measure. Possible evidence of transmission from cattle, both to other cattle and to badgers, suggests that improved cattle controls might yield multiple benefits for TB management. [source] Effects of prior interpretation on situation assessment in crime analysisJOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING, Issue 5 2007José H. Kerstholt Abstract A main threat to objective information processing in crime investigation teams is the tendency to focus on one particular interpretation only. To prevent such tunnel vision or ,groupthink', an investigation team can call in a crime analyst, and ask him or her to give a fresh and independent account of the evidence at hand. However, before they examine the case, crime analysts are often already aware of the scenario currently favoured by the team. In our experiment, we investigated whether such prior knowledge can jeopardise the independence of the analyst's advice. Thirty-eight professional crime analysts were asked to generate causal scenarios for two different cases and to indicate how the team should continue their investigation. Before beginning their analysis, half of the crime analysts received a realistic prior interpretation, such as might have been constructed by an investigation team. The results show that when given a prior interpretation, both experienced and inexperienced analysts considered the scenario suggested therein as more likely, and made recommendations for further investigation accordingly. We explain these findings by suggesting that analysts temporarily adopted the perspective of the investigation team, and that such temporary commitment by itself increased confidence in the hypothesis at hand (Koehler, 1991). This research supports previous research on the impact of prior theory on judgement, and extends it to an important real world domain where mistakes can have serious consequences. We recommend that in cases where the crime analyst is asked to give an objective assessment, he or she should not be informed about the interpretation of the investigation team until after the analysis has been conducted. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Early age reproduction in female savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) after severe poachingAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009M. J. Owens Abstract A 10-year study revealed that after severe poaching (>93% killed) of elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Zambia's North Luangwa National Park (NLNP) during the 1970s and 1980s, the age of reproduction in females was greatly reduced. Fifty-eight per cent of births were delivered by females aged 8.5,14 years, an age at which elephants were reported to be sexually immature in nearby South Luangwa National Park (SLNP) before poaching. The mean age of females at first birth (AFB) (1993, 1994) was 11.3 years. Prior to poaching, the mean age AFB in SLNP was 16 years. The NLNP age structure and sex ratio were skewed, mean family unit size was reduced, and 37% of family units contained no females older than 15 years. Twenty-eight per cent of family units were comprised entirely of a single mother and her calf, and 8% of units consisted only of orphans who would have been considered sexually immature prior to poaching. Only 6% of survivors were older than 20 years, the age at which females in little-poached populations generally become most reproductively active. After a community-based conservation programme and the UN-CITES ban on the ivory trade were introduced, no elephants were recorded killed. In spite of a high reproductive rate, 6 years after poaching decreased, the density of the NLNP population had not increased, supporting predictions that the removal of older matriarchs from family units will have serious consequences on the recovery of this species. Résumé Une étude qui a duré dix ans a révélé qu'après un braconnage très grave (>93% tués) des éléphants (Loxodonta africana) dans le Parc National de Luangwa Nord (NLNP), en Zambie au cours des années 1970 et 1980, l'âge de la reproduction chez les femelles a fort baissé. Cinquante-huit pour cent des naissances se sont passées chez des femelles qui avaient entre 8,5 et 14 ans, un âge auquel les éléphants étaient dits être encore sexuellement immatures dans le Parc National de Luangwa Sud (SLNP), tout proche, avant le braconnage. L'âge moyen des femelles à la première mise-bas (AFB ,at first birth) (1993, 1994) était de 11,3 ans. Avant le braconnage, l'âge moyen à la première mise-bas était de 16 ans au SLNP. Au NLNP, la structure d'âge et le sex-ratio ont été faussés, la taille moyenne de l'unité familiale a été réduite, et 37% des familles ne contiennent aucune femelle de plus de 15 ans. Vingt-huit pour cent des unités familiales n'étaient composées que d'une mère seule et de son jeune, et huit pour cent n'étaient composées que d'orphelins qui devaient être considérés comme sexuellement immatures avant le braconnage. Seuls six pour cent des survivants avaient plus de 20 ans, l'âge auquel les femelles de populations peu braconnées deviennent généralement les plus actives en matière de reproduction. Après l'introduction d'un programme de conservation communautaire et l'interdiction, par la CITES-UN, du commerce de l'ivoire, on n'a plus enregistré aucun massacre d'éléphant. Malgré un taux élevé de reproduction, la densité de population du NLNP n'a pas augmenté, ce qui conforte les prédictions que l'enlèvement des plus vieilles matriarches des unités familiales aura de sérieuses conséquences sur la restauration de cette espèce. [source] Molecular dynamics simulation of clustered DNA damage sites containing 8-oxoguanine and abasic siteJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2005Hirofumi Fujimoto Abstract Clustered DNA damage sites induced by ionizing radiation have been suggested to have serious consequences to organisms, such as cancer, due to their reduced probability to be repaired by the enzymatic repair machinery of the cell. Although experimental results have revealed that clustered DNA damage sites effectively retard the efficient function of repair enzymes, it remains unclear as to what particular factors influence this retardation. In this study, approaches based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulation have been applied to examine conformational changes and energetic properties of DNA molecules containing clustered damage sites consisting of two lesioned sites, namely 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site, located within a few base pairs of each other. After 1 ns of MD simulation, one of the six DNA molecules containing a clustered damage site develops specific characteristic features: sharp bending at the lesioned site and weakening or complete loss of electrostatic interaction energy between 8-oxoG and bases located on the complementary strand. From these results it is suggested that these changes would make it difficult for the repair enzyme to bind to the lesions within the clustered damage site and thereby result in a reduction of its repair capacity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 788,798, 2005 [source] Disease interaction between farmed and wild fish populationsJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2004E. J. Peeler This paper reviews the literature on disease interaction between wild and farmed fish and recommends strategies to reduce the disease risks to both populations. Most, if not all, diseases of farmed fish originate in wild populations. The close contact between farmed and wild fish readily leads to pathogens exchange. Aquaculture creates conditions (e.g. high stocking levels) conducive to pathogen transmission and disease; hence pathogens can overspill back, resulting in high levels of challenge to wild populations. This is exemplified by sea lice infections in farmed Atlantic salmon. Stocking with hatchery reared fish or aquaculture escapees can affect disease dynamics in wild populations. Whirling disease has been spread to many wild rainbow trout populations in the US with the release of hatchery reared stock. The greatest impact of aquaculture on disease in wild populations has resulted from the movement of fish for cultivation. Examples of exotic disease introduction following movement of live fish for aquaculture with serious consequences for wild populations are reviewed. The salmon parasite, Gyrodactylus salaris, has destroyed wild salmon populations in 44 Norwegian rivers. Crayfish plague has wiped out European crayfish over much of Europe. Eels numbers have declined in Europe and infection with the swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus has in part been blamed. The impact of disease in farmed fish on wild populations can mitigated. Risk analysis methods need to be refined and applied to live fish movement and new aquacultural developments. Appropriate biosecurity strategies, based on risk assessments, should be developed to reduce pathogen exchange and mitigate the consequences. [source] Effects of the wood extractive betulinol and 17, -oestradiol on reproduction in zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton) , complications due to a bacterial infectionJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 5 2004I Christianson-Heiska Abstract Zebrafish were exposed to the wood extractive betulinol (5 ,g L,1) and to 17, -oestradiol (E2, 0.27 ,g L,1) for 8 weeks in an attempt to study the possible endocrine-disrupting activity of betulinol. Females exposed to betulinol showed increased spawning intensity, while males exposed to betulinol and E2 had increased incidences of structural alterations in the testes. However, histological examination of the fish revealed that they were infected by acid-fast bacteria suspected to be Mycobacterium sp. despite a careful examination of their health state prior to the onset of the experiment. Fish exposed to betulinol and E2 showed more serious consequences of the bacterial infection than control fish indicating that the test chemicals had weakened the immune defence of the fish. When the exposure was repeated with healthy fish, an increase in the proportion of spermatogonia was seen in the testes of betulinol-treated males. A similar alteration, although not statistically significant, was also seen in the first experiment. However, no increase in the incidences of structural alterations in the testes was seen in betulinol- and E2-treated fish in the second experiment. Our study indicates that betulinol might have an endocrine-disrupting effect in zebrafish, but the increase in incidences of structural alterations in the testes might have been caused by a synergistic action between the test compounds and the bacterial infection. Our study stresses the importance of carefully checking the health of experimental fish, not only prior to the onset of an experiment but also upon termination of the experiment, in order to avoid misinterpretation of the results. [source] Acute retinal necrosis six years after herpes simplex encephalitis: An elusive immune deficit suggested by insufficient test sensitivityJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2004W. Preiser Abstract A patient presented with acute retinal necrosis of the left eye. Demonstration of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in the aqueous humour confirmed the diagnosis. Negative results of HSV type-specific antibody tests based on gG antigens suggested a primary HSV infection. However, the patient had a past history of laboratory-confirmed herpes simplex encephalitis 6 years ago. Using antibody tests based on whole viral lysate antigens, he was seropositive from the onset, and immunoblot testing confirmed a lack of anti-gG reactivity. To be able to assess whether this might be related to the apparent inability of his immune system to suppress clinically symptomatic HSV infection, serial samples were tested by an HSV neutralisation test and a whole-blood flow cytometric assay to determine the frequency of HSV-specific CD4 lymphocytes. However, this did not yield evidence of obvious immunodeficiency; the patient reacted similarly to known positive controls by both assays. Although type-specific HSV serological tests based on gG are generally more specific than those based on whole viral lysate antigens, they have a somewhat lower sensitivity, as a certain percentage of HSV-infected individuals do not develop antibodies against gG, and others may suffer a secondary loss of anti-gG reactivity. Thus there is a risk of missing individual infected patients. Unless this potential problem is recognised, serious consequences might possibly result. We therefore urge virologists and clinicians to exercise great care if highly specific antibody assays based on recombinant proteins are employed. J. Med. Virol. 73:250,255, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The population prevalence of adverse concentrations and associations with adiposity of liver tests among Australian adolescentsJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 12 2008Michael L Booth Aim: Paediatric overweight has a high incidence and has serious consequences for health, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, very little is known about NAFLD among young people, particularly from a population perspective. This paper reports the prevalence of elevated concentrations of four liver enzymes and their associations with adiposity in a representative population sample of Australian adolescents. Methods: Overnight fasting blood samples were collected from a representative population sample of 500 Grade 10 students (15-years-old) attending schools in Sydney, Australia, between February and May, 2004. Weight, height and waist girth were measured. The prevalence of adverse concentrations of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were described for all boys and girls and by body mass index (BMI) categories. The nature of the associations between the enzyme concentrations and indices of adiposity were characterised, and regression equations for estimating enzyme concentrations from BMI were prepared. Results: The prevalence of adverse concentrations of ALT (most likely as a result of NAFLD) and GGT were approximately 10%, while the prevalence of adverse concentrations of AST and ALP were approximately 7% and 5% respectively. The prevalence of adverse concentrations of ALT, GGT and AST increased across BMI categories, while the prevalence of adverse concentrations of ALP declined across BMI categories. Conclusions: The high prevalence of NAFLD in a population sample of healthy Australian adolescents represents a significant burden of disease. [source] Botulinum neurotoxin A: An unusual systemic effectJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2007Katherine Howell Abstract: Systemic effects from Botulinum neurotoxin A are uncommon but can have serious consequences. We report the case of a boy with severe cerebral palsy who developed deterioration in respiratory and oromotor function following repeated injections of Botulinum neurotoxin A. Caution is needed in using this treatment in children with severe cerebral palsy and pseudobulbar palsy. [source] Trends in Alcohol-Related Traffic Risk Behaviors Among College StudentsALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2010Kenneth H. Beck Background:, Alcohol-impaired driving is a major public health problem. National studies indicate that about 25% of college students have driven while intoxicated in the past month and an even greater percentage drive after drinking any alcohol and/or ride with an intoxicated driver. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the change in these various alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors as students progressed through their college experience. Methods:, A cohort of 1,253 first-time first-year students attending a large, mid-Atlantic university were interviewed annually for 4 years. Repeated measures analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations to evaluate age-related changes in prevalence and frequency of each behavior (i.e., ages 19 to 22). Results:, At age 19, 17%wt of students drove while intoxicated, 42%wt drove after drinking any alcohol, and 38%wt rode with an intoxicated driver. For all 3 driving behaviors, prevalence and frequency increased significantly at age 21. Males were more likely to engage in these behaviors than females. To understand the possible relationship of these behaviors to changes in drinking patterns, a post hoc analysis was conducted and revealed that while drinking frequency increased every year, frequency of drunkenness was stable for females, but increased for males. Conclusions:, Alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors are quite common among college students and take a significant upturn when students reach the age of 21. Prevention strategies targeted to the college population are needed to prevent serious consequences of these alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors. [source] High Stakes Testing and the Structure of the Mind: A Reply to Randall CurrenJOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION, Issue 1 2006ANDREW DAVIS ,High stakes testing' is to be understood as testing with serious consequences for students, their teachers and their educational institutions. It plays a central role in holding teachers and educational institutions to account. In a recent article Randall Curren seeks to refute a number of philosophical arguments developed in my The Limits of Educational Assessment against the legitimacy of high stakes testing. In this reply I contend that some of the arguments he identifies are not mine, and that others survive his critique. [source] Treatments for Patients With Dual Diagnosis: A ReviewALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2007Quyen Q. Tiet Background: Comorbid substance use and mental illness is prevalent and often results in serious consequences. However, little is known about the efficacy of treatments for patients with dual diagnosis. Methods: This paper reviews both the psychosocial and medication treatments for those diagnosed with a substance-related disorder and one of the following disorders: (a) depression, (b) anxiety disorder, (c) schizophrenia, (d) bipolar disorder, (e) severe mental illness, and (f) nonspecific mental illness. We made no restriction of study design to include all published studies, due to the dearth of studies on treatments of patients with dual diagnosis. Results: Fifty-nine studies were identified (36 randomized-controlled trials; RCT). Limited number of studies, especially RCTs, have been conducted within each comorbid category. This review did not find treatments that had been replicated and consistently showed clear advantages over comparison condition for both substance-related and other psychiatric outcomes. Conclusions: Although no treatment was identified as efficacious for both psychiatric disorders and substance-related disorder, this review finds: (1) existing efficacious treatments for reducing psychiatric symptoms also tend to work in dual-diagnosis patients, (2) existing efficacious treatments for reducing substance use also decrease substance use in dually diagnosed patients, and (3) the efficacy of integrated treatment is still unclear. This review provides a critique of the current state of the literature, identifies the directions for future research on treatment of dual-diagnosis individuals, and calls for urgent attention by researchers and funding agencies to conduct more and more methodologically rigorous research in this area. [source] Can't stop dancing: Could it be St. Vitus' dance?JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 7 2008Corrie Rogness RN Abstract Purpose: To inform providers of one of the rare but significant consequences that result from not diagnosing and treating streptococcal pharyngitis: Sydenham's chorea (St. Vitus' dance). Data sources: Current Internet sources including review articles, informational articles, online medical textbooks, and professional organization Web sites. Conclusion: It is vital that each case of streptococcal pharyngitis be treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Doing so will help prevent the sequelae associated with streptococcal infections, such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and Sydenham's chorea. Implications for practice: Streptococcal pharyngitis is a common illness that has the potential to cause very serious consequences. The consequences may be life altering, such as suffering permanent heart damage. With appropriate diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, the sequelae of ARF and Sydenham's chorea can be prevented. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||