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Subsequent Trials (subsequent + trials)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	60%
Medical Sciences	40%

Selected Abstracts

Comparative seed ecology of the endangered shrub, Pimelea spicata and a threatening weed, Bridal Creeper: Smoke, heat and other fire-related germination cues

ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION, Issue 1 2003
Anthony J. Willis
SummaryPimelea spicata R. Br. is a nationally listed endangered Australian shrub threatened with extinction by habitat fragmentation and environmental weed invasion. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides L. W. Wight) is the primary weed threat to the largest remaining populations of P. spicata in the Cumberland Plain. Fire, as part of an integrated pest management program, offers the potential to stimulate P. spicata populations while controlling Bridal Creeper. It is important, therefore, to understand how the components of fire affect the germination and growth of both species. Using laboratory experiments we investigated the effects of smoke, heat, ash and/or light on the germination of P. spicata and Bridal Creeper. We found a significant promotive effect of smoke and indication of an inhibitory heat shock (90°C for 10 min) effect on the germination of P. spicata seeds. The response of Bridal Creeper seeds to the same factors was complex; while the results of one experiment suggested an inhibitory effect of smoke and a promotive effect of heat, subsequent trials were contradictory, implying that Bridal Creeper, like many weeds, is able to germinate under a wide range of environmental conditions. Other experiments investigated the optimal germination temperature and innate dormancy of P. spicata in the absence of fire-related germination cues. Of the incubation temperatures investigated, the optimal diurnally fluctuating regime for P. spicata germinations was 10°C and 20°C in the night and day, respectively. The innate dormancy of freshly produced seeds disappeared after 3 months. In contrast to Bridal Creeper, we found a persistent germinable seed bank of about 97 P. spicata seeds/m2 located in the top 5 cm of the soil profile. While fire alone is unlikely to kill Bridal Creeper plants, fire may help to manage local infestations of the weed by limiting germination and providing opportunity for herbicide treatment of regrowth. [source]

Development of a biological control-based Integrated Pest Management method for Bemisia tabaci for protected sweet pepper crops

ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2009
F. J. Calvo
Abstract The tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a key pest in commercial sweet pepper crops in southeast Spain. Its biological control is currently based on augmentative introductions of the parasitic wasp Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), which need to be occasionally supplemented with pesticide applications. These pesticides can be harmful for the biological control agents. Therefore, it is important to improve the current strategy by reducing dependency on pesticides. Two potential solutions are conceivable: addition of another effective biocontrol agent or application of pesticide prior to the release of biocontrol agents. The mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) and the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are promising candidates as additional biocontrol agents. The aim of the present study was to test these possible solutions in two subsequent trials, i.e., a ,selection' and an ,improvement' experiment. In the selection experiment, four treatments were compared: E. mundus, N. tenuis + E. mundus, A. swirskii + E. mundus, and A. swirskii + N. tenuis + E. mundus. Amblyseius swirskii appeared able to significantly increase effectiveness against the pest, in contrast to N. tenuis, which did not contribute to whitefly control. The best strategy was the combination of E. mundus and A. swirskii. In the improvement experiment, three treatments were compared: E. mundus, A. swirskii + E. mundus, and A. swirskii + E. mundus + pesticides. Amblyseius swirskii again proved capable of significantly reducing whitefly populations, and the implementation of pesticides before the release of the biocontrol agents was shown to increase the effectiveness against the pest even more. [source]

Sacral nerve stimulation for voiding dysfunction: One institution's 11-year experience,

NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 1 2007
Suzette E. Sutherland
Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to review our institution's 11-year experience with SNS for the treatment of refractory voiding dysfunction. Dating back to 1993, it covers a span of time which describes the evolution of SNS as it includes PNE trials, non-tined (bone-anchored or fascial-anchored) leads, percutaneous tined leads with two-staged procedures, and even percutaneous pudendal trials. Methods A retrospective review was performed on SNS patients who received an implantable pulse generator (IPG) in our practice from 12/1993 to 12/2004. After Institutional Review Board approval, consents for chart review were obtained from 104 patients, representing 44% of this neuromodulatory patient population. Results Of our population, 87% were female and 13% were male. Average age at implant was 50 years,±,13.4 years. Duration of symptoms before implantation was 116 months (range 9,600 months). Eighty percent were implanted for a predominant complaint of urinary urgency and frequency (U/F). Overall, 22% had U/F only, 38% had concomitant urge incontinence (UI), and 20% had concomitant mixed incontinence (MI). Twenty percent were treated for non-obstructive urinary retention (UR), with half of these associated with a neurogenic etiology. Additionally, 46.2% had pelvic pain, 58.6% had bowel complaints, and 51% reported sexual dysfunction. In patients with U/F, mean voiding parameters as described by pre-implant voiding diaries revealed the following: 12.4 (±5.1) voids per 24 hr; 2.3 (±1.8) voids per night; 5.0 (±4.7) leaks per 24 hr; and 2.3 (±2.6) pads per 24 hr. Statistically significant improvements post-implantation were noted with mean decreases in the following: 4.3 voids per 24 hr; 1.0 void per night; 4.4 leaks per 24 hr; and 2.3 pads per 24 hr (all P,<,0.05). In the UR group a statistically significant improvement post-implantation was noted only in voids per night, with a mean decrease of 0.8 (P,<,0.05). With a mean follow up of 22 months (range 3,162 months), sustained subjective improvement was >50%, >80%, and >90% in 69%, 50%, and 35% of patients, respectively. By quality of life survey, 60.5% of patients were satisfied and 16.1% were dissatisfied with current urinary symptoms. Only 13% (14 patients) abandoned therapy, making up a significant portion of those dissatisfied with current urinary symptoms. Good overall lead durability was seen (mean 22 months, range 1,121 months), with the first successful lead proving to be the most durable (mean 28 months, range 1.4,120 months). Lead durability decreased progressively with subsequent trials. Overall, 53% of patients experienced at least one reportable event (RE) attributable to either lead or IPG. A total of 126 REs were noted, with 97% mild-to-moderate in severity. REs included lack of efficacy, loss of efficacy, infection, hematoma/seroma, migration, pain, undesirable change in sensation, and device malfunction. In this population, 47.1% of leads were tined while 52.9% were non-tined. Tined leads had an overall lower RE rate as compared to non-tined leads: 28% and 73%, respectively. Conclusions SNS is an effective method for treating certain types of voiding dysfunction. Although 53% of patients experienced at least one RE, 97% were mild-to-moderate and did not appear to affect the continued use of this therapy. With improved technology, such as percutaneous tined leads, the RE rate is decreasing. Further analyses of subsets of this population are currently underway. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Measuring men's opinions of prostate needle biopsy

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 8 2005
Jessica C. C. Medd
Background: Needle biopsy of the prostate is an important, common, invasive procedure. Little is known about men's perceptions of it. The present study was designed to assess men's experience of prostate biopsy, to determine the feasibility of a randomized trial of interventions to alleviate distress during prostate biopsy, and to develop a pragmatic outcome measure for such a trial. Methods: Of 33 consecutive men undergoing prostate biopsy at a Sydney (Australia), tertiary referral urology centre 31 men were selected for study. A cross-sectional, observational was performed. Participants completed both a 24-item questionnaire assessing relevant symptoms, attitudes and emotional responses and a semistructured interview shortly after their prostate biopsy. Each item of the questionnaire was rated on an 11-point scale from 0 (no trouble at all), to 10 (worst they could imagine). Results: The mean score for discomfort was 4.4 with 32% scoring ,7; the mean score for pain was 4.2 with 29% scoring ,7. The other most troubling aspects were: ,waiting for the result' (mean 4.4, 32% ,7) and ,fear of the result' (mean 3.7, 32% ,7). Seventy-one per cent of subjects stated that they would have been willing to participate in a randomized trial of interventions to make prostate biopsies less unpleasant. Thirteen of the 24 items were retained and refined for use as an outcome measure for subsequent trials. Conclusions: Many men experience pain, discomfort and anxiety during prostate needle biopsy and most would be willing to participate in trials of interventions to make it less unpleasant. [source]

Behavioural responses of carnivorous marsupials (Planigale maculata) to toxic invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus)

AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
JOHN LLEWELYN
Abstract The arrival of a toxic invasive species may impose selection on local predators to avoid consuming it. Feeding responses may be modified via evolutionary changes to behaviour, or via phenotypic plasticity (e.g. learning, taste aversion). The recent arrival of cane toads (Bufo marinus) in the Northern Territory of Australia induced rapid aversion learning in a predatory marsupial (the common planigale, Planigale maculata). Here, we examine the responses of planigales to cane toads in north-eastern Queensland, where they have been sympatric for over 60 years, to investigate whether planigale responses to cane toads have been modified by long-term exposure. Responses to toads were broadly similar to those documented for toad-naïve predators. Most Queensland planigales seized (21 of 22) and partially consumed (11 of 22) the first toad they were offered, but were likely to ignore toads in subsequent trials. However, unlike their toad-naïve conspecifics from the Northern Territory, the Queensland planigales all survived ingestion of toad tissue without overt ill effects and continued to attack toads in a substantial proportion of subsequent trials. Our data suggest that (i) learning by these small predators is sufficiently rapid and effective that selection on behaviour has been weak; and (ii) physiological tolerance to toad toxins may be higher in planigales after 60 years (approximately 60 generations) of exposure to this toxic prey. [source]