Intra- and interspecific diversity in a tropical plant clade alter herbivory and ecosystem resilience.

Declines in biodiversity generated by anthropogenic stressors at both species and population levels can alter emergent processes instrumental to ecosystem function and resilience. As such, understanding the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function and its response to climate perturbation is increasingly important, especially in tropical systems where responses to changes in biodiversity are less predictable and more challenging to assess experimentally. Using large-scale transplant experiments conducted at five neotropical sites, we documented the impacts of changes in intraspecific and interspecific plant richness in the genus on insect herbivory, insect richness, and ecosystem resilience to perturbations in water availability.

Radiography students' clinical learning styles.

Purpose: To examine the common learning styles of radiography students during clinical practice.

Methods: Descriptive research methodology, using a single self-report questionnaire, helped to identify common learning styles of radiography students during clinical practice.

Results: The results indicated that 3 learning styles predominate among radiography students during clinical practice: task oriented, purposeful and tentative.

Ginkgo biloba does--and does not--prevent acute mountain sickness.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of 2 different sources of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in reducing the incidence and severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) following rapid ascent to high altitude.

Methods: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cohort studies were conducted in which participants were treated with GBE (240 mg x d(-1)) or placebo prior to and including the day of ascent from 1600 m to 4300 m (ascent in 2 hours by car). Acute mountain sickness was diagnosed if the Environmental Symptom Questionnaire III acute mountain sickness-cerebral (AMS-C) score was > or =0.

DNA isolation and amplification from formaldehyde-fixed animal tissues rich in mucopolysaccharides, pigments, and chitin.

Formaldehyde, once the fixative of choice, is a known obstacle to DNA extraction and amplification. However, when fixed tissues contain other problematic compounds such as pigments, mucopolysaccharides, and chitin, and when only small amounts of archival tissues are available, obtaining amplifiable DNA can become extremely challenging. Here, I present a procedure that has enabled me to extract amplifiable DNA from minute specimens of polychaetes successfully; like many other invertebrates, these worms are rich in pigments, mucopolysaccharides, and chitin.

Genomic organization and phylogenetic utility of deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) lymphotoxin-alpha and lymphotoxin-beta.

Background: Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are among the most common mammals in North America and are important reservoirs of several human pathogens, including Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV). SNV can establish a life-long apathogenic infection in deer mice, which can shed virus in excrement for transmission to humans. Patients that die from hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) have been found to express several proinflammatory cytokines, including lymphotoxin (LT), in the lungs.

Radiology nursing.

Radiology nursing is a relatively new field in which nurses can use multiple skills in caring for adult and pediatric patients. The authors present an overview of the role nurses play in interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and mammography. In addition, information about the professional affiliations and certification in the American Radiological Nurses Association is provided.

Puccinia acroptili on Russian Knapweed in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.

Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (Russian knapweed) is a long-lived perennial weed from central Asia that is widely distributed in the western United States (U.

High-risk stress fractures: pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment.

High-risk stress fractures require precise assessment and treatment because of their propensity for delayed union, nonunion, or complete fracture and their resulting disabling complications. Proper diagnosis necessitates a thorough clinical evaluation, centering on the patient's diet and history, particularly the training regimen. For a definitive diagnosis, plain radiography, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imagery (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) are helpful, and each plays a specific role.

Pyrotechnic reaction residue particle analysis.

Pyrotechnic reaction residue particle (PRRP) production, sampling and analysis are all very similar to that for primer gunshot residue. In both cases, the preferred method of analysis uses scanning electron microscopy to locate suspect particles and then uses energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to characterize the particle's constituent chemical elements. There are relatively few times when standard micro-analytical chemistry performed on pyrotechnic residues may not provide sufficient information for forensic investigators.

Latex allergies: a review of recognition, evaluation, management, prevention, education, and alternative product use.

Objectives: To provide information about latex allergies; to determine how to recognize, evaluate, and manage emergencies related to latex allergies; and how to identify those at risk for latex allergies. Additionally, ways to prevent latex exposure, to educate health care workers and athletes about latex allergy, and to provide safe alternatives to latex are investigated.

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE and SPORT Discus for the years 1998-2002 using the key words latex, allergies, rubber, anaphylaxis, gloves, cross-reaction, IgE (immunoglobulin G) proteins, and radioallergosorbent test (RAST).

The effect of spirituality on health and healing: a critical review for athletic trainers.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of the published literature regarding the effect of spirituality on health and healing.

Data Sources: I searched MEDLINE from 1976 to 1999 using the terms "spirituality," "religion," "faith," "healing," and "health."

Data Synthesis: Strong scientific evidence suggests that individuals who regularly participate in spiritual worship services or related activities and who feel strongly that spirituality or the presence of a higher being or power are sources of strength and comfort to them are healthier and possess greater healing capabilities.

Quantification of lumbar endurance on a backup lumbar extension dynamometer.

We evaluated the reliability of static and dynamic lumbar muscle endurance measurements on a BackUP lumbar extension dynamometer. Sixteen healthy participants (8 male; 8 female) volunteered for this investigation. Fifty percent of each participant's body weight was calculated to determine the weight load utilized for the static (holding time) and dynamic (repetitions) lumbar extension endurance tests.

Eccentric strain at long muscle length evokes the repeated bout effect.

The repeated bout effect (RBE) is a phenomenon characterized by less delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and torque deficit after the second of 2 separate eccentric exercise bouts. Previous investigators have reported that shifting of optimum angle after an initial bout of eccentric exercise mediates the RBE. We hypothesized that an RBE for elbow extensor exercise occurs after an initial bout performed at long (starting position of 50 degrees to an end position of 130 degrees) but not short (starting position of 0 degrees to an end position of 80 degrees) muscle length because strain at long length evokes a shifting of the optimum angle to a longer length.

Navicular stress fractures in identical twin runners: high-risk fractures require structured treatment.

Tarsal navicular fractures require an accurate and timely diagnosis to prevent costly and disabling complications. Diagnosis requires a thorough clinical evaluation that focuses on the patient's history, particularly his or her training regimen, and diet-as was the case with these 17-year-old girls. Plain radiography, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, MRI, and CT help make a definitive diagnosis.

Generation of competent bone marrow-derived antigen presenting cells from the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus).

Background: Human infections with Sin Nombre virus (SNV) and related New World hantaviruses often lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a sometimes fatal illness. Lungs of patients who die from HCPS exhibit cytokine-producing mononuclear infiltrates and pronounced pulmonary inflammation. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are the principal natural hosts of SNV, in which the virus establishes life-long persistence without conspicuous pathology.

Radiologic technologists and ethical reasoning.

This study examines levels of ethical reasoning in students and practitioners in radiologic technology. Results of quantitative analysis revealed few differences in levels of postconventional ethical reasoning among 3 groups: beginning students, graduating students and practitioners 3 to 5 years postgraduation. There were, however, significant differences in 3 schemas of ethical reasoning based on the new Defining Issues Test (DIT2).

Learning and teaching: the reciprocal link.

Background: Learning and teaching are active processes occurring simultaneously on a continual basis. Within this framework, the learner and the teacher are reliant on each other. Understanding the intricacies of this linkage enhances the teacher's effectiveness in enabling learners to achieve their full potential.

Cloning and characterization of deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) cytokine and chemokine cDNAs.

Background: Sin Nombre virus (SNV) establishes a persistent infection in the deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus. A strong antibody response occurs in response to SNV infection, but the role of the innate immune response is unclear. To address this issue, we have initiated an effort to identify and characterize deer mouse cytokine and chemokine genes.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses.

OBJECTIVE: To present recommendations for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat illnesses and to describe the relevant physiology of thermoregulation. BACKGROUND: Certified athletic trainers evaluate and treat heat-related injuries during athletic activity in "safe" and high-risk environments. While the recognition of heat illness has improved, the subtle signs and symptoms associated with heat illness are often overlooked, resulting in more serious problems for affected athletes.

Sequence and expression analysis of deer mouse interferon-gamma, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor, and lymphotoxin-alpha.

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are the principal host species of Sin Nombre (SN) virus, the primary etiologic agent of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in North America. The disease is a cytokine-mediated immunopathology characterized by pulmonary mononuclear infiltrates without discernible viral pathology. Infected deer mice remain life-long carriers and virus is found in many organs, including the lungs, but without pathology.