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Fish populations with broad age distributions are expected to have higher reproductive capacity than age‐truncated populations because of the disproportionate contributions of older fish. Harvest slot limits, an expected means of ameliorating age truncation, are modeled for Tautog Tautoga onitis in an overfished population subunit that is experiencing overfishing. Tautog, currently managed with a 40‐cm minimum size limit (MSL), is a candidate species for slots because it is relatively long‐lived and slow‐growing, with low discard mortality. We evaluated changes in biomass and abundance at age relative to management with the current MSL regulations using a forward population simulation model for four slots: 35–45 cm (small–wide), 38–42 cm (small–narrow), 40–50 cm (large–wide), and 43–47 cm (large‐narrow), inclusive of lower and upper length limits. Angler behavioral responses were evaluated at 0, 10, and 20% noncompliance with the upper slot limit. The biomass and number of fish removed were reduced with harvest slot limit management relative to the MSL, but because the harvest was redirected to smaller fish the reduction in numbers removed was not as large as the reduction in biomass removed. Slot limits broadened the age structure within 10 years by reducing fishing mortality on extant fish. Median spawning stock biomass (SSB) recovered more quickly in three of the slots than with MSL regulation (3–6 years to reach SSB associated with a fishing mortality that yields 30% spawners per recruit as compared to 9 years with MSL management). We concluded that harvest slot limits can broaden age structure and restore biomass in overfished fisheries, but they should be evaluated when managing coastal fisheries as a reduction in biomass removed is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether women waiting to undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF) view adverse outcomes associated with twin pregnancy as more desirable than having no pregnancy at all.Design: Women's preference values for five adverse birth outcomes associated with twin pregnancy were compared with their preference value for treatment failure (TF), i.e. no pregnancy at all.Setting: Aberdeen Fertility Centre, University of Aberdeen, UK.Population: A total of 74 women waiting to undergo IVF.Methods: The standard gamble method was used to elicit women's preference values for giving birth to a child with physical impairments (PI), cognitive impairments (CI), or visual impairments (VI), perinatal death (PD) without a subsequent pregnancy, premature delivery (PremD), and TF (no pregnancy).Main Outcome Measures: Preference values were elicited on a scale where 1 represents giving birth to a healthy child and 0 represents immediate death.Results: The median preference values for having a child with PI, CI, or VI were 0.940, 0.970, and 0.975, respectively. The median values for PremD, PD, and TF were 0.955, 0.725, and 0.815, respectively. Having no child at all was valued significantly lower than having a child with PI, CI, or VI (P < 0.01) but significantly higher than PD (P < 0.01).Conclusions: Some women waiting for IVF treatment view severe child disability outcomes associated with double embryo transfer as being more desirable than having no child at all. Women embarking on IVF may be influenced more strongly by considerations of 'treatment success' rather than future risks to their offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study aimed to evaluate the trends in chlamydia positivity among heterosexual people in Australia from 2007-2011. The study is undertaken through the use of the Victorian Primary Care Network for Sentinel Surveillance among two sexual health clinics in the country. The results of the study show an increasing trend of chlamydia for the said period.

Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) is increasingly being considered as a means to reduce twin pregnancies associated with in vitro fertilisation treatment. However, it is important to consider the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies when considering a change in policy. A review of the literature showed only five studies assessing both costs and consequences of strategies involving eSET compared with double embryo transfer. Several limitations in these studies prevent a definitive conclusion on the cost-effectiveness of eSET being reached. Future economic evaluations need to compare strategies relevant to routine practice, include all relevant costs, measure and value longer term outcomes appropriately, and assess the cost-effectiveness of eSET across different subgroups of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the cumulative costs and consequences of double embryo transfer (DET) or elective single embryo transfer (eSET) in women commencing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment aged 32, 36 and 39 years. Design Microsimulation model. Setting Three assisted reproduction centres in Scotland. Sample A total of 6153 women undergoing treatment at one of three Scottish IVF clinics, between January 1997 and June 2007. Methods A microsimulation model, populated using data inputs derived from a large clinical data set and published literature, was developed to compare the costs and consequences of using eSETor DET over multiple treatment cycles. Main outcome measures Disability-free live births; twin pregnancy rate; women's quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs); health service costs. Results Not only did DET produce a higher cumulative live birth rate compared with eSET for women of all three ages, but also a higher twin pregnancy rate. Compared with eSET, DET ranged from costing an additional £27 356 per extra live birth in women commencing treatment aged 32 years, to costing £15 539 per extra live birth in 39-year-old women. DET cost ∼£28 300 and ∼£20 300 per additional QALY in women commencing treatment aged 32 and 39 years, respectively. Conclusions Considering the high twin pregnancy rate associated with DET, coupled with uncertainty surrounding QALY gains, eSET is likely to be the preferred option for most women aged £36 years. The cost-effectiveness of DET improves with age, and may be considered cost-effective in some groups of older women. The decision may best be considered on a case-by-case basis for women aged 37-39 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the rehabilitation course of combat-injured service members who sustained polytraumatic injuries during the current wars in and around Iraq and Afghanistan. Design: Retrospective descriptive analysis. Setting: Department of Veterans Administration Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs). Participants: One hundred eighty-eight consecutive, acutely combat-injured service members suffering polytraumatic injuries requiring inpatient rehabilitation and being treated at PRCs between October 2001 and January 2006. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Medications prescribed, devices used, injuries and impairment information, and consultative services. Results: Ninety-three percent of the patients had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and more than half of these were incurred secondary to blast explosions. Over half of the patients had infections or surgeries prior to PRC admission that required continued medical attention during their stay. Pain and mental health issues were present in 100% and 39%, respectively, of all patients admitted and added complexity to the brain injury rehabilitation process. Common treatment needs included cognitive-behavioral interventions, pain care, assistive devices, mental health interventions for both patients and their families, and specialty consultations, in particular to ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and neurology. Conclusions: Combat-injured polytrauma patients have complex rehabilitation needs that require a high level of specialized training and skill. Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists treating war injured service members need a high level of expertise in assessment and treatment of co-occurring pain, TBI, and stress disorders. Physiatrists are playing an important role in providing and coordinating the rehabilitation care for individuals with significant polytraumatic war injuries from the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) conflicts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The half‐lives, degradation rates, and metabolite formation patterns of atrazine (6‐chloro‐N2‐ethyl‐N4‐isopropyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine) and metolachlor [2‐chloro‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)‐N‐(2‐methoxy‐1‐methylethyl) acetamide] were determined in an anaerobic wetland soil incubated at 24°C for 112 d. At 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, and 112 d, the soil and water were analyzed for atrazine and metolachlor, and their major metabolites. The soil oxidation–reduction potential reached −200 mV after 14 d. Degradation reaction rates were first‐order for atrazine in anaerobic soil and for metolachlor in the aqueous phase. Zero‐order reaction rates were best fit for atrazine in the aqueous phase and metolachlor in anaerobic soil. In anaerobic soil, the half‐life was 38 d for atrazine and 62 d for metolachlor. In the aqueous phase above the soil, the half‐life was 86 d for atrazine and 40 d for metolachlor. Metabolites detected in the anaerobic soil were hydroxyatrazine and deethylatrazine for atrazine, and relatively small amounts of ethanesulfonic acid and oxanilic acid for metolachlor. Metabolites detected in the aqueous phase above the soil were hydroxyatrazine, deethylatrazine, and deisopropylatrazine for atrazine, and ethanesulfonic acid and oxanilic acid for metolachlor. Concentrations of metabolites in the aqueous phase generally peaked within the first 25 d and then declined. Results indicate that atrazine and metolachlor can degrade under strongly reducing conditions found in wetland soils. Metolachlor metabolites, ethanesulfonic acid, and oxanilic acid are not significantly formed under anaerobic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the prevalence and seventy of gingival overgrowth in renal transplant recipients concomitantly treated with cyclosporin and a calcium channel blocker was associated with functional polymorphisms within the signal sequence of the transforming growth factor-(TGF)β1, gene. Methods: The extent and severity of gingival overgrowth for 164 renal transplant recipients immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A and concomitantly taking a calcium channel blocker since transplant were entered into the study (86 in Manchester, 78 in Belfast). Two biallelic polymorphisms of the TGF-β1 gene were studied at position +869, codon 10 (leucine to proline substitution), and position +915, codan 25 (arginine to proline substitution). Results: Subjects who were homozygous for proline at codon 10 had significantly higher overgrowth scores than those who were heterozygous (P = 0.03) or homozygous for leucine (P = 0.01) Subjects who were heterozygous (arginine/proline) at codon 25 had a significantly higher (P = 0.04) gingival overgrowth score than those who were homozygous for arginine. Logistic regression analysis indicated that for codon 25 independent predictors of severe gingival overgrowth were the heterozygous arginine/proline genotype (P = 0.009) and whether the individual was young (P = 0.05). Conclusions: Polymorphisms in the TGF-β1 gene influence the expression of gingival overgrowth in renal transplant recipients concomitantly treated with cyclosporin and a calcium channel blocker. The polymorphism in the TGF-β1 gene at codon 25 represented an independent genetic determinant of severe gingival overgrowth in the susceptible subjects studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major causes of leg weakness/lameness were investigated in two male commercial broiler flocks. The numbers of dead and lame birds culled from the flocks each day were recorded by the flock managers. Forty-four lame birds and 22 sound birds were examined postmortem during a period of six weeks and the proximal and distal end of each femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus were examined histologically. Attempts were made to isolate bacteria and viruses from the proximal end of each femur. Blood samples were examined for antibodies to chicken anaemia virus (CAV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and species. Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis was identified in the proximal end of the femur of eight of the 44 lame birds, and in the proximal end of the tibiotarsus of a further bird (20.4 per cent). Gram-positive bacteria were present in all the lesions. was recovered from 62.5 per cent of the lesions confirmed by histology. Bacterial chondronecrosis associated with has thus been identified as an important cause of leg weakness in these commercial broilers. Lesions suggestive of the condition were visible macroscopically in only 11.1 per cent of the cases subsequently diagnosed by histology and bone histology is therefore required before a diagnosis can be excluded. Angular limb deformities (13.6 per cent) and spondylolisthesis (11.4 per cent) were the most common macroscopic lesions identified as causes of lameness. The overall incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia was similar in both the lame and sound broilers, but severe lesions were found only in lame birds (4.5 per cent). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Investigate presence of psychiatric morbidity in informal carers using 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and examine which factors best predict psychiatric morbidity. Two-year longitudinal, panel survey of informal supporters of frail elderly subjects, using semi-structured interview schedules. Subjects were those defined as frail after screening stratified random sample of people aged 65 or over. Informal supporters of frail elderly subjects residing in private households or residential or nursing homes in four UK districts. RESPONDENTS: 623 informal supporters of subjects living at home, 129 regular visitors of those in long-term care. 30-item GHQ (cross-sectional analysis). Stepwise multiple regression indicated main predictors of high GHQ scores in key supporters were: subjects had at least three problems of behaviour (b = 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.94); supporters had to alter working hours (b = 1.70, 95% CI 1.15-2.51); supporters were female (b =1.26, 95% CI 1.06-1.50). The following variables predicted low GHQ scores: supporters able to leave subject all day (b = 0.71, 95% CI 0.64-0.80); subjects never wandered (b = 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.99); supporters were 'other relatives' or friends of subject (b = 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.91). For visitors, spouses were most likely to have high GHQ scores (b = 2.46, 95% CI 1.32-4.57). Results suggest the need for greater collaboration between formal and informal care. Little work has been carried out to ascertain which interventions are most effective in alleviating carer stress: a series of randomized controlled trials to determine long-term effectiveness of various interventions for different groups of carers is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The latent phase of labor can vary greatly in duration, and many women are uncertain about when to contact the maternity unit. The aim of this study was to elicit and value women's preferences for some aspects of labor management., Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 1,251 women who had recently given birth to their first child at one of 14 maternity units in Scotland. Discrete choice questions were used to measure women's preferences for five attributes of care: number of visits (assessments) before admission to the labor ward, time spent on the labor ward before delivery, mobility during labor, pain relief required, and mode of delivery. Responses were analyzed for the sample as a whole and for subgroups defined by recent experiences of labor., Results: A total of 730 (58.4%) questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Women expressed a preference for fewer visits before admission, shorter times on the labor ward before delivery, mobility during labor, normal vaginal deliveries, and moderate forms of pain relief (Entonox and opiates). Subgroup analysis suggests that women's preferences for pain relief are influenced by their recent labor experience. The elicited preference values provide a means for estimating the tradeoffs women are willing to make between attributes of labor management., Conclusions: Women appear to dislike being turned away from the labor ward before admission for delivery. Extra visits before admission only appear to be a price worth paying if they result in reductions in the duration of time spent on the labor ward, reductions in the chance of being immobilized in hospital during labor, or a lower chance of requiring an instrumental or operative delivery., (© 2010, Copyright the Authors. Journal compilation © 2010, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)