Diagnosing heart failure.
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Diagnosis, Differential↗
Biomedical subjects
M Petrie
Publications and source records attributed to M Petrie.
The degree of extra-pair paternity increases with genetic variability.
The amount of extra-pair paternity in socially monogamous bird species varies from 0% to 76% extra-pair offspring. The causes of this remarkable interspecific variation are largely unknown, although intraspecific analyses suggest that females seek extra-pair matings to improve the genetic quality of their offspring. If this is a general explanation for the occurrence of extra-pair matings, then proportionally more females should seek to modify the paternity of their clutch when there is more variation among males in their genetic quality. Here we test this prediction in birds and show that interspecific variation in the proportion of extra-pair offspring is positively related to the proportion of polymorphic loci as measured by protein electrophoresis, even when controlling for potentially confounding variables. Genetic variability was also assessed, for sister pairs of species and populations differing significantly in extra-pair paternity, by using random priming, which provides an estimate of genome-wide diversity. We found that genetic diversity was higher in the populations with a higher level of extra-pair paternity. These results suggest that the amount of genetic variability in a population may be an important factor influencing mating patterns.
Animals↗
Variation in mate choice and mating preferences: a review of causes and consequences.
The aim of this review is to consider variation in mating preferences among females. We define mating preferences as the sensory and behavioural properties that influence the propensity of individuals to mate with certain phenotypes. Two properties of mating preferences can be distinguished: (1) "preference functions'-the order with which an individual ranks prospective mates and (2) "choosiness'-the effort an individual is prepared to invest in mate assessment. Patterns of mate choices can be altered by changing the costs of choosiness without altering the preference function. We discuss why it is important to study variation in female mating behaviour and identify five main areas of interest: Variation in mating preferences and costs of choosiness could (1) influence the rate and direction of evolution by sexual selection, (2) provide information about the evolutionary history of female preferences, (3) help explain inter-specific differences in the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics, (4) provide information about the level of benefits gained from mate choice, (5) provide information about the underlying mechanisms of mate choice. Variation in mate choice could be due to variability in preference functions, degree of choosiness, or both, and may arise due to genetic differences, developmental trajectories or proximate environmental factors. We review the evidence for genetic variation from genetic studies of heritability and also from data on the repeatability of mate-choice decisions (which can provide information about the upper limits to heritability). There can be problems in interpreting patterns of mate choice in terms of variation in mating preferences and we illustrate two main points. First, some factors can lead to mate choice patterns that mimic heritable variation in preferences and secondly other factors may obscure heritable preferences. These factors are divided into three overlapping classes, environmental, social and the effect of the female phenotype. The environmental factors discussed include predation risk and the costs of sampling; the social factors discussed include the effect of male-male interactions as well as female competition. We review the literature which presents data on how females sample males and discuss the number of cues females use. We conclude that sexual-selection studies have paid far less attention to variation among females than to variation among males, and that there is still much to learn about how females choose males and why different females make different choices. We suggest a number of possible lines for future research.
Animal Communication↗
The need for acute hospitals to provide counselling following motor vehicle accidents.
This paper examines the need for a systematic way of detecting individuals likely to encounter moderate to severe psychological sequelae after being injured in a motor vehicle accident. It presents the findings of assessments of consecutive adult admissions during a six-month period to the Accident and Emergency Department of Royal Melbourne Hospital, a major acute hospital in Melbourne, within two days of being injured in a motor vehicle accident. Seventy of the 250 subjects surveyed completed the General Health Questionnaire 12 and the Impact of Event Scale questionnaire, with 77 per cent found likely to have had a psychiatric disorder. Seventy-four per cent had at least moderate levels of intrusion or avoidance phenomena. Forty-four per cent had severe levels of one or the other. Prevalence of these psychological sequelae was greater than that found in several recent studies on the effects of motor vehicle accidents. A small number (11-15 per cent) sought or received professional counselling within the first three months. This group did not differ, according to levels of intrusion, avoidance, or scores on the GHQ 12, to subjects who did not seek or receive such assistance. Results identify the necessity of investigating and implementing methods of detecting and treating the many who apparently sustain significant psychological sequelae following injury in a motor vehicle accident.
Accidents, Traffic↗
Conditioning of cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia in humans.
This study evaluated whether decrements in peripheral leukocyte counts induced by cyclophosphamide can be conditioned in humans. Ten subjects being treated for multiple sclerosis received four intravenous treatments with cyclophosphamide (unconditioned stimulus) paired with a conditioned stimulus. Subjects received conditioned stimulus plus 10 mg of cyclophosphamide during one of the next two treatments in a double-blind manner. Eight of 10 subjects (P = 0.044) displayed decreased peripheral leukocyte counts following conditioned stimulus. This change may have resulted from classical conditioning processes.
Adult↗
Distribution of chewing lice upon the polygynous peacock Pavo cristatus.
An opportunistic survey of louse distribution upon the peacock Pavo cristatus was undertaken following a cull of 23 birds from an English zoo. After complete skin and feather dissolution, 2 species of lice were retrieved, Goniodes pavonis and Amyrsidea minuta. The distribution of both louse species could be described by a negative binomial model. The significance of this is discussed in relation to transmission dynamics of lice in the atypical avian mating system found in the peacock, which involves no male parental care.
Animals↗
Multiple sclerosis. Sexual dysfunction and its response to medications.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and nature of sexual dysfunction, as well as its response to medications, in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective survey of 65 female and 36 male patients with MS. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of patients reported that they had less sexual activity, and 35% said that they had less interest in lovemaking than before their diagnosis of MS. Fifty-seven patients reported that they had problems with sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction preceded the diagnosis of MS in only 10 of these patients. A higher percentage of men (78%) than women (45%) reported that they experienced sexual dysfunction (P = .002). Men had prominent erectile dysfunction, women had problems with vaginal lubrication, and both sexes had problems with decreased sensation and achieving orgasm. The presence of sexual dysfunction was associated with the presence of urinary problems (P = .02) and with a history of treatment of (P = .04) or a current report of (P = .02) depression. No association could be found between sexual dysfunction and duration of disease, type of disease, disability score, or presence of fatigue. Twenty of 57 patients with sexual dysfunction reported that they had associated marital problems. Forty-three of 60 patients who discussed sexual problems with their spouses and four of six who tried formal counseling found it helpful. Surprisingly, corticosteroid treatments that were started for problems other than sexual dysfunction resulted in improved sexual functioning in many patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with MS. Determining the frequency and nature of problems allows issues of sexual dysfunction to be addressed as part of comprehensive care of patients with MS and suggests treatments that could improve their quality of life.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
A moving experience: reconfiguring a special care unit for Alzheimer's patients.
Eight years after opening, the patient mix on a 64-bed Special Care Unit (SCU) for Alzheimer's residents had become too diverse to allow the intended programming to be carried out. The unit was carefully reconfigured with residents moving within, to, and from the unit. Successful moves typically involve residents in pre-move planning and preparation activities, but since this isn't feasible with dementia patients, extensive planning, training, and preparation of staff substituted for the involvement of residents. The move met its objectives: resident mix and programming are back to the original intent, and quality of life has improved. Improved discharge policies maintain homogeneity of resident levels on the unit. The change produced unexpected changes, and staff, particularly the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), had to make immediate adjustments. Greater CNA involvement is recommended.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Late ventricular dysrhythmias after myocardial infarction.
Serious ventricular dysrhythmias occurred in hospital after discharge from a coronary intensive care unit in 11 out of 142 patients with myocardial infarction. Previous rhythm changes, hypotension, and left ventricular failure were common findings; only one of these patients had an uneventful previous course. Four patients were resuscitated and left hospital; six were resuscitated but died at varying periods up to eight days after the event; one patient could not be resuscitated. Recent coronary occlusion or further myocardial infarction was demonstrated in 7 of these 11 patients and presumably accounted for the dysrhythmia.
Adult↗
How one society planned a program.
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Dental Assistants↗