34 research outputs found
Assessment of alcohol problems using AUDIT in a prison setting: more than an 'aye or no' question
<br>Background: Alcohol problems are a major UK and international public health issue. The prevalence of alcohol
problems is markedly higher among prisoners than the general population. However, studies suggest alcohol
problems among prisoners are under-detected, under-recorded and under-treated. Identifying offenders with
alcohol problems is fundamental to providing high quality healthcare. This paper reports use of the AUDIT
screening tool to assess alcohol problems among prisoners.</br>
<br>Methods: Universal screening was undertaken over ten weeks with all entrants to one male Scottish prison using
the AUDIT standardised screening tool and supplementary contextual questions. The questionnaire was
administered by trained prison officers during routine admission procedures. Overall 259 anonymised completed
questionnaires were analysed.</br>
<br>Results: AUDIT scores showed a high prevalence of alcohol problems with 73% of prisoner scores indicating an
alcohol use disorder (8+), including 36% having scores indicating âpossible dependenceâ (20-40).
AUDIT scores indicating âpossible dependenceâ were most apparent among 18-24 and 40-64 year-olds (40% and
56% respectively). However, individual questions showed important differences, with younger drinkers less likely to
demonstrate habitual and addictive behaviours than the older age group. Disparity between high levels of
harmful/hazardous/dependent drinking and low levels of âtreatmentâ emerged (only 27% of prisoners with scores
indicating âpossible dependenceâ reported being âin treatmentâ).
Self-reported associations between drinking alcohol and the index crime were identified among two-fifths of
respondents, rising to half of those reporting violent crimes.</br>
<br>Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify differing behaviours and needs among prisoners
with high AUDIT score ranges, through additional analysis of individual questions. The study has identified high
prevalence of alcohol use, varied problem behaviours, and links across drinking, crime and recidivism, supporting
the argument for more extensive provision of alcohol-focused interventions in prisons. These should be carefully
targeted based on initial screening and assessment, responsive, and include care pathways linking prisoners to
community services. Finally, findings confirm the value and feasibility of routine use of the AUDIT screening tool in
prison settings, to considerably enhance practice in the detection and understanding of alcohol problems,
improving on current more limited questioning (e.g. âyes or noâ questions).</br>
Delimitation of the genus Margaritopsis (Rubiaceae) in the Asian, Australasian and Pacific region, based on molecular phylogenetic inference and morphology
In the past, the circumscription of the large genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) was difficult, until molecular phylogenetic studies revealed its considerable paraphyly, enabling the delimitation of its major lineages and the grouping of related genera, and most notably the separation of Psychotria and its relatives (former Psychotrieae) into two tribes: Psychotrieae and Palicoureeae. The genus Margaritopsis, which is included in Palicoureeae, encompasses 27 Neotropical species, and in previous studies these have been shown to be close relatives of a group of eight Psychotria species that occur over a large region extending from South-East Asia to tropical South Pacific through Malesia (= the AMP region, defined as including South-East Asia, Malesia, tropical Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, New Caledonia and Polynesia). A molecular phylogenetic study, using one nuclear DNA region (ITS) and four plastid DNA regions (ndhF, rps16, trnH-psbA, trnT-F), is undertaken in order to test the placement of 17 AMP Psychotria species within Palicoureeae. The phylogenetic results show that they form a monophyletic clade (= clade G), which also includes the monotypic Fijian genus Readea and Hodgkinsonia frutescens from Australia. Clade G is embedded in a well-supported grade with five Neotropical representatives of Margaritopsis. A morphological survey based on twenty characters, with the potential to circumscribe generic entities, shows that the monophyly of clade G is supported by a character combination that is similar to species of Neotropical Margaritopsis, confirming their inclusion in this genus. Taxonomic and nomenclatural work on these species is required to formalize nomenclatural implications. Based on the same set of morphological characters, but in absence of molecular data, 28 other Psychotria species from the AMP region were detected as likely candidates for inclusion in Margaritopsis, allowing the estimation of species richness of clade G to be a minimum of 47 species. Within clade G, five well-supported subclades and a Readea lineage are delimited and each of these is generally supported by unique morphological features. Phylogenetic topologies reveal biogeographical patterns, including a main route of dispersal from western to eastern parts of the AMP region, with subsequent dispersals between archipelagos in the region
Ischemia time and liver transplantation, today
The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of ischemia time and other clinical factors on the development of liver allograft primary nonfunction (PNF). We enrolled 531 consecutive liver transplantations from 1998 to 2013, identifying 10 PNF (1.9%). PNF was found to be statistically related to 4 different variables: donor age >60 years (P =.01), female donor gender (P =.01), total ischemia time >10 hours (P =.03) and infusion of more than 30 fresh frozen plasma units during surgery (P =.02). The study focused on the clinical impact of total ischemia time. We grouped total ischemia time into 4 groups (Group 1: 647.5 hours; Group 2: between 7.5 and 10 hours; Group 3: between 10 and 12 hours; Group 4: >12 hours) and 2 groups (assigning a cut-off value of 10 hours): both these grouping systems significantly influenced the development of PNF and 1-year graft survival, with limited impact on long-term survival. We split total ischemia time in a "technical time," "hepatectomy time," and "warm ischemia time." Only the first 2 components were found to be statistically related to PNF development with P =.02 and P =.003, respectively. Further studies should focus on these aspects of PNF
Indirect gene dispersal estimates in ten neotropical tree species correlate well with seed dispersal
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe
Transcriptome data from three endemic Myrtaceae species from New Caledonia displaying contrasting responses to myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) [Data paper]
The myrtle rust disease, caused by the fungus Austropuccinia psidii, infects a wide range of host species within the Myrtaceae family worldwide. Since its first report in 2013 in New Caledonia, it was found on various types of native environments where Myrtaceae are the dominant or codominant species, as well as in several commercial nurseries. It is now considered as a significant threat to ecosystems biodiversity and Myrtaceae-related economy. The use of predictive molecular markers for resistance against myrtle rust is currently the most cost-effective and ecological approach to control the disease. Such an approach for neo Caledonian endemic Myrtaceae species was not possible because of the lack of genomic resources. The recent advancement in new generation sequencing technologies accompanied with relevant bioinformatics tools now provide new research opportunity for work in non-model organism at the transcriptomic level. The present study focuses on transcriptome analysis on three Myrtaceae species endemic to New Caledonia (Arillastrum gummiferum, Syzygium longifolium and Tristaniopsis glauca) that display contrasting responses to the pathogen (non-infected vs infected). Differential gene expression (DGE) and variant calling analysis were conducted on each species. We combined a dual approach by using 1) the annotated reference genome of a related Myrtaceae species (Eucalyptus grandis) and 2) a de novo transcriptomes of each species
Structure and genetic diversity of Ixora margaretae an endangered species. A baseline study for conservation and restoration of natural dry forest of New Caledonia
International audienceThe dry forests of New Caledonia are an excep- tional ecosystem because of their numerous endemic botan- ical species and their highly diversified fauna of insects, mollusks, reptiles and birds. Unfortunately, the area of the dry forests has been significantly reduced, mainly by human activities. Ecological, phenological and genetic analysis of Ixora margaretae, a symbolic species of the sclerophyll forest, has revealed contrasting traits among natural stands. The division of the natural range and then the separation of forest islands has greatly reduced the existing genetic vari- ability of this species. The genetic diversity is strongly structured in genetic clusters which correspond well to spe- cific ecotypes according to the environmental conditions and the forest types. Furthermore, genetic analysis of the reproductive and non-reproductive trees as well the half- sib families obtained by complete protection of mothertrees has revealed substantial genetic drift which has resulted in increased loss of allelic variability. The total consumption of seeds by mainly rats confirms the ob- served absence of natural regeneration. All these results show that measures taken to protect the stands of dry forests will not be enough to maintain sufficient genetic variability of I. margaretae populations in the long term. Assisted regeneration with control of the increase in var- iability will be necessary to maintain the biodiversity of the species. The results obtained for I. margaretae must be confirmed with other symbolic species in order to take the necessary measures for the effective preservation of the dry forests in New Caledoni
Etude d'une ressource à forte valeur ajoutée, le bois de rose de Guyane : variabilité chimique de l'essence, diversité génétique : rapport final
Mines et environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration
International audienceLes substrats ultramafiques â ou terrains miniers â Ă lâorigine du minerai de nickel, couvrent prĂšs du tiers de la Nouvelle-CalĂ©donie, qui se place parmi les premiers producteurs de ce mĂ©tal dans le monde. Mais lâexploitation miniĂšre Ă ciel ouvert nĂ©cessite dâimportants dĂ©capages qui gĂ©nĂšrent des problĂšmes dâĂ©rosion des sols, de dĂ©rĂšglement des dĂ©bits hydriques, de pollution des cours dâeau et de perte de biodiversitĂ©.Ces substrats datant de 37 millions dâannĂ©es portent une flore riche et originale, qui a largement contribuĂ© au classement de la Nouvelle-CalĂ©donie comme un des principaux hotspots de biodiversitĂ© de la planĂšte.Elle comprend environ 2 150 espĂšces vĂ©gĂ©tales dont 82 % sont endĂ©miques. Ces espĂšces sont en outre spĂ©cialisĂ©es, adaptĂ©es Ă des sols trĂšs pauvres en plusieurs Ă©lĂ©ments nutritifs et inversement trĂšs riches en magnĂ©sium, en nickel et en dâautres mĂ©taux. Ces milieux abritent Ă©galement une faune dâune grande diversitĂ©.Ainsi la Nouvelle-CalĂ©donie est confrontĂ©e Ă un double dĂ©fi : celui dâexploiter une ressource miniĂšre considĂ©rable Ă mĂȘme dâassurer au pays un dĂ©veloppement Ă©conomique important, et celui de protĂ©ger cette biodiversitĂ© exceptionnelle au nom des principes fondamentaux Ă©dictĂ©s mondialement. Dans ce contexte, la conservation des milieux abritant la plus grande part de la biodiversitĂ©, ainsi que la restauration des sites dĂ©gradĂ©s par lâexploitation miniĂšre sâimposent comme des nĂ©cessitĂ©s incontournables.Lâouvrage dĂ©crit et illustre tout dâabord la variĂ©tĂ© des substrats ultramafiques, ainsi que la diversitĂ© des Ă©cosystĂšmes et de leurs composantes floristiques, zoologiques et microbiologiques. Le concept de restauration Ă©cologique des sites dĂ©gradĂ©s et les moyens nĂ©cessaires pour sa mise en oeuvre sont ensuite dĂ©veloppĂ©s ; puis les modes de collecte, de germination, de conservation des semences et de production de plants dâespĂšces locales sont dĂ©crits, de mĂȘme que les mĂ©thodes de revĂ©gĂ©talisation. Enfin prĂšs de 100 espĂšces vĂ©gĂ©tales utiles pour la restauration sont prĂ©sentĂ©es.Cet ouvrage est destinĂ© Ă un large public, allant des professionnels du secteur minier (sociĂ©tĂ©s miniĂšres, opĂ©rateurs de la revĂ©gĂ©talisation, bureaux dâĂ©tudeâŠ) aux personnels des collectivitĂ©s impliquĂ©es dans la gestion du patrimoine minier et biologique du pays, ainsi quâaux scientifiques, enseignants, Ă©tudiants, et plus largement Ă toute personne intĂ©ressĂ©e par les terrains miniers et leur gestion environnementale