Prevention of wound sepsis in amputations by peri-operative antibiotic cover with an amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination

In a series of 44 patients with lower limb ischaemia requiring amputation for major limb sepsis, the performance of a new antibiotic combination with Blactamase- inhibiting properties, amoxycillin plus . clavulanic acid (A-CA) (Augmentin; Beecham), was compared with that of penicillin in the prevention of wound infection. The sepsis rate of ·12,9% in the group of patients receiving peri-operative A-CA was significantly lower than the 76,9% in the penicillin control group (x2 = 14,48; P<O,OO1).lt is concluded that there is a need for peri-operative antibiotic cover in this situation and that A-CA appears to be highly effective. No statistical difference was found as regards development of sepsis in wounds closed primarily or left open while under A-CA cover

The Dutch version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2)

The BRIEF-2 (Gioia et al., 2015) is a widely used questionnaire to measure daily behavior related to executive function behaviors in the home and school environment of children between 5 and 18 years old. The current study was conducted to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the BRIEF-2 in a representative Dutch-speaking norm sample. Using methods from classical test theory and network theory, we examined the reliability and validity of the BRIEF-2. The results indicated that the BRIEF-2 can be considered as a valid and reliable questionnaire that provides information on the role of executive function in the child’s and adolescent’s functioning in the home and school environment.</p

Characterization of immune response to neurofilament light in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

PMCID: PMC3856490This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.PMCID: PMC385649

Doelverschuiving binnen toezichthoudende organisaties: typologie en optreden

In dit conceptuele artikel wordt doelverschuiving binnen toezichthoudende organisaties verkend. Onderscheid wordt gemaakt in drie types doelverschuiving, te weten doelverplaatsing, doelversmalling en doelverbreding. Indicaties voor het optreden van elk van deze types binnen toezichthoudende organisaties worden beschreven. Geconcludeerd wordt dat doelverschuiving de doeltreffendheid van toezicht ongemerkt aanzienlijk negatief kan beïnvloeden

Variation in reversal learning by three generalist mesocarnivores

Urbanization imposes novel challenges for wildlife, but also provides new opportunities for exploitation. Generalist species are commonly found in urban habitats, but the cognitive mechanisms facilitating their successful behavioral adaptations and exploitations are largely under-investigated. Cognitive flexibility is thought to enable generalists to be more plastic in their behavior, thereby increasing their adaptability to a variety of environments, including urban habitats. Yet direct measures of cognitive flexibility across urban wildlife are lacking. We used a classic reversal-learning paradigm to investigate the cognitive flexibility of three generalist mesocarnivores commonly found in urban habitats: striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and coyotes (Canis latrans). We developed an automated device and testing protocol that allowed us to administer tests of reversal learning in captivity without extensive training or experimenter involvement. Although most subjects were able to rapidly form and reverse learned associations, we found moderate variation in performance and behavior during trials. Most notably, we observed heightened neophobia and a lack of habituation expressed by coyotes. We discuss the implications of such differences among generalists with regard to urban adaptation and we identify goals for future research. This study is an important step in investigating the relationships between cognition, generalism, and urban adaptation