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The exotic weeping willow Salix babylonica is compared to the nativeriver redgum Eucalyptus camaldulensis as a modifier of invertebrate habitats in the littoral zone of the River Murray. Net samples indicated minor differences in the composition and diversity of invertebrate assemblages at three willow and three redgum sites. Packs of redgumand willow leaves in mesh bags were used to assess rates of leaf breakdown. Willow leaves (half-life 14--26 days) decomposed more quicklythan redgum leaves (27--50 days), although they were affected more by physical abrasion than biological decomposition. Willow leaves in 2.5-cm mesh bags lost more weight than those in 300 mu m bags, indicating that feeding by invertebrates was also a factor. Microbial activity was the main agent of weight loss in redgum leaves. After 8 weeks'incubation there were distinctive invertebrate assemblages associated with leaf Packs at redgum and willow sites. At redgum sites, but not willow sites, there were different assemblages in willow and redgumpacks. Feeding trials showed that the common atyid shrimp Paratya australiensis preferred microorganism-colonized redgum leaves over colonized willow leaves and fresh leaves, although this may reflect preferences for the associated biofilms. Leaf biofilms at redgum sites hadrelatively high density and diversity of diatoms; redgum leaves generally attracted greater densities of bacteria, and fungi were not prominent on either leaf type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. We take issue with a proposal to irrigate cotton crops from Cooper Creek, as the development would be in sharp contrast to the 'boom-and-bust' character of the local environment. In dryland rivers the flow regime is influenced by aseasonal climatic phenomena like the Southern Oscillation, so that patterns are highly variable and averages are virtually meaningless. Some irrigation developments on dryland rivers have been planned during periods that were unusually wet and, as a result, present levels of water use are not sustainable. 2. Long, dry periods are the norm in dryland rivers. The biota tolerate droughtand respond to occasional floods that may have long-enduring effects(riparian trees, for example, may live for centuries). All are sensitive to the rates of rise and fall and the amplitude, duration and frequency of floods. Where the flood pulse is erratic, as in Cooper Creek, species with opportunistic traits are likely to dominate. Base flows and seasonal variations imposed by irrigation use present a very different physical environment for these species. The plan to tap theCooper headwaters would amplify the impacts because this region is arefuge for flora and fauna. 3. In general, we contend that the Cooper Creek ecosystem could not accommodate a competitor for water that is vital for its own maintenance, and that the irrigation proposal could be rationalized only in the sophistry of short-term economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early reports of COVID-19 in pregnancy described management by caesarean, strict isolation of the neonate and formula feeding. Is this practice justified?, Objective: To estimate the risk of the neonate becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 by mode of delivery, type of infant feeding and mother-infant interaction., Search Strategy: Two biomedical databases were searched between September 2019 and June 2020., Selection Criteria: Case reports or case series of pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19, where neonatal outcomes were reported., Data Collection and Analysis: Data were extracted on mode of delivery, infant infection status, infant feeding and mother-infant interaction. For reported infant infection, a critical analysis was performed to evaluate the likelihood of vertical transmission., Main Results: Forty nine studies included information on mode of delivery and infant infection status for 655 women and 666 neonates. In all, 28/666 (4%) tested positive postnatally. Of babies born vaginally, 8/292 (2.7%) tested positivecompared with 20/374 (5.3%) born by Caesarean. Information on feeding and baby separation were often missing, but of reported breastfed babies 7/148 (4.7%) tested positive compared with 3/56 (5.3%) for reported formula fed ones. Of babies reported as nursed with their mother 4/107 (3.7%) tested positive, compared with 6/46 (13%) for those who were reported as isolated., Conclusions: Neonatal COVID-19 infection is uncommon, rarely symptomatic, and the rate of infection is no greater when the baby is born vaginally, breastfed or remains with the mother., Tweetable Abstract: Risk of neonatal infection with COVID-19 by delivery route, infant feeding and mother-baby interaction., (© 2020 The Authors. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

Objective: To compare the risk of fetal death on the day of childbirth, with the risk of death at other ages, and with the risks of some hazardous activities, on a common scale of risk per day., Design: Review of publicly available data., Setting Uk Sample: Data extracted from the Office of National Statistics and other sources., Methods: Data from the Office of National Statistics and other sources were used to calculate death rates at different ages expressed as rates per day of life. Death rates for different activities were also calculated as risks per day, or risks per activity, as appropriate. All risks were expressed in micromorts, the number of one in a million chances of dying. Figures on life expectancy (LE) were used to compare potential life years lost., Main Outcome Measures: Daily, or unit of activity, risk of dying for different activities compared with the risk of dying on the day of childbirth., Results: The risk of dying on the day of birth (0.43 per 1000, or 430 micromorts) exceeds that of any other average day of life until the 92nd year. It is comparable with other apparently more dangerous activities, such as undergoing major surgery. For comparison, the average risk of non-natural death per day and the increased risk from smoking one cigarette or travelling 200 miles by car are all about 1 micromort., Conclusions: The lifetime risk of death in childbirth is low, but is concentrated in a short period, making being born a high-risk activity. Parents considering interventions to reduce these risks should be made aware of this., (© 2014 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and immune-related cytokines present in periapical lesions. We investigated the expression of cytokines: namely interleukins IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of periapical granulation tissue. The study samples were biopsies from 24 patients with periapical lesions: 12 with periapical granulomas and 12 patients with radicular cysts. Immunohistochemistry was also performed on tonsillar tissue which served as a control. We utilised a set of specific monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal monospecific antibodies to detect cells that expressed the different cytokines within the tissues. We also considered the nature of the periapical immune response by investigation of the T-helper 1 (Th-1) and T-helper 2 (Th-2) lymphocyte subsets using their cytokine profile, i.e., Th-1: IL-2 and IFN-gamma and Th-2: IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6. Only a few cells were weakly positive for the IL-2 protein in each of the tissue sections. Cells that expressed IL-4 or IL-6 were far more numerous than cells that expressed either IL-2 or IFN-gamma. Thus, we demonstrated a greater number of Th-2 cells in periapical lesions. This relative ratio of the T-cell subsets underlines the importance of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms taking place in the diseased tissue manifested by the wide array of IL-10-expressing cells: B cells, T suppressor cells (CD8 (+)) and tissue macrophages. The numbers of inflammatory cells expressing the anti-inflammatory molecules far outnumbered the cells that expressed pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, the downregulation of the inflammatory response and the predominant Th-2 or humoral immune response in periapical periodontitis may be important features that dictate the outcome of the disease process in the periapical lesion.

At a time when there is growing concern about the person-power shortages in occupational therapy, there is a need to address reasons why therapists leave the job market. Two job-related reasons for attrition are burnout and job dissatisfaction. The burnout phenomenon occurs as a result of personnel shortages, high-stress demands on therapists, the severity and complexity of client's problems, and the therapist's own ''worker personality.'' Bureaucratic constraints, limited advancement, issues related to a profession which is made up predominantly of women, lack of autonomy, and type of management and supervision are factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction. Occupational therapy managers can consider the causes of burnout and job dissatisfaction and initiate resources to retain therapists. Managers can increase the job benefits, such as flexible working hours, take steps to reduce stress in the workplace, offer career laddering opportunities, and promote staff development. By identifying the causes for attrition and by addressing those causes, the threat of losing therapists from the work force may be averted. Respondents (n = 106) to a survey of occupational therapy managers indicated that job dissatisfaction, burnout, and attrition of registered occupational therapists were not major problems in their settings. They reported a variety of strategies to reduce job dissatisfaction, burnout, and attrition. When these problems were present, managers cited bureaucratic red tape, lack of opportunity for advancement, and increasing role demands as contributing factors.

Post-operative patients often wake up to a strangers face in recovery. In this article Kathryn Walker describes a change in practice brought about by applying the problem-solving approach which had benefits for both the patients and the nurses.