Villagers who inhabit these valleys are ethnic Tibetans living a

Villagers who inhabit these valleys are ethnic Tibetans living a subsistence way of life, which is considerably affected by poverty and poor health. The Burnet Institute had conducted a qualitative baseline study for an AusAID-funded primary health care project in the rural villages of Shigatse Municipality and found musculoskeletal pain was a commonly reported problem. The study reported in this paper was in response to that baseline study. Our specific research questions were:

1. What is the point prevalence and 12-month prevalence of lower limb pain in the rural villages of Shigatse Municipality? One of the authors (DH) and a Tibetan translator with sound medical knowledge initially visited three rural villages and conducted interviews, focus group discussions, and observation walks to obtain an overview of the likely extent and contributing learn more factors of lower limb pain in these communities. Using this information, a modified version

of the World Health Organisation and International League Against Rheumatism Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Disease questionnaire was prepared with a small team of Tibetan language and health check details advisors (Manahan et al 1985). Prior to it being finalised, the questionnaire was pre-tested and amended through translation into Tibetan, back translation into English, and piloting in two further villages. A modified version of the two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select 499 people from 19 rural villages. The cluster method was developed by the World Health Organisation in 1978 and is a cost-effective

approach to sampling in low-income countries. Clusters are selected based on probability proportionate to the size of their population. A design effect is applied to the required sample size calculation to improve precision (Henderson and Sundaresan 1982). In each village, a meeting was held with the village leader to explain the purpose of the visit and request permission to conduct the survey. The geographic centre of the village was identified and the village divided into quadrants. The village health worker selected the quadrant from which Florfenicol data were to be collected by spinning a bottle on a flat piece of ground. Households within the quadrant were numbered and the numbers placed into a hat. The health worker then randomly selected the first household to be interviewed. Once interviews within a household were complete, the next nearest household within the quadrant was selected. If an eligible person was not home, or the household had no one at home, the investigators revisited the household later in the day in an attempt to conduct the interview. Within each house, one of the authors (DH) with the assistance of a local translator outlined the purpose of the research and explained that participation was voluntary.

They can be cultivated under extreme pH conditions and these spec

They can be cultivated under extreme pH conditions and these species produce extracellular enzymes that are resistant to high pH and/or high

temperature conditions. 1 and 2 Since enzymes produced by alkalophiles are active in the alkaline pH range, they are found to be most suitable in detergent formulations. The search for new species of microbes having the ability to produce industrially important enzymes with novel properties is a continuous process. The aim of this study was to search for alkalophilic bacteria having the ability to produce two industrially important alkaline enzymes viz. alkaline protease and alkaline amylase. Looking to the increased demand of alkaline protease and alkaline amylase 3, 4 and 5 in detergent industry and in treatment of alkaline wastes, studies on the cost effective production of these enzymes learn more is essential. Multiple enzymes produced from a single organism can be a useful step in this direction. 6 The work undertaken deals with the concomitant production of alkaline protease and alkaline amylase by an alkalophilic bacterium viz. Bacillus agaradhaerens. This study focuses on phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis performed in order to establish the taxonomic position of the isolated strain of B. agaradhaerens. Alkalophilic bacteria were screened by enrichment culture technique from click here diverse samples collected in and around the

city of Indore of Madhya Pradesh, India. These samples included soil, sewage and industrial effluents. The samples were inoculated in Horikoshi’s broth medium7 I, pH 10.0, containing (g %) glucose; 1.0, peptone; 0.5, yeast extract; 0.5, KH2PO4; 0.1, MgSO4; 0.02, Na2CO3 1.0 (separately sterilized), distilled water 100.0 ml, followed by isolation on Horikoshi’s agar medium also I (pH 10.0). Single colonies that developed after 48 h of incubation at 30 °C were isolated. The same medium was used for maintenance of the strains. The alkalophilic/alkalotolerant nature of isolates was determined by growing each isolate on

Horikoshi’s M-I (pH 7.0) agar medium and incubating at 30 °C for 24 h. Individual bacterial colonies obtained on Horikoshi’s M-I (pH 10.0) agar plates were evaluated for their proteolytic ability by measuring the zone of casein hydrolysis on milk agar medium, pH 10.0, containing (g %) peptone; 1.0, meat extract; 0.5, NaCl; 0.5, Na2CO3; 1.0, distilled water; 100.0 ml, agar; 2.0. Separately sterilized 10% skimmed milk and Na2CO3 were added to the sterilized nutrient agar base, cooled up to 45 °C. Likewise the amylolytic activity of the alkalophilic isolates was evaluated by measuring the zone of starch hydrolysis on starch agar medium, pH 10.0, containing (g %) starch; 2.0, peptone; 0.5, yeast extract; 0.1, KH2PO4; 0.2, MgSO4; 0.02, Na2CO3; 1.0, agar; 2.0, distilled water; 100.0 ml Na2CO3 was sterilized separately and mixed.

The sample is a representation of the NP microbiome, which contai

The sample is a representation of the NP microbiome, which contains numerous bacterial species [67] and may include close relatives of pneumococci such as

S. pseudopneumoniae, Streptococcus mitis and other streptococcal species that also inhabit this niche [68]. The ideal method for non-culture identification in NP swabs should unequivocally detect the pneumococcus with high sensitivity and specificity; it should also be rapid, easy to perform, inexpensive, and deployable on a large scale. In the last decade, several non-culture methods aiming to detect pneumococci in biological samples have been developed including PCR-based strategies targeting specific DNA markers such as rpoA [69], sodA [70], tuf [71], recA [72], check details piaA [73], Spn9802 [74], ply [75], a 181-bp pneumococcal-specific fragment [76], 16S-rDNA [77], CFTR modulator psaA [78], and lytA [79], [80] and [81]. For many of these methods specificity problems have been detected [64], [65], [82] and [83]. For others, there has been insufficient validation against diverse collections of close relatives of pneumococci. In addition, there is an increasing body of more sophisticated

methods that, although promising, may not be easily applied in routine analysis of NP samples [84], [85], [86] and [87]. While there is currently no gold standard method for non-culture identification of pneumococci from NP swabs [63], [88] and [89], the lytA real-time PCR assay described by Carvalho et al. [81] is widely used and appears to be species-specific. However, given the capacity of pneumococci to exchange genes with other oral streptococci [88] and [90] a multilocus approach such as used in multilocus sequence typing (MLST), microarray or whole genome-sequencing may prove valuable [64], [91] and [92].

Culture should remain the gold standard for detection of pneumococci in NP swab samples. Investigators may wish to complement culture detection with a non-culture technique; the method we currently recommend is lytA real-time PCR [81]. A systematic laboratory validation of non-culture methods against large collections of nasopharyngeal and non-classical isolates is needed to guide future recommendations. Studies that are designed to determine the clinical else relevance of pneumococcal culture-negative but DNA-positive samples are needed. The current standard method for serotyping of pneumococcal isolates is the capsular reaction/swelling test (Quellung reaction or Neufeld test) [1]. The traditional method described by Lund [93], Austrian [94] and the Statens Serum Institut [95] using ×100 magnification with oil immersion, is still widely used in Europe and North America. In Australia and Papua New Guinea, the ‘dry’ method using ×40 magnification without oil [96] has been in use since at least the 1970s (M. Gratten, personal communication).

Mice were returned to normal water for a further two weeks follow

Mice were returned to normal water for a further two weeks following the cessation of treatment, to flush any residual in vivo antibiotics inhibiting bacterial culture. At the end of each treatment regimen, bacterial burden in the individual organs/tissues was determined as described previously; with the inclusion

of the liver as an additional potential reservoir of bacilli. Fig. 2A shows that 1 month of treatment was sufficient to clear residual bacilli from the spleen; but a further 2 months of treatment were required to consistently clear persistent BCG from the d.LNs in all animals. The pre-treatment burdens observed in both the spleen and d.LNs were equivalent to previous experiments buy Ruxolitinib (Fig. 2A cf. Fig. 1A). BCG in lungs and liver were undetectable in this experiment. As further experiments were critically dependant on consistent efficacy of treatment, a further experiment included

vaccinated mice given an additional 3 months rest after cessation of 3 months treatment. In contrast to immunised, untreated mice (which had a burden of 2.7 log10 CFU (±0.6) in the d.LNs ∼7.5 months p.i.), no viable BCG were detected in the treatment group (Fig. 2B) confirming the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment. To evaluate the effect of persistent BCG bacilli on specific IFN-γ responses, groups of mice were immunized with BCG or placebo control for 6 weeks, prior to treatment with antibiotics or placebo for 3 months. To ensure that: (a) analyses were

not influenced see more by short-lived effector T cell responses; and (b) BCG bacilli were effectively cleared, animals were not rested for 3 months after treatment. The frequency of BCG-specific IFN-γ secreting cells in the spleen was then evaluated by ex vivo ELISPOT stimulated with the defined protein cocktail. Fig. 2C shows that the significant IFN-γ response induced by BCG immunization (613 SFU/million cells) was completely abrogated in BCG abbreviated animals (p < 0.001). These data clearly demonstrate that, the persisting IFN-γ responses observed in BCG immunized animals were due to persistent BCG bacilli, rather than long-term memory. To further investigate whether this ablation of the IFN-γ responses (ELISPOT) in BCG abbreviated mice was specific to CD4 T cells and of what memory phenotype, the CD4 T cell responses specific to BCG in spleen and lung were assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) after stimulation with defined protein cocktail (Fig. 3). Fig. 3A shows BCG immunization induces significant populations of multifunctional CD4 T cells (IFN-γ+/IL-2+/TNF-α+, IFN-γ+/TNF-α+ and IL-2+/TNF-α+), in both spleen and lung-derived cells, with frequencies considerably higher in the lungs as reported previously [9]. ICS performed on d.LN samples of BCG immunized mice in previous experiments were unable to detect significant populations of cytokine producing cells (data not shown), and so were not performed here.

Projected finishing days were re-assessed by feedlot personnel du

Projected finishing days were re-assessed by feedlot personnel during the study and determined to be 14 days earlier than expected. Resulting end-dates for study blocks ranged between June 20 and August 3, 2011; thus, days on study ranged between 84 and 88 (mean = 86.6 days) across blocks. Sampling began CB-839 order approximately five weeks prior to projected study-end for each block, resulting in samples collected (for four consecutive weeks) between study days 52–56 (week one), 59–63 (week two), 66–70 (week three), and 73–77 (week four). From 4800

total samples, 1522 (31.7%) were positive for E. coli O157:H7 and 169 (3.5%) were considered high shedders; percentages by week of sampling are provided in Fig. 1. Isolates considered E. coli O157:H7 were positive for the rfbE (100%), eae (99.8%), stx1 (66.2%), stx2 (99.5%), hlyA (99.7%), and fliC (99.8%) genes. Escherichia coli O157:H7 click here were isolated at least once from all pens (100%) and 34 pens (85%) had at least one high shedder. Within pens, unadjusted cumulative prevalence of shedding (across sampling times) ranged between 1.7% and 66.7% and high shedder prevalence ranged between 0% and 12.5%. Analysis of within-pen prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 shedding data indicated no significant two- or three-way interactions among treatments and time of sampling. There also was no significant main effect of DFM ( Table 1). However, a main

effect of VAC was apparent, such that VAC decreased prevalence of fecal shedding ( Table 2). Fig. 2 illustrates estimated efficacy (53.0%) of vaccination for reducing fecal prevalence of

E. coli O157:H7 and means for the contrast between vaccinated and non-vaccinated pens (P < 0.01). A main effect of sampling time on fecal shedding was also apparent (P = 0.02), whereby mean prevalence on sampling week two differed from prevalence on week four; no other week-to-week differences were detected. Means (SEM) were 24.6% (5.07), 20.7% (4.53), 27.2% (5.39) and 32.4% (5.92) for sampling weeks one through four, respectively. Regarding high shedder prevalence, results indicated until no significant two- or three-way interactions among treatments and time of sampling, and no significant main effects of DFM (Table 1) or sampling week. However, a significant effect of VAC was identified, whereby vaccination decreased the prevalence of high shedders (Table 2). Fig. 2 illustrates the difference in means for vaccinated and non-vaccinated pens (P < 0.01) and the estimated vaccine efficacy (77.3%) for reducing prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 high shedders. Effects of treatment were apparent on both ADG and F:G, but there were no significant interactions between VAC and DFM. For ADG, there was no significant DFM effect (Table 1), but the VAC effect was significant (Table 2). For F:G, effects of DFM (Table 1) and VAC (Table 2) were both statistically significant.

40 The antihyperglycemic effect of Mengkudu fruits may be

40 The antihyperglycemic effect of Mengkudu fruits may be

due to stimulatory effect on the remnant β-cells to secrete more insulin or from regenerated β-cells. This was evidently demonstrated by the increased level of insulin and C-peptide in diabetic groups of rats treated with MFE. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the clinical marker of chronic glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.41 Persistent hyperglycemia leads to the glycosylation of amino groups of lysine residue in proteins.42 This condition favors reduction in the level of total hemoglobin and elevation in glycosylated hemoglobin, which in turn directly proportional to blood glucose.43 Diabetic rats showed higher levels of glycosylated hemoglobin indicating their poor Quisinostat in vitro glycemic control. The Mengkudu treatment

to diabetic rats significantly reduced the HbA1c levels signifying the ameliorative potential of the fruit extract during hyperglycemia. In the present study, it has been observed that the STZ induced diabetic rats exhibited significantly decreased levels of circulating insulin and C-peptide. The anti-diabetic efficacy of MFE was associated with an escalation in plasma insulin and C-peptide levels, hypothesizing an insulin stimulative activity of the MFE. The increased level of insulin and C-peptide in the present study indicates that MFE stimulates insulin Bioactive Compound Library secretion from the remnant and from regenerated β-cells. Liver plays a central role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis.44 The uncontrolled hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and decreased utilization of glucose by the tissues are the fundamental factors contributing to a condition termed as hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.45 Hyperglycemic status occurs due to the lack of suppression of hepatic glucose production in the absorptive state and excessive glucose production in the post absorptive state. The enzymes that are involved in the regulation of hepatic glucose production are

potential targets for controlling the glucose homeostasis in diabetes. Hence the current study was concentrated in assessing the activities of hepatic key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in STZ induced diabetic rats. Hexokinase is a major regulatory Edoxaban enzyme involved in the oxidation of glucose. Since it is an insulin-dependent enzyme, the hepatic hexokinase activity in diabetic rats is almost entirely inhibited or inactivated due to the absence of insulin.46 This impairment results in a marked decline in the rate of glucose oxidation via glycolysis, which ultimately leads to hyperglycemia. The markedly decreased level of insulin observed in the STZ induced diabetic animals ultimately leads to the impairment in the activity of hexokinase, since insulin deficiency is a clinical imprint of diabetes.47 Oral administration of MFE to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats resulted in a notable reversal in the activity of hexokinase.

The burden of cervical cancer in Australia is about three times h

The burden of cervical cancer in Australia is about three times higher than that of oropharyngeal cancer (http://www.aihw.gov.au/cancer/data/datacubes/index.cfm).

However, the proportion of HPV-positive cancers potentially preventable in the oropharynx is higher than in the cervix since about 70% of cancers worldwide are caused by types 16 and 18 [11]. Data from different regions are needed to help inform current debates on whether HPV vaccination programmes should be extended to males. Published Australian data on HPV in head and neck cancer are limited to our earlier studies showing an HPV-positivity rate of 46% in tonsillar cancer [6] and [12]. We have determined the HPV-positivity rate and type distribution in a large Australian series of oropharyngeal cancers and used these data, and Australian cancer incidence data to quantify the burden of oropharyngeal cancer in males induced by HPV types targeted by the vaccine. Cancer incidence Alectinib nmr data were obtained from the National Cancer Statistics Clearing House database of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (www.aihw.gov.au/cancer/data/datacubes/index.cfm), which incorporates data from the eight Australian state and territory cancer registries. Combining the base of tongue (C01),

tonsil (C09) and other sites within the oropharynx (C10)—there were, on average, 367 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer per year in males 2001–2005 (age-standardised incidence rate 3.7 per 100,000 males) and 107 new cases in females (age-standardised incidence Oxygenase DNA Synthesis inhibitor rate 1.04 per 100,000 females). Among new cases in males, 184 were in the tonsil (age-standardised incidence rate 1.85 per 100,000 males), 130 in the base of tongue (age-standardised incidence rate 1.31 per 100,000 males) and 53 at other sites (age-standardised incidence rate 0.54 per 100,000 males). The study cohort comprised 302 patients with primary AJCC Stage 1–4 oropharyngeal SCC treated at Sydney hospitals, Australia between 1987 and 2006; 228 were treated at The Royal Prince

Alfred Hospital, a tertiary referral centre for metropolitan and rural NSW. The study was approved by Sydney South West Area Health Service Ethics committees (Protocols X05-0308, CH62/6/2006-041, 2006/055). The oropharynx is defined as lateral wall (palatine tonsil, tonsillar fossa and tonsillar pillars), base of tongue, vallecula, soft palate, uvula, and posterior wall. Patient selection was based on the availability of tumour and clinicopathological data. Data were retrieved from the Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute and Department of Radiation Oncology databases. Patient characteristics are summarised in Table 1. An HPV-positive tumour was defined as one testing positive for both HPV DNA and p16 to ensure virus causality [13]. Presence and type of HPV DNA were determined on two to six 4–5 μm sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour using an HPV E6-based multiplex real-time PCR assay (MT-PCR) modified from Stanley and Szewczuk [14].

While increasing immunization coverage is a complex structural an

While increasing immunization coverage is a complex structural and behavioral process, financial incentives may improve routine immunization coverage in developing countries. Food/medicine coupon incentives increased immunization coverage in our low-income communities. Governments could use the strategy of economic incentives to target the poorest areas that have constantly Panobinostat shown slow progress despite continuous efforts. The authors would like to thank Ismat Lotia for her assistance in data management and Waseem Akbar for ensuring the smooth running of the study. “
“High

risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) have been proved to be the etiologic agents of cervical cancer [1], which ranks as the second most frequent cancer in women all over the world. Among all HPV types, HPV 16 and HPV 18 are two of the most prevalent types in cervical cancer worldwide. However, the distribution of other HPV types varies in different regions. In Asia, HPV 58 is the third most prevalent type in cervical cancer [2], especially in China, where the prevalence of HPV 58 is as high as 7.2% [3]. Besides, in South America and Oceania, the prevalence

of HPV 58 in high-grade lesions patients are 8.4% and 10.4%, respectively, which makes HPV58 as the second most prevalent type in those patients [4]. HPV58 is also the second most common type in both high-grade lesions and low-grade lesions in Central America Idelalisib nmr and Asia [2] and [4]. The major capsid protein (L1) of HPV can self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs) [5] and [6]. L1 VLPs are highly immunogenic and are considered to be an ideal candidate for prophylactic vaccines. However, the neutralizing antibodies induced by L1 VLPs are predominantly type specific with the exception of the closely related types (about 85% L1 amino acid identity) which have weak cross-reactivities [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12] and [13]. Furthermore, vaccination with VLPs or virions derived from one animal Papillomavirus type does not protect against experimental infections from different animal types [14], [15] and [16]. Currently licensed HPV 16/18/6/11 quadrivalent

and HPV 16/18 bivalent HPV L1 VLPs vaccines contained two most prevalent types in cervical either cancer (HPV 16 and 18). The clinical trials of HPV 16/18 bivalent vaccine showed that this vaccine could partially protect against incident infection with HPV 45 and 31, but the vaccine efficacy against HPV 58 was very low [17] and [18]. Analysis of HPV 16/18/6/11 quadrivalent vaccine showed that it only had a 27% efficacy in preventing CIN 1–3 associated with nonvaccine types [19]. Thus, it is of great importance to develop prophylactic vaccines containing HPV 58 to meet the demands of HPV 58 prevalent regions. Many reports demonstrated that immunization with multiple antigens could induce immune interference [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28] and [29].

A sterilized loop was dipped into the suspension of desired organ

A sterilized loop was dipped into the suspension of desired organism and was streaked on the surface selleck of solidified agar plate. The plates were then incubated for 24–48 h to get the individual colonies. Bacteria grows on the surface nutrient agar, and is clearly visible as small colonies. Thermal soil samples were inoculated in anaerobic liquid basal medium consisting of (g/l): NH4Cl 0.5, Yeast extract 5, K2HPO4 0.25, KCl 0.002, MgCl26H2O 0.125, NH4CO3 0.4, Peptone 1, NH4H2PO4 0.4, NaH2PO4 0.5. Trace element 1 ml, vitamin solution 1 ml.20 Sucrose (10 g/l)

was used as a carbon and energy source. All the culture bottles were incubated at 70 °C for 3 days and sub cultured after 3 days of incubation. All the sub cultures and diluted cultures were incubated at 70 °C under atmospheric pressure. Cells were observed under a light microscope and pure isolate was routinely cultivated in anaerobic liquid basal medium. Morphological characteristics were investigated. Gram staining was performed to confirm the gram reaction and spore position. Motility was determined by hanging drop method.19 All isolates were evaluated by conventional tests for catalase, oxidase, indole, urease, methyl red, voges-proskauer, citrate utilization, triple sugar click here iron, starch hydrolysis, hydrogen sulphide and oxidative

fermentative carbohydrate utilization.19 Genomic DNA was extracted from the isolate using Pure Fast® Bacterial Genomic DNA isolation kit. 1 μL of genomic DNA was used as template and amplified by PCR using Master Mix Gene kit (HELINI biomolecules Chennai, India) with the aid

of 16S rDNA primers (16S Forward Primer: 5-AGAGTRTGATCMTYGCTWAC-3 16S Reverse Primer: 5-CGYTAMCTTWTTACGRCT-3) with only the programme consisted of denaturation at 94 °C for 1 min and subsequent 35 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 30 sec, annealing at 60 °C for 1 min, and extension at 72 °C for 1 min followed by final extension at 72 °C for 5 min. Amplified product was sequenced using the Dye Deoxy Terminator Cycle sequencing kit (HELINI biomolecules Chennai, India) as directed in the manufacturer’s protocol. The nucleotide sequencing of 16S rRNA gene of the isolate was compared with other related sequences using FASTA programme. Further, the nucleotide sequences of the isolate was aligned with closely related sequence using CLUSTAL W mega version-5. The hydrogen production by P. stutzeri was analysed for the synthetic sources selected i.e. starch and sucrose. In order to find the effect of starch and sucrose, these sugars were taken 7.5 g in 1500 ml, 5.0 g in 1000 ml, 3.75 g in 750 ml, 2.5 g in 500 ml. Similarly, the amount of hydrogen produced by utilizing the mango juice effluent was also studied. For this study 1500 ml, 1000 ml, 750 ml and 500 ml mango juice effluent (waste water) were used. Mango juice effluent was collected from the Maaza juice production unit located at Krishnagiri, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

The topics generally flowed well and were presented in

The topics generally flowed well and were presented in NLG919 clinical trial a fairly logical sequence. There were also points at which you could follow links to more detailed information on a given topic, which were done well without detracting from the basic content. Given that the primary aim of the course was to build knowledge to advise people with type II diabetes regarding exercise, Module 3 was rather brief (although reasonably clear) regarding

actual exercise prescription. Much of the module was devoted to barriers to exercise and behaviour change, which are obviously very important in dealing with this patient population. However, this was at the expense of greater focus on the main aim of the course. This section would also be improved by providing printer-friendly summaries to further reinforce the course content or to use in teaching and clinical practice. Overall, the course was certainly worthwhile, interesting, and well presented. It would be greatly improved by streamlining the registration and enrolment process, and by providing printable CT99021 ic50 summaries for each section. I certainly came away with a vastly improved

knowledge of the topic, and with a number of useful tools and resources for further learning in the area. “
“The Editorial Board of Journal of Physiotherapy endeavours to publish an informative journal featuring scientifically rigorous research with clear implications for the clinical practice of physiotherapy. We also seek to promote the journal and to acknowledge the contribution of those who support it. In keeping with these aims, the members of the Editorial Board are introducing several changes to the journal. Some changes will facilitate Bumetanide use of the journal by readers. Other changes are most relevant to authors who are considering submitting a manuscript to the journal. The remaining changes

acknowledge the contribution of supporters of the journal. One important change is that the journal has been made available in digitised form from ScienceDirect to institutional subscribers. This will enhance the visibility of existing and future papers in the journal. It will also facilitate use of the journal, by providing such facilities as hyperlinks within the text, automated export of citations, links to articles cited in the paper, links to other related articles and textbooks, and automated emailing of selected articles. Another benefit to readers is the RSS feed facility, which provides timely updates about the journal content that can be read by web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device- based software. The next changes relate to the submission of manuscripts to the journal. Since 2008, the journal has required that trials submitted for publication provide evidence of registration on a publicly accessible register (Askie et al 2006). This policy had produced some benefits.