bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The diversification of Paleozoic fire systems and fluctuations in atmospheric oxygen concentration
Authors: Scott Andrew C. , Glasspool Ian J.
Published: July 2006

By comparing Silurian through end Permian [≈250 million years (Myr)] charcoal abundance with contemporaneous macroecological changes in vegetation and climate we aim to demonstrate that long-term variations in fire occurrence and fire system diversification are related to fluctuations in Late Paleozoic atmospheric oxygen concentration. Charcoal, a proxy for fire, occurs in the fossil record from the Late Silurian (≈420 Myr) to the present. Its presence at any interval in the fossil record is already taken to constrain atmospheric oxygen within the range of 13% to 35% (the “fire window”). Herein, we observe that, as predicted, atmospheric oxygen levels rise from ≈13% in the Late Devonian to ≈30% in the Late Permian so, too, fires progressively occur in an increasing diversity of ecosystems. Sequentially, data of note include: the occurrence of charcoal in the Late Silurian/Early Devonian, indicating the burning of a diminutive, dominantly rhyniophytoid vegetation; an apparent paucity of charcoal in the Middle to Late Devonian that coincides with a predicted atmospheric oxygen low; and the subsequent diversification of fire systems throughout the remainder of the Late Paleozoic. First, fires become widespread during the Early Mississippian, they then become commonplace in mire systems in the Middle Mississippian; in the Pennsylvanian they are first recorded in upland settings and finally, based on coal petrology, become extremely important in many Permian mire settings. These trends conform well to changes in atmospheric oxygen concentration, as predicted by modeling, and indicate oxygen levels are a significant control on long-term fire occurrence.
Migration of tumor cells in 3D matrices is governed by matrix stiffness along with cell-matrix adhesion and proteolysis
Authors: Zaman Muhammad H. , Trapani Linda M. , Sieminski Alisha L. , MacKellar Drew , Gong Haiyan , Kamm Roger D. , Wells Alan , Lauffenburger Douglas A. , Matsudaira Paul
Published: July 2006

Cell migration on 2D surfaces is governed by a balance between counteracting tractile and adhesion forces. Although biochemical factors such as adhesion receptor and ligand concentration and binding, signaling through cell adhesion complexes, and cytoskeletal structure assembly/disassembly have been studied in detail in a 2D context, the critical biochemical and biophysical parameters that affect cell migration in 3D matrices have not been quantitatively investigated. We demonstrate that, in addition to adhesion and tractile forces, matrix stiffness is a key factor that influences cell movement in 3D. Cell migration assays in which Matrigel density, fibronectin concentration, and β1 integrin binding are systematically varied show that at a specific Matrigel density the migration speed of DU-145 human prostate carcinoma cells is a balance between tractile and adhesion forces. However, when biochemical parameters such as matrix ligand and cell integrin receptor levels are held constant, maximal cell movement shifts to matrices exhibiting lesser stiffness. This behavior contradicts current 2D models but is predicted by a recent force-based computational model of cell movement in a 3D matrix. As expected, this 3D motility through an extracellular environment of pore size much smaller than cellular dimensions does depend on proteolytic activity as broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors limit the migration of DU-145 cells and also HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells. Our experimental findings here represent, to our knowledge, discovery of a previously undescribed set of balances of cell and matrix properties that govern the ability of tumor cells to migration in 3D environments.
Contacts and cooperation between cells depend on the hormone ouabain
Authors: Larre Isabel , Ponce Arturo , Fiorentino Rosana , Shoshani Liora , Contreras Rubén G. , Cereijido Marcelino
Published: July 2006

Cell adhesion is a crucial step in proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and metastasis. In previous works we have shown that cell adhesion is modulated by ouabain, a highly specific inhibitor of Na
+
,K
+
-ATPase, recently found to be a hormone. In the present work we pursue the investigation of the effect of ouabain on a special type of cell–cell interaction: the rescue of ouabain-sensitive MDCK cells (W) by ouabain-resistant cells (R). In cultured monolayers of pure W cells, ouabain triggers the “P→A mechanism” (from pump/adhesion) consisting of a cascade of phosphorylations that retrieves adhesion-associated molecules occludin and β-catenin and results in detachment of the cell. When W cells are instead cocultured with R cells, the P→A reaction is blocked, and W cells are rescued. Furthermore, in these R/W cocultures ouabain promotes cell–cell communication by means of gap junctions by specifically enhancing the expression of connexin 32 and addressing this molecule to the plasma membrane. Ouabain also promotes the internalization of the β-subunit of the Na
+
,K
+
-ATPase. These observations open the possibility that the crucial processes mentioned at the beginning would be under the control of the hormone ouabain.
WNK1 and OSR1 regulate the Na
+
, K
+
, 2Cl
−
cotransporter in HeLa cells
Authors: Anselmo Anthony N. , Earnest Svetlana , Chen Wei , Juang Yu-Chi , Kim Sung Chan , Zhao Yingming , Cobb Melanie H.
Published: July 2006

Oxidative stress-responsive kinase (OSR) 1 and sterile20-related, proline-, alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) are Ste20p-related protein kinases that bind to the sodium, potassium, two chloride cotransporter, NKCC. Here we present evidence that the protein kinase with no lysine [K] (WNK) 1 regulates OSR1, SPAK, and NKCC activities. OSR1 exists in a complex with WNK1 in cells, is activated by recombinant WNK1
in vitro
, and is phosphorylated in a WNK1-dependent manner in cells. Depletion of WNK1 from HeLa cells by using small interfering RNA reduces OSR1 kinase activity. In addition, depletion of either WNK1 or OSR1 reduces NKCC activity, indicating that WNK1 and OSR1 are both required for NKCC function. OSR1 and SPAK are likely links between WNK1 and NKCC in a pathway that contributes to volume regulation and blood pressure homeostasis in mammals.
Complete repair of dystrophic skeletal muscle by mesoangioblasts with enhanced migration ability
Authors: Galvez Beatriz G. , Sampaolesi Maurilio , Brunelli Silvia , Covarello Diego , Gavina Manuela , Rossi Barbara , Constantin Gabriela , Torrente Yvan , Cossu Giulio
Published: July 2006

Efficient delivery of cells to target tissues is a major problem in cell therapy. We report that enhancing delivery of mesoangioblasts leads to a complete reconstitution of downstream skeletal muscles in a mouse model of severe muscular dystrophy (α-sarcoglycan ko). Mesoangioblasts, vessel-associated stem cells, were exposed to several cytokines, among which stromal- derived factor (SDF) 1 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α were the most potent in enhancing transmigration in vitro and migration into dystrophic muscle in vivo. Transient expression of α4 integrins or L-selectin also increased several fold migration both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, combined pretreatment with SDF-1 or TNF-α and expression of α4 integrin leads to massive colonization (>50%) followed by reconstitution of >80% of α-sarcoglycan–expressing fibers, with a fivefold increase in efficiency in comparison with control cells. This study defines the requirements for efficient engraftment of mesoangioblasts and offers a new potent tool to optimize future cell therapy protocols for muscular dystrophies.
Transforming growth factor-β employs HMGA2 to elicit epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Thuault Sylvie , Valcourt Ulrich , Petersen Maj , Manfioletti Guidalberto , Heldin Carl-Henrik , Moustakas Aristidis
Published: July 2006

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during embryogenesis, carcinoma invasiveness, and metastasis and can be elicited by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling via intracellular Smad transducers. The molecular mechanisms that control the onset of EMT remain largely unexplored. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) gene is induced by the Smad pathway during EMT. Endogenous HMGA2 mediates EMT by TGF-β, whereas ectopic HMGA2 causes irreversible EMT characterized by severe E-cadherin suppression. HMGA2 provides transcriptional input for the expression control of four known regulators of EMT, the zinc-finger proteins Snail and Slug, the basic helix-loop-helix protein Twist, and inhibitor of differentiation 2. We delineate a pathway that links TGF-β signaling to the control of epithelial differentiation via HMGA2 and a cohort of major regulators of tumor invasiveness and metastasis. This network of signaling/transcription factors that work sequentially to establish EMT suggests that combinatorial detection of these proteins could serve as a new tool for EMT analysis in cancer patients.
The herpesviral Fc receptor fcr-1 down-regulates the NKG2D ligands MULT-1 and H60
Authors: Lenac Tihana , Budt Matthias , Arapovic Jurica , Hasan Milena , Zimmermann Albert , Simic Hrvoje , Krmpotic Astrid , Messerle Martin , Ruzsics Zsolt , Koszinowski Ulrich H. , Hengel Hartmut , Jonjic Stipan
Published: July 2006

Members of the α- and β-subfamily of herpesviridae encode glycoproteins that specifically bind to the Fc part of immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Plasma membrane resident herpesviral Fc receptors seem to prevent virus-specific IgG from activating antibody-dependent effector functions. We show that the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) molecule fcr-1 promotes a rapid down-regulation of NKG2D ligands murine UL16-binding protein like transcript (MULT)-1 and H60 from the cell surface. Deletion of the m138/fcr-1 gene from the MCMV genome attenuates viral replication to natural killer (NK) cell response in an NKG2D-dependent manner in vivo. A distinct N-terminal module within the fcr-1 ectodomain in conjunction with the fcr-1 transmembrane domain was required to dispose MULT-1 to degradation in lysosomes. In contrast, down-modulation of H60 required the complete fcr-1 ectodomain, implying independent modes of fcr-1 interaction with the NKG2D ligands. The results establish a novel viral strategy for down-modulating NK cell responses and highlight the impressive diversity of Fc receptor functions.
The Rules of Engagement: Developing Cross-Border Petroleum Deposits in the North Sea and the Caribbean
Authors: Cameron Peter D
Published: July 2006

The current international law applicable to the cooperative development of petroleum resources imposes few procedural requirements on States. In the event of a failure to agree, they may choose to make further efforts at developing cooperative arrangements, or go ahead independently anddevelop the resource. Recent bilateral agreements in the North Sea and the Caribbean seek to move beyond the cooperation established under bilateral delimitation treaties. They indicate a willingness to design innovative legal frameworks in which different, sometimes diverging interests may be managed. Nonetheless, early experience suggests that, in the event of a breakdown, unilateral action may follow.
Fair Trial Rights and Their Relation to the Death Penalty in Africa
Authors: Chenwi Lilian
Published: July 2006

A fair trial is a basic element of the notion of the rule of law,1and the principles of ‘due process’ and ‘the rule of law’ are fundamental to the protection of human rights.2At the centre of any legal system, therefore, must be a means by which legal rights are asserted and breaches remedied through the process of a fair trial in court, as the law is useless without effective remedies.3The fairness of the legal process has a particular significance in criminal cases, as it protects against human rights abuses. Hence, constitutional due process and elementary justice require that the judicial functions of trial and sentencing be conducted with fundamental fairness, especially where the irreversible sanction of the death penalty is involved.4
Late Justice for Burundi
Authors: Schweiger Romana
Published: July 2006

Burundi, a small State in Eastern Africa, has been suffering a repetitive cycle of interethnic violence since its independence in 1962. Tensions were ongoing, but never reached the scale of the Rwandese massacres of 1994. The Burundian conflict thus received less international attention. Hardly any academic writing exists on human rights violations in Burundi.1 International efforts to counter impunity remained half-hearted.
Religious Dress in Schools: The Serban Controversy in Malaysia
Authors: Thio Li-Ann , Neo Jaclyn Ling-Chen
Published: July 2006

There has been a spate of litigation before constitutional and human rights courts challenging restrictions on wearing religious dress in state schools as an infringement of religious freedom rights.1 These cases implicate deeper constitutional issues pertaining to State-Religion relations, religious pluralism and expressions of religious identity in the public domain of multicultural societies. Within Europe, this problem relates to the issue of integrating immigrants into national society and preserving secular political orders. The European Court of Human Rights in Leyla Sahin v Turkey2 [‘Sahin’] noted that within democratic societies, opinions ‘reasonably differ widely’ on State-Religion relations, reflected in the diversity of national approaches. For example, the 2004 French law banning ostentatious religious symbols from public schools,3 embodying a strict, doctrinaire secularism, contrasts sharply with the more accommodating liberal approach where British schools pragmatically offer students alternative uniforms to satisfy religious dress codes for public modesty. The English Court of Appeal in Shabina Begum v Governors of Denbigh High School4 [‘Begum’] held, in applying the Human Rights Act,5 that the school as a state institution was obliged to consider the claimant's religious rights under Article 9(1) of the European Convention of Human Rights [ECHR], and to justify its school policy under the Article 9(2) limitation clause. The United Kingdom is ‘not a secular state’6 as statute provides for religious education and worship in schools.
The United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts—An Introductory Note
Authors: Faria José Angelo Estrella
Published: July 2006

A technological revolution is transforming society in a profound way. If harnessed and directed properly, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to improve all aspects of our social, economic and cultural life. ICTs can serve as an engine for development in the 21st century, and as an effective instrument to help us achieve all the goals of the Millennium Declaration’ (Kofi Annan )1
I. From UN Commission on Human Rights to UN Human Rights Council: One step forwards or two steps sideways?
Authors: Ghanea Nazila
Published: July 2006

The policy decision to replace the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights (CHR) with a new UN Human Rights Council (HRC) was taken by governments at the September 2005 World Summit and adopted as a General Assembly (GA) resolution on 15 March 2006.1This brought an end to the CHR's chequered 60-year history.2The membership, structure and aims and procedures of the new HRC underwent months of intense discussion between States in the lead up to the adoption of this resolution. The purpose of this note is to explain the various proposals explored in the shaping of the HRC and the extent to which the resolution bringing it into being responded to weaknesses perceived in the CHR. Since almost every reference to the CHR came to be prefaced by the term ‘discredited’ since 2005, the question is to what extent the reasons for the loss of legitimacy in the CHR were actually addressed in the crafting of the new HRC.
III. The Optional Protocol to the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel
Authors: Llewellyn Huw
Published: July 2006

1. The adoption of the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel (‘the Convention’)1 was a response to rising casualties among UN peacekeepers and other personnel as a result of their increasing deployment to dangerous situations following the end of the Cold War. It requires States parties to: prohibit attacks on UN personnel and others associated with UN operations; prosecute or extradite perpetrators of such acts; take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety of such personnel; and promptly release any who are captured or detained.
The ecology of Biomphalaria sudanica in Lake Ziway, Ethiopia
Authors: Erko Berhanu , Balcha Fekede , Kifle Demeke
Published: July 2006

A longitudinal study was made over a period of 24 months from January 2001 to December 2002 in Lake Ziway, Ethiopia, to elucidate factors influencing changes in the population density of Biomphalaria sudanica and to identify seasons of peak transmission of Schistosoma mansoni. Between January 2001 and December 2002, bimonthly visits were made to the lake to collect data on snail population density and schistosome infection in snails, vegetation and lake water level. Water samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons and chemical analyses were made for major cations, anions, electrical conductivity, total hardness and pH using standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. The seasonal fluctuation in the population density of B. sudanica was found to be highly associated with rainfall, water level of the lake and vegetation availability and abundance. Water chemical analysis showed that major cations and anions were all within the range reported for other African freshwaters. Both malacological and meteorological data show that snail population density in Lake Ziway peaks at the end of the long rainy season (June–August), coinciding with a seasonal transmission peak of schistosomiasis.
Coexistence between colorectal cancer/adenoma and coronary artery disease: results from 1382 patients
Authors: CHAN A. O. O. , LAM K. F. , TONG T. , SIU D. C. W. , JIM M. H. , HUI W. M. , LAI K. C. , YUEN M. F. , LAM S. K. , WONG B. C. Y.
Published: July 2006

Background

Common risk factors exist in colorectal neoplasia (cancer or adenoma) and coronary artery disease.

Aim

To investigate in a retrospective study if there is coexistence of the two events in patients ≥50 years.

Methods

Computer data on colonoscopies performed on symptomatic patients, the corresponding medical record and colonic histology in 1997–2000 were retrieved. History of coronary artery disease was recorded. To adjust for the factors of age and sex, bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test for coexistence.

Results

1382 patients were recruited. Colorectal neoplasia and history of coronary artery disease were present in 27% (373) and 12% (167) of patients, respectively. The mean age of patients was older in colorectal neoplasia+ (75 ± 11 vs. 69 ± 13 years, P < 0.0001) and in coronary artery disease+ (79 ± 9 vs. 69 ± 12 years, P < 0.0001) patients. Male was the predominant sex in colorectal neoplasia+: 33% vs. 22% (P < 0.0001), but not in coronary artery disease+ (P = 0.29). Colorectal neoplasia+ patients were more likely to have coronary artery disease+ [21.2% (79/373) vs. 8.8% (89/1098) (P < 0.0001)]. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed strong association between the two events (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.0).

Conclusion

There is strong coexistence of colorectal neoplasia and coronary artery disease, probably due to exposure to common risk factors.
Immunoglobulin A autoantibodies against transglutaminase 2 in the small intestinal mucosa predict forthcoming coeliac disease
Authors: SALMI T. T. , COLLIN P. , JÄRVINEN O. , HAIMILA K. , PARTANEN J. , LAURILA K. , KORPONAY‐SZABO I. R. , HUHTALA H. , REUNALA T. , MÄKI M. , KAUKINEN K.
Published: July 2006

Background

Reliable markers of early developing coeliac diseases are needed. Coeliac autoantibodies in the serum or Marsh I inflammation may be indicators of subsequent coeliac disease.

Aim

To investigate whether determination of intestinal transglutaminase 2‐targeted autoantibody deposits would detect early developing coeliac disease better than previous methods.

Methods

The study investigated patients previously excluded for coeliac disease: 25 had positive serum coeliac autoantibodies (endomysial), 25 antibody‐negative had Marsh I, and 25 antibody‐negative had Marsh 0 finding. Seven (median) years after baseline investigation, new coeliac cases were recorded, and small bowel biopsy was offered to the rest of the patients. Serum and intestinal coeliac autoantibodies and intraepithelial lymphocytes were assessed as indicators of developing coeliac disease.

Results

Seventeen patients had developed coeliac disease: 13 in the autoantibody‐positive group, three in the Marsh I group and one in the Marsh 0 group. At baseline, intestinal coeliac autoantibody deposits had a sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 93% in detecting subsequent coeliac disease, CD3+ 59% and 57%, γδ+ 76% and 60%, and villous tip intraepithelial lymphocytes 88% and 71%, respectively.

Conclusions

Endomysial antibodies with normal histology indicates early developing coeliac disease. Transglutaminase 2‐targeted intestinal autoantibody deposits proved the best predictor of subsequent coeliac disease.
Personal view: crystalloid transfusion in acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage: is it beneficial? An historical perspective
Authors: DUGGAN J. M.
Published: July 2006

The conventional management of acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage mandates early repletion of blood volume with crystalloids and blood, as part of the initial management, where there is evidence of hypovolaemia. Meanwhile there is a major trend towards a restrained use of fluid to raise blood pressure to near normal for the bleeding patient in trauma and similar emergencies. This divergence of view requires analysis.

An Ovid/MEDLINE, Google and extensive literature search focused on the resuscitation and transfusion of bleeding trauma patients was performed. In addition to clear evidence from animal experiments that early restoration of blood volume perpetuates bleeding, there is considerable evidence in humans – both in war and civilian life – that rapid crystalloid infusion is harmful. I also report a personal series of benefit from restricted transfusion in acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in humans.

Given the lack of evidence of benefit for rapid blood volume repletion in acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage, there is need for controlled studies of the most appropriate approach to crystalloid transfusion in acute gastrointestinal bleeding.
Serum levels of soluble CD163 correlate with the inflammatory process in coeliac disease
Authors: DALY A. , WALSH C. , FEIGHERY C. , O'SHEA U. , JACKSON J. , WHELAN A.
Published: July 2006

Backgound

In coeliac disease, following the introduction of a gluten‐free diet, monitoring mucosal disease activity requires repeated small intestinal biopsies. If a test measuring a circulating inflammatory marker was available, this would be clinically valuable.

Aim

To determine if levels of soluble CD163, a scavenger receptor shed by tissue macrophages, correlated with the inflammatory lesion in coeliac disease.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from 131 patients with untreated coeliac disease, 40 patients with treated coeliac disease, 92 non‐coeliac disease control subjects and 131 healthy controls. A capture enzyme linked immunosorbance assay was established to measure levels of soluble CD163 in sera. The extent of the histological lesion in coeliac biopsies was assessed using a Marsh grading system.

Results

Levels of CD163 in untreated coeliac subjects were significantly elevated when compared with the treated coeliac patients, the disease control group and the healthy control subjects (P < 0.0001 in each instance). Moreover, coeliac patients with the most marked histological lesion (Marsh 3) had significantly higher levels of soluble CD163 than patients with Marsh grade 2 lesions (P < 0.0004), with grade 1 lesions (P < 0.0001) and grade 0 lesions (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Measurement of soluble CD163 may be a useful method of monitoring the inflammatory lesion in coeliac disease.
The effects of human CYP2C8 genotype and fluvoxamine on the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone in healthy subjects
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus S. , Damkier Per , Brosen Kim
Published: July 2006

Aims

To determine the effect ofCYP2C8genotype and of fluvoxamine on the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone.

Methods

Twenty‐three healthy subjects with the following genotypes were included in a two‐phase, open‐label, cross‐over trial:CYP2C8*3/ *3(n = 3),CYP2C8*1/ *3(n = 10) andCYP2C8*1/ *1(n = 10). In Phase A, the subjects were given 4 mg rosiglitazone as a single oral dose. In Phase B, the subjects were treated with multiple oral doses of 50 mg fluvoxamine maleate for 3 days prior to the single oral administration of 4 mg rosiglitazone. Plasma concentrations of rosiglitazone and relative amounts ofN‐desmethylrosiglitazone were measured in both phases for 24 h after drug administration.

Results

The pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone andN‐desmethylrosiglitazone were not significantly different between theCYP2C8genotypic groups. Fluvoxamine caused a statistically significant (P = 0.0066) increase in the AUC0–∞of rosiglitazone, with a geometric mean ratio of 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.39]. The elimination half‐life (t1/2) was also significantly higher (P = 0.0203) with a geometric mean ratio of 1.38 [95% CI 1.06–1.79]. The coadministration of fluvoxamine had no influence on the pharmacokinetics ofN‐desmethylrosiglitazone.

Conclusion

The importance of theCYP2C8*3mutation in thein vivometabolism of rosiglitazone could not be confirmed. Fluvoxamine increased the AUC0–∞andt1/2of rosiglitazone moderately and hence may be a weak inhibitor of CYP2C8.
The effect of laparoscopy on the IGF system in patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis
Authors: Bariceviç Ivona , Jones David R. , Malenkoviç Vesna , Nediç Olgica
Published: July 2006

Objective  IGFs and IGF binding proteins in the circulation are subject to modulation by a number of catabolic states including inflammation, trauma and surgery. We sought to determine the impact of laparoscopy on the IGF system in patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis.

Design  The components of the IGF system, cortisol, glucose and insulin concentration in both the serum and urine of patients were compared to those from a healthy group of subjects. An additional comparison was made between pre‐ and post‐laparoscopically assisted patients.

Patients  Thirty patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and 81 matched controls were included in the study.

Measurements  Radioimmunoassays were used to determine the IGF‐I, IGF‐II, insulin and cortisol concentrations. The concentration of IGFBP‐3 was measured using an immunoradiometric assay. The GOD‐PAP method was used to determine the glucose concentration. Gel filtration chromatography was performed to calculate the IGF binary/ternary complex ratio. The amount of sialic acid in IGFBP‐3 was determined by affinity chromatography. The presence of IGFBPs in serum was determined by both immunoblotting and ligandblotting.

Results  The concentrations of circulating IGF‐I, IGF‐II and IGFBP‐3 were significantly reduced in pre‐operative patients compared to healthy subjects. No further reductions were observed post‐laparoscopy. Immunoblotting and ligandblotting demonstrated a decreased amount of IGFBP‐3 in both pre‐ and post‐operative patients compared to healthy subjects. Increased levels of IGFBP‐2 and IGFBP‐1 were observed in pre‐operative patients compared to healthy subjects, but laparoscopy did not cause further elevation. No alteration in the IGF binary/ternary complex ratio was witnessed between any of the study groups. A significant increase in the sialic acid content of IGFBP‐3 was seen in both patient groups when compared to healthy subjects. The level of urinary cortisol was significantly increased in post‐operative patients, whereas the urinary IGF‐I concentration was decreased compared to healthy subjects.

Conclusions  Our results indicate that acute cholecystitis causes several significant changes in the circulating IGF system. Laparoscopy, however, does not aggravate such changes, but elevates urinary cortisol.
Temporal changes in replicated experimental stream fish assemblages: predictable or not?
Authors: MATTHEWS WILLIAMJ. , MARSH‐MATTHEWS E.
Published: July 2006

Summary 1. Natural aquatic communities or habitats cannot be fully replicated in the wild, so little is known about how initially identical communities might change over time, or the extent to which observed changes in community structure are caused by internal factors (such as interspecific interactions or traits of individual species) versus factors external to the local community (such as abiotic disturbances or invasions of new species).

2. We quantified changes in seven initially identical fish assemblages, in habitats that were as similar as possible, in seminatural artificial streams in a 388‐day trial (May 1998 to May 1999), and compared the change to that in fish assemblages in small pools of a natural stream during a year. The experimental design excluded floods, droughts, immigration or emigration. The experimental fish communities diverged significantly in composition and exhibited dissimilar trajectories in multivariate species space. Divergence among the assemblages increased from May through August, but not thereafter.

3. Differences among the experimental assemblages were influenced by differences that developed during the year in algae cover and in potential predation (due to differential survival of sunfish among units).

4. In the natural stream, fish assemblages in small pools changed more than those in the experimental units, suggesting that in natural assemblages external factors exacerbated temporal variation.

5. Our finding that initially identical assemblages, isolated from most external factors, would diverge in the structure of fish assemblages over time suggests a lack of strong internal, deterministic controls in the assemblages, and that idiosyncratic or stochastic components (chance encounters among species; vagaries in changes in the local habitat) even within habitat patches can play an important role in assemblage structure in natural systems.
Essential role of neutrophils in anti‐type II collagen antibody and lipopolysaccharide‐induced arthritis
Authors: Tanaka Daisuke , Kagari Takashi , Doi Hiromi , Shimozato Takaichi
Published: July 2006

In mice arthritis model induced by anti‐type II collagen (CII) antibodies and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), most of cells that infiltrated into the joint space were neutrophils. To investigate the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of arthritis, we depleted the neutrophils in vivo by injection of the antibody against Gr‐1 expressed mainly on neutrophils. The neutrophil depletion completely inhibited the arthritis development. Furthermore, neutrophil depletion in mice that had already developed arthritis ameliorated the disease. These results showed that neutrophils are indispensable not only for the development, but also for the maintenance of arthritis. Next, we tried to develop arthritis in C5‐deficient mice to investigate the involvement of C5a, one of chemotactic factors for neutrophils. C5‐deficient mice showed significant reduction in arthritis development in comparison with wild type mice. Injection of pertussis toxin (Ptx) into the mice, which inhibits the signals from the inhibitory G‐protein coupled‐receptors including the C5a receptor, suppressed the development of arthritis. Furthermore, Ptx also ameliorated the arthritis when injected into mice that had already developed the disease. These results suggest the important role of chemotactic factors involving C5a and inhibitory G‐protein (Gi)‐coupled receptors not only in the development, but also in the maintenance of arthritis.
Patient satisfaction with psychiatric inpatient care
Authors: Kuosmanen Lauri , Hätönen Heli , Jyrkinen Anna Riitta , Katajisto Jouko , Välimäki Maritta
Published: July 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of psychiatric inpatient satisfaction with care in one Finnish psychiatric hospital, and explores the factors associated with satisfaction.

Background.  Patient satisfaction is a central indicator for healthcare quality. Previous literature has shown that psychiatric inpatients are quite satisfied with their care in general, but have reported dissatisfaction in the areas of information access and compulsory care. Changes in the structure of Finnish mental health services due to dehospitalization have increased interest in exploring psychiatric patients’ treatment experiences and general satisfaction.

Method.  Data were collected in inpatient settings using a self‐rating patient satisfaction questionnaire. A total of 316 patients leaving the study units during a 1‐year period (May 2000–April 2001) was recruited. The response rate was 61% (n = 313).

Findings.  In general, patients were quite satisfied with their care. Of seven different satisfaction areas, they were most satisfied with staff–patient relationships, and reported most dissatisfaction in the areas of information, restrictions, compulsory care and ward atmosphere/physical milieu. Younger and female patients were less satisfied with staff–patient relationships than older patients and men. manova (five factors, main effects and two‐way interactions in the model) showed that male patients with occasional symptoms or symptoms persisting for less than a month were more satisfied with staff than were women. Further, when symptoms persisted for a month or up to 1 year or more, women were more satisfied with staff than men.

Conclusion.  General patient satisfaction in psychiatric hospital care was good. However, more innovative methods for improvement in the areas of dissatisfaction need to be developed. Special attention should be paid to collaboration with young adults (18–24 years) and female patients with mental health problems of short duration.
Preparing nurses to prescribe medicines for patients with dermatological conditions
Authors: Courtenay Molly , Carey Nicola , Burke Joanna
Published: July 2006

Background.  From Spring 2006, independent extended nurse prescribers in the United Kingdom will be able to prescribe any licensed medicines except controlled drugs. Supplementary nurse prescribers are currently able to prescribe any medication. No other country in the world has such extended prescribing rights for nurses. Aspects of prescribing viewed positively by nurses include continuity of care, increased satisfaction, and the belief that patients receive improved information about prescriptions. There is some evidence, however, that nurses feel ill‐prepared to prescribe due to poor understanding of pharmacology, physical assessment and diagnosis.

Aim.  This paper reports a study assessing the extent to which independent extended supplementary nurse prescribers feel prepared to prescribe medicines for patients with dermatological conditions.

Methods.  A convenience sample of 1187 qualified independent extended supplementary nurse prescribers was sent a postal questionnaire. A total of 868 completed questionnaires was returned, and 638 of these nurses prescribed medicines for skin conditions. The data were collected in 2005.

Results.  A total of 605 (94·8%) participants used independent extended prescribing and 234 (36·7%) supplementary prescribing. The majority were highly experienced and worked in primary care. In general, their prescribing programme had met their needs when prescribing medicines for patients with dermatological conditions. However, the needs of those who had undertaken a diploma‐level module in dermatology and/or dermatology study days, and those working in both primary and secondary care, were met to a statistically significantly greater extent during the programme than for those nurses without this preparation, or those working in either primary or secondary care.

Conclusion.  Independent extended supplementary prescribing has extended the role that nurses in the United Kingdom are able to play in the management of skin disease. Specialist dermatology training is a prerequisite for nurses adopting this role. Further evaluative work on patient‐focused outcomes, i.e. accessibility and convenience of care, and satisfaction with quality of care, is required.
Cross‐cultural interview studies using interpreters: systematic literature review
Authors: Wallin Anne‐Marie , Ahlström Gerd
Published: July 2006

Aim.  This paper reviews how the interpreter's role is described in empirically based, qualitative cross‐cultural interview studies and how trustworthiness is determined.

Background.  Increased immigration during the past decades has created a multiethnic society in many countries. This development poses a challenge to healthcare staff, in that they need to understand how people from different cultures experience health and illness. One way to assess immigrants’ experiences is through cross‐cultural interview studies, involving an interpreter. Thorough knowledge of the interpreter's role is needed in order to increase the trustworthiness of this kind of nursing research.

Method.  Literature searches were conducted from October to November 2004 using PubMed, CINAHL, Psycinfo, Sociological abstract, Your Journals@ovid, and Eric databases. Qualitative interview studies written in English and performed with an interpreter were included. The Matrix Method was used to review the literature.

Findings.  In almost all of the 13 relevant papers found, the role of the interpreter(s) in the research process was only sparsely described. In addition, all studies except one employed different techniques to established trustworthiness. The most common techniques were prolonged engagement, member check or triangulation, the latter performed either on the data, investigators or methods.

Conclusion.  Methodological issues with respect to interpreters have received only limited attention in cross‐cultural interview studies. Researchers in the field of nursing need to consider (1) the interpreter's role/involvement in the research process; (2) the interpreter's competence and the style of interpreting; (3) the interpreter's impact on the findings. This information is a prerequisite when trying to determine the trustworthiness of a cross‐cultural study.
Vision, leadership and partnership: how to enhance the nursing and midwifery contribution to research and development
Authors: Fitzsimons Donna , McCance Tanya , Armstrong Nicola
Published: July 2006

Aim.  This paper reports an evaluation of nursing and midwifery research and development activity in Northern Ireland.

Background.  Research and development is integral to the quality of patient care. Nurses and midwives have an important contribution to make and, whilst the professional landscape has changed significantly, with improved funding and productivity, there remains much room for improvement. To advance this agenda it is necessary to evaluate progress across the spectrum of research and development activity. The policy literature gives examples of the methods by which this can be achieved, but there is less evidence about evaluation criteria, or the methods by which research and development progress is assessed at organizational, national and international levels.

Method.  A comprehensive analysis of the literature was undertaken to develop a ‘Research and Development Best Practice Framework’. This was then used as the basis for structured interviews with 32 organizational leads for three main stakeholder groups: health and care providers (n = 20), education providers (n = 7) and funders of research and development (n = 5). Data collection was from March to November 2004.

Findings.  Despite general recognition of its value, only a minority of organizations had an up‐to‐date corporate strategy that included nursing and midwifery research and development. There was considerable variability in the systems, support structures, capacity and productivity of nurses and midwives throughout these organizations. In most, no‐one had sole responsibility for leading the professional research and development agenda but, where such leadership was in place, improved outcomes were apparent. Building effective partnerships for research and development and forward planning through developing an organizational strategy were also key indicators of success.

Conclusion.  Our findings confirm progress, but also reinforce the need to develop a clear vision, enhance leadership potential and forge effective partnerships to advance the research and development agenda in nursing and midwifery.
Primary and community care workforce planning and development
Authors: Hurst Keith
Published: July 2006

Aim.  This article reports a study that provided primary and community care managers with information, allowing them to: (a) evaluate the size and mix of their workforce; and (b) develop knowledgeable and skilled teams to meet the demands of growing and changing services.

Background.  Primary and community care services are growing in the United Kingdom, but workforce planning and development, despite their wide‐ranging cost and quality implications, have not received the same attention. Indeed, most primary and community care workforce planning and development issues are universal. Demand 1–1 side workforce planning is concerned not only with the number, but also with staff mix; but how these autonomous and isolated practitioners spend their time is unique. The other side of the equation, workforce supply, raises many recruitment and retention challenges for managers in many countries. Any country's main workforce planning methods apply equally well to primary care, but each is flawed. A second, main problem is that the methods lead to fragmented services, whereas modern workforce planning methods should be multidisciplinary. Consequently, it has never been more important for managers to have data and algorithms to develop appropriate care teams.

Method.  A large and versatile workforce database, profiling 304 English primary care trusts using demographic, socio‐economic, mortality, morbidity, staffing and performance workforce‐related variables, compiled in 2002 and updated yearly, is described. Data were supplemented with a systematic literature review leading to a 340‐item annotated bibliography; and qualitative interviews with managers.

Results.  Workforce size and mix are historical and irrational at best. Moreover, the number of variables that influence staffing is growing, thereby complicating workforce planning.

Conclusion.  Evaluating and adjusting the size and mix of teams using empirically determined community demand and performance variables based on the area's socio‐economic characteristics is feasible.
Response of the herbaceous layer of forest ecosystems to excess nitrogen deposition
Authors: GILLIAM FRANK S.
Published: July 2006

This review brings into focus what is known about the response of the herbaceous layer of forest ecosystems to increasing nitrogen deposition. The emphasis on forests in general is important for two reasons. First, forests often occupy areas receiving high rates of atmospheric deposition of N. Second, compared with herb‐dominated communities, about which much is known regarding response to excess N, forests generally display greater biological and structural complexity. The more specific focus on the herbaceous layer – here defined as all vascular (herbaceous and woody) plants ≤ 1 m in height – is warranted because most of the species diversity of forests occurs in the herb layer.

Most responses of forest ecosystems to N saturation, defined here as ecosystem supply of N exceeding ecosystem demand for N, can be characterized by two complementary hypotheses, each emphasizing different facets of ecosystem structure and function. One focuses on ecosystem processes, such as net primary productivity, whereas the other addresses seasonal patterns of concentrations ofin stream water. Although neither hypothesis considers the effects of chronically elevated N deposition on forest herbs, both share a prediction – a dramatic increase in availability of– that is relevant to forest herb response. Such a shift towardsdominance has important implications for changes in herbaceous layer dynamics. For example, increases in soilpools can increase invasibility by exotic species. Also, because preferential use ofvs.can be highly species‐specific among forest herbs, predominance ofavailability can bring about further changes in herb layer species composition. Also important to forest herbs is the tendency for enhanced mobility ofto increase mobility and decrease availability of essential cations, such as Ca2+.

The response of plant species of the herbaceous layer of forest ecosystems to excess N availability can arise from N‐mediated changes in several processes. Here I identify six – competition, herbivory, mycorrhizal infection, disease, species invasions and exotic earthworm activity – and discuss how they respond to excess N and how this response affects the herb layer of forests. With the exception of the activity of exotic earthworms (which is correlated with, but not necessarily caused by, high N deposition), there is compelling evidence that all processes respond sensitively to N deposition and that this response generally leads to drastic shifts in species composition and decreases in biodiversity of forest herb communities.

A hypothesis is suggested – the nitrogen homogeneity hypothesis – that predicts loss of biodiversity in forest ecosystems experiencing chronically elevated N deposition. This hypothesis is based on the decrease in spatial heterogeneity of N availability that is typically high in forest soils under N‐limited conditions.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and water table affect wetland plant community composition
Authors: WOLFE BENJAMIN E. , WEISHAMPEL PETER A. , KLIRONOMOS JOHN N.
Published: July 2006

Most studies of the community‐level effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been conducted in upland grassland plant communities where a majority of the plant species are colonized by AMF. Here, we examine the effects of AMF on plant community composition in experimental wetland plant communities, where the dominant plant species are non‐mycorrhizal and subordinate plant species are colonized by AMF. We also assess how an important abiotic soil variable, depth to water table (soil saturation), might mediate the community‐level effects of AMF.

In the low water table (un‐saturated) treatment, above‐ground plant biomass increased in the presence of AMF relative to the controls, while in the high water table treatment, biomass decreased with the presence of AMF. Contrary to predictions, plant diversity was unaffected by the presence of AMF in the low water table treatment, but significantly decreased in the presence of AMF in the high water table treatment. Changes in biomass and composition were driven by the interactions between the dominant non‐mycorrhizal species Carex hystercina, and the remaining mycorrhizal plant species.

Our results indicate that AMF have the potential to influence plant community composition in calcareous fens and that these effects can be mediated by soil saturation.

This study has implications for understanding how established principles of above‐ground/below‐ground interactions from upland communities translate to wetland plant communities and for understanding how AMF function can be mediated by abiotic soil properties. Contrary to previous thought, AMF may be important drivers of plant community composition in wetland plant communities.