bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of the efficacy of non‐pharmacological treatments for depression on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetics
Authors: Wang Mei‐Yeh , Tsai Pei‐Shan , Chou Kuei‐Ru , Chen Ching‐Min
Published: September 2008

Aims and objectives.  This paper reported a systematic review of three randomised controlled clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of non‐pharmacological treatment of depression on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Background.  Depression is associated with poor adherence to self‐care regimen in individuals with diabetes. A significant relationship between depression and poor glycaemic control has also been suggested. Hence, the management of depression becomes an important aspect of diabetes care.

Design.  Systematic review.

Methods.  Cochrane library, Pubmed, MEDLINE, EBM review, ProQuest Medical Bundle and SCOPUS databases were searched using the following medical subject headings or key words – depression, mood disorder, depressive symptoms, diabetes mellitus, glycaemic control, glycated haemoglobin, glucose, psychological therapy, psychotherapy, non‐pharmacological therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. The publication date was limited from 1996–2007. Studies were selected if they used a randomised controlled trial design, were written in English, used non‐pharmacological treatments for treating depression, included individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus as participants and included depressive symptoms and glycaemic control (determined by haemoglobin A1C) as outcomes.

Results.  Non‐pharmacological treatments of depression reduce depressive symptoms in diabetic patients. However, cognitive behaviour therapy did not improve glycaemic control. The treatment effect sizes for glycaemic control in the two collaborative‐care programmes were also small.

Conclusions.  The available evidence indicated that non‐pharmacological treatment of depression had limited effect on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The depression‐focused interventions might not achieve optimal diabetes‐related outcomes. The beneficial effect of psychological treatment for glycaemic control may be strengthened by employing treatments tailored to each individual’s diabetes self‐care needs in addition to depression management.
A systematic review of honey uses and its potential value within oncology care
Authors: Bardy Joy , Slevin Nicholas J , Mais Kathleen L , Molassiotis Alexander
Published: September 2008

Aim.  To synthesise the evidence regarding honey’s role in health care and to identify whether this evidence applies more specifically to cancer care.

Design.  Systematic review.

Methods.  The inclusion and exclusion criteria were agreed by two reviewers and a keyword strategy was developed. EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, MEDLINE, COCHRANE and PUBMED databases were screened to identify suitable articles. The citation list from each included study was also screened for potentially suitable papers. The key findings from each study were entered onto a data extraction sheet.

Results.  In total, 43 studies were included in the systematic review, which included studies in relation to wounds (n = 19), burns (n = 11), skin (n = 3), cancer (n = 5) and others (n = 5). In addition, a systematic review regarding honey use in wound care was also included. While the majority of studies noted the efficacy of honey in clinical use, five studies found honey to be equally as effective as the comparator and three found honey to be less effective than the comparator treatment. Other research did not illustrate any significant difference between standard treatment regimes vs. honey treatment. Studies were generally poor in quality because of small sample sizes, lack of randomisation and absence of blinding.

Conclusions.  Honey was found to be a suitable alternative for wound healing, burns and various skin conditions and to potentially have a role within cancer care.

Relevance to clinical practice.  In the cancer setting, honey may be used for radiation‐induced mucositis, radiotherapy‐induced skin reactions, hand and foot skin reactions in chemotherapy patients and for oral cavity and external surgical wounds.
Evaluation of services of the integrative health clinic in Hong Kong
Authors: Chung Joanne WY , Chung Louisa MY , Kwok Nedra WL , Wong Thomas KS
Published: September 2008

Aims.  (i) To provide a profile of the clients who have used the Integrative Health Clinic’s services, (ii) to determine the clients’ extent of satisfaction with the services received and (iii) to assess whether integrative therapies can/should be recommended to other clinics.

Background.  Based on the integration of various health paradigms and the use of health promotion strategies, our Integrative Health Clinic in Hong Kong provides a range of different therapies for integrated symptom management. The integrative therapies are derived from conventional, complementary and alternative medicine.

Design.  Postal survey, followed by routine data analysis.

Method.  Hong Kong Chinese clients attending a residential community health clinic were surveyed about health status and satisfaction towards the services received.

Results.  A total of 489 clients (30·8% were male and 69·2% female) were registered with the clinic during the study period. The mean age (SD) was 47·8 (15·4) years. The customer satisfaction survey found that traditional Chinese medicine consultation was the most frequently used modality of the Integrative Health Clinic, followed by pain management. Out of the 489 clients, those who attended the Integrative Health Clinic only once in the study period for an annual health assessment and those who died during the period were excluded from the survey, giving a total of 276 eligible clients. Out of the 276 clients, 52·5% (128) responded to the survey that asked them to evaluate their satisfaction with the services received at the clinic and the performance of the clinic’s practitioners who interacted with them. For practitioner performance, the percentage of respondents who gave a rating of satisfaction was found to range between 86·3–64·3%, while the percentage of respondents who gave a rating of dissatisfaction ranged from 13·7–35·7%. Overall, the survey found that most aspects of the Integrative Health Clinic’s services were rated as satisfactory.

Conclusion.  The overwhelming satisfaction of clients with the services they received at the Integrative Health Clinic suggests that this integrative health services model could be considered for adoption in other clinics in Hong Kong and perhaps the region.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is necessary to review the use of integrative therapies so as to provide more data for the evaluation of this increasingly popular modality of health services.
Pain experiences, control beliefs and coping strategies in Chinese elders with osteoarthritis
Authors: Tsai Yun‐Fang , Chu Tsung‐Lan , Lai Yeur‐Hur , Chen Wen‐Jen
Published: September 2008

Aim.  To explore pain experiences, pain control beliefs and pain coping strategies among elders with osteoarthritis in Taiwan.

Background.  Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that commonly affects older people, is manifested by pain and disability. Despite the increasing number of older people, few studies have explored their chronic pain experiences, pain beliefs and pain coping strategies.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  Participants (n = 205) were recruited by convenience sampling from three outpatient clinics at a medical centre in northern Taiwan. Data were collected by questionnaire on pain sites, pain intensity, pain interference with activity, pain control beliefs, pain coping strategies, depressive tendency and demographic variables. Scores of worst pain intensity were used to divide participants into three groups: mild, moderate and severe pain.

Results.  Participants’ average number of pain sites was 2·9 (SD 2·2). Most participants (70%) suffered moderate to severe worst pain. Participants perceived average pain control beliefs (mean 1·7, SD 0·7). Most used pharmacological coping strategies about half of the time (mean 1·8, SD 0·7) and non‐pharmacological coping strategies about one‐quarter of the time (mean 1·0, SD 0·5). Scores on satisfaction with living situation, depressive tendency, pain intensity, pain interference, pain control beliefs and frequency of using pharmacological coping strategies differed significantly among the three pain groups. Results of regression analysis showed that the intensity of average pain, pain interference with walking, pain interference with sleeping and pain control beliefs significantly predicted intensity of worst pain, explaining 54% of the variance in intensity of worst pain.

Conclusion.  This study highlights the importance of dealing with pain in this population.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Since health care providers play an important role in helping elders to manage pain, the authors recommend training physicians and nurses to regularly assess pain and to provide current knowledge about pain assessment and management strategies for elders with osteoarthritis.
The outcome of tactile touch on oxytocin in intensive care patients: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Henricson Maria , Berglund Anna‐Lena , Määttä Sylvia , Ekman Rolf , Segesten Kerstin
Published: September 2008

Aim.  To explore the effects of five‐day tactile touch intervention on oxytocin in intensive care patients. The hypotheses were that tactile touch increases the levels of oxytocin after intervention and over a six‐day period.

Background.  Research on both humans and animals shows a correlation between touch and increased levels of oxytocin which inspired us to measure the levels of oxytocin in arterial blood to obtain information about the physiological effect of tactile touch.

Design.  Randomised controlled trial.

Method.  Forty‐four patients from two general intensive care units, were randomly assigned to either tactile touch (n = 21) or standard treatment – an hour of rest (n = 23). Arterial blood was drawn for measurement of oxytocin, before and after both treatments.

Results.  No significant mean changes in oxytocin levels were found from day 1 to day 6 in the intervention group (mean −3·0 pM, SD 16·8). In the control group, there was a significant (p = 0·01) decrease in oxytocin levels from day 1 to day 6, mean 26·4 pM (SD 74·1). There were no significant differences in changes between day 1 and day 6 when comparing the intervention group and control group, mean 23·4 pM (95% CI −20·2–67·0).

Conclusion.  Our hypothesis that tactile touch increases the levels of oxytocin in patients at intensive care units was not confirmed. An interesting observation was the decrease levels of oxytocin over the six‐day period in the control group, which was not observed in the intervention group.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Tactile touch seemed to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Further and larger studies are needed in intensive care units to confirm/evaluate tactile touch as a complementary caring act for critically ill patients.
Exploration of the use of complementary and alternative medicine among Turkish children
Authors: Ozturk Candan , Karayagiz Gonca
Published: September 2008

Aims and objectives.  This study explored the use of complementary and alternative medicine among Turkish children and the factors affecting their use.

Background.  Estimates of CAM use in children range from 9–70%. Most studies of CAM use in Turkey have focussed on adults. No study has been reported on the use of CAM in Turkish children without specific diagnosed illnesses.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  A questionnaire was completed with the parents of 600 children attending the paediatric clinics of three hospitals in western Turkey. Information about CAM use and factors affecting its use among children and their parents was collected by interview using a structured questionnaire.

Results.  A majority of parents (57%) used CAM therapies for their child, with herbal therapy used most frequently (77%). The use rate of CAM was 49% for children with respiratory system problems and 25% for children with digestive system problems. Fifty‐nine per cent of parents stated that they used CAM to comfort their children and 25% to support prescribed medical therapy. The most frequent recommendation to use CAM came from one or more family members (55%). Parents who were university graduates, lived in the city, had one child and had used this type of therapy themselves were more inclined to use CAM for their children. There was no reported use of therapies such as chiropractic, naturopathy or acupuncture.

Conclusion.  There is frequent use of CAM among Turkish children and it is viewed as additional to treatment prescribed by physicians.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Most often, parents do not discuss CAM use with doctors or nurses. Health professionals should routinely ask parents about CAM use and discuss the reasons and expected outcomes of use. Only through such discussion can health professionals understand and respect parents’ use of CAM for their children and guide them in their choices.
Physical fitness of older adults in senior activity centres after 24‐week silver yoga exercises
Authors: Chen Kuei‐Min , Chen Ming‐Hsien , Hong Shan‐Mann , Chao Hui‐Chen , Lin Huey‐Shyan , Li Chun‐Huw
Published: September 2008

Aims and objectives.  Promoting physical fitness of young–older adults is essential in reducing healthcare expenditures which would occur in the future for those with chronic health problems. The silver yoga exercise programme was developed to accommodate the reduced body flexibility experienced by many older adults and was critically reviewed by experts and pilot‐tested with community‐dwelling older adults. This study aimed to test older adults’ physical fitness after a 24‐week silver yoga exercise programme and to examine whether the programme could be further shortened to fit senior activity centres’ programme designs.

Design.  A quasi‐experimental, pre–post tests design was used: baseline, at 12‐week and at 24‐week periods.

Methods.  Convenience samples of 204 subjects were recruited from eight senior activity centres and 176 subjects completed the study. Subjects were randomly assigned into three groups based on the centres: (1) Experiment I: complete silver yoga with stretching and meditation, (2) Experiment II: shortened silver yoga without the guided‐imagery meditation and (3) Wait‐list control. The interventions were conducted three times per week for 24 weeks. Physical fitness indicators included body compositions, cardiovascular–respiratory functions, physical functions and the range of motion.

Results.  At the end of the 24‐week period, the physical fitness of subjects in Experiments I and II had significantly improved whether or not guided‐imagery meditation was used and all had better physical fitness than subjects in the control group (all p < 0·05).

Conclusions.  The physical fitness of older adults in both the 70‐minute complete silver yoga group and the 55‐minute shortened silver yoga group had significantly improved after the interventions. It was recommended that the silver yoga programme be shortened by eliminating the guided‐imagery meditation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The shortened silver yoga exercise programme is recommended to be incorporated as an activity programme in community‐settings to promote the physical fitness of older adults.
Meet the real elders: reminiscence links past and present
Authors: Chao Shu‐Yuan , Chen Chaio‐Rung , Liu Hsing‐Yuan , Clark Mary Jo
Published: September 2008

Aims and objectives.  This study was designed to develop an understanding of the process of reminiscence and the roles played by nurses in fostering reminiscence as a therapeutic intervention.

Background.  Reminiscence therapy has been considered an effective nursing strategy for improving quality of life and preventing depression in nursing home settings. Until recently, however, there has been little attention to understanding the dynamics of reminiscence therapy and the interaction between a nurse and an older client during reminiscence.

Design.  A qualitative research design employing participant observation and content analysis of recorded reminiscence therapy sessions was used in this study.

Methods.  Participant observation was used to explore the process of individual reminiscence therapy and identify nursing roles in the process generated. Ten nursing home residents participated and data were collected over two months through interviews and observation. Content analysis was used to identify emerging themes.

Results.  Reminiscence occurred in four stages: entrée, immersion, withdrawal and closure. Stimuli related to participants’ past lives were helpful for initiating reminiscence. Nursing roles in each stage were identified.

Conclusion.  A tentative model of the process of reminiscence was derived from study findings. Further study is needed to validate the model in nursing practice with older clients.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Reminiscence could be initiated by nursing staff at anytime during care of residents. Information about the reminiscence process and related nursing roles may be helpful in understanding and assisting adaptation in nursing home residents.
Randomised controlled trial of music on state anxiety and physiological indices in patients undergoing root canal treatment
Authors: Lai Hui‐Ling , Hwang Ming‐Jay , Chen Chia‐Jung , Chang Kuei‐Fen , Peng Tai‐Chu , Chang Fwu‐Mei
Published: September 2008

Objectives.  The purpose of this randomised investigator‐blind controlled trial is to examine the effects of music on the state anxiety and physiological indices among patients undergoing root canal treatment.

Design.  Randomised controlled trial.

Methods.  Purposive sampling was used to recruit 44 adult subjects. The subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment and the control group. There were 22 subjects in each group. Subjects in the music group listened to selected sedative music using headphones throughout the root canal treatment procedure. The control group subjects worn headphones but without the music. Using a repeated measures design with a single pretest and five posttests, the subjects’ heart rate, blood pressure and finger temperature were measured before the study and every 10 minutes until the end of the root canal treatment procedure. Anxiety was measured before the study and at the end of the treatment procedure.

Results.  The results revealed that there were no significant differences between the two groups for baseline data and procedure‐related characteristics, except for gender. However, the subjects in the music group showed a significant increase in finger temperature and a decrease in anxiety score over time compared with the control group. The effect size for state anxiety and finger temperature was 0·34 and 0·14 respectively.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings provide evidence for nurses and dentists that the use of soothing music for anxiety reduction in patients undergoing root canal treatment procedures is supported by research findings.
A traditional Chinese herbal medicine used to treat dysmenorrhoea among Taiwanese women
Authors: Cheng Jui‐Fen , Lu Zxy‐yann Jane , Su Yi‐Chang , Chiang Li‐Chi , Wang Ruey‐Yun
Published: September 2008

Aim.  The purposes of this study were twofold, firstly to ascertain the relative effectiveness of the alternative drug, Si‐Wu‐Tang (SWT), for dysmenorrhoea treatment and secondly to compare two different timings for consumption of SWT in terms of menstrual pain.

Design.  A two‐group time series experimental design.

Methods.  A total of 49 participants were alternately assigned into two study groups. The experimental group was provided with 15 g of SWT daily for seven consecutive days, subsequent to the cessation of menstrual bleeding, for two consecutive menstrual cycles and the comparison group was provided with a similar intervention as soon as menstrual bleeding was noted. The degree of menstrual pain was recorded daily using a visual analogue scale and the duration of pain was also recorded during menstrual bleeding for five consecutive menstrual cycles.

Results.  The results indicated that the decrease in menstrual pain levels and the duration of pain between the experimental group and the comparison group was not significant. However, the decrease in menstrual pain over the five menstrual cycles within the experimental group (from 2·07 to 1·42; 2·71 to 1·21; p < 0·05) and within the comparison group (from 1·94 to 1·23; 2·66 to 1·68; p < 0·05) were significant.

Conclusions.  The SWT formula has been continuously standardised for effective use as part of menstrual health and can be integrated as an alternative therapy within Western medicine.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study provides information for health care professionals not only about the general principles of traditional Chinese medicine, but also about the selection and consumption of an appropriate SWT formula among Asian women with dysmenorrhoea. Moreover, nurses should build up a partnership with their clients of Asian origins based on the use of an alternative therapy using different assessment criteria that are related to healing and recovery based on bodily constitution balance.
Quality of life among older stroke patients in Taiwan during the first year after discharge
Authors: Shyu Yea‐Ing L , Maa Suh‐Hwa , Chen Sien‐Tsong , Chen Min‐Chi
Published: September 2008

Aim and objective.  To explore the one‐year poststroke trajectories in health‐related quality of life and physical function in a sample of older stroke patients in Taiwan.

Background.  Health‐related quality of life has repeatedly been reported as decreased in poststroke patients. The vast majority of information on the health‐related quality of life of older patients after stroke is based on data collected in Western developed countries. In contrast, little is known about older stroke patients in Asian countries.

Design.  A descriptive, prospective and correlational design was used.

Methods.  Older stroke survivors (n = 98) were assessed at the end of one, three, six and 12 months after hospital discharge for health‐related quality of life (measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36) and physical functioning (measured by the Chinese Barthel Index and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale).

Results.  The subjects, who were 65–88 years old, performed considerably worse at 12 months after hospital discharge in social and physical functioning (means = 61·1, 54·8, respectively) than the age‐matched community‐dwelling norm (means = 78·7, 69·7, respectively). During the first year after discharge, subjects improved significantly on the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 physical component summary scale and role limitations due to physical problems; during the first three months after discharge, they improved significantly on performance of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living; and from the third to sixth month after discharge, they improved significantly in physical functioning.

Conclusions.  The first year, especially the first three months after hospital discharge, is critical for improvements in health‐related quality of life and physical functioning for older stroke survivors in Taiwan.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Older Taiwanese/Chinese people who suffer a stroke will likely benefit from interventions during the first 12 months after discharge and the most effective interventions may be earlier, during the first three months after discharge.
Influence of experimentally induced anxiety on rectal sensorimotor function in healthy humans
Authors: Geeraerts B. , Van Oudenhove L. , Vos R. , Tack J.
Published: September 2008

Abstract  Psychological processes, especially anxiety, may have an influence on visceral perception and gastrointestinal (GI) motor function, thereby eliciting or aggravating GI symptoms. Anxiety has been shown to affect gastric sensorimotor function but it is conceivable that anxiety affects not only the stomach but also other parts of the GI tract, such as the rectum. The aim of this study was to investigate whether experimentally induced anxiety would alter rectal sensorimotor function in health. Eighteen healthy subjects (mean age 26.97 ± 1.75 years) underwent a rectal barostat study. To assess sensitivity to rectal distension and rectal compliance, stepwise isobaric distension was performed during anxious and neutral emotional state. Two methods of emotion induction were used simultaneously: audiotape assisted recall of a neutral or anxious autobiographical experience and viewing of a set of validated neutral or fearful facial expressions. Anxiety levels were assessed by means of the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and anxiety scores on a Likert scale. Anxiety scores (AUC: 2.11 ± 1.45 vs 42.78 ± 6.17 mm mmHg, P < 0.0001) and STAI scores (36.06 ± 2.09 vs 45.56 ± 2.52, P = 0.005) confirmed the efficacy of anxiety induction. Rectal compliance was not different during anxious compared with neutral emotional state (11.62 ± 0.93 vs 10.61 ± 0.96 mL mmHg−1, P = NS). Pressure and volume thresholds inducing discomfort during rectal distension were not significantly different during anxious and neutral emotional state (29.33 ± 1.41 vs 29.78 ± 1.49 mmHg, P = NS and 249.26 ± 16.22 vs 231.38 ± 21.19 mL, P = NS respectively). Contrary to its influence on gastric sensorimotor function, experimentally induced anxiety does not affect rectal sensitivity or rectal compliance in healthy subjects.
Review: Mitochondria and disease progression in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mahad D. , Lassmann H. , Turnbull D.
Published: September 2008

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Recent evidence suggests that dysfunction of surviving demyelinated axons and axonal degeneration contribute to the progression of MS. We review the evidence for and potential mechanisms of degeneration as well as dysfunction of chronically demyelinated axons in MS with particular reference to mitochondria, the main source of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate in axons. Besides adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate production, mitochondria play an important role in calcium handling and produce reactive oxygen species. The mitochondrial changes in axons lacking healthy myelin sheaths as well as redistribution of sodium channels suggest that demyelinated axons would be more vulnerable to energy deficit than myelinated axons. A dysfunction of mitochondria in lesions as well as in the normal‐appearing white and grey matter is increasingly recognized in MS and could be an important determinant of axonal dysfunction and degeneration. Mitochondria are a potential therapeutic target in MS.
CTD phosphatases in the attenuation of wound‐induced transcription of jasmonic acid biosynthetic genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Matsuda Osamu , Sakamoto Hikaru , Nakao Yoshikazu , Oda Kenji , Iba Koh
Published: September 2008

Trienoic fatty acids (TAs), the major constituents in plant membrane lipids, play essential roles in stress signalling as precursors of the phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA). Arabidopsis FAD7 encodes a plastidial ω‐3 fatty acid desaturase, which catalyses the production of TAs. In coordination with other JA‐biosynthetic genes, expression of FAD7 is induced locally by wounding. This provides a feedforward mechanism for the rapid and sustainable accumulation of JA. To identify molecular components involved in this mechanism, a transgenic Arabidopsis line carrying the FAD7 promoter (pFAD7) fused to the firefly luciferase gene (LUC) was constructed. Reciprocal crossing experiments revealed that the induction of FAD7 expression depends largely on JA biosynthesis and the SCFCOI1‐mediated signalling mechanism, whereas JA alone is insufficient for its maximal induction. Full induction required synergistic interactions between JA‐dependent and ‐independent wound signalling mechanisms. A genetic screen for aberrant pFAD7::LUC expression yielded a recessive mutant showing enhanced wound‐induced LUC bioluminescence. The mutation was associated with the cpl1 locus encoding an RNA polymerase II C‐terminal domain (CTD) phosphatase, and conferred wound hyper‐responsiveness on the promoters of several JA‐biosynthetic genes. The picture of signalling mechanisms underlying the wound‐regulated FAD7 expression, and potential roles of CPL proteins as attenuators of wound‐induced JA biosynthesis, are discussed.
Expression of an Escherichia coli antigenic fusion protein comprising the heat labile toxin B subunit and the heat stable toxin, and its assembly as a functional oligomer in transplastomic tobacco plants
Authors: Rosales‐Mendoza Sergio , Alpuche‐Solís Ángel Gabriel , Soria‐Guerra Ruth Elena , Moreno‐Fierros Leticia , Martínez‐González Luzmila , Herrera‐Díaz Areli , Korban Schuyler S.
Published: September 2008

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are important pathogens in developing countries. Some vaccine formulations containing the heat labile toxin B subunit (LTB) have been used in clinical trials; however, the induction of neutralizing antibodies against the heat‐stable toxin (ST), a poor immunogenic peptide, is necessary, as most ETEC strains can produce both toxins. In this study, a plant optimized synthetic gene encoding for the LTB‐ST fusion protein has been introduced into plastids of tobacco leaf tissues, using biolistic microprojectile bombardment, in an effort to develop a single plant‐based candidate vaccine against both toxins. Transplastomic tobacco plants carrying the LTB‐ST transgene have been recovered. Transgene insertion into the plastid was confirmed by both PCR and Southern blot analysis. GM1‐ELISA revealed that the LTB‐ST fusion protein retained its oligomeric structure, and displayed antigenic determinants for both LTB and ST. Western blot analysis, using LTB antisera, confirmed the presence of a 17‐KDa protein in transplastomic lines, with the correct antigenicity of the fusion protein. Expression levels of this fusion protein in different lines reached up to 2.3% total soluble protein. Oral immunization of mice with freeze‐dried transplastomic tobacco leaves led to the induction of both serum and mucosal LTB‐ST specific antibodies. Following cholera toxin challenge, a decrease of intestinal fluid accumulation was observed in mice immunized with LTB‐ST‐containing tobacco. These findings suggest that tobacco plants expressing LTB‐ST could serve as a plant‐based candidate vaccine model providing broad‐spectrum protection against ETEC‐induced diarrhoeal disease.
PAMP‐induced defense responses in potato require both salicylic acid and jasmonic acid
Authors: Halim Vincentius A. , Altmann Simone , Ellinger Dorothea , Eschen‐Lippold Lennart , Miersch Otto , Scheel Dierk , Rosahl Sabine
Published: September 2008

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐induced defense responses in potato (Solanum tuberosum), the role of the signaling compounds salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) was analyzed. Pep‐13, a PAMP from Phytophthora, induces the accumulation of SA, JA and hydrogen peroxide, as well as the activation of defense genes and hypersensitive‐like cell death. We have previously shown that SA is required for Pep‐13‐induced defense responses. To assess the importance of JA, RNA interference constructs targeted at the JA biosynthetic genes, allene oxide cyclase and 12‐oxophytodienoic acid reductase, were expressed in transgenic potato plants. In addition, expression of the F‐box protein COI1 was reduced by RNA interference. Plants expressing the RNA interference constructs failed to accumulate the respective transcripts in response to wounding or Pep‐13 treatment, neither did they contain significant amounts of JA after elicitation. In response to infiltration of Pep‐13, the transgenic plants exhibited a highly reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species as well as reduced hypersensitive cell death. The ability of the JA‐deficient plants to accumulate SA suggests that SA accumulation is independent or upstream of JA accumulation. These data show that PAMP responses in potato require both SA and JA and that, in contrast to Arabidopsis, these compounds act in the same signal transduction pathway. Despite their inability to fully respond to PAMP treatment, the transgenic RNA interference plants are not altered in their basal defense against Phytophthora infestans.
Sulphur starvation induces the expression of microRNA‐395 and one of its target genes but in different cell types
Authors: Kawashima Cintia Goulart , Yoshimoto Naoko , Maruyama‐Nakashita Akiko , Tsuchiya Yumiko N. , Saito Kazuki , Takahashi Hideki , Dalmay Tamas
Published: September 2008

Plants play an important role in the global sulphur cycle because they assimilate sulphur from the environment and build it into methionine and cysteine. Several genes of the sulphur assimilation pathway are regulated by microRNA‐395 (miR395) that is itself induced by a low‐sulphur (−S) environment. Here, we show that the six Arabidopsis miR395 loci are induced differently. We find that MIR395 loci are expressed in the vascular system of roots and leaves and root tips. Induction of miR395 by a −S environment in both roots and leaves suggests that translocation of miR395 from leaves to roots through the phloem is not necessary for plants growing on −S soil/medium. We also demonstrate that induction of miR395 is controlled by SLIM1, a key transcription factor in the sulphur assimilation pathway. Unexpectedly, the mRNA level of a miR395 target gene, SULTR2;1, strongly increases during miR395 induction in roots. We show that the spatial expression pattern of MIR395 transcripts in the vascular system does not appear to overlap with the expression pattern previously reported for SULTR2;1 mRNA. These results illustrate that negative temporal correlation between the expression level of a miRNA and its target gene in a complex tissue cannot be a requirement for target gene validation.
Weed control in conventional and herbicide tolerant winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) grown in rotations with winter cereals in the UK
Authors: LUTMAN P J W , SWEET J , BERRY K , LAW J , PAYNE R , SIMPSON E , WALKER K , WIGHTMAN P
Published: September 2008

Two winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cultivars, tolerant to glyphosate and glufosinate, were compared with a conventional cultivar at three sites over 4 years, in 3‐year crop rotations in the UK. The winter oilseed rape was grown in Years 1 and 4, with winter cereals, which received uniform herbicide treatments, in the intervening years. The second winter oilseed rape treatments were applied to randomised sub‐plots of the original plots. Weed densities were recorded in autumn and spring and weed biomass was measured in summer. At most sites, there was only one application of glufosinate or glyphosate, whereas two products were often used on the conventional variety. The timing of glyphosate and glufosinate application was, on average, 34 days later than that of the conventional broad‐leaved weed control treatments. Overall weed control, across all sites and years, was not statistically different between the conventional, glyphosate and glufosinate treatments. However, glyphosate achieved higher control of individual weed species more frequently than the other treatments. Glufosinate and the conventional treatments were similar in performance. The treatments in Year 1 sometimes affected weed populations in the subsequent cereal crops and, in rare instances, those in the rape in Year 4. Carry‐over effects were small after most treatments. In general, weed survival was greater in the oilseed rape crops, irrespective of the treatment, than it was in the intervening cereal crops.
Inheritance of sulfonylurea resistance in Monochoria vaginalis
Authors: IMAIZUMI T , WANG G X , TOMINAGA T
Published: September 2008

The inheritance of sulfonylurea (SU) resistance in Monochoria vaginalis was investigated based on the bensulfuron‐methyl response phenotypes of F1 plants between SU‐resistant (R) and ‐susceptible (S) and segregation analysis in F2 progenies. Differences of SU resistance between SU‐R biotypes and F1 plants at the recommended field dose were also investigated by comparing shoot dry weight. All F1 plants survived the treatment with 25 g a.i. ha−1 bensulfuron‐methyl, one‐third of the recommended field dose, and showed similar responses to SU‐R plants. Conversely, all F1 plants died or showed extreme necrosis at 225 g a.i. ha−1, three times the recommended field dose, as SU‐S plants. F2 plants were classified as either R or S phenotype. Segregation for resistance to bensulfuron‐methyl in F2 families did not differ from the expected 3:1 (R:S) ratio at 25 g a.i. ha−1. At 225 g a.i. ha−1, the F2 families segregated in a 1:3 (R:S) ratio. These results suggest that SU resistance in M. vaginalis is controlled by a single nuclear allele with resistance being dominant at low dose and susceptibility dominant at high dose. Moreover, F1 plants died or were extremely injured after application of bensulfuron‐methyl at the recommended field dose, although SU‐R biotypes grew normally.
Sorption/desorption behaviour of sulfonylurea herbicides as affected by the addition of fresh and composted olive cake to soil
Authors: DELGADO‐MORENO L , PEÑA A
Published: September 2008

The olive industry generates residues which can be applied as amendments to soils in their original form (olive cake) or after composting or vermicomposting processes. The addition, fresh or incubated, of these amendments to soil and of their different organic fractions was studied in relation to the sorption/desorption of three sulfonylurea herbicides, bensulfuron‐methyl, chlorsulfuron and prosulfuron. Herbicide sorption was low or very low, slightly promoted by the addition of the agricultural by‐products, especially olive cake, and mainly affected by pH of the soil solution, with the organic carbon content having no significant effect on herbicide retention. Desorption was only reduced when fresh olive cake was added. The incubation of soil and amendments for 3 months did not modify herbicide sorption, but made desorption reversible except for olive cake. The transformation of the organic matter of the amendments due to humification and maturity processes are likely to be responsible for this behaviour. Different organic fractions were removed to assess the influence of each fraction on sulfonylurea sorption. Only the removal of all studied organic fractions increased herbicide sorption, revealing the role of humin and mineral fractions in this process. Therefore, the use of organic amendments is not useful for reducing the risk of movement of ionisable molecules in soil.
Herbicides can stimulate plant growth
Authors: CEDERGREEN N
Published: September 2008

Low dose stimulations by toxicants have long been observed. Great controversies exist concerning the interpretation of these observations, spanning from believing that they are a general stress response occurring for all chemicals, to simply being an experimental artefact resulting from poorly growing control plants or from biomass allocation between plant parts. This study investigates the growth response and biomass allocation pattern of barley exposed to 10–15 doses of eight different herbicides. The results show that the globally most widely used herbicide, glyphosate, together with the sulfonylurea, metsulfuron‐methyl, can induce a real stimulation in biomass growth of approximately 25% when applied at doses corresponding to 5–10% field rate. The other six herbicides tested did not induce consistent hormesis, thereby undermining the theory of hormesis being a general stress response. Biomass allocations between plant parts did take place, but were not the cause of the hormetic growth stimulations. The results demonstrate that plant physiological responses to low herbicide doses cannot be extrapolated from our knowledge of effects of higher, commercially used, doses. Other physiological mechanisms seem to be triggered in the low dose‐range, and the investigation of these mechanisms poses new challenges for agronomists, environmentalists and plant physiologists.
Shikimate accumulation in nine weedy species following glyphosate application
Authors: MUELLER T C , ELLIS A T , BEELER J E , SHARMA S D , SINGH M
Published: September 2008

Glyphosate is commonly used in a variety of weed control scenarios and plants respond biochemically by continuing to attempt to push carbon through the shikimate pathway. The result is an accumulation of shikimate in sensitive plants in the days immediately after application. This research determined shikimate accumulation dynamics in nine problematic plant species from 0 to 6 days after treatment (DAT). Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Trifolium repens and Conyza canadensis showed rising concentrations through 6 DAT to >4000 mg L−1. Chenopodium album, Xanthium strumarium and Urochloa platyphylla showed concentrations levelling off to a constant of about 2000 mg L−1. Ambrosia trifida, Amaranthus palmeri and Polygonum pensylvanicum generally showed lower levels of shikimate accumulation and concentrations were decreasing after 3 DAT. No apparent relationships were evident between shikimate accumulation pattern and plant growth rate or speed of glyphosate activity. There also appeared to be no pattern in the shikimate accumulation trends that would allow for an informed decision as to which of these species would be most likely to develop glyphosate resistance. Shikimate concentrations were in agreement between field and glasshouse conditions for C. canadensis, but did not agree with those from A. palmeri.
Characterisation and molecular basis of ALS inhibitor resistance in the grass weed Alopecurus myosuroides
Authors: MARSHALL R , MOSS S R
Published: September 2008

Several UK populations of the grass weed Alopecurus myosuroides were identified where high proportions of individuals showed resistance to the acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides, mesosulfuron‐methyl + iodosulfuron‐methyl sodium mixture and sulfometuron‐methyl. Screening with sulfometuron, followed by DNA sequencing of the ALS gene from resistant and susceptible individuals, led to the identification of eight populations where a single point mutation segregated with resistance to sulfometuron. All highly resistant individuals from seven of eight populations showed a single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the first position of the Pro197 codon of an A. myosuroides ALS gene, conferring a predicted proline to threonine target‐site change. One population showed resistant individuals with single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the second position of the Trp574 codon, conferring a predicted tryptophan to leucine substitution. No other mutations segregating with resistance were found. Enzyme assays confirmed that resistance was due to an altered form of ALS enzyme, which was less susceptible to inhibition by sulfonylureas, making this one of the first fully characterised cases of ALS target‐site resistance in a European grass weed. Increased information regarding the nature and distribution of ALS target‐site mutation may help support sustainable management strategies, allowing continued use of mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron against this weed in the UK.
Weed research: is it delivering what it should?
Authors: MOSS S R
Published: September 2008

I believe the overall balance and current direction of much weed research is wrong, with too much emphasis on ‘scientific impact’ at the expense of practical application. For example, despite considerable research effort, Integrated Weed Management has not been widely adopted by farmers. Weed research, as a whole, has delivered less than it should have done in recent years, because of lack of appreciation of the difficulty and costs involved in scaling up experimental results to be applicable at a realistic field scale in real farming systems. In addition, there is often a lack of awareness of the complexities and resources needed to translate research results into actions that farmers, who may be counted in their millions, are willing to adopt. What is needed is truly integrated research, across the whole spectrum from basic to applied, with all elements contributing to real improvements in weed management. It should never be forgotten that, however great the ‘impact’ of a publication, it achieves nothing in terms of improving our ability to manage weeds until the results are used in practice. Effective technology transfer is essential. Weed research is an applied discipline, and the question needs to be asked repeatedly and critically, ‘Why study weeds?’
Solarization for the control ofPueraria montana(kudzu)
Authors: NEWTON CH , NELSON LR , DEWALT SJ , MIKHAILOVA EA , POST CJ , SCHLAUTMAN MA , COX SK , BRIDGES WC , HALL KC
Published: September 2008

The effects of translucent polyethylene sheeting as a thermal covering to eradicatePueraria montana(kudzu) were investigated at Clemson, South Carolina on a clay loam. In 2005, the highest reduction of live root crowns was observed whereP. montanawas covered for the entire growing season (May–October) with a reduction of 42% of live root crowns compared with the control plots. WhereP. montanawas covered for alternate weeks throughout the growing season live root crowns were reduced by 35%. CoveringP. montanafor one week and then uncovering for four weeks repeatedly through the season killed 24% of root crowns. In 2006, the second year of treatment to the same plots, the three solarization treatments had similar efficacy of about 97%. The use of polyethylene sheeting appears not to be cost‐effective for general control of largeP. montanainfestations, but may be useful for small patches.
Complex population history of twoAnopheles dirusmosquito species in Southeast Asia suggests the influence of Pleistocene climate change rather than human‐mediated effects
Authors: O’LOUGHLIN S. M. , OKABAYASHI T. , HONDA M. , KITAZOE Y. , KISHINO H. , SOMBOON P. , SOCHANTHA T. , NAMBANYA S. , SAIKIA P. K. , DEV V. , WALTON C.
Published: September 2008

Anopheles dirusandAnopheles baimaiiare closely related species which feed on primates, particularly humans, and transmit malaria in the tropical forests of mainland Southeast Asia. Here, we report an in‐depth phylogeographic picture based on 269 individuals from 21 populations from mainland Southeast Asia. Analysis of 1537 bp of mtDNA sequence revealed that the population history ofA. baimaiiis far more complex than previously thought. An old expansion (pre‐300 kyr BP) was inferred in northern India/Bangladesh with a wave of south‐eastwards expansion arriving at the Thai border (ca 135–173 kyr BP) followed by leptokurtic dispersal very recently (ca 16 kyr BP) into peninsular Thailand. The long and complex population history of these anthropophilic species suggests their expansions are not in response to the relatively recent (ca 40 kyr BP) human expansions in mainland Southeast Asia but, rather, fit well with our understanding of Pleistocene climatic change there.
Evolutionary impacts of hybridization and interspecific gene flow on an obligately estuarine fish
Authors: ROBERTS D. G. , GRAY C. A. , WEST R. J. , AYRE D. J.
Published: September 2008

For free‐spawning estuarine taxa, gene flow among estuaries may occur via hybridization with mobile congeners. This phenomenon has rarely been investigated, but is probably susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance. In eastern Australia, the estuarine Black BreamAcanthopagrus butcheriand marine Yellowfin BreamAcanthopagrus australishave overlapping distributions and the potential to hybridize. We used surveys of microsatellite and mtDNA variation in 565 adults from 25 estuaries spanning their distributional range to characterize the species and their putative hybrids. Hybrids were widespread (68% of estuaries) and hybrid frequencies varied greatly among estuaries (0–58%). Most (88%) were classed as advanced generation backcrosses withA. butcheriand displayedA. butcherimtDNA haplotypes. We found most hybrids in the three estuaries within the zone of sympatry (57%). Our study highlights the underemphasized importance of estuaries as sites of hybridization and suggests that hybridization is driven both by opportunity for contact and human activity.