bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of reading patterns of elderly people using the Age Concern Centre Library, Leicester
Authors: SPEAK MARGARET
Published: August 2003

This paper reports on a survey of reading patterns of elderly people based on a sample of the clientele using the Age Concern Library in Leicester. Although only a small number completed the survey questionnaires for the 6‐month duration of the investigation, the undertaking proved useful and worthwhile. Findings were that large‐print material, though important, was not used to the extent that might have been expected in such a context; reading of fiction far outweighed reading of non‐fiction despite a well‐balanced stock; and books were selected mainly by browsing. The survey showed that readers valued the advice given by library staff and displays mounted in the library. Appreciation of their work, as shown by the survey, raised staff morale.
The sole source: The Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Authors: FITZPATRICK VICKI
Published: August 2003

The Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped leads a co‐operative network of specialized libraries and ancillary agencies that are delivering a successful programme of reading and informational services to blind, visually impaired and handicapped users. Its unique position within the Library of Congress and the benefits which emanate from this relationship are described. This current review outlines and discusses the development, role and functioning of the National Library Service.
The Japan Medical Library Association—past, present and future
Authors: SUGA TOSHINOBU
Published: August 2003

This paper discusses the Japan Medical Library Association during its 60‐year history and its present situation, and briefly examines future possible developments in the Association.
The effects of cd‐rom on library services
Authors: DYER HILARY
Published: August 2003

This paper presents a wide‐ranging overview of compact disc technology in the library environment. It raises important issues currently being debated in the literature and aims to question and stimulate thought on the nature and purpose of cd‐rom provision in health‐care libraries.
Daytime activity and risk factors for late‐life insomnia
Authors: Morgan Kevin
Published: August 2003

Laboratory evidence linking exercise with improved sleep quality raises the possibility that the lower levels of physical activity characteristic of older age groups may contribute to late‐life insomnia. While support for this hypothesis appears to come from epidemiological surveys, few such studies have distinguished satisfactorily between social and physical activities which differ widely in terms of energy cost and theoretical significance. The present analyses were, therefore, designed to assess the independent influence of physical and social activity levels on the prevalence and natural history of late‐life insomnia. Survivors from a nationally representative UK sample (n = 1042) of elderly people originally interviewed in 1985 were reassessed in 1989 (n = 690) and 1993 (n = 410). Detailed assessments of physical and social activities, mental and physical health status, and sleep quality were made at each survey wave. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex and health status, were used to assess relationships between activity levels and the prevalence, remission/persistence, and incidence of late‐life insomnia. Lower physical health, depressed mood and lower physical (but not social) activity levels consistently emerged as significant risk factors for prevalent, persistent and incident insomnia. Age was unrelated to insomnia variables in all the cross‐sectional models, but did emerge as a significant risk for cumulative 4–8‐year insomnia incidence. These findings suggest that, independent of those activities more closely associated with social engagement, higher levels of customary physical activity per se appear to be protective against incident and chronic late‐life insomnia.
Event‐related potentials during forced awakening: a tool for the study of acute sleep inertia
Authors: Bastuji Hélène , Perrin Fabien , Garcia‐Larrea Luis
Published: August 2003

Sleep propensity and sleep inertia were assessed in 43 patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and 21 sleep‐deprived controls, using a forced awakening test under continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) were first obtained in waking, while participants performed a target detection auditory task. Subjects were then allowed to take a nap with lights off and sleep latency was calculated. After 3 min of continuous sleep, frequent and rare tones were suddenly presented again (and ERPs recorded) in a forced awakening condition, which was repeated a second time if patients fell asleep. ERPs in pre‐nap wakefulness did not differ in patients and controls. On forced awakening, almost half (48%) of EDS patients retained morphologically normal ERPs, but showed a significant delay of P300 relative to waking. In the other half of the patients (and none of the controls), the N200/P300 complex to targets was replaced on forced awakening by high‐amplitude negative waves (‘sleep negativities’). Single subject analysis showed that 65% of patients had abnormal responses during forced awakening (significant P3 delay or sleep negativities), while only three of them (7%) had abnormal ERPs on wakefulness. The presence of sleep negativities was associated with shorter sleep latencies and increased target detection errors on forced awakening. Sleep negativities were more prevalent in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia than in EDS associated to psychiatric disorders. By combining sleep latency and ERP measures, the forced awakening test provided a robust and relatively rapid tool (45–60 min) to evaluate both sleep propensity and sleep inertia within a single recording session. The test allows each subject to act as his/her own control, thus increasing sensitivity. In the present series, it proved to be much more discriminative than waking ERPs alone to demonstrate specific abnormalities in patients complaining of excessive daytime sleepiness.
The influence of sleep onset on the diurnal variation in cardiac activity and cardiac control
Authors: Carrington Melinda , Walsh Michelle , Stambas Thalia , Kleiman Jan , Trinder John
Published: August 2003

Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity vary diurnally, with a reduction in HR and BP, and a shift to vagal dominance during the dark phase. However, the cause of these changes, particularly the relative influence of sleep and circadian mechanisms, remains uncertain. The present study assessed the effect of sleep onset on HR, BP, high frequency (HF) component of heart rate variability (HRV), low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and pre‐ejection period (PEP). Sleep onset was dissociated from circadian influences by having subjects go to sleep at two different circadian phases, their normal time of sleep onset (normal sleep onset, NSO), and after a delay of 3 h (delayed sleep onset, DSO). The assumption was that changes caused by sleep onset would occur in association with sleep onset, irrespective of its timing, while circadian effects would have a consistent circadian phase and be independent of when sleep onset occurred. Thirteen and 17 subjects were run in the NSO and DSO conditions, respectively. Following a 1‐h adaptation period, data collection began 2 h before subjects’ normal time of sleep onset and continued until morning awakening. The lights were turned out after 2 h in the NSO condition and 5 h in the DSO condition. Subjects were required to maintain a supine position throughout the experimental sessions. The night‐time decrease in HR was found to be due to both sleep onset and a circadian influence, with the circadian component being more prominent. In contrast, the fall in BP was largely due to a sleep onset effect. Increased vagal activity, as reflected in the HF component and a shift to vagal dominance in the LF/HF ratio, appeared to be primarily a function of the sleep system, while sympathetic activity, as assessed by PEP, reflected a circadian influence.
Estimating tsetse population parameters: application of a mathematical model with density‐dependence
Authors: Artzrouni M. , Gouteux J.‐P.
Published: August 2003

Abstract. A density‐dependent model is used to describe the dynamics of an open population of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae). Immigration (or emigration) takes place when the total population is below (or above) a biologically determined threshold value. The population is also subjected to birth and death rates, as well as to the risk of being trapped (continuously or intermittently). During trapping the population decreases toward a ‘low’ equilibrium population and when trapping ceases the population starts recovering and increases toward a ‘high’ equilibrium. The model is fitted using data collected on trapped flies in four experiments. The first one was conducted with ‘intermittent trapping’ (i.e. several trapping‐recovery cycles) onGlossina fuscipes fuscipesNewstead in the Central African Republic (Bangui area). In the other experiments, trapping data onGlossina palpalis palpalis(Robineau‐Desvoidy) was collected in ‘aggregate’ form over several days at a time. Two of these were in Congo‐Brazzaville (Bouenza area) and one in the Ivory Coast (Vavoua focus). Estimates are derived for the low and high equilibrium values as well as the trapping rate. The estimated effect of sustained trapping is to reduce the population to low equilibrium values that are 85–87% lower than the levels without trapping. The effects of the natural intrinsic growth and of the migration flows cannot be estimated separately because in the model they are mathematically indistinguishable.
Temperature‐related development of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis as forensic indicator
Authors: Grassberger M. , Frank C.
Published: August 2003

Abstract.  Development times of the forensically significant parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from oviposition to pupation, and from oviposition to adult emergence, were studied in the laboratory at temperatures of 15–35°C using host pupae of the blowfly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau‐Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Total developmental time of N. vitripennis from oviposition to adult emergence (mean ± SD) was 43.5 ± 2.4, 22.5 ± 1.1, 14.8 ± 1.7 and 11.3 ± 0.9 days when reared at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. At 35°C, N. vitripennis did not develop successfully. The rate of total immature development (1/days) increased with temperature. From linear regression of development rates, it was determined that the minimum threshold (tL) for total immature development was 9.8°C (∼10°C). Above this threshold, the overall thermal constant (K) for N. vitripennis was found to be 224.3 ± 1.7 degree‐days.
A comparison of Lucitraps® and sticky targets for sampling the blowfly Lucilia sericata
Authors: Hall M. J. R. , Hutchinson R. A. , Farkas R. , Adams Z. J. O. , Wyatt N. P.
Published: August 2003

Abstract.  The Lucitrap® (Miazma Pty Ltd, Queensland, Australia) combined with a synthetic odour bait, Lucilure® (Miazma Pty Ltd, Queensland, Australia), is a commercially available trap for sampling and control of Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) in Australia. It was tested in Hungary against Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a cause of sheep strike throughout temperate Europe. The standard Lucitrap was tested against black or yellow sticky target traps. Both trap types were baited with either Lucilure or liver and 10% w/v sodium sulphide solution. With Lucilure as bait, L. sericata were caught on sticky traps but not in Lucitraps. With liver and sodium sulphide as bait, sticky traps caught 500–1500 times more L. sericata than Lucitraps. An adhesive sheet fitted to the top of a Lucitrap captured 30–300 times more L. sericata then were captured inside an unaltered Lucitrap. Direct observation of metallic green calliphorids (92.1%L. sericata) alighting on Lucitraps indicated that most flies stayed for a short while (modal class 2–4 s) and only a few stayed longer, to an observed maximum of 28 s. Flies explored a mean of 1.5 entry holes (range 0–7) during a visit but only 6% entered the trap. Size of L. sericata was not a physical barrier to Lucitrap entry, because many larger species were captured. However, L. sericata captured inside Lucitraps were significantly smaller than those captured on sticky traps, demonstrating that size was of behavioural importance. The data demonstrate that the Lucitrap is not effective as a trap for L. sericata in Hungary, due mainly to a failure of flies to enter the trap in large numbers. In Australia and South Africa, L. sericata is commonly caught in Lucitraps baited with Lucilure, although L. cuprina is more numerous. Our study highlights the potential for diversity of fly behaviour between different geographical populations of the same species. Such diversity can have a significant effect on the functioning of systems for fly sampling and control, when these systems depend for their success on certain behavioural responses of the target species.
Recognition of sialylated meningococcal lipopolysaccharide by siglecs expressed on myeloid cells leads to enhanced bacterial uptake
Authors: Jones Claire , Virji Mumtaz , Crocker Paul R.
Published: August 2003

Sialic acid‐binding immunoglobulin‐like lectins (siglecs) are expressed predominantly in the haemopoietic and immune systems and exhibit specificities for both the linkage and the nature of sialic acids in N‐glycans, O‐glycans and glycolipids. Several siglecs, including sialoadhesin (Sn, siglec‐1) and siglec‐5, bind to NeuAcα2,3Gal, a terminal capping structure that can also be displayed on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). In the present study, we examined the potential of siglecs expressed on cells of the immune system to function as receptors for sialylated Nm. We used sialylated and non‐sialylated LPS derivatives of two serogroups (A and B) of Nm in this study. Using recombinant chimeric soluble receptors, siglec‐transfected cell lines and macrophages from wild‐type and Sn‐deficient mice, we observed that sialylated but not non‐sialylated variants of either genetic background were specifically recognized by Sn and siglec‐5, whereas other siglecs examined were ineffective. In addition, macrophages expressing Sn, as well as transfectants expressing Sn or siglec‐5, bound and phagocytosed sialylated bacteria in a siglec‐ and sialic acid‐dependent manner. This study demonstrates that Nm LPS sialylation can lead to increased bacterial susceptibility to phagocytic uptake, a phenomenon in direct contrast to previously reported protective effects of LPS sialylation.
The link between 20S proteasome activity and post‐replication DNA repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Podlaska Agnieszka , McIntyre Justyna , Skoneczna Adrianna , Sledziewska‐Gojska Ewa
Published: August 2003

We have shown previously that deletion of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae UMP1 gene encoding the 20S proteasome maturase causes sensitivity to UV radiation. In the current report, we have extended this finding to show that mutations specifically compromising chymotrypsin‐like or trypsin‐like activity of 20S proteasome peptidases also result in increased UV sensitivity. We have also established that mutations affecting proteasome activity, namely ump1Δ, pre2‐K108R and pup1‐T20A, result in spontaneous and UV‐induced mutator phenotypes. To elucidate the origin of these DNA repair phenotypes of the proteasomal mutants, we performed epistasis analysis, with respect to UV sensitivity, using yeast strains with the UMP1 deletion in different DNA repair backgrounds. We show that UMP1 is not epistatic to RAD23 and RAD2, which are involved in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Instead, our results indicate that UMP1 as well as PUP1 and PRE2 (encoding catalytic subunits of 20S proteasome) belong to an epistatic group of genes functioning in post‐replication DNA repair (PRR) and are hypostatic to RAD18, which, in complex with RAD6, plays a central role in PRR. We also show that UMP1 is epistatic to REV3 and RAD30, although the relationship of UMP1 with these genes is different.
Chromosomal replicases as asymmetric dimers: studies of subunit arrangement and functional consequences
Authors: McHenry Charles S.
Published: August 2003

Studies of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme of Escherichia coli support a model in which both the leading and lagging strand polymerases are held together in a complex with the replicative helicase and priming activities, allowing two identical α catalytic subunits to assume different functions on the two strands of the replication fork. Creation of distinct functions for each of the two polymerases within the holoenzyme depends on the asymmetric character of the entire complex. The asymmetry of the holoenzyme is created by the DnaX complex, a heptamer that includes τ and γ products of the dnaX gene. τ and γ perform unique functions in the DnaX complex, and the interaction between α and τ appears to dictate the catalytic subunit's role in the replicative reaction. This review considers the properties of the DnaX complex including both τ and γ, with the goal of understanding the properties of the replicase and its function in vivo. Recent studies in eukaryotic and other prokaryotic systems suggest that an asymmetric dimeric replicase may be universal. The leading and lagging strand polymerases may be distinct in some systems. For example, Pol e and Pol δ may function as distinct leading and lagging strand polymerases in eukaryotes, and PolC and DnaE may function as distinct leading and lagging strand polymerases in low GC content Gram‐positive bacteria.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 HopPtoM (CEL ORF3) is important for lesion formation but not growth in tomato and is secreted and translocated by the Hrp type III secretion system in a chaperone‐dependent manner
Authors: Badel Jorge L. , Nomura Kinya , Bandyopadhyay Sruti , Shimizu Rena , Collmer Alan , He Sheng Yang
Published: August 2003

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 is a pathogen of tomato and Arabidopsis that injects virulence effector proteins into host cells via a type III secretion system (TTSS). TTSS‐deficient mutants have a Hrp– phenotype, that is, they cannot elicit the hypersensitive response (HR) in non‐host plants or pathogenesis in host plants. Mutations in effector genes typically have weak virulence phenotypes (apparently due to redundancy), but deletion of six open reading frames (ORF) in the DC3000 conserved effector locus (CEL) reduces parasitic growth and abolishes disease symptoms without affecting function of the TTSS. The inability of the ΔCEL mutant to cause disease symptoms in tomato was restored by a clone expressing two of the six ORF that had been deleted: CEL ORF3 (HopPtoM) and ORF4 (ShcM). A ΔhopPtoM::nptII mutant was constructed and found to grow like the wild type in tomato but to be strongly reduced in its production of necrotic lesion symptoms. HopPtoM expression in DC3000 was activated by the HrpL alternative sigma factor, and the protein was secreted by the Hrp TTSS in culture and translocated into Arabidopsis cells by the Hrp TTSS during infection. Secretion and translocation were dependent on ShcM, which was neither secreted nor translocated but, like typical TTSS chaperones, could be shown to interact with HopPtoM, its cognate effector, in yeast two‐hybrid experiments. Thus, HopPtoM is a type III effector that, among known plant pathogen effectors, is unusual in making a major contribution to the elicitation of lesion symptoms but not growth in host tomato leaves.
In Bacillus subtilis W23, the duet σXσM, two sigma factors of the extracytoplasmic function subfamily, are required for septum and wall synthesis under batch culture conditions
Authors: Minnig Kathrin , Barblan Jean‐Luc , Kehl Sandrine , Möller Siham Beggah , Mauël Catherine
Published: August 2003

The synthesis of poly(RboP), the main Bacillus subtilis W23 teichoic acid, is encoded by tarDF–tarABIJKL operons, the latter being controlled by two promoters designated PtarA‐int and PtarA‐ext. Analysis by lacZ fusions reveals that PtarA‐int activity exhibits sharp increases at the beginning and end of the transition between exponential and stationary growth phase. As confirmed by mRNA quantification, these increases are mediated by ECF sigma factors σX and σM respectively. In liquid media, strain W23 sigX sigM double mutants experience serious difficulties in the transition and stationary growth phases. Inactivation of σX‐ and σM‐controlled regulons, which precludes transcription from PtarA‐int, leads to (i) delays in chromosome segregation and septation and (ii) a transient loss of up to 30% of the culture OD or lysis. However, specific inactivation of PtarA‐int, leading mainly to a shortage of poly(RboP), does not affect growth while, nevertheless, interfering with normal septation, as revealed by electron microscopy. The different sigM transcription in strains W23 and 168 is discussed. In W23, expression of tarA and sigM, which is shown to control divIC, is inversely correlated with growth rate, suggesting that the sigM regulon is involved in the control of cell division.
The immune response of regional lymph nodes during the early stages of Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle
Authors: Hoyle D. V. , Taylor D. W.
Published: August 2003

In this study we examined regional immune responses to Fasciola hepatica infection in the natural ruminant host. Naïve cattle and those pre‐exposed to a drug‐abbreviated infection were subsequently challenged and lymph nodes extracted at slaughter. In vitro proliferation and cytokine production by mononuclear cells isolated from hepatic and mesenteric lymph nodes were measured after culture with whole fluke antigen (WFA). Hepatic lymph node cells had a significantly greater response to parasite antigen than mesenteric lymph node cells (P < 0·02), although there was no difference in the magnitude of the proliferative response between naïve and pre‐exposed challenged cattle. Mononuclear cells from hepatic lymph nodes produced interferon gamma, interleukin 2 and interleukin 4 after culture with parasite antigen, indicative of a mixed, T helper type 0, response. Comparison of the hepatic node response to a variety of F. hepatica antigens showed that proliferation was lower after culture with cathepsin‐L, than with a high molecular weight fraction, WFA or excretory–secretory antigen. Cell culture supernatant fluid from unstimulated hepatic lymph node cells showed an IgG1 response to antigens of 48, 52–70, 82, 96 and 120–190 kDa on Western blot in pre‐exposed, but not naïve, challenged animals.
On what basis should the effectiveness of decision aids be judged?
Authors: Kennedy Andrew D. M.
Published: August 2003

Objective Attempts to synthesize the evidence on the effects of decision aids have been hampered by the lack of consensus regarding how such effectiveness should be measured. This paper seeks to describe and critically assess the range of measures of effectiveness used in randomized controlled trials of decision aids.

Search strategy The published systematic reviews of the field were used to identify primary studies evaluating the effects of decision aids.

Inclusion criteria Non‐randomized trials were excluded from this review. As were abstracts and theses of subsequently published studies, methodological papers and reports of subgroups of a study's main publication.

Main results A wide range of measures were used to evaluate the effectiveness of decision aids. The most commonly used measures sought to assess treatment decisions, patient's knowledge and the decision‐making process. This pattern was repeated when primary measures of effectiveness were examined. No study attempted to measure the extent to which decisions made were consistent with patient's values.

Conclusions Within the current literature there is little consensus on what the aims of decision aids should be. If we can agree that the aim of a decision aid is to help patients make specific personal treatment choices, then evaluations of decision aids should measure the primary effectiveness of their interventions in terms of the extent to which they enable patient's to undergo treatments that agree with their values.
A Rapid Method for Sequencing the 5′‐ and 3′‐Termini of Double‐Stranded RNA Viral Templates using RLM‐RACE
Authors: Coutts R. H. A. , Livieratos I. C.
Published: August 2003

A protocol is described that permits rapid, inexpensive and reliable synthesis and amplification of 5′‐ and 3′‐terminal cDNAs using viral double‐stranded (ds) RNA templates. The method of RNA ligase‐mediated amplification of cDNA ends for amplification of single‐stranded RNAs (Liu and Gorovsky, 1993) was adapted for dsRNAs to generate the amplicons. These amplicons can be easily cloned and sequenced to complete the sequencing of 5′‐ and 3′‐termini of any particular virus genome. The method is of great utility and can be used on viral genomic dsRNA or viral dsRNA replicative forms when the virion RNA is unavailable.
Characterization and Identification of Asexual Strains of Pythium Associated with Root Rot of Rose in Japan
Authors: Kageyama K. , Suzuki M. , Priyatmojo A. , Oto Y. , Ishiguro K. , Suga H. , Aoyagi T. , Fukui H.
Published: August 2003

This study was conducted to survey the distribution of asexual isolates of Pythium in rose production and to characterize and identify them. Asexual isolates with proliferating globose sporangia belong to group P according to the key of van der Plaats‐Niterink (1981; Monograph of the genus Pythium. Studies in Mycology, Vol. 21, Centraalbueau Voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, The Netherlands). Group P isolates were recovered from rotted roots of both cutting and miniature roses cultured in rock wool and ebb‐and‐flow culture systems, respectively, throughout the main rose production area of Japan. The typical feature of the P group isolates was that they could grow fast at high temperature, at least 30 mm per 24 h at 35°C. There was no difference between the P group isolates and P. helicoides in morphology and size of sporangia and sporangial germination mode. The symptoms caused by the group P isolates were root rot, followed by leaf blight and plant death in severe cases. In restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the rDNA‐ITS region, the banding patterns with five of six enzymes were identical between group P and P. helicoides, the only difference being seen with HhaI. In direct amplification analysis of minisatellite‐region DNA with M13 primer, group P and P. helicoides shared three of five distinct bands. In contrast, P. oedochilum and P. ostracodes showed different banding patterns except for each one band. The results suggest that the group P isolates obtained from rose root rot may be asexual strains of P. helicoides.
Chromium Supplementation Enhances Antibody Response to Vaccination with Tetanus Toxoid in Cattle
Authors: Faldyna M. , Pechova A. , Krejci J.
Published: August 2003

Nineteen multiparous late‐pregnant dairy cows were divided into an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 9). Animals in the experimental group were fed a diet supplemented with chromium chelate admixed into wheat meal at 5 mg per animal per day. The supplementation was started 4 weeks before calving and stopped by the end of week 3 after calving. All the cows were vaccinated with tetanus toxoid in the fifth and sixth week of lactation. Monitoring of the characteristics of non‐specific immunity did not show any significant between‐group differences in total and differential leucocyte counts, percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations, activities of lectin‐stimulated lymphocytes, phagocytic activities, and the contents of total immunoglobulins and lysozyme in blood sera. Tetanus toxoid‐specific antibody titres, those of the IgG2 isotype in particular, were higher in the experimental group than in the control animals. These results indicate that chromium supplementation at the level used in this experiment modulated the regulation of functions of the immune system.
Studies on the Safety and Immunogenicity of the South African Bluetongue Virus Serotype 2 Monovalent Vaccine: Specific Detection of the Vaccine Strain Genome by RT‐PCR
Authors: Hammoumi S. , Breard E. , Sailleau C. , Russo P. , Grillet C. , Cetre‐Sossah C. , Albina E. , Sanchis R. , Pepin M. , Guibert J.‐M. , Zientara And S.
Published: August 2003

In order to study the safety and the immunogenicity of the South African vaccine against the serotype 2 bluetongue virus, two groups of seven sheep were vaccinated with the vaccine used in the French island of Corsica. Vaccinated and non‐vaccinated sheep were observed clinically and their rectal temperatures were recorded daily. The serological response in vaccinated animals confirmed the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Post‐vaccinal viraemia was investigated and the vaccine genome was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). No viraemia was observed at post‐vaccination days 4, 7 and 11 but the vaccine strain of virus was detected by RT‐PCR throughout the experiment. The thermostability of the vaccine was also evaluated. The vaccine titre strongly decreased at temperatures higher than 35°C.
Genotyping of Clostridium perfringens Isolated from Domestic and Exotic Ruminants and Swine
Authors: Sipos W. , Fischer L. , Schindler M. , Schmoll F.
Published: August 2003

Clostridium perfringens types A, B, C, D and E are known to cause severe enteritis/enterotoxaemia and diseases (especially caused by type A) belonging to the gas oedema complex in many species. Samples from the small intestine as well as faeces of domestic and exotic animals suffering from enterotoxaemic signs or having died within days after first occurance of toxaemia were submitted for typing C. perfringens toxovars by multiplex PCR. The following species have been investigated: domestic sheep (Ovis ammon; n = 10), domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus; n = 26), Japanese serow (Capricornis sumatraensis; n = 4), lechwe waterbuck (Hydrotragus leche; n = 1), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra; n = 1), European reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus; n = 4), domestic swine (Sus scrofa; n = 52), and collared peccary (Tayassu albirostris; n = 1). Interestingly, the predominant C. perfringens toxovar in domestic sheep was type A. This toxovar could also be diagnosed in all reindeer, in three Japanese serows, one lechwe waterbuck and most pigs (n = 47), the majority of those being at suckling age. Type D was the most prevalent toxovar (n = 18) in domestic goats, but also types A and E could be identified as pathogens in this species. Type C could only be found in domestic swine (n = 5) and in one case of clostridiosis in a Japanese serow. Two cases of enterotoxaemia in goats, one case in reindeer, and a single case in blackbuck and collared peccary were caused by C. perfringens type E. Genotyping of C. perfringens is recommended before starting vaccination programmes as it could be shown, that the importance of specific toxovars has been underestimated in specific species and/or age groups.
Human tachykinin NK2 receptor: A comparative study of the colon and urinary bladder
Authors: Warner Fiona J , Miller Robert C , Burcher Elizabeth
Published: August 2003

1. The present study compared the binding and functional characteristics of tachykinin NK2 receptors in human detrusor muscle with those in human colon circular muscle.

2. In radioligand binding studies, similar KD values were observed for tachykinin NK2 receptor radioligands [125I]‐neurokinin (NK) A, [125I]‐[Lys5,Tyr(I2)7,MeLeu9,Nle10,]NKA(4–10) and [3H]‐SR48968 in both human colon circular muscle (0.28–1.1 nmol/L) and human bladder detrusor (0.49–0.91 nmol/L), suggesting binding was primarily to tachykinin NK2 receptors. Receptor capacity (Bmax) was greater in colon compared with detrusor muscle.

3. In functional studies of isolated smooth muscle contraction, there was an excellent positive correlation between human bladder detrusor and colon circular muscle with respect to in vitro contractile potency (r = 0.97) and maximum responses (r = 0.98) to tachykinins, selective tachykinin receptor ligands and l‐Ala‐substituted NKA(4–10) analogues.

4. Species differences between the human and rat tachykinin NK2 receptors were apparent as observed by a low correlation for potency (r = 0.77) and efficacy (r = 0.32) of l‐Ala‐substituted analogues in isolated smooth muscle contractile studies.

5. Minor differences observed in the affinity and potency of NK2 receptor agonists between colon and bladder are dependent on the tissue of interest, the receptor–effector coupling and the presence of other tachykinin receptors. Overall, the NK2 receptors of human colon and urinary bladder smooth muscle appear pharmacologically identical.
Neutralization of proANP (1–30) exacerbates hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Dietz John R , Vesely David L , Gower William R , Landon Carol S , Lee Sook Jeong , Nazian Stanley J
Published: August 2003

1. The aim of the present studies was to determine the role of proANP (1–30) in the regulation of arterial pressure. It was hypothesized that blocking endogenous proANP (1–30) would exacerbate the hypertension in susceptible animal models.

2. Pentobarbital‐anaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were pretreated i.v. with 1.2 mL rabbit serum containing an antibody directed specifically against rat proANP (1–30) (SHR‐AB group; n = 7) or an equal volume of normal rabbit serum as a control (SHR‐NRS group; n = 5).

3. Following a 1 h equilibration period and two 30 min baseline periods, rats were volume expanded with 3 mL of 6% albumin in Krebs' solution and observed for an additional 3 h to determine the effects of the anti‐proANP on arterial pressure.

4. Arterial pressure increased in both groups compared with their own baselines with volume expansion, but was significantly greater in the anti‐proANP SHR group compared with the SHR‐NRS group throughout the volume expansion period. A maximum difference of 21 mmHg between the anti‐proANP SHR group and the NRS‐SHR group was observed at 150 min of the study (183 ± 5 vs 162 ± 3 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.005.

5. These results suggest a protective role for proANP (1–30) in the SHR model of hypertension.
Regulation of 86Rb+ ion transport across polarized human colonocytes by bis‐phenolic compounds
Authors: Mason Robert W , Simpson‐Small Tiffani , Hopp Laszlo
Published: August 2003

1. Phenolphthalein, a well‐known laxative, stimulates the secretion of Na+ and Cl– ions and accompanying water into the intestinal tract. Measurement of 86Rb+ efflux from several, but not all, cell types indicates that phenolphthalein also results in release of cellular K+ ions.

2. In the present study, the transport of 86Rb+ across human colonocyte cells (T84) cultured on trans‐well inserts was examined. The T84 cells were cultured until they developed tight junctions and a high trans‐epithelial resistance.

3. Results show that phenolphthalein applied to the apical, but not the basolateral, surface of cells causes the release of 86Rb+ from the apical surface. Basolateral treatment of cells with phenolphthalein had no effect on the release of 86Rb+.

4. Simultaneously with the increased 86Rb+ efflux, indirect evidence of enhanced Na+/K+‐ATPase activity was also observed.

5. Although ouabain inhibited the increased Na+ pump activity, it did not affect apical 86Rb+ release.

6. As evidenced by near steady state 86Rb+ uptake data, the increased Na+/K+‐ATPase activity was insufficient to restore intracellular concentrations of K+ in the presence of phenolphthalein.

7. 4,4(9‐Fluorenylidene)diphenol, a homologue of phenolphthalein, had a similar effect on 86Rb+ transport by T84 cells.

8. These results indicate a primary stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux from the apical surface of polarized T84 cells by apically applied bis‐phenolic compounds.

9. A secondary stimulation of the basolateral Na+/K+‐ATPase is thought to result from intracellular Na+ increase, as documented in several other cell types exposed to bis‐phenolic compounds, although not directly measured in these experiments.

10. The results also indicate that bis‐phenolic compounds interact specifically with some apical but not basolateral membrane structures in regulating 86Rb+ efflux from polarized T84 cells.
PURINERGIC and ADRENERGIC COTRANSMISSION IN CANINE ISOLATED and PERFUSED GASTROEPIPLOIC ARTERIES
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi , Yang Xiao‐Ping , Chiba Shigetoshi
Published: August 2003

1. The vasoconstrictor responses of canine gastroepiploic artery to periarterial electrical nerve stimulation (PNS; 30 s trains of pulses at a frequency of 2, 4 or 8 Hz) were observed in a frequency dependent manner. The PNS‐induced vasoconstrictions were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 µmol/L) and mostly depressed but not completely by guanethidine (10 µmol/L).

2. Vasoconstrictor responses to administered noradrenaline were antagonized significantly by prazosin (0.1 µmol/L), an α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist, but were not significantly affected by suramin (100 µmol/L), a P2 purinoceptor antagonist, or α,β‐methylene ATP (1 µmol/L), a P2X receptor desensitizing agent. Exogenous ATP‐induced responses were clearly depressed by suramin or α,β‐methylene ATP, but were not significantly affected by prazosin.

3. The vasoconstrictor responses to PNS at a low frequency (2 and 4 Hz) of stimulation were markedly inhibited by suramin (100 µmol/L) and by α,β‐methylene ATP (1 µmol/L). The remaining responses after suramin or α,β‐methylene ATP were abolished by subsequent application of prazosin (0.1 µmol/L). At a high frequency (8 Hz) of stimulation, the vascular response was not significantly inhibited by suramin or α,β‐methylene ATP, but it was abolished by prazosin.

4. Injection of xylazine (0.3–30 nmol/L), an α2‐adrenoceptor agonist, did not induce any clear vasoconstriction. The exposure of tissues to rauwolscine (0.1–0.3 µmol/L), an α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, dose‐dependently increased PNS‐induced vasoconstrictions at all frequencies tested.

5. The present results indicate that ATP acts as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline and is responsible for post‐junctional vasoconstrictor responses at low frequencies of sitmulation, whereas the effect of noradrenaline is dominant at high‐frequency stimulation in canine gastroepiploic artery. Prejunctional α2‐adrenoceptor autoinhibition may modulate the release of either noradrenaline or ATP from sympathetic nerve terminals.
Effects of exposure to cigarette smoke at different dose levels on extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres in Wistar‐Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Nakatani Toshiaki , Nakashima Toshikatsu , Kita Taizo , Ishihara Akihiko
Published: August 2003

1. The fibre type distributions, cross‐sectional areas (CSA) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in the deep (EDLd) and superficial (EDLs) regions of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were determined after exposure to cigarette smoke at three different dose levels using a smoking machine.

2. Rats were exposed to cigarette smoke at a rate of 15 puffs/min for 20 min/day with 23 cigarettes (low‐dose level), 26 cigarettes (medium‐dose level) or 30 cigarettes (high‐dose level) for 8 weeks.

3. No changes in fibre type distribution, CSA or SDH activity were observed after exposure to cigarette smoke at the low‐ and medium‐dose levels, irrespective of the muscle region or strain.

4. No change in fibre type distribution was observed after exposure to cigarette smoke at the high‐dose level, irrespective of the muscle region or strain. A decreased CSA of type IIA and type IIB fibres in EDLd and increased SDH activity of all types of fibres in EDLd and EDLs were observed in WKY rats after exposure to cigarette smoke at the high‐dose level. In addition, a decreased CSA of type IIB fibres in EDLd and type IIA and type IIB fibres in EDLs and increased SDH activity of type IIB fibres in EDLd were observed in SHR after exposure to cigarette smoke at the high‐dose level.

5. The smaller CSA and higher SDH activity of fibres in EDL observed in WKY rats and SHR after exposure to cigarette smoke at the high‐dose level, but not at the low‐ and medium‐dose levels, are adaptive responses, indicating that heavy cigarette smoke affects the morphological and metabolic properties of fibres in skeletal muscle.
Significance of endothelin on volume homeostasis in obese Zucker rats
Authors: Wongmekiat Orawan , Johns Edward J
Published: August 2003

1. The present study explored the impact of endothelin (ET) and its interaction with renal sympathetic nerves in the control of volume homeostasis in obesity.

2. Groups of lean and obese Zucker rats with innervated and denervated kidneys were subjected to an acute isotonic saline volume expansion (VE), 10% bodyweight and renal haemodynamics and excretory function were evaluated following administration of SB209670 (a non‐selective ET antagonist) or UK 350 926 (a selective ETA receptor antagonist).

3. Volume expansion in untreated obese rats resulted in a blunted cumulative urine sodium excretion (CuUNaV) after 40 min, VE compared with untreated lean rats being 36 and 51% in the denervated and innervated kidneys, respectively (both P < 0.001).

4. In lean rats, both SB209670 and UK 350 926 caused a depressed ability to excrete the saline load and CuUNaV after 40 min, VE compared with untreated being decreased by 51 and 60% in the denervated and innervated kidneys, respectively (both P < 0.001).

5. SB209670 and UK 350 926 given to obese rats reduced (both P < 0.001) CuUNaV after VE by 43% in denervated kidneys compared with untreated obese rats, whereas they were without effect on the magnitude of the excretory response in innervated kidneys.

6. These findings show that the blunted renal excretory responses to VE present in obese rats were not mediated by ET. Conversely, ET, acting through ETA receptors, plays a role as a diuretic and natriuretic factor in maintaining volume homeostasis by, at least in lean rats, renal nerve‐independent mechanisms.
A room of their own: the social landscape of infant sleep
Authors: Rowe Jennifer
Published: August 2003

A room of their own: the social landscape of infant sleep

This paper draws on findings of a study in which new and experienced mothers’ caregiving practices were investigated, in order to examine social perspectives of infant sleep. Health professionals who work to support early parenting and promote child health and well‐being provide guidance to their clients concerning infant sleep cares. Currently, advice is predominantly informed by understandings and strategies derived from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction campaigns and behavioural training models. The social context of caregiving is a significant if somewhat neglected perspective. The analysis presented in this paper suggests that in sleep arrangements, a complex social locale is revealed, an elaboration of carers’ values and understandings about infants as developing persons, juxtaposed with their own desires and needs. Tensions between child‐centred nurturing and adult‐focused concerns are expressed and reconciled in caregiving. These understandings may assist health professionals to develop proactive and responsive practices in the area of early childrearing support.
The ‘managed care’ idea: implications for health service systems in Australia
Authors: Heslop Liza , Peterson Chris
Published: August 2003

The ‘managed care’ idea: implications for health service systems in Australia

The growth of corporatism in health‐care in the US, and the consequences arising from US models of health‐care delivery systems provide an enormously valuable point of comparison with health systems of other developed economies, such as Australia. If lessons are to be learnt from the US, then an analysis of the structure and performance of the US health‐care system provides important background for understanding and assessing contemporary policy changes to administrative and organizational designs and techniques for patient care in Australia.
Embodied knowledge in chronic illness and injury
Authors: Wilde Mary H.
Published: August 2003

Embodied knowledge in chronic illness and injury

When people experience chronic illness or serious injury, changes occur not just within their physical bodies but also in their embodiments, that is, how they view the world through their bodies. For such patients, dualistic (mind–body) notions of the body as object and the mind as subject can devalue experiences that are necessary for healing and for managing everyday problems related to their illness or injury. Nurses need to be able to guide people with illness or injury to new levels of wellness, but may lack appropriate theoretical conceptualizations. Philosophies that underlie embodied knowledge — in particular, philosophies of Merleau‐Ponty and Polanyi — were explored yielding two new ways to understand the body. The body as ‘silent partner’ fosters an appreciation of the body's own subjectivity that can be enhanced in nursing care through sensitivity, listening, and creative coaching. Nurses can assist their patients to identify new and positive understandings of what their bodies mean to them after bodily changes. The body as ‘informant’ holds much promise for solving some of the everyday problems that people with chronic illness or injury experience. By using phenomenological and other naturalistic methods, researchers and patients can find clues to solving such problems, clues that are known through daily living but hidden beneath conscious awareness. As a result, some of the practical know‐how of the body as ‘informant’ can be transformed into testable nursing interventions.
Unable to answer the call of our patients: mental health nurses’ experience of moral distress
Authors: Austin Wendy , Bergum Vangie , Goldberg Lisa
Published: August 2003

Unable to answer the call of our patients: mental health nurses’ experience of moral distress

When health practitioners’ moral choices and actions are thwarted by constraints, they may respond with feelings of moral distress. In a Canadian hermeneutic phenomenological study, physicians, nurses, psychologists and non‐professional aides were asked to identify care situations that they found morally distressing, and to elaborate on how moral concerns regarding the care of patients were raised and resolved. In this paper, we describe the experience of moral distress related by nurses working in mental healthcare settings who believed that lack of resources (such as time and staff) leads to dispiritedness, lack of respect, and absence of recognition (for both patients and staff) which severely diminished their ability to provide quality care. The metaphors of flashlight and hammer are used to elaborate nurses’ possible responses to intolerable situations.