bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of the unoccupied states in Cs-doped copper phthalocyanine
Authors: Ding Huanjun , Gao Yongli
Published: February 2008

The evolution of both the occupied and unoccupied states for Cs-doped copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) has been investigated with photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopy. As the Cs doping ratio increases, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of CuPc shifts downwards, reaching the Fermi level. After the saturation, the LUMO intensity decreases monotonically, while a gap state grows in the valence spectra, which gives direct evidence for the origin of the doping-induced gap state in CuPc molecules. The intensity of the LUMO, as well as the gap state, suggest the formation of multiply charged CuPc spices in heavily doped film.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
activates caspase 1 through Ipaf
Authors: Miao Edward A. , Ernst Robert K. , Dors Monica , Mao Dat P. , Aderem Alan
Published: February 2008

The innate immune system encodes cytosolic Nod-like receptors (NLRs), several of which activate caspase 1 processing and IL-1β and IL-18 secretion. Macrophages respond to
Salmonella typhimurium
infection by activating caspase 1 through the NLR Ipaf. This activation is mediated by cytosolic flagellin through the activity of the virulence-associated type III secretion system (T3SS). We demonstrate here that
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
activates caspase 1 and induces IL-1β secretion in infected macrophages. While live, virulent
P. aeruginosa
activate IL-1β secretion through caspase 1 and Ipaf, strains that have mutations in the T3SS or in flagellin did not. Ipaf-dependent caspase 1 activation could be recapitulated by delivering
P. aeruginosa
flagellin to the macrophage cytosol. We examined the role of Naip5 in
P. aeruginosa
-induced caspase 1 activation by using A/J (Naip5-deficient) compared with C57BL/6 and BALB/c (Naip5-sufficient) macrophages and observed that A/J macrophages secrete IL-1β in response to
P. aeruginosa
,
S. typhimurium
, and
Listeria monocytogenes
infection, as well as in response to cytosolic flagellin, but at slightly reduced levels. Thus, Ipaf-dependent detection of cytosolic flagellin is a conserved mechanism by which macrophages detect the presence of pathogens that use T3SS.
Raising White Privilege Awareness and Reducing Racial Prejudice: Assessing Diversity Course Effectiveness
Authors: Case Kim A.
Published: February 2008

Many diversity courses in psychology originally aimed to reduce student racial bias and raise their awareness of racism. However, quantitative data testing the effectiveness of such courses are lacking. This study assessed a required diversity course's effectiveness in raising awareness of White privilege and racism; increasing support for affirmative action; and reducing prejudice, guilt, and fear of other races. Students ( N = 146) completed identical surveys during the first and last weeks of the semester. Results indicated greater awareness of White privilege and racism and more support for affirmative action by the end of the term. White students ( n = 131) also expressed greater White guilt after completing the course.
Students' Grades and Ratings of Perceived Effectiveness of Behaviors Influencing Academic Performance
Authors: Perlman Baron , McCann Lee I. , Prust Adam
Published: February 2008

We studied undergraduate psychology students' grades and their ratings of the helpfulness of behaviors related to good academic performance. On average students desired an AB (3.5 on a 4-point scale) and would have been satisfied with a B; 31% of students expressed satisfaction with a BC or lower. Overall, students averaged a BC final grade, a B in nonintroductory courses. In every course but introductory psychology, students earned the grade they find satisfactory. Students rated only 7 of 59 behaviors as helping earn desired grades to a great extent; all involved basic studying. Moreover, they did not rate many potentially useful behaviors highly.
The Utility of Computer-Assisted Power Analysis Lab Instruction
Authors: Petrocelli John V.
Published: February 2008

Undergraduate students ( N = 47), enrolled in 2 separate psychology research methods classes, evaluated a power analysis lab demonstration and homework assignment. Students attended 1 of 2 lectures that included a basic introduction to power analysis and sample size analysis. One lecture included a demonstration of how to use a computer-based power analysis calculator, whereas the other lecture did not. Students then completed a homework assignment (with or without the power analysis calculator). Compared to students who did not use the power analysis calculator, students who did reported that the lab and homework assignment increased their understanding of power analysis and increased their overall level of interest in their research projects. These students also recommended using the lab in future courses.
On following Your Bliss: An Interview with Jane S. Halonen
Authors: Irons Jessica G.
Published: February 2008

Jane S. Halonen is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of West Florida, where she insists on teaching introductory psychology each fall. She was employed in various roles at Alverno College for 17 years and also served for 5 years as the Director of the School of Psychology at James Madison University. Past president of both the Society for the Teaching of Psychology and the Council for the Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology, Jane has been an avid supporter of teaching conferences in the discipline. Her scholarship includes work on critical thinking, assessment, and faculty development. She won the American Psychological Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award in 2000 and was named an “Eminent Woman in Psychology” in 2002. She coordinates the international Improving University Teaching conference and also serves as Chief Reader for the Psychology Advanced Placement exam.

Jessica G. Irons is a new assistant professor of psychology at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She earned her BA and MS degrees from Augusta State University where she worked with Dr. Stephen H. Hobbs. She earned her PhD from Auburn University in 2007 where she worked with Dr. Christopher J. Correia studying the interactions of drugs and behavior. Jessica also worked with Dr. Bill Buskist to pursue her research interests in the scholarship of teaching. She has taught introductory psychology, research methods, and drugs and behavior. She earned recognition for her teaching efforts departmentally and campus-wide while at Auburn and won the Wilbert J. McKeachie Teaching Excellence Award in 2007.
The Postsynaptic Density 95/Disc-Large/Zona Occludens Protein Syntenin Directly Interacts with Frizzled 7 and Supports Noncanonical Wnt Signaling
Authors: Luyten Annouck , Mortier Eva , Van Campenhout Claude , Taelman Vincent , Degeest Gisèle , Wuytens Gunther , Lambaerts Kathleen , David Guido , Bellefroid Eric J. , Zimmermann Pascale
Published: February 2008

Wnt signaling pathways are essential for embryonic patterning, and they are disturbed in a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer. An unresolved question is how the different Wnt pathways are supported and regulated. We previously established that the postsynaptic density 95/disc-large/zona occludens (PDZ) protein syntenin binds to syndecans, Wnt coreceptors, and known stimulators of protein kinase C (PKC)α and CDC42 activity. Here, we show that syntenin also interacts with the C-terminal PDZ binding motif of several Frizzled Wnt receptors, without compromising the recruitment of Dishevelled, a key downstream Wnt-signaling component. Syntenin is coexpressed with cognate Frizzled during early development in Xenopus. Overexpression and down-regulation of syntenin disrupt convergent extension movements, supporting a role for syntenin in noncanonical Wnt signaling. Syntenin stimulates c-jun phosphorylation and modulates Frizzled 7 signaling, in particular the PKCα/CDC42 noncanonical Wnt signaling cascade. The syntenin–Frizzled 7 binding mode indicates syntenin can accommodate Frizzled 7–syndecan complexes. We propose that syntenin is a novel component of the Wnt signal transduction cascade and that it might function as a direct intracellular link between Frizzled and syndecans.
Virulence of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Attenuated by Degradation of Fatty Acid Cell-to-Cell Signaling Factors
Authors: Newman Karyn L. , Chatterjee Subhadeep , Ho Kimberly A. , Lindow Steven E.
Published: February 2008

Diffusible signal factor (DSF) is a fatty acid signal molecule involved in regulation of virulence in several Xanthomonas species as well as Xylella fastidiosa. In this study, we identified a variety of bacteria that could disrupt DSF-mediated induction of virulence factors in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. While many bacteria had the ability to degrade DSF, several bacterial strains belonging to genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Microbacterium, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas were identified that were capable of particularly rapid degradation of DSF. The molecular determinants for rapid degradation of DSF in Pseudomonas spp. strain G were elucidated. Random transposon mutants of strain G lacking the ability to degrade DSF were isolated. Cloning and characterization of disrupted genes in these strains revealed that carAB, required for the synthesis of carbamoylphosphate, a precursor for pyrimidine and arginine biosynthesis is required for rapid degradation of DSF in strain G. Complementation of carAB mutants restored both pyrimidine prototrophy and DSF degradation ability of the strain G mutant. An Escherichia coli strain harboring carAB of Pseudomonas spp. strain G degrades DSF more rapidly than the parental strain, and overexpression of carAB in trans increased the ability of Pseudomonas spp. strain G to degrade as compared with the parental strain. Coinoculation of X. campestris pv. campestris with DSF-degrading bacteria into mustard and cabbage leaves reduced disease severity up to twofold compared with plants inoculated only with the pathogen. Likewise, disease incidence and severity in grape stems coinoculated with Xylella fastidiosa and DSF-degrading strains were significantly reduced compared with plants inoculated with the pathogen alone. Coinoculation of grape plants with a carAB mutant of Pseudomonas spp. strain G complemented with carAB in trans reduced disease severity as well or better than the parental strain. These results indicate that overexpression of carAB in other endophytes could be a useful strategy of biocontrol for the control of diseases caused by plant pathogens that produce DSF.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Fingerprinting of Erwinia amylovora has a Limited Phylogenetic Value but Allows the Design of Highly Specific Molecular Markers
Authors: Rico Arantza , Führer M. Elena , Ortiz-Barredo Amaya , Murillo Jesús
Published: February 2008

Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight, is genetically very homogeneous, and current methodologies provide insufficient or contradictory information about the probable dispersal routes of the pathogen. With the final aim to obtain specific and reliable molecular markers for different lineages of the pathogen, we studied the molecular basis of rep-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) polymorphism using seven different arbitrary primers to fingerprint 93 E. amylovora strains from different countries, including Spain. Polymorphism was very low, and was displayed by only 11 E. amylovora strains, which produced 22 polymorphic bands. Five of 11 polymorphic bands cloned contained DNA that was present in more than 85% of the strains, whereas six bands were due to DNA present exclusively in the strains producing the rep-PCR polymorphism. Also, five of the polymorphic bands were due to the possession of either the ubiquitous plasmid pEA29, of plasmid pEU30, which was exclusively found in strains from North America, or of a 35-kb cryptic plasmid, present only in 28 strains from Northern Spain. We designed primer pairs from several cloned polymorphic bands that allowed the specific identification of the strains producing the polymorphism. Our results indicate that rep-PCR is not adequate for constructing genealogies of E. amylovora, although the strategy illustrated here, as well as the designed primers, can be used effectively in epidemiological studies with this pathogen.
Contamination of Fresh and Ensiled Maize by Multiple Penicillium Mycotoxins
Authors: Mansfield M. A. , Jones A. D. , Kuldau G. A.
Published: February 2008

Toxins produced by Penicillium species are reported in maize silage and have been associated with health problems in cattle. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence and dynamics of patulin (PAT), mycophenolic acid (MPA), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), and roquefortine C (ROC) in fresh and ensiled maize. To achieve these objectives we developed a high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry to detect all four toxins simultaneously in silage. In addition we collected weather data, information on agronomic practices, and silage fermentation characteristics for each study site. Silage was collected at harvest and after ensiling in 2001 and 2002 from 30 Pennsylvania dairies. The average concentration of toxins (range in parentheses) was: PAT 0.08 μg/g (0.01 to 1.21), MPA 0.16 μg/g (0.02 to 1.30), CPA 0.12 μg/g (0.02 to 1.43), and ROC 0.38 μg/g (0.01 to 5.71). ROC was the most frequently detected toxin (60%), followed by MPA (42%), CPA (37%), and PAT (23%). Of 120 samples tested, 15% contained no detectible levels of toxin, 25% were contaminated with one toxin, 32% with two, 18% with three, and 10% with all four toxins. All four mycotoxins were found in freshly harvested material, contradicting the belief that Penicillium toxin formation occurs exclusively during storage. We observed that weather conditions during specific growth stages of the crop affected the final concentration of toxins in freshly harvested maize. In ensiled material, PAT levels were affected by concentrations of propionic and isobutyric acids. Based on our data, Penicillium mycotoxins can form while the crop is in the field and after ensiling, suggesting that preventative measures should begin prior to ensiling.
Genetics of Resistance to Wheat Leaf Rust, Stem Rust, and Powdery Mildew in Aegilops sharonensis
Authors: Olivera P. D. , Millet E. , Anikster Y. , Steffenson B. J.
Published: February 2008

Aegilops sharonensis (Sharon goatgrass) is a wild relative of wheat and a rich source of genetic diversity for disease resistance. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic basis of leaf rust, stem rust, and powdery mildew resistance in A. sharonensis and also the allelic relationships between genes controlling resistance to each disease. Progeny from crosses between resistant and susceptible accessions were evaluated for their disease reaction at the seedling and/or adult plant stage to determine the number and action of genes conferring resistance. Two different genes conferring resistance to leaf rust races THBJ and BBBB were identified in accessions 1644 and 603. For stem rust, the same single gene was found to confer resistance to race TTTT in accessions 1644 and 2229. Resistance to stem rust race TPMK was conferred by two genes in accessions 1644 and 603. A contingency test revealed no association between genes conferring resistance to leaf rust race THBJ and stem rust race TTTT or between genes conferring resistance to stem rust race TTTT and powdery mildew isolate UM06-01, indicating that the respective resistance genes are not linked. Three accessions (1644, 2229, and 1193) were found to carry a single gene for resistance to powdery mildew. Allelism tests revealed that the resistance gene in accession 1644 is different from the respective single genes present in either 2229 or 1193. The simple inheritance of leaf rust, stem rust, and powdery mildew resistance in A. sharonensis should simplify the transfer of resistance to wheat in wide crosses.
Development and Optimization of a Real-Time Detection Assay for Xanthomonas fragariae in Strawberry Crown Tissue with Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve Analysis
Authors: Turechek W. W. , Hartung J. S. , McCallister J.
Published: February 2008

Angular leaf spot of strawberry is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae. The disease is transmitted primarily through systemically infected nursery stock. This creates problems for nurseries wishing to export plants to Europe because of quarantine restrictions. Currently, field inspections for symptoms are used to certify plants free of X. fragariae, but visual inspection is not useful for detecting plants infected systemically. To detect systemic infections, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the desired tool because of its sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use. In this study, we developed three sets of real-time PCR primers and probes and determined optimal reaction conditions for use of these primers for the detection of the bacterium X. fragariae in strawberry crown tissue. Real time detection proved to be both more sensitive and specific than standard PCR. Moreover, the detection of X. fragariae in crown tissue extract was possible with real-time PCR but not with standard PCR which is a significant improvement over standard PCR. The information on sensitivity and specificity of the primer sets was used to evaluate the performance of these primers with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis under different tolerances. The results of this analysis can be used to provide guidance on threshold selection to manage disease below unacceptable levels. The results of this research may be useful to regulators and inspectors who must certify that plants meet European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization standards.
An infectious progenitor for the murine IAP retrotransposon: Emergence of an intracellular genetic parasite from an ancient retrovirus
Authors: Ribet David , Harper Francis , Dupressoir Anne , Dewannieux Marie , Pierron Gérard , Heidmann Thierry
Published: February 2008

Mammalian genomes contain a high load of mobile elements among which long terminal repeat (LTR)- retrotransposons may represent up to 10% of the genomic DNA. The murine intracisternal A-type particle (IAP) sequences, the prototype of these mammalian “genetic parasites,” have an intracellular replicative life cycle and are responsible for a very large fraction of insertional mutagenesis in mice. Yet, phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that they derive from an ancestral retrovirus that has reached the germline of a remote rodent ancestor and has been “endogenized.” A genome-wide screening of the mouse genome now has led us to identify the likely progenitor of the intracellular IAP retrotransposons. This identified “living fossil”—that we found to be present only as a single fully active copy—discloses all the characteristics of a bona fide retrovirus, with evidence for particle formation at the cell membrane, and release of virions with a mature morphology that are infectious. We show, by generating appropriate chimeras, that IAPs derive from this element via passive loss of its env gene, and gain of an endoplasmic reticulum targeting signal, resulting in its “intracellularization” and in the gain of transpositional activity. The identification within the mouse genome of the still active retroviral progenitor of the IAP endogenous mobile elements and the experimental dissection of the molecular events responsible for the shift in its life cycle provide a conclusive illustration of the process that has led, during evolution, to the generation of very successful intracellular retrotransposons from ancient retroviruses.
DER TRINKER VOR DEM RICHTER*
Authors: NEUMANN H.
Published: February 2008

— Häufig wird ein Richter mit Sicherheit nicht entscheiden können, ob bei einer Straftat ein chronischer Alkoholismus entscheidenden Einfluβ hatte. Die Alkoholgebundenheit eines Straftäters und deren Zusammenhang mit der Straftat wird nicht selten übersehen, häufig vom Angeklagten bewuβt verschwiegen. Zuweilen glaubt der Jurist in Strafverfahren auf das Einschalten eines mit der Suchtproblematik vertrauten medizinischen Sachverständigen verzichten zu können oder hält die Anhörung ausschlieβlich beim Termin zur Interpretation der Blutalkoholwerte für ausreichend. Blutalkoholuntersuchungen werden aber nur unter besonderen Voraussetzungen, keinesfalls aber routinemäβig nach Unfällen durchgeführt, so daβ schon deswegen nur ein Teil der Zusammenhänge Alkolhol — Straftat erfaβt werden können. Während im Anfangsstadium des chronischen Alkoholismus der Trinker in alien Kreisen — auch vor dem Richter — oft unverständliche Milde findet, begegnet man dem Trunksüchtigen mit sozialen and psychischen Schäden mit Ablehnung, Unverständnis and Härte. Über das Ausmaβ des Alkoholismus gehen die Ansichten des Richters und Arztes oft erheblich auseinander, was zur Folge hat, daβ die vorgeschlagene Durchführung einer Entziehungskur oder Anordnung von bestimmten Auflagen durch das Gericht nicht zur Durchführung kommen. An einigen Beispielen wird dargelegt, daβ die Verurteilung von Trinkern zwar rein juristisch nicht zu beanstanden, aber trotzdem unbefriedigend ist, well eine Änderung der Trinkgewohnheiten nicht zu erwarten ist und somit die Rückfallgefahr als groβ angesehen werden muβ.
Treatment of Alcoholic Patients in a Psychiatric Hospital
Authors: HAUMONTÉ M. TH.
Published: February 2008

This study was undertaken on 50 male patients chosen at random among the 188 who came in the last 6 months.
Consumption of Alcoholic Drinks by Pupils and Students of Primary, Secondary, and High Schools in Polish Cities
Authors: SWIECICKI ANDRZEJ
Published: February 2008

Résumé Les résultats d'une enquête menée dans la ville de Bochnia en Pologne en 1913, portant sur 2340 élèves dont les âges variaient de 7 à 18 ans furent compareés à plusieurs enquêtes menées au cours des années 1960–1966 dans différentes villes polonaises portant sur 6295 élèves et étudiants dont les âges variaient de 11–24 ans.

La comparaison dénote l'augmentation de la limite d'âge des premiers contacts avec l'alcool à partir d'environ 8–14 ans; la diminution du rôle joué par la famille à servir de l'alcool aux mineurs; l'importance accrue du rôle des groupes de compagnons; la consommation actuelle plus élevée d'alcool de la part d'élèves âgés de 18 ans et au‐dessus qu'il n'y a 50 ans.

zusammenfassung

Resultate einer Untersuchung, die in der Stadt Bochnia, Polen im Jahre 1913 durchgeführt wurde, umfassend 2340 Schüler im Alter von 7 bis 18 Jahre, wurden verglichen mit mehreren Untersuchungen, die während der Jahre 1960–1966 in verschiedenen polnischen Städten, umfassend 6295 Schüler und Studenten. im Alter zwischen 11 und 24 Jahren, angestellt wurden.

Der Vergleich zeigt, daβ die Altersgrenze für den ersten Kontakt mit Alkohol von ungefähr 8 auf 14 Jahre anstieg, die kleinere Rolle die die Familie spielt in der Verabreichung von Alkohol an den Minderjährigen, den Anstieg der Rolle die Gruppen von Kameraden spiel ten, die gröβere Ziffer des Alkoholkonsums bei den 18‐jährigen Schülern der Jetztzeit verglichen mit der Ziffer von mehr als 50 Jahre zurück.
Laboratory Testing of New Drugs for Morphine‐Like Drug Dependence
Authors: BUCKETT W. R.
Published: February 2008

Résumé Des essais de laboratoire faits de bonne heure sur un nouvel analgique pour une dépendance de la drogue semblable à celle causée par la morphine sont basés principalement sur les phénomènes associés à la dépendance physique. La méthode ayant la plus grande valeur est basée sur la suppression par dose unique des signes de retrait chez des singes ou des rats attachés à la morphine, les derniers cités étant préférables pour des etudes initiales. D'autres méthodes supplémentaires comprennent le développement direct de la dépendance pour le nouvel agent chez des rats ou des chiens et certains essais de passage au crible non spécifiques qui peuvent servir pour donner une première indication de la puissance de la nouvelle drogue à produire une dépendance.

Zuammenfassung

Frühe Laboratoriumsversuche zwecks Erprobung eines neuen, schmerzstillenden Mittels auf eine mögliche, morphium‐ähnliche Sucht beruhen hauptsächlichauf den Erscheinungen, diemit physischer Abhängigkeit im Zusammenhang stehen. Die Methode des gröβten Wertes beruht auf der Unterdrückung der Abstinenzerscheinungen bei morphium‐süchtigen Ratten oder Affen mittels einer einzigen Dosis, wobei die ersteren für die Anfangsstudien bevorzugt werden. Andere, zusätzliche Methoden beinhalten die Heranziehung einer direkten Abhängigkeit von der neuen Substanz bei Ratten oder Hunden, sowie gewisse, nicht spezifische Probeversuche die als erster Anhaltspunkt dafür dienen können ob die neue Droge eine unerwünschte Abhängigkeit schaffen kann.
Historical Perspective*
Authors: LEWIS SIR AUBREY
Published: February 2008

Opium, cannabis and cocaine have a long and colourful history which can be seen in perspective at the beginning of this century. The questions asked then were very like those we are asking now.
Peat carbon stocks in the southern Mackenzie River Basin: uncertainties revealed in a high‐resolution case study
Authors: BEILMAN DAVID W. , VITT DALE H. , BHATTI JAGTAR S. , FOREST SILVIE
Published: February 2008

The organic carbon (C) stocks contained in peat were estimated for a wetland‐rich boreal region of the Mackenzie River Basin, Canada, using high‐resolution wetland map data, available peat C characteristic and peat depth datasets, and geostatistics. Peatlands cover 32% of the 25 119 km2 study area, and consist mainly of surface‐ and/or groundwater‐fed treed peatlands. The thickness of peat deposits measured at 203 sites was 2.5 m on average but as deep as 6 m, and highly variable between sites. Peat depths showed little relationship with terrain data within 1 and 5 km, but were spatially autocorrelated, and were generalized using ordinary kriging. Polygon‐scale calculations and Monte Carlo simulations yielded a total peat C stock of 982–1025 × 1012 g C that varied in C mass per unit area between 53 and 165 kg m−2. This geostatistical approach showed as much as 10% more peat C than calculations using mean depths. We compared this estimate with an overlapping 7868 km2 portion of an independent peat C stock estimate for western Canada, which revealed similar values for total peatland area, total C stock, and total peat C mass per unit area. However, agreement was poor within ∼875 km2 grids owing to inconsistencies in peatland cover and little relationship in peat depth between estimates. The greatest disagreement in mean peat C mass per unit area occurred in grids with the largest peatland cover, owing to the spatial coincidence of large cover and deep peat in our high‐resolution assessment. We conclude that total peat C stock estimates in the southern Mackenzie Basin and perhaps in boreal western Canada are likely of reasonable accuracy. However, owing to uncertainties particularly in peat depth, the quality of information regarding the location of these large stocks at scales as wide as several hundreds of square kilometers is presently much more limited.
Delay from symptoms to carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Johansson E. P. , Wester P.
Published: February 2008

Objectives.  To investigate the time between cerebrovascular symptom and carotid endarterectomy (CEA), what prolongs this time and if and when the patients suffer additional cerebrovascular events.

Design.  Observational.

Setting.  Single Centre study at a specialized Stroke Centre.

Subjects.  A total of 275 patients with ≥50% symptomatic carotid stenosis (according to the NASCET‐criteria) between 1 January 2004 and 31 March 2006.

Main outcome measures.  Time between cerebrovascular symptom and CEA, time between different parts of the investigation, additional cerebrovascular symptoms before CEA and as perioperative complication.

Results.  A total of 128 patients underwent CEA. The median time between symptom and CEA was 11.7 weeks in the beginning and 6.9 weeks at the end of the study. Seven per cent were operated within 2 weeks and 11% between 2 and 4 weeks after their cerebrovascular symptom. The time delays were most pronounced between symptom onset and arrival at the Umeå Stroke Centre from the secondary hospitals and between the decision to recommend CEA and the CEA. Twenty‐eight per cent of the patients who were intended for surgery suffered additional cerebrovascular events, 1.4% suffered a major stroke which excluded the indication of CEA and 3.0% of the CEA patients suffered a stroke with functional dependence within 30 days of the operation.

Conclusions.  The delay between symptom and CEA was substantially longer than the desired 2 weeks. Many patients suffered additional cerebrovascular events before CEA. The risk of a severe additional stroke before CEA was about the same as the risk of a severe complication from the CEA.
Copper and Iron Transport Across the Placenta: Regulation and Interactions
Authors: McArdle H. J. , Andersen H. S. , Jones H. , Gambling L.
Published: February 2008

Iron and copper are both essential micronutrients and are required for a wide variety of enzymatic and other processes within the developing foetus. Transfer of both nutrients across the placenta is tightly regulated. In this review, we consider their mechanisms of transport, how the transfer is modulated in response to nutritional requirements and how the two metals interact. Iron uptake is via the transferrin receptor, followed by endocytosis, acidification of the vesicle, and release of the iron into the cytosol, and transfer across the basolateral membrane. Many of the genes involved have been identified, and, to varying extents, their mechanisms of regulation clarified, but there are still unanswered questions and conundrums. For example, although the ion channel DMT1 (now formally known as slc11a2) is essential for iron uptake in the gut, knockout mice, which have no slc11a2 protein, have apparently normal transfer across the placenta. There must, therefore, be an alternative mechanism, which remains unclear, although nonspecific calcium channels have been proposed as one possibility. For copper, uptake is a carrier‐mediated process, and intracellular transfer is mediated by proteins known as chaperones. Efflux is through ATPases, but their localisation and how they are regulated is only now being elucidated. Regulation of copper proteins appears to be different from that of iron, with localisation of the protein, rather than changing levels, being responsible for altering rates of transfer. This may not be true for all the proteins and genes involved in the delivery of copper, and, again, there is much that remains to be clarified. Finally, we consider the interactions that occur between the two metals, reviewing the data that show how alterations in levels of one of the nutrients changes that of the other, and we examine the hypotheses explaining the interactions.
Placental Corticotrophin‐Releasing Hormone and its Receptors in Human Pregnancy and Labour: Still a Scientific Enigma
Authors: Grammatopoulos D. K.
Published: February 2008

It is now accepted that, in humans, placental corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) is involved in the mechanisms controlling the onset of labour; however, the precise biological role in foeto–maternal tissues remain enigmatic. Maternal plasma levels of CRH rise exponentially as pregnancy progresses towards term and peak during labour; however, evidence to link this with an active role in the onset and progression of labour, is still inconclusive. Certainly, one of the tissues targeted by CRH is the myometrial smooth muscle, which expresses a plethora of specific CRH receptors. This finding implicates CRH in the mechanisms preparing the myometrial microenvironment for the onset of labour and possibly in the regulation of active contractility during labour. Other gestational tissues also targeted by CRH include the placenta, foetal membranes and foetal adrenals, where CRH might regulate distinct physiological functions, ranging from control of vascular tone to adrenal steroidogenesis and prostaglandin synthesis and activity. Given the unique, among mammals, pattern of human placental CRH secretion and CRH receptor expression and signalling during pregnancy and labour, there are only limited biological tools available to delineate the actions of CRH in foeto–maternal tissues, primarily based on in vitro characterisation of the signalling and molecular events driven by CRH. This review will set in context the current concepts about the role of CRH and its receptors during pregnancy and labour, focusing on the unresolved questions and paradoxes that currently exist.
Suppression of the Febrile Response in Late Gestation: Evidence, Mechanisms and Outcomes
Authors: Mouihate A. , Harré E.‐M. , Martin S. , Pittman Q. J.
Published: February 2008

Fever is a beneficial host defence response. However, fever caused by the immune stimulant, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are attenuated in many species during pregnancy, particularly near term. A number of parallel mechanisms may be responsible, and these vary in magnitude according to the time of gestation, type of inflammatory stimulus and species of animal. Some studies report a reduction in the plasma levels of circulating pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐6 along with increased levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist. Associated with the attenuated febrile response to LPS is a reduction in the activation of the prostaglandin synthesising enzyme, cyclo‐oxygenase 2, resulting in reduced levels of the obligatory prostaglandin mediators of the febrile response in the brain. There is also a reduction in the sensitivity of the brain to the pyrogenic action of prostaglandins, which does not appear to be due to a change in the levels of hypothalamic EP3 prostaglandin receptors. The suppression of fever at term may be important for the health of the neonate because fever in pregnant mothers may be harmful to the late‐term foetus and neonate.
Psychiatric mental health nursing: challenge and change
Authors: PEPLAU H. E.
Published: February 2008

Editor's note

. We invited Dr Peplau to provide a personal reflection on the recent history of psychiatric nursing and her thoughts on immediate challenges facing the profession. The paper is an individual scholar's commentary on the way that psychiatry has waxed and waned over the years, in relation to nursing. This historical review discovers and reports a challenge to current practice. Dr Peplau describes a professional shift that is pulling nurses toward the subordinate role observed earlier this century. The paper draws attention to how contemporary practice can be positively influenced, e.g., by giving a structure to the allocation and conduct of nurse–patient time.
Concept and models for the study of caregiver burden
Authors: LOUKISSA D. A.
Published: February 2008

Families caring for a mentally ill member experience various degrees of burden. The concept of burden has been studied over the centuries and is seen primarily as an obligation which entails a cost. In very few cases burden has been seen positively. The present article explores the concept of burden as it is presented in the literature, addresses the categories of strain that families caring for mentally ill relatives experience, and presents four models for the study of caregiver burden.
Siblings and eating disorders: a phenomenological perspective
Authors: GARLEY D. , JOHNSON B.
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop an increased awareness of the sibling experience in families where one child has an eating disorder. Using a phenomenological approach, five female adolescents whose sisters had been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa each participated in two open‐ended, unstructured interviews, which were coded and analysed using methods consistent with phenomenological research. Two overarching constructs evolved, which subsumed five major themes. All siblings (1) described intense and conflicted emotions, and (2) experienced their sisters' illness as a pervasive phenomenon in their lives. In this context, perspective of the illness, disruption of intra‐ and extrafamilial relationships, role strain, special status awarded the anorectic sister, and coping with the illness were significant themes which emerged for participants. Findings support the need for nurses to be involved in family‐focused health care practice, and to be cognizant of the impact on siblings in families where one member's illness is a factor.
User satisfaction with in‐patient mental health services
Authors: LOVELL K.
Published: February 2008

User satisfaction with in‐patient mental health services.

Although a wealth of literature regarding lay evaluation or satisfaction with health services exists, a paucity of literature is available about satisfaction with mental health services. Much of this literature is fraught with methodological problems. The study described, using both quantitative and qualitative methodology, investigated how users of in‐patient mental health services evaluated these services with particular reference to the areas of the admission process, treatment, ward environment and safety. The findings confirmed the broad outcomes reported in the literature, in that they demonstrated the mismatch between quantitative and qualitative data. Global satisfaction ratings were generally positive; however, more specific questions yielded less positive outcomes. Semi‐structured interviews reported some important areas of dissatisfaction, including a lack of information regarding treatment and services. Fears relating to safety were expressed equally by male and female users. Further work in this area is required with larger samples, and with specific reference to the experience of ethnic minorities and those detained under the Mental Health Act.
Suicide and parasuicide: a selected review of the literature
Authors: McGAUGHEY J. , LONG A. , HARRISSON S.
Published: February 2008

Suicide and parasuicide: a selected review of the literature.

The increase in adolescent suicides has prompted the World Health Organization to set targets to reduce the incidence of deaths by the year 2000. In order to achieve this target further investigation into the perceptions of adolescent parasuicidal individuals is required to reduce the number of suicide attempts. Statistical evidence shows that parasuicidal individuals are commonly females who attempt suicide by taking an overdose. In the majority of cases help has been sought within the month prior to the attempt. Following an attempt many individuals feel isolated or ignored by health professionals. It appears that communication difficulties and negative attitudes by health professionals often reinforce the stigma associated with suicide. Nurses can contribute to the prevention of parasuicide/suicide by actively providing therapeutic care and counselling parasuicidal individuals to help them deal with major life events.
Treatment of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome using behavioural psychotherapy: a single case example
Authors: TOLCHARD B.
Published: February 2008

Treatment of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome using behavioural psychotherapy: a single case example.

This paper describes the clinical condition of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) and outlines some of the causes for the condition and its possible treatments. It describes a single case demonstrating the effectiveness of one type of treatment, namely habit reversal. Finally the implications of the condition's classification as a psychiatric disorder are discussed as is the possibility that other health care professionals may be able to help in the treatment of such cases.
Catharsis: a literature review
Authors: KETTLES A.
Published: February 2008

A review of the catharsis literature by its nature must begin with an examination of its development from emotion. This allows us to understand why so much controversy surrounds catharsis as a therapeutic notion. The study of emotion and its various facets, such as the role of language and gender differences, are discussed. Definitions of catharsis and an examination of the evidence for the three major forms of catharsis follow. This enables the relevance of catharsis as a stress management technique in the self‐care of nurses and other healthcare professionals to be examined.

The review concludes that there is a paucity of mental health nursing evidence to support the value of catharsis as a skilled nursing intervention. The existing inconclusive evidence from other sources, such as psychology, does tend to support the use of catharsis in some situations. Finally, recommendations for particular aspects of future catharsis research are also suggested.
Evaluation of a transitional residential programme for homeless chronically mentally ill people
Authors: MURRAY R. L. E. , BAIER M.
Published: February 2008

MURRAY R. L. E & BAIER M. (1995) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing2, 3–8: Evaluation of a transitional residential programme for homeless chronically mentally ill people.: This paper reports a successful transitional programme in the USA. The research programme evaluation covered 5.5 years and 228 severely and persistently mentally ill homeless clients who lived in a transitional residential centre. Forty‐eight per cent of the residents achieved the Programme's goals of obtaining and maintaining permanent housing and a disability pension or a job. Achievement of client goals was positively related to length of stay of 3 months or more, to five or more previous psychiatric hospitalizations, and to participation in two or more ongoing activities whilst in the programme. Psychiatric diagnosis was not directly related to goal attainment in this programme.
Mental health nursing: a global perspective
Authors: RN T. OGUISSO
Published: February 2008

OGUISSO T. (1995) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing2, 41–45: Mental health nursing: a global perspective.: This paper is based on a presentation by Dr Oguisso to the First Hamburg World Forum on Mental Health, 11 June 1994, for the Standing Committee of Presidents of International Non‐Governmental Organizations Concerned with Mental Health Issues. Over recent years, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has been concerned that health providers are sometimes not adequately prepared to give quality care and that resources are often well below those targeted for other sectors of the health care system. In 1991 the ICN chose ‘Mental Health … Nurses in Action’ as the theme for International Nurses Day on 12 May. With the help of the ICN‐provided educational kits, national nurses' associations updated nurses on the problems and informed the public that nurses as a group can provide many of the mental health services to people and answer their families needs.
How can clinical supervision become a real vision for the future?
Authors: MORCOM C. , HUGHES R.
Published: February 2008

How can clinical supervision become a real vision for the future?

Clinical supervision is increasingly cited as being a necessary part of the work and development of all nurses. This paper discusses an educational programme offered to nurses in one particular Trust and outlines the course philosophy, content, organization and background to this development. Emphasis is placed on the importance of clinical supervision, the student‐centred approach to course delivery, and the need to recognize the importance of adequate training and education for all nurses in this area.
Book reviews
Authors: Norman Ian
Published: February 2008

Book reviewed in this article:

Stress and Coping in Mental Health Nursing

Making use of clinical audit: a guide to practice in the health professions.

Pseudoscience in Biological Psychiatry

Dimensions of Community Mental Health Care

Implementing Community Care

Frontline Nursing Research
Chaos and the way of Zen: psychiatric nursing and the ‘uncertainty principle’
Authors: BARKER P. J.
Published: February 2008

The biological sciences have been dominated by ‘classicist’ science – predicated on the post‐ Enlightenment belief that a real world exists, which behaves according to notions of causality and consistency Although medicine, and by implication psychiatric nursing, derives its explanatory power from such a science, much of its focus – illness – is not amenable to causal explanation or prediction. The theoretical developments of the new physics have been used to redefine science and, as a result, have challenged traditional constructions of reality. The new physics are usually framed in terms of the physical world, or to construe consciousness. In this paper I shall consider the implications of chaos – a relative of the new physics – for psychiatric nursing practice. As nursing appears to crave a ‘certainty principle’ to govern the theoretical underpinnings of practice, this study considers how chaos might contribute to a metaparadigm of nursing.
The human factor
Authors: HILL B. , MICHAEL S.
Published: February 2008

Defining the core activity of psychiatric nursing is helpful if the discipline seeks profession‐alization. A definition offers a sense of stability within the current culture of change in care provision. However, core activity may be incongruent with postmodern ideas and practice. The Paper attempts to square this circle. It addresses the complexity of describing core activity when this is based on implicit knowledge of practice, based in art rather than science. Using a phenomenological research approach, the research involved encouraging psychiatric nurses within residential schemes to consider the meaning of their concrete activity. Initial findings suggest that the core activity is working with extraordinary people within ‘ordinary’ relationships, and in ‘ordinary’ contexts.
Scatolia: psychosis to protest
Authors: MASON T.
Published: February 2008

This paper presents the case of a female patient in a special hospital who engaged in faecal smearing whilst in seclusion, A management investigation followed a complaint by a Nurse Manager regarding the reluctance of staff to clean the room whilst the patient remained disturbed. The investigation team adopted a triangulated method of interviews, literature review, survey and case presentations to study the issues involved.

The results presented here suggest the emergence of similar issues from both the interview commentary and the tabulated data from the survey. There apppears an intricate and complex dilemma facing those managing situations involving scatolic behaviour. There are issues of concern from diverse organizational settings that overlap between those persons who engage in scatolia who may be deemed mentally impaired, psychiatrically disordered, or protest behaviour.
Group processes in a case discussion workshop for community psychiatric nurses
Authors: STERN J. M.
Published: February 2008

This paper describes a case discussion workshop with a team of hospital‐based community psychiatric nurses (CPNs). After describing the growth of the CPN movement in Britain and the conflicting ideas surrounding the professional role of CPNs, some of the group processes within a particular group of CPNs will be illustrated. Particular attention is paid to the way in which reading material distributed to the group may reflect group processes, and the way in which institutional factors impinge on case discussions. The case for various forms of psychodynamic input into community psychiatric teams is also made.