bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Sperm Morphology in Zebu Bulls, under Field Conditions in the Tropics
Authors: Chacón J
Published: March 2003

Sperm morphology was studied in 302 extensively managed Zebu bulls (aged 1.5–9 years), classified as sound (n=166) or unsound (n=136) for breeding, under field conditions in the dry tropics of Costa Rica. Single semen samples were collected by electro‐ejaculation and fixed in formol‐saline solution immediately after collection. Sperm morphology was determined in the field on wet smears using a microscope equipped with phase‐contrast optics, and further determined in the laboratory on air‐dried smears stained with carbol‐fuchsin. The frequencies of sperm abnormalities (such as abnormal acrosome, head, neck, mid‐piece, tail, and presence of cytoplasmic droplets) were recorded as a percentage of the total number of counted spermatozoa (400 cells). Zebu bulls considered unsound for breeding showed a higher mean prevalence (p < 0.05) of knobbed acrosomes (4.0 versus 0.9%), head defects [specifically, nuclear invaginations and heads with abnormal shapes and sizes (27.6 versus 4.0%)], abnormal tails (11.2 versus 4.7%), and proximal droplets (8.4 versus 1.6%), compared with bulls considered sound for breeding. In these latter bulls, the abnormality most commonly seen was the presence of single bent tails with an entrapped cytoplasmic droplet (3.0 ± 3.7%). Young Zebu bulls (i.e. bulls under 2 years of age) showed a higher percentage of missing acrosomes, and proximal cytoplasmic droplets, than older sires (12.1 versus 2.4%, and 23.9 versus 3.6%, respectively; p < 0.05), interpreted as an indication of low ejaculation frequency and sexual immaturity, respectively. Bulls with a long scrotum and soft testicular consistency (TC) at palpation showed higher percentages of abnormal sperm heads in the ejaculate than bulls with a normal scrotal length (SL) and a normal TC (32.7 versus 12.8% and 30.7 versus 10.3%, respectively; p < 0.05). In addition, Zebu bulls with a scrotal circumference (SC) ≤ 30 cm showed a higher prevalence of proximal cytoplasmic droplets than bulls whose SC was > 30 cm (9.8 versus 2.6%, p < 0.05). A higher mean percentage of abnormally sized and shaped heads, especially undeveloped and narrow at the base, was more frequently found in stained smears than in unstained samples (26.0 versus 9.9%, p < 0.05), which clearly underlines the importance of using both stained and wet smears when assessing sperm head morphology. However, for a quick assessment of sperm morphology under field, tropical conditions, phase‐contrast microscopy provides useful information for the spermiogramme evaluation.
Effect of Mating Frequency on Sow Reproductive Performance under Field Conditions and Natural Mating in Large Outdoor Production Units
Authors: Waller CM , Bilkei G
Published: March 2003

Contents

The effect of mating frequency on fertility and litter size of sows, kept in outdoor production systems was investigated. Sows that were mated once or twice during a single oestrus were included in the study to compare the effect of number of matings on farrowing rate and litter size. Natural mating was used during the study period. Four groups of sows of parity two or more were either mated once 28–30 h after the onset of oestrus or were mated 28–30 h after the onset of oestrus and again 24 h later. The farrowing rate did not differ significantly between single‐ and double‐mated sows, although a noticeable but non‐significant depression in farrowing rate was evident between the groups of single‐mated and double‐mated animals. With the exception of total‐born litter size (p > 0.05), the total number born and number of live‐born piglets per litter were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the group of sows that received only one mating compared with the double‐mated animals. The implication of these results is that the double mating by natural service of sows kept in an outdoor production systems may improve litter size.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Bovine Ovarian Follicular Fluid and its Relationship with Oestradiol and Progesterone
Authors: Nielsen AH , Schauser KH , Svenstrup B , Poulsen K
Published: March 2003

Content

The purpose of the present study was to identify angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in bovine ovarian follicular fluid and to relate the ACE activity to the phase of the oestrous cycle, pregnancy, and the follicular fluid concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone. The ACE activity was similar to that found in bovine serum and was completely inhibited by the specific ACE inhibitor captopril. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 1.4 × 10−8 mol/l (range 0.8 × 10−8 to 5.0 × 10−8 mol/l; n=6), which is similar to that found in bovine and human serum. The ACE activity did not differ in the pre‐ovulatory and luteal phase, pregnancy or cystic follicles. It correlated with the follicular fluid concentration of progesterone in cycling cows (ρ=0.476; p < 0.005; n=36), but did not correlate with the diameter of the follicles, the follicular fluid concentration of oestradiol or the ratio between the oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. The demonstration of ACE in bovine ovarian follicular fluid provides further evidence for the presence of a local renin–angiotensin system in the bovine ovary.
Effect of Rabbit Age on Sperm Chromatin Structure
Authors: Gogol P , Bochenek M , Smorąg Z
Published: March 2003

Contents

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the age of male rabbits and the sperm chromatin structure. The studies involved the semen of New Zealand White rabbits between 5 and 28 months of age. A flow cytometry and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) method was used to determine chromatin structure. The results of cytometric chromatin structure assay suggested a relatively high stability of sperm chromatin in the rabbit. Between 6 and 16 months of age, the mean percentage of sperm with damaged chromatin was the lowest and ranged from 1.7 to 2.4%. Decreased sperm chromatin stability was found in ejaculates taken from male rabbits less than 5 months and more than 20 months of age.
Effect of Swim up and Percoll Treatment on Viability and Acrosome Integrity of Frozen–thawed Bull Spermatozoa
Authors: Somfai T , Bodó S , Nagy S , Papp ÁB , Iváncsics J , Baranyai B , Gócza E , Kovács A
Published: March 2003

Contents

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the swim up and Percoll methods to select frozen–thawed bull spermatozoa with high quality membrane and acrosomal integrity and final concentration. Semen samples from six Holstein–Friesian bulls were examined. The whole experiment was repeated three times. Before and after both treatments, spermatozoa were subjected to a double‐staining method and evaluated by brightfield light microscope using 40× dry, or 100× oil immersion objectives. The concentration of spermatozoa evaluated by haemocytometer was 8.8 × 107/ml after thawing, and the percentage of live cells with intact acrosome was 45.8%. Both treatments significantly increased the proportion of live spermatozoa compared with no treatment, and the use of Percoll gradient resulted in a significantly higher percentage of living cells with an intact acrosome (88.2%) than the swim up method (69.4%). The concentration of spermatozoa after Percoll separation (9.3 × 106/ml) was higher than that after the swim up method (5.8 × 106/ml). These results indicate that spermatozoa with a higher viability and acrosome integrity can be obtained by Percoll separation than by the swim up method. Therefore the use of Percoll‐treated spermatozoa in IVF systems can be more expedient.
Patterns of Follicular Growth in Superovulated Sheep and Influence on Endocrine and Ovarian Response
Authors: Gonzalez‐Bulnes A , Garcia‐Garcia RM , Souza CJH , Santiago‐Moreno J , Lopez‐Sebastian A , Cocero MJ , Baird DT
Published: March 2003

Contents

Objectives of this study were to characterize patterns of follicular development in sheep superovulated with purified follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (OVAGENTM, ICP, Auckland, New Zealand) and to determine its influence on preovulatory events (onset of the oestrus behaviour and timing of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge) and ovarian response (ovulation rate and embryo yield). Number and size of all ≥ 23 mm follicles from the first FSH injection to withdrawal of progestagen sponges was determined by transrectal ultrasonography just prior to every FSH injection in nine Manchega ewes superovulated with eight decreasing doses (ml) (1.5 × 3, 1.25 × 2 and 1 × 3) of OVAGEN injected twice daily from 60 h before to 24 h after the withdrawal of 40 mg fluorogestone acetate sponges. Oestrous detection and jugular blood sampling for LH radioimmunoassay were performed every 3 h from 14 to 53 h after sponge removal and ovulation rate and number of embryos were determined 4 days after progestagen withdrawal. Administration of OVAGEN induced a significant rise (p < 0.0005) in the number of follicles ≥ 4 mm in size because of an increased growth in size of follicles from the first FSH injection to sponge removal, an increase in the number of newly detected follicles from 12 to 36 h of the first FSH dose (p < 0.005) and a decrease in regression rate from 24 h (p < 0.001). The number of follicles 2–3 mm in size at first FSH dose (10.4 ± 1.5) was positively correlated with the number of ≥ 4 mm follicles at 0 h (19.0 ± 2.7, p < 0.01). A higher number of ≥ 4 mm follicles at 0 h was related with an earlier appearance of oestrus (31.5 ± 1.5 h, p = 0.08) and LH surge (45.0 ± 2.3 h, p < 0.005), and a higher ovulation rate (18.2 ± 3.8, p < 0.005). On the other hand, the rate of embryo recovery was decreased in ewes with earlier preovulatory LH peaks (p < 0.005), with a shorter interval between oestrus and LH peak (p < 0.05).
Meiotic Response of In vitro Matured Canine Oocytes under Different Proteins and Heterologous Hormone Supplementation
Authors: Rodrigues BA , Rodrigues JL
Published: March 2003

Contents

The impact of TCM‐199 supplemented with different proteins and heterologous hormones on the in vitro maturation (IVM) rate of bitch oocytes was evaluated by nuclear staining under fluorescence microscopy.

Oocytes were recovered by slicing of ovaries from bitches presented at various stages of oestrous cycle to ovariohysterectomy.

The basic culture medium was TCM‐199 supplemented with 25 mM Hepes/l, with 10% heat‐inactivated oestrous cow serum (ECS), 50 μg/ml gentamicin, 2.2 mg/ml sodium bicarbonate and 22‐μg/ml pyruvic acid, 1.0‐μg/ml oestradiol (E 8875; Sigma), 0.5‐μg/ml follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) (Folltropin‐V; Vetrepharm Inc., Ontario, Canada) and 0.03 IU/ml human gonadotropin (hCG) (Profasi HP; Serono, Aubonne, Switzerland). Oocytes were distributed randomly between basic culture medium (control) and the corresponding experimental treatment. Hormone treatments were: oocytes cultured in; (1) medium without FSH, (2) control medium supplemented with 20 μg/ml oestradiol, or (3) medium supplemented with 1 μg/ml human somatotropin (hST; Humatrope, Lilly, Saint Cloud, France). The second experiment consisted of oocytes cultured in medium supplemented with 0.4% (w/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA, fraction V; Gibco Grand Island, NY, USA) instead of ECS, or oocytes cultured in medium with 10% inactivated oestrous bitch serum (EBS) instead of ECS. Oocytes were cultured in 100 μl droplets (up to 25 oocytes per drop) under mineral oil at 37°C in a 100% humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in air.

After 72 h of IVM, the highest rates (p < 0.05) of meiotic resumption were achieved with the 0.4% BSA supplementation. A positive influence on the metaphase II (MII) acquisition rate was observed with hST supplement. Oocytes cultured with 10% EBS supplementation did not develop to the MII stage.

The results in this study show that the protein and hormone supplements to TCM‐199 culture medium tested did not promote the final steps of IVM of bitch oocytes.
Mental health quality improvement: What about ethics?
Authors: Horsfall Jan , Cleary Michelle
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

Nurses are increasingly developing and coordinating quality improvement projects under the auspices of state, area health service and organization policies, however, ethical frameworks are commonly absent. This study aims to define key terms, provide an overview of current policy in relation to ethics and outline some procedures and processes for mental health nurses involved in such projects. The use of appropriate ethical frameworks has the potential to foster participation and safeguard participants by providing a greater assurance of integrity and confidentiality regarding quality improvement data collection, utilization and dissemination.
Behavioural psychotherapy training for nurses in Australia: A trainee's view
Authors: Oakes Jane , Tolchard Barry , Thomas Lyndall , Battersby Malcolm
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

The training and outcomes for a mental health nurse, who completed a 6‐month nurse behavioural psychotherapy course at Flinders Medical Centre (Bedford Park, South Australia) is described. Completion of this course enabled the nurse to work mainly with pathological gamblers as a trainee nurse behaviour therapist. Her experience demonstrates that with appropriate training and supervision, mental health nurses are able to increase their knowledge base in specialist areas and gain skills in therapies that will allow them to work autonomously with clients. A brief description of the training, outcome of patient case management and skills acquisition achieved through training is presented.
The regulation of burn‐associated infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 or Candida albicans by a non‐toxic aconitine‐hydrolysate, benzoylmesaconine Part 2: Mechanism of the antiviral action
Authors: Kobayashi Makiko , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Mori Kazuya , Pollard Richard B , Suzuki Fujio
Published: March 2003

In the accompanying paper, the resistance to infections with HSV type 1 (HSV‐1) and Candida albicans was improved in thermally injured mice treated with benzoylmesaconine (BEN), an aconitine‐hydrolysate isolated from heated Aconiti tuber, or inoculated with splenic CD4+ T cells from BEN‐treated mice (BEN T cells). In this paper, therefore, the antiviral mechanism of BEN T cells (or BEN) on the improved resistance of burned mice to the HSV‐1 infection was studied. Burn‐associated CD8+ CD11b+ TCRγ/δ+ type‐2 T cells have been shown to be a key on the increased susceptibility of thermally injured mice to infection with HSV‐1 or C. albicans. The susceptibility of T6S‐mice, mice inoculated with 1 × 106 cells/mouse of T6S cells (a clone of burn‐associated type‐2 T cells), to HSV‐1 infection was similar to that of thermally injured mice. The adoptive transfer of BEN T cells to T6S‐mice restores their impaired resistance to HSV‐1 infection. The type‐2 cytokine levels in sera of T6S‐mice were decreased after inoculation of BEN T cells. BEN T cells inhibited the type‐2 cytokine production by T6S cells when they were cocultured in vitro. BEN T cells, characterized as CD4+ CD28+ TCRα/β+ Vicia villosa (VV) lectin‐adherent T cells, showed non‐specific ability to inhibit the cytokine production by various type‐2 T cells. From the results of the cytokine‐producing profile, BEN T cells were shown to be a different subset of CD4+ T cells from Th1 and Th2 cells, although these three CD4+ T cells had similar properties phenotypically. BEN T cells were induced in normal mice 1–4 days after the oral treatment of BEN (1 μg/kg or more). These results suggest that, through the induction of antagonistic CD4+ T cells against burn‐associated type‐2 T cells, BEN may improve the resistance of T6S‐mice (or thermally injured mice) to the infection of HSV‐1.
Functional aspects of iscoms
Authors: Morein Bror , Bengtsson Karin Lövgren
Published: March 2003

The iscom is a delivery system, designed for both parenteral and mucosal modes of administration, for both antigens and adjuvants, components which are interchangeable. By the parenteral route a prominent systemic Th1 type of response is evoked, but the mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) response was insignificant. Intranasal (i.n.) immunization with iscoms evoked potent mucosal IgA response and serum IgG which was much higher than that induced by i.n. administration of the B subunit of cholera toxin (rCTB), both to rCTB itself as well as to co‐administered antigen. The immunomodulatory effect on rCTB or co‐administered antigens imposed by the iscom was demonstrated by a potent mucosal IgA switch and an enhanced IgG2a serum response. The incorporation of a targeting molecule in the iscom enhanced the remote IgA response in the genital tract mucosa. The capacity to induce CD8‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is unique for the iscom as a non‐replicating system, which is facilitated by the delivery of antigens to the cytosol. The immunomodulatory capacity of iscoms also paved the way to override the inhibitory effect of maternally derived antibodies and the relative unresponsiveness of an immature neonatal immune system.
Expression of cytokine mRNA transcripts in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Olive Colleen , Cheung Catherine , Nicol David , Falk Michael C
Published: March 2003

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a solid tumour of the kidney and is the most common renal neoplasm. Despite the presence of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in RCC, these tumours continue to progress in vivo suggesting a poor host immune response to the tumour, and the suppression of TIL effector function. Cytokines are key molecules that modulate the function of T cells. The possibility is investigated that the local production of cytokines in RCC contributes to immunosuppression of TIL. The expression of pro‐inflammatory (IFN‐γ/IL‐2) and immunosuppressive (IL‐10/TGF‐β) cytokine mRNA transcripts was determined in RCC, normal kidney and peripheral blood of RCC patients using a semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with cytokine‐specific primers. Following Southern blot hybridization of the PCR products with internal radiolabelled oligonucleotide probes, cytokine transcript levels were measured by densitometry and expressed relative to the glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase densitometry score. With the exception of IL‐10, there were no differences in expression of cytokine mRNA transcripts between the peripheral blood of patients and normal healthy individuals. It was found that TGF‐β transcripts were well represented in normal kidney and RCC. In contrast, the expression of IFN‐γ transcripts, while low in the majority of samples, was significantly increased in RCC when compared to normal kidney (P = 0.05). The IL‐2 and IL‐10 transcripts showed a more variable expression in normal kidney and RCC, with no significant differences in expression between the sample groups. The data demonstrating pro‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokine expression in RCC do not support a prominent immunosuppressive cytokine profile in these tumours.
Cell–cell signalling in the regulation of blood cell formation and function
Authors: Metcalf D
Published: March 2003

Blood cell formation is continuous in adult life and requires complex regulatory control to achieve the necessary cell proliferation, differentiation commitment and maturation. Much of this control is achieved by specific glycoprotein haemopoietic regulators, more than 20 of which have now been identified and produced in recombinant form. For the granulocyte‐macrophage lineage, major regulators are the colony stimulating factors (CSF) that are produced by many cell types dispersed throughout the body. The production of CSF is rapidly increased in response to induction signals, most usually of microbial origin, representing a demand‐generated signalling system designed to activate and generate cells to rapidly eliminate the micro‐organisms. The CSF not only control cell division but certain aspects of differentiation commitment, maturation initiation and functional activation. These multiple responses are initiated by signals arising from different regions of the cytoplasmic domains of the CSF membrane receptors. Less well understood are the signalling systems controlling the special gene activation events required to initiate the formation of the first haemopoietic cells and the specialized micro‐environmental cells needed to support haemopoietic cells as they respond to haemopoietic regulators.
Tropomyosin isoform diversity and neuronal morphogenesis
Authors: Dufour Cécile , Weinberger Ron P , Gunning Peter
Published: March 2003

Tropomyosins (Tm) are a large family of isoforms obtained from multiple genes and by extensive alternative splicing. They bind in the alpha‐helical groove of the actin filament and are therefore core components of this extensive cytoskeletal system. In non‐muscle cells the Tm isoforms have been implicated in a diversity of processes including cytokinesis, vesicle transport, motility, morphogenesis and cell transformation. Using immunohistochemical localization in cultured primary cortical neurons with an antibody that potentially identifies all non‐muscle TM5 gene isoforms compared with one that specifically identifies a subset of isoforms, the possibility was raised that there were considerably more isoforms derived from this gene than the four previously described. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis we have now shown that the rat brain generates at least 10 mRNA isoforms using multiple combinations of terminal exons and two internal exons. There is extensive developmental regulation of these isoforms in the brain and there appears to be a switch in the preferential use of the two internal exons 6a to 6b from the embryonic to the adult isoforms. Specific isoforms using alternate carboxyl‐terminal exons are differentially localized within the adult rat cerebellum. It is suggested that the tightly regulated spatial and temporal expression of Tm isoforms plays an important role in the development and maintenance of specific neuronal compartments. This may be acheived by isoforms providing unique structural properties to actin‐based filaments within functionally distinct neuronal domains.
Expression and activation of RAS and mitogen‐activated protein kinases in macrophages treatedin vitrowith cisplatin: Regulation by kinases, phosphatases and Ca2+/calmodulin
Authors: Singh Rana Arun Kumar , Sodhi Ajit
Published: March 2003

Cisplatin (cis‐dichlorodiammineplatinum II), a potent antitumour compound, stimulates immune responses by activating monocytes/macrophages and other cells of the immune system. However, the exact mechanism by which cisplatin activates these cells is poorly characterized and attempts are being made to understand this mechanism. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that Lyn, a protein tyrosine kinase of the src family, and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB are involved in cisplatin‐induced macrophage activation. Recent studies suggest that the RAS and mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases function as a connecting link between activated lyn and NF‐kB, which raises the possibility of their involvement in cisplatin‐induced macrophage activation. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of cisplatin treatment on the expression/activation of RAS (a low molecular weight GTP‐binding protein) and MAP kinases in murine peritoneal macrophages. The underlying mechanism of expression/activation of RAS and MAP kinases in cisplatin‐treated macrophages was also investigated. Immunoblotting and immune‐complex kinase assays revealed that cisplatin treatment of macrophages leads to increased expression/activation of RAS and MAP kinases, with optimal expression/activation at 15 min of treatment. Using a battery of specific inhibitor/modulators of different signalling molecules, this study shows that expression and activation of MAP kinases are two unrelated processes. It was also observed that kinase (protein tyrosine and protein kinase C) inhibitor and Ca2+/calmodulin antagonist inhibit expression/activation of RAS/MAP kinases in macrophages, whereas phosphatases (protein tyrosine and serine/threonine) inhibitor up‐regulate these kinases.
Divided we stand: Tracking cell proliferation with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester
Authors: Lyons A Bruce
Published: March 2003

Most techniques for assessing cell division can either detect limited numbers of cell divisions (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation) or only quantify overall proliferation (tritiated thymidine incorporation). In the majority of cases, viable cells of known division history cannot subsequently be obtained for functional studies. The cells of the immune system undergo marked proliferation and differentiation during the course of an immune response. The relative lack of an organized structure of the lymphohaemopoietic system, in contrast with other organ systems, makes lineage interrelationships difficult to study. Coupled with the remarkable degree of mobility engendered by recirculation, the differentiation occurring along with cell division in the immune system has not been readily accessible for investigation. The present article reviews the development of a cell division analysis procedure based on the quantitative serial halving of the membrane permeant, stably incorporating fluorescent dye carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE or CFDA, SE). The technique can be used both in vitro and in vivo, allowing eight to 10 successive divisions to be resolved by flow cytometry. Furthermore, viable cells from defined generation numbers can be sorted by flow cytometry for functional analysis.
Dendritic cells: Immunological sentinels with a central role in health and disease
Authors: Stockwin Luke H , McGonagle Dennis , Martin Iain G , Blair G Eric
Published: March 2003

Immunological effector cells must be sensitive to the antigens or environmental signals that indicate that a pathogen is present. To this end, a group of cells known as the professional antigen‐presenting cells have the ability to educate T, B and NK cells as to the fingerprints of specific infections. The most adept of these cells are a closely related family termed dendritic cells (DC). A subset of these act as peripheral sentinels, specializing in the uptake, processing and presentation of antigenic material combined with an ability to detect a wide variety of ‘danger’ signals. These ‘danger’ or activation signals induce profound changes in dendritic cell physiology, facilitating the efficient stimulation of both adaptive and innate immunity. In the present review, a number of recent advances in the understanding of DC biology are discussed. These advances offer insights into the pathogenesis of a wide variety of diseases and point towards future strategies for immunotherapy.
Investigation of the site of precursors for IgA‐producing cells in the chicken intestine
Authors: Muir Wendy I , Bryden Wayne L , Husband Alan J
Published: March 2003

Bursectomized chicks received lymphocyte single cell suspensions harvested from the bursa of Fabricius (BF), ileal lymphoid aggregate (ILA), caecal tonsils (CT), spleen and peripheral blood. Four days after cell transfer, repopulation of the duodenal and CT lamina propria in age‐matched recipient bursectomized chickens with IgA‐secreting plasma cells was determined. The results indicate the highest level of reconstitution with cells derived from BF, but substantial numbers of IgA‐secreting plasma cells were also observed in a number of birds that received lymphocytes originating from the ILA and CT.
Seeing is believing: Recent trends in the measurement of Ca2+ in subcellular domains and intracellular organelles
Authors: Monteith Gregory R
Published: March 2003

The role of Ca2+ in the regulation of the cell cycle has been investigated mostly in studies assessing global cytosolic free Ca2+. Recent studies, however, have used unique techniques to assess Ca2+ in subcellular organelles, such as mitochondria, and in discrete regions of the cytoplasm. These studies have used advanced fluorescence digital imaging techniques and Ca2+‐sensitive fluorescence probes, and/or targeting of Ca2+‐sensitive proteins to intracellular organelles. The present review describes the results of some of these studies and the techniques used. The novel techniques used to measure Ca2+ in microdomains and intracellular organelles are likely to be of great use in future investigations assessing Ca2+ homeostasis during the cell cycle.
Novel mechanisms in the immunopathogenesis of leprosy nerve damage: The role of Schwann cells, T cells and Mycobacterium leprae
Authors: Spierings Eric , De Boer Tjitske , Zulianello Laurence , Ottenhoff Tom HM
Published: March 2003

The major complication of reversal (or type 1) reactions in leprosy is peripheral nerve damage. The pathogenesis of nerve damage remains largely unresolved. In situ analyses suggest an important role for type 1 T cells. Mycobacterium leprae is known to have a remarkable tropism for Schwann cells that surround peripheral axons. Reversal reactions in leprosy are often accompanied by severe and irreversible nerve destruction and are associated with increased cellular immune reactivity against M. leprae. Thus, a likely immunopathogenic mechanism of Schwann cell and nerve damage in leprosy is that infected Schwann cells process and present antigens of M. Leprae to antigen‐specific, inflammatory type 1 T cells and that these T cells subsequently damage and lyse infected Schwann cells. Previous studies using rodent CD8+ T cells and Schwann cells have revealed evidence for the existence of such a mechanism. Recently, a similar role has been suggested for human CD4+ T cells. These cells may be more important in causing leprosy nerve damage in vivo, given the predilection of M. leprae for Schwann cells and the dominant role of CD4+ serine esterase+ Th1 cells in leprosy lesions. Antagonism of molecular interactions between M. leprae, Schwann cells and inflammatory T cells may therefore provide a rational strategy to prevent Schwann cell and nerve damage in leprosy.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α: The role of this multifunctional cytokine in asthma
Authors: Thomas Paul S
Published: March 2003

Tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is recognized as an important mediator in many cytokine‐ dependent inflammatory events. It is known that TNF‐α is released in allergic responses from both mast cells and macrophages via IgE‐dependent mechanisms, and elevated levels have been demonstrated in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) of asthmatic subjects undergoing allergen challenge. Inhaled TNF‐α increases airway responsiveness to methacholine in normal and asthmatic subjects associated with a sputum neutrophilia. Additional data indicate that TNF‐α can upregulate adhesion molecules, facilitate the immigration of inflammatory cells into the airway wall and activate pro‐fibrotic mechanisms in the subepithelium. These data suggest that TNF‐α plays a role in the initiation of allergic asthmatic airway inflammation and the generation of airway hyper‐reactivity. In addition, polymorphisms of the TNF‐α gene 5′ untranslated region, particularly at −308 bp, have been described as being associated with asthma. This polymorphism is associated with increased levels of TNF‐α, but as yet, no asthma studies have demonstrated a phenotypic difference between those individuals with the polymorphism and those with the wild type gene. The TNF receptors (TNF‐R p55 and p75), also known as CD120a and b, have also been shown to be present in the lung, but their functional importance is only just emerging. In asthma, TNF may function as a pro‐inflammatory cytokine that causes the recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils. Treatment directed specifically at a reduction in TNF‐α activity may conceivably be useful as a glucocorticosteroid‐sparing asthma therapy.
Murine model of chronic human asthma
Authors: Kumar Rakesh K , Foster Paul S
Published: March 2003

Human asthma is associated with acute and chronic inflammation of the airway mucosa, accompanied by airway wall remodelling. Experimental models of acute allergic bronchopulmonary inflammation in mice are useful for investigation of immunological mechanisms and of cellular recruitment, but have significant limitations because they fail to reproduce a number of characteristic lesions of human asthma, while usually being associated with marked alveolitis. We have developed an improved murine model of asthma that exhibits almost all of the morphological and functional changes that typify the human disease, without any confounding alveolitis. This model has considerable potential for the investigation of pathogenetic mechanisms and potential treatments of chronic human asthma.
A locus affecting immunoglobulin isotype selection (Igis1) maps to the MHC region in C57BL, BALB/c and NOD mice
Authors: Matthews Vance B , Morahan Grant , Price Patricia
Published: March 2003

We have previously shown that H2b mice with B10 or BALB genetic backgrounds have higher basal levels of IgG2a than H2k and H2d congenic strains and, hence, have low IgG1/IgG2a ratios, which is consistent with a T1 cytokine milieu. The phenotypic marker of the high IgG2a levels, denoted immunoglobulin isotype‐1 (Igis1) was provisionally mapped telomeric of IEβ using MHC recombinant mice. In addition, data from B10.A(2R), B10.A(1R) and B10.A(18R) mice indicated that Igis1 may lie in a 27 kb region between G7b (Sm‐X5) and G7c. In the present study we confirm that Igis1 is in the H2 region using BALB and B10 congenic F2 mice. H2bb F2 mice had higher IgG2a levels than the H2dd parental strains. H2bd F1 and F2 mice on the B10 background produced IgG2a levels comparable with the H2bb parental strain, indicating that the b allele was dominant. In contrast, the H2bd F1 and F2 mice on the BALB background produced IgG2a levels between those of the H2bb and H2dd parental strains, indicating codominance of the b and d alleles. This suggests that a background gene influences regulation of IgG2a levels by Igis1. Non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice (KdIAg7IEnu11Db), which can develop type 1 diabetes, had higher levels of IgG2a than NOD‐H2d congenic mice. Thus, Igis1 affects isotype selection in the presence of non‐MHC diabetes genes. As type 1 diabetes is associated with T1 responses, Igis1 may affect susceptibility to this condition.
Using nuclear targeting signals to enhance non‐viral gene transfer
Authors: Chan Chee‐Kai , Jans David A
Published: March 2003

Gene therapy involves the introduction of DNA‐encoding therapeutic gene products into appropriate cells of an affected individual. The limitations of the approach relate largely to the poor efficiency of the delivery of the therapeutic DNA to the nucleus. This review examines recent work in the area of non‐viral gene transfer, building on developments in the field of nuclear protein import and their application in the field of non‐viral gene transfer. In particular, advances in the area of enhancing DNA targeting to the nucleus are discussed, including the use of modular nuclear targeting signals recognised by the cellular nuclear import machinery and DNA condensing agents to facilitate passage through the nuclear pore. Optimising nuclear DNA delivery through these and other strategies should assist greatly in rendering gene therapy a viable and realistic possibility for treating disease.
Promoting the nursing profession: The perceptions of non‐English‐speaking background high school students in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Chin Joh , Yam Bernard
Published: March 2003

Promoting the nursing profession: The perceptions of non‐English‐speaking background high school students in Sydney, Australia

By using an ethnographic approach, this paper explores the perceptions of nursing among the non‐English‐speaking background high school students in Sydney, and describes how the nursing profession could be promoted to them. A volunteer sample of four groups of high school students with parents from Lebanon, Vietnam, Korea and mainland China were recruited. In‐depth focus group interviews were conducted. Through constant comparison of categories, 10 concepts emerged from the three major themes to describe the students’ career preferences and their influencing factors; their image of nursing and their suggestions on how nursing could be promoted to them. These findings highlighted the significance of social, cultural and political factors that influenced the students’ perceptions of nursing and their career choice. Implications and suggestions for marketing and recruitment strategies are discussed.
How first‐time mothers cope with child care while still in the maternity ward
Authors: Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Paunonen Marita , Laippala Pekka
Published: March 2003

The aim of the study was to ascertain those factors that are related to the way first‐time mothers assess themselves to be coping with child care when leaving the maternity hospital. The study is part of a wider longitudinal project that follows‐up first‐time mothers’ growth into motherhood for a period of 8 months after the birth. Data collection was done using a questionnaire distributed between January and May 1995. The sample comprised 271 first‐time mothers. The mothers completed the questionnaire on average on the fifth day after childbirth. A stepwise regression analysis was applied. The mothers who assessed themselves to be coping better with child care were those who went home feeling rested and in a good frame of mind and who had positive experience of child care in the maternity ward. The more functional support the mother perceived herself to receive from members of her social network the better she assessed herself to be coping with child care. Those mothers who had previous experience of taking care of infants also assessed themselves to be coping better with child care. On the basis of the research findings it may be stated that the first‐time mother needs support from both nursing professionals and close relatives in order to trust their own abilities to cope better with child care during early motherhood.
Medical receptionists in general practice: Who needs a nurse?
Authors: Rn Elizabeth A Patterson , Fracgp Christopher Del Mar , Ba(hons) Jake M Najman
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which receptionists, working in general medical practices, are undertaking clinical tasks traditionally within the domain of nursing. A survey of 164 solo and principal general practitioners (GPs) practising within one division of general practice in south‐east Queensland, Australia, yielded 84 responses (55%). The study found that some receptionists, while primarily employed for reception and clerical duties, were performing tasks that involved direct patient assessment, monitoring and therapy. Sixty percent of the GPs did not employ a nurse because of financial constraints and a perceived lack of need. These findings could be illustrative of the current trend in health care to appropriate the work of nurses to lesser‐paid workers. Further investigation is indicated in order to determine the most appropriate non‐medical staffing mix in general practice to achieve both quality care and financial viability.
Stress coping strategies in thermal pain sensitive and insensitive healthy subjects
Authors: Raak Ragnhild , Wahren Lis Karin
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate stress coping strategies used in relation to heat and cold pain thresholds in healthy subjects. After using the Jalowiec Coping Scale, cold and heat pain thresholds were examined using the Quantitative Somatosensory Test in 47 healthy subjects. The participants were separated into thermal pain sensitive and insensitive groups, based on thermal pain perception. The results showed that subjects sensitive to thermal pain tended to adopt an emotive stress coping style significantly more commonly than the insensitive subjects. Furthermore, women displayed a marked preference for this style compared to men. The conclusion is that emotional stress coping did play a role in the perception of thermal pain in this group of healthy subjects and that clinical nursing interventions need to focus on the relationship between emotion and coping.
The importance of performance appraisal and staff development: A graduating nurse's perspective
Authors: Metcalf Chris
Published: March 2003

This paper will discuss the importance of performance appraisal and staff development for graduate nurses. It argues that these strategies assist newly graduated nurses to enhance and consolidate knowledge and practice skills. Further, the net benefit for employers is improved quality outcomes, increased job satisfaction by staff and cost‐effective usage of resources. The limitations of performance appraisal and staff development, however, occur when management and staff do not understand the principles of performance appraisal and the need for consultation with staff about staff development activity.
Patients with pressure ulcers in Finnish hospitals
Authors: Lepistö Mervi , Eriksson Elina , Hietanen Helvi , Asko‐Seljavaara Sirpa
Published: March 2003

The purpose of this descriptive study was to produce knowledge of the degree of pressure ulcers, pressure ulcer patients' physical and psychological well‐being and the association of these factors with pressure ulcers' severity. These patients were treated in Finland's capital area hospitals. The pressure ulcer patients' sampling was gathered during 1 day with two questionnaires, which was completed by nurses. The response rate was 94%, and data analysis was based on percentage distributions. Statistical association was tested with the χ2 test. The measurement identified 164 patients with a total of 257 pressure ulcers. Prevalence was 6.4%. Most of the ulcers (40%) were grade II ulcers. Fifty‐six per cent of patients suffered poor general health, 63% of the patients were immobile, but psychological well‐being was better with 29% of pressure ulcer patients being adequately motivated to follow treatment for their pressure ulcers. It is essential to identify high‐risk patients in order to provide optimal care.
Stay tuned for the next episode of pain
Authors: Cranford Joan Sistrunk
Published: March 2003

Pain is a protective mechanism. Without it we would not know if we were walking on a bed of feathers or a plate of hot coals. Early intervention in the management of pain can prevent unnecessary suffering, agony and prolonged discomfort. Pain depletes the body of its ability to fight which results in a very vulnerable patient. Every patient has the right to pain relief, and every health‐care organization must assure that pain is addressed appropriately.
Knowledge, assessment and management of pain related to nursing procedures used with premature babies: Questionnaire study for caregivers
Authors: Lic Sirkka‐Liisa Halimaa , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Heinonen Kirsti
Published: March 2003

The aim of the study was to discover how much Finnish nursing staff know about the pain experienced by premature babies and about pain assessment. The types of helping methods used by caregivers in the nursing of premature babies were also studied. A semistructured questionnaire was sent in autumn 1995 to all registered nurses, practical children’s nurses and medical laboratory technologists who take heel blood samples (n = 280) working in paediatric intensive care units in all Finnish university hospitals. The response rate was 70.4%. The structured questions were processed quantitatively at Kuopio University with the SPSS/PC+ data processing program (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA), and the open questions were processed using quantitative content analysis. The results indicate that the respondents have rather extensive knowledge about the pain experienced by premature babies, pain assessment, pain management and about nursing and helping methods. Pain was assessed mostly on the basis of behaviour and physiological changes, and only infrequently on the basis of biochemical changes. The respondents described the helping methods they use in considerable detail. The most common was to increase the baby’s feeling of security. The answers to the open questions revealed that the actions used by the respondents in pain assessment and pain management were not completely consistent with their knowledge. The results demonstrate that caregivers do not use their knowledge adequately in their pain management practices. Future studies should observe the three groups of caregivers in order to discover how they treat premature babies’ pain.
The 1995 Northern Niigata Earthquake with special attention to a geopressured hydrothermal system
Authors: Xu Huilong , Oki Yasue , Ito Toshikata
Published: March 2003

The 1995 Northern Niigata Earthquake of magnitude (M) 5.5 occurred at the eastern margin of the Niigata seismic gap and might have been a precursor of a large destructive earthquake. The anomaly areas in temperature, electrical conductivity and Cl‐ concentration of groundwater were approximately coincident with the area of the seismic intensity 6 on the Japan Meteorological Agency scale, and convincingly demonstrated the presence of a buried active fault beneath the epicentral area, as was suggested by a linear distribution of seismic intensity 6. These anomalies of groundwater were created by the expulsion of geopressured hydrothermal water along an active fault. Anomalies in local groundwater and hotspring systems associated with the earthquake and the proximity of the earthquake to the Niitsu oil field led to an interpretation that the earthquake might have been triggered by activity within the geopressured hydrothermal system. The accumulation of geopressured hydrothermal water in combination with high rock temperature might reduce fracture strength of the rock, and trigger earthquake occurrence.
Magma plumbing system beneath Ontake Volcano, central Japan
Authors: Kimura Jun‐Ichi , Yoshida Takeyoshi
Published: March 2003

Ontake Volcano in central Japan was last active from ~ 100–35 Ka. The eruptions contained rhyodacite pumice and lavas in the first stage (stage O1, > 33 km3), followed by eruptions of andesite lavas and pyroclastics (stages O2 and O3, > 16 km3). Modeling of major and incompatible elements with Sr isotope ratios suggests that the primary magma was a high‐alumina basalt. One andesite magma type appears to have evolved from the basalt in a closed system magma chamber, in part by fractional crystallization, and its generation included crustal assimilation. The other andesite magma type is considered to have evolved in an open system magma chamber in which repeated input of primary magma occurred together with wall‐rock assimilation and fractional crystallization. The rhyodacite is inferred to have evolved in a closed system magma chamber by fractional crystallization of the second type of andesite. These genetic relationships require that the magma chamber functioned alternately as an open and a closed system. Geobarometry indicates that there may have been multiple magma chambers, located in the upper crust for the rhyodacite, near the upper–lower crust interface for the andesite and in the mid‐lower crust for the basalt. These chambers were stacked to form the magma plumbing system of Ontake. Incompatible element compositions of the basalt are considered to have changed during the eruptions, suggesting that two different plumbing systems for stage O1 magma and for stages O2, O3 magmas existed during the 65 Ka of activity. Evolutionary history of the systems implies that the primary magma was introduced into the magma plumbing system each for ~ 17 500 years and that the life span of a magma plumbing system was shorter than 40 Ka.