bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation reactions of the betti base analog aminonaphthols
Authors: Szatmári István , Hetényi Anasztázia , Lázár László , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: March 2009

By means of simple or domino ring‐closure reactions of 1‐(α‐aminobenzyl)‐2‐naphthol (Betti base: 1), 1‐aminomethyl‐2‐naphthol (2) and 2‐(α‐aminobenzyl)‐1‐naphthol (reverse Betti base: 3) with phosgene, ethyl benzimidate, 2‐carboxybenzaldehyde, levulinic acid, salicylaldehyde/formalin or salicylaldehyde/acetaldehyde, naphth[1,2‐e][1,3]oxazine and naphth[2,1‐e][1,3]oxazine derivatives were prepared. All of the nitrogen‐bridged polycyclic derivatives of 1 and 3 containing a number of centers of asymmetry were formed with nearly complete diastereoselectivity. Considerable differences were observed in the ring‐closing abilities of the unsubstituted and phenyl‐substituted aminonaphthols 1 and 2 and of the regioisomeric compounds 1 and 3.
Cyclocondensation reaction of heterocyclic carbonyl compounds . The direction of competitive cyclocondensation between carbonyl groups of 6‐azauracile and 1,2‐dihydro‐quinoxalin‐2‐one cycles
Authors: Buchtík Roman , Hlaváč Jan , Slouka Jan , Fryčák Petr
Published: March 2009

In the article the study of cyclocondensation of 3‐[2‐amino‐3‐(3,5‐dioxo‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro[1,2,4]‐triazme‐6‐yl)phenyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐quinoxalin‐2‐one 5 is described and it was found, that the reaction does not proceed by both possible directions, but only cyclization with the carbonyl group of 6‐azauracile cycle proceeds. The 6‐(3‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐quinoxaline‐2‐yl)‐4H‐2,3‐dihydro[1,2,4]triazino[5,6‐b]indol‐3‐one 6 was formed in this way. This course of cyclocondensation was confirmed by the fact, that the product 6, mentioned above, is quite different from isomeric compound 7, prepared unambiguously by condensation of 7‐(6‐azauracile‐5‐yl)isatine 8 with o‐phenylenediamine.
Synthesis of 5‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1,6‐naphthyridines and 5‐phenyl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro‐5H‐pyrido[3,2‐c]azepines as potential D1 receptor ligands
Authors: Hussenether Thomas , Troschütz Reinhard
Published: March 2009

A new access to 5‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1,6‐naphthyridines25a‐28a(n=1) and 5‐phenyl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro‐5H‐pyrido[3,2‐c]azepines25b‐28b(n=2) has been developed by first preparing the functional pyridine moiety followed by intramolecular cyclization forming the partially reduced ring.
The examination of the Book of Kells using micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Bioletti Susan , Leahy Rory , Fields John , Meehan Bernard , Blau Werner
Published: March 2009

The Book of Kells, Trinity College Dublin MS 58, is one of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures, and as such all aspects of its production have attracted academic attention. Until recently, studies of its dyes and pigments have relied exclusively on techniques such as visual and optical microscopic and spectroscopic examination, and comparison of the appearance of the pigment with specimens prepared using ancient or medieval recipes. These studies have yielded interesting results, but, due to the limitations of the examination techniques, they have remained incomplete and somewhat speculative. This article presents the results of a pigment analysis that took place between 2004 and 2006 using micro‐Raman spectroscopy. In total, 681 sites over the 4 volumes of the Book of Kells were analysed using 2 separate laser wavelengths (632.8 and 532 nm), making this the most extensive Raman spectroscopic investigation of a single medieval manuscript. In this article several pigments are identified, in particular, blue (indigo), red–orange (red lead), yellow (orpiment), green (vergaut), black (carbon and iron gall ink), and white (gypsum). In addition, purple (orcein) is also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable, high‐modulus polyimides containing benzimidazole moieties
Authors: Wang Shuang , Zhou Hongwei , Dang Guodong , Chen Chunhai
Published: March 2009

A series of novel benzimidazole‐containing aromatic polyimides were prepared from synthesized 5,4′‐diamino‐2‐phenyl benzimidazole (DAPBI), and commercial dianhydrides by the conventional two‐step polymerization. The obtained films were amorphous and could afford flexible, transparent, and tough films with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. They showed high levels of tension strength of up to 234 MPa, modulus of up to 5.6 GPa without any stretching. According to thermal stability measurements, the glass‐transition temperatures of the polymers were observed between 329 and 425 °C. The 5% weight‐loss temperatures of most polyimides were above 600 °C in nitrogen. Excellent properties of these polyimides were proved to be attributed to the rigid‐rod structure and hydrogen bond of intermacromolecular. SAXS and SEM results showed self‐molecular orientation caused the formation of rod‐like extended conformations. It was demonstrated that high degree of supramolecular order led to the increase of thermal stability and mechanical properties of the polyimide films. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2024–2031, 2009
A novel computer‐assisted drill guide template for lumbar pedicle screw placement: a cadaveric and clinical study
Authors: Lu Sheng , Xu Yong Q. , Zhang Yuan Z. , Li Yan B. , Xie LE , Shi Ji H. , Guo Hai , Chen Guo P. , Chen Yu B
Published: March 2009

Background

The great accuracy of computer‐assisted operative systems for pedicle screw insertion makes them highly desirable for spinal surgeries. However, computer‐assisted pedicle screw placement is expensive, and the learning curve for these techniques is significant. We have developed a novel method of spinal pedicle stereotaxy by reverse engineering (RE) and rapid prototyping (RP) and have validated the method's accuracy by cadaveric and clinical study.

Methods

A volumetric CT scan was performed on each desired lumbar vertebra and a three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction model was generated with MIMICS 10.1, while the optimal screw size and orientation were determined using UG Imageware 12.1. A drill template was created using UG Imageware 12.1, with a surface that is the inverse of the vertebral surface. The drill template and its corresponding vertebra were manufactured using RP. The method was tested on six cadavers without any fluoroscopic control at surgery. Eventually, the technology was applied in six clinical cases.

Results

The accuracy of the drill template was confirmed by preoperatively drilling the screw trajectory into the vertebra biomodel. In the cadaveric experiment, 36 pedicle screws were inserted and no pedicle perforation was observed by postoperative CT scan. In the six clinical patients, the best fit for positioning the template was easily found manually during the operation. The required time between fixation of the template to the lamina and insertion of the pedicle screw into each segment (one or two vertebrae) was 1–2 min. In total, 22 screws were inserted into T12‐L5, with two to four screws/patient. No misplacement occurred using the individual templates. Fluoroscopy was used only once after all the pedicle screws had been inserted. The method significantly reduces operation time and radiation exposure for the members of the surgical team.

Conclusions

The authors have developed a novel computer‐assisted drill template for lumbar pedicle screw placement. This method has shown its ability to customize the placement and size of each screw, based on the unique morphology of the lumbar vertebra. The potential use of drill templates to place lumbar pedicle screws is promising. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Rheological Approach to Viscoelastic Worm‐Like Micelles of Tunable Properties
Authors: Parathakkatt Sudheesh , George Jinu , Sajeev Moothandassery Sankarakutty , Sreejith Lisa
Published: March 2009

The rheological behavior of micellar solutions of cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in the presence of a salt (KBr) and a co‐surfactant (n‐octanol) were analyzed. Shear viscosity and shear moduli were measured as a function of concentrations of the co‐surfactant and additive. When these concentrations attained a certain critical threshold value, the micellar solution was found to exhibit a nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. It is due to the formation of supramolecular structures, which has been described by the Maxwell model of a viscoelastic fluid typical of worm‐like micelles. The rheological behavior was also analyzed using Carreau and Carreau–Gahleitner models which were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.
Relative expression of cell growth regulatory genes insulin‐like growth factors (IGF‐1 and IGF‐2) and their receptors (IGF‐1R and IGF‐2R) in somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) and in vitro fertilized (IVF) pre‐implantation buffalo embryos
Authors: Pandey Alok , Singh Namita , Gupta S.C. , Rana J.S. , Gupta Neelam
Published: March 2009

Relative mRNA transcript expression of insulin‐like growth factors,IGF‐1, IGF‐2and their receptors,IGF‐1RandIGF‐2R, was studied in SCNT and IVF buffalo embryos at different developmental stages using SYBR green with real‐time PCR. SCNT embryos were produced by enucleating IVM oocytes and transferring granulosa cells (passage 5) followed by the electrofusion and chemical activation method. IVF embryos were produced by culturing 15–20 COCs in BO capacitated sperms from frozen and thawed buffalo semen. SCNT embryo production rate was lower than IVF.IGF‐1mRNA expression was significantly upregulated at 2‐cell, 16‐cell, morula and blastocyst stages of SCNT embryos than in IVF embryos.IGF‐1Rexpression declined from the 2‐cell to the 16‐cell stage, which increased in later stages and was highest in IVF blastocysts. Similar regulation was observed at different stages in SCNT embryos, except at the 4‐cell stage where expression was higher.IGF‐2expression decreased up to the 8‐cell stage and increased until the blastocyst stage, being higher in SCNT than IVF embryos.IGF‐2RmRNA transcript expression was consistently lower in SCNT than in IVF embryos. Reprogramming ofIGF‐1, IGF‐1R, IGF‐2andIGF‐2Rexpression may have a significant role in cell proliferation in cloned embryos and is developmentally regulated.
Who should be an author?
Authors: Calder Philip C.
Published: March 2009

Over recent months I have been approached by authors of accepted or already published papers with requests to remove an author or to add an author.
Smoking, Stigma and Human Rights in Mental Health: Going up in Smoke?
Authors: Warner Joanne
Published: March 2009

Debates about the ban on smoking in public places have centred on the right to self-determination and privacy versus the right to health. This paper addresses the issue of smoking in relation to mental health and focuses on the right to dignity and respect. The public health agenda on smoking has involved the mobilisation of stigma to persuade people to give up. The paper argues that this strategy risks adding to the stigma and process of ‘othering’ that many mental health service users already experience and is also likely to be ineffective in reducing smoking rates, particularly among heavy smokers.
Some Useful Sources on Mental Health and Human Rights
Authors: Lewis Lydia
Published: March 2009

Contributors to this themed section have referred to a range of sources on mental health and human rights, particularly those offering social policy and sociological perspectives. The sources below offer an elaboration of some key citations and some additional references and web sites on this theme which may be of particular interest to a social policy readership.
Polyaperturate pollen types and ratios of heteromorphism in the monocot genus Conostylis (Haemodoraceae)
Authors: Pierce Nuri B. , Simpson Michael G.
Published: March 2009

Pollen aperture heteromorphism (variation of aperture number in pollen grains within each flower and in all plants of a taxon) is described in the diverse monocot genus Conostylis R.Br. (Haemodoraceae) and that of related genera, all endemic to Western Australia. We report results of pollen observations from 153 specimens. In Conostylis, aperture number varies greatly, with biporate, triporate, tetraporate and polyporate pollen present, features considered rare and possibly developmentally significant for monocots. Pollen aperture types and their ratios in this genus are stable and consistent within species and subspecies groupings and phylogenetically informative.
Estimating the number of unseen variants in the human genome
Authors: Ionita-Laza Iuliana , Lange Christoph , M. Laird Nan
Published: March 2009

The different genetic variation discovery projects (The SNP Consortium, the International HapMap Project, the 1000 Genomes Project, etc.) aim to identify as much as possible of the underlying genetic variation in various human populations. The question we address in this article is how many new variants are yet to be found. This is an instance of the species problem in ecology, where the goal is to estimate the number of species in a closed population. We use a parametric beta-binomial model that allows us to calculate the expected number of new variants with a desired minimum frequency to be discovered in a new dataset of individuals of a specified size. The method can also be used to predict the number of individuals necessary to sequence in order to capture all (or a fraction of) the variation with a specified minimum frequency. We apply the method to three datasets: the ENCODE dataset, the SeattleSNPs dataset, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences SNPs dataset. Consistent with previous descriptions, our results show that the African population is the most diverse in terms of the number of variants expected to exist, the Asian populations the least diverse, with the European population in-between. In addition, our results show a clear distinction between the Chinese and the Japanese populations, with the Japanese population being the less diverse. To find all common variants (frequency at least 1%) the number of individuals that need to be sequenced is small (∼350) and does not differ much among the different populations; our data show that, subject to sequence accuracy, the 1000 Genomes Project is likely to find most of these common variants and a high proportion of the rarer ones (frequency between 0.1 and 1%). The data reveal a rule of diminishing returns: a small number of individuals (∼150) is sufficient to identify 80% of variants with a frequency of at least 0.1%, while a much larger number (> 3,000 individuals) is necessary to find all of those variants. Finally, our results also show a much higher diversity in environmental response genes compared with the average genome, especially in African populations.
Role of ordinal contrast relationships in face encoding
Authors: Gilad Sharon , Meng Ming , Sinha Pawan
Published: March 2009

What aspects of facial information do we use to recognize individuals? One way to address this fundamental question is to study image transformations that compromise facial recognizability. The goal would be to identify factors that underlie the recognition decrement and, by extension, are likely constituents of facial encoding. To this end, we focus here on the contrast negation transformation. Contrast negated faces are remarkably difficult to recognize for reasons that are currently unclear. The dominant proposals so far are based either on negative faces' seemingly unusual pigmentation, or incorrectly computed 3D shape. Both of these explanations have been challenged by recent results. Here, we propose an alternative account based on 2D ordinal relationships, which encode local contrast polarity between a few regions of the face. Using a novel set of facial stimuli that incorporate both positive and negative contrast, we demonstrate that ordinal relationships around the eyes are major determinants of facial recognizability. Our behavioral studies suggest that destruction of these relationships in negatives likely underlies the observed recognition impairments, and our neuro-imaging data show that these relationships strongly modulate brain responses to facial images. Besides offering a potential explanation for why negative faces are hard to recognize, these results have implications for the representational vocabulary the visual system uses to encode faces.
Status of the ITER heating neutral beam system
Authors: Hemsworth R. , Decamps H. , Graceffa J. , Schunke B. , Tanaka M. , Dremel M. , Tanga A. , De Esch H.P.L. , Geli F. , Milnes J. , Inoue T. , Marcuzzi D. , Sonato P. , Zaccaria P.
Published: March 2009

The ITER neutral beam (NB) injectors are the first injectors that will have to operate under conditions and constraints similar to those that will be encountered in a fusion reactor. These injectors will have to operate in a hostile radiation environment and they will become highly radioactive due to the neutron flux from ITER. The injectors will use a single large ion source and accelerator that will produce 40 A 1 MeV D−beams for pulse lengths of up to 3600 s.

Significant design changes have been made to the ITER heating NB (HNB) injector over the past 4 years. The main changes are:

Modifications to allow installation and maintenance of the beamline components with an overhead crane.

The beam source vessel shape has been changed and the beam source moved to allow more space for the connections between the 1 MV bushing and the beam source.

The RF driven negative ion source has replaced the filamented ion source as the reference design.

The ion source and extractor power supplies will be located in an air insulated high voltage (−1 MV) deck located outside the tokamak building instead of inside an SF6insulated HV deck located above the injector.

Introduction of an all metal absolute valve to prevent any tritium in the machine to escape into the NB cell during maintenance.

This paper describes the status of the design as of December 2008 including the above mentioned changes.

The very important power supply system of the neutral beam injectors is not described in any detail as that merits a paper beyond the competence of the present authors.

The R&D required to realize the injectors described in this paper must be carried out on a dedicated neutral beam test facility, which is not described here.
Regulatory (FOXP3+) T cells as target for immune therapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer
Authors: Loddenkemper Christoph , Hoffmann Corinna , Stanke Jonas , Nagorsen Dirk , Baron Udo , Olek Sven , Huehn Jochen , Ritz Joerg‐Peter , Stein Harald , Kaufmann Andreas M. , Schneider Achim , Cichon Günter
Published: March 2009

Regulatory (FOXP3+) T cells (Tregs) comprise a subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that suppress autoreactive immune cells, thereby protecting organs and tissues from autoimmunity. Tregs have also been detected in human malignancies and their depletion or inactivation substantially improves cellular antitumor immunity in preclinical studies. Novel therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer and precancerous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) focus on immune‐modulatory and cancer vaccination approaches. In this context, the frequency of Tregs in cervical cancer and precancerous CIN could influence therapeutic strategies. We determined the frequency of infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as FOXP3+ Tregs in high‐grade CIN lesions (CIN III) and cervical carcinoma compared to colon carcinoma, skin melanoma, and bronchial carcinoma. We show that human papilloma virus‐derived lesions have a significantly higher number of infiltrating lymphocytes and FOXP3+ Tregs compared to three other common tumor entities. In addition we explored the therapeutic effect of agonistic anti‐glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family‐related protein antibodies that, by single systemic application, inactivate Tregs and induce strong intratumoral invasion of CD8+ T cells and complete tumor eradication in 70% of treated animals. The large number of Tregs in human papilloma virus‐derived lesions suggests a pivotal role of Tregs for counteracting the host immune response. We therefore regard CIN and cervical cancer as prime targets for new immune‐based non‐invasive therapies. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1112–1117)
Realistic nitrate concentration alters the expression of sexual traits and olfactory male attractiveness in newts
Authors: Secondi Jean , Hinot Emeric , Djalout Zohra , Sourice Stéphane , Jadas‐Hécart Alain
Published: March 2009

The occurrence of endocrine disruption is increasing and may now affect most, if not all, ecosystems. Owing to its impact on survival and reproduction, it is increasingly important to consider this factor in ecological studies. The study of secondary sexual traits is of particular interest because they are under strong hormonal control and play a crucial role in mating. A neglected sub‐lethal effect of endocrine disruption is the reduction of male attractiveness, and the distortion of the sexual selection process.

Nitrate is one of the most widespread endocrine disruptors because of its extensive use in agriculture. Studies, especially in amphibians, have mostly focused on early developmental stages, probably because these were considered critical for population dynamics. However, negative effects on adult survival or reproductive success may also affect population demography.

We surveyed nitrate concentration in a large sample of ponds. We then exposed male palmate newts, Triturus helveticus, to high (75 mg L−1) but realistic concentration of sodium nitrate to investigate the effect of nitrate on the expression of secondary sexual traits and male attractiveness.

Exposure to nitrate for 3 weeks was found to limit the expression of sexual traits and to reduce body growth; exposure for 10 days reduced male attractiveness. Female preferred males unexposed to nitrate in olfactory tests but not in visual tests.

The expression of secondary sexual characteristics and body size is reduced in males exposed to realistic nitrate concentration. However, a drop in male attractiveness may first be caused by disruption of the production of olfactory cues. Depending on the frequency of contaminated breeding sites, the disruption of male ability to express sexual signals might affect the sexual selection process in palmate newts and eventually reduce population reproductive output. We discuss the ecological and evolutionary implications of this result.
Codon usage bias is correlated with gene expression levels in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Hiraoka Yasushi , Kawamata Kenichi , Haraguchi Tokuko , Chikashige Yuji
Published: March 2009

Usage of synonymous codons represents a characteristic pattern of preference in each organism. It has been inferred that such bias of codon usage has evolved as a result of adaptation for efficient synthesis of proteins. Here we examined synonymous codon usage in genes of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and compared codon usage bias with expression levels of the gene. In this organism, synonymous codon usage bias was correlated with expression levels of the gene; the bias was most obvious in two‐codon amino acids. A similar pattern of the codon usage bias was also observed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Arabidopsis thaliana and Caenorhabditis elegans, but was not obvious in Oryza sativa, Drosophila melanogaster, Takifugu rubripes and Homo sapiens. As codons of the highly expressed genes have greater influence on translational efficiency than codons of genes expressed at lower levels, it is likely that codon usage in the S. pombe genome has been optimized by translational selection through evolution.
Paediatric haemophilia with inhibitors: existing management options, treatment gaps and unmet needs
Authors: SANTAGOSTINO E. , MORFINI M. , AUERSWALD G. K.‐H. , BENSON G. M. , ŠALEK S. Z. , LAMBERT T. , SALAJ P. , JIMENEZ‐YUSTE V. , LJUNG R. C. R.
Published: March 2009

Summary.  Development of inhibitors is a severe complication of haemophilia posing many management challenges. While a long‐term goal in inhibitor patients is eradication of inhibitors through immune tolerance induction, bypassing agents such as recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) and activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) are essential for control of bleeding episodes. Paediatric patients with haemophilia and inhibitors are at particular risk of recurrent haemarthroses, and management of these patients should seek to avoid joint damage and support the child’s full social and physical development. Current options for management of bleeding complications include on‐demand treatment of acute bleeding episodes, secondary prophylaxis to avoid recurrent bleeds and surgery to treat affected joints. There is also a rationale for adopting prophylactic approaches to prevent bleeding in inhibitor patients, allowing this group similar opportunities for protection against arthropathy development as are given to non‐inhibitor patients. This paper, based on a roundtable meeting of haematology experts at the first Zürich Haemophilia Forum in May 2008, reviews the current evidence supporting more intense and prophylactic approaches to manage bleeding risk in paediatric haemophilia patients with inhibitors, and highlights the need for investigations of primary prophylaxis in this vulnerable patient group, to support best long‐term outcome.
Haemophilia in Spain
Authors: AZNAR J. A. , LUCÍA F. , ABAD‐FRANCH L. , JIMÉNEZ‐YUSTE V. , PÉREZ R. , BATLLE J. , BALDA I. , PARRA R. , CORTINA V. R.
Published: March 2009

Summary.  . To determine the prevalence of haemophilia A and B and their complications in Spain, and to characterize the health care network providing support to haemophiliac patients. The study examines clinical and genetic characteristics, treatment options, and complications observed during the course of the disease. Cross‐sectional multi‐centre study. The study population were patients with HA and HB in active follow‐up at any Spanish hospital by December 2006. We studied 2400 haemophiliacs, 2081 (86.7%) HA and 319 (13.3%) HB patients. Illness was severe in 32.3% of patients, moderate in 16.4%, and mild in 51.3%. Genetic screening was carried out in 32.6% of the patients. Treatment administered in 2006 consisted of coagulation factor concentrates in 60% of patients. Until December 2006, 45.8% of severely ill patients were taking prophylaxis. The mean number of bleeding episodes in 2006 was four for patients not receiving primary prophylaxis and 1.3 for those taking primary prophylaxis. Thirty percent of patients had established haemophiliac arthropathy in at least one joint; 16.8% of patients were HIV‐infected and 34.8% HCV‐infected. Inhibitors were detected in 10% of severe HA patients and in 6.5% of severe HB patients. Immune tolerance induction therapy was started in 34 patients. This is the first comprehensive study on the epidemiology of haemophilia in Spain. It will enable us to draw comparisons with neighbouring countries, to assess the quality of care provided to haemophiliacs in Spain, and to provide evidence‐based guidance for the even provision and improvement of such care.
Telenurses’ experiences of working with computerized decision support: supporting, inhibiting and quality improving
Authors: Ernesäter Annica , Holmström Inger , Engström Maria
Published: March 2009

Title.  Telenurses’ experiences of working with computerized decision support: supporting, inhibiting and quality improving.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to describe telenurses’ experiences of working with computerized decision support systems and how such systems could influence their work.

Background.  Telenursing is an expanding service in many Western countries, and in recent years centralization of telenursing services has occurred in Sweden. In connection with this, the use of computerized decision support has increased.

Method.  Eight Registered Nurses from three telephone advice call centres in Sweden who were using computerized decision support took part in semi‐structured interviews in 2006. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings.  The findings are presented as one theme and three categories. Telenurses experienced their work with a decision support system as supporting, inhibiting and quality improving. Based on two of the categories –‘supporting’ and ‘inhibiting’– a theme was revealed: being strengthened, but simultaneously controlled and inhibited. This theme represents the individual level. The telenurses found that the decision support system simplified their work, complemented their knowledge, gave them security and enhanced their credibility. They also described experiencing the system as incomplete, sometimes in conflict with their own opinions and controlling. The third category referred to the organizational level: the decision support system ensured the quality of telenursing.

Conclusions.  Although the telenurses experienced computerized decision support as both supporting and inhibiting, they preferred working with it. They also described how a computerized decision support system cannot replace telenurses’ knowledge and competence, and that it should be considered as complementary.
Index of sources of stress in nursing students: a confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Gibbons Chris , Dempster Martin , Moutray Marianne
Published: March 2009

Title.  Index of sources of stress in nursing students: a confirmatory factor analysis.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to test the proposed factor structure of the Index of Sources of Stress in Nursing Students.

Background.  Research across many countries has identified a number of sources of distress in nursing students but little attempt has been made to understand and measure sources of eustress or those stressors likely to enhance performance and well‐being. The Index of Sources of Stress in Nursing Students was developed to do this. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a three‐factor structure, the factors being labelled: learning and teaching; placement‐related and course organization. It is important, however, to subject the instrument to confirmatory factor analysis as a further test of construct validity.

Method.  A convenience sample of final year nursing students (n = 176) was surveyed in one university in Northern Ireland in 2007. The Index of Sources of Stress in Nursing Students, which measures sources of stress likely to contribute to distress and eustress, was completed electronically. The lisrel programme was used to carry out the confirmatory factor analysis and test the factor structure suggested in the exploratory analysis.

Findings.  The proposed factor structure for the items measuring ‘Uplifts’ proved to be a good fit to the data and the proposed factor structure for the items measuring ‘Hassles’ showed adequate fit.

Conclusion.  In nursing programmes adopting the academic model and combining university‐based learning with placement experience, this instrument can be used to help identify the sources of stress or course demands that students rate as distressing and those that help them to achieve. The validity of the ISSN could be further evaluated in other education settings.
A qualitative study of the food‐related experiences of rural village shop customers
Authors: Scarpello T. , Poland F. , Lambert N. , Wakeman T.
Published: March 2009

Background:  In the UK, although food choice in urban contexts has been widely studied, far less empirical information has been gathered from rural settings. With the closure of local services, some rural dwellers were believed to experience difficulties in meeting healthy eating recommendations. The present study aimed to explore perceptions of village store users.

Methods:  Semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews were conducted individually with 40 adults who were frequent users of rural village shops in Norfolk, UK. Participants were purposively selected to ensure that a wide demographic cross‐section of customers was obtained. Interviews focused upon food choice strategies; attitudes towards rural food retail; and the provision of healthy foods. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively, using an established interpretative phenomenological approach.

Results:  Four main themes emerged as drivers of food choice in rural villages: (1) village store as icon, which described how the perceived centrality of village shops influenced food choices; (2) village store as a service provider, which described top‐up shopping behaviours; (3) alternative food sources, which described store users desires for local foods and their attitudinal conflicts towards supermarkets; and (4) lifestyle factors, which described the influence of factors such as time pressures, access to cars and family structures.

Conclusions:  Food choices were strongly influenced by the distinctive characteristics of the rural environment. Village shops were seen as important for community identity (‘rural idyll’), as well as providing access to food and services. However, desires were made apparent for a greater range of healthy, fresh and locally‐sourced foods.
Deletion of P2X3 receptors blunts gastro‐oesophageal sensation in mice
Authors: Mcilwrath S. L. , Davis B. M. , Bielefeldt K.
Published: March 2009

Abstract Prior studies have demonstrated P2X receptor expression in the majority of nodose neurons. Immunoreactivity for P2X receptors has also been seen in putative gastric mechanoreceptors, the intraganglionic laminar endings. We therefore hypothesized that deletion of P2X3 receptors will blunt responses to gastric distension in vagal sensory neurons. Using wildtype and P2X3−/−mice, we examined responses to purinergic agonists in retrogradely labelled gastric sensory neurons with patch‐clamp techniques. Activation of gastro‐oesophageal neurons by fluid distension was studied with intracellular electrodes. Distension‐evoked ATP release into the gastric lumen was determined with the luciferase assay and intake and gastric emptying of a solid meal was assessed. ATP triggered inward currents in 80% of gastric nodose neurons. In P2X3−/−mice, the peak current density was lower compared to controls. Ten of 14 controls but none of 30 neurons from P2X3−/−mice responded to α,β‐metATP. Gastro‐oesophageal sensory neurons of P2X3−/−mice showed a blunted response to fluid distension of oesophagus and stomach. This difference was not explained by differences in distension‐evoked ATP release, which did not differ between knockout mice and controls. Food intake during a 3‐h period was lower in P2X3−/−mice. Gastric emptying of a solid meal was slightly faster in knockout mice after 1.5 h, but did not differ between groups at 3 h. Our data support a role of purinergic signalling in gastric vagal afferents. Considering the role of vagal input in sensations of fullness or nausea, P2X receptors may be interesting treatment targets for dyspeptic symptoms.
Defense strategy of old and modern spring wheat varieties during soil drying
Authors: Fan Xian‐Wei , Li Feng‐Min , Song Lei , Xiong You‐Cai , An Li‐zhe , Jia Yu , Fang Xiang‐Wen
Published: March 2009

Different defense mechanisms of three spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties were studied by withholding watering in well‐watered pots to gradually increase water deficit of plants grown in containers. The strategies of plant adaptation were divided into three phases according to the severity of drought: first, a positive defense phase that started from commencement of non‐hydraulic root‐sourced signals (nHRS) and ended at onset of hydraulic root‐sourced signals (HRS)—the plant responded to imminent drought by decreasing stomatal aperture to lessen water loss and no membrane injury occurred. The second defense phase occurred between the onset of HRS and temporary wilting (TW), characterized by enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), marked enzyme activity and increased MDA content. Mild lipid membrane peroxidation came mainly from a dynamic imbalance between free radical production and enzymatic defense reaction, which indicated that injury by ROS had not been completely repaired by increasing enzymatic activity. The third defense phase was from TW to permanent wilting (PW), the synthesis of SOD and CAT during TW could not deal with the collapse of antioxidant enzymes, and SOD and CAT activities began to decrease, which caused the excessive ROS production and thus serious membrane lipid peroxidation. The defense strategies to drought are similar among the varieties, but modern varieties LC8275 and GY602 bred after 1975 had relatively higher defense levels at all three defense phases, which suggest that modern varieties are more resistant than old ones, and artificial selection would lead to a different direction in evolution from natural selection.
Modulation of the antioxidative response of Spartina densiflora against iron exposure
Authors: Martínez Domínguez David , Torronteras Santiago Rafael , Córdoba Garcí a Francisco
Published: March 2009

Spartina densiflora, an invader cordgrass living in polluted salt marshes of the Odiel estuary (SW Spain), was collected and cultured under controlled laboratory conditions. After acclimation to non‐polluted soils for 28 days, both metabolites and enzymes activities used as indicators of oxidative stress were reduced significantly. Then, plants were exposed to 500 and 1000 ppm Fe‐ethylenediamine‐N,N′‐2‐hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (EDDHA) for 28 days. Our data demonstrate that iron content in leaves was enhanced by iron exposure. This iron increase caused an enhancement in the concentration of H2O2, hydroperoxides and lipid peroxidation, and a decrease in chlorophyll levels. Thus, iron exposure led to oxidative stress conditions. However, oxidative indicators stabilised after first 2 weeks of exposure, although the highest iron levels in leaves were reached at the end of treatments. Iron exposure induced an enhancement of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activities, together with an increase in total and oxidised ascorbate. This response may be defensive against oxidative stress and thus help to explain why cell oxidative damages were stabilised. Thus, by using a sensitive long‐time protocol, iron‐dependent oxidative damages may be controlled and even reverted successfully by the activation of the antioxidative defences of S. densiflora. This efficient antioxidative system, rapidly modulated in response to excess iron and other environmental stressors, may account for S. densiflora's successful adaptation to stress conditions in its habitat.
Rye introgression lines as source of alleles for pollen‐fertility restoration in Pampa CMS
Authors: Falke K. C. , Wilde P. , Miedaner T.
Published: March 2009

Restoration of pollen‐fertility is required to guarantee successful seed production of hybrid varieties based on cytoplasmatic male‐sterility (CMS) induced by Pampa cytoplasm. As most European restorer lines have still numerous disadvantages, using genetic resources via introgression libraries might be promising to identify and localize new and more effective restorer genes. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate in field trials the performance of 39 candidate introgression lines (pre‐ILs) for pollen‐fertility restoration and (2) to identify donor chromosome segments (DCS) underlying pollen‐fertility restoration. Exotic alleles from the Iranian primitive rye accession Altevogt 14160 were introduced into the elite non‐restorer inbred line L2053‐N by marker‐assisted backcrossing. BC2S3 pre‐ILs were genotyped using amplified fragment length polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats. Pollen‐fertility restoration was evaluated in replicated field trials across two testers at two locations in 2006 for analysing the phenotypic effects of the exotic DCS. Out of 39 pre‐ILs, we determined three showing full pollen‐fertility across both testers and locations carrying a DCS on chromosome 4R. Moreover, one pre‐IL with partial pollen‐fertility was detected showing a DCS on chromosome 1R. We conclude that our introgression library can serve as a valuable resource for mining favourable genes from exotic primitive rye, which can greatly promote hybrid rye breeding.
Mapping quantitative trait loci influencing panicle‐related traits from Chinese common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) using introgression lines
Authors: Luo X. , Tian F. , Fu Y. , Yang J. , Sun C.
Published: March 2009

Panicle‐related traits are important agronomic traits which directly associated with grain yield. In this study, we investigated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with panicle‐related traits using a set of 265 introgression lines (ILs) of common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) in the background of Indica high‐yielding cultivar Guichao 2 (O. sativa L.). A total of 39 QTLs associated with panicle‐related traits including panicle length (PL), primary branch number (PBN), secondary branch number (SBN), spikelet number per panicle (SPP) and spikelet density (SD), were detected in the ILs with single‐point analysis. The alleles of 20 QTLs derived from wild rice showed positive effects, and some QTLs, such as, QPl1b for PL, QPbn8 for PBN, QSd4 and QSd11b for SD and QSpp4 for SPP showed larger positive effects, providing good candidates and useful information for marker‐aided improvement of yield potential of rice. Most of the QTLs controlling SPP, SBN and SD were located in cluster or closely linked on chromosomes, and the directions of their additive effects were consistent, which explained the genetic basis of significant correlations between their phenotypic characters.
Contrast independence of cardinal preference: stable oblique effect in orientation maps of ferret visual cortex
Authors: Grabska‐Barwińska Agnieszka , Distler Claudia , Hoffmann Klaus‐Peter , Jancke Dirk
Published: March 2009

The oblique effect was first described as enhanced detection and discrimination of cardinal orientations compared with oblique orientations. Such biases in visual processing are believed to originate from a functional adaptation to environmental statistics dominated by cardinal contours. At the neuronal level, the oblique orientation effect corresponds to the numerical overrepresentation and narrower tuning bandwidths of cortical neurons representing the cardinal axes. The anisotropic distribution of orientation preferences over large cortical regions was revealed with optical imaging, providing further evidence for the cortical oblique effect in several mammalian species. Our present study explores whether the dominant representation of cardinal contours persists at different stimulus contrasts. Performing intrinsic optical imaging in the ferret visual cortex and presenting drifting gratings at various orientations and contrasts (100%, 30% and 10%), we found that the overrepresentation of vertical and horizontal contours was invariant across stimulus contrasts. In addition, the responses to cardinal orientations were also more robust and evoked larger modulation depths than responses to oblique orientations. We conclude that orientation maps remain constant across the full range of contrast levels down to detection thresholds. Thus, a stable layout of the functional architecture dedicated to processing oriented edges seems to reflect a fundamental coding strategy of the early visual cortex.
Awareness of heredity in colorectal cancer patients is insufficient among clinicians: a Norwegian population‐based study
Authors: Tranø G. , Wasmuth H. H. , Sjursen W. , Hofsli E. , Vatten L. J.
Published: March 2009

Objective  The assessment of family history and medical data is crucial in identifying families with Lynch syndrome (LS). Among consecutive colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, we aimed at identifying all patients with a hereditary predisposition, and to study a possible discrepancy with assessments made by the responsible clinicians.

Method  All consecutively diagnosed patients with CRC from two Norwegian hospitals were included, and information on family history was collected in a detailed interview. We assessed information in medical records, and tumours were examined for LS‐associated histopathological features.

Results  Among 562 patients, there was no documentation of family history in 388 (69.0%) medical records, and in 174 (31.0%) patients, there was no clinical assessment of the information that was collected on family history. Based on detailed interviews and extended pathological examination, we found that 137 (24.4%) of the 562 patients could be classified as possible LS according to the Revised Bethesda Guidelines (RBG); and that 46 (33.6%) of these patients could be identified by family history alone.

Conclusion  Family history and relevant information in patient records can identify patients with possible LS. However, clinicians often fail to include information on hereditary factors and to assess relevant data in medical records. Familial CRC is therefore not acknowledged, and genetic counselling is not offered.
Should being aged over 70 years hinder penile prosthesis implantation?
Authors: Al‐Najar Amr , Naumann Carsten Maik , Kaufmann Sascha , Steinbach‐Jensch Andrea , Hamann Moritz Franz , Jünemann Klaus‐Peter , Van Der Horst Christof
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE

To assess the satisfaction profiles following penile prosthesis surgery in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) in their seventh decade of life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 174 patients received, for the first time, a penile prosthesis between 1990 and 2007 in our department. Among these, 35 patients were aged ≥70 years at prosthesis implantation. Of these, 18 patients were still alive at the time of follow‐up. Using a telephone survey, patients were asked to answer the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) as well as the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF). Another question in the survey was developed by the authors based on a comprehensive review of the literature, which assessed the usefulness of the device for the patient and the degree of their usage. This was formulated as follows: How many times per 2 weeks do you have a sexual intercourse?

RESULTS

In all, 15 of 18 patients were either very or somewhat satisfied (83%). At follow‐up 11 out of 15 (73%) patients were using their prosthesis regularly. The mean IIEF and EDITS scores were 21.80 and 75.20, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A penile prosthesis remains a highly promising treatment in older patients with a similar satisfaction rate to those published for younger patients. Thus, the motivation of the patient and not the age of the patient should be the main determinant factor in this surgical procedure.
Shocks, Structural Change, and the Patterns of Income Diversification in Burkina Faso*
Authors: Lay Jann , Narloch Ulf , Mahmoud Toman Omar
Published: March 2009

Abstract:  This article investigates changes in income diversification patterns for the case of Burkina Faso between 1994 and 2003. Contrary to common beliefs, our empirical analysis shows that rural households are not increasingly diversifying their income portfolios. Beyond insuring against and coping with weather shocks, diversification behaviour reflects structural change. Higher returns to agricultural activities, in particular in the cotton and livestock sectors, appear to be the root cause for less non‐agricultural diversification and some of our findings hint at better opportunities in the non‐farm sector. Yet, average returns in the non‐farm sector appear to remain relatively low and migration increasingly turns into a desperation‐led strategy. Overall, structural change seems to be biased in favour of richer households. Regarding responses to droughts, we confirm earlier findings, especially that the poorest households are hit particularly hard, being forced to sell livestock, which is often their only asset.