bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marriage Counseling with Alcoholics and Their Spouses‐II The Correlation of Excessive Drinking Behavior with Family Pathology and Social Deterioration
Authors: BURTON GENEVIEVE , KAPLAN HOWARD M.
Published: February 2008

This paper has described a limited study of the correlations of alcoholic drinking with family pathology and social deterioration. Study of the data obtained in follow‐up interviews with couples who have received group counseling for marital problems complicated by alcoholism in one of the partners indicates the following:

(1) For those couples whose family pathology decreased, both drinking change and the final drinking pattern were found to be positively correlated with the actual number of areas of considerable disagreement at time of follow‐up. Specifically, those couples who reported no more than one or two areas of considerable disagreement at follow‐up were most likely to respond positively to questions about the alcoholic spouse's drinking at follow‐up.

(2) Therefore, more important in counseling than solely aiming for a decrease in family pathology is working for a decrease to a maximum of one or two areas of considerable disagreement.

(3) Findings indicate that a decrease in drinking behavior is slightly better than the final pattern of drinking behavior as an indicator of a lessening of social deterioration.

(4) The hypothesis that improvement in the area of marital conflict is associated with improvement in drinking behavior has been supported. This is sufficient to conclude that counseling which focuses on the family pathology of alcoholics may be therapeutic not only with respect to the family and marriage problems, but with respect as well to the drinking problem. Thus an indirect approach to the treatment of alcoholism, through other problem areas in the alcoholic's life, may well be useful.
The Abstinence Syndrome in Long‐Term, High‐Dosage Narcotic Addiction
Authors: QUOCK COLLIN P. , CHENG JAY , CHAN S. C. , LEONG WAY, E.
Published: February 2008

Twenty‐six adult Chinese male volunteers with informed consent were studied to assess the syndrome of narcotic withdrawal in the presence of intermittent nalorphine administration. All the subjects were long‐term addicts with remarkably high tolerance to narcotics. After a 3‐day control period of drug administration tailored to each man's habits, withdrawal was commenced and studies were extended into the succeeding 72 hr.

The abstinence scoring system was applied to gauge the severity of the syndrome as a function of the mode of self‐administration of narcotics. Generally the scores followed an upward trend with each day of withdrawal heavily influenced, especially on day 3, by vomiting. Emesis was found to increase from 15–4 per cent on day 1 to 38–5 per cent by day 3. Yawning, lacrimation and mydriasis occurred most frequently. In a few instances spontaneous penile erection and ejaculation were noted during withdrawal. Clinically, peak intensity was reached approximately 36 hr into withdrawal. Heroin needle‐users were the most severely affected, followed by heroin inhalers and then those who smoked opium. On the basis of these findings a redistribution of the point values in the scoring system used to assess the intensity of the syndrome is recommended. Small doses of nalorphine precipitated abrupt, short‐lived, but occasionally violent exacerbations of the basic absinence pattern.

Aside from these episodes, however, nalorphine apparently does not materially affect the fundamental course of withdrawal symptoms in the doses and method used.
Serum chemokine levels in Hodgkin lymphoma patients: highly increased levels of CCL17 and CCL22
Authors: Niens Marijke , Visser Lydia , Nolte Ilja M. , Van Der Steege Gerrit , Diepstra Arjan , Cordano Pablo , Jarrett Ruth F. , Te Meerman Gerard J. , Poppema Sibrand , Van Den Berg Anke
Published: February 2008

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by a minority of neoplastic Hodgkin‐Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells surrounded by a non‐neoplastic reactive infiltrate. As immunological mechanisms appear to be crucial in classical HL pathogenesis, altered serum chemokine levels might be related to disease activity. Serum levels of nine chemokines were examined in 163 untreated HL patients and 334 controls. We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for association with serum CCL17 (thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine, TARC) levels and HL susceptibility. Serum CCL17 and CCL22 (macrophage‐derived chemokine, MDC) levels were significantly increased in 82% and 57% of the HL patients. Nodular sclerosis cases showed increased serum CCL17 and CCL22 levels (P < 0·001) and serum levels were correlated with Ann Arbor stage. Of nine patients with pre‐ and post‐treatment serum samples, the majority showed decreased CCL17 and CCL22 levels after treatment. HRS cells expressed CCL17 and CCL22 in 77% and 75% of 74 cases. Three SNPs showed a trend of increased serum CCL17 levels with minor alleles in controls, but were not associated with HL susceptibility. CCL17 and CCL22 were the only chemokines with increased serum levels in the vast majority of HL patients, which provides further insight into the molecular mechanism(s) leading to infiltrations of reactive lymphocytes in HL.
Guidelines on the assessment of bleeding risk prior to surgery or invasive procedures
Authors: Chee Y. L. , Crawford J. C. , Watson H. G. , Greaves M.
Published: February 2008

Unselected coagulation testing is widely practiced in the process of assessing bleeding risk prior to surgery. This may delay surgery inappropriately and cause unnecessary concern in patients who are found to have ‘abnormal’ tests. In addition it is associated with a significant cost. This systematic review was performed to determine whether patient bleeding history and unselected coagulation testing predict abnormal perioperative bleeding. A literature search of Medline between 1966 and 2005 was performed to identify appropriate studies. Studies that contained enough data to allow the calculation of the predictive value and likelihood ratios of tests for perioperative bleeding were included. Nine observational studies (three prospective) were identified. The positive predictive value (0·03–0·22) and likelihood ratio (0·94–5·1) for coagulation tests indicate that they are poor predictors of bleeding. Patients undergoing surgery should have a bleeding history taken. This should include detail of previous surgery and trauma, a family history, and detail of anti‐thrombotic medication. Patients with a negative bleeding history do not require routine coagulation screening prior to surgery.
Climate change, plant migration, and range collapse in a global biodiversity hotspot: theBanksia(Proteaceae) of Western Australia
Authors: FITZPATRICK MATTHEW C. , GOVE AARON D. , SANDERS NATHAN J. , DUNN ROBERT R.
Published: February 2008

Climate change has already altered global patterns of biodiversity by modifying the geographic distributions of species. Forecasts based on bioclimatic envelop modeling of distributions of species suggests greater impacts can be expected in the future, but such projections are contingent on assumptions regarding future climate and migration rates of species. Here, we present a first assessment of the potential impact of climate change on a global biodiversity hotspot in southwestern Western Australia. Across three representative scenarios of future climate change, we simulated migration of 100Banksia(Proteaceae) species at a rate of 5 km decade−1and compared projected impacts with those under the commonly applied, but acknowledged as inadequate, assumptions of ‘full‐’ and ‘no‐migration.’ Across all climate × migration scenarios, 66% of species were projected to decline, whereas only 6% were projected to expand or remain stable. Between 5% and 25% of species were projected to suffer range losses of 100% by 2080, depending mainly on climate scenario. Species losses were driven primarily by changes in current precipitation regimes, with the greatest losses of species projected to occur in a transition zone between wet coastal areas and interior arid regions and which is projected to become more arid in the future. Because the ranges of most species tended to collapse in all climate scenarios, we found that climate change impacts to flora of southwestern Western Australia may be large, even under optimistic assumptions regarding migration abilities. Taken together, our results suggest that the future of biodiversity in southwestern Western Australia may lie largely in the degree to which this hotspot experiences increased drought and in the ability of species to tolerate such decreases in precipitation. More broadly, our study is among a growing number of theoretical studies suggesting the impacts of future climate change on global biodiversity may be considerable.
Altered patterns of soil carbon substrate usage and heterotrophic respiration in a pine forest with elevated CO2and N fertilization
Authors: BILLINGS SHARON A. , ZIEGLER SUSAN E.
Published: February 2008

To assess how heterotrophic microorganisms may alter their activities and thus their CO2‐C return to the atmosphere with elevated CO2and changing N availability, we examined soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics at the Duke Free Air Carbon Enrichment (FACE) site, after N fertilizer was applied. We measured heterotrophic respiration during early and late stages of SOM mineralization in soil incubations to capture activity on relatively labile and refractory SOM pools. We also measuredδ13C of respired CO2‐C and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) during early mineralization stages to track the microbial groups involved in substrate use. We calculated, a measure ofδ13CPLFAnormalized by respiredδ13CO2, to assess microbial function with C substrates formed with elevated CO2and altered N availability, via the distinctδ13C of the supplemental CO2. We also quantified extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) during labile and recalcitrant SOM mineralization. Early in the incubations, increased N availability reduced heterotrophic CO2‐C release. By the later stages of SOM mineralization, elevated CO2soils with fertilization had respired 72% of the CO2‐C respired by all other soils.values suggest that fungi in elevated CO2plots took up C substrates possessing theδ13C signature of recently formed SOM, and added N promoted the activity of Gram‐negative bacteria and reduced that of Gram‐positive bacteria, particularly actinomycetes. Consistent with this, the enzyme responsible for the degradation of peptidoglycan and chitin, compounds produced by Gram‐positive bacteria and fungi, respectively, experienced a decline in activity with N fertilization. If patterns observed in this study with N additions are reversed with progressive N limitation at this site, actinomycetes and other Gram‐positive bacteria responsible for mineralizing relatively recalcitrant substrates may experience increases in their activity. Such shifts in microbial functioning may result in increased turnover of, and C release from, relatively decay‐resistant material.
Cytokine Networks and the Regulation of Uterine Function in Pregnancy and Parturition
Authors: Orsi N. M. , Tribe R. M.
Published: February 2008

Complex cytokine networks play an important role in a wide range of reproductive and pregnancy related processes. Here, we review the current knowledge concerning the impact of cytokines on uterine physiology and pathophysiology. Cytokines influence a range of uterine functions during the menstrual cycle, implantation, pregnancy and labour. The synergistic interactions between individual cytokines are intricate and dynamic, and modulated by pregnancy hormones. It is not surprising therefore, that perturbations to cytokine signalling are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, pre‐eclampsia, preterm labour and foetal brain injury. Further insight into the complexity of cytokine networks will be required to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cytokine imbalances in pregnancy.
The experience of special hospital patients in regional secure units
Authors: SKELLY C.
Published: February 2008

Regional secure units provide one of the main routes of release for special hospital patients; a route that in many cases is unsuccessful as the patient is subsequently readmitted to the special hospital. Processes underlying this were investigated in this UK study using a grounded theory approach. The interview data obtained in 1993 from a sample of 14 readmitted special hospital patients were analysed and five explanatory categories were generated. This paper concentrates on descriptive data from two categories. One describes negative experiences of a group of patients in regional secure units; an experience often considered a ‘backward step’. The second data category identifies four principal reasons for readmission; one reason, inappropriate sexual behaviour, was of particular concern due to its frequency and the possibility that it resulted from the special hospital practice of gender segregation.
A review of the Report on Mental Health Nursing in England: Working in Partnership
Authors: SMITH L. N.
Published: February 2008

We invited Professor Smith to provide a personal perspective on the context and relevance of the first major review of psychiatric and mental health nursing in England since 1968. The British government published a report of the review in 1994 and the chairman of the steering group summarized the main issues and characterized its findings in this Journal (1, 41–44). In this paper, Professor Smith establishes the provenance of the Review of Mental Health Nursing. Consideration is given to the Report's recommendations in an effort to understand reaction to it. Finally, ideas are suggested to take forward the Report's recommendations, using the Report as a useful tool to progress psychiatric and mental health nursing. We need to be aware that without comment from the profession this Report will cease to be of interest or of relevance.
Survey of the social networks of people with severe mental health problems
Authors: NOLAN P. , CLANCY A.
Published: February 2008

Survey of the social networks of people with severe mental health problems.

The social functioning of people with severe mental health problems is an indicator of general physical and emotional well‐being. There exists a wealth of literature on the topic from the professional carer's perspective but relatively little from the perspective of the clients themselves. Thirty clients were interviewed in order to explore their understanding of the nature and value of the social networks in which they were currently involved. Despite having participated in a variety of rehabilitation interventions, these clients remained insecure and lacking in confidence. They had few friends beyond members of their immediate family and were generally leading lonely, friendless existences without the capacity to establish new relationships. Although this study suggests that clients often have grandiose plans for the future, mental health nurses may best meet their needs by helping to sustain existing relationships and using them at all levels of therapeutic intervention, rather than attempting to nurture new relationships for which clients are unready and the failure of which may result in a relapse in clients' mental health status.
Notes on narrative knowledge in psychiatric nursing
Authors: TILLEY S.
Published: February 2008

Notes on narrative knowledge in psychiatric nursing.

This paper reports briefly on one part of an empirical study of nurses' accounts of conversations with patients diagnosed as ‘neurotic’ and addresses issues related to narrative knowledge in psychiatric nursing. A rationale for analysing psychiatric nurses' narratives of practice is presented, and one framework for doing so is outlined. The form and grammar of nurses' narratives are sketched, and limitations of the present analysis are discussed. While the paper is based on research on practice in psychiatric hospital admission wards, the argument presented is relevant to psychiatric nursing practice generally.
The unconscious impact of caring for acutely disturbed patients: a perspective for supervision1
Authors: WINSHIP G.
Published: February 2008

The unconscious impact of caring for acutely disturbed patients: a perspective for supervision.

This paper is concerned with the emotional experience of working with acutely disturbed patients. It examines how the disturbance of the patient unconsciously impacts upon the nurse. Using a model of the unconscious, based upon classical psychoanalytic theory, a psychodynamic approach to clinical supervision in a group setting is described. This supervision process was found to be helpful in the therapeutic process, identifying unconscious dynamics as well as alleviating some of the distress of the clinical work. Vignettes illustrating this process of psychodynamic group supervision are presented.
The efficacy of a nursing challenge to patients: testing a new intervention to decrease self‐harm behaviour in severe personality disorder
Authors: CREMIN D. , LEMMER B. , DAVISON S.
Published: February 2008

The efficacy of a nursing challenge to patients: testing a new intervention to decrease self‐harm behaviour in severe personality disorder.

This paper describes the study of a new intervention, which was intended to increase therapeutic engagement with patients and to decrease self‐harm behaviour. As a result of nursing observations in a unit that specialized in severe personality disorders, a psychodynamic perspective to treatment was introduced in the form of a nursing challenge. The intervention was evaluated in a new service for young adults at a psychiatric hospital in the south of England, as part of a clinical research apprenticeship. The care and treatment of persons with severe personality disorders present a major challenge to coherent and cohesive teamwork. A test and retrospective comparison study is described and its findings reported. Data from the study point to the need for more than a single challenge, to achieve a sustained reduction in self‐harm, along with staff training to ensure working knowledge of a particular framework.
Staff perception of illicit drug use within a special hospital
Authors: McKEOWN M. , LIEBLING H.
Published: February 2008

Staff perceptions of illicit drug use within a special hospital

This paper presents the results of a survey of staff perceptions of issues related to illicit drug use amongst patients within a UK Special (forensic) Hospital. The issues examined were: the nature and extent of drug‐related problems; current management strategies and their perceived efficacy; suggestions for improved management strategy; and identification of staff training needs. Data were collected utilizing a questionnaire distributed to all patient‐care team members and representatives of disciplines working in off‐ward areas (n= 311). The response rate was approximately 40%. Analysis of the returns suggests that staff concerns are largely focused on issues around the supply of drugs. A significant level of ignorance regarding illicit drugs and their usage was revealed, indicating a need for coordinated training. A review of literature suggests that future management strategies should not be solely directed towards supply restriction. A discussion of the results highlights parallels between Ashworth Hospital staff perceptions of illicit drug problems, media coverage of the same, and the findings of earlier sociological studies of deviance, subculture and moral panic.
Constructed selves, constructed lives: a cultural constructivist perspective of mental health nursing practice
Authors: WRIGLEY K. M.
Published: February 2008

This paper is an analysis of the position that cultural constructivism is significant to the well‐being of psychiatric and mental health discourse and practice. It focusses particularly on the nature of the ‘self’ as it is perceived from a Western ethnopsychological perspective. Differentiation is made between types of self which can be found in other cultural systems, both within and without Western society. A relationship is explored between the particular definition of the ‘self’ and discourses on therapeutic relationships, both fundamental tenets of modern mental health nursing practice. This analysis suggests that nurses should endeavour to move beyond the rhetorical, and thus constraining, ideology of individual responsibility, with which mental health practice is now engaged, and move to a basis for practice which depends on understanding clients' lived experiences.
Playing at research: methodological pluralism and the creative researcher
Authors: ROLFE G.
Published: February 2008

In its quest for acceptance by the scientific community, mental health nursing research has developed an unhealthy obsession with methodological rigour. This paper draws on the work of several writers from the philosophy of social science to argue that this focus on methodology stifles individual creativity and acts as a gatekeeper to the profession which excludes many of our brightest and most creative researchers. The author proposes a new approach to doing research that facilitates the creative process by encouraging a playful approach that temporarily abandons the accepted rules and methods of the research process in favour of an ‘anarchistic epistemology’ and a variety of unusual and not necessarily externally validated methods. It is only at the end of the research process that valid and generalizable methods are introduced, and the author calls for journals to open a creative dialogue by being more willing to publish papers describing the early, exploratory stages of research, based on a judgement of their creativity and innovation.
Formulation and testing of a nursing assessment form for mental patients as a basis for individualized nursing care
Authors: RAYA A. , MANTAS J. , PRIAMI M. , ANDREA S. , BROKALAKI H. , KYRITSI H. , ANDROULAKI O.
Published: February 2008

RAYA A., MANTAS J., PRIAMI, M., ANDREA S., BROKALAKI H., KYRITSIH. & ANDROULAKI O. (1995) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing2, 23–32: Formulation and testing of a nursing assessment form for mental patients as a basis for individualized nursing care.: The study described here was designed to develop and test a form of nursing assessment of mental patients for use as a basis for individualized holistic nursing care in any setting.

Nursing assessment was made of 581 mental patients receiving care in either mental hospitals, psychiatric departments of general hospitals or in mental health centres. Subjects were observed, interviewed and asked to complete a structured assessment form. Major variables studied were physical nursing problems/needs with nine categories, psychosocial nursing problems/needs with nine categories, sex, age, and physical and psychiatric disorders. Data were analysed with frequency distribution and comparative techniques, correlational procedures, and the multiple linear regression statistical procedure.

The frequency distribution of psychiatric diagnoses showed that schizophrenic disorders were the most frequent in the total sample. However, there were more depressive patients in the general hospital group. Physical nursing problems/needs were significantly related with psychosocial nursing problems/needs, affective‐depressive disorders, sex and age as well as negatively related with psychotic and anxiety disorders. Psychosocial nursing problems/needs were significantly related with schizophrenic and psychotic disorders, physical disorders and with the younger age groups.

It was concluded that the psychiatric nursing assessment should encompass the areas of personal characteristics, and physical and psychological problems of the patient, and thus lead to practicing psychiatric nursing, that is, holistic psychosomatic nursing.
A stitch in time. Facilitating proactive interventions with dementia caregivers: the role of community practitioners
Authors: KEADY J. , NOLAN M.
Published: February 2008

KEADY J. & NOLAN M. (1995) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing2, 33–40: A stitch in time. Facilitating proactive interventions with dementia caregivers: the role of community practitioners.: The role of family caregivers in supporting people with dementia in the community is beyond question. Yet, all too often, the needs of such carers are overlooked by community practitioners. This paper describes the results of a study in Wales examining the experiences of dementia caregivers with Community Practitioners. Four themes are identified which encapsulate the various difficulties carers faced. These revolve around a lack of communication, information and support. Recommentations to improve the current situation are made.
Reconciling scientific and religious discourse about madness during the age of reason: lessons for today?
Authors: WEEKS N.P.
Published: February 2008

Reconciling scientific and religious discourse about madness during the age of reason: lessons for today?

This paper argues that the secularization of madness, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, occurred as a consequence of cultural change that accompanied the social upheavals of the age. In examining the reconciliation of competing explanations for madness, from theological and empirical viewpoints, it is suggested that these paradigms were never totally separated and argued that developments during this period were a consequence of continual interaction and dialogue between these contrasting views. Furthermore, it is suggested that an understanding of these changing times can illuminate present debates surrounding mental illness.
A ‘domains of practice’ approach to the standards of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Authors: AUSTIN W. , GALLOP R. , HARRIS D. , SPENCER E.
Published: February 2008

A‘domains’ of practice approach to the standards of psychiatric and mental health nursina

Standards have considerable influence on the practice of a discipline. As the written and explicit expectations of nurses held by their professional group, nursing practice standards serve as a basis for performance evaluation and as a clarification of the areas of nurses' accountability. Delineated here are the issues that the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses faced as they attempted to identify and describe the nursing behaviours essential to this specialty area. A rationale for the ‘domains of practice’ approach is provided. The problems inherent in creating such a national document are addressed. Seven practice domains are described; the standards for two domains, the ‘Helping’ and the ‘Effective Management of Rapidly Changing Situations’, are outlined in detail.
The psychiatric patient's right to self‐determination: a preliminary investigation from the professional nurse's point of view
Authors: VÄLIMÄKI M. , HELENIUS H.
Published: February 2008

The aim of this preliminary empirical investigation was to explore the concept of self‐determination and to discuss its applicability to psychiatric nursing. The data were collected with a questionnaire submitted to professional nurses (n=127) working on long‐term wards in four Finnish hospitals. Data analysis combined the methods of content analysis and quantitative statistics. A tentative concept apparatus was created in order to provide nursing science with a broader understanding of the issue at hand. Nurses identified various factors that act to restrict and to support self‐determination: the most common restrictive factor was the patient's illness or condition, and the most common supportive factor was nursing intervention. Views differed on the importance of self‐determination in the case of psychiatric patients; over half of the nurses described the right to self‐determination as very important. On the basis of the findings it is concluded that self‐determination is a valid concept for the psychiatric patient. It was also thought to serve the needs of education as well as evaluation.
Life after the mental hospital: the way of life of deinstitutionalized psychiatric patients
Authors: NIKKONEN M.
Published: February 2008

This article describes and analyses the way of life of deinstitutionalized long‐term psychiatric patients in Northern Finland. The major focus of the paper is the central areas of life of the outpatients as one dimension of subjectivity. The data were collected by interviewing 25 discharged long‐term psychiatric patients. The findings suggest that home was the central area of life for the outpatients but they differed in their relation to it. Some of the patients were actively building their home. For some others home was an asylum in which to hide from social life. Many patients had hobbies that only took place inside their homes. One of the problems that the outpatients had to face was lack of work. The elderly patients who generally regarded work as a virtue experienced difficulties in finding something to do in their modern suburban homes. Social participation was mostly labelled by the old and familiar hospital models. The patients had no new acquaintances. They kept contact with their former fellow patients.
Evaluating services for women with serious and ongoing mental health problems: developing an appropriate research method
Authors: REPPER J. , PERKINS R. , OWEN S. , DEIGHTON D. , ROBINSON J.
Published: February 2008

Despite an increase in the literature on women with less disabling or transitory mental health problems, there is little relating to women with serious and ongoing difficulties. In considering the means by which the needs of this population might be studied, tension arises over methodology. Research comparing the clinical, functional and service use characteristics of women and men might demonstrate their different mental health problems but would neither elucidate women's particular needs nor examine the social reasons for this difference. A feminist methodology would, however, offer a means of exploring the experiences of women, a framework for understanding sex differences, and generate findings that would be beneficial to women. The present study gives an insight into ways in which the exploration of sex differences can be combined with a study of women for women without compromising the relevance and impact of the findings.
Identification of a novel cis‐regulatory element for UV‐B‐induced transcription in Arabidopsis
Authors: Safrany Judit , Haasz Veronika , Mate Zoltan , Ciolfi Andrea , Feher Balazs , Oravecz Attila , Stec Agnieszka , Dallmann Geza , Morelli Giorgio , Ulm Roman , Nagy Ferenc
Published: February 2008

Ultraviolet‐B light (UV‐B) regulates the expression of genes in a wavelength‐ and fluence rate‐dependent fashion. A signaling pathway consisting of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 1 (COP1) and UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR 8) mediates responsiveness to longer wavelength, low intensity UV‐B light‐activating, for example, HY5 gene expression. By contrast, transcription of another group of genes, including ANAC13, modulated by shorter wavelength, higher intensity UV‐B is controlled by a yet unknown and largely COP1‐independent signaling cascade. Here we provide evidence by promoter deletion analysis, and characterization of genetic mutants displaying aberrant expression patterns, that two cis‐regulatory elements, designated MREANAC13 and UVBoxANAC13, are required for maximal UV‐B induction of the ANAC13 gene in transgenic plants. These elements are located in the proximal 150‐bp region of the ANAC13 promoter. They show no significant similarity to each other; the putative MREANAC13 (‐AACCTT‐) is closely related to MRECHS (‐AACCTA‐) found in the CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) gene, whereas UVBoxANAC13 (with core sequence CAAG) represents a novel cis‐regulatory element. The novel UVBoxANAC13 sequence is significantly enriched in the promoter region of a subset of UV‐B‐induced genes with similar activation properties as ANAC13. In addition, we demonstrate that expression of a chimeric gene containing only the dimerized 12‐mer containing UVBoxANAC13 fused to a minimal CaMV35S promoter/luciferase reporter is (i) efficiently induced by shorter wavelength, higher intensity UV‐B, but (ii) does not respond either to longer wavelength UV‐B and red light or (iii) to abscisic acid treatment and osmotic, salt, heat and cold stresses.
The tryptophan pathway is involved in the defense responses of rice against pathogenic infection via serotonin production
Authors: Ishihara Atsushi , Hashimoto Yumi , Tanaka Chihiro , Dubouzet Joseph G. , Nakao Takahito , Matsuda Fumio , Nishioka Takaaki , Miyagawa Hisashi , Wakasa Kyo
Published: February 2008

The upregulation of the tryptophan (Trp) pathway in rice leaves infected by Bipolaris oryzae was indicated by: (i) enhanced enzyme activity of anthranilate synthase (AS), which regulates metabolic flux in the Trp pathway; (ii) elevated levels of the AS (OASA2, OASB1, and OASB2) transcripts; and (iii) increases in the contents of anthranilate, indole, and Trp. The measurement of the contents of Trp‐derived metabolites by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry revealed that serotonin and its hydroxycinnamic acid amides were accumulated in infected leaves. Serotonin accumulation was preceded by a transient increase in the tryptamine content and by marked activation of Trp decarboxylase, indicating that enhanced Trp production is linked to the formation of serotonin from Trp via tryptamine. Feeding of radiolabeled serotonin to inoculated leaves demonstrated that serotonin is incorporated into the cell walls of lesion tissue. The leaves of a propagating‐type lesion mimic mutant (sl, Sekiguchi lesion) lacked both serotonin production and deposition of unextractable brown material at the infection sites, and showed increased susceptibility to B. oryzae infection. Treating the mutant with serotonin restored deposition of brown material at the lesion site. In addition, the serotonin treatment suppressed the growth of fungal hyphae in the leaf tissues of the sl mutant. These findings indicated that the activation of the Trp pathway is involved in the establishment of effective physical defenses by producing serotonin in rice leaves.
Nitrogen allocation and partitioning in invasive and native Eupatorium species
Authors: Feng Yu‐Long
Published: February 2008

There is a trade‐off between nitrogen (N) allocation to photosynthesis and to defence. Invasive species may reduce N allocation to defence because of the absence of natural enemies. Thus, I hypothesised that invasive species may allocate a higher fraction of total leaf N to photosynthesis and have higher light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and photosynthetic N‐use efficiency (PNUE) than closely related native species. To test these hypotheses, invasive Eupatorium adenophorum and native E. chinense and E. heterophyllum were compared in a limestone shrub. Unlike expectation, the invader did not allocate a higher fraction of leaf N to photosynthesis than the natives. However, it was more efficient in photosynthetic N partitioning than the natives. It partitioned a higher fraction of the photosynthetic N to carboxylation and showed higher use efficiency of the photosynthetic N, while the natives partitioned a higher fraction of the photosynthetic N to light‐harvesting components. Total leaf N content was not significantly different among the three studied invasive and native species. For the invader, the higher fraction of leaf N allocated to carboxylation resulted in the higher N content in carboxylation and in both carboxylation and bioenergetics, which led to higher Pmax, and therefore to higher PNUE, water‐use efficiency, respiration efficiency and apparent quantum yield. These physiological advantages of the invader and its higher leaf area ratio may contribute to its invasiveness.
Microscale investigations of microbial communities in coastal surficial sediments
Authors: Köster Marion , Wardenga Rainer , Blume Maja
Published: February 2008

The upper millimeters of sediments are considered major locations of microbial colonization and activity. The goal of our study was to investigate variations of microbial communities in the uppermost sediment layers of the coastal Baltic Sea with emphasis on the complex interplay between microbiology and physico‐chemical sediment properties. We selected a high‐resolution methodological approach that combined the cryolanding sampling technique (spatial resolution of 250 μm) with microsensor‐, spectrophotometric and microscopic analyses. While the oxygen penetration depths in dark conditions ranged from 1.4 mm to 2.6 mm during the study period, this zone expanded by about 1 mm in light and could be divided into three micro‐horizons: (i) an upper zone with a high net O2production, (ii) an intermediate zone with increased O2consumption on account of light‐stimulated respiration and (iii) a lower zone with lower O2consumption. Time‐series experiments revealed a rapid response of the benthic microbial community to altered light intensities. In May and July, the net O2budget in the porewater of sediments was positive within 35 and 22 min after illumination, respectively, whereas in June O2production exceeded O2consumption after 112 min. The thickness of the O2production and O2consumption micro‐zones decreased from May to July coinciding with an increase in temperature. In May, sites of enhanced O2consumption were closely associated with subsurface maxima of microbial numbers and enzymatic activities indicating a tight coupling between photoautotrophic and heterotrophic processes between  1‐ and 2‐mm depth. In June and July, the microbial abundance and enzymatic activity hardly varied with depth. Spatial and temporal microheterogeneity of microbial distribution and activity in O2gradients was seen as a reflection of the complex interplay between microbiology and physico‐chemical sediment properties.
Different pattern of fluid loss from the lower extremities in normohydrated and overhydrated stage 5 chronic‐kidney‐disease patients after haemodialysis
Authors: LEE SEOUNG WOO , PARK GEUN HO , LEE SEUNG WON , UM WOOK HYUN , KWON SU HYUN , SONG JOON HO , KIM MOON‐JAE
Published: February 2008

Aim:  It is unclear whether fluid is lost from each body segment in a similar manner during haemodialysis (HD) in normohydrated (NH) and overhydrated (OH) patients.

Methods:  The authors measured changes in regional‐body fluid compartments using segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis before and after HD in 26 stage 5 chronic‐kidney‐disease patients. Patients were divided into NH and OH groups. Correlation between ultrafiltration (UF) amount and per cent changes in extracellular fluid (ECF)/total body water (TBW) ratios measured in five body segments were analysed in NH and OH groups.

Results:  No differences were found between the two groups with respect to per cent decreases in body weight, TBW, or intracellular fluid levels. Correlation coefficients between UF amounts and per cent decreases in TBW, intracellular fluid and ECF were higher in the NH group than in the OH group. UF amounts were found to be correlated with per cent ECF/TBW decreases in all body segments in the NH group but, to be only correlated with per cent decreases in ECF/TBWLeft arm and ECF/TBWTrunk in the OH group. Positive correlations were found between UF amounts and per cent ECF/TBWRight leg decreases (r = 0.66, P = 0.01), regardless of age in the NH group only.

Conclusion:  NH and OH patients show different patterns of fluid loss from regional‐body fluid compartments. This may be useful for determining patient hydration status.
Serum neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin as a marker of renal function in hypertensive and normotensive patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: MALYSZKO JOLANTA , BACHORZEWSKA‐GAJEWSKA HANNA , MALYSZKO JACEK S , PAWLAK KRYSTYNA , DOBRZYCKI SLAWOMIR
Published: February 2008

Aim:  Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The kidneys could be a victim and/or culprit of hypertension. Recently, the value of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) was highlighted as a novel marker for early detection of acute renal damage. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess whether hypertension could affect NGAL and cystatin C levels in patients with normal serum creatinine (lower than 1.5 mg/dL in males and 1.2 mg/dL in females) and stable coronary artery disease.

Methods:  Serum, urinary NGAL, cystatin C and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD) and Cockcroft–Gault formulas) were evaluated in hypertensive, normotensive patients with stable coronary heart disease and healthy volunteers.

Results:  Normotensives had significantly lower NGAL than hypertensives. Serum cystatin C was significantly lower in normotensives than in hypertensives. Urinary NGAL did not differ significantly between these groups. Despite similar serum creatinine levels, eGFR (MDRD and Cockcroft–Gault formulas) was significantly higher in normotensives than in hypertensives. Serum NGAL was related, in univariate analysis, to serum creatinine, urea, urinary NGAL, haemoglobin, haematocrit, duration of hypertension, age, eGFR by MDRD and Cockcroft–Gault, and cystatin C.

Conclusion:  Hypertension is associated with kidney injury as reflected by elevated serum NGAL and cystatin C. It is noteworthy that despite normal serum creatinine, eGFR is relatively low suggesting impaired renal function. Therefore, NGAL needs to be investigated as a potential early marker for impaired kidney function/kidney injury, especially in patients with another risk factor for kidney damage, namely coronary artery disease.
Selective attention to affective value alters how the brain processes taste stimuli
Authors: Grabenhorst Fabian , Rolls Edmund T.
Published: February 2008

How does selective attention to affect influence sensory processing? In an fMRI investigation, when subjects were instructed to remember and rate the pleasantness of a taste stimulus, 0.1 m monosodium glutamate, activations were greater in the medial orbitofrontal and pregenual cingulate cortex than when subjects were instructed to remember and rate the intensity of the taste. When the subjects were instructed to remember and rate the intensity, activations were greater in the insular taste cortex. An interaction analysis showed that this dissociation of taste processing, depending on whether attention to pleasantness or intensity was relevant, was highly significant (P < 0.0002). Thus, depending on the context in which tastes are presented and whether affect is relevant, the brain responds to a taste differently. These findings show that, when attention is paid to affective value, the brain systems engaged to represent the sensory stimulus of taste are different from those engaged when attention is directed to the physical properties of a stimulus such as its intensity. This differential biasing of brain regions engaged in processing a sensory stimulus, depending on whether the cognitive demand is for affect‐related vs. more sensory‐related processing, may be an important aspect of cognition and attention. This has many implications for understanding the effects not only of taste but also of other sensory stimuli.
Tyrosine hydroxylase cells appearing in the mouse striatum after dopamine denervation are likely to be projection neurones regulated by l‐DOPA
Authors: Darmopil Sanja , Muñetón‐Gómez Vilma C. , De Ceballos María L. , Bernson Miya , Moratalla Rosario
Published: February 2008

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐immunoreactive (ir) neurones are detected in the striatum of animals after dopamine depletion and also in human parkinsonian patients. Although there is extensive evidence for TH‐ir neurones in the lesioned rodent striatum, there are few details regarding the molecular phenotype of these neurones, regulation of their TH expression after l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA) treatment and their function. In the present study, we examined the time‐course of appearance of TH‐ir neurones in the mouse striatum after 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesion and determined their molecular phenotype. We found that TH‐ir neurones appeared in the striatum as early as 3 days after a 6‐OHDA lesion. By 1 week after the lesion, the number of TH‐ir neurones started to decrease and this decrease progressed significantly over time. Treatment with L‐DOPA increased both the number of TH‐ir neurones and the intensity of their immunolabelling. The TH‐ir neurones that appear after the 6‐OHDA lesion in the striatum are not newly generated cells as they did not incorporate 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine. We found that the vast majority of TH‐ir neurones colocalized with dynorphin and enkephalin, suggesting that they are projection neurones of the direct and indirect striatal output pathways. TH‐ir neurones did not express the dopamine transporter but half of them expressed amino acid decarboxylase, an enzyme required for dopamine synthesis. Finally, striatal TH‐ir neurones are functionally active, expressing the neuronal activation marker FosB in response to L‐DOPA treatment. Promotion of these striatal TH‐ir neurones may be beneficial in Parkinson's disease, particularly in the early stages when dopamine denervation is incomplete.
Postsynaptic and differential localization to neuronal subtypes of protocadherin β16 in the mammalian central nervous system
Authors: Junghans Dirk , Heidenreich Matthias , Hack Iris , Taylor Verdon , Frotscher Michael , Kemler Rolf
Published: February 2008

The formation of synapses is dependent on the expression of surface adhesion molecules that facilitate correct recognition, stabilization and function. The more than 60 clustered protocadherins (Pcdhα, Pcdhβ and Pcdhγ) identified in human and mouse have attracted considerable attention because of their clustered genomic organization and the potential role of α‐ and γ‐Pcdhs in allocating a neuronal surface code specifying synaptic connectivity. Here, we investigated whether β‐Pcdhs also contribute to these processes. By performing RT‐PCR, we found a striking parallel onset of expression of many β‐Pcdhs around the onset of neurogenesis and wide expression in the central nervous system. We generated antibodies specific to Pcdhb16 and showed localization of Pcdhb16 protein in the adult mouse cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Analysing the mouse retina in detail revealed localization of Pcdhb16 to specific cell types and, importantly, subsets of synapses. We show that Pcdhb16 localizes predominantly to postsynaptic compartments and the comparison with Pcdhb22 implies differential localization and functions of individual β‐Pcdhs in the mammalian central nervous system. Moreover, we provide evidence for a role of β‐Pcdhs in the outer segments and connecting cilia of photoreceptors. Our data show for the first time that β‐Pcdhs also localize to specific neuronal subpopulations and synapses, providing support for the hypothesis that clustered Pcdhs are candidate genes for the specification of synaptic connectivity and neuronal networks.