bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disagreement and aggression in the operating theatre
Authors: Coe Richard , Gould Dinah
Published: February 2008

Title.  Disagreement and aggression in the operating theatre

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to determine the national spread of incidents of disagreement within and between professional groups in operating departments and the frequency of perceived aggressive behaviour demonstrated by operating department personnel.

Background.  There is both anecdotal and empirical evidence supporting the idea of the operating team as the ultimate example of teamworking in health care. At the same time, international concern is expressed over the level of interprofessional conflict and aggression reported in operating departments. Such reports do not sit well with notions of excellence in teamwork as conceptualized by theorists.

Method.  A questionnaire survey was designed, and sent to a random sample of National Health Service operating departments in England (n = 62) in 2002. Usable survey questionnaires were returned from 37 departments (response rate 59·6) and yielded 391 individual responses. Respondents included nurses (58%, n = 227), surgeons (9·7%, n = 38), anaesthetists (14·32%, n = 56) and operating department practitioners (17·9%, n = 70) of all grades.

Findings.  Half of the respondents reported experiencing aggressive behaviour from consultant surgeons (53·4%, n = 209). Daily disagreements between nurses and consultants about list management were reported. Perceptions of lack of understanding of roles and shared goals for patient care between the professional groups were also reported. Similar reports were received from all geographical locations in the sample.

Conclusion.  Further research is needed to conceptualize the complex nature of interprofessional working in operating theatres before steps can be taken to develop a less stressful and more efficient working environment.
Real nursing? The development of telenursing
Authors: Snooks Helen A. , Williams Anne M. , Griffiths Lesley J. , Peconi Julie , Rance Jaynie , Snelgrove Sharon , Sarangi Srikant , Wainwright Paul , Cheung Wai‐Yee
Published: February 2008

Title.  Real nursing? The development of telenursing

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to understand the impact of telenursing from the perspective of nurses involved in its provision, and in more traditional roles.

Background.  Nurse‐led telephone helplines have recently been introduced across the United Kingdom, a major step in the development of nursing practice.

Method.  A structured questionnaire was sent to all nurses working in the NHS Direct (National Health Service Direct) Wales telephone service (n = 111). Ninety‐two completed questionnaires were returned (response rate 83 per cent). Two focus groups were conducted: one with telephone service nurses (n = 8) and one with other nurses (n = 5). The data were collected in 2002.

Findings.  Respondents represented a highly educated workforce from a range of healthcare specialties. They reported that they joined the telephone service for improved salary and flexible working. Two‐thirds reported improved job satisfaction. All focus group participants reported that the development of nursing skills was affected by the use of decision support software and the remote nature of the consultation. Participants reported opportunities for skill development, although the role could be stressful. All agreed that the service was popular with callers, but the nurses from outside raised concerns about whether telenursing was ‘real’ nursing and about the evidence base for the service and access by disadvantaged groups.

Conclusion.  Differences between the groups reflect policy tensions between the need to develop new nursing skills, including the use of technology, to improve efficiency and recognition of the worth of hands‐on nursing. These tensions must be addressed for the telephone service to function as part of an integrated healthcare system.
Effect of clean intermittent self‐catheterization on quality of life: a qualitative study
Authors: Shaw Chris , Logan Karen , Webber Irene , Broome Lynne , Samuel Sandra
Published: February 2008

Title.  Effect of clean intermittent self‐catheterization on quality of life: a qualitative study

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to describe the experience of people carrying out clean intermittent self‐catheterization and the impact on their quality of life.

Background.  Clean intermittent self‐catheterization is a recommended treatment for people experiencing urinary voiding difficulties. The majority of the literature to date has focused on biomedical issues such as complication rates and use of different catheters.

Method.  A qualitative approach was used based on grounded theory. Fifteen users (eight men and seven women) of intermittent self‐catheterization took part in semi‐structured interviews during 2006. Ages ranged from 33 to 81 years (median 65 years). Reasons for self‐catheterization included multiple sclerosis, urethral stricture and high residual volumes. Thematic analysis was used to develop hypotheses about the causes and consequences of the core category ‘quality of life’.

Findings.  The core category consisted of two subcategories of positive and negative impacts. Positive impacts were related to improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms, whereas the negative impacts resulted from the practical difficulties encountered, and the psychological and cultural context of worry and stigma. The factors influencing variations in quality of life impacts were sex, lifestyle, frequency and duration of carrying out self‐catheterization, technical difficulties, type of catheter, co‐morbidities and individual predispositions.

Conclusion.  The model has the potential to help professionals to identify the factors likely to influence response to clean intermittent self‐catheterization, and could be used as a tool to help identify those who may have difficulty complying with the treatment or to aid advice‐giving on situations that may cause difficulties.
Coping, anxiety and quality of life after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Tung Heng‐Hsin , Hunter Anita , Wei Jen
Published: February 2008

Title.  Coping, anxiety and quality of life after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the relationship between ways of coping, anxiety level and quality of life for patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background.  Coronary artery bypass grafting requires appropriate coping strategies to achieve successful adaptation. In Taiwan, the incidence of this surgery is increasing, but research on adaptation following surgery is limited, with no research examining outcomes for women, who often have poorer adaptation outcomes than men.

Methods.  An integrated research design, based on Lazarus and Folkman’s transaction coping theory, was used. The research employed convenience sampling with four instruments: the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Short Form 36‐Health Survey, and a demographic questionnaire, sent to 50 men and 50 women who were recruited from a medical centre in Taiwan. Additionally, qualitative data from interviews with three men and three women, who had completed the instruments, were analysed.

Findings.  Better quality of life was associated with lower anxiety level, greater use of problem‐focused coping strategies and those who had more gender role responsibility. Women scored lower on the physical dimensions of quality of life, used more self‐blaming coping strategies and experienced slightly higher levels of anxiety compared to men. The qualitative analysis supported the conclusions of the quantitative analysis.

Conclusion.  The results will help nurses design specific interventions intended to lower anxiety levels, promote the use of problem‐focused strategies and identify patients’ values, necessary to achieve optimal quality of life.
Efficacy of an insomnia intervention on fatigue, mood and quality of life in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Dirksen Shannon R. , Epstein Dana R.
Published: February 2008

Title. Efficacy of an insomnia intervention on fatigue, mood and quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Aim. This paper is a report of a study to describe the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia on fatigue, mood and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Background. Women who receive primary treatment for breast cancer often complain of insomnia. Rarely evaluated in insomnia intervention studies is the effect of cognitive behavioural treatment on the psychosocial outcomes of fatigue, mood and quality of life.

Method. Data were collected between December 2002 and March 2004 with 72 women who were at least 3 months post‐completion of primary treatment without current evidence of disease. Women were randomly assigned to either the cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia group, which received stimulus control instructions, sleep restriction therapy and sleep education and hygiene, or the component control group which received sleep education and hygiene only. The 10‐week study consisted of 2 weeks of pre‐treatment, 6 weeks of treatment and 2 weeks of post‐treatment. Fatigue, mood and quality of life were measured at pre‐ and post‐treatment.

Findings. Women receiving cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia had significant improvements in fatigue, trait anxiety, depression and quality of life. The component control group also had statistically significant increases in quality of life, with a trend suggestive of lower depression at post‐treatment.

Conclusion. Globally, as the number of survivors in this population continues to grow, it is imperative that nurses continue testing interventions that may positively affect quality of life and the commonly experienced symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and depression.
The multidimensionality of caring: a confirmatory factor analysis of the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Short Scale
Authors: Cossette Sylvie , Pepin Jacinthe , Côté José K. , De Courval François Poulin
Published: February 2008

Title.  The multidimensionality of caring: a confirmatory factor analysis of the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Short Scale

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the construct validity of the four‐dimensional Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction–Short Scale using confirmatory factor analysis.

Background.  Validating theoretical structures of caring is an ongoing challenge in the discipline of nursing. Our previous work has contributed to this literature by the exploration of the dimensionality of the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Short Scale via an exploratory factor analysis. The Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Short Scale comprises 23 items reflecting four caring domains: humanistic care, relational care, clinical care and comforting care.

Method.  A methodological study was conducted involving a convenience sample of 531 nursing students in a baccalaureate nursing programme (20% were already Registered Nurses). Data were collected in 2002 and 2004. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Short Scale was performed.

Findings.  As expected with large samples and models, the chi‐squared‐associated P‐value was statistically significant (χ2 = 811·43, d.f. = 224, P < 0·01). However, the other indices reached acceptable levels with 0·054 for the standardized root mean‐squared residuals, 0·070 for the root mean‐square error of approximation, 0·88 for the goodness of fit index, 0·98 for the comparative fit index and 0·97 for the normal fit index. The factor loadings for all items with their hypothesized factor were ≥0·48 and statistically significant at the 0·01 level.

Conclusion.  The Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Short Scale model was judged to fit the data adequately. Although further testing of the scale with different samples of patients is warranted, our model emerged as a middle‐range theory during the construct validity process and still reflects Watson’s theory while offering a structure that is testable in clinical research.
Temporal shifts from facilitation to competition occur between closely related taxa
Authors: Valiente‐Banuet Alfonso , Verdú Miguel
Published: February 2008

The relative contribution of positive and negative interactions to the organization of ecological communities is an important area, though poorly understood because of the complexity inherent to long‐term interactions. For example, positive interactions like plant facilitation turn into negative interactions (competition) along the ontogeny of a plant or in response to temporal fluctuations in the environment. Furthermore, when many plants grow together indirect effects are usually positive and alleviate direct competitive effects.

The large number of direct and indirect interactions potentially occurring in natural communities and the temporal scale necessary to account for the ontogenetic shifts in the sign of the interaction makes a fully experimental approach prohibitive. Here, we propose that the phylogenetic distance among co‐occurring species is a good proxy to detect competition as a long‐term force assembling community composition. Our proposal is based on the observation that closely related species tend to be phenotypically similar and therefore compete for the same niche.

We test the relationship between phylogenetic relatedness and the persistence of pairwise (nurse‐facilitated) interactions occurring between 102 woody species in three Mexican semi‐arid communities in order to quantify the balance between competition and facilitation at the community level.

Our results indicate that facilitation turns into competition with increasing taxa relatedness. After validating the association between competition and phylogenetic relatedness, we estimate that 57% of the interactions remain with time while 43% become competitive. [Correction added after publication, 4 March 2008: in the preceding sentence, values corrected from 53% and 47%, respectively.] The preponderance of positive interactions may be explained if facilitation is considered as a mutualism in which both species benefit leading to vegetation clumps in communities.

Synthesis. We provide a new perspective on the balance between positive and negative interactions based on a phylogenetically structured network of interactions. This approach promises to contribute to our understanding of long standing issues in plant ecology and to reveal new areas of future research by testing the existence and the nature of the mutualisms as well as their complexity–stability properties on communities as a whole.
Independent measures of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity during the same test: the glucagon–insulin tolerance test
Authors: Dorkhan M. , Tripathy D. , Malm G. , Asgharian H. , Tuomi T. , Groop L.
Published: February 2008

Background.  To validate a test for independent assessment of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity during the same occasion for metabolic studies in clinical practice, i.e. combined glucagon‐stimulated C‐peptide test and insulin tolerance test (GITT).

Subjects and methods.  We measured C‐peptide response to 0.5 mg of intravenous glucagon followed 30 min later by administration of 0.05 U kg−1 insulin (insulin tolerance test, ITT). Ten subjects with normal glucose tolerance participated on different days in an ITT, glucagon‐C‐peptide test, ITT followed by glucagon‐C‐peptide test and glucagon‐C‐peptide test followed by ITT to establish whether and how the tests could be combined. The test was then repeated in nine patients with type 2 diabetes to investigate its reproducibility. In 20 subjects with varying degrees of glucose tolerance, the test was compared with the Botnia clamp (an intravenous glucose tolerance test combined with a euglycaemic hyperinsulinemic clamp).

Results.  When ITT preceded the glucagon test, C‐peptide response was blunted. Therefore, we first administered glucagon and then insulin (GITT). The KITT from the GITT was reproducible (CV = 13 %) and correlated strongly with the glucose disposal rate from the Botnia clamp (r = 0.87, r2 = 0.75, P < 0.001). The C‐peptide response to glucagon was reproducible (CV = 13 %). The disposition index, providing a measure of beta‐cell function adjusted for insulin sensitivity, calculated from the GITT showed good discrimination between individuals with varying degrees of glucose tolerance.

Conclusions.  The GITT provides simple, reproducible and independent estimates of insulin sensitivity and secretion on the same occasion for metabolic studies in individuals with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance.
MicroRNAs and cancer
Authors: Dalmay T.
Published: February 2008

The Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology was awarded to the RNA interference (RNAi) field in 2006 because of the huge therapeutic potential this technique harbours. However, the RNAi technology is based on a natural mechanism that utilizes short noncoding RNA molecules (microRNAs) to regulate gene expression. This paper reviews our current knowledge about microRNAs focusing on their involvement in cancer and their potential as diagnostics and therapeutics.
Use of B‐type natriuretic peptide in the risk stratification of community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Christ‐Crain M. , Breidthardt T. , Stolz D. , Zobrist K. , Bingisser R. , Miedinger D. , Leuppi J. , Tamm M. , Mueller B. , Mueller C.
Published: February 2008

Background.  Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading infectious cause of death in developed countries. Risk stratification has previously been difficult.

Methods.  Markers of cardiac stress (B‐type natriuretic peptide, BNP) and inflammation (C‐reactive protein, white blood cell count, procalcitonin) as well as the pneumonia severity index (PSI) were determined in 302 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with CAP. The accuracy of these parameters to predict death was evaluated as the primary endpoint. Prediction of treatment failure was considered as the secondary endpoint.

Results.  B‐type natriuretic peptide levels increased with rising disease severity as classified by the PSI (P = 0.015). BNP levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared to survivors [median 439.2 (IQR 137.1–1384.6) vs. 114.3 (51.3–359.6) pg mL−1, P < 0.001]. In a receiver operating characteristic analysis for the prediction of survival the area under the curve (AUC) for BNP was comparable to the AUC of the PSI (0.75 vs. 0.71, P = 0.52). Importantly, the combination of BNP and the PSI significantly improved the prognostic accuracy of the PSI alone (AUC 0.78 vs. 0.71; P = 0.02). The optimal cut‐off for BNP was 279 pg mL−1. The accuracy of BNP to predict treatment failure was identical to the accuracy to predict death (AUC 0.75).

Conclusions.  In patients with CAP, BNP levels are powerful and independent predictors of death and treatment failure. When used in conjunction with the PSI, BNP levels significantly improve the risk prediction when compared with the PSI alone.
Multilocus analysis of variation using a large empirical data set: phenylpropanoid pathway genes in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: RAMOS‐ONSINS S. E , PUERMA E , BALAÑÁ‐ALCAIDE D , SALGUERO D , AGUADÉ M
Published: February 2008

Detecting the signature of adaptation on nucleotide variation is often difficult in species that like Arabidopsis thaliana might have a complex demographic history. Recent re‐sequencing surveys in this species provided genome‐wide information that would mainly reflect its demographic history. We have used a large empirical data set (LED) as well as multilocus coalescent simulations to analyse sequence variation at loci involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway of this species. We surveyed and examined DNA sequence variation at nine of these loci (about 19.7 kb) in 23 accessions of A. thaliana and one accession of its closely related species Arabidopsis lyrata. Nucleotide variation was lower at nonsynonymous sites than at silent sites in all loci, indicating generalized functional constraint at the protein level. No association between variation and position in the metabolic pathway was detected. When the data were contrasted against the standard neutral model, significant deviations for silent variation were detected with Tajima's D, Fu's FS and Fay and Wu's H multilocus test statistics. These deviations were in the same direction than in previous large‐scale multilocus analyses, suggesting a genome‐wide effect. When the nine‐locus data set was contrasted against the large empirical data set, the level (Watterson's θ) and pattern of variation (Tajima's D) detected in these loci did not deviate either at the single‐locus or multilocus level from the corresponding empirical distributions. These results would support an important role of the demographic history of A. thaliana in shaping nucleotide variation at the nine studied phenylpropanoid loci. The potential and limitations of the empirical distribution approach are discussed.
Relative influences of historical and contemporary forces shaping the distribution of genetic variation in the Atlantic killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus
Authors: DUVERNELL DAVID D. , LINDMEIER JAMES B. , FAUST KATHERINE E. , WHITEHEAD ANDREW
Published: February 2008

A major goal of population genetics research is to identify the relative influences of historical and contemporary processes that serve to structure genetic variation. Most population genetic models assume that populations exist in a state of migration‐drift equilibrium. However, in the past this assumption has rarely been verified, and is likely rarely achieved in natural populations. We assessed the equilibrium status at both local and regional scales of the Atlantic killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus. This species is a model organism for the study of adaptive clinal variation, but has also experienced a complicated history of range expansion and secondary contact following allopatric divergence, potentially obscuring the influence of contemporary evolutionary processes. Presumptively neutral genetic markers (microsatellites) demonstrated zones of secondary intergradation among coastal populations centred around northern New Jersey and the Chesapeake Bay region. Analysis of genetic variation indicated isolation by distance among some populations and provided supporting evidence that the Delaware Bay, but not the Chesapeake Bay, has acted as a barrier to dispersal among coastal populations. Bayesian estimates indicated large effective population sizes and low migration rates, and were in good agreement with empirically derived estimates of population and neighbourhood size from mark–recapture studies. These data indicate that populations are not in migration‐drift equilibrium at a regional scale, and suggest that contributing factors include large population size combined with relatively low migration rates. These conditions should be considered when interpreting the evolutionary significance of the distribution of genetic variation amongF. heteroclituspopulations.
Around or across the Carpathians: colonization model of the Danube basin inferred from genetic diversification of stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) populations
Authors: ŠEDIVÁ ALENA , JANKO KAREL , ŠLECHTOVÁ VENDULA , KOTLÍK PETR , SIMONOVIĆ PREDRAG , DELIC ANTUN , VASSILEV MILEN
Published: February 2008

Despite increasing information about postglacial recolonization of European freshwater systems, very little is known about pre‐Pleistocene history. We used data on the recent distribution and phylogenetic relationships of stone loach mitochondrial lineages to reconstruct the initial colonization pattern of the Danube river system, one of the most important refuges for European freshwater ichthyofauna. Fine‐scale phylogeography of the Danubian populations revealed five highly divergent lineages of pre‐Pleistocene age and suggested the multiple origin of the Danubian stone loach. The mean sequence divergence among lineages extended from 7.0% to 13.4%, which is the highest intraspecific divergence observed so far within this river system. Based on the phylogeographical patterns, we propose the following hypothesis to relate the evolution and dispersal of the studied species with the evolution of the Danube river system and the Carpathian Mountains: (i) during the warmer period in the Miocene, the areas surrounding the uplifting Alps and Carpathians served as mountainous refuges for cold‐water adapted fish and promoted the diversification of its populations, and (ii) from these refuges, colonization of the emerging Danube river system may have taken place following the retreat of the Central Paratethys. Co‐existence of highly divergent mtDNA lineages in a single river system shows that range shifts in response to climatic changes during the Quaternary did not cause extensive genetic homogenization in the stone loach populations. However, the wide distribution of some mtDNA lineages indicates that the Pleistocene glaciations promoted the dispersal and mixing of populations through the lowlands.
Historical fragmentation of islands and genetic drift in populations of Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensiscomplex)
Authors: JORDAN M. A. , SNELL H. L.
Published: February 2008

The formation of islands following a rise in sea level at the end of Pleistocene is expected to disrupt the equilibrium between genetic drift and gene flow in species with limited ability to disperse. Here, we test the hypothesis that genetic drift in isolation has caused the differentiation of Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensiscomplex) found on 12 islets that are likely to have been connected to a larger island, Isla Santa Cruz, during the late Pleistocene. Using 11 microsatellite loci, screened on 524 individuals from 17 localities distributed among and within 15 islands, we found marked differences in allelic richness and heterozygosity. Genetic differentiation was strong (globalFST = 0.44), with pairwise differences found among populations on islets being larger than differences among three localities sampled within Isla Santa Cruz. As expected under a scenario of drift in isolation, there was a positive correlation of genetic diversity with island size, no relationship between genetic and geographical distance and a strong negative correlation between heterozygosity and measures of genetic differentiation. We conclude that seawater is a significant barrier to gene flow in lava lizards on this timescale. Our results suggest that the shallow diversification of theM. albemarlensiscomplex is not due to recent gene flow and that genetic drift may have played a substantial role in observed patterns of phenotypic variation among islands.
Genetic variation across species’ geographical ranges: the central–marginal hypothesis and beyond
Authors: ECKERT C. G. , SAMIS K. E. , LOUGHEED S. C.
Published: February 2008

There is growing interest in quantifying genetic population structure across the geographical ranges of species to understand why species might exhibit stable range limits and to assess the conservation value of peripheral populations. However, many assertions regarding peripheral populations rest on the long‐standing but poorly tested supposition that peripheral populations exhibit low genetic diversity and greater genetic differentiation as a consequence of smaller effective population size and greater geographical isolation relative to geographically central populations. We reviewed 134 studies representing 115 species that tested for declines in within‐population genetic diversity and/or increases in among‐population differentiation towards range margins using nuclear molecular genetic markers. On average, 64.2% of studies detected the expected decline in diversity, 70.2% of those that tested for it showed increased differentiation and there was a positive association between these trends. In most cases, however, the difference in genetic diversity between central and peripheral population was not large. Although these results were consistent across plants and animals, strong taxonomic and biogeographical biases in the available studies call for a cautious generalization of these results. Despite the large number of studies testing these simple predictions, very few attempted to test possible mechanisms causing reduced peripheral diversity or increased differentiation. Almost no study incorporated a phylogeographical framework to evaluate historical influences on contemporary genetic patterns. Finally, there has been little effort to test whether these geographical trends in putatively neutral variation at marker loci are reflected by quantitative genetic trait variation, which is likely to influence the adaptive potential of populations across the geographical range.
Bringing back the fruit into fruit fly–bacteria interactions
Authors: BEHAR A. , JURKEVITCH E. , YUVAL B.
Published: February 2008

Female Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) oviposit in fruits, within which the larvae develop. This development is associated with rapid deterioration of the fruit, and frequently with invasion by secondary pests. Most research on the associations between medflies and microorganisms has focused on the bacteria inhabiting the digestive system of the adult fly, while the role of the fruit in mediating, amplifying or regulating the fruit fly microflora has been largely neglected. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that the host fruit plays a role in perpetuating the fly‐associated bacterial community. Using direct and cultured‐based approaches, we show that this community is composed in its very large majority of diazotrophic and pectinolytic Enterobacteriaceae. Our data suggest that this fly‐associated enterobacterial community is vertically transmitted from the female parent to its offspring. During oviposition, bacteria are transferred to the fruit, establish and proliferate within it, causing its decay. These results show that the host fruit is indeed a central partner in the fruit fly–bacterial interaction as these transmitted bacteria are amplified by the fruit, and subsequently maintained throughout the fly's life. This enterobacterial community may contribute to the fly's nitrogen and carbon metabolism, affecting its development and ultimately, fitness.
Agricultural management affects evolutionary processes in a migratory songbird
Authors: PERLUT NOAH G. , FREEMAN‐GALLANT COREY R. , STRONG ALLAN M. , DONOVAN THERESE M. , KILPATRICK C. WILLIAM , ZALIK NATHAN J.
Published: February 2008

Hay harvests have detrimental ecological effects on breeding songbirds, as harvesting results in nest failure. Importantly, whether harvesting also affects evolutionary processes is not known. We explored how hay harvest affected social and genetic mating patterns, and thus, the overall opportunity for sexual selection and evolutionary processes for a ground‐nesting songbird, the Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). On an unharvested field, 55% of females were in polygynous associations, and social polygyny was associated with greater rates of extra‐pair paternity (EPP). In this treatment, synchrony explained variation in EPP rates, as broods by more synchronous females had more EPP than broods by asynchronous females. In contrast, on a harvested field, simultaneous nest failure caused by haying dramatically decreased the overall incidence of EPP by increasing the occurrence of social monogamy and, apparently, the ability of polygynous males to maintain paternity in their own nests. Despite increased social and genetic monogamy, these haying‐mediated changes in mating systems resulted in greater than twofold increase in the opportunity for sexual selection. This effect arose, in part, from a 30% increase in the variance associated with within‐pair fertilization success, relative to the unharvested field. This effect was caused by a notable increase (+110%) in variance associated with the quality of social mates following simultaneous nest failure. Because up to 40% of regional habitat is harvested by early June, these data may demonstrate a strong population‐level effect on mating systems, sexual selection, and consequently, evolutionary processes.
Identification and characterization of small RNAs from the phloem of Brassica napus
Authors: Buhtz Anja , Springer Franziska , Chappell Louise , Baulcombe David C. , Kehr Julia
Published: February 2008

Systemic signalling is indispensable for the coordination of diverse physiological processes during development, defence and nutrient allocation. Indirect evidence suggests that plant small RNAs (smRNAs) could be involved in long‐distance information transfer via the vasculature of the plant. Analyses of the smRNA complements of vascular exudates from oilseed rape (Brassica napus) showed that xylem sap is devoid of RNA, whereas phloem sap contained a large number of smRNAs. In addition to 32 annotated microRNAs (miRNAs) from 18 different families that could be identified and approved, a set of unknown smRNAs, predominantly of 21 and 24 nucleotides in length, was obtained, and selected candidates were found to be highly abundant in phloem sap. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the levels of three miRNAs known to respond to nutrient deprivation in non‐vascular tissue, miR395 (sulphate), miR398 (copper) and miR399 (phosphate), were increased in phloem sap during the growth of plants under the respective starvation conditions. Interestingly, only mature miRNA molecules were found to be stress responsive, demonstrating that single‐stranded sense miRNAs are most likely to represent the physiologically relevant molecules. The strong responses in the phloem suggest a role of miRNAs in systemic information transfer via this long‐distance transport system.
Degradation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor KRP1 is regulated by two different ubiquitin E3 ligases
Authors: Ren Hong , Santner Aaron , Pozo Juan Carlos del , Murray James A. H. , Estelle Mark
Published: February 2008

In animals and fungi, a group of proteins called the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors play a key role in cell cycle regulation. However, comparatively little is known about the role of these proteins in plant cell cycle regulation. To gain insight into the mechanisms by which the plant cell cycle is regulated, we studied the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor KRP1 in Arabidopsis. KRP1 interacts with the CDKA;1/CYCD2;1 complex in planta and functions in the G1–S transition of the cell cycle. Furthermore, we show that KRP1 is a likely target of the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. Two different ubiquitin protein ligases, SCFSKP2 and the RING protein RKP, contribute to its degradation. These results suggest that SCFSKP2b and RPK play an important role in the cell cycle through regulating KRP1 protein turnover.
Transient transformation and RNA silencing in Zinnia tracheary element differentiating cell cultures
Authors: Endo Satoshi , Pesquet Edouard , Tashiro Gen , Kuriyama Hideo , Goffner Deborah , Fukuda Hiroo , Demura Taku
Published: February 2008

The Zinnia elegans cell culture system is a robust and physiologically relevant in vitro system for the study of xylem formation. Freshly isolated mesophyll cells of Zinnia can be hormonally induced to semisynchronously transdifferentiate into tracheary elements (TEs). Although the system has proven to be valuable, its utility is diminished by the lack of an efficient transformation protocol. We herein present a novel method to introduce DNA/RNA efficiently into Zinnia cells by electroporation‐based transient transformation. Using reporter gene plasmids, we optimized the system for efficiency of transformation and ability for the transformed cells to transdifferentiate into TEs. Optimal conditions included a partial digestion of the cell walls by pectolyase, a low voltage and high capacitance electrical pulse and an optimal medium to maintain cell viability during transformation. Beyond the simple expression of a reporter protein in Zinnia cells, we extended our protocol to subcellular protein targeting, simultaneous co‐expression of several reporter proteins and promoter‐activity monitoring during TE differentiation. Most importantly, we tested the system for double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA)‐induced RNA silencing. By introducing in vitro‐synthesized dsRNAs, we were able to phenocopy the Arabidopsis cellulose synthase (CesA) mutants that had defects in secondary cell‐wall synthesis. Suppressing the expression ofZinnia CesA homologues resulted in an increase of abnormal TEs with aberrant secondary walls. Our electroporation‐based transient transformation protocol provides the suite of tools long required for functional analysis and developmental studies at single cell levels.
Frequent sequence exchanges between homologs of RPP8 in Arabidopsis are not necessarily associated with genomic proximity
Authors: Kuang Hanhui , Caldwell Katherine S. , Meyers Blake C. , Michelmore Richard W.
Published: February 2008

Disease resistance (R) genes are often clustered in plant genomes and may exhibit heterogeneous rates of evolution. Some (type I R genes) have evolved rapidly through frequent sequence exchanges, while others (type II R genes) have evolved independently and tend to be conserved in different genotypes or related species. The RPP8 resistance gene in Arabidopsis thaliana is located at a complex locus that also harbors the sequence‐related resistance genes HRT and RCY1 in different ecotypes. We sequenced 98 homologs of RPP8 from A. thaliana, Arabidopsis arenosa and Arabidopsis lyrata. Three lineages of type II and one lineage of type I RPP8 homologs were identified. Two of the three lineages of type II genes are each represented by a single‐copy locus on either chromosomes I or V. Chromosome V contains two small clusters of RPP8 paralogs. One cluster contains both type I and type II genes and the other comprises only type I genes. These multi‐copy loci have expanded and contracted through unequal crossovers, which have generated chimeric genes as well as variations in copy number. Sequence exchanges, most likely gene conversions, were detected between RPP8 homologs that are spatially separated by 2.2 Mb and 12 cM. The sequence exchanges between type I homologs within a locus have been more frequent than sequence exchanges between homologs from two different loci, indicating the influence of chromosomal position on the evolution of these R genes. However, physical distance was not the only factor determining the frequency of sequence exchange, because some closely linked paralogs exhibited little sequence exchange. At least two distinct lineages of type II RPP8 homologs were identified in different species, with obvious allelic/orthologous relationships within each lineage. Therefore, the differentiation of type I and type II RPP8 homologs seems to have occurred before speciation of A. thaliana, A. arenosa and A. lyrata.
Reduced activity of Arabidopsis thaliana HMT2, a methionine biosynthetic enzyme, increases seed methionine content
Authors: Lee Minsang , Huang Tengfang , Toro‐Ramos Tatiana , Fraga Michele , Last Robert L. , Jander Georg
Published: February 2008

In the S‐methylmethionine cycle of plants, homocysteine methyltransferase (HMT) catalyzes the formation of two molecules of methionine from homocysteine and S‐methylmethionine, and methionine methyltransferase (MMT) catalyzes the formation of methionine from S‐methylmethionine using S‐adenosylmethionine as a methyl group donor. Somewhat surprisingly, two independently isolated knockdown mutations of HMT2 (At3g63250), one of three Arabidopsis thaliana genes encoding homocysteine methyltransferase, increased free methionine abundance in seeds. Crosses and flower stalk grafting experiments demonstrate that the maternal genotype at the top of the flower stalk determines the seed S‐methylmethionine and methionine phenotype of hmt2 mutants. Uptake, transport and inter‐conversion of [13C]S‐methylmethionine and [13C]methionine in hmt2, mmt and wild‐type plants show that S‐methylmethionine is a non‐essential intermediate in the movement of methionine from vegetative tissue to the seeds. Together, these results support a model whereby elevated S‐methylmethionine in hmt2 vegetative tissue is transported to seeds and either directly or indirectly results in the biosynthesis of additional methionine. Manipulation of the S‐methylmethionine cycle may provide a new approach for improving the nutritional value of major grain crops such as rice, as methionine is a limiting essential amino acid for mammalian diets.
A double‐blind, randomized, vehicle‐controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MAS063DP (ATOPICLAIRTM) in the management of atopic dermatitis in paediatric patients
Authors: Patrizi Annalisa , Capitanio Bruno , Neri Iria , Giacomini Federica , Sinagra Jo L. , Raone Beatrice , Berardesca Enzo
Published: February 2008

A multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MAS063DP in 60 paediatric patients affected by atopic dermatitis (AD), aged between 2 and 17 years. Using the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score for AD, patients with a score of 2 (mild) or 3 (moderate) were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly selected to receive MAS063DP (20 patients), MAS060 (20 patients, a similar formulation with lower key ingredients’ concentration and no preservatives) or vehicle (20 patients).The study consisted in a treatment period of 43 days, with clinical evaluations at baseline (day 1), days 8, 15, 22, 29 and 43, at which time the treatment was stopped. MAS063DP showed nearly 80% improvement in IGA score at day 22, compared with 16.6% and 26.3% with the MAS060 and vehicle respectively. A statistically significant difference was found by comparing MAS063DP with MAS060 (p < 0.0001); a similar result was evidenced comparing MAS063DP and vehicle (p = 0.001). By contrast, no significant difference was found between MAS060 and vehicle. A statistically significant difference was sustained until the end of the study. MAS063DP may therefore be considered as one of the available regimens effective in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate AD in children and adolescents.
Overexpression of the non‐canonical Aux/IAA genes causes auxin‐related aberrant phenotypes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sato Atsuko , Yamamoto Kotaro T.
Published: February 2008

Degradation of Aux/IAA proteins which are triggered by the ubiquitin ligase complex containing the auxin F‐box receptors (AFBs), is thought to be the primary reaction of auxin signaling. Upon auxin perception, AFBs bind domain II of Aux/IAA proteins that is conserved in most of the 29 family members in Arabidopsis. However, IAA20 and IAA30 lack domain II. Furthermore, IAA31, which forms a single clade with IAA20 and IAA30 in Aux/IAA protein family, has a partially conserved domain II, which contains an amino acid substitution that would cause a dominant mutation of Aux/IAA genes. It has been shown that the half‐lives of these proteins are much longer than those of the canonical Aux/IAA proteins. We generated overexpression lines (OXs) of IAA20, IAA30 and IAA31 by the use of cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter to better understand the molecular function of atypical Aux/IAA proteins in Arabidopsis. OXs of the three genes exhibited similar auxin‐related aberrant phenotypes, with IAA20 OX showing the most severe defects: Some of them showed a semi‐dwarf phenotype; gravitropic growth orientation was often affected in hypocotyl and root; vasculature of cotyledons was malformed; the primary root stopped growing soon after germination because of collapse of root apical meristem. IAA 20 and IAA30 were early auxin inducible, but IAA31 was not. These results showed that the wild‐type genes of the three Aux/IAAs could disturb auxin physiology when ectopically overexpressed.
Characterization of a Phytoplasma Associated with Pear Decline in Iran
Authors: Salehi M. , Izadpanah K. , Taghavi S. M. , Rahimian H.
Published: February 2008

Symptoms of pear decline (PD) were observed in several pear growing regions of Iran. Pear trees with typical symptoms of PD from Estahban (Fars Province) were examined for phytoplasma infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Graft inoculation of healthy pear trees with scions from diseased trees resulted in production of PD symptoms and transmission of phytoplasma as verified by PCR. Target DNA was amplified from symptomatic pear trees with fO1/rO1, an apple proliferation (AP) group‐specific primer pair. Physical and putative restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of fO1/rO1 primed PCR products showed profiles corresponding to AP group, 16SrX‐C subgroup (Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri). Percent similarity values and phylogenetic analysis of fO1/rO1 primed sequences confirmed that, as a member of AP subclade, Estahban PD phytoplasma has a closer relationship to PD and peach yellow leaf roll phytoplasmas than to AP (Ca. Phytoplasma mali) and European stone fruit yellows (Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum) phytoplasmas. This is the first report of PD phytoplasma in the eastern Mediterranean.
Genetic Variation Among and Within Uromyces Species Infecting Legumes
Authors: Emeran A. A. , Román B. , Sillero J. C. , Satovic Z. , Rubiales D.
Published: February 2008

Genetic variation of 30 different Uromyces isolates collected on faba bean, lentil, common vetch, pea, chickpea, alfalfa, cowpea and lupin was studied. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers were used showing clear differences among Uromyces species. Uromyces viciae‐fabae isolates clustered according to the host, with a clear cluster including all U. viciae‐fabae ex Vicia faba isolates. The U. viciae‐fabae ex Lens culinaris isolate was the nearest to the cluster of U. viciae faba ex V. faba isolates, followed by U. pisi from Canada and U. viciae‐fabae ex V. sativa. No association was found among molecular diversity and virulence or geographic origin within U. vicia‐fabae ex V. faba isolates. Among the three U. pisi isolates considered, a great variability was observed and no grouping could be established. The most different isolate from the rest of species considered was U. striatus, followed by U. vignae. The two U. ciceris‐arietini isolates clustered together and so did the two U. lupinicolus isolates.
Review of intern preparedness and education experiences in General Medicine
Authors: Gome J. J. , Paltridge D. , Inder W. J.
Published: February 2008

Background:  Few studies assess the transition from medical student to intern and there is limited understanding of what measures are required to assist intern development. The aim of the study was to assess interns’ perception of their preparedness before commencing and on completion of their rotation in General Medicine, and their attitudes towards educational experiences at a tertiary metropolitan teaching hospital.

Methods:  Self‐assessed preparedness for the General Medical internship and educational experiences were evaluated using a quantitative 5‐point scale (1 = low score and 5 = high score) and qualitatively through interview, on interns based at St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne). Data were collected at the beginning and at the end of each 10‐week rotation (n = 25).

Results:  Before commencement of the rotation, the interns identified areas where they felt inadequately prepared, particularly resuscitation skills and medico‐legal aspects. When resurveyed at the completion of their 10‐week rotation, the interns felt they had been better prepared for their role than they initially perceived, both generally and in specific aspects. Nine out of 16 parameters showed a significant increase in preparedness score at week 10 compared to week 1. The educational experiences most valued were peer driven education sessions and informal registrar teaching. Formal consultant teaching and online learning were perceived as being the least useful.

Conclusion:  Interns at St Vincent’s Hospital have been adequately prepared for their role in General Medicine, although many realize this only in retrospect. Deficiencies in educational opportunities for interns have been uncovered that emphasize areas of attention for medical educators.