bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Feeding and Body Condition Score on Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Production in Zebu Cows
Authors: Siddiqui MAR , Shamsuddin M , Bhuiyan MMU , Akbar MA , Kamaruddin KM
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to standardize the feeding regimen and the body condition score (BCS) for maximum superovulatory responses in indigenous zebu cows. Ten regularly cycling 5–8‐year‐old dry cows, weighing 176–260 kg with BCS 2.5–4.5 were divided into two equal groups at random. The groups were maintained on either a good‐nutrition or a high‐nutrition diet. The feedstuffs were analysed by proximate feed analysis and the metabolizable energy content was estimated. After 3 months feeding, individual cows were injected (i.m) with 1500 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at day 10 or day 11 of the oestrous cycle (day of oestrus = day 0). Alfaprostol (6 mg) was injected (i.m) 48 h after the injection of PMSG to induce oestrus. At day 6 or day 7 (day of insemination = day 1), the contents of individual uterine horns were flushed with 150–200 ml of phosphate‐buffered saline + 0.2% bovine serum albumin using a two‐way Foley catheter. The embryos were identified, evaluated and graded as excellent, good, fair or poor under a stereomicroscope. For the good‐ and high‐nutrition diets, the daily intake of green grass, straw, concentrate, dry matter, crude protein and estimated metabolizable energy by individual cows were 5 and 6 kg, 3 and 3 kg, 1.5 and 3.5 kg, 4.87 and 6.82 kg, 0.39 and 0.74 kg, and 39.60 and 59.12 MJ, respectively. The protein content was 8 and 11% in the good‐ and high‐nutrition diets, respectively. The two groups of cows on different nutritional diets differed significantly with regard to body weight, body condition score and number of palpated corpora lutea (p < 0.01). For cows on the good‐nutrition diet, the median number of recovered embryos and transferable quality embryos were three and two, respectively. The recovery rate of embryos was 79.30% of palpated corpora lutea. Cows on the high‐nutrition diet did not yield any embryos. The indigenous zebu cows fed on the good‐nutrition diet with BCS 2.5–3 were considered suitable for the induction of superovulation, the cows on the high‐nutrition diet with BCS 4–4.5 were unsatisfactory and were more prone to cyst formation in the ovaries.
Reduced Phagocytotic Activity of Macrophages in the Bovine Retained Placenta
Authors: Miyoshi M , Sawamukai Y , Iwanaga T
Published: March 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of immune cells in the bovine placenta during the postpartum period and to compare these cells between normal and retained placenta. Within 1 h after normal calving, biopsy samples of placentomes were collected from 10 cows. The occurrence of retention of fetal membranes was monitored for more than 8 h post‐calving, and the samples obtained were divided into two groups: normally discharged and retained placenta (n = 5 each). Immunohistochemical procedures were utilized to detect macrophages and T lymphocytes. Numerous CD14‐positive macrophages were found in the stroma of both normal placenta and retained placenta whereas only a few CD3‐positive T lymphocytes were found in both cases. However, histochemical staining for acid phosphatase, a predominant lysozomal enzyme, revealed that almost all macrophages showed strong enzyme activity in the normally discharged placentas, whereas in retained placenta the activity of acid phosphatase was conspicuously decreased in intensity. These results indicate that there are functional differences in placental macrophages between normal and retained placenta.
Embryonic Signals and Survival
Authors: Goff AK
Published: March 2003

Contents

The objective of this review is to give an overview of the signaling mechanisms between the conceptus and the mother before implantation. The interactions between the embryo and uterus are complex and essential for normal embryo development and implantation. Problems in the signaling mechanisms are thought to play a significant role in early embryonic mortality since a high rate of embryonic morality occurs during this period. This review will focus on the mechanisms involved in the development of the conceptus and the prevention of luteolysis. It is based primarily on what is known in ruminants but also refers to work in other species such as the mouse and primates.
Formation of a Reservoir of Sperm in the Oviduct
Authors: Suarez SS
Published: March 2003

Contents

A reservoir of sperm in the initial segment of the oviduct has been found in several species of domestic and laboratory mammals. Evidently, the reservoir serves to ensure successful fertilization by providing the appropriate number of sperm in the appropriate physiological state for fertilizing oocytes soon after they enter the oviduct. Recent evidence indicates that sperm are trapped in the reservoir by binding to specific carbohydrate moieties on the surface of the mucosal epithelium of the oviduct. A bovine seminal plasma protein has been identified that associates with sperm and confers on them the capacity to bind to the carbohydrate moiety.
Blood and Intrauterine Leukocyte Profile and Function in Dairy Cows that Spontaneously Recovered from Postpartum Endometritis
Authors: Mateus L , Da Costa L Lopes , Carvalho H , Serra P , Robalo Silva J
Published: March 2003

Contents

The profile and function of blood and uterine leukocytes were evaluated in 14 dairy cows that spontaneously recovered from postpartum endometritis (mild, n=6 and heavy, n=8; general health not affected). From a minimum of 2 weeks before parturition until 6 weeks postpartum, blood samples were obtained twice weekly for leukocyte counts and leukogram determination and once weekly for flow cytometry assessment of polimorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst activity. Uterine fluid‐stained smears, obtained twice weekly from parturition until fluid was present in the uterus, were used for determination of the percentage of PMN, of phagocytizing PMN (phago‐PMN) and of the mean number of phagocyted bacteria per phagocytizing PMN (phagocytic index; PI). Uterine swabs were obtained twice weekly from parturition until 35 days postpartum for bacteriological examination. The time of endometritis diagnosis was similar in cows with mild or heavy endometritis but the latter cows had a significantly longer persistence of the infection and of the isolation of Gram‐negative anaerobes from the uterus. However, the effect of group (mild versus heavy) was not significant for all the blood and uterine parameters analysed. The effect of sampling day (within group effect) was significant (p<0.01 to p<0.00001) for all parameters, except for the blood monocyte count and the blood PMN phagocytic capacity, in which only a tendency for significance was observed (p<0.1). The effect of the interaction group × sampling day was significant only for the blood monocyte count. The phago‐PMN and the PI were significantly correlated (r=0.70, p<0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between the uterine fluid phago‐PMN and the blood PMN oxidative burst activity (r=−0.41, p<0.05). At the spontaneous recovery, the blood PMN oxidative burst activity was significantly higher (p<0.05) and the percentage of intrauterine phago‐PMN and the PI were significantly lower (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) than at diagnosis of endometritis. These results suggest that a decrease in blood PMN oxidative burst activity until the first week postpartum could be associated with an increased susceptibility to early postpartum endometritis. The later increase in this parameter as well as the increase in the intrauterine fluid phago‐PMN and PI, might favour the spontaneous resolution of endometritis.
The role of the inpatient mental health nurse in facilitating patient adherence to medication regimes
Authors: Happell Brenda , Manias Elizabeth , Pinikahana Jaya
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

Non‐adherence to antipsychotic medication is associated with relapse of psychiatric symptoms and readmission to inpatient mental health services. The important role of the mental health nurse in facilitating adherence has been acknowledged, however, there has been little exploration of how nurses themselves perceive this aspect of their role. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions of mental health nurses employed in inpatient settings regarding their role in facilitating medication adherence. Focus groups were conducted with 22 nurses from three inpatient settings in metropolitan Melbourne. The main themes to emerge from the data were nurses’ responsibilities in medication management; ways in which nurses are educated about antipsychotic medication; barriers to the provision of medication management, and barriers to effective patient adherence. Recommendations for more effective practice are discussed.
Tumour surveillance: Missing peptides and MHC molecules
Authors: Khanna Rajiv
Published: March 2003

Immunotherapy involving CTL is an attractive alternative for treatment of various malignancies. One of the approaches currently being explored for immune targeting of human cancers involves potentiation of immunogenicity of malignant cells by gene transduction. This strategy is undoubtedly influenced by the ability of the malignant cells to endogenously process and present target epitopes on their cell surface for immune recognition by CTL. However, there is increasing evidence to suggest that a large proportion of human cancers escape CTL‐mediated immune surveillance by selectively down‐regulating the expression of MHC class I molecules and peptide transporter genes. Understanding and molecular analysis of these immunologically relevant genetic defects in tumours is very important before translating preclinical studies of immunotherapy to rational clinical trials. Careful consideration of these potential limitations may lead to the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies and, potentially, prevention of tumour progression or development.
Insights into the aetiology and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ewing Christine , Bernard Claude CA
Published: March 2003

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. Multiple sclerosis is a clinically heterogeneous disorder. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease, with cell‐mediated and humoral responses directed against myelin proteins. This hypothesis largely comes from pathological parallels with an animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Autoimmunity to myelin proteins in humans may be inadvertently triggered by microbes which have structural homologies with myelin antigens (molecular mimicry). As with other autoimmune diseases, susceptibility to MS is associated with certain MHC genes/haplotypes. Full genomic screening of mutiplex families has underscored the role for MHC genes as exerting moderate but the most significant effects in susceptibility. The primary target autoantigen in MS has yet to be definitively identified, but as well as the major myelin proteins, it is now clear that minor myelin components, such as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) may play a primary role in disease initiation. This review examines the current knowledge about the aetiology and pathogenesis of MS, and the important similarities with EAE. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of autoimmune pathology will provide the basis for more rational immunotherapies to treat MS.
Immune stimulating complexes as mucosal vaccines
Authors: Smith Rosemary E , Donachie Anne M , Mowat Allan McI
Published: March 2003

There is a need for non‐living adjuvant vectors that will allow a full range of local and systemic immune responses to orally administered purified antigens. Here we describe our experience with lipophilic immune‐stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) containing the saponin adjuvant Quil A. When given orally, ISCOMs containing the model protein antigen ovalbumin (OVA) induce a wide range of systemic immune responses, including Th1 and Th2 CD4‐dependent activity, serum IgG antibodies and class I MHC‐restricted cytotoxic T cell responses. In addition, there is local production of secretory IgA antibodies in the intestine itself, as well as priming of CD4 and CD8 T cell responses in the draining lymphoid tissues. Preliminary results indicate that the mucosal adjuvant properties of ISCOMs may reflect their ability to deliver antigen combined with the pro‐inflammatory properties of Quil A in a particulate form. Of the many inflammatory mediators induced, interleukin‐12, derived from dendritic cells and/or macrophages, appears to be of central importance. These results indicate that ISCOMs may prove to be useful mucosal vaccine vectors with functions which are distinct from existing vectors of this type.
The role of IL‐12 in the control of MCMV is fundamentally different in mice with a retroviral immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS)
Authors: Peacock Craig D , Price Patricia
Published: March 2003

The present study investigates the susceptibility of C57BL mice exhibiting T cell immunodeficiency and lymphadenopathy induced by LP‐BM5 murine leukaemia virus (MAIDS) to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Treatment of normal (M–) mice with anti‐IL‐12 increased the contribution of IgG1 to the hypergammaglobulinaemia induced by MCMV, consistent with a shift towards a Th2 phenotype. This impaired control of early MCMV replication in the liver, with little effect in the spleen. Control of hepatic infection correlated with a vigorous splenic NK cytotoxic response in a subgroup of IL‐12‐depleted M– mice that remained healthy, while others became moribund. Mortality in IL‐12‐depleted MAIDS (M+) mice given MCMV was ultimately greater than in M– controls, but was delayed despite high levels of MCMV in the liver. IL‐12 was required for optimal control of MCMV replication in M+ mice. This may involve cytotoxic activity because similar levels of infection were seen in bg/bg M+ mice, where the beige mutation impairs the formation of cytotoxic granules. Hence the ability of M+ mice to tolerate high titres of MCMV during acute infection may enable innate cytotoxic responses to clear MCMV. Interleukin‐12 depletion of M– mice also increased salivary gland MCMV titres and depressed delayed‐type hypersensitivity responses to MCMV antigen, normally mediated by CD4+ T cells. These changes were not observed in IL‐12‐depleted M+ mice.
Burnet Oration: Living in the Burnet lineage
Authors: Doherty Peter C
Published: March 2003

Scientific discoveries are not made in isolation. Innovation depends on resources, both intellectual and physical. A primary requirement is the development and maintenance of appropriate institutions. Such structures do not emerge by chance, but arise from opportunity, political will and the continued efforts and commitment of many people over long periods. Suitable buildings, laboratories and state‐of‐the‐art equipment are obviously necessary, but hardware alone is of little value in the absence of a vibrant research culture. The key characteristics of the latter are intellectual foment, open debate and a body of wisdom and knowledge about the particular subject area. Rolf Zinkernagel and I played a part in triggering a paradigm shift in the understanding of T cell recognition, a contribution recognized by the 1996 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. In our Nobel lectures, we both discussed briefly why it was that the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) of 1973–75 provided a milieu that facilitated the emergence of the underlying experiments and ideas. My intention here is to discuss in more detail the scientific lineages that put this physical and intellectual environment in place, focusing particularly on the influence of Sir Frank Macfarlane (Sir Mac) Burnet as we celebrate his centenary year.
Phagotopes derived by antibody screening of phage‐displayed random peptide libraries vary in immunoreactivity: Studies using an exemplary monoclonal antibody, CII‐C1, to type II collagen
Authors: Davies Janet M , Rowley Merrill J , Mackay Ian R
Published: March 2003

Antibody screening of phage‐displayed random peptide libraries to identify mimotopes of conformational epitopes is promising. However, because interpretations can be difficult, an exemplary system has been used in the present study to investigate whether variation in the peptide sequences of selected phagotopes corresponded with variation in immunoreactivity. The phagotopes, derived using a well‐characterized monoclonal antibody, CII‐C1, to a known conformational epitope on type II collagen, C1, were tested by direct and inhibition ELISA for reactivity with CII‐C1. A multiple sequence alignment algorithm, PILEUP, was used to sort the peptides expressed by the phagotopes into clusters. A model was prepared of the C1 epitope on type II collagen. The 12 selected phagotopes reacted with CII‐C1 by both direct ELISA (titres from < 100–11 200) and inhibition ELISA (20–100% inhibition); the reactivity varied according to the peptide sequence and assay format. The differences in reactivity between the phagotopes were mostly in accord with the alignment, by PILEUP, of the peptide sequences. The finding that the phagotopes functionally mimicked the C1 epitope on collagen was validated in that amino acids RRL at the amino terminal of many of the peptides were topographically demonstrable on the model of the C1 epitope. Notably, one phagotope that expressed the widely divergent peptide C‐IAPKRHNSA‐C also mimicked the C1 epitope, as judged by reactivity in each of the assays used: these included cross‐inhibition of CII‐C1 reactivity with each of the other phagotopes and inhibition by a synthetic peptide corresponding to that expressed by the most frequently selected phagotope, RRLPFGSQM. Thus, it has been demonstrated that multiple phage‐displayed peptides can mimic the same epitope and that observed immunoreactivity of selected phagotopes with the selecting mAb can depend on the primary sequence of the expressed peptide and also on the assay format used.
Diverse intracellular signalling systems used by growth hormone‐releasing hormone in regulating voltage‐gated Ca2+ or K+ channels in pituitary somatotropes
Authors: Chen Chen , Xu Ruwei , Clarke Iain J , Ruan Ming , Loneragan Kylie , Roh Sang‐Gun
Published: March 2003

Influx of Ca2+ via Ca2+ channels is the major step triggering exocytosis of pituitary somatotropes to release growth hormone (GH). Voltage‐gated Ca2+ and K+ channels, the primary determinants of the influx of Ca2+, are regulated by GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH) through G‐protein‐coupled intracellular signalling systems. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques, the changes of the Ca2+ and K+ currents in primary cultured ovine and human somatotropes were recorded. Growth hormone‐releasing hormone (10 nmol/L) increased both L‐ and T‐type voltage‐gated Ca2+ currents. Inhibition of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway by either Rp‐cAMP or H89 blocked this increase in both L‐ and T‐type Ca2+ currents. Growth hormone‐releasing hormone also decreased voltage‐gated transient (IA) and delayed rectified (IK) K+ currents. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, such as calphostin C, chelerythrine or downregulation of PKC, blocked the effect of GHRH on K+ currents, whereas an acute activation of PKC by phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate (1 μmol/L) mimicked the effect of GHRH. Intracellular dialysis of a specific PKC inhibitor (PKC19–36) also prevented the reduction in K+ currents by GHRH. It is therefore concluded that GHRH increases voltage‐gated Ca2+ currents via cAMP/PKA, but decreases voltage‐gated K+ currents via the PKC signalling system. The GHRH‐induced alteration of Ca2+ and K+ currents augments the influx of Ca2+, leading to an increase in [Ca2+]i and the GH secretion.
How to establish a lasting relationship with your host: Lessons learned from Mycobacterium spp.
Authors: Rhoades ER , Ullrich HJ
Published: March 2003

Mycobacterium spp. enjoy an intracellular lifestyle that is fatal to most microorganisms. Bacilli persist and multiply within mononuclear phagocytes in the face of defences ranging from toxic oxygen and nitrogen radicals, acidic proteases and bactericidal peptides. Uptake of Mycobacterium by phagocytes results in the de novo formation of a phagosome, which is manipulated by the pathogen to accommodate its needs for intracellular survival and replication. The present review describes the intracellular compartment occupied by Mycobacterium spp. and presents current ideas on how mycobacteria may establish this niche, placing special emphasis on the involvement of mycobacterial cell wall lipids.
Mast cells in the rat liver are phenotypically heterogeneous and exhibit features of immaturity
Authors: Chan Antonio , Cooley Margaret A , Collins Andrew M
Published: March 2003

Gastrointestinal hypersensitivity to food allergens is a significant but relatively poorly understood allergic disease. Recent evidence from a rat model of IgE‐mediated gastrointestinal hypersensitivity has suggested that hepatic mast cells (HMC) may play an important role in such reactions. The present study was undertaken to better define their phenotype. Livers from Australian albino Wistar (AaW), Brown Norway (BN) and PVG/c rats were examined using traditional histological techniques and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Hepatic mast cells were overwhelmingly Alcian blue positive, sensitive to formalin fixation and predominantly rat mast cell protease (RMCP) 1+/2– (AaW 57%; BN 53%). Such a phenotype has previously been associated with an immature mast cell phenotype. A significant number of HMC also stained RMCP 1–/2+ (AaW 15%; BN 19%) or were RMCP 1+/2+ (AaW 24%; BN 26%). In contrast to previous reports, RT‐PCR showed that the liver expressed mRNA of other mast cell proteases, including the chymase RMCP 5 as well as two tryptases, RMCP 6 and RMCP 7. These results suggest that HMC are a heterogeneous population of mast cells with some characteristics previously associated with immature cells.
CD43 potentiates CD3‐induced proliferation of murine intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes
Authors: Bagriacik E Umit , Tang Min , Wang Heuy‐Ching , Klein John R
Published: March 2003

The involvement of CD43 in cell proliferation of murine intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) has been studied in in vitro CD3‐stimulated cell cultures. In the presence of either IL‐2 or IL‐15, CD3 stimulation of IEL resulted in low levels of proliferation as measured by thymidine incorporation, whereas no proliferation occurred upon CD3 stimulation in the absence of cytokines. The combination of both cytokines to IEL cultures synergistically enhanced CD3‐induced proliferation by approximately threefold that of cultures supplemented with either cytokine alone. Most importantly, however, proliferation of IEL was significantly greater when CD3 stimulation occurred in conjunction with CD43 triggering, indicating that CD43 functions as a coactivational signal for murine IEL. These findings indicate that a spectrum of potential proliferative responses exist among murine IEL depending on the types and combinations of signals received, and that because under normal conditions murine IEL are largely devoid of CD28 expression, a classical T‐cell coactivational molecule, the capacity for high‐level IEL proliferation may reside with CD43.
Susceptibility to Leishmania mexicana infection is due to the inability to produce IL‐12 rather than lack of IL‐12 responsiveness
Authors: Rodriguez‐Sosa Miriam , Monteforte Gina M , Satoskar Abhay R
Published: March 2003

Almost all inbred mice are highly susceptible to parasites of the Leishmania mexicana complex that includes L. amazonensis and L. mexicana. Recent studies have reported that T cells from L. amazonensis‐infected mice fail to respond to IL‐12 due to impaired IL‐12R expression. Here, we demonstrate that lymph node cells from L. mexicana‐infected C57BL/6 and 129Sv/Ev mice respond efficiently to exogenous IL‐12 in vitro and produce IFN‐γ. Moreover, we also show that deletion of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)4 gene in resistant STAT6–/– mice renders them susceptible to L. mexicana. These findings indicate that an inability to produce IL‐12 rather than unresponsiveness to this cytokine is responsible for susceptibility to L. mexicana. Moreover, the data also demonstrate that the STAT4‐mediated pathway is critical for the development of protective immunity against cutaneous leishmaniasis, regardless of the species of Leishmania and/or genetic background of the mice.
Lymphotoxin controls αEβ7‐integrin expression by peripheral CD8+ T cells
Authors: Gabor MJ , Sedgwick JD , Lemckert FA , Godfrey DI , Körner H
Published: March 2003

Lymphotoxin (LT)‐α, a member of the TNF family, is recognized as an important mediator in different aspects of lymphoid organ development. Targeted disruption of this molecule resulted in a substantial reduction in the proportion of αEβ7‐integrinhigh CD8+ T cells detectable in peripheral lymphoid organs. This defect, however, was not observed on mature CD4–CD8+ thymocytes. To determine whether this was due to downregulation of β7‐integrin expression by peripheral CD8+ T cells or a failure of thymic emigration of CD8+ β7‐integrinhigh T cells, β7‐integrin was examined on recent thymic emigrants (RTE). When analysed within 16 h after leaving the thymus CD4–CD8+ RTE in both LT‐α–/– and wild type (wt) mice remained β7‐integrinhigh and were indistinguishable. However, within 3–5 days, emigration loss of β7‐integrin became evident in LT‐α–/– mice. Despite this loss, the proportion of thymically derived αβTCR+ T‐cell populations in the intestinal epithelium, an important target tissue of CD8+ αEβ7‐integrinhigh T cells, was increased in the absence of LT‐α. In contrast, B cells were detectable only rarely in the intestinal tissue of LT‐α–/– mice. The expression of E‐Cadherin remained unchanged. These results indicate that a LT‐α‐dependent process maintains a high level of αEβ7‐integrin expression by peripheral CD8+ T cells, and with this control mechanism LT‐α may help to regulate CD8+ T‐cell numbers in the tissues.
In vitro induction of CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells by the neuropeptide alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH)
Authors: Taylor AW , Namba K
Published: March 2003

Recently, we have found that the neuropeptide alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) not only suppresses IFN‐γ production, but also induces TGF‐β1 production by activated effector T cells. These α‐MSH‐ treated effector T cells function as regulatory T cells in that they suppress IFN‐γ production and hypersensitivity mediated by other effector T cells. Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) was suppressed in its severity and incidence in mice that were injected with primed T cells activated in vitro by APC and antigen in the presence of α‐MSH. Moreover, it appeared that α‐MSH had converted a population of effector T cells polarized to mediate hypersensitivity into a population of T cells that now mediated immunoregulation. To characterize these α‐MSH‐ treated T cells, primed T cells were TCR‐stimulated in the presence of α‐MSH in vitro and their lymphokine profile was examined. Such effector T cells displayed enhanced levels of TGF‐β1 production and no IFN‐γ or IL‐10, with IL‐4 levels remaining unchanged in comparison with inactivated T cells. In addition, if soluble TGF‐β receptor II was added to cocultures of α‐MSH‐treated T cells and activated Th1 cells, the α‐MSH‐treated T cells could not suppress IFN‐γ production by the Th1 cells. These results suggest that α‐MSH induces T cells with a regulatory lymphokine pattern, and that through their production of TGF‐β1 these cells suppress other effector T cells. Examination of the α‐MSH‐treated T cells showed that α‐MSH did not alter the phosphorylation of CD3 molecules following TCR engagement. Primed T cells express the melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5r), a receptor that is linked to an intracellular signalling pathway shared by other cytokine receptors. Blocking the receptor with antibody prevented α‐MSH from suppressing IFN‐γ production by the activated regulatory T cells, suggesting that α‐MSH immunoregulation is through the MC5r on primed T cells. Surface staining and cell sorting of the α‐MSH‐ treated primed T cells showed that the regulatory T cells are CD25+ CD4+ T cells. From these results we find that α‐MSH can mediate the induction of CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells. These regulatory T cells require specific antigen for activation, but through non‐specific TGF‐β1‐mediated mechanisms they can suppress other effector T cells.
Immunopathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Freeman Anthony J , Marinos George , Ffrench Rosemary A , Lloyd Andrew R
Published: March 2003

Hepatitis C virus, a recently identified member of the family Flaviviridae, is an important cause of chronic viral hepatitis and cirrhosis. There are similarities in the nature of the immune response to this pathogen with immunity in other flavivirus and hepatotropic virus infections, such as hepatitis B. However, the high rate of viral persistence after primary hepatitis C infection, and the observation that neutralizing antibodies are not protective, would suggest that there are a number of important differences between hepatitis C, other flaviviruses, and hepatitis B. The phenomenon of quasispecies evolution and other viral factors have been proposed to contribute to immune evasion by hepatitis C virus. In the face of established persistent infection, virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes may exert some control over viral replication. However, these same effectors may also be responsible for the progressive liver damage characteristic of chronic hepatitis C infection. The nature of protective immunity, including the role of innate immune responses early after hepatitis C exposure, remains to be defined.
Tolerization as a tool for generating novel monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Holbrook Felicity L , Nicholson Ian C , Zola Heddy
Published: March 2003

Standard hybridoma production involves the fusion of spleen cells from an immunized mouse with a non‐secretory murine myeloma cell line. While this technology has provided numerous reagents that are highly valuable, demand is now increasing for monoclonal antibodies which can distinguish between closely related antigens. Induction of tolerance towards common antigens enables the recovery of high‐specificity reagents that have previously proved elusive. This review details a number of strategies using either complex protein mixtures or purified proteins as tolerogens and subsequent immunization with a closely related immunogen.
Dendritic cells, chemokine receptors and autoimmune inflammatory diseases
Authors: Cravens Petra D , Lipsky Peter E
Published: March 2003

Dendritic cells (DC) have been implicated in the induction of autoimmune diseases and have been identified in lesions associated with several autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Since DC are regarded as the professional antigen‐presenting cell (APC) of the immune system and the only APC capable of activating naïve T cells, they are likely to play a significant role in breaking tolerance of self‐reactive lymphocytes and in supporting autoimmune responses in these diseases. A number of studies have revealed that small molecular weight chemotactic proteins known as chemokines are present within the autoimmune lesions and may contribute to the recruitment not only of DC populations, but also of immune cells such as T cells, B cells, neutrophils and monocytes into the site, and to the formation of organized lymphoid tissue structures within the target organ. The focus of this review will be a discussion of the role of chemokines in the recruitment of DC in human autoimmune inflammatory disorders, specifically the trafficking of DC into the inflammatory sites and the subsequent migration of differentiated DC from the inflammatory sites into the draining lymph nodes. Once DC are properly positioned within the lymph nodes, circulating antigen specific naïve T cells can interact with DC and become activated, clonally expanded and stimulated to undergo differentiation into antigen‐experienced memory T cells. Subsequent reactivation of memory T cells that enter the autoimmune lesions by DC present in the inflammatory lesion is thought to play a central role in tissue inflammation.
IL‐4 responsive CD4+ T cells specific for myelin basic protein: IL‐2 confers a prolonged postactivation refractory phase
Authors: Mannie Mark D , Fraser Dana J , McConnell Thomas J
Published: March 2003

This study compared myelin basic protein‐specific T cells from Lewis rats that were derived in the presence of either rat IL‐4 or IL‐2. Interleukin‐4 was a maintenance factor that enabled derivation of long‐term T cell lines. When activated, IL‐4 dependent lines were lacking in IL‐2 production capacity but maintained high levels of responsiveness to IL‐2 and recognized IL‐2 as a dominant growth factor. Activated IL‐4 dependent T cells rapidly reverted to a quiescent phenotype in the presence of IL‐4 and rapidly regained myelin basic protein reactivity. In contrast, activated IL‐2 dependent T cells that were propagated in IL‐2 had a more persistent blastogenic phenotype and a prolonged refractory phase. Interleukin‐4 dependent lines that were propagated in IL‐2 up‐regulated the capacity to produce IL‐2 and also acquired prolonged postactivation refractoriness. Thus, IL‐2 was a dominant growth factor that conferred prolonged activation‐dependent non‐responsiveness. The coupling of dominant growth factor activity with prolonged postactivation refractoriness may be associated with the requisite role of IL‐2 in homeostatic self‐tolerance.
Disciplinary power and its influence on the administration and supply of medications by nurses in rural areas of Australia
Authors: Hegney Desley
Published: March 2003

Hegney D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 144–150

Disciplinary power and its influence on the administration and supply of medications by nurses in rural areas of Australia

This paper reports on aspects of a larger study into rural nursing practice in Australia, 1991–94 (D. Hegney, unpublished data, 1996). Using a Foucauldian framework for analysis of the rural nursing discourses, it presents an interpretation of the statements regarding the administration and supply of medications in rural nursing practice. In particular, it focuses on the supply and administration of medications by rural nurses working in small rural health services. It explains that there are particular issues regarding telephone medication orders and the consequent verification of these orders. It suggests that rural medical practitioners use the power of legislation with regard to the administration and supply of medications to subjugate rural nursing practice. It argues that the nursing profession itself has used, through its silence on the inadequacy of the current Poison Acts and their Regulations, disciplinary power to ensure that rural nursing practice is normalised to metropolitan nursing practice. Further, the lack of educational preparation for this rural nursing role, can be seen as a pedagogical control of rural nursing practice. This paper recommends that the Statute Law regarding the administration and supply of medications be changed to reflect the reality of rural nursing practice, and that rural nurses are prepared adequately for this aspect of rural nursing practice.
Nurses as patients: The voyage of discovery
Authors: Zeitz Kathryn
Published: March 2003

To facilitate an enhanced understanding of the experience of being a patient, an inquiry was undertaken into the experience of nurses receiving nursing care when hospitalized. Using a hermeneutic–phenomenological approach, an exploration was undertaken of registered nurses’ interpretations of their experiences of receiving nursing care, as described in their individual stories. By interpreting the text generated by the inquiry, it was possible to explore the uniqueness and commonalities of these experiences. This resulted in 10 themes that exemplified the nurses’ experiences. The interpretation uncovered the voice of the nurse in the experience of being a patient, insight into how patients perceive being a patient and reflections by the nurse–patients on quality nursing care. This research has provided insight into the value of the relationship between the nurse and the patient and insight into the significance of the nature of care delivery.
Bound within the limits: Facing constraints to family caring in nursing homes
Authors: M Kellett Ursula
Published: March 2003

Facing constraints to meaningful caring emerged as a significant aspect of the experience of caring explored in a larger hermeneutic phenomenological study of family practices, before, during and following the admission of an older relative to a nursing home. Hermeneutic analysis of in‐depth interview transcripts and observation field notes of 14 family carers' experiences disclosed six shared meanings: (i) being out of control; (ii) not being heard; (iii) experiencing barriers to sharing care with staff; (iv) feeling adrift, excluded and disempowered; (v) wanting to engage in caring partnership; and (vi) living in a constant state of anxiety. Concern is illuminated in the narrative of family carers' experiences of being misunderstood, and attempting to manage constraints imposed by institutional rules and care routines which threaten the quality of existence for themselves and their relatives. This paper challenges nurses to increase their awareness and acknowledgement of the importance of creating a context of care in which family carers may feel empowered to engage in meaningful caring activities and relationships.
Honours in nursing: The struggle of students as clinicians/researchers in practice
Authors: McInerney Fran , Robinson Andrew
Published: March 2003

This paper address issues around the conduct of Bachelor of Nursing Honours programmes in practice. A review of the Tasmanian School of Nursing Honours programme is provided as a background to exploring the experiences of students as both clinicians and researchers. A content analysis of student essays, reflecting their engagement with practice during their coursework, was undertaken. This analysis reveals their struggle to establish a legitimate space as Honours students within the culture of the acute hospital ward. The students’ experience highlights ward nurses’ unfamiliarity with research and the difficulties of establishing new and innovative programmes such as Honours in practice contexts. Implications for the conduct of similar programmes and other research‐related endeavours are discussed.
Nurses' beliefs about the conditions that hinder or support evidence‐based nursing
Authors: Nagy Sue , Lumby Judy , McKinley Sharon , Macfarlane Chelsea
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to identify the conditions that Australian nurses believe support or hinder the development of evidence‐based nursing. A survey instrument was developed from the results of content analysis of the UK and the USA research and of interviews with 12 Australian nurses. Eight hundred and sixteen nurses working in three large hospitals responded representing a response rate of 65%. Principal axis factor analysis of the survey results revealed six conditions that the participants believed were necessary for evidence‐based nursing to take place. The results of this study may be used to develop models for the improvement of evidence‐based nursing in Australia.
Importance of humour to client–nurse relationships and clients’ well‐being
Authors: Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi , Isola Arja , Tammentie Tarja , Kervinen Ulla
Published: March 2003

Humour is an important and integral part of everyday life, social integration and professional nursing care. However, there has been little systematic research into the use of humour in nursing contexts, from the clients' point of view. With a touch of humour, this article aims to describe the positive impact of humour on client–nurse relationship and on clients' well‐being. The data consisted of focused interviews (n = 8) and letters (n = 5) received from nursing clients in response to an invitation published in a patient organization newsletter. The data were analysed using the method of content analysis. The results suggest that humour helped the client to cope with difficult situations by offering a moment of rest and a new perspective on an altered life situation. Humour also helped clients to show their emotions and to preserve their dignity. In the nurse–client relationship, humour enabled the client to communicate criticism or to express themselves. Nurses can alleviate clients' anxieties through humour, and humour can help nurses to cope.
Nurses' experiences of caring for culturally and linguistically diverse families when their child dies
Authors: McKinley Dianne , Blackford Jeanine
Published: March 2003

Nurses experience the care of a dying child and their family as a challenging but distressing event. In a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), Melbourne, Australia, nurses expressed a concern that they may not be providing the most appropriate care when a cultural disparity exists between nurses and families experiencing the death of their child. A critically informed study was undertaken with six PICU nurses to explore their experiences of caring for a culturally and linguistically diverse family whose child had died. Three consecutive focus group interviews were conducted with the nurses to identify issues in this area of their nursing practice and to contemplate how their practice might be changed. The focus of this paper is on one particular finding of the study about the nurses' use of controlling practices to ensure families conformed to the established routines and values of the PICU staff.
How do nurses deal with their emotions on a burn unit? Hermeneutic inquiry
Authors: Cronin Camille
Published: March 2003

Burn unit nurses work in an emotionally exhausting environment and are frequently exposed to emotional trauma. Emotion is a difficult concept to define. This study used a hermeneutic‐phenomenological approach to establish the experiences of nurses working on a burn unit to find out how they deal with their emotions. The findings suggest that nurses have little or no time to deal with their emotional experiences. This study has shown that current support services might be ineffective. Nurses realize that they have emotions. They also recognize the need to address these emotions. Recommendations for nursing practice are made as a result of these findings.
Nurses’ knowledge of error in blood pressure measurement technique
Authors: Armstrong Robin S
Published: March 2003

Errors in measuring blood pressure may have significant impact on the investigation and treatment of patients. Errors arise from faults in measurement technique or the equipment used. In Australia, blood pressure measurement technique is taught to nurses during their undergraduate education and may not be reviewed again. This observational, descriptive study surveyed clinical nurses at a metropolitan teaching hospital at shift hand‐over time. Participation was voluntary and anonymous by 78 nurses who answered a questionnaire to determine the need and focus for updating blood pressure measurement technique. Sixty‐one per cent of participants conformed to currently accepted practice in identifying systolic blood pressure, and 71% diastolic blood pressure; 54% correctly interpreted a description of blood pressure sounds containing an auscultatory gap. Correct answers for assessment of faulty equipment were given by 58%, assessing cuff size by 57%, arm position for seated measurement by 14%, determination of inflation pressure by 29% and deflation rate 62%. Incidence of terminal digit preference was 32%. These findings indicate that knowledge of participants was inadequate to perform blood pressure measurement in a standardized manner, and prevent introduced error.
Paleogene and Plio‐Pleistocene basin formation around northwestern Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Itoh Yasuto , Matsuoka Kazumi , Takemura Keiji
Published: March 2003

Cenozoic basin‐forming processes in northwestern Kyushu were studied on the basis of geological and geophysical data. Gravity anomaly analysis delineated four sedimentary basins in the study area: Goto‐nada, Nishisonogi, Amakusa‐nada, and Shimabara. Borehole stratigraphy and reflection seismic interpretation suggest that the Goto‐nada Basin was subdivided into the Paleogene and Plio‐Pleistocene depocenters (Goto‐nada 1 and 2). In the Paleogene, Amakusa‐nada Basin was rapidly subsiding together with the Shimabara Basin as part of a large graben. Goto‐nada 1 and Nishisonogi basins belonged to another depositional area. After stagnant subsidence stage in the early Miocene, the study area became a site of basaltic activity (since 10 Ma) and vigorous subsidence in the Plio‐Pleistocene. Goto‐nada 2 Basin is accompanied with numerous east–west active faults, and separated from the Amakusa‐nada Basin by a northeast– southwest basement high, Nomo Ridge. Plio‐Pleistocene subsidence of the Amakusa‐nada Basin is related with low‐angle normal faulting on the eastern flank of the Nomo Ridge. Shimabara Basin is a composite volcano‐tectonic depression which is studded by east–west faults. Focal mechanism on active faults suggests transtensional stress regime in the study area.
Syntheses of the regional stress fields of the Japanese islands
Authors: Seno Tetsuzo
Published: March 2003

The principal stresses in northern Honshu and in central‐southwest Japan are synthesized on the basis of the ridge push, slab pull and across‐arc variation of differential forces due to crust/plate structural variation. Assuming a more compressive north–south horizontal stress in central Japan‐northern Honshu than that of southwest Japan, the calculated principal stress profiles explain the observed stress fields in these areas: namely, a strike–slip fault type for southwest‐central Japan and a reverse fault type for northern Honshu, both having east–west σHmax. Kyushu is characterized by the gradient of horizontal stresses both in the east–west and north–south directions, which cannot be explained by simple plate interactions or by crust/plate structural variation. Combined with other lines of evidence for existence of mantle upwelling in the East China Sea west of Kyushu, it is proposed that the stress gradient is produced by the viscous drag exerted by the flow spread laterally from the upwelling plume. The eastward movement of Kyushu and southwest Japan relative to Eurasia revealed by the recent Global Positioning System measurements conducted by the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan would be partly explained by this basal drag.
Rupture and delamination of arc crust rupture and delamination of island arc crust due to the arc–arc collision in the South Fossa Magna, central Japan
Authors: Niitsuma Nobuaki
Published: March 2003

Three collisional cycles, the Tanzawa, Izu and Shichito, are known to have occurred in the South Fossa Magna, central Japan, since the late Miocene, based on geologic evidence. The cycles consist of six stages. At present the South Fossa Magna is in the later part of stage 5 of the Izu Cycle and stage 2 of the Shichito Cycle. Because the collisional processes are ongoing we can observe, measure and correlate them with the geologic records of the former cycles. The collisional processes are progressing intermittently because of the rupture and deformation of the collided and colliding island arc crusts. Rupture in the subducting crust can be explained by the geometry of the subducting plate along a boundary that is not straight. The delamination of the upper crust is detected from the geologic and crustal structure in the collided Tanzawa Block; it is an important factor in the deformation of the crust.