bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unpacking the concept of patient satisfaction: a feminist analysis
Authors: Turris Sheila A.
Published: March 2005

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to present a feminist critique of the concept of patient satisfaction.

Background.  Fiscal restraint, health care restructuring, shifting demographics, biomedical technological advances, and a significant shortage of health care professionals are stretching health care systems across North America to the breaking point. A simultaneous focus on consumerism and health service accountability is placing additional pressure on the system. The concept of patient satisfaction, with roots in the consumer movement of the 1960s, has both practical and political relevance in the current health care system and is commonly used to guide research related to consumer experiences of health care. Because the quality of health care encounters may lead to treatment‐seeking delays, patient satisfaction research may be an effective vehicle for addressing this public health issue. However, there is wide agreement that patient satisfaction is an under‐theorized concept. Using current conceptualizations of patient satisfaction, we end up all too often producing a checklist approach to ‘achieving’ patient satisfaction, rather than developing an understanding of the larger issues underlying individual experiences of health care. We focus on the symptoms rather than the problems.

Discussion.  Without further theoretical refinement, the results of research into patient satisfaction are of limited use. To push forward theoretical development we might apply a variety of theoretical lenses to the analysis of both the concept and the results of patient satisfaction research. Feminism, in particular, offers a perspective that may provoke further refinement of patient satisfaction as a concept.

Conclusions.  Without a deeper understanding of the values and beliefs (or the worldview) that informs our approaches to researching patient satisfaction, researchers will be reacting to the most obvious indicators and failing to address the underlying issues related to individual experiences of health care.
Giving people a voice: reflections on conducting interviews with participants experiencing communication impairment
Authors: Philpin Susan M. , Jordan Sue E. , Warring Joanne
Published: March 2005

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to describe the various strategies employed to mitigate communication impairments and to argue that illness experiences may be captured through methods other than audio‐tape recordings of spoken words.

Background.  This paper explores issues surrounding the collection of interview data from participants experiencing communication impairments. It derives from a qualitative interview study, which enquired into experiences of living with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. This is an artificial route created directly into the stomach for long‐term delivery of nutrition to people who are unable to take nutrition via the normal route. However, in many cases the physical impairments that led to their requirement for this form of feeding also made speech, and hence interviewing, very difficult.

Discussion.  Capturing illness experiences from participants with impaired communication requires a reconsideration of both practical strategies and broader methodological issues. In addition to the adaptation of data generation strategies a re‐examination of the complexities inherent in the meaning of ‘patient experience’ is required. This paper explores the utility of verbal and other interactional input from carers to explore further dimensions of this experience.

Conclusion.  Qualitative research that seeks to capture the meanings of illness from the patient's perspective needs to be adapted to embrace different modes of communicating the illness experience.
The impact of international placements on nurses’ personal and professional lives: literature review
Authors: Button Lori , Green Barbara , Tengnah Cassam , Johansson Inez , Baker Christine
Published: March 2005

Aim.  This paper presents a critical review of research literature on the impact of international placements on the lives and practice of nurses.

Background.  Health care institutions are progressively more aware of the need to respond to diverse patient populations and cultivate leaders to enrich the nursing profession, both locally and globally. One response has been to establish international exchange programmes for nursing students to give them experience of different cultures and health care systems.

Methods.  A search of the literature from 1980 to 2003 using electronic databases was undertaken using the databases CINAHL, ERIC, British Nursing Index, Web of Science, the BIDS Social Science Citation Index and Medline. The keywords used were ‘international exchange experience’, ‘international studies’, ‘international education’, ‘international placement(s)’, ‘exchange programme(s)’, combined with ‘nurses/nursing’, combined with ‘evaluation’, ‘practice’, ‘education’ and/or ‘policy’. The papers retrieved used both qualitative and quantitative approaches and were scrutinized for recurring themes.

Findings.  Nurses reported significant changes in their personal development, perspectives on nursing practice and critical appraisal of health care systems. They also indicated an increased appreciation and sensitivity towards cultural issues and cross‐cultural care. Moreover, differences in placement programmes, such as duration, preparation and debriefing were found to have affected the reported overall international placement experience. However, the primary effects of international placements were identified as personal development and transcultural adaptation.

Conclusion.  Students should be exposed to a variety of nursing experiences within the host country. This would give them a broad spectrum for comparisons between cultures, nursing practice and health care delivery in those cultures. Therefore, educational institutions are strongly encouraged to provide opportunities for students to participate in nursing care and education in another country.
Part‐Time Mate Guarding Affects Paternity in Male Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus)
Authors: Marthinsen Gunnhild , Kleven Oddmund , Brenna Erik , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: March 2005

Male mate guarding by close following has been reported in many socially monogamous bird species and is generally believed to function as a paternity guard. Many aspects of the dynamics and effectiveness of this behavior are still however poorly understood. Here, we describe the temporal variation in mate guarding behavior in male reed buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) with a particular focus on how males allocate their mating effort between mate guarding and extrapair mating in a context of intense sperm competition. In our highly synchronous study population most males have to balance the simultaneous and mutually exclusive demands of mate guarding and seeking extrapair copulations (EPCs). We found that males frequently switched between guarding their mates and performing intrusions to neighboring territories. Both activities seemed to have significant fitness payoffs, as male mate guarding effort had a positive effect on paternity, and a large fraction of extrapair fertilizations occurred during the days when the sire guarded its own female. The reed bunting is thus an example of how discontinuous or part‐time mate guarding can still be effective in securing paternity. Female reed buntings were not particularly active in initiating EPCs as they never were observed performing extraterritorial forays. We argue that the absence of female‐initiated EPCs is a prerequisite for males to trade mate guarding against seeking EPCs. Otherwise, if females circumvent male mate guarding by timing their EPCs to periods of male absence, males should guard their mates almost continuously or rely on alternative paternity guards.
Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands: integrating function and diversity
Authors: Prober Suzanne M. , Thiele Kevin R.
Published: March 2005

Long‐term grassy woodland researchers explain how restoration of grassy ecosystems can be improved through an understanding of their key natural patterns and processes, and the ways these change during degradation.
Grassland structure in native pastures: links to soil surface condition
Authors: McIntyre By Sue , Tongway David
Published: March 2005

Summary  When grassland is grazed by livestock, the structure of the sward changes in a patchy manner. With continuous selective grazing there is a mosaic of short and tall patches but as grazing intensifies the area of short‐grazed patch increases until the paddock has a lawn‐like appearance. This mosaic of patch structures can be stable, as short patches tend to attract repeated grazing and tall patches tend to be avoided. Because heavy grazing can detrimentally affect soil and water functions in grassland (ultimately resulting in erosion), we aimed to assess how well the physical structure of the sward reflects soil surface condition. We described four grassland patch structures that were assumed to reflect different levels of present grazing, and to some extent, past grazing pressure. We assessed patch structure and two other grass‐related variables (basal area of a ‘large tussock’ functional group and basal area of all perennial grass) as possible indicators of soil surface condition. Three indices of condition were measured in the field. The infiltration and nutrient cycling index declined progressively across patch structures, consistent with increasing grazing pressure. The stability index was found to be reduced only for the most heavily grazed grass structure (short patches). We found the ‘large tussock’ grass functional group to be a more sensitive indicator of soil surface condition than the group consisting of all perennial grasses. We found no evidence of sudden soil surface condition decline beyond a certain level of grass basal area, that is, there was no evidence of thresholds, rather, incremental loss of condition accompanied grass decline. We are thus not able to further refine an earlier proposed management recommendation ‘Graze conservatively to maintain dominance of large and medium tussock grasses over 60–70% of the native pastures’, except to suggest the use of short patches as a more practical indicator, rephrasing the recommendation as ‘Graze conservatively to allow a maximum of 30% short‐grazed patches in native pastures’.
The positive and negative conservation impacts of sheep grazing and other disturbances on the vascular plant species and vegetation of lowland subhumid Tasmania
Authors: Kirkpatrick J. B. , Gilfedder Louise , Bridle Kerry , Zacharek Andrew
Published: March 2005

Summary  An important conservation question for grazed areas of lowland subhumid Tasmania is ‘what effects do different, practical disturbance regimes have on native vegetation?’ An experiment designed to determine the single and interactive effects of fire and sheep grazing was established at four sites with distinct vegetation types. There were significant interactive effects of fire and sheep grazing on vegetation attributes at all sites. An analysis of published and new data indicated that there were several vascular plant species that appeared dependent on sheep grazing for their persistence in the present landscape, while there were others that were intolerant of this disturbance but required other types of disturbance, such as mowing. However, most native species appeared to survive in a wide variety of disturbance regimes short of ploughing and fertilization. The implications of these results are that a variety of disturbance regimes is necessary to maintain biological diversity in this environment, and that the naturalness of the regime is not necessarily relevant to its use for conservation.
Translocation trials confirm specific factors affecting the establishment of three endangered plant species
Authors: Jusaitis Manfred
Published: March 2005

Summary  Experimental translocations of three endangered plants undertaken in South Australia confirmed the impact of specific factors thought to affect the survival and establishment of seedlings of each species. A trial involving Prostanthera eurybioides planted into several different microsites, found microsite to be a critical determinant of survival and growth. Herbivore grazing and weed competition adversely affected survival and growth of Acacia cretacea and Acacia whibleyana translocants, respectively. While these findings may not necessarily extrapolate to all species, common sense suggests that these three factors should be important considerations when planning other plant translocations. For example, attention needs to be given to the exact placement of individuals in relation to suitable edaphic, biotic and climatic factors around the receptor site. Where weeds threaten the population, they need to be controlled either before or at the time of planting. Furthermore, protection of new plantings from herbivores is likely to be crucial, particularly during the first few months after planting.
Stress intensity factors for cracks emanating from two‐dimensional semicircular notches using the composition of SIF weight functions
Authors: TEH L. S. , BRENNAN F. P.
Published: March 2005

This paper presents stress intensity factor (SIF) solutions for edge cracks emanating from semicircular notches using the composition of SIF weight functions. The method isolates and combines the geometrical influences defined by constitutive SIF weight functions to yield SIFs for semicircular notches in finite thickness bodies. Finite element analysis was employed to obtain the required stress distributions and to generate reference constitutive SIFs. Problems encountered with curve fitting high gradient stress distributions were addressed and a robust mathematical solution for these was formulated. The new SIF solutions were verified by comparison with published solutions showing a high degree of accuracy and reliability. The composition model was demonstrated to allow rapid generation of SIFs for mode I cracks in complex geometries where the relevant simple constitutive solutions are available. These new solutions expressed as SIF weight functions allow interpolation between the geometrical parameters for which they are valid and also to include the effect of complex stress distributions such as those due to residual stresses.
Effects of non‐proportional loading paths on the orientation of fatigue crack path
Authors: REIS L. , LI B. , LEITE M. , DE FREITAS M.
Published: March 2005

Fatigue crack path prediction and crack arrest are very important for structural safety. In real engineering structures, there are many factors influencing the fatigue crack paths, such as the material type (microstructure), structural geometry and loading path, etc. In this paper, both experimental and numerical methods are applied to study the effects of loading path on crack orientations. Experiments were conducted on a biaxial testing machine, using specimens made of two steels: 42CrMo4 and CK45 (equivalent to AISI 1045), with six different biaxial loading paths. Fractographical analyses of the plane of the stage I crack propagation were carried out and the crack orientations were measured using optical microscopy. The multiaxial fatigue models, such as the critical plane models and also the energy‐based critical plane models, were applied for predicting the orientation of the critical plane. Comparisons of the predicted orientation of the damage plane with the experimental observations show that the shear‐based multiaxial fatigue models provide good predictions for stage I crack growth for the ductile materials studied in this paper.
Factors influencing transit fatigue of seamless pipes
Authors: KUNERT H. G. , OTEGUI J. L.
Published: March 2005

Full‐scale fatigue tests simulating real pipe stock conditions in ships were carried out in order to reproduce failures of seamless pipes due to fatigue crack growth during shipping. Simple mechanical analyses were then used to assess the factors that influence transit fatigue. As seen in several actual failures, fatigue cracks were found to propagate from both sides of the pipe wall. It is possible to have transit fatigue (TF) when piling up a few pipes for transportation, if there is previous plastic indentation. Susceptibility to TF was found to be independent of the nature of discontinuities in the surfaces of the pipes. Precautions to reduce the probability of TF in sea shipment include preventing plastic indentation of the pipes and storing stiffer pipes in the bottom part of the hold.
Structural integrity of pipelines: T‐stress by line‐spring
Authors: JAYADEVAN K. R. , THAULOW C. , ØSTBY E. , BERG E. , SKALLERUD B. , HOLTHE K. , NYHUS B.
Published: March 2005

The elastic T‐stress is an important constraint parameter for characterizing elastic–plastic crack‐tip fields and in fracture assessment procedures. However, many of the methods reported in the literature for estimating T‐stress are not easily suited for surface‐cracked pipes because these are three‐dimensional in nature. Here, the line‐spring method is demonstrated to be an efficient and accurate tool for the constraint estimation in surface‐cracked pipes. Detailed three‐dimensional analyses are performed to verify the line‐spring results. Using the line‐spring method, the effects of different crack geometries and diameter‐to‐thickness ratio on stress‐intensity factor (SIF) and T‐stress in circumferentially surface‐cracked pipes are examined. Further, a compendium of normalised SIF and T‐stress values for surface‐cracked pipes in remote tension and bending, calculated from a total of 1000 analyses, is tabulated. Finally, the application of an ‘elastic–plastic’ T‐stress under large‐scale plasticity is explored.
Exponential slow crack growth of glass and advanced ceramics—dynamic fatigue
Authors: CHOI S. R. , NEMETH N. N. , GYEKENYESI J. P.
Published: March 2005

The life prediction analysis based on an exponential crack‐velocity formulation was made and examined using a variety of experimental data on glass and advanced structural ceramics in constant stress‐rate (‘dynamic fatigue’) loading at ambient and elevated temperatures. The data fit to the relation of strength versus ln (stress rate) was very reasonable for most of the materials. The major limitation in the exponential crack‐velocity formulation, however, was that the inert strength of a material must be known a priori to evaluate the important SCG parameter, n, a significant drawback as compared with the conventional power‐law crack‐velocity formulation.
Puromycin‐based purification of rat brain capillary endothelial cell cultures. Effect on the expression of blood–brain barrier‐specific properties
Authors: Perrière N. , Demeuse PH. , Garcia E. , Regina A. , Debray M. , Andreux J.‐P. , Couvreur P. , Scherrmann J.‐M. , Temsamani J. , Couraud P.‐O. , Deli M. A. , Roux F.
Published: March 2005

One of the main difficulties with primary rat brain endothelial cell (RBEC) cultures is obtaining pure cultures. The variation in purity limits the achievement of in vitro models of the rat blood–brain barrier. As P‐glycoprotein expression is known to be much higher in RBECs than in any contaminating cells, we have tested the effect of five P‐glycoprotein substrates (vincristine, vinblastine, colchicine, puromycin and doxorubicin) on RBEC cultures, assuming that RBECs would resist the treatment with these toxic compounds whereas contaminating cells would not. Treatment with either 4 µg/mL puromycin for the first 2 days of culture or 3 µg/mL puromycin for the first 3 days showed the best results without causing toxicity to the cells. Transendothelial electrical resistance was significantly increased in cell monolayers treated with puromycin compared with untreated cell monolayers. When cocultured with astrocytes in the presence of cAMP, the puromycin‐treated RBEC monolayer showed a highly reduced permeability to sodium fluorescein (down to 0.75 × 10−6 cm/s) and a high electrical resistance (up to 500 Ω × cm2). In conclusion, this method of RBEC purification will allow the production of in vitro models of the rat blood–brain barrier for cellular and molecular biology studies as well as pharmacological investigations.
Retinoic acid activates human secretin gene expression by Sp proteins and Nuclear Factor I in neuronal SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Lee Leo Tsz‐On , Tan‐Un Kian‐Cheng , Lin Marie Chia‐Mi , Chow Billy Kwok‐Chong
Published: March 2005

Secretin is a neuropeptide that is expressed in distinct central neurones. As there is no information on how the secretin gene is regulated in neuronal cells, a well established neuronal differentiation cell model, SH‐SY5Y, was used to study transcriptional regulation of the human secretin gene. High secretin transcript and peptide levels were found in this cell, and secretin gene expression and promoter activity were up‐regulated upon all‐trans retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Within the promoter, a functional GC‐box 1 (−131 from ATG, relative to the ATG initiation codon) was found to be regulated by a brain‐specific Sp protein, Sp4, and ubiquitous factors Sp1 and Sp3. The human secretin gene in SH‐SY5Y cells is controlled by the (Sp1 + Sp4)/Sp3 ratio and the RA‐induced activation is a partial result of a decrease in Sp3 levels. In addition to the GC‐box 1, an N1 motif in close proximity was also responsible for RA‐induced secretin gene activation. Competitive gel mobility shift and southwestern blot studies revealed binding of Nuclear Factor I (NFI) with the N1 motif. Overexpression of NFI‐C increased promoter activity upon RA treatment. Consistent with this observation, NFI‐C transcript levels were augmented after RA treatment. We conclude that RA induction of the secretin gene in neuronal cells is regulated by the combined actions of reducing Sp3 and increasing NFI‐C expression.
Integrative role of cPLA2 with COX‐2 and the effect of non‐steriodal anti‐inflammatory drugs in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Kiaei Mahmoud , Kipiani Khatuna , Petri Susanne , Choi Dong‐Kug , Chen Junyu , Calingasan Noel Y. , Beal M. Flint
Published: March 2005

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is a key molecule in the inflammatory pathway in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cytosolic phospholipase A (cPLA2) is an important enzyme providing substrate for cyclooxygenases. We therefore examined cPLA2 expression in human ALS and mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) transgenic mice and its relation to COX‐2. Immunohistochemistry and real‐time RT‐PCR revealed elevated cPLA2 protein and its mRNA levels in the lumbar spinal cord of mutant SOD1 mice. COX‐2 immunoreactivity was increased in lumbar spinal cord sections from both familial ALS (FALS) and sporadic ALS (SALS) as compared to controls, and cPLA2 immunoreactivity was increased in a patient with FALS. Oral administration of the non‐selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, sulindac, extended the survival (by 10%) of G93A SOD1 mice as compared to littermate controls. Sulindac, as well as the selective COX‐2 inhibitors, rofecoxib and celecoxib reduced cPLA2 immunoreactivity in the lumbar spinal cord of G93A transgenic mice. Sulindac treatment preserved motor neurons, and reduced microglial activation and astrocytosis, in the spinal cord of G93A SOD1 transgenic mice. These results suggest that cPLA2 plays an important role in supplying arachidonic acid to the COX‐2 driven inflammatory pathway in ALS associated with SOD1 mutations.
Expression of human FE65 in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice is associated with a reduction in β‐amyloid load
Authors: Santiard‐Baron Dominique , Langui Dominique , Delehedde Maryse , Delatour Benoît , Schombert Brigitte , Touchet Nathalie , Tremp Günter , Paul Marie‐Françoise , Blanchard Véronique , Sergeant Nicolas , Delacourte André , Duyckaerts Charles , Pradier Laurent , Mercken Luc
Published: March 2005

FE65 is an adaptor protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). In cultured non‐neuronal cells, the formation of the FE65‐APP complex is a key element for the modulation of APP processing, signalling and β‐amyloid (Aβ) production. The functions of FE65 in vivo, including its role in the metabolism of neuronal APP, remain to be investigated. In this study, transgenic mice expressing human FE65 were generated and crossbred with APP transgenic mice, known to develop Aβ deposits at 6 months of age. Compared with APP mice, APP/FE65 double transgenic mice exhibited a lower Aβ accumulation in the cerebral cortex as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and immunoassay, and a lower level of APP‐CTFs. The reduced accumulation of Aβ in APP/FE65 double transgenics, compared with APP mice, could be linked to the low Aβ42 level observed at 4 months of age and to the lower APP‐CTFs levels. The present work provides evidence that FE65 plays a role in the regulation of APP processing in an in vivo model.
Erythropoietin protects primary hippocampal neurons increasing the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Viviani Barbara , Bartesaghi Stefano , Corsini Emanuela , Villa Pia , Ghezzi Pietro , Garau Angela , Galli Corrado L. , Marinovich Marina
Published: March 2005

Erythropoietin, the principal regulator of erythroids progenitor cells, also promotes neuronal survival. Using primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons, we investigated whether erythropoietin could mediate neuroprotection favouring the transcription of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Erythropoietin 2.7 nm reduced by ∼ 50% the neuronal death triggered by the prototypic neurotoxicant trimethyltin (TMT) and time‐dependently induced BDNF mRNA. This effect resulted in an increased production of biologically active BDNF, which led to a sustained activation of the specific BDNF receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB). Reduction of TMT‐induced neuronal death by erythropoietin was specifically prevented by a neutralizing anti‐BDNF antibody (15 µg/mL), indicating the involvement of this neurotrophin in erythropoietin neuroprotective effect. Intracerebroventricular administration of erythropoietin in mice significantly increases BDNF mRNA expression in brain, supporting the idea of the involvement of this neurotrophin in erythropoietin action within the CNS. BDNF expression in neuronal cells is induced by activation of voltage Ca2+‐channels and recruitment of Ca2+‐sensitive transcription factors. Consistently, 2.7 nm erythropoietin increased intracellular Ca2+ in 5 min and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation at Ser 133 in 30 min. Both effects were abolished by 1 µm nitrendipine, a selective blocker of L‐type voltage Ca2+‐channels. These data demonstrate that erythropoietin activates the CREB transcription pathway and increases BDNF expression and production, which contributes to erythropoietin mediated neuroprotection.
A family of octapamine receptors that specifically induce cyclic AMP production or Ca2+ release in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Balfanz Sabine , Strünker Timo , Frings Stephan , Baumann Arnd
Published: March 2005

In invertebrates, the biogenic‐amine octopamine is an important physiological regulator. It controls and modulates neuronal development, circadian rhythm, locomotion, ‘fight or flight’ responses, as well as learning and memory. Octopamine mediates its effects by activation of different GTP‐binding protein (G protein)‐coupled receptor types, which induce either cAMP production or Ca2+ release. Here we describe the functional characterization of two genes from Drosophila melanogaster that encode three octopamine receptors. The first gene (Dmoa1) codes for two polypeptides that are generated by alternative splicing. When heterologously expressed, both receptors cause oscillatory increases of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in response to applying nanomolar concentrations of octopamine. The second gene (Dmoa2) codes for a receptor that specifically activates adenylate cyclase and causes a rise of intracellular cAMP with an EC50 of ∼3 × 10−8 m octopamine. Tyramine, the precursor of octopamine biosynthesis, activates all three receptors at ≥ 100‐fold higher concentrations, whereas dopamine and serotonin are non‐effective. Developmental expression of Dmoa genes was assessed by RT–PCR. Overlapping but not identical expression patterns were observed for the individual transcripts. The genes characterized in this report encode unique receptors that display signature properties of native octopamine receptors.
Overexpression of human copper/zinc‐superoxide dismutase in transgenic animals attenuates the reduction of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease expression in neurons after in vitro ischemia and after transient global cerebral ischemia
Authors: Narasimhan Purnima , Sugawara Taku , Liu Jing , Hayashi Takeshi , Noshita Nobuo , Chan Pak H.
Published: March 2005

Oxidative stress after ischemia/reperfusion has been shown to induce DNA damage and subsequent DNA repair activity. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE) is a multifunctional protein in the DNA base excision repair pathway which repairs apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in DNA. We investigated the involvement of oxidative stress and expression of APE in neurons after oxygen–glucose deprivation and after global cerebral ischemia. Our results suggest that overexpression of human copper/zinc‐superoxide dismutase reduced oxidative stress with a subsequent decrease in APE expression. Production of oxygen free radicals and inhibition of the base excision repair pathway may play pivotal roles in the cell death pathway after ischemia.
Functional SDF1α/CXCR4 signaling in the developing spinal cord
Authors: Luo Yongquan , Cai Jingli , Xue Haipeng , Miura Takumi , Rao Mahendra S.
Published: March 2005

Stromal cell‐derived factor (SDF1) and its cognate receptor CXCR4 have been shown to play a central role in the development of the cerebellum, hippocampus, and neocortex. However, little is known about the functions of SDF1/CXCR4 in early spinal cord progenitor cell differentiation. Here, we show that a functional SDF1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway is present in developing spinal cord cells (a spliced variant of SDF1). RT–PCR analysis of SDF1α and CXCR4 showed that they were present in E10.5 neural tube and their expression increased as neuroepithelial cells differentiated into more committed spinal cord progenitors. Stimulation of the more differentiated progenitors (E14.5) with SDF1α resulted in rapid activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. This SDF1α‐induced ERK activity was dose dependent and could be inhibited by pre‐treatment of the cells with either pertussis toxin, an inactivator of G‐protein‐coupled receptors, or PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor. Concomitant with ERK activation, SDF1α also activated the downstream transcription factor Ets, a substrate for ERK phosphorylation. Further, downstream activation of genes associated with cell survival, differentiation and migration was assessed using a G‐protein‐coupled receptor pathway‐focused microarray. We found that 23 genes, including PDK1, Egr‐1, Grm5, and E‐selectin, were up‐regulated by SDF1α. Furthermore, SDF1α induced chemotaxis in both neural and glial progenitors in in vitro migration assays. Pre‐treatment of the cells with either pertussis toxin or PD98059 completely inhibited SDF1α‐induced chemotaxis. Thus, our data suggest that SDF1α may function through a CXCR4/ERK/Ets‐linked signalling pathway in spinal cord neural development to modulate migration of progenitor cells.
Activated mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 7 redistributes to the cytosol and binds to Jun N‐terminal kinase‐interacting protein 1 involving oxidative stress during early reperfusion in rat hippocampal CA1 region
Authors: Li Chun‐Hong , Wang Rui‐Min , Zhang Quan‐Guang , Zhang Guang‐Yi
Published: March 2005

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) 7, a specific upstream activator of Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNKs) in the stress‐activated protein kinase (SAPK)/JNK signaling pathway, plays an important role in response to global cerebral ischemia. We investigated the subcellular localization of activated (phosphorylated) MKK (p‐MKK) 7 using western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemistry analysis in rat hippocampus. Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by the four‐vessel occlusion method on Sprague‐Dawley rats. Our results showed that both protein expression and activation of MKK7 were increased rapidly with peaks at 10 min of reperfusion in the nucleus of the hippocampal CA1 region. Simultaneously, in the cytosol activated MKK7 enhanced gradually and peaked at 30 min of reperfusion. In addition, we also detected JNK‐interacting protein (JIP) 1, which accumulated in the perinuclear region of neurons at 30 min of reperfusion. Interestingly, at the same time‐point the binding of JIP‐1 to p‐MKK7 reached a maximum. Consequently, we concluded that MKK7 was rapidly activated and then translocated from the nucleus to the cytosol depending on its activation in the hippocampal CA1 region. To further elucidate the possible mechanism of MKK7 activation and translocation, the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine was injected into the rats 20 min before ischemia. The result showed that the levels of MKK7 activation, translocation and binding of p‐MKK7 to JIP‐1 were obviously limited by N‐acetylcysteine in the cytosol at 30 min after reperfusion. The findings suggested that MKK7 activation, translocation and binding to JIP‐1 were closely associated with reactive oxygen species and might play a pivotal role in the activation of the JNK signaling pathway in brain ischemic injury.
Children's Rating of Itch: An Experimental Study
Authors: Wahlgren Carl‐Fredrik
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Little is known about children's ability to assess itch. The present paper aimed to investigate the discriminative capacity of two itch rating scales in children. Sixty healthy children, 4 to 12 years of age, participated. Itch was provoked with three histamine concentrations (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/ml). Physiologic saline was the negative control. The test solutions were pricked with a lancet into the skin of the lower arms in random order under coded conditions. The overall itch intensity for each skin prick was rated with a 100‐mm visual analog scale and a four‐stepped verbal rating scale (none, mild, moderate, and severe itch). In addition, the itch duration and flare response were recorded. A significant dose–response relationship was shown for the itch duration and itch intensity as rated with both scales. This was also true for the flare response, indicating a correct skin prick technique. However, children 4 to 5 years of age rated the itch intensity (both scales) less well than those aged 6 to 12 years. The younger age group discriminated between saline and histamine, but not between the different histamine concentrations. In conclusion, children aged 6 to 12 years were able to discriminate between different itch stimulus strengths in a dose‐dependent way with a 100‐mm visual analog scale and a four‐stepped verbal rating scale, indicating the validity of these scales for measurement of experimental itch in children 6 years or older.
Manifestation of Atopic Eczema in Children after Heart Transplantation in the First Year of Life
Authors: Niemeier Volker , Passoth Peter R. , Krämer Ulrike , Bauer Jürgen , Oschmann Patrick , Kupfer Jörg , Gieler Uwe
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Children undergoing heart transplantation in the first year of life appear in clinical observation to develop atopic eczema at an above‐chance frequency despite immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A. A clinical study was undertaken to clarify the extent to which those children develop atopic eczema with above‐chance frequency. In this cross‐sectional study, we examined 41 consecutive children after heart transplantation. Twenty‐seven underwent heart transplantation in the first year of life, seven after the first birthday, and seven had cardiac surgery other than heart transplantation in the first year of life and served as a control group. Atopic eczema was diagnosed in 11 out of 27 children with heart transplant in the first year of life. No atopic eczema was diagnosed in the other two groups. Children undergoing heart transplant prior to the first birthday apparently develop atopic eczema more frequently than children whose surgery was performed after the first birthday, and also more frequently than children undergoing organ‐preserving procedures, despite immunotherapy. It remains an open question whether a surgical procedure within the first months of life with subsequent immunosuppression causes an alteration in the reactivity of the immune system in these children compared to older children which promotes the occurrence of atopic eczema despite immunosuppression.
Raising Sun Protection and Early Detection Awareness among Florida High Schoolers
Authors: Geller Alan C. , Shamban Jill , O'Riordan David L. , Slygh Carolyn , Kinney John P. , Rosenberg Steven
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Changing adolescents’ sun protection behaviors remains a challenge, and the need for effective interventions targeting this group is a priority, particularly in warmer climates where emphasis on appropriate sun protection remains a year‐round concern. However, there has been little prospective research on the effect of school‐based sun protection interventions, particularly on adolescents, especially teens aged 15 to 18. High school science students in Palm Beach County, Florida, received a seven‐lesson sun protection and early detection curriculum preceded by pretests and followed with post‐tests 6 months later. The main outcome measures were student knowledge and sun protection practices, including adherence to sunscreen recommendations. Of 344 students completing the baseline surveys, 184 students completed the postintervention questionnaire. Overall, there were significant improvements from baseline to follow‐up for many of the knowledge questions. Greatest change scores were seen in the children's ability to correctly define the five rules of early detection of skin cancer (27–60%, p < 0.001) with improved change scores by gender and race persisting after 6 months. No significant differences were found in reported use of sunscreen, hat wearing, or sunglasses, although there was a slight decrease in the reported use of always wearing sun protective clothing (p = 0.03). In conclusion, in this study, a skin cancer prevention and detection curriculum integrated into high school biology, resulted in knowledge gains maintained at least 6 months after classroom teaching. For example, procedural knowledge (e.g., knowing ways to identify early malignant moles) obtained in this study improved in 6 months, and may lay the foundation for future behavioral change. Sun protection activities in the United States have met with many challenges and obstacles and thus, further work is needed to better understand what combination of knowledge‐based information, activity‐based education, school‐wide changes, and community efforts, will create a long‐term systemic improvement in sun protection habits in children.
Diffuse Normolipemic Plane Xanthoma in a 9‐year‐old Boy
Authors: Hofmann Maja , Zappel Kristina , Trefzer Uwe , Audring Heike , Albrecht‐Nebe Helga , Sterry Wolfram , Ulrike Blume‐Peytavi
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Normolipemic plane xanthoma normally occurs in adults. We report the atypical instance of a 9‐year‐old boy who developed disseminated, flat, yellow‐brown plaques up to 2 to 3 cm without any complaints. The histology showed the hallmarks of xanthoma, including the presence of CD68+ foam cells and Touton giant cells. No systemic involvement or lipid disorders were evident. It is important to perform regular follow‐up of these patients because normolipemic plane xanthoma often precedes myeloproliferative disorders such as leukemia, paraproteinemia, or lymphoma.
Buschke–Ollendorff Syndrome: Three Generations in a Japanese Family
Authors: Kawamura Ai , Ochiai Toyoko , Tan‐Kinoshita Miyuki , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Buschke–Ollendorff syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by disseminated connective tissue nevi of elastic type and osteopoikilosis. We report a 6‐year‐old Japanese boy with connective tissue nevi that showed slightly grouped yellowish or skin‐colored papules and nodules, distributed from birth over his right thigh, right buttock, and back. Radiologic skeletal survey revealed osteopoikilosis. A skin biopsy specimen obtained from a papule showed that collagen bundles in the dermis were thickened and homogenized. The elastic fibers were not increased but were coarse and clumped. The boy's father, at age 34, has had osteopoikilosis and similar papules and nodules on his left buttock and back for the preceding 18 years. We studied the paternal grandfather, aged 65. He had osteopoikilosis and similar skin lesions on his lumbar region. None of the three had a history of hearing loss or malignant tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of three generations of Buschke–Ollendorf syndrome in a Japanese family.
Henoch‐Schönlein Purpura in a Child with Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and Periodic Fever Syndrome
Authors: Wickiser Jonathan E. , Saulsbury Frank T.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  This report describes a 3‐year‐old girl with a long history of periodic fever who presented with Henoch‐Schönlein purpura. She was diagnosed with hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome by means of mutation analysis of the mevalonate kinase gene. The serum IgA concentration was markedly elevated, but the serum IgD concentration was normal. This report emphasizes that Henoch‐Schönlein purpura may be an important clinical feature of hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome. In addition, this syndrome should be considered in patients with Henoch‐Schönlein purpura in whom there is a history of recurrent fevers, even when the serum IgD concentration is normal.
Cutis Verticis Gyrata in a Patient with Noonan Syndrome
Authors: Fox Lindy Peta , Geyer Adam S. , Anyane‐Yeboa Kwame , Garzon Maria C.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  We report cutis verticis gyrata in a patient with Noonan syndrome. While cutis vertices gyrata has been shown to have a strong association with chromosomal abnormalities, especially Turner syndrome, this infant represents only the second reported instance of cutis verticis gyrata occurring in a patient with Noonan syndrome.
Bloom Syndrome in an Indian Child
Authors: Inamadar Arun C. , Palit Aparna
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  A girl presented with severely stunted growth, photosensitivity, and a characteristic facies. Cytogenetic studies were suggestive of Bloom syndrome. This disorder has not been previously documented in the literature in an Indian child. Minor variations in characteristics in this patient have been highlighted. Cytogenetically, she was found to be a low sister chromatid exchange mosaicism of Bloom syndrome.
Nevus Anelasticus, Papular Elastorrhexis, and Eruptive Collagenoma: Clinically Similar Entities with Focal Absence of Elastic Fibers in Childhood
Authors: Ryder Hilary F. , Antaya Richard J.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Focal absence of elastic fibers is a defining characteristic of three rare, clinically similar conditions: nevus anelasticus, papular elastorrhexis, and eruptive collagenoma. We present a 16‐year‐old with nevus anelasticus treated with intralesional steroid injections, resulting in erythematous atrophic depressions. We also review the English language literature on nevus anelasticus, papular elastorrhexis, and eruptive collagenoma. There may be sufficient clinical and histopathologic similarity to indicate that these three entities represent a single disease or disease spectrum. We believe that this entity should be referred to as papular elastorrhexis.
Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of the 308 nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Localized Psoriasis in Adults and in Children: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pahlajani Niraj , Katz Brian J. , Lozano Ann Marie , Murphy Frank , Gottlieb Alice
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  The 308‐nm excimer laser has been shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of localized mild‐to‐moderate plaque‐type psoriasis in adults. However, the laser's safety and efficacy has not yet been demonstrated in children. Four of seven children with a mean age of 11.0 years and 12 of 18 adults with a mean age of 48.8 years completed the full protocol. The most common reason for incompletion was noncompliance unrelated to side effects. Both the children (p = 0.0200) and the adult groups (p = 0.0009) yielded a significant decrease in psoriatic severity scores of their respective target lesions. The children group had a greater reduction (p = 0.008) from a mean baseline target (PSS) of 5.75 ± 1.71 to final of 0.50 ± 0.58 (91.3% reduction) as compared to the adult treatment group from a mean baseline psoriatic severity score of 5.00 ± 1.15 to final of 1.92 ± 1.11 (61.6% reduction). However, there was no statistical difference between the mean total treatments required to achieve this result (p = 0.112). Side effects were common, albeit minor and well tolerated. In conclusion, the 308 nm excimer laser appears to be a safe and effective treatment for localized psoriasis in children as well as in adults.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTROLLING ALEXANDRIUM TAMARENSE (DINOPHYCEAE) GROWTH RATE DURING A RED TIDE EVENT IN THE ST. LAWRENCE ESTUARY (CANADA)1
Authors: Fauchot Juliette , Levasseur Maurice , Roy Suzanne , Gagnon Réal , Weise Andréa M.
Published: March 2005

The dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (Lebour) Balech 1985 is responsible for recurrent outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poisoning in the St. Lawrence Estuary. In July 1998, an A. tamarense red tide developed in the estuary with maximum cell concentrations reaching 2.3 × 106 cells·L−1 in brackish surface waters. To estimate the growth rate of these cells, surface water samples from different locations and days during the bloom were incubated for 5 to 9 days under in situ temperature and light conditions. Growth rates varied both spatially and temporally between 0 and 0.55 day−1, reaching the maximum growth rate reported for this species in culture. High growth rates were measured even during the peak of the red tide, suggesting that the extremely high cell concentrations observed did not solely result from aggregation or physical concentration but also involved active cellular growth. Alexandrium tamarense cells were found over a large range of salinity (20.8–29.5 psu), but high densities and significant growth were only measured when salinity was lower than 24.5 psu. Under these conditions, the number of divisions achieved by A. tamarense was proportional to the amount of nitrate available at the beginning of the incubations, whereas variations in growth rate were apparently controlled by the availability of phosphate. We hypothesize that the ability of A. tamarense to perform vertical migrations and acquire nitrate at night pushes this species toward phosphate limitation in the St. Lawrence Estuary.