bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD4 T cell help is required for primary CD8 T cell responses to vesicular antigen delivered to dendritic cells in vivo
Authors: Serre Karine , Giraudo Laurent , Siret Carole , Leserman Lee , Machy Patrick
Published: May 2006

Insight into the mechanisms by which dendritic cells (DC) present exogenous antigen to T cells is of major importance in the design of vaccines. We examined the effectiveness of free antigen as well as antigen with lipopolysaccharide, emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant, and antigen encapsulated in liposomes in activating adoptively transferred antigen‐specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. When contained in liposomes, 100‐ to 1000‐fold lower antigen amounts were as efficient in inducing proliferation and effector functions of CD4 and CD8 T cells in draining lymph nodes as other antigen forms. CD11c+/CD11b+/CD205mod/CD8α– DC that captured liposomes were activated and presented this form of antigen in an MHC class I‐ and class II‐restricted manner. CD4 T cells differentiated into Th1 and Th2 effector cells. Primary expansion and cytotoxic activity of CD8 T cells were CD4 T cell‐dependent and required the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). Finally, adoptively transferred CD4 and CD8 T cells were not deleted after primary immunization and rapidly responded to a secondary immunization with antigen‐containing liposomes. In conclusion, encapsulation of antigen in liposomes is an efficient way of delivering antigen to DC for priming of both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses. Importantly, primary CD8 T cell responses were CD4 T cell‐dependent.
2‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,3‐selenazol‐4‐one induces apoptosis by different mechanisms in SKOV3 and HL 60 cells
Authors: Ahn Hak Jun , Koketsu Mamoru , Yang Eun Mi , Kim Yong Man , Ishihara Hideharu , Yang Hyun Ok
Published: May 2006

We examined the ability of the synthetic selenium compound, 2‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,3‐selenazol‐4‐one (hereafter designated 3a), to induce apoptosis in a human ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV3) and a human leukemia cell line (HL‐60). Flow cytometry showed that 3a treatment induced apoptosis in both cell lines to degrees comparable to that of the positive control, paclitaxel. Apoptosis was measured by PS externalization, DNA fragmentation and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, analysis of the mechanism of action revealed differences between the responses of the two cell lines. Treatment with 3a arrested the cell cycle and induced caspase‐3 activation in HL‐60 cells, but not in SKOV3 cells. In contrast, 3a treatment induced apoptosis through translocation of AIF, a novel pro‐apoptotic protein, in SKOV3 cells, but not in HL‐60 cells. Collectively, our data demonstrated that 3a induced apoptosis in both cell lines, but via different action mechanisms. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 807–815, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐resolution MAS NMR spectroscopy detection of the spin magnetization exchange by cross‐relaxation and chemical exchange in intact cell lines and human tissue specimens
Authors: Chen Jin‐Hong , Sambol Elliot B. , DeCarolis Penelope , O'Connor Rachael , Geha Rula C. , Wu Yuhsin V. , Singer Samuel
Published: May 2006

High‐resolution magic‐angle‐spinning (HR‐MAS) NMR spectroscopy detects resolved signals from membrane phospholipids and proteins in intact cell and tissue samples. MAS has the additional advantage of quenching spin‐diffusion through a mutual “flip‐flop” of neighbor spins by time‐independent dipolar coupling as long as the dipolar coupling is “inhomogeneous.” Under MAS, significant magnetization transfer (MT) was observed between water and each proton site in membrane phospholipid and between water and the NMR‐observable protein proton signals. The MT rates between water and membrane phospholipids are lower than those between water and protein proton signals. The interaction of water to other small molecules is selective with the observation of MT from water to creatine, lactate, taurine, and glycine, but not to triglyceride, phosphocholine, choline, or myo‐inositol. HR‐MAS NMR allows the detection of a complete MT network between water and each proton group of creatine. Two creatine pools (one motion‐restricted and one motion‐free) were identified in skeletal muscle. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro antiproliferative effect of six Salvia species on human tumor cell lines
Authors: Fiore Giovina , Nencini Cristina , Cavallo Federica , Capasso Anna , Bader Ammar , Giorgi Giorgio , Micheli Lucia
Published: May 2006

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antiproliferative activity of the methanol crude extracts of six Salvia species: Salvia dominica L. leaves, Salvia lanigera Desf. aerial parts, Salvia menthaefolia Ten. roots, Salvia palaestina Benth. aerial parts, Salvia sclarea L. roots and Salvia spinosa L. aerial parts. Extracts were screened for their possible antitumoral activity by MTT test on nine human cancer cell lines: glioblastoma (DBTRG‐05MG, T98G, U‐87MG), colorectal adenocarcinoma (WiDr and HT‐29), prostate adenocarcinoma (MDA Pca2b), choriocarcinoma (JEG‐3), endometrium adenocarcinoma (HEC‐1A) and B lymphoblast (CIR).

IC50 values were determined for only five extracts and ranged from 90 to 400 mg/mL approximately. Salvia menthaefolia extract exhibited marked antiproliferative activity against all tumor cell lines showing lower IC50 values, while S. spinosa, S. sclarea and S. dominica extracts showed a degree cytotoxic activity dependent on the cell line type. Finally S. palaestina extract revealed a moderate antiproliferative effect only against three cell lines. Salvia lanigera extract displayed toxic activity at all concentrations tested.

The results strengthen the evidence that the genus Salvia could be considered a natural resource of potential antitumor agents. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of non‐covalent complexes of HIV‐1 promoter DNA and polyamides containing N‐methylpyrrole by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Huihui , Yuan Gu
Published: May 2006

Eight novel polyamides containing N‐methylpyrrole were designed to target the sequence (5′‐CTGCATATAAGCAG‐3′/5′‐CTGCTTATATGCAG‐3′) of the TATA box element of the HIV‐1 promoter DNA. The non‐covalent complexes of the promoter DNA and the polyamides were investigated by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry, which provided strong evidence for the binding of the novel polyamides to the sequence of the TATA box element. It also revealed that polyamide 2 (PyPyPyPyβDp), a potent binder of HIV‐1 promoter DNA and a lead molecule for the design of new anti‐HIV‐1 drugs, had the highest binding affinity with the TATA box element DNA among these polyamides by examining the stoichiometry and the selectivity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple Method for the Stretching and Alignment of Single Adsorbed Synthetic Polycations
Authors: Bocharova Vera , Kiriy Anton , Stamm Manfred , Stoffelbach Francois , Jérôme Robert , Detrembleur Christophe
Published: May 2006

Spin‐coating of isolated positively charged macromolecules onto mica in the presence of octylamine was found to be a simple and general method of stretching and aligning the macromolecular chains. The contour length and molar mass for the stretched macromolecules can be directly measured by atomic force microscopy, which makes this method a very useful analytical tool. Moreover, the molecular height is increased by co‐deposition with octylamine, which drastically improves the molecular resolution and allows even ultrathin polycations to be visualized. The reason for the key role of the octylamine is found in the formation of an ultrathin liquidlike alkylamine film, which reduces the surface energy of mica and weakens the interactions between the surface and the charged macromolecules.
The influence of thermal noise on the onset of travelling-wave convection in binary fluid mixtures: an experimental investigation
Authors: Schöpf Wolfgang , Rehberg Ingo
Published: May 2006

When dealing with systems showing a Hopf bifurcation as the first instability from a conductive state leading to travelling waves, the distinction between convective and absolute instability becomes significant. The convectively unstable regime is characterized by the fact that a homogeneous disturbance may have a positive growth rate, while a single localized perturbation cannot trigger the onset of nonlinear convection. In this paper the convective instability occurring in binary fluid mixtures for a negative separation ratio is utilized for amplifying intrinsic thermal fluctuations, which in this way become accessible to quantitative measurements. The experiments are performed in a quasi-one-dimensional convection channel which, by means of subcritical ramps, effectively prevents the reflection of the travelling waves from the sidewalls. Thus, that range of the convective instability within which linear waves can be observed is strongly enhanced. The temperature variations involved in the observed travelling-wave states are quantified by using the shadowgraph method. By resonantly stimulating the system with its linear Hopf frequency, the reflection ability and some coefficients of the amplitude equation appropriate for describing the convection features near onset can be determined. Without stimulation, travelling-wave states of very small amplitudes showing an erratic spatio-temporal behaviour occur spontaneously inside the convectively unstable regime. The temporal correlation function calculated from the measured light intensity caused by these states is compared with a theoretical expression obtained from a Ginzburg—Landau equation containing a noise term. A very good agreement is found for the amplitude if thermal noise is assumed to be the reason for these fluctuating convection rolls, thus supporting the idea that the response of the system to thermal fluctuations is observed.
Numerical simulations of particulate suspensions via a discretized Boltzmann equation. Part 1. Theoretical foundation
Authors: Ladd Anthony J. C.
Published: May 2006

A new and very general technique for simulating solid–fluid suspensions is described; its most important feature is that the computational cost scales linearly with the number of particles. The method combines Newtonian dynamics of the solid particles with a discretized Boltzmann equation for the fluid phase; the many-body hydrodynamic interactions are fully accounted for, both in the creeping-flow regime and at higher Reynolds numbers. Brownian motion of the solid particles arises spontaneously from stochastic fluctuations in the fluid stress tensor, rather than from random forces or displacements applied directly to the particles. In this paper, the theoretical foundations of the technique are laid out, illustrated by simple analytical and numerical examples; in a companion paper (Part 2), extensive numerical tests of the method, for stationary flows, time-dependent flows, and finite-Reynolds-number flows, are reported.
The transverse shear-induced liquid and particle tracer diffusivities of a dilute suspension of spheres undergoing a simple shear flow
Authors: Wang Y. , Mauri R. , Acrivos A.
Published: May 2006

We study the shear-induced self-diffusion of both a liquid tracer and a tagged spherical particle along the directions perpendicular to the ambient flow in a dilute suspension of neutrally buoyant spheres undergoing a simple shearing motion in the absence of inertia and Brownian motion effects. The calculation of the liquid diffusivity requires the velocity of a fluid point under the influence of two spheres, which was determined via Lamb's series expansion; conversely, the calculation of the particle diffusivity involves the trajectories of three spheres, which were determined using far-field and near-field asymptotic expressions. The displacements of the liquid tracer and of the tagged sphere were then computed analytically when the spheres and the tracer are all far apart, and numerically for close encounters. After summing over all possible encounters, the leading terms of the lateral liquid diffusion coefficients, both within and normal to the plane of shear, were thereby found to be 0.12γac and 0.004γac, respectively, where γ is the applied shear rate, a the radius of the spheres and c their volume fraction. The analogous coefficients of the lateral particle diffusivity were found to be 0.11γac, and 0.005γac, respectively. Also, liquid and particle diffusivities in a monolayer, with the liquid tracer and all the particle centres lying on the same plane of shear, were found to be 0.067γyac, and 0.032γac, respectively, with c denoting the areal fraction occupied by the spheres on the plane.
Covering ENT out of hours: how confident are senior house officers?
Authors: Davis S J , McDonald S
Published: May 2006

Background: The implementation of the European working time directive has led to an increase in cross-speciality out-of-hours cover. This survey illustrates ENT out-of-hours cover arrangements and assesses the implications for senior house officers (SHOs) responsible for managing emergencies.

Methods: A telephone survey of 100 ENT departments was conducted, asking the on-call SHO about departmental structure, on-call rota design, their previous ENT experience, access to SHO training and their confidence in managing emergencies.

Results: 44 per cent of departments used only ENT SHOs on the on-call rota. 73 per cent always had an ENT middle grade on call. In 60 per cent of hospitals, the ENT consultant was sometimes on call with only a non-ENT SHO. At the time of the study, 5 per cent of SHOs had no ENT experience, no access to training, were not confident in managing simple emergencies and were on-call without middle-grade cover.

Conclusion: The current junior on-call structure for ENT has implications for patient management.
Sinonasal inverted papilloma with malignant transformation in the middle ear: a multicentric origin?
Authors: Mazlina S , Shiraz M A R Megat , Hazim M Y S , Amran A R , Zulkarnaen A N , Muhaizan W M Wan
Published: May 2006

Inverted papilloma is a rare, benign tumour representing only 0.5 to 4 per cent of all sinonasal neoplasms; its involvement of the middle ear is extremely rare. We present a case of multicentric inverted papilloma in the sinonasal region and middle ear in a 54-year-old man. The patient later developed neck metastasis secondary to malignant transformation of the inverted papilloma in the middle ear.
Steady nonlinear electrostatic plasma wave in a weak transverse magnetic field
Authors: KRASOVSKY V.L.
Published: May 2006

The structure of a stationary electrostatic plasma wave propagating at a right angle to a weak magnetic field is studied. It is shown that the periodic finite amplitude wave is close in its physical structure to Bernstein–Greene–Kruskal wave of a perfectly definite type. The distinguishing feature of such a nonlinear wave is the absence of the resonant particles trapped by the wave. The electron distribution function, density perturbation and the shape of the wave electrostatic potential are found. The nonlinear dispersion relation is derived to determine the frequency shift due to the perturbation of the distribution function in the resonant region.
Influence of
FHIT
on benzo[
a
]pyrene-induced tumors and alopecia in mice: Chemoprevention by budesonide and
N
-acetylcysteine
Authors: Balansky Roumen , D'Agostini Francesco , Ganchev Gancho , Izzotti Alberto , Di Marco Barbara , Lubet Ronald A. , Zanesi Nicola , Croce Carlo M. , De Flora Silvio
Published: May 2006

The
FHIT
gene has many hallmarks of a tumor-suppressor gene and is involved in a large variety of cancers. We treated A/J mice and (C57BL/6J × 129/SvJ)F
1
(B6/129 F
1
) mice, either wild-type or
FHIT
+/−
, with multiple doses of benzo[
a
]pyrene (B[
a
]P) by gavage. B[
a
]P caused a time-related increase of micronuclei in peripheral blood erythrocytes. Both A/J and B6/129 F
1
mice, irrespective of their
FHIT
status, were sensitive to induction of forestomach tumors, whereas B[
a
]P induced glandular stomach hyperplasia and a high multiplicity of lung tumors in A/J mice only. Preneoplastic lesions of the uterus were more frequent in
FHIT
+/−
mice. B6/129 F
1
mice underwent spontaneous alopecia areata and hair bulb cell apoptosis, which were greatly accelerated either by
FHIT
heterozygosity or by B[
a
]P treatment, thus suggesting that
FHIT
plays a role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. The oral administration of either budesonide or
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine (NAC) inhibited the occurrence of this inflammatory skin disease. In addition, these agents prevented B[
a
]P-induced glandular stomach hyperplasia and decreased the size of both forestomach tumors and lung tumors in A/J mice. Budesonide also attenuated lung tumor multiplicity. In B6/129 F
1
mice, NAC significantly decreased the proliferating cell nuclear antigen in lung tumors. Both budesonide and NAC inhibited B[
a
]P-induced forestomach tumors and preneoplastic lesions of the respiratory tract in B6/129 F
1
mice. In conclusion, heterozygosity for
FHIT
affects susceptibility of mice to spontaneous alopecia areata and B[
a
]P-induced preneoplastic lesions of the uterus and does not alter responsiveness to budesonide and NAC.
Short-course postexposure antibiotic prophylaxis combined with vaccination protects against experimental inhalational anthrax
Authors: Vietri Nicholas J. , Purcell Bret K. , Lawler James V. , Leffel Elizabeth K. , Rico Pedro , Gamble Christopher S. , Twenhafel Nancy A. , Ivins Bruce E. , Heine Henry S. , Sheeler Ryan , Wright Mary E. , Friedlander Arthur M.
Published: May 2006

Prevention of inhalational anthrax after
Bacillus anthracis
spore exposure requires a prolonged course of antibiotic prophylaxis. In response to the 2001 anthrax attack in the United States, ≈10,000 people were offered 60 days of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent inhalational anthrax, but adherence to this regimen was poor. We sought to determine whether a short course of antibiotic prophylaxis after exposure could protect non-human primates from a high-dose spore challenge if vaccination was combined with antibiotics. Two groups of 10 rhesus macaques were exposed to ≈1,600 LD
50
of spores by aerosol. Both groups were given ciprofloxacin by orogastric tube twice daily for 14 days, beginning 1–2 h after exposure. One group also received three doses of the licensed human anthrax vaccine (anthrax vaccine adsorbed) after exposure. In the ciprofloxacin-only group, four of nine monkeys (44%) survived the challenge. In contrast, all 10 monkeys that received 14 days of antibiotic plus anthrax vaccine adsorbed survived (
P
= 0.011). Thus postexposure vaccination enhanced the protection afforded by 14 days of antibiotic prophylaxis alone and completely protected animals against inhalational anthrax. These data provide evidence that postexposure vaccination can shorten the duration of antibiotic prophylaxis required to protect against inhalational anthrax and may impact public health management of a bioterrorism event.
Dynein-dependent Motility of Microtubules and Nucleation Sites Supports Polarization of the Tubulin Array in the FungusUstilago maydis
Authors: Fink Gero , Steinberg Gero
Published: May 2006

Microtubules (MTs) are often organized by a nucleus-associated MT organizing center (MTOC). In addition, in neurons and epithelial cells, motor-based transport of assembled MTs determines the polarity of the MT array. Here, we show that MT motility participates in MT organization in the fungus Ustilago maydis. In budding cells, most MTs are nucleated by three to six small and motile γ-tubulin–containing MTOCs at the boundary of mother and daughter cell, which results in a polarized MT array. In addition, free MTs and MTOCs move rapidly throughout the cytoplasm. Disruption of MTs with benomyl and subsequent washout led to an equal distribution of the MTOC and random formation of highly motile and randomly oriented MTs throughout the cytoplasm. Within 3 min after washout, MTOCs returned to the neck region and the polarized MT array was reestablished. MT motility and polarity of the MT array was lost in dynein mutants, indicating that dynein-based transport of MTs and MTOCs polarizes the MT cytoskeleton. Observation of green fluorescent protein-tagged dynein indicated that this is achieved by off-loading dynein from the plus-ends of motile MTs. We propose that MT organization in U. maydis involves dynein-mediated motility of MTs and nucleation sites.
The crystal structure of human receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase κ phosphatase domain 1
Authors: Eswaran Jeyanthy , Debreczeni Judit É. , Longman Emma , Barr Alastair J. , Knapp Stefan
Published: May 2006

The receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are integral membrane proteins composed of extracellular adhesion molecule‐like domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. The cytoplasmic domain consists of tandem PTP domains, of which the D1 domain is enzymatically active. RPTPκ is a member of the R2A/IIb subfamily of RPTPs along with RPTPμ, RPTPρ, and RPTPλ. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of catalytically active, monomeric D1 domain of RPTPκ at 1.9 Å. Structural comparison with other PTP family members indicates an overall classical PTP architecture of twisted mixed β‐sheets flanked by α‐helices, in which the catalytically important WPD loop is in an unhindered open conformation. Though the residues forming the dimeric interface in the RPTPμ structure are all conserved, they are not involved in the protein–protein interaction in RPTPκ. The N‐terminal β‐strand, formed by βx association with βy, is conserved only in RPTPs but not in cytosolic PTPs, and this feature is conserved in the RPTPκ structure forming a β‐strand. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies show that the presence of reducing agents and higher ionic strength are necessary to maintain RPTPκ as a monomer. In this family the crystal structure of catalytically active RPTPμ D1 was solved as a dimer, but the dimerization was proposed to be a consequence of crystallization since the protein was monomeric in solution. In agreement, we show that RPTPκ is monomeric in solution and crystal structure.
Enhanced automated function prediction using distantly related sequences and contextual association by PFP
Authors: Hawkins Troy , Luban Stanislav , Kihara Daisuke
Published: May 2006

The impetus for the recent development and emergence of automated function prediction methods is an exponentially growing flood of new experimental data, the interpretation of which is hindered by a shortage of reliable annotations for proteins that lack experimental characterization or significant homologs in current databases. Here we introduce PFP, an automated function prediction server that provides the most probable annotations for a query sequence in each of the three branches of the Gene Ontology: biological process, molecular function, and cellular component. Rather than utilizing precise pattern matching to identify functional motifs in the sequences and structures of these proteins, we designed PFP to increase the coverage of function annotation by lowering resolution of predictions when a detailed function is not predictable. To do this we extend a traditional PSI‐BLAST search by extracting and scoring annotations (GO terms) individually, including annotations from distantly related sequences, and applying a novel data mining tool, the Function Association Matrix, to score strongly associated pairs of annotations. We show that PFP can correctly assign function using only weakly similar sequences with a significantly better accuracy and coverage than a standard PSI‐BLAST search, improving it more than fivefold. The most descriptive annotations predicted by PFP (GO depth ≥8) can identify a significant subgraph in the GO with >60% accuracy and ∼100% coverage for our benchmark set. We also provide examples of the superb performance of PFP in an assessment of automated function prediction servers at the Automated Function Prediction Special Interest Group meeting at ISMB 2005 (AFP‐SIG '05).
Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characterization of immortalized odontoblast MO6‐G3
Authors: Mesgouez C. , Oboeuf M. , Mauro N. , Colon P. , MacDougall M. , Machtou P. , Sautier J. M. , Berdal A.
Published: May 2006

Aim  To investigate an immortalized murine odontoblast cell line as a potential alternative for experimental studies on dentinogenesis.

Methodology  The MO6‐G3 cell line was investigated morphologically over 3, 7, 11 and 42 days of culture, using histochemical localization of dentine sialoprotein (DSP), alkaline phosphatase (AP), type I collagen and actin filaments, histoenzymatic staining and biochemical investigation of AP and finally, transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

Results  Scanning electron micrographs showed elongated cells. Accordingly, a polarized organization of odontoblasts was observed by transmission electron microscopy, identifying distinct subcellular compartments as described in vivo. The secretion apparatus, which includes cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus saccules and secretion vesicles and granules, was longitudinally organized in the supranuclear compartment ending distally in the secretory pole. A cellular process was observed. The investigation of the cytoskeleton network revealed that actin microfilaments were organized in parallel stress fibre oriented depending on the longitudinal axis of the cytoplasm. Immunofluorescent labelling showed a continuous expression of type I collagen, DSP and AP. A unipolar distribution characterized intracellular DSP immunoreactivity. Histoenzymology revealed AP active sites increasing from 3 to 11 days albeit with a moderate level of activity comparatively to the in vivo situation in dental cells.

Conclusion  This cell line MO6‐G3 not only showed the criteria of odontoblast phenotype as previously reported but also the characteristic morphodifferentiation pattern of polarized odontoblasts at the cellular level but with an apparent random distribution.
Elderly clients' perceptions of caring of a home‐care nurse
Authors: Poole Gregory , Rowat Kathleen
Published: May 2006

This descriptive multiple case study examined elderly home‐care clients’perceptions of caring behaviours of the nurse within the context of the nursing relationship Five clients were nursed over a 2–5 month period, during which time data were collected Client perceptions of nurse caring behaviours were collected through one semi‐structured interview at the termination of the nursing relationship Results from this study support the perception of nurse attributes as caring, consistent with previous research Moreover, the results suggest that these nurse attributes form the basis of caring in nursing interventions A model of caring is proposed Implications for nursing practice and future research are addressed
Becoming strangers: the changing family caregiving relationship in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wuest Judith , Ericson Penny King , Stern Phyllis Noerager
Published: May 2006

Alzheimer‐type dementia (AD) is an insidious pervasive debilitating disorder that destroys the affected person's capacity for self‐care In this grounded theory study, we explored the reciprocal process of becoming strangers in which eastern Canadian family caregivers and care recipients with AD interact on a continuum from intimacy to alienation through dimensions of dawning, holding on and letting go The findings illuminate the experiences of family members who struggle on a daily basis with their commitment to the person they knew and their increasing detachment from the stranger that person has become With the increasing emphasis on home care, these findings offer insights for individual care and health policy development
Knowledge and attitudes of chronic mentally ill patients before and after medication education
Authors: Kuipers Joan , Bell Clara , Davidhizar Ruth , Cosgray Robert , Fawley Ronald
Published: May 2006

This study compares the knowledge and attitudes of 60 patients in a state hospital about medication, before and after structured and unstructured medication education The purpose was to determine which type of education has more positive effects A pre‐ and post‐test two‐group experimental design was used The results of this study were not statistically significant in supporting the literature that education has some effect on knowledge or on attitude about taking medication The study showed similar effects of the method (structured versus unstructured) on increasing knowledge and attitude toward medication Demographic data from the study suggest a variety of other factors may relate to attitudes and knowledge about medication in the hospital This study suggests medication education should address demographic factors, incorporate multi‐dimensional approaches, include more active patient participation, and utilize one‐to‐one teaching whenever possible
Assessing mental competence of patients and relatives
Authors: Fulbrook Paul
Published: May 2006

This paper presents a discussion on the assessment of mental competence of patients and relatives in the health care setting Their decision‐making ability is explored with particular reference to the giving of consent for nursing intervention and medical treatment It is suggested that, in addition to obvious psychological or neurological disorders, decision‐making ability will be influenced by psychological stress and the ability to communicate effectively It highlights the ambiguity of mental competence assessment and concludes that such assessments will, to a greater or lesser extent, be subject to value‐laden judgement
An investigation into the feasibility of parental participation in the nursing care of their children
Authors: Evans Margaret A.
Published: May 2006

Family‐centred care has been recognized as a basic tenet of paediatric nursing for some time because it is believed that children benefit from the continuous presence of their parents It is for this reason that the concept of care by parents has evolved Although such a philosophy is beneficial for the child, it has undoubtedly evolved due to low staffing levels, and in such an environment the guidelines for safe practice are easily called into question In the wake of a new paediatric oncology ward, it was decided to consider instituting care by parents In an effort to do this in a structured way, it was decided to make our practice research based A teaching tool was formulated and five mothers who presented consecutively to the paediatric oncology ward were taught how to administer intravenous antibiotics to their child Mothers' views on the teaching programme were sought using taped interviews, and the data were analysed using grounded theory This methodology allowed a theoretical framework based on realistic data to emerge, and the resultant themes provided a valuable insight into Mothers' views on the subject It emerged that nurses' attitudes towards care by parents require clarifying and that changes need to take place if this concept is to be taken on board Negotiation to allow mutual understanding between parents and nurses is essential to the successful implementation of such a scheme
Practical audit workshops for nurses
Authors: Kinn Sue , Semple Elaine , Gregson Karen , Hillan Edith
Published: May 2006

Six practical audit workshops were run for nurses working in the Greater Glasgow Health Board Between 15 and 25 nurses came for a morning session and returned 6 weeks later for an afternoon session The participants came from all grades, specialities and units across the health board The morning session included a basic introduction to the principles and stages of the audit cycle and information on different audit methods The majority of the time was devoted to small group discussions where individuals were able to develop their own ideas for audit projects relevant to their working situations Together with one of the organizers, the members of the groups helped each other in the design of the different projects Almost 65% of attenders (78 out of 122) returned 6 weeks later for the afternoon session and most had begun an audit project in the time interval These projects were at various stages around the audit cycle The afternoon sessions started with a talk by a nurse involved in an audit project, followed by the participants returning to their small groups to discuss the successes and problems involved in their own audits The groups provided further support and advice based on a wide range of different experiences during the intervening time The projects carried out were impressive both in the quality and the variety of topics covered Ninety per cent of those attending felt that the knowledge gained from the exercise was of practical use in their own working environment Ameasure of the success of the workshops was that several of the later afternoon talks were given by nurses who had attended the earlier workshops Scotland
The orientation phase of the nurse‐client relationship: testing Peplau's theory
Authors: Forchuk Cheryl
Published: May 2006

This investigation used a prospective design to examine the orientation phase of the nurse‐client relationship A total of 124 newly formed nurse‐client dyads constituted the sample Preconceptions of both clients and nurses were related to the duration of the orientation phase and development of the therapeutic alliance There was support for the importance of other interpersonal relationships for clients but not for nurses Anxiety was not found to be significantly related to the development of the therapeutic relationship The explanatory power resulting from including both nurse and client variables was considerably greater than client factors alone or the nurse factors alone as predictors of the therapeutic relationship The current investigation validates the need for research specifically testing nursing theory
Developing a typology of family care: implications for nurses and other service providers
Authors: Nolan Mike , Keady John , Grant Gordon
Published: May 2006

The meanings attributed to the concept of care are considered It is argued that whilst nursing has paid considerable attention to care in a professional (nursing) context, it has virtually ignored care as it is defined and construed by family carers A new typology of family care is described which builds on the limited existing conceptual work in this area It is further suggested that interventions which are intended to assist carers form a continuum ranging from services which are facultative to those which are actually obstructive In the light of these discussions, the implications of the new typology for nurses working with family carers are addressed briefly
Perceived occurrence and importance of caring behaviours among patients and staff in psychiatric, medical and surgical care
Authors: von Essen Louise , Sjodén Per‐Olow
Published: May 2006

The present study identified, within psychiatric, medical and surgical care, patient and staff perceptions of the occurrence and importance of caring behaviours A Swedish version of the ‘CARE‐Q’ instrument, including 50 caring behaviours, was used for the assessment of importance, and the ‘CARE‐How often’ questionnaire (containing the same behaviours) was used for the determination of occurrence In psychiatric and medical care, but not in surgical care, staff considered several behaviours to occur more frequently than did patients However, in each type of care, the groups agreed fairly well with respect to rankings of behaviours ‘Explains and facilitates' occurred rarely, and ‘Monitors and follows through’ occurred often, according to both patients and staff Overall, patients and staff differed both with regard to perceived levels and rankings of the importance of behaviours Psychiatric patients perceived ‘Explains and facilitates’ as most important, and somatic patients perceived ‘Monitors and follows through’ as most important, while staff in both somatic and psychiatric care considered ‘Comforts’ as the most important subscale Neither patient nor staff perceptions of the occurrence of caring behaviours were well matched with their perceptions of the importance of these Implications for nursing practice and for studying patient satisfaction with care are given
Developing a translation of the McGill pain questionnaire for cross‐cultural comparison: an example from Norway
Authors: Kim Hesook Suzie , Schwartz‐Barcott Donna , Holter Inger Margrethe , Lorensen Margarethe
Published: May 2006

The ability to measure pain across diverse cultures is important for understanding the universal aspects of pain and expediting nursing intervention The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) is the most valid and reliable single multidimensional pain instrument available for measuring pain Although it has been translated in several languages, most efforts, including two Norwegian translations, have resulted in a variety of new versions, all lacking sufficient faithfulness to the original MPQ to allow qualitative or quantitative cross‐cultural comparisons There is a need for direct translations that maintain the original denotation, connotation and numerical value of the MPQ and thus provide a base for future cross‐cultural studies of pain This paper reports on the development and initial testing of a direct translation of the McGill Pain Questionnaire into Norwegian (NMPQ) The translation process involved three phases translation, back‐translation and consensual In order to evaluate its performance and validity, the NMPQ was administered to a group of adult surgical patients at two different points in time during the postoperative period The NMPQ was examined for its feasibility, its sensitivity in detecting decreases in intensity of pain postoperatively and for construct validity A visual analogue scale was used to check for converging validity, and Spielberger's state anxiety scale was used to assess discriminate validity The initial testing of the NMPQ with adult surgical patients suggests that the NMPQ is culturally acceptable, relevant, sensitive to fluctuations in pain and numerically consistent with the original MPQ The moderate levels of validity attained lend considerable assurance to the instrument's readiness for use in cross‐cultural studies of pain
Heparin and haematoma: does ice make a difference?
Authors: Ross Shen , Soltes Dana
Published: May 2006

Subcutaneous heparin injections are frequently prescribed for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis One of the most commonly encountered adverse physiological responses to this intervention is the formation of a haematoma at the injection site This creates a challenge for the nurse attempting to minimize haematoma formation and/or patient discomfort during the treatment regime The purpose of this study was to determine if the application of ice to subcutaneous heparin injection sites decreases the incidence and size of haematoma formation and/or minimizes patient discomfort The study used a quasi‐experimental design with the subjects as their own control A convenience sample of 70 subjects was each given two injections of subcutaneous heparin, 12 hours apart Ice was applied pre‐ and post‐injection to one of the sites Immediately following each injection, the subjects were asked to rate the level of perceived discomfort at the time of the injection using a visual analogue scale Forty‐eight hours post‐injection, the nurse inspected the injection sites for the presence of haematoma Results showed that when ice was applied there was no significant difference in the incidence or size of haematoma, however, the subject's perception of pain was significantly less
Action research as a professionalizing strategy: issues and dilemmas
Authors: Hart Elizabeth
Published: May 2006

This paper identifies the need for a debate about the appropriateness of action research for nursing as it seeks to achieve the status of a research‐based profession It also identifies a related need to inform such a debate by bringing together three sets of writings that are not normally united in the nursing research literature—those of action research, organizational culture and professionalization In nursing, as in education, action research is being deployed as part of a professionalizing strategy, since amongst other things it seems to offer a means of developing reflective practitioners and of producing knowledge for practice The increasing popularity of action research amongst nurse researchers suggests that it is seen to reflect the attributes to which nursing aspires as a profession, including a concern to realize humanistic values Action research was embraced by the teaching profession before nursing, and nurse researchers are increasingly drawing on the ideas of influential educationalists in defining action research as an emancipatory strategy and a form of collaborative enquiry rooted in reflective practice This paper argues that in the managerialist context of the British National Health Service action research may be reduced from a participatory methodology into a method for getting people to collaborate with managerial goals and internalize the values of the corporate culture The danger is that in the name of reflective practice nursing work may become increasingly individualized The challenge for action research in nursing is how to respond to this dilemma, and this may require looking critically at the managerial values underpinning the NHS reforms and at the organizational context in which action research strategies are deployed
The learning career in the community setting: a phenomenological study of a Project 2000 placement*
Authors: Hallett Christine E , Williams Anne , Butterworth Tony
Published: May 2006

The findings of one element of an English National Board‐funded research study conducted in two phases between 1989 and 1992 are discussed The study examined one aspect of the new Project 2000 courses introduced in 13 ‘demonstration districts’ in England in the autumn of 1989 During Phase 2 of the study (1991–1992), 14 district nursing sisters and 12 of the students they supervised were interviewed Data were re‐transcribed and interpreted in 1993, the interpretation was based on a phenomenological paradigm which focused on the subjective perceptions of students and supervisors Participants identified ‘learning’, as it took place in the community setting, as a sequential process, which is referred to here as the ‘learning career’ Using terminology adopted by participants themselves, the authors identify the stages of the ‘learning career’ as ‘encountering reality’, ‘having a go’, ‘gaming confidence’, ‘thinking through and understanding’, ‘developing ideas’, ‘being independent’, and ‘being assessed’ Supervisors could ease their students' passage through this complex and anxiety‐provoking sequence of events in a number of ways They could demonstrate their practice and provide opportunities for students to gain experience for themselves, they could teach their students about nursing, and enable them to reflect on their own practice, and they could also monitor and assess their students'work
Intuition and expertise: comments on the Benner debate
Authors: Paley John
Published: May 2006

The rift between ‘science’ and ‘phenomenology’ in current nursing theory is explored through an examination of two recent evaluations of the work of Patricia Benner, who has proposed a model of skill acquisition, latterly within a Heideggerian framework English offers a critique of Benner's ideas from the perspective of cognitive psychology, while Darbyshire defends them against what he describes as a ‘positivist’ attack No attempt is made, in this paper, to evaluate Benner's work directly, but Darbyshire's response to the ‘critique’ is analysed, and it is noted that, in making his defence, he invokes a network of concepts which he ascribes to a ‘traditional notion of objective science’, and accuses English of subscribing to it. It is suggested that this ‘Cartesian’ worldview is an outmoded myth, superseded by the philosophy of science during the last 30 years, and based on the rhetoric rather than the reality of scientific practice Nursing is not, therefore, obliged to choose between ‘positivism’ and a philosophy whose chief virtue is that it represents a ‘challenge’ to positivism It could instead build a scientific basis for research and theory by drawing, not on mid‐century thinking, but on a more contemporary understanding of the nature of science
Chronic illness and the family life‐cycle
Authors: Newby Nancy M
Published: May 2006

Chronic illness is currently the outstanding health issue in the United States It creates increased family stress, requires constant adaptation by the family members and poses a challenge to nurses to better understand and meet the needs of the family as well as the individual This paper presents a psychosocial typology of chronic illness and discusses the importance of time phasing of the chronic illness A conceptual framework for analysing the interaction of chronic illness with family and individual life‐cycles is outlined Knowledge of life‐cycle stressors is essential for nurses to better delineate the relationship between the vertical and horizontal life stressors which affect the family system
Why I want to be a psychiatric nurse: constructing an identity through contrasts with general nursing
Authors: Moir James , Abraham Charles
Published: May 2006

The justification of psychiatric specialization among undergraduate nursing students is examined The data highlight how students are able to produce a positive view of their initial entry into nursing and then later create a positive and distinctive specialist occupational identity through negative comparisons with general nursing Their experience in both psychiatric and general settings is drawn upon to add credibility to their claims Contrasts based on the work schedules, patient focus, professional autonomy, opportunity for professional development, and required skills are considered
An evaluation of a Canadian peer‐driven injury prevention programme for high‐risk adolescents
Authors: Tenn Louise , Dewis Marilyn E
Published: May 2006

The mortality and morbidity resulting from serious trauma in adolescence, particularly head and spinal cord injury, constitutes a health problem of major proportions Although many community‐based prevention programmes have been reported in this last decade, few of these describe an evaluation component In this study, a school‐based prevention programme was developed by a peer group and presented by them to high‐risk adolescents The study aimed to test the efficacy of this intervention compared to the delivery of a prevention presentation to a similar group by a health care professional and compared to a control group Measures of health locus of control, self‐efficacy and behavioural intent were supplemented by open‐ended items related to risk‐taking behaviour change At post‐test and at 4‐month follow‐up, there was little evidence in the quantitative measures to support the effectiveness of the intervention for reducing injury risk factors More encouraging findings were seen in the qualitative data Explanations for why the intervention did not result in the expected outcomes are offered