bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic consequences of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) restoration in Mississippi
Authors: Deyoung Randy W. , Demarais Stephen , Honeycutt Rodney L. , Rooney Alejandro P. , Gonzales Robert A. , Gee Kenneth L.
Published: November 2003

White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were nearly extirpated from the southeastern USA during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recovery programmes, including protection of remnant native stocks and transplants from other parts of the species’ range, were initiated in the early 1900s. The recovery programmes were highly successful and deer are presently numerous and continuously distributed throughout the southeastern USA. However, the impact of the recovery programmes on the present genetic structure of white‐tailed deer remains to be thoroughly investigated. We used 17 microsatellite DNA loci to assess genetic differentiation and diversity for 543 white‐tailed deer representing 16 populations in Mississippi and three extra‐state reference populations. There was significant genetic differentiation among all populations and the majority of genetic variation (≥ 93%) was contained within populations. Patterns of genetic structure, genetic similarity and isolation by distance within Mississippi were not concordant with geographical proximity of populations or subspecies delineations. We detected evidence of past genetic bottlenecks in nine of the 19 populations examined. However, despite experiencing genetic bottlenecks or founder events, allelic diversity and heterozygosity were uniformly high in all populations. These exceeded reported values for other cervid species that experienced similar population declines within the past century. The recovery programme was successful in that deer were restored to their former range while maintaining high and uniform genetic variability. Our results seem to confirm the importance of rapid population expansion and habitat continuity in retaining genetic variation in restored populations. However, the use of diverse transplant stocks and the varied demographic histories of populations resulted in fine‐scale genetic structuring.
Nonconcordant evolutionary history of maternal and paternal lineages in Adriatic sturgeon
Authors: Ludwig A. , Congiu L. , Pitra C. , Fickel J. , Gessner J. , Fontana F. , Patarnello T. , Zane L.
Published: November 2003

Although analyses of intraspecific variability are an important prerequisite for species identification assays, only a few studies have focused on population genetics and historical biogeography of sturgeon species. Here we present the first study on genetic variability of the last remaining Adriatic sturgeon, Acipenser naccarii, derived from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Our mitochondrial DNA analyses arranged individuals into three distinguished mitochondrial DNA haplogroups (Po1, Po2 and Buna). Two haplogroups (Po1 and Buna) were correlated to geographical distribution, whereas the third (Po2) was not. It was, however, very closely related to one lineage of its Ponto‐Caspian sister species, A. gueldenstaedtii. The distribution of nuclear markers (microsatellites and amplified fragment length polymorphism) was strongly correlated to geographical distribution. An assignment test based on nuclear data placed no specimen of A. naccarii to A. gueldenstaedtii and vice versa. Therefore, the presence of gueldenstaedtii‐like haplotypes within the Po population is either the result of a postglacial introgression or an ancestral polymorphism and does not indicate a hybrid population. The most valuable tool for forensic species identification purposes is one diagnostic deletion separating all A. naccarii from A. gueldenstaedtii. As both A. naccarii populations are genetically differentiated, stocking of sturgeon from the Po River in Italy into waters of the Buna River would jeopardize the genetic differences between both populations and should thus be avoided.
Genetic variation and founder effects in the parasitoid wasp,Diaeretiella rapae(M’intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiidae), affecting its potential as a biological control agent
Authors: Baker D. A. , Loxdale H. D. , Edwards O. R.
Published: November 2003

The effects of recent colonization on the aphid parasitoid,Diaeretiella rapae(M’Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiidae), in Western Australia were investigated. When compared with populations from the Old World, the results of a microsatellite analysis show that the insects have low allelic length and low allele frequency variation, revealing that these individuals experienced a significant founder effect. Marked genetic differentiation between populations was also revealed, which has potentially important implications for host utilization in this species when introduced to a new geographical area(s). Low genetic variation and gene flow in a founder population could limit evolutionary potential in Australia, including the ability of a population to mount a response to newly introduced hosts, such as the Russian wheat aphid,Diuraphis noxia(Mordvilko). Although the actual importance of genetic diversity in the success of biological control agents is unclear, current theory concerning the potential impact of genetic bottlenecks on additive genetic variance is discussed.
Effects of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. malvae on plant development and blomass of non‐target field crops under controlled and field conditions
Authors: MORTENSEN K. , MAKOWSKI R. M. D.
Published: November 2003

As part of the registration requirements for bioherbicides in Canada. Colletorihum gloeosporioides (Pen.) Penz., and Sace. f. sp. malvae (C. g. malvae). a naturally occurring pathogen on Malva pusilla Sm. (round‐leaved mallow), was tested under controlled conditions for its effect and disease developmeiu on ten non‐target crops: oilseed rape, flax, entil, mustard, saf‐flower. sugar beel sunflower, wheat, okra and cotton. All crops except okra and cotton were also tested in the field at Regina and Indian Head. Saskatchewan, When applied at 12 times the recommended field rate (120 × 106 spores m‐2), this fungus was shown to have no adverse etfect on yield or plant development under controlled or field conditions on any of the crops or crop cultivars tested, except in safflower Safflower was susceptible under controlled conditions and under field conditions the cuttivar 'S‐208’showed significantly lower biomass in treated vs. untreated plots in one of threer growing seasons. Therefore, this fungus is not recommended for use in safflower, but can be safely used as a bioherbicide in the other crops tested under field coitditions. C. g. malvae was registered as the first bioherbicide in Canada in 1992.
Persistence of imazamethabenz‐methyl in soils after autumn and spring applications to wheat
Authors: JENSEN K. I. N. , GAUL S. O. , KIMBALL E. R. , SPECHT E. G.
Published: November 2003

Imazathabenz‐methyl dissipated rapidly in sandy and sandy loam field soils in Nova Scotia. Canada, seeded to wheat (Triticum aestivam L.).The time to 50% loss of herbicide residues in the 0‐10 cm soil zone was about 3‐4 weeks after October applications and about 2.5 weeks after June ones. After October applications, there was further loss of >60% of the remaining parent herbicide during the winter and early spring despite periods of prolonged snow cover and freezing, or near freezing, soil temperatures. After October applications, imazamethabenz‐methyl residues in May‐collected samples from the 10‐20 and 20‐30 cm soil zones ranged from 40% to 80% and from 15% to 40%, respectively of those extracted from the 0‐10 cm zone over four sites. Precipitation in the month after October applications ranged from 105 to 180 mm. which suggests leaching may play an important role in dissipation at times of the year when precipitation greatly exceeds evapotranspiration. Levels of the phytoioxic free acid ranged from 15% to 35% of the parent herbicide in selected samples. These residues had no effect on spring wheat replacement crops. The effect of the herbicide on replacement crops may also be influenced by the soil pH. A laboratory study demonstrated that as soil pH increased from 4.1 to 6.5. degradation of imazamethabenz‐methyl increased with a corresponding increase in free acid formation.
Features of Influenza HA Required for Apical Sorting Differ from Those Required for Association with DRMs or MAL
Authors: Tall Renee D. , Alonso Miguel A. , Roth Michael G.
Published: November 2003

The influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) is sorted to the apical membrane in polarized epithelial cells and associates with detergent‐resistant membranes (DRMs). By systematic mutagenesis of the transmembrane residues, we show that hemagglutinin requires 10 contiguous transmembrane amino acids to enter detergent‐resistant membranes and that the surface of the trimeric hemagglutinin transmembrane domain facing the lipid environment as well as that facing the interior of the trimer is important for stable association with detergent‐resistant membranes. However, association with detergent‐resistant membranes was not required for apical sorting. MAL/VIP17 is a protein that is required for apical transport and a small fraction of hemagglutinin co‐precipitates with MAL. Mutations that prevented HA from being isolated in detergent‐resistant membranes decreased co‐precipitation with MAL. The hemagglutinin and MAL that co‐precipitated were contained in a detergent‐resistant vesicle. However, most of the co‐precipitation of newly synthesized hemagglutinin with MAL occurred only after the majority of hemagglutinin reached the cell surface. Both the timing and the limited extent of co‐precipitation suggest that the majority of vesicles containing hemagglutinin and MAL are not the detergent‐resistant membrane transport intermediates carrying hemagglutinin from the TGN to the apical surface.
Nurses resisting information technology
Authors: Timmons Stephen
Published: November 2003

TIMMONS S.Nursing Inquiry2003;10: 257–269

Nurses resisting information technology

Resistance in the workplace, by nurses, has not been extensively studied from a sociological perspective. In this paper, nurses’ resistance to the implementation and use of computer systems is described and analysed, on the basis of semistructured interviews with 31 nurses in three UK NHS hospitals. While the resistance was not ‘successful’, in that it did not prevent the implementation of the systems, it nonetheless persisted. Resistance took a wide variety of forms, including attempts to minimise or ‘put off’ use of the systems, and extensive criticism of the systems, though outright refusal to use them was very rare. Resistance was as much about the ideas and ways of working that the systems embodied as it was about the actual technology being used. The patterns of resistance can best be summed up by the phrase ‘resistive compliance’.
Rational choice(s)? Rethinking decision‐making on breast cancer risk and screening mammography
Authors: Vahabi Mandana , Gastaldo Denise
Published: November 2003

VAHABI M. and GASTALDO D. Nursing Inquiry 2003; 10: 245–256

Rational choice(s)? Rethinking decision‐making on breast cancer risk and screening mammography

Women who refrain from undergoing breast cancer screening are believed to be uninformed about risks and usually labeled as irrational. Our purpose in writing this paper is to challenge the traditional notion of rational behaviour, illustrating with qualitative data that people's rationality is influenced by their socio‐cultural and political identities. We explore three major themes: (1) cultural explanations regarding intention to use screening mammography (2) (dis)trust in science and expert opinion, and (3) self‐responsibility and self‐surveillance in caring for one's body. Understanding that women rely on different risk discourses to make decisions about their health should aide researchers, health professionals, and the community in better understanding alternative ways of conceptualizing people's health‐related behaviours when they do not coincide with health authorities recommendations.
Anaesthetic and perioperative management of paediatric organ recipients in nontransplant surgery
Authors: Kostopanagiotou Georgia , Smyrniotis Vassilios , Arkadopoulos Nikolaos , Contis John , Briassoulis George , Kostopanagiotou Elias
Published: November 2003

The number and success rate of paediatric organ transplantation continue to improve yearly, and the number of transplanted children presenting for either elective or emergency nontransplant surgery is expected to increase accordingly. The general considerations related to any transplant recipient are the physiological and pharmacological problems of allograft denervation, the side effects of immunosuppression, the risk of infection, and the potential for rejection. Preoperative assessment of transplant recipients undergoing non‐transplant surgery should focus on graft function, the risk of infection, and function of other organs. Local, regional, or general anaesthesia can be safely delivered to transplant recipients. Specific anaesthetic considerations related to the type of transplantation, have an impact directly on anaesthetic and perioperative management. Since anaesthetists and surgeons in hospitals who are not involved in transplantations, may be required to manage paediatric transplant recipients, the reviews of the existing experience in this field will be valuable tools in their hands.
Laryngeal mask airway guided fibreoptic tracheal intubation in a child with a lingual thyroglossal duct cyst
Authors: Yang Sin Young , Son Soo Chang
Published: November 2003

The establishment of a tracheal airway with direct laryngoscopy can either be difficult or impossible in children with airway pathology. Multiple direct laryngoscopic attempts cause oedema and/or bleeding with subsequent difficult ventilation. The techniques utilizing the laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) and the fibreoptic bronchoscope have been reported. The case of a child with lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in which the LMA was useful to secure the airway and as a conduit for fibreoptic tracheal intubation is reported.
The effect of insufflation pressure on pulmonary mechanics in infants during laparoscopic surgical procedures
Authors: Bannister Carolyn F. , Brosius Keith K. , Wulkan Mark
Published: November 2003

Background Few studies have reported objective measurements of pulmonary changes under controlled conditions in infants undergoing laparoscopic procedures. We objectively measured the pulmonary effects of laparoscopically‐induced pneumoperitoneum in infants less than 1 year of age undergoing surgical procedures under general anaesthesia.

Methods Nineteen ASA I‐II patients less than 1 year of age were enrolled in this direct observational study. Anaesthetic technique included inhalation induction using sevoflurane/O2/air and neuromuscular blockade. Infants were ventilated using 10–15 ml·kg−1 tidal volume at a respiratory rate sufficient to achieve normocarbia [PECO2 4.6–5.8 kPa (35–45 mmHg)]. Opioids and regional anaesthesia techniques were used when appropriate. Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), expiratory tidal volume (Vt), endtidal carbon dioxide concentration (PECO2) and dynamic compliance (COMPdyn) were recorded at baseline, 5, 10 mmHg and maximal insufflation pressure (Pmax). Pmax was limited to 12 mmHg for infants <5 kg, 15 mmHg for infants >5 kg. At steady state Pmax, ventilator changes were implemented to restore Vt and PECO2 to within 10% of baseline. Each patient served as his own control.

Results At Pmax, average PIP increased 18%, average Vt decreased 33%, average PECO2 concentration increased 13%, average COMPdyn decreased 48%; O2 saturation fell in 41% of patients. Twenty ventilator adjustments were required; one patient experienced no changes in measured pulmonary mechanics, requiring no ventilator changes.

Conclusions Pulmonary mechanics in infants change significantly during laparoscopic CO2 pneumoperitoneum; the magnitude of change correlates directly with intraperitoneal pressure. Greater than 90% of infants required at least one ventilatory intervention to restore baseline Vt and PECO2.
Pretreatment with intravenous ketamine reduces propofol injection pain
Authors: Barbi E. , Marchetti F. , Gerarduzzi T. , Neri E. , Gagliardo A. , Sarti A. , Ventura A.
Published: November 2003

Background Paediatric procedural sedation using propofol has been shown to be safe and effective and is widely used. Pain at the injection site is a frequent complaint and can be particularly distressing for children, especially for those undergoing repeated procedures. Ketamine has analgesic properties and can diminish the incidence of propofol infusion pain in adults. The aim of the study was to investigate whether pretreatment with ketamine would reduce infusion line pain in propofol sedation in children.

Methods We performed a prospective, randomized, double‐blind trial in a paediatric sedation unit of a tertiary referral teaching hospital. A total of 122 children admitted for gastroscopy were randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 received atropine and ketamine before propofol infusion. Group 2 received atropine, normal saline solution, and a mixture of propofol with lidocaine. The main outcome measure evaluated was pain associated with the infusion and secondary outcome measures were mean medium arterial pressure decrease and desaturation.

Results The incidence of pain of the infusion was significantly lower in patients pretreated with ketamine (8% vs 37%, P = 0.0001).

Conclusions Pretreatment with ketamine (0.5 mg·kg−1) is very effective in preventing propofol infusion pain.
Methadone dosage for prevention of opioid withdrawal in children
Authors: Siddappa Rajashekhar , Fletcher James E. , Heard Andrew M.B. , Kielma Donna , Cimino Michael , Heard Christopher M.B.
Published: November 2003

Background Opioids are frequently used for sedation in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). With time the dosing often increases because of tolerance. On cessation of the sedation there is a risk of the opioid withdrawal syndrome. The aim of our study was to evaluate methadone dosing as a risk factor for opioid withdrawal and to determine optimal dose and efficacy of methadone to prevent withdrawal.

Method We undertook a clinical, retrospective, chart review study. Data were analysed from the quality improvement initiative database of a tertiary‐care 18 bed PICU.

Results Data from 30 children who received an opioid infusion for ≥7 days and subsequently received methadone for opioid withdrawal (between January 2000 and July 2001) were analysed. Nurses documented the presence or absence of withdrawal signs daily. Our unit protocol has recommended converting the patient's opioid dose into fentanyl equivalents and a dose of methadone equal to the total daily dose of fentanyl to be given three times a day. Twenty patients had no or minimal withdrawal symptoms and 10 experienced significant withdrawal. Age, weight, PRISM score, lorazepam dose, muscle relaxant use and fentanyl dose were not statistically significantly between these groups. Receiver Operator Characteristics analysis showed that 80% of the suggested methadone dose was effective in minimizing withdrawal symptoms. The odds ratio for withdrawal with <80% of the predicted methadone dose was 21.

Conclusions Inadequate methadone is a risk factor for opioid withdrawal. A daily starting methadone dose equivalent to 2.5 times the daily fentanyl dose is effective in minimizing withdrawal symptoms.
Development of Mental Attention in Gifted and Mainstream Children: The Role of Mental Capacity, Inhibition, and Speed of Processing
Authors: Johnson Janice , Im‐Bolter Nancie , Pascual‐Leone Juan
Published: November 2003

The study examined performance of 6‐ to 11‐year‐old children, from gifted and mainstream academic programs, on measures of mental‐attentional capacity, cognitive inhibition, and speed of processing. In comparison with mainstream peers, gifted children scored higher on measures of mental‐attentional capacity, responded more quickly on speeded tasks of varying complexity, and were better able to resist interference in tasks requiring effortful inhibition. There was no group difference on a task requiring automatic inhibition. Comparisons between older and younger children yielded similar results. Correlations between inhibition tasks suggest that inhibition is multidimensional in nature, and its application may be affected by task demands. Measures of efficiency of inhibition and speed of processing did not explain age or group differences on a complex intellective measure of mental‐attentional capacity.
The Importance of Shared Environment in Mother–Infant Attachment Security: A Behavioral Genetic Study
Authors: Bokhorst Caroline L. , Bakermans‐kranenburg Marian J. , Pasco fearon R. M. , Van ijzendoorn Marinus H. , Fonagy Peter , Schuengel Carlo
Published: November 2003

In a sample of 157 monozygotic and dizygotic twins, genetic and environmental influences on infant attachment and temperament were quantified. Only unique environmental or error components could explain the variance in disorganized versus organized attachment as assessed in the Ainsworth Strange Situation Procedure. For secure versus nonsecure attachment, 52% of the variance in attachment security was explained by shared environment, and 48% of the variance was explained by unique environmental factors and measurement error. The role of genetic factors in attachment disorganization and attachment security was negligible. Genetic factors explained 77% of the variance in temperamental reactivity, and unique environmental factors and measurement error explained 23%. Differences in temperamental reactivity were not associated with attachment concordance.
Training Transfer Between Card Sorting and False Belief Understanding: Helping Children Apply Conflicting Descriptions
Authors: Kloo Daniela , Perner Josef
Published: November 2003

Two studies investigated the parallel developmental progress in theory of mind and executive control, as exemplified by correlations between the Dimensional Change Card Sorting task (DCCS; Frye, Zelazo, & Palfai, 1995) and the false‐belief task. Experiment 1 with sixty 3‐year‐old children confirmed earlier studies (e.g., Perner & Lang, 2002), suggesting that children's problem with the DCCS lies in the redescription of stimulus objects. Experiment 2 with forty‐four 3‐ to 4‐year‐olds reinforced the correlational evidence for a developmental link by showing transfer of training: False‐belief training improved DCCS performance, and DCCS training significantly increased children's performance on the false‐belief task. Results are discussed in relation to 5 theories explaining the existing correlational evidence.
Sources of Inflexibility in 6‐Year‐Olds' Understanding of Emotion in Speech
Authors: Morton J. Bruce , Trehub Sandra E. , Zelazo Philip David
Published: November 2003

When utterances contain conflicting emotion cues, 6‐year‐olds judge emotion from content, even when instructed to judge emotion from paralanguage (Morton & Trehub, 2001). Two experiments examined the nature of this bias. In Experiment 1, priming paralanguage reversed 6‐year‐olds' normal bias to content. In Experiment 2, 6‐year‐olds were instructed to listen to paralanguage under various conditions. Children were more likely to follow instructions delivered with feedback than instructions delivered alone. Children who described conflicts between content and paralanguage were more likely to follow instructions than children who did not describe these conflicts. Results suggest that 6‐year‐olds can judge emotion from paralanguage in the presence of competing content but often remain focused on content because of the way they represent the instructions.
Observed Peer Victimization During Early Elementary School: Continuity, Growth, and Relation to Risk for Child Antisocial and Depressive Behavior
Authors: Snyder James , Brooker Monica , Patrick M. Renee , Snyder Abigail , Schrepferman Lynn , Stoolmiller Mike
Published: November 2003

The rate at which 266 boys and girls ages 5 to 7 years old were victimized by peers was observed on multiple occasions in kindergarten and first grade. Individual differences in victimization were observed at kindergarten entry and in growth over the subsequent 2 years. Victimization increased for some children but decreased for others. Growth in victimization was reciprocally related to growth in teacher‐reported antisocial and depressive behavior for boys. For girls, kindergarten victimization was related to growth in parent‐reported antisocial behavior, teacher‐reported depressive behavior to growth in victimization, and growth in victimization to parent‐reported depression. At a short‐term group level, antisocial behavior had a lagged suppressive effect on victimization for boys but a facilitating effect for girls.
Regional Blocs and Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Donnenfeld Shabtai
Published: November 2003

The paper examines the impact of the emergence of regional blocs on the patterns of interbloc and intrabloc trade when firms have the option to engage in foreign direct investment (FDI). For exogenously given external tariffs, when firms have the option to engage in FDI, all interbloc trade may cease—complete trade diversion that is replaced by interbloc FDI investment creation. In such an event the volume of world trade declines but this is more than offset by the increase in world output due to direct investment. The paper also investigates the optimal tariff that a trading bloc levies on imports from nonmember countries. The tariffs are restricted by the option to engage in two‐way direct investment; hence, the regional blocs are hampered from mutually harming one another through an escalation in the tariff war. Finally, the formation of two regional blocs enhances the welfare of all countries.
Subgrouping in obesity based on Rorschach personality characteristics
Authors: Elfhag Kristina , Carlsson Anna Maria , Rössner Stephan
Published: November 2003

Conceptual (a priori) subgroups in obesity based on personality findings from the Rorschach Comprehensive System were suggested for 100 obese patients. The subgroups were further compared in terms of general anamnestic and behavioral data. The largest subgroup was Rorschach characterized by difficulties with emotions and a tendency towards depression. Demographic and behavioral data for this subgroup revealed intermediate or higher education, regular meals, eating disorders like binge eating, periodic variations in eating during the year and experiencing body size as having a psychological meaning. The other subgroup was characterized by coping liabilities and was further associated with a lower socio‐economic level and irregular or chaotic meal patterns. For the group with emotional difficulties, the results suggest a more complex psychological pattern, where eating and emotions could be closely related. The group with coping liabilities could have difficulties other than emotional ones concerning food and eating, such as finding a structure for eating and making changes in lifestyle and habits.
Differences in the justification of choices in moral dilemmas: Effects of gender, time pressure and dilemma seriousness
Authors: Björklund Fredrik
Published: November 2003

The effects on moral reasoning of gender, time pressure and seriousness of the issue at hand were investigated. In Experiment 1, 72 university students were presented with moral dilemmas and asked what actions the actors involved should take and to justify this. Women were found to be more care‐oriented in their reasoning than men, supporting Gilligan’s moral judgment model. Both time pressure and consideration of non‐serious as opposed to serious moral dilemmas led to an increase in a justice orientation compared with a care orientation in moral judgments. In Experiment 2, a similar task was given to 80 persons of mixed age and profession, and the participants’ moral reasoning was coded in terms of its being either duty‐orientated (duty, obligations, rights) or consequence‐oriented (effects on others). Men were found to be more duty‐oriented than women, and time pressure to lead to a greater incidence of duty orientation.
Evaluation of a consultation skills workshop using the Consultation Assessment and Improvement Instrument for Nurses
Authors: Hastings Adrian M. , Lennon Mariane , Redsell Sarah A. , Cheater Francine M.
Published: November 2003

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of training in the use of the Consultation Assessment and Improvement Instrument for Nurses (CAIIN) in the context of expanding roles for primary care nurses. To achieve this, 10 experienced primary care nurses undertook a 3‐day workshop in using the CAIIN to evaluate videotaped consultations between nurses and patients, and consultations between course participants and simulated patients. The impact of the workshop was assessed by questionnaire and semistructured interview. All participants found the CAIIN to be an acceptable approach to analyse and improve the consultation performance of themselves and others. They believed that it would further improve their existing skills, and provided a useful framework for learning those aspects of consultation competence in which they had less confidence. Several found role‐play with simulated patients stressful. Concerns about the role of nurses in clinical problem‐solving were reduced, but remained significant. The CAIIN was considered to have good potential as a learning tool as part of continuing professional development and clinical supervision. In conclusion, the rapidly expanding roles of primary care nurses requires serious consideration to be given to assessing and improving their consultation skills. The CAIIN provides an acceptable method of doing so. However, learning to use the instrument effectively requires expertise amongst teachers and significant protected learning time for nurses who become assessors or mentors of their peers.
The need for information and research skills training to support evidence‐based social care: a literature review and survey
Authors: Booth Sonja H. , Booth Andrew , Falzon Louise J.
Published: November 2003

The integration of health and social care services, and the move towards a professionalized social care workforce, has stimulated interest in evidence‐based social care. A literature review reveals a workforce, poorly equipped by professional education, relying heavily on personal communication and ‘gut instinct’ to deliver packages of care. A workplace culture of action, not reflection, and the absence of information resources and skills, make social care practitioners less likely to consult research to improve their practice. This study aimed to discover whether training in information and research skills training, as currently delivered in healthcare, is of interest to social care practitioners. A postal questionnaire was sent to 595 social care practitioners in the Trent region to determine their attitudes to evidence‐based practice, access to information and their training requirements. Twenty‐seven practitioners were subsequently interviewed to gain further insight into these issues. Seventy‐one per cent of questionnaire respondents had taken a qualification during their career, and less than 50% of the respondents had received training in using research findings or the Internet. Even fewer had been taught to interpret research findings. Around 75% had had no instruction on searching literature databases. Just over 50% of respondents favoured evidence‐based practice within social care, but many had reservations regarding its success. Three of the five most popular topics for professional development had an existing health equivalent. Interest decreased as topics moved from practical skills towards methodologies and research skills. The study concludes that training should be pitched at a pragmatic rather than an academic level, should support existing work activities, and be targeted at a diploma‐equivalent educational level. Provision should also be made for those without a professional qualification.
Examining the relationships between individual, team and organizational learning in an Australian hospital
Authors: Chan Christopher C. A.
Published: November 2003

The concept of organizational learning has continued to capture the interests of scholars and practitioners. At the core of this notion is the belief that organizational learning provides a number of advantages. Some of these advantages include improved team performance, enhanced service quality, better quality‐of‐work life and, ultimately, competitive advantage. Hence, not surprisingly, there is a sustained upsurge in the interest of organizational learning. Moreover, there is widespread acceptance that learning could occur at the individual, team and organizational levels. Understanding of learning orientations at these three levels has the capacity to advance the current knowledge and practice of organizational learning. In spite of an outpouring of literature on learning, empirical research on organizational learning is still scarce. Thus, the three linkages addressed in this current study include: individual learning and organizational learning; team learning and organizational learning; and individual learning and team learning. These linkages were examined in a field study of an Australian hospital, where 189 respondents participated in an organization‐wide survey. Interestingly, individual learning was not significantly related to organizational learning. However, individual learning was a significant predictor of team learning. Team learning was significantly related to organizational learning. The implications of the research findings are discussed.
RENAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE SYMPOSIUM: Continuous Peritoneal Dialysis‐Associated Peritonitis: A Review and Current Concepts
Authors: Troidle Laura , Gorban‐Brennan Nancy , Kliger Alan , Finkelstein Fredric O.
Published: November 2003

The percentage of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the United States maintained on continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD) therapy is decreasing. Complications from CPD therapy, including peritonitis, may be the reason for the decline. Improvements in CPD technology and a better understanding of the risk factors that predispose patients to the development of peritonitis have been responsible for a decline in the rate of peritonitis. Yet peritonitis remains a significant cause of patient morbidity and mortality and the overall outcome of peritonitis is not acceptable. Factors that have limited our ability to lessen the impact of peritonitis include a lack of data on dosing antibiotics in patients on continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) therapy, a lack of knowledge concerning the biology of bacterial biofilm, and the development of resistance to the current prophylactic antibiotic protocols. Further studies are needed concerning the optimal management of the peritoneal catheter and whether it is feasible to resume CPD therapy after catheter removal.
RENAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE SYMPOSITUM: Characteristics and Effects of Inflammation in End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Kaysen George A. , Eiserich Jason P.
Published: November 2003

Malnutrition and cardiovascular disease are associated with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and both are closely associated with one another, both in cross‐sectional analysis and when the courses of individual patients are followed over time. Inflammation, by suppressing synthesis of albumin, transferrin, and other negative acute‐phase proteins and increasing their catabolic rates, either combines with modest malnutrition or mimics malnutrition, resulting in decreased levels of these proteins in dialysis patients. Inflammation also leads to reduced muscle mass by increasing muscle protein catabolism and blocking synthesis of muscle protein. More importantly, inflammation alters plasma protein composition and endothelial structure and function so as to promote vascular disease. Markers of inflammation, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)‐6 powerfully predict death from all causes and from cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients as well as progression of vascular injury. The causes of inflammation are likely multifactorial, including oxidative modification of plasma proteins, interaction of blood with nonbiocompatible membranes and lipopolysaccharides in dialysate, subclinical infection of vascular access materials, oxidative catabolism of endothelium‐derived nitric oxide, and other infectious processes. Treatment should be focused on identifying potential causes of inflammation, if obvious, and reduction of other risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Comparison of Organic and Chemical Soil Amendments Used in the Reforestation of a Harsh Sierra Nevada Site
Authors: Walker R. F.
Published: November 2003

AbstractA comparison of a composted organic amendment, a controlled‐release fertilizer, and induced mycorrhizal inoculation as affecting the establishment and nutrition of bareroot Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyiGrev. & Balf.) was conducted on a Sierra Nevada surface mine. The soil amendments were applied at outplanting to the backfill of augered planting holes, with a low rate of 8 g and a high rate of 16 g per seedling for the fertilizer, Gromax 21‐6‐2 + Minors, whereas a single rate of 2.0 L was used for organic matter. Colonization byPisolithus tinctorius(Pers.) Coker & Couch was induced by coating the root systems with basidiospores suspended in a gel carrier. The organic amendment especially, but also mycorrhizal inoculation, caused substantial seedling mortality, whereas survival was unaffected by controlled‐release fertilization. Gromax applied at the high rate produced a 74% increase in shoot volume after three growing seasons, whereas the organic amendment reduced volume by 28%. Growth was unaffected by mycorrhizal treatment. The growth response to the 16‐g Gromax application probably reflected enhanced N, P, and K nutrition and decreased concentrations of potentially toxic metallic elements, including Mn and Al among others, as revealed through foliar analysis. Because they were accompanied by growth reduction, nutritional responses to the organic amendment, which involved both macronutrients and trace elements, were of little consequence. Impaired water relations may account for the poor response to this amendment. Likewise, nutritional responses to mycorrhizal inoculation produced no discernible benefit in terms of seedling performance. An inoculation procedure that failed to induce substantially greaterP. tinctoriuscolonization in inoculated than uninoculated seedlings, and that may have also impaired water relations, likely explains this result. Overall, these findings indicate that further research is needed before either the organic amendment or the mycorrhizal inoculation procedure used here can be used in forest restoration efforts on dry sites.
Impacts of Restored Patch Density and Distance from Natural Forests on Colonization Success
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans , Butaye Jan , Hermy Martin
Published: November 2003

Abstract The reduction and fragmentation of forest habitats is expected to have profound effects on plant species diversity as a consequence of the decreased area and increased isolation of the remnant patches. To stop the ongoing process of forest fragmentation, much attention has been given recently to the restoration of forest habitat. The present study investigates restoration possibilities of recently established patches with respect to their geographical isolation. Because seed dispersal events over 100 m are considered to be of long distance, a threshold value of 100 m between recent and old woodland was chosen to define isolation. Total species richness, individual patch species richness, frequency distributions in species occurrences, and patch occupancy patterns of individual species were significantly different among isolated and nonisolated stands. In the short term no high species richness is to be expected in isolated stands. Establishing new forests adjacent to existing woodland ensures higher survival probabilities of existing populations. In the long term, however, the importance of long‐distance seed dispersal should not be underestimated because most species showed occasional long‐distance seed dispersal. A clear distinction should be made between populations colonizing adjacent patches and patches isolated from old woodland. The colonization of isolated stands may have important effects on the dynamics and diversity of forest networks, and more attention should be directed toward the genetic traits and viability of founding populations in isolated stands.
HIV‐1 Egress is Gated Through Late Endosomal Membranes
Authors: Nydegger Sascha , Foti Michelangelo , Derdowski Aaron , Spearman Paul , Thali Markus
Published: November 2003

HIV‐1 buds from the surface of activated T lymphocytes. In macrophages, however, newly formed HIV‐1 particles amass in the lumen of an intracellular compartment. Here, we demonstrate by live‐cell imaging techniques, by immunocytochemistry and by immuno‐electron microscopy that HIV‐1 structural proteins, particularly the internal structural protein Gag, accumulate at membranes of the late endocytic compartment in a variety of cell types and not just in monocyte/macrophage‐derived cells. Recent biochemical and genetic studies have implicated components of the mammalian vacuolar protein sorting pathway in retroviral budding. Together with those observations, our study suggests that HIV‐1 morphogenesis is thoroughly rooted in the endosomal system.
Contribution of Cysteines to Clathrin Trimerization Domain Stability and Mapping of Light Chain Binding
Authors: Ybe Joel A. , Ruppel Nicholas , Mishra Sanjay , VanHaaften Eric
Published: November 2003

The three‐legged or triskelion shape of clathrin is critical for the formation of polyhedral lattices around clathrin‐coated vesicles. Filamentous legs radiate from a common vertex, with amino acids 1550–1615 contributed by each leg to define the trimerization domain (Liu S‐H, Wong ML, Craik CS, Brodsky FM. Cell 1995; 83: 257–267). Within this amino acid stretch there are 3 cysteines at positions 1565, 1569 and 1573 which are completely conserved in higher mammals from humans to C. elegans. The cysteine‐to‐serine mutation at position 1573 was observed to have the largest impact on clathrin structure and self‐assembly. We have also found that Cysteine 1528 located near the boundary between the proximal region and trimerization domain mediated the formation of nonproductive clathrin aggregates when bound light chain subunits were removed. However, when light chains were added back, the ability of this cysteine to form disulfide bridges between individual clathrin molecules was blocked, suggesting bound light chain interacted with Cysteine 1528 to prevent aggregation. This new information serves to map the orientation of the light chain subunit in the vicinity of the trimerization domain and supports previous models that indicate involvement of the trimerization domain in LC binding (Chen C‐Y, Reese ML, Hwang PK, Ota N, Agard D, Brodsky FM. EMBO J 2002; 21: 6072–6082; Pishvaee B, Munn A, Payne GS. EMBO J 1997; 16: 2227–2239).
Evidence that nitric oxide synthase is involved in progesterone-induced acrosomal exocytosis in mouse spermatozoa
Authors: Herrero María Beléen , Viggiano J. Marcelo , Martínez Silvina Pérez , Gimeno Martha F. de
Published: November 2003

In a recent work, we detected nitric oxide synthase (NO synthase) in the
acrosome and tail of mouse and human spermatozoa by an immunofluorescence
technique. Also, NO-synthase inhibitors added during sperm
capacitationin vitro reduced the percentage of oocytes
fertilized in vitro, suggesting a role for NO synthase
in sperm function. Therefore, in the present study the effect of three
NO-synthase inhibitors,
NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester
(L-NAME), NG-nitro-D-arginine
methyl ester (D-NAME) and
L-NG-nitro-arginine
(NO2-arg), and of a nitric oxide donor,
spermine-NONOate, on the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction of mouse sperm
was examined. NO-synthase inhibitors were added at 0, 60 or 90 min during
capacitation; at 120 min, mouse epididymal spermatozoa were exposed to 15
µM progesterone for another 15 min. In another set of experiments,
different concentrations of spermine-NONOate were added to capacitated
spermatozoa for 15 min; in these experiments, progesterone was not included.
NO2-arg and L-NAME blocked progesterone-induced
exocytosis regardless of the time at which these inhibitors were added.
Moreover, D-NAME did not inhibit exocytosis. In contrast, spermine-NONOate
stimulated the acrosomal exocytosis in vitro directly.
These results provide evidence that mouse sperm NO synthase participates in
the progesterone-induced acrosome reactionin vitro and
that nitric oxide induces this event.
Possible involvement of placental proteases in bradykinin (BK) degradation
Authors: Kuno N. , Mizutani S. , Ohno Y. , Goto K. , Itakura A. , Kondo I. , Kurauchi O. , Kikkawa F. , Tomoda Y.
Published: November 2003

The hydrolysis of bradykinin (BK) by human placental subcellular fractions and
pregnancy sera was studied in the presence of inhibitors by measuring amino
acids liberated from BK by high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects
of the inhibitors DL-2- mercaptomethyl-3-guanidinoethylthiopropionic acid
(MGTA, for kininase I), phosphoramidon (for endopeptidase 24.11) and captopril
and rentiapril (for angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE, kininase
II]) suggested the essential roles of the above three proteases in BK
degradation: among the three proteases, kininase I and endopeptidase 24.11
appeared to be the most important in kininase action in the placenta
microsomes, whereas kininase I and ACE appeared to be the most important in
kininase action in the placental cytosol, lysosome and pregnancy serum.
Measurements of BK concentrations in the umbilical arterial blood, umbilical
venous blood and maternal plasma revealed higher concentrations in the mother
than in the fetus. The present data suggest that degradation of BK in the
placenta and pregnancy serum might contribute to the gradient of BK between
mother and fetus.
Potential consequences and problems with wildlife contraceptives
Authors: Nettles Victor F.
Published: November 2003

This presentation reviews multiple wildlife health considerations associated
with contraception of wildlife, at the level of both the individual animal and
wildlife population. Review of the literature demonstrates that many
contraceptives studied in the past have had potential adverse effects
characterized as follows: harmful effects on pregnant animals, inhibition of
parturition or dystocia, changes in ovarian structure or function, changes in
sex ratio, changes in lactation or mammary glands, impact on fertility of
young, changes in testicular structure or function, changes in secondary sex
characteristics, changes in bodyweight, changes in behaviour, changes in
annual breeding season, other physiologic and pathologic changes, abscesses or
inflammatory reactions, toxicity, interference with diagnostic tests and
ecological alterations. Concern is expressed that the use of
immunocontraception could create genetic changes in the target population that
would influence disease resistance. The use of infectious agents as vectors to
deliver immunocontraceptives was not considered wise animal health management
because the product will be a new reproductive disease that could be difficult
to contain within the target population. Criteria that need to be fulfilled
for the safe use of contraceptives in wildlife are offered.