bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemie von a‐Aminonitrilen. Aldomerisierung von Glycolaldehyd‐phosphat zu racemischen Hexose‐2,4,6‐triphosphaten und (in Gegenwart von Formaldehyd) racemischen Pentose‐2,4‐diphosphaten: rac‐Allose‐2,4,6‐triphosphat und rac‐Ribose‐2,4‐diphosphat sind die Reaktionshauptprodukte
Authors: Müller Daniel , Pitsch Stefan , Kittaka Atsushi , Wagner Ernst , Wintner Claude E. , Eschenmoser Albert , Ohlofjgewidmet Güntner
Published: December 2004

Chemistry of α‐Aminonitriles. Aldomerisation of Glycolaldehyde Phosphate to rac‐Hexose 2,4,6‐Triphosphates and (in Presence of Formaldehyde) rac‐Pentose 2,4‐Diphosphates: rac‐Allose 2,4,6‐Triphosphate and rac‐Ribose 2,4‐Diphosphate Are the Main Reaction Products

Glyclaldehyde phosphate aldomerizes in aqueous NaOH solution to a product mixture containing the racemates of the two diastereoisomeric tetrose 2,4‐diphosphates and eight hexose 2,4,6‐triphosphates. At room temperature in the absence of air and after 7 days, a solution 0.08Min glycolaldehyde phosphate (=formylmethyl dihydrogenphosphate)and 2M in NaOH gives products, in up to 80% yield, with a tetrose/hexose derivative ratio of ca 1:10 and with rac‐allose, 2,4,6‐triphosphate comprising up to 50% of the mixture of sugar phosphates. When the reaction is run under the same conditions but in the presence of 0.5 mol‐equiv. of formaldehyde, sugar phosphates are formed in up to 45% yield, with pentose 2,4‐diphosphates now predominating over hexose triphosphates by a ration f 3:1 rac‐Ribose 2,4‐diphosphate is found to be the major component, the ratios am ribose, arabinose, lyxose, and xylose 2,4‐diphosphates being 52:14:23:11 in a representative experiment. The pentose diphosphates are constitutionally stable under the reaction conditions (observed for 23 weeks), but the diastereoisomeric ratios slowly change with time (tc 22:34:30:14 after 23 weeks), showing that ribose 2,4‐diphosphate is not the thermodynamically favored diastereoisomer. The observed product distributions in both the pentose and the hexose series (after 1 week) reveal an aldolization mode that is preferentially erythro in the product‐determining step (the reaction of glycolaldehyde phosphate as its enolate with glycerinaldehyde 2‐phosphate and tetrose 2,4‐diphosphate, respectively). An attempt is made to rationalize both this fact and the kinetic predominance of ribose 2,4‐diphosphate in the pentose series and allose 2,4,6‐triphosphate in the hexose series. Their configuration along the C‐chain can be interpreted as corresponding to a minimum number of 1‐5 repulsions in the packing of phosphate and OH substituents and minimal steric interaction between substituents at the reaction centers in the transition state of the product‐determining step. The aldomerization of glycolaldehyde phosphate in the presence of formaldehyde is a variant of the formose reaction, It avoids the formation of complex formose product mixtures, largely as a consequence of the fact that aldoses which are phosphorylated at the C(2)
Reinvestigation of the Conformation of Cyclosporin A in Chloroform
Authors: Kessler Horst , Köck Matthias , Wein Thomas , Gehrke Matthias
Published: December 2004

New investigations of cyclosporin A in CDCl3 have been performed to obtain additional and more accurate distance restraints than utilized in our previous studies of cyclosporin A. Build‐up rates at 600 MHz using 6 different mixing times at low temperatures (252.5 K) were determined and transformed into distances using the two‐spin approximation. With the new distance restraints in the MD simulations using the GROMOS package, we can unambiguously conclude the presence of a βII′‐turn. The new structure resembles the X‐ray structure more than the structure previously determined, especially regarding the orientation of the MeBmt side chain. In the new structure and in the solid state, the side chain is folded over the backbone (although there are substantial differences in the χ1 torsion), in contrast to the old structure, where the side chain is extended away from the backbone.
A Novel, Degraded Polyketidic Lactone, Leptosphaerolide, and Its Likely Diketone Precursor, Leptosphaerodione. Isolation from Cultures of the Marine Ascomycete Leptosphaeria oraemaris (LINDER)
Authors: Guerriero Antonio , D'Ambrosio Michele , Cuomo Vincenzo , Pietra Francesco
Published: December 2004

Acetone extraction of cultures of the marine ascomycete Leptosphaeria oraemaris (LINDER) on cornmeal disk gave the novel polyketide derivative leptosphaerolide ( = (+)‐7‐[(1E)‐l,3‐dimethylpent‐1‐enyl]‐10‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzo[1,2‐b:5,4‐c′]dipyran‐2(9H)‐one; (4+)‐8) besides the o‐dihydroquinone 3‐[(1E)‐1,3‐dimethylpent‐1‐euyl]‐8,10‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐8‐(2‐oxopropyl)‐1H‐naphtho[2,3‐c]pyran‐9(8H)‐one (1) as a 10:9 mixture of epimers. retro‐Aldol reaction of 1 gave leptosphaerodione ( = (−)‐3‐[(1E)‐1,3‐dimethylpent‐1‐enyl]‐10‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1H‐naphtho[2,3‐c]pyran‐8,9(8H)‐dione; (−)‐6) which was also present in small amounts in the extracts and which gave 1 on reaction with acetone. It is thus likely that 1 is an artefact of the extraction by acetone. Biogenetically (+)‐8 might derive from (−)‐6 via an unusual oxidation with loss of CO2.
Metabolic Products of Microorganisms. Part 265. Prelactones C and B, oligoketides from Streptomyces producing concanamycins and bafilomycins
Authors: Bindseil Kai U. , Zeeck Axel
Published: December 2004

Prelactones C (3) B (8) were isolated from the concanamycin‐producing Streptomyces sp. (strain Gö 22/15) and bafilomycin‐producing Streptomyces griseus (strain Tü 2599), respectively, by chemical screening methods. The constitution and relative configuration of 3 and 8 were established by one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR methods. The absolute configuration of 3 was determined using the Helmchen method and that of 8 by CD spectra. The structural properties and absolute configuration of these new δ‐lactones reveal strong similarities to the hemiacetal portion of the corresponding macrolide antibiotics. Their possible role in the early polyketide formation of unusual macrolactones is discussed.
Synthesis of Unique Ceramides and Cerebrosides Occurring in Human Epidermis
Authors: Müller Siliva , Schmidt Richard R.
Published: December 2004

The sphingolipids 1a, b and 2a, b which play important roles in epidermal barrier function, were synthesized by N‐acylation of C18‐sphingosine 3 and 1‐O‐glucosylated C18‐sphingosine 6, respectively, with ω‐acyloxy‐substituted fatty acids 4 and 5 (Scheme 1). These fatty acids were obtained from ω‐hydroxy‐substituted fatty acids 8 and 9 by esterification with linoleic acid (7). The C34‐fatty acid 8 was prepared as follows: C25‐Compound 18 was obtained by means of a Wittig reaction of C13‐aldehyde 13 with C12‐phosphonium salt 15 or of C12‐aldehyde 24 with C13‐phosphonium salt 21, respectively, and subseqent hydrogenation and O‐deprotection (Scheme 2). Alternatively, 8 was prepared via 30 by copper‐catalyzed coupling of C13‐alkyl halide 19 with the Grignard reagent derived from C12‐alkyl bromide 14 (Scheme 2). Oxidation of 18 to aldehyde 39 and Wittig reaction with C9‐phosphonium salt 41 furnished the desired ω‐hydroxy‐substituted fatty acid 8, after O‐deprotection (Scheme 3). Similarly, Wittig reaction of C11‐phosphonium salt 22 with C12‐aldehyde 24 furnished C23‐aldehyde 40, after hydrogenation, O‐deprotection, and oxidation; Wittig reaction with compound 41 and subsequent deprotection afforded the desired C32‐fatty and 9 (Scheme 3). an alternative strategy furnished compound 8 by a coupling reaction of alkyne 53 with ω‐bromo‐substitued fatty acid 52, obtained from compounds 24 and 47 by Wittig reaction, hydrogenation, and introduction of bromide (Scheme 4). Hydrogenation (Lindlar's catalyst) of the resulting C34‐alkyne 54 and deprotection furnished 8.
New Ecotoxicologically and Biogenetically Relevant Terpenes of the tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia which is invading the Mediterranean
Authors: Guerriero Antonio , Marchetti Federico , D'Ambrosio Michele , Senesi Sonia , Dini Fernando , Pietra Francesco
Published: December 2004

The tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia (VAHL) C. AGARDH (Caulerpales) which is invading the Mediterranean is shown to contain trace amounts of two further novel terpenes, 7,7‐C‐didehydro‐6‐hydroxy‐6,7‐dihydrocaulerpenyne (= (4S, 6S,1E)‐3‐[(Z)‐acetoxymethylidene]‐6‐hydroxy‐11‐methyl‐7‐methylidenedodeca‐1,10‐dien‐8‐yne‐1,4‐diyl diacetate; 3a) and taxifolione (= 6‐methylhept‐5‐en‐3‐yn‐2‐one; 4). The former is the most active of the toxins so far isolated from this seaweed, both as an in vitro inhibitor of the growth of marine bacteria and as a cytotoxic agent toward marine ciliate protists. This suggests a central ecotoxicological role for triacetate 3a as an adjuvant factor in the invasion of the Mediterranean by this seaweed. Moreover, the almost equally toxic 10,11 ‐epoxycaulerpenyne (2) which is scarcely available from Nature for bioassays can now be obtained by peroxy‐acid epoxidation of caulerpenyne (1), along with the 6,7‐epoxycaulerpenynes 6b and 6a. The latter are very labile, 6a giving triacetate 3a, suggesting epoxides to be late biogenetic intermediates in C. taxifolia.
Tetrakis[(4S)‐4‐phenyloxazolidin‐2‐one]dirhodium(II) and Its Catalytic Applications for Metal Carbene Transformations
Authors: Doyle Michael P. , Winchester William R. , Protopopova Marina N. , Müller Paul , Bernardinelli Gérald , Ene Doina , Motallebi Sharokh
Published: December 2004

The synthesis and X‐ray structure of the binuclear complex tetrakis[(4S)‐4‐phenyloxazolidin‐2‐one]‐dirhodium(II) ([Rh2{(4S)‐phox}4]) are reported. Structure‐selectivity comparisons are made for typical metal carbene transformations, such as inter‐ and intramolecular cyclopropane formation, intermolecular cyclopropene formation and intramolecular C–H insertions of diazoacetates and diazoacetamides. The enantioselectivity achieved in the [Rh2{(4S)‐phox}4]‐catalyzed reactions is intermediate between that of [Rh2{(5S)‐mepy}4] and [Rh2{(4R)‐bnox}4], which were described previously (mepy = methyl 5‐oxopyrrolidine‐2‐carboxylate; bnox = 4‐benzyloxazolidin‐2‐one). In contrast to other catalyzed intermolecular cyclopropane formations, those using [Rh2{(4S)‐phox}4] result preferentially in formation of the cis‐cyclopropane.
(6R,9′Z)‐Neoxanthin: Synthese, Schmelzverhalten, Spektren und Konformationsberechnungen
Authors: Baumeler Andreas , Zerbe Oliver , Kunz Roland , Eugster Conrad Hans
Published: December 2004

(6R,9′Z)‐Neoxanthin: Synthesis, Physical Properties, Spectra, and Calculations of Its Conformation in Solution

The synthesis of pure and crystalline (9′Z)‐neoxanthin (6) is described. MnO2 Oxidation of (9Z)‐C15‐alcohol 7 at room temperature produces a mixture 8/9 of (9Z)‐ and (9E)‐aldehydes. Predominant formation of the required (9Z)‐aldehyde 8 is achieved by performing the oxidation at − 10°. Condensation of 8 with the mono‐Li salt of the symmetrical C10‐diphosphonate 10 gave the (9Z)‐C25‐monophosphonate 11. The Wittig‐Horner condensation of 10 with the allenic C15‐aldehyde 1b, under selected conditions allows the preparation of pure and crystalline (9′Z)‐15,15′‐didehydroneoxanthin (12) and, after subsequent semireduction, of crystalline (15Z,9′Z)‐neoxanthin (13). Thermal isomerisation of a AcOEt solution of 13 at 95° yields preferentially (9′Z)‐neoxanthin (6). Our crystalline sample shows the highest ϵ‐values in the UV/VIS spectra ever recorded. The CD spectra display a pronounced similarity with those of corresponding violaxanthin isomers. In contrast to the (all‐E)‐isomer 5, (9′Z)‐neoxanthin undergoes very little isomerisation when heated to its melting point. For comparison purposes, a crystalline probe of 6 is also isolated from lawn mowings. Extensive 1H‐and 13C‐NMR investigations at 600 MHz of a (D6)benzene solution using 2D‐experiments such as COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HMBC, and HMQC techniques permit the unambiguous assignment of all signals. Force‐field calculations of a model system of 6 indicate the presence of several interconverting conformers of the violaxanthin end group, 66% of which possess a pseudoequatorial and 34% a pseudoaxial OHC(3′). The torsion angle (ω1) around the C(6′)C(7′) bond, known to be of prime importance for the shape of the CD spectra, varies with values of 87° for 55% and 263° for 45% of the molecules. Therefore, the molecules clearly display a preference for the ‘syn’‐position of the C(7′)C(8′) bond and the epoxy group. Unexpectedly, the double bonds of C(7′)C(8′) and C(9′)C(10′) are not coplanar. The deviation amounts to ± 20°, both in the ‘syn’ ‐ and the ‘anti’‐conformation.
Synthesis, Base Pairing, and Structural Transitions of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides Containing 8‐Aza‐2′‐deoxyguanosine
Authors: Seela Frank , Lampe Sigrid
Published: December 2004

The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing 8‐aza‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (z8Gd; 1) or its N8‐regioisomer z8Gd* (2) instead of 2′‐deoxyguanosine (Gd) is described. For this purpose, the NH2 group of 1 and 2 was protected with a (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→5, 6), a 4,4′‐dimethoxytrityl group was introduced at 5′‐OH (→ 7, 8), and the phosphonates 3a and 4 as well as the phosphoramidite 3b were prepared. These building blocks were used in solid‐phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The oligonucleotides were characterized by enzymatic hydrolysis and melting curves (Tm values). The thermodynamic data of the oligomers 12–15 indicate that duplexes were stabilized when 1 was replacing Gd. The aggregation of d(T‐G‐G‐G‐G‐T) (18) was studied by RP 18 HPLC, gel electrophoresis and CD spectroscopy and compared with that of oligonucleotides containing an increasing number of z8Gd residues instead of Gd. Similarly to [d(C‐G)]3 (12a), the hexamer d(C‐z8G‐C‐z8G‐C‐G) (14) underwent salt‐dependent B‐Z transition.
Über die Diamin‐oxydase der Smegmabazillen
Authors: Roulet F. , Zeller E. A.
Published: December 2004

1. Die Bakterien des in der vorliegenden Arbeit verwendeten Stammes von Mycobact. smegmatis oxydieren Putrescin, Agmatin, Spermin, Cadaverin und Histamin. Die Oxydationsgeschwindigkeit nimmt in der angegebenen Reihenfolge ab. Als Reaktionsprodukte entstehen Ammoniak, Peroxyd und Kohlendioxyd.
A perturbed generalized eigenvalue equation for the hydrogen molecular ion
Authors: Woodward M. R.
Published: December 2004

The Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen molecular ion is written as a perturbed united atom which is then treated as a generalized eigenvalue equation. The ground state energy is calculated through third order for small internuclear distances.
Matrix elements of general configuration of nonorthogonalized orbitals in state with definite spin
Authors: Kaplan I. G. , Rodimova O. B.
Published: December 2004

The expressions for matrix elements of spin‐independent operators F and G with the use of Young operators are obtained in the case of arbitrary nonorthogonalized orbital configuration, including both singly and doubly filled orbitals and corresponding to the definite value of total spin. The formulas obtained do not require a preliminary construction of linear combinations of determinants and turn into known Löwdin formulas in the particular case of fully antisymmetric spatial states.
Oscillator and hydrogenic matrix elements by operator algebra
Authors: Witschel W. , Grosswendt B.
Published: December 2004

Occupation number representation of the two‐dimensional harmonic oscillator and some operator formulae are used in a simple algebraic derivation of complicated integrals. The calculation of full oscillator‐ and radial integrals of r̂w and exp (\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ (iw\hat{\varphi})$\end{document}), where w is an arbitrary positive or negative integer, are performed by an integral transform, leading to a generalized Gauss matrix element. Thus it is possible, because of the back transformation, to derive from one generalized Gauss matrix element all matrix elements which are permitted by the selection rules. Some integrals of r̂w and exp (\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ (iw\hat{\varphi})$\end{document}), Laguerre polynomials, and Bessel functions are completely new. For the already known integrals, the mathematical labour is considerably reduced. The relation between the two‐dimensional oscillator and the hydrogen atom and their angular momentum properties are discussed. A survey on the various methods applied to the oscillator problem, from complex integration to noncompact Lie groups, and a comprehensive bibliography on this important spectroscopic field are given.
Long‐ and intermediate‐range interaction in three lowest sigma states of the HeH+ ion
Authors: Kołos W.
Published: December 2004

Accurate variational energies have been calculated for three lowest sigma states of the HeH+ ion. This includes the ground state (5 ≤ R ≤ 9 a.u.) which dissociates into He + H+, as well as the A 1Σ+ state (4 ≤ R ≤ 10) and the a 3Σ+ state (3 ≤ R ≤ 10) which both dissociate into He+ + H. The variational results are compared with those obtained using a perturbation theory expansion.
Applications of a quantum virial theorem to kronig and penney's model and to a diatomic molecule in static approximation
Authors: Weislinger Edmond , Olivier Gabriel
Published: December 2004

Kronig and Penney's model is used to test a new formulation of quantum virial theorem for periodic systems. It is shown that the corrective term to the usual formulation of the virial theorem corresponding to boundary conditions is of importance and gives correct energy values for the system. Application of the virial theorem to a diatomic molecule also shows an important boundary condition correction if the distance of the nuclei is slightly different from equilibrium position, in accordance with the above correction.
A new energy decomposition scheme for molecular interactions within the Hartree‐Fock approximation
Authors: Kitaura Kazuo , Morokuma Keiji
Published: December 2004

A new method is proposed for the analysis of components of molecular interaction energy within the Hartree‐Fock approximation. The Hartree‐Fock molecular orbitals of the isolated molecules are used as the basis for the construction of Fock matrix of the supermolecule. Then certain blocks of this matrix are set to zero subject to specify boundary conditions of the supermolecule molecular orbitals, and the resultant matrix is diagonalized iteratively to obtain the desired energy components. This method can be considered as an extension of our previous method, but has an advantage in the explicit definition of the charge transfer energy, placing it on an equal footing with the exchange and polarization terms. The new method is compared with existing perturbation methods, and is also applied to the energy and electron density decomposition of (H2O)2.
Nursing home staff attitudes towards residents with dementia: strain and satisfaction with work
Authors: Brodaty Henry , Draper Brian , Low Lee‐Fay
Published: December 2004

Background.  Occupational and resident characteristics affect levels of staff stress and satisfaction in nursing homes, and levels of staff turnover are high. Working with more cognitively impaired residents, especially on day shift, is associated with high levels of stress in nursing home staff. Workload is highly predictive of the experience of burden and job pressure, while these outcomes vary according to whether staff work full‐ or part‐time.

Aims.  To investigate the attitudes of nursing home staff towards residents, strain related to dementia care and satisfaction with work and their associations with demographic, occupational and behavioural disturbance in the home.

Methods.  A cross‐sectional design was adopted, using a self‐completion questionnaire survey of 253 nursing home staff from 12 nursing homes in Sydney's eastern suburbs, and behavioural assessment of all 647 residents from 11 of the 12 homes. Staff attitudes and strain were measured using the Swedish Strain in Nursing Care Assessment Scale and satisfaction using the Swedish Satisfaction with Nursing Care and Work Assessment Scale.

Results.  Staff members’ five most prevalent perceptions of residents with dementia were that they are anxious, have little control over their difficult behaviour, are unpredictable, lonely and frightened/vulnerable. The five attributes staff found most difficult to cope with were being aggressive/hostile, having little control over their difficult behaviour, being stubborn/resistive, deliberately difficult, and unpredictable. Although 91% of staff reported that they were happy in their job, a quarter reported that residents provided no job satisfaction. The five satisfaction statements most agreed with were ‘The patients/residents at work nearly always receive good care’, ‘It is important to try and enter into the way patients experience what happens to them’, ‘Relatives are given enough information about care and treatment’, ‘I enjoy my current work situation’ and ‘Our work organisation is good’. There were significant differences between homes in levels of strain related to dementia care that were not accounted for by the level of behavioural disturbance.

Conclusions.  Nursing home staff tended to perceive residents in more negative than positive ways. Staff were generally satisfied with their work. Factors other than resident behavioural disturbance are important influences in nursing staff strain.
Neoadjuvant flutamide monotherapy for locally confined prostate cancer
Authors: YOSHIMURA KOJI , SUMIYOSHI YOSHITERU , HASHIMURA TAKAYUKI , UEDA TOMOHIRO , KAMIRYO YORIAKI , YAMAMOTO AKIHIRO , ARAI YOICHI
Published: December 2004

Background: We compared the clinical effects and impact on quality of life (QOL) of patients who received a 3‐month course of flutamide monotherapy before radical prostatectomy with those who received a 3‐month course of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist monotherapy.

Methods: Thirty‐seven patients with non‐metastatic prostate cancer were enrolled in this study (19, flutamide; 18, LHRH agonist). The rates of change of serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone levels, downsizing of prostate volume, the rate of organ confined disease, adverse effects and perioperative scores measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC‐P) and the Sapporo Medical University Sexual Function Questionnaire (SMUF) were analyzed.

Results: At radical prostatectomy, pathological variables were not significantly different in the two groups. Serum testosterone level was significantly higher (mean 359.2 compared to 10.5, P < 0.001), complete response rate of PSA (13% compared to 57%, P = 0.028) and rate of downsizing of prostate volume (mean, −17.7% compared to −35.4%, P = 0.038) were significantly lower in the flutamide group than in the LHRH group. After neoadjuvant hormone therapy, the scores on the sexual problem domain of EORTC‐P (P = 0.033) and sexual desire score of SMUF (P = 0.021) were significantly higher in the flutamide group than in the LHRH group. At a median follow‐up of 34 months after prostatectomy, biochemical failure‐free survival rate in the flutamide group did not differ from that in the LHRH group.

Conclusion: This study suggests that flutamide monotherapy can be an acceptable modality as an option for neoadjuvant hormone therapy.
Histopathological analysis of angiogenic factors in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: YAGASAKI HIROKI , KAWATA NOZOMU , TAKIMOTO YUKIE , NEMOTO NORIMICHI
Published: December 2004

Aim: The present study was carried out to clarify whether a histopathological analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2) can help predict the outcome of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We examined the expression of VEGF, TGF‐β1 and MMP‐2 in a large series of RCC with a long follow‐up, based on histopathological factors and survival.

Methods: Immunostaining for VEGF, TGF‐β1 and MMP‐2 was performed on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections from 84 patients with RCC who underwent nephrectomy at our institution between 1985 to 2000. The microvessel density (MVD) of tumor tissue was measured after it immunohistochemically stained with CD105 (Endoglin) monoclonal antibody.

Results: A significant association was observed in the expression of VEGF and TGF‐β1 regarding the stage (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), nuclear grade (P < 0.01, P < 0.01) and MVD (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), respectively. However, no correlation was found among the results of MMP‐2, nuclear grade and MVD. A multivariate analysis demonstrated both the nuclear grade and MVD to be independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion: Our results suggested that the expression of both VEGF and/or TGF‐β1 can be useful predictive prognostic factors RCC. In addition, a multivariate analysis demonstrated MVD to be an independent prognostic factor of RCC.
Indirect Selection for Root Development of White Clover and Implications for Drought Tolerance
Authors: Annicchiarico P. , Piano E.
Published: December 2004

Improving white clover drought tolerance by selecting for more developed roots is controversial, labour‐consuming and complicated by the adventitious root system. This study aimed at assessing: (i) the value of thicker stolons as an indirect selection criterion for increasing root development, (ii) the relationship between root development and drought tolerance, and (iii) the consistency of population response for root and shoot traits between swards derived from seedlings or stolon cuttings. Thick‐ and thin‐stolon populations obtained by one cycle of divergent phenotypic selection within one ladino landrace, and one ladino natural population, were evaluated in metal containers (0.55 m × 0.12 m × 0.75 m deep) in a 1‐year experiment including vegetative material (seedling or stolon cutting) and drought stress (absent or present) as additional factors. Aerial dry weight (DW) was also assessed across two summer harvests under irrigated and rainfed field conditions for the thick‐stolon selection, two breeding populations selected from the same landrace regardless of stolon thickness, and the drought‐tolerant ladino ‘Brown Loam Synthetic no. 2’. The thick‐stolon selection had greater root DW (+21 %) than the thin‐stolon selection besides thicker stolons (+23 %). The natural population combined thinnest stolons with lowest root DW. Differences between populations were consistent across vegetative material. Primary and adventitious root systems did not differ for root DW in deeper soil horizons (>23 cm), above‐ground biomass and its reduction due to drought stress. Root DW increased under stress, particularly in deeper horizons. Aerial DW variation among populations evened up or narrowed much under stress, with no cross‐over interaction leading to an advantage of thick‐stolon material or ‘Brown‐Loam Synthetic no. 2’.
Genotypic Variation in Wheat in Response to Water Stress and Abscisic Acid‐Induced Accumulation of Osmolytes in Developing Grains
Authors: Nayyar H. , Walia D. P.
Published: December 2004

Two wheat genotypes differing in water stress sensitivity (C306, relatively tolerant; HD2329, relatively susceptible) were water stressed during early grain filling by withholding water for 7 days at watery‐ripe (WR) stage and examined for water status, abscisic acid (ABA) and osmolytes in grains as well as in flag leaf (FL). Both the genotypes differed significantly from each other in endogenous levels of ABA, proline, glycine betaine, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, sucrose and potassium. The tolerant genotype showed higher content of ABA, proline, glycine betaine, total sugars, reducing sugars and had higher water content in its FL and grains than the susceptible genotype, which contained more of glycine beatine and potassium but had lower ABA and water content in its FL and grains. Although carbohydrates constituted the major amount of all the solutes, proline and glycine betaine increased manifold during stress. Exogenous application of 2 μm ABA at 5 days after anthesis to FL of stressed plants increased the endogenous content of ABA, accelerated the accumulation of osmolytes, improved the water status of FL and grains that resulted in higher grain weight, especially in the susceptible genotype. Differential response of contrasting wheat genotypes to water stress may be governed by ABA‐dependent solute accumulation in grains and FL.
Salivary pH changes during soft drinks consumption in children
Authors: Sánchez G. A. , Fernandez De Preliasco M. V.
Published: December 2004

Summary. Dental erosion seems to have increased, perhaps partly as a result of an increase in the consumption of soft drinks.

Aim. The aim of this study was to measure salivary pH, flow rate and buffering capacity before and after soft drinks intake in children with erosive lesions and to compare these to equivalent values for healthy caries‐free individuals.

Design. The study was conducted as a case‐control study using standard salivary tests. Thirty children with erosion and 30 age and sex‐matched children free from erosion and active caries were included in this study.

Methods. Salivary flow rate was measured through expectoration into a graduated tube, salivary buffering capacity through colourimetric procedures and salivary pH using a digital pH meter.

Results. Results showed significant differences between cases and controls for salivary pH, flow rate, buffering capacity, maximum pH drop and minimum pH reached after soft drinks intake.

Conclusions. It is concluded that all the factors studied are involved in dental erosion and that preventive care is mandatory for children who frequently drink these kinds of beverages.
Attitudes towards mental illness: testing the contact hypothesis among Chinese student nurses in Hong Kong
Authors: Callaghan Patrick , Shan Cheung Siu , Yu Lau Suk , Ching Lo Wai , Kwan Tsui Lai
Published: December 2004

This study investigated whether previous contact with mental illness affected the attitudes to mental illness (AMI) of general student nurses in Hong Kong — the contact hypothesis. We employed a quasi‐experimental design. We compared the attitudes to mental illness of students who had previous contact with mental illness through having taken a psychiatric secondment with those who had not taken a psychiatric secondment. Also, we compared the AMI of: students who had taken other courses related to mental illness with those who had not; those who had a family history of mental illness with those who had not; and those who lived with a mentally ill relative with those who did not. We found that previous contact with mental illness had no significant effect on the attitudes to mental illness of the students. In other words our findings do not support the contact hypothesis. Our sample expressed positive general attitudes to mental illness when presented with general issues about mental illness. However, their attitudes were less positive when presented with specific issues about mental illness that might impinge upon their daily lives. We discuss the implications of these findings for mental health nursing practice, education and research.
Understanding nurses' communication with patients in accident & emergency departments using a symbolic interactionist perspective
Authors: Byrne Geraldine , Heyman Robert
Published: December 2004

Much research has examined the nature and duration of nurse–patient communication. However, few studies sufficiently acknowledge the extent to which communication is influenced by the meanings and perceptions of those involved or the social context in which it occurs. This paper reports on a study which used in‐depth interviews with 21 nurses in two accident and emergency departments to explore how their perceptions of their work and patients influenced communication and the way in which patients' anxieties were addressed. A grounded theory approach was used to guide the process of data collection and analysis, and interpretation of findings discussed with reference to a symbolic interactionist perspective. The core category was identified as ‘Defining the role of the accident and emergency department nurse’. This category illuminates the nurses' perception of their role and purpose as being primarily concerned with dealing with emergencies and providing urgent physical care. Two other categories,‘Nurses’ priorities and patients' anxieties and ‘Keeping the department running smoothly’, delineate the impact this view had on the organization and delivery of nursing care in accident and emergency departments and its effect on nurse‐patient communication.
Valuing both critical and creative thinking in clinical practice: narrowing the research–practice gap?
Authors: Seymour Beth , Kinn Sue , Sutherland Norrie
Published: December 2004

Background. Nurturing critical thinking skills in the classroom is considered an important educational activity. It is believed that critical thinking skills are transferable and that they can be applied in practice when appraising, evaluating and implementing research. That more nurses than ever before have been judged academically knowledgeable in research has not guaranteed the transfer of such knowledge to practice.

Aim of the paper. This paper discusses some of the reasons for the failure to narrow the gap between research and practice. In particular we argue that, if nurses are encouraged to develop creative and generative thinking alongside their critical thinking skills, then the art of nursing will have fuller representation in education, research and practice.

Discussion. The successful development of critical thinking skills for academic purposes does not necessarily mean that these skills are used in practice in relation either to research or clinical decision‐making. This suggests that the transferability of critical thinking skills is less than straightforward. Indeed, there has been little narrowing of the research–practice gap since students started to learn critical thinking for academic purposes. However, we propose that thinking skills can be encouraged in the context of practice and that regular educational events, such as journal clubs, can contribute to developing critical thinking in the practice environment.

Conclusions. The research–practice gap will reduce only if research becomes part of practitioners' ideology, which includes the art and science of nursing. Critical and creative thinking are prerequisites to narrowing the disjuncture between research and practice, and we suggest that educators and practitioners explore structured ways of meeting together to appraise literature as a possible means of making use of their thinking and knowledge in clinical practice.
Downsizing and reorganization: demands, challenges and ambiguity for registered nurses
Authors: Hertting Anna , Nilsson Kerstin , Theorell Töres , Larsson Ullabeth Sätterlund
Published: December 2004

Background.  The 1990s were characterized by substantial financial cuts, and related staff redundancies and reorganizations in the Swedish health care sector. A large hospital in Sweden was selected for the study, in which downsizing had occurred between 1995 and 1997. The number of staff in the hospital was reduced by an average of 20%, and 10% were relocated to other departments.

Objective.  The aims of this study were to explore registered nurses’ experiences of psychosocial ‘stressors’ and ‘motivators’, and how they handled their work situations, following a period of personnel reductions and ongoing reorganization.

Method.  Interviews were undertaken with 14 nurses working in one Swedish hospital. Nurses were interviewed in 1997 about the recent and last round of redundancies, and were followed up 1 year later in 1998 and again in 2001. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed for thematic content.

Results.  Five themes emerged in relation to nurses’ perceived stressors, motivators, and coping options: ‘distrust towards the employer’, ‘concurrent demands and challenges’, ‘professional ambiguity, ‘a wish for collaboration’, and ‘efforts to gain control’. A common feature was duality and ambiguity in nurses’ descriptions of the phenomena studied, meaning that identified themes had underlying sub‐themes with both negative and positive dimensions.

Conclusions.  The concurrence of ‘ever‐growing job demands’ and ‘work going unrewarded’ contributed to a feeling of being taken advantage of by the employer. The ‘waste of human resources’ and ‘competence drain’ that followed redundancies provoked anger. Unfulfilled collaboration with doctors was a major stress producer, which related to both the downsized work organization, and the complex ‘deference‐dominance’ doctor–nurse relationship. The well‐being of nurses depends on being an equal/parallel health professional in a comprehensive team that shares knowledge and improves collaborative care of patients. A consciously formulated nursing philosophy emerged as a health‐promoting resource. This study demonstrates the importance of analysing feelings relating to professional ambiguity and gaining influence in a gender‐related, hierarchical environment, and the need to support professional assertiveness in relation to superiors and doctors. It is also important to stress considerations that relate to differences in the age, care philosophy, and psychosocial health conditions of nurses.
Leisure time activity of Mexican Americans with diabetes
Authors: Wood Felecia G.
Published: December 2004

Background.  Diabetes is a worldwide health problem with increasing prevalence, particularly among ethnic minorities. Activity is a major component of diabetes management that can help to prevent the deadly complications of the disease. Assessment of the activities in which individuals with diabetes from specific ethnic groups such as Mexican Americans engage may facilitate identification of strategies to encourage activity among those who do not participate in activity or have only minimal, sporadic participation.

Aims.  The aims of this research were to determine: (1) What proportion of Mexican Americans with diabetes do and do not exercise? (2) What are the preferred types of leisure time activity by gender and age? (3) What the relationship is between leisure time activity and treatment of diabetes?

Methods and instrument.  A secondary analysis of data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1988–1994) was conducted to explore leisure time activities of self‐identified Mexican Americans with diabetes.

Results.  Mexican American adults in this study indicated gardening (33·7%) and walking (31·5%) as the leisure time activities in which they engaged most frequently in the month preceding data collection. Gardening and walking were frequent leisure activities of study participants for all categories of pharmacological management of the diabetes. Many did not participate in any leisure time activity in the month preceding data collection. Only six of every 10 Mexican Americans (61%) with diabetes exercised. Males (n = 136; 71%) were more likely to engage in physical activity than females (n = 171; 54%).

Limitations.  Only leisure time activity was assessed; occupational activity and household activity were not included. Data were based on self‐report rather than an objective measure of subject activity. Subject knowledge of the need for activity as a component of diabetes management was not assessed and may not be recognized as an integral part of care.

Conclusions.  Diabetes is a significant health problem for many ethnic groups, including the Mexican American population, and regular physical activity is a critical component of disease management. Facilitating activity in this ethnic group is integral to controlling complications of this chronic disease.
Estimating core temperature in infants and children after cardiac surgery: a comparison of six methods
Authors: Maxton Fiona J. C. , Justin Linda , Gillies Donna
Published: December 2004

Background.  Monitoring temperature in critically ill children is an important component of care, yet the accuracy of methods is often questioned. Temperature measured in the pulmonary artery is considered the ‘gold standard’, but this route is unsuitable for the majority of patients. An accurate, reliable and less invasive method is, however, yet to be established in paediatric intensive care work.

Aim.  To determine which site most closely reflects core temperature in babies and children following cardiac surgery, by comparing pulmonary artery temperature to the temperature measured at rectal, bladder, nasopharyngeal, axillary and tympanic sites.

Method.  A convenience sample of 19 postoperative cardiac patients was studied.

Interventions.  Temperature was recorded as a continuous measurement from pulmonary artery, rectal, nasopharyngeal and bladder sites. Axillary and tympanic temperatures were recorded at 30 minute intervals for 6 1/2 hours postoperatively.

Study limitations.  The small sample size of 19 infants and children limits the generalizability of the study.

Results.  Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated no significant difference between pulmonary artery and bladder temperatures, and pulmonary artery and nasopharyngeal temperatures. Intraclass correlation showed that agreement was greatest between pulmonary artery temperature and temperature measured by bladder catheter. There was a significant difference between pulmonary artery temperature and temperature measured at rectal, tympanic and pulmonary artery and axillary sites. Repeated measures analysis showed a significant lag between pulmonary artery and rectal temperature of between 0 and 150 minutes after the 6‐hour measurement period.

Conclusions.  In this study, bladder temperature was shown to be the best estimate of pulmonary artery temperature, closely followed by the temperature measured by nasopharyngeal probe. The results support the use of bladder or nasopharyngeal catheters to monitor temperature in critically ill children after cardiac surgery.
Effectiveness of acupressure in improving dyspnoea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Wu Hua‐Shan , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Lin Jaung‐Geng , Lin Li‐Chan
Published: December 2004

Background.  Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffer from dyspnoea in their daily life and this may be increased by anxiety. Acupressure may promote relaxation and relieve dyspnoea. Thus, it is appropriate to explore the effectiveness of acupressure on dyspnoea in patients with COPD.

Aims.  To compare outcomes of acupressure using sham acupoints on different meridians and ganglionic sections with that using true acupoints, in patients with COPD who are living at home.

Methods.  Patients diagnosed with COPD were selected from a medical centre and three regional hospitals in Taipei. A randomized block experimental design was used. Using age, sex, pulmonary function, smoking, and steroid use as matching factors, 44 patients were randomly assigned either to a true acupoint acupressure or a sham group. The true acupoint acupressure group received a programme to decrease dyspnoea. Those in the sham group received acupressure using sham pressure points. Both acupressure programmes consisted of five sessions per week lasting 16 minutes per session, extending over 4 weeks for a total of 20 sessions. Before acupressure was initiated and at the conclusion of the 20th session, the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnoea Questionnaire‐modified scale and the Spielberger State Anxiety scale were administered, and a 6‐minute walking distance test was performed. Physiological indicators of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured before and after every session.

Results.  The results of this study showed that the pulmonary function and dyspnoea scores, 6‐minute walking distance measurements, state anxiety scale scores, and physiological indicators of the true acupoint acupressure group improved significantly compared with those of the sham group.

Conclusions.  The findings suggest that acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention to improve dyspnoea in patients with COPD.
Nursing home care: changes after supervision
Authors: Hansebo Görel , Kihlgren Mona
Published: December 2004

Background.  An intervention project was conducted in three nursing home wards in Sweden. Most patients had severe dementia. The intervention consisted of supervision for individualized and documented nursing care, based on multidimensional assessment.

Aim.  To illuminate changes in carers’ approach after the intervention.

Methods.  Several data collections were conducted across the intervention and consisted of nursing documentation, patient life stories as told by carers, video recorded interactions, stimulated recall interviews and a questionnaire. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the analyses.

Findings.  The findings from the different methods mirrored each other and added to the credibility of the intervention. Communicated knowledge about patients improved in nursing documentation and also as told by carers. Carers were differently skilled in managing the complexity of nursing care situations before as well as after the intervention, but the intervention contributed to developing carers in ‘confirming nursing care’. They also improved in their ability to verbalize reflections about their everyday life with patients with dementia.

Conclusion.  Supervision made it possible for carers to share their lived experiences about their day‐to‐day life with patients, which could promote personal and professional development and thus improve care quality. It also appeared that a detailed assessment tool used as part of the nursing process contributed to seeing a patient as a real person behind a dementia surface.
Spirituality and child development: a concept analysis
Authors: Smith Joanna , McSherry Wilfred
Published: December 2004

Background. If children are to be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential, fostering spiritual growth must be part of the process of caring for them. However, the meaningful application of spiritual care in everyday practice is fraught with difficulties. In addition to a lack of understanding of the term itself and of the expression of spirituality, in child health these difficulties are further compounded by the stage of a child's development.

Aim. The aims of this paper are to explore spiritual awareness in children by providing examples of the expression of spiritual beliefs in relation to the developmental stage of the child, and to identify the implications of the findings for clinical practice.

Method. A model of concept development, using the cyclical process of ‘significance’, ‘use’ and ‘application’ was applied, and formed the philosophical underpinnings for the paper. This framework is particularly relevant to child health, as there is little evidence to draw on, particularly in relation to a child's spiritual needs.

Findings. Five primary research papers which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed, and provided examples of spiritual beliefs and their manifestations in children. The examples highlighted the diversity and complexity of children's thinking.

Conclusions and recommendations. Health care professionals working with children should receive education about the spiritual needs of children. Assessment tools should be developed to facilitate detailed assessment of children's spiritual needs. Professionals need to listen to and communicate with children at different stages of development if spiritual distress is to be identified. Families’ health care beliefs should be respected and considered when planning care.