bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining multi‐level relationships between bars, hostility and aggression: social selection and social influence
Authors: Treno Andrew J. , Gruenewald Paul J. , Remer Lillian G. , Johnson Fred , LaScala Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2007

Aims  This paper considers statistical relationships often observed between densities of bars and pubs and rates of violence as suggested by two general approaches: (i) social influence and (ii) social selection.

Methods  A stratified sample of 36 zip code areas in California was identified as having ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’ densities of bars and pubs. Aggregate US Census 2000 data were used to characterize population demographics of each zip code area. Telephone surveys were conducted assessing respondent demographics, drinking patterns, utilization of different places for drinking, self‐report measures of hostility, norms for aggression and norms for alcohol‐related aggression. Hierarchical linear models assessed the degree to which densities of bars and pubs were related to self‐reports of hostility and norms for aggression, and if the individual measures of hostility and norms for aggression were related to choice of drinking venue.

Results  Respondents living in areas with greater densities of bars and pubs reported lower norms for aggression and greater norms for alcohol‐related aggression. Greater peak drinking levels were related directly to greater levels of hostility and norms for both aggression and alcohol‐related aggression. Self‐reported hostility and norms for alcohol‐related aggression were related directly to drinking at bars and pubs, parties and friends' homes. Aggressive norms were related to drinking at parties.

Conclusions  Whether bars serve to concentrate aggressive people into selected environments, whether these environments serve to increase levels of aggression, or whether both these processes reinforce each other mutually is not known. However, our findings do indicate relationships between certain exogenous measures, including alcohol outlet densities and social–psychological characteristics associated with violence. Many of these measures are also associated with the social contexts in which people drink.
Syringe possession arrests are associated with receptive syringe sharing in two Mexico–US border cities
Authors: Pollini Robin A. , Brouwer Kimberly C. , Lozada Remedios M. , Ramos Rebeca , Cruz Michelle F. , Magis‐Rodriguez Carlos , Case Patricia , Burris Scott , Pu Minya , Frost Simon D. W. , Palinkas Lawrence A. , Miller Cari , Strathdee Steffanie A.
Published: November 2007

Aims  To identify factors associated with receptive syringe sharing among injection drug users (IDUs) and elucidate the association between syringe possession arrests and syringe sharing.

Design  Cross‐sectional study.

Setting  Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Baja California and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

Participants  IDUs in Tijuana (n = 222) and Ciudad Juarez (n = 206) were recruited using respondent‐driven sampling (RDS). IDUs were ≥ 18 years and had injected illicit drugs in the past month.

Measurements  An interviewer‐administered survey was used to collect quantitative data on socio‐demographic, behavioral and contextual characteristics, including self‐reported syringe sharing and arrests for syringe possession. Associations with receptive syringe sharing were investigated using logistic regression with RDS adjustment.

Findings  Overall, 48% of participants reported ever being arrested for carrying an unused/sterile syringe, even though syringe purchase and possession is legal in Mexico. Arrest for possessing unused/sterile syringes was associated independently with receptive syringe sharing [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 3.35], as was injecting in a shooting gallery (AOR = 3.60; 95% CI: 2.21, 5.87), injecting in the street (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.54) and injecting methamphetamine (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.41, 5.47) or cocaine (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.36). More than half of participants (57%) had been arrested for possessing a used syringe; in a second model, arrest for used syringe possession was also associated independently with receptive sharing (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.76, 4.69).

Conclusions  We documented high levels of syringe‐related arrests in two Mexican–US border cities and an independent association between these arrests and risky injection practices. Public health collaborations with law enforcement to modify the risk environment in which drug use occurs are essential to facilitate safer injection practices.
Relationship between road dust and ungulate density in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Authors: Ndibalema Vedasto G. , Mduma Simon , Stokke Sigbjørn , Røskaft Eivin
Published: November 2007

We measured the responses of ungulate grazers to roads by recording the density of dust on grasses and compared distance sampling of ungulates in Serengeti National Park (SNP), Tanzania. Data were collected on the east and west side of the Ngorongoro–Seronera main gravel road to test if road traffic and dust were important factors determining distribution patterns amongst grazers. Results indicate that dust increased progressively with traffic speed and volume during dry season. More dust was intercepted on the west than on the east side of the road mainly because of wind effects. Dust deposition (measured as density g grass g−1dust) was higher on short grasses than on long grasses during the dry and late‐dry seasons than during the wet season, when paired perpendicular distances up to 300 m were compared. Mean number of observed grazer species indicated that most fed further from the west side of the road than from the east perhaps to minimize higher density of dust commonly spread on foliage up to 200 m away from the road. Despite that most grazers avoided road side grass shoulders, supporting the ‘dust aversion hypothesis’, the test predictions from the ‘road disturbance’ and the ‘road attraction’ hypotheses did not support the responsive behaviours of grazers toward roads.
Protein disulphide isomerase in platelet function
Authors: Manickam Nagaraj , Sun Xiuhua , Li Mengru , Gazitt Yair , Essex David W.
Published: November 2007

Platelet protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) has a role in platelet aggregation, probably targeting a thiol‐containing platelet surface protein. The thiol‐containing P2Y12 ADP receptor is involved in aggregation induced by most agonists and may be the target of PDI. By excluding the P2Y12 pathway and using the anti‐PDI antibody RL90 this study showed that PDI targets a non‐P2Y12 thiol‐protein in aggregation. Anti‐PDI inhibited signalling‐independent activation of the thiol‐containing fibrinogen receptor αIIbβ3 by Mn2+, suggesting that PDI directly interacts with αIIbβ3. The thiol‐containing form of PDI increased on the platelet surface with platelet activation, suggesting that active PDI readily becomes available for redox regulation of αIIbβ3. Finally, using purified proteins PDI had greater ability to isomerize disulphide bonds than the αIIbβ3 integrin, which also has PDI‐like activity. In summary, a mechanism exists in platelets to increase the functional form of surface PDI and this PDI has a non‐P2Y12 target that may be αIIbβ3.
TBXA2R gene polymorphism and responsiveness to leukotriene receptor antagonist in children with asthma
Authors: Kim J‐H. , Lee S‐Y. , Kim H‐B. , Jin H‐S. , Yu J‐H. , Kim B‐J. , Kim B‐S. , Kang M‐J. , Jang S‐O. , Hong S‐J.
Published: November 2007

Background
Thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R) gene polymorphism has been associated with atopy and asthma, but few studies have reported the effect of this gene polymorphism on asthma‐related phenotype or responsiveness to leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) in asthmatic children. This study investigated associations between asthma‐related phenotypes and TBXA2R polymorphism, and also analysed whether the TBXA2R polymorphism has an effect on the efficacy of the LTRA, montelukast, in asthmatic children with exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).

Methods
Asthmatic children (n=695) and control children (n=159) were evaluated for asthma‐related phenotypes including total IgE, pulmonary function test, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine or exercise. Genotypes were detected by PCR‐RFLP. In the montelukast study, exercise challenge was performed before and after an 8‐week montelukast treatment.

Results
The TBXA2R polymorphism was not associated with asthma susceptibility and the clinical parameters of asthma. However, asthmatic children with combinations of the TBXA2R+795T>C and +924T>C risk alleles had significantly higher total IgE levels (P=0.01), total eosinophil counts (P<0.01) and lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (P=0.02) and forced expiratory rates at 25–75% of vital capacity (P=0.02) than those carrying the common alleles. When compared with individuals with the common alleles, patients with the TBXA2R+924T>C TT homozygote and TBXA2R+795T>C hetero‐ or homozygote (CT or CC) had a 3.67‐fold poor response to 8‐week montelukast treatment with respect to maximum percent fall in FEV1 after exercise (odds ratio, 3.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–11.15).

Conclusions
A combined effect of TBXA2R+795T>C and +924T>C risk alleles may be linked to IgE production, eosinophilic inflammation, and severity of asthma. In addition, the TBXA2R+795T>C genotype may be a predictive marker of a clinical response to the LTRA in Korean asthmatic children with EIB.
The role of calcimimetics in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Wüthrich R. P. , Martin D. , Bilezikian J. P.
Published: November 2007

Calcimimetics reduce serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium, with a leftward shift in the set‐point for calcium‐regulated PTH secretion. The aim of this publication is to review the data available for calcimimetics in primary, secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (HPT).

Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is currently the only curative treatment for primary HPT, and recommended for patients with moderate‐to‐severe disease, as defined by a 2002 National Institute's of Health summary statement. In general, patients with primary HPT not meeting these surgical criteria, as well as those with contraindication or refusal for surgery, are monitored for signs and symptoms of primary HPT. There are currently no non‐surgical therapies approved for use in primary HPT, although bisphosphonates are used in some patients, in an effort to control serum calcium levels. Calcimimetics decrease PTH and calcium levels and are a potential alternative for patients contraindicated for PTX, or who have failed previous PTX and have recurrent primary HPT.

Secondary HPT develops early in chronic kidney disease and is present virtually in all patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Secondary HPT is a progressive disease and is associated with several systemic complications, including renal osteodystrophy, soft tissue and vascular calcifications, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In ESRD patients, calcimimetics were shown to simultaneously reduce PTH, calcium, phosphate and calcium × phosphate product. In addition, observational analyses of use of calcimimetics in the ESRD population have shown a reduction of important clinical outcomes.

In renal allograft recipients with tertiary HPT and hypercalcaemia, calcimimetics are a promising treatment option to control the parameters of calcium phosphate metabolism and may be a valid alternative to PTX.

Based on its unique mechanism of action, the calcimimetic cinacalcet may play a role in the medical treatment of primary and tertiary forms of HPT, in addition to the registered indication for the treatment of secondary HPT.
Development of fish‐based methods for the assessment of ecological status in English and Welsh rivers
Authors: NOBLE R. A. A. , COWX I. G , STARKIE A.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  This paper outlines the derivation of spatially‐based models for fish‐based assessment of the ecological status of rivers in England and Wales. The analysis highlights the key steps in the approach to develop such tools. For each step a number of alternative approaches were tested, and for each approach the major limitations and problems identified. This development of a multi‐metric index in England and Wales indicated that, whilst the approach does provide promising results for the future, at this stage index development is constrained by limited data for some parts of the analysis. These mainly relate to coping with the zoogeographical influence of species distribution in a descriptive river typology, the availability of data for variables that adequately predict reference fish community types for impacted sites and availability of sufficient sites at a range of ecological conditions with which to test metrics and build an index that can be used to support implementation of the European Union Water Framework Directive.
Assessing the health of European rivers using functional ecological guilds of fish communities: standardising species classification and approaches to metric selection
Authors: NOBLE R. A. A. , COWX I. G. , GOFFAUX D. , KESTEMONT P.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  The functional ecological guild approach is the cornerstone for the development of Indices of Biotic Integrity and multi‐metric indices to assess the ecological status of aquatic systems. These indices combine metrics (unit‐specific measures of a functional component of the fish community known to respond to degradation) into a single measure of ecological assessment. The guild approach provides an operational unit linking individual species characteristics with the community as a whole. Species are grouped into guilds based on some degree of overlap in their ecological niches, regardless of taxonomic relationships. Despite European fish species having been classified into ecological guilds, classification has not been standardised Europe‐wide or within the context of classifying species into guilds from which metrics can be developed for ecological assessment purposes. This paper examines the approach used by the EU project FAME to classify European fish species into consistent ecological guilds and to identify suitable metrics as basic tools for the development of a standardised ecological assessment method for European rivers to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.
Development of a fish‐based index for the assessment of river health in Europe: the European Fish Index
Authors: PONT D. , HUGUENY B. , ROGERS C.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  A fish‐based index applicable at the pan‐European scale should encompass the relative importance of regional and local factors influencing the distribution of riverine fish. An effective way of using information available from fish assemblages to establish such a multimetric index is through the use of the reference condition approach that involves testing a fish assemblage exposed to a potential stressor against a reference condition. In this study, a variety of metrics based on count and abundance data and reflecting different aspects of the fish assemblage structure and function were selected from the literature for their potential to indicate degradation. Logistic and multiple linear regression procedures were applied, using an initial data set of 1000 reference sites fairly evenly distributed across European rivers (11 countries) and defined by some easily measured regional and local characteristics, to elaborate the simplest possible response model that adequately explains the observed patterns of each metric for a given site. A final list of 10 metrics was retained and the European Fish Index was tested using new independent datasets. The advantage of the resulting index to serve as a practical technical reference for cost‐effective biological assessments of lotic systems in Europe is related to its ability to encompass basins and river size, and its sensitivity to physical and chemical alteration of the river ecosystem.
Processes of collating a European fisheries database to meet the objectives of the European Union Water Framework Directive
Authors: BEIER U. , DEGERMAN E. , MELCHER A. , ROGERS C. , WIRLÖF H.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  FIsh Database of European Streams, a common database for the FAME project, was merged using existing data on electric fishing and environmental data. FIsh Database of European Stream is a relational database with eight tables. Metrics based on classification of fish species into guilds were calculated, and provided in separate tables. FIsh Database of European Stream contained information about 150 freshwater fish species, from 12 countries, 17 ecoregions, 40 main river regions, 2651 rivers and 8228 sites. Examples of data coverage and use are given. Relationships between environmental variables were illustrated using principal component analysis, which resulted in three environmental components – latitude, size and altitude. Environmental component scores were correlated with fish metrics used in the European Fish Index. Results exemplify how fish guilds reflect gradients in environmental variation. Benefits and problems concerning standardisation and data availability at the global level are discussed.
Spatially based methods to assess the ecological status of riverine fish assemblages in European ecoregions
Authors: SCHMUTZ S. , MELCHER A. , FRANGEZ C. , HAIDVOGL G. , BEIER U. , BÖHMER J. , BREINE J. , SIMOENS I. , CAIOLA N. , DE SOSTOA A. , FERREIRA M. T. , OLIVEIRA J. , GRENOUILLET G. , GOFFAUX D. , DE LEEUW J. J. , NOBLE R. A. A. , ROSET N. , VIRBICKAS T.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  The objective was to develop spatially based (type‐specific) methods to assess the ecological status of European rivers according to the EU Water Framework Directive. Some 15 000 samples from about 8000 sites were pre‐classified within a five‐tiered classification system based on hydromorphological and physico‐chemical pressures. The pre‐classification was used to identify reference conditions and to calibrate the assessment methods. Clustering reference sites based on relative species composition resulted in 60 fish assemblage types within 11 of the ecoregions under study. Discriminant function analyses (DFAs) were employed to identify environmental parameters characterising fish assemblage types; altitude, river slope, wetted width, mean air temperature and distance from source were the principal predictors. These environmental parameters were used to assign impacted sites with altered fish assemblage composition to the reference fish assemblage type. Metrics (fish assemblage descriptors) responding to human pressures were selected based on correlation and DFAs. Assessment methods were developed for 43 fish assemblage types. Metrics based on individual sentinel species were more often used in type‐specific methods than metrics related to reproduction, habitat and feeding. Metrics based on long‐distance migrants and potamodromous species were more sensitive to human pressures than overall composition metrics, e.g. total number of species. Only some of the tested metrics showed pressure‐specific responses, i.e. reacted to one type of pressure but not to others. Insectivorous, intolerant and lithophilic species exclusively responded (decreased) to chemical and hydromorphological pressures in 14–19%. Omnivorous species was the only metric type that showed a consistent reaction (increase) to continuum disruptions in 25% of the cases. Accuracy of methods based on cross‐validation with pre‐classification varied between 47% and 98% (mean 81%) when contrasting calibration data set (class 1 and 2) with degraded sites (class 3, 4 and 5).
Spatially based methods to assess the ecological status of European fish assemblage types
Authors: MELCHER A. , SCHMUTZ S. , HAIDVOGL G. , MODER K.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  A spatially based, river type‐specific approach was used to develop an ecological assessment method for European rivers based on existing sampling data. The methodology comprised two main steps: (1) description of a river and fish assemblage typology based on minimally or slightly impacted sites and (2) analyses of impacted conditions for each type. Hierarchical cluster analysis of fish species assemblages identified 15 homogeneous groups in 11 European ecoregions. Discriminant analyses, based on abiotic characteristics, were used to predict fish types at impacted sites. The latter encompassed both regional (geographic position in Europe) and local factors (longitudinal zonation) influencing the distribution of riverine fishes. To assess ecological status, the responses of more than 400 metrics (species composition, abundance and age–length structure) to human pressures were tested for each river type separately. A maximum of 10 metrics per river type was selected using discriminant analysis. The density of intolerant species and feeding guilds had the highest capacity to predict the intensity of perturbation.
Ecological traits of fish assemblages from Mediterranean Europe and their responses to human disturbance
Authors: FERREIRA T. , OLIVEIRA J. , CAIOLA N. , DE SOSTOA A. , CASALS F. , CORTES R. , ECONOMOU A. , ZOGARIS S. , GARCIA‐JALON D. , ILHÉU M. , MARTINEZ‐CAPEL F. , PONT D. , ROGERS C. , PRENDA J.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  Mediterranean river systems are characterised by more diverse fish assemblages and regional ecological processes compared with the rest of Europe. A data set from Mediterranean France, Iberia and Greece (∼2000 sites) was used to describe the characteristics of fish assemblages, explore their responses to anthropogenic disturbance and analyse the implications for river quality assessment. There was a southwards decline in species richness per site, but endemicity and proportion of alien species increased. Sites in the eastern Mediterranean had higher endemicity, lower site richness and lower number of alien species than sites in western Mediterranean Europe. Assemblage composition differed between Mediterranean sub‐regions, but was dominated by three major fish types: a salmonid fish type common throughout the study area and two cyprinid‐dominated fish types (in some sub‐regions, Salmo trutta L. is present but not numerically dominant), corresponding to a gradient in hydrological and temperature regimes. Metric responses to perturbation were compared with those found at the European (larger scale) and basin (smaller scale) levels. Overall metric response was weaker in this Mediterranean application. The best responses to human pressure were usually obtained with abundance‐based metrics and included the contribution of naturalised alien species. Some widespread alien species contributed to the response to anthropogenic alteration (notably Cyprinus carpio L. and Lepomis gibbosus (L.)).
A review of existing fish assemblage indicators and methodologies
Authors: ROSET N. , GRENOUILLET G. , GOFFAUX D. , PONT D. , KESTEMONT P.
Published: November 2007

Abstract  Fish assemblage indicators developed throughout the world were reviewed and key differences in methodologies depending on ecoregions, basins and contrasting fish fauna summarised. Common elements of existing Indices of Integrity were identified to support the development of a European‐wide fish index. These include, using reference condition, accounting for natural fish assemblage variability, evaluating metric precision and selecting the most sensitive and complementary metrics. For future developments, it was recommended to pay more attention to temporal variability in fish assemblages, age structure of key (sentinel) species and fish migration. Testing hypotheses at different steps of the process seems to be the appropriate way to design fish indices.
Flow‐related patterns in abundance and composition of the fish fauna of a degraded Australian lowland river
Authors: HUMPHRIES PAUL , BROWN PAUL , DOUGLAS JOHN , PICKWORTH ANDREW , STRONGMAN RUSSEL , HALL KYLIE , SERAFINI LUCIANO
Published: November 2007

1. A 7‐year study was conducted in three hydrologically distinct sections within the highly regulated, lowland Campaspe River to investigate the influence of hydrology on temporal and spatial patterns in fish composition, abundance and recruitment. One section had 6 months, one section 2 months and one section no months of increased flow due to storage releases. The fish fauna of the less regulated, nearby Broken River served as a reference to which that of the Campaspe River was compared for the last 3 years of the study to allow insight into the relative effects of hydrology, barriers to movement and other environmental characteristics. The study included one high‐flow year, a moderate‐flow year and five low‐flow years.

2. A total of 16 fish species – 10 native and six alien – were caught in the Campaspe River, although of the native species, only three are considered to have self‐sustaining populations. The remaining species are either itinerants or a result of stocking. Alien species comprised approximately 64% of the total biomass of all fish caught.

3. Overall composition of the fish fauna did not differ significantly by year, but did by section of river. Species richness and the abundance of most of the dominant species also differed significantly by river section, but there was little inter‐annual variation in the abundance of any species, except for European perch and for common carp; the latter showing an increase in abundance following a high‐flow event during the spring of 2000 as a result of recruitment.

4. Overall faunal composition was not influenced by hydrology. However, multiple regression indicated that species richness, abundance of the dominant species and abundance of young‐of‐year (YOY) of golden perch, European perch and common carp all were influenced significantly by hydrological variables. The nature of the relationships was dependent on river section and hydrological season (‘winter’ or ‘spring/summer’). Of note was the result that the total abundance of fish and that of YOY common carp were significantly positively related to the number of spells above the threshold for movement upstream through the lower two weirs in the Campaspe River. Only one significant relationship between hydrological and fish‐related variables was found for the upper river section, whereas seven and five were found for the lower and middle sections respectively.

5. Comparisons with fish collected in the Broken River over 3 years suggest that the fauna of the Broken River is in a more natural state than that of the Campaspe River. Since the two rivers do not differ substantially in water quality, and since both contain significant weirs, which act as barriers to movement of fish, flow regulation is most likely to be the major reason for the poor state of the fauna in the Campaspe River.
Regeneration patterns and persistence of the fog‐dependent Fray Jorge forest in semiarid Chile during the past two centuries
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ ALVARO G. , BARBOSA OLGA , CHRISTIE DUNCAN A. , DEL‐VAL EK , EWING HOLLY A. , JONES CLIVE G. , MARQUET PABLO A. , WEATHERS KATHLEEN C. , ARMESTO JUAN J.
Published: November 2007

The persistence of rainforest patches at Fray Jorge National Park (FJNP) in semiarid Chile (30°40′S), a region receiving approximately 147 mm of annual rainfall, has been a source of concern among forest managers. These forests are likely dependent on water inputs from oceanic fog and their persistence seems uncertain in the face of climate change. Here, we assessed tree radial growth and establishment during the last two centuries and their relation to trends in climate and canopy disturbance. Such evaluation is critical to understanding the dynamics of these semiarid ecosystems in response to climate change. We analyzed forest structure of six forest patches (0.2–22 ha) in FJNP based on sampling within 0.1 ha permanent plots. For the main canopy species, the endemic Aextoxicon punctatum (Aextoxicaceae), we used tree‐ring analysis to assess establishment periods, tree ages, growing trends and their relation to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), rainfall, and disturbance. The population dynamics of A. punctatum can be described by a continuous regeneration mode. Regeneration of A. punctatum was sensitive to different canopy structures. Growth release patterns suggest the absence of large scale human impact. Radial growth and establishment of A. punctatum were weakly correlated with rainfall and ENSO. If water limits forests patch persistence, patches are likely dependent on the combination of fog and rain water inputs. Forest patches have regenerated continuously for at least 250 years, despite large fluctuations in rainfall driven by ENSO and a regional decline in rainfall during the last century. Because of the positive influence on fog interception, forest structure should be preserved under any future climate scenario. Future research in FJNP should prioritize quantifying the long‐term trends of fog water deposition on forests patches. Fog modeling is crucial for understanding the interplay among physical drivers of water inputs under climate change.
Dendritic cell subsets in lymph nodes are characterized by the specific draining area and influence the phenotype and fate of primed T cells
Authors: Bode Ulrike , Lörchner Marc , Ahrendt Manuela , Blessenohl Maike , Kalies Kathrin , Claus Anja , Overbeck Silke , Rink Lothar , Pabst Reinhard
Published: November 2007

Dendritic cells (DC) are important in differential T‐cell priming. Little is known about the local priming by DC in the microenvironment of different lymph nodes and about the fate of the imprinted T cells. Therefore, freshly isolated rat DC from mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) and axillary lymph nodes (axLN) were phenotyped and cultured with blood T cells in the presence of the superantigen Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen (MAM). The phenotype, proliferation and apoptosis of the primed T cells were analysed. Our data show that a common DC population exists in both mLN and axLN. In addition, region‐specific DC with an organotypical marker expression imprinted by the drained area were found. Coculture of T cells with DC from mLN or axLN resulted in a distinct shift in the CD4 and CD8 expression of T cells and their phenotype. Furthermore, when these differentially primed mLN and axLN T cells were injected into recipients, mLN‐primed T cells survived longer in other lymphoid organs. The results show that the region‐specific DC have a unique phenotype and an impact on the ratio of CD4 : CD8 T cells during an immune response in vivo.
Redox factor‐1 mediates NF‐κB nuclear translocation for LPS‐induced iNOS expression in murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7
Authors: Song Ju Dong , Lee Sang Kwon , Kim Kang Mi , Kim Jong Won , Kim Jong Min , Yoo Young Hyun , Park Young Chul
Published: November 2007

Redox‐sensitive transcriptional regulator redox factor‐1 (Ref‐1) is induced by oxidative stress and protects cells against it. However, the function of Ref‐1 in regulating nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in macrophages has not been defined. We investigated the role of Ref‐1 related to the regulation of NO synthesis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. LPS stimulates the up‐regulation and nuclear translocation of Ref‐1 in macrophages. Importantly, Ref‐1‐deficient macrophages using a small interfering RNA did not stimulate inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression as well as nuclear factor‐κB nuclear translocation by stimulation with LPS. When the cells were pretreated with diphenyleneiodonium or p47phox small interfering RNA for inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, LPS did not stimulate the nuclear translocation of Ref‐1. We next asked whether reactive oxygen species are sufficient for the nuclear translocation of Ref‐1 in macrophages. The direct use of H2O2 stimulated the translocation to the nucleus of nuclear factor‐κB, but not Ref‐1 and antioxidant N‐acetyl cysteine did not inhibit the LPS‐stimulated nuclear translocation of Ref‐1. These data suggest that Ref‐1 nuclear translocation in LPS‐stimulated macrophages requires the activation of other signalling molecules aside from reactive oxygen species followed by the activation of NADPH oxidase.
HIV/AIDS—knowledge, attitudes and education of nurses: a review of the research
Authors: TIERNEY ALISON J.
Published: November 2007

This paper provides a review of research relating to knowledge, attitudes and education of nurses in relation to HIV/AIDS.

Early studies portrayed nurses (and other health‐care workers) as fearful of AIDS, ill‐informed, and negative and discriminatory in their attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Several major surveys in the UK in the late 1980s produced broadly similar findings and, in the absence of more recent countering evidence, it cannot be assumed that there has been significant improvement.

Research surveys of HIV/AIDS education provision for nurses are also reviewed. A recent survey of UK nursing colleges revealed weaknesses in provision, and a lack of training and confidence among nurse teachers. Although evaluation research has been scarce, some studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of various forms of education on nurses' HIV/AIDS‐related knowledge and attitudes, and these are also reviewed.

Although early predictions of a rapidly escalating AIDS epidemic have proved to be exaggerated, at least in developed countries, it is vital that nurses do not become complacent. This review should encourage nurses, irrespective of clinical specialty, to reconsider their own knowledge and attitudes and to press for further HIV/AIDS education if they consider that it is still lacking.
Caring: fitting the concept to nursing practice
Authors: CLIFFORD COLLETTE
Published: November 2007

This paper explores the concept of caring when used to define the nature of nursing.

It is suggested that explorations of caring in nursing fail to acknowledge the real world of work in nursing, which is influenced by personal career choice and the organization of the health‐care systems in which nurses work.

In some situations nurses delegate the caring role to others thus giving ‘care by proxy’, a factor that is not clearly acknowledged in the literature on caring.

It is suggested that if caring in nursing practice was denned as ‘formalized caring’ it would offer a framework for the analysis of caring more conducive to the reality of nursing practice today.
What are nurses doing to patients? A review of theories of nursing past and present
Authors: BRADSHAW ANN
Published: November 2007

This paper looks critically at the nature of nursing theory from three perspectives.

Firstly, it examines the current state of nursing theory with a particular focus on Patricia Benner's work. This examination concludes that nursing theory is currently beset by the problems of scientific and moral relativism and philosophical incoherence because it has abandoned a traditional realist approach to the care of patients.

Secondly, the roots of this contemporary nursing position are analysed and the conclusion is reached that nursing theorists are implicitly presuming this traditional ‘common sense’ view of nursing, although their own philosophical assumptions do not support it and indeed are removing the ground from beneath it.

The traditional theory underpinning the quality of the nurse's care, and hence the ethos of nursing, is rearticulated.

In conclusion it is suggested that nursing needs to debate the modernist views that are now holding sway in nursing and rediscover a theory for the care of patients that holds together the personal, the pastoral, the scientific and the technological aspects of patient care.
An action research project to develop and evaluate the role of an advanced nurse practitioner in dementia
Authors: ROLFE GARY , PHILLIPS LISA‐MARIE
Published: November 2007

Summary

This paper outlines the first phase of a project to generate and evaluate the role of an advanced nurse practitioner inductively from first principles.

The role was developed by interviewing a wide range of health‐care professionals, carers and patients.

The resulting role is responsive to perceived need at grassroots level rather than to the needs of managers with no clinical experience.

Although the role might not be generalizable to other settings, the method can be applied to any role in any clinical area.
Advanced clinical roles: investigating dilemmas and changing practice through action research
Authors: STREET ANNETTE , ROBINSON ANDREW
Published: November 2007

Summary

A new career structure for clinical nurses was implemented in 1987 in Victoria with the intention of providing clinical advancement and material rewards for nurses in clinical settings.

This paper explains how participatory action research was used to explore some of the issues inherent in the role of the associate charge nurse.

The clinical/management tension and the role expectations formed within the taken‐for‐granted rituals and routines of the ward and the hospital managerial structure are examined.
The gentle touch
Authors: VAUGHAN SIÂN
Published: November 2007

Summary

This research study, which, because of its small numbers should be regarded as more of a pilot study, investigated the effect that therapeutic touch may have on measurable physical signs of the subjects involved.

It also looked at any change this complementary therapy may have made in health perception immediately following the experiment and 1 week later.

The design is modelled on that of Quinn (1984), eminent researcher in the field of energy exchange.

Therapeutic touch is a misnomer because physical touch is not necessary — it is the energy field that is touched.
An exploratory study of web‐enhanced learning in undergraduate nurse education
Authors: Mitchell Elizabeth A , Ryan Assumpta , Carson Oonagh , McCann Siobhain
Published: November 2007

Aim. The aim of the study was to explore undergraduate nursing students’ views of web‐enhanced learning and to examine issues relating to their pattern of access to a rehabilitation nursing module website.

Background. As information technology is an integral component of western health care, all nurses are expected to have the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to be competent in its use.

Methods. In phase 1, a focus group interview was conducted with students (n = 6) who had not logged onto a similar module website. In phase 2, a questionnaire was administered to students undertaking the web‐enhanced module. In phase 3, each student's (n = 231) pattern of access to the module was identified and compared with the student's performance as evidenced by their module assignment mark.

Results. Students held favourable attitudes towards web‐enhanced learning but some students experienced difficulties. There was a significant positive association between the students’ assignment mark and the number of times logged onto the module website. Significant negative correlations were found between mark and week of first log on, and week of first log on and number of hits onto the module site. This suggests that students who logged onto the module in the first few weeks were more likely to achieve higher marks.

Conclusions. This study's findings suggest that students who accessed the module website early and often were more likely to produce more comprehensive nursing assessments and consequently achieve higher assignment marks than their colleagues.

Relevance to clinical practice. The findings have relevance to all nurses as lifelong learning is a mandatory requirement for maintaining clinical competence and electronic learning can provide students (regardless of registration status) with the flexibility to gain access to course content at a time and place convenient to them. The role of electronic learning in promoting a more holistic nursing assessment is also discussed.
Contexts, motives and experiences of Nigerian overseas nurses: understanding links to globalization
Authors: Aboderin Isabella
Published: November 2007

Aims. Current understanding of the perspectives and experience of overseas trained nurses working in the UK and how these relate to conditions of globalization, is limited. This article (i) presents evidence on the contexts, circumstances and perspectives of Nigerian trained nurses working in the UK and (ii) examines their relationships to globalization by building on prior analyses that use Bauman's concepts of ‘global’ and ‘local’ perspectives.

Methods. The evidence derives from an exploratory qualitative investigation in the UK and Nigeria among a small sample of Nigerian trained registered nurses working in the independent nursing home sector in England (n = 25) and registered nurses, nursing tutors and returnee migrants in Nigeria (n = 7).

Findings. Nurses’ migration motives arise from a deterioration in their economic, work and status situation over the past two decades in the context of a macro‐economic decline in Nigeria. Their decisive motivation is to gain financially with a view to achieving certain material standards and prospects for self and children in Nigeria. Contrary to their expectations, they experience a loss in professional and social status in the UK.

Conclusion. In theirde facto‘global’ migration, principally for economic reasons, Nigerian nurses hold a decidedly ‘local’ normative perspective. This is reinforced by their experiences of work tensions, which reflect the globalization of biographies.

Relevance to clinical practice. Further evidence such as that provided, on the contexts and perspectives of overseas nurses, as also of UK staff, will enable the appropriate management of developing world‐UK nursing migration and its host system implications
Spinal deformation in commercially cultured Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: a clinical and radiological study
Authors: Sullivan M , Hammond G , Roberts R J , Manchester N J
Published: November 2007

A clinical and radiographic study was carried out on 2016 randomly selected Atlantic salmon parr from six farms, which weighed between 55 and 100 g. In addition, 86 fish from six marine farms were similarly studied. Radiographically detectable vertebral lesions were found in 3.8–8.8% of the parr. The changes ranged from a single vertebra showing features, such as demineralization, increased density and slight loss of structure, to fish with multiple vertebrae affected by collapse, fusion and change in intervertebral space that could give rise to lordosis or kyphosis or abnormal vertebrae at several locations. The predominant location was the vertebral region V21–27, and rarely V44 caudad. The radiographic changes in seawater salmon mirrored those found in parr, but vertebrae V35 caudad were more frequently involved. Very few parr were found to have abnormal vertebrae in the peduncle area which suggests that the development of lesions at this location occurs de novo in the seawater phase, given that ‘stumpy’ fish are most frequent reported deformity at slaughter. It was concluded that minor vertebral change could be detected radiographically in many parr with no observable effect on external morphology. Whether such minor radiographic alteration would proceed to observable morphological change at slaughter weight is open to question.
Practice‐based dental research*
Authors: MJÖR I. A.
Published: November 2007

Summary  Practice‐based research networks have existed in medicine for many years, but they are relatively new in dentistry. Practice‐based dental research is carried out in the ‘real world’ setting of dental practice. It encounters many problems, especially related to the clinicians’ treatment decisions and their variations in assessments of clinical quality. Practice‐based dental research networks have been active in Europe for the last 10–15 years and new practice‐based dental research networks have recently been funded in the USA. They have been charged with the establishment of networks to carry out short‐term clinical studies that have been proposed by clinicians to solve the problems they encounter in daily clinical practice. Data sharing and communication within and among the networks and with the dental community at large are a primary goal to become successful and optimally serve dental practice. A secondary goal is to conduct chart reviews on disease and treatment patterns and obtain estimates of the prevalence of less common conditions. An outline of a possible establishment of a research network is presented and the potential to institute a programme for practice‐based testing of dental materials and procedures is suggested.
Biological tooth replacement and repair*
Authors: FERREIRA C. F. , MAGINI R. S. , SHARPE P. T.
Published: November 2007

Summary  Implantology is an ancient art that can be traced back several thousand years. Although modern implants have improved substantially over the last 50 years, the basic principle remains unchanged: replace a missing tooth with an inert non‐biological material (metal, ceramic etc.). The rate of technological improvements in implants has reached a plateau and substantial new developments will require major changes to the basic approach. Rapid advances in the development of cell‐based therapies in medicine suggest that similar approaches should be considered in dental treatment. The use of cell‐based implants that will develop into natural teeth and the employment of cells to restore/repair caries lesions is thus an area of considerable interest and excitement.
Cyanotic breath‐holding spells in children respond to adenotonsillectomy for sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: GUILLEMINAULT CHRISTIAN , HUANG YU‐SHU , CHAN ALLISON , HAGEN CHAD C.
Published: November 2007

Children with breath‐holding (BH) spells may demonstrate sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) during polysomnography. We studied five young children with cyanotic spells retrospectively and found both SDB and a response to adenotonsillectomy. We therefore proceeded with a prospective investigation of treatment for SDB in children with comorbid cyanotic spells. Nineteen children with cyanotic BH spells were identified and enrolled in the prospective study. Parents chose either treatment or observation. Fourteen children underwent complete SDB evaluation and treatment trials while five selected observation only (control group). Sleep and sleep‐surgery specialist evaluation and polysomnography revealed the presence of a narrow upper‐airway and an abnormal respiratory disturbance index in all 14 children. Nasal CPAP was not successful, but adenotonsillectomy performed near 14 months of age eliminated SDB. BH spells were eliminated 1 month after surgery, while they persisted to the end of the study (24 months of age) in the control group. In conclusion, the presence of cyanotic BH should prompt investigation and polysomnography for possible SDB. Independent treatment of SDB may hasten resolution of BH spells in these cases.
Predicting long‐term sickness absence from sleep and fatigue
Authors: AKERSTEDT TORBJORN , KECKLUND GORAN , ALFREDSSON LARS , SELEN JAN
Published: November 2007

Disturbed or shortened sleep is prospectively related to disease. One might also expect that sickness absence would be another consequence but very little data seem to exist. The present study used 8300 individuals in a national sample to obtain information on reports of disturbed sleep and fatigue 1 year and merged this with data on long‐term sickness absence 2 years later. A logistic regression analysis was applied to the data with adjustments for demographic and work environment variables. The results showed that individuals without registered sickness absence at the start had a higher probability of entering a period of long‐term (≥90 days, odds ratio [OR] = 1.24 with 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.51) sickness absence 2 years later if they reported disturbed sleep at the start. The figure for fatigue was OR = 1.35 (CI = 1.14–1.60). When fatigue or disturbed sleep was separately excluded the OR increased to OR = 1.44 and OR = 1.47, respectively. Intermediate sickness absence (14–89 days) showed similar but slightly weaker results. The results indicate that disturbed sleep and fatigue are predictors of long‐term absence and it is suggested that impaired sleep may be part of a chain of causation, considering its effects on fatigue.