bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tonic regulation of satiety by 5‐HT1B receptors in the mouse: converging evidence from behavioural and c‐fos immunoreactivity studies?
Authors: Lee Michelle D. , Somerville Elizabeth M. , Kennett Guy A. , Dourish Colin T. , Clifton Peter G.
Published: June 2004

Activation of 5‐HT1B receptors is thought to play an important role in the inhibitory influence of serotonin on feeding behaviour and body weight in mammals. Earlier studies have shown that 5‐HT1B‐knockout (KO) mice eat more and are heavier than wild‐type (WT) controls and that the selective 5‐HT1B receptor agonist CP‐94,253 reduces food intake in food‐deprived mice. Here we characterize the behavioural effects of both CP‐94,253 and the selective 5‐HT1B receptor antagonist SB224289 on feeding and other behaviours within the behavioural satiety sequence, and also report a c‐fos mapping study using CP‐94,253. CP‐94,253 produced a dose‐dependent suppression of food intake with a profile consistent with a selective effect on feeding behaviour. These effects were absent or reduced in 5‐HT1B‐KO mice and in WT mice pretreated with SB224289. SB224289 administered alone enhanced food intake consistent with impaired satiation; a similar effect was apparent in 5‐HT1B‐KO mice compared to WT. CP‐94,253 induced c‐fos in a range of structures previously implicated in the expression of feeding behaviour. These results suggest that the activation of 5‐HT1B receptors is an important component of endogenous satiation mechanisms in the mouse.
Reminder effects: the molecular cascade following a reminder in young chicks does not recapitulate that following training on a passive avoidance task
Authors: Salinska Elzbieta , Bourne Rachel C. , Rose Steven P. R.
Published: June 2004

Memory traces, once established, are no longer sensitive to disruption by metabolic inhibitors. However, memories reactivated by reminder are once again vulnerable, in a time‐dependent manner, to amnestic treatment. To determine whether the metabolic events following a reminder recapitulate those following initial training we examined the temporal dynamics of amnesia induced by the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin and the glycosylation inhibitor 2‐deoxygalactose. The effects of both were transient and dependent on time of reminder post‐training and time of injection relative to reminder, and differed from those following initial training. 2‐[14C]‐deoxyglucose uptake increased in two brain regions, the intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) and lobus parolfactorius (LPO) following reminder as it did following training, but the increase was bilateral rather than confined to the left hemisphere and was more marked in LPO than IMHV. C‐fos expression after reminder was increased only in the LPO, the chick brain region associated with a late phase of memory processing and recall. Thus although, like initial consolidation, memory processing after reminder is sensitive to inhibitors of protein synthesis and glycosylation, the temporal and pharmacological dynamics indicate differences between these two processes.
Intracortical inhibition and facilitation upon awakening from different sleep stages: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: De Gennaro Luigi , Bertini Mario , Ferrara Michele , Curcio Giuseppe , Cristiani Riccardo , Romei Vincenzo , Fratello Fabiana , Pauri Flavia , Rossini Paolo Maria
Published: June 2004

Intracortical facilitation and inhibition, as assessed by the paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation technique with a subthreshold conditioning pulse followed by a suprathreshold test pulse, was studied upon awakening from REM and slow‐wave sleep (SWS). Ten normal subjects were studied for four consecutive nights. Intracortical facilitation and inhibition were assessed upon awakening from SWS and REM sleep, and during a presleep baseline. Independently of sleep stage at awakening, intracortical inhibition was found at 1–3‐ms interstimulus intervals and facilitation at 7–15‐ms interstimulus intervals. Motor thresholds were higher in SWS awakenings, with no differences between REM awakenings and wakefulness, while motor evoked potential amplitude to unconditioned stimuli decreased upon REM awakening as compared to the other conditions. REM sleep awakenings showed a significant increase of intracortical facilitation at 10 and 15 ms, while intracortical inhibition was not affected by sleep stage at awakening. While the dissociation between motor thresholds and motor evoked potential amplitudes could be explained by the different excitability of the corticospinal system during SWS and REM sleep, the heightened cortical facilitation upon awakening from REM sleep points to a cortical motor activation during this stage.
Interaction between the neuromagnetic responses to sound energy onset and pitch onset suggests common generators
Authors: Seither‐Preisler A. , Krumbholz K. , Patterson R. , Seither S. , Lütkenhöner B.
Published: June 2004

The pitch‐onset response (POR) is a negative component of the auditory evoked field which is elicited when the temporal fine structure of a continuous noise is regularized to produce a pitch perception without altering the gross spectral characteristics of the sound. Previously, we showed that the latency of the POR is inversely related to the pitch value and its amplitude is correlated with the salience of the pitch, suggesting that the underlying generators are part of a pitch‐processing network [Krumbholz, K., Patterson, R.D., Seither‐Preisler, A., Lammertmann, C. & Lütkenhöner, B. (2003) Cereb. Cortex,13, 765–772]. The source of the POR was located near the medial part of Heschl's gyrus. The present study was designed to determine whether the POR originates from the same generators as the energy‐onset response (EOR) represented by the N100m/P200m complex. The EOR to the onset of a noise, and the POR to a subsequent transition from noise to pitch, were recorded as the time interval between the noise onset and the transition varied from 500 to 4000 ms. The mean amplitude of the POR increased by ≈ 5.9 nA.m with each doubling of the time between noise onset and transition. This suggests an interaction between the POR and the EOR, which may be based on common neural generators.
Prefrontal‐subcortical dissociations underlying inhibitory control revealed by event‐related fMRI
Authors: Kelly A. M. Clare , Hester Robert , Murphy Kevin , Javitt Daniel C. , Foxe John J. , Garavan Hugh
Published: June 2004

Using event‐related fMRI, this study investigated the neural dynamics of response inhibition under fluctuating task demands. Fourteen participants performed a GO/NOGO task requiring inhibition of a prepotent motor response to NOGO events that occurred as part of either a Fast or Slow presentation stream of GO stimuli. We compared functional activations associated with correct withholds (Stops) required during the Fast presentation stream of stimuli to Stops required during the Slow presentation stream. A predominantly right hemispheric network was activated across conditions, consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, a functional dissociation of activations between conditions was observed. Slow Stops elicited additional activation in anterior dorsal and polar prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal cortex. Fast Stops showed additional activation in a network that included right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, insula and dorsal striatum. These results are discussed in terms of our understanding of the impact of preparation on the distributed network underlying response inhibition and the contribution of subcortical areas, such as the basal ganglia, to executive control processes.
Morphological changes in rat hindlimb muscle fibres during recovery from disuse atrophy
Authors: Itai Y. , Kariya Y. , Hoshino Y.
Published: June 2004

Aim:  The present study attempted to use HE staining to clarify morphological changes in muscle fibres during recovery from disuse muscle atrophy.

Methods:  Disuse muscle atrophy was induced by suspending 7‐week‐old male Wistar rats by their tails for 5 weeks (hindlimb unloading or HU group). Histological changes in the soleus muscle (SOL) during the recovery process were examined and compared with those in control rats who were raised freely without unloading (C group).

Results:  Wet muscle mass and muscle cross‐sectional area per fibre of SOL in the HU group were 52 ± 5 and 22 ± 5% of those in the C group, respectively. Muscle atrophy was largely attributable to decreases in the size of muscle fibres, rather than to muscle fibre damage or loss. Muscle mass in the HU group increased quickly after reloading, but recovery of cross‐sectional area per fibre was slow, with mean area in the HU group measuring 69 ± 10% of that in the C group even after 5 weeks of reloading. After 1, 2 and 5 weeks of reloading, incidences of muscle fibres displaying central nuclei (regenerated muscle fibres) were 7.4 ± 2.4, 7.2 ± 6.3 and 19.2 ± 14.5%, respectively.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that recovery of muscle fibres atrophied by disuse involves not only growth of atrophied muscle fibres, but also regeneration of muscle fibres. Cross‐sectional areas recovery of atrophied muscle fibres thus continues after increases of muscle mass.
Analysis of ET‐A and ET‐B receptors using an isolated perfused rat lung preparation
Authors: Granström B. , Nilsson E. , Hultkvist‐Bengtsson U. , Edvinsson L.
Published: June 2004

Aims and Methods: 
The pulmonary and vascular effects of endothelin‐1 receptor activation were studied in isolated perfused and ventilated lung preparations from rat. The responses to endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and the endothelin B (ETB) receptor agonist sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) were characterized using the endothelin A (ETA)‐receptor antagonist FR 139317, the ETB‐receptor antagonist BQ 788 and the combined ETA/ETB‐receptor antagonist Bosentan. The respiratory parameter airway conductance (Gaw) and the vascular parameter perfusion flow were analysed simultaneously.

Results:  Concentration–response curves for ET‐1 administered intra‐arterially revealed that its most potent effect was on the vascular side while S6c had a more potent effect on airway conductance. ET‐1, given as a bolus dose intra‐arterially (100 μL of 0.2 nm), induced a strong‐ and long‐lasting contraction of the vasculature while only a less pronounced contraction was seen in the airways. Neither of the antagonists had a significant effect per se on Gaw or perfusion flow. FR 139317 reduced the effect of ET‐1 on perfusion flow by about 50%, while airway conductance was augmented. BQ 788 enhanced the decrease in perfusion flow by ET‐1 while Gaw was not influenced. The combined ETA/ETB antagonist Bosentan powerfully prevented the ET‐1‐induced decrease in Gaw but did not alter its reduction in perfusion flow.

Conclusions:  The potent effect of ET‐1 on the vascular side of the lung is mediated mainly through ETA receptors, whereas both ETA and ETB receptors are involved in Gaw in the rat lung.
Effect of chronic wheel running on the fatty acid composition of phospholipids and triacylglycerols in rat serum, skeletal muscle and heart
Authors: Nikolaidis M. G. , Petridou A. , Matsakas A. , Schulz T. , Michna H. , Mougios V.
Published: June 2004

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long‐term wheel running on the fatty acid composition of phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerols (TG) in rat serum, skeletal muscle (soleus and extensor digitorum longus) and heart.

Methods:  To this end, the relevant tissues of 11 trained male Wistar rats were compared with those of 14 untrained ones.

Results:  There were several significant differences between the two groups regarding the concentrations and percentages of individual fatty acids in serum PL and TG, with most differences appearing in the fatty acid distribution of PL. Monounsaturated fatty acids of muscle PL were significantly lower in the trained rats. Estimated elongase activity was significantly higher, whereas Δ9‐desaturase activity was significantly lower in the trained muscles. Monounsaturated fatty acids of PL were also significantly lower in the trained hearts. The fatty acid composition of PL in the skeletal muscles and the heart adapted to training in a comparable manner, whereas most of the changes in the fatty acid profile of TG were tissue‐dependent. Judging from the magnitude of the effect sizes and the percentage differences between trained and untrained animals, there were many large effects of chronic exercise on the fatty acid composition of the tissues examined.

Conclusion:  Long‐term wheel running modified the fatty acid profile of PL and TG in rat serum, skeletal muscle and heart, and could thus be considered as a modulator of tissue fatty acid composition.
Glycogen debranching enzyme is associated with rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Lees S. J. , Chen Y.‐T. , Williams J. H.
Published: June 2004

Aims:  Gel electrophoresis revealed a band of molecular weight ∼160 000 Da associated with the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicle preparations. This investigation sought to examine glycogen debranching enzyme associated with skeletal muscle SR.

Methods:  Sarcoplasmic reticulum samples were also taken from muscle whose glycogen content had been reduced either via stimulation of the sciatic nerve or α‐amylase treatment of muscle homogenates.

Results:  The stimulation protocol reduced whole muscle glycogen by 86% (7.4 ± 0.4 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3 μg mg−1 wet mass, P ≤ 0.05). Glycogen associated with the SR was reduced by 82% in the stimulation protocol (533 ± 82 vs. 96 ± 7 μg mg−1 protein) and by 94% in α‐amylase treatment (493 ± 11 vs. 29 ± 2 μg mg−1 protein), respectively. Gel electrophoresis and Western blots revealed that the content of glycogen debranching enzyme was reduced by ∼53% as a result of muscle stimulation and by ∼46% in α‐amylase treatment (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, glycogen debranching enzyme activity was reduced by 61% in stimulated samples compared with control (20.3 ± 1.0 vs. 8.0 ± 1.2 nmol mg−1 min−1, respectively), a value consistent with reductions observed from gel electrophoresis and Western blots.

Conclusion:  These results confirm that similar to glycogen phosphorylase, glycogen debranching enzyme is associated with the skeletal muscle SR and is dissociated under exercise conditions.
Time‐course changes in VEGF expression and capillarity in the early stage of exercise training with Co2+ treatment in rat skeletal muscles
Authors: Suzuki J.
Published: June 2004

Aim:  Cobalt administration was reported to mimic hypoxia. This study was designed to examine the time‐course changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and capillary geometry in skeletal muscles during endurance training with CoCl2 administration in female Wistar rats.

Methods:  Exercise training by running lasted for up to 10 days at 25 m min−1 on a 20% gradient, 15–42 min day−1. Rats in the Co2+‐treated groups drank water containing 0.01% CoCl2. Serial frozen sections were stained for alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidylpeptidase IV to identify capillary profiles and VEGF‐A protein.

Results:  In the soleus muscle, the density of VEGF‐positive capillaries (VEGF‐cap) was significantly increased after 6 and 10 days of the Co2+ administration (by 27 and 65% respectively) while the capillary‐to‐fibre ratio (C : F) first increased after 10 days. The training with Co2+ significantly increased VEGF‐cap by 69, 44 and 60%, respectively, after 3, 6 and 10 days. The VEGF‐cap was significantly increased after 6 and 10 days of training alone by 38 and 58%, respectively. In a similar extent, both training groups with and without Co2+ showed a significant increase in the C : F ratio after 6 and 10 days.

Conclusions:  The present results suggest that activation of the cellular oxygen‐sensing mechanism induced by Co2+ administration slightly facilitates an expression of VEGF but does not facilitate exercise‐induced microvascular remodelling in hind‐leg muscles.
Effects of ageing on the energy balance of food‐restricted rats
Authors: Passadore M. D. , Griggio M. A. , Nunes M. T. , Luz J.
Published: June 2004

Aims:  Age can alter energy balance by decreasing the resting metabolic rate. Food restriction can also change energy balance by decreasing energy expenditure as a mechanism of energy conservation. We investigated the influence of food restriction on the energy balance of rats at different ages.

Methods:  Wistar EPM‐1 female rats were used at ages of 3, 9, 15 and 21 months. At each age, two food intake schedules were provided: control (ad libitum) and food restriction (50%). Animals remained under these schedules for 30 days, and throughout this period body weight, food intake, and stool collection were controlled daily. On the 30th day, animals were killed, blood was collected and the carcasses and faeces were processed for analysis by pump calorimetry. Blood glucose, T3, T4 and rT3 levels were determined.

Results:  Food restriction reduced energy gain and gross food efficiency of animals at different ages, but more so in older animals. Food‐restricted rats also had lower energy expenditure than controls. This reduction was about 40% of the energy expenditure of control animals irrespective of age. Water content increased and fat content decreased in the carcass of food‐restricted animals. Serum T3 and T4 levels were lower in food‐restricted animals pointing out to a major role of thyroid hormones in the mechanism of energy conservation exhibited by food‐restricted animals.

Conclusions:  The mechanism of energy conservation takes place in all restricted animals and is very important for survival and for species preservation, mainly in aged animals in which food restriction is frequently aggravated by senescence‐related organic disorders.
Hydralazine treatment alters body composition in the rabbit model of obesity
Authors: Carroll Joan F. , King Jeffrey W. , Cohen Joshua S.
Published: June 2004

Aims:  While hydralazine is commonly used as monotherapy in animal studies, its potential side effects are seldom acknowledged. Purported side effects occur from sympathetic and renin–angiotensin system activation, and include tachycardia, oedema, and nausea. We hypothesized that these side effects would alter body composition by increasing body water and/or decreasing body fat.

Methods:  Female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into lean and obese control and hydralazine‐treated groups. Lean rabbits ate a maintenance diet for 12 weeks; obese rabbits ate an ad lib high fat diet. Hydralazine was administered at 6 and 10–14 mg kg−1 day−1 for lean and obese hydralazine groups, respectively. Body composition was determined using triplicate 2–3 g samples of whole body homogenate, and analysed using 2 × 2 anova for diet vs. hydralazine effects.

Results:  Hydralazine‐treated animals had lower body fat (15.7 ± 1.1 and 21.8 ± 1.0%, respectively) and higher body water (59.8 ± 0.8 and 55.4 ± 0.6%, respectively) compared with controls. While obese controls were heavier than obese hydralazine‐treated animals (5.12 ± 0.09 vs. 4.73 ± 0.11 kg, respectively) and had greater overall feed consumption (13.5 ± 0.4 vs. 11.8 ± 0.4 kg, respectively), a subsequent analysis using subsets that did not differ in body weight or feed consumption yielded the same conclusions. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline did not differ between control and hydralazine‐treated groups.

Conclusions:  Use of hydralazine to control blood pressure alters body composition. Direct or indirect effects of hydralazine may impact physiological systems under study. Alterations in adipose tissue may be of particular concern because of its endocrine function.
Long‐term endurance training does not prevent the age‐related decrease in left ventricular relaxation properties
Authors: Nottin S. , Nguyen L.‐D. , Terbah M. , Obert P.
Published: June 2004

Aim:  Diastolic filling dynamics in the long‐term endurance trained elderly has previously been examined by transmitral flow velocity, which has been shown to be preload dependant. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long‐term endurance training on left ventricular (LV) relaxation in older individuals by using pulsed tissue Doppler imaging.

Methods:  Fourteen master athletes with a history of intensive long‐term endurance training, 14 aged‐matched sedentary controls and 15 young adult men underwent standard Doppler echocardiography and pulsed Doppler tissue imaging, performed in four‐chambers apical view, by placing a sample volume at the level of the mitral annulus.

Results:  Stroke volume was significantly higher and heart rate lower in master athletes compared with aged‐matched sedentary subjects. Transmitral Peak E velocity and ratio E/A were significantly higher in master athletes, but did not reach the values of young men. Peak LV wall motion during the early filling phase, an index of LV relaxation, were significantly higher in young men than in both groups of older individuals. However, similar values were obtained between master athletes and sedentary counterparts.

Conclusions:  Our data provide evidence that long‐term training does not reduce the age‐related decline in LV relaxation properties in humans. This finding implies that other mechanisms, such as increased LV filling pressures due to expanded blood volume, are probably responsible for the higher contribution of early diastolic filling to LV filling in master athletes compared with their sedentary counterparts. However this hypothesis needs to be confirmed.
A preventative health education programme for osteoporosis
Authors: Whitehead Dean , Keast John , Montgomery Val , Hayman Sue
Published: May 2004

Background.  Osteoporosis is a preventable disease that is usually not managed until the disease becomes evident, although it places huge economic and social burdens on societies worldwide. It is predicted that this burden will grow if left unchecked. Despite this, evidence suggests that osteoporosis prevention activity is given a low priority, and services often only provide biomedically‐based programmes, in which resources are predominantly allocated to screening and pharmacological treatments. Referral to these services mostly occurs when a client is already known to have osteoporosis or to be at risk, rather than as an early preventative intervention.

Aim.  This paper reports an action research project with one hospital osteoporosis service. The aim of the project was to assess the current service, identify areas where change was needed, and evaluate the implementation of such changes.

Method.  Participatory action research was used, with group meetings and reflective journals to collect data for analysis. The process involved assessment of a preventative osteoporosis service, and determination of clinical issues and problems, and it aided decisions on an appropriate course of organizational reform and evaluated any change processes as they occurred. It also encouraged participants to reflect on and evaluate their experiences of using a participatory framework.

Conclusion.  A change programme was implemented that focused on preventative health education activity in a range of clinical settings. Over the two and a half years of the project, the osteoporosis service expanded its programme to include a wide range of preventative activities, running alongside other organizational reforms.
Promoting participation in cardiac rehabilitation: patient choices and experiences
Authors: Clark Alexander M. , Barbour Rosaline S. , White Myra , MacIntyre Paul D.
Published: May 2004

Background.  Cardiac rehabilitation can be an effective means for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, but a majority of eligible individuals fail to attend or drop out prematurely. Little research has examined patients’ decisions about attendance.

Aims.  This paper reports a study examining patients’ beliefs and decision‐making about cardiac rehabilitation attendance.

Methods.  A purposive sample of patients from a mixed urban–rural region of Scotland was studied in 2001 using focus groups. Those who were eligible for a standardized 12‐week cardiac rehabilitation programme were compared, with separate focus groups held for individuals with high attendance (>60% attendance; n = 27), high rates of attrition (<60% attendance; n = 9) and non‐attendance (0% attendance; n = 8). A total of 44 patients (33 men; 11 women) took part in eight focus groups.

Results.  Participants from all groups held sophisticated and cohesive frameworks of beliefs that influenced their attendance decisions. These beliefs related to the self, coronary heart disease, cardiac rehabilitation, other attending patients, and health professionals’ knowledge base. An enduring embarrassment about group or public exercise also influenced attendance. Those who attended reported increased faith in their bodies, a heightened sense of fitness and a willingness to support new patients who attended.

Conclusions.  Reassurance to ease exercise embarrassment should be given before and during the early stages of programmes, and this could be provided by existing patients. Strategies to promote inclusion should address the inhibiting factors identified in the study, and should present cardiac rehabilitation as a comprehensive programme of activities likely to be of benefit to the individual irrespective of personal characteristics, such as age, sex or exercise capacity.
Staff and patient perceptions of seclusion: has anything changed?
Authors: Meehan Tom , Bergen Helen , Fjeldsoe Kevin
Published: May 2004

Background.  Seclusion continues to be widely used in the management of disturbed behaviour in hospitalized patients. While early research on the topic highlighted significant differences in staff and patient perceptions, there are few recent data to indicate if these differences still exist.

Aim.  This paper reports a study exploring the perceptions of both nursing staff and patients towards the reasons for seclusion; its effects; patients’ feelings during seclusion; and possible changes to the practice.

Methods.  Sixty nursing staff and 29 patients who had experienced seclusion at three inpatient units in Queensland, Australia completed Heyman's Attitudes to Seclusion Survey.

Results.  The findings indicate that the two groups differed significantly on a number of the dimensions assessed. Nurses believed seclusion to be very necessary, not very punitive and a highly therapeutic practice that assisted patients to calm down and feel better. Patients, on the other hand, believed that seclusion was used frequently for minor disturbances and as a means of staff exerting power and control. Patients also believed that seclusion resulted in them feeling punished, and had little therapeutic value.

Conclusion.  The disagreement between staff and patients highlights the need for greater dialogue between these groups. While nursing staff require greater understanding of how patients feel about seclusion, patients require information on why and how seclusion is implemented.
The intensive care experience: development of the ICE questionnaire
Authors: Rattray Janice , Johnston Marie , Wildsmith J.A.W.
Published: May 2004

Background.  Previous research has shown that patients’ reported memories of intensive care are often of unpleasant events which are described as frightening and persecutory in nature. Currently, there is no standardized way of assessing perceptions of such an experience or relating it to long‐term outcome.

Aims.  This paper describes the development of an intensive care experience questionnaire which aims to (a) identify the domains of such an experience, (b) assess and quantify that experience, and (c) explore its impact on short‐ and long‐term emotional outcome.

Methods.  Data from two studies are reported. Participants were non‐elective patients and ≥18 years of age with an ICU stay ≥24 hours. Study 1 (n = 34) generated and developed items. Study 2 (n = 109) allowed evaluation of the factor analytic structure and psychometrics of the questionnaire.

Results.  From a set of 31 items, exploratory factor analysis identified four components of the intensive care experience: ‘awareness of surroundings’ (nine items), ‘frightening experiences’ (six items), ‘recall of experience’ (five items), and ‘satisfaction with care’ (four items). Cronbach's α statistics were acceptable for each component (0·71–0·93). Correlational analysis with the subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale demonstrated concurrent and univariate predictive validity. The intensive care experience was associated with adverse emotional outcome in both the short‐ and long‐term.

Discussion.  The intensive care experience questionnaire identified four dimensions of experience and performed satisfactorily in these developmental analyses. Further study of an independent intensive care unit data set is necessary to confirm these findings, including the four‐component structure. Development of a standardized measure provides the opportunity to increase our understanding of the intensive care experience. The questionnaire may be useful to inform the development of effective interventions to improve subsequent outcomes for these patients.
Evaluation of the Rhodes Index of Nausea and Vomiting for ambulatory surgery patients
Authors: Fetzer Susan J. , Hand Mark C. , Bouchard Pat A. , Smith Heather , Jenkins Mary Beth
Published: May 2004

Background.  The Index of Nausea and Vomiting (INV), developed by Rhodes and others in 1984, measures three dimensions of upper gastrointestinal distress: nausea, vomiting and retching (NVR). While the revised version has been tested with a variety of high‐risk populations, there are no data suggesting that it can be used to assess upper gastrointestinal distress among the growing numbers of ambulatory or day surgery patients.

Aim.  The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified version of the INV for use with ambulatory surgery patients.

Methods.  A secondary analysis was conducted using data obtained from a descriptive study designed to identify risk factors for postdischarge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) among adult ambulatory surgery patients. Patients who reported PDNV (n = 190) participated via phone interview 24 hours after discharge by completing a modified Rhodes INV.

Findings.  Reliability analysis (α = 0·897) indicated that the modified Rhodes INV measured upper gastrointestinal distress as a single concept in the postdischarge ambulatory surgical sample. One item of the 8‐item scale was dropped. Principal component analysis extracted one factor that accounted for 67% of the variance with all items loading.

Conclusions.  Upper gastrointestinal distress following ambulatory surgery discharge comprises a different symptom mix than during other high‐risk events such as pregnancy or chemotherapy. Further research on the differences in assessing NVR among different populations is indicated.
Emotional intelligence in nursing work
Authors: McQueen Anne C.H.
Published: May 2004

Background.  Emotional labour has been widely accepted in the literature as part of nursing work, however the contribution of emotional intelligence in the nursing context requires further study.

Aim.  This paper aims to present an analysis of the literature on emotional intelligence and emotional labour, and consider the value of emotional intelligence to nursing.

Method.  A literature search was undertaken using the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Search terms used were ‘emotions’, ‘intelligence’, ‘emotions and intelligence’ and ‘emotional labour’. A hand‐search of relevant journals and significant references added to the data.

Results.  Emotional intelligence plays an important part in forming successful human relationships. Emotional labour is important in establishing therapeutic nurse–patient relationships but carries the risk of ‘burnout’ if prolonged or intense. To prevent this, nurses need to adopt strategies to protect their health. The potential value of emotional intelligence in this emotional work is an issue that still needs to be explored.

Conclusions.  Analysis of the literature suggests that the modern demands of nursing draw on the skills of emotional intelligence to meet the needs of direct patient care and co‐operative negotiations with the multidisciplinary team. The significance of this needs to be recognized in nurse education. The link between emotional intelligence and emotional labour is a fruitful area for further research. The potential benefits of gaining a better understanding of how these concepts interact is largely conjecture until we have more evidence. The prospect that there may be advantages to both nurses and patients is a motivating factor for future researchers.
Workplace breastfeeding support for hospital employees
Authors: Dodgson Joan E. , Chee Yuet‐Oi , Yap Tian Sew
Published: May 2004

Background.  Breastfeeding initiation rates have been steadily rising in Hong Kong, but most employed women wean prior to returning to work. While health care providers promote breastfeeding, women receive little support from employers. A few health care facilities offer some workplace breastfeeding support, but little is known about the specific types and amount of support that are offered.

Aims.  This paper reports a study whose aim was to describe workplace supports available to breastfeeding women employed by hospitals that provide maternity services in Hong Kong, and to determine if differences in workplace supports exist based on the hospitals’ numbers of employees or funding source.

Methods.  In late 2001, a cross‐sectional survey was completed by nurse managers or lactation consultants most knowledgeable about supports to breastfeeding employees in 19 hospitals.

Findings.  The number of workplace breastfeeding supports or Breastfeeding Support Score (M = 7·47; sd = 3·37) varied considerably. Mean Breastfeeding Support Score for government‐funded hospitals was significantly higher (t = 2·31; P = 0·03) than for private hospitals. Of the 14 hospitals that had a designated space for using a breast pump, only five (26·3%) had a private room with a door that locked. Only two hospitals (11·1%) allowed employees to take breaks as needed to use a pump; employees in 10 (55·6%) had to use their meal and regular break times. Hospitals having a hospital‐wide committee that addressed workplace breastfeeding issues had a more supportive environment for breastfeeding employees. Although all surveyed hospitals returned the questionnaire, the sample size was small. It was difficult to ensure accuracy and to differentiate subtle variations in the services provided using a self‐report survey.

Conclusions.  Facilitating continued breastfeeding after employees’ return to work requires that employers understand the needs of breastfeeding employees. Policy at the level of the employer and government is an essential component of creating a supportive environment.
A sequential study of pathological findings in Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), throughout one year after an acute outbreak of viral encephalopathy and retinopathy
Authors: Johansen R , Grove S , Svendsen A K , Modahl I , Dannevig B
Published: May 2004

Following a natural outbreak of viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) at a commercial farm in Norway, surviving Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, were sequentially studied for distribution of nodavirus, immune response and histopathology over 1 year. Typical clinical signs and histopathology of VER were observed during the acute stage of the disease. Most of the surviving fish became subclinical carriers of nodavirus with clusters of nodavirus‐containing cells in the central nervous system. Four random samplings of presumably healthy fish were performed from two fish groups, with low and high growth rates respectively, over a 7‐month period. Immunohistochemical (IHC) examination revealed a higher number of nodavirus‐positive cells in fish with a low growth rate than in fish with a high growth rate. All IHC positive fish were also reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) positive for nodavirus and for nodavirus antibodies detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at all sampling points. The percentage of PCR‐ and ELISA‐positive fish remained high throughout the year, while the number of IHC‐positive fish decreased, especially in the group with a high growth rate. Several other histopathological changes were observed, including pericarditis, steatitis, changes in liver and kidney, and necrosis of the intestinal wall. None of these findings seemed to be related to the nodavirus infection. Nodavirus was reisolated in cell culture from subclinically infected fish one year after the acute VER outbreak, which indicates that the virus was still infectious.
Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: a new infectious disease
Authors: Kongtorp R T , Kjerstad A , Taksdal T , Guttvik A , Falk K
Published: May 2004

Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is a disease syndrome of unknown aetiology first observed in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in 1999. In the present study we have demonstrated for the first time that HSMI is an infectious disease. It was induced in Atlantic salmon post‐smolts after injection with tissue homogenate from farmed Atlantic salmon previously diagnosed with HSMI. The lesions were also induced in cohabitating salmon given a corresponding injection without tissue homogenate. Six weeks post‐challenge the fish that had been injected with tissue homogenate developed a serious epicarditis and myocarditis with mononuclear cell infiltrations in compact and spongy layers of the heart. Similar lesions were found in cohabitants after 10 weeks. The lesions were consistent with samples from field outbreaks of HSMI. No lesions were found in control fish. A viral aetiology is strongly suggested, as no difference in disease induction between an inoculum containing antibiotics and a non‐treated inoculum was found. Further investigations are required in order to make conclusions regarding the cause and pathogenesis of HSMI.
In vitro interactions between Neoparamoeba sp. and Atlantic salmon epithelial cells
Authors: Butler R , Nowak B F
Published: May 2004

Neoparamoeba sp., including the putative aetiological agent of amoebic gill disease in cultured fish (N. pemaquidensis), were incubated in vitro with an Atlantic salmon gill epithelium (RGE‐2) cell line. Proliferation by the amoeba population was dependent upon culture osmolarity; no growth occurred at 330 mm kg−1 but a sixfold increase was observed at 1000 mm kg−1. At 780 mm kg−1 there was a fourfold increase in the amoeba population but a concurrent decrease in RGE‐2 cell density that was significantly greater than that caused by the high culture osmolarity alone. This apparent cytopathic effect (CPE) developed rapidly and resulted in complete cytolysis of the monolayer in 5 days. CPE occurred in multiple foci and presented as cell vacuolation, rounding and clumping, and the rapid clearance of large areas of the cell monolayer. The possibility that CPE is because of the presence of Neoparamoeba sp. derived cytolytic products is discussed in the context of the pathology of the disease in vivo and the occurrence of secreted cytopathogenic compounds in other amoeba species.
Effect of diets containing gossypol on blood parameters and spleen structure in tilapia, Oreochromis sp., reared in a recirculating system
Authors: Garcia‐Abiado M A , Mbahinzireki G , Rinchard J , Lee K J , Dabrowski K
Published: May 2004

The high cost of fish meal in tilapia diets warrants the potential use of cottonseed meal (CSM) as an alternative source of high quality protein. The effects of varying levels of CSM (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) as fish meal protein replacement on growth, blood parameters, spleen characteristics, free and bound gossypol in blood plasma, haemoglobin and haematocrit were determined in tilapia. Gossypol (C30H30O8) is a polyphenolic substance found in cottonseed that has known toxic effects in fish. Tilapias (n = 219, average weight = 11.3 ± 3.9 g) were randomly distributed into 15, 32‐L glass aquaria, representing five dietary treatments and three replicates per treatment. Each aquarium containing 13–16 fish was supplied with thermoregulated, recirculating water (27 ± 1 °C) at 1 L min−1 flow rate and photoperiod was constant (12 h L/12 h D). Fish fed 25–50% CSM protein replacement showed similar body weights and total lengths as the controls at the completion of the 16‐week trial. Fish fed 75 and 100% CSM protein replacement showed a significant decline in body weight and total length. Fish fed 25–100% CSM protein replacement had significantly lower haematocrit and haemoglobin (ANOVA/LSD, P < 0.05) compared with levels in controls. The decline was most prominent in groups fed diets with 50–100% CSM protein replacement. Total and free gossypol concentrations of blood plasma significantly increased with increasing levels of CSM replacement (P < 0.05). No gossypol was found in blood plasma of fish from the control group. The occurrence of immature and abnormal erythrocytes was significantly greater among fish fed 75 and 100% CSM diets compared with fish fed 0–50% CSM diets. Spleen‐somatic index (spleen weight/body weight × 100) did not differ between control fish and fish fed 50–100% CSM diets. Spleen abnormalities, such as large depositions of haemosiderin and melanin pigments and proliferation of melano‐macrophage centres, lymphocytic depletion of the white pulp areas (hypocellularity), and presence of vacuoles and necrotic areas were observed among fish fed 50–100% CSM protein diets. In general, the pathological effects of gossypol in tilapia (low haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, abundance of immature red blood cells or polychromatocytes, abnormal spleen morphology) were similar to the effects of vitamin E and/or vitamin C deficiencies observed in other studies.
Oestrogenic Regulation Of Brain Angiotensinogen
Authors: Greenland K. J. , Sernia C.
Published: May 2004

Oestrogens are now recognized as playing a regulatory role on components of the systemic renin–angiotensin system, such as its precursor, angiotensinogen (AGT). In the brain, this role is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oestrogens on brain AGT of female rats at different stages of the oestrous cycle, in pregnancy and following ovariectomy with and without hormone replacement. AGT content of different brain regions was also studied in male rats treated with oestrogens. The brain was divided into five regions: cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, midbrain and thalamus/hypothalamus, and AGT was measured by direct radioimmunoassay using a highly specific AGT antibody. Cyclical fluctuations in AGT content were observed in all regions except the cerebellum over the course of the 4‐day oestrous cycle, with peak concentrations at estrus and lowest concentrations at metestrus. Following ovariectomy, brain AGT was significantly decreased in the thalamic/hypothalamic region, an effect that was reversed by oestrogen‐replacement. In pregnant rats, AGT contents were elevated in the brainstem region. Oestrogen treatment of male rats induced significant increases in AGT concentrations in all areas except the cortex. In summary, these results show that oestradiol has actions on brain AGT that are region‐specific and dependent on the particular physiological and reproductive context. Moreover, the changes in AGT concentrations in the oestrous cycle suggest the involvement of other factors besides oestrogen. Finally, this study supports the view that the brain renin–angiotensin system has a broad role in oestrogen‐modulated brain functions beyond those specific to the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis.
Gonadectomy Reverses The Sexually Diergic Patterns Of Circadian and Stress‐Induced Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis Activity In Male and Female Rats
Authors: Seale J. V. , Wood S. A. , Atkinson H. C. , Bate E. , Lightman S. L. , Ingram C. D. , Jessop D. S. , Harbuz M. S.
Published: May 2004

Enhanced corticosterone release by female compared to male rats under basal and stress conditions is well documented. The demonstration that gonadectomy enhances stress‐induced corticosterone secretion in male rats, but reduces such levels in female rats, suggests a causal association between gonadal steroids and corticosterone release. The present study examined the corticosterone profile of sham gonadectomized and gonadectomized female and male rats under basal and stress conditions. An automated sampling system collected blood from each freely moving, unanaesthetized rat every 10 min (i) over a 24‐h period; (ii) following noise stress; and (iii) following an immune‐mediated stress (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Plasma was analysed for corticosterone content using radioimmunoassay. Castration resulted in a significant increase in basal corticosterone release compared to the sham‐castrated male rats. Pulsar analysis revealed a significant two‐fold increase in the number of corticosterone pulses over 24 h. Corticosterone increases in response to noise stress and to LPS injection were enhanced following castration. Conversely, ovariectomy resulted in a two‐fold reduction in the number of corticosterone pulses as well as the stress response compared to sham‐ovariectomized female rats. Arginine vasopressin (AVP), corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoid receptor mRNAs in the paraventricular nucleus and pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the anterior pituitary were analysed post‐LPS administration by in situ hybridization. Significantly higher values were found for AVP, CRH and POMC mRNAs examined for sham females and castrated males compared to sham males and ovariectomized females. This study confirms previous reports concerning the influence of gonadal factors in regulating HPA axis activity and stress responsiveness. The present results extend these observations to the regulation of the dynamic pattern of corticosterone release under basal conditions and suggests that this alteration in pulsatility is important for the differences in stress responsiveness when comparing males and females.
Appetite Regulatory Neuropeptides are Expressed in the Sheep Hypothalamus Before Birth
Authors: Mühlhäusler B. S. , McMillen I. C. , Rouzaud G. , Findlay P. A. , Marrocco E. M. , Rhind S. M. , Adam C. L.
Published: May 2004

In the adult, a hypothalamic neural network acts to maintain energy balance in response to nutritional feedback from the periphery. Although there is an immediate requirement for this system to be functional at birth, it is unknown whether the components of this central neural network are expressed in the developing brain before birth. We therefore examined in the fetal sheep hypothalamus during late gestation gene expression for leptin receptor (OB‐Rb) and neuropeptides that regulate energy balance in the adult. Brains were collected from fetal sheep at 110 days (n = 12) and 140 days of gestation (n = 5) (term = 150 days) and gene expression was detected in all hypothalami using in situ hybridization with radiolabelled riboprobes for OB‐Rb, neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti‐related peptide, pro‐opiomelanocortin and cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART). All mRNAs were expressed in the arcuate nucleus of fetuses at both time points. Additional sites of mRNA expression were the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) for NPY, the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and lateral hypothalamic area for CART, and the DMH, PVN and VMH for OB‐Rb. We have therefore demonstrated that adult‐like localization of gene expression for OB‐Rb and key appetite regulatory neuropeptides is established in the ovine hypothalamus before birth. Thus, the fetus possesses a central appetite regulatory neural network with the potential to respond to changes in nutrient supply, which could impact on energy balance regulation both before and after birth.