bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance to Leveillula taurica in the genus Capsicum
Authors: De Souza V. L. , Café‐Filho A. C.
Published: November 2003

One hundred and sixty‐two Capsicum genotypes were evaluated for powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) resistance, following inoculations with a suspension of 5 × 104 conidia mL−1 on 10‐leaved to 12‐leaved plants. Genotypes were graded into five resistance classes, based on the areas under the disease progress curves calculated from disease incidence (percentage infected leaves per plant) and severity (total number of colonies per plant). Results revealed a continuum from resistance to susceptibility, with the majority (70%) of C. annuum materials being classified as moderately to highly susceptible to L. taurica. Conversely, C. baccatum, C. chinense and C. frutescens were most often resistant, indicating that resistance to L. taurica among Capsicum species is found mainly outside the C. annuum taxon. Nevertheless, some resistant C. annuum material was identified that may be useful for resistance breeding. Eight genotypes were identified as immune to the pathogen: H‐V‐12 and 4638 (previously reported), and CNPH 36, 38, 50, 52, 279 and 288. Only H‐V‐12 and 4638 are C. annuum, while all others belong to the C. baccatum taxon. Latent period of disease on a set of commercial sweet pepper genotypes varied, indicating diverse levels of polygenic resistance. The latent period progressively reduced with plant maturity, from 14·3 days in plants at the mid‐vegetative stage to 8·6 days in plants at the fruiting stage. Young plants of all commercial genotypes tested at the early vegetative stage were immune, irrespective of the reaction of the genotype at later stages, demonstrating widespread juvenile resistance to L. taurica in the Capsicum germplasm. Inoculation of plants of different botanical taxa with a local isolate indicated a wide host range. Some hosts, including tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), artichoke (Cynara scolymus) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), produced large amounts of secondary inoculum. Other hosts included okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), eggplant (Solanum melongena), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Solanum gilo, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Nicandra physaloides.
Epidemiological importance ofSolanum sisymbriifolium,S. nigrumandS. dulcamaraas alternative hosts forPhytophthora infestans
Authors: Flier W. G. , Van Den Bosch G. B. M. , Turkensteen L. J.
Published: November 2003

Lesions ofPhytophthora infestanswere found on woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), black nightshade (S. nigrum) andS. sisymbriifoliumduring a nationwide late blight survey in the Netherlands in 1999 and 2000. Pathogenicity and spore production ofP. infestansisolates collected from potato (S. tuberosum),S. nigrum,S. dulcamaraandS. sisymbriifoliumwere determined on several host plant species, and oospore formation in naturally infected and inoculated foliage of hosts was quantified. The present population ofP. infestansin the Netherlands is pathogenic onS. nigrum,S. dulcamaraandS. sisymbriifolium. Oospores were produced in leaves ofS. nigrum,S. dulcamaraandS. sisymbriifoliumfollowing infection with A1 and A2 isolates. Therefore these plant species should be regarded as alternative hosts for the late blight pathogen. In the case ofS. nigrumandS. dulcamarainfection was a relatively rare event, suggesting that diseased plants do not significantly contribute to the overall late blight disease pressure present in potato‐production areas. Oospore production in ageingS. nigrumandS. dulcamaraplants in autumn, however, may generate a considerable source of (auto) infections in following years. Considerable numbers of sporangia and oospores were produced onS. sisymbriifoliumfollowing infection withP. infestans. Additional field infection data are needed to evaluate the epidemiological consequences of a commercial introduction ofS. sisymbriifoliumas a potato cyst nematode trap crop.
Nei's gene diversity and the index of average differences are identical measures of diversity within populations
Authors: Kosman E.
Published: November 2003

It has been established that Nei's measure of the average genetic diversity per locus, HS, and the measure of average differences between isolates with respect to simple mismatch dissimilarity, are identical measures of diversity within populations. The Müller index of diversity can be considered as the correction of Nei's measure for small samples.
Impact of Phosphorus from Dairy Manure and Commercial Fertilizer on Perennial Grass Forage Production
Authors: Mikhailova E. A. , Cherney J. H. , Cherney D. J. R.
Published: November 2003

Increased recovery and recycling of manure phosphorus (P) by crops on dairy farms is needed to minimize environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to compare P utilization by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) from dairy manure or inorganic fertilizer. The study was conducted from 1994 to 2000 at the Cornell University Baker Farm, Willsboro, NY, on a somewhat poorly drained Kingsbury clay (very–fine, illitic, mesic Aeric Epiaqualfs). The design was a split‐plot in a randomized complete block with two manure rates (16 800 and 33 600 kg ha−1) and one nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate (84 kg N ha−1 at spring greenup and 56 kg N ha−1 prior to each regrowth harvest) as the main plots and grass species as subplots replicated six times. Fertilizer P [Ca(H2PO4)2] was applied to the fertilizer treatment in 1995 and 1996 at 11 kg P ha−1 year−1. Orchardgrass P removal averaged 21 % higher than tall fescue P removal for the spring harvest, but orchardgrass averaged 24 % lower P removal than tall fescue removal for all regrowth harvests from 1995–99. Phosphorus herbage concentration in the fertilizer treatment was in the range of 1.9–2.7 g P kg−1 compared with 2.2–5.3 g P kg−1 in the manure treatments. Seasonal P removal ranged from as low as 9.2 kg P ha−1 to as high as 48.5 kg P ha−1. Morgan extractable soil P in the top 0–0.20 m remained high through 1999, with 29.1 kg P ha−1 at the highest manure rate in tall fescue compared with 8.4 kg P ha−1 measured in 1993 prior to the experiment. In 2000, soil P at the highest manure rate in tall fescue dropped to 10.1 kg P ha−1, following cessation of manure application in 1998. Intensively managed harvested orchardgrass and tall fescue have the potential to remove large quantities of manure P.
Genotypic Variability in Adaptation Responses of Selected Clones of Cassava to Drought Stress in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Okogbenin E. , Ekanayake I. J. , Porto M. C. M.
Published: November 2003

Identification of drought‐tolerant and ‐resistant varieties of cassava is of paramount importance for the maximization of productivity potential in drought‐prone areas. Nine improved cassava varieties developed in humid and subhumid agro‐ecologies were evaluated for their growth responses and adaptability in the dry savannas of Nigeria. Field trials were set up in two cropping seasons at three different locations. Parameters evaluated included fresh root yield (FRY), fresh shoot yield (FSY), cumulative leaves formed (CLF), cumulative leaf scars (CLS), root dry‐matter content (DMC), harvest index (HI), and root cyanogenic potential (CNp). Results demonstrated that varietal response differed with water table site, implying different adaptation responses of varieties to the water regime. Variations in all characters studied were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by genotype, suggesting a strong genetic basis for the phenotypic differences amongst varieties. Compared with variation attributable to location, the genotypic components were strong for FRY, FSY, CLF, CLS, HI and DMC. HI and DMC were not significantly affected by location. CNp tended to increase with increasing drought stress. The significance of genotype × environment effects for FRY suggested that genotypes may be selected for specific adaptation for drought‐prone environments. The poor adaptability responses of the majority of the varieties implied that an agro‐ecologically targeted breeding scheme for the dry savanna would be a more appropriate approach for the development of drought‐tolerant varieties.
Increase in aspergillosis and severe mycotic infection in patients with leukemia and MDS: Comparison of the data from the Annual of the Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan in 1989, 1993 and 1997
Authors: Kume Hikaru , Yamazaki Toshikazu , Abe Michiko , Tanuma Hiroyuki , Okudaira Masahiko , Okayasu Isao
Published: November 2003

To study the relationship between the changes in visceral mycoses rates and recently advanced medical care in hematological settings, data on visceral mycosis cases with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that had been reported in the Annual of the Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan in 1989, 1993 and 1997 were analyzed. The frequency rate of visceral mycoses with leukemia and MDS was 27.9% (435/1557) in 1989, 23.0% (319/1388) in 1993 and 22.3% (246/1105) in 1997. In comparing the rate of mycoses in recipients of organ or bone marrow transplantation with that of non‐recipients, that of recipients was approximately 10% higher. The predominant causative agents were Candida and Aspergillus, at approximately the same rate as in 1989. The rate of candidosis decreased to one‐half that of aspergillosis by 1993. Furthermore, severe mycotic infections clearly increased from 58.9% in 1989 to 75.6% in 1997. Among a total of 1000 cases with mycotic infection in those 3 years, acute lymphatic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia were the major diseases (40.6% and 34.8%, respectively), followed by MDS (26.1%). The reasons for increased rates of aspergillosis and of severe mycotic infection can be surmised to be: (i) candidosis had become controllable by prophylaxis and by empiric therapy for mycoses with effective antifungal drugs; (ii) the marketed antifungal drugs were not sufficiently effective against severe infections or Aspergillus infections; and (iii) the number of patients surviving in an immunocompromised state had increased due to developments in chemotherapy and progress in medical care.
Adrenal black adenoma associated with preclinical Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Odanaka Mieko , Katabami Takuyuki , Inoue Maki , Tadokoro Mamoru
Published: November 2003

A black adenoma of the adrenal gland was laparoscopically removed from a 60‐year‐old man who presented with severe hypertension. Although laboratory findings were indicative of preclinical Cushing's syndrome, there were no clinical features characteristic of Cushing's syndrome. Microscopically, the tumor showed a proliferation of polygonal cells containing numerous brown‐pigmented granules. Special staining studies revealed these granules to be lipofuscin. Electron microscopy also identified lipofuscin and lysosomes in these cells. The morphological appearance of the tumor and the adjacent atrophic non‐tumorous adrenal cortex supports the assumption that the black adenoma caused preclinical Cushing's syndrome.
Ovarian pregnancy: Report of four cases and review of the literature
Authors: Itoh Hiroshi , Ishihara Akira , Koita Hiroyuki , Hatakeyama Kinta , Seguchi Tomoko , Akiyama Yutaka , Kataoka Hiroaki
Published: November 2003

Ovarian ectopic pregnancy is rarely seen; it constitutes only 0.5–3% of all ectopic pregnancies and the incidence is only 1 for every 7000–40000 deliveries. We herein report four cases of primary ovarian pregnancy encountered during the last 10 years in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. The patients in all of these cases were admitted to their local hospitals with increased lower abdominal pain and intraperitoneal bleeding, and had surgery for total or partial oophorectomy. Grossly and microscopically, chorionic villi were exclusively found in the ovary but not in the fallopian tube, so that we diagnosed these cases as primary ovarian pregnancies. None of the patients were known to have used an intrauterine contraceptive device, which have been suggested as the cause of ovarian pregnancies in several studies. The incidence of ovarian pregnancy is recently increasing, and pathologists will have increased chances to diagnose this disease.
Implication of the complement system in the induction of anti‐glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis in WKY rats
Authors: Shike Tatsuhiko , Isome Masato , Mizuno Masashi , Suzuki Junzo , Matsuo Seiichi , Yamamoto Tadashi , Suzuki Hitoshi
Published: November 2003

In WKY rats, administration of a small dose of anti‐glomerular basement membrane antibody induces severe crescentic glomerulonephritis, which is characterized by infiltration of CD8‐positive lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages into the glomeruli with crescent formation. In this study, the involvement of the complement system was examined in the induction of this model. To deplete complement, cobra venom factor (CVF) was used. By a single injection with CVF at 24 h prior to the induction of this model, plasma C3 level from days 0–2 was less than 10% compared with pre‐injection of CVF. Complement was almost depleted in the early phase of this model. No significant differences were observed in proteinuria and the frequency of glomeruli associated with the extracapillary crescentic lesions between the CVF‐treated group and the control group. In addition, the number of monocytes/macrophages and CD8‐positive lymphocyte infiltration into the glomeruli showed no significant differences between both groups. These results indicate that the possibility of complement system involvement is considered low in the induction of this model.
Identification of neurons responding to hypoxia in sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Lavezzi Anna Maria , Ottaviani Giulia , Matturri Luigi
Published: November 2003

The pathogenesis of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is still not understood, although one of the most credited current hypotheses is the respiratory theory. Considerable evidence has been assembled suggesting that hypoxia in human infants produces an initial increase in ventilation, after which respiration is rapidly inhibited. We investigated the expression of the c‐fos proto‐oncogene, a marker of activated neurons, particularly by hypoxia, in the medulla oblongata nuclei involved in breathing after birth, with special reference to SIDS. We utilized c‐fos protein immunohistochemistry on serial transverse sections of medulla oblongata from 22 SIDS victims. In 60% of the analyzed cases, we observed numerous positive c‐fos neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagal nerve. In control cases, the immunohistochemical labeling was negative or very low. The c‐fos protein was expressed in the rostral–intermediate portion of the dorsal motor vagal nucleus, where motoneurons with respiratory‐related activity are located. The positive c‐fos immunoreactivity observed in SIDS suggests that the neurons of the dorsal motor vagal nucleus involved in the regulation of breathing are able to yield an intense, immediate ventilatory response to hypoxia. Our results support the respiratory theory of SIDS.
Morphological investigation of two sibling autopsy cases of mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency
Authors: Emura Iwao , Usuda Hiroyuki
Published: November 2003

Two sibling autopsy cases of type 2 mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) deficiency are described. MTP is an enzyme complex involved in the mitochondrial β‐oxidation of fatty acids, which is the major pathway for energy production in heart and skeletal muscle. Both cases showed similar pathological findings. Numerous small foci of degeneration of muscle cells and cardiac myocytes were detected. Some of these cells had condensed or fragmented nuclei and most of them were positively stained using the deoxyuridine triphosphate nick‐end labeling method. The lipid staining of both cases showed a small‐ to medium‐sized fatty, vesicular morphology for liver cells, muscle cells, cardiac myocytes and proximal tubular cells of the kidney. Bone marrow was severely hypoplastic, and cortical thymocytes were markedly reduced in number. Neither case had hepatic fibrosis nor cirrhosis. The definitive diagnosis of type 2 MTP deficiency was made by verifying completely defective MTP‐α and MTP‐β subunits in cultured skin fibroblasts of one of 2 patients. Our patients’ signs indicate that there is a wider pathological spectrum of type 2 MTP deficiency, while very few autopsy cases of type 2 MTP deficiency have been confirmed. Pathologists should consider the possibility of type 2 MTP deficiency or other β‐oxidation defects in cases of sudden infant death, fatty infiltration of viscera or cardiomyopathy.
Latent form of multiple dermoid cysts in the jaw bone
Authors: Takeda Yasunori , Oikawa Yuko , Satoh Masanobu , Nakamura Shin‐ichi
Published: November 2003

Dermoid cysts of the jaw are exceedingly rare, and only six such cases have been documented. The present paper reports a case with multiple microcysts showing histological characteristics of dermoid cyst in the surgically resected mandibular bone. These cysts were located near the inferior border of the mandibular bone, and histologically composed of an inner thin layer of squamous epithelium with marked hyperorthokeratinization and an outer layer of fibrous tissue containing numerous mature sebaceous glands. In addition, a hair follicle‐like epithelial sphere was seen in part. The present microcysts suggest that it arises de novo, and one possible cause of jaw cysts could be sequestration of the stomadeal ectoderm that may have been trapped deep in the surface and embedded in the developing mandibular bone during embryogenesis. It  may  not  be  possible  that  such  cysts  developed  from the odontogenic epithelial remnant undergoing dermoid metaplasia.
Insulin increases angiotensinogen expression in human abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes
Authors: Harte A. L. , McTernan P. G. , McTernan C. L. , Crocker J. , Starcynski J. , Barnett A. H. , Matyka K. , Kumar S.
Published: November 2003

Summary  The renin–angiotensin system is an important regulator of blood pressure, and blockade of this system improves blood pressure in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Recently, components of the system have been described in adipose tissue. However, to date no study has investigated the influence of varying insulin concentrations on angiotensinogen (AGT) protein expression in human subcutaneous abdominal fat. Isolated subcutaneous adipocytes were treated with insulin (1–1000 nm) for 48 h. As part of the studies, a novel AGT antibody was developed and validated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed on the protein extracted from the adipocytes treated with insulin to determine AGT expression. Increasing doses of insulin raised AGT protein expression in a dose‐dependent manner (control 1.0 ± 0.0 (mean ± s.e.) – protein expression standardized relative to control; 1 nm insulin: 2.64 ± 0.0.32↑***; 100 nm insulin: 4.37 ± 0.57↑***; 1000 nm insulin: 6.50 ± 0.97↑***; ***p < 0.001, n = 3). In conclusion, increasing insulin doses stimulates AGT production. In this study, protein analysis suggests that hyperinsulinaemia may be an important factor in obesity‐related hypertension.
Pharmacokinetics and anti‐hyperglycaemic efficacy of a novel inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase, 1,4‐dideoxy‐1,4‐imino‐d‐ arabinitol, in glucagon‐challenged rats and dogs and in diabetic ob/ob mice
Authors: Mackay P. , Ynddal L. , Andersen J. V. , McCormack J. G.
Published: November 2003

Aim:  To further characterize the properties of 1,4‐dideoxy‐1,4‐imino‐d‐arabinitol (DAB), a recently described novel and potent inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase and potential anti‐diabetic agent, we have determined its pharmacokinetic properties in rats, dogs and mice and compared these to its pharmacodynamic anti‐hyperglycaemic efficacy.

Methods:  Male Sprague Dawley rats, beagle dogs and diabetic Umeå ob/ob mice were administered DAB or 14C‐DAB at various doses and by different routes and in either the conscious or the unconscious state and with or without glucagon, as appropriate. At different time points thereafter, blood, tissue and urine samples were withdrawn for analyses of DAB or 14C‐DAB, and blood samples were taken for glucose concentration.

Results:  DAB suppressed the blood glucose excursion in glucagon‐challenged rats with an ID100 of 1–2 mg/kg per orally and intravenously and had a pharmacodynamic t50 for 1.6 mg/kg intravenously and for 1.2 mg/kg per orally of 50 and 60 min respectively. The pharmacokinetics of c. 2 mg/kg DAB in rats revealed elimination half‐lives of 25 min after intravenous (i.v.) and 49 min after per oral (p.o.) administration; the oral bioavailability was 89%. In rats, DAB was distributed preferentially in liver vs. skeletal muscle and was eliminated predominantly through urine as parent compound. The pharmacokinetics of 4 mg/kg DAB in dogs showed elimination half‐lives of 107 min after i.v. and 129 min after p.o. administration with an estimated oral availability of 78%. At 4 mg/kg DAB p.o., glucagon‐induced hyperglycaemia in dogs was reduced in a time‐dependent manner with an estimated t50 of 4 h. DAB was very rapidly cleared in mice; nevertheless, a dose‐dependent reduction of blood glucose of up to 9 mmol/l was seen in diabetic ob/ob mice dosed subcutaneously, with statistically significant effects evident from 30 to 120 min.

Conclusions:  These data show that DAB is nearly completely orally available in rats and dogs and that it can reduce glucagon‐induced and spontaneous hyperglycaemia. Inhibition of hepatic glycogen phosphorylase may benefit glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Addition of pramlintide to insulin therapy lowers HbA1c in conjunction with weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes approaching glycaemic targets
Authors: Hollander P. , Ratner R. , Fineman M. , Strobel S. , Shen L. , Maggs D. , Kolterman O. , Weyer C.
Published: November 2003

Aim:  Two long‐term, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trials in insulin‐using patients with type 2 diabetes, spanning a wide range of baseline glycaemic control, have shown that the addition of pramlintide, an analogue of the β‐cell hormone amylin, to pre‐existing insulin regimens results in reductions in HbA1c that are accompanied by weight loss.

Methods:  To assess whether this profile of pramlintide is observed in patients approaching, but not yet reaching, glycaemic targets, we conducted a pooled post hoc analysis of the two trials, including all patients with an entry HbA1c between 7.0 and 8.5%. Within this subset of patients, 80 were treated with placebo + insulin [baseline HbA1c 8.0 ± 0.3%, weight 87.3 ± 19.3 kg (mean ± s.d.)] and 86 with pramlintide (120 µg bid) + insulin [HbA1c 8.0 ± 0.4%, weight 92.5 ± 20.4 kg (mean ± s.d.)]. Endpoints included changes from baseline to Week 26 in HbA1c, body weight, and the event rate of severe hypoglycaemia.

Results:  Adjunctive therapy with pramlintide resulted in significant reductions in both HbA1c and body weight from baseline to Week 26 (−0.43% and −2.0 kg differences from placebo, respectively, both p < 0.001). These changes were achieved without a concomitant increase in the overall rate of severe hypoglycaemic events (0.13 pramlintide vs. 0.19 placebo, events/patient year of exposure).

Conclusions:  The data from this post hoc analysis indicate that the addition of pramlintide to insulin therapy may help patients with type 2 diabetes who are approaching, but not yet reaching, glycaemic targets to achieve further reductions in HbA1c without concomitant weight gain and increased risk of severe hypoglycaemia.
Twice daily biphasic insulin aspart improves postprandial glycaemic control more effectively than twice daily NPH insulin, with low risk of hypoglycaemia, in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Christiansen J. S. , Vaz J. A. , Metelko Z. , Bogoev M. , Dedov I.
Published: November 2003

Objective:  Biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp30) is a dual release formulation, containing 30% soluble and 70% protamine‐crystallized insulin aspart. This study compared the glycaemic control and safety profiles achieved with either twice daily BIAsp30 or NPH insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes not optimally controlled by oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs), NPH insulin or a combination of both.

Methods:  In this 16‐week multinational, parallel‐group, double‐blind trial, 403 such patients were randomized to receive either BIAsp30 or NPH insulin immediately before breakfast and evening meals. OHAs were discontinued at randomization. Efficacy was assessed by glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and self‐recorded daily 8‐point blood glucose (BG) profiles. Hypoglycaemic and other adverse events were the chosen safety parameters.

Results:  HbA1c concentration decreased by >0.6% (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline) in both groups, with metabolic control continuing to improve throughout the trial without reaching a stable level. Patients who switched from once or twice daily NPH monotherapy to twice daily BIAsp30 achieved a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c (0.78%) than those randomized to twice daily NPH insulin (0.58%; p = 0.03). BIAsp30 decreased mean daily postprandial glycaemic exposure to a greater extent than NPH insulin (mean difference = 0.69 mmol/l; p < 0.0001), reflecting greater decreases in the postbreakfast and postdinner increments (of 1.26 and 1.33 mmol/l, respectively), although postlunch increment was relatively increased (by 0.56 mmol/l). Despite the greater reduction in overall postprandial glycaemic exposure in the BIAsp30 group, the overall safety profile of BIAsp30 was equivalent to that of NPH insulin with <2% of patients experiencing major hypoglycaemia, and approximately 33% reporting minor hypoglycaemic episodes, in both groups.

Conclusion:  Twice daily BIAsp30 reduced postprandial glucose exposure to a significantly greater extent than NPH insulin and was at least as effective at reducing HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes. Both insulins were well tolerated. In patients poorly controlled on OHAs or NPH alone, glycaemic control can be improved by switching to twice daily BIAsp30, without increasing hypoglycaemic risk.
Adolescent mothers’ utilization of contraceptive services in South Africa
Authors: Ehlers V. J.
Published: November 2003

Background: In South Africa, contraceptives, as well as emergency contraceptives, are available free of charge. Since 1996, changed legislation has enabled women of all ages to choose whether they wish their pregnancies to be terminated during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, adolescent mothers, 19 years or younger at the time of their babies’ birth, were investigated regarding why they failed to use contraceptive, emergency contraceptive or termination of pregnancy services. Aim: To explore the knowledge of young mothers regarding contraception. Method: An exploratory descriptive survey, utilizing questionnaires and convenience sampling. Findings: The majority of the participating 250 adolescent mothers lacked knowledge about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and termination of pregnancy services. Merely legalizing the termination of pregnancies, and providing free contraceptive and emergency contraceptive services, did not affect the utilization of these services by the 250 adolescent mothers investigated. Conclusion: Young mothers require more knowledge to enable them to make better informed decisions, and the services need to become more readily accessible and user friendly to adolescents. Reproductive health services provided specifically to adolescents could enhance the utilization of such services.
Childhood smoking: the research, clinical and theoretical imperative for nursing action
Authors: Jairath N. , Mitchell K. , Filleon B.
Published: November 2003

Background: Tobacco smoking is a major international health issue which nurses are ideally positioned to address. Childhood represents a critical period for intervention to prevent/reduce smoking. During childhood, the majority of smokers first experiment with smoking, are initiated into the smoking subculture and become addicted to tobacco. Children are highly susceptible to smoking as a result of developmental factors, which promote or facilitate high‐risk behaviours, limited coping skills, limited defences and inadequate legal protection against youth‐focused marketing of tobacco. Aim: This paper is intended to sensitize nurses to the magnitude of childhood smoking as an international health problem and to familiarize them with current intervention approaches and care issues pertinent to child and adolescent populations. Method: An extensive literature review was conducted to determine the impact of childhood smoking at the personal and community level, characteristics of child smokers, the processes associated with smoking cessation, intervention approaches and intervention models for use by nurses across the spectrum of clinical settings. Findings: Evidence exists that behaviourally based interventions by nurses for smoking prevention/cessation are effective with children. Key components of effective behaviourally based antismoking approaches for smokers include addressing self‐efficacy to quit, providing social support, resisting temptation to smoke and discussing issues related to relapse and relapse prevention. For all children, the reinforcement of non‐smoking behaviour is essential. Intervention models, which can be incorporated into routine clinical care of individual children or with groups, emphasize the importance of parental involvement, routine screening for tobacco use and provision of a clear message that smoking and tobacco use is unhealthy.
Women and the global tobacco epidemic: nurses call to action
Authors: Andrews J. O. , Heath J.
Published: November 2003

Background: Tobacco consumption is increasing among women across the globe at alarming rates. Without effective intervention, the smoking prevalence among women will nearly triple over the next generation. These trends are potentially more threatening when considering how tobacco intersects women's lives, regardless if they use tobacco products or not.Aim: A review and analysis of the literature is conducted to examine the scope of tobacco's global effect on the multiple dimensions of women's health.Method: Medline (1990–2003), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1990–2003) and World Health Organization databases were searched for related topics. Keywords for searches included global health, tobacco, women and nursing.Findings: The epidemiology and prevalence of tobacco use among women are presented and its impact on women globally. Using an ecological perspective, the consequences of tobacco are analysed within the contexts of health, social, environment, economic and policy as it relates to women, their families and their communities.Implications: Nurses are in prime positions to empower individuals, families, communities and nations in the prevention and treatment of tobacco use. Health for all women continues to be a call for equity and social justice. Recommendations are provided for nursing practice, education, theory, research and policy to address this global health concern.
Skin barrier structure, function and formation – learning from cryo‐electron microscopy of vitreous, fully hydrated native human epidermis
Authors: Norlén L.
Published: November 2003

Synopsis

The hydration level of the stratum corneum largely depends on the physical state and molecular organization of the stratum corneum intercellular lipid matrix. A better understanding of stratum corneum lipid organization may thus aid the development of more rational cosmetic formulations. Several experimental and theoretical problems of a fundamental character remain, however, unresolved. These are, e.g. that precise quantitative skin barrier compositional data are difficult to obtain and that in vitro experimental skin barrier models usually are of limited value because of the prevailing non‐equilibrium conditions in vivo. However, new experimental methods have recently been developed, which may help to overcome some of these limitations. These are, e.g. direct electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) of intact long‐chain skin ceramides and direct high‐resolution cryo‐transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM) of vitreous sections of native, fully hydrated epidermis. Here, we show that cryo‐transmission electron micrographs of vitreous normal human skin often dramatically differ from those obtained by conventional electron microscopy of resin‐embedded skin. Our epidermal cryo‐TEM data are subsequently discussed in relation to central problems of present conceptions of skin barrier structure, function and formation.
Utilisation de la méthode du cubic simplex pour l'optimisation de la formulation a froid d'une emulsion de thioglycolate de calcium
Authors: Moulai‐Mostefa N. , Sadok A. Hadj , Berrayah N. , Sabri N.
Published: November 2003

Synopsis

The aim of this work relates to the optimization of a cold formulation of a depilatory emulsion containing thioglycolate of calcium, which presents the same characteristics as a reference product. To lead to this objective, a cubic simplex method was used. A preliminary formulation was preformed to evaluate the influence of each factor on the process formulation. The depilatory creams carried out present a rheological behaviour described by the model of Hershell–Bulkely, whose parameters are considered as responses of the optimizing system. This strategy allows both reducing and optimizing the number of experiments. The rheological measurements and the tests of stability showed that the use of an emulsifying polymer led to obtain a stable depilatory cream with a good effectiveness at a strong pH value.
Aspiring for, and Achieving Growth: The Moderating Role of Resources and Opportunities*
Authors: Wiklund Johan , Shepherd Dean
Published: November 2003

abstract In this article, we use the theory of planned behaviour to develop a model of small business managers’ growth aspirations and the level of growth achieved. We empirically test this model on a large longitudinal data set of small firms using hierarchical regression. Consistent with previous findings and others’ assumptions, we find that small business managers’ aspirations to expand their business activities are positively related to actual growth. However, the relationship between aspirations and growth appears more complex than stated. It depends on the level of education and experience of the small business manager as well as the dynamism of the environment in which the business(es) operates. Education, experience and environmental dynamism magnify the effect that one's growth aspirations have on the realization of growth.
Stories from the Front‐line: How they Construct the Organization*
Authors: Hopkinson Gillian C.
Published: November 2003

abstractDrawing on social constructionist theory this paper applies discourse analysis to ten narratives told by service delivery staff in one distribution network. The analysis looks at how the narratives construct the organization through their constructions of self (the narrator), customer and manufacturer and their constructions of the relationships linking these three sets of actors. The paper argues that the narrators construct the self either as an organizational customer or an organizational partner. The two constructions locate conflict either within the organization or at the customer–organizational boundary respectively. The implications of this are suggested. Contrasts between the manner in which organizational members construct the self as customer or partner and the construction of the organizational member in the internal customer literature are highlighted and briefly discussed.
Towards a Theory of Organizational Improvisation: Looking Beyond the Jazz Metaphor
Authors: Kamoche Ken , Cunha Miguel Pina e , Cunha João Vieira da
Published: November 2003

abstractThis paper calls for research on organizational improvisation to go beyond the currently dominant jazz metaphor in theory development. We recognize the important contribution that jazz improvisation has made and will no doubt continue to make in understanding the nature and complexity of organizational improvisation. This article therefore presents some key lessons from the jazz metaphor and then proceeds to identify the possible dangers of building scientific inquiry upon a single metaphor. We then present three alternative models – Indian music, music therapy and role theory. We explore their nature and seek to identify ways in which the insights they generate complement those from jazz. This leads us to a better understanding of the challenges of building a theory of organizational improvisation.
An Empirical Exploration of Decision‐making Under Agency Controls and Stewardship Structure
Authors: Tosi Henry L. , Brownlee Amy L. , Silva Paula , Katz Jeffrey P.
Published: November 2003

abstract Two theories have emerged in the managerial control literature as to the best way for organizations to ensure that managers are acting in the firm's best interest: agency theory, which stresses controlling decision‐makers through monitoring and incentives aligned with organizational goals, and stewardship theory, which stresses that decision‐makers will act in the organization's best interest even in the absence of controls. Much of the research investigating the utility of these two positions is based on archival data where actual decision‐making can only be inferred. In this study, we utilize a laboratory methodology in order to determine if decision‐makers actually make different decisions when under the types of control (or lack thereof) suggested in these two theories. The results of this study show that individuals under agency controls invest more in alternatives that maximize profits of an organization than individuals under stewardship controls.
The Structure and Management of Alliances: Syndication in the Venture Capital Industry*
Authors: Wright Mike , Lockett Andy
Published: November 2003

abstract Syndicates are a form of inter‐firm alliance in which two or more venture capital firms co‐invest in an investee firm and share a joint pay‐off. Syndication is a significant part of the venture capital market yet little research has been conducted into the process of structuring syndicate deals and the management of syndicates following deal completion. This paper analyses the neglected issues concerning the structuring and management of syndicated venture capital investments from the perspectives of both lead and non‐lead syndicate members using two surveys of venture capital firms and examination of syndication documents. Lead investors typically have larger equity stakes and the syndicated investment agreement is a document that enshrines the rights of participants rather than specifying behaviour. Contractual arrangements typically serve as a back drop to relationships as non‐legal sanctions are important and decisions are typically reached following discussion and consensus, but lead venture capital investors’ residual and specific powers are important in ensuring timely decision‐making. The findings extend previous work on alliances by emphasizing the importance of non‐legal sanctions, especially reputation effects, in mitigating opportunistic behaviour by dominant equity holders. The paper also adds to the limited research on the dynamics of alliances by highlighting the role of repeat syndicates.
Co‐evolution in an Institutionalized Environment*
Authors: Rodrigues Suzana , Child John
Published: November 2003

abstract This paper examines the extent to which co‐evolution can take place within a heavily constrained environment and how changes in the degree of institutionalization are relevant to opportunities for exercising strategic choice at the level of the firm. It addresses these questions through a detailed case study of a major Brazilian telecommunications company, Telemig, covering its life span of 27 years from 1973 to 2000. The insights obtained advance the theory of co‐evolution by incorporating a political dimension of how organizations are transformed into new forms. In the case studied, new forms arose with radical changes in the rules affecting competition and with de‐institutionalization of the economic regime by coalitions of actors who were strategically located in networks that crossed system levels. Although the Telemig case presents circumstances different to those usually addressed by studies of co‐evolution, it nevertheless points to the virtues of combining a strategic choice approach with one that focuses on the isomorphic effects of institutional constraints.
Capabilities in Motion: New Organizational Forms and the Reshaping of the Hollywood Movie Industry*
Authors: Lampel Joseph , Shamsie Jamal
Published: November 2003

abstract This paper looks at the evolution of capabilities in the Hollywood movie industry in the aftermath of the transition from a studio era dominated by integrated hierarchies to a post‐studio era dominated by flexible hub organizations supplied by networks of resource providers. Adopting a dynamic capabilities perspective we argue that two industry capabilities – mobilizing and transforming capabilities – play a crucial role in assembling and transforming resource bundles into feature films. We further argue that the transition to new organizational forms shifts the co‐evolutionary process, with practices and routines that make up mobilizing capabilities changing faster and becoming more important to box office success than practices and routines that make up transforming capabilities. We test our hypotheses using a sample of 400 films split between the studio and post‐studio eras. The results support our hypotheses, pointing to the influence of centralized control versus dispersed access to resources. The strategy of integrated hierarchical organizations depends on ownership of resources that reduces incentives to develop mobilizing capabilities, and increases incentives to develop transforming capabilities. The advent of new organizational forms, by contrast, increases returns to new practices and routines that mobilize resources at the expense of returns on exploring practices and routines that make up transforming capabilities.
The Corporate Opportunity Doctrine and Impossibility Arguments
Authors: Scott Struan
Published: November 2003

This article considers whether English law should allow a director to argue that if the company is unable to exploit a corporate opportunity, the director should be free to exploit it personally. The article supports the view of the Company Law Review Steering Group that the answer should remain no. In so doing it analyses US practice to show that, even where such arguments are recognised, they are difficult to prove and their potential application is curtailed through the development of satellite rules. Indeed, in practical terms there may be no significant difference between the Steering Group's recommendations and the position towards which US law appears to be moving.
The Environmental Approach to Prehistoric Studies: Concepts and Theories
Authors: Smyntyna Olena V.
Published: November 2003

This article examines the main approaches to prehistoric environmental studies. The history of theories and concepts used in contemporary prehistory, archaeology, cultural and social anthropology, ecology, sociology, psychology, and demography is discussed. The author concludes with a plea for the concept of “living space” as a way to address certain problems in interdisciplinary studies of prehistoric societies.
The Problematic Nature of Nature: The Post‐constructivist Challenge to Environmental History
Authors: Asdal Kristin
Published: November 2003

This article discusses the program of environmental history within the larger discipline of history and contrasts it with more recent contributions from post‐constructivist science. It explores the ways in which post‐constructivism has the potential to productively address many of the shortcomings of environmental history's theories and models that environmental historians themselves have begun to view with a critical eye. The post‐constructivist authors discussed in this article, Donna Haraway and Bruno Latour, both represent challenges to the ways in which nature and the natural sciences tend to be conceptualized as non‐problematized entities within environmental history. They also challenge the ways in which dichotomies of nature and culture tend to be reproduced within the program of environmental history. It is argued that these post‐constructivist contributions represent a radical and arguably more truly historical way of introducing non‐human actors into the historical narrative, and thus represent a potential reinvigoration of environmental history that would embrace a more radical historicity, greater diversity, and openness to difference.
Does Nature Always Matter? Following Dirt through History
Authors: Stroud Ellen
Published: November 2003

Despite several decades of impressive scholarship in environmental history, the field remains largely marginal to the discipline as a whole. Environmental stories are still more likely to turn up in introductions, sidebars, and footnotes to political, social, and economic histories than they are to be incorporated into those narratives in a transformative way, though we as environmental historians know that potential is there. As we struggle to identify what precisely it is that we want other historians to do with our work, we run up against questions of definition and mission: What is environmental history? What do we do that is unique? What do we want other historians to learn from what we do? Some scholars in our field have suggested that we can answer these questions by framing “environment” as a category of analysis parallel to race, class, and gender, arguing that careful attention to the environment offers as rich a way of uncovering power relationships in societies as attention to these other categories does. While it is true that power can be read in the environment, and is frequently expressed through it, I argue that “environment” as both concept and fact is so fundamentally different from class, race, and gender that the analogy does not work, and distracts us from another, more fruitful strategy for articulating the broader relevance of our scholarship: demonstrating the significance of material nature for histories beyond the environmental realm. If other historians would join us in our attention to the physical, biological, and ecological nature of dirt, water, air, trees, and animals (including humans), they would find themselves led to new questions and new answers about the past.
The Ultimate “Other”: Post‐Colonialism and Alexander von Humboldt's Ecological Relationship with Nature
Authors: Sachs Aaron
Published: November 2003

This article is a meditation on the overlaps between environmentalism, post‐colonial theory, and the practice of history. It takes as a case study the writings of the explorer‐scientist‐abolitionist Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859), the founder of a humane, socially conscious ecology. The post‐colonial critique has provided a necessary corrective to the global environmental movement, by focusing it on enduring colonialist power dynamics, but at the same time it has crippled the field of environmental history, by dooming us to a model of the past in which all Euro‐American elites, devoid of personal agency, are always already in an exploitative relationship with the people and natural resources of the developing world. A close reading of Humboldt's work, however, suggests that it could provide the basis for a healthy post‐colonial environmentalism, if only post‐colonial critics were willing to see beyond Humboldt's complicity in colonial structures. In particular, this article attempts to rehabilitate Humboldt's reputation in the face of Mary Louise Pratt's canonical post‐colonial study, Imperial Eyes: Travel Writing and Transculturation. Humboldt's efforts to inspire communion with Nature while simultaneously recognizing Nature's “otherness” can be seen as radical both in his day and in ours. In addition his analysis of the link between the exploitation of natural resources and the exploitation of certain social groups anticipates the global environmental justice movement.