bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACCLIMATION OF MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON TO DIFFERENT NITROGEN SOURCES1
Authors: Levasseur Maurice , Thompson Peter A. , Harrison Paul J.
Published: October 2004

We examined the energetic dependency of the biochemical and physiological responses of Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle and Heimdal. Chaetoceros gracilis Schütt, Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher, and Gymnodinium sanguineum Hirasaka to NH4+, NO3−, and urea by growing them at subsaturating and saturating photon flux (PF). At subsaturating PF, when energy was limiting, NO3− and NH4+ grown cells had similar growth rates and C and X quotas. Therefore, NO3− grown cells used up to 48% more energy than NH4+ grown cells to assimilate carbon and nitrogen. Based on our measurements of pigments, chlorophyll‐a‐specific in vivo absorption cross‐section, and fluorescence‐chlorophyll a−1, we suggest that NO3−, grown cells do not compensate for the greater energy requirements of NO3− reduction by trapping more light energy. At saturating PF, when energy is not limiting, the utilization of NO3−, compared to NH4+ resulted in lower growth rates and N quotas in Thalassiosira pseudonana and lower N quotas in Chaetoceros gracilis, suggesting enzymatic rather than energetic limitations to growth. The utilization of urea compared to Nh4+ resulted in lower growth rates in Chaetoceros gracilis and Gymnodinium sanguineum (saturating PF) and in lower N quotas in all species tested at both subsaturating and saturating PF. The high C:N ratios observed in all urea‐grown species suggest that nitrogen assimilation may be limited by urea uptake or deamination and that symptoms of N limitation in microalgae may be induced by the nature of the N source in addition to the N supply rate. Our results provide new eridence that the maximum growth rates of microalgae may be limited by enzymatic processes associated with the assimilation of NO3−, or urea.
THF INFLUENCE OF IRRADIANCE ON THF BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE PRYMNESIOPHYTE ISOCHRYSIS SP. (CLONE T‐ISO)1
Authors: Brown Malcolm R. , Dunstan Graeme A. , Jeffrey S. W. , Volkman John K. , Barrett Stephanie M. , LeRoi Jeannie‐Marie
Published: October 2004

The effects of irradiance on the biochemical composition of the prymnesiophyte microalga, Isochrysis sp. (Parke; clone T‐ISO), a popular species for mariculture, were examined. Cultures were grown under a 12:12 h light: dark (L:D) regime at five irradiances ranging from 50 to 1000 μE·m 2·s−1 and harvested at late‐logarithmic phase for analysis of biochemical composition. Gross composition varied aver the range of irradiances. The highest levels of protein were present in cells from cultures grown at 100 and 250 μE·m 3·s1, and minimum levels of carbohydrate and lipid occurred at 50 μE·m−2·s−1. Because the cell dry weight was reduced at lower irradiances, different trends were evident when results were expressed as percentage of dry weights. Protein percentages were highest at Wand 100 μE·m−2·s−1 and carbohydrate at 100 μE·m−2·s−1.

The composition of amino acids did not differ over the range of irradiances. Glutamate and aspartate were always present in high proportions (9.0–13.5%); histidine. methionine, tryptophan, cystine, and hydroxy‐proline were minor constituents (0.0–2.6%). Glucose was the predominant sugar in all cultures, ranging from 23.0% (50 μE·m−2·s−1) to 45.0% (100 μE·m−2·s−1) of total polysaccharide. No correlation was found between the proportion of any of the sugars and irradiance.

The proportions of the lipid class components and fatty acids showed little change with irradiance. The main fatty acids were 14:0, 16:0, 16:1(n‐7), 18:1(n‐9), 18:3(n‐3). 18:4(n‐3), 18:5(n‐3), and 22:6(n‐3). Proportions of 22: 6(n‐3) increased, whereas l8:3(n‐3). 18:3(n‐6). and 18:4(n‐3) decreased, with increasing irradiance. Pigment concentrations were highest in cultures grown at 50 μE·m−2·s−1, except for fucoxanthin and diadinoxanthin (100 μE·m−2·s−1). The concentrations of accessory pigments correlated with chlorophyll a, which decreased in concentration with increasing irradiance.

On the basts of biochemical composition, an irradiance of 100 μE·m−1·s−1 (12:12 h L:D cycle)for the culture of Isochrysis sp. (clone T‐ISO) may provide optimal nutritional value for maricultured animals, although feeding trials are now necessary to substantiate this.
BIO‐OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PHOTOADAPTIVE RESPONSES IN THE TOXIC AND BLOOM‐FORMING DINOFLAGELLATES GYRODINIUM AUREOLUM, GYMNODINIUM GALATHEANUM, AND TWO STRAINS OF PROROCENTRUM MINIMUM1
Authors: Johnsen Geir , Sakshaug Egil
Published: October 2004

Photoadaptive responses in the toxic and bloom‐forming dinoflagellates Gyrodinium aureolum Hulbert, Gymnodinium galatheanum Braarud, and two strains of Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard)Schiller were evaluated with respect to pigment composition, light‐harvesting characteristics, carbon and nitrogen contents, and growth rates in shade‐ and light‐adapted cells. The two former species were grown at scalar irradiances of 30 and 170 μmol · m −2 at a 12‐h daylength at 20° C. The two strains of P. minimum were grown at 35 and 500 μmol. m−2· s−1 at a 2‐h daylength at 20° C. For the first time, chlorophyll (chl) c3, characteristic of several bloom‐forming prymnesiophytes, was detected in G. aureolum and G. galatheanum. Photoadaptional status affected the pigment composition strongly, and the interpretation of the variation depended on whether the pigment composition was normalized per cell, carbon, or chl a. Species‐specific and photoadaptional differences in chl a‐specific absorption (°ac, 400–700 nm) and chl a‐normalized fluorescence excitation spectra of photosystem II fluorescence with or without addition of DCMU (°F and °FDCMU 400–700 nm) were evident. Gyrodinium aureolum and G. galatheanum exhibited in vivo spectral characteristics similar to chl c3‐containing prymnesiophytes in accordance with their similar pigmentation. Prorocentrum minimum had in vivo absorption and fluorescence characteristics typical for peridinin‐containing dinoflagellates. Species‐specific differences in in vivo absorption were also observed as a function of package effect vs. growth irradiance. This effect could be explained by differences in intracellular pigment content, cell size/shape, and chloroplast morphology/numbers. Light‐ and shade‐adapted cells of P. minimum contained 43 and 17% of photoprotective carotenoids (diadino + diatoxanthin) relative to chl a, respectively. The photoprotective function of these carotenoids was clearly observed as a reduction in °F and °F DCMU at 400–540 nm compared to °ac in light‐adapted cells of P. minimum. Spectrally weighted light absorption (normalized to chl a and carbon, 400–700 nm) varied with species and growth conditions. The use of quantum‐corrected and normalized fluorescence excitation spectra with or without DCMU‐treated cells to estimate photosynthetically usable light is discussed. The usefulness of in vitro absorption and fluorescence excitation spectra for estimation of the degradation status of chl a and the ratio of chl a to total pigments is also discussed.
MUCILAGE PROCESSING AND SECRETION IN THE GREEN ALGA CLOSTERIUM. I. CYTOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY1
Authors: Domozych Catherine Rogers , Plante Kevin , Blais Phillipe , Paliulis Leocadia , Domozych David S.
Published: October 2004

Placoderm desmids (Conjugates, Chlorophyta) such as Closterium exhibit a gliding locomotory behavior. This results from the forceful extrusion of an acidic polysaccharide from one pole of the cell causing the cell to glide in the opposite direction. A biochemical and cytological analysis of gliding behavior was performed. The mucilage is a high molecular weight polysaccharide rich in glucuronic acid and fucose. Under normal growth conditions, 3 μg of mucilage is produced per cell in 30 days. Mucilage production increased 3–4 fold in cells challenged with low phosphate or nitrate conditions. A polyclonal antibody was raised against the mucilage and used in immunofluorescence studies. These results show that upon contact with another object Closterium aligns itself parallel to that object by a “jack‐knife” motion. Subsequently, large amounts of mucilage are released to form elongate tubes enmeshing the cell with that object. In post‐cytokinetic phases of the cell cycle, mucilage is extruded only through the pole of the developing semi‐cell. Chlorotetracyclene‐labeling of mucilage‐secreting cells shows a correlation between calcium‐rich loci on the cell surface and sites of mucilage release.
CYTOCHALASIN B INFLUENCES DICTYOSOMAL VESICLE PRODUCTION AND MORPHOGENESIS IN THE DESMID EUASTRUM1
Authors: Url Thomas , Höftberger Margit , Meindl Ursula
Published: October 2004

Cytochalasin B (CB) applied to young developing cells of the desmid Euastrum oblongum Ralfs ex Ralfs, at concentrations that do not entirely inhibit cytoplasmic streaming, retarded cell growth and caused malformations of cell shape. While the basic symmetry of the cell was maintained, only the first indentations were formed and the cell body appeared to be swollen. Electron microscopic investigations revealed that vesicle production at the dictyosomes was disturbed by cytochalasin. In contrast to untreated control cells, where vesicles with electron‐dense contents (“dark vesicles”) were formed during primary wall formation, vesicles pinched off by the dictyosomes during CB treatment exhibited an “empty” appearance. These vesicles, which correspond to the “dark vesicles” in size, were accumulated around the dictyosomes without being transported to the plasma membrane and were frequently connected to the trans‐cisternae of the Golgi bodies. We speculate that CB may influence the transfer of products from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the dictyosomes via transition vesicles, which results in a disturbed vesicle production at the Golgi bodies. CB also causes a shift in ER and dictyosome distribution. Moreover, a cortical actin system appears to be involved in the cell shaping of Euastrum. The arrangement of microtubules around the nucleus is not affected by the drug.
BETA/KAPPA‐CARRAGEENANS AS EVIDENCE FOR CONTINUED SEPARATION OF THE FAMILIES DICRANEMATACEAE AND SARCODIACEAE (GIGARTINALES, RHODOPHYTA)1
Authors: Liao Ming‐Long , Kraft Gerald T. , Munro Sharon L. A. , Craik David J. , Bacic Antony
Published: October 2004

The Dicranemataceae consists of five species in four genera of macroscopic red algae endemic to the southern half of Australia plus a single species from southern Japan. Investigations of the nonfibrillar wall components of five of the six species show that all are composed mainly of hybrid (or mixed) beta (β)/kappa(κ)‐type carrageenans. Detailed studies of Tylotus obtusatus (Sonder) J. Agardh show that it produces the largest dry‐weight percentage of β‐carrageenan yet recorded. Monosaccharide composition, total sulfate content, sulfation pattern revealed by infrared and 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a positive specific optical rotation ([α]D+ 54°) are indicative of a low‐sulfate‐containing carrageenan with gelling properties similar to those of agar and furcellaran. β‐carrageenan is recorded in only five other red algal species belonging to relatively unrelated families, and we conclude that its uniform occurrence in the highly specialized family Dicranemataceae has phylogenetic significance. Chemical and anatomical examination of the genus Sarcodia, which produce lambda‐type carrageenan in both its gametophytic and tetrasporophytic phases, suggests that, despite the recent proposal to incorporate the Dicranemataceae into the Sarcodiaceae, the two families should continue to be separated.
Modeling vertical beta‐diversity in tropical butterfly communities
Authors: Walla Thomas R. , Engen Steinar , DeVries Philip J. , Lande Russell
Published: October 2004

We present a novel analytical method for assessing spatial and temporal structure in community samples that is useful for comparing large data‐sets that include species abundance data. The model assumes that species numbers in two samples are drawn from a bi‐variate Poisson log‐normal species abundance distribution and parameters from the fitted distribution are estimated to assess community structure. We assessed three tropical butterfly data‐sets for spatial structure in the vertical dimension, and tested for changes in structure as a result of temporal variance, disturbance regimes, and geographic location. Our results indicate that the vertical dimension is a major structural component in tropical forest butterfly communities that varies little through time and is not measurably affected by small‐scale disturbances. However, there is evidence that the degree of vertical structure may vary among geographic regions. These results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms maintaining vertical structure, and the implications of changes in forest architecture on butterfly communities.
Interspecific synchrony among foliage‐feeding forest Lepidoptera species and the potential role of generalist predators as synchronizing agents
Authors: Raimondo Sandy , Turcáni Marek , Patoèka Jan , Liebhold Andrew M.
Published: October 2004

While synchrony among geographically disjunct populations of the same species has received considerable recent attention, much less is known about synchrony between sympatric populations of two or more species. We analyzed time series of the abundance of ten species of spring foliage feeding Lepidoptera sampled over a 25‐year period at 20 sites in the Slovak Republic. Six species were free‐feeders and four were leaf‐rollers as larvae. Twenty‐nine percent of interspecific pairs were significantly synchronous and correlations were highest among species exhibiting similar feeding strategies. Similar patterns of interspecific synchrony have been previously demonstrated in several other taxa, and the synchronizing effects of weather and/or specialist predators have been proposed as mechanisms. As an alternative explanation, we explored a model in which two species within the same feeding guild were synchronized by the functional response of generalist predators. In this model, species remained unsynchronized in the complete absence of predation or when predatory pressures were applied to only one species. Pairs of prey species projecting relatively similar search images to predators were more highly synchronized than species with relatively different search images. Prey handling time only influenced synchrony when it was very high relative to the total time prey was exposed to predators. Our model's prediction of greater synchrony among species that project similar search images to predators was in agreement with our field study that showed greater synchrony among species sharing similar larval feeding strategies and morphologies.
Bioterrorism: US public health and a secular apocalypse
Authors: Schoch‐Spana Monica
Published: October 2004

This analysis was prepared for the ‘Bioterrorism: Historical contexts, long‐term consequences’ conference held at the Department of Anthropology, History, and Social Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, on 8 May 2002. A revised version was presented at the panel ‘A plagued future? Emerging diseases, bioweapons, and other anticipated microbial horrors’ at the 2002 American Anthropological Association Meetings, 23 November. I thank meeting participants for their comments, as well as Nick King, Joe Masco and the anonymous referees for AT. I am indebted to colleagues D.A. Henderson, Tara O'Toole, Tom Inglesby and Michael Mair for their reflections on the humanitarian and public policy dilemmas posed by bioweapons, and to Onora Lien and Ari Schuler for research assistance.
The trouble with truth: Anthropology's epistemological hypochondria
Authors: Wilson Richard A.
Published: October 2004

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the AAA meeting in November 2003, in a panel on ‘Anthropological evidence and its uses’, sponsored by the Wenner‐Gren Foundation. My thanks to Jane Cowan, Nigel Rapport and an anonymous reviewer for their comments.
Indigenous peoples
Authors: Barnard Alan
Published: October 2004

a response to Justin Kenrick and Jerome Lewis (AT20[2])
Plakin proteins are coordinately cleaved during apoptosis but preferentially through the action of different caspases
Authors: Aho Sirpa
Published: October 2004

Abstract:  In epithelial cells, cell–cell and cell–matrix junctions, desmosomes and hemidesmosomes, provide anchorage sites for the keratin‐intermediate filaments. The plakin proteins desmoplakin (DP), plectin, and periplakin represent intracellular constituents of these adhesion junctions. In staurosporine‐treated apoptotic HaCaT cells, DP, plectin, and periplakin became cleaved coordinately with the elimination of keratins 10 and 14, while involucrin, actin, and keratin 18 displayed considerable stability. The caspase inhibitor zVAD‐fmk prevented both the cell detachment and protein cleavage, indicating the function of caspases in these events. Closer examination in vitro revealed that while caspases 2 and 4 most efficiently cleaved DP, and plectin served as a target for caspases 3 and 7, periplakin as well as keratins were cleaved by caspase 6. The involvement of multiple caspases in the destruction of epithelial cell integrity ensures the efficient elimination of cytoskeleton, but also provides specificity for selectively targeting individual adhesion molecules.
Nicotine effects on skin: Are they positive or negative?
Authors: Misery Laurent
Published: October 2004

Abstract:  The adverse effects of tobacco on the skin are well known but the role of nicotine is more controversial. Nicotinic receptors are expressed in the skin, on keratinocytes, fibroblasts and blood vessels. Nicotine induces vasoconstriction associated with local hyperaemia. It inhibits inflammation through effects on central and peripheral nervous system and through direct effect on immune cells. It delays wound healing and accelerates skin aging. The role of nicotine on skin diseases remains unclear. Therapeutic effects of nicotine could be possible and this a new stimulating field of research.
Reaction rates in allogeneic donors
Authors: Shehata N. , Kusano R. , Hannach B. , Hume H.
Published: October 2004

summary. In Canada and several other countries, there is an upper age limit for blood donation. In order to evaluate the safety of whole blood donation in elderly Canadian allogeneic donors, we analysed reaction rates following whole blood donation.

Reactions rates in allogeneic whole blood donors who donated at Canadian Blood Services were reviewed retrospectively. Rates were analysed by age, donation frequency and by donation frequency for each age group.

A total of 5478 reactions were available for analysis in 469 837 donors. The highest rate of mild reactions occurred in donors less than 20 years of age. Moderate and severe reactions decreased with increasing age and with donation frequency. Age‐adjusted rates for mild reactions were less frequent in donors aged 66–77 years than in donors younger than 20 years. Although age‐adjusted moderate reactions varied with donation frequency, after seven donations, rates were not increased for donors aged 60 years or older (0·61% for donors aged less than 20 years compared to 0·03% for donors aged 60–65 years compared to 0% for donors aged 66–71 years). Age‐adjusted rates for severe reactions generally did not increase with donation frequency.

These results confirm the safety of whole blood donation in regular donors who are 66–71 years of age.
A survey of autologous blood transfusion practices in Germany
Authors: Kaufmann J. , Klimek M. , Kampe S. , Paul M. , Kasper S. M.
Published: October 2004

summary.

This survey was designed to evaluate the use of autologous blood transfusion techniques in Germany in 2000 and to identify how the use of these techniques has changed over the past 5 years.

Questionnaires were mailed to the chief anaesthesiologists of 400 randomly selected German hospitals with ≥25 surgical beds. Information was sought about the current and past use of preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD), acute preoperative haemodilution and peri‐operative blood salvage. Data were requested for the calendar year 2000.

Three hundred and forty‐three (86%) completed questionnaires were returned. PABD, haemodilution and peri‐operative blood salvage were used by 85, 54 and 67% of respondents, respectively. Thirty‐seven per cent of PABD users reported that PABD use declined, 28% reported that it increased and 34% reported that it remained unchanged over the past 5 years. The proportions of those reporting declining vs. increasing use of PABD did not differ significantly (P = 0·09). Sixty per cent of users of haemodilution reported that its use declined, 10% reported that it increased and 29% reported that it remained unchanged over the past 5 years. Sixteen per cent of hospitals that were equipped with cell‐washing devices reported that the use of these devices declined, 47% reported that it increased and 37% reported that it remained unchanged over the past 5 years.

The results indicate that autologous blood transfusion techniques were widely used in Germany in 2000, with PABD being the most common technique. The use of PABD did not change significantly, the use of haemodilution declined markedly and the use of peri‐operative cell salvage increased markedly during the past 5 years before the survey.
Activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils by immune complex: possible involvement in development of transfusion‐related acute lung injury
Authors: Nishimura M. , Ishikawa Y. , Satake M.
Published: October 2004

summary.

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious side‐effect of transfusion. We presumed that immune complex (IC)‐activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are involved in the development of TRALI. The aim of this study is to examine the various effects of ICs on normal human PMNs. ICs used here were artificially formed by combining soluble human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II‐positive serum and anti‐HLA class II antiserum. The abilities of ICs to trigger PMNs and induce the production of soluble mediators and the involvement of the Fc receptor (FcR) in the activation of PMNs by ICs were investigated. Moreover, the ability of the culture supernatant of PMNs incubated with ICs regarded to induce the apoptosis of lung microvascular endothelial (LME) cells was examined. The results proved that PMNs are triggered by ICs resulting in the acceleration of the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), perforin and Fas ligand, in which FcR on PMNs appears to be involved. Furthermore, the culture supernatants of PMNs cultured with ICs were revealed to induce the apoptosis of LME cells. In conclusion, the ICs used here were proved to induce PMNs to release cytotoxic factors upon activation. These results suggest that ICs are mediators of the development of TRALI.
Risky drinking and alcohol use patterns in a national sample of women of childbearing age
Authors: Nayak Madhabika Beverta , Kaskutas Lee Ann
Published: October 2004

Aims  We examined risky drinking and alcohol use patterns associated with prenatal effects of alcohol exposure in women of childbearing age, using various definitions of low‐risk drinking.

Design  Computer‐assisted telephone interview (CATI) methodology was used to gather information in a cross‐sectional survey on alcohol use and problems, pregnancy and likelihood of future pregnancy.

Setting  Participants were respondents in the 2000 National Alcohol Survey (NAS, N10, response rate 58%) which includes men and women from all 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia.

Participants  A total of 1504 women aged 18–39 years were included; 72 were pregnant, 511 were currently not pregnant but reported being likely to be pregnant in the next 5 years, and 921 women were neither pregnant nor likely to be in the next 5 years.

Measurements  Various alcohol use patterns in the past 12 months including average volume, amount per session, drinking with food and time spent drinking were assessed.

Findings  Seven per cent of childbearing age women exceeded guidelines used to classify women as risky drinkers in the past month. Thirty per cent were classified as risky drinkers when these guidelines were extended to past‐year drinking. Examination of specific alcohol use patterns revealed that while under 10% of risky drinkers reported past‐month heavy episodic drinking, 30% or more reported heavy episodic drinking and exceeding daily limits for alcohol consumption in the past year.

Conclusions  Public health professionals should note that past‐year drinking in a significant proportion of women of childbearing age exceeds guidelines for alcohol use. When targeting such prevention efforts, they should thus include assessment of past‐year alcohol use patterns.
Times for healing: towards a typology of time‐frames in Swiss alcohol and drug clinics
Authors: Klingemann Harald , Schibli Daniela
Published: October 2004

Aim  To translate theoretical dimensions of ‘social time’ and ‘clock time’ in addiction treatment settings into empirical measures and to develop a typology of institutional time perspectives.

Method  From November 2001 to February 2002, a mail survey was conducted with directors of 57 alcohol and drug clinics in the German‐speaking part of Switzerland. Items measured the past and future orientation of the treatment programmes, elements of social time and clock time as part of organizational life and ‘time bargaining’ between therapists and clients.

Findings  Four clusters of temporal orientations emerged: ‘clock time keepers’ (who emphasize time control and future pessimism); ‘nostalgic time riders’ (focus on the ‘good old days’ but individualized planning); ‘optimist speeders’ (fast pacing, future control); and ‘relaxed future optimists’ (also future oriented but not sharing the idea of linear time). The time‐frame also influences the negotiation of time in treatment between staff and patients: ‘relaxed future optimists’ most frequently report diverging views, while ‘optimist speeders’ seem to harmonize the views of patients and treatment staff more easily. Finally, the introduction of the harm reduction policy seems to covary with the ways in which time is viewed and used in treatment organizations.

Conclusions  Treatment programmes differ in their view and use of time. Organizational times with varying dynamics, future–past orientations and time control interact with the organizational structure and socio‐environmental factors. The capacity of programmes to adapt to changes in treatment policy and in the treatment system depends to some extent on organizational time orientation.
Web‐based screening and brief intervention for hazardous drinking: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kypri Kypros , Saunders John B. , Williams Sheila M. , McGee Rob O. , Langley John D. , Cashell‐Smith Martine L. , Gallagher Stephen J.
Published: October 2004

Background  Strong evidence exists for the efficacy of screening and brief intervention for reducing hazardous drinking. However, problems have been highlighted with respect to its implementation in health‐care systems, not least of which is a reluctance of some doctors to discuss alcohol proactively with their patients.

Aims  To determine the efficacy of a novel web‐based screening and brief intervention (e‐SBI) to reduce hazardous drinking.

Design  A double‐blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting  A university student health service.

Participants  A total of 167 students (17–26 years) were recruited in the reception area and completed a 3‐minute web‐based screen including the Alcohol Use Disorder Identifiation Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Of these, 112 tested positive, and 104 (52 females) who consented to follow‐up were included in the trial.

Measurements  Drinking frequency, typical occasion quantity, total volume, heavy episode frequency (females > 80 g ethanol, males > 120 g ethanol), number of personal problems, an academic problems score.

Intervention  Participants were randomized to 10–15 minutes of web‐based assessment and personalized feedback on their drinking (intervention, n = 51) or to a leaflet‐only control group (n = 53).

Findings  Mean baseline AUDIT scores for control and intervention groups were  16.6  (SD = 6.0)  and  16.6  (SD = 5.7).  At  6  weeks,  participants  receiving e‐SBI reported significantly lower total consumption (geometric mean ratio = 0.74; 95% confidence interval: 0.56–0.96), lower heavy episode frequency (0.63; 0.42–0.92) and fewer personal problems (0.70; 0.54–0.91). At 6 months personal problems remained lower (0.76; 0.60–0.97), although consumption did not differ significantly. At 6 months, academic problems were lower in the intervention group relative to controls (0.72; 0.51–1.02).

Conclusions  e‐SBI reduced hazardous drinking among university students, to an extent similar to that found for practitioner‐delivered brief interventions in the general population. e‐SBI offers promise as a strategy to reduce alcohol‐related harm in a way that is non‐intrusive, appealing to the target group, and capable of being incorporated into primary care. Research is required to replicate the findings, to determine the duration of intervention effects, and to investigate the mechanisms by which the intervention operates.
GP prescribing of nicotine replacement and bupropion to aid smoking cessation in England and Wales
Authors: McEwen Andy , West Robert , Owen Lesley
Published: October 2004

Aims  Prescribing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion for smoking cessation is of considerable importance to public health but little is known about prescribing practices. This paper examines general practitioners’ (GPs’) prescribing patterns in Britain where these drugs are reimbursed. The results have implications for other health‐care systems considering introducing reimbursement.

Design, participants and setting  Postal survey conducted in 2002 of a random sample of 1088 GPs in England and Wales, of whom 642 (59%) responded.

Measures  Number of requests GPs reported having received from patients for NRT and bupropion over the past month, the number of prescriptions they reported issuing and ratings of attitudes to these medications.

Findings  GPs reported receiving an average of 4.3 requests for NRT and 1.9 for bupropion in the previous month. They reported issuing 3.5 prescriptions for NRT and 1.2 for bupropion. Almost all GPs accepted that NRT (95%) and bupropion (97%) should be reimbursable on National Health Service (NHS) prescription. However, a significant minority of those who received requests for prescriptions did not issue any (8% for NRT and 26% for bupropion). This was related to whether they thought these products should be available on NHS prescription for both NRT and bupropion (OR = 0.66, P < 0.05), which in turn was related to beliefs about whether smokers should have to pay for treatment themselves, the cost‐effectiveness of NRT/bupropion and the low priority they would give NRT/bupropion in the drug budget. For bupropion, concern about side‐effects independently predicted not prescribing [odds ratio (OR) = 1.46, P < 0.03].

Conclusion  In the British health‐care system, which has a well‐established system for technology assessment and professionally endorsed guidelines, a significant minority of GPs decline all patient requests for stop‐smoking medicines.
Beyond the K‐hole: a 3‐year longitudinal investigation of the cognitive and subjective effects of ketamine in recreational users who have substantially reduced their use of the drug
Authors: Morgan Celia J. A. , Monaghan Lisa , Curran H. Valerie
Published: October 2004

Rationale  Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that is also a drug of abuse. Previous studies have demonstrated persisting episodic and semantic memory impairments in recreational ketamine users 3 days after taking ketamine. However, the degree to which these deficits might be reversible upon reduction or cessation of ketamine use was not known.

Objective  To follow‐up a population of ketamine users tested 3 years previously and examine whether impairments observed 3 days after drug use are enduring or reversible.

Methods  Eighteen ketamine users and 10 polydrug controls from studies conducted between 3 and 4 years earlier were re‐tested on the same battery of cognitive tasks and subjective measures. These tapped episodic, semantic and working memory and executive and attentional functioning. Subjective schizotypal, dissociative, mood and bodily symptoms were also examined and a drug use history recorded.

Results  The ketamine users had reduced their frequency of use of ketamine by an average of 88.3%. Performance of ketamine users on tasks tapping semantic memory had improved and this improvement was correlated with their reduction in ketamine use. On tasks tapping episodic memory and attentional functioning, ketamine users still showed deficits compared to polydrug controls. Higher levels of schizotypal symptoms and perceptual distortions were exhibited by the ketamine group, although dissociative symptoms were similar to controls.

Conclusions  These findings indicate that semantic memory impairments associated with recreational ketamine are reversible upon marked reduction of use; however, impairments to episodic memory and possibly attentional functioning appear long‐lasting. In addition, schizotypal symptoms and perceptual distortions may persist after cessation of ketamine use. Ketamine users, or potential users, should be aware of the enduring effects of this drug on aspects of memory and subjective experience.
Testing the functional status model in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Yeh Mei‐Ling , Chen Hsing‐Hsia , Liao Yu‐Chien , Liao Wei‐Yu
Published: October 2004

Background.  Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease usually experience gradual functional status degradation, especially dyspnoea, which may affect their daily activities and, eventually, quality of life. A full understanding of both their physiological and psychological functional status is therefore beneficial for effective treatment and helping patients regain or maintain control of their lives.

Method.  Based on a non‐experimental research design, 138 patients to test a hypothesized model of functional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using structural equation modelling, were recruited from a medical center. Data were collected using questionnaires, 6‐minute walking distance measurement, and pulmonary function test results recorded in patients’ medical records. The proposed functional status model incorporated the exogenous variables disease severity and dyspnoea, and the endogenous variables age, exercise tolerance, fatigue, depression, anxiety, health perception and functional performance. Structural equation modelling with the lisrel software was used to establish a functional status model with those exogenous and endogenous variables.

Results.  The results indicated a good fit between the proposed functional status model and the data collected [χ2 = 8·84, P = 0·64, χ2/d.f. = 0·80, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0·98, adjusted GFI (AGFI) = 0·95, root mean square residual (RMR) = 0·04, Critical N (CN) = 384·26]. Coefficients for paths in the functional status model all demonstrated statistical significance.

Conclusion.  The functional status model was shown to consist of functional performance, functional capacity and other concepts, including disease severity, dyspnoea, age, exercise tolerance, fatigue, depression, anxiety and health perception. These results can be used to develop a suitable functional status model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and could act as a reference for formulating future strategies and intervention procedures for further development of functional status.
Sexual behaviour of nursing home residents: staff perceptions and responses
Authors: Roach Sally M.
Published: October 2004

Aims.  This paper presents the results of a study that investigated nursing home staff perceptions of affectionate and sexual behaviour of residents.

Background.  Despite growing recognition of the importance of sexual expression among residents and a increasing willingness to discuss the topic, sexual activity for nursing home residents remains an ignored component of life satisfaction. Even when ‘sexuality’ has been included as part of a resident's plan of care, this may not mean that attention has been paid to maintaining that aspect of their life. Thus, nursing homes can mark the end of many types of freedom for older people. Given that intimate basic care is performed by others and often by members of the opposite sex, loss of sexual freedom may also occur.

Method.  A grounded theory approach was used to study staff working in nursing homes in Australia and Sweden. Data were generated through interviews and nominal groups with nursing home staff. Thirty women volunteered to be interviewed, and 18 others were involved in the three nominal group discussions; a further five participants were involved as key informants.

Findings.  Staff perceptions and responses to residents’ sexual behaviour were found to be influenced by their own level of comfort related to sexuality issues, and the ethos within the organization where they worked. The conceptual paradigm was termed ‘Guarding Discomfort’ and specified the ways in which staff guard against sexuality discomfort as well as the ways their behaviour fits within different types of organizations.

Conclusion.  Both staff and nursing home managers need to work toward developing a home environment that is supportive of residents’ sexuality rights, that permits sexuality expression and promotes a culture where all people concerned are comfortable with sexuality issues.
Sense of coherence among unemployed nurses
Authors: Leino‐Loison Katja , Gien Lan T. , Katajisto Jouko , Välimäki Maritta
Published: October 2004

Aims.  This paper reports a study assessing Finnish unemployed nurses’ sense of coherence and the factors relating to it.

Background.  During the 1990s, due to the widespread economic downturn in Finland, the nursing profession suffered from a high level of unemployment. Previous research has clearly indicated that unemployment is detrimental to health. It creates stress by disturbing a person's sense of identity and self‐esteem and by disrupting social networks. In Finland, many studies have been conducted on the impact of unemployment, but have not examined the sense of coherence of unemployed nurses.

Methods.  Data were collected in one Employment and Economic Development Centre area in Finland in 1998. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data among Finnish unemployed nurses (n = 183), and included the General Health Questionnaire, measuring nurses’ mental health; socio‐demographic questions; and the 13‐item version of the Sense of Coherence scale based on Antonovsky's salutogenic model to measure sense of coherence.

Results.  Although the majority of unemployed nurses had a strong sense of coherence, many felt that during their period of unemployed they did not feel at ease, did not know what to do and had a sense of being unfairly treated. Daily household chores, on the whole, were perceived as meaningful. Income and the state of mental health were positively correlated with nurses’ sense of coherence: the better the family income and state of mental health, the stronger was their sense of coherence. Because of the low response rate (less than 50%), the results might be skewed by those whose higher sense of coherence made them more motivated to complete the questionnaires.

Conclusions.  Many of the nurses reported low sense of coherence and poor general health. Special interventions should be designed to improve their sense of coherence and high motivation level, and to maintain their professional competence when they return to work. This kind of support may prevent further out‐migration and nursing shortages from Finland and other industrialized countries.
Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on primary dysmenorrhoea
Authors: Chen Huei‐Mein , Chen Chung‐Hey
Published: October 2004

Aim.  This paper presents the findings of a study that assessed the effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point on symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls.

Background.  Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynaecological disorder among adolescents. Traditional Chinese acupressure derived from acupuncture is a non‐invasive technique. Despite renewed interest in the use of acupressure, relatively few studies have been undertaken to examine its effects on primary dysmenorrhoea.

Methods.  An experimental study was conducted between December 2000 and August 2001. Participants were female students attending a technical college in Taiwan. None of the 69 participants had a prior history of gynaecological disease or secondary dysmenorrhoea, and all were rated higher than five for pain on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The experimental group (n = 35) received acupressure at Sanyinjiao (above the ankle) while the control group (n = 34) rested for 20 min, while the control group underwent rest in the school health centre for 20 min without receiving acupressure. Fifty participants (30 experimental, 20 control) completed the 4–6‐week follow‐up session. Five instruments were used to collect pretest and post‐test data at each session: (1) Visual Analogue Scale for pain; (2) the Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire; (3) the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire; (4) the Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety; and, for the experimental group only, (5) the Acupressure Self‐Assessment Form. Data were analysed using the chi‐square test, two‐sample t‐test and repeated measures two‐way anova.

Results.  Acupressure at Sanyinjiao during the initial session reduced the pain and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhoea. In the self‐treatment follow‐up session, acupressure at Sanyinjiao significantly reduced menstrual pain but not anxiety. Thirty‐one (87%) of the 35 experimental participants reported that acupressure was helpful, and 33 (94%) were satisfied with acupressure in terms of its providing pain relief and psychological support during dysmenorrhoea.

Conclusion.  The findings suggest that acupressure at Sanyinjiao can be an effective, cost‐free intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during dysmenorrhoea, and we recommend its use for self‐care of primary dysmenorrhoea.
Comparison of gastric volumes in response to isocaloric liquid and mixed meals in humans
Authors: De Schepper H. , Camilleri M. , Cremonini F. , Foxx‐Orenstein A. , Burton D.
Published: October 2004

Aims:  To compare gastric volume responses to ingestion of isocaloric liquid or mixed (solid–liquid) meals and document the intra‐ and interindividual reproducibility of gastric volume measurement using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging after i.v. 99mTc‐pertechnetate.

Methods:  Eight healthy volunteers performed two studies at least 9 months apart. Gastric volumes were measured after a 317 kcal liquid nutrient meal. Within 2 weeks of the second liquid meal study, participants performed a third study, ingesting an isocaloric mixed meal. The order of the mixed and second liquid meals was randomized; Bland–Altman plot displayed data on repeated studies with liquid meal and paired t‐test compared gastric volumes after mixed or liquid isocaloric meals.

Results:  Fasting and postprandial gastric volumes associated with the two liquid meals were not significantly different; inter‐ and intra‐individual coefficients of variation were 13 and 13.8%. In response to the mixed meal, there was a lower absolute postprandial volume and lower change in gastric volume over fasting volume compared with the response to the liquid meal (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion:  The SPECT measurement of gastric volumes in response to a nutrient liquid meal is reproducible. The magnitude of the volume response is greater after the liquid meal compared with the isocaloric mixed meal.
High‐resolution manometry predicts the success of oesophageal bolus transport and identifies clinically important abnormalities not detected by conventional manometry
Authors: Fox M. , Hebbard G. , Janiak P. , Brasseur J. G. , Ghosh S. , Thumshirn M. , Fried M. , Schwizer W.
Published: October 2004

Background and aims:  High‐resolution manometry (HRM) is a recent development in oesophageal measurement; its value in the clinical setting remains a matter of controversy. (i) We compared the accuracy with which bolus transport could be predicted from conventional manometry and HRM. (ii) The clinical value of HRM was assessed in a series of patients with endoscopy‐negative dysphagia in whom conventional investigations had been non‐diagnostic.

Method:  (i) Control subjects and patients with endoscopy‐negative dysphagia underwent concurrent HRM and video‐fluoroscopy. Ninety‐five records were reviewed using HRM with spatiotemporal plot and conventional line plots of the pressure data derived from the same recording. (ii) The HRM and notes of patients with endoscopy‐negative dysphagia and abnormal bolus transport were analysed to identify additional information provided by the new technique.

Results:  (i) Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that HRM predicts the presence of abnormal bolus transport more accurately than conventional manometry. (ii) HRM identified clinically important motor dysfunction not detected by manometry and radiography. These included localized disturbances of peristalsis and abnormal movement of the lower oesophageal sphincter during oesophageal spasm.

Conclusion:  The HRM predicts bolus movement more accurately than conventional manometry and identifies clinically relevant oesophageal dysfunction not detected by other investigations including conventional manometry.
Oesophageal transport of solid dosage forms depends on body position, swallowing volume and pharyngeal propulsion velocity
Authors: Osmanoglou E. , van der Voort I. R. , Fach K. , Kosch O. , Bach D. , Hartmann V. , Strenzke A. , Weitschies W. , Wiedenmann B. , Trahms L. , Mönnikes H.
Published: October 2004

Knowledge about transit of solid dosage forms (SDF) in the gastrointestinal tract is incomplete. Detection of magnetically marked capsules (MMC) via superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) allows monitoring of oesophageal transport of SDF with high tempospatial resolution. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of body position, volume at swallowing, and oesophageal motility on orogastric transport of SDF. In 360 measurements we determined tempospatial characteristics of orogastric transit of SDFs by a SQUID device in six volunteers. They swallowed MMCs with various amounts of water in upright and supine position with and without simultaneous oesophageal manometry. Orogastric transit time, oesophageal transport velocity and rate of oesophageal retention of SDF depend on swallowing volume and body position at all experimental conditions. At 50 mL water bolus and in upright position, the retention rate depends on the pharyngeal propulsion velocity, and the transport velocity of MMCs in the oesophageal body are faster than the propulsive oesophageal contractions. Body position, swallowing volume and pharyngeal propulsion velocity markedly influence the oesophageal transport of SDF. They should be taken in upright body position with at least 50 mL of water to minimize entrapment in the oesophagus.