bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal patterns of seed predation on three tree species in an oak‐pine forest
Authors: Plucinski Karen E. , Hunter Jr Malcolm L.
Published: November 2003

We experimentally examined spatial and temporal patterns of seed predation on three tree species in an oak‐pine forest in southern Maine, USA. Rodents were the principal seed predators. Rates of seed loss varied with tree species and exposure to three different suites of potential seed predators (all vertebrate seed predators, medium‐sized rodents [primarily squirrels] and small rodents [primarily mice and voles]). Acerrubrum seeds were removed more slowly (mean of 17.7% within 2 d across all habitats and treatments in 1991) than seeds of either Quercus rubra or Pinus strobus (e.g.,>99% removed within 2 d across all habitats and treatments for each species in 1991). Levels of final removal (cumulative removal at final census) varied with year but not with microhabitat; i.e., seed predation in four types of forest gap was not significantly different than in intact forest. Both field data and experimental feeding trials with captive Peromyscus leucopus and Clethrionomys gapperi suggest that a significant proportion of white pine seeds is eaten at time of detection, while red oak acorns are more likely to be cached. Captive Peromyscus leucopus cached and ate significantly more red oak acorns than Clethrionomys gapperi. These results suggest that red oak mast may be more important in overwintering success in Peromyscus than in Clethrionomys. Nevertheless, both species did consume red oak acorns, suggesting that in southern Maine these species are not substantially inhibited by high tannin levels in red oak acorns, as has been suggested by researchers elsewhere.
Latitudinal diversity patterns in estuarine tidal flats: indications of a global cline
Authors: Attrill Martin J. , Stafford Richard , Rowden Ashley A.
Published: November 2003

Latitudinal diversity gradients are a general feature of the terrestrial realm. Fewer studies have addressed marine habitats and those concerning soft sediments have not reported such consistent trends. This study investigates global patterns of macroinvertebrate α‐diversity in estuarine tidal flats. A literature search was conducted to collect data on species diversity as well as various physical, chemical and biological factors that may prove useful in investigating the cause of trends. Regression analysis revealed a significant association between latitude and diversity expressed as Simpson's index of concentration (r2=0.44), the index being lower (i.e. diversity higher) at low latitudes. There was no significant association between diversity and either available estuary area or annual rainfall. A significant, although weak, relationship between diversity and mean annual temperature was apparent (r2=0.23), together with an increase in species to family ratio in the hottest areas. This could suggest greater evolutionary speed in the tropics (due to temperature increasing mutation rates and generation times) and may provide an explanation for the trend. However, a greater amount of variation is explained by latitude alone and it is suggested that a primary cause of the latitudinal cline in estuarine diversity may be the greater effective evolutionary time available for communities in the tropics, temperate estuaries being regularly disturbed by glaciation during the last 1.8 million years.
Does availability of anthropogenic food enhance densities of omnivorous mammals? An example with coyotes in southern California
Authors: Fedriani Jose M. , Fuller Todd K. , Sauvajot Raymond M.
Published: November 2003

To evaluate whether the abundance of coyotes Canis latrans was influenced by the availability of anthropogenic foods in a humanized landscape, we compared three neighboring areas (hereafter referred to as NA, CA, and SA) under contrasting human pressures within the Santa Monica Mountains of California, USA. We quantified the use of anthropogenic foods by coyotes and assessed local densities within these three regions. Overall, 761 coyote feces were analyzed; identified food items were categorized into 11 food types (7 native and 4 anthropogenic). Though small mammals (lagomorphs and rodents) were the main prey of coyotes in all areas and seasons, log‐linear modeling of multiway contingency tables indicates that consumption of anthropogenic foods by coyotes varied significantly throughout study areas. Thus, in the most humanized area (CA; 24% of this region is residential habitat), anthropogenic foods (trash, livestock, domestic fruit) comprised seasonally between 14 and 25% of total items in coyote diets, whereas in the least humanized area (NA; 2% residential) anthropogenic foods only comprised seasonally between 0 and 3% of items. Coyote density, estimated by foot‐hold trapping surveys and by genotyping feces, was also highly variable between areas. The heavily human‐impacted CA area had the highest coyote density (2.4–3.0 ind. km−2), whereas coyote density was significantly lower (0.3–0.4 ind. km−2) in the least humanized area (NA). In the third region (SA; 10% residential), with an intermediate level of human pressure, both importance of anthropogenic foods in coyote diet (4–6%) and coyote density (1.6–2.0 ind. km−2) were intermediate compared to the other regions. Our data suggest that subsidization by anthropogenic foods augments coyote densities and alters their diets in the Santa Monica Mountains, California. We include data from literature to show that anthropogenic foods are used by omnivorous mammals throughout the world. Surprisingly, however, the potential effects of allochthonous inputs on such species are not well‐understood. Thus, further research on this phenomenon in humanized landscapes is needed.
Evolutionary and biogeographical implications of the karyological variations in the oviparous and viviparous forms of the lizard Lacerta (Zootoca) vivipara
Authors: Odierna Gaëtano , Heulin Benoit , Guillaume Claude‐Pierre , Vogrin Nusa , Aprea Gennaro , Capriglione Teresa , Surget‐Groba Yann , Kupriyanova Larissa
Published: November 2003

The lizard Lacerta (Zootoca) vivipara has two modes of reproduction and is variable karyologically. We describe its karyological variation from literature data and from new data on two viviparous populations from France, on two oviparous populations from the Pyrénées in south‐western France and on three oviparous populations recently discovered in Slovenia. Males have 36 chromosomes, whereas females have only 35 chromosomes in all viviparous populations and in the Pyrenean oviparous populations. This karyotype has been interpreted to result from a fusion of an ancestral sexual W chromosome with an autosome from the Z1 or from the Z2 pair. The karyotype formula is 32 autosomes +Z1Z2W for the female and 32 autosomes+Z1Z1Z2Z2 for the male. The karyotype of the Slovenian oviparous populations, 34 autosomes +ZZ in the male and 34 autosomes +ZW in the female, represents an evolutionary stage that preceded the chromosomal fusion. There is minor karyological variation, mainly concerning the W and Z2 chromosomes, within the Pyrenean oviparous populations. This parallels the geographic variation of the W‐linked alleles of the MPI enzyme and suggests that allopatric differentiation of these oviparous populations might have occurred in the vicinity of the Pyrénées during the Pleistocene.  The viviparous populations from western Europe carry a metacentric W chromosome, whereas oviparous populations from south‐western Europe and eastern viviparous populations both show an acrocentric, or a subtelocentric, W chromosome. This suggests that the acrocentric‐subtelocentric W is a primitive character and that viviparity probably arose in an eastern lineage of the species.
An ecological law and its macroecological consequences as revealed by studies of relationships between host densities and parasite prevalence
Authors: Arneberg Per
Published: November 2003

Epidemiological models predict a positive relationship between host population density and abundance of macroparasites. Here I test these by a comparative study. I used data on communities of four groups of parasites inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, nematodes of the orders Oxyurida, Ascarida, Enoplida and Spirurida, respectively. The data came from 44 mammalian species and represent examination of 16 886 individual hosts. I studied average prevalence of all nematodes within an order in a host species, a measure of community level abundance, and considered the potential confounding effects of host body weight, fecundity, age at maturity and diet. Host population density was positively correlated with parasite prevalence within the order Oxyurida, where all species have direct life cycles. Considering the effects of other variables did not change this. This supports the assumption that parasite transmission rate generally is a positive function of host population density. It also strengthens the hypothesis that host densities generally act as important determinants of species richness among directly transmitted parasites and suggests that negative influence of such parasites on host population growth rate increase with increasing host population density among host species. Within the other three nematode orders, where a substantial number of the species have indirect life cycles, no relationships between prevalence and host population density were seen. Again, considering the effects of other variables did not affect this conclusion. This suggests that host population density is a poor predictor of species richness of indirectly transmitted parasites and that effects of such parasites on host population dynamics do not scale with host densities among species of hosts.
Formation and nuclear export of tRNA, rRNA and mRNA is regulated by the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5p
Authors: Neumann Silvia , Petfalski Elisabeth , Brügger Britta , Großhans Helge , Wieland Felix , Tollervey David , Hurt Ed
Published: November 2003

The yeast ubiquitin‐protein ligase Rsp5p regulates processes as diverse as polII transcription and endocytosis. Here, we identify Rsp5p in a screen for tRNA export (tex) mutants. The tex23‐1/rsp5‐3 mutant, which is complemented by RSP5, not only shows a strong nuclear accumulation of tRNAs at the restrictive temperature, but also is severely impaired in the nuclear export of mRNAs and 60S pre‐ribosomal subunits. In contrast, nuclear localization sequence (NLS)‐mediated nuclear protein import is unaffected in this mutant. Strikingly, the nuclear RNA export defects seen in the rsp5‐3 strain are accompanied by a dramatic inhibition of both rRNA and tRNA processing, a combination of phenotypes that has not been reported for any previously characterized mutation in yeast. These data implicate ubiquitination as a mechanism coordinating the major nuclear RNA biogenesis pathways.
Increased plasma concentrations of vasopressin, oxytocin, cortisol and the prostaglandin F2α metabolite during labour in the dog
Authors: Olsson K. , Bergström A. , Kindahl H. , Lagerstedt A.‐S.
Published: November 2003

Aim: 
This study investigated if the plasma vasopressin concentration increases during labour in the dog and whether the change in vasopressin correlates with that of oxytocin, 15‐ketodihydro‐PGF2α and cortisol.

Methods:  Five beagle dogs each delivered three to seven puppies. Blood samples were taken from a catheter inserted into the cephalic vein during labour and by venepuncture during the other periods.

Results:  Vasopressin concentration increased from 2 ± 0 pmol L−1 (anoestrus) to 26 ± 11 pmol L−1 at the birth of the first puppy, remained high at the birth of the second puppy and then decreased. Oxytocin increased from 63 ± 5 pmol L−1 (anoestrus) to 166 ± 19 pmol L−1 at the birth of the first puppy and remained elevated throughout labour. The PGF2α metabolite concentration increased from 0.2 ± 0.0 nmol L−1 (anoestrus) to 66 ± 17 nmol L−1 at the birth of the first puppy and remained elevated 1 h after the completion of parturition. The cortisol concentration increased from 49 ± 9 nmol L−1 (anoestrus) to 242 ± 35 nmol L−1 at the birth of the first puppy, remained high during the birth of the second puppy and then declined.

Conclusions:  The plasma level of vasopressin was strongly correlated with that of cortisol but less with that of the PGF2α metabolite, and not significantly with the concentration of oxytocin. This indicates that the four hormones play different roles during labour in the dog.
Role of prostaglandins in lipopolysaccharide effects on K+‐induced contractions in rabbit small intestine
Authors: Rebollar E. , Guerrero‐Lindner E. , Arruebo M. P. , Plaza M. A. , Murillo M. D.
Published: November 2003

Aim: The mediators of the pathophysiologcal symptoms of septic shock are not completely understood. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the K+‐induced response of longitudinal segments of rabbit small intestinein vitroand the possible role of prostaglandins.

Methods and results: Rabbits were treated with intravenously injected LPS. After 90 min animals were killed and intestinal segments were mounted in an organ bath. Lipopolysaccharide (0.2 μg kg−1) inhibited K+‐induced contractions (60 mm) by 68% in duodenum, 58% in jejunum and 52% in ileum. Indomethacin antagonized LPS actions when injected 15 min before LPS. PGE2reduced K+‐induced contractions, imitating LPS effects. In contrast, contractions induced by K+increased when intestinal segments were incubatedin vitrowith LPS for 90 min. The LPS (0.3 μg mL−1) increased K+‐induced contractions (60 mm) by 46% in duodenum, 63% in jejunum and 85% in ileum. The LPS effect was antagonized by indomethacin at 10−6 min duodenum and jejunum and at 10−8 min ileum. PGE2evoked dose‐dependent contractions when added to the bath in duodenum, jejunum and ileum.

Conclusion: These results suggest that effect of LPS on K+‐induced contractions in the rabbit small bowel may be mediated by prostaglandin E2.
Redox regulation of the afferent arteriole and tubuloglomerular feedback
Authors: Wilcox C. S.
Published: November 2003

Oxidative stress implies an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or a decreased capacity to metabolize them. Superoxide anion (O) can bioinactivate nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, many effects of ROS are manifest as NO deficiency. The afferent arteriole and macula densa cell both contain a full complement of components of nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase that generates O. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) type 1 or neuronal NOS (nNOS) is expressed in the macula densa and NOS type II or endothelial NOS (eNOS) in the afferent arteriole. Whole animal studies in models of hypertension and oxidative stress demonstrate that metabolism of O by a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic can reduce renal vascular resistance. In vivo studies of single nephron function and in vitro studies with the double‐perfused juxtaglomerular apparatus preparation have shown extensive interaction between O and NO in macula densa to regulate afferent arteriolar tone mediated by the tubuloglomerular feedback response. In vitro studies of rabbits isolated, perfused afferent arterioles have shown a similar interaction in this vessel. These data indicate important roles for O in the macula densa and afferent arterioles to enhance preglomerular resistance in animal models of oxidative stress. As an increase in afferent arteriolar resistance can precede hypertension, oxidative stress could be important in determining the long‐term blood pressure and thereby contribute to hypertension.
Reactive oxygen species and molecular regulation of renal oxygenation
Authors: Zou A.‐P. , Cowley A. W.
Published: November 2003

It has been known since the 1940s that a gradient of renal oxygenation exists in the kidney with the lowest PO2 in the renal inner medulla under physiological conditions. Due to a low PO2 milieu in the renal medulla, the cells in this region are at constant risk of hypoxic injury. Although numerous studies have shown that renal medullary cells adapt well to low PO2, the precise mechanism mediating this adaptive response remains poorly understood. Recently, hypoxia‐induced molecular adaptation in mammalian tissues or cells has been studied extensively and many studies have indicated that the molecular regulation of gene expression is importantly involved. This paper focuses on the role of a transcription factor, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1)‐mediated molecular adaptation and explores the physiological relevance of molecular activation of HIF‐1 and its target genes in the renal medulla. Given that this HIF‐1‐mediated action is associated with local redox status, evidence is presented to indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially superoxide (O) is importantly involved in HIF‐1‐mediated molecular adaptation in renal medullary cells. O degrades HIF‐1α, an HIF‐1 subunit, by activating ubiquitin‐proteasome and thereby decreases the transcriptional activation of many oxygen‐sensitive genes. This action of O disturbs renal medullary adaptation to low PO2 and produces renal medullary dysfunction, resulting in sodium retention and hypertension. This report also provides evidence indicating the primary source of O, enzymatic pathways for O production and activating mechanism of O production in the kidney. It is concluded that HIF‐1‐mediated molecular adaptation to low PO2 is of importance in the regulation of renal medullary function and that ROS may target this HIF‐1‐mediated medullary adaptation to damage renal function.
Social Capital and the Internet: Evidence from Swiss Panel Data
Authors: Franzen Axel
Published: November 2003

A lively debate has recently emerged about the consequences of the diffusion of the Internet. While many social scientists emphasize the beneficial economic consequences of the Internet some suspect that it has also disadvantages for users’ social capital. So far the existing empirical evidence concerning the effect on social capital is mainly based on cross‐sectional data and is still contradictory. This study is based on a longitudinal survey conducted in 1998 and 2001 among a random sample of Swiss citizens. It analyzes the determinants of the adoption of the Internet and the consequences for respondents’ personal networks as well as the time they spent socializing with their network. The results show that the Internet was adopted sooner by individuals with high financial, human and social capital. Furthermore, the results suggest that Internet use is not associated with a reduction in respondents’ networks or with the time they spent socializing with friends. Instead the findings suggest that the time users devote to the Internet is taken away from the time they spend on watching television.
Learning zones: an evaluation of three models for improving learning through teacher/teaching assistant teamwork
Authors: Cremin Hilary , Thomas Gary , Vincett Karen
Published: November 2003

Following the review of literature in the preceding article concerning the deployment of support staff, Hilary Cremin, Gary Thomas and Karen Vincett here focus attention on the classroom in their evaluation of three models of team organisation and planning for the work of teaching assistants — room management, zoning and reflective teamwork — in six primary classrooms. Readers will be interested in the detail of the methodological approach adopted and the general finding that all three models were evaluated positively by the participants.
Post‐16 provision for those with autistic spectrum conditions: some implications of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Schools
Authors: Clark Tricia
Published: November 2003

In this article Tricia Clark shares her experience of the ways in which post‐16 provision can be further developed to meet the needs of young people with autistic spectrum disorders. She emphasises the need, in accordance with SENDA 2001, for further education colleges to anticipate the needs of all disabled students in order to accommodate them. She concludes that the key to inclusive provision is flexibility.
Patients’ opinion on what constitutes good psychiatric care
Authors: Johansson Håkan , Eklund Mona
Published: November 2003

The present study investigates patients’ opinion on what constitutes good psychiatric care. It was a qualitative study using an open‐ended in‐depth interview centring on the patient's experiences of receiving psychiatric care. The subjects were selected to ensure maximum variation and heterogeneity. A model of deliberate sampling for heterogeneity and a modified, stratified sampling method were used. One outpatient and one inpatient sample were selected. The description and analysis of data were based on a variable‐oriented, cross‐case technique. The analysis was made separately for the two sub‐samples. The main result for both samples was the emergence of one main category: the quality of the helping encounter. The quality of the relationship between patient and therapist/staff, and being understood by the therapist/staff, formed the most central aspects of good care. For the inpatient group the analyses also pointed to stability and structure and relief of pressure as main categories. Though the focus of the study was on satisfaction with general psychiatric care, the results revealed a construct initially identified within the field of psychotherapy, namely the ‘helping alliance’, as the most crucial factor. The results also gave some further indications of what bring about a good therapeutic relationship; and prominent in this study, and not very often reported in the context of helping alliance, was that ambivalence, time and meaning were important constituents of the relationship. The findings emphasize the importance and quality of the therapeutic relationship and point to the incorporation of psychotherapeutic principles in all provider–patient relationships in general psychiatric care.
Self‐rated health among university students in relation to sense of coherence and other personality traits
Authors: Von Bothmer Margareta I.K. , Fridlund Bengt
Published: November 2003

The aim of the study was to determine students’ self‐rated health in relation to sense of coherence and other personality traits. A cross‐sectional descriptive design was used with questionnaires as the means of data collection. The study population comprised a randomized stratified sample of students from a small university in southern Sweden. Ethical approval was obtained from the vice chancellor, and the issues of informed consent, confidentiality, privacy and self‐determination were respected. Two instruments were used for data collection; the 29‐item Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, and an instrument created for this study, named Personality and Health Instrument, containing 52 questions. Self‐rated health was estimated by inverse number of health complaints. A factor analysis identified seven factors related to personality traits; the three most important were hardiness, positive affect/optimism and Type A personality. The personality trait variables were tested for correlation with each other as well as with self‐rated health. The mean score for SOC was similar for female and male students, but a positive association between SOC and self‐rated health was found only among women. Optimism was associated with less health complaints among female students. Type A personality was associated with poorer health both among women and men. The personality traits SOC, positive affect/optimism, hardiness and alienation showed high internal correlations. The SOC scale is discussed in relation to gender specificity and in relation to methodological and conceptual confounding. Further research is needed to explore the relation between SOC, optimism, hardiness, hostility and health. The significance of the study is that it raises questions about the validity and specificity of the SOC instrument and provides ideas for future research to develop the sense of coherence concept and instrument.
Effects of ‘pain‐advisers’: district nurses’ opinions regarding their own knowledge, management and documentation of patients in chronic pain
Authors: Törnkvist Lena , Gardulf Ann , Strender Lars‐Erik
Published: November 2003

This study investigated whether district nurses’ opinions changed after the education and introduction of district nurses as ‘pain‐advisers’ at primary health care centres (PHCCs) regarding working conditions and satisfaction with pain control management at their PHCCs, their own knowledge of pain control and satisfaction with their own pain control management, pain assessment and nursing documentation of patients with chronic pain conditions. A study area (SA) with five PHCCs and a control area (CA) with seven PHCCs were selected. In the SA, 28 and in the CA, 25 district nurses answered a questionnaire both before and after the introduction of the ‘pain‐advisers’ into the SA. The district nurses in both areas in 1996 and 1998 considered many aspects of pain management to be unsatisfactory. According to the district nurses in the SA, several statistically significant improvements were achieved after the introduction of the ‘pain‐advisers’; more district nurses reported that pain policies or other written information were now available at their PHCCs, that they were more satisfied with present overall routines at their PHCCs, that a better pain control was applied at their PHCCs regarding patients with leg ulcers, that they themselves to a greater extent performed individual pain assessments of the patients and that they more often used pain visual analogue scales to assess the patients’ pain and to evaluate the results of the pain treatment. They also reported an increased satisfaction with their own nursing documentation. Although much remains to be done, it must be acknowledged that the ‘pain‐advisers’, with relatively small resources, managed to make significant improvements.
Is the sufficiency of discharge instructions related to children's postoperative pain at home after day surgery?
Authors: Kankkunen Päivi , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Pietilä Anna‐Maija , Halonen Pirjo
Published: November 2003

Background:

Parents are expected to alleviate their children's pain at home after day surgery, and the methods of pain alleviation should be taught to the parents by the hospital staff. However, the lack of information related to children's pain alleviation has been pointed out in several studies.

Aim:

To describe the relationship between the parent‐rated sufficiency of discharge instructions and the postoperative pain behaviours of 1‐ to 6‐year‐old children at home after day surgery.

Method:

Questionnaires were handed out to mothers (n = 201) and fathers (n = 114) whose child had undergone minor day surgery in 10 Finnish central hospitals. Percentages and cross‐tabulation with chi‐square test were used in data analysis.

Ethical issues:

The ethical board in each hospital accepted the study. Parental participation was voluntary.

Results:

The parents considered the discharge instructions to be fairly sufficient, but criticized their content, method of providing and timing. Insufficiency of the instructions was related to children's postoperative pain behaviours at home.

Study limitations:

The fairly low response rate of this study prevents generalization of the findings to all Finnish parents.

Conclusions:

Both the content, the methods of providing and the timing of discharge instruction need to be developed in children's day surgery. Special attention should be paid to written instructions, which should be given to the parents prior to the day of the child's surgery. Further research is needed to explore the skills of hospital staff in advising the parents and other factors explaining children's postoperative pain at home.
Meaning out of chaos: a way to understand chronic pain
Authors: Bullington Jennifer , Nordemar Rolf , Nordemar Kristina , Sjöström‐Flanagan Charlotte
Published: November 2003

Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon lying at the intersection between biology and culture. The modern understanding of pain takes into account emotional, psychological, socio‐political and existential aspects of pain as well as physiological, anatomical factors. Our aim in this study was to deepen the understanding of psychosocial, existential aspects of pain and to discuss how clinicians can better understand and treat patients with chronic pain. A focus group was formed consisting of a researcher and a group of clinicians (n = 3) with various backgrounds working at a specialized pain clinic. The group met once a month during a 6‐month period. Questions concerning the life‐world of the pain patient as well as inquiries into the conditions for ‘the good clinical encounter’ were investigated. The results of this study consist of a systematization of the data (focus group meetings) collected and analysed in a collaborative effort between the researcher and group participants. The findings are presented in terms of themes. The main metaphor used to describe the path from the seeking of medical help to successful rehabilitation was order out of chaos. Ordering chaos was a process moving from diagnosis through a phase of heightened self‐awareness towards responsibility‐taking on the part of the patient. Related themes presented, illustrated and discussed in the paper concern problems of linkage, the role of flexibility and creativity in the healing process and the kind of clinical encounter conducive for the journey from chaos to the creation of new meaning.
School nurses’ view of schoolchildren's health and their attitudes to document it in the school health record – a pilot study
Authors: Clausson Eva , Petersson Kerstin , Berg Agneta
Published: November 2003

This study highlights school nurses’ view of schoolchildren's health and their attitude to document it in the school health records. A strategic sample of 12 school nurses was interviewed. The interviews were semistructured and analysed with qualitative content analysis. The findings showed that the school nurses’ viewed schoolchildren as physical healthy although they called attention to growing problems related to a changed lifestyle. Psychosocial ill‐health was however increasing and the most common reason for visiting the school nurse was psychosomatic expressions. According to the nurses’ descriptions, health was related to the individual, the school and the family situation. The family situation was mentioned as one of the most important factors of schoolchildren's health. The nurses described no problem to document schoolchildren's physical health. Ethical consideration, tradition, lack of time and the structure of the record were however factors that were said to hinder the documentation of the psychosocial health. In order to promote, protect and recover schoolchildren's health, more research is needed about how beliefs, experience, ethical consideration and resources influence the school nurse's daily work with schoolchildren's health.
The Swedish version of Herth Hope Index – an instrument for palliative care
Authors: Benzein Eva , Berg Agneta
Published: November 2003

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Swedish version (HHI‐S) of the Herth Hope Index (HHI), developed by K. Herth. The HHI‐S is a 12‐item Likert scale, arranged with scores from 1 to 4, where 1 is ‘strongly disagree’ and 4 is ‘strongly agree’. The HHI‐S together with the Miller Hope Scale (TMHS) and Beck's Hopelessness Scale (HS‐S) were distributed to 85 adults, 40 patients with cancer in palliative care and 45 family members to patients with cancer in palliative care, recruited from four different in‐ and out‐patient oncology clinics. The result showed an internal consistency alpha coefficient of 0.88 for the HHI‐S. Concurrent criterion‐related validity was assessed by correlating the HHI‐S with the TMHS (r = 0.82) and the discriminant validity was assessed by correlating the HHI‐S with the HS‐S (r = −0.69). A varimax‐rotated principal component factor analysis was performed and identified two factors; reconciliation with life situation and religiosity. Although the instrument shows sound reliability and validity, it should be used with care in clinical palliative care settings, because of linguistic, conceptual and cultural difficulties when transferring the instrument into Swedish. The result demands the work of developing an instrument measuring hope, based in the Swedish culture.
Supporting biosciences in the nursing curriculum: development and evaluation of an online resource
Authors: Gresty Karen A. , Cotton Deborah R.E.
Published: November 2003

Aims.  The aim of this project was to develop and evaluate an online resource designed to improve the biosciences knowledge of preregistration nursing students.

Background.  A number of studies have identified lack of biological subject knowledge and anxiety about studying biosciences as serious problems for nursing students. The availability of a contextualized biological information resource prior to and early in their studies might help to reduce this fear and anxiety.

Methods.  The project used an action research approach, involving an initial analysis of the extent of the problems with biosciences encountered by our nursing students, followed by the development and evaluation of a biology‐based open learning resource (entitled Headstart) in collaboration with preregistration nursing students and nurse educators.

Findings.  The students in this study expressed a high level of concern about studying biology, and perceived this to be the most difficult aspect of their nursing programme (significantly more difficult than nursing practice). A significant correlation was also found between previous level of biological qualification and confidence in passing module tests. Evaluation of the new online resource illustrated the willingness of nursing students to use such a package, and general approval of its content and mode of delivery, despite a number of problems related to computer access and students’ inexperience with information technology.

Conclusions.  This project has provided further evidence of the need for additional resources in biosciences for nursing students. It has also illustrated the way in which a targeted online resource has the potential to provide substantial benefits in terms of supporting the nursing curriculum. Whilst further evaluation is needed, the findings suggest that Headstart has the potential to address a number of issues identified both by this study and by previous research in nurse education.
Postregistration genetics education provision for nurses, midwives and health visitors in the UK
Authors: Metcalfe Alison , Burton Hilary
Published: November 2003

Background.  Rapid advances in genetics following the sequencing of the human genome will progressively reach all aspects of health care. Developments in genetics will increasingly having a significant influence on the work of nurses, midwives and health visitors. Therefore, these practitioners need to understand the impact that genetics will have for their patients and should be able to incorporate this new knowledge into their clinical practice to ensure that they continue to offer holistic care and influence the strategic development of health care. An earlier survey of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) offering preregistration courses for nurses, midwives and health visitors showed that the teaching of genetics was very limited in most curricula.

Aim.  To assess the provision of education on genetics for postregistration and postgraduate nurses, midwives and health visitors in the UK, as these practitioners are mostly likely to influence current health care provision and initiate changes in clinical practice.

Method.  A total of 38 higher education institutions from 11 regions were surveyed via telephone or e‐mail, using a semi‐structured interview schedule.

Results. The findings showed that the inclusion of genetics in the curriculum was highly variable. A small number of institutions (n = 3) offered courses with whole modules on genetics, whereas 19 of the 38 responding did not include any genetics in their curriculum at a postregistration level.

Conclusion.  The findings suggest that there is lack of recognition of the impact genetics is likely to have on health care. It is, therefore, recommended that the profile and relevance of genetics to nurses, midwives and health visitors should be promoted by the major organizations responsible for developing, commissioning and providing health care education.
Patients’ experiences of hip fracture
Authors: Archibald Graeme
Published: November 2003

Background.  Hip fracture is a major cause of mortality and morbidity, particularly among older people, but there is little information on how individuals experience this.

Aims.  This study was conducted to explore the experiences of individuals who had suffered a hip fracture. The aim was not to produce generalizable findings but, rather, to generate a rich description of the experience of incurring and recovering from a hip fracture, to inform nursing practice.

Method.  Phenomenological methodology was used. A purposeful sample of five older patients was interviewed, following a stay in a community hospital for rehabilitation after surgical repair of a hip fracture. The unstructured interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed for significant statements and meanings.

Findings.  Four major themes emerged: the injury experience, the pain experience, the recovery experience and the disability experience. The injury experience consisted of storytelling, recalling the experience of the injury itself. The pain experience consisted of coping with the pain. The recovery experience involved the operation, beginning the struggle of recovery, and regaining independence. The disability experience consisted of the disability itself, depending on others, and being housebound.

Conclusions.  Pain management, meeting psychological and physical needs for nursing care, planning for discharge, and ensuring a reasonable quality of life are areas for nursing care development. Consideration of appropriate settings for rehabilitation is needed and there should be further investigation into improving quality of life after discharge.
Quality of life in adults with congenital ichthyosis
Authors: Gånemo Agneta , Lindholm Christina , Lindberg Magnus , Sjödén Per‐Olow , Vahlquist Anders
Published: November 2003

Background.  Little is known about the quality of life of people with congenital and generalized skin diseases. Describing life history and quality of life from an individual perspective could increase understanding of living with generalized congenital ichthyosis for nursing staff and others.

Aim.  The aim of our study was to illustrate how middle‐aged and older people with lamellar ichthyosis or epidermolytic hyperkeratosis describe the effects of their disease on their quality of life.

Methods.  Six women and four men aged 56–80 years participated. A global clinical assessment of the severity of the disease was performed. The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaire was used to investigate quality of life. Participants were interviewed face‐to‐face about childhood and adulthood experiences of living with a skin disease. Interview data were analysed using content analysis.

Results.  Interview data were assigned to two categories, childhood and adulthood, and organized under 16 themes. All interviewees reported that their skin disease had affected them negatively to varying degrees during their entire lives, and that the most problematic period was childhood. Coping strategies used during childhood were hiding of the skin and developing shyness. There were no correlations between objective signs of ichthyosis and the NHP scores.

Conclusions.  Congenital ichthyosis appears to affect several aspects of life negatively, and it is hoped that an understanding of the effects of the disease will lead to more efficient nursing care.
Rigour and grounded theory research
Authors: Chiovitti Rosalina F. , Piran Niva
Published: November 2003

Background.  Grounded theory methodology is a suitable qualitative research approach for clinical inquiry into nursing practice, leading to theory development in nursing. Given the variations in, and subjectivity attached to, the manner in which qualitative research is carried out, it is important for researchers to explain the process of how a theory about a nursing phenomenon was generated. Similarly, when grounded theory research reports are reviewed for clinical use, nurses need to look for researchers’ explanations of their inquiry process.

Aim.  The focus of this article is to discuss the practical application of grounded theory procedures as they relate to rigour.

Method.  Reflecting on examples from a grounded theory research study, we suggest eight methods of research practice to delineate further Beck's schema for ensuring, credibility, auditability and fittingness, which are all components of rigour.

Findings.  The eight methods of research practice used to enhance rigour in the course of conducting a grounded theory research study were: (1) let participants guide the inquiry process; (2) check the theoretical construction generated against participants’ meanings of the phenomenon; (3) use participants’ actual words in the theory; (4) articulate the researcher's personal views and insights about the phenomenon explored; (5) specify the criteria built into the researcher's thinking; (6) specify how and why participants in the study were selected; (7) delineate the scope of the research; and (8) describe how the literature relates to each category which emerged in the theory.

Conclusions.  The eight methods of research practice should be of use to those in nursing research, management, practice and education in enhancing rigour during the research process and for critiquing published grounded theory research reports.
Frequency of HFE gene mutations in Iranian beta‐thalassaemia minor patients
Authors: Jazayeri Maryam , Bakayev Valery , Adibi Peyman , Rad Farhad Haghighi , Zakeri Hamid , Kalantar Ebrahim , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Objectives: Beta‐thalassaemia minor (BTM) alone does not lead to iron overload, however, some gene modifiers and acquired causes are reported. When it is inherited together with a mutation in the HFE (HLA‐H) gene associated with hereditary haemochromatosis, iron overload may ensue. To analyse the relationship between iron status and HFE mutations in Iranian BTM patients, we compared the frequency of the C282Y and H63D HFE mutations and ferritin level in a group of BTM patients from the National Thalassaemia Transfusion and Care Centre with that of healthy individuals.

Patients and methods: Ninety‐three (56 females) documented BTM cases and 104 (54 females) controls were enrolled in the study. Serum ferritin level was measured in all subjects by immuno‐radiometric assay and HFE genotypes were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR‐amplified HFE gene fragment.

Results: Eighteen (19.4%) BTM patients vs. 12 (11.5%) controls were H63D heterozygotes, while there were three (3.2%) cases and three (2.9%) controls with H63D homozygosity. All three C282Y mutations were found in BMT patients with one of them being a compound heterozygote. A significant difference was observed in the total number of HFE mutations in favour of BTM patients over the controls (P < 0.05, OR = 2.064). The H63D and C282Y allele frequencies were 12.9 and 1.61 in patients and 8.65 and 0 in controls, respectively. The mean ferritin level in cases with HFE mutations showed no significant difference from that of the patients without mutations (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that HFE mutations C282Y and H63D are more frequent in Iranian BTM patients than in the normal population, causing no significant changes in serum ferritin level.
Analysis of the mechanism of action of the Brazilian type (Aγ−195 C → G) of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin
Authors: Takahashi T. , Schreiber R. , Krieger J. E. , Saad S. T. O. , Costa F. F.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: We report an in vitro expression study of the Aγ‐globin gene promoter containing the Aγ−195 C → G mutation that causes the Brazilian type of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). To demonstrate that this mutation results in increased promoter strength, we evaluated the mutant promoter linked to the hypersensitive site‐2 of the locus control region with the luciferase reporter gene system and examined protein interactions by eletrophoretic mobility shift assay. The transient expression was studied in three cell lines: K562, HEL and 293, and indicated increased promoter activity of the promoter containing the Brazilian mutation in all cell lines. The protein–DNA interaction showed that, in contrast to the Aγ−198 T → C mutation which has increased affinity for the Sp1 protein and creates a motif that behaves like a novel CACCC box in the γ promoter, the Brazilian HPFH mutation decreases the affinity at the Sp1 protein and does not act as a CACCC motif. These results suggest that this mutation may act to increase the Aγ‐globin chain production. In addition, the mechanism by which this increased production occurs is different to that of the −198 mutation. Other proteins may be involved in the overexpression of the γ‐globin chain and/or may be dependent upon the DNA structure.
Structural aberrations of chromosomes 17 and 12 in chronic B‐cell disorders
Authors: Cerretini Roxana , Chena Christian , Giere Isabel , Sarmiento Marcela , Arrossagaray Guillermo , Rodríguez Andrea , Bianco Raúl Pérez , Soler Marcela de Dios , Narbaitz Marina , Slavutsky Irma
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Objectives: Genomic aberrations can now be identified in approximately 80% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) patients. In the present study, four new structural changes involving chromosomes 17 and 12 in CLL/SLL patients are described.

Methods: Five patients were selected for inclusion in the present report among a total of 92 cases with diagnosis of CLL/SLL. Cytogenetic studies and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to detect some of the most frequent cryptic aberrations occurring in CLL/SLL patients were performed. Clinical studies are also described.

Results: Four cases showed structural rearrangements of chromosome 17. A psu dic(17;2)(p11.2;p21), leading to p53 deletion, was observed in a patient who developed a mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease coexisting with the CLL/SLL in the same lymph node. Epstein–Barr virus was detected in the Reed–Sternberg cells. Two cases had a balanced translocation t(2;17)(p21;q23). Both patients showed trisomy 12 and clonal evolution and one of them also had 11q deletion. In addition, a der(17)t(12;17)(q13;q25) as a part of a complex karyotype, and a complex translocation t(5;12;19) (q15;p11;q13) were also found. Four patients had an adverse clinical outcome and died because of disease progression.

Conclusions: Four unreported nonrandom chromosome aberrations in CLL/SLL patients, one of them who might represent a new recurrent abnormality, are described. These uncommon abnormalities, mostly associated with evolving disease, may have implications for the understanding of genetic events associated with disease progression in this pathology.