bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering community and the stranger in the age of virtuality
Authors: Introna Lucas D. , Brigham Martin
Published: June 2007

Purpose

This question of community has always been a preoccupation for the human sciences and, indeed, is a practical concern for us everyday humans in our variety ways of being. As such a preoccupation with community traverses vast territories of intellectual discourse in philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and so forth. Recent developments in continental philosophy, innovations in information and communication technology and the emergence of “virtual” communities afford an opportunity to reconsider the meaning of community in what is believed to be a rather fundamental way. Virtual communities are often critiqued for being “thin” and “shallow” lacking the depth that local proximity in face‐to‐face communities brings. It is suggested that such a critique privileges a certain view of community premised upon shared values, or shared concerns, embedded in local situated face‐to‐face interaction and practices. The paper agues that such a view of community, based on categorical and physical proximity or sameness, can be problematised by a notion of community that is based on the ethical proximity of the stranger, the otherness of the Other.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon Martin Heidegger, Emmanuel Levinas and Jacques Derrida.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that community premised upon a categorical and physical proximity can be problematised by a conception of community based upon the ethical proximity of the stranger – the otherness of the Other. In developing this notion of community, the paper argues that communities always face an insider/outsider problematic that mirrors Levinas' tension between ethics and justice. Furthermore, the paper suggests that the continual working out of this problem, our ethical concern, is differently constituted in virtual communities and face‐to‐face communities. In particular, the paper draws attention to the importance of the encounter with the stranger in virtual environments.

Originality/value

Contributes to debates on community by developing an ethical and political philosophy through which a shared sense of community can be rethought through the primacy of the Other.
Financialisation and the ethical moment: Levinas and the encounter with business practice
Authors: Lewis Malcolm , Farnsworth John
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine the tension between a Levinasian ethics and routine corporate activity in multinational business worlds. It investigates the calculative regimes around financialisation and places these against the absolute ethical responsibility to the other and the third, and the issues of justice and politics this produces.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the notion of the deconstructive moment and uses this to investigate the ethics of key decision making by a medium‐sized international telco, Telecom New Zealand, in the construction of a submarine cable.

Findings

The paper details the irreconcilable ethical conflict between the acutely human responsibility of corporations and the sophisticated, dehumanising regimes of calculation which they both mobilise and in which they are embedded.

Originality/value

The authors utilise the notion of the deconstructive moment to investigate the ethics of corporate practice. They also show how this can be related not just to the other but to other others and to wider issues of justice.
Phenomenology of life, Zen and management
Authors: Yoneyama Etsuo
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper consists in rethinking today's management systems in order to look for ways of management which are better adapted to human life. It is assumed that a management practice which takes into consideration the characteristics of human life must be accepted by a large number of people and would be effective and sustainable. Today, the overdevelopment of science and capitalism forget individuals and condemn them to alienation. To cope with this problem, the paper tries to identify ways of management which respect human life more.

Design/methodology/approach

To do this, the paper studies the phenomenology of life of Michel Henry and Zen Buddhism in order to understand the profound sense of life, knowledge and community developed by their philosophy. It then examines Toyotism and Fordism under the two dimensions of knowledge and community to illustrate how their management system considers human life.

Findings

The phenomenology of life and Zen share some common ground as both consider the importance of experienced life which constitutes the individual's subjectivity. Living experience generates embodied and tacit knowledge for men. The system of Kaizen which enables Toyota to develop significantly is based on its workers' tacit knowledge. In this dimension, Toyotism is a management system which recognizes better than Fordism the importance of living experiences and as such is better suited to human nature. The paper then discusses Toyotism, Fordism and post‐Fordism in the light of the concept of community. Toyotism appears as a constraining “total community,” whereas attempts to reintroduce a sense of community into the post‐Fordist model reveal its limits due to the fact that such a sense of community does not exist at a company level.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its comparison of the phenomenology of life with Zen in order to understand the importance of life and also in the introduction of the consideration of living workers in managerial performance.
A GIS approach to plan and deliver healthcare services to urban poor
Authors: Ramani K.V. , Mavalankar Dileep , Patel Amit , Mehandiratta Sweta
Published: June 2007

Purpose

To provide a public private partnership (PPP) model for urban health centres (UHC) in developing countries that can be useful for urban local governments and private service providers willing to enter into meaningful partnerships so as to improve primary healthcare services.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on geographical information system methodology to identify suitable locations to address availability, access, affordability and equity concerns and to provide a practical framework for PPP for establishing UHC. The methodology involved survey and mapping of slum communities and private healthcare facilities.

Findings

The research provides intricate details about planning healthcare services for urban poor, operational and managerial aspects of service provision and processes involved in PPP for urban health.

Research limitations/implications

The model is developed and tested for Ahmedabad city (sixth largest city in India) and may need a certain amount of customisation for application in other cities.

Practical implications

The outcome of the research is a working model based on a set of legal documents (memorandum of understanding) signed by all the PPP stakeholders. This model is useful for planning and managing similar healthcare facilities in other cities with adequate context‐specific modifications given the increasing importance of urban health.

Originality/value

While a range of published work provides theoretical frameworks for PPPs in general and for urban health in particular, our model has field‐tested all the steps for establishing a PPP model for solving urban health problems. The proposed UHC will start functioning in its new premises soon.
DURABLE‐GOODS MONOPOLY WITH MAINTENANCE
Authors: Goering Gregory E.
Published: June 2007

A two‐period durable‐goods monopoly product model with a competitive maintenance market is examined. Three types of monopoly solutions are calculated and contrasted to the social optimum: rentals, committed sales and uncommitted sales. Among other things, it is shown that contrary to the conventional wisdom a seller with committed power does not wish to commit ‘to act like a renter’ when maintenance is performed by buyers. This is due to the different objective functions of the buyer and seller. Furthermore, unlike earlier works, it is shown that the socially optimal amount of maintenance/repair does not occur in any sales case.
The air‐breathing behaviour of Brevimyrus niger (Osteoglossomorpha, Mormyridae)
Authors: Moritz T. , Linsenmair K. E.
Published: June 2007

Brevimyrus niger is reported to breathe atmospheric air, confirming previous documentation of air breathing in this species. Air is taken up by rising to the water surface and gulping, or permanently resting just below the surface, depending on the environmental conditions.
The gills as an important uptake route for the essential nutrient iron in freshwater rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Cooper C. A. , Bury N. R.
Published: June 2007

Short‐term (3h) acquisition of iron (16 nmol 59FeCl3 l−1) from oxic, alkaline fresh water was assessed in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in the presence or absence of a range of iron chelators, all of which had differing binding affinities for ferric iron [100 μmol l−1 of desferrioxamine (DFO), Log10K1 32·5; citric acid Log10K1 11·9; nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) Log10K1 15·9, CP20 and CP94 (Log10K1 > 30), as well as humic acid (HA), Log10K1 5·04, 5 mg l−1]. In the absence of chelators (control conditions) O. mykiss acquired iron from the water under laboratory lights (wavelength range of the lights 440–650 nm, peak intensity 548–626 nm) via the gill. In these conditions iron uptake onto the gill had a maximum transport capacity (Jmax) of 11·2 pmol Fe g−1 h−1 (gill organ mass) and a Km of 21·3 nmol Fe l−1 h−1. Furthermore, there were two components to iron accumulation into the carcass of these fish, a slow rate of aqueous iron uptake at low concentrations (6–24 nmol Fe l−1), followed by a faster rate of uptake at higher iron concentrations (48–96 nmol Fe l−1), suggesting that the rate‐limiting step of iron uptake at low iron concentrations is the apical entry step. O. mykiss also acquired iron in the presence of HA, although the majority of the other chelators prevented iron uptake. Ultraviolet light (354 nm) treatment of Fe‐DFO increased iron bioavailability. Results suggest that rainbow trout are able to access either the predicted very low concentrations (picomolar) of ferrous iron present in fresh water or the ferric oxide complexes present in oxic environments. The iron uptake rate measured (0·75 pmol g−1 h−1) would be sufficient to provide a substantial proportion (c. 85%) of the daily iron requirements of growing salmonid fry.
Female Arctic charr do not show apparent benefits from exposing their eggs to sperm from dominant males
Authors: Figenschou L. , Rudolfsen G. , Folstad I.
Published: June 2007

To evaluate whether paternal effects occur on offspring traits, eggs from Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus were fertilized with similar amount of sperm from size‐matched dominant and subordinate males, in a nested design. Eggs fertilized by subordinate fathers resulted in more offspring produced than eggs fertilized by the same amount of sperm from dominant fathers. Yet, paternal status showed no significant effect on measurements of larvae total length, yolk area and yolk red intensity.
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787/ZK 222584 inhibits both the induction and elicitation phases of contact hypersensitivity
Authors: YAMAMOTO Aisaku , WATANABE Hideaki , SUEKI Hirohiko , NAKANISHI Takako , YASUHARA Hajime , IIJIMA Masafumi
Published: June 2007

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its endothelial cell receptors (VEGFR) have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reaction. Previous studies have demonstrated that anti‐VEGFR‐2 antibody significantly suppresses the elicitation phase of CHS but does not affect the induction phase. PTK787/ZK 222584 (1‐[4‐chloroanilino]‐4‐[4‐pyridylmethyl] phthalazine succinate; PTK/ZK) is a potent inhibitor of VEGFR tyrosine kinases. To test the effect of PTK/ZK on the induction and elicitation phases of CHS separately, we used an established method of CHS assay‐sensitization and challenge in BALB/c mice. Either 50 mg/kg/day PTK/ZK or vehicle serving as a control was administered orally in the induction or elicitation phases separately. In the afferent phase, flow cytometry of skin‐draining lymph node cells revealed that the migration of Langerhans cells was suppressed in the mice treated with PTK/ZK at sensitization. The degrees of ear swelling at 24 and 48 h were significantly diminished in mice treated with PTK/ZK at sensitization (P < 0.05). In the efferent phase, the degrees of ear swelling at 24 h (P < 0.01) and 48 h (P < 0.05), ear blood flow at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01), and production of VEGF in the epidermis at 24 h (P < 0.05) were significantly suppressed in mice treated with PTK/ZK at elicitation. These findings and previous demonstrations suggest that both VEGF R‐1 and VEGF R‐2 are needed during the induction phase, and that VEGFR‐2 has a pivotal role in the elicitation phase of the CHS reaction.
Psoriasiform and pustular eruption induced by infliximab
Authors: TAKAHASHI Hidetoshi , HASHIMOTO Yoshio , ISHIDA‐YAMAMOTO Akemi , ASHIDA Toshifumi , KOHGO Yutaka , IIZUKA Hajime
Published: June 2007

Although antitumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF)‐α therapy provides beneficial effects on various chronic inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis, cutaneous side‐effects have also been reported. We describe four patients who showed psoriasiform eruption following anti‐TNF‐α therapy (infliximab) for Crohn's disease. In all patients, Crohn's disease had responded well to infliximab. Three patients developed plaque‐type psoriasiform eruption on the trunk and four extremities, while one patient showed pustular eruption on the palms and soles accompanied with plaque‐type psoriasis. In all these patients, skin lesions subsided with topical application of corticosteroid ointment or psoralen plus ultraviolet A treatment.
Assessing land cover change in Kenya's Mau Forest region using remotely sensed data
Authors: Baldyga Tracy J. , Miller Scott N. , Driese Kenneth L. , Gichaba Charles Maina
Published: June 2007

Kenya's Rift Valley has been undergoing rapid land cover change for the past two decades, which has resulted in ecological and hydrological changes. An effort is under way to quantify the timing and rate of these changes in and around the River Njoro watershed located near the towns of Njoro and Nakuru using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) methods. Three Landsat TM images, representing a 17‐year period from 1986 to 2003 in which the area underwent a significant land cover transition, were classified and compared with one another. Vegetation diversity and temporal variability, common to tropical and sub‐tropical areas, posed several challenges in disaggregating classified data into sub‐classes. An iterative approach for the resolving challenges is presented that incorporates unsupervised and supervised classification routines in coordination with knowledge‐based spatial analyses. Changes are analysed at three spatial scales ranging from the highly impacted and deforested uplands to the watershed and landscape scales. Land cover transitions primarily occurred after 1995, and included large forest losses coupled with increases in mixed small‐scale agriculture and managed pastures and degraded areas. These changes in cover type are highly spatially variable and are theorized to have significant impacts on ecological and hydrologic systems with implications for environmental sustainability.
Year‐to‐year variability in ocean recovery rate of Columbia River Upriver Bright fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Authors: HYUN SAANG‐YOON , MYERS KATHERINE W. , TALBOT ANDRÉ
Published: June 2007

Unusually large returns of several stocks of fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from the U.S. Northwest commonly occurred during the late 1980s. These synchronous events seem to have been due to ocean rather than freshwater conditions because natal rivers of these stocks were geographically disconnected. We examined year‐to‐year variability in cohort strength of one of these stocks, Upriver Bright (URB) fall Chinook salmon from the Columbia River Hanford Reach for brood years 1976–99 (recovery years 1979–2002). We used the ocean recovery rate of coded‐wire‐tag (CWT) fish as an index of cohort strength. To analyse year‐to‐year variability in the ocean recovery rate, we applied a log‐linear model whose candidate explanatory variables were ocean condition variables, fishing effort, age of recovered fish, and fish rearing type (hatchery versus wild). Explanatory variables in the best model included fishing effort, and the quadratic term of winter sea surface temperature (SST) measured from coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada during the fish's first ocean year. The coefficient of the quadratic term of SST was significantly negative, so the model shape was convex. Our findings can be used to infer year‐to‐year variability in cohort strength of other fall Chinook salmon whose life history and ocean distributions are similar to the URB fish.
High‐frequency patterns in abundance of larval Pacific hake, Merluccius productus, and rockfish, Sebastes spp., at a single fixed station off central California
Authors: SAKUMA KEITH M. , RALSTON STEPHEN , ROBERTS DALE A.
Published: June 2007

Standard CalCOFI (California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations) ichthyoplankton bongo net sampling was conducted every 2 h over 11 days at a single fixed station off central California in February 1995. A conductivity, temperature, and depth cast was completed after each tow to record corresponding hydrographic information. Larval Pacific hake, shortbelly rockfish, and other rockfish were enumerated and length measurements were recorded. Time–depth contours of water density showed a clear boundary, defining the mixed layer along the σ = 25.0 isopycnal, that appeared to fluctuate vertically on a 12‐h cycle centered around 50 m depth. Temperature–salinity plots showed a distinctly different pattern in the mixed layer when compared with water below the pycnocline. Length–frequency distributions plotted by survey day indicated a relatively continuous input of small rockfish larvae into the survey area rather than a resident population growing progressively larger each day. Catches of rockfish larvae were much higher in nighttime tows and varied by survey day, but were unaffected by the depth of the 25.0 isopycnal. In contrast, catches of Pacific hake did not vary significantly on a diel basis, but were significantly variable by survey day and were influenced by the depth of the mixed layer. Catches of Pacific hake larvae were significantly higher during warm‐saline periods (spicy water), while shortbelly rockfish were significantly less abundant under these conditions. Spectral analysis showed a clear 12‐h cycle in the depth of the 25.0 isopycnal and a 24‐h cycle in the catches of rockfish larvae, while Pacific hake catches and spiciness of the mixed layer appeared to have lower frequency cycles in excess of 48 h.
p120‐catenin regulates microtubule dynamics and cell migration in a cadherin‐independent manner
Authors: Ichii Tetsuo , Takeichi Masatoshi
Published: June 2007

p120‐catenin (p120) has been shown to be essential for cadherin stability. Here, we show that p120 is capable of regulating microtubule (MT) dynamics in a cadherin‐independent manner. When p120 was depleted in cadherin‐deficient Neuro‐2a (N2a) cells, MT stability was reduced, as assessed by the nocodazole sensitivity of MTs. On the contrary, over‐expression of p120 caused MTs to become resistant to nocodazole. Time‐lapse recording of GFP‐tagged EB1, a protein which binds the growing plus‐ends of MTs, introduced into these cells demonstrated that the plus ends underwent more frequent catastrophe in p120‐depleted cells. In addition, p120 knockdown up‐regulated the motility of isolated cells, whereas it down‐regulated the directional migration of cells from wound edges; and these migratory behaviors of cells were mimicked by nocodazole‐induced MT depolymerization. These results suggest that p120 has the ability to regulate MT dynamics and that this activity, in turn, affects cell motility independently of the cadherin adhesion system.
Identification, developmental expression and regulation of the Xenopus ortholog of human FANCG/XRCC9
Authors: Stone Stacie , Sobeck Alexandra , Van Kogelenberg Margriet , De Graaf Bendert , Joenje Hans , Christian Jan , Hoatlin Maureen E.
Published: June 2007

Fanconi anemia (FA) is associated with variable developmental abnormalities, bone marrow failure and cancer susceptibility. FANCG/XRCC9 is member of the FA core complex, a group of proteins that control the monoubiquitylation of FANCD2, an event that plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. Here we report the identification of the Xenopus laevis ortholog of human FANCG (xFANCG), its expression during development, and its molecular interactions with a partner protein, xFANCA. The xFANCG protein sequence is 47% similar to its human ortholog, with highest conservation in the two putative N‐terminal leucine zippers and the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs. xFANCG is maternally and zygotically transcribed. Prior to the midblastula stage, a single xFANCG transcript is observed but two additional alternatively spliced mRNAs are detected after the midblastula transition. One of the variants is predicted to encode a novel isoform of xFANCG lacking exon 2. The mutual association between FANCG and FANCA required for their nuclear import is conserved in Xenopus egg extracts. Our data demonstrate that interactions between FANCA and FANCG occur at the earliest stage of vertebrate development and raise the possibility that functionally different isoforms of xFANCG may play a role in early development.
Ser46 phosphorylation of p53 is not always sufficient to induce apoptosis: multiple mechanisms of regulation of p53‐dependent apoptosis
Authors: Kurihara Akira , Nagoshi Hirokazu , Yabuki Masato , Okuyama Ryuhei , Obinata Masuo , Ikawa Shuntaro
Published: June 2007

The tumor suppressor gene p53 plays a central role in determining cell fate in response to DNA damage; cells may undergo either senescence or apoptosis, depending on cell type. Phosphorylation of Serine 46 (Ser46) of p53 is considered to be a primary determinant for the induction of apoptosis, by selectively inducing transactivation of p53 target genes that have proapoptotic function. However, the generality of this mechanism of regulation of p53 remains a matter of debate. We investigated the role of p53 phosphorylation in adriamycin (ADR)‐induced apoptosis. We found that Ser46 was phosphorylated in four different cell lines undergoing ADR‐induced senescence, as well as in two different cell lines undergoing ADR‐induced apoptosis. Using alanine and glutamic acid substitution mutants of p53 Ser46, we showed that Ser46 phosphorylation is not a prerequisite for induction of the proapoptotic gene AIP1. These results indicate that Ser46 phosphorylation of p53 is not required for ADR‐induced apoptosis.
Identification of ZNF200 as a novel binding partner of histone H3 methyltransferase G9a
Authors: Nishida Miki , Kato Masaki , Kato Yasuko , Sasai Nobuhiro , Ueda Jun , Tachibana Makoto , Shinkai Yoichi , Yamaguchi Masamitsu
Published: June 2007

G9a belongs to the subfamily of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3‐K9)‐specific methyltransferases. On amino acid sequence alignment of human and Drosophila G9a, we found that the N‐terminal region from amino acids 532–605 to be evolutionarily conserved and named this the G9a homology domain (GHD). Using the GHD of human G9a (hG9a) as a bait, we isolated cDNA encoding a zinc finger protein 200 (ZNF200), which contains five C2H2‐type zinc finger domains in tandem arrays. Interaction between G9a and ZNF200 could be demonstrated by in vitro binding assays and immunoprecipitation experiments using cultured human HEK293 cell extracts. GST pull‐down assays using deletion derivatives of ZNF200 revealed that the interaction is through a region encompassing three of the five zinc finger domains. Furthermore, ZNF200 appear to co‐localize with G9a in the nucleoplasm of HEK293 cells as discrete speckles. These results demonstrate that ZNF200 is a novel binding partner of G9a.
Outcomes following a programme for lifestyle changes with people with hypertension
Authors: Drevenhorn Eva , Kjellgren Karin I , Bengtson Ann
Published: June 2007

Aim.  The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of using a structured nursing intervention programme in hypertension care.

Background.  Counselling on lifestyle changes to address hypertension helps patients reduce risk factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, overweight, dyslipidemia, negative stress and physical inactivity.

Design.  The study was performed as a pre‐test–post‐test study.

Methods.  All 177 patients diagnosed with hypertension visiting a health centre in Southern Sweden were invited to be counselled by a public health nurse about hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors and non‐pharmacological treatment with 15 months follow up.

Results.  One hundred patients participated in the study. Systolic blood pressure decreased overall (p < 0·01), three patients with high alcohol consumption were identified, two smokers stopped smoking, two new diabetics were discovered, physical activity increased (p = 0·035) and one‐third of the patients changed their medication.

Conclusion.  The level of exercise increased and a reduction in systolic blood pressure and in women's weight were the most obvious results of this intervention study. The study elucidates the challenge of executing health behaviour changes.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Counselling following a hypertension programme gives hypertensive patients a chance to execute lifestyle changes and have their medication adjusted to achieve goals for blood pressure control. Further prospective studies in this area, with well‐defined intervention approaches and several years of follow up, are necessary.
Coping and caring: support for family caregivers of stroke survivors
Authors: Chow Susan KY , Wong Frances KY , Poon Christopher YF
Published: June 2007

Aims and objectives.  This study examines the physical and emotional burden experienced by caregivers of stroke survivors, compared with caregivers of patients having neurological diseases.

Background.  Stroke survivors have residual neurological impairment, which requires long‐term support and care. Anxiety, depression and poor physical health are common sequelae among family caregivers of stroke survivors. There is a reasonably consistent association between patients’ levels of disability and emotional state and the emotional distress of their caregivers.

Design.  A convenience sample of 47 families was recruited: of the 47 families, 23 had a member who suffered from stroke and 24 had a member with neurological disease.

Method.  Two interviews were conducted at three and six months after the occurrence of the index stroke or neurological disease.

Results.  When the two groups of caregivers were compared for anxiety, depression and physical health status after care giving, the caregivers of stroke patients demonstrated higher levels of anxiety and depression than their counterparts in the neurological disease group (p < 0·001). However, there was no significant difference in physical health status between the two groups. Educational attainment, patient group and physical and cognitive impairment of the patients were the predictors of anxiety and the depressive status of the caregivers, while their age and level of depression contributed significantly to their physical health status.

Conclusion.  The physical and emotional well‐being of two groups of family caregivers in a neurosurgical unit were compared in the caring context. The caregivers of stroke survivors are at a greater risk of developing poor physical and emotional health than the caregivers of patients having neurological diseases.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The results illustrated that enhanced discharge planning and nurse follow‐up sessions are considered essential in maintaining the well‐being of the stroke caregivers and bridging the gap between the hospital and the community.
Fatigue in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: development of an assessment tool
Authors: Trendall Judith , Esmond Glenda
Published: June 2007

Aim.  To develop a tool that would allow a fatigue assessment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients that nurses could use irrespective of the level of response available from the patient.

Background.  It is important that nurses are able to undertake a full assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients before determining care. However, no suitable tools are available to assess fatigue in patients that are acutely unwell and dyspnoeic with difficulty speaking.

Design and method.  Qualitative research methods were used to allow new areas of knowledge to be explored and to gain fresh perspectives on care. Participants were identified using snowball sampling amongst experienced nurses who regularly cared for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The interview schedule was developed using defining attributes of fatigue according to the literature.

Results.  Two pilot and nine main semi‐structured interviews were conducted which were tape recorded and transcribed. Data analysis used techniques of content analysis which took into account a three stage analysis; data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing. Four main themes emerged; interest in surroundings, physical capacity, personality and mental state and physical appearance. The themes and categories from the analysis were used to develop the fatigue tool.

Conclusions.  Nurses caring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients should be able to assess for the presence, characteristics, severity and effects of fatigue and require assistance to differentiate it from other symptoms. The first stage in the development of a tool to achieve this has been completed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The fatigue tool is intended to be used by nurses to assess fatigue levels either in conjunction with the patient and as a vehicle for discussion about how they feel and experience fatigue, or through observation of the patient. Assessment can therefore be undertaken even when the patient may be too ill to respond verbally.
Does the capacity for energy utilization affect the survival of post‐smolt Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., during natural outbreaks of infectious pancreatic necrosis?
Authors: Rørvik K‐A , Alne H , Gaarder M , Ruyter B , Måseide N P , Jakobsen J V , Berge R K , Sigholt T , Thomassen M S
Published: June 2007

If osmotic stress and reduced seawater tolerance are predisposing factors for infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) outbreaks in farmed Atlantic salmon, increased survival by enhancing access to energy would be expected. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to increase energy access in 1‐year old Atlantic salmon after sea transfer by increasing the level of dietary fat, by exchanging some of the dietary oil with more easily oxidized medium chain triacylglycerols, or by dietary supplementation of potentially energy enhancing additives such as clofibrate and tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA). A natural outbreak of IPN occurred 8 weeks after sea transfer, and a significant dietary effect explaining 76% of the variation in mortality was observed. Relative percentage survival for the fish fed TTA in sea water was 70% when compared with the unsupplemented control, reducing mortality from 7.8 to 2.3%. Muscle fat content and plasma chloride were related to IPN mortality, suggesting that reduced hypoosmoregulatory capacity might be a predisposing factor to the onset of an IPN outbreak. Based on the observation of a threefold increase in white muscle mitochondrial fatty acid oxidizing activity by TTA, it is suggested that TTA has resulted in a re‐allocation of dietary fatty acids from storage to energy producing oxidation.
Characterization of the TrmB‐like protein, PF0124, a TGM‐recognizing global transcriptional regulator of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus
Authors: Lee Sung‐Jae , Surma Melanie , Seitz Sabine , Hausner Winfried , Thomm Michael , Boos Winfried
Published: June 2007

The characterization of the transcriptional regulator TrmBL1 of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, homologous to TrmB (transcriptional regulator of the maltose system), was studied. The genome of P. furiosus contains three TrmB paralogues. One of the TrmB‐like proteins (TrmBL), PF0124 (TrmBL1), was analysed in more detail. It regulated the expression of the genes encoding enzymes of the glycolytic pathway as well as the maltodextrin (MD) ABC transporter. By molecular sieve chromatography, purified TrmBL1 behaved at ambient temperature as a tetramer of 148.8 kDa. In the presence of 1 mM maltotriose or 5 mM maltose TrmBL1 formed octamers. As shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) TrmBL1 was found to bind the MD (maltodextrin ABC transport genes) promoter DNA with sixfold higher binding affinity (Kd 0.2 μM) than to the trehalose/maltose ABC transporter (TM) promoter (Kd 1.2 μM). Maltotriose and maltose interfered in these assays indicating inducer function. In vitro transcription assays using purified transcription components corroborated the data obtained with EMSA and showed inhibition of transcription of the MD promoter by TrmBL1. Recently, van de Werken et al. (FEMS Microbiol Lett 2006; 260: 69–76) identified TGM, a conserved sequence (Thermococcales‐Glycolytic‐Motif) upstream of genes encoding glycolytic enzymes and the MD ABC transporter. The position of TGM is invariably located downstream of the BRE‐TATA box and overlapping the transcription start site on each promoter. By footprint analysis TrmBL1 was found to recognize the TGM sequence in several TGM‐containing promoter sequences. We identified the recognition helix in TrmBL1 revealing tyrosine (Y49) to be essential for target DNA binding. However, the TGM motif was not essential for TrmBL1 binding. We conclude that TrmBL1 is a global sugar‐sensing transcriptional regulator controlling the genes of transport systems and of sugar‐metabolizing enzymes.
Ubiquitin‐Yop hybrids as probes for post‐translational transport by the Yersinia type III secretion pathway
Authors: Quenee Lauriane E. , Schneewind Olaf
Published: June 2007

Yersinia enterocolitica uses type III secretion to transport Yop proteins into the cytoplasm of host cells. Previous work generated hypotheses for both co‐ and post‐translational transport mechanisms in the Yersinia type III pathway. Here, we used ubiquitin (Ub) and UBP1, the Ub‐specific protease, to examine whether Yops can be secreted when synthesized prior to recognition by the type III machinery. Fusion of Ub to the N‐terminus of Yops blocked substrate recognition and secretion of hybrids generated with YopE, YopQ or YopR. UBP1 removed Ub from the N‐terminus of these hybrids and allowed YopE, YopQ or YopR cleavage products to enter the secretion pathway. Following the release of Ub, Yersinia type III machines also transported the YopE cleavage product into the cytosol of tissue culture cells. Minimal secretion signals were also examined with the Ub/UBP1 system and some, but not all, of these signals promoted type III secretion even after polypeptides had been freed from Ub. These results suggest that recognition and secretion of Yop substrates by the type III machinery can occur by a post‐translational mechanism.
Immunology in Brazil: historical fragments
Authors: Sant'Anna O. A.
Published: June 2007

Inspired by the pioneers Adolfo Lutz, Vital Brazil and Carlos Chagas, Brazilian Immunology was born and became extremely broad and multidisciplinary, always in partnership with other disciplines such as Parasitology, Biochemistry, Physiopathology or Genetics, and constituting an important branch of what is now called Toxinology. Today, the general scenario of Immunology in Brazil represents an example that is perhaps unique in the world of integrations with other areas of knowledge.
Constitutive expression of CIR1 (RVE2) affects several circadian‐regulated processes and seed germination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Xiangbo , Chen Yanhui , Wang Zhi‐Yong , Chen Zhangliang , Gu Hongya , Qu Li‐Jia
Published: June 2007

Circadian clocks are endogenous auto‐regulatory mechanisms that allow organisms, from bacteria to humans, to advantageously time a wide range of activities within 24 h environmental cycles. Here we report the identification and characterization of an MYB‐related gene, designated Circadian 1 (CIR1), that is involved in circadian regulation in Arabidopsis. Expression of CIR1 is transiently induced by light and oscillates with a circadian rhythm. The rhythmic expression of CIR1 is controlled by the central oscillator. Constitutive expression of CIR1 resulted in a shorter period length for the rhythms of four central oscillator components, and much lower amplitude for the rhythms of central oscillator components CCA1 and LHY. Furthermore, CIR1 over‐expression severely affected the circadian rhythms of its own RNA and those of the slave oscillator EPR1 and effector genes Lhcb and CAT3. Plants that constitutively expressed CIR1 displayed delayed flowering, longer hypocotyls and reduced seed germination in the dark. These results suggest that CIR1 is possibly part of a regulatory feedback loop that controls a subset of the circadian outputs and modulates the central oscillator.
Validation of microtubule‐associated Tobacco mosaic virus RNA movement and involvement of microtubule‐aligned particle trafficking
Authors: Boyko Vitaly , Hu Quanan , Seemanpillai Mark , Ashby Jamie , Heinlein Manfred
Published: June 2007

Functional studies of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection using virus derivatives expressing functional, dysfunctional, and temperature‐sensitive movement protein (MP) mutants indicated that the cell‐to‐cell transport of TMV RNA is functionally correlated with the association of MP with microtubules. However, the role of microtubules in the movement process during early infection remains unclear, since MP accumulates on microtubules rather late in infection and treatment of plants with microtubule‐disrupting agents fails to strongly interfere with cell‐to‐cell movement of TMV RNA. To further test the role of microtubules in TMV cell‐to‐cell movement, we investigated TMV strain Ni2519, which is temperature‐sensitive for movement. We demonstrate that the temperature‐sensitive defect in movement is correlated with temperature‐sensitive changes in the localization of MP to microtubules. Furthermore, we show that during early phases of recovery from non‐permissive conditions, the MP localizes to microtubule‐associated particles. Similar particles are found in cells at the leading front of spreading TMV infection sites. Initially mobile, the particles become immobile when MP starts to accumulate along the length of the particle‐associated microtubules. Our observations confirm a role for microtubules in the spread of TMV infection and associate this role with microtubule‐associated trafficking of MP‐containing particles in cells engaged in the cell‐to‐cell movement of the TMV genome.
CUTANEOUS AMEBIASIS IN MEXICO
Authors: Erancisco Biagi F , ALfonso Martuscelli Q.
Published: June 2007

Eleven cases of cutaneous amebiasis, observed at various hospitals in Mexico City, are reported. Three of these patients were infants. The external genitalia were the most commonly involved site.

A previous history of diarrhea or dysentery was not frequently present in our adult cases; however, bloody diarrhea was present in the infants. The ulcers were characterized by fast growth, well‐delineated edges surrounded by a red rim, hemopurulent exudate and intense pain.

In nine cases the diagnosis was made by direct examination of the exudate; biopsies from the edges of the ulcers were obtained in the other two. Skin infection was the result of external factors, external self‐infection, open hepatic abscesses or colonic surgery. Cures were obtained, in most cases in which adequate follow‐up was possible, with the use of emetine.

Nous présentons le compte rendu de onze cas d'amébiase cutanée observés dans de différents hôpitaux de Mexico City. Trois de ces patients étaient des nourrissons. La région la plus souvent atteinte était celle des organes génitaux externes. Dans nos cas d'adultes, la préexistence d'une histoire de diarrhée ou de dysenterie n'était pas fréquente; cependant, une diarrhée sanguinolente était presente chez les nourrissons. Les ulcères étaient caractérisés par une croissance rapide, des contours bien dessinés, entourés d'un bord rouge, un exsudat sanguino‐purulent, et par une douleur intense.

Dans neuf cas le diagnostique a été fait par l'examen direct de l'exsudat; dans les deux autres cas, on a effectué la biopsie des bords des ulcéres. L'infection cutanée était le résultat de facteurs externes, d'auto‐infection externe, d'abcès hépatiques ouverts ou d'intervention chirurgicale du colon. Dans la plupart des cas qui ont pu être suivis convenablement, on a obtenu la guérison á la suite d'administration d'émétine.

Se comunican once casos de amibiasis cutánea observados en diversos hospitales de la Ciudad de México. Tres de ellos eran niños de corta edad. Los genitales externos fueron las regiones más comúnmente afectadas.

El antecedente de diarrea O disentería no fue un hecho frecuente en nuestros pacientes adultos; en los niños, en cambio, se presentó diarrea sanguinolenta. Las ulceraciones se caracterizaban por su rápido desarrollo, bordes delineados rodeados por un anillo rojo, exudado hemopurulento y dolor intenso.

En nueve casos el diagnóstico se hizo por medio del examen directo del exudado; en los dos enfermos restantes, mediante biopsias de los bordes de las ulceraciones. La infeccióin cutánea fue la resultante de factores extrínsecos, autoinfección externa, abscesos hepáticos abiertos, O bien intervenciones quirúrgicas sobre el colon.

En la mayoría de los Casos que pudieron ser observados adecuadamente se logró la curación administrando emetina.
MIASIS CUTANEAS A PERMATOEIA HOMINIS Experiencias Obtenidas en Zonas Rurales de Venezuela
Authors: Dao Luis
Published: June 2007

A discussion of human myiasis due to the fly, Dermatobia hominis, is presented in this paper. The distinguishing characteristics and the life cycle of Dermatobia hominis are described.

The legs, arms, scalp and face were the most commonly affected sites in 156 cases of human myiasis seen in rural areas of Venezuela.

The symptomatology of myiasis of the skin and various forms of treatment are described.

Cet article présente une discussion sur la myiase humaine causée par la mouche Dermatobia hominis. Les caractéres distinctifs ainsi que le cycle vital de la Dermatobia hominis sont décrits.

Dans les 156 cas de myiase humaine observés dans les régions rurales du Vénézuéla, les jambes, les bras, le cuir chevelu et la face étaient les endroits les plus fréquemment atteints.

L'article décrit en outre la symptomatologie de la myiase de la peau ainsi que les différentes formes de son traitement.
Fetal sensitization to cow's milk protein and wheat: cow's milk protein and wheat‐specific TNF‐α production by umbilical cord blood cells and subsequent decline of TNF‐α production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells following dietary intervention
Authors: Ward Carla M. , Geng Lee , Jyonouchi Harumi
Published: June 2007

We present a case of fetal sensitization to cow's milk protein (CMP) and wheat, resulting in non‐IgE mediated food allergy (NFA). Fetal sensitization was indicated by onset of NFA symptoms shortly after birth and CMP/wheat‐specific tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production by cord blood mononuclear cells. Following dietary intervention, we observed a decline of TNF‐α production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells with stimuli of these dietary proteins (DPs) but recurrence of reactivity was observed following viral gastroenteritis, while interleukin‐10 production with these DPs persisted during his first 5 yr of life. This finding may indicate active suppressive mechanisms for maintaining oral tolerance.
In vitro susceptibilities of Aspergillus spp. causing otomycosis to amphotericin B, voriconazole and itraconazole
Authors: Kaya Ayse Demet , Kiraz Nuri
Published: June 2007

Otomycosis is worldwide in distribution and most commonly caused by Aspergillus species. Amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole are used for the treatment of aspergillosis, but recently an increase in resistance to these agents has been reported. We aimed at investigating the in vitro activities of amphotericin B, voriconazole and itraconazole against Aspergillus isolates causing otomycosis. Mycological analysis of samples from the ear canals of patients was performed by culturing onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and by evaluating microscopically. Aspergillus species were identified with colony morphology and microscopic appearance, and tested for susceptibilities to amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole by the CLSI reference broth microdilution method (M38‐A document). A total of 120 isolates from 120 patients, comprising 57 Aspergillus niger, 42 Aspergillus fumigatus, nine Aspergillus flavus, six Aspergillus nidulans and six Aspergillus terreus strains were tested. No resistance was determined against amphotericin B and voriconazole, while six A. fumigatus and three A. niger isolates were resistant to itraconazole. In vitro data obtained in this study showed the resistance to itraconazole, while all of the isolates were susceptible to voriconazole and amphotericin B. Voriconazole seemed to be an alternative in the treatment of infections related to Aspergillus spp. but further studies are needed to learn more about the antifungal resistance of different species of Aspergillus to different agents.
Inhibitory activity of thymol against the formation and viability of Candida albicans hyphae
Authors: Braga P. C. , Alfieri M. , Culici M. , Dal Sasso M.
Published: June 2007

As the capacity of Candida albicans to produce hyphae is considered an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of candiasis, the aim of this study was to investigate whether thymol, the major component of thyme oil, can interfere with the filamentous forms of Candida albicans and their viability. The morphological transition from yeasts to filamentous forms was investigated by analysing the morphological index (MI), which classifies the differentiated forms and blastoconidia; viability was investigated by means of fluorescence microscopy using a new SYTO‐9 and propidium iodide method previously used to stain only blastoconidia. Without thymol, there was an average of 94.00 ± 3.06% hyphal forms. After 6 h of incubation with 1x MIC (125 μg ml−1), 1/2x MIC and 1/4x MIC of thymol, filamentation was, respectively, 14.33 ± 8.25%, 28.33 ± 7.17% and 45.67 ± 8.09% in comparison with control (all statistically significant). In the absence of thymol, viable cells accounted for an average of 93.00 ± 4.00% whereas, after 6 h of incubation with 1x MIC, 1/2x MIC and 1/4x MIC of thymol, the presence of 54.33 ± 1.86%, 29.00 ± 3.61% and 23.00 ± 2.52% of yellow–orange coloured forms indicated damaged membranes and reduced viability. Our findings show that thymol interferes with the formation and viability of hyphae. This can be attributed to the characteristics of thymol disturbing Candida cell membranes and metabolism, probably by affecting fungal cell‐wall synthesising enzymes.