bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An anthropological interpretation of nurses’ and patients’ perceptions of the use of space and touch
Authors: Christine Edwards Susan
Published: July 2007

An anthropological interpretation of nurses’ and patients’ perceptions of the use of space and touch The use of touch and space by nursing staff is critical in all aspects of patient care. How patients and nurses perceive the use and possible abuse of these encounters is the subject of this research. Data were collected through participant observation and semi‐structured interviews with staff and patients. Interpretation of data was inherently from an anthropological perspective. There were some similarities between staff and patients’ perceptions of space/touch interactions, for example what constituted personal space, but also some differences, which may have implications for clinical practice, namely gender and age of both staff and patients during intimate tasks. The construction of the ward environment was identified as being crucial in developing a ‘new reality’, within which altered expectations emerged as to what was considered to be acceptable or unacceptable behaviour. The conflict between primary and professional socialization is an issue which may need to be examined further in educational institutions.
Psychometric tests of Expectations of Filial Piety Scale in a Mexican‐American population
Authors: Kao Hsueh‐Fen S , McHugh Mary L , Travis Shirley S
Published: July 2007

Aims and objectives.  This paper reports the development of the Expectations of Filial Piety Scale for use with Mexican‐American parents regarding expectations they have of their adult children for care and support.

Background.  Earlier work by the authors demonstrated that filial piety is a cross‐cultural construct that can be used with Hispanic/Latino populations. More refined development of the construct required testing with more homogeneous subsets (i.e. Mexican‐Americans) within the broad designation of Hispanic/Latino adults.

Design.  Non‐experimental methodological design for field testing of the instrument's psychometric properties.

Methods.  A convenient sample of 80 Mexican‐American adults in California and Texas completed a brief biographical survey and field tested the Expectations of Filial Piety Scale.

Results.  Common factor analysis with orthogonal rotation was used to extract three factors, which accounted for 58% of the variance in scale scores. These factors included: I: respect for parents (24·05%); II: honouring parents (12·5%); and III: family unity (16·56%). Overall scale reliability was 0·87 with individual factor reliability coefficients ranging from 0·74 to 0·87 and test–retest correlation was 0·73.

Conclusions.  The results show that the Expectations of Filial Piety Scale is an internally consistent and reliable tool for use in studies of the Mexican‐American population. Mexican elders historically underuse formal services; a large portion of this population will most likely depend on support from their family members when they reach advanced ages. There is a lack of culturally sensitive instruments to measure family values in caring for older adults in Mexican‐Americans.

Relevance to clinical practice  This scale can enable case workers and nurses in long‐term care settings to assess the elder's expectations for family support accurately and compare these expectations with available family support, children's intentions to care for a dependent parent or other family member and the need for supplemental care in Mexican‐American families.
A triangulation study of the clinician and patient experiences of the use of the immunosuppressant drugs azathioprine and 6‐mercaptopurine for the management of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Holbrook Karen
Published: July 2007

Aim.  The aim of this study was to explore the service for patients with inflammatory bowel disease taking or having taken azathioprine or 6‐mercaptopurine in the last three years, at two District General Hospitals within the same Trust.

Background.  Published data confirm that the use of azathioprine and 6‐mercaptopurine is effective in the control of inflammatory bowel disease. However, there are inconsistencies in dosing regimes, blood monitoring and duration of therapy. Regimes used have been largely based on clinicians’ personal preference leading to inconsistencies in practice.

Methods.  A questionnaire, designed to elicit the experience of treatment regimes, blood monitoring and access to information was sent to 130 patients taking or having taken azathioprine or 6‐mercaptopurine in the last three years. A further questionnaire was sent to 94 general practitioners and interviews were conducted with 10 hospital doctors initiating treatment.

Results.  The study demonstrated lack of clarity in the prescribing methods, the monitoring regimes being offered, variation in information given to patients and consequent patient knowledge.

Conclusion.  Azathioprine and 6‐mercaptopurine are increasingly being used successfully in inflammatory bowel disease, sparing the use of steroids and maintaining remission over a longer period. A review of the current literature has informed and made possible a suggested blood‐monitoring regime.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The adoption of a protocol‐led service, managed by the nurse specialist, incorporating guided self‐management by patients should be considered. A shared‐care approach with the patient and general practitioner with rapid access to secondary care would provide a robust system.
Client–nurse relationships in home‐based palliative care: a critical analysis of power relations
Authors: Oudshoorn Abram , Ward‐Griffin Catherine , McWilliam Carol
Published: July 2007

Aim.  To elicit an in‐depth understanding of the sources of power and how power is exercised within client–nurse relationships in home‐based palliative care.

Background.  As in all social relations, power is present within client–nurse relationships. Although much research has focused on interpersonal relationships in nursing, the concept of power within the client–nurse relationship in palliative care settings has not been extensively investigated.

Methods.  Applying a critical lens, secondary qualitative data analysis was conducted. Seventeen nurse and 16 client transcripts from a primary study were selected for secondary data analysis. These 33 transcripts afforded theme saturation, which allowed for both commonalities and differences to be identified. Data analysis involved analytic coding.

Results.  Study findings help make explicit the underlying power present in the context of home‐based palliative care and how this power is used and potentially abused. In analysing the sources and exercise of power, the linkage between macro and micro levels of power is made explicit, as nurses functioned within a hierarchy of power. The findings suggest that educational/occupational status continues to be a source of power for nurses within the relationship. However, nurses also experience powerlessness within the home care context. For clients, being able to control one's own life is a source of power, but this power is over‐shadowed by the powerlessness experienced in relationships with nurses. The exercise of power by clients and nurses creates experiences of both liberation and domination.

Conclusions.  Nurses who are willing to reflect on and change those disempowering aspects of the client‐nurse relationship, including a harmful hierarchy, will ultimately be successful in the health promotion of clients in home‐based palliative care. Additionally, it should be recognized that nurses work within a specific health system context and, therefore, their practice is influenced by policies and funding models implemented at various levels of the health care system.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The insights gained through this investigation may assist nurses and other health professionals in reflecting on and improving practices and policies within home‐based palliative care and within home care in general.
Believing in birth – choosing VBAC: the childbirth expectations of a self‐selected cohort of Australian women
Authors: Fenwick Jennifer , Gamble Jenny , Hauck Yvonne
Published: July 2007

Aim.  This study explored the childbirth expectations and knowledge of women who had experienced a caesarean and would prefer a vaginal birth in a subsequent pregnancy.

Background.  Vaginal birth after caesarean is considered best practice. However, in most western world countries, despite the inherent risks of caesarean for both mother and baby, the number of women labouring after a previous caesarean is declining.

Methods.  Newspaper advertisements were used to recruit Western Australian women who had experienced a caesarean. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data collected from women who attempted a vaginal birth (n = 24), or stated they would choose this option, in a subsequent pregnancy (n = 11).

Findings.  For this cohort of women, their caesarean experience reinforced their previously held expectations about birthing naturally. The women held strong views about the importance of working with their bodies to achieve a vaginal birth, which was considered an integral part of being a woman and mother. Positive support from family and friends and a reluctance to undergo another caesarean was also influential. Women articulated the risks of caesarean and considered vaginal birth enhanced the health and well‐being of the mother and baby, promoted maternal infant connection and the eased the transition to motherhood.

Conclusion.  This study documents how the importance of birth, as a significant life event, remained the focus of these women's childbirth expectations influencing future decisions on birth mode and mediating against the ‘pressure’ of medical discourse promoting caesarean.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Knowledge and appreciation of the multiple dimensions that contribute to women's decisions after a caesarean provides valuable information on which service providers and researchers can draw as they investigate interventions that enhance the uptake and success of women birthing vaginally after a caesarean.
Conducting clinical post‐conference in clinical teaching: a qualitative study
Authors: Hsu Li‐Ling
Published: July 2007

Aim and objective.  The aim of this study was to explore nurse educators’ perceptions regarding clinical postconferences. Additional aims included the exploration of interaction characteristics between students and faculty in clinical postconferences.

Background.  Nursing students are challenged to think and learn in ways that will prepare them for practice in a complex health care environment. Clinical postconferences give students the opportunity to share knowledge gained through transformative learning and provide a forum for discussion and critical thinking. Faculty members must guide students as the latter participate in discussions, develop problem‐solving skills and express feedings and attitudes in clinical conferences.

Methods.  The study used qualitative research methods, including participant observation and an open‐ended questionnaire. Participant observers watched interaction activities between teachers and students in clinical postconferences. A total of 20 clinical postconferences, two conferences per teacher, were observed. The Non‐Numerical Unstructured Data Indexing Searching and Theory‐building qualitative software program was used in data analysis.

Conclusions.  Research findings indicated that, of the six taxonomy questions, lower‐level questions (knowledge and comprehensive questions) were mostly asked by faculty members’ postclinical conferences. The most frequently used guideline was task orientation, which is related to practice goals and was found in discussions of assignments, reading reports, discussions of clinical experiences, role plays, psychomotor skill practice, quizzes and student evaluations.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is an essential responsibility of nurse educators to employ postconferences to assist students in applying their knowledge in practical situations, in developing professional values and in enhancing their problem solving abilities.
Family support, perceived self‐efficacy and self‐care behaviour of Turkish patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kara Kaşıkçı Magfiret , Alberto June
Published: July 2007

Aim. The purpose of this study was to describe family support, self‐efficacy perception and self‐care behaviour among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to ascertain the relationship between these variables.

Background. It is important to work at improving confidence in the patients’ ability to follow a self‐care regimen by increasing self‐efficacy. Family support also plays an important role in self‐care activities.

Method and design. The study design is descriptive and correlational. Of 230 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were recruited for the study, 200 agreed to participate. The patients were recruited by the first author from an outpatient clinic in the Department of Chest Disease of a university hospital and a pulmonary hospital in Erzurum, eastern Turkey. Data were collected by using a demographic data form, the Perceived Social Support from Family Scale, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Self‐efficacy Scale and the Alberto Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Self‐care Behaviour Inventory.

Results. Although most participants (91·5%) perceived that they had family support and more than three quarters (73·0%) of the participants engaged in an adequate amount of self‐care behaviours, only twenty five participants’ (12·5%) perceived self‐efficacy as high. There were statistically significant positive relationships between family support and self‐care behaviour (r = 0·302;p = 0·01) and between self‐efficacy and self‐care behaviour (r = 0·186;p = 0·01). There was also a statistically significant positive relationship between family support and self‐efficacy (r = 0·412;p = 0·01).

Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrated weak to moderate, but statistically significant, relationships between family support and self‐care behaviours, self‐efficacy and self‐care behaviour and family support and self‐efficacy in Turkish patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Relevance to clinical practice. The assessment of the family support, self‐efficacy and self‐care behaviours of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be an essential part of nursing practice. The study also provides the foundation for the conduct of future studies of self‐care training for managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Mobbing in the workplace by peers and managers: mobbing experienced by nurses working in healthcare facilities in Turkey and its effect on nurses
Authors: Yildirim Aytolan , Yildirim Dilek
Published: July 2007

Aim.  This research was conducted as a descriptive and cross‐sectional study with the purpose of determining the mobbing experienced by nurses who work in healthcare facilities in Turkey, its emotional, social and physiological effects on the nurses and the actions that the individuals take to escape from the mobbing.

Background.  The term ‘mobbing’, which includes workplace terrorizing, pressure, frightening, belittling and psycho‐terror, is defined as the presence of systematic, directed, unethical communication and antagonistic behaviour by one or more individuals. These actions that occur frequently and continue for a long time are the most serious and effective causes of workplace stress. The person who is the target of the mobbing is left without help, without protection and alone in the workplace. Individuals who are exposed to psychological abuse experience physiological, psychological and social problems that are related to high levels of stress and anxiety.

Design and method.  The research participants were 505 nurses of whom 325 (64%) worked in public and 180 (36%) in private hospitals. All of the participants were female. A questionnaire developed by the researchers in the light of information in the literature was used for data collection and had four sections including the participants’ demographic characteristics and questions asking about mobbing behaviours, reaction to mobbing incidents and actions taken to escape from the mobbing. The data were collected between October and December 2005 by giving an envelope to the participants and then collecting the responses in the closed envelope.

Findings.  The overwhelming majority (86·5%) of the nurses participating in the research reported facing mobbing behaviour in the workplace in the last 12 months. The nurses working at private hospitals faced statistically significantly more mobbing behaviours than those at public hospitals (p ≤ 0·02). It was determined that the nurses who faced mobbing behaviours gave various physiological, emotional and social reactions to these incidents. The most common behaviours exhibited by the participants to escape mobbing was ‘to work harder and be more organized’ and ‘to work more carefully to avoid criticism’. In addition 10% of the participants stated that they ‘consider committing suicide sometimes.’

Relevance to clinical practice.  Mobbing behaviours in the workplace need to be defined and appropriate policies and procedures need to be developed and shared with all employees to prevent the development of these behaviours. In addition, managers should adopt an open managerial approach to prevent the development of these behaviours.
Evaluating effects of a prenatal web‐based breastfeeding education programme in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Mei Zen , Kuo Su‐Chen , Avery Melissa D. , Chen Wei , Lin Kuan‐Chia , Gau Meei‐Ling
Published: July 2007

Aims. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a web‐based breastfeeding education programme provided to primigravida in the third trimester of pregnancy with the aim of deepening breastfeeding knowledge and enhancing skills. The study was conducted at a hospital in Taiwan.

Background. Education is the cornerstone supporting the framework of lactation and breastfeeding. Web‐based instruction is an efficient way to provide education.

Design. A quasi‐experimental design was used.

Methods. The target population was women at 29–36 weeks gestation using the Internet on regular basis. The primigravida were assigned to either the control group (n = 60) or the experimental group (n = 60) according to time sequence.

Results. Women who received web‐based breastfeeding education had a higher mean breastfeeding knowledge score and more positive attitude about breastfeeding. In addition, generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to examine the breastfeeding rate at different time points. After adjusting for the time trend and infant birth weight, there was a significant effect in exclusive breastfeeding for the experimental group. On the other hand, the web‐based breastfeeding education programme also had a significant effect on mixed feeding rate for the experimental group.

Conclusion. Results suggest that web‐based breastfeeding education may contribute to breastfeeding knowledge and attitude and improved breastfeeding rate.

Relevance to clinical practice. Web‐based breastfeeding education programme can achieve success in promoting breastfeeding and provide health professionals with an evidence‐based intervention.
Review of clinical EMG studies related to muscle and occlusal factors in healthy and TMD subjects
Authors: SUVINEN T. I. , KEMPPAINEN P.
Published: July 2007

Summary  Several electronic instruments have been developed as adjuncts to objectively record the dysfunctional features of temporomandibular disorders and to study the effectiveness of various treatment interventions. The aim of this review was to assess the value and contribution of clinical electromyographic research in the understanding of asymptomatic and dysfunctional muscle function and the therapeutic effects of interocclusal appliances. For this purpose MedLine and PubMed searches were conducted with the following main keywords alone and in various combinations: electromyography, muscles of mastication, masseter, temporalis, temporomandibular, TMD, utility, validity, repeatability, rest, postural, vertical dimension, occlusal, splint, treatment. The review includes critical evaluation, discussion and conclusions regarding electromyographic studies in asymptomatic and dysfunctional muscles, rest position, occlusal parameters and interocclusal appliances, as well as a critical summary and proposals for further research. Much of earlier critique of many electromyographic studies still applies regarding comparative sample selections, research designs, analyses and conclusions. The areas not well‐understood include normal biological variation, capacity for adaptation, fluctuations regarding the clinical course and multidimensional features of temporomandibular disorders and long‐term follow‐up data, especially in studies that evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic measures. Considering the required improvements in technical and research designs features and critical appraisal electromyographic research could have value as an adjunct research tool to study features of craniofacial muscle‐related dysfunction. Until electromyographic measures are correlated with other multidimensional, especially subjective and pain‐related methods, the clinical use of this method for diagnostic purposes of temporomandibular disorders remains in doubt, and is not at present recommended.
Functional characterization of both MAP kinases of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum by reverse genetics
Authors: Dorin‐Semblat Dominique , Quashie Neils , Halbert Jean , Sicard Audrey , Doerig Caroline , Peat Elizabeth , Ranford‐Cartwright Lisa , Doerig Christian
Published: July 2007

The kinome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum includes two genes encoding mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) homologues, pfmap‐1 and pfmap‐2, but no clear orthologue of the MAPK kinase (MAPKK) family, raising the question of the mode of activation and function of the plasmodial MAPKs. Functional studies in the rodent malaria model Plasmodium berghei recently showed the map‐2 gene to be dispensable for asexual growth and gametocytogenesis, but essential for male gametogenesis in the mosquito vector. Here, we demonstrate by using a reverse genetics approach that the map‐2 gene is essential for completion of the asexual cycle of P. falciparum, an unexpected result in view of the non‐essentiality of the orthologous gene for P. berghei erythrocytic schizogony. This validates Pfmap‐2 as a potential target for chemotherapeutic intervention. In contrast, the other P. falciparum MAPK, Pfmap‐1, is required neither for in vitro schizogony and gametocytogenesis in erythrocytes, nor for gametogenesis and sporogony in the mosquito vector. However, Pfmap‐2 protein levels are elevated in pfmap‐1‐ parasites, suggesting that Pfmap‐1 fulfils an important function in asexual parasites that necessitates compensatory adaptation in parasites lacking this enzyme.
Type 3 peptide deformylases are required for oxidative phosphorylation in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Bouzaidi‐Tiali Nabile , Giglione Carmela , Bulliard Yannick , Pusnik Mascha , Meinnel Thierry , Schneider André
Published: July 2007

Peptide deformylase (PDF) catalyses the removal of the formyl group from the first methionine of nascent proteins. Type 1 PDFs are found in bacteria and have orthologues in most eukaryotes. Type 2 PDFs are restricted to bacteria. Type 3 enzymes are found in Archaea and trypanosomatids and have not been studied experimentally yet. Thus, TbPDF1 and TbPDF2, the two PDF orthologues of the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei, are of type 3. An experimental analysis of these enzymes shows that both are mitochondrially localized, but that only TbPDF1 is essential for normal growth. Recombinant TbPDF1 exhibits PDF activity with a substrate specificity identical to that of bacterial enzymes. Consistent with these results, TbPDF1 is required for oxidative but not for mitochondrial substrate‐level phosphorylation. Ablation of TbPDF2, in contrast, does neither affect growth on standard medium nor oxidative phosphorylation. However, a reduced level of TbPDF2 slows down growth in a medium that selects for highly efficient oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, combined ablation of TbPDF1 and TbPDF2 results in an earlier growth arrest than is observed by downregulation of TbPDF1 alone. These results suggest that TbPDF2 is functionally linked to TbPDF1, and that it can influence the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation.
A wide deep infrared look at the Pleiades with UKIDSS: new constraints on the substellar binary fraction and the low-mass initial mass function
Authors: Lodieu N. , Dobbie P. D. , Deacon N. R. , Hodgkin S. T. , Hambly N. C. , Jameson R. F.
Published: July 2007

We present the results of a deep wide-field near-infrared survey of 12 deg2 of the Pleiades conducted as part of the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) Galactic Cluster Survey (GCS). We have extracted over 340 high-probability proper motion (PM) members down to 0.03 M⊙ using a combination of UKIDSS photometry and PM measurements obtained by cross-correlating the GCS with data from the Two Micron All Sky Survey, the Isaac Newton Telescope and the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. Additionally, we have unearthed 73 new candidate brown dwarf (BD) members on the basis of five-band UKIDSS photometry alone. We have identified 23 substellar multiple system candidates out of 63 candidate BDs from the (Y−K, Y) and (J−K, J) colour–magnitude diagrams, yielding a binary frequency of 28–44 per cent in the 0.075−0.030 M⊙ mass range. Our estimate is three times larger than the binary fractions reported from high-resolution imaging surveys of field ultracool dwarfs and Pleiades BDs. However, it is marginally consistent with our earlier ‘peculiar’ photometric binary fraction of 50 ± 10 per cent presented by Pinfield et al., in good agreement with the 32–45 per cent binary fraction derived from the recent Monte Carlo simulations of Maxted & Jeffries and compatible with the 26 ± 10 per cent frequency recently estimated by Basri & Reiners. A tentative estimate of the mass ratios from photometry alone seems to support the hypothesis that binary BDs tend to reside in near equal-mass ratio systems. In addition, the recovery of four Pleiades members targeted by high-resolution imaging surveys for multiplicity studies suggests that half of the binary candidates may have separations below the resolution limit of the Hubble Space Telescope or current adaptive optics facilities at the distance of the Pleiades (a ∼7 au). Finally, we have derived luminosity and mass functions from the sample of photometric candidates with membership probabilities. The mass function is well modelled by a lognormal peaking at 0.24 M⊙ and is in agreement with previous studies in the Pleiades.
Elevated CO2 and temperature alter net ecosystem C exchange in a young Douglas fir mesocosm experiment
Authors: TINGEY DAVID T. , LEE E. HENRY , PHILLIPS DONALD L. , RYGIEWICZ PAUL T. , WASCHMANN RONALD S. , JOHNSON MARK G. , OLSZYK DAVID M.
Published: July 2007

We investigated the effects of elevated CO2 (EC) [ambient CO2 (AC) + 190 ppm] and elevated temperature (ET) [ambient temperature (AT) + 3.6 °C] on net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of seedling Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) mesocosms. As the study utilized seedlings in reconstructed soil–litter–plant systems, we anticipated greater C losses through ecosystem respiration (Re) than gains through gross photosynthesis (GPP), i.e. negative NEE. We hypothesized that: (1) EC would increase GPP more than Re, resulting in NEE being less negative; and (2) ET would increase Re more than GPP, resulting in NEE being more negative. We also evaluated effects of CO2 and temperature on light inhibition of dark respiration. Consistent with our hypothesis, NEE was a smaller C source in EC, not because EC increased photosynthesis but rather because of decreased respiration resulting in less C loss. Consistent with our hypothesis, NEE was more negative in ET because Re increased more than GPP. The light level that inhibited respiration varied seasonally with little difference among CO2 and temperature treatments. In contrast, the degree of light inhibition of respiration was greater in AC than EC. In our system, respiration was the primary control on NEE, as EC and ET caused greater changes in respiration than photosynthesis.
Evidence for sporangial dispersal leading to a single infection event and a sudden high incidence of grapevine downy mildew
Authors: Gobbin D. , Bleyer G. , Keil S. , Kassemeyer H. H. , Gessler C.
Published: July 2007

In a German vineyard (PRO) between 10 and 13 June 2004, the incidence of grapevine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) increased abruptly from 0 to 99%. Infected vines bore on average between 45 and 60 lesions each, corresponding to about 220 000 lesions ha−1 in a non‐aggregated distribution. A second vineyard (FUT), approximately 50 m distant from PRO, had been inoculated 3 weeks before the abrupt increase in incidence of disease in PRO. Using microsatellites to ascertain the sources of inoculum and likelihood and extent of interplot spread from FUT to PRO, 555 samples were collected and 20 unique genotypes were identified, of which one caused 80% of the sampled lesions in both vineyards. Three genotypes responsible for 95% of the lesions in FUT and PRO were identified as the genotypes originally established through earlier inoculations in FUT. This is the first report of definitive and quantitative evidence of sporangial migration up to 130 m in a single infection event. The utility of molecular tools to address practical epidemiological issues in this pathosystem is illustrated. The results of this study provide an example of how P. viticola was able to rapidly colonize European vineyards after the pathogen was introduced from North America in 1878.
Virus impact at the interface of an ancient ecosystem and a recent agroecosystem: studies on three legume‐infecting potyviruses in the southwest Australian floristic region
Authors: Webster C. G. , Coutts B. A. , Jones R. A. C. , Jones M. G. K. , Wylie S. J.
Published: July 2007

The southwest Australian floristic region (SWAFR) is an internationally recognized ‘hot spot’ of global biodiversity and has an endangered flora. It represents a unique interface between an ancient ecosystem and a recent agroecosystem, providing the opportunity to investigate encounters where the recipient of the virus is an introduced crop and the donor a native plant and vice versa. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus coat‐protein genes was used to study isolates of three potyviruses representing different ‘new encounter’ scenarios at this interface. The incidence, symptomatology, host range, non‐persistent aphid transmission and considerable genetic diversity of the first indigenous virus described from the SWAFR, where it infects the native legume Hardenbergia comptoniana, and its potential to damage lupin, a locally important, newly introduced cultivated grain legume, was studied. The name Hardenbergia mosaic virus is proposed for this virus. Two other examples of ‘new encounter’ scenarios involving other legume‐infecting potyviruses studied were: Passion fruit woodiness virus, which has been found only in Australasia, where it damages recently introduced species of Passiflora and legumes; and Bean yellow mosaic virus, which is not indigenous to Australia and was introduced recently to the SWAFR, where it infects a number of introduced legumes, but also damages the local native legume Kennedia prostrata. Isolates of the former had considerable genetic diversity consistent with the virus being indigenous, while isolates of the latter virus from K. prostrata had a low genetic diversity consistent with recent arrival. This research illustrates how introduced viruses can damage indigenous plants and indigenous viruses can damage introduced cultivated plants within this unique ecosystem, and how human activities can facilitate damaging ‘new encounters’ between plants and viruses.
DWARF10, an RMS1/MAX4/DAD1 ortholog, controls lateral bud outgrowth in rice
Authors: Arite Tomotsugu , Iwata Hirotaka , Ohshima Kenji , Maekawa Masahiko , Nakajima Masatoshi , Kojima Mikiko , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kyozuka Junko
Published: July 2007

Plant architecture is mostly determined by shoot branching patterns. Apical dominance is a well‐known control mechanism in the development of branching patterns, but little is known regarding its role in monocots such as rice. Here, we show that the concept of apical dominance can be applied to tiller bud outgrowth of rice. In dwarf10 (d10), an enhanced branching mutant of rice, apical dominance can be observed, but the inhibitory effects of the apical meristem was reduced. D10 is a rice ortholog of MAX4/RMS1/DAD1 that encodes a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 8 and is supposed to be involved in the synthesis of an unidentified inhibitor of shoot branching. D10 expression predominantly occurs in vascular cells in most organs. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that accumulation of D10 mRNA is induced by exogenous auxin. Moreover, D10 expression is upregulated in six branching mutants, d3, d10, d14, d17, d27 and high tillering dwarf (htd1). No such effects were found for D3 or HTD1, the MAX2 and MAX3 orthologs, respectively, of rice. These findings imply that D10 transcription might be a critical step in the regulation of the branching inhibitor pathway. In addition, we present observations that suggest that FINE CULM1 (FC1), a rice ortholog of teosinte branched 1 (tb1), possibly works independently of the branching inhibitor pathway.
MBL2 variants in relation to common childhood infections and atopy‐related phenotypes in a large German birth cohort
Authors: Müller Sebastian , Keil Thomas , Grüber Christoph , Zitnik Simona Eva , Lau Susanne , Wahn Ulrich , Witt Heiko , Nickel Renate
Published: July 2007

Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is considered an important component of innate immunity. Four functional MBL2 alterations in codons 52, 54, 57 and in the promoter at position c.1‐290 are correlated with significantly lowered MBL serum levels. These variants have been associated with susceptibility to a variety of infectious agents as well as with various immunologic disorders including asthma. To reassess these observations, we analysed the four above mentioned MBL2 variants in 749 children, who were recruited by the German Multicenter Allergy Study and were prospectively evaluated for common respiratory childhood infections and atopy‐related phenotypes from birth up to the age of 11 yr. We performed genotyping by melting curve analysis using fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes and the LightCycler. In contrast to previous studies, we found an association of MBL2 variants neither with the frequency of common respiratory childhood infections at any age nor with asthma or other atopy‐related phenotypes. Our data suggest that MBL deficiency does not represent a pre‐disposing factor for respiratory infections or atopic disorders in infants and children.
Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of Alternaria alternata immunotherapy: Clinical efficacy and safety
Authors: Tabar Ana I. , Lizaso María T. , García Blanca E. , Gómez Belen , Echechipía Susana , Aldunate María T. , Madariaga Begoña , Martínez Alberto
Published: July 2007

Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with fungal extracts has been beset by safety and efficacy problems, which result mainly from qualitative and quantitative variations. Little has been published on the safety and efficacy of these extracts. The objective was to analyze the safety and efficacy of ASIT with an Alternaria alternata extract. A total of 28 patients were selected with rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma because of Alternaria allergy and monosensitization to molds. The patients were randomized to an active ASIT or placebo group, both groups on a conventional immunotherapy schedule (increasing weekly doses until maintenance dose and then monthly doses). Adverse reactions were classified with the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology system. Clinical efficacy was analyzed for a year with symptom/medication diary cards, peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures, clinical severity score, severity of symptoms (visual analog scale), subjective evaluation of treatment by the patient and the physician, and a quality of life questionnaire. Twenty‐three patients completed the study; all reached the established maintenance dose with only two mild adverse reactions in the whole sample. Significant improvements were found after 6 months in respiratory symptoms in the active treatment group, and in all symptoms in both groups. PEF increased significantly in the active treatment group but not in the placebo group. The severity of asthma decreased in the active treatment group, and the severity of rhinitis decreased in both groups. Visual analog scale scores for severity of symptoms improved in all phases in the active treatment group, but only after 12 months in the placebo group. Physicians judged the disease course as significantly better in the active treatment group. ASIT with the A. alternata extract was safe, with clinical improvements after one year of treatment.
Increased activation of GATA‐3, IL‐2 and IL‐5 of cord blood mononuclear cells in infants with IgE sensitization
Authors: Marschan Emma , Honkanen Jarno , Kukkonen Kaarina , Kuitunen Mikael , Savilahti Erkki , Vaarala Outi
Published: July 2007

Risk of allergic diseases has been linked to abnormal patterns of fetal immune development, suggesting that priming of the immune system may occur in utero. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the pattern of immune response in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) shows association with allergic diseases and IgE sensitization at 2 yr of age, and to study the effect of maternal probiotic supplementation on CBMC immune responses. CBMC were isolated from 98 neonates in a randomized double‐blinded intervention study. CBMC were stimulated with beta‐lactoglobulin, and phytohemaglutinin (PHA). Secretion of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), and IL‐13 was measured by an ELISA; IL‐2, IL‐4, and IL‐10 by a cytokine bead assay. T‐cell polarization‐associated IL‐4 receptor and IL‐12R expressions, and the respective transcription factors GATA‐3 and T‐bet were analyzed with RT‐PCR. The above responses were compared with the development of allergic diseases and IgE sensitization at 2 yr of age, and with the maternal probiotic or placebo supplementation. PHA‐stimulated GATA‐3 expression and IL‐2 secretion in CBMC were higher in IgE‐sensitized children at an age of 2 yr than in the non‐sensitized, non‐allergic children (p = 0.03 and 0.026). PHA‐induced expression of GATA‐3 correlated with IL‐5 (p = 0.003, r = 0.300) and IL‐13 (p = 0.007, r = 0.278) secretion of CBMC, and IL‐5 secretion of β‐lactoglobulin‐stimulated CBMC was higher in IgE‐sensitized children at 2 yr of age than in the non‐sensitized, non‐allergic children (p = 0.013). Probiotic bacteria had no effect on CBMC immune responses. In CBMC‐enhanced induction of GATA‐3, which activates several Th2 cytokines genes, was a risk factor for IgE sensitization. The immune deviation towards Th2‐type immunity developed already in utero and seemed to modulate the pattern of immune response favoring an IgE response to environmental antigens.
The predictive value of specific immunoglobulin E levels for the first diagnosis of cow's milk allergy. A critical analysis of pediatric literature
Authors: Miceli Sopo Stefano , Radzik Daniele , Calvani Mauro
Published: July 2007

Investigators have tried to identify a level of seric specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) that had a sufficient predictive value to diagnose a food allergy without having will resort to the food challenge. To search in literature, all the studies that have estimated the possibility to identify a level of seric specific cow milk IgE with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95% for the first diagnosis of cow's milk allergy (CMA) in pediatric age. We have identified six studies, nearly all studies suffer from relevant methodological bias. Proposed cut‐off are all different. The studied pediatric populations were highly selected. Also neglecting the methodological bias of the studies and the great difference of value between the proposed cut‐off, it always remains to consider that the pre‐test probability of having a CMA between the children enrolled in the six studies included in this review is particularly high. The likelihood ratio helps to transfer the results of a study on a diagnostic test just to our population, and it is more realistic rather than to entrust itself to the PPV or the negative predictive value, that are much influenced from the prevalence of the disease in the studied population.
Correlated changes in fertility and fitness traits in lines of oMt1a‐oGH transgenic mice selected for increased 8‐week body weight*
Authors: Siewerdt F. , Eisen E. J. , Murray J. D.
Published: July 2007

Correlated responses in fitness and fertility traits were compared in transgenic and nontransgenic lines of mice selected for increased 8‐week body weight. Two replicates of lines which either carried or did not carry the sheep metallothionein‐1a sheep growth hormone transgene (oMt1a‐oGH) were established. Host lines had been previously selected for rapid growth or selected randomly. Within‐litter selection was carried out for 13 generations, and a randomly selected control line was kept for each set of replicate lines. Mice were genotyped every generation for the presence of the transgene, but this information was not used in selection decisions. The oMt1a‐oGH construct was activated by adding 25 mm ZnSO4 to the drinking water from 3 weeks (weaning) until 8 weeks of age. Zinc stimulation of the transgene was not carried out during mating, gestation and lactation. Correlated responses in fitness traits were measured by regression of least‐squares means (as deviations from the control lines) on generation number. Two fitness indexes were defined to combine the information on individual fitness traits. The proportion of infertile matings was higher in generations 7 to 13 than in generations 0 to 6. Correlated responses to selection showed an increase in the cohabitation to littering interval in nontransgenic lines and an increase in litter sizes in lines from the selected background. Preweaning pup survival did not change over generations. Overall fitness increased in the transgenic line from the selection background whereas no changes were observed in the transgenic line from the control background. The initial frequency of 0.5 of the transgene was reduced to less than 0.10 in the selected background, but increased to an average of 0.62 in the control lines. The comparison of specific mating groups involving transgenic and nontransgenic mates revealed that the only consistent disadvantage in having a transgenic parent was the increase in the length of the cohabitation to littering interval. Major fitness problems were not associated with the oMt1a‐oGH transgene, which makes this construct a potential choice for use in livestock breeding programmes.
Estimation of heritability for hip dysplasia in German Shepherd Dogs in Finland
Authors: Leppaänen M. , Maäki K. , Juga J. , Saloniemi H.
Published: July 2007

The heritability of hip dysplasia in the German Shepherd Dog was estimated by applying the animal model and the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method to a data‐set which consisted of the hip scores of 10 335 dogs. Fixed effects of the model were the month and the year of birth, screening age, the panelist responsible for screening and the origin of the animal's sire. The litter and the breeder had only minor effects on hip joints. Heritability estimates were moderate (0.31–0.35). The moderate heritability, which was found in this study, enables a much better genetic gain in the breeding programme, if proper evaluation methods, such as BLUP animal model, and effective selection is used instead of phenotypic selection.
Genetic parameters for individual birth and weaning weight and for litter size of Large White pigs
Authors: Kaufmann D. , Hofer A. , P. Bidanel J. , Künzi N.
Published: July 2007

Data from a French experimental herd recorded between 1990 and 1997 were used to estimate genetic parameters for individual birth and weaning weight, as well as litter size of Large White pigs using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methodology applied to a multivariate animal model. In addition to fixed effects the model included random common environment of litter, direct and maternal additive genetic effects. The data consisted of 1928 litters including individual weight observations from 18 151 animals for birth weight and from 15 360 animals for weaning weight with 5% of animals transferred to a nurse. Estimates of direct and maternal heritability and proportion of the common environmental variance for birth weight were 0.02, 0.21 and 0.11, respectively. The corresponding values for weaning weight were 0.08, 0.16 and 0.23 and for litter size 0.22, 0.02 and 0.06, respectively. The direct and the maternal genetic correlations between birth and weaning weight were positive (0.59 and 0.76). Weak positive (negative) genetic correlations between direct effects on weight traits and maternal effects on birth weight (weaning weight) were found. Negative correlations were found between direct genetic effect for litter size and maternal genetic effects on all three traits. The negative relationship between litter size and individual weight requires a combined selection for litter size and weight.
Microbial uranium immobilization independent of nitrate reduction
Authors: Madden Andrew S. , Smith April C. , Balkwill David L. , Fagan Lisa A. , Phelps Tommy J.
Published: July 2007

At many uranium processing and handling facilities, including sites in the US Department of Energy (DOE) complex, high levels of nitrate are present as co‐contamination with uranium in groundwater. The daunting prospect of complete nitrate removal prior to the reduction of uranium provides a strong incentive to explore bioremediation strategies that allow for uranium bioreduction and stabilization in the presence of nitrate. Typical in situ strategies involving the stimulation of metal‐reducing bacteria are hindered by low‐pH environments and require that the persistent nitrate must first and continuously be removed or transformed prior to uranium being a preferred electron acceptor. This work investigated the possibility of stimulating nitrate‐indifferent, pH‐tolerant microorganisms to achieve bioreduction of U(VI) despite nitrate persistence. Enrichments from U‐contaminated sediments demonstrated nearly complete reduction of uranium with very little loss of nitrate from pH 5.7–6.2 using methanol or glycerol as a carbon source. Bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified from uranium‐reducing enrichments (pH 5.7–6.2) and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses classified the clone sequences into four distinct clusters. Data from sequencing and terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) profiles indicated that the majority of the microorganisms stimulated by these enrichment conditions consisted of low G+C Gram‐positive bacteria most closely related to Clostridium and Clostridium‐like organisms. This research demonstrates that the stimulation of a natural microbial community to immobilize U through bioreduction is possible without the removal of nitrate.