bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetrical morphogenesis and medio‐lateral positioning of molars during mouse development
Authors: Cam Yves , Fausser Jean‐Luc , Vonesch Jean‐Luc , Peterkova Renata , Peterka Miroslav , Halaskova Milada , Lesot Hervé
Published: December 2004

The functionality of the dentition depends on occlusal relationships between opposing crown surfaces. To investigate the relative changes in positioning of upper and lower molar germs during mouse development, we used serial histological sections of late day 13 (embryonic day (ED)13.5) to early day 18 (ED18) foetus heads and performed computer‐aided 3D reconstructions. From ED13.5 to ED15.5, the first lower molar (M1) got a less medial position relative to its upper counterpart (M1); superimposition progressed postero‐anteriorly. From ED14.5, the apparent medial displacement of M1 vs. M1 was partly due to the asymmetrical growth of the M1 to give rise to the lingual row of cusps, conspicuous at ED17. The superimposition of M2/M2 along the medio‐lateral axis was observed from their bud stage (ED14.5), and the one of M1/M1 was almost complete at ED15.5. However, this was not the final position, as at ED18, M1 and M2 had a more lateral location than their upper counterparts. Immunostaining showed that differential expression of antigens associated to desmosomes but not to adherens junctions might be involved in the asymmetrical development of M1, thus contributing to the relative medio‐lateral positioning of the first molars at early stages.
Establishment of a convenient system for the long‐term culture and study of non‐neoplastic human salivary gland epithelial cells
Authors: Dimitriou Ioannis D. , Kapsogeorgou Efstathia K. , Abu‐Helu Rasmi F. , Moutsopoulos Haralampos M. , Manoussakis Menelaos N.
Published: December 2004

Epithelial cells appear to play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of autoimmune lesions in the salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Therefore, the detailed study of immunological function of salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) may provide useful information for the understanding of Sjögren's syndrome pathogenesis. In this report we aimed to formulate a protocol for the establishment of human non‐neoplastic SGEC lines as a tool for the study of the physiology and pathophysiology of these cells. Pointing towards a practical approach, we sought to establish SGEC lines from quite a limited amount of biopsy tissue obtained during the diagnostic evaluation of patients. Herein, the favorable conditions for the long‐term maintenance of human non‐neoplastic SGEC lines are presented and involve the successive application of a serum‐containing and a serum‐free culture medium, supplemented with essential epithelial growth factors. This protocol has been found reliable and convenient, as attested by the reproducible establishment of non‐neoplastic SGEC lines. The analysis of SGEC phenotypic features, as well as a coculture system for the study of interactions between epithelial cells and lymphocytes, are also described. Such techniques may provide valuable means for the functional and molecular investigation of human SGEC and particularly for the study of Sjögren's syndrome and other disorders of glandular epithelia.
Influence of the endothelium on the vasorelaxant response to acetylcholine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the isolated rabbit facial artery
Authors: Stojić Dragica , Radenković Miroslav , Kršljak Elena , Popović Jelena , Pešić Srðan , Grbović Leposava
Published: December 2004

The aim was to examine the influence of the endothelium on acetylcholine (ACh) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) functional responses in the isolated glandular branch of rabbit facial artery precontracted with phenylephrine as well as the potential contribution of nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids in the ACh‐ and VIP‐induced effects. Acetylcholine caused endothelium‐dependent and VIP endothelium‐independent relaxations of facial artery. The effect of ACh was partly inhibited by NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA, a non‐selective NO synthase inhibitor) or by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) while being completely blocked after concomitant addition of l‐NMMA and indomethacin. The relaxation of the facial artery caused by ACh was unaffected by 65 mm KCl. The VIP‐induced vasodilation was potentiated by forskolin (an adenylate cyclase stimulator) and partly reduced by l‐NMMA or S‐methyl‐l‐thiocitrulline (l‐SMTC, a neuronal NO synthase inhibitor), whereas it was unaffected by indomethacin. These results suggest that ACh effects on the rabbit facial artery are mediated through release of endothelium‐derived NO and cyclooxygenase products, while the effect of VIP is most probably mediated by an increase of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cAMP) in vascular smooth muscles and by VIP‐induced release of NO from perivascular nerve fibers.
Local anesthesia for endodontic pain
Authors: Reader Al , Nusstein John
Published: December 2004

The purpose of the following paper is to discuss problems with mandibular anesthesia, the success of intraosseous anesthesia, and the clinical management of endodontic anesthesia.
Characterization of an Aedes aegypti bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library and chromosomal assignment of BAC clones for physical mapping quantitative trait loci that influence Plasmodium susceptibility
Authors: Jiménez L. V. , Kang B.‐K. , DeBruyn B. , Lovin D. D. , Severson D. W.
Published: December 2004

Previous studies have confirmed a genetic basis for susceptibility of mosquitoes to Plasmodium parasites. Here we describe our efforts to characterize a bacterial artificial chromosome genomic library for the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and to identify BAC clones containing genetic markers that define quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Plasmodium gallinaceum susceptibility. This library (NDL) was prepared from the Ae. aegypti Liverpool strain and consists of 50 304 clones arrayed in 384‐well microplates. We used PCR analysis with oligonucleotide primer pairs specific to 106 genetic markers (as sequence‐tagged sites or STS) to screen the NDL library. Each STS identified between one and thirteen independent clones with an average of 3.3 clones. The average insert size was 122 kb and therefore the NDL library provides approximately 7.87‐fold genome coverage. The availability of the NDL library should greatly facilitate physical mapping efforts, including positional cloning of QTL for traits of interest such as Plasmodium susceptibility and for whole genome sequence determination and assembly.
Three new species of Sarcophaga Meigen found during ecological studies on flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Thailand
Authors: Pape Thomas , Bänziger Hans
Published: December 2004

Three new species of Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 are described from Thailand: Sarcophaga (Sarcosolomonia) circa sp. nov., S. (Mehria) lanna sp. nov. and S. (Rosellea) suthep sp. nov.
Treatment optimization in multiple sclerosis: report of an international consensus meeting
Authors:   International Working Group for Treatment Optimization in MS
Published: December 2004

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease for which there is currently no proven cure. Nevertheless, desperate views have changed to substantial optimism over recent years, as several lines of evidence have indicated that disease‐modifying drugs (DMDs) have beneficial effects on neurological deterioration in MS. However, assessing the success of DMD therapy in an individual patient may not always be clear‐cut for the doctor. In order to address this issue, an International Working Group of doctors experienced in treating patients with MS convened to discuss the optimization of DMD therapy, and the outcome of this consensus meeting is reported here. Participants developed statements that classify changes in relapses, disease progression and brain magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with MS who is taking DMD therapy, according to whether they are worthy of note, of some concern, or of serious concern and requiring a reassessment of current therapy. Based on these statements, the performance of standardized examinations to document changes in the disease enables a visual measure of the progress of an individual patient to be built up on an analogue model. This model provides a useful framework to help the neurologist to identify those patients for whom the therapeutic options should be reconsidered.
Identification of novel single nucleotide polymorphisms within the NOTCH4 gene and determination of association with MHC alleles
Authors: Tazi‐Ahnini R. , Timms J. M. , Cox A. , Wilson A. G.
Published: December 2004

Mapping of disease susceptibility loci within the MHC has been partly hampered by the high degree of polymorphism of the HLA genes and the high level of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between markers within the MHC region. It is therefore important to identify new markers and determine the level of LD between HLA alleles and non‐HLA genes. The NOTCH4 gene lies at the centromeric end of the MHC class III region, approximately 335 kb telomeric of the DRB1 locus. The encoded protein is an oncogene that is important in regulating vascular development and remodelling. A recent report has linked polymorphisms within NOTCH4 with risk of developing schizophrenia. We have investigated if coding polymorphisms exist within this gene and have identified three single nucleotide polymorphisms; a synonomous T to C transition at +1297 (HGBASE accession number SNP000064386), a synonomous A to G transition at +3061 (SNP000064387) and an A to G transition at +3063 which results in a replacement of glycine with aspartic acid at amino acid 279 (SNP000064388). The allele frequencies of +1297T, +3061A and +3063G were 0.65, 0.66 and 0.66, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium was detected both between these markers and with MHC alleles. These findings can be used in the fine mapping of disease susceptibility alleles within the MHC.
An evaluation of Com‐B27, a fluorescein‐conjugated mouse anti‐HLA‐B27 reagent
Authors: Coates E. , Rees T. J. , Darke C.
Published: December 2004

We evaluated the HLA‐B27 typing reagent Com‐B27, which is claimed to show minimal cross‐reactivity with HLA‐B7, for use in flow cytometry‐based typing. This combination reagent consists of the fluorescein‐conjugated HLA‐B27 mouse monoclonal antibody ABC‐m3 and a non‐conjugated HLA‐B7 monoclonal antibody that is claimed to block the reactivity of ABC‐m3 to B7 without affecting its reactivity to B27. It reacted well with B27 (B*2702, B*2705) and B2708 [mean median channel fluorescence intensity (MCFI) 8.40] and weakly with B7 (including cells from homozygous B*07 donors), B42/B73 and B22/B37/B44 reference cells (mean MCFI 2.05, 3.09 and 1.10, respectively). It showed a uniform discrimination between B7 and B27/B2708 with no ‘overlap’ in MCFI values, which was seen with the standard ABC‐m3 antibody. There was complete agreement when our standard three‐antibody‐based B27/B2708 flow cytometry assay and the Com‐B27 reagent alone were used to independently assign B27/B2708 status to 651 random patients. Thus, the Com‐B27 reagent provided improved discrimination between B7 and B27/B2708 over the ABC‐m3 antibody, and its B27/B2708 assignments were comparable with our standard flow cytometry assay. However, for consistently reliable B27/B2708 typing we continue to recommend the use of a minimum of two B27 reagents in a protocol that includes DNA‐based testing of ‘equivocal’ B27/B2708 assignments.
Genetic susceptibility to carrageenan‐induced innate inflammatory response in inbred strains of rats
Authors: Joe B. , Garrett M. R. , Dene H. , Remmers E. F. , Meng H.
Published: December 2004

Rat models are useful for the genetic dissection of the biology of innate immunity. Inbred rat strains were evaluated for carrageenan‐induced innate inflammatory responses. Results indicated that the genetic control of innate immune responses is polygenic and influenced by gender, and may not necessarily be consistent with the genetics of experimental arthritis. The newly identified susceptible strains, in order of decreasing susceptibility, include Dahl salt‐sensitive (S), Dahl salt‐resistant (R), Milan normotensive strain (MNS) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Similarly, the newly identified relatively resistant strains, in decreasing order of resistance, include DA rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Brown Norway (BN) rats. Linkage analyses using combinations of these susceptible and resistant strains are proposed.
A linkage analysis of the CTLA4 gene region in Finnish patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Turpeinen H. , Laine A. P. , Hermann R. , Simell O. , Veijola R. , Knip M. , Ilonen J.
Published: December 2004

The cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) region on 2q33 has been shown to be linked to, and associated with, type 1 diabetes (T1D) and suggested to be one of the loci contributing to diabetes aetiology. The polymorphisms responsible for the effect are yet not defined, and the findings reported for the known markers have been discrepant in various populations. We analysed 15 markers around the CTLA4 gene in 138 Finnish affected sib‐pair families. A maximum multipoint LOD score (MMLS) of 0.83 at the CTLA4‐(AT)n microsatellite was obtained for the whole data set. When stratified, the MMLS increased to 2.61 in the IBS2 (identical by state 2) dataset. In a transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT), some sex‐specific effects were observed in transmissions of alleles of CTLA4‐(AT)n and D2S105 in siblings. The transmission of the CTLA4 +49 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) did not deviate from the expected frequency in this study. In conclusion, our study confirms the linkage of the CTLA4 region to T1D in the Finnish population. In addition, the observations suggest that the polymorphism actually involved in the disease is not the CTLA4 +49 A/G SNP but a polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with CTLA4 markers and probably closer to CTLA4‐(AT)n than to the CTLA4 +49 A/G SNP.
The application of double‐layer theory to drainage, drying and wetting, and the Gapon Exchange constant in a soil with mono‐ and divalent cations
Authors: Collis‐George N.
Published: December 2004

Classical double‐layer theory is adapted to consider drainage under gravity, air‐drying, rewetting with distilled water or with solution, and cation exchange when the double‐layer is under a very small retaining pressure or matric potential. In this study, the solid system retains its geometry and the double‐layers are either bounded by an air–water interface or are restricted by the solid geometry. The model as presented is suitable for PCs but is restricted to mono‐ and divalent cations in the presence of a monovalent anion. Representative results for three surface charge densities, three ionic strengths and three ratios of mono‐ to divalent cations are presented. During drainage, the proportion of monovalent cations increases slightly, the ambient anion concentration decreases, whereas the ionic ratio is relatively constant. During drying by evaporation, the proportion of monovalent cations decreases markedly, whereas the anion concentration and the ionic ratio both increase in the ambient solution. These patterns affect the behaviour of roots and organisms in the soil.

The Gapon Exchange constant is found to vary with the initial composition of the double‐layer and with the composition of the added solution, but for each combination it tends to an equilibrium value as the volume of the added solution increases. The value of the constant is sensitive to the charge density of the clay surface; the greater the charge density the smaller is the Gapon Exchange constant, suggesting that it should be referred to as the Gapon parameter rather than the Gapon constant. The limitations of the classical theory are discussed in relation to the results obtained.
Concentrations of 60 elements in the soil solution as related to the soil acidity
Authors: Tyler G. , Olsson T.
Published: December 2004

Little is known about solubility and soil solution concentrations of most elements occurring in the solid phase of soils. This study reports changes in solution concentrations of 60 mineral elements following CaCO3 addition to a moderately acid semi‐natural soil, and possible mechanisms accounting for the differing solubility patterns as related to soil acidity are discussed. Soil solutions were obtained by high‐speed centrifuging and ultrafiltration (0.2 μm) of samples at 60% water‐holding capacity of the A horizon of a Cambisol developed from a shale–gneiss moraine and supplied with CaCO3 at 20 rates to yield a soil solution pH range of 5.2–7.8. Concentrations of elements were determined in the solutions by ICP‐AES or (for most elements) ICP‐MS. Several distinct patterns of soil solution concentrations as a function of soil solution pH were demonstrated. Positively related to pH and CaCO3 supply were soil solution concentrations of As, Br, Mo, S, Sb, Se, U, and W, and to a lesser degree, Co, Cr, Hg, Mg, and Sr. Inversely related to pH were concentrations of Al, B, Ba, Bi, Cs, Ce, Eu, Ga, Ge, Fe, Li, K, Rb, Na, Th, and Ti; less distinctly inversely rated were Dy, Er, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Mn, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sc, Si, Tl, Tm, and Yb. ‘U‐shaped’ relationships to pH were demonstrated for the concentrations of Ag, Cd, Nb, Ni, P, V, and Zr. There were no or irregular relations between pH and concentrations of Be, Cu, Ho, Pb, Ta, and Tb. Differences between elements in their soil solution concentrations as related to total (HNO3‐digestible) concentrations and the solubility of organic C were also treated. Increasing the pH of a soil by adding CaCO3 changes the solubility of most mineral elements substantially, the several distinct patterns observed being governed by, for example, ionic properties and charge, affinity for organic compounds, and pH‐dependent formation and solubility of complexes.
Losses of carbon and nitrogen with prolonged arable cropping from sandy soils of the South African Highveld
Authors: Lobe I. , Amelung W. , Du Preez C. C.
Published: December 2004

A knowledge of the kinetics of organic matter transformations in arable soils is important for managing them sustainably. Our aim in this study was to elucidate the effects of cropping period on pools of C and N in coarse‐textured savanna soils of the South African Highveld. Composite samples were taken from the top 20 cm of soils (Plinthustalfs) that have been cropped for lengths of time varying from 0 to 98 years in each of three different agro‐ecosystems in the Free State Province of South Africa. Thereafter, soil organic C and N concentrations were determined in the bulk soil (< 2 mm) as well as in the clay (< 2 μm), silt (2–20 μm), fine sand (20–250 μm), and coarse sand (250–2000 μm) separates. Long‐term cultivation of native grassland reduced soil C and N concentrations by 65 and 55%, respectively. Losses of soil organic matter occurred from all particle‐size separates, although rate loss constants increased as particle size increased. The concentrations of organic C reached equilibrium after 34 years for the bulk soil and after 55 years for clay‐size separates. Nevertheless, organic matter attached to silt continued to be lost as the cropping continued, probably due to wind erosion. Changes in soil properties thereby continued even after almost 100 years of cultivation.
Regolith and soils in Bhutan, Eastern Himalayas
Authors: Baillie I. C. , Tshering Kado , Dorji Tshering , Tamang H. B. , Dorji Tsheten , Norbu Chencho , Hutcheon A. A. , Bäumler R.
Published: December 2004

Bhutan lies at altitudes of 100–7500 m on the steep, long and complex southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas. Soil surveys show that, despite steep gradients, there are many moderately or deeply weathered soils. Many slopes are mantled with polycyclic, layered drift materials, so soil horizons owe as much to regolith heterogeneity as to pedogenesis. In the limited arable areas soil profiles are further complicated by rice cultivation and the construction, maintenance and irrigation of flat terraces on steep slopes. Some natural pedogenic horizonation is apparent, and there is an altitudinal zonation of soil types. Although the climate is warm and seasonally wet, most soils on the subtropical southern foothills are not particularly weathered and leached. The foothills are seismically active, and many soils are formed in unstable landslide debris. Elsewhere the regoliths are more stable. The main soils up to about 3000 m in the inner valleys are moderately weathered and leached, and have bright subsoil colours and thin dark topsoils. Above these there is a zone of bright orange‐coloured non‐volcanic andosolic soils. Further upslope there are acid soils with thick surface litter, stagnogleyic topsoils, and drab brown subsoils with organic cutans. These grade to weak podzols, which extend from about 3500 m up to the treeline, around 4000 m. Above this, alpine turf soils, with deep, dark, and friable topsoils and yellowish friable subsoils, are intermixed with unweathered glacial deposits. The interactions between pedogenesis and the deposition of the varied and layered drift materials complicate mapping and classification of the soils.
Immobilization of the heavy metals Cd, Cu and Pb in an acid soil amended with gypsum‐ and lime‐rich industrial by‐products
Authors: Illera V. , Garrido F. , Serrano S. , García‐González M. T.
Published: December 2004

In situstabilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils by the addition of various types of soil amendment is an attractive technique for remediation. We investigated the potential of three industrial by‐products (phosphogypsum, red gypsum and dolomitic residue) for boosting the heavy metal sorption capacity of an acid soil (patents pending, Spanish applications no 200201704 and 200201375) by using sorption isotherm experiments. The three by‐products were found substantially to increase the retention of lead, cadmium and copper on the solid components of the soil. The increase in lead retention of the soil horizons upon the addition of both phosphogypsum and red gypsum was dominated by the formation of anglesite minerals. The dolomitic residue increased the metal retention capacity of the soil horizons through the precipitation of laurionite‐type minerals as well as cadmium and copper hydroxy‐chlorides. In addition to the batch sorption study, we used scanning electron microscopy to investigate the metal sorption processes in the soil by the effect of the treatments. Lead was frequently found to be linked to the edge charges of kaolinite minerals. The three metals were found to be associated with organic matter in the Ap horizon treated with the three by‐products. Finally, the three metals were found to be associated with undissolved dolomitic residue particles.
Influence of soil composition on adsorption of glyphosate and phosphate by contrasting Danish surface soils
Authors: Gimsing A. L. , Borggaard O. K. , Bang M.
Published: December 2004

The herbicide glyphosate and inorganic phosphate are strongly adsorbed by inorganic soil components, especially aluminium and iron oxides, where they seem to compete for the same adsorption sites. Consequently, heavy phosphate application may exhaust soil's capacity to bind glyphosate, which may lead to pollution of drain‐ and groundwater. Adsorption of phosphate and glyphosate to five contrasting Danish surface soils was investigated by batch adsorption experiments. The different soils adsorbed different amounts of glyphosate and phosphate, and there was some competition between glyphosate and phosphate for adsorption sites, but the adsorption of glyphosate and phosphate seemed to be both competitive and additive. The competition was, however, less pronounced than found for goethite and gibbsite in an earlier study. The soil's pH seemed to be the only important factor in determining the amount of glyphosate and phosphate that could be adsorbed by the soils; consequently, glyphosate and phosphate adsorption by the soils was well predicted by pH, though predictions were somewhat improved by incorporation of oxalate‐extractable iron. Other soil factors such as organic carbon, the clay content and the mineralogy of the clay fraction had no effect on glyphosate and phosphate adsorption. The effect of pH on the adsorption of glyphosate and phosphate in one of the soils was further investigated by batch experiments with pH adjusted to 6, 7 and 8. These experiments showed that pH strongly influenced the adsorption of glyphosate. A decrease in pH resulted in increasing glyphosate adsorption, while pH had only a small effect on phosphate adsorption.
Interaction effects of fish, nutrients, mixing and sediments on autotrophic picoplankton and algal composition
Authors: Rhew Kyeongsik , Ochs Robert M. Baca Article nO.:clifford A. , Threlkeld Stephen T.
Published: December 2004

1. We examined the effects of nutrients, turbulent mixing, mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis Baird and Girard and sediments on algal composition, algal biomass and autotrophic picoplankton (APP) abundance in a 6‐week experiment of factorial design in twenty‐four 5‐m3 outdoor mesocosms during late autumn 1995.

2. Turbulent mixing decreased surface temperature and increased turbidity, which also was increased by the addition of sediments. Total algal biomass was significantly enhanced by nutrients and mixing, and decreased by the sediment treatment. In the mixing × nutrient treatment, algal biomass increased more than expected from the individual effects, while the fish × mixing and mixing × sediment treatments increased algal biomass less than expected.

3. Cryptomonas (cryptomonad) blooms were observed in the unmixed, high nutrient treatment; Synedra (diatom) blooms were observed in the high nutrient, high sediment treatment; Ulothrix (green algae) blooms were observed in the mixed, high nutrient, low sediment treatment.

4. Eukaryotic APP abundances were increased by sediment addition and by turbulent mixing, and increased synergistically by mixing × sediment and mixing × nutrient interactions. Prokaryotic APP abundances were decreased by nutrient enhancement and by a mixing × nutrient interaction. There were no main effects of fish on APP abundance, but fish were involved in some of the two–way interactions.

5. The large number of significant interaction effects indicates that APP and other phytoplankton are regulated by a complex set of interdependent factors which should be considered simultaneously in studies of phytoplankton population dynamics and community composition.
Integrated geophysics for mineral exploration in drift‐covered volcanic terrains: examples from northern Vancouver Island, Canada
Authors: Lowe C. , Best M.E. , Bobrowsky P.T. , Seemann D.A.
Published: December 2004

Known mineral occurrences in northern Vancouver Island are typically hosted in volcanic units of the Bonanza Group. At a local scale, the mineralization is associated with advanced argillic bedrock alteration and is often intimately related to porphyry intrusions. On a larger scale, faults are thought to exert the most significant control on the distribution of mineralized host rocks. Poor exposures and a complex glacial history limit the use of traditional methods of geological mapping and mineral exploration in this region and to date geophysical methods have been under‐utilized. Here we present findings from four standard geophysical (gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics and seismic refraction) methods, recently deployed here to elucidate the subsurface geology, as well as to identify new targets for base metal exploration.

Results at two different sites show that the integrated interpretation of geophysical data, constrained by physical rock property measurements, yields detailed images of the subsurface at a fraction of the cost of drilling. At one site, east of Rupert Inlet, the final subsurface model shows that the Bonanza Group is not nearly as extensive as previously presumed. An extension of the Holberg Fault is identified some 50 km east of the visibly mapped outcrop and an extensive zone of alteration around the fault is recognized. Furthermore, a number of the methods provide support for the existence of a porphyry dike at this site. At the second site, north of Rupert Inlet, magnetic and electromagnetic data prove effective at mapping alteration and locating shear zones beneath a relatively thin drift cover. Together, these results help outline a strategy for exploration in drift‐covered terrains and show that a redirection of exploration effort is warranted in the case of northern Vancouver Island.
Selective defoliation by sheep according to slope and plant species in the hill country of New Zealand
Authors: López I. F. , Hodgson J. , Hedderley D. I. , Valentine I. , Lambert M. G.
Published: December 2004

The objective of the study was to evaluate the grazing behaviour by sheep in hill country paddocks in New Zealand which had received two long‐term fertilization and stocking rate treatments [high fertility–high stocking rate (HH); low fertility–low stocking rate (LL)]. Herbage accumulation and selective grazing were evaluated within low slope (LS), medium slope (MS) and high slope (HS) categories. Transects lines were placed and tillers of Agrostis capillaris and Lolium perenne in the LS category; A. capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum and L. perenne in the MS category; and A. capillaris and A. odoratum in the HS category were marked. The leaf length of each marked tiller was measured and used to determine selective grazing over 3 weeks during each season. The highest herbage accumulation rates were during spring and the lowest in summer and winter. The LS category showed the highest herbage accumulation rates and HS the lowest. Except for autumn, the marked tillers were more frequently grazed in the HH than in the LL paddock. During summer, autumn and spring, grazing frequency in the slope categories was in the order LS > MS > HS. During winter sheep did not discriminate between slope category. During summer, autumn and spring, sheep did not selectively graze the species studied but this was not the case during winter. Overall, sheep selectively grazed L. perenne. In all the seasons L. perenne consistently had the longest leaves but within species there was no consistent relationship between leaf length and probability of being grazed. Selective grazing changed through the year according to herbage accumulation rate. Sheep concentrated grazing in the category LS when herbage accumulation rate was high, but they did not discriminate between slope categories in winter when herbage accumulation rate was low.
National Health Service Regional Librarians Group: the recruitment and career development of librarians in the NHS
Authors:   NHS REGIONAL LIBRARIANS GROUP
Published: December 2004

Note: this statement was first issued in May 1980 and revised in September 1986. It is regarded by the Group as the essential basis of all its discussions on gradings, and has also been adopted by the appropriate Library Association committees.
Induction of nitric oxide release from the human alveolar epithelial cell line A549: an in vitro correlate of innate immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Roy Sugata , Sharma Sadhna , Sharma Monika , Aggarwal Ramesh , Bose Mridula
Published: December 2004

In view of the presence of a large number of epithelial cells in the alveoli of the lung and their ability to produce various cytokines and chemokines, the possible role of alveolar epithelial cells in the innate immune response to tuberculosis was examined. The human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 was used as a model. The ability of A549 cells to induce nitric oxide (NO) in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was taken as an in vitro correlate of innate immunity. M. tuberculosis infection induced A549 cells to produce significant levels of NO and to express inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA at 48 hr of infection. However, the amount of NO released at this point was not mycobactericidal. Cytokine stimulation (interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, alone or in combination) of the infected A549 cells induced a higher concentration of NO. The study of colony‐forming units (CFU) as a measure of the mycobactericidal capacity of A549 cells revealed a reduction in CFU of M. tuberculosis by 39·29% (from 10·62 ± 0·48 – 6·392 ± 0·54) following cytokine stimulation of the infected cells. Interestingly γ‐irradiated M. tuberculosis H37Rv could also induce higher than basal level of NO. Therefore we examined mycobacterial antigenic components for their possible role in NO production. We observed that A549 cells produced significantly higher amounts of NO at 48 hr when treated with mycobacterial whole cell lysates, cell wall or cell membrane preparations. The release of NO and the resultant mycobactericidal activity could be further enhanced by simultaneously conditioning the M. tuberculosis infected A549 cells with cytokine and mycobacterial components. These results suggest that alveolar epithelial cells respond to their microenvironment, which is constituted of various cytokines and macrophage‐processed antigens and may contribute to the innate immune response to tuberculosis.
Comparison of the pattern of agenesis in the primary and permanent dentitions in a population characterized by agenesis in the primary dentition
Authors: DAUGAARD‐JENSEN J. , NODAL M. , SKOVGAARD L. T. , KJÆR I.
Published: December 2004

The first aim of this study was to collect a large sample of radiographs from children with congenitally missing teeth (CMT) in the primary dentition and to analyse the local relationship between agenesis of a primary tooth and the presence/absence of its permanent successor. The second aim was to compare, in the same sample, the pattern of agenesis in the primary dentition with the developmental pattern seen in the permanent dentition. 124 dentists from 72 municipalities contributed to the investigation of a total of 213 children. The dentists were asked to lend existing radiographic material from patients with agenesis in the primary dentition. The analysis of the local occurrence of agenesis showed that agenesis of a primary incisor was often but not always followed by agenesis of the succedaneous tooth. In the molar region, agenesis of a primary tooth was in all cases but one followed by agenesis of the succedaneous tooth. Comparison of the pattern of CMT in the primary dentition with the pattern of tooth presence/absence in the permanent dentition in a group of 33 patients, for whom complete radiographic material was available showed that agenesis always occurred in the permanent dentition and that the pattern of agenesis in the permanent dentition differed from that in the primary dentition. Incisors were most frequently missing in the primary dentition and premolars in the permanent dentition. The number of congenitally missing teeth was substantially larger in the permanent dentition than in the primary dentition. Also, permanent teeth that are very rarely congenitally missing were missing in this sample, characterized by the occurrence of agenesis in the primary dentition.
Dental caries experience of children with haemophilia in Northern Ireland
Authors: BOYD D. , KINIRONS M.
Published: December 2004

It is generally agreed that persons suffering from haemophilia form a priority group for dental care. The present study compares the prevalence of dental caries in haemophilic children in Northern Ireland with the reported values for similarly aged children in the population. The prevalence of caries experience and of untreated caries were low in the haemophiliacs in both the primary and permanent dentitions. No teeth had been extracted due to caries and a high level of fluoride usage was claimed. The dental care of these patients is carried out at the regional treatment centre and forms an integral part of their medical care.
Different approximations of the McGill Pain Questionnaire in the Norwegian language: a discussion of content validity
Authors: Strand Liv Inger , Ljunggren Anne Elisabeth
Published: December 2004

The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) is a well recognized measuring instrument for pain in English‐speaking countries. Several efforts have been made to develop equivalent pain‐measuring instruments in other languages. However, the method of translating the English words contained in the MPQ into another language implies that questions about validity may be posed. In Norway three different pain questionnaires have been developed which are inspired by the MPQ. A primary focus for developing the Norwegian Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) was the semantics of pain; the focus of the adapted MPQ was to include commonly used somatosensory Norwegian descriptors of pain in the population of patients with low back pain; the Norwegian McGill Pain Questionnaire (NMPQ) was literally translated into Norwegian to provide an equivalent pain questionnaire to the MPQ for cross‐cultural comparisons of pain. Examination of content validity of the adapted MPQ and the translated version of the MPQ is examined by comparing the words in those questionnaires with words collected among Norwegians in the process of developing the NPQ. The findings support the content validity of the adapted MPQ. The NMPQ, however, should be further refined to better fit the semantics of pain in Norway.
Nursing ideology and the ‘generic carer’
Authors: Gavin James Noel
Published: December 2004

A review of the concept of ideology in a nursing context is presented. The meaning of a nursing ideology is explored and that meaning compared to the proposals for the future of nursing contained in the 1996 report on The Future Healthcare Workforce published by the University of Manchester, England. The paper suggests a number of core beliefs and values that are generally supported in nursing and their implications for the future development of the profession. These include a commitment to the role of science in nursing, the concept of caring in nursing practice and the continued pursuit of the professional project. The paper will demonstrate the extent to which the proposals contained within the report for a ‘generic carer’ compliment or conflict with the suggested ideology of nursing. It concludes with a reference to the policy‐making process at local and national levels and the opportunities available to nurses to influence the direction of change. The paper reflects the volatility of the current political climate in health care and the extent to which nurses operating in that climate feel empowered or disenfranchised.
Therapeutic activities for people with dementia — what, why… and why not?
Authors: Pulsford David
Published: December 2004

This paper reviews the literature pertaining to the provision of therapeutic activities for elderly people suffering from dementia. It relates both the provision of such activities, and the types of activity done, to the values and beliefs held by nurses and other professional carers. The range of therapeutic activities cited in the literature is explored, and reasons why activities are sometimes not offered to patients are discussed. Finally, research findings into the effectiveness and value of therapeutic activities for this group of people are reviewed.
Empowering practice nurses in the follow‐up of patients with established heart disease: lessons from patients' experiences
Authors: Wiles Rose
Published: December 2004

This paper reports on the views of patients with established heart disease of a structured programme of follow‐up care provided by practice nurses (PNs) in general practice in England. It is based on in‐depth interviews with 22 patients receiving an integrated primary and secondary care intervention being developed and piloted for patients following heart attack or diagnosis of angina. Patients identified the important features of follow‐up care to be easy access to a health professional who possessed knowledge and social and emotional skills. A range of views about the ability of PNs to provide such care emerged from patients' accounts. patients' perceptions about the seriousness of their condition and the way PN follow‐up care was provided in practices emerged as important issues affecting patients' views. In addition, perceptions about the practice nurse's role, status and knowledge, existing relationships with general practitioners, and issues of communication were also important factors. It is concluded that in order to develop high‐quality PN‐led services for patients with established heart disease, four issues need to be taken into account: practice nurse training; continuity of follow‐up care; the integration of the primary and secondary care interface; and development of the practice nurse's status within the primary health care team.
An ethnomethodological analysis of the use of seclusion
Authors: Mason Tom
Published: December 2004

The use of seclusion in psychiatric practice is a contentious issue. This paper reports on an ethnomethodological approach to understanding the decision‐making process in the use of seclusion. Through first‐level and second‐level reasoning analysis, three themes emerged which underscored the subjects' rationalization process. These were: (a) mechanistic searching, (b) frame conflict, and (c) asylum status. This research suggests that the decision to use seclusion is based on a complex interplay of cultural and organizational factors rather than due to the presentation of symptoms by the patient.
Emotional problems in primary care: what is the potential for increasing the role of nurses?
Authors: Mead Nicola , Bower Peter , Gask Linda
Published: December 2004

It has been suggested that the role of primary care and community nurses should be expanded in relation to mental health in order to assist in the prevention and management of prevalent emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, relatively little is known about the mental health work presently undertaken by these nurses. Furthermore, nurses'training needs, attitudes and organizational barriers to role expansion in this area have not been systematically explored. This article seeks to review the literature on nurses' potential and current mental health work, current and future training needs, the views of patients and nurses concerning an expanded nursing role, and organizational issues of relevance. Educational interventions which have been systematically evaluated are also reviewed. The results suggest that nurses are already involved in emotional health care with a variety of patient groups, although this is not always acknowledged as mental health work. While clear potential for an expanded role exists, there is little consensus as to what role would be most effective for each nursing group, and few educational interventions have been demonstrated to be of proven effectiveness.
A group programme for postnatally distressed women and their partners
Authors: Morgan Mary , Matthey Stephen , Barnett Bryanne , Richardson Cheryl
Published: December 2004

A group programme for postnatally distressed women and their partners is described. The programme consists of eight sessions, including one session for the couple. The concerns of the women centre around their anxieties and feelings towards their partners, their own mothers and their infants. Psychotherapeutic and cognitive‐behavioural strategies are employed to assist them in dealing with these concerns. The concerns of the men centre around their attempts to provide emotional and practical support to their partner. Invariably such support results in an increase in tension between the partners, and the programme helps the men to understand why this happens. Formal measures show a decrease in maternal distress over time and an increase in their level of self‐esteem. About half of the men show elevated levels of distress.
Depression in female health visitor consulters: social and demographic facets
Authors: Sheppard Michael
Published: December 2004

The primary health care setting has been established as a key venue for identifying and working with depression. Despite this, and the high risk of depression experienced by women in the postnatal period, maternal depression has been little examined in the work of health visitors. Furthermore, although research has been undertaken on social factors related to depression in the general population, there is nothing specifically on the population of health visitor clients. This study focuses on social and demographic factors related to maternal depression amongst users of health visitor services. In a study of 701 women in rural and urban areas, maternal depression was found to be significantly associated with the absence of receipt of further or higher education, housing status, employment status, reliance on state benefit, family size, family breakdown (reconstituted families and single divorced or separated women), perceptions of support and difficulty in getting children off to sleep, particularly after the first year of the child's life. Loglinear analysis was used to identify the most parsimonious model of these relationships, and three key areas emerged: social and economic disadvantage, family size and history of family disruption. The model suggested that ‘behind’ these data may have been poor life chances, as evidenced by data on further and higher education. These data identify elements of objective life circumstances important for depression in this group. They have considerable significance for the organization of health service resources and these are discussed.
The transition to nursing home life: a comparison of planned and unplanned admissions
Authors: Wilson Sarah A.
Published: December 2004

The percentage of elderly people in nursing homes increases with age from 7% for adults aged 75–84 years to 20% for those over 85 years old. Limited research has been done with elderly people whose admission to a nursing home was planned or unplanned. This study addressed: what are the initial experiences of elderly people in making the transition to nursing home life when the admission was planned or unplanned? A grounded theory approach using constant comparative methods was used to discover the process and patterns of transition to nursing home life. Data were collected 24 hours after admission and every other day for 2 weeks, and 1 month post‐admission using in‐depth semistructured interviews and field notes. Data analysis demonstrated that the transition to nursing home life occurred in three phases: overwhelmed, adjustment and initial acceptance phase. The phases of adjustment are discussed along with interventions to assist older adults in making this transition.
Postglacial colonization of Ireland by mustelids, with particular reference to the badger (Meles meles L.)
Authors: Lynch John
Published: December 2004

There exists some confusion as to the means by which Ireland developed its current mammalian fauna. In this paper, I use a multivariate analysis of cranial measurements to test the hypothesis that Irish mustelids should resemble their Scottish counterparts more so than those from England, thus providing morphological evidence for postglacial colonization via an Ireland/Scotland landbridge. An examination of badger (Meles meles L.), stoat (Mustela erminea L.) and otter (Lutra lutra L.) failed to provide support for this hypothesis. Based on these results and consideration of our knowledge of the ecology of these species, it is concluded that postglacial colonization via a landbridge was unlikely. Evidence for human‐aided colonization is reviewed. It is concluded that, while further morphologic and genetic studies are very much required, the problem of postglacial colonization can only be solved through archaeozoological research.