bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Protective Reactions Against Cadmium Toxicity in the Cells Established from a Transgenic Mouse Deficient in the Metallothionein Genes
Authors: Abe Tetsuya
Published: October 2010

Objective:  To characterize a fibroblast cell strain which we established from an metallothionein (MT) knock‐out (KO) mouse and to determine whether expression of the Hsp genes induced by cadmium is related to expression of the MT‐I and ‐II genes.

Methods:  We established a fibroblast cell strain (named “MT‐KO2”) derived from the peritoneum of an MT‐KO mouse which is deficient in the MT‐I and ‐II genes. We determined an expression of MT‐I, Hsp32 and Grp 78 genes by Northern blot analysis.

Results:  The mRNA level of MT‐I, an isoform of the MT gene products, was induced dose‐dependently in responce to increasing concentrations of CdCl2 (5–25 µM) in a fibroblast cell strain derived from the peritoneum of an MT wild type mouse (named “MT‐W3”). But it was not induced in MT‐KO2 cells after the same treatment. There was no significant difference between MT‐KO2 and MT‐W3 cells in a concentration of intracellular glutathione (reduced form) under normal conditions. MT‐KO2 cells were not more sensitive to cytotoxicity of CdCl2 than in MT‐W3 cells. Expression of the Hsp32 gene was more extensively enhanced in MT‐KO2 cells than in MT‐W3 cells after treatment with 5–10 µM CdCl2 for 5 hours. Furthermore, the cellular concentration of reduced glatathione (GSH) was also more increased in MT‐KO2 cells than in MT‐W3 cells after treatment with 50 µM CdCl2 for 3 hours.

Conclusions:  Expression of the Hsp32 gene tends to be increased in MT‐KO2 cells in response to cadmium exposure. The expression of the Hsp32 gene and increase in the cellular concentration of GSH may be augmented to compensate for the impaired expression of the MT genes in MT‐KO2 cells.
A comparison between intravaginal and oral misoprostol for labor induction: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nopdonrattakoon Lek
Published: October 2010

Aim:  To compare the effectiveness and safety between intravaginal and oral misoprostol for labor induction.

Methods:  One hundred and six pregnant women at term with unfavorable cervix (Bishop score ≤ 4) and no contraindication to prostaglandin therapy were randomized to receive either intravaginal misoprostol 50 µg every 4 h or oral misoprostol 50 µg every 4 h for prospective randomized controlled trial study. Treatment interval from induction to vaginal delivery, maternal and neonatal complications were the main outcome measures.

Results:  There were no statistical differences of baseline characteristics and Bishop score prior to intervention between both groups. Time interval from induction to vaginal delivery in the oral group was slightly, but significantly, longer than that of the intravaginal group (886.1 ± 443.5 min vs 637.0 ± 373.3 min, respectively.) Additionally, the number of doses required was significantly higher in the oral group. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference between both groups with regard to failure of induction and maternal‐neonatal complications.

Conclusion:  The effectiveness in terms of failed induction and safety were comparable between intravaginal and oral misoprostol, but intravaginal route was better with respect to treatment interval and number of required doses. Both routes of administration can alternatively be used for labor induction.
Woman with postpartum ventricular tachycardia and hypomagnesemia
Authors: Onagawa Tamaho , Ohkuchi Akihide , Ohki Ruri , Izumi Akio , Matsubara Shigeki , Sato Ikuo , Suzuki Mitsuaki , Minakami Hisanori
Published: October 2010

A 28‐year‐old Japanese woman who had received continuous intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate from 24 weeks of pregnancy until delivery underwent cesarean section at 30 weeks and gave birth to twins. Serum magnesium sharply declined to a subnormal level of 1.5 mg/dL on postpartum day 4. The patient exhibited sinus bradycardia (48 b.p.m.) with intermittent supraventricular contraction on postpartum day 2, intermittent ventricular bigeminy on postpartum day 3, and frequent selfterminated polymorphic ventricular tachycardia on postpartum day 4. The electrocardiogram (ECG) disclosed that the patient had prolonged QTc of 0.45–0.67. Correction of serum magnesium improved ECG findings promptly, resulting in the disappearance of arrhythmias. Hypomagnesemia due to postpartum diuresis may have played a role causing ventricular tachyarrhythmia in this patient.
Congestive heart failure, spouses' support and the couple's sleep situation: a critical incident technique analysis
Authors: Broström Anders , Strömberg Anna , Dahlström Ulf , Fridlund Bengt
Published: October 2010

• Sleep related breathing disorders are common as well as a poor prognostic sign associated with higher mortality in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). These patients often have a shorter total duration of sleep, disturbed sleep structure and increased daytime sleepiness, which can negatively affect all dimensions of the life situation. The spouse has an important role in supporting the patient in relation to sleep disorders, but this role may be adversely affected by the sleep situation of the couple.

• The aim of this study was to describe decisive situations that influence spouses' support to patients with CHF in relation to the couple's sleep situation.

• A qualitative descriptive design using critical incident technique was employed. Incidents were collected by means of interviews with 25 spouses of patients with CHF, strategically selected from two hospital‐based specialist clinics in southern Sweden.

• Two main areas emerged in the analysis: support stimulating situations and support inhibiting situations. Support stimulating situations described how spouses' support was positively affected by their own adaptation in psychosocial or practical situations, and receiving help from others. Support inhibiting situations described how the spouses' support was negatively affected by sleep disturbances as a result of the patient's symptoms, anxiety in relation to the disease, limitations as a result of the sleeping habits, dissatisfaction with care related to the sleep situation, and being left to cope alone with the problems.

• An increased understanding of the stimulating and inhibiting situations influencing spouses' support for patients with CHF can guide health care personnel in deciding if an intervention is needed to improve the sleep situation for patient and spouse.
Observations, confirmations and strategies – useful tools in decision‐making process for nurses in practice?
Authors: Hedberg Berith , Sätterlund Larsson Ullabeth
Published: October 2010

• The aim of the study was to describe how nurses make decisions on measures in clinical practice.

• The data‐collection method consisted of audio‐taped interviews with six nurses. The interviews were then transcribed verbatim. The questions in the interviews were based on nursing situations observed earlier when the nurses initiated and implemented patient‐related measures and the focus was on the nurses' experience of decision making. A content analysis was performed.

• The results show that the nurses' decisions on measures were based on three themes: observation of cues related to the patient's situation, confirmation of information gathered and implementation of action strategies.

• The results are discussed in relation to earlier empirical research on decision‐making activities in the nurse's clinical practice and the nurse's utilization of knowledge during the decision‐making process.

• It is concluded that the nurse's awareness of the patient's situation, together with a well‐founded basis for decisions, can have positive effects on the nursing care provided by the nurse.
Evaluation of patient records as part of developing a nursing care classification
Authors: Karkkainen Oili , Eriksson Katie
Published: October 2010

• The aim of the study was to evaluate the content of nursing care records and the usefulness of the instrument used for their evaluation.

• The evaluation involved 70 patient records from seven acute special care inpatient units.

• The evaluation instrument used was based on Phaneuf's Nursing Audit as further developed by Lukander.

• The nursing records in all the care units evaluated was very good or good. However, some deficiencies were found, for instance, regarding patient teaching and recording patients' own opinions.

• The method proved adequate for evaluating the content of patient records.
Management of night‐time urinary incontinence in residential settings for older people: an investigation into the effects of different pad changing regimes on skin health
Authors: Fader Mandy , Clarke‐O'Neill Sinead , Cook Dawn , Dean Graham , Brooks Rodney , Cottenden Alan , Malone‐Lee James
Published: October 2010

• Absorbent pads are the main method of managing urinary incontinence in residential settings for older people.

• Improvements in technology have resulted in highly absorbent products which may be worn all night, but the effects of prolonged pad wearing on aged skin are unknown.

• The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two different pad changing regimes on skin health.

• A cross‐over design was used.

• Subjects from residential settings were randomly allocated to one of two pad changing regimes: a frequent pad changing regime or a less frequent pad changing regime. Each regime lasted 4 weeks and was followed by the alternative regime.

• Skin measurements were taken twice during each regime using (i) the Diastron Erythema meter, (ii) a visual grading scale, (iii) the Servomed evaporimeter, and (iv) a pH meter. The primary outcome variable was the Diastron Erythema meter index.

• Eighty‐one subjects completed the study.

• No significant differences were found in the severity of erythema, or skin pH, between regimes. Measurements of trans‐epidermal water loss were significantly higher in the less frequent pad changing regime indicating that skin was ‘wetter’ (P = 0.01; 95% CI: 2.89–21.39).

• Five subjects developed grade 2 pressure ulcers (abrasions) during the less frequent pad changing regime, but none in the frequent pad changing regime; this result was not significant (P = 0.1; 95% CI: 0–1.09).

• No evidence was found that a less frequent pad changing regime has an effect on skin erythema or pH.

• There is evidence that skin is wetter which may make it more vulnerable to friction and abrasion.

• The statistically non‐significant finding of greater incidence of grade 2 pressure ulcers is a cause for concern and merits further investigation because of the clinical significance of loss of skin integrity.
Living in the shadow of fibromyalgic pain: the meaning of female partners' experiences
Authors: Paulson Margareta , Norberg Astrid , Söderberg Siv
Published: October 2010

• The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning of being a female partner living with a man with fibromyalgic pain. Fourteen partners were interviewed about the meaning of their experiences, using a narrative approach.

• A phenomenological hermeneutic method, inspired by the French philosopher Ricoeur, was used to interpret the interview text.

• The structural analysis is presented in three major themes: struggling to give support and comfort, struggling to keep going on, and experiencing lack of understanding and support.

• The findings elucidate that the meaning of living with a man with fibromyalgic pain meant living a life strongly influenced by the man's illness and in the shadow of the man's pain. Taking daily life for granted was interrupted and restricted family and social life. Prominent in this study was the frustration partners felt as a result of men's reluctance to communicate. This led to feelings of being excluded from men's emotions. The responsibility day in and day out meant that women's own caring and tenderness were replaced, which brought about an almost constant sense of fatigue. Women became drained by the long duration of men's illness. This gave them a feeling of being alone, although they were a couple.

• Gaining comfort outside the family helped partners to reach a new insight and appreciation for life, which was viewed from a renewed perspective. This involved feelings of both togetherness and separateness in the relationship. The findings also consider the lack of support from the health care system for female partners living with men with fibromyalgic pain.
Undiagnosed patients and patients at risk for COPD in primary health care: early detection with the support of non‐physicians
Authors: Vrijhoef Hubertus J. M. , Diederiks Joseph P. M. , Wesseling Geertjan J. , Van Schayck Constant P. , Spreeuwenberg Cor
Published: October 2010

• Given the increasingly heavy workload in the primary health care sector, the option of allocating activities involving the management of chronic diseases to non‐physicians has recently come under scrutiny.

• The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of the support provided by non‐physicians to general practitioners (GPs) in the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• A convenience sample consisting of 231 patients [40–70 years; >10 pack years (number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years the individual has smoked)] from eight general practices in the Maastricht region in the southern Netherlands, who consulted their GP for reasons unrelated to respiratory diseases, were assessed for their respiratory function. Prior to the first assessment, patients were interviewed about their medical history and symptoms. By taking the results of the lung function measurement as the starting point, the predictive value of medical history and symptoms in the identification of patients at risk for airflow obstruction or of COPD was assessed and compared with findings in the literature.

• Seventeen patients (7.4%) were diagnosed with COPD, 11 patients (4.8%) with asthma. In addition to age and moderate smoking history, breathlessness and a history of heavy smoking were identified as risk factors for airflow limitation and COPD.

• Early detection of COPD in primary health care by non‐physicians is feasible and should be considered for middle aged, moderate and heavy smokers experiencing breathlessness.
Delivering a different kind of primary care? Nurses working in personal medical service pilots
Authors: Walsh Nicola , Roe Brenda , Huntington June
Published: October 2010

• This article examines the roles and responsibilities of primary care nurses in England.

• The study was commissioned by the Department of Health to consider how nurses were working in Personal Medical Service (PMS) pilots – a new initiative launched in April 1998.

• All nurses in the study reported that they had extended their clinical role – in varying degrees.

• Nurses were running new clinics and services, and general practitioner time was freed up.

• Some of the nurses used PMS to deliver a different kind of primary care, one that was more community and patient focused than other General Medical Service providers.

• Many of the nurses in the study are successfully breaking down traditional demarcations between primary and secondary care, between medicine and nursing, and between professionals and patients.
Providing a seamless service for children with life‐limiting illness: experiences and recommendations of professional staff at the Diana Princess of Wales Children's Community Service
Authors: Danvers Lesley , Freshwater Dawn , Cheater Francine , Wilson Andrew
Published: October 2010

• The Diana Children's Community Teams (DCCTs), a new nurse‐led service funded by the Department of Health, were established to provide care in the community as an alternative to hospital for children with life‐threatening/life‐limiting illnesses and their families.

• This paper presents selected findings highlighting the professionals' experiences which formed part of the evaluation of the Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Community Service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

• The Diana Service in Leicestershire attempts to encompass both parental empowerment and interagency collaboration. By working in partnership with the children and their families, the team provides an integrated and multiprofessional community‐based service.

• This paper particularly concentrates on the perceptions and recommendations from the Diana team itself.

• Three independently managed Community Nursing Services existed in Leicestershire prior to the Diana teams; a Paediatric Macmillan Service, a Children's Community Nursing Service and a Respite Service.

• The Leicestershire DCCT integrated the three nursing services into a single team. This team has moved away from a traditional uniprofessional service structure by encompassing a wider team of multiprofessionals, including a cultural link worker, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, a play specialist and a team of trained counsellors, working in partnership to provide a quality service for families.

• The evaluation, which used a longitudinal multimethod process analysis based on an action research framework, suggests that children with complex and life‐limiting illnesses and their families benefit greatly from an effective seamless service.

• This paper recommends a framework of care that may be relevant to other teams of children's community services across the country.

• This service has been judged by the impact it has had on the families who use it and the professionals employed within it.
The organization of nucleolar activity in plants
Authors: SHAW P. J. , BEVEN A. F. , WELLS B. , HIGHETT M. I. , JORDAN E. G.
Published: October 2010

The nucleolus has been known for many years to be the site of rDNA transcription, rRNA transcript processing and of most of the stages of ribosome assembly. In the 1960s, Miller and his colleagues produced beautifully clear images of spread rDNA genes showing the DNA axis, the attached RNA polymerases and the nascent rRNA transcripts. However, it has proved remarkably difficult to reconcile these pictures with the nucleolar ultrastructure seen by conventional thin‐section electron microscopy. We describe here studies using in situ hybridization with riboprobes to rDNA, to the entire rRNA transcript, to the 5′ external transcribed spacer (ETS) and to the 5S RNA. The labels were visualized using fluorescence confocal microscopy and 3‐D image reconstruction. Furthermore, we used correlated optical and electron microscopy on the same nucleoli to determine the correspondence between the fluorescence labelling patterns and the electron microscopy ultrastructure. We have combined these data to suggest a model for the organization of nucleolar activity. The active rDNA is widely dispersed in discrete foci, the larger of which probably correspond to fibrillar centres. The ETS probe labels clearly demarcated regions surrounding the foci of rDNA, which correspond to the dense fibrillar component. The probe to the entire 45S pre‐rRNA transcript (which is likely to visualize all stages of ribosome formation) concentrates in a region surrounding the dense fibrillar component, which corresponds to the granular component. This region is also clearly labelled by the 5S probe. Thus the various RNA transcription and processing events are spatially clearly localized and suggest a vectorial or radial model of organization, with nascent and newly transcribed pre‐rRNA molecules occupying zones surrounding the genes, which are in turn surrounded by regions containing the older, more mature transcripts.
Cortical microtubule reorientation in higher plants: dynamics and regulation
Authors: HUSH J. M. , OVERALL R. L.
Published: October 2010

This paper aims to review aspects of cortical microtubule reorientation in higher plant cells. First, we look at the divergent environmental and developmental signals that can elicit the realignment of microtubules in interphase cells. Second, the regulatory factors that might orchestrate microtubule reorientation are examined. In particular, we address the questions of how these extracellular signals are perceived, by what mechanisms this information might be transmitted to the cortical microtubules, and what molecular factors regulate the process of realignment. We put forward an hypothesis of how electric fields reorientate microtubules in plant cells, focusing on the role of transmembrane proteins which might link cortical microtubules in the cytoplasm to the extracellular matrix. Finally, the need to examine microtubule reorientation in live cells is discussed, and we describe the novel visualization of microtubules in live cells of an intact plant. We conclude with our perspective of the future path of research which will be necessary to broaden our understanding of how microtubules undergo rapid reorientation in plant cells.
The use of model systems prepared from tobacco BY‐2 cells for studies of the plant cytoskeleton
Authors: SHIBAOKA H. , ASADA T. , YAMAMOTO S. , SONOBE S.
Published: October 2010

Model systems, such as plasma membrane‐permeabilized cells, isolated phragmoplasts and membrane ghosts, were prepared from tobacco BY‐2 cells and used for studies of the plant cytoskeleton. The use of membrane‐permeabilized cells enabled us to demonstrate the occurrence in the phragmoplast of the translocation of microtubules away from the equatorial plane and led us to the isolation of a kinesin‐like microtubule‐translocating protein from phragmoplasts. Autoradiographic experiments using preparations of isolated phragmoplasts revealed that 1,3‐β‐glucan was synthesized at the equatorial plane of isolated phragmoplasts and xyloglucan was synthesized in the Golgi apparatus. Membrane ghosts from which pre‐existing cortical microtubules had been removed by a cold solution of CaCl2 bound microtubules that had polymerized in vitro, but those from which pre‐existing microtubules had been removed by KCl did not. We used membrane ghosts that had been pretreated with KCl in an attempt to identify a microtubule‐plasma membrane cross‐linking activity in a fraction of a cell extract. We found that a fraction solubilized by KCl from isolated cortical microtubules had such activity.
A nimA‐like protein kinase transcript is highly expressed in meristems of Antirrhinum majus
Authors: ZHANG H. , SCOFIELD G. , FOBERT P. , DOONAN J. H.
Published: October 2010

In plants, cell proliferation occurs mostly within meristems but a significant amount also occurs at other well‐defined sites during specific stages of development. We have developed molecular markers to follow the location and progress of cell division within multicellular plant organs and thereby gain some insight into how cell division might be regulated during morphogenesis. As in other eukaryotes, cell division in plants is regulated by a highly conserved set of protein kinases and phosphatases. The molecular information available on these molecules from other eukaryotes has allowed the design of strategies by which plant homologues can be isolated. In this report we describe the identification of a nimA‐like gene from Antirrhinum majus and describe the pattern in which its transcript is expressed. Comparison of the pattern of AmnimA gene expression with that of genes which are expressed in a cell cycle‐dependent manner suggests that this gene is expressed in actively dividing tissues but expression is not specific to any particular phase of the cell cycle nor specific to any particular tissue type.
Beam convergence effects in the weak‐beam imaging of inclined planar defects
Authors: CHEN C. Y. , STOBBS W. M.
Published: October 2010

When defects are imaged using weak beam techniques it is common to use a higher beam convergence than when they are imaged under strong two beam conditions because of the way specimen drift limits the exposure times that can be used. It is demonstrated that, for a typical illumination system, as the convergence is increased the range of tilt across the probed area is also increased. This can affect the weak beam imaging behaviour of a defect, and the α‐fringe contrast of thin twins is examined in this context. The contrast changes in the field of view associated with the local variation in tilt are discussed in relation to the degree to which the relative effects of convergence on α‐fringe and thickness fringe contrast can be qualitatively understood kinematically. However, some effects, such as the observed increase in α‐fringe contrast at moderate convergence, are more difficult to model but are also potentially of greater concern in the characterization of the differences in contrast to be expected for intrinsic and extrinsic faults as well as for twins.
Study of ‘wet’ polymer latex systems in environmental scanning electron microscopy: some imaging considerations
Authors: MEREDITH P. , DONALD A. M.
Published: October 2010

Environmental scanning electron microscopy has been used to study ‘wet’ polymer latex films. Comparison of the results obtained by imaging in nitrogen and nitrous oxide gas and water vapour has provided insight into a variety of different contrast phenomena. Notably, it was found that edge definition and fine features could be enhanced by imposing further saturated vapour conditions at the hydrated film surface. Furthermore, by imaging at subzero temperatures in the presence of nitrogen, it was shown that beam damage could be reduced in such sensitive polymeric samples.
Comparative atomic force and scanning electron microscopy: an investigation on fenestrated endothelial cells in vitro
Authors: BRAET F. , KALLE W. H. J. , DE ZANGER R. B. , DE GROOTH B. G. , RAAP A. K. , TANKE H. J. , WISSE E.
Published: October 2010

Rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LEC) contain fenestrae, which are clustered in sieve plates. Fenestrae control the exchange of fluids, solutes and particles between the sinusoidal blood and the space of Disse, which at its back side is flanked by the microvillous surface of the parenchymal cells. The surface of LEC can optimally be imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and SEM images can be used to study dynamic changes in fenestrae by comparing fixed specimens subjected to different experimental conditions. Unfortunately, the SEM allows only investigation of fixed, dried and coated specimens. Recently, the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) was introduced for analysing the cell surface, independent of complicated preparation techniques. We used the AFM for the investigation of cultured LEC surfaces and the study of morphological changes of fenestrae. SEM served as a conventional reference.

AFM images of LEC show structures that correlate well with SEM images. Dried‐coated, dried‐uncoated and wet‐fixed LEC show a central bulging nucleus and flat fenestrated cellular processes. It was also possible to obtain height information which is not available in SEM. After treatment with ethanol or serotonin the diameters of fenestrae increased (+6%) and decreased (−15%), respectively. The same alterations of fenestrae could be distinguished by measuring AFM images of dried‐coated, dried‐uncoated and wet‐fixed LEC. Comparison of dried‐coated (SEM) and wet‐fixed (AFM) fenestrae indicated a mean shrinkage of 20% in SEM preparations. In conclusion, high‐resolution imaging with AFM of the cell surface of cultured LEC can be performed on dried‐coated, dried‐uncoated and wet‐fixed LEC, which was hitherto only possible with fixed, dried and coated preparations in SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Stereological characterization of particle contiguity
Authors: LIU G. , YU H.
Published: October 2010

Some parameters used to characterize fictitious features not existing in the real microstructure, such as the total length in a unit volume of the intersection curves made by the interface between the particles of secondary phase with the fictitious grain boundary surface of the matrix phase, are useful for the quantitative characterization of particle–profile contiguity on grain boundary surfaces, and can be determined in an unbiased way from measurements on random planes of polish. It is shown that the contiguity parameters C3D proposed by Gurland, LV‐type by Cahn & Hilliard and CGB by Liu, all accessible stereologically, have different physical meanings and provide different kinds of quantitative information on particle contiguity. The reversed stereology principle is applicable to contiguity parameters C3D and CGB, since their estimators are comparable. The contiguity analysis carried out for isothermal austenite‐ferrite phase transformation processes occurring in five series of low‐carbon Ti–B or V–Ti–B steels has confirmed the feasibility of the methods proposed.
Evaluation of fluorescent dyes for epoxy impregnation of porous ceramics
Authors: CROSBY B. J. , UNSWORTH J. , ROST F. W. D.
Published: October 2010

Eight different commercially available fluorescent dyes (fluorochromes) were tested for suitability for use in low‐viscosity epoxy resin. Dyes were compared based on solubility in different solvents and epoxy resin and a numerical criterion for each dye's fluorochromicity. The two best dyes, based upon the brightness of each dye after illumination by a UV source, were Hostasol Red GG and Hostasol Yellow 3G. These two dyes in epoxy resin were used to visualize impregnation and remnant porosity in porous superconductor ceramic pellets. The impregnant was either cured epoxy or a low melting point alloy.
The relative precision of crystal orientations measured from electron backscattering patterns
Authors: KRIEGER LASSEN N. C.
Published: October 2010

Recently developed statistical methods for analysing orientation data are presented and applied here in a study of the precision by which crystal orientations can be measured from electron backscattering patterns. The use of these methods allows a direct comparison to be made between the precision obtained with manually and automatically localized bands, which is important owing to a more and more widespread use of fully automatic analysis of electron backscattering patterns. Curves which show how the precision depends on the pattern quality and on the number of bands used for the orientation measurements are presented for both manually and automatically localized bands. Typical values for the relative precision of crystal orientations measured from electron backscattering patterns are shown to be of the order of 0.5° for manually localized bands and 0.75° for automatically localized bands, when about 10 bands are used for the measurements. In a more realistic situation where a careful operator is willing to localize four to five bands in each pattern, the precision of the measured crystal orientations is similar to that obtained for automatically localized bands.
Near‐field measurement of short‐range correlation in optical waves transmitted through random media
Authors: Emiliani V. , Intonti F. , Wiersma D. , Colocci M. , Cazayous M. , Lagendijk A. , Aliev F.
Published: October 2010

Two‐dimensional near‐field images of speckle patterns formed by optical waves transmitted through a disordered porous silica glass sample are measured. The corresponding 2D intensity correlation function, C, is extracted. The subwavelength spatial resolution of near‐field microscopy allows us to resolve in the spatial distribution of C the expected subwavelength oscillations and to follow their dependence on the excitation wavelength. Finally, we deduce the effective refractive index of the material by fitting the theoretical spatial dependence of C to our experimental results.
Surface plasmon polariton waveguiding in random surface nanostructures
Authors: Bozhevolnyi S. I. , Volkov V. S. , Leosson K. , Boltasseva A.
Published: October 2010

In this study, guiding of surface plasmon polaritons excited at a gold film surface along corrugation‐free channels in regions that are covered with randomly located surface scatterers, is considered using near‐field microscopy for imaging of surface plasmon polariton intensity distributions at the surface. In the wavelength range 713–815 nm, we observed complete inhibition of the surface plasmon polariton propagation inside the random structures composed of individual (≈ 70 nm high) gold bumps (and their clusters) placed on a 55 nm thick gold film with a bump density of 75 µm−2. We demonstrate well‐defined surface plasmon polariton guiding along corrugation‐free 2 µm wide channels in random structures and, in the wavelength range 738–774 nm, low‐loss guiding around 20° bends having a bend radius of ≈ 15 µm.
Fabrication of near‐field optical apertures in aluminium by a highly selective corrosion process in the evanescent field
Authors: Haefliger D. , Stemmer A.
Published: October 2010

A simple, one‐step process to fabricate high‐quality apertures for scanning near‐field optical microscope probes based on aluminium‐coated silicon nitride cantilevers is presented. A thin evanescent optical field at a glass–water interface was used to heat the aluminium at the tip apex due to light absorption. The heat induced a breakdown of the passivating oxide layer and local corrosion of the metal, which selectively exposed the front‐most part of the probe tip from the aluminium. Apertures with a protruding silicon nitride tip up to 72 nm in height were fabricated. The height of the protrusion was controlled by the extent of the evanescent field, whereas the diameter depended on the geometry of the probe substrate. The corrosion process proved to be self‐terminating, yielding highly reproducible tip heights. Near‐field optical resolution in a transmission mode of 85 nm was demonstrated.
Optical transition process in AgOx super‐resolution near‐field structure
Authors: Ho F. H. , Lin W. Y. , Chang H. H. , Wang P. , Tsai D. P.
Published: October 2010

A sandwiched 15 nm AgOx thin film of the super‐resolution, near‐field optical disk was studied using a confocal Z‐scan system. Nonlinear optical properties of quartz glass/ZnS–SiO2 (170 nm)/AgOx (15 nm)/ZnS–SiO2 (40 nm) were measured using a Q‐switch Nd : YAG pulse laser of wavelength 532 nm, pulse width 0.7 ns, and 15.79 kHz repetition rate. Transmittance and reflectance of the sandwiched AgOx thin film show important optical responses at the focused position of Z‐scan. The dissociation processes of AgOx, recombination of the silver and oxygen, and the resonance of the localized surface plasmon of the nano‐composites of the AgOx thin film are correlated to transmittance and reflectance at the focused position of the Z‐scan for different input laser powers. An irreversible upper threshold intensity of 4.40 × 106 mW cm−2 at the focused position was found. A reversible working window of the focusing intensity between 1.86 × 106 and 4.40 × 106 mW cm−2 was measured with sandwiched AgOx thin film alone. The near‐field interactions of the AgOx thin film and the recording layers of super‐resolution near‐field optical disk are also discussed.
Near‐field optics and quantum optics: an assignation arranged by four kinds of photons
Authors: Keller O.
Published: October 2010

In the process of emergence a photon emitted from an atom (or a molecule) is usually no better localized in space than to the near‐field zone of the source. Near‐field optics therefore is of central importance for understanding fundamental statistical aspects related to single‐photon tunnelling, the space–time description of photon dynamics, and the photon position‐operator problem. In the present work an attempt is made to study the microscopic near‐field optical interaction from a quantum statistical point of view. In near‐field quantum electrodynamics (QED) scalar and longitudinal photons always are involved and this makes the covariant formulation of QED attractive also in the low‐energy regime. We show that the Lorenz gauge condition on the global state vector relates to the near‐field electrodynamics of the d‐photons. The gauge photon is shown to be of no importance in near‐field interactions. To understand the role of the lack of photon localizability we finally study near‐field quantum optical correlations in a new so‐called propagator gauge.
Development and application of quantum dots for immunocytochemistry of human erythrocytes
Authors: Tokumasu F. , Dvorak J.
Published: October 2010

Recent developments in quantum dot technology have resulted in the introduction of new fluorescence immunocytochemical probes. In contrast to organic fluorophores, which are not photostable, the high quantum yield and remarkable photostability of quantum dots solve major problems associated with immunocytochemical studies of erythrocytes. We report here the first application of quantum dots to immunocytochemical studies of human erythrocytes capable of being used in high‐magnification, three‐dimensional erythrocyte reconstruction techniques. The procedure consists of stabilizing human erythrocytes with a homofunctional imidoester cross‐linker to minimize fixative‐induced autofluorescence followed by reacting with a quantum dot – monoclonal antibody complex to label band 3 protein. Our new procedure clearly showed a non‐homogeneous, raft‐like distribution of band 3 protein in the erythrocyte membrane. We also demonstrate the applicability of our technique to studies of erythrocyte membrane modifications occurring during the invasion of a malaria parasite.
‘No suicide contracts’ in community crisis situations: a conceptual analysis
Authors: FARROW T. L.
Published: October 2010

‘No suicide contracts’ are commonly used in community crisis situations with suicidal people in New Zealand. These take the form of a ‘guarantee of safety’, along with a ‘promise’ to call specified persons if the suicidal ideation becomes unmanageable. This article describes the use of ‘no suicide contracts’ in community crisis situations, analyses the use of the tool within this context, and, in particular, argues that the theoretical base (transactional analysis) of the ‘no suicide contract’ is likely to be deleterious in the community crisis situation.
Managing side‐effects to the optimum: valuing a client's experience
Authors: SIN J. , GAMBLE C.
Published: October 2010

Despite the recent emergence of psychosocial interventions and other forms of practical treatments, antipsychotic medication remains the cornerstone of treatment for schizophrenia, as it is recognized to be effective in reducing relapse rates. Nevertheless, the side‐effects of psychotropic medication make adherence to treatment regimens difficult for many clients and, until recently, little has been done by mental health nurses to consistently monitor or manage these symptoms. This report describes how the integration of knowledge and clinical skills in psychopharmacology optimized one client's concordance with medication. It reports on ‘John’s’ treatment experience with medication and addresses the role that mental health nurses can play in appraising pharmaceutical effects, and assessing and working with side‐effects, using a medication‐management multidisciplinary team approach.
Coercion in mental healthcare: the principle of least coercive care
Authors: O'BRIEN A. J. , GOLDING C. G.
Published: October 2010

Coercive practices are relatively common in mental healthcare, but coercion is ethically problematic because it involves acting against an individual's autonomy. However, coercion is often poorly defined in mental health literature, resulting in problems in considering coercion from an ethical perspective. This paper challenges the traditional paternalistic justification for coercive practices in mental healthcare, and argues that the failure to make a conceptual distinction between what counts as coercive practice and what justifies coercive practice results in instances of unjustified use of coercion. It also results in the failure to recognize other justifications for coercive practice. We propose a broad definition of coercion that recognizes the prevalence of coercion in mental healthcare. In particular, we wish to recognize the potential for persuasion and manipulation of clients’ wishes to be coercive. We argue that there should be aprima facieban on coercion in mental healthcare, and that the use of coercive practices needs to be justified in the specific circumstances of each case. The presupposition that mental illness involves limited autonomy cannot be taken to justify use of coercion. We outline a principle of least coercive intervention that we think has the potential to lessen the prevalence and extent of coercion in mental healthcare.
Women and alcohol: misrepresented and misunderstood
Authors: ANGOVE R. , FOTHERGILL A.
Published: October 2010

Women's use of alcohol has been increasing over the last few decades. The physical, psychological and social effects of alcohol are more severe for women than for men. The underlying causes of women's drinking differ from those of men, which poses a challenge to nurses working in the specialist field of alcohol misuse. This article explored women's relationship with alcohol and treatment services, and identified that these treatment services are not specific to women's needs. To conclude, in order to offer women sensitive services, practitioners need knowledge of gender issues.
Arousals and sleep stages in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: changes under nCPAP treatment
Authors: FIETZE I , QUISPE‐BRAVO S , HÄNSCH T , RÖTTIG J , BAUMANN CH. WITT G
Published: October 2010

Nocturnal arousals are the essential cause of disturbed sleep structure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between sleep stages, respiratory (type‐R) and movement (type‐M) related EEG arousals. Furthermore, the value of these arousals as a criterion for the efficiency of nCPAP treatment was estimated. We examined 38 male patients aged between 30 and 71 (49.1±20.9 SD) y. All patients suffered from OSAS. The mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 47.3±27.8 per h. Polysomnographic monitoring was carried out on 4 subsequent nights: baseline night, 2 nights of nCPAP titration and nCPAP control night. Sleep was visually scored and EEG arousals were classified into type R and M, depending on whether changes of respiration or movement caused the arousal. The RDI, the R index (type‐R/h), the M index (type‐M/h) and the R and M indices in different sleep stages were calculated. During the baseline night a deficit of slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep was found. Furthermore there were more type‐R than type‐M arousals registered (17.4 h−1[3.6–43.6] vs. 5.9 h−1[1.6–11.8]) (P<0.01). They occurred during stages NREM 1, NREM 2 and REM (P<0.01). An SWS sleep rebound and a reduction of the SWS and REM latencies were already found during the first CPAP night. The R index was reduced during the first CPAP night in all sleep stages (P<0.01) and remained approximately the same in the following 2 nights (3. CPAP night: 1.1 h−1[0.3–5.0]). Type M arousals occurred more in stages 1 and 2 (P<0.01), and remained unchanged under nCPAP. We concluded that differentiation of nocturnal arousals may provide more detailed information regarding the influence of breathing disturbances on sleep. Respiratory related, not movement related, arousals may be a useful additional tool in judging the efficiency of OSAS.
Respiratory patterns during sleep in Down's syndrome: importance of central apnoeas
Authors: FERRI RAFFAELE , CURZI‐DASCALOVA LILIA , DEL GRACCO STEFANO , ELIA MAURIZIO , MUSUMECI SEBASTIANO , STEFANINI MARIA
Published: October 2010

Obstructive sleep apnoea episodes have been reported repeatedly in Down's syndrome (DS) patients as a consequence of the presence of predisposing malformations or intercurrent pathology of the upper airways. There are no data on respiratory patterns of uncomplicated Down's syndrome subjects. In order to evaluate the eventual effects of central nervous system (CNS) impairment on respiration in DS, we studied the respiratory patterns during sleep of a group of 10 DS subjects, aged 8.6–32.2 y, without relevant upper airway pathology. In order to control the possible effects of sleep structure and mental retardation on the results obtained, we compared the findings in DS with those obtained from a group formed by subjects affected by fragile X syndrome (six males and one female, aged 10.0–15.42 y), another genetically determined type of mental retardation. Sleep structure was similar in both groups; however, DS subjects showed significantly higher indices of central sleep apnoea and of oxygen desaturation than fragile X patients (P<0.005). As far as DS individuals were considered, a significant preponderance of central, as opposed to obstructive, sleep apnoeas was found (89.4% vs. 9.4%, respectively; 1.2% were mixed) which showed a significant age‐related increase. Central respiratory pauses were mostly preceded by sighs, which occurred more frequently during sleep stages 1 and REM, and were often organized in long sequences of periodic‐like breathing. During REM sleep, they were less frequently preceded by sighs and by body movements than during NREM sleep. Obstructive sleep apnoeas occurred more often during REM sleep and were more rarely preceded by sighs or by body movements. Both central and obstructive apnoeas induced significant oxygen desaturation in 50–69.6%. Sleep structure was not significantly modified by apnoeas and oxygen desaturation. We hypothesize that the increase in central sleep apnoeas is related to a dysfunction of the central respiratory control at a brainstem level in DS.
Interactions between sleep and sensory physiology
Authors: VELLUTI RICARDO
Published: October 2010

The processing of sensory information is definitely present during sleep, however, profound modifications occur. All sensory systems reviewed (visual, auditory, vestibular, somesthetic and olfactory) demonstrate some influence on sleep and, at the same time, sensory systems undergo changes that depend on the sleep or waking state of the brain. Thus, different sensory modalities encoded by their specific receptors and pathways may not only alter the sleep and waking physiology, but also the sleeping brain imposes ‘rules’ on the incoming information. It is suggested that the neural networks responsible for sleep and waking control are actively modulated by sensory inputs in order to enter and maintain normal sleep and wakefulness. Furthermore, both sensory stimulation and deprivation may induce changes in sleep/waking neural networks. This leads to the conclusion that the central nervous system and sensory input have reciprocal interactions, on which normal sleep/waking cycling and behaviour depends.
Recovery sleep and performance following sleep deprivation with dextroamphetamine
Authors: CALDWELL J , CALDWELL JOHN
Published: October 2010

Twelve subjects were studied to determine the after‐effects of using three 10‐mg doses of dextroamphetamine to sustain alertness during sleep deprivation. Sleep architecture during recovery sleep was evaluated by comparing post‐deprivation sleep beginning 15 h after the last dextroamphetamine dose to post‐deprivation sleep after placebo. Performance and mood recovery were assessed by comparing volunteers who received dextroamphetamine first (during sleep deprivation) to those who received placebo first. Stages 1 and 2 sleep, movement time, REM latency, and sleep latency increased on the night after sleep deprivation with dextroamphetamine vs. placebo. Stage 4 was unaffected. Comparisons to baseline revealed more stage 1 during baseline than during either post‐deprivation sleep period and more stage 2 during baseline than during sleep following placebo. Stage 4 sleep was lower during baseline than it was after either dose, and REM sleep was lower during baseline and after dextroamphetamine than after placebo. Sleep onset was slowest on the baseline night. Next‐day performance and mood were not different as a function of whether subjects received dextroamphetamine or placebo during deprivation. These data suggest dextroamphetamine alters post‐deprivation sleep architecture when used to sustain alertness during acute sleep loss, but next‐day performance and subjective mood ratings are not substantially affected. A recovery sleep period of only 8 h appears to be adequate to regain baseline performance levels after short‐term sleep deprivation.