bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value and utilization of alloplasmic common wheats with Aegilops crassa cytoplasm
Authors: Liu C. G. , Wu Y. W. , Hou H. , Zhang C. , Zhang Y. , McIntosh R. A.
Published: March 2003

Differences between alloplasmic lines and euplasmic controls indicated consistent beneficial effects of Aegilops crassa cytoplasm on common wheats. In general, the agronomic performance of alloplasmic lines was superior to that of euplasmic controls; the significant differences observed were ascribed to nucleus‐cytoplasmic (NC) interactions. A number of useful genetic attributes, for example, high yield, good quality and salt tolerance, were identified. A new NC hybrid variety ‘Xiaoshan 2134’ was bred. Field trials showed that the yield NC heterosis of ‘Xiaoshan 2134’ was 13.9% and the yield of ‘Xiaoshan 2134’ was at least 20% higher than that of a control variety widely grown in North China. The results suggested that Ae. crassa cytoplasm could broaden the genetic base of common wheat and improve common wheat cultivars by utilizing NC heterosis.
X‐ray Microanalysis of the Secretory Epithelium of the Endometrial Glands and Intraluminal Uterine Fluid in Oestrus Mares
Authors: Tunón A‐M , Ekwall H , Nummijärvi A , Rodríguez‐Martínez H
Published: March 2003

Contents

X‐ray microanalysis was used to determine the occurrence of transudation as a source of intrauterine fluid in mares during oestrus. The content of some selected elements was studied in secretory vesicles of the epithelium of endometrial glands and in intraluminal fluid of healthy mares of varying age and parity. An in situ cotton tampon was used to absorb intrauterine fluid from 23 gynaecologically healthy mares during oestrus. Immediately after tampon withdrawal, endometrial tissue for biopsy was removed from the uterine body/horn junction while videoendoscopy was performed. The tissue specimens were frozen ultra‐rapidly against a copper surface chilled with liquid N2. X‐ray microanalysis of frozen fully hydrated endometrial samples and of microdroplets of intraluminal fluid (n = 20) was performed, using a SEM microscope equipped with a cryo‐stage and an X‐ray microanalysis system. The concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), sulphur (S), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) in the epithelium of endometrial glands and in intraluminal fluid were compared with those in serum. There was a significant difference in the concentrations of all analysed elements between the secretory gland epithelium and the intraluminal fluid apart from S. The major elements in glandular epithelium were K and P. Although there was a significant difference in the concentrations of Na, Cl, S and Ca between the uterine fluid and serum, there was still a conspicuous resemblance in the relationship between the different elements in uterine fluid and serum, with Na and Cl being the dominant elements. Sulphur and especially Ca were present only in small amounts throughout. Neither age nor parity affected the elemental concentrations of Na, K, Cl, S, P and Ca in gland epithelium, uterine fluid or serum. It was concluded that serum transudation contributes to a great extent to the composition of uterine fluid, having a diluting effect upon the specific secretion of the uterine glands.
17β‐Estradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone Concentrations in Cystic Fluids and Response to GnRH Treatment after Emptying of Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows
Authors: Cairoli F , Vigo D , Battocchio M , Faustini M , Veronesi MC , Maffeo G
Published: March 2003

Contents

The aim of this study was to determine possible links between steroidogenic activity of single ovarian cysts and response to intramuscular treatment with 20 μg of buserelin (GnRH‐analogue) after cyst emptying, in pluriparous Friesian cows bearing a singleton cyst treated not earlier than 55 days post‐partum. Progesterone, 17β‐estradiol and testosterone were determined in cystic fluids collected by needle aspiration of the cyst. Of the cows, 75.6% began ovarian cyclicity within 30 days after treatment with a conception rate of 64.7%. In this study it was found that as progesterone concentration in cystic fluids rose, the number of positive responses to the treatment fell.
Is Mechanically Induced Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia (CEH) a Suitable Model for Study of Spontaneously Occurring CEH in the Uterus of the Bitch?
Authors: De Bosschere H , Ducatelle R , Tshamala M
Published: March 2003

Contents

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) was experimentally reproduced by the intraluminal insertion of a silk wire in the uterus of metestral bitches to obtain a model for the study of spontaneously occurring CEH in the bitch. This mechanically reproduced CEH corresponded histologically very well to spontaneously occurring CEH. With respect to sex hormone receptor expressions, however, there was no similarity. In the mechanically induced CEH, progesterone receptor expression was reduced in the epithelial cells (surface epithelium and endometrial glands) and slightly increased in the stromal fibroblasts and myometrium as compared with the normal metestrus uterus. The oestrogen receptor expression in mechanically induced CEH was reduced in the epithelial cells (surface epithelium and endometrial glands) and more or less unchanged in the stromal fibroblast and myometrium as compared with the normal metestrus uterus. This is in contrast to the increased sex hormone receptor expressions in all uterine cell types, observed in spontaneously occurring CEH. The mechanically induced CEH model corresponds immunohistochemically more to early placentation and to pyometra in the bitch. Thus this experimental CEH model is not suitable for pathogenic studies of spontaneously occurring CEH in the bitch.
Immunohistochemical Studies on Oestrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα) and the Proliferative Marker Ki‐67 in the Sow Uterus at Different Stages of the Oestrous Cycle
Authors: Sukjumlong S , Kaeoket K , Dalin A‐M , Persson E
Published: March 2003

Contents

In order to better understand physiological changes during the different stages of the oestrous cycle, immunohistochemistry was used in the present study to investigate the distribution of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) as well as the proliferative marker Ki‐67, in the sow uterus during the oestrous cycle. Uterine samples were collected from multiparous sows with normal reproductive performance at selected stages of the oestrous cycle: at late dioestrus (d 17), prooestrus (d 19), oestrous (d 1), early dioestrus (d 4) and dioestrus (d 11–12), respectively. The tissue samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin and subjected to immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against ERα (C‐311) and Ki‐67 (MM‐1).

In general, the immunostaining of both ERα and Ki‐67 was confined to nuclei of the target cells. Variations were seen, not only at the different stages of the oestrous cycle, but also in the different tissue compartments of the uterus. In the epithelia, the strongest ERα staining and highest amount of positive Ki‐67 cells were found at early dioestrus. In the myometrium, the highest levels of staining of both ERα and Ki‐67 positive cells were found at pro‐oestrus and oestrus. For the proliferative marker, Ki‐67, no positive cells were found at dioestrus and late dioestrus in the epithelium and myometrium. In the connective tissue stroma (subepithelial layer), the highest number of ERα positive cells were found at oestrus, which was significantly different compared with other stages (p≤0.05), whereas the levels of Ki‐67 positive cells were relatively low and did not differ between the stages examined. Significant correlations between the number of ERα positive cells in the stroma and Ki‐67 positive cells in the epithelia were observed. This suggests indirect regulatory mechanisms on epithelial proliferation via ERα in the stroma.

In conclusion, these findings in the sow uterus show that the presence of ERα as well as Ki‐67 protein varies not only between different stages of the oestrous cycle but also between different tissue compartments of the uterus. These findings indicate various regulatory mechanisms and stress the importance of localising ERα and proliferating cells in different uterine tissues.
Psychiatric and social outcomes of a rural district general hospital in the 1990s
Authors: Habibis Daphne , Schneider Rosemary , Hazelton Michael , Bowling Alison , Davidson John
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

This study investigates the psychiatric and social outcomes of treatment by the psychiatric unit of a district general hospital in a semirural region of Australia. The study is a naturalistic investigation of a routine clinical service, and utilizes a longitudinal panel design. Repeat interviews at admission, 1 month and 1 year later were conducted with all consenting respondents (n = 57) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or related condition, as well as with their nominated relatives. Patients showed significant improvements on clinical measures (P < 0.001) and a high rate of continuation of medication. Most measures of social functioning showed improvement although few were statistically significant. Patient and relative satisfaction was high. Relative worry showed significant improvement in the first month (P < 0.05). There was a high rate of readmission (31 patients) and mean days in hospital were also high at 43 days. These results suggest that basic district general hospital care, operating under both budgetary restrictions and the difficulties associated with recruiting staff can nonetheless provide a credible service. However, the results fall short of what research tells us can be achieved when services are adequately funded and more specifically targeted to meet patient needs.
Ethical practice guidelines: an evaluation
Authors: Cleary Michelle , Jordan Raighne , Horsfall Jan
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

Ethical practice guidelines (EPGs) were developed for use in Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service to guide contemporary mental health nursing practice and serve as a resource for clinical mental health nurses in relation to their professional conduct and practice. This survey of mental health nurses aimed to ascertain feedback on the application of the EPGs in the clinical arena. Nurses from the Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service (n = 350) were asked to complete a 15‐item survey developed by the authors. A total of 121 nurses completed the survey. Findings from the survey reveal that the information provided in the EPGs is useful (91%) and the EPGs provide sufficient guidance for practice (94%). Most respondents (96%) reported feeling confident dealing with ethical practice situations and 75% indicated interest in further education and training in this domain. Findings from this survey support the need to explore avenues to facilitate education, discussion and reflective practice in relation to ethical mental health nursing practice.
Effects of vaccination with T cell receptor peptides: Epitope switching to a possible disease‐protective determinant of myelin basic protein that is cross‐reactive with a TCR BV peptide
Authors: Vandenbark Arthur A , Chou Yuan K , Whitham Ruth , Bourdette Dennis N , Offner Halina
Published: March 2003

Immunization of Lewis rats with guinea‐pig myelin basic protein (Gp‐MBP) induced T cell responses to primary and secondary encephalitogenic determinants, as well as to a third non‐encephalitogenic epitope, residues 55–69. This sequence is of interest due to its protective activity against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Protection involved induction of MBP‐55–69‐specific T cells expressing cross‐reactive TCR BV8S6 genes that activated regulatory T cells specific for TCR BV8S2 determinants expressed on encephalitogenic T cells. We here present and discuss new evidence suggesting a possible immunological cross‐reactivity between the protective Gp‐MBP‐55–69 peptide and the regulatory BV8S2‐39–59 peptide. This cross‐reactivity, which may also occur between the human MBP‐55–74 peptide and the BV12S2‐38–58 sequence, has potentially important implications for human diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Characteristics of the immunological response in the clearance of non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae from the lung
Authors: Foxwell A Ruth , Kyd Jennelle M , Cripps Allan W
Published: March 2003

Clearance of non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) from the respiratory tract was investigated, over time, in immune and non‐immune rats. A triphasic pattern characterized the clearance of bacteria from the lungs. Mucosal immunization enhanced bacterial clearance from the lungs in each of the three phases compared with clearance from non‐immunized animals. Total clearance of bacteria was observed from lung tissue by 12 h in immune animals and 24 h in non‐immune animals. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes not only arrived earlier and initially in greater numbers, but disappeared earlier in immune animals (peaking at 8 h post‐challenge), compared with non‐immune animals (peaking at 12 h post‐challenge). Systemically derived and locally produced NTHi‐specific IgA and IgG correlated with enhanced bacterial clearance during the secondary phase. This model demonstrates that immunized animals up‐regulate and resolve inflammatory responses to pulmonary infection more rapidly than the non‐immunized controls.
IL‐6, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production by liver‐associated T cells and acute liver injury in rats administered concanavalin A
Authors: Cao Qi , Batey Robert , Pang Gerald , Russell Adrian , Clancy Robert
Published: March 2003

The relationship between the development of acute hepatitis and the production of TNF‐α IFN‐γ and IL‐6 by liver‐associated T lymphocytes following intravenous injection of concanavalin A (Con A) was studied in rats. Following a single injection of Con A, there was a dose and time‐dependent correlation in the serum levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), IL‐6, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α. These increases correlated with an increase in the numbers of CD4+, CD8+ and CD25+ T cells in blood and CD4+ and CD25+ T cells in the liver perfusate, but not with CD8+ T cells in liver perfusate. Increased levels of IL‐6, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α were constitutively produced by liver‐associated CD4+ T cells when cultured. In Con A‐stimulated cultures, liver‐associated CD4+ T cells secreted increasing levels of TNF‐α in a time‐dependent manner following Con A injection, but TNF‐α production by peripheral blood lymphocytes was transient with peak levels detected at 1 h which then declined over 24 h. Histological examination of the liver revealed fatty change, hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, with an associated cell infiltrate of neutrophils and CD4+ T cells both in the portal areas and around the central veins. These results support the hypothesis that Con A‐induced liver damage is mediated by CD4+ T cells acting within the liver, at least in part through the secretion of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ and IL‐6.
The coming of age of tumour immunotherapy
Authors: Ada Gordon
Published: March 2003

Compared with the earlier incidence of acute infectious diseases, the introduction of vaccines has been one of the major public health success achievements. In contrast, vaccine development to control some persisting infections such as HIV remains a major challenge. There are many similarities with this task and that of controlling tumours by immunotherapy. Generating CTL responses by using pulsed dendritic cells has become a popular approach and has led to success with the mouse model. With viral antigens, priming with DNA plasmids and boosting with a chimeric live vector results in high levels of CTL activity, and is worth trying with cancer. A recent review highlights three other difficulties posed by tumours: epitope stability, maiming or killing of CTL by the tumour, and accessibility of the tumour vasculature to immune components. The new ability to label CTL by staining with specific tetrameric peptide/MHC complexes offers the possibility of effectively studying this third aspect. Our increased knowledge of tumour‐associated antigens, viral or otherwise, and our growing ability to manipulate the immune system, offers hope that control of at least some human tumours may be within reach.
Cross‐presentation of tumour antigens: Evaluation of threshold, duration, distribution and regulation
Authors: Robinson Bruce WS , Lake Richard A , Nelson Delia J , Scott Bernadette A , Marzo Amanda L
Published: March 2003

The development of technology to measure antigen presentation in the secondary lymphoid system has provided the opportunity of analysing components of the host antitumour immune response that have, until now, been unavailable for study. In particular, this technology has enabled us to evaluate threshold levels of tumour antigen required for cross‐presentation in draining lymph nodes, the duration of this antigen presentation and processes that regulate tumour antigen presentation. Thus, we have been able to dissect out the relationship between antigen presentation and the resultant development of effector function in class I‐restricted T cells, as well as the role of regulatory CD4 cells. We have also used this technology to evaluate the effects of antitumour therapy on local antigen cross‐presentation.
Modulating immune responses with probiotic bacteria
Authors: Matsuzaki Takeshi , Chin James
Published: March 2003

For many years, probiotic bacteria have been known to confer health benefits to the consumer. One possible mechanism for this may be the ability of probiotic bacteria to modulate immune responses. Oral administration of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) has been found to enhance innate immunity by stimulating the activity of splenic NK cells. Oral feeding with killed LcS was able to stimulate the production of Th1 cytokines, resulting in repressed production of IgE antibodies against Ovalbumin in experimental mice. The ability to switch mucosal immune responses towards Th1 with probiotic bacteria provides a strategy for treatment of allergic disorders. Growth of Meth A tumour cells in the lungs was also inhibited by intrapleural injection of LcS. Oral administration of other probiotic bacteria, such as Streptococcus thermophilus (St), Lactobacillus fermentum (Lf) and yeast (Y), elicited different immune responses. Mice that were prefed yeast or Lf followed by feeding with ovalbumin (OVA) responded better to vaccination with OVA than mice not given either probiotic or OVA or mice that had been prefed only OVA. However, antibody responses were significantly suppressed in response to vaccination with OVA in mice that had been prefed yeast followed by yeast and OVA as well as mice prefed Lf followed by Lf and OVA. Prefeeding St followed by OVA feeding enhanced cellular immune responses against ovalbumin. In contrast, mice prefed St followed by St + OVA were hyporesponsive against OVA. While antigen feeding alone appears to prime for an immune response, cofeeding antigen with probiotic bacteria can suppress both antibody and cellular immune responses and may provide an efficacious protocol to attenuate autoimmune diseases, such as experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, by jointly dosing with myelin basic protein and probiotic bacteria.
Lymphocytes from H2b mice produce lower levels of several cytokines than congenic H2d or H2k mice
Authors: Matthews Vance B , Christiansen Frank T , Price Patricia
Published: March 2003

Inbred mice of congenic strains that differ only in their H2 haplotype were used to examine the effects of MHC genes on production of cytokines. Spleen and lymph node cells were stimulated with mitogens in vitro, and cytokine protein was assessed by ELISA and/or bioassays. Cells from H2b mice synthesized less IL‐3, IL‐4, IL‐5, TNF and IL‐10 (less clearly) than the equivalent cells from H2k or H2d mice. Production of IL‐6 by H2b spleen and lymph node cells was lower than that by cells from H2d mice. In addition, lower lymphoproliferative responses were observed in lymph node cultures from H2b mice. These effects were evident in congenic B10 and BALB strains. B10 H2b mice stimulated in vivo with anti‐CD3 had lower levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐5 protein in their serum compared with equivalent H2k and H2d mice. Because class I‐ or II‐mediated antigen presentation was not required in our model, an immunoregulatory gene in the central MHC is implicated. Preliminary studies of MHC recombinant mice suggested that the gene or genes responsible lie telomeric of IEβ. Evidence that the H2b haplotype carries an immunoregulatory allele with a small but consistent effect on cytokine production warrants further investigation.
Nuclear and nucleolar localization of parathyroid hormone‐related protein
Authors: Lam Mark HC , Thomas Rachel J , Martin T John , Gillespie Matthew T , Jans David A
Published: March 2003

Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) was first discovered as the factor causing hypercalcaemia produced by solid tumours frequently associated with the head and neck, breast, lung and kidney. The homology of its amino‐terminus to parathyroid hormone (PTH; eight of the first 13 residues are identical), enables it to share the same receptor and perform similar biological functions to PTH. The sequences of PTHrP C‐terminal to its PTH‐like region confer functions such as transplacental calcium transport, renal bicarbonate excretion and in vitro osteoclast inhibition. Recent findings have shown that PTHrP is a nuclear/nucleolar protein in certain tissues and that this localization is cell cycle‐regulated, mediated by the middle portion of the molecule, and involves the nuclear import receptor importin β1. The present review discusses what is known about the pathway by which PTHrP localizes to the nucleus/nucleolus and the putative roles it may have there.
The flightless I protein localizes to actin‐based structures during embryonic development
Authors: Davy Deborah A , Ball Eldon E , Matthaei Klaus I , Campbell Hugh D , Crouch Michael F
Published: March 2003

The product of theflightless Igene is predicted to provide a link between molecules of an as yet unidentified signal transduction pathway and the actin cytoskeleton. Previous work has shown that weak and severe mutations of theflightless Ilocus inDrosophila melanogastercause disruption in the indirect flight muscles and in embryonic cellularization events, respectively, indicative of a regulatory role for the flightless I protein in cytoskeletal rearrangements. A C‐terminal domain within flightless I with significant homology to the gelsolin‐like family of actin‐binding proteins has been identified, but evidence of a direct interaction between endogenous flightless I and actin remains to be shown. In the present study, chick, mouse andDrosophila melanogasterembryos have been examined and the localization of flightless I investigated in relation to the actin cytoskeleton. It is shown that flightless I localization is coincident with actin‐rich regions in parasympathetic neurons harvested from chicks, in mouse blastocysts and in structures associated with cellularization inDrosophila melanogaster.
Restraining mycobacteria: Role of granulomas in mycobacterial infections
Authors: Saunders Bernadette M , Cooper Andrea M
Published: March 2003

The generation of prolonged immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires not only an antigen‐specific IFN‐γ‐producing T cell response, including both CD4 and CD8 T cells, but also the generation of protective granulomatous lesions, whereby the close apposition of activated T cells and macrophages acts to contain bacterial growth. The importance of the granulomatous lesion in controlling this immune response and in limiting both tissue damage and bacterial dissemination has been considered a secondary event but, as the present review illustrates, is no less important in surviving mycobacterial infection than an antigen‐specific T‐cell response. The formation of a protective granuloma involves the orchestrated production of a host of chemokines and cytokines, the upregulation of their receptors along with upregulation of addressins, selectins and integrins to coordinate the recruitment, migration and retention of cells to and within the granuloma. In the present review, the principal components of the protective response are outlined and the role of granuloma formation and maintenance in mediating prolonged containment of mycobacteria within the lung is addressed.
A study of the normal temporal healing pattern and the mucociliary transport after endoscopic partial and full‐thickness removal of nasal mucosa in sheep
Authors: Shaw Chi‐Kee L , Cowin Allison , Wormald Peter‐John
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to assess the temporal healing process of nasal epithelium after full‐ thickness and partial thickness mucosal removal in sheep. Healing was assessed by histologically examining serial biopsies of the healing wounds. The histology assessed the regeneration of epithelium and return of cilia. Mucociliary clearance was measured before and after injury. On day 84 post injury partial thickness injuries had 80.7% (SEM = 10.25) normal epithelium and 68.35% (SEM = 19.2) reciliation. Full‐thickness wounds had 64.98% (SEM = 19.17) normal epithelium and 32.96% (SEM = 17.46) reciliation. On day 84 the difference for epithelium regeneration was not significant (P > 0.05), but reciliation was significant (P < 0.05). The baseline mucociliary clearance was 0.84 mm per second (SEM = 0.2) and did not differ significantly from either the partial thickness wound transport rate (2.49 mm/s; SEM = 1.02) or the full‐thickness transport rate (0.9 mm/s; SEM = 0.37) (paired t‐test P > 0.05). The time period (84 days) for evaluation of reciliation was insufficient, as reciliation appeared to be continuing. The healing process took place over a longer time period than what had been previously reported in the literature and this may account for the symptoms seen in the postoperative period in patients after sinus surgery.
Cell death mediated by alloreactive cytotoxic T cells via the granule exocytosis or the Fas pathway is independent of p34cdc2 kinase: Fas dependent killing of cells arrested in the cell cycle
Authors: Waring Paul , Müllbacher Arno
Published: March 2003

Inappropriate activation of p34cdc2 kinase has been shown to occur during apoptosis induced by cytotoxic T‐cell derived perforin and fragmentin. We analysed the effect of two inhibitors of p34cdc2 kinase on alloreactive Tc‐cell‐mediated lysis and DNA fragmentation of P815 and L1210 target cells. Olomoucine, a specific inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinases, did not affect DNA fragmentation in the target cells. Lysis of olomoucine‐treated target cells as assessed by 51Cr release over a typical 8‐h period was also unaffected. We also examined the effects of thapsigargin on target cell death. This toxin causes increased intracellular calcium rises that then result in irreversible inhibition of cyclin dependent kinases, including p34cdc2 kinase. The same extent of specific cell lysis was induced by cytotoxic T cells from perforin(–/–), granzyme B(–/–), granzyme A(–/–), perforin(–/–) X granzymeB(–/–) X granzymeA(–/–) KO mice or normal mice in untreated target cells or target cells treated with either olomoucine or thapsigargin. Similarly DNA fragmentation measured by release of tritiated DNA was also unaffected. Thus inhibition of p34cdc2 kinase affects neither the Fas nor the perforin/granzyme pathways of alloreactive cytotoxic T‐cell killing as measured by DNA fragmentation or chromium release. P815 cells treated with olomoucine were arrested in the cell cycle after 12–16 h exposure to the toxin. After cell cycle arrest, target cells now showed enhanced 51Cr release induced by effector cytotoxic T cells (CTL) derived from perforin(–/–) mice compared to untreated cells. This lysis was accompanied by an increase in cell surface Fas expression. Olomoucine induced cell cycle arrest and expression of Fas was reversible and when cells re‐entered the cell cycle, surface expression of Fas was lost.
Changes in behaviour, cortisol and lymphocyte types during isolation and group confinement of sheep
Authors: Degabriele R , Fell LR
Published: March 2003

This experiment compared changes in complex behaviour patterns, adrenal corticosteroid secretion and the numbers of various types of lymphocytes in sheep that were subjected to the stress of confinement. Grazing Merino ewes (n = 80 in five replicated experiments) were confined either in groups of four per pen or in total isolation from other sheep. The percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes increased while the percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes decreased over the experimental period. This result was more pronounced in isolated sheep than in grouped sheep. The increase in CD4:CD8 was greater for isolated sheep than for grouped sheep and greater for 2 week sheep than for 3 week sheep. The percentage of CD5+ cells also increased, less so in isolated than in grouped animals. Interpreting these changes as a recovery of immune competence following introduction of a stressor, it is apparent that isolation impaired immune system recovery more severely than group confinement. Physiological and behavioural adaptation over the period were characterized by a decline in the adrenocortical response, resumption of the normal pattern of flocking behaviour and a reduction in motor activity during the test. These findings add to the evidence pointing to the possible correspondence between critical features of the psychoneural, neuroendocrine and immune systems.
Epitopes of the NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus: Recognition in HLA‐DR4 transgenic mice
Authors: Eckels David D , Bian Tonghua , Gill Joan C , S⊘nderstrup Grete
Published: March 2003

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 180 million of the world's population and causes a persistent infection that over decades can result in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment is only partially effective and control is likely only with the development of effective vaccines. Currently, only chimpanzees can be infected with HCV and alternative animal and tissue culture models are badly needed. We have used mice transgenic for HLA‐DR and human CD4 to analyse the specificity of murine responses to the HCV NS3 antigen in an effort to determine whether the epitopes recognized correspond to those recognized by human T cells. Indeed, determinants mapped in transgenic mice overlap with those in a patient exposed to HCV through infection. This result provides hope that such an animal model may be a useful tool with which to analyse particular aspects of immune responses to HCV in vivo.
Temporal changes in the distribution of thoracic duct lymphoblasts to synovium and other tissues of rats with adjuvant‐induced arthritis
Authors: Cleland Leslie G , Wing Sarah J , Spargo Llewellyn DJ , Mayrhofer Graham
Published: March 2003

The distribution of lymphoblasts (lymphocytes in cell cycle) obtained from the central lymph of donor rats and transferred adoptively to syngeneic recipients has been shown previously to be influenced by the presence of arthritis in either donor or recipient rats. The intent of the present study was to examine patterns of distribution of lymphoblasts in the early period after transfer, when extravasation of donor lymphoblasts was expected to occur. Thoracic duct lymphoblasts labelled in vitro with [125I]‐iododeoxyuridine were detected in recipient rats by external radiometry and autoradiography. Irrespective of donor status, fewer donor lymphoblasts accumulated in the feet of normal recipients when compared to arthritic recipients at 15 min, 2 h and 24 h after cell transfer. When recipients of similar disease status were compared, the percentages of injected lymphoblasts from normal and arthritic donors recovered in the feet were similar at 15 min and 2 h after transfer. The proportions of lymphoblasts recovered in the feet at 24 h after injection declined in normal recipients and arthritic recipients of cells from normal donor rats. Importantly, this decline did not occur when both the donor and the recipient were arthritic. In the hindpaws, donor lymphoblasts were located predominantly in the bone marrow, except in transfers between arthritic rats, when at 24 h they were predominantly in the synovium. At 15 min, lymphoblasts were detected within the lumen of vessels within synovium, whereas by 2 h extravasation of these cells was evident. In conclusion, lymphoblasts accumulate more readily in hindfeet that are inflamed. In the early hours after injection, lymphoblasts from normal and arthritic donors are recruited equally, but these early levels are only maintained for 24 h in the combination of arthritic donor and arthritic recipient. A dramatic change in the proportion of lymphoblasts located in synovium at this later time suggests that a dynamic process of relocation, retention and/or local cell division maintains the numbers of arthritic donor cells in the latter combination.
Having it all? Stem cells, haematopoiesis and lymphopoiesis in adult human liver
Authors: Golden‐Mason Lucy , O'Farrelly Cliona
Published: March 2003

Because of its location and function, the liver is continuously exposed to large antigenic loads that include pathogens, toxins and tumour cells, as well as harmless dietary and commensal proteins and peptides. Therefore, the liver must be actively immunocompetent and, at the same time, control inappropriate inflammatory responses to dietary and other harmless antigens encountered in the portal circulation. In addition to conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from the circulation, several specialized lymphoid populations are found in the liver to meet these diverse immunological challenges. These populations display the functional and phenotypic properties of innate cells as well as conventional CD4+ or CD8+ helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes and B cells. The innate lymphoid cells include γδTCR+ T cells, B1‐B cells and NKT cells as well as large numbers of NK cells. The origin of these cells is unknown, but their murine counterparts have been shown to be capable of differentiation in situ in adult liver. Because haematopoietic stem cells have been found in adult human liver as well as molecular evidence of T‐cell maturation, we hypothesize that some resident human hepatic lymphoid cells, particularly those expressing innate phenotypes, also differentiate locally. In particular, it is likely that the adult human liver is an important site of NK cell maturation. In this review, we explore the evidence for an active lymphopoietic role for the normal adult human liver.
Comparative affects of plasmid‐encoded interleukin 12 and interleukin 18 on the protective efficacy of DNA vaccination against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Triccas James A , Sun Lisa , Palendira Umaimainthan , Britton Warwick J
Published: March 2003

Protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection requires the induction and maintenance of mycobacteria‐specific, IFN‐γ‐secreting CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. The development of Th1‐like T cells is promoted by the early secretion and synergistic action of interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐18. This study compares the effects of plasmid‐encoded IL‐12 and IL‐18 on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine expressing the M. tuberculosis‐secreted protein antigen 85B (DNA‐85B). Co‐immunization with either IL‐12‐ or IL‐18‐expressing plasmids augmented the IFN‐γ‐secreting T‐cell response, and the maximum effect was observed with plasmids encoding both cytokines. Further the IL‐12, but not the IL‐18‐expressing plasmid, significantly increased the protective efficacy of DNA‐85B against pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection. Therefore co‐administration of plasmid‐encoded cytokines provides a potential method for optimizing the protective efficacy of DNA vaccination against tuberculosis.
Large‐scale computational identification of HIV T‐cell epitopes
Authors: Schönbach Christian , Kun Yu , Brusic Vladimir
Published: March 2003

Bioinformatics‐driven T‐cell epitope‐identification methods can enhance vaccine target selection significantly. We evaluated three unrelated computational methods to screen Pol, Gag and Env sequences extracted from the Los Alamos HIV database for HLA‐A∗0201 and HLA‐B∗3501 T‐cell epitope candidates. The hidden Markov model predicted 389 HLA‐B∗3501‐restricted candidates from 374 HIV‐1 and 97 HIV‐2 sequences. The artificial neural network (ANN) model, and Bioinformatics and Molecular Analysis Section (BIMAS) quantitative matrix predictions for A∗0201 yielded 1122 HIV‐1 and 548 HIV‐2 candidates. The overall sequence coverage of the predicted A∗0201 T‐cell epitopes was 2.7% (HIV‐1) and 3.0% (HIV‐2). HLA‐B∗3501‐predicted epitopes covered 0.9% (HIV‐1) and 1.4% (HIV‐2) of the total sequence. Comparison of 890 ANN‐ and 397 BIMAS‐derived HIV‐1 A∗0201‐restricted epitope candidates showed that only 13‐19% of the predicted and 26% of the experimentally confirmed T‐cell epitopes were captured by both methods. Extrapolating these results, we estimated that at least 247 predicted HIV‐1 epitopes are yet to be discovered as active A∗0201‐restricted T‐cell epitopes. Adequate comparison and combined usage of various predictive bioinformatics methods, rather than uncritical use of any single prediction method, will enable cost‐effective and efficient T‐cell epitope screening.
Dendritic cells: Making progress with tumour regression?
Authors: Byrne Scott N , Halliday Gary M
Published: March 2003

Due to their potent ability to activate the immune system, dendritic cells (DC) are showing promise as potential adjuvants for tumour immunotherapy of cancer patients. However, little is known about the effect tumour cells can have on DC function. Indeed, the discovery of different DC subsets with different immunological functions indicates that the relationship between tumour cells and tumour‐infiltrating DC subtypes is likely to be complex. There remains a lot to be understood about the effects of tumours on DC before we can expect to benefit from DC‐based tumour immunotherapy of cancer patients. Here we review the recent advances being made in understanding DC phenotype and function in relation to interactions with different types of tumours.
The role of the community mental health nurse in the administration of depot neuroleptic medication: ‘Not just the needle nurse!’
Authors: Muir‐Cochrane Eimear Caitlin
Published: March 2003

The role of the community mental health nurse in the administration of depot neuroleptic medication: ‘Not just the needle nurse!’

An ethnographic study explored the nature of community mental health nurses’ involvement with clients during appointments for the administration of depot neuroleptic medication. Little has been written about this aspect of community mental health nursing practice. Findings illustrate how community mental health nurses attempt to engage clients in meaningful interactions when they attend appointments for their injections. Promoting an atmosphere of normalcy and minimising the distress of having neuroleptic medication by injection were key elements in approaches employed by nurses in this study. Results support current discussions in nursing literature concerned with the need for community mental health nurses to have well‐developed interpersonal skills to enable them to capitalise therapeutically from the depot injection encounter.
Caring as the ontological and epistemological foundations of nursing: A view of caring from the perspectives of Australian nurses
Authors: Cheung Jenny
Published: March 2003

Caring as the ontological and epistemological foundations of nursing: A view of caring from the perspectives of Australian nurses

In a study using unstructured interviews to explore nurses’ understanding and interpretations of caring in nursing, one of the major themes emerging from the data is that through caring for patients, nurses discover the meaning and nature of nursing and what it means for them to be nurses. In the process of caring for patients, nurses further develop and understand the knowledge and skill of caring which constitutes the knowledge base of nursing. The data also show that nurses, in their practice, continue to define, develop and shape the meaning and knowledge of caring in nursing. From the evidence of this study, this paper argues that caring can be considered as the ontological and epistemological foundations of nursing.
Registered nurses’ descriptions of their health assessment practices
Authors: Lillibridge Jennifer , Wilson Michael
Published: March 2003

The delivery of health‐care services in Australia is undergoing many changes. The move towards home‐based acute care has precipitated a review of many nursing care practices. An important consequence of these changes is the need for registered nurses to be adequately equipped to conduct systematic health assessments. This descriptive study used a questionnaire designed to elicit short‐answer responses in order to investigate how registered nurses described their health assessment practices and what type of data they collected. The findings indicate that respondents possess divergent conceptualisations of health assessment, and that they predominately use health assessment data to support medical therapies. Discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for nursing practice.
Does the method of data collection affect patients' evaluations of quality of care?
Authors: Wilde Larsson Bodil
Published: March 2003

The aim of the study was to compare two methods of data collection—personal interviews and self‐administered questionnaires—with patients' evaluations of the quality of care they received. The sample consisted of 41 matched pairs of inpatients at a medical clinic. In each pair, one patient was interviewed and one responded to a questionnaire. Data were collected using the questionnaire ‘Quality from the Patients Perspective’ (QPP). The QPP consists of 54 items designed to measure the following four quality dimensions: (i) the medical–technical competence and (ii) the degree of identityorientation in the action of the caregivers; (iii) the physical–technical conditions; and (iv) the sociocultural atmosphere of the care organization. Results showed that patients who were interviewed had significantly less favourable scores on the ‘softer’ quality dimension scales—the identity‐oriented approach of the caregivers and the sociocultural atmosphere of the care setting. Possible reasons for this were discussed, including the possibility that the questions designed to measure these two dimensions were more abstract and emotionally loaded than the items of the other two quality dimensions.
Communication: Principal barrier to nurse–consumer partnerships
Authors: Keatinge Diana , Bellchambers Helen , Bujack Elizabeth , Cholowski Krystyna , Conway Jane , Neal Patricia
Published: March 2003

An 8‐month pilot study conducted in urban, rural and remote areas of Australia sought to identify barriers to nurse– consumer partnerships, as well as strategies to overcome these barriers. One hundred and ninety‐nine Registered Nurses (RNs) and 36 consumers participated across 14 workshops to collect data for the pilot study. Analysis of these data found that nurses' perceptions of partnership with consumers were diverse. Nevertheless, participants in the workshops identified ‘communication’ as the principal barrier to nurse–consumer partnerships. Contexts in which communication barriers occur grouped easily under the themes of information transfer, documentation, education, personal and interpersonal situations, guidelines and policy, organizational structures, politics, resources and time. Workshop participants also worked together to identify/recommend strategies through which the most important barriers to communication in nurse– consumer partnerships could be addressed.
Experiences of security associated with pregnancy and childbirth: a study of pregnant women
Authors: Melender Hanna‐Leena , Lauri Sirkka
Published: March 2003

The aim of this study was to describe the sense of security associated with pregnancy and childbirth and to identify factors associated with it. Security was conceptualized in accordance with Kaufmann as a human need and as a human value. The instrument used was a questionnaire with a 4‐point scale. The sample consisted of 481 pregnant Finnish women. The response rate was 69%. Rotated factor analysis was carried out and sum variables were produced. The effects of various background variables were calculated using the Kruskal–Wallis test and the Mann–Whitney U‐test. The elements creating security were social support, knowledge, prenatal health‐care experiences, support from the partner, livelihood, positive stories and, in multiparae, positive previous childbearing experiences. The most salient finding concerning factors related to security was that women who had no pregnancy‐related problems in the current pregnancy reported social support, prenatal health‐care experiences and support from the partner as security‐creating elements more often than women with such problems. This was the only factor related to manifestation of security. The findings suggest that all pregnant women should be assisted by professionals to find security‐creating elements in their particular situation to promote and strengthen the sense of security, paying special attention to women with pregnancy‐related problems.
Polyphase accretionary tectonics in the Jurassic to Cretaceous accretionary belts of central Japan
Authors: Takahashi Osamu
Published: March 2003

Abstract Mesozoic accretionary complexes of the southern Chichibu and the northern Shimanto Belts, widely exposed in the Kanto Mountains, consist of 15 tectonostratigraphic units according to radiolarian biochronologic data. The units show a zonal arrangement of imbricate structure and the age of the terrigenous clastics of each unit indicates successive and systematic southwestward younging. Although rocks in these complexes range in age from Carboniferous to Cretaceous, the trench‐fill deposits corresponding to the Hauterivian, the Aptian to Middle Albian and the Turonian are missing. A close relationship between the missing accretionary complexes and the development of strike‐slip basins is recognizable. The tectonic nature of the continental margin might have resulted from a change from a convergent into a transform or oblique‐slip condition, so that strike‐slip basins were formed along the mobile zones on the ancient accretionary complexes. Most terrigenous materials were probably trapped by the strike‐slip basins. Then, the accretion of the clastic rock sequence occurred, probably as a result of the small supply of terrigenous materials in the trench. However, in the case of right‐angle subduction, terrigenous materials might have been transported to the trench through submarine canyons and deposited there. Thus, the accretionary complexes grew rapidly and thickened. Changes both in oceanic plate motion and in the fluctuation of terrigenous supply due to the sedimentary trap caused pulses of accretionary complex growth during Jurassic and Cretaceous times. In the Kanto Mountains, three tectonic phases are recognized, reflecting the changes of the consuming direction of the oceanic plates along the eastern margin of the Asian continent. These are the Early Jurassic to early Early Cretaceous right‐angle subduction of the Izanagi Plate, the Early to early Late Cretaceous strike‐slip movement of the Izanagi and Kula Plates, and the late Late Cretaceous right‐angle subduction of the Kula Plate.