bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss of Ly‐6A.2 expression on immature developing T cells in the thymus is necessary for their normal growth and generation of the Vβ T‐cell repertoire
Authors: Henderson S.C. , Bamezai A.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  Stage‐specific expression of a number of cell‐surface and signaling proteins is critical for normal development of T cells in the thymus. Equally important may be the loss of expression/signaling of developmentally regulated proteins for proper transitioning of developing T cells into thymic subsets. Ly‐6A.2 exhibits a regulated pattern of expression on T cells maturing in the thymus, and dysregulating its expression results in arrest of developing T cells within the CD3−CD4−CD8− triple negative (TN) stage where the normal expression of Ly‐6A.2 is extinguished. To further characterize the mechanisms underlying this block, we examined whether cell signaling and/or cell adhesion properties of the Ly‐6A.2 molecule influenced the block in T‐cell development. Analysis of bone marrow chimeras generated by injecting CFSE‐labeled Ly‐6A.2 transgenic bone marrow cells into irradiated syngeneic non‐transgenic mice revealed normal trafficking of developing T cells from the cortex into the medulla. Production of LAT but not p56lck was diminished in CD4−CD8− DN cells from Ly‐6A.2 dysregulated mice when compared with control littermates. Dysregulated expression of Ly‐6A.2 did not suppress endogenous TCR‐Vβ expression. Finally, dysregulated expression of Ly‐6A.2 enhanced apoptosis of an immature CD4+CD8+ (DP) subset of developing cells and altered the selected TCR‐Vβ repertoire. Taken together, these observations indicate that the termination of Ly‐6A.2 expression and signaling within the CD4−CD8−CD3− subset of developing T cells is an important checkpoint during normal thymic development.
High resolution sequence‐based DPB1 typing identified two novel DPB1 alleles, DPB1*9401 and DPB1*9501, from a Kenyan population
Authors: Luo M. , Ramdahin S. , Iqbal S. , Pan Y. , Jacobson K. , Narayansingh M.J. , Schroeder M. , Brunham R.C. , Embree J. , Plummer F.A.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  Two novel DPB1 alleles, DPB1*9401 and DPB1*9501, were identified from a Kenyan population during sequence‐based HLA‐DPB1 typing. Molecular cloning and sequencing of multiple clones confirmed that one of the new DPB1 alleles is identical to DPB1*0402 at exon 2 except for a single nucleotide substitution (CGG →TGG), changing codon 70 from Arg to Trp. The new allele has been named DPB1*9401. This is the first report of polymorphism at codon 70 of HLA‐DPB1 alleles. New codon combinations have been identified in another novel DPB1 allele named DPB1*9501. The extensive diversity at DPB1 locus of this East African population is being revealed by high resolution sequence‐based DPB1 typing.
Association between polymorphisms in the human chemokine receptor genes CCR2 and CX3CR1 and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bayley J‐P. , Baggen J.M. , Pouw‐Kraan T.v/d , Crusius J.B.A. , Huizinga T.W.J. , Verweij C.L.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  Cell trafficking into the rheumatoid synovium is thought to play an important role in the inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Chemokine receptors play a central role in this process, and several common variants are known, including the CCR2 variant, CCR2–64I, and two variants of the CX3CR1 gene, V249I and T280M. All three variants result in functional amino acid substitutions. We studied the association of these chemokine receptor variants with susceptibility to and severity of rheumatoid arthritis in two Dutch patient populations; 282 consecutive rheumatoid arthritis patients from a rheumatology outpatient clinic, and a cohort of 101 female rheumatoid arthritis patients, followed closely for a 12‐year period, from whom hand and feet X‐rays taken at three year intervals were scored and analyzed in this study. Although there was a trend towards increased severity of disease in patients carrying CX3CR1 variants, this was not independent of known risk factors. We found no evidence for a significant independent role for the CCR2 and CX3CR1 variants in the susceptibility to or severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
Novel HLA B*2714 and B*2708 allele associations in seronegative spondarthritis patients and haemophilia patients with chronic synovitis in India
Authors: Shankarkumar U. , Ghosh K. , Mohanty D.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  HLA B27 association with seronegative spondarthritis (SSA) has been recognized for over a decade and its association with chronic synovitis in Haemophilia patients has been recently reported. We characterized the HLA B27 subtypes in a cohort of 98 B27 positive individuals with SSA (n = 45), haemophilia with chronic synovitis (n = 21) and normal controls (n = 32), using polymerase chain reaction‐based sequence specific primers (PCR‐SSP) and reverse line strip (RLS) techniques. The results revealed a significant association for a novel allele B*2714 in SSA along with the previously reported B*2705 allele. We also found a significant association between haemophilia patients with chronic synovitis from India and a hitherto unidentified allele, B*2708.
Associations of HLA microsatellites with rheumatoid arthritis in Singaporean Chinese
Authors: Yu H.X. , Ren E.C. , Chan S.H.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  Rheumatoid arthritis in Singaporean Chinese has previously been shown to be associated with the DRB1*0405, DRB1*1001 haplotypes and to the DRB1*0901 haplotype when the former two were removed. The present paper focused on eight HLA associated microsatellite markers (TNFa, TNFd, D6S273, TAP1CA, DQCAR, DQCARII, D6S2222, D6S2223) and their allelic associations with Chinese RA. 60 RA patients and 75 healthy controls were studied. It appeared that DQCARII*194/DRB1*0405/TNFa*117 was part of the extended haplotype predisposed to RA, whereas DRB1*0901/D6S273*128 contributed to susceptibility to RA to a lesser degree in Singaporean Chinese. Additionally, a negative association with DQCAR*186/DRB1*0301/D6S273*122/TNFd*124 was observed. No association with disease development was observed in this study.
Specificity and functional characteristics of anti‐HLA‐A mAbs LGIII‐147.4.1 and LGIII‐220.6.2
Authors: Wang X. , Liang B. , Rebmann V. , Lu J. , Celis E. , Kageshita T. , Grosse‐Wilde H. , Ferrone S.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  Only three anti‐HLA‐A monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been described in the literature. Two of them recognize determinants shared by only a few HLA‐A allospecificities. The third one, mAb 3G11, recognizes a determinant shared by most HLA‐A allospecificities. Being an IgM, the latter mAb is not likely to be a useful probe in immunohistochemical reactions and in functional assays. Therefore, in the present study we have characterized the specificity of the mAbs LGIII‐147.4.1 and LGIII‐220.6.2. The two mAbs that do not share idiotypic determinants recognize distinct but spatially close antigenic determinants expressed on most of the gene products of the HLA‐A locus. Specifically, the determinant recognized by mAb LGIII‐220.6.2 is expressed on HLA‐A1, ‐A2, ‐A3, ‐A26, ‐A28, ‐A29, ‐A30, ‐A33, ‐A36, ‐A74 and ‐A80 allospecificities. The determinant recognized by mAb LGIII‐147.4.1, which appears to be located on the amino‐acid residues 79–83 of the heavy chain, is expressed on all HLA‐A allospecificities but HLA‐A23, ‐A24, ‐A25 and ‐A32. Because of its broad reactivity, the mAb LGIII‐147.4.1 was characterized in a number of assays. It was found to be a useful probe to measure the HLA‐A antigen level in serum, to assess the HLA‐A restriction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and to monitor HLA‐A antigen expression in normal and malignant lesions.
Expression and function of HLA‐DR3 and DQ8 in transgenic mice lacking functional H2‐M
Authors: Rajagopalan G. , Smart M.K. , Cheng S. , Krco C.J. , Johnson K.L. , David C.S.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  H2‐M or HLA‐DM are non‐classical class II molecules encoded by the MHC and play an important role during antigen presentation. They catalyze exchange of CLIP (Class II‐associated invariant chain peptide) or other low‐affinity peptides bound to class II molecules for peptides capable of more efficient binding. The phenotype of mice lacking H2‐M is determined by the allotype of the MHC class II molecules expressed. In general, H2‐M deficiency does not affect the surface expression of mature class II molecules. The class II molecules in such cases predominantly contain CLIP in their peptide‐binding groove. In some mice strains, H2‐M deficiency results in defective CD4+ T‐cell development accompanied by defective responses to conventional antigens and superantigens. Even though the HLA class II molecules show similar dependency for HLA‐DM for presenting antigens in vitro, their interaction in vivo is not known. By using transgenic approach we show here that DQ8 and DR3 are expressed at normal levels in H2‐M‐deficient mice and the CD4+ T‐cell development is unaltered. However, the ability of DQ8 molecules to present peptide antigens is compromised in a H2‐M‐deficient state. Presentation of exogenous bacterial superantigens by both DQ8 and DR3 is unaffected in H2‐M‐deficient mice. Unexpectedly, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B‐induced systemic IFN‐γ production was significantly higher in H2‐M‐deficient DQ8/DR3 transgenic mice and these mice were susceptible to SEB‐induced toxic shock at doses that are non‐lethal to H2‐M‐sufficient counterparts.
Extensive solubilization and depolymerization of cell wall polysaccharides during avocado (Perseaamericana) ripening involves concerted action of polygalacturonase and pectinmethylesterase
Authors: Wakabayashi Kazuyuki , Chun Jong‐Pil , Huber Donald J.
Published: July 2003

During the ripening of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit, water‐soluble polyuronides increased dramatically, concomitant with marked downshifts in molecular mass. Treatment of cell walls from pre‐ripe fruit with purified avocado polygalacturonase (PG, EC 3.2.1.15) promoted the release and molecular mass downshift of polyuronides. The polyuronides released by PG were similar in size distribution to water‐soluble polyuronides from fruit at intermediate stages of ripening. Polyuronides released from pre‐ripe fruit by PG, although of relatively high molecular mass, were not further degraded upon additional incubation with fresh enzyme. Similarly, water‐soluble polyuronides prepared from fruit at intermediate stages of ripening were largely resistant to the action of purified PG in vitro. When polyuronides derived from fruit at intermediate stages of ripening were treated with weak alkali or pectinmethylesterase (PME, EC 3.1.1.11), extensive molecular mass downshifts occurred in response to incubation with PG. These results suggest that PG plays the central role in polyuronide degradation in ripening avocado fruit cell walls and that partial de‐esterification is necessary for the increase in the susceptibility of polyuronides to PG. Differences in the patterns of polyuronide depolymerization in avocado fruit compared with the more thoroughly characterized tomato fruit are discussed.
Abscisic acid – an intraleaf water‐stress signal
Authors: Popova Losanka P. , Outlaw Jr. William H. , Aghoram Karthik , Hite Daniel R. C.
Published: July 2003

Physiological aspects of abscisic acid (ABA) as a drought signal directed specifically at guard cells are topical research foci. Most investigations concentrate on the importance of remote sources of ABA against the background knowledge that leaves are also a source of ABA. Foliar compartmentation of ABA and water‐stress‐induced release of cellular ABA into the apoplast imply additional levels of complexity. In the present study, we established that the pre‐existing foliar ABA pool can be moved to guard cells. We detached leaflets of Vicia faba L. to eliminate an external source of ABA. The leaflets were then pretreated with cycloheximide (CHI), an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis that abolished ABA accumulation in the leaflets. Next, the leaflets were water stressed. After incubation, leaflets were snap‐frozen and freeze‐dried. Guard cells were individually dissected from the leaflets; such guard‐cell samples contain both apoplastic and symplastic ABA. The ABA content of guard cells of CHI‐treated, water‐stressed leaflets was less than that of control water‐stressed leaflets, but higher than that of control water‐sufficient leaflets, indicating that guard cells are targets of intraleaf ABA redistribution under stress.
Genetic transformation ofGinkgo bilobabyAgrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Dupré Patricia , Lacoux Jerôme , Neutelings Godfrey , Mattar‐Laurain Dominique , Fliniaux Marc‐André , David Alain , Jacquin‐Dubreuil Annie
Published: July 2003

A reproducible protocol has been established for the transformation ofGinkgo bilobabyAgrobacterium tumefaciens. Embryos were co‐cultivated withAgrobacterium tumefaciensGV3101 (pGV2260) carrying the binary vector pTHW136, which contained thegusreporter gene and thenptIIselectable gene, encoding the enzymesβ‐glucuronidase (GUS) and neomycin phophotransferase II, respectively. Transient GUS activity has been used to screen the effects of different factors on the transfer of DNA into embryos (age of embryos, infection method, composition of co‐cultivation medium). Then, experimental conditions have been defined to obtain transgenic kanamycin‐resistantG. bilobacalluses expressing GUS activity. The highest rate of transformation (45%) was reached using 1.5‐month‐old embryos co‐cultivated on a medium lacking mineral elements. The integration ofgusandnptIIgenes in calluses was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis and Southern blot analysis.
Decreased hippocampal NMDA, but not kainate or AMPA receptors in bipolar disorder
Authors: Scarr E , Pavey G , Sundram S , MacKinnon A , Dean B
Published: July 2003

Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are changes in the density of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the hippocampus of subjects with bipolar disorder.

Methods:  Using in situ radioligand binding with semiquantitative autoradiography, we measured the density of [3H]MK‐801, [3H]CGP39653, [3H]AMPA and [3H]kainate binding in hippocampi, obtained postmortem, from eight subjects with type 1 bipolar disorder and 8 age‐ and sex‐matched controls.

Results:  In subjects with bipolar disorder there were significant decreases in the density of [3H]MK‐801 binding in the Cornu Ammonis (CA) 3 (mean ± SEM; 108.8 ± 12.2 versus 166.2 ± 18.0 fmol/mg ETE, p < 0.005) as well as the pyramidal (102.8 ± 9.2 versus 136.6 ± 11.2 fmol/mg ETE, p < 0.05) and polymorphic (21.73 ± 6.5 versus 53.26 ± 11.6 fmol/mg ETE, p < 0.05) layers of the subiculum. In addition, two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a decrease in the density of [3H]CGP39653 binding across the hippocampal formation in bipolar subjects, which did not reach significance in any subregion. There were no changes in the densities of [3H]AMPA or [3H]kainate binding in these subjects.

Conclusions:  [3H]CGP39653 and [3H]MK‐801 bind to the glutamate binding site and open ion channel of the n‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor, respectively. Therefore, these data suggest that there is a decrease in the number of open ion channels associated with no significant change in the apparent density of NMDA receptors in regions of the hippocampus from subjects with bipolar disorder.
Diagnostic classification of organic psychiatric disorders after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a comparison between ICD‐10, DSM‐IV and the Lindqvist & Malmgren classification system
Authors: Rödholm M. , Hellström P. , Bilting M. , Starmark J.‐E.
Published: July 2003

Objective: There is no universally accepted consensus for organic psychiatric disorders (OPDs) between the two major classifications, ICD‐10 and DSM‐IV. The aim was to compare the coverage of these systems with the Lindqvist & Malmgren (LM) classification system for organic psychiatry.

Method: Organic psychiatric disorders were diagnosed according to ICD‐10, DSM‐IV, and the LM system in 119 patients 12 months after surgery as a result of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Results: Among 35 patients with astheno‐emotional (AE) disorder (LM system), 83% (95% CI: 67–92%) had mild cognitive disorder (MCD) according to ICD‐10 clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines (CDDG), 49% (95% CI: 33‐64%) had MCD according to ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria for research (DCR), and 34% (95% CI: 21–51%) had mild neurocognitive disorder according to DSM‐IV. The coverage for other OPDs did not differ between the systems.

Conclusion: The coverage for AE disorder (LM system) was significantly higher than the corresponding diagnoses of the ICD‐10 and DSM‐IV systems. Modifications of the latter systems are suggested.
Serum lipid levels and suicide attempts
Authors: Lee Heon‐Jeong , Kim Yong‐Ku
Published: July 2003

Objective: To determine whether a correlation exists between lower serum lipid concentrations and increased suicide risk.

Method: Serum lipid profiles were pair‐matched for 60 patients who had recently experienced failed attempts at suicide and equal numbers of non‐suicidal psychiatric patients, and normal controls. Suicide attempt severity was scored using Weisman and Worden's risk‐rescue rating scale.

Results: (a) Total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were found to be lower in the parasuicidal population at statistically significant levels (P < 0.01 and <0.05, respectively); (b) triglyceride concentrations were lower in suicide attempters with major depression compared with non‐suicidal depressed patients; and (c) risk‐rescue rating scores were negatively correlated with total serum cholesterol levels (r = −0.347, P = 0.007).

Conclusion: Low lipid metabolism may be a potential biological marker in the assessment of suicide risk. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the biological mechanisms of these findings.
The interaction between salinity and boron toxicity affects the subcellular distribution of ions and proteins in wheat leaves
Authors: WIMMER M. A. , MÜHLING K. H. , LÄUCHLI A. , BROWN P. H. , GOLDBACH H. E.
Published: July 2003

Salinity aggravates B toxicity symptoms in several plant species. In the present study the interactive effects of B toxicity and salinity stresses on the subcellular distribution of boron, cations and proteins in basal and apical leaf sections of wheat were investigated. High B supply increased total B concentrations in all leaf parts, but values remained below 25 mg B kg−1 dry weight (DW) in basal sections, whereas they reached more than 600 mg B kg−1 DW in leaf tips. In basal leaf sections intercellular soluble B concentrations closely reflected the external supply, whereas intracellular soluble B concentrations remained lower by a factor of two, indicating some retention of excess B in the apoplast. Combined salinity and B toxicity stresses significantly increased soluble B concentrations in inter‐ and intracellular compartments of basal leaf sections in comparison with either stress alone, probably related to salinity‐induced changes in water status. The combined stresses also induced quantitative and qualitative changes in inter‐, but not intracellular protein composition. Most obvious was the induction of a 25 kDa protein and an increase in amount of a 33 kDa protein. It is suggested that these changes might be due to structural modifications of the cell wall. The concentration of soluble boron in cells is proposed to be an indicator of boron toxicity.
Dissecting the response to dehydration and salt (NaCl) in the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum
Authors: SMITH‐ESPINOZA C. J. , RICHTER A. , SALAMINI F. , BARTELS D.
Published: July 2003

Although desiccation tolerant, the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum is sensitive to relatively low levels of sodium chloride. Exposure to sodium chloride, but not dehydration, led to accumulation of sodium ions in leaves and roots and caused irreversible wilting. The effects of salt and dehydration on transcript accumulation patterns were studied by using selected cDNA clones that were related to water stress. Most of the clones represented genes that were up‐regulated in response to both treatments. Among the transcripts specifically up‐regulated by dehydration were RNAs encoding transcripts with homology to aquaporins. Expression analysis revealed dehydration‐specific profiles of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes, which differed from the patterns observed for the same genes under sodium chloride stress. The interconversion of octulose and sucrose, which is characteristic for the desiccation/rehydration cycle in C. plantagineum leaves, was not activated by sodium chloride. The present results suggest that dehydration‐specific responses involve the synchronized expression of specific genes and the presence of a determined concentration of sucrose. These dehydration responses were not detected in response to sodium chloride treatment.
The ‘hydrology’ of leaves: co‐ordination of structure and function in temperate woody species
Authors: SACK L. , COWAN P. D. , JAIKUMAR N. , HOLBROOK N. M.
Published: July 2003

The hydraulic conductance of the leaf lamina (Klamina) substantially constrains whole‐plant water transport, but little is known of its association with leaf structure and function.Klaminawas measured for sun and shade leaves of six woody temperate species growing in moist soil, and tested for correlation with the prevailing leaf irradiance, and with 22 other leaf traits.Klaminavaried from 7.40 × 10−5 kg m−2s−1 MPa−1forAcer saccharumshade leaves to 2.89 × 10−4 kg m−2 s−1 MPa−1forVitis labruscasun leaves. Tree sun leaves had 15–67% higherKlaminathan shade leaves.Klaminawas co‐ordinated with traits associated with high water flux, including leaf irradiance, petiole hydraulic conductance, guard cell length, and stomatal pore area per lamina area.Klaminawas also co‐ordinated with lamina thickness, water storage capacitance, 1/mesophyll water transfer resistance, and, in five of the six species, with lamina perimeter/area. However, for the six species,Klaminawas independent of inter‐related leaf traits including leaf dry mass per area, density, modulus of elasticity, osmotic potential, and cuticular conductance.Klaminawas thus co‐ordinated with structural and functional traits relating to liquid‐phase water transport and to maximum rates of gas exchange, but independent of other traits relating to drought tolerance and to aspects of carbon economy.
C4 photosynthesis in a single C3 cell is theoretically inefficient but may ameliorate internal CO2 diffusion limitations of C3 leaves
Authors: VON CAEMMERER S.
Published: July 2003

Attempts are being made to introduce C4 photosynthetic characteristics into C3 crop plants by genetic manipulation. This research has focused on engineering single‐celled C4‐type CO2 concentrating mechanisms into C3 plants such as rice. Herein the pros and cons of such approaches are discussed with a focus on CO2 diffusion, utilizing a mathematical model of single‐cell C4 photosynthesis. It is shown that a high bundle sheath resistance to CO2 diffusion is an essential feature of energy‐efficient C4 photosynthesis. The large chloroplast surface area appressed to the intercellular airspace in C3 leaves generates low internal resistance to CO2 diffusion, thereby limiting the energy efficiency of a single‐cell C4 concentrating mechanism, which relies on concentrating CO2 within chloroplasts of C3 leaves. Nevertheless the model demonstrates that the drop in CO2 partial pressure, pCO2, that exists between intercellular airspace and chloroplasts in C3 leaves at high photosynthetic rates, can be reversed under high irradiance when energy is not limiting. The model shows that this is particularly effective at lower intercellular pCO2. Such a system may therefore be of benefit in water‐limited conditions when stomata are closed and low intercellular pCO2 increases photorespiration.
Enzymatic control of the accumulation of verbascose in pea seeds
Authors: PETERBAUER T. , KARNER U. , MUCHA J. , MACH L. , JONES D. A. , HEDLEY C. L. , RICHTER A.
Published: July 2003

Verbascose, the pentasaccharide of the raffinose family of oligosaccharides, consists of galactose units joined to sucrose. In pea (Pisum sativum) seeds, the content of verbascose is highly variable. In a previous study on a high‐verbascose pea cultivar, the present authors have demonstrated that verbascose is synthesized by a multifunctional stachyose synthase (EC 2.4.1.67), which utilizes raffinose as well as stachyose as a galactosyl acceptor. Herein the results of a study of the cloning and functional expression of stachyose synthase from the low‐verbascose genotype SD1 are reported and it is demonstrated that this line contains a protein with a reduced ability to synthesize verbascose. Analysis of seeds from seven pea lines revealed a positive correlation between verbascose synthase activity and verbascose content. Among these genotypes, only the SD1 line showed low verbascose synthase activity when the data were normalized to stachyose synthase activity. These results suggest that differences in the level of verbascose synthase activity could be caused by mutations in the stachyose synthase gene as well as by variation in the amount of the protein. The lines were also analysed for activity of α‐galactosidase, a catabolic enzyme that could limit the extent of verbascose accumulation. No relationship was found between α‐galactosidase activity and the amount of raffinose family oligosaccharides.
Quality of life: a concept analysis
Authors: Meeberg Glenda A
Published: July 2003

Quality of life (QOL) is a phrase which was first used shortly after the Second World War and has, since then, been overused and infrequently defined A concept analysis of QOL is presented to clarify the concept for further use The process for concept analysis developed by Walker & Avant is employed Quality of life is found to be very complex, and it is hoped that this analysis will stimulate thought and further nursing research into what QOL means in the health care context
Head‐injured survivors: caregivers and support groups
Authors: Acorn Sonia
Published: July 2003

The purposes of this study were to assess the needs of caregivers of head‐injured survivors and the availability, use and helpfulness of support groups in meeting these needsDemographic data on characteristics of the caregivers and of the head‐injured survivor were also collected The majority of the caregivers were mothers of head‐injured males and provided care for an average of 6 years Sixteen of the respondents did not attend a support group, mainly due to the unavailability of support groups in their area of residence Support groups were most helpful in meeting educational and psychological needs of caregivers The findings suggest the need for additional support groups, especially in smaller communities, for additional educational content in support groups and for respite beds
Common adaptive tasks facing parents of children with chronic conditions
Authors: Canam Connie
Published: July 2003

Parents of chronically ill or disabled children face a number of common tasks in adapting to their child's condition These tasks are delineated from the literature on theory, research and clinical issues and are discussed in relation to their documented importance to family adaptation, the difficulties parents have in managing the tasks and effective coping strategies parents can use to accomplish the tasks The implications of utilizing adaptive tasks as an organizing framework for assessing and intervening with parents of children with chronic conditions are discussed
Advice concerning breastfeeding from mothers of infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit: the Roy adaptation model as a conceptual structure
Authors: Hedberg Kerstin , Sjodén Per‐Olow
Published: July 2003

Data were collected by telephone interviews with 178 mothers of full‐term patients in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) concerning advice on facilitation of the initiation of breastfeeding The main advice to the first author as a nurse in the NICU concerned the environment, advice on breastfeeding, distance between units, work organization and nurse behaviour The advice to other mothers of patients centred on persistence, physical contact with the infant, and not to let nurses take over maternal role functions The data were structured into themes and categories, classified by one author and two research assistants according to Roy's adaptation theory, and analysed for degree of interrater agreement The overall agreement of classification was high, reaching 92 5% It was easily applied by nurses after a brief introduction and proved useful for structuring interview data It also contributed to clarification of nurse behaviour and division of roles between nurses and mothers As the four adaptation modes showed considerable overlap, this kind of classification seems inadvisable for application to the assessment of patient/parent situations in the nursing process For use in a clinical setting, the theory needs the addition of the interactive aspect of nurse and patient/family role functions, and may then be used as a framework for the development of assessment tools
How do nurses assess the information received by breast cancer patients?
Authors: Suominen Tarja
Published: July 2003

The aim of the study was to clarify how nurses assess the information targeted at breast cancer patients before, during and after hospitalization The sample group consisted of 176 nurses from surgical and radiological wards and clinics in southwest Finland The study used responses to a questionnaire investigating breast cancer patients’ recovery Of the sample, 71% responded to the questionnaire Log‐linear modelling was used for the final statistical analysis of the results The findings obtained by log‐linear modelling showed a cumulative effect Various associations were seen in the responses of the nurses on how they assessed the information received by patients Patients who were considered well‐informed before hospitalization were similarly considered during their hospital stay Nurses consider that they give their patients insufficient information Further, nurses are not clear about their own role in the distribution of information
AIDS‐related experience, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs amongst nurses in an area with a high rate of HIV infection
Authors: Plant Moira L , Foster Jean
Published: July 2003

The results are presented of a survey of the AIDS‐related knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of a random sample of 600 qualified nurses in the Lothian Region of Scotland This locality is characterized by a high rate of detected HIV infection which is mainly associated with intravenous drug use This study indicated that 64% of respondents had contact with HIV‐ infected patients and that 48% had nursed people with AIDS Levels of AIDS‐related knowledge were not high and a substantial proportion of nurses reported lacking basic AIDS information and professional support to enable them to work effectively with people who have AIDS
Personal unity in dying: alternative conceptions of the meaning of health
Authors: Jones Sandra A
Published: July 2003

Death is a universal phenomenon In the health care system, however, it is regarded as unfortunate and catastrophic Death is perceived as the extreme end of a continuum whose opposite end is health In nursing practice, through the application of nursing diagnosis and nursing process, dying is treated as a procedural problem Rarely is dying treated as part of the experience of living, characterized by the meanings assigned by the individual to the event The purpose of the study was to describe one person's dying experience as a personal expression of the meaning of health
Euthanasia: a comparison of the lived experience of Chinese and Australian palliative care nurses
Authors: Wilkes Lesley , White Kate , Tolley Neal
Published: July 2003

This paper reports on a study which investigated whether nurses from Eastern and Western cultures hold differing definitions of euthanasia and different perspectives of the effect of their attitudes to euthanasia on professional relationships with patients and colleagues The focus of the study was the lived experience of Chinese and Australian nurses working in palliative care The results indicate that there were differences between these two groups in their definitions of euthanasia Lived experience obtained from both groups revealed conflict with patients and colleagues, and a lack of opportunity to discuss the ethical issue of euthanasia in the workplace
Asthma patients’ knowledge in relation to compliance with drug therapy
Authors: Tettersell Monica Julie
Published: July 2003

Patient knowledge of asthma and treatment and compliance levels were assessed among 100 moderate to severe asthmatics recruited from general practice With the use of postal questionnaires non‐compliance was found to be high 39% of patients omitted to take their asthma treatment as prescribed The level of patient knowledge had no significant effect on compliance to drug therapy The highest compilers were respondents who reported never receiving an explanation about the condition The majority of patients believe they would know how to manage an attack, but when they 'scored’ on their ability only 34 4% were deemed to be safe However, the level of patient knowledge appears to influence a patient's ability to manage an asthma attack Less than half of the patients who had had asthma explained to them reported to have understood the initial explanation, and explanations made by nurses were particularly poorly understood The study identifies reasons why patients do not comply with drug treatments Many feel the drugs are not necessary and many forget to take them Almost half of the cohort admit a reluctance to use their inhalers in public and a third state a preference for tablets rather than inhalers Health professionals must look at other means of improving patient compliance rather than education in isolation Since the general practitioner contract was introduced in April 1990, nurses working in general practice have become increasingly involved with health education as part of health promotion and chronic disease management clinics This study highlights the need for further education in this area
The Patient‐Centredness Multi‐Choice Questionnaire: developing an instrument for the measurement of patient‐centredness in student nurses
Authors: Rolfe Gary
Published: July 2003

An earlier paper by the writer reported on the construction and administration of an instrument for the measurement of therapeutic attitudes in student nurses This paper continues that work by producing a short, appropriate and easily administered test, known as the Patient‐Centredness Multi‐Choice Questionnaire The instrument was tested for validity and reliability, and was piloted on a large group of new Project 2000 students from several colleges and institutes of nursing, to produce a database for use in further studies
The development of a measure of job satisfaction for use in monitoring the morale of community nurses in four trusts
Authors: Traynor Michael , Wade Barbara
Published: July 2003

The development of the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) for use in a longitudinal study of the morale of community nurses in four trusts is described The review of previous studies focuses on the use of principal component analysis or factor analysis in the development of measures The MJS was developed from a bank of items culled from the literature and from discussions with key informants It was mailed to a one in three sample of 723 members of the community nursing forums of the Royal College of Nursing A 72% response rate was obtained from those eligible for inclusion Principal component analysis with varimax rotation led to the identification of five dimensions of job satisfaction, Personal Satisfaction, Satisfaction with Workload, Satisfaction with Professional Support, Satisfaction with Pay and Prospects and Satisfaction with Training These factors form the basis of five subscales of satisfaction which summate to give an Overall Job Satisfaction score Internal consistency, test‐retest reliability, concurrent and discriminatory validity were assessed and were found to be satisfactory The factor structure was replicated using data obtained from the first three of the community trusts involved in the main study The limitations of the study and issues which require further exploration are identified and discussed
Nursing research conventions: objectivity or obfuscation?
Authors: Porter Sam
Published: July 2003

This paper is a critique of naive realism, the philosophy which animates much nursing research, and which leads researchers to assume that the attainment of objective knowledge is possible The nature of naive realism, and its relationship to objectivity, is discussed Central to this outlook is the belief that the values and interests of the researcher can and should be divorced from the prosecution of research This is reflected in the literary convention of referring to the researcher in the third person Contrary to this position, I argue that the interpretations, values and interests of the researcher are central to the research process Moreover, nursing research may be affected by the interests of managers, educationalists, and those who wish to see nursing attain professional status Nursing researchers should accept that they are part of the social situations which they study They should therefore become reflexive in their outlook This entails recognizing and attempting to understand the effects of the researcher, rather than trying to eliminate or ignore them
A multi‐generational staff development model for registered nurses
Authors: Arbon Paul , Bowen Irene , Cook Peter , Rudge Trudy , Sutton Fran
Published: July 2003

The paper focuses on a significant nursing initiative for staff development undertaken in South Australia The initiative arose out of Health Commission funded consultancy which sought to develop a staff development model for registered nurses The outcome of this consultancy was the development of a multi‐generational staff development model, known as the DPS Staff Development Model This model provides a framework through which staff development activities can be analysed, consolidated and extended The paper outlines the DPS Staff Development Model, the context in which it was developed and its implications for nursing staff development programmes The development of the model was premised on a number of assumptions These included the need to ensure flexibility, longevity, offer a perspective of staff development that is realistic and practical, and facilitate in registered nurses a sense of ownership and personal responsibility with respect to their development The model comprises six broad areas of focus the Career Development Model for registered nurses in South Australia, the structure of the model, locations in which staff development occurs, elements which assist in maintaining skills and knowledge, elements which enhance growth and development and the processes and relationships necessary for the successful implementation of staff development programmes
Postpartum depression: women's help‐seeking behaviour and perceptions of cause
Authors: McIntosh James
Published: July 2003

Research on postnatal depression has largely concentrated on investigating its possible causes. There have been few attempts to examine women's own perceptions and experiences of the condition or to explore the implications which these might have for help seeking and professional intervention. This paper reports on the experiences of depression of a sample of 60 first‐time mothers. For the purposes of the study, depression was defined as the experience of depressed mood for a period of at least 2 weeks at some stage during the first 9 months postpartum. On this definition, depression was reported by a high proportion of the mothers (63%) and was found to be of early onset and lengthy duration. The majority of depressed mothers did not seek help from any source and only a quarter of them consulted a health professional. These low rates of consultation are explained in terms of mothers’ perceptions of the cause of their depression, their ideas about appropriate solutions and their reluctance to admit to experiencing emotional difficulties. The implications of the study for intervention by health professionals are discussed.
Caregivers’ emotional well‐being and their capacity to learn about stroke
Authors: Braithwaite Valerie , McGown Anne
Published: July 2003

This study examines the effects of distress on the capacity of informal caregivers of stroke patients to absorb information about stroke and caregiving. Thirty‐seven caregivers took part in a stroke seminar. Minor psychiatric symptoms were related to caregivers’ knowledge prior to the seminar, with the more emotionally distressed being the least knowledgeable. The emotional state of the caregivers, however, did not affect how much they learnt. Knowledge after the seminar was best predicted from pre‐seminar knowledge and age. Older caregivers were less well‐informed afterwards, although they did not differ significantly from younger caregivers in their scores initially. These findings do not discount the possibility that emotional carers are too shocked to take in information from hospital staff at the time of admission. The data do demonstrate that, given time to accept the caregiving role, emotional carers are receptive to learning about stroke and the stroke patient's needs.
Social support and health: a review
Authors: Callaghan Patrick , Morrissey Jean
Published: July 2003

This paper addresses the importance of social support to health, drawing upon relevant literature from medical, psychological and social research. Conceptual and methodological problems are addressed and two major theories ('buffer’ and ‘attachment') are evaluated for their relevance in explaining the nature, purpose and function of social support. Finally, possible directions for future research in this field are outlined.
A conceptual clarification of respect
Authors: Browne Annette
Published: July 2003

The concept of respect, while frequently used in nursing literature, has not been extensively defined conceptually or empirically from a nursing perspective. This paper develops a conceptual definition of respect as a phenomenon in the domain of nursing action. Respect emerges as a primary nursing ethic that serves as the basis for our attitudinal, cognitive and behavioural orientation toward people. A comparison of respect to related nursing concepts reveals that respect is a component of and antecedent to caring, presence, confirmation and humanized care. A set of operational definitions of respect is proposed for use in research, education and practice. Potential methods for measuring respect as a nursing action or attitude are discussed. Several applications of respect for nursing are addressed, including the impact of lack of respect on patient‐provider interactions, consideration of respect in a cultural context, and identification of client groups for which respect may have particularly significant implications. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research, with emphasis on the meaning and implications of respect for clients.
Client satisfaction, extended intervention and interpersonal skills in community mental health
Authors: Sheppard Michael
Published: July 2003

Some reservations have been expressed about the use of the concept of client satisfaction in relation to clients’ views of services received. There has also been little research on clients’ perspectives of mental health work. This paper explores client satisfaction with extended intervention from practitioners based at a community mental health centre. Considerable differences are identified between satisfied and not satisfied clients in the service received and their perception. These relate clearly to the use of interpersonal skills such as those of communication, empathy, listening, openness and genuineness. Taken together with research on brief intervention, this paper both indicates that the concept of satisfaction does meaningfully represent the client's experience and provides considerable support for the fundamental importance of the acquisition and use of these skills in practice.
The clinical role of the nurse teacher in the United Kingdom*
Authors: Clifford Collette
Published: July 2003

The focus of this paper is the clinical role of the nurse teacher. Using selected findings from a small exploratory study in which a questionnaire was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data from teachers about their role, three areas are discussed. Examination of the number of clinical areas teachers link with identified three different models of clinical contact. The frequency and timing of teachers’ visits to clinical areas are not evenly distributed and some of the reasons for this are discussed. The nature of the clinical role is explored with emphasis on liaison and teachers’ perceptions of support of students and clinical staff. Finally, teachers’ perceptions of their clinical skill and the implications of this is discussed. It is concluded that all three areas require further analysis if the role of the nurse teacher is to be clarified and made more effective in the future.
Determinants of a health‐promoting lifestyle: an integrative review
Authors: Gillis Angela J
Published: July 2003

This paper reports on an integrative review of the research literature published between 1983 and 1991 that focused on identifying the determinants of a health‐promoting lifestyle Twenty‐three studies were reviewed, six of which were concerned with children and adolescents and the remaining 17 with adults A meta‐analysis of correlations for each study determinant was conducted using the Pandora System Results indicated that self‐efficacy was the strongest predictor of a health‐promoting lifestyle, followed by social support, perceived benefits, self‐concept, perceived barriers and health definition The most frequently studied determinants were not the best predictors of a health‐promoting lifestyle
Screening elderly people: a multidisciplinary concern
Authors: Littlewood Jenny
Published: July 2003

The Elderly Screening Survey was carried out in 1990 as a follow‐up to a similar study completed by the Centre for the Study of Primary Care in 1988 The aim of these two studies was to look at national differences in the types of screening programmes for elderly people and, specifically, to look at who carries out these programmes The Elderly Screening Studies of 1988 and 1990 can be located within the ongoing debates about screening In particular, given the implications of the general practitioner contract arrangements, these studies provide information on the discussion about the role and involvement of community nurses in screening older people The results suggest that screening programmes for this age group had become more tailored to ‘age‐related need’ in 1990 as compared to 1988 In 1990, districts were more likely to employ a wider variety of nursing personnel in carrying out screening schedules Furthermore, it was evident that more districts were employing district nurses and practice nurses to implement screening assessments than in 1988 Attention is drawn to the lack of guidelines at district level on screening activities The need to re‐assess training provision particularly for practice nurses is highlighted