bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elderly peoples’ experience of nursing care after a stroke: from a gender perspective
Authors: Andersson Åsa , Hansebo Görel 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTitle.  Elderly peoples’ experience of nursing care after a stroke: from a gender perspective. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore, from a gender perspective, older people’s experiences of nursing care after a stroke.Background.  Little attention has been given to gender differences in nursing care. The majority of people who have a stroke are older. Improving knowledge of the gender perspectives of older men and women regarding nursing care after stroke is crucial.Method.  This was a qualitative study based on interviews with five women and five men between 66 and 75 years of age, who had received nursing care at a ward for stroke rehabilitation. The data were collected in 2006. Qualitative content analysis of the interviews was carried out.Findings.  A main theme and five categories, all common to both men and women, were identified. The main theme, to promote recovery of the body, encompassed the categories. There were, however, gender differences in how the nursing care received was experienced. The ways patients experienced nursing care seemed to be linked with their lives as women and men before they had the stroke. Their perceptions are linked with their lives as women and men before they had their stroke. Both men and women will reclaim former abilities but what they perceive to be the goals of nursing care and rehabilitation may differ.Conclusion.  Nurses need to increase their awareness and knowledge concerning the similarities and gender differences in the experiences and needs of older people, both men and women.
Invasion success depends on invader body size in a size‐structured mixed predation–competition community
Authors: Schröder Arne , Nilsson Karin A. , Persson Lennart , Van Kooten Tobias , Reichstein Birte 
Published: July 2009

Summary 1. The size of an individual is an important determinant of its trophic position and the type of interactions it engages in with other heterospecific and conspecific individuals. Consequently an individual’s ecological role in a community changes with its body size over ontogeny, leading to that trophic interactions between individuals are a size‐dependent and ontogenetically variable mixture of competition and predation. 2. Because differently sized individuals thus experience different biotic environments, invasion success may be determined by the body size of the invaders. Invasion outcome may also depend on the productivity of the system as productivity influences the biotic environment. 3. In a laboratory experiment with two poeciliid fishes the body size of the invading individuals and the daily amount of food supplied were manipulated. 4. Large invaders established persistent populations and drove the resident population to extinction in 10 out of 12 cases, while small invaders failed in 10 out of 12 trials. Stable coexistence was virtually absent. Invasion outcome was independent of productivity. 5. Further analyses suggest that small invaders experienced a competitive recruitment bottleneck imposed on them by the resident population. In contrast, large invaders preyed on the juveniles of the resident population. This predation allowed the large invaders to establish successfully by decreasing the resident population densities and thus breaking the bottleneck. 6. The results strongly suggest that the size distribution of invaders affects their ability to invade, an implication so far neglected in life‐history omnivory systems. The findings are further in agreement with predictions of life‐history omnivory theory, that size‐structured interactions demote coexistence along a productivity gradient.
The tetraspan protein Dni1p is required for correct membrane organization and cell wall remodelling during mating in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Clemente‐Ramos José Ángel , Martín‐García Rebeca , Sharifmoghadam Mohammad R. , Konomi Mami , Osumi Masako , Valdivieso M.‐Henar 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIn fungi, success of mating requires that both cells agglutinate, modify their extracellular envelopes, and fuse their plasma membranes and nuclei to produce a zygote. Here we studied the role of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Dni1 protein in the cell fusion step of mating. Dni1p is a tetraspan protein bearing a conserved cystein motif similar to that present in fungal claudin‐related proteins. Dni1p expression is induced during mating and Dni1p concentrates as discrete patches at the cell–cell contact area and along the mating bridge. Proper Dni1p localization depends on Fus1p, actin and integrity of lipid rafts. In dni1Δ mutants, cell differentiation and agglutination are as efficient as in the wild‐type strain, but cell fusion is significantly reduced at temperatures above 25°C. We found that the defect in cell fusion was not associated with an altered cytoskeleton, with an abnormal distribution of Fus1p, or with a defect in calcium accumulation, but with a severe disorganization of the plasma membrane and cell wall at the area of cell–cell contact. These results show that Dni1p plays a relevant role in co‐ordinating membrane organization and cell wall remodelling during mating, a function that has not been described for other proteins in the fission yeast.
The crystal structure of the TolB box of colicin A in complex with TolB reveals important differences in the recruitment of the common TolB translocation portal used by group A colicins
Authors: Zhang Ying , Li Chan , Vankemmelbeke Mireille N. , Bardelang Philip , Paoli Max , Penfold Christopher N. , James Richard 
Published: July 2009

SummaryInteraction of the TolB box of Group A colicins with the TolB protein in the periplasm of Escherichia coli cells promotes transport of the cytotoxic domain of the colicin across the cell envelope. The crystal structure of a complex between a 107‐residue peptide (TA1–107) of the translocation domain of colicin A (ColA) and TolB identified the TolB box as a 12‐residue peptide that folded into a distorted hairpin within a central canyon of the β‐propeller domain of TolB. Comparison of this structure with that of the colicin E9 (ColE9) TolB box–TolB complex, together with site‐directed mutagenesis of the ColA TolB box residues, revealed important differences in the interaction of the two TolB boxes with an overlapping binding site on TolB. Substitution of the TolB box residues of ColA with those of ColE9 conferred the ability to competitively recruit TolB from Pal but reduced the biological activity of the mutant ColA. This datum explains (i) the difference in binding affinities of ColA and ColE9 with TolB, and (ii) the inability of ColA, unlike ColE9, to competitively recruit TolB from Pal, allowing an understanding of how these two colicins interact in a different way with a common translocation portal in E. coli cells.
RNase II is important for A‐site mRNA cleavage during ribosome pausing
Authors: Garza‐Sánchez Fernando , Shoji Shinichiro , Fredrick Kurt , Hayes Christopher S. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIn Escherichia coli, translational arrest can elicit cleavage of codons within the ribosomal A site. This A‐site mRNA cleavage is independent of RelE, and has been proposed to be an endonucleolytic activity of the ribosome. Here, we show that the 3′→5′ exonuclease RNase II plays an important role in RelE‐independent A‐site cleavage. Instead of A‐site cleavage, translational pausing in ΔRNase II cells produces transcripts that are truncated +12 and +28 nucleotides downstream of the A‐site codon. Deletions of the genes encoding polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) and RNase R had little effect on A‐site cleavage. However, PNPase overexpression restored A‐site cleavage activity to ΔRNase II cells. Purified RNase II and PNPase were both unable to directly catalyse A‐site cleavage in vitro. Instead, these exonucleases degraded ribosome‐bound mRNA to positions +18 and +24 nucleotides downstream of the ribosomal A site respectively. Finally, a stable structural barrier to exoribonuclease activity inhibited A‐site cleavage when introduced immediately downstream of paused ribosomes. These results demonstrate that 3′→5′ exonuclease activity is an important prerequisite for efficient A‐site cleavage. We propose that RNase II degrades mRNA to the downstream border of paused ribosomes, facilitating cleavage of the A‐site codon by an unknown RNase.
Timing of maturation and predictors of menarche in girls enrolled in a contemporary British cohort
Authors: Rubin Carol , Maisonet Mildred , Kieszak Stephanie , Monteilh Carolyn , Holmes Adrianne , Flanders Dana , Heron Jon , Golding Jean , McGeehin Mike , Marcus Michele 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThis study describes the timing of puberty in 8‐ to 13‐year‐old girls enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and identifies factors associated with earlier achievement of menarche. Women were enrolled during pregnancy and their offspring were followed prospectively. We analysed self‐reported Tanner staging and menstrual status information collected annually from daughters up to age 13. We used survival models to estimate median age of attainment of stage >1 and stage >2 of breast and pubic hair development and of menarche. We also constructed multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with earlier achievement of menarche.About 12% of girls reported Tanner breast stage >1 at age 8; 98% of girls were above stage 1 by age 13. For pubic hair, 5% and 95% of girls had attained a stage >1 by 8 and 13 years, respectively. The estimated median age of entry into stage >1 of breast development was 10.14 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.08, 10.19), and for pubic hair development the median age was 10.92 years [95% CI, 10.87, 10.97]. One girl (out of 2953) had attained menarche by age 8; 60% had attained menarche by age 13. The estimated median age at menarche was 12.93 years [95% CI, 12.89, 12.98]. Prenatal predictors of menarche by age 11 (12% of girls) included earlier maternal age at menarche, high maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index, smoking during the third trimester, and non‐white race; the single postnatal predictor was the girl's body size at 8 years. Age at attainment of breast and pubic hair Tanner stage and age at menarche in the ALSPAC cohort are similar to ages reported in other European studies that were conducted during overlapping time periods. The results also give added support to the strong influence of maternal maturation, pre‐adolescent body size and race on the timing of a girl's menarche. This cohort will continue to be followed for maturational information until age 17.
Specificity of anti‐saliva immune response in mice repeatedly bitten by Phlebotomus sergenti
Authors: DRAHOTA J. , LIPOLDOVÁ M. , VOLF P. , ROHOUŠOVÁ I. 
Published: July 2009

SummarySand flies are bloodsucking insects transmitting parasites of genus Leishmania, the causative agents of diseases in humans and dogs. Experimental hosts repeatedly exposed to sand fly saliva can control Leishmania infection. Cell‐mediated anti‐saliva immune response is most likely responsible for this protective effect; however, there is no study so far concerning its antigenic specificity towards different sand fly vectors. In this study, splenocytes from BALB/c mice repeatedly exposed to the bites of Phlebotomus sergenti were challenged ex vivo with salivary gland homogenates from three different sand fly vectors –P. sergenti, P. papatasi, or P. arabicus. Mice bitten by P. sergenti had higher proliferative response to homologous antigen than splenocytes from naive mice. Splenocytes from P. sergenti bitten mice as well as anti‐P. sergenti antibodies partially cross‐reacted with P. papatasi saliva. In contrast, no cross‐reactivity was found with P. arabicus saliva. Our data indicate that both arms of the immune system, cellular and humoral, react in a species‐specific manner. Therefore, the presence of antibodies against salivary components of a certain species indicates the specificity of cell‐mediated immune response as well. The data suggest that unique transmission‐blocking vaccine would be required for each vector –Leishmania combination.
Clinical and Subclinical Endometritis in the Mare: Both Threats to Fertility
Authors: LeBlanc MM , Causey RC 
Published: July 2009

ContentsEndometritis, a major cause of mare infertility arising from failure to remove bacteria, spermatozoa and inflammatory exudate post‐breeding, is often undiagnosed. Defects in genital anatomy, myometrial contractions, lymphatic drainage, mucociliary clearance, cervical function, plus vascular degeneration and inflamm‐ageing underlie susceptibility to endometritis. Diagnosis is made through detecting uterine fluid, vaginitis, vaginal discharge, short inter‐oestrous intervals, inflammatory uterine cytology and positive uterine culture. However, these signs may be absent in subclinical cases. Hypersecretion of an irritating, watery, neutrophilic exudate underlies classic, easy‐to‐detect streptococcal endometritis. In contrast, biofilm production, tenacious exudate and focal infection may characterize subclinical endometritis, commonly caused by Gram‐negative organisms, fungi and staphylococci. Signs of subclinical endometritis include excessive oedema post‐mating and a white line between endometrial folds on ultrasound. In addition, cultures of uterine biopsy tissue or of small volume uterine lavage are twice as sensitive as guarded swabs in detecting Gram‐negative organisms, while uterine cytology is twice as sensitive as culture in detecting endometritis. Uterine biopsy may detect deep inflammatory and degenerative changes, such as disruption of the elastic fibres of uterine vessels (elastosis), while endoscopy reveals focal lesions invisible on ultrasound. Mares with subclinical endometritis require careful monitoring by ultrasound post‐breeding. Treatments that may be added to traditional therapies, such as post‐breeding uterine lavage, oxytocin and intrauterine antibiotics, include lavage 1‐h before mating, carbetocin, cloprostenol, cervical dilators, systemic antibiotics, intrauterine chelators (EDTA–Tris), mucolytics (DMSO, kerosene,N‐acetylcysteine), corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone) and immunomodulators (cell wall extracts ofMycobacterium phleiandPropionibacterium acnes).
Maximizing the Impact of Organization Science: Theory‐Building at the Intersection of Disciplines and/or Fields
Authors: Zahra Shaker A. , Newey Lance R. 
Published: July 2009

abstractThe intersection of academic disciplines and fields provides an important forum for creative theory building. In this article, we identify three modes of theory building at the intersection and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. We position these three modes relative to one another using the ‘impact wheel’, which visually describes their influence on five domains: theory, field, discipline, researchers, and external stakeholders. Though impact on these domains varies across the three modes, maximum impact is created when theory building at the intersection uncovers new phenomena that revise the boundaries of existing disciplines and fields while giving birth to new ones. Such theorizing is infrequent and demands particular skills on the part of researchers to help organization science to realize more of its potential.
Founder Effects for ATM Gene Mutations in Italian Ataxia Telangiectasia Families
Authors: Chessa Luciana , Piane Maria , Magliozzi Monia , Torrente Isabella , Savio Camilla , Lulli Patrizia , De Luca Alessandro , Dallapiccola Bruno 
Published: July 2009

SummaryWe screened ATM gene mutations in 104 Italian Ataxia‐Telangiectasia patients from 91 unrelated families (detection rate 90%) and found 21 recurrent mutations in 63 families. The majority (67%) of patients were compound heterozygotes, while 33% were homozygotes. To determine the existence of common haplotypes and potential founder effects, we analyzed five microsatellite markers within and flanking the ATM gene. Haplotype analysis was carried out in 48/63 families harbouring 16 of the 21 recurrent mutations. Forty different haplotypes were detected in the 48 A‐T families studied. We found that the majority of patients with the same recurrent mutation originated from the same geographical area. All but one recurrent mutation analyzed displayed a common haplotype suggesting a single origin that then spread to different geographical areas. The high number of different haplotypes does not allow the screening of ATM mutations by haplotype analysis alone in the Italian population. The finding of recurrent public mutations without founder effect suggests the existence of ‘mild’ hot spots of mutation located along the sequence of the ATM gene.
Similar developmental trajectories in autism and Asperger syndrome: from early childhood to adolescence
Authors: Szatmari Peter , Bryson Susan , Duku Eric , Vaccarella Liezanne , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Bennett Teresa , Boyle Michael H. 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  The objective of this study was to chart the developmental trajectories of high‐functioning children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from early childhood to adolescence using the presence and absence of structural language impairment (StrLI) as a way of differentiating autism from Asperger syndrome (AS).Method:  Sixty‐four high‐functioning children with ASD were ascertained at 4–6 years of age from several different regional diagnostic and treatment centers. At 6–8 years of age, the ADI‐R and the Test of Oral Language Development were used to define an autism group (those with StrLI at 6–8 years of age) and an AS group (those without StrLI). Growth curve analysis was then used to chart the developmental trajectories of these children on measures of autistic symptoms, and adaptive skills in communication, daily living and socialization.Results:  Differentiating the ASD group in terms of the presence/absence of StrLI provided a better explanation of the variation in growth curves than not differentiating high‐functioning ASD children. The two groups had similar developmental trajectories but the group without StrLI (the AS group) was functioning better and had fewer autistic symptoms than the group with StrLI (the autism group) on all measures across time. The differences in outcome could not be explained by non‐verbal IQ or change in early language skills.Conclusion:  Distinguishing between autism and Asperger syndrome based on the presence or absence of StrLI appears to be a clinically useful way of classifying ASD sub‐types.
Ontogenic dietary changes in South American sea lions
Authors: Drago M. , Cardona L. , Crespo E. A. , Aguilar A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractStable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in the skull bones of South American sea lions Otaria flavescens from the Chubut province (Argentina) were analysed to determine whether their feeding habits change during ontogeny. The stable isotope analysis showed that δ13C steadily increased in males and females with their developmental stage (young, first adult, adult and senile), except in senile males whose δ13C decreased to a value close to that of first adults. Pairwise comparison of bone stable isotope ratio in each developmental stage revealed differences between males and females only for the δ13C values relative to first adults and adults. Overall, results indicate that the contribution of benthic prey items to the diet of both sexes increases with the developmental stage, except in senile males, and that first adult and adult males have a more benthic diet than females at the same developmental stage. No differences exist between males and females at younger and older developmental stages. With respect to δ15N, the only difference was in young female skulls, which were more enriched than those of any other group. Consequently, the trophic level of sea lions is roughly the same throughout life, independent of the developmental stage and sex, except for young females. The growth curve analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the condylobasal length of the skull between the sea lions in both sexes of the young stage and those of the other three developmental stages considered here but not among the individuals of the three later stages. This result indicates that the dietary differences between individuals in the young stage and those in the successive stages is likely due to differences in body size, whereas dietary differences among individuals of the later three stages might be due to different foraging skills that are progressively acquired during their life span.
How to infer population trends in sparse data: examples with opportunistic sighting records for great white sharks
Authors: McPherson Jana M. , Myers Ransom A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim  Biodiversity is declining at accelerating rates. Understanding past and ongoing changes to biodiversity is paramount in prioritizing conservation action and restoring functional ecosystems. Yet long‐term, systematic data on the distribution and abundance of species are sparse. For many organisms, specimen collections and anecdotal accounts of chance sightings or captures constitute the only source of information. Such data have the potential to provide valuable insights on long‐term ecosystem changes, but are often neglected because they are difficult to analyse quantitatively. Here we review available methods and introduce a new approach.Location  Historic data on sightings and captures of great white sharks in the eastern Adriatic and off eastern Canada serve to illustrate the utility of both the existing methods and the new approach.Method  Unlike existing methods, the new approach focuses on estimating population trends rather than verifying extinction and explicitly addresses uncertainty over observation effort via two tiers of sensitivity analysis. It fits a series of generalized linear models that provide multiple estimates of declines under alternate scenarios regarding the appropriate reference period and observer trends. Programming code to implement the approach in freely available software is provided as supplementary material.Results  Example analyses of great white shark sightings suggest that local populations of this species have suffered dramatic declines, both in the eastern Adriatic and along Canada’s eastern coast. Although not yet extinct, this top predator may therefore no longer be able to fulfil its former ecological role.Main conclusions  Careful quantitative analyses of imperfect historical data can provide valuable insights into past ecological changes. Such insights are crucial to improved management and restoration of individual species and their ecosystems. We therefore hope that our review of available methods will facilitate quantitative evaluations of species for which analysis was previously impeded by a lack of systematically collected data.