bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of the impact and effectiveness of nurse‐led care in dermatology
Authors: Courtenay Molly , Carey Nicola 
Published: December 2006

Aims and objectives.  To identify systematically, summarize and critically appraise the current evidence regarding the impact and effectiveness of nurse‐led care in dermatology.Background.  A diverse range of nurse‐led models of care exist in dermatology. Primary studies have been conducted evaluating these models, but review and synthesis of the findings from these studies have not been undertaken.Method.  Systematic searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE, British Nursing Index (BNI) and the RCN Library Catalogue from 1990 until March 2005. The searches were supplemented by an extensive hand search of the literature through references identified from retrieved articles and by contact with experts in the field.Results.  Fourteen relevant publications were identified and included findings from both primary and secondary care. The evidence indicates that nurses are treating a number of dermatological conditions, primarily using treatment protocols, across a broad range of clinical settings. However, some nurses working in primary care, lack confidence to treat some of these conditions and the educational needs of these nurses are frequently unmet. A reduction in the severity of the condition and more effective use of topical therapies are benefits of nurse interventions on service delivery. Faster access to treatment, a reduction in referrals to the general practitioner or dermatologist and an increase in knowledge of their condition are benefits reported by patients.Conclusions.  Findings of the review are generally positive. However, there are methodological weaknesses and under researched issues, e.g. cost effectiveness of nurse‐led care and the prescription of medicines by nurses for patients with dermatological conditions that point to the need for further rigorous evaluation.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurse‐led care is an integral element of the dermatology service offered to patients. This review highlights the impact of this care and the issues that require consideration by those responsible for the development of nurse‐led models of care in dermatology.
Growth of Campylobacter jejuni on nitrate and nitrite: electron transport to NapA and NrfA via NrfH and distinct roles for NrfA and the globin Cgb in protection against nitrosative stress
Authors: Pittman Marc S. , Elvers Karen T. , Lee Lucy , Jones Michael A. , Poole Robert K. , Park Simon F. , Kelly David J. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryPathways of electron transport to periplasmic nitrate (NapA) and nitrite (NrfA) reductases have been investigated in Campylobacter jejuni, a microaerophilic food‐borne pathogen. The nap operon is unusual in lacking napC (encoding a tetra‐haem c‐type cytochrome) and napF, but contains a novel gene of unknown function, napL. The iron‐sulphur protein NapG has a major role in electron transfer to the NapAB complex, but we show that slow nitrate‐dependent growth of a napG mutant can be sustained by electron transfer from NrfH, the electron donor to the nitrite reductase NrfA. A napL mutant possessed ∼50% lower NapA activity than the wild type but showed normal growth with nitrate as the electron acceptor. NrfA was constitutive and was shown to play a role in protection against nitrosative stress in addition to the previously identified NO‐inducible single domain globin, Cgb. However, nitrite also induced cgb expression in an NssR‐dependent manner, suggesting that growth of C. jejuni with nitrite causes nitrosative stress. This was confirmed by lack of growth of cgb and nssR mutants, and slow growth of the nrfA mutant, in media containing nitrite. Thus, NrfA and Cgb together provide C. jejuni with constitutive and inducible components of a robust defence against nitrosative stress.
The interaction of light quality and irradiance with gibberellins, cytokinins and auxin in regulating growth of Helianthus annuus hypocotyls
Authors: KUREPIN LEONID V. , EMERY R. J. NEIL , PHARIS RICHARD P. , REID DAVID M. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTA reduced red to far‐red (R/FR) light ratio and low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) irradiance are both strong signals for inducing etiolation growth of plant stems. Under natural field conditions, plants can be exposed to either a reduced R/FR ratio or lower PAR, or to a combination of both. We used Helianthus annuus L., the sunflower, to study the effect of reduced R/FR ratio, low PAR or their combination on hypocotyl elongation. To accomplish this, we attempted to uncouple light quality from light irradiance as factors controlling hypocotyl elongation. We measured alterations in the levels of endogenous gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins (CKs) and the auxin indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), and the effect of exogenous hormones on hypocotyl growth. As expected, both reduced R/FR ratio and lower PAR can significantly promote sunflower hypocotyl elongation when given separately. However, providing the reduced R/FR ratio at a low PAR resulted in the greatest hypocotyl growth, and this was accompanied by significantly higher levels of endogenous IAA, GA1, GA8, GA20 and of a wide range of CKs. Providing a reduced R/FR ratio under normal PAR also significantly increased growth and again gave significantly higher levels of endogenous IAA, GAs and CKs. However, only under the de‐etiolating influence of a normal R/FR ratio did lowering PAR significantly increase levels of GA1, GA8 and GA20. We thus conclude that light quality (e.g. the R/FR ratio) is the most important component of shade for controlling hypocotyl growth and elevated growth hormone content.
Characterization of a BAHD acyltransferase responsible for producing the green leaf volatile (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: D'Auria John C. , Pichersky Eran , Schaub Andrea , Hansel Armin , Gershenzon Jonathan 
Published: December 2006

SummaryGreen‐leaf volatiles are commonly emitted from mechanically and herbivore‐damaged plants. Derived from the lipoxygenase pathway, these compounds may serve as attractants to predators and parasitoids of herbivores, prevent the spread of bacteria and fungi, and induce several important plant defense pathways. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the major volatile released upon mechanical wounding of the leaves is the GLV ester, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate. We have characterized a member of the BAHD acyltransferase gene family At3g03480 which catalyzes the formation of (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate from acetyl‐CoA and (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol. The encoded acetyl CoA:(Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol acetyltransferase (CHAT) has the ability to accept several medium‐chain‐length aliphatic and benzyl‐derived alcohols, but has highest catalytic efficiency with (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol. The highest expression of CHAT occurs in the leaves and stems. Upon mechanical damage, the (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate emission peaked after 5 min and declined to pre‐damage levels after 90 min. However, CHAT gene transcript levels increased much more slowly with the highest levels detected between 3 and 6 h after wounding. An increase in CHAT enzyme activity in vitro followed the transcript increase, with levels peaking between 10 and 12 h after wounding. Plants expressing either an RNAi cassette for the CHAT gene or plants harboring a T‐DNA insertion in the CHAT coding region had greatly reduced (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate emission, showing that the CHAT enzyme is responsible for the in planta production of this ester.
Salicylic acid‐mediated innate immunity in Arabidopsis is regulated by SIZ1 SUMO E3 ligase
Authors: Lee Jiyoung , Nam Jaesung , Park Hyeong Cheol , Na Gunnam , Miura Kenji , Jin Jing Bo , Yoo Chan Yul , Baek Dongwon , Kim Doh Hoon , Jeong Jae Cheol , Kim Donggiun , Lee Sang Yeol , Salt David E. , Mengiste Tesfaye , Gong Qingqiu , Ma Shisong , Bohnert Hans J. , Kwak Sang‐Soo , Bressan Ray A. , Hasegawa Paul M. , Yun Dae‐Jin 
Published: December 2006

SummaryReversible modifications of target proteins by small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) proteins are involved in many cellular processes in yeast and animals. Yet little is known about the function of sumoylation in plants. Here, we show that the SIZ1 gene, which encodes an Arabidopsis SUMO E3 ligase, regulates innate immunity. Mutant siz1 plants exhibit constitutive systemic‐acquired resistance (SAR) characterized by elevated accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), increased expression of pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes, and increased resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000. Transfer of the NahG gene to siz1 plants results in reversal of these phenotypes back to wild‐type. Analyses of the double mutants, npr1 siz1, pad4 siz1 and ndr1 siz1 revealed that SIZ1 controls SA signalling. SIZ1 interacts epistatically with PAD4 to regulate PR expression and disease resistance. Consistent with these observations, siz1 plants exhibited enhanced resistance to Pst DC3000 expressing avrRps4, a bacterial avirulence determinant that responds to the EDS1/PAD4‐dependent TIR‐NBS‐type R gene. In contrast, siz1 plants were not resistant to Pst DC3000 expressing avrRpm1, a bacterial avirulence determinant that responds to the NDR1‐dependent CC‐NBS‐type R gene. Jasmonic acid (JA)‐induced PDF1.2 expression and susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea were unaltered in siz1 plants. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SIZ1 is required for SA and PAD4‐mediated R gene signalling, which in turn confers innate immunity in Arabidopsis.
A new in vitro translation system for non‐radioactive assay from tobacco chloroplasts: effect of pre‐mRNA processing on translation in vitro
Authors: Yukawa Maki , Kuroda Hiroshi , Sugiura Masahiro 
Published: December 2006

SummaryWe previously developed an in vitro translation system derived from tobacco chloroplasts. Here, we report a significantly improved in vitro translation system. By modifying preparation procedures for chloroplast extracts and reaction conditions, we achieved 100‐fold higher translation activity than the previous system. The new system does not require the supplement of Escherichia coli tRNAs due to the omission of micrococcal nuclease treatment, thus the tRNA population reflects the intrinsic tRNA population in tobacco chloroplasts. The rate of translation initiation from a variety of chloroplast mRNAs may be measured by monitoring the fluorescence intensity of synthesized green fluorescent protein, which is a non‐radioactive detection method. Incorporation of an amino acid linked to a fluorescent dye also allows detection of the translation products in vitro. Using our new system, we found that mRNAs carrying unprocessed or processed atpH and rbcL 5′‐UTRs were efficiently translated at similar rates, whereas translation of mRNAs with processed atpB and psbB 5′‐UTRs was more efficient than those with unprocessed 5′‐UTRs. These results suggest that the role of 5′‐UTR processing in the regulation of chloroplast gene expression differs between mRNAs. The new in vitro translation system will be a powerful tool to investigate the mechanism of chloroplast mRNA translation.
Arabidopsis hot2 encodes an endochitinase‐like protein that is essential for tolerance to heat, salt and drought stresses
Authors: Kwon YeRim , Kim Sun‐Hee , Jung Moon‐Soo , Kim Mi‐Sook , Oh Jee‐Eun , Ju Hyun‐Woo , Kim Kang‐il , Vierling Elizabeth , Lee Hojoung , Hong Suk‐Whan 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThe Arabidopsis hot2 mutant was originally identified based on its lack of thermotolerance, but pleiotropic abnormal phenotypes are also exhibited under normal conditions, including semi‐dwarfism, ethylene overproduction and aberrant cell shape with incomplete cell walls. Here we present additional characterization of the hot2 mutant, and the map‐based cloning of HOT2. Mutants of hot2 had an aberrant tolerance to salt and drought stresses, and accumulated high levels of Na+ in cells under either normal or NaCl stress conditions. Expression of the stress‐inducible COR15A and KIN1 gene in hot2 mutants in response to increased NaCl concentrations was normal. HOT2 encoded a chitinase‐like protein (AtCTL1) that has not previously been shown to be involved in tolerance to salt stress. Ten‐day‐old seedlings of wild‐type plants exhibited constitutive expression of the AtCTL1 transcript, the level of which was unaffected by treatment with NaCl, mannitol or mild heat. These observations provide genetic evidence that a chitinase‐like protein prevents the overaccumulation of Na+ ions, thereby contributing to the salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. A possible role for this chitinase‐like protein in Arabidopsis tolerance to abiotic stress is discussed.
The Rc and Rd genes are involved in proanthocyanidin synthesis in rice pericarp
Authors: Furukawa Tsutomu , Maekawa Masahiko , Oki Tomoyuki , Suda Ikuo , Iida Shigeru , Shimada Hiroaki , Takamure Itsuro , Kadowaki Koh‐ichi 
Published: December 2006

SummaryDifferent colors, such as purple, brown, red and white, occur in the pericarp of rice. Here, two genes affecting proanthocyanidin synthesis in red‐ and brown‐colored rice were elucidated. Genetic segregation analysis suggested that the Rd and A loci are identical, and both encode dihydroflavonol‐4‐reductase (DFR). The introduction of the DFR gene into an Rcrd mutant resulted in red‐colored rice, which was brown in the original mutant, demonstrating that the Rd locus encodes the DFR protein. Accumulation of proanthocyanidins was observed in the transformants by the introduction of the Rd gene into the rice Rcrd line. Protein blot analysis showed that the DFR gene was translated in seeds with alternative translation initiation. A search for the Rc gene, which encodes a transacting regulatory factor, was conducted using available DNA markers and the Rice Genome Automated Annotation System program. Three candidate genes were identified and cloned from a rice RcRd line and subsequently introduced into a rice rcrd line. Brown‐colored seeds were obtained from transgenic plants by the introduction of a gene containing the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) motif, demonstrating that the Rc gene encodes a bHLH protein. Comparison of the Rc locus among rice accessions showed that a 14‐bp deletion occurred only in the rc locus.
CLINICAL STUDY: Alcohol administration acutely inhibits ghrelin secretion in an experiment involving psychosocial stress
Authors: Zimmermann Ulrich S. , Buchmann Arlette , Steffin Birgit , Dieterle Christoph , Uhr Manfred 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTThe appetite‐regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin are altered in alcoholism and influence the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal system. We investigated whether acute ethanol ingestion and stress exposure affect ghrelin secretion. Nine healthy male volunteers were exposed to a standardized laboratory stressor involving public speaking on 2 days. On the first day they ingested 0.6 g/kg ethanol and on the second a placebo drink 50 minutes before the stressor. Plasma ghrelin, cortisol, glucose, and insulin were measured at baseline and in eight subsequent samples obtained up to 120 minutes after drinking (75 minutes after stress onset). The stress test induced a transient and significant rise in cortisol, which was not altered by prior alcohol administration. No significant change of ghrelin, insulin or glucose levels was observed after the stressor. Ghrelin declined significantly within 15 minutes after alcohol drinking, fell to a minimum of 66% of baseline at 75 minutes and remained at that level until the last sample at 120 minutes. No significant ghrelin changes were observed during placebo experiments. Insulin and glucose were not significantly influenced by stress or by alcohol. We conclude that alcohol drinking acutely attenuates circulating ghrelin levels. This effect is more pronounced than would be expected from the calories ingested with alcohol, as compared with a prior report where liquid meals of different caloric content were administered. We could not observe a stress effect on ghrelin, which does not support a role for ghrelin in stress‐induced anorexia.
IMAGING STUDY: Reduced fMRI activation of an occipital area in recently detoxified alcohol‐dependent patients in a visual and acoustic stimulation paradigm
Authors: Hermann Derik , Smolka Michael N. , Klein Sabine , Heinz Andreas , Mann Karl , Braus Dieter F. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTChronic alcohol consumption is associated with neural damage that manifests in deficits in information processing. Previous studies evaluated higher cognitive functions such as working memory, but basic sensory information processing circuits have never been investigated before. Therefore, we applied a simple visual and acoustic stimulation paradigm in this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) pilot study. Nine recently detoxified male alcohol‐dependent patients and nine healthy volunteers were presented a well‐established 6‐Hz checkerboard and auditory stimuli in the form of drumbeats in a block‐design fMRI paradigm. During visual and acoustic stimulation, alcoholics and controls activated widespread occipital and temporal brain areas, as well as parts of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamus. In a comparison of the stimulation‐induced activation of alcoholics and controls, the alcoholics showed a significantly lower blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal in an extended bilateral occipital area (P < 0.001) as compared with healthy controls. In no region was the BOLD signal significantly higher in the alcohol‐dependent subjects compared with controls. The reason for the new finding of a highly significant lower activation of the occipital cortex is unclear. It is in line with studies of neuropsychological tests in recently detoxified alcohol‐dependent patients that also reported deficits in visual abilities. Attention deficits or a persisting neuronal alteration in the first weeks of alcohol abstinence may have contributed to this result.
GENETIC STUDY: Association between the BclI glucocorticoid receptor polymorphism and smoking in a sample of patients with obstructive airway disease
Authors: Rogausch Anja , Kochen Michael M. , Meineke Cornelia , Hennig Juergen 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTGlucocorticoids seem to mediate the effect of stimulant drugs such as nicotine. Several studies have pointed to an association between the BclI polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene and increased glucocorticoid effects. We analysed the association of smoking behaviour and the BclI polymorphism using a case–control design within the framework of a larger pharmacogenetic study. A total of 327 Caucasian patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from 39 German general practices gave informed consent to take part in the study. They filled in questionnaires concerning their smoking behaviour and were genotyped for the BclI polymorphism. The genotype frequencies for non‐smokers (n = 251; CC, 0.42; CG, 0.46; GG, 0.12) as well as for smokers (n = 76; CC, 0.29; CG, 0.55; GG, 0.16) were consistent with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The proportion of smokers was significantly lower among carriers of the CC‐genotype (22/127 = 17%) compared with carriers of the G‐allele (54/200 = 27%; χ2 = 4.08; P = 0.04). Within the group of smokers, the proportion of heavy smokers (> 19 cigarettes/day; median) was reduced in C‐homozygous patients when compared with carriers of the G‐allele (7/22 = 32% versus 31/54 = 57%; χ2 = 4.09; P = 0.04). Stepwise logistic regression analysis also pointed to an association between the CC‐genotype and a reduced probability of being a smoker (odds ratio = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.30–1.00; P = 0.05) controlling for other predictors. In summary, this study provides evidence that the BclI polymorphism might play a role in the maintenance and severity of nicotine dependence.
Treatment of minor illness in primary care: a national survey of patient satisfaction, attitudes and preferences regarding a wider nursing role
Authors: Caldow Jan , Bond Christine , Ryan Mandy , Campbell Neil C. , Miguel Fernando San , Kiger Alice , Lee Amanda 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground  This study investigated patient opinion about the provision of nurse‐led vs. doctor‐led primary health care in the treatment of minor illness.Design  A postal questionnaire survey including discrete choice experiment (DCE) of a national sample followed by telephone interviews with respondent volunteers.Setting and participants  A large random sample of the population of Scotland from a range of general practices including traditional and extended practice nursing roles was invited to participate.Main outcome measures  Patient satisfaction with, opinion of and preference for practice nurse (PN) vs. doctor consultation in primary care in relation to gender, age, education and income.Results  Questionnaire response rate was 49% (1343 of 2740). Women, younger people, the less well‐educated and those with higher income had a more positive attitude towards the PN. Older people had a more positive attitude to the doctor. Results from the DCE indicated that whilst most respondents would prefer a doctor consultation, many would be happy to consult with a nurse if other aspects of the consultation were improved.Forty‐eight people were interviewed. The main perceived differences between doctors and nurses were academic ability and qualifications. Most respondents thought nurses could deal with relatively minor problems and should be able to prescribe some drugs.Conclusion  Patients would always want their choice of health professional to be available at first contact. However, this study suggests that, in primary health‐care practices, if nurses take on more roles previously the preserve of doctors, patients would accept them, particularly if patients receive information on nurses’ capabilities.
Maternal testosterone in pregnancy and atopic outcomes in childhood
Authors: Shaheen S. O. , Hines M. , Newson R. B. , Wheeler M. , Herrick D. R. M. , Strachan D. P. , Jones R. W. , Burney P. G. J. , Henderson A. J. 
Published: December 2006

Background:  In mice, androgens downregulate Th2 cytokine responses, but whether androgen levels during pregnancy might influence the development of allergy in the offspring has not been studied.Methods:  In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a population‐based birth cohort of 14 541 pregnancies, we related maternal blood total testosterone during pregnancy, measured in a subset of the cohort, to allergic outcomes in the offspring, including asthma, hayfever, eczema (n = 543) and wheezing (n = 532) at 69–81 months, and atopy (positive skin prick test to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat or grass, n = 386) and blood total immunoglobulin E (IgE; n = 314) at 7 years. We used logistic and linear regression to analyse binary outcomes and log‐transformed IgE, respectively, controlling for potential confounders.Results:  Maternal testosterone was negatively associated with total IgE in boys [adjusted geometric mean ratio (GMR), per doubling of testosterone, 0.33 (0.20–0.55), P = 0.000038 (n = 168)], but not in girls [GMR 1.04 (0.53–2.06), P = 0.91 (n = 146)], P‐value interaction 0.0086. The effect in boys was even stronger in the absence of maternal atopic disease. Testosterone was not associated with skin test positivity or atopic disease in either sex.Conclusions:  Higher testosterone levels in pregnancy are associated with lower IgE production in boys.