bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of epidermal growth factor receptor in the proliferation of human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Tamaoki J. , Takeyama K. , Kaneko K. , Kondo M. , Taira M. , Nagai A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA novel airway trypsin‐like serine proteinase (ATSP) has been found in the sputum of asthma patients and might play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation, but the physiological significance of this enzyme is unknown. In this study we examined human primary bronchial epithelial cell cultures to determine whether ATSP affects the proliferation of airway epithelium and the mechanism of action involved. Incubation of cells in serum‐free medium with recombinant ATSP increased the incorporation of [3H]‐thymidine and [3H]‐leucine into cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This effect was not altered by secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI), but completely inhibited by pretreatment with the serine proteinase inhibitors leupeptin and 4‐amidinophenylmethane‐sulphonyl fluoride (p‐APMSF), the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) tyrosine kinase inhibitors AG1478 and BIBX1382, and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059. Transfection of a dominant negative mutant of H‐Ras likewise abolished the effect of ATSP. Stimulation with ATSP also induced processing of membrane anchored pro‐heparin binding (HB) EGF, association of phosphorylated EGF‐R and Shc with glutathione‐S‐transferase–Grb2 fusion protein, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK). Pretreatment with leupeptin abolished ATSP‐induced HB‐EGF processing, and pretreatment with each of AG1478, [Glu52]Diphtheria toxin, a specific inhibitor of HB‐EGF, and neutralizing HB‐EGF antibody inhibited ATSP‐induced ERK activation. These results suggest that ATSP stimulates the proliferation of airway epithelium through the activation of ERK cascade, involving processing of HB‐EGF and concomitant activation of EGF‐R.
Clouds, shadows or twilight? Mayfly nymphs recognise the difference
Authors: SCHLOSS ANNETTE L. , HANEY JAMES F 
Published: May 2006

Summary1. We examined the relative changes in light intensity that initiate night‐time locomotor activity changes in nymphs of the mayfly, Stenonema modestum (Heptageniidae). Tests were carried out in a laboratory stream to examine the hypothesis that nymphs increase their locomotion in response to the large and sustained reductions in relative light intensity that take place during twilight but not to short‐term daytime light fluctuations or a minimum light intensity threshold. Ambient light intensity was reduced over a range of values representative of evening twilight. Light was reduced over the same range of intensities either continuously or in discrete intervals while at the same time nymph activity on unglazed tile substrata was video recorded.2. Nymphs increased their locomotor activity during darkness in response to large, sustained relative light decreases, but not in response to short‐term, interrupted periods of light decrease. Nymphs did not recognise darkness unless an adequate light stimulus, such as large and sustained relative decrease in light intensity, had taken place.3. We show that nymphs perceive light change over time and respond only after a lengthy period of accumulation of light stimulus. The response is much lengthier than reported for other aquatic organisms and is highly adaptive to heterogeneous stream environments.
Use of physical restraints in rehabilitation settings: staff knowledge, attitudes and predictors
Authors: Suen Lorna K.P. , Lai C.K.Y. , Wong T.K.S. , Chow S.K.Y. , Kong S.K.F. , Ho J.Y.L. , Kong T.K. , Leung J.S.C. , Wong I.Y.C. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study examining the knowledge, attitudes and practices of staff with regard to the use of restraints in rehabilitative settings, and quantifying the direct and indirect effects of the factors that influenced these practices.Background.  Nursing staff hold many misconceptions that support the continued use of physical restraints as a desirable technique in clinical settings to control clients. A number of previous studies measuring the knowledge, attitudes and/or practices of nursing staff towards the use of restraints have been conducted in acute, elder care, or psychiatric settings. However, not many have examined the predictors of staff practices when restraints are applied. In the study reported here, physical restraint was defined as any manual method or physical/mechanical device, material or equipment attached to a client's body so that their free movement was restricted.Methods.  A questionnaire was administered to 168 nursing staff in two rehabilitation centres in Hong Kong. The data were collected in 2002–2003 and the response rate was 80%.Findings.  Inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes on the use of restraints were found among staff. Most believed that good alternatives to restraints are not available, or they underestimated the physical and psychological impact of restraints on clients. Path analysis indicated that staff attitudes and their clinical experiences had positive direct effects on restraint use. In addition, level of knowledge and clinical experience had a positive indirect effect on practice by influencing attitudes.Conclusion.  These data could serve as a basis for re‐educating nursing staff on the subject. Staff with more clinical experience could give appropriate guidance to other members of staff on decisions to apply restraints. More effective alternative interventions to restraining clients should be explored. Once the gaps in knowledge are closed, more positive attitudes among staff towards the use of restraints can be cultivated, thus leading to a higher standard of nursing practice.
Folk concepts of mental disorders among Chinese‐Australian patients and their caregivers
Authors: Hsiao Fei‐Hsiu , Klimidis Steven , Minas Harry I. , Tan Eng S. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of (a) popular conceptions of mental illness throughout history, (b) how current social and cultural knowledge about mental illness influences Chinese‐Australian patients’ and caregivers’ understanding of mental illness and the consequences of this for explaining and labelling patients’ problems.Background.  According to traditional Chinese cultural knowledge about health and illness, Chinese people believe that psychotic illness is the only type of mental illness, and that non‐psychotic illness is a physical illness. Regarding patients’ problems as not being due to mental illness may result in delaying use of Western mental health services.Methods.  Data collection took place in 2001. Twenty‐eight Chinese‐Australian patients with mental illness and their caregivers were interviewed at home, drawing on Kleinman's explanatory model and studies of cultural transmission. Interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed, and analysed for plots and themes.Findings.  Chinese‐Australians combined traditional knowledge with Western medical knowledge to develop their own labels for various kinds of mental disorders, including ‘mental illness’, ‘physical illness’, ‘normal problems of living’ and ‘psychological problems’. As they learnt more about Western conceptions of psychology and psychiatry, their understanding of some disorders changed. What was previously ascribed to non‐mental disorders was often re‐labelled as ‘mental illness’ or ‘psychological problems’.Conclusion.  Educational programmes aimed at introducing Chinese immigrants to counselling and other psychiatric services could be made more effective if designers gave greater consideration to Chinese understanding of mental illness.
Impacts of ecosystem engineers on community attributes: effects of cushion plants at different elevations of the Chilean Andes
Authors: Badano Ernesto I. , Cavieres Lohengrin A. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTEcosystem engineers are organisms able to modulate environmental forces and, hence, may change the habitat conditions for other species. In so doing, ecosystem engineers may affect both species richness and evenness of communities and, in consequence, change species diversity. If these changes in community attributes are related to the magnitude of the habitat changes induced by the engineers, it seems likely that engineer species will have greater effects on diversity in sites where they cause larger habitat changes. We addressed this issue by evaluating the effects of three alpine cushion plants on species richness, evenness, and diversity of high‐Andean plant communities. Given that the difference in microclimatic conditions between cushions and the external environment increases with elevation, we proposed that these organisms should have greater effects on community attributes at higher than at lower elevation sites. Results showed that the three cushion species had positive effects on species richness, diversity, and evenness of plant communities. It was also observed that the magnitude of these effects changed with elevation: positive effects on species richness and diversity increased towards upper sites for the three cushions species, whereas positive effects on evenness increased with elevation for one cushion species but decreased with elevation for other two cushion species. These results suggest that the presence of cushions is important to maintain plant diversity in high‐Andean communities, but this positive effect on diversity seems to increase as the difference in environmental conditions between cushions and the external environment increases with elevation.
Chenodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodexycholic acid induce anti‐apoptotic cIAP‐1 expression in human hepatocytes
Authors: Hirano Fuminori , Haneda Masakazu , Makino Isao 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Increased concentration of endogenous bile acids in the liver correlates with clinical features of cholestatic liver diseases. Recently, it was reported that non‐toxic hydrophobic bile acid activated a survival signaling pathway via phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase in hepatocytes. However, whether bile acid induces inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAPs) directly in human hepatocytes remains unknown. This study investigated effects of bile acids on cIAP‐1, cIAP‐2 and XIAP expression in hepatocytes.Methods:  Human fetal hepatocytes and HepG2 cells were treated with free or conjugated chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) or ursodeoxycholic acid in the presence or absence of several inhibitors. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were performed for mRNA and protein expressions, respectively, of IAPs. Luciferase assay was used to investigate transcriptional activity of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB.Results:  Chenodeoxycholic acid up‐regulated both mRNA and protein expressions of cIAP‐1. In particular, taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), but not glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), induced cIAP‐1 mRNA expression. In contrast, cIAP‐2 and XIAP mRNA expressions were not influenced by CDCA. Moreover, CDCA‐induced cIAP‐1 mRNA expression was inhibited completely by calphostin C and SB203580, but not by wortmannin. Luciferase assay showed that CDCA and TCDCA activated NF‐κB‐driven transcriptional activity.Conclusion:  It was shown that CDCA induced cIAP‐1 expression in hepatocytes through protein kinase C‐ and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐mediated pathway. Especially, TCDCA, but not GCDCA, increased cIAP‐1 mRNA expression and NF‐κB‐regulated transcriptional activity. Therefore, it is suggested that CDCA and TCDCA themselves have an inhibitory potential against apoptosis through the cIAP‐1‐survival signaling pathway, in addition to PI3 kinase‐dependent pathway.
Presence of antimitochondrial autoantibodies in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Nezu Saeko , Tanaka Atsushi , Yasui Hideaki , Imamura Makiko , Nakajima Hiroshi , Ishida Hitoshi , Takahashi Shin‐Ichi 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA) are known to be a hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis, and it has been suggested that AMA play a crucial role in generating biliary changes. Biliary tract lesions are not uncommon in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and previous works have demonstrated that AMA are occasionally detectable in sera of patients with AIH. Therefore, the role of AMA as a cause of bile duct lesions in AIH livers should be addressed. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the presence of AMA is associated with clinical features, especially the occurrence of bile duct lesions, in patients with AIH.Methods:  Forty‐one patients diagnosed as having AIH according to the revised scoring system of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group were enrolled in this study. Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed, and histological findings of the liver were investigated. AMA reactivity was determined by immunoblotting using beef heart mitochondria as antigens.Results:  Although not found in any enrolled patient by conventional indirect immunofluorescence, AMA were detectable in 14 out of 41 patients (34%). Clinical parameters including biochemistry, autoantibody profile, and responses to treatment were similar irrespective of AMA status. Bile duct lesions were noted in 14/14 (100%) and 23/27 (85%) of AMA‐positive and ‐negative patients with AIH, respectively (P = 0.134). There was no statistically significant difference in the grade of inflammation or stage of fibrosis between the two groups.Conclusion:  Antimitochondrial autoantibodies were found to be present in sera of patients with AIH more frequently than expected, even at very low titer. However, clinical features and histological findings of AIH were not influenced by the AMA status.
The sociology of chronic illness: a review of research and prospects
Authors: Bury Michael 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper provides a review of research and debate in the held of chronic illness. It first outlines some general features of a sociological approach, and then goes on to use recent empirical studies of chronic illness to illustrate some of the main stages involved. These include: onset and the problems of explanation and legitimation, the impact of treatment, and the development of adaptive responses. An attempt is made to distinguish the use of the terms‘coping’, ‘strategy’and ‘style’in describing adaptation. The paper argues that a sociological approach needs to recognise the positive actions people take, as well as the problems they face. In this way, diversity in managing chrome illness, and the continuing need for a person‐based approach to sociological work, are underlined
Evidence for bias in estimates of local genetic structure due to sampling scheme
Authors: Latch E. K. , Rhodes O. E. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractTraditional population genetic analyses typically seek to characterize the genetic substructure caused by the nonrandom distribution of individuals. However, the genetic structuring of adult populations often does not remain constant over time, and may vary relative to season or life‐history stages. Estimates of genetic structure may be biased if samples are collected at a single point in time, and will reflect the social organization of the species at the time the samples were collected. The complex population structures exhibited by many migratory species, where temporal shifts in social organization correspond to a large‐scale shift in geographic distribution, serve as examples of the importance that time of sampling can have on estimates of genetic structure. However, it is often fine‐scale genetic structure that is crucial for defining practical units for conservation and management and it is at this scale that distributional shifts of organisms relative to the timing of sampling may have a profound yet unrecognized impact on our ability to interpret genetic data. In this study, we used the wild turkey to investigate the effects of sampling regime on estimates of genetic structure at local scales. Using mitochondrial sequence data, nuclear microsatellite data and allozyme data, we found significant genetic structuring among localized winter flocks of wild turkeys. Conversely, we found no evidence for genetic structure among sampling locations during the spring, when wild turkeys exist in mixed assemblages of genetically differentiated winter flocks. If the lack of detectable genetic structure among individuals is due to an admixture of social units as in the case of wild turkeys during the spring, then the FIS value rather than the FST value may be the more informative statistic in regard to the levels of genetic structure among population subunits.
DEVELOPMENT OF QUIESCENT CENTRES IN ROOT MERISTEMS
Authors: CLOWES F. A. L. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA group of cells in the middle of the apical meristems of roots stops synthesizing DNA and dividing. This occurs during germination of the seeds in the primary roots of Sinapis, and during growth of the primordia within the cortex of the mother root in the lateral roots of Pistia and Eichornia. The first cells to become quiescent are those at the poles of the histogens of the stele and cortex. Neighbouring cells of these histogens become quiescent later on and there may be several hundred such cells enclosed within the meristem during normal growth. The neighbouring cells of the root cap remain meristematic until the whole meristem becomes quiescent.
ADENINE INCORPORATION AND CELL DIVISION IN SHOOT APICES
Authors: CLOWES F. A. L. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryIncorporation of 14C labelled adenine into DNA has been used to investigate the rates of division among cells of shoot meristems. This technique shows that all the cells of a growing apex, including the axial cells of the outermost layers, synthesize DNA. There is no quiescent region such as is found in root meristems. This conclusion is at variance with some of the recent views on the behaviour of shoot meristems.
THE EFFECTS OF DAYLENGTH ON THE MOVEMENTS OF PULVINATE LEAVES
Authors: HOLDSWORTH M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryVarious illumination cycles, of the sort that are known to have effects in photoperiodism, were tested for effect on the course of the diurnal leaf movements of Bauhinia monandra. Under 12 hour: 12 hour alternations of light and darkness, the leaves open abruptly on illumination and begin to close again rapidly just before the end of the light period. In continued illumination, the evening closure is completed but the leaves reopen at once and further movements are indistinct and irregular. It was concluded that the effects of previous photoperiodic treatment are all but exhausted 12 hours after beginning illumination. Attention was therefore concentrated upon the effects of previous treatments on the timing and amplitude of the evening closure. Moderate lengthening or shortening of the preceding dark period had small, if any, effect on the amplitude, but advanced or retarded (respectively) the time of closure. After very short dark periods (less than 6 hours) closure practically fails altogether. Beginning the illumination period with weak light also delays closure. Light breaks in the dark period advance closure, dark breaks in the daytime retard it, but neither of these effects is evident unless the break is of some hours’ duration. The observations are discussed in relation to Biinning's Tagesrhythmik theory and it is pointed out that the periodicity of Bauhinia leaf movements has been shown not to be constant, whereas, on the other hand, their amplitude is generally more stable. The leaf movements of several other plants have been compared with those of Bauhinia and a classification into long‐ and short‐day types of behaviour as suggested by Bunning has been attempted. This could not, however, be made to agree with their actual photoperiodic sensitivities for flower initiation.
THE CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM CONTENTS OF TREE SPECIES GROWN IN CLOSE STANDS
Authors: OVINGTON J. D. 
Published: May 2006

summaryThe percentages of calcium and magnesium at different positions in the boles and canopies of a number of trees from three experimental areas are given.The total weights of calcium and magnesium in the individual trees and the crops are determined.The calcium and magnesium contents of the trees and other components of the woodland ecosystems are compared.The balance and circulation of calcium and magnesium within the woodland ecosystems are discussed.
THE ABSORPTION OF POTASSIUM BY BEECH MYGORRHIZA
Authors: HARLEY J. L. , WILSON J. M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe processes of absorption and loss of potassium, sodium and rubidium by excised mycorrhizas of beech were investigated.The internal potassium content of mycorrhizas was found to be about 70 μg Equiv. per 100 mg of dry tissue. Sodium was present at about one‐tenth of this value.Temperatures above 20°C, oxygen tensions below 3% and low concentrations of metabolic inhibitors cause loss of potassium. The process of potassium loss in low oxygen tensions is very sensitive to temperature.The rates of absorption of potassium, sodium and rubidium are affected by temperature and their optimum temperatures are between 15 and 20°C.The rates of absorption of the alkali metals are oxygen‐sensitive, and that of potassium reaches zero at about 3 % oxygen. Rubidium absorption from isotopically labelled chloride solutions does not cease in low oxygen tensions owing to physical equilibration of the solution with the tissues.Absorption of alkali metals is inhibited by metabolic inhibitors.The rate of absorption of alkali metals by mycorrhizas which have been stored in water for several days is stimulated by a supply of glucose.These experimental results are discussed and it is concluded that absorption of the alkali metals by mycorrhizas is dependent on an oxidatively produced carrier.
THE EMBRYO CULTURE OF INTER‐SPECIFIC HYBRIDS OF HORDEUM
Authors: DAVIES D. ROY 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCulturing young hybrid embryos on a synthetic medium proved, in four out of six crosses attempted, to be a successful method of overcoming inter‐specific incompatibility within the genus Hordeum.Hybrids of diploid H. vulgare and tetraploid H. bidbosum were studied morphologically and cytologically.
THE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY OF CLOSELY RELATED SPECIES LIVING IN THE SAME AREA
Authors: MCNAUGHTON I. H. , HARPER JOHN L. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe hybrids Papaver dubium×P. rhoeas, and the reciprocal cross, have been produced by artificial cross‐pollination. The hybrids are not intermediate in character between the parents and are highly variable. Three main classes may be recognized although these intergrade: (a) forms which die in the rosette stage from a characteristic apical die‐back, (b) forms which lose apical dominance and become bushy, with chlorotic, distorted leaves and abortive flower buds—resembling certain virus syndromes (e.g. tomato bushy stunt), (c) forms which retain a degree of apical dominance and produce small open flowers, which are both male‐ and female‐sterile, in numbers much higher than in either parent.The hybrids are much less vigorous than the parents in the field, where they rarely survive under experimental conditions.Few previously recorded natural hybrids between these species can be accepted as valid, and most published descriptions of the hybrids seem to be based on aberrant specimens of the species, not on hybrids. Naturally occurring hybrids have been found near Oxford which conform well with hybrids produced artificially.The significance of these experiments and observations is discussed in relation to (1) the symptoms of virus infections, viroids and ‘Dauer‐modification’, (2) nature of breeding‐barriers between the species of Papaver, and (3) problems of the taxonomy of hybrids.