bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and their perceptions of needs in a health‐care context
Authors: Landmark Bjørg Th , Bøhler Ann , Loberg Kari , Wahl Astrid K 
Published: June 2008

Aim.  The purpose of this study was to investigate how women with newly diagnosed breast cancer experience their needs in a health‐care context.Design.  A qualitative design, using a focus group, was used to identify women’s perceptions of needs.Method.  A group of seven women met six times over a period of 10 weeks during 2004. Meetings were audio‐recorded, and the data were coded and analysed using Kvale’s methods of qualitative content analysis.Findings.  Women described experiences related to two categories of needs that influenced their ability to cope with changed life situations: the need for knowledge and the need for psychosocial support. These categories may be divided into three themes: knowledge and psychosocial support related to physical, emotional and social perspectives of daily living.Conclusions.  Findings suggest that health‐care services provided by breast diagnostic centres should be based on requirements defined by women with breast cancer. In addition to medical treatment, services ought to meet women’s needs for knowledge and psychosocial support at the time of diagnosis, and during and after treatment. This study can provide nurses and other health professionals with a deeper understanding of women’s demands as they face challenges related to breast cancer.Relevance for clinical practice.  The findings from this study underline the need to include emotional and social perspectives in standards for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and can provide a foundation for the development of user‐designed health services.
RN as gatekeeper: gatekeeping as monitoring and supervision
Authors: Brammer Jillian D 
Published: June 2008

Aims and objectives.  To understand the variation of ways that students understand the informal or buddy registered nurse role during facilitated clinical experience, and to identify the relationship between student learning and student understanding and experience of the registered nurse role during clinical experience.Background.  Student clinical experience is an essential aspect of all undergraduate nursing programs. Students expect registered nurses to supervise and support them and to provide learning experiences during clinical placement. Both positive and negative experiences have been reported in the research literature. The quality of the relationship between the registered nurse and the student directly affects the learning outcome for students.Design.  Qualitative research using a phenomenographic approach.Methods.  Semi‐structured individual interviews with 24 students from all three years of an undergraduate nursing program at a metropolitan university in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, who voluntarily participated in this study. Interviews were conducted at the completion of a recent clinical experience.Results.  While adequate monitoring and supervision is an expectation of students, there is a wide variation in the way registered nurses appear to understand this aspect of student learning. In the category of description, ‘registered nurse as gatekeeper: gatekeeping as monitoring and supervision’, student conceptions were identified as: registered nurse awareness, registered nurse vigilance, promoting learning/developing learning and growing (as) students. Students identified their experiences and the strategies they used when monitoring and supervision were lacking or limited.Conclusions.  The findings of this study illuminate the need for recognition of the complexity of the informal registered nurse role with students and highlight the areas that should be addressed to promote quality student learning experiences.Relevance to clinical practice.  Registered nurses need adequate preparation for their informal role to support and supervise undergraduate students in clinical placement to ensure the safe development of student competence and confidence for their graduate registered nurse role.
Dispersal and demography contributions to population spread of Carduus nutans in its native and invaded ranges
Authors: Jongejans Eelke , Shea Katriona , Skarpaas Olav , Kelly Dave , Sheppard Andy W. , Woodburn Tim L. 
Published: June 2008

Summary

Invasive species usually exhibit different spatial population dynamics in their native and invaded range. This is often attributed to demographic differences, but may be due to differences in dispersal as well.
Regardless of how these dispersal and demographic differences from the native range arose, studying how they contributed to increases in population spread rates will increase our understanding of what has made these species invasive. Here we investigate which vital rates and dispersal parameters of the invasive thistle Carduus nutans drive the increases in spread rate in different invaded ranges compared to that in the native range in Eurasia.
We construct and analyse spatial integrodifference models that combine structured, local population models with mechanistic (WALD) models of seed dispersal by wind across a homogeneous landscape. Published and new demographic and dispersal data for single populations from the native (France) and invaded (Australia, New Zealand, Kansas and Pennsylvania) ranges were used for the parameterization.
We developed a variance decomposition method (c*‐LTRE) to analyse the contributions of the changes in the vital rates and dispersal parameters to the increases in the invasion wave speed (c*) estimates for the different invaded ranges compared to that for the native range.
The c*‐LTRE analysis showed that the net contribution of the dispersal parameters to c* increases varied among the populations from 51% (Australia), to 79% (Kansas), to 80% (New Zealand) and to 85% (Pennsylvanian experiment). Escape from natural enemies that reduce seed set by floral herbivory was important in all invaded ranges. Large positive contributions were also made by increases in rapid growth of seedlings and small rosettes, increases in flowering probabilities and potential seed production, as well as by increased plant height and lower falling velocities of the plumed seeds.
Synthesis. By incorporating a mechanistic dispersal model with a structured population model, and by linking this joint model to field data from several continents, we demonstrate the relative importance of dispersal and demography to invasion success. This approach can be used to analyse which aspects of an invader's life history have changed most importantly from the native range.
Modelling long‐distance seed dispersal in heterogeneous landscapes
Authors: Levey Douglas J. , Tewksbury Joshua J. , Bolker Benjamin M. 
Published: June 2008

Summary

Long‐distance seed dispersal is difficult to measure, yet key to understanding plant population dynamics and community composition.
We used a spatially explicit model to predict the distribution of seeds dispersed long distances by birds into habitat patches of different shapes. All patches were the same type of habitat and size, but varied in shape. They occurred in eight experimental landscapes, each with five patches of four different shapes, 150 m apart in a matrix of mature forest. The model was parameterized with small‐scale movement data collected from field observations of birds. In a previous study we validated the model by testing its predictions against observed patterns of seed dispersal in real landscapes with the same types and spatial configuration of patches as in the model.
Here we apply the model more broadly, examining how patch shape influences the probability of seed deposition by birds into patches, how dispersal kernels (distributions of dispersal distances) vary with patch shape and starting location, and how movement of seeds between patches is affected by patch shape.
The model predicts that patches with corridors or other narrow extensions receive higher numbers of seeds than patches without corridors or extensions. This pattern is explained by edge‐following behaviour of birds. Dispersal distances are generally shorter in heterogeneous landscapes (containing patchy habitat) than in homogeneous landscapes, suggesting that patches divert the movement of seed dispersers, ‘holding’ them long enough to increase the probability of seed defecation in the patches. Dispersal kernels for seeds in homogeneous landscapes were smooth, whereas those in heterogenous landscapes were irregular. In both cases, long‐distance (> 150 m) dispersal was surprisingly common, usually comprising approximately 50% of all dispersal events.
Synthesis. Landscape heterogeneity has a large influence on patterns of long‐distance seed dispersal. Our results suggest that long‐distance dispersal events can be predicted using spatially explicit modelling to scale‐up local movements, placing them in a landscape context. Similar techniques are commonly used by landscape ecologists to model other types of movement; they offer much promise to the study of seed dispersal.
Trait interactions help explain plant invasion success in the German flora
Authors: Küster Eva C. , Kühn Ingolf , Bruelheide Helge , Klotz Stefan 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe search for characteristics that promote invasion success constitutes one of the most challenging tasks in invasion ecology. So far the main focus in multispecies studies of plant invasion success has been on single traits. Only few generalizations have emerged from this work and single traits yielded very limited explanatory power for invasion success. Here we hypothesize that the consideration of ecological strategies, determined by different combinations of traits, will improve explanatory power.To test this hypothesis we analysed the relative importance of 40 traits for species’ invasion success in the German neophytic flora. Success was expressed as map grid cell frequency. After quantifying the relevance of single traits, we quantified the importance of different trait combinations for invasion success by calculating a multiple trait model, with explicit consideration of trait interactions. In all analyses we considered the effects of phylogeny.In general, neither single traits nor phylogenetic relatedness held much explanatory power. In contrast, the amount of variation explained in the multiple trait model was distinctly higher, mainly due to the incorporation of trait interactions. Thus, particular combinations of trait attributes rather than distinctive attributesper seappear to be associated with invasion success.In single trait analysis, traits associated with flowering and reproductive biology, and with ecological tolerance and the residence time of the species were significantly associated with invasion success. Multiple trait analysis revealed that the relationship between the length of flowering season and invasion success was contingent upon pollination modes. Moreover, the success of polyploids and of species with certain vegetative reproductive trait attributes depended on the species’ flowering phenology.Synthesis. Our results indicate that different ecological strategies, determined by particular combinations of traits, can facilitate plant invasion success. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating trait interactions when testing for characteristics that promote plant invasion success. Improved explanatory power of traits suggests that our new approach can provide an important step forward in the risk assessment and management of new arrivals in regional floras.
A Proliferation of Pathogens through the 20th Century
Authors: Cunliffe J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA substantial proportion of immunologists, microbiologists and health professionals – and, indeed, many dictionaries – currently regard the term pathogen as a synonym for a pathogenic organism (most often a micro‐organism). I will argue that this is a distortion of its original meaning –‘a specific causative agent of disease’. An analysis of the historical use of the term pathogen together with a comparison of the meanings of pathogen, pathogenic and pathogenesis suggest that this was an insidious change. It began as a convenient abbreviation, escalated into a misappropriation and is now lodged in bio‐medicine’s popular lexicon. In science, we should resist the pressures brought about by the mass action of common usage – unless there is a good, logical reason to accept this change. I propose that this common usage results in a distortion and leads to conceptual confusion, particularly when we try to understand the interaction between hosts and invasive organisms. This drift, in which pathogen becomes exclusively a living organism, is corrupting. There is a strong case for correcting and reversing it.
A critical role of two positively charged amino acids in the Jas motif of Arabidopsis JAZ proteins in mediating coronatine‐ and jasmonoyl isoleucine‐dependent interactions with the COI1 F‐box protein
Authors: Melotto Maeli , Mecey Christy , Niu Yajie , Chung Hoo Sun , Katsir Leron , Yao Jian , Zeng Weiqing , Thines Bryan , Staswick Paul , Browse John , Howe Gregg A. , He Sheng Yang 
Published: June 2008

SummaryCoronatine is an important virulence factor produced by several pathovars of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. The structure of coronatine is similar to that of a class of plant hormones called jasmonates (JAs). An important step in JA signaling is the SCFCOI1 E3 ubiquitin ligase‐dependent degradation of JAZ repressor proteins. We have recently shown that jasmonoyl isoleucine (JA‐Ile) promotes physical interaction between Arabidopsis JAZ1 and COI1 (the F‐box component of SCFCOI1) proteins, and that the JA‐Ile‐dependent COI1–JAZ1 interaction could be reconstituted in yeast cells (i.e. in the absence of other plant proteins). Here we show that coronatine, but not its two biosynthetic precursors, also promotes interaction between Arabidopsis COI1 and multiple JAZ proteins. The C‐terminal Jas motif, but not the N‐terminal (NT) domain or central ZIM domain of JAZ proteins, is critical for JA‐Ile/coronatine‐dependent interaction with COI1. Two positively charged amino acid residues in the Jas domain were identified as essential for coronatine‐dependent COI1–JAZ interactions. Mutations of these two residues did not affect the ability of JAZ1 and JAZ9 to interact with the transcription factor AtMYC2. Importantly, transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing JAZ1 carrying these two mutations exhibited JA‐insensitive phenotypes, including male sterility and enhanced resistance to P. syringae infection. These results not only suggest that coronatine and JA‐Ile target the physical interaction between COI1 and the Jas domain of JAZ repressors, but also illustrate the critical role of positively charged amino acids in the Jas domain in mediating the JA‐Ile/coronatine‐dependent JAZ interaction with COI1.
AtEHDs, novel Arabidopsis EH‐domain‐containing proteins involved in endocytosis
Authors: Bar Maya , Aharon Maya , Benjamin Sigi , Rotblat Barak , Horowitz Mia , Avni Adi 
Published: June 2008

SummaryEndocytosis is an essential process by which the eukaryotic cell internalizes exogenous material. Studies in yeast and mammalian cells have revealed that endocytosis is a complex molecular process depending on regulated interactions between a variety of proteins and lipids through specific modules. One such module is the Eps15 homology (EH) domain, a conserved modular protein‐interaction domain found in several endocytic proteins. The EH‐domain‐containing proteins function as regulators of endocytosis through their ability to interact with other proteins involved in this process. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of two Arabidopsis EH‐domain‐containing proteins (AtEHD1 and AtEHD2). We show that the two proteins are involved in endocytosis in plant systems and demonstrate that the Arabidopsis EHD proteins function similarly to mammalian EHDs. Similarly to hEHD2, over‐expression of AtEHD2 has an inhibitory effect on endocytosis. While transgenic plants over‐expressing AtEHD1 had no detectable phenotype, downregulation of AtEHD1 caused retardation of entry of endocytosed material into plant cells.
BARE retrotransposons produce multiple groups of rarely polyadenylated transcripts from two differentially regulated promoters
Authors: Chang Wei , Schulman Alan H. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe BARE retrotransposon family comprises more than 104 copies in the barley (Hordeum vulgare) genome. The element is bounded by long terminal repeats (LTRs, 1829 bp) containing promoters and RNA‐processing motifs required for retrotransposon replication. Members of the BARE1 subfamily are transcribed, translated, and form virus‐like particles. Very similar retrotransposons are expressed as RNA and protein in other cereals and grasses. The BARE2 subfamily is, however, non‐autonomous because it cannot produce the GAG capsid protein. The pattern of plant development implies that inheritance of integrated copies should critically depend, in the first instance, on cell‐specific and tissue‐specific expression patterns. We examined transcription of BARE within different barley tissues and analyzed the promoter function of the BARE LTR. The two promoters of the LTR vary independently in activity by tissue. In embryos TATA1 was almost inactive, whereas transcription in callus appears to be less tightly regulated than in other tissues. Deletion analyses of the LTR uncovered strong positive and negative regulatory elements. The promoters produce multiple groups of transcripts that are distinct by their start and stop points, by their sequences, and by whether they are polyadenylated. Some of these groups do not share the common end structures needed for template switching during replication. Only about 15% of BARE transcripts are polyadenylated. The data suggest that distinct subfamilies of transcripts may play independent roles in providing the proteins and replication templates for the BARE retrotransposon life cycle.
Differential regulation of two glutamine synthetase genes by a single Dof transcription factor
Authors: Rueda‐López Marina , Crespillo Remedios , Cánovas Francisco M. , Ávila Concepción 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe PpDof5 transcription factor from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is a regulator of the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) genes in photosynthetic and non‐photosynthetic tissues. PpDof5 mRNA is detected almost ubiquitously during pine development with low levels of gene expression in green tissues and much higher levels in roots and lignified shoots. The PpDof5 protein expressed in bacteria binds to oligonucleotide probes containing the AAAG core sequence derived from the promoters of GS1a and GS1b genes. Transient expression experiments in agroinfiltrated tobacco leaves and in pine protoplasts demonstrated that PpDof5 is able to trans‐regulate differentially the transcription of both GS1a and GS1b. PpDof5 activated transcription of the GS1b promoter and, in contrast, behaved as a transcriptional repressor of the GS1a promoter. These results support a regulatory mechanism for the transcriptional control of the spatial distribution of cytosolic GS isoforms in pine. Considering the precise expression patterns of GS1 genes required to fulfil the ammonium assimilation requirements during tree development, we hypothesize that PpDof5 could have a key role in the control of ammonium assimilation for glutamine biosynthesis in conifers. A regulatory model of GS1 gene expression in pine is proposed.
Activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma suppresses mast cell maturation involved in allergic diseases
Authors: Tachibana M. , Wada K. , Katayama K. , Kamisaki Y. , Maeyama K. , Kadowaki T. , Blumberg R. S. , Nakajima A. 
Published: June 2008

Background:  Mast cells play a central role in allergic and inflammatory diseases. Several reports indicated role of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) on mast cell function. However, there is no report about the role of PPARγ on differentiation of mast cells from the progenitors. In this study, we investigated the role of PPARγ in regulating bone marrow‐derived mast cell maturation and the therapeutic implications for mast cell‐related diseases such as atopic or contact dermatitis.Methods:  We used in vitro cell culture system for mast cell differentiation from bone marrow‐progenitors using specific ligands and lentiviral‐mediated short hairpin RNA of PPARγ, and in vivo murine dermatitis models.Results:  Activation of PPARγ inhibited the maturation of bone marrow progenitors into connective tissue‐type mast cells (CTMCs) through up‐regulation of GATA‐4 and GATA‐6 resulting in a decrease in expression of histidine decarboxylase and mast cell histamine content. In comparison, the differentiation of bone marrow progenitors into CTMCs was significantly accelerated by the knockdown of PPARγ expression by lentiviral‐mediated short hairpin RNA. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma ligand administration to mice inhibited the maturation of mast cells resulting in attenuation of atopic and contact dermatitis via diminishment of the number of mature mast cells.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that PPARγ is one of master regulators on mast cell maturation and potentially useful for the therapy in various disorders involving mast cell activation.
Corticosteroid therapy increases membrane‐tethered while decreases secreted mucin expression in nasal polyps
Authors: Martínez‐Antón A. , De Bolós C. , Alobid I. , Benítez P. , Roca‐Ferrer J. , Picado C. , Mullol J. 
Published: June 2008

Background:  Mucus hypersecretion is a hallmark of nasal polyposis (NP). Corticosteroids (CS) are first‐line treatment for NP, decreasing their size and inflammatory component. However, their effect on mucin production is not well‐understood. The aim of this (pilot) study was to investigate CS effect on mucin expression in NP.Methods:  Patients were randomized in control (n = 9) and treatment (oral prednisone for 2 weeks and intranasal budesonide for 12 weeks; n = 23) groups. Nasal polyposis from nonasthmatic (NP; n = 13), aspirin‐tolerant (NP‐ATA; n = 11) and aspirin‐intolerant (NP‐AIA; n = 8) asthmatics were studied. Nasal polyposis biopsies were obtained before (w0) and after 2 (w2) and 12 (w12) weeks of CS treatment. Secreted (MUC5AC, MUC5B and MUC8) and membrane‐tethered (MUC1, MUC4) mucins (immunohistochemistry) and goblet cells (Alcian blue‐periodic acid Schiff) were quantified in both epithelium and glands. Rhinorrea and nasal obstruction were also assessed.Results:  At w2, steroids increased MUC1 (from 70 to 97.5) and MUC4 (from 80 to 100) in NP‐ATA patients’ epithelium compared with baseline (w0). At w12, steroids decreased MUC5AC (from 40 to 5) and MUC5B (from 45 to 2.5) in NP‐ATA patients’ epithelium and glands, respectively, compared with baseline. No mucin presented significant changes in NP‐AIA patients. MUC5AC and MUC5B expression correlated with goblet and mucous cell numbers, respectively, and MUC5AC also with rhinorrea score.Conclusions:  These results suggest: (i) CS up‐regulate membrane (MUC1, MUC4) while down‐regulate secreted (MUC5AC, MUC5B) mucins; (ii) there exists a link between secreted mucin expression and goblet cell hyperplasia; and (iii) NP from AIA may develop resistance to CS treatment.