bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental disorder among a homeless population in Belfast: an exploratory survey
Authors: McAULEY A. , Dphil H.P. McKENNA 
Published: February 2008

Mental disorder among a homeless population in Belfast: an exploratory surveyThis study aimed to identify the prevalence of mental disorder in hostels for the homeless in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition, it attempted to assess the facilities and support offered from both the hostels and the Health Service to homeless people who have a mental disorder. Lastly it sought to determine whether or not psychiatric hospital bed closure had any influence on the prevalence of homelessness among these persons in Belfast. An exploratory approach was adopted, using semi‐structured interviews as the method of data collection. The sample consisted of 12 hostels for the homeless with a total occupancy of 250 residents. Officers in charge were surveyed. The results obtained indicated that approximately 25% of the homeless in Belfast hostels have a diagnosed mental disorder and that hospital closure has had a direct effect on the size of this percentage. In addition, it was found that the hostels generally are not able to offer the levels of therapy and support given in hospital or in designated hostels for people with mental health problems. Responses also suggest that support from Health Service personnel is less than satisfactory. While the findings in this study do not look at the entire homeless population in Northern Ireland, interesting and useful information emerged that has implications for policy and further areas of study elsewhere.
Objective burden among primary caregivers of persons with chronic schizophrenia
Authors: PROVENCHER H. L. 
Published: February 2008

Objective burden among primary caregivers of persons with chronic schizophreniaA better understanding of the burden on the family has become increasingly important because many families assume a major role in the care of their relatives who have schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information about the negative consequences on the family (e.g. physical problems, restrictions in social life, tense relationships in the family) reported by the primary caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. Two types of objective burden were studied: general and attributable objective burden. The former refers to the general consequences on the family while the latter corresponds to those consequences specifically attributed to the presence of mental illness. Seventy primary caregivers completed a self‐report instrument. The general negative consequences identified most frequently were tense relationships in the household, and the physical and emotional problems of the primary caregiver. The most common negative consequences directly related to the ill relative were the primary caregiver's emotional problems, the disturbance in the primary caregiver's performance of work, and the disruption in the lives of other adults in the household. The clinical implications and future directions of research are discussed.
Book reviews
Authors: Norman Ian 
Published: February 2008

Book reviewed in this article:Wounded Healers: Mental Health Workers' Experiences of Depression Vicky Rippere & Ruth Williams (eds)Reminiscence Work with Old People G. Gillies & A. lamesReminiscence Reviewed: Evaluations, Achievements, Perspectives Joanna Bornat (ed)People with Learning Disability and Severe Challenging Behaviour. New Developments in Services and Therapy Ian Fleming & Biza Stenfert Kroese (eds)Group Treatment of Adult Incest Survivors Mary Ann Donaldson & Susan Cordes Green
Live supervision and family systems nursing: postmodern influences and dilemmas
Authors: TAPP D. M. , WRIGHT L. M. 
Published: February 2008

Live supervision and family systems nursing: postmodern influences and dilemmasEvolving nursing practices in a graduate nursing education programme that offers live clinical supervision in family systems nursing can be conceptualized within a postmodern perspective. Postmodernism is described as a debate about knowledge that questions traditional foundational theories or explanations in science, culture, religion and literature. Practices of a clinical supervision system, i.e. a graduate student, supervisor, and clinical team, illustrate postmodern influences on clinical work with families. Dilemmas posed by contemporaneity of modern and postmodern influences are also explored.
An extended literature review of health professionals' perceptions of illicit drugs and their clients who use them
Authors: McLAUGHLIN D. , LONG A. 
Published: February 2008

The literature relating to health professionals and illicit drugs and clients who use them shows many common themes. It is evident that the majority of health professionals hold negative, stereotypical perceptions of illicit drug‐users. Consequently, these negative attitudes become prejudicial, hence blocking the professional from carrying out effective and humane nursing care to this client group.Evidence also shows that health professionals' perceptions on the legalization of currently illicit drugs is linked to their own use of these drugs rather than any social or health reasons. Professionals' views on the different illicit substances are also coloured by their use, not by the actual evidence relating to the effects of that drug, in particular, cannabis. The literature shows that health professionals project heavily on to the client all their own negative perceptions of illicit drug use, in the care setting. This has produced very unsatisfactory and unsafe care, resulting in both client and carer being dissatisfied with the whole aspect of care. In addition, specialist teams are being swamped by health professionals who are referring almost every illicit drug‐user to these services. The future may be brighter with the generalist and specialist working closely together for the benefit of all, especially the client and, ultimately, the community.
Recovering from depression: a one‐year follow‐up
Authors: PEDEN A. R. 
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this research was to further describe the process of recovering in women who have been depressed. In prior research, recovering from depression consisted of eight categories within three distinct phases and was initiated by a crisis or ‘Turning Point’ experience. In‐depth follow‐up interviews with the seven women who participated in a study that had been performed one year earlier were conducted in order to: (i) determine their status in the recovering process; (ii) describe in greater depth the antecedents of the recovering process; and (iii) identify potential interventions to assist women in recovering. No new phases of the recovering process were identified in the present study. Interventions that assisted recovering were psychoeducational in nature, instilled hope, and provided for individualized treatment. Recommendations for further research are included in this study. Little empirically based information is available on the process of recovering among women who experience depression. This research is a one‐year follow‐up of women who participated in an earlier qualitative study of the process of recovering in women who had been depressed. In the previous study, recovering from depression was found to consist of eight categories within three distinct phases, and to be initiated by a crisis or Turning Point experience. The purposes of this present study were to: (i) determine the status of the recovering process one year later; (ii) more fully describe the antecedents of the process; and (iii) propose testable nursing interventions to assist women with depression toward recovering.SummaryRecovering from depression requires a readiness to make changes, hard work, time, and much assistance from mental health professionals. The findings of this study support the need for interventions that provide information about the illness of depression, have a psychoeducational focus, and that facilitate change. There exists a large at‐risk group of women who would benefit from interventions directed at preventing the recurrence of depression.
A subtilisin‐like serine protease essential for mucilage release from Arabidopsis seed coats
Authors: Rautengarten Carsten , Usadel Björn , Neumetzler Lutz , Hartmann Jürgen , Büssis Dirk , Altmann Thomas 
Published: February 2008

SummaryDuring Arabidopsis seed development large quantities of mucilage, composed of pectins, are deposited into the apoplast underneath the outer wall of the seed coat. Upon imbibition of mature seeds, the stored mucilage expands through hydration and breaks the outer cell wall that encapsulates the whole seed. Mutant seeds carrying loss‐of‐function alleles of AtSBT1.7 that encodes one of 56 Arabidopsis thaliana subtilisin‐like serine proteases (subtilases) do not release mucilage upon hydration. Microscopic analysis of the mutant seed coat revealed no visible structural differences compared with wild‐type seeds. Weakening of the outer primary wall using cation chelators triggered mucilage release from the seed coats of mutants. However, in contrast to mature wild‐type seeds, the mutant’s outer cell walls did not rupture at the radial walls of the seed coat epidermal cells, but instead opened at the chalazal end of the seed, and were released in one piece. In atsbt1.7, the total rhamnose and galacturonic acid contents, representing the backbone of mucilage, remained unchanged compared with wild‐type seeds. Thus, extrusion and solubility, but not the initial deposition of mucilage, are affected in atsbt1.7 mutants. AtSBT1.7 is localized in the developing seed coat, indicating a role in testa development or maturation. The altered mode of rupture of the outer seed coat wall and mucilage release indicate that AtSBT1.7 triggers the accumulation, and/or activation, of cell wall modifying enzymes necessary either for the loosening of the outer primary cell wall, or to facilitate swelling of the mucilage, as indicated by elevated pectin methylesterase activity in developing atsbt1.7 mutant seeds.
A NIMA‐related protein kinase suppresses ectopic outgrowth of epidermal cells through its kinase activity and the association with microtubules
Authors: Motose Hiroyasu , Tominaga Rumi , Wada Takuji , Sugiyama Munetaka , Watanabe Yuichiro 
Published: February 2008

SummaryTo study cellular morphogenesis genetically, we isolated loss‐of‐function mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, designated ibo1. The ibo1 mutations cause local outgrowth in the middle of epidermal cells of the hypocotyls and petioles, resulting in the formation of a protuberance. In Arabidopsis, the hypocotyl epidermis differentiates into two alternate cell files, the stoma cell file and the non‐stoma cell file, by a mechanism involving TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1) and GLABRA2 (GL2). The ectopic protuberances of the ibo1 mutants were preferentially induced in the non‐stoma cell files, which express GL2. TTG1‐dependent epidermal patterning is required for protuberance formation in ibo1, suggesting that IBO1 functions downstream from epidermal cell specification. Pharmacological and genetic analyses demonstrated that ethylene promotes protuberance formation in ibo1, implying that IBO1 acts antagonistically to ethylene to suppress radial outgrowth. IBO1 is identical to NEK6, which encodes a Never In Mitosis A (NIMA)‐related protein kinase (Nek) with sequence similarity to Neks involved in microtubule organization in fungi, algae, and animals. The ibo1‐1 mutation, in which a conserved Glu residue in the activation loop is substituted by Arg, completely abolishes its kinase activity. The intracellular localization of GFP‐tagged NEK6 showed that NEK6 mainly accumulates in cytoplasmic spots associated with cortical microtubules and with a putative component of the γ‐tubulin complex. The localization of NEK6 is regulated by the C‐terminal domain, which is truncated in the ibo1‐2 allele. These results suggest that the role of NEK6 in the control of cellular morphogenesis is dependent on its kinase action and association with the cortical microtubules.
Introduction of non‐native freshwater fish: is it all bad?
Authors: Gozlan Rodolphe Elie 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRisk perceptions are important to the policy process, but there is often a well‐established pattern of small risks being over assessed. This is also true with the issue of non‐native freshwater fish introductions, where a great majority of research focuses on the few negative cases. The attitude towards ‘non‐natives’ is a continually evolving process and varies according to current societal values. Here I show that on the global scale, the majority of freshwater fish introductions are not identified as having an ecological impact while having great societal benefits. Case studies from the African lakes are discussed in order to illustrate contrasting outcomes following fish introductions. Looking into the future, the environmental changes that freshwater ecosystems may encounter will have inevitable implications on the distribution of our native freshwater fish species and the need to rely on non‐native introductions may become a growing reality. Aquaculture production is regularly increasing and our dependence on it is likely to become greater as it provides an important substitute for the declining production of capture fisheries. With it the number of freshwater fish introductions will increase and a more realistic attitude, albeit controversial, will need to be debated. This would mean protecting some introductions that present beneficial outcomes for biodiversity alongside a more systematic ban of species or families of fish presenting a higher historical ecological risk. The public perception of risk is something which cannot be ignored by any government or ruling body, but in order to gain public support in the fight for conservation of freshwater fish biodiversity, the message needs to be clear, detailed and educational.
The physiology of triploid fish: current knowledge and comparisons with diploid fish
Authors: Maxime Valérie 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis paper is aimed at underlining the limited knowledge available about the physiology of triploid fishes compared with diploids. Whereas many aspects (induction, detection, growth, resistance to diseases, etc.) in the production and rearing of triploid fishes have widely been developed and described in the literature, other numerous questions of ecophysiology remain in abeyance, and the study of triploid cells physiology is still in its infancy. Triploid fishes can be considered as models worthwhile for physiological investigations not only for the economical stake in relation to the development of triploid fishes rearing, but also for the cytological and molecular features of their tissues and organs. The functional implications of these features have been poorly studied although they are potential areas of applied and/or fundamental studies.
The Meaning of ‘Build Back Better’: Evidence From Post‐Tsunami Aceh and Sri Lanka
Authors: Kennedy Jim , Ashmore Joseph , Babister Elizabeth , Kelman Ilan 
Published: February 2008

The 26 December 2004 tsunami disaster around the Indian Ocean provided an opportunity to see if decades of knowledge and experience on post‐disaster settlement and shelter could be applied to match the tagline which many groups gave to the post‐tsunami reconstruction: ‘build back better’ (or ‘building back better’). This paper uses evidence from field work completed on implementing settlement and shelter in post‐tsunami Aceh and Sri Lanka to examine whether or not the theory and practice of ‘build back better’ were witnessed. Focusing on settlement and shelter, four areas are examined: (i) safety, security, and livelihoods; (ii) how post‐disaster settlement and shelter could have an improved connection with permanent housing and communities (the ‘transition to what?’ question); (iii) fairness and equity; and (iv) connecting relief and development by tackling root causes of vulnerability. Based on the field work, addressing these four areas is suggested as how ‘build back better’ could be implemented. Recommendations are

Community involvement is essential, but that does not necessarily mean community control.
Organizations involved in implementing transitional settlement and shelter need to consider their capacity and links to other sectors.
Thinking ahead is necessary by integrating relief and development through long‐term planning and disaster risk reduction.

Overall, ‘building back safer’ might be a preferable tagline to ‘building back better’ because ‘better’ has multiple interpretations, many of which caused further problems, whereas ‘safer’ provides a clearer goal on which to focus for post‐disaster settlement and shelter.
Glucose up‐regulates HIF‐1α expression in primary cortical neurons in response to hypoxia through maintaining cellular redox status
Authors: Guo Shuhong , Bragina Olga , Xu Yuexian , Cao Zongxian , Chen Hu , Zhou Bo , Morgan Marilee , Lin Yong , Jiang Bing‐Hua , Liu Ke Jian , Shi Honglian 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIt has been suggested that hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1), a key regulator in cell’s adaptation to hypoxia, plays an important role in the fate of neurons during ischemia. However, the mechanism of HIF‐1 regulation is still not fully understood in neurons subjected to ischemia. In this study, we demonstrated that glucose up‐regulated the expression of HIF‐1α, the oxygen‐dependent subunit of HIF‐1, in rat primary cortical neurons exposed to hypoxia. To understand the mechanism of glucose‐regulated HIF‐1α expression, we investigated the relationships between HIF‐1α expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and redox status. Low levels of HIF‐1α protein expression were observed in the neurons exposed to in vitro ischemic conditions that had high levels of ROS (oxidizing environments), and vice versa. The glutathione (GSH) precursor, N‐acetyl cysteine, induced HIF‐1α protein expression in hypoxic neurons while the GSH synthesis inhibitor, l‐buthionine sulfoximine, inhibited the expression. Moreover, (−)‐epicatechin gallate, a ROS scavenger, elevated HIF‐1α expression in the neurons subjected to in vitro ischemia. Furthermore, results from a systemic hypoxia model showed that a reducing environment increased HIF‐1α expression in rat brains. Taken together, these data presented the first evidence that glucose promoted HIF‐1α stabilization through regulating redox status in primary neurons exposed to hypoxia. The results imply that hypoxia only may not be sufficient to stabilize HIF‐1α and that a reducing environment is required to stabilize HIF‐1α in neurons exposed to hypoxia.
Depression of excitatory transmission at PF‐PC synapse by group III metabotropic glutamate receptors is provided exclusively by mGluR4 in the rodent cerebellar cortex
Authors: Abitbol Karine , Acher Francine , Daniel Hervé 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn the rodent cerebellum, pharmacological activation of group III pre‐synaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) by the broad spectrum agonist l‐2‐amino‐4‐phosphonobutyric acid, acutely depresses excitatory synaptic transmission at parallel fiber (PF)‐Purkinje cell (PC) synapses. Among the group III mGluR subtypes, cerebellar granule cells express predominantly mGluR4, but also mGluR7 and mGluR8 mRNA. Taking into account that previous functional and pharmacological studies have used group III mGluR broad spectrum agonists that do not differentiate between these various subtypes, their relative contribution to the modulation of glutamatergic transmission at PF‐PC synapses remains to be elucidated. In order to clarify this issue, we applied conventional whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings and pre‐synaptic calcium influx measurements, combined with pharmacological manipulations to rat and mice cerebellar slices. With the use of (1S,2R)‐1‐amino‐2‐phosphonomethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, a new and selective group III mGluR agonist, N‐phenyl‐7‐(hydroxylimino)cyclopropa[b]‐chromen‐1a‐carboxamide, the specific positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4, (S)‐3,4‐dicarboxyphenylglycine, a selective mGluR8 agonist, and mGluR4 knock‐out mice, we demonstrate that the inhibitory control of group III mGluRs on excitatory neurotransmission at PF‐PC synapses of the rodent cerebellar cortex, is totally because of the activation of pre‐synaptic mGluR4 autoreceptors.
Soil organic carbon dynamics at the regional scale as influenced by land use history: a case study in forest soils from southern Belgium
Authors: Stevens A. , Van Wesemael B. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLand use change (LUC) is known to have a large impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, at a regional scale, our ability to explain SOC dynamics is limited due to the variability generated by inconsistent initial conditions between sample points, poor spatial information on previous land use/land management history and scarce SOC inventories. This study combines the resampling in 2003–2006 of an extensive soil survey in 1950–1960 with exhaustive historical data on LUC (1868–2006) to explain observed changes in the SOC stocks of temperate forest soils in the Belgian Ardennes. Results from resampling showed a significant loss of SOC between the two surveys, associated with a decrease in variability. The mean carbon content decreased from 40.4 to 34.5 g C kg−1 (10.6 to 9.6 kg C m−2), with a mean rate of C change (ΔSOC) of −0.15 g C kg−1 year−1 (−0.023 kg C m−2 year−1). Soils with high SOC content tended to loose carbon while conversely soils with low SOC tended to gain carbon. Land use change history explained a significant part of past and current SOC stocks as well as ΔSOC during the last 50 years. We show that the use of spatially explicit historical data can help to quantitatively explain changes in SOC content at the regional scale.
Development of tolerance to levetiracetam in rats with chronic epilepsy
Authors: Van Vliet Erwin A. , Van Schaik Rosalinda , Edelbroek Peter M. , Lopes da Silva Fernando H. , Wadman Wytse J. , Gorter Jan A. 
Published: February 2008

Summary
Purpose: Pharmacoresistance is a major problem in the treatment of epilepsy. We showed previously that pharmacoresistance, at least partially, is due to an up‐regulation of the multidrug transporter (MDT) P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp): inhibition of P‐gp improves seizure control in phenytoin‐treated epileptic rats (poststatus epilepticus rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy). Since it has been suggested that levetiracetam (LEV) is no substrate for MDTs, we hypothesized that LEV would more adequately control seizures in this rat model.
Methods: Chronic epileptic rats were treated repeatedly with LEV (2‐week interval; different dosages) via continuous infusion using osmotic minipumps, 5–6 months after electrically induced status epilepticus. The anticonvulsive effects were determined by video‐EEG monitoring and the concentration of LEV was measured in plasma and brain homogenates using gas chromatography.
Results: LEV adequately entered the epileptic brain and dose‐dependently suppressed spontaneous seizures in chronic epileptic rats for 3–4 days. Hereafter, seizure frequency increased, while LEV plasma levels did not change. Seizure behavior was less severe throughout the whole treatment. LEV did not affect seizure duration. After a withdrawal period of 2 weeks all rats initially responded again to LEV.
Conclusions: The initial seizure control by LEV supports the observation that LEV is not impeded by MDTs. However, the failure to control seizures for a longer period of time indicates the development of tolerance to this drug. This poses another problem in the treatment of this kind of epilepsy. Whether tolerance may be prevented by intermittent administration of LEV should be further investigated.