Classification and identification of Pfiesteria and Pfiesteria-like species

Dinoflagellates can be classified both botanically and zoologically; however, they are typically put in the botanical division Pyrrhophyta. As a group they appear most related to the protistan ciliates and apicomplexans at the ultrastructure level. Within the Pyrrhophyta are both unarmored and armored forms of the dominant, motile flagellated stage. Unarmored dinoflagellates do not have thecal or wall plates arranged in specific series, whereas armored species have plates that vary in thickness but are specific in number and arrangement. In armored dinoflagellates, the plate pattern and tabulation is a diagnostic character at the family, subfamily, and even genus levels. In most cases, the molecular characterization of dinoflagellates confirms the taxonomy on the basis of external morphology; this has been demonstrated for several groups. Together, both genetic and morphological criteria are becoming increasingly important for the characterization, separation, and identification of dinoflagellates species. Pfiesteria and Pfiesteria-like species are thinly armored forms with motile dinospore stages characterized by their distinct plate formulae. Pfiesteria piscicida is the best-known member of the genus; however, there is at least one other species. Other genetically and morphologically related genera, now grouped under the common names of Lucy, Shepherd\u27s crook, and cryptoperidiniopsoid, are being studied and described in separate works. All these other heterotrophic dinoflagellate groups, many of which are thought to be benign, co-occur in estuarine waters where Pfiesteria has been found

Mature Care and Nursing in Psychiatry: Notions Regarding Reciprocity in Asymmetric Professional Relationships

The idea behind this article is to discuss the importance and to develop the concept of reciprocity in asymmetric professional relationships. As an empirical starting point for an examination of the possible forms of reciprocity between patients and nurses in psychiatry, we chose two qualitative in-depth interviews with two different patients. The manners in which these two patients relate to medical personnel—one is dependent, the other is independent—show that this presents challenges to nurses. The theoretical context is provided by the notion of mature care as it has been developed by feminist-oriented ethics of care, in contrast to the notion of altruistic care. In relation to the concept of mature care, we discuss how nursing can be perceived in demanding relationships with patients in psychiatry. Reciprocity implies that, in principle, the interests of the nurses also matter in a nurse-patient relationship. We show that reciprocity—in practice—is complicated and challenging in a number of different ways. Mature care—with its systematic inclusion of relationships and reciprocity—provides an alternative understanding of what takes place between patients and nurses compared with an altruistic notion of care. As such, mature care can be regarded as an useful paradigm for nurse-patient relationships in psychiatry

First multi-locus sequence typing scheme for Arcobacter spp.

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Arcobacter </it>spp. are a common contaminant of food and water, and some species, primarily <it>A. butzleri </it>and <it>A. cryaerophilus</it>, have been isolated increasingly from human diarrheal stool samples. Here, we describe the first <it>Arcobacter </it>multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method for <it>A. butzleri</it>, <it>A. cryaerophilus</it>, <it>A. skirrowii, A. cibarius </it>and <it>A. thereius</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A sample set of 374 arcobacters, including 275 <it>A. butzleri</it>, 72 <it>A. cryaerophilus</it>, 15 <it>A. skirrowii </it>and 8 <it>A. cibarius </it>isolates from a wide variety of geographic locations and sources, was typed in this study. Additionally, this sample set contained four strains representing a new <it>Arcobacter </it>species, <it>A. thereius</it>. The seven loci used in the four-species <it>Arcobacter </it>MLST method are the same as those employed previously in <it>C. jejuni</it>, <it>C. coli</it>, <it>C. helveticus </it>and <it>C. fetus </it>(i.e. <it>aspA</it>, <it>atpA</it>(<it>uncA</it>), <it>glnA</it>, <it>gltA</it>, <it>glyA, pgm </it>and <it>tkt</it>). A large number of alleles were identified at each locus with the majority of isolates containing a unique sequence type. All <it>Arcobacter </it>isolates typed in this study contain two <it>glyA </it>genes, one linked to <it>lysS </it>(<it>glyA1</it>) and the other linked to <it>ada </it>(<it>glyA2</it>). <it>glyA1 </it>was incorporated into the <it>Arcobacter </it>MLST method while <it>glyA2 </it>was not because it did not increase substantially the level of discrimination.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No association of MLST alleles or sequence types with host or geographical source was observed with this sample set. Nevertheless, the large number of identified alleles and sequence types indicate that this MLST method will prove useful in both <it>Arcobacter </it>strain discrimination and in epidemiological studies of sporadic <it>Arcobacter</it>-related gastroenteritis. A new <it>Arcobacter </it>MLST database was created <url>http://pubmlst.org/arcobacter/</url>; allele and ST data generated in this study were deposited in this database and are available online.</p

Predictability of the spontaneous lumbar curve correction after selective thoracic fusion in idiopathic scoliosis

In this study we tried to achieve a better understanding of the biodynamic mechanism of balance in the scoliotic spine. Therefore we focused on the pre- and postoperative spine of patients with idiopathic scoliosis with a primary thoracic curve and a secondary lumbar curve. Several studies showed that the lumbar curve spontaneously corrects and improves after selective thoracic fusion. We try to understand and describe this spontaneous compensatory lumbar curve correction after selective thoracic correction and fusion. We performed a retrospective examination of pre- and postoperative radiographs of the spine of 38 patients with idiopathic scoliosis King type II and III. Frontal Cobb angles of the thoracic and lumbar curves were assessed on pre- and postoperative antero-posterior and side bending radiographs. We determined the postoperative corrections of the thoracic and lumbar curves. Relative (%) corrections and correlations of the postoperative corrections were calculated. The group was divided in three subgroups, depending on lumbar curve modifier, according to Lenkes classification system. The calculations were done for the whole group as for each subgroup. As expected, significant correlations were present between the relative correction of the main thoracic and the lumbar curve (mean R = 0.590; P = 0.001). The relation between relative thoracic and lumbar correction decreased with the lumbar modifier type. This study shows a highly significant correlation between the relative corrections of the main thoracic curve and the lumbar curve after selective thoracic fusion in idiopathic scoliosis. This correlation depends on lumbar curve modifier type. This new classification system seems to be of great predictable value for the spontaneous correction of the lumbar curve. Depending on the curve-type, a different technique for predicting the outcome should be used. The lumbar curve correction does not occur throughout the whole lumbar curve. Most correction is achieved in the upper part of the curve. The distal lumbar curve seems to be more rigid and less important in the spontaneous curve correction

Antenatal screening and the gendering of genetic responsibility

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of this study is to explore men's and women's perceptions of antenatal blood screening. The study will assess the impact of these perceptions on decision-making regarding diagnostic testing and selective abortion, and on parental feelings of genetic responsibility. By exploring gender and antenatal screening in this way, the research aims to contribute to our understanding of lay perceptions of genetic screening and increase our knowledge of the decision-making process in screening.</p> <p>Research design</p> <p>This qualitative study will be based on semi-structured interviews with twenty pregnant women and twenty male partners in the post-industrial city of Sheffield, UK. All interviews will be taped, transcribed and analysed thematically using NVIVO, a qualitative software package.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The findings of this study have relevance to existing debates on the social and ethical implications of reproductive genetics. A better understanding of male and female perceptions of the screening process could improve guidance and practice in antenatal screening and genetic counselling. It will also inform and contribute to the development of theory on gender and genetic screening.</p