Trust and control interrelations: New perspectives on the trust control nexus

This article is the post-print version of the published article that may be accessed at the link below. Copyright @ 2007 Sage Publications.This article introduces the special issue on New Perspectives on the Trust-Control Nexus in Organizational Relations. Trust and control are interlinked processes commonly seen as key to reach effectiveness in inter- and intraorganizational relations. The relation between trust and control is, however, a complex one, and research into this relation has given rise to various and contradictory interpretations of how trust and control relate. A well-known discussion is directed at whether trust and control are better conceived as substitutes, or as complementary mechanisms of governance. The articles in this special issue bring the discussion on the relationship between both concepts a step further by identifying common factors, distinctive mechanisms, and key implications relevant for theory building and empirical research. By studying trust and control through different perspectives and at different levels of analysis, the articles provide new theoretical insights and empirical evidence on the foundations of the trust-control interrelations

Clinical dermatitis in a southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) associated with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei

A wild-caught adult male southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) was presented for investigation of a pruritic skin condition that consisted of crusting, deep fissures, lichenification, alopecia, scale, and erythema, and affected the caudal dorsum, caudal, and medial thighs, distal hind limbs, tail, forepaws, and parts of the thorax. Examination of superficial and deep skin scrapings revealed large numbers of mites, which were identified as Sarcoptes scabiei. To the authors' knowledge, infestation with this mite has not previously been reported in bandicoots

Clinical haematology of the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus)

Haematological assessment may contribute in monitoring the health of wild animals. However, species-specific reference intervals are required for maximal information to be gained from any haematological assessment. The purpose of this study was to assess the haematological characteristics for a population of southern brown bandicoots (isoodon obesulus), a small marsupial common, across southern Australia. Animals from a wild population (n = 65) were sampled between March 2004 and February 2005. Blood from these animals was assessed by microscopy, manual techniques (packed cell volume, total solids, and fibrinogen) and using an automated haematology analyser. Southern brown bandicoots were found to have similar leukocytes and erythrocytes to those previously described for other species of bandicoots, and the measured values for the haematological analytes were similar to those previously published for the species. For most analytes there were no statistically significant differences observed between males and females, and lactating and non-lactating animals. The observed values for each of the analytes in the current study may be used to aid in the detection of disease and monitoring of health in wild and captive populations of bandicoots

The effect of a single intravenous fluid bolus on packed cell volume and plasma total solids concentration in Red-collared Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus rubritorquis)

Objective To determine the effect of a single intravenous (IV) fluid bolus on the hydration of an avian patient, using packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total solids (TS) to estimate hydration. Procedure Ten birds were allocated randomly to one of three groups, and administered 30 mL/kg or 50 mL/kg intravenous fluid, or were part of a control group and did not receive IV fluid. Blood was collected before the IV fluid bolus was administered, and at 1 minute, 3 hours and 6 hours after administration of the fluid. Samples were used to determine PCV and TS and results were compared between groups and between the different time points. Results Administration of 30 mL/kg or 50 mL/kg compound sodium lactate solution caused a statistically significant decrease in PCV. Within 3 hours, the PCV was not significantly different to the initial value or to the PCV of control birds. Administration of 30 mL/kg compound sodium lactate solution did not result in a significant decrease in TS. However, administration of 50 mL/kg produced a significant decrease in TS, which was still significantly less than controls 6 hours after the fluid was administered. Conclusion These findings suggest that an intravenous bolus of fluid may be safely administered to an anaemic bird, since PCV is significantly decreased for less than 3 hours. Up to 50 mL/kg of fluid may be administered as an intravenous bolus to a bird, to produce significant haemodilution that persists for up to 6 hours

Haematological characteristics of morbid southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus)

Haematological assessment often forms an important part of the diagnosis of disease in wildlife, as animals may not exhibit clinical signs until late in the disease process to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. This study investigated the haematological changes occurring in southern brown bandicoots suffering from injury and illness that were caught from the wild or presented to a Perth wildlife rehabilitation centre. The blood was assessed by microscopy, manual techniques (packed cell volume, total solids and fibrinogen) and using an automated haematology analyser. Most (6/8) animals had evidence of an inflammatory response, in the form of an increased concentration of leukocytes. However, a few (2/8) animals had an increased concentration of fibrinogen, indicating that this is an inconsistent marker of inflammation in bandicoots. Anaemia was present in 2/8 animals and these both had a regenerative response evident. This study establishes that southern brown bandicoots are capable of mounting a neutrophilia in response to inflammation and exhibit a regenerative response to anaemia that releases polychromatophilic cells into the peripheral blood

Morphological and molecular characteristics of a species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) from the blood of Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) in Western Australia

Examination of blood films as part of a study to assess the health status of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus (Shaw) in Western Australia revealed the gamonts of a haemogregarine parasite in some samples, the first to be recognised in a bandicoot in this state. Light microscope morphological characteristics and partial sequence of the 18S rRNA gene were used to describe these organisms. Morphological characters did not differentiate the organism in the current study from previously reported Hepatozoon peramelis (Welsh & Dalyell, 1909). Phylogenetic analysis has not previously been reported for any species of Hepatozoon from Australian marsupials and consequently could not be used to confirm the identity of the organism in the current study as that described in the 1900s. If this organism is H. peramelis, then it has a wide distribution, being found in three species of bandicoot, in western and eastern Australia and the in island state of Tasmania

Enhanced upregulation of smooth muscle-related transcripts by TGF??in asthmatic (myo)fibroblasts

Background: Transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) upregulates a number of smooth muscle specific genes in (myo)fibroblasts. As asthma is characterised by an increase in airway smooth muscle, we postulated that TGFß? favours differentiation of asthmatic (myo)fibroblasts towards a smooth muscle phenotype.Methods: Primary fibroblasts were grown from bronchial biopsy specimens from normal (n = 6) and asthmatic (n = 7) donors and treated with TGFß? to induce myofibroblast differentiation. The most stable genes for normalisation were identified using RT-qPCR and the geNorm software applied to a panel of 12 "housekeeping" genes. Expression of ?-smooth muscle actin (?SMA), heavy chain myosin (HCM), calponin 1 (CPN 1), desmin, and ?-actin were measured by RT-qPCR. Protein expression was assessed by immunocytochemistry and western blotting.Results: Phospholipase A2 and ubiquitin C were identified as the most stably expressed and practically useful genes for normalisation of gene expression during myofibroblast differentiation. TGFß? induced mRNA expression for all five smooth muscle related transcripts; ?SMA, HCM and CPN 1 protein were also increased but desmin protein was not detectable. Although there was no difference in basal expression, HCM, CPN 1 and desmin were induced to a significantly greater extent in asthmatic fibroblasts than in those from normal controls (p = 0.041 and 0.011, respectively).Conclusions: Although TGFß? induced the transcription of several smooth muscle related genes, not all were translated into protein. Thus, while TGFß? is unable to induce a bona fide smooth muscle cell phenotype, it may "prime" (myo)fibroblasts for further differentiation, especially if the cells are derived from asthmatic airways.Abbreviations: CPN 1, calponin 1; DMEM, Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium; FBS, fetal bovine serum; HCM, heavy chain myosin; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction; SFM, serum free medium; SMA, smooth muscle actin; TGFß, transforming growth factor