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Relocation stress is a phenomenon in which physical and psychological disturbances are experienced following transfer from one environment to another [Carpenito LJ. (2000). Nursing Diagnosis. Application to Clinical Practice, 8th edn]. The purpose of this review was to identify whether a period of intermediate care minimizes the problems associated with relocation stress after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) and before transfer to the ward. Methods of retrieving the literature involved identifying key terms, utilizing a range of databases and applying specific criteria in order to delineate the boundaries of the search. Using electronic and manual search methods, 11 studies were selected, both primary and secondary research. Following tabulation and critiquing of the studies, the findings of the review suggest that the factors which contribute towards relocation stress are the loss of one-to-one nursing, a reduction of visible monitoring equipment, lack of continuity of care and inadequate preparation of the patient for the transfer. The evidence also indicates that in order to minimize these factors, early planning and preparation of the patient for transfer are required, incorporating strategies of gradual reduction in nursing attention and monitoring equipment and the provision of information. Although the benefits of intermediate care are established as being advanced monitoring, appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio, heightened demonstration of expert knowledge and skill, there is no sufficient evidence to indicate a period of intermediate care that can ease the transition from the ICU to the ward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) linkage group A2 contains a major resistance gene to the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) at the Rhg4 locus near a gene encoding aspartokinase homoserine dehydrogenase (AK-HSDH) and also near the I locus affecting seed coat color. To identify clones related to this region of the genome, we used a PCR assay using primers designed from a gene encoding AK-HSDH to screen approximately 40,000 clones from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library constructed from genomic DNA of the susceptible cv. Williams 82. The identified BACs were screened with a second PCR assay using primers designed from DNA sequence associated with the I locus to confirm the location of the BACs. Only BAC Gm_ISb001_056_G02 (56G2) was positive for both assays. BAC 56G2 contains several genes previously associated with stress or defense response including genes with high sequence similarity to those encoding chalcone synthase, glucosyl-transferase, a heat-shock transcription factor, a membrane-associated salt-inducible protein, adenosyl homocysteinase, a protein kinase, and a G10-like protein. The map contributes to our understanding of the organization of the soybean genome and to the completion of a physical map of the soybean genome. In addition, the genes identified provide landmarks to identify BAC clones near the Rhg4 locus in resistant soybean genomic libraries and provide a foundation for comparison of soybean cyst nematode resistant and -susceptible DNA sequences in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ban on human cloning in many countries worldwide is founded on an assumption that cloned children will be identical to each other and to their nuclear donor. This paper explores the scientific basis for this assumption, considering both the principles and practice of cloning in animals and comparing genetic and epigenetic variation in potential human clones with that in monozygotic twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical management of patients with personality disorders is seldom satisfactory. It is suggested that the bewilderment provoked and experienced by these patients can be reduced by a careful analysis of their shifting states of mind. The construction of diagrams tracing such shifts is helpful to both patients and clinicians. Illustrative case histories are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-cartilage antibodies, demonstrable by immunofluorescence, were found in 3.3% of rheumatoid arthritis patients. In most of these patients antibodies to type II collagen were detected. In specificity studies on these anti-collagen antibodies, they appeared to be type specific, showing no reaction with collagen types I and III. Denatured type II collagen reacted much less well than native type II, but isolated peptides from different regions of the collagen molecule were differentiated by individual sera. Removal of the glycoside side chains from native type II collagen had no effect on its antigenicity. The findings suggest that these patients produce highly specific antibodies which react with the triple helix of type II collagen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Surgically removed discs from patients with either spondylolisthesis or tears of the posterior annulus fibrosus were analysed for water, proteoglycan, and collagen content and compared with post-mortem control material. Discs from patients with spondylolisthesis had a reduced proteoglycan content in all section sampled and less collagen in the outer annular layers. In contrast discs containing tears in the posterior annulus were unaltered biochemically, although extended studies on 2 patients indicated that there may be localised biochemical changes in the region of the tear itself. Collagen types I, II, and III and proteoglycan distributions were studies qualitatively by immunofluorescence. Collagen types I and III appeared to be reduced in discs from patients with spondylolisthesis, but again little change was found in patients with tears in the posterior annulus fibrosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]