Increased production of interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor by type 2 diabetes' mononuclear cells infected with dengue virus, but not increased intracellular viral multiplication.

It has been reported that diabetes mellitus (DM) was an epidemiologically identified risk factor for development of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)/severe dengue in dengue virus (DENV) affected patients, and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 each plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of DHF in studies involving general population. To better understand the relationship between these epidemiological and immunological findings, we performed an in vitro study evaluating the sequential immunological reactions and viral load in the DENV infected mononuclear cells of adults with type 2 DM (T2DM group, n = 33) and normal adults (control group, n = 29). We found in the T2DM group significantly higher IL-4 level on the first (P = 0.049) and the third (P = 0.022) postinfection days, while higher IL-10 (P = 0.042) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (P = 0.009) were detected on the third postinfection day. No significant difference in DENV viral load between the cultured mononuclear cells from both groups was found on the first and third post-infection days. These data immunologically suggest that patients with T2DM are at higher risk for development of DHF/severe dengue and strengthen the previously epidemiologically identified role of DM being a predictive risk factor for progressing into DHF/severe dengue in DENV-affected patients.

Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Phellodendron amurense (Rutaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite markers were developed for the rare species Phellodendron amurense to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of this plant. • METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 27 microsatellite markers were developed for P. amurense by using an enriched genomic library and hybridization; all of these primers successfully amplified DNA fragments in P. amurense. These markers were screened in 74 individuals from four populations in China; 15 loci were found to be polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from one to nine. • CONCLUSIONS: The microsatellite markers developed here represent a useful tool for studying the population genetic structure of P. amurense and to inform toward the development of effective conservation programs for this species.

Isolation and characterization of 20 polymorphic microsatellite markers for Juglans mandshurica (Juglandaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Fifty microsatellite loci were developed for the endangered species Juglans mandshurica to investigate its genetic diversity and population structure. • METHODS AND RESULTS: In all, 50 microsatellite markers were isolated from J. mandshurica, using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Twenty of these polymorphic markers were assessed in samples collected from 98 individuals among five populations in northeastern China. Across all of the J. mandshurica samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 17. • CONCLUSIONS: These new microsatellite loci will be useful for conservation genetics studies of J. mandshurica.

Isolation and characterization of 13 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for Pinus koraiensis (Pinaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Pinus koraiensis. • METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) method with three specific PCR primers for screening the positive clones, 13 loci were found to be polymorphic in 78 individuals of P. koraiensis. Across all of the P. koraiensis samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 11. • CONCLUSIONS: These polymorphic markers will be useful for conservation genetics studies of this species and to inform the development of effective P. koraiensis conservation programs.

[A nursing experience of applying Watson's caring theory to a primary caregiver in an ICU].

The authors present a case study of a nursing experience applying Watson's caring theory to a critical patient's primary caregiver in the intensive care unit. Data were collected by observation, discussion, and telephone interviews between 20th April and 10th May 2004. Major nursing problems were: (1) anxiety, (2) anticipatory grieving, and (3) poor social support system. The authors describe the details of the primary intervention effort, using Watson's caring theory in accordance with the spirit of nursing as conducted by the Mutual Confidence Foundation, providing individual protective nursing, reducing the caregiver's anxiety, facilitating constructive anticipatory grieving, and providing appropriate social resources. This relieved the caregiver's stress caused by physical, mental, emotional and social factors.