Annetocin and TCTP expressions in the earthworm Eisenia fetida exposed to PAHs in artificial soil

The toxicity of sublethal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in soils was assessed by testing their impact on expression of annetocin, a reproduction regulating gene, and translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), a tumorigenic response gene, in the earthworm Eisenia fetida cultured in artificial soil spiked with, phenanthrene (Phe), pyrene (Pyr), fluoranthene (Flu), or benzo(a)pyrene (Bap). Annetocin and TCTP were both up-regulated by 0.1 and 1.0 mg kg−1 benzo(a)pyrene and TCTP was down-regulated by 10.0 mg kg−1 phenanthrene. Weight loss and cocoon production of the worms were also analyzed. Only 10.0 mg kg−1 phenanthrene impacted earthworm weight loss significantly and no significant differences on cocoon production were observed. Our study indicated that the potential ecotoxicity of sublethal PAHs in soil should not be neglected and mRNA transcription level in earthworms was a more sensitive indicator of PAHs exposure than traditional indexes using cocoon production as endpoints and/or using the whole-organism as the test materials.

Nutrition and mental health research in Australia and New Zealand: A review of progress and directions for the future

This review summarises nutrition and mental health research in Australia and New Zealand between 1986 and 2006. The method used to identify papers for inclusion was a search of computerised databases: Medline, Cinahl and Meditext 1986–2006, with subsequent bibliographical review. Key search words were nutrition, diet, mental disorder, mental illness, weight, physical health, Australia and New Zealand. Inclusion criteria included: English language, original data in peer reviewed journals, and examination of some component of nutrition in people with a mental illness. The review of thirteen papers found that the evidence base for dietetic practice in mental health has developed through small assessment and interventional research, often with multidisciplinary collaboration. Future research should include quality and outcome measures with intersectoral partnerships. Dietitians are well positioned to lead and participate in mental health research and to implement research findings to improve the nutritional status of this vulnerable group.

The dual technique model within case study approaches to cross-cultural management research in China

This paper advocates the effectiveness of a dual technique model of interviewing, which combines narrative and depth interview techniques, within the case study method in a cross-cultural management research setting, an Australian MNC operating in China. The case study is acknowledged to be a highly appropriate method for gaining insight into the complicated area of cross-cultural management enquiry in order to generate new theories. In this context, we propose a model which combines the narrative and the depth interview techniques in the interview process, and have illustrated its usefulness with material drawn from the China-Australia cross-cultural research interface.

After establishing the rationale for the model, the discussion focuses on the practicalities of applying it in interviews, in relation to the preparation, warm-up and trust building phases, and in the exercise of personal interviewing skills in cross-cultural research, in this case, the advantage of the interviewer being bilingual.