Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical learning environment, supervision and nurse teacher evaluation scale: psychometric evaluation of the Swedish version.

AIM This article is a report of the development and psychometric testing of the Swedish version of the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher evaluation scale. BACKGROUND To achieve quality assurance, collaboration between the healthcare and nursing systems is a pre-requisite. Therefore, it is important to develop a tool that can measure the quality of clinical education. The Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher evaluation scale is a previously validated instrument, currently used in several universities across Europe. The instrument has been suggested for use as part of quality assessment and evaluation of nursing education. METHODS The scale was translated into Swedish from the English version. Data were collected between March 2008 and May 2009 among nursing students from three university colleges, with 324 students completing the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the 34-item scale to determine construct validity and Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency. RESULTS The five sub-dimensions identified in the original scale were replicated in the exploratory factor analysis. The five factors had explanation percentages of 60.2%, which is deemed sufficient. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.95, and varied between 0.96 and 0.75 within the five sub-dimensions. CONCLUSION The Swedish version of Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher evaluation scale has satisfactory psychometric properties and could be a useful quality instrument in nursing education. However, further investigation is required to develop and evaluate the questionnaire.
Chinese version of the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale: initial psychometric evaluation.

AIM This paper is a report of the validity and reliability testing of the Chinese version of the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD-C). BACKGROUND Pain is under-reported and under-treated for people with dementia, largely due to impairment of communication. An adequate instrument for assessment of pain in this population is essential to improving their quality of life and decreasing disability and behavioural disturbances, but none were found that were appropriate for these purposes. METHOD The PAINAD-C was developed in three phases in 2006. First, back-translation was used to create the Chinese version, where five medical and nursing experts assessed content validity. Inter-rater reliability, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were then examined. Finally, principal component analysis and known-group comparisons were used to test construct validity. Participants with dementia were selected from five licensed long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Direct observation was used to collect data. RESULTS Inter-rater reliability showed an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.80-0.86, and a test-retest reliability intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.71. The internal consistency reliability was 0.55-0.66. Factor analysis of the PAINAD-C showed two factors that explained 62.48% of variance. The PAINAD-C scores showed statistically significant differences between the non-dementia group and the advanced dementia group as well as significant differences between activities and rest groups. CONCLUSION The PAINAD-C is useful in a clinical setting for people with advanced dementia for both research and practice. It is easy to use and is a comprehensive instrument.
Smoking among young children in Hong Kong: influence of parental smoking.

AIMS This paper is a report of a study comparing children with smoking parents and those with non-smoking parents, in terms of knowledge and attitude towards smoking and the influence of parents and peers on smoking initiation. BACKGROUND Adolescence is a developmental stage when smoking habits are likely to start. Adolescents are most influenced by the smoking habits of their parents and friends. METHOD A cross-section study was conducted with students aged 13-15 years in two schools in 2008, using a questionnaire that collected information on the smoking habits of their parents and peers, knowledge and attitude towards smoking, initiation and inclination towards smoking. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. RESULTS A total of 257 of 575 (44·7%) students had smoking parent(s), and 25·4% reported having peers who smoked. Children with non-smoking parents were more likely than those with smoking parents to consider 'smoking as disgusting' (67·3% vs. 45·9%), and to know that 'smoking is addictive' (80·5% vs. 70·4%) and 'harmful to health' (81·8% vs. 67·7%). More of those with smoking parents had tried smoking than those with non-smoking parents (13·2% vs. 3·8%). CONCLUSION Preventive programmes should involve smoking parents to increase their awareness of the impact their smoking has on their children. Interventions should include problem-solving skills for children to deal with daily stresses and thus eradicate the potential risk of smoking initiation.
Professional autonomy and job satisfaction: survey of critical care nurses in mainland Greece.

AIM This paper is a report of a study conducted to describe Greek critical care nurses' views on professional autonomy and its relationship with job satisfaction and other work-related variables. BACKGROUND Professional autonomy is generally considered a highly desirable nursing attribute and a major factor in nurse job satisfaction. In the critical care environment, a high level of accountability, responsibility and autonomy are required to optimize outcomes of critically unstable patients. METHOD A questionnaire survey was conducted with a convenience sample of Greek critical care nurses (n = 431; response rate 70%) in 2007. Data were collected on professional autonomy, job satisfaction, role conflict and role ambiguity. RESULTS Overall, nurses reported acting moderately autonomously. Younger nurses reported statistically significant lower levels of autonomy. Higher levels of autonomy were reported by female nurses. Multiple logistic regression revealed that appointment level, type of critical care unit and registration with a professional organization were independently associated with autonomy. A positive moderate association was found between reported autonomy, job satisfaction, role conflict and role ambiguity, but there was no relationship between job satisfaction and reported role conflict and role ambiguity. CONCLUSION Further education, role enhancement and support are required for nurses working in critical care in Greece if they are to achieve the maximum potential of their professional role. Failure to address the perceptions of professional autonomy may have an impact on staff retention, because of job dissatisfaction.
The WD40 Repeat Protein WDR26 Binds Gβγ and Promotes Gβγ-dependent Signal Transduction and Leukocyte Migration*

Background: How Gβγ regulates leukocyte migration through numerous signaling partners remains elusive. Results: WDR26 binds Gβγ and is required for Gβγ signaling and leukocyte migration. Conclusion: WDR26 is a novel Gβγ-binding partner that promotes Gβγ signaling and leukocyte migration. Significance: Elucidating the signaling mechanisms of Gβγ is crucial for understanding its key role in many important cellular processes. The Gβγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins transmit signals to control many cellular processes, including leukocyte migration. Gβγ signaling may regulate and be regulated by numerous signaling partners. Here, we reveal that WDR26, a member of the WD40 repeat protein family, directly bound free Gβγ in vitro, and formed a complex with endogenous Gβγ in Jurkat T cells stimulated by the chemokine SDF1α. Suppression of WDR26 by siRNAs selectively inhibited Gβγ-dependent phospholipase Cβ and PI3K activation, and attenuated chemotaxis in Jurkat T cells and differentiated HL60 cells in vitro and Jurkat T cell homing to lymphoid tissues in scid mice. Similarly, disruption of the WDR26/Gβγ interaction via expression of a WDR26 deletion mutant impaired Gβγ signaling and Jurkat T cell migration, indicating that the function of WDR26 depends on its binding to Gβγ. Additional data show that WDR26 also controlled RACK1, a negative regulator, in binding Gβγ and inhibiting leukocyte migration. Collectively, these experiments identify WDR26 as a novel Gβγ-binding protein that is required for the efficacy of Gβγ signaling and leukocyte migration.
Prevalence of accurate nursing documentation in patient records.

AIM This paper is a report of a study conducted to describe the accuracy of nursing documentation in patient records in hospitals. Background. Accurate nursing documentation enables nurses to systematically review the nursing process and to evaluate the quality of care. Assessing nurses' reports in patient records can be helpful for improving the accuracy of nursing documentation. METHOD In 2007-2008, we screened patient records (n = 341) from 35 wards in 10 hospitals in the Netherlands. The D-Catch instrument was used to quantify the accuracy of the (1) record structure, (2) admission data, (3) nursing diagnosis, (4) nursing interventions, (5) progress and outcome evaluations and (6) legibility of nursing reports. Items 2-5 were measured as a sum score of quantity criteria (1-4) and quality criteria (1-4), whereas Items 1 and 6 were measured on a 4-point Likert scale that addressed only quality criteria. FINDINGS The domain 'accuracy of the interventions' had the lowest accuracy scores: 95% of the records revealed a scale score not higher than 5. However, the domain 'admission' had the highest scores: 80% of the records revealed a scale score over 5. CONCLUSION Effective documentation systems that support nurses in linking diagnoses, interventions and progress and outcome evaluations could be helpful. To improve the accuracy of the documentation, further research is needed on what factors influence nursing documentation. Comparable outcomes from other studies indicate that applying our study findings to international contexts might support the development of universal criteria for accurate nursing documentation.
EMILIN-3, Peculiar Member of Elastin Microfibril Interface-located Protein (EMILIN) Family, Has Distinct Expression Pattern, Forms Oligomeric Assemblies, and Serves as Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) Antagonist*

Background: EMILIN-3 is the least characterized member of the EMILIN/Multimerin family. Results: EMILIN-3 forms homotrimers and higher order oligomers, binds heparin, has a dynamic expression during development and a restricted distribution in adult tissues, and serves as a pro-TGF-β antagonist. Conclusion: The structure and expression of EMILIN-3 are different from other EMILINs/Multimerins. Significance: EMILIN-3, a TGF-β antagonist, is likely to be an important regulator during development of several tissues. EMILIN-3 is a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix belonging to a family that contains a characteristic N-terminal cysteine-rich EMI domain. Currently, EMILIN-3 is the least characterized member of the elastin microfibril interface-located protein (EMILIN)/Multimerin family. Using RNA, immunohistochemical, and protein chemistry approaches, we carried out a detailed characterization of the expression and biochemical properties of EMILIN-3 in mouse. During embryonic and postnatal development, EMILIN-3 showed a peculiar and dynamic pattern of gene expression and protein distribution. EMILIN-3 mRNA was first detected at E8.5–E9.5 in the tail bud and in the primitive gut, and at later stages it became abundant in the developing gonads and osteogenic mesenchyme. Interestingly and in contrast to other EMILIN/Multimerin genes, EMILIN-3 was not found in the cardiovascular system. Despite the absence of the globular C1q domain, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses demonstrated that EMILIN-3 forms disulfide-bonded homotrimers and higher order oligomers. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that the most C-terminal part of EMILIN-3 has a substantial α-helical content and forms coiled coil structures involved in EMILIN-3 homo-oligomerization. Transfection experiments with recombinant constructs showed that the EMI domain contributes to the higher order self-assembly but was dispensable for homotrimer formation. EMILIN-3 was found to bind heparin with high affinity, a property mediated by the EMI domain, thus revealing a new function for this domain that may contribute to the interaction of EMILIN-3 with other extracellular matrix and/or cell surface molecules. Finally, in vitro experiments showed that EMILIN-3 is able to function as an extracellular regulator of the activity of TGF-β ligands.
The Src Homology 3 Domain Is Required for Junctional Adhesion Molecule Binding to the Third PDZ Domain of the Scaffolding Protein ZO-1*

Background: ZO-1 is a scaffolding protein implicated in the assembly of tight junctions. Results: Structures of core PDZ-SH3-GUK, plus and minus JAM-A peptide, and isolated PDZ are presented. Conclusion: The SH3 domain is required for JAM-A binding to PDZ3. Significance: This is the first demonstration for the role of an adjacent domain to the binding of ligands to PDZ domains in the MAGUK family. Tight junctions are cell-cell contacts that regulate the paracellular flux of solutes and prevent pathogen entry across cell layers. The assembly and permeability of this barrier are dependent on the zonula occludens (ZO) membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins ZO-1, -2, and -3. MAGUK proteins are characterized by a core motif of protein-binding domains that include a PDZ domain, a Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, and a region of homology to guanylate kinase (GUK); the structure of this core motif has never been determined for any MAGUK. To better understand how ZO proteins organize the assembly of protein complexes we have crystallized the entire PDZ3-SH3-GUK core motif of ZO-1. We have also crystallized this core motif in complex with the cytoplasmic tail of the ZO-1 PDZ3 ligand, junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) to determine how the activity of different domains is coordinated. Our study shows a new feature for PDZ class II ligand binding that implicates the two highly conserved Phe−2 and Ser−3 residues of JAM. Our x-ray structures and NMR experiments also show for the first time a role for adjacent domains in the binding of ligands to PDZ domains in the MAGUK proteins family.
Psychometric validity of the Problem-Focused Style of Coping scale: in relation to self-efficacy and life satisfaction among nursing staff in Taiwan.

AIMS This paper is a report of a study of psychometric properties of the Problem-Focused Style of Coping-Chinese version questionnaire. BACKGROUND Coping with stress is an important topic in the 21th century, which deserves further attention. Although a variety of instruments have emerged to assess an individual's coping responses to stress, research suggests that numerous problems are associated with the current measurements. Since most coping scales are criticized as lacking valid estimates across occupational samples and cultures, there is an immediate need to develop a reliable and valid coping-style scale. METHOD The study used a convenience sample and a sampling frame consisting of 307 nurses from different medical units in two regional hospitals in Taiwan. The data collection period was from May 2009 to June 2009. Exploratory factor analyses and reliability estimates were calculated. RESULTS The factor analysis revealed three coping factors: reflective, suppressive and reactive. All reliability and validity estimates were satisfactory. CONCLUSION The Problem-Focused Style of Coping-Chinese version questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of nurses' dispositional coping style and can be used for educational training programmes to enhance nurses' stress management skills.
The Ultrastructure and Hardness of the Transparent of Human Carious Dentin

The ultrastructure of the transparent layer of carious dentin was investigated in relation to hardness. This layer was the deeper part of the intermediately-softened inner carious dentin. Intratubular deposition of fine crystals was initially observed at the uppermost layer of normal dentin, increased in the subtransparent layer, and gradually shifted to deposition of rhomboid-shaped crystals in the transparent layer. Crystals were not seen in the tubules in the overlying discolored layer. Softening, due to demineralization of the intertubular and peritubular dentin, started at the bottom of the subtransparent layer and increased in the outward direction.
Effectiveness of a brief intervention for managing hazardous drinking problems of inpatients in Taiwan.

AIMS This paper is a report of a randomized control trial undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use in Taiwanese inpatients with hazardous drinking patterns. BACKGROUND The Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use has been found to be as effective as medical and psychological treatments for individuals with alcohol use disorders in western countries. However, few studies have examined brief alcohol interventions for a Chinese population. METHODS Patients from the medical and surgical wards of a medical centre in northern Taiwan were enrolled if they had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score >8. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 47), which received the Brief Intervention, and the control group (n = 48), which received no special psychosocial intervention except routine nursing care. Data were collected from February 2005 to March 2006 on hospitalized participants' demographic characteristics and alcohol use. Scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were re-assessed over the telephone 6 months later by a trained assistant blinded to the treatment group. RESULTS The experimental group had a significantly higher mean improved Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score and better outcomes in all three dimensions of the test than the control group. CONCLUSIONS The Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use is recommended for use in clinical settings to help Taiwanese inpatients with hazardous drinking patterns to improve their drinking problems.
“I want to know what's in Pandora's box”: Comparing stakeholder perspectives on incidental findings in clinical whole genomic sequencing

Whole genomic sequencing (WGS) promises significant personalized health benefits, and its increasingly low cost makes wide clinical use inevitable. However, a core challenge is “incidental findings” (IF). Using focus groups, we explored attitudes about the disclosure of IF in clinical settings from three perspectives: Genetics health‐care professionals, the general public, and parents whose children have experienced genetic testing. Analysis was based on a framework approach. All three groups considered practical and ethical considerations. There was consensus that IF presented challenges for disclosure and a pre‐test patient–clinician discussion was vital for clarification and agreement. The professionals favored targeted analysis to limit data handling and focus pre‐test discussions on medical relevance. Their perspective highlighted ethical concepts of justice and beneficence. The lay groups' standpoint emphasized autonomy and patients' rights to choose what findings they receive, and that patients accept the consequences of any potential anxiety and uncertainty. The lay groups also felt that it was their responsibility to check genomic developments over time with their original test results and saw patient responsibility as an important part of patient choice. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of selected maternal exposures and non‐syndromic atrioventricular septal defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2005.

Although the descriptive epidemiology of atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs), a group of serious congenital heart defects (CHDs), has been recently reported, non‐genetic risk factors have not been consistently identified. Using data (1997–2005) from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, an ongoing multisite population‐based case–control study, the association between selected non‐genetic factors and non‐syndromic AVSDs was examined. Data on periconceptional exposures to such factors were collected by telephone interview from 187 mothers of AVSD case infants and 6,703 mothers of unaffected infants. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from logistic regression models. Mothers who reported cigarette smoking during the periconceptional period were more likely to have infants with AVSDs compared with non‐smokers, independent of maternal age, periconceptional alcohol consumption, infant gestational age, family history of CHDs, and study site (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.4). The association was strongest in mothers who smoked more than 25 cigarettes/day. In addition, mothers with periconceptional passive smoke exposure were more likely to have infants with AVSDs than unexposed mothers, independent of maternal age, active periconceptional smoking, infant gestational age, and family history of CHDs (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–2.0). No associations were observed between AVSDs and maternal history of a urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease, maternal use of a wide variety of medications, maternal occupational exposure, parental drug use, or maternal alcohol consumption. If the results of this preliminary study can be replicated, minimizing maternal active and passive smoke exposure may decrease the incidence of AVSDs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.