bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expansion of the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase family and function in
Leishmania
shows that
TOR3
is required for acidocalcisome biogenesis and animal infectivity
Authors: Madeira da Silva Luciana , Beverley Stephen M.
Published: June 2010

Target of rapamycin (TOR) kinases are key regulators of cell growth, proliferation, and structure in eukaryotes, processes that are highly coordinated during the infectious cycle of eukaryotic pathogens. Database mining revealed three TOR kinases in the trypanosomatid parasite
Leishmania major
, as defined by homology to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase–related kinase (PIKK) family and a signature conserved FKBP12/rapamycin-binding domain. Consistent with the essential roles of TOR complexes in other organisms, we were unable to generate null
TOR1
or
TOR2
mutants in cultured
L. major
promastigotes. In contrast,
tor3
−
null mutants were readily obtained; while exhibiting somewhat slower growth,
tor3
−
maintained normal morphology, rapamycin sensitivity, and differentiation into the animal-infective metacyclic stage. Significantly,

tor3
−

mutants were unable to survive or replicate in macrophages in vitro, or to induce pathology or establish infections in mice in vivo. The loss of virulence was associated with a defect in acidocalcisome formation, as this unique organelle was grossly altered in
tor3
- mutants and no longer accumulated polyphosphates. Correspondingly,
tor3
- mutants showed defects in osmoregulation and were sensitive to starvation for glucose but not amino acids, glucose being a limiting nutrient in the parasitophorous vacuole. Thus, in
Leishmania
, the TOR kinase family has expanded to encompass a unique role in AC function and biology, one that is essential for parasite survival in the mammalian infective stage. Given their important roles in cell survival and virulence, inhibition of TOR kinase function in trypanosomatids offers an attractive target for chemotherapy.
ViewDock TDW: high-throughput visualization of virtual screening results
Authors: Lau Christopher D. , Levesque Marshall J. , Chien Shu , Date Susumu , Haga Jason H.
Published: June 2010

Summary:  ViewDock TDW is a modification of the pre-existing ViewDock Chimera extension (http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/) used to visualize results of virtual screening experiments. By combing TDW hardware and an enhanced ViewDock interface, dozens of ligand–protein complexes are rendered simultaneously to parallelize the analysis of candidate ligands. The ViewDock TDW GUI allows the user to easily and interactively manipulate the molecules on the TDW as an entire set, a selected subset or a single ligand–protein complex and preserves all Chimera functionality.

Availability and Implementation:  ViewDock TDW is an open source software; freely available on the web at http://www.tdw-prime.webs.com. Chimera UCSF is also available, free of charge, at http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/

Contact:  jhaga@bioeng.ucsd.edu
JAMIE: joint analysis of multiple ChIP-chip experiments
Authors: Wu Hao , Ji Hongkai
Published: June 2010

Motivation: Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by genome tiling array hybridization (ChIP-chip) is a powerful approach to identify transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in target genomes. When multiple related ChIP-chip datasets are available, analyzing them jointly allows one to borrow information across datasets to improve peak detection. This is particularly useful for analyzing noisy datasets.

Results: We propose a hierarchical mixture model and develop an R package JAMIE to perform the joint analysis. The genome is assumed to consist of background and potential binding regions (PBRs). PBRs have context-dependent probabilities to become bona fide binding sites in individual datasets. This model captures the correlation among datasets, which provides basis for sharing information across experiments. Real data tests illustrate the advantage of JAMIE over a strategy that analyzes individual datasets separately.

Availability:  JAMIE is freely available from http://www.biostat.jhsph.edu/∼hji/jamie

Contact:  hji@jhsph.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Count: evolutionary analysis of phylogenetic profiles with parsimony and likelihood
Authors: Csűös Miklós
Published: June 2010

Summary: Count is a software package for the analysis of numerical profiles on a phylogeny. It is primarily designed to deal with profiles derived from the phyletic distribution of homologous gene families, but is suited to study any other integer-valued evolutionary characters. Count performs ancestral reconstruction, and infers family- and lineage-specific characteristics along the evolutionary tree. It implements popular methods employed in gene content analysis such as Dollo and Wagner parsimony, propensity for gene loss, as well as probabilistic methods involving a phylogenetic birth-and-death model.

Availability: Count is available as a stand-alone Java application, as well as an application bundle for MacOS X, at the web site http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/∼csuros/gene_content/count.html. It can also be launched using Java Webstart from the same site. The software is distributed under a BSD-style license. Source code is available upon request from the author.

Contact:  csuros@iro.umontreal.ca
Molecular signatures-based prediction of enzyme promiscuity
Authors: Carbonell Pablo , Faulon Jean-Loup
Published: June 2010

Motivation: Enzyme promiscuity, a property with practical applications in biotechnology and synthetic biology, has been related to the evolvability of enzymes. At the molecular level, several structural mechanisms have been linked to enzyme promiscuity in enzyme families. However, it is at present unclear to what extent these observations can be generalized. Here, we introduce for the first time a method for predicting catalytic and substrate promiscuity using a graph-based representation known as molecular signature.

Results: Our method, which has an accuracy of 85% for the non-redundant KEGG database, is also a powerful analytical tool for characterizing structural determinants of protein promiscuity. Namely, we found that signatures with higher contribution to the prediction of promiscuity are uniformly distributed in the protein structure of promiscuous enzymes. In contrast, those signatures that act as promiscuity determinants are significantly depleted around non-promiscuous catalytic sites. In addition, we present the study of the enolase and aminotransferase superfamilies as illustrative examples of characterization of promiscuous enzymes within a superfamily and achievement of enzyme promiscuity by protein reverse engineering. Recognizing the role of enzyme promiscuity in the process of natural evolution of enzymatic function can provide useful hints in the design of directed evolution experiments. We have developed a method with potential applications in the guided discovery and enhancement of latent catalytic capabilities surviving in modern enzymes.

Availability:  http://www.issb.genopole.fr∼faulon

Contact:  pcarbonell@issb.genopole.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Structure-based kernels for the prediction of catalytic residues and their involvement in human inherited disease
Authors: Xin Fuxiao , Myers Steven , Li Yong Fuga , Cooper David N. , Mooney Sean D. , Radivojac Predrag
Published: June 2010

Motivation: Enzyme catalysis is involved in numerous biological processes and the disruption of enzymatic activity has been implicated in human disease. Despite this, various aspects of catalytic reactions are not completely understood, such as the mechanics of reaction chemistry and the geometry of catalytic residues within active sites. As a result, the computational prediction of catalytic residues has the potential to identify novel catalytic pockets, aid in the design of more efficient enzymes and also predict the molecular basis of disease.

Results: We propose a new kernel-based algorithm for the prediction of catalytic residues based on protein sequence, structure and evolutionary information. The method relies upon explicit modeling of similarity between residue-centered neighborhoods in protein structures. We present evidence that this algorithm evaluates favorably against established approaches, and also provides insights into the relative importance of the geometry, physicochemical properties and evolutionary conservation of catalytic residue activity. The new algorithm was used to identify known mutations associated with inherited disease whose molecular mechanism might be predicted to operate specifically though the loss or gain of catalytic residues. It should, therefore, provide a viable approach to identifying the molecular basis of disease in which the loss or gain of function is not caused solely by the disruption of protein stability. Our analysis suggests that both mechanisms are actively involved in human inherited disease.

Availability and Implementation: Source code for the structural kernel is available at www.informatics.indiana.edu/predrag/

Contact:  predrag@indiana.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Incidental bycatch of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) by pairtrawlers off northwestern Spain
Authors: Fernández-Contreras M. M. , Cardona L. , Lockyer C. H. , Aguilar A.
Published: June 2010

M. M. Fernández-Contreras, L. Cardona, C. H. Lockyer, and A. Aguilar. 2010. Incidental bycatch of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) by pairtrawlers off northwestern Spain. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1732–1738. The numbers of short-beaked common dolphins captured annually by pairtrawlers operating off Galicia (northwestern Spain) and the operational factors influencing the bycatch were evaluated using on-board observations. Hauling time, fishing depth, and season of the year were identified as the key factors involved in the incidental capture. The dolphins were most vulnerable to trawls at night from May to September, around the continental shelf break. Most of the dolphins in the bycatch were males, and the average age was 13.4 ± 4.4 years for males and 11.5 ± 4.8 years for females. The sex ratio was male-biased owing to a few capture events involving several males each, supporting the notion that bachelor groups exist in the area. The annual bycatch in 2001 and 2002 was an estimated 394 dolphins [95% confidence interval (CI) 230–632], most taken from May to September (mean 348 dolphins, 95% CI 200–590) and just a few from October to April (mean 46 dolphins, 95% CI 0–132). This level of bycatch could be reduced significantly if trawlers were restricted to operating in water deeper than 250 m and likely avoided entirely if they were restricted to water deeper than 300 m.
Loss of pRB causes centromere dysfunction and chromosomal instability
Authors: Manning Amity L. , Longworth Michelle S. , Dyson Nicholas J.
Published: June 2010

Chromosome instability (CIN) is a common feature of tumor cells. By monitoring chromosome segregation, we show that depletion of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) causes rates of missegregation comparable with those seen in CIN tumor cells. The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor is frequently inactivated in human cancers and is best known for its regulation of the G1/S-phase transition. Recent studies have shown that pRB inactivation also slows mitotic progression and promotes aneuploidy, but reasons for these phenotypes are not well understood. Here we describe the underlying mitotic defects of pRB-deficient cells that cause chromosome missegregation. Analysis of mitotic cells reveals that pRB depletion compromises centromeric localization of CAP-D3/condensin II and chromosome cohesion, leading to an increase in intercentromeric distance and deformation of centromeric structure. These defects promote merotelic attachment, resulting in failure of chromosome congression and an increased propensity for lagging chromosomes following mitotic delay. While complete loss of centromere function or chromosome cohesion would have catastrophic consequences, these more moderate defects allow pRB-deficient cells to proliferate but undermine the fidelity of mitosis, leading to whole-chromosome gains and losses. These observations explain an important consequence of RB1 inactivation, and suggest that subtle defects in centromere function are a frequent source of merotely and CIN in cancer.
Locus co-occupancy, nucleosome positioning, and H3K4me1 regulate the functionality of FOXA2-, HNF4A-, and PDX1-bound loci in islets and liver
Authors: Hoffman Brad G. , Robertson Gordon , Zavaglia Bogard , Beach Mike , Cullum Rebecca , Lee Sam , Soukhatcheva Galina , Li Leping , Wederell Elizabeth D. , Thiessen Nina , Bilenky Mikhail , Cezard Timothee , Tam Angela , Kamoh Baljit , Birol Inanc , Dai Derek , Zhao YongJun , Hirst Martin , Verchere C. Bruce , Helgason Cheryl D. , Marra Marco A. , Jones Steven J.M. , Hoodless Pamela A.
Published: June 2010

The liver and pancreas share a common origin and coexpress several transcription factors. To gain insight into the transcriptional networks regulating the function of these tissues, we globally identify binding sites for FOXA2 in adult mouse islets and liver, PDX1 in islets, and HNF4A in liver. Because most eukaryotic transcription factors bind thousands of loci, many of which are thought to be inactive, methods that can discriminate functionally active binding events are essential for the interpretation of genome-wide transcription factor binding data. To develop such a method, we also generated genome-wide H3K4me1 and H3K4me3 localization data in these tissues. By analyzing our binding and histone methylation data in combination with comprehensive gene expression data, we show that H3K4me1 enrichment profiles discriminate transcription factor occupied loci into three classes: those that are functionally active, those that are poised for activation, and those that reflect pioneer-like transcription factor activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the regulated presence of H3K4me1-marked nucleosomes at transcription factor occupied promoters and enhancers controls their activity, implicating both tissue-specific transcription factor binding and nucleosome remodeling complex recruitment in determining tissue-specific gene expression. Finally, we apply these approaches to generate novel insights into how FOXA2, PDX1, and HNF4A cooperate to drive islet- and liver-specific gene expression.
Orientational ordering, tilting and lone-pair activity in the perovskite methylammonium tin bromide, CH3NH3SnBr3
Authors: Swainson Ian , Chi Lisheng , Her Jae-Hyuk , Cranswick Lachlan , Stephens Peter , Winkler Björn , Wilson Daniel J. , Milman Victor
Published: June 2010

Synchrotron powder diffraction data from methylammonium tin bromide, CH3NH3SnBr3, taken as a function of temperature, reveal the existence of a phase between 230 and 188 K crystallizing inPmc21,a= 5.8941 (2),b= 8.3862 (2),c= 8.2406 (2) Å. Strong ferroelectric distortions of the octahedra, associated with stereochemical activity of the Sn 5s2lone pair, are evident. A group analysis and decomposition of the distortion modes of the inorganic framework with respect to the cubic parent is given. The primary order parameters driving this upper transition appear to be an in-phase tilt (rotation) of the octahedra coupled to a ferroelectric mode. The precise nature of the lower-temperature phase remains uncertain, although it appears likely to be triclinic. Density-functional theory calculations on such a triclinic cell suggest that directional bonding of the amine group to the halide cage is coupled to the stereochemical activity of the Sn lone pairviathe Br atoms,i.e.that the bonding from the organic component may have a strong effect on the inorganic sublattice (principallyviaswitching the direction of the lone pair with little to no energy cost).
A pilot study of the Histone‐Deacetylase inhibitor Givinostat in patients with JAK2V617F positive chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Rambaldi Alessandro , Dellacasa Chiara Maria , Finazzi Guido , Carobbio Alessandra , Ferrari Maria Luisa , Guglielmelli Paola , Gattoni Elisabetta , Salmoiraghi Silvia , Finazzi Maria Chiara , Di Tollo Silvia , D’Urzo Carmine , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Barosi Giovanni , Barbui Tiziano
Published: June 2010

A phase II A study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Givinostat, a novel Histone‐Deacetylases inhibitor, in patients with Polycythaemia Vera (PV, n = 12), Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET, n = 1) and Myelofibrosis (n = 16), bearing the JAK2V617F mutation. The study was approved by the local ethics committees and all human participants gave written informed consent. Givinostat was given orally for 24 weeks at a starting dose of 50 mg twice daily. The median treatment duration was 20 weeks. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were disease progression (n = 6), grade 2 thrombocytopenia (n = 1), psychiatric symptoms (n = 1) and withdrawn consent (n = 2). A dose reduction was applied in 10 patients while a temporary interruption occurred in 15. Among 13 PV/ET patients, 1 complete, 6 partial and 4 no responses were documented at study end while 2 patients went off‐study, prematurely. Three major responses were registered among 16 MF patients. Pruritus disappeared in most patients and reduction of splenomegaly was observed in 75% of PV/ET and 38% of MF patients. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction identified a trend to reduction of the JAK2V617F allele burden. Givinostat was well tolerated and could induce haematological response in most PV and some MF patients.
Phenotypic plasticity of thermal tolerance contributes to the invasion potential of Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata)
Authors: NYAMUKONDIWA CASPER , KLEYNHANS ELSJE , TERBLANCHE JOHN S.
Published: June 2010

1. The invasion success of Ceratitis capitata probably stems from physiological, morphological, and behavioural adaptations that enable them to survive in different habitats. However, it is generally poorly understood if variation in acute thermal tolerance and its phenotypic plasticity might be important in facilitating survival of C. capitata upon introduction to novel environments.

2. Here, by comparison of widely distributed C. capitata with a narrowly distributed congener, C. rosa, we show that both species have similar levels of survival to acute high and low temperature exposures under common rearing conditions. However, these species differ dramatically in the time‐course of plastic responses to acute low temperature treatments.

3. The range of temperatures that induce rapid cold hardening (RCH) are similar for both species. However, C. capitata has two distinct advantages over C. rosa. First, at 5°C C. capitata develops RCH significantly faster than C. rosa. Second, C. capitata maintains a RCH response longer than C. rosa (8 vs. 0.5 h).

4. A simple population survival model, based on the estimated time‐course of RCH responses determined for both species, was undertaken to simulate time to extinction for both species introduced into a similar thermally variable environment. The model showed that time to extinction is greater for C. capitata than for C. rosa, especially in habitats where temperatures frequently drop below 10°C.

5. Thus, variation in RCH responses may translate into significant variation in survival upon introduction to novel thermal habitats for C. capitata, particularly in cooler and more thermally variable geographic regions, and may contribute to their ongoing invasion success relative to other, more geographically constrained Ceratitis species.
Parents, spouses, and children of hospitalized patients: evaluation of nursing care
Authors: Yagil Dana , Luria Gil , Admi Hanna , Moshe‐Eilon Yael , Linn Shai
Published: June 2010

yagil d., luria g., admi h., moshe‐eilon y. & linn s. (2010) Parents, spouses, and children of hospitalized patients: evaluation of nursing care. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1793–1801.

Title.  Parents, spouses, and children of hospitalized patients: evaluation of nursing care.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the effect of kinship type and gender on family members’ evaluation of nursing care for patients and their families in hospital units.

Background.  With increasing competition in the healthcare system, hospitals attribute great importance to client satisfaction, which is strongly related to the quality of nursing care. However, to date there has been little research into family members’ evaluation of nursing care.

Methods.  Questionnaires were administered to spouses, parents and children (n = 441) of hospitalized patients in three Israeli hospitals during 2007–2008.

Results.  Kinship type interacted with gender in affecting family members’ evaluation of the quality of nursing care. Among men, husbands were the most satisfied with nursing behaviour, treatment of the patients, and the information they receive. Fathers were the least satisfied. Overall family evaluation of the service was predicted by their evaluation of caring, treatment, and the patient’s environment; departmental reputation was predicted by evaluation of treatment.

Conclusion.  Nurses should be trained to develop sensitivity to the diverse expectations and needs of relatives, as well as awareness of how their own preconceptions affect their behaviour toward patients’ families. Nurses should develop self‐awareness of possible stereotypes and prejudices that may bias their behaviour towards family members. Reactions of family members should also be included in surveys of client satisfaction with nursing care.
Health‐related quality of life in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: effects of a nurse‐led case management programme
Authors: Chow Susan Ka Yee , Wong Frances K.Y.
Published: June 2010

chow s.k.y. & wong f.k.y. (2010) Health‐related quality of life in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: effects of a nurse‐led case management programme. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1780–1792.

Title.  Health‐related quality of life in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: effects of a nurse‐led case management programme.

Aim.  This paper is a report of an examination of the effectiveness of a nurse‐led case management programme in improving the quality of life of peritoneal dialysis patients in Hong Kong.

Background.  Patients with end‐stage renal failure need integrated health care to maintain a desirable quality of life. Studies suggest that transitional care using a nurse case management model has a positive effect for patients suffering from chronic diseases, but the results have not been conclusive.

Method.  Eighty‐five patients participated in the study in 2005, 43 in the study group and 42 in the control group. Patients in the control group received routine hospital discharge services. Study group patients received a comprehensive education programme prior to discharge and standardized, 6‐week nurse‐initiated telephone follow‐up. Kidney disease quality of life was measured for each patient at three time intervals: before the intervention, at completion of the 6‐week intervention and 6 weeks after completion of the programme.

Results.  Repeated measures analysis of variance, general linear model was carried out. Statistically significant within‐group effects were found for symptoms/problems, effects of kidney disease, sleep, role‐physical, pain, emotional wellbeing and social function. Statistically significant interaction effects were demonstrated for staff encouragement, patient satisfaction, sleep and social function.

Conclusion.  The nurse‐led case management programme can be applied effectively to patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. The new model of care is particularly useful for enhancing patients’ wellbeing in the transition from hospital to home.
How adolescent patients use ward space
Authors: Hutton Alison
Published: June 2010

hutton a. (2010) How adolescent patients use ward space. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1802–1809.

Title.  How adolescent patients use ward space.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the use of ward space in a purpose‐built adolescent ward and the influence of that space on both adolescent patients and nurses.

Background.  A separate ward environment gives adolescent patients opportunities to be with peers, have privacy and independence and be nursed away from younger children. The aim of adolescent wards is to cater for these differences and to set routines around this age group.

Methods.  Data were collected between 2002 and 2003 by participant observation and interview. In total 35 observations were undertaken of both adolescents and nursing staff, with associated interviews. A further 17 semi‐structured individual nurse and 11 adolescent interviews were conducted, aimed at exploring the use of ward space. Patient demographics, ward policies and patient information sheets were also used.

Findings.  Adolescent patients created their own spaces on the ward from personal effects that were of interest to them. These spaces show nurses who they are. Adolescent patients want to be identified as more than ‘just’ a patient when they are in hospital. What the creation of these spaces does is assist the adolescent patient in escaping the homogeneity of the ward by cutting across its activities.

Conclusions.  By understanding patients through their self‐created spaces, nurses can improve the capacity of adolescents to contribute to their own care, whilst enhancing their care experiences through understanding and collaboration.
Recovery after coronary artery bypass surgery: effect of an audiotape information programme
Authors: Utriyaprasit Ketsarin , Moore Shirley M. , Chaiseri Praditchai
Published: June 2010

utriyaprasit k., moore s.m. & chaiseri p. (2010) Recovery after coronary artery bypass surgery: effect of an audiotape information programme. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1747–1759.

Title.  Recovery after coronary artery bypass surgery: effect of an audiotape information programme.

Aim.  The aim of the study was to test the effect of an audiotape giving concrete objective information and strategies to reduce symptoms, psychological distress and enhance physical functioning in patients having coronary artery bypass grafts.

Background.  The period following hospital discharge is stressful for patients having coronary artery bypass grafts. Evident‐based interventions are needed to improve outcomes in Thai populations following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods.  A randomized controlled trial was conducted during 2004–2005. A sample of 120 Thai patients having coronary artery bypass grafts was randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group was given an information audiotape the day prior to hospital discharge, and encouraged to listen to it as many times as necessary. Participants were interviewed using validated instruments predischarge and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after discharge.

Findings.  Participants in the intervention group had statistically significantly fewer symptoms of shoulder, back or neck pain and lack of appetite, and increased physical activity after discharge, compared to the control group. This effect remained statistically significant after controlling for age, gender, co‐morbidity and presurgical cardiac functional status. However, no statistically significant difference in psychological distress was observed.

Conclusion.  Nurses can use an audiotape containing preparatory information to improve outcomes for patients having coronary artery bypass grafts during the few weeks after discharge from hospital. Further studies are recommended to improve its effect on psychological distress.
Nursing work environment and nurse caring: relationship among motivational factors
Authors: Burtson Paige L. , Stichler Jaynelle F.
Published: June 2010

burtson p.l. & stichler j.f. (2010) Nursing work environment and nurse caring: relationship among motivational factors. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1819–1831.

Title.  Nursing work environment and nurse caring: relationship among motivational factors.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the relationships among compassion satisfaction, nurse job satisfaction, stress, burnout and compassion fatigue to nurse caring.

Background.  Nurse caring is the most influential dimension of patient advocation and is predictive of patient satisfaction. Qualitative studies have indicated that nurse caring is a key motivational factor impacting recruitment and retention.

Methods.  A correlational study of nurses (N = 126) was conducted in 2008 at a single, academic medical center. The six variables of interest were operationalized using four valid and reliable research instruments: (1) the Mueller McCloskey Satisfaction Scale, (2) the Professional Quality of Life Scale, (3) the Stress in General Scale and (4) the Caring Behaviors Inventory.

Results.  Pearson Product–moment correlations showed statistically significant relationships between nurse caring and compassion satisfaction (r = 0·51, P < 0·001), nurse job satisfaction subscales (r = 0·16–0·28, P < 0·05), stress (r = −0·21, P < 0·05), and burnout (r = −0·22, P < 0·01). A statistically significant relationship was found between the nurse caring subscale of knowledge and skill and compassion fatigue (r = −0·22, P < 0·01). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis demonstrated that compassion satisfaction (R2 = 0·287, β = 0·536, P = 0·000) and nurse satisfaction with social interaction opportunities related to work (β = 0·223, P = 0·032) explained variability in nurse caring.

Conclusion.  Fostering compassion satisfaction and social interaction opportunities among nurses may improve nurse caring, potentially sustaining long‐term improvements in patient.
Factors influencing heart failure patients’ sleep quality
Authors: Wang Tsae‐Jyy , Lee Shu‐Chiung , Tsay Shiow‐Luan , Tung Heng‐Hsin
Published: June 2010

wang t.‐j., lee s.‐c., tsay s.‐l. & tung h.‐h. (2010) Factors influencing heart failure patients’ sleep quality. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1730–1740.

Title.  Factors influencing heart failure patients’ sleep quality.

Aim.  The aim of the study was to describe the factors influencing the sleep quality of patients with heart failure.

Background.  Sleep problems are common in patients with heart failure, and have a negative impact on their quality of life. Patients with heart failure often have difficulties in lying supine to sleep, falling asleep, and maintaining sleep, as well as waking up too early.

Methods.  A predictive correlational design was used, with 101 patients with heart failure recruited from cardiology clinics in Taiwan. Patients completed questionnaires, and data were collected in 2007. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t‐tests, analysis of variance, Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, and multiple regression.

Results.  The mean score for sleep quality was 10·78 (sd = 4·78), as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Overall, 81% of participants reported poor sleep quality, and 31% were unsatisfied with the quality of their sleep. Sleep efficacy and hours of sleep during the night were rated as the lowest among the dimensions of sleep quality. The most common reason for interruption of sleep was getting up to urinate at night. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the factors related to sleep quality were gender, perceived health, depressive mood, and the number of comorbidities. These four variables explained 31% of the variance in the sleep quality of these patients.

Conclusion.  Patients with heart failure should be taught sleep hygiene and to increase leisure time activities, disease self‐management, and emotional adjustment skills to improve their sleep quality. These patients should also be observed for night time safety risk due to nocturia.
Inpatient falls in adult acute care settings: influence of patients’ mental status
Authors: Tzeng Huey‐Ming
Published: June 2010

tzeng h.‐m. (2010) Inpatient falls in adult acute care settings: influence of patients’ mental status. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1741–1746.

Title.  Inpatient falls in adult acute care settings: influence of patients’ mental status.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of fallers’ mental status as one of the patient‐related intrinsic risk factors for falls.

Background.  Whether confusion is one of the most important risk factors associated with risk of falling in hospital settings is unclear. Literature reviews have not identified consistent evidence for effective preventive interventions for patients with mental status deficits.

Methods.  This retrospective research was conducted in six adult acute care units in a community hospital in the United States of America. The data source was the 1017 fall incidents occurring between 1 July 2005 and 30 April 2009. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi‐square tests were used to analyse the data.

Results.  The presence of mental status deficits was identified as the dominant issue in 346 (34%) falls. The group of fallers with mental status deficits (32·1%, n = 111) seemed to have fewer toileting‐related falls than those without mental status deficits (46·7%, n = 314). Fallers with mental status deficits tended to have more severe fall injuries than those without mental status deficits (χ2 = 10·08, d.f. = 3, P = 0·018).

Conclusion.  Risk assessment and targeted surveillance should be used as part of falls prevention policy. Involving nursing staff and family members in assessing a patient’s mental status may help to prevent falls caused by mental status deficits.
Quality nursing care in the words of nurses
Authors: Burhans Linda Maas , Alligood Martha Raile
Published: June 2010

burhans l.m. & alligood m.r. (2010) Quality nursing care in the words of nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1689–1697.

Title.  Quality nursing care in the words of nurses.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the meaning of quality nursing care for practising nurses.

Background.  Healthcare quality continues to be a subject of intense criticism and debate. Although quality nursing care is vital to patient outcomes and safety, meaningful improvements have been disturbingly slow. Analysis of quality care literature reveals that practising nurses are rarely involved in developing or defining improvement programs for quality nursing care. Therefore, two major study premises were that quality nursing care must be meaningful and relevant to nurses and that uncovering their meaning of quality nursing care could facilitate more effective improvement approaches.

Method.  Using van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenology, meaning was revealed through analysis of interviews to answer the research question ‘What is the lived meaning of quality nursing care for practising nurses?’ Twelve nurses practising on medical or surgical adult units at general or intermediate levels of care within acute care hospitals in the United States of America were interviewed. Emerging themes were discovered through empirical and reflective analysis of audiotapes and transcripts. The data were collected in 2008.

Findings.  The revealed lived meaning of quality nursing care for practising nurses was meeting human needs through caring, empathetic, respectful interactions within which responsibility, intentionality and advocacy form an essential, integral foundation.

Conclusion.  Nurse managers could develop strategies that support nurses better in identifying and delivering quality nursing care reflective of responsibility, caring, intentionality, empathy, respect and advocacy. Nurse educators could modify education curricula to model and teach students the intrinsic qualities identified within these meanings of quality nursing care.
Use of unsolicited first‐person written illness narratives in research: systematic review
Authors: O’Brien Mary R. , Clark David
Published: June 2010

o’brien m.r. & clark d. (2010) Use of unsolicited first‐person written illness narratives in research: systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1671–1682.

Title.  Use of unsolicited first‐person written illness narratives in research: systematic review.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a methodological systematic review conducted to critically analyze the use of unsolicited first‐person written illness narratives for research purposes.

Background.  Documenting illness experiences through written narratives enables individuals to record the impact of illness on themselves and those closest to them. In health research, unsolicited first‐person written illness narratives are recognized increasingly as legitimate data sources. To date there has been no critical evaluation of the method.

Data Sources.  The ISI Web of Knowledge; CINAHL; PubMed; MEDLINE; PsycINFO; Science Direct; Cochrane Library databases and the internet metasearch engine ‘Dogpile’ were searched for the period up to 2009. The search terms were: ‘patient experience’, ‘narratives’, ‘autobiography’, ‘pathography’, ‘written narratives’, ‘illness narratives’, ‘internet’, ‘published’, ‘unsolicited’.

Review Methods.  Recommendations within the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidance informed the review. Eligible studies were evaluated according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. The data were extracted by one reviewer and monitored by the second reviewer.

Findings.  Eighteen papers met the inclusion criteria, 12 from the original search in 2008 and six from the updated search in October 2009. Nine used unpublished (internet) narratives, eight used published (print) accounts and one drew on both genres. The method has been used to explore a wide range of illness experiences. There was lack of agreement on key terminology. Methodological issues were often poorly‐described, and confused ethical stances were reported.

Conclusion.  The lack of methodological detail in published papers requires attention if this method is to be used effectively in healthcare research. The confused ethical stance adopted needs to be addressed and clarified. A theoretical conceptual framework to define and describe the method accurately is urgently required.
Combined application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the NANDA‐International Taxonomy II
Authors: Boldt Christine , Grill Eva , Bartholomeyczik Sabine , Brach Mirjam , Rauch Alexandra , Eriks‐Hoogland Inge , Stucki Gerold
Published: June 2010

boldt c., grill e., bartholomeyczik s., brach m., rauch a., eriks‐hoogland i. & stucki g. (2010) Combined application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the NANDA‐International Taxonomy II. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1885–1898.

Title.  Combined application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the NANDA‐International Taxonomy II.

Aim.  This paper presents a discussion of the conceptual and practical relationships between the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the NANDA‐International Taxonomy II for nursing diagnoses, and their use in nursing practice.

Background.  The ICF provides a common classification framework for all healthcare professionals, including nurses. Nursing care plans can be broadly based on NANDA‐I taxonomies. No published attempt has been made to systematically compare the NANDA‐I Taxonomy II to the ICF.

Data sources.  The most recently published descriptions of both classifications and a case example presenting the combined use of both classifications. The work was carried out in 2009.

Discussion.  There are conceptual commonalities and differences between the ICF and the NANDA‐I Taxonomy II. In the case example, the overlap between the ICF categories and NANDA‐I nursing diagnoses reflects the fact that the ICF, focusing on functioning and disability, and the NANDA‐I Taxonomy II, with its functioning health patterns, are similar in their approaches.

Implications for nursing.  The NANDA‐I Taxonomy II permits the fulfilment of requirements that are exclusively nursing issues. The application of the ICF is useful for nurses to communicate nursing issues with other healthcare professionals in a common language. For nurses, knowledge shared with other healthcare professionals may contribute to broader understanding of a patient’s situation.

Conclusion.  The ICF and the NANDA‐I Taxonomy II should be used in concert by nurses and can complement each other to enhance the quality of clinical team work and nursing practice.
Long‐term Infusion of Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Reduces Food Intake and Body Weight via a Corticotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Pathway in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus
Authors: Toriya M. , Maekawa F. , Maejima Y. , Onaka T. , Fujiwara K. , Nakagawa T. , Nakata M. , Yada T.
Published: June 2010

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in learning, depression and energy metabolism. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the effects of BDNF on energy metabolism remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the neuronal pathways by which BDNF controls feeding behaviour and energy balance. Using an osmotic mini‐pump, BDNF or control artificial cerebrospinal fluid was infused i.c.v. at the lateral ventricle or into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) for 12 days. Intracerebroventricular BDNF up‐regulated mRNA expression of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin in the PVN. TrkB, the receptor for BDNF, was expressed in the PVN neurones, including those containing CRH. Both i.c.v. and intra‐PVN‐administered BDNF decreased food intake and body weight. These effects of BDNF on food intake and body weight were counteracted by the co‐administration of α‐helical‐CRH, an antagonist for the CRH and urocortin receptors CRH‐R1/R2, and partly attenuated by a selective antagonist for CRH‐R2 but not CRH‐R1. Intracerebroventricular BDNF also decreased the subcutaneous and visceral fat mass, adipocyte size and serum triglyceride levels, which were all attenuated by α‐helical‐CRH. Furthermore, BDNF decreased the respiratory quotient and raised rectal temperature, which were counteracted by α‐helical‐CRH. These results indicate that the CRH‐urocortin‐CRH‐R2 pathway in the PVN and connected areas mediates the long‐term effects of BDNF to depress feeding and promote lipolysis.
Effects of Perinatal Administration of Bisphenol A on the Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Expressing System in the Hypothalamus and Limbic System of CD1 Mice
Authors: Martini M. , Miceli D. , Gotti S. , Viglietti‐Panzica C. , Fissore E. , Palanza P. , Panzica G.
Published: June 2010

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well‐known plastic‐derived pollutant that can bind to oestrogen receptors and is considered an endocrine‐disrupting chemical. Its impact on different behaviours in rodents has been largely investigated, however, only a few data are available on its effects upon neural circuits. In the present study, we investigated the long‐term effects of early exposure of mice of both sexes to BPA on the nitrinergic system, one of the neural systems involved in the control of sexual behaviour and under the control of gonadal hormones. Mice of both sexes were exposed for eight prenatal and eight postnatal days to BPA that was administered to the mothers. The maternally‐exposed mice were sacrificed at the age of 2 months and their brains were sectioned and immunohistochemically treated for the detection of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Significant effects of BPA exposure were detected for the number of immunoreactive cells in the medial preoptic nucleus and in the ventromedial subdivision of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, in a sex‐oriented and dose‐dependent way. These results indicate that BPA has a powerful effect on specific portions of the nNOS‐immunoreactive system belonging to the accessory olfactory system that are particularly important for the control of sexual behaviour. In addition, they confirm that perinatal exposure to endocrine‐disrupting chemicals, in particular to BPA, may have a high impact on the organisation of specific neural pathways that can later affect complex behaviours and functions.
Measuring masticatory performance using a new device and β‐carotene in test gummy jelly
Authors: NOKUBI T. , NOKUBI F. , YOSHIMUTA Y. , IKEBE K. , ONO T. , MAEDA Y.
Published: June 2010

Summary  Objective methods for evaluating masticatory performance are invaluable for quantitative comparisons between various dental treatments as well as diagnosing masticatory disorder. The purpose of this study was to develop an accurate method for automatically measuring masticatory performance using a new measuring device consisting of light‐emitting diodes and a photodiode and test gummy jelly. First, the relationship between six known β‐carotene concentrations in aqueous solution and the voltage values exhibited on a photodiode was investigated. Mean voltage obtained by red light incident on the photodiode indicated a significantly high correlation (r = 0·999 in a cubic function, P < 0·01) with β‐carotene concentration in the aqueous solution. Second, to establish the optimal measuring conditions for evaluating masticatory performance, factors influencing mean voltage were investigated, such as water temperature and times for rinsing the gummy jelly and dissolving β‐carotene from the jelly. A stable mean voltage was obtained by measuring under the following conditions: rinsing water temperature, 35 °C; rinsing time, 30 s; water dissolving temperature, 35 °C; dissolving time, 10 s. Finally, the relationship between seven surface area values of divided gummy jelly and β‐carotene concentrations dissolved from the divided jellies was investigated. The increase in surface area of divided test gummy jelly particles was accurately calculated (r = 0·992, P < 0·001) from mean voltage on the photodiode to change with β‐carotene concentration dissolved from the jelly surface. This new method using test gummy jelly and an automatic measuring device appears useful for precisely evaluating masticatory performance.
Anaesthesia for endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: BAKER A. R. , BAKER A.B.
Published: June 2010

Endoscopic sinus surgery is commonly performed and has a low risk of major complications. Intraoperative bleeding impairs surgical conditions and increases the risk of complications. Remifentanil appears to produce better surgical conditions than other opioid analgesics, and total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol may provide superior conditions to a volatile‐based technique. Moderate hypotension with intraoperative β blockade is associated with better operating conditions than when vasodilating agents are used. Tight control of CO2 does not affect the surgical view. The use of a laryngeal mask may be associated with improved surgical conditions and a smoother emergence. It provides airway protection equivalent to that provided by an endotracheal tube in well‐selected patients, but offers less protection from gastric regurgitation. Post‐operatively, multimodal oral analgesia provides good pain relief, while long‐acting local anaesthetics have been shown not to improve analgesia.