bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of hepatitis C virus in patients treated with peginterferon‐alfa 2a plus ribavirin treatment by COBAS TaqMan HCV test
Authors: Kanda T. , Imazeki F. , Yonemitsu Y. , Mikami S. , Takada N. , Nishino T. , Takashi M. , Tsubota A. , Kato K. , Sugiura N. , Tawada A. , Wu S. , Tanaka T. , Nakamoto S. , Mikata R. , Tada M. , Chiba T. , Kurihara T. , Arai M. , Fujiwara K. , Kanai F. , Yokosuka O.
Published: December 2010

Summary.  Extremely low levels of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA can be detected by COBAS TaqMan HCV test. To investigate whether the COBAS TaqMan HCV test is useful for measuring rapid virological response (RVR) and early virological response (EVR) to predict sustained virological response (SVR), we compared the virological response to PEG‐IFN‐alfa 2a plus RBV in 76 patients infected with HCV genotype 1 when undetectable HCV RNA by the COBAS TaqMan HCV test was used, with those when below 1.7 log IU/mL HCV RNA by COBAS TaqMan HCV test was used, which corresponded to the use of traditional methods. Among the 76 patients, 28 (36.8%) had SVR, 13 (17.1%) relapsed, 19 (25.0%) did not respond, and 16 (21.0%) discontinued the treatment due to side effects. The positive predictive values for SVR based on undetectable HCV RNA by COBAS TaqMan HCV test at 24 weeks after the end of treatment [10/10 (100%) at week 4, 21/23 (91.3%) at week 8 and 26/33 (78.7%) at week 12] were superior to those based on <1.7 log IU/mL HCV RNA [17/19 (89.4%) at week 4, 27/38 (71.0%) at week 8, and 27/43 (62.7%) at week 12]. The negative predictive values for SVR based on <1.7 log IU/mL HCV RNA by COBAS TaqMan HCV test [46/57 (80.7%) at week 4, 37/38 (97.3%) at week 8, and 32/33 (96.9%) at week 12] were superior to those based on undetectable HCV RNA [48/66 (72.7%) at week 4, 46/53 (86.7%) at week 8, and 41/43 (95.3%) at week 12]. The utilization of both undetectable RNA and <1.7 log IU/mL HCV RNA by COBAS TaqMan HCV test is useful and could predict SVR and non‐SVR patients with greater accuracy.
MALE GAMETOPHYTE DEFECTIVE 4 encodes a rhamnogalacturonan II xylosyltransferase and is important for growth of pollen tubes and roots in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Lei , Liu Lifeng , Niu Qian‐Kun , Xia Chuan , Yang Ke‐Zhen , Li Rui , Chen Li‐Qun , Zhang Xue‐Qin , Zhou Yihua , Ye De
Published: December 2010

In flowering plants, the growth of pollen tubes is essential for the delivery of sperm to the egg cells. Although many factors (including cell‐wall properties) are involved in this process, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms that regulate the growth of pollen tubes. We report here the characterization of an Arabidopsis mutant male gametophyte defective 4 (mgp4) that is severely defective in pollen tube growth. The mgp4 mutation also impairs root growth of pollen‐rescued mgp4 mutant plants generated by expressing MGP4 cDNA under the control of a pollen grain/tube‐specific promoter. The MGP4 gene encodes a putative xylosyltransferase and is expressed in many organs/tissues, including pollen tubes and roots. MGP4 protein expressed in Pichia pastoris exhibited xylosyltransferase activity and transferred d‐xylose onto l‐fucose. The pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II (RG‐II), isolated from 7‐day‐old pollen‐rescued mutant seedlings, exhibited a 30% reduction in 2‐O‐methyl d‐xylose residues. Furthermore, an exogenous supply of boric acid enhanced RG‐II dimer formation and partially restored the root growth of the pollen‐rescued mutant seedlings. Taken together, these results suggest that MGP4 plays important roles in pollen tube and root growth by acting as a xylosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of pectic RG‐II.
Expression of ER quality control‐related genes in response to changes in BiP1 levels in developing rice endosperm
Authors: Wakasa Yuhya , Yasuda Hiroshi , Oono Youko , Kawakatsu Taiji , Hirose Sakiko , Takahashi Hideyuki , Hayashi Shimpei , Yang Lijun , Takaiwa Fumio
Published: December 2010

Binding protein (BiP) is the key chaperone involved in folding of secretory proteins such as seed storage proteins in the ER lumen. To obtain functional information about BiP1, a gene that is predominantly expressed during rice seed maturation, we generated several transgenic rice plants in which various levels of BiP1 protein accumulated in an endosperm‐specific manner. Severe suppression (BiP1 KD) or significant over‐expression (BiP1 OEmax) of BiP1 not only altered seed phenotype and the intracellular structure of endosperm cells, but also reduced seed storage protein content, starch accumulation and grain weight. Microarray and RT‐PCR analyses indicated that expression of many chaperone and co‐chaperone genes was induced in transgenic plants, with more prominent expression in the BiP1 KD line than in the BiP1 OEmax line. Transcriptional induction of most chaperones was observed in calli treated with dithiothreitol or tunicamycin, treatments that trigger ER stress, indicating that induction of the chaperone genes in transgenic rice was caused by an ER stress response. In transient assays using rice protoplasts, the ortholog (Os06g0622700) of the AtbZIP60 transcription factor was shown to be involved in activation of some chaperone genes. Slight increases in the BiP1 level compared with wild‐type, accompanied by increased levels of calnexin and protein disulfide isomerase‐like proteins, resulted in significant enhancement of seed storage protein content, without any change in intracellular structure or seed phenotype. Judicious modification of BiP1 levels in transgenic rice can provide suitable conditions for the production of secretory proteins by alleviating ER stress.
Arabidopsis nucleoside hydrolases involved in intracellular and extracellular degradation of purines
Authors: Jung Benjamin , Hoffmann Christiane , Möhlmann Torsten
Published: December 2010

Recently, the first plant nucleoside hydrolase, NSH1 (former designation URH1), was identified at the molecular level. This enzyme’s highest hydrolysis capacity is for uridine, thereby balancing pyrimidine salvage and catabolism. NSH1 was found to be less efficient in the hydrolysis of further nucleosides. However, it remained unclear whether purine nucleosides are processed by NSH1. Moreover, the biochemical and physiological functions of further NSH isoforms in Arabidopsis has not been analyzed. Here we show that NSH1 is also able to hydrolyze xanthosine with high efficiency, and thus represents the leading activity in purine and pyrimidine breakdown in a cell. A knockout mutant for NSH1 showed symptoms of accelerated senescence, accompanied by marked accumulation of uridine and xanthosine under conditions of prolonged darkness. The closest, so far uncharacterized, homolog of NSH1, NSH2, was found to act during the late phase of senescence and may support inosine breakdown. NSH3, another NSH isoform, surprisingly functions as an extracellular, purine‐specific hydrolase that is involved in degradation of extracellular nucleosides and may participate in wound and pathogen responses.
Rates and causes of death in Chiradzulu District, Malawi, 2008: a key informant study
Authors: Checchi Francesco , Nyasulu Peter , Chandramohan Daniel , Roberts Bayard
Published: December 2010

In September 2008, we measured all‐cause mortality in Chiradzulu District, Malawi (population 291 000) over a 60‐day retrospective period, using capture–recapture analysis of three lists of deaths provided by (i) key community informants, (ii) graveyard officials and (iii) health system sources. Estimated crude and under‐5‐year mortality rates were 18.6 (95% CI 13.9–24.5) and 30.6 (95% CI 17.5–59.9) deaths per 1000 person‐years. We also classified causes of death through verbal autopsy interviews on 50 deaths over the previous 40 days. Half of deaths were attributable to infection, and half of deaths among children aged under 5 were attributable to neonatal causes. HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death (16.6%), with a cause‐attributable mortality rate of 1.8 (0.4–3.6) deaths per 1000 person‐years.
Multiple follicular cysts in four alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Newkirk Kim M. , Frank Linda A.
Published: December 2010

Follicular cysts are non‐neoplastic skin lesions lined by follicular epithelium. The pathogenesis of these lesions is unclear. Multiple follicular cysts occur sporadically in dogs, horses and humans and are common in sheep. Here we report multiple follicular cysts in four aged alpacas (Vicugna pacos). Based on their histological features, they are most consistent with hybrid cysts. This is the first report of multiple follicular cysts in alpacas.
Photoinhibition of photosystem I
Authors: Sonoike Kintake
Published: December 2010

The photoinhibition of Photosystem I (PSI) drew less attention compared with that of Photosystem II (PSII). This could be ascribed to several reasons, e.g. limited combinations of plant species and environmental conditions that cause PSI photoinhibition, the non‐regulatory aspect of PSI photoinhibition, and methodological difficulty to determine the accurate activity of PSI under stress conditions. However, the photoinhibition of PSI could be more dangerous than that of PSII because of the very slow recovery rate of PSI. This article is intended to introduce such characteristics of PSI photoinhibition with special emphasis on the relationship between two photosystems as well as the protective mechanism of PSI in vivo. Although the photoinhibition of PSI could be induced only in specific conditions and specific plant species in intact leaves, PSI itself is quite susceptible to photoinhibition in isolated thylakoid membranes. PSI seems to be well protected from photoinhibition in vivo in many plant species and many environmental conditions. This is quite understandable because photoinhibition of PSI is not only irreversible but also the potential cause of many secondary damages. This point would be different from the case of PSII photoinhibition, which could be regarded as one of the regulatory mechanisms under stressed as well as non‐stressed conditions.
Convergent lifespan reaction norms in the yeast cultures exposed to different environmental stresses
Authors: TOMALA K. , MICINSKA M. , PALUCHNIAK U. , KORONA R.
Published: December 2010

Lifespan extension under mild stress is frequently observed although difficult to quantify and generalize as previous studies differed substantially in specific experimental arrangements. We cultured the budding yeast in several environments defined by different temperature, source of energy, saline concentration or combinations of these factors. Cells obtained under different growth regimes were transferred to identical and generally nonstressful conditions except for an absence of organic carbon. Chronological lifespan (CL) of the starving cells showed an approximately common norm of reaction when plotted against the growth rate which served as a measure of stress intensity. CL increased roughly 50% in cultures raised at moderately slower pace, regardless of what particular single or multiple stress signals were present, and then decreased gradually with a deepening growth deceleration. We suggest that the strongly nonlinear relation between the metabolic rate and longevity can be a potent constraint controlling norms of phenotypic reaction in a variety of environmental gradients.
Wait and see or rush and switch? New questions for the management of patients with febrile neutropenia receiving antifungal prophylaxis
Authors: Karthaus Meinolf , Hentrich Marcus
Published: December 2010

Infections are a major threat for patients with haematological malignancies after intensive myelosuppressive chemotherapy. The severity and extent of neutropenia are considered a major risk factor for infections in these patients. Antibacterial treatment for patients with febrile neutropenia was standardised in the late 1990s with no further significant improvements within the last decade. Major progress in febrile neutropenia has come from the advent of new antifungals since the late 1990s. Lipid‐based amphotericin B, third‐generation azoles and the introduction of echinocandins allow a safer and effective treatment of invasive fungal infections. The mortality rate of invasive fungal infection is as high as 30–100% and a definitive diagnosis by culture may take too long. Thus, early diagnosis and early initiation of antifungal therapy remain important for the reduction of mortality rates. In the last two decades, randomised trials on prophylaxis and empirical therapy of invasive fungal infections were undertaken. Both primary prophylaxis and empirical therapy of invasive fungal infection proved effective. However, important questions remain unanswered. This article points out the clinicians view on unmet needs for patients with suspected invasive fungal infections after a decade of well‐designed randomised trials for prevention of invasive fungal infections. Should we wait and see what happens in febrile neutropenic patients on antifungal prophylaxis or under empirical treatment or should we rush and switch antifungal treatment?
Clinical experience with posaconazole prophylaxis – a retrospective analysis in a haematological unit
Authors: Hahn J. , Stifel F. , Reichle A. , Holler E. , Andreesen R.
Published: December 2010

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are major causes of death in high‐risk haematological patients receiving induction therapy for acute leukaemia or intensified immunosuppression due to acute or chronic graft‐vs.‐host disease (GvHD) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Recently, two randomised studies showed the efficacy of a posaconazole prophylaxis (PP) in these patients to prevent IFI. This prompted the strong recommendation for the use of PP in national and international guidelines. As we started PP in our leukaemia and transplantation unit in summer 2007, we retrospectively analysed the impact of PP on the incidence of possible, probable or proven IFI in this group of patients. Incidence of IFI according to the revised EORTC criteria, published in 2008, was reviewed retrospectively in a group of high‐risk patients treated in our unit 1 year before the start of PP compared with the same group in the following year with PP. First analysis was performed on an intention‐to‐treat basis comparing patients during 1 year of PP with the same group of patients in the year before the start of PP. In a second, deeper analysis, patients were grouped for fluconazole or posaconazole irrespective of the time period the prophylaxis was given. In a first intent‐to‐treat analysis, 56 patients were analysed in the period without PP (noPP) compared with 34 patients in the period with PP. Overall IFI rates (possible, probable and proven IFI) were reduced from 47% (noPP group) to 35% (PP group). In a second analysis, only patients receiving either fluconazole or PP were analysed, resulting in 29 patients in the noPP group and 36 patients in the PP group. There was a reduction in overall IFI in the PP group especially in the acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) induction patients, but this does not reach statistical significance because of low patient numbers. However, initiation of antifungal therapy was significantly less frequent in AML induction patients in the PP group compared with the noPP group. Unfortunately, this does not result in reduced mortality rates, as mortality in the PP group is higher (15% vs. 7%) than in noPP patients because of double the number of patients with severe GvHD in the PP group. Both breakthrough infections were documented in this subgroup of patients. Our data, collected in every day clinical practice, add further evidence to the advantage of a PP strategy in this group of high‐risk patients. However, more data are urgently needed to assess the impact of PP on the incidence and pattern of fungal infections and the strategies to be used in patients with persisting fever and pulmonary infiltrates receiving PP, especially in the setting of SCT and GvHD.
Posaconazole: clinical pharmacokinetics and drug interactions
Authors: Lipp Hans‐Peter
Published: December 2010

Posaconazole represents an antifungal extended‐spectrum triazole whose absolute bioavailability following oral drug administration is considerably variable. Special conditions including increased gastric pH values, malabsorption syndrome, diarrhoea, intake on an empty stomach and some concomitantly administered potent enzyme‐inducing drugs may contribute to lower drug plasma levels than expected. As a consequence, establishment of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) has been proposed to be beneficial in patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis or therapy with posaconazole. Based on its considerable CYP3A inhibiting potency, posaconazole may significantly increase plasma concentrations of concomitantly applied drugs which undergo an extensive first‐pass effect through gut and liver. More intensified posaconazole TDM may help to estimate the extent of drug interaction more accurately.
Caspofungin plus posaconazole as salvage therapy of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients
Authors: Lellek Heinrich , Waldenmaier Dirk , Dahlke Joachim , Ayuk Francis Ayketang , Wolschke Christine , Kröger Nicolaus , Zander Axel R.
Published: December 2010

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major cause of mortality in immunocompromised patients. Substantial improvements of treatment have been achieved by the introduction of new antifungal agents including azoles (e.g. posaconazole) and echinocandins (e.g. caspofungin). However, mortality associated with treatment‐refractory aspergillosis remains high. Preliminary data suggest that the combination of azoles and echinocandins may increase activity against refractory IA. The objective of the present study was to evaluate efficiency and safety of caspofungin plus posaconazole for salvage therapy in immunocompromised patients. In this monocentric, retrospective study, 31 hospitalised haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with IA refractory to primary treatment were treated with a combination therapy of caspofungin 50 mg a day and posaconazole 200 mg four times per day. Efficacy was assessed by signs, symptoms and the degree of pulmonary infiltrate regression. A favourable response was seen in the majority of patients (77%). In two patients (6%), clinical improvement, but no decline in pulmonary infiltrates, was observed. Five patients (16%) did not respond to combination therapy with a fatal outcome in four of them. Combination therapy was well tolerated. No patient discontinued treatment due to toxicity. This study indicates that the combination of caspofungin and posaconazole may provide an effective and tolerable therapy of IA in immunocompromised patients refractory to primary treatment.
Mechanisms mediating the cardioprotective effects of rapamycin in ischaemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Liu You‐Bin , Yu Bo , Li Shu‐Feng , Fan Ying , Han Wei , Yu Jiang‐Bo , Wang Zheng , Li Xiang‐Lu , Sun Li‐Ping , Yang Shu‐Sen
Published: December 2010

1. In the present study, the temporal and concentration‐dependent cardioprotective effects of rapamycin against ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury, as well as the underlying mechanisms, were investigated.

2. Rat Langendorff‐perfused isolated hearts were exposed to 40 min global ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. Hearts were perfused with different concentrations of rapamycin before and after ischaemia. Myocardial injury was assessed in terms of infarct size and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK). The phosphorylation of Akt, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was determined at the end of reperfusion.

3. When administered prior to ischaemia, 25, 50 and 100 nmol/L rapamycin significantly reduced infarct size compared with control (40.1 ± 1.5, 26.3 ± 4.1 and 21.2 ± 3.4 vs 52.5 ± 4.5%, respectively) without affecting the recovery of ventricular function. No reduction in infarct size was observed when 50 nmol/L rapamycin was administered 10 or 120 min into the reperfusion period.

4. Rapamycin (50 nmol/L) enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt kinase but did not affect the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 or eNOS at the end of reperfusion. The cardioprotective effect of rapamycin was blocked by the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (Akt) inhibitor LY294002 (15 nmol/L).

5. In conclusion, rapamycin mediates cardioprotection prior to ischaemia and after reperfusion. This protection may involve activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase pathway.
Effects of unplanned pregnancy on neonatal health in Turkey: A case–control study
Authors: Karaçam Zekiye , Şen Emine , Amanak Keziban
Published: December 2010

Karaçam Z, Şen E, Amanak K. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 555–563

Effects of unplanned pregnancy on neonatal health in Turkey: A case–control study

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of unplanned pregnancy on neonatal health. This is a retrospective case–control study and included 314 babies selected with a non‐probability method. Data were collected with a questionnaire of descriptive characteristics and neonatal health and Parent Infant Interaction Assessment Scale. A significantly higher rate of the babies born to the women with unplanned pregnancy had meconium in their amniotic fluid (14.6% vs. 7.0%; P = 0.029), needed special care (20.4% vs. 11.5%; P = 0.031) and were kept in the incubators (12.7% vs. 4.5%; P = 0.009). Both the babies born to the women with unplanned pregnancy and the babies born to the women with planned pregnancy were first fed with breast milk (96.8% of the unplanned group; 98.1% of the planned group), but a higher rate of the babies born to the women with unplanned pregnancy had problems with breast‐feeding. (19.1% vs. 5.1%; P = 0.000). The babies born to the women with unplanned pregnancy got significantly lower scores on Parent Infant Interaction Assessment Scale (4.86 ± 1.98 in the unplanned group; 8.52 ± 1.43 in the planned group; P = 0.000). We found that a higher rate of the babies born to the women with unplanned pregnancy needed special care, had problems with breast‐feeding and negative parent–infant interaction. We recommend that women with unplanned pregnancy should be given priority on prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care and that measures which protect and promote neonatal health should be taken.
Scholarship and mentoring: An essential partnership?
Authors: Turnbull Beverley
Published: December 2010

Turnbull B. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 573–578 Scholarship and mentoring: An essential partnership?

This paper discusses as study of mentoring and its relationship to nursing academics' scholarly productivity. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to explore participants' experiences of mentoring and scholarship. Although all participants were well aware of the need to increase levels of scholarship, few had experienced the role modelling, guidance and leadership to assist them in meeting the expectations of the tertiary environment. While quality mentoring was viewed as a productive facilitator to improving levels of scholarly productivity, a supportive work environment with strong academic leadership was also considered an essential element in developing scholarship. Mentoring alone was considered unlikely to ameliorate any institutional issues, but rather, comprised one of a number of strategies. The picture that emerged from the study illustrates a discipline in transition in which a culture of mentoring is not well established, one that requires change not only within the discipline, but within tertiary institutions.
‘Lavender retirement’: A questionnaire survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual people's accommodation plans for old age
Authors: Neville Stephen , Henrickson Mark
Published: December 2010

Neville S., Henrickson M. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 586–594 ‘Lavender retirement’: A questionnaire survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual people's accommodation plans for old age

A global increase in older people will also mean an increase in the numbers of lesbian, gay and bisexual people requiring residential support. All health practitioners working with older people need to be aware of the existence of older lesbian, gay and bisexual people in order to provide health care that is appropriate. This study describes lesbian, gay and bisexual people's accommodation plans for old age through a cross‐sectional quantitative survey design. Participants were recruited through mainstream and lesbian, gay and bisexual media and venues. A total of 2269 participants completed the 133‐item survey. When asked about what accommodation plans they had for their older years lesbian, gay and bisexual people identified that they were least likely to choose living in a retirement community/facility. However, if unable to live independently the majority of respondents identified they would prefer to live in a retirement facility that specifically catered for people who did not identify as heterosexual. This study has found that the residential support sector needs to be prepared to provide a health service that is person‐centred, free from discriminatory practices and meets the needs of all health consumers regardless of sexual orientation.
Clinical decision‐making in senior nursing students in Iran
Authors: Jahanpour Faezeh , Sharif Farkhondeh , Salsali Mahvash , Kaveh Mohammad H , Williams Leonie M
Published: December 2010

Jahanpour F, Sharif F, Salsali M, Kaveh MH, Williams LM. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 595–602 Clinical decision‐making in senior nursing students in Iran

Clinical decision‐making is the basis for professional nursing practice. This can be taught and learned through appropriate teaching and clinical experiences. Unfortunately, it has been observed that many graduates are unable to demonstrate suitable clinical decision‐making skills. Research and study on the process of decision‐making and factors influencing it assists educators to find the appropriate educational and clinical strategies to teach nursing students. To explore the experience of nursing students and their view points regarding the factors influencing their development of clinical decision‐making skills. An exploratory qualitative approach utilizing grounded theory methods was used; focus group interviews were undertaken with 32 fourth year nursing students and data were analysed using constant comparative analysis. Four main themes emerged from the data: clinical instructor incompetency, low self‐efficacy, unconducive clinical learning climate and experiencing stress. The data indicated that students could not make clinical decisions independently. The findings of this study support the need to reform aspects of the curriculum in Iran in order to increase theory–practice integration and prepare a conductive clinical learning climate that enhances learning clinical decision‐making with less stress.
Present and past carers' health: Some considerations
Authors: Scuffham Paul A , Synnott Robyn , Turkstra Erika , Hegney Desley
Published: December 2010

Scuffham PA, Synnott R, Turkstra E, Hegney D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 609–615 Present and past carers' health: Some considerations

We sought to examine the mental and physical health and health‐related quality of life of current and past carers compared to non‐carers, using two instruments—the Short Form‐12 (SF‐12) and the EuroQol 5‐dimension (EQ‐5D). A total of 249 participants (34 current carers, 14 previous carers, 197 non‐carers, 4 non‐respondents) completed a baseline self‐report survey at randomization into the larger study. Previous carers demonstrated moderate to severe anxiety or depressive symptoms measured with the EQ‐5D (P < 0.001), reported on the SF‐12 that they accomplished less because of emotional problems (P = 0.01) and more likely to have ‘felt down’ (P = 0.01) and used more health‐care services than current or non‐carers. Current carers tended towards a higher level of emotional problems and limitations to mobility than non‐carers. This study indicates major differences in the well‐being of these three cohorts. Health practitioners should pay particular attention to the mental health and health related quality of life of previous carers.
Nurses report a healthy culture: Results of the Practice Environment Scale (Australia) in an Australian hospital seeking Magnet recognition
Authors: Walker Kim , Middleton Sandy , Rolley John , Duff Jed
Published: December 2010

Walker K, Middleton S, Rolley J, Duff J. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 616–623 Nurses report a healthy culture: Results of the Practice Environment Scale (Australia) in an Australian hospital seeking Magnet recognition

The Magnet Recognition Program requires evidence that the nursing practice environment supports staff to provide optimal care, access professional development opportunities and participate in hospital affairs. This research aimed to assess clinical nurses’ work environment at a leading private hospital in Sydney, Australia using a version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index modified for the Australian context.

Our results were comparable to Magnet hospitals for two subscales and significantly higher than Magnet results for the remaining three subscales and the composite scale. This was especially pleasing in relation to the hospital's preparation for Magnet recognition. Hospitals across Australasia might find administration of the Practice Environment Scale (modified for use in the Australian context) a useful exercise both as a stimulus to preparation and an indicator of readiness for Magnet recognition.
Value of chest CT in the diagnosis and management of tracheobronchial foreign bodies
Authors: Bai Weiliang , Zhou Xinjia , Gao Xin , Shao Chunbo , Califano Joseph A. , Ha Patrick K.
Published: December 2010

Background:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of chest multidetector computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of children with suspected foreign body aspiration.

Methods:  Chest CT was performed in 45 consecutive children with suspected foreign body aspiration, and plain chest X‐ray was conducted at the same time. Multiplanar reformatted imaging was carried out after multidetector CT. Rigid bronchoscopy and removal of the foreign body was performed under general anesthesia.

Results:  All 42 patients (100%) with tracheobronchial foreign bodies were identified on chest CT. Three patients avoided unnecessary operations due to negative CT scans. For the patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies, the occurrence of unilateral hyperlucent lung and post‐obstructive lobar or segmental infiltrates on plain chest X‐ray was 42.9% (18/42) and 4.8% (2/42), respectively. Twenty‐two of the 42 patients (52.4%) had no abnormalities on plain X‐ray. The difference between multidetector CT and plain X‐ray results was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Surgical plans were designed and appropriate foreign body forceps were selected based on the CT scans. All foreign bodies were removed successfully, and no severe complications were observed. The location, shape, and volume of the foreign bodies found at surgery were consistent with the CT images.

Conclusions:  The diagnosis of foreign body aspiration of the airway in children can be accomplished by using chest multidetector CT. It is often useful in delineating the exact shape, location, volume and form of a bronchial foreign body and can help the surgeon plan for operative bronchoscopy and safe removal of the foreign body.
High symbiont diversity in the bone‐eating worm Osedax mucofloris from shallow whale‐falls in the North Atlantic
Authors: Verna Caroline , Ramette Alban , Wiklund Helena , Dahlgren Thomas G. , Glover Adrian G. , Gaill Françoise , Dubilier Nicole
Published: December 2010

Osedax worms are whale‐fall specialists that infiltrate whale bones with their root tissues. These are filled with endosymbiotic bacteria hypothesized to provide their hosts with nutrition by extracting organic compounds from the whale bones. We investigated the diversity and distribution of symbiotic bacteria in Osedax mucofloris from shallow‐water whale‐falls in the North Atlantic using comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We observed a higher diversity of endosymbionts than previously described from other Osedax species. Endosymbiont sequences fell into eight phylogenetically distinct clusters (with 91.4–98.9% similarity between clusters), and considerable microdiversity within clusters (99.5–99.7% similarity) was observed. Statistical tests revealed a highly significant effect of the host individual on endosymbiont diversity and distribution, with 68% of the variability between clusters and 40% of the variability within clusters explained by this effect. FISH analyses showed that most host individuals were dominated by endosymbionts from a single cluster, with endosymbionts from less abundant clusters generally confined to peripheral root tissues. The observed diversity and distribution patterns indicate that the endosymbionts are transmitted horizontally from the environment with repeated infection events occurring as the host root tissues grow into the whale bones.
Increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women from 1999 to 2008
Authors: Zhang F. , Dong L. , Zhang C.P. , Li B. , Wen J. , Gao W. , Sun S. , Lv F. , Tian H. , Tuomilehto J. , Qi L. , Zhang C. L. , Yu Z. , Yang X. , Hu G.
Published: December 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 652–657 (2011)

Aims  To investigate the trend in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus during 1999–2008 in women living in urban Tianjin, China.

Methods  A universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus has become an integral part of the antenatal care in Tianjin, China from 1998. A total of 105 473 pregnant women living in the six urban districts of Tianjin, China, participated in the gestational diabetes mellitus screening programme between December 1998 and December 2008. The screening test consisted of a 50‐g 1‐h glucose test. Women who had a glucose reading ≥ 7.8 mmol/l at the initial screening were invited to undergo the standard 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test with a 75‐g glucose load. Gestational diabetes mellitus was confirmed using the World Health Organization’s diagnostic criteria.

Results  The adjusted prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus increased by 2.8 times during 1999–2008, from 2.4 to 6.8% (P < 0.0001 for linear trend). In 2008, the age‐specific prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus was the highest among women aged 30–34 years (11.3%) and lowest among women aged 25 and under (1.2%). In women aged 35 years and more, the prevalence was 5.3%.

Conclusions  The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus has markedly been increasing in a universally screened urban Chinese female population and has become an important public health problem in China.
Foot care education in patients with diabetes at low risk of complications: a consensus statement
Authors: McInnes A. , Jeffcoate W. , Vileikyte L. , Game F. , Lucas K. , Higson N. , Stuart L. , Church A. , Scanlan J. , Anders J.
Published: December 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 162–167 (2011)

Aims  To define and agree a practical educational framework for delivery by all healthcare professionals managing patients with diabetes, particularly those at low risk of developing foot complications.

Methods  A consensus meeting of a multidisciplinary expert panel. Prior to the meeting, relevant clinical papers were disseminated to the panel for review. The consensus was largely based upon the experts’ clinical experience and judgement.

Results  Four main health behaviours were identified for those at low risk of developing foot complications, namely:, control of blood glucose levels; attendance at annual foot screening examination; reporting of any changes in foot health immediately; and the engagement in a simple daily foot care routine.

Conclusion  There is currently little evidence‐based literature to support specific foot care practices. Patients with diabetes at low risk of developing complications should be encouraged to undertake a basic foot care regimen to reduce their likelihood of developing complications.
Infrastructure Privatisation: Oversold, Misunderstood and Inappropriate
Authors: Tan Jeff
Published: December 2010

Infrastructure privatisation aimed to finance capital investment and improve efficiency, but the results have been disappointing because of the mismatch between privatisation theory and the characteristics of infrastructure and utility projects in developing countries. This article reviews the evidence and seeks to explain the results in terms of the high capital costs and low revenues that have necessitated public financing and risk‐sharing, diluting private incentives and requiring regulation. However, it argues that the emphasis on strengthening weak regulatory capacities in poor countries is misplaced, because these are the outcome of the development process, and are constrained by technical capacities, informational problems and the resources available. In this context, infrastructure privatisation is argued to be inappropriate for developing countries.
The Millennium Development Goals: Key Current Issues and Challenges
Authors: Chibba Michael
Published: December 2010

The current global financial and economic crisis has severely impaired social and economic progress throughout the world. Does this mean the end of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? This article addresses this question, considering selected theoretical and strategic issues, including new and incremental approaches, the role of governmental leadership and operational integrity and the underlying question of appropriate development paradigms. It concludes that scaling‐up of current MDG efforts is imperative, as is the adoption of new and incremental approaches.
The Macroeconomics of Doubling Aid to Africa and the Centrality of the Supply Side
Authors: Killick Tony , Foster Mick
Published: December 2010

The proposed doubling of aid to Africa by 2010 is a less simple proposition, from a recipient point of view, than is commonly supposed. This article argues that it is difficult to manage large and rapidly increasing aid inflows in ways which do not disadvantage producers of tradeable goods, and the private sector generally. This difficulty can be averted if conscious efforts are made to offset it and to stimulate positive responses from the supply side. Whether such responses prevail over the shorter‐term management difficulties depends on the efficacy of state actions – and of aid – to bolster the supply side. The outcome is likely to be mixed, depending on country circumstances.
The PRSP Approach and the Illusion of Improved Aid Effectiveness: Lessons from Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua
Authors: Dijkstra Geske
Published: December 2010

Since 1999, poor countries that want to qualify for concessionary IMF loans and debt relief must elaborate and implement Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. Donors claim that the PRSP approach will increase aid effectiveness since PRSPs will enhance broad country ownership and lead to better ‘partnership’ with donors, implying more donor co‐ordination under government leadership. By examining the experiences of Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua, this article finds that the results are disappointing. The article also shows that, by emphasising rational planning and ignoring politics, the PRSP approach has unintended and sometimes harmful consequences. This leads to recommendations for changes of the approach.
No Country Left Behind? Performance Standards and Accountability in US Foreign Assistance
Authors: Goldsmith Arthur A.
Published: December 2010

The accountability movement in public policy hails a new programme for US foreign assistance – the Millennium Challenge Account established in 2004 with the aim of ‘picking winners’ for grants among developing countries based on their demonstrated quality of governance. This article uses the MCA's own rating system to dispute its claim to know in advance which countries are best positioned to meet major development goals. High governance scores alone bear little or no relationship to growth in national income or decline in poverty. Attempting to measure public‐policy performance limits the range of choice available to policy‐makers, and may inadvertently limit true performance.
Shyness, sociability, and the role of media synchronicity in the use of computer‐mediated communication for interpersonal communication
Authors: Chan Michael
Published: December 2010

This study analysed how university students in Hong Kong with varying degrees of shyness and sociability utilized computer‐mediated communication (CMC) technologies for interpersonal communication. As spontaneous communication can increase the workload on working memory and accentuate feelings of social anxiety, it was hypothesized that shy students were more likely to use email and social network sites (asynchronous CMC) more frequently, and instant messaging and chat less (synchronous CMC). Results from an online questionnaire provided partial support for the hypotheses and suggested distinctive usage patterns separated by media synchronicity. Moreover, the analyses revealed a significant interaction between shyness and sociability on asynchronous CMC use.
Relative deprivation based on occupation: An effective predictor of Chinese life satisfaction
Authors: Zhang Shuwei , Wang Erping , Chen Yiwen
Published: December 2010

Relative deprivation (RD) refers to the fact that individuals may feel deprived of some desirable thing in social comparison relative to a reference group. Occupational group is widely recognized as the essential reference group and generally used to compare differences in earnings and social position. Four waves' data from the Social Attitudes Survey of Urban‐Rural Residents (China) (SAS‐C; 2005/2007/2008/2009) were used to compute to Stewart's new measure of RD for different occupational groups and its relationship to life satisfaction (a cognitive component of subjective well‐being). Results showed that both economic RD (defined as individuals' RD of material benefits, such as income, wealth etc.) and social status RD (defined as individuals' RD on their evaluation of social status) consistently predicted Chinese life satisfaction for a period of time from 2005 to 2009; meanwhile, individual economic RD was moderately correlated to social status RD. The effects of RD and some demographic variables on life satisfaction are discussed and possible improvements for future research are suggested.
Multiple facets of anoxic metabolism and hydrogen production in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Grossman Arthur R. , Catalanotti Claudia , Yang Wenqiang , Dubini Alexandra , Magneschi Leonardo , Subramanian Venkataramanan , Posewitz Matthew C. , Seibert Michael
Published: December 2010

Many microbes in the soil environment experience micro‐oxic or anoxic conditions for much of the late afternoon and night, which inhibit or prevent respiratory metabolism. To sustain the production of energy and maintain vital cellular processes during the night, organisms have developed numerous pathways for fermentative metabolism. This review discusses fermentation pathways identified for the soil‐dwelling model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, its ability to produce molecular hydrogen under anoxic conditions through the activity of hydrogenases, and the molecular flexibility associated with fermentative metabolism that has only recently been revealed through the analysis of specific mutant strains.
Influence of microencapsulation and transglutaminase on viability of probiotic strain Lactobacillus helveticus M92 and consistency of set yoghurt
Authors: PAVUNC ANDREJA LEBOŠ , BEGANOVIĆ JASNA , KOS BLAŽENKA , BUNETA ANA , BELUHAN SUNČICA , ŠUŠKOVIĆ JAGODA
Published: December 2010

The effect of microencapsulated probiotic Lactobacillus helveticus M92 cells and transglutaminase addition on the probiotic set yoghurt properties was investigated. Addition of probiotic bacteria, either free or microencapsulated in sodium caseinate, decreased the fermentation time and significantly enhanced the appearance and consistency of probiotic set yoghurt. Better survival of microencapsulated than free probiotic bacteria in produced yoghurts during storage, as well as during exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, emphasises the efficiency of microencapsulation in the cell protection. Pretreatment of the milk with transglutaminase increased the gel strength and decreased the syneresis, which resulted in a better appearance and consistency of probiotic set yoghurts.
Application of sodium benzoyl thiosulphate from aqueous solution to wool and its effect on substantivity of disperse dyes. Part 1: synthesis and characterisation of sodium benzoyl thiosulphate
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Lewis David M
Published: December 2010

The introduction of bulky aryl residues into wool fibres not only enhances their disperse dyeability but also improves their settability, shrink resistance and imparts easy‐care properties. It would be highly desirable for colourists to achieve such effects when dyeing or printing wool from an aqueous solution as wool/polyester blend fabrics could be dyed and printed with the same dye; furthermore, in the case of an all‐wool fabric pretreated with such arylating systems, following dyeing or printing with disperse dyes, dye fixation can be achieved by dry heat procedures. A water‐soluble, fibre‐reactive arylating agent, sodium benzoyl thiosulphate, was therefore synthesised, characterised and its stability to hydrolysis in aqueous media was examined.
Application of sodium benzoyl thiosulphate from aqueous solution to wool and its effect on substantivity of disperse dyes. Part 2: modification of wool with sodium benzoyl thiosulphate
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Lewis David M
Published: December 2010

Sodium benzoyl thiosulphate was applied to wool fabric from aqueous solutions in order to covalently bind benzoyl groups to the fibre and thus impart disperse dye substantivity to the modified wool. The modified wool fabric was dyed with a selected model disperse dye, CI Disperse Blue 56, and the wash fastness properties of the dyeings assessed.
Textile applications of photochromic dyes. Part 2: factors affecting the photocoloration of textiles screen‐printed with commercial photochromic dyes
Authors: Little Anna F , Christie Robert M
Published: December 2010

The performance of five commercial photochromic dyes applied by screen printing on textiles was evaluated using a colour measurement methodology which has previously been established and validated. Printing as disperse dyes on polyester gives the strongest photochromic effect when the dye is located near the surface. However, the dyes are applied more effectively using an adaptation of a pigment printing method. Several factors influencing the photochromic properties of the printed textiles were evaluated. The ultraviolet reflecting properties of cotton give a higher level of photocoloration than on polyester. In the dyes studied, the spirooxazines show slightly faster colour development and fade much more rapidly than the naphthopyrans, and the latter show a residual colour after fading. The effect of the ultraviolet irradiation wavelength profile on the photochromic response may be correlated with the ultraviolet absorption spectra of the dyes.