bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid tranquilization: An audit of Irish mental health nursing practice
Authors: Nash Michael , McDonagh Caitriona , Culhane Aisling , Noone Imelda , Higgins Agnes 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRapid tranquillization is a pharmacological intervention sometimes employed in mental health care for the management of acute behavioural disturbance. It is a form of restrictive practice, which, along with seclusion and restraint, is a conventional and controversial intervention in the therapeutic management of risk in mental health settings. This study surveyed mental health nurses practice in rapid tranquillization. A self‐report questionnaire was utilized which addressed aspects such as definitions of rapid tranquillization, presence of rapid tranquillization policy, types of incidents where it is used and postintervention monitoring. The results demonstrate that rapid tranquillization is an intervention used in the management of acute behavioural disturbance in various mental health settings in Ireland. Respondents showed a basic understanding of rapid tranquillization as an intervention; however, some areas reported not having a specific rapid tranquillization policy. There was some evidence of a variation in postrapid tranquillization monitoring of psychiatric/mental health and physical health. Service user debriefing following rapid tranquillization was reported to be common; however, the content of this was not elaborated on. In the light of variations in practice, specific training and the development of rapid tranquillization policies are recommended.
Factors associated with nurses’ perceptions about quality of end‐of‐life care
Authors: Hussin E. O. D. , Wong L. P. , Chong M. C. , Subramanian P. 
Published: February 2018

AimTo examine the factors associated with nurses’ perceptions of the quality of end‐of‐life care.BackgroundWith increasing demand for hospitals to provide end‐of‐life care, the low quality of palliative care provided in hospital settings is an issue of growing concern in developing countries. Most dying patients receive their care from general nurses, irrespective of the nurses’ specialty or level of training.MethodA structured cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was conducted of 553 nurses working at a teaching hospital in Malaysia.ResultsThe mean scores for nurses’ knowledge about end‐of‐life care, their attitudes towards end‐of‐life care and the perceived quality of end‐of‐life care were low. The factors identified as significantly associated with the quality of end‐of‐life care were nurses’ levels of knowledge and their attitudes towards end‐of‐life care.DiscussionFactors that contributed to the low quality of end‐of‐life care were inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes. These findings may reflect that end‐of‐life care education is not well integrated into nursing education.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that there is a need to increase the nurses’ level of knowledge and improve their attitude towards end‐of‐life care in order to enhance the quality of care provided to dying patients.Implications for nursing and health policyNurse managers and hospital policymakers should develop strategies to enhance nurses’ level of knowledge, as well as providing adequate emotional support for nurses who care for dying patients and their families. Nurses should be proactive in increasing their knowledge and adopting more positive attitudes towards end‐of‐life care.
The ‘Two Bridges Technique’ for sternal wound closure. The use of vacuum‐assisted closure for the treatment of deep sternal wound defects: a centre‐specific technique
Authors: Waked Karl , Ballaux Philippe , Goossens Dominique , Cathenis Koen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe objective is to describe the ‘Two Bridges Technique’ (TBT), which has proven to be successful and has been the standard technique at our centre for vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) of post‐sternotomy mediastinitis. An extensive literature search was performed in four databases to identify all published articles concerning VAC for post‐sternotomy mediastinitis. Several VAC methods have been used; however, no article has described our specific technique. TBT consists of a two‐bridges construction using two types of foam with different pore sizes, which ensures an equally divided negative pressure over the wound bed and stabilisation of the chest. This guarantees a continuous treatment of the sternal defect and prevents foam displacement. It maintains an airtight seal that prevents skin maceration and provides enough protection to avoid right ventricular rupture. The main advantage of TBT is the prevention of shifting or tilting of the foam during chest movements such as breathing or couching. Along with targeted antibiotic treatment, this alternative VAC technique can be an asset in the sometimes cumbersome treatment of post‐sternotomy mediastinitis.
Blockade of cannabinoid 1 receptor improves glucose responsiveness in pancreatic beta cells
Authors: Shin Hanho , Han Ji Hye , Yoon Juhwan , Sim Hyo Jung , Park Tae Joo , Yang Siyoung , Lee Eun Kyung , Kulkarni Rohit N. , Egan Josephine M. , Kim Wook 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs) are expressed in peripheral tissues, including islets of Langerhans, where their function(s) is under scrutiny. Using mouse β‐cell lines, human islets and CB1R‐null (CB1R−/−) mice, we have now investigated the role of CB1Rs in modulating β‐cell function and glucose responsiveness. Synthetic CB1R agonists diminished GLP‐1‐mediated cAMP accumulation and insulin secretion as well as glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in mouse β‐cell lines and human islets. In addition, silencing CB1R in mouse β cells resulted in an increased expression of pro‐insulin, glucokinase (GCK) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), but this increase was lost in β cells lacking insulin receptor. Furthermore, CB1R−/− mice had increased pro‐insulin, GCK and GLUT2 expression in β cells. Our results suggest that CB1R signalling in pancreatic islets may be harnessed to improve β‐cell glucose responsiveness and preserve their function. Thus, our findings further support that blocking peripheral CB1Rs would be beneficial to β‐cell function in type 2 diabetes.
RETRACTED: MiR‐129‐5p inhibits glioma cell progression in vitro and in vivo by targeting TGIF2
Authors: Diao Yuling , Jin Baozhe , Huang Liyong , Zhou Wenke 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study purposed to explore the correlation between miR‐129‐5p and TGIF2 and their impacts on glioma cell progression. Differentially expressed miRNA was screened through microarray analysis. MiR‐129‐5p expression levels in glioma tissues and cells were measured by qRT‐PCR. CCK‐8 assay, flow cytometer, transwell assay and wound‐healing assay were employed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle, invasiveness and migration, respectively. Dual‐luciferase reporting assay was performed to confirm the targeted relationship between miR‐129‐5p and TGIF2. The effects of TGIF2 expression on cell biological functions were also investigated using the indicated methods. Tumour xenograft was applied to explore the impact of miR‐129‐5p on tumorigenesis in vivo. MiR‐129‐5p expression was down‐regulated in both glioma tissues and glioma cells, while TGIF2 expression was aberrantly higher than normal level. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay validated the targeting relation between miR‐129‐5p and TGIF2. Overexpression of miR‐129‐5p or down‐regulation of TGIF2 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration capacity of glioma cells U87 and U251, and meanwhile blocked the cell cycle as well as induced cell apoptosis. MiR‐129‐5p overexpression repressed the tumour development in vivo. MiR‐129‐5p and TGIF2 had opposite biological functions in glioma cells. MiR‐129‐5p could inhibit glioma cell progression by targeting TGIF2, shining light for the development of target treatment for glioma.
‘There's a Brand New Talk, but it's Not Very Clear’: Can the Contemporary EU Really be Characterized as Ordoliberal?
Authors: Cardwell Paul James , Snaith Holly 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOrdoliberalism has undergone a dramatic resurgence as a characterization of the contemporary EU and its economic dimensions. Commentators have pointed to the ‘ordoliberalization’ of EU economic policy with Germany at its core, albeit with the latter taking the role of a ‘reluctant hegemon’. Perhaps as a result of this pervasive influence, some have claimed that the EU is itself ordoliberal, resting on a particular understanding of the relationship between ordoliberalism and an ‘economic constitution’. For this claim to be substantiated, the characterization of ordoliberalism needs to persist across time and the EU's law and policy‐making spaces. In this article, we examine this proposition, and argue that the influence of ordoliberalism can help a richer understanding of the contemporary EU beyond the confines of the economic constitution and into its evolving legal system(s).
Behavior‐ and characteristic‐based price discrimination
Authors: Colombo Stefano 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe develop a model of behavior‐ and characteristic‐based discriminatory pricing where consumers are heterogeneous both in tastes and in price sensitivity. Each firm is able to distinguish between the consumers that have bought from it and those that have bought from the rival. Furthermore, each firm learns the price sensitivity of their own consumers. We show that using this additional information may yield higher profits than uniform pricing provided that consumers are heterogeneous enough with respect to price sensitivity. We also discuss consumer surplus implications of such behavior‐ and characteristic‐based price discrimination, and we show that the impact of price discrimination depends on both the consumer type and the level of consumers’ heterogeneity.
Should Structured Exercise Be Promoted As a Model of Care? Dissemination of the Department of Veterans Affairs Gerofit Program
Authors: Morey Miriam C. , Lee Cathy C. , Castle Steven , Valencia Willy M. , Katzel Leslie , Giffuni Jamie , Kopp Teresa , Cammarata Heather , McDonald Michelle , Oursler Kris A. , Wamsley Timothy , Jain Chani , Bettger Janet P. , Pearson Megan , Manning Kenneth M. , Intrator Orna , Veazie Peter , Sloane Richard , Li Jiejin , Parker Daniel C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractExercise provides a wide range of health‐promoting benefits, but support is limited for clinical programs that use exercise as a means of health promotion. This stands in contrast to restorative or rehabilitative exercise, which is considered an essential medical service. We propose that there is a place for ongoing, structured wellness and health promotion programs, with exercise as the primary therapeutic focus. Such programs have long‐lasting health benefits, are easily implementable, and are associated with high levels of participant satisfaction. We describe the dissemination and implementation of a long‐standing exercise and health promotion program, Gerofit, for which significant gains in physical function that have been maintained over 5 years of follow‐up, improvements in well‐being, and a 10‐year 25% survival benefit among program adherents have been documented. The program has been replicated at 6 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. The pooled characteristics of enrolled participants (n = 691) demonstrate substantial baseline functional impairment (usual gait speed 1.05 ± 0.3 m/s, 8‐foot up and go 8.7 ± 6.7 seconds, 30‐second chair stands 10.7 ± 5.1, 6‐minute walk distance 404.31 ± 141.9 m), highlighting the need for such programs. Change scores over baseline for 3, 6, and 12 months of follow‐up are clinically and statistically significant (P < .05 all measures) and replicate findings from the parent program. Patient satisfaction ratings of high ranged from 88% to 94%. We describe the implementation process and present 1‐year outcomes. We suggest that such programs be considered essential elements of healthcare systems.
Benzodiazepine Use in Older Adults in the United States, Ontario, and Australia from 2010 to 2016
Authors: Brett Jonathan , Maust Donovan T. , Bouck Zach , Ignacio Rosalinda V. , Mecredy Graham , Kerr Eve A. , Bhatia Sacha , Elshaug Adam G. , Pearson Sallie A. 
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVESTo detail annual trends in benzodiazepine incidence and prevalence in older adults between 2010 and 2016 in three countries.DesignObservational multicountry cohort study with harmonized study protocol.SettingThe United States (veteran population); Ontario, Canada; and Australia.ParticipantsAll people aged 65 and older (8,270,000 people).MeasurementsAnnual incidence and prevalence of benzodiazepine use stratified according to age group (65–74, 75–84, ≥85) and sex. We performed multiple regression analyses to assess whether rates of incident and prevalent use changed significantly over time.ResultsOver the study period, we observed a significant decrease in incident benzodiazepine use in the United States (2.6% to 1.7%) and Ontario (6.0% to 4.4%) but not Australia (7.0% to 6.7%). We found significant declines in prevalent use in all countries (United States: 9.2% to 7.3%; Ontario: 18.2% to 13.4%; Australia: 20.2% to 16.8%). Although incidence and prevalence increased with age in Ontario and Australia, they decreased with age in the United States. Incidence and prevalence were higher in women in all countries.ConclusionConsistent with other international studies, there have been small but significant reductions in the incidence and prevalence of benzodiazepine use in older adults in all three countries, with the exception of incidence in Australia, although use remains inappropriately high—particularly in those aged 85 and older—which warrants further attention from clinicians and policy‐makers.
Strategic value‐directed learning and memory in Alzheimer's disease and behavioural‐variant frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Wong Stephanie , Irish Muireann , Savage Greg , Hodges John R. , Piguet Olivier , Hornberger Michael 
Published: February 2018

In healthy adults, the ability to prioritize learning of highly valued information is supported by executive functions and enhances subsequent memory retrieval for this information. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioural‐variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), marked deficits are evident in learning and memory, presenting in the context of executive dysfunction. It is unclear whether these patients show a typical memory bias for higher valued stimuli. We administered a value‐directed word‐list learning task to AD (n = 10) and bvFTD (n = 21) patients and age‐matched healthy controls (n = 22). Each word was assigned a low, medium or high point value, and participants were instructed to maximize the number of points earned across three learning trials. Participants’ memory for the words was assessed on a delayed recall trial, followed by a recognition test for the words and corresponding point values. Relative to controls, both patient groups showed poorer overall learning, delayed recall and recognition. Despite these impairments, patients with AD preferentially recalled high‐value words on learning trials and showed significant value‐directed enhancement of recognition memory for the words and points. Conversely, bvFTD patients did not prioritize recall of high‐value words during learning trials, and this reduced selectivity was related to inhibitory dysfunction. Nonetheless, bvFTD patients showed value‐directed enhancement of recognition memory for the point values, suggesting a mismatch between memory of high‐value information and the ability to apply this in a motivationally salient context. Our findings demonstrate that value‐directed enhancement of memory may persist to some degree in patients with dementia, despite pronounced deficits in learning and memory.
Association of the NOD‐like receptor 3 (NLRP3) gene variability with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the Czech population
Authors: Slezakova Simona , Borilova Linhartova Petra , Masopustova Lucie , Bartova Jirina , Petanova Jitka , Kuklinek Pavel , Fassmann Antonin , Dusek Ladislav , Izakovicova Holla Lydie 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundRecurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a multifactorial disease with unclear etiopathogenesis in which disturbance of immunological processes may be involved. The aim of our study was to investigate three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3806265, rs4612666, rs10754558 in NOD‐like receptor 3 (NLRP3), the gene encoding the component of inflammasome, in patients with RAS and healthy controls in the Czech population.MethodsA total of 207 subjects were included in this case‐control study. Sixty‐four patients with RAS and 143 healthy controls were genotyped by a method based on polymerase chain reaction using 5′ nuclease TaqMan® assays. Detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from all subjects.ResultsThe allele and genotype frequencies of NLRP3 polymorphisms (rs10754558 and rs3806265) between both groups were similar. However, statistically significant differences in NLRP3 rs4612666 genotypes between the patients with RAS and controls were found; carriers of the TT genotype had a higher risk of developing RAS than subjects with the CT+CC genotypes (OR = 14.69, 95%CI = 1.73‐124.72, P = .004, Pcorr < .05). No associations between NLRP3 haplotypes and RAS were observed.ConclusionsOur study indicates that the NLRP3 rs4612666 polymorphism may be involved in the development of RAS in the Czech population.
Selective incentives and intragroup heterogeneity in collective contests
Authors: Nitzan Shmuel , Ueda Kaoru 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA group taking part in a contest has to confront the collective action problem among its members, and devices of selective incentives are possible means of resolution. We argue that heterogeneous prize‐valuations in a competing group normally prevent effective use of such selective incentives. To substantiate this claim, we adopt cost‐sharing as a means of incentivizing the individual group members. We confirm that homogeneous prize valuations within a group result in a cost‐sharing rule inducing the first‐best individual contributions. As long as the cost‐sharing rule is dependent only on the members’ contributions, however, such a first‐best rule does not exist for a group with intragroup heterogeneity. Our main result clarifies how unequal prize valuations affect the cost‐sharing rule and, in particular, the degree of cost‐sharing. If the relative rate of change of the marginal effort costs is decreasing, it is reduced by intragroup heterogeneity. If the rate is increasing, the cost is fully shared, but it cannot induce the first‐best contributions for the group.
Flavonoids from Trollius europaeus flowers and evaluation of their biological activity
Authors: Witkowska-Banaszczak Ewa 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Objectives
This article describes the flavonoid composition of the flowers of Trollius europaeus and the method of isolation thereof and provides an attempt at investigating the antioxidant activity of the isolated flavonoids and the antityrosinase activity of the extracts from the investigated material.

Methods
The compositional data were acquired by combining results of nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet spectroscopy, electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) analyses and those of an analysis of the products of acid hydrolysis of the compounds. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was studied using the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay and the tyrosinase inhibitory activity – with the use of mushroom tyrosinase.

Key findings
Ten flavonoid derivatives of luteolin and apigenin were isolated from the flowers of T. europaeus and identified. The investigation into the antioxidant activity revealed that orientin 2″-O-α-arabinopyranoside (4) and orientin 2″-O-β glucopyranoside (5) had a significant antioxidant effect.

Conclusions
The studies conducted led to the development of a method of isolating flavonoid, potentially antioxidant, compounds from T. europaeus. They allowed to determine which of the investigated flavonoids demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and could be used as natural antioxidants.
Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats
Authors: Jerzsele Á. , Karancsi Z. , Pászti‐Gere E. , Sterczer Á. , Bersényi A. , Fodor K. , Szabó D. , Vajdovich P. 
Published: February 2018

Xylitol is commonly used as sugar substitute in households. While it has numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. The goal of this study was to examine whether xylitol has similar deleterious effects, such as hypoglycaemia and acute hepatic failure, on cats. Our research included six healthy middle‐aged cats. Xylitol was dissolved in deionized water and administered p.o. at three doses (100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight). These dosages have been considered toxic and can cause liver failure or even death in dogs. After every xylitol administration, the basic health status and the blood glucose of cats were observed regularly. Additionally, prior to and 6, 24 and 72 hr after xylitol administration, blood samples were taken to check complete blood count, clinical biochemical parameters and enzymes such as ALT, ALKP, GGT, GLDH, bile acids, BUN, creatinine, phosphate, total protein, albumin, sodium and potassium. There were no significant changes (p > .05) in any of the haematological or biochemical parameters. Blood glucose concentrations did not show any significant alterations, except at 1,000 mg/kg dose, where a mild but significant increase was observed, but it was in physiological range. Based on our results, xylitol did not induce toxic effects on cats.
Global distribution and status of introduced Siberian chipmunks Eutamias sibiricus
Authors: Mori Emiliano , Zozzoli Rudy , Menchetti Mattia 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Among invasive alien species, squirrels are prominent because of their popularity as pets and their positive perception by the general public. In Europe, populations of five alien squirrel species are reported. The pet trade represents a high‐risk pathway for the introduction of rodents, which are likely to become invasive because of their reproductive biology and wide native distribution ranges. In the European Union, a trade ban has been imposed on some particularly impacting species, such as the eastern grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis. Eradication and numerical control is needed for most introduced squirrels in Europe (including the Siberian chipmunk), according to European Union Regulation 1143/2014 on alien species.

We summarise the current distribution of the ground‐dwelling Siberian chipmunk Eutamias sibiricus, one of the most common pet squirrels in Europe and Asia, in its invasive range.

Established populations of Siberian chipmunk, in most cases composed of small numbers of individuals, currently occur in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Russia. The species was present in Austria, Sweden, and Hong Kong, and unsuccessful introductions occurred in Spain and the British Isles. The first records from Greece are also reported. Most introductions took place during the 1990s, when individuals were intentionally released (67% of extant populations result from such releases). Population size was correlated with the proximity to urban areas.

Human risk of infection with the agent of Lyme borreliosis seems to be the highest where populations of alien Siberian chipmunk occur. Other impacts have never been reported. Competition with native rodents (e.g. the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris and dormice, Gliridae) has been speculated on, as well as predation on nests of native warblers (Sylvidae).

Impacts by alien Siberian chipmunks have been overlooked for a long time. Despite this, given that the species may affect native biodiversity and human health, eradication of established populations is recommended.