bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges faced in rural hospitals: the experiences of nurse managers in Uganda
Authors: Kakyo T.A. , Xiao L.D. 
Published: April 2018

AimThe aim of this study was to understand nurse ward managers perceived challenges in the rural healthcare setting in Uganda.BackgroundThe health workforce, essential medicines and equipment and political unrest are the main factors affecting the international community in addressing the hefty disease burden in World Health Organization African regions. Nurse ward managers have an important role to play to mitigate these factors in health facilities in these regions through leadership, supervision and support for staff.MethodsThis study utilized interpretive phenomenology based on Gadamer's hermeneutical principles. Eleven nurse managers from two rural public hospitals in Uganda were interviewed. Those with more than a 2‐year experience in their management role were invited to participate in the study.ResultsNurse managers pointed out four major challenges with staffing, while they worked in the rural healthcare settings. These are summarized into themes: ‘Numbers do matter’; ‘I cannot access them when I need them at work’; ‘Challenges in dealing with negative attitudes’; and ‘Questioning own ability to manage health services’.DiscussionHealth facilities in rural areas face extremely low staff‐to‐patient ratio, a high level of workload, lack of essential medicines and equipment, low salaries and delayed payment for staff.ConclusionNurse managers demonstrated situation‐based performance to minimize the impact of these challenges on the quality and safety of patient care, but they had less influence on policy and resource development.Implications for nursing policyIt is imperative to mobilize education for nurse ward managers to enable them to improve leadership, management skills and to have a greater impact on policy and resource development.
The development and psychometric validation of the Ethical Awareness Scale
Authors: Milliken Aimee , Ludlow Larry , DeSanto‐Madeya Susan , Grace Pamela 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimTo develop and psychometrically assess the Ethical Awareness Scale using Rasch measurement principles and a Rasch item response theory model.BackgroundCritical care nurses must be equipped to provide good (ethical) patient care. This requires ethical awareness, which involves recognizing the ethical implications of all nursing actions. Ethical awareness is imperative in successfully addressing patient needs. Evidence suggests that the ethical import of everyday issues may often go unnoticed by nurses in practice. Assessing nurses’ ethical awareness is a necessary first step in preparing nurses to identify and manage ethical issues in the highly dynamic critical care environment.DesignA cross‐sectional design was used in two phases of instrument development.MethodUsing Rasch principles, an item bank representing nursing actions was developed (33 items). Content validity testing was performed. Eighteen items were selected for face validity testing. Two rounds of operational testing were performed with critical care nurses in Boston between February–April 2017.ResultsA Rasch analysis suggests sufficient item invariance across samples and sufficient construct validity. The analysis further demonstrates a progression of items uniformly along a hierarchical continuum; items that match respondent ability levels; response categories that are sufficiently used; and adequate internal consistency. Mean ethical awareness scores were in the low/moderate range.ConclusionThe results suggest the Ethical Awareness Scale is a psychometrically sound, reliable and valid measure of ethical awareness in critical care nurses.
Insights into the etiology‐associated gene regulatory networks in hepatocellular carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas
Authors: Seshachalam Veerabrahma Pratap , Sekar Karthik , Hui Kam M 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground and AimHepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, alcohol consumption, and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease are the major known risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There have been very few studies comparing the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the different etiologies of HCC. In this study, we hypothesized the existence of different regulatory networks associated with different liver disease etiologies involved in hepatocarcinogenesis.MethodsUsing upstream regulatory analysis tool in ingenuity pathway analysis software, upstream regulators (URs) were predicted using differential expressed genes for HCC to facilitate the interrogation of global gene regulation.ResultsAnalysis of regulatory networks for HBV HCC revealed E2F1 as activated UR, regulating genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication, and HNF4A and HNF1A as inhibited UR. In hepatitis C virus HCC, interferon‐γ, involved in cellular movement and signaling, was activated, while IL1RN, mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1 involved in interleukin 22 signaling and immune response, was inhibited. In alcohol consumption HCC, ERBB2 involved in inflammatory response and cellular movement was activated, whereas HNF4A and NUPR1 were inhibited. For HCC derived from non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, miR‐1249‐5p was activated, and NUPR1 involved in cell cycle and apoptosis was inhibited. The prognostic value of representative genes identified in the regulatory networks for HBV HCC can be further validated by an independent HBV HCC dataset established in our laboratory with survival data.ConclusionsOur study identified functionally distinct candidate URs for HCC developed from different etiologic risk factors. Further functional validation studies of these regulatory networks could facilitate the management of HCC towards personalized medicine.
Effect of insemination timing on pregnancy outcome in association with female age, sperm motility, sperm morphology and sperm concentration in intrauterine insemination
Authors: Lee Jisun , Hwang Suna , Lee Jaehun , Yoo Junghyun , Jang Dongmin , Hwang Kyungjoo , Kim Miran 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimWe investigated the effect of insemination timing on pregnancy outcomes in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 411 IUI cycles performed with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility and male factor infertility. The cycles were divided according to the interval between insemination and ovulation: ≤36 h, 36–37 h, 37–38 h and >38 h. The overall pregnancy rate, chemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate were compared. We also analyzed the association between pregnancy outcomes and clinical characteristics, including age, duration of infertility, sperm concentration, body mass index (BMI), anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and number of mature follicles at ovulation.ResultsThere were no differences regarding age, duration of infertility, BMI, AMH, sperm concentration and number of mature follicles between different IUI timing groups. Sperm morphology was significantly lower in ≤36 h group (5.3 ± 1.4) compared to 36–37 h, 37–38 h and >38 h (6.3 ± 2.5 vs 6.5 ± 2.7 vs 6.5 ± 3.5, P = 0.004) groups. The ≤36 h group showed lowest total pregnancy rate (5.0%) compared to other IUI timings (21.8% vs 24.8% vs 20.0%, P = 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that sperm morphology was associated with pregnancy in 36–37 h (odd ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.95, P = 0.02).ConclusionInsemination at least 36 h after ovulation is associated with increased pregnancy rate compared to IUIs performed ≤36 h following ovulation.
In vitro effects of sEng and TGF‐β on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and trophoblasts
Authors: Wang Ketao , Lu Caihua , Liu Yanpo , Tao Ye 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of sEng and TGF‐β on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and trophoblasts.MethodsHUVECs and trophoblasts were treated with 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 50, 80 and 100 μg/L sEng, TGF‐β or (sEng + TGF‐β) for 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h, respectively. sEng, TGF‐β and NO levels in culture media of HUVECs were measured by ELISA. Survival rates of HUVECs and trophoblasts were detected by 3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptotic rate and cell cycle distribution were detected by flow cytometry. eNOS, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expressions were detected.ResultsThe survival rate of 100 μg/L of sEng‐treated HUVECs was significantly lower than those of other groups at the same time point (P < 0.05). The survival rate of the TGF‐β group was significantly lower than that of the sEng group after treatment at each concentration for 36 and 48 h (P < 0.05). NO content significantly decreased with increasing sEng concentration (r = 0.89, P < 0.05) and with extended time at identical sEng concentration (r = 0.78, P < 0.05). The number of membrane‐penetrating trophoblasts in the control group significantly surpassed that of sEng group (P < 0.05). The number of expressions in the TGF‐β group significantly exceeded that of control group (P < 0.05), being significantly different from that of sEng group (P < 0.05). MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expressions in sEng group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05), and such expressions of the TGF‐β group significantly surpassed those of other groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionsEng and TGF‐β were closely associated with endothelial cell injury and abnormalities of trophoblast proliferation and infiltration in vitro.
The particulate passage rate, nutrient composition and fermentation characteristics across gastrointestinal tracts in lactating dairy cows fed three different forage source diets
Authors: Wang B. , Gu F. F. , Huang X. B. , Liu J. X. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThis study was conducted to investigate the particulate passage rate, nutrient characteristics and fermentation parameters across the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in lactating dairy cows fed cereal straws in comparison with alfalfa hay. Eighteen multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets consisting of 55% concentrate, 15% corn silage and 30% different forage sources as follows (% of dry matter [DM]): (i) 23% alfalfa hay and 7% Chinese wild rye hay (AH); (ii) 30% corn stover (CS); and (iii) 30% rice straw (RS). The Cr‐mordanted corn silage‐neutral detergent fibre was used to estimate the passage flow at week 14. After 14‐week feeding, the animals were slaughtered to collect the gastrointestinal digesta. Dietary forage sources had little effect on the fractional passage rates in the rumen (range from 5.05 to 6.25%/hr) or hindgut (range from 4.49 to 5.24%/hr). Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in the caecum was highest, followed by the rumen, colon and rectum, and the lowest in the abomasum and duodenum, indicating that the large intestines, especially caecum, are the important positions for carbohydrate degradation. Greater proportion of propionate and butyrate and lower acetate were found in theAHcompared toCSorRSin colon, but higher acetate in abomasum was found in the cows fedCSorRScompared toAH. In conclusion, cereal straw diets did not change the particulate passage rate in the rumen and hindgut which might be mainly due to the similar DM intake among these three diets. Different forage source diets significantly changed VFA proportion in the abomasum and colon, indicating the existence of different digestion or absorption rates in these tracts among the experimental diets.
Structure‐based optics of centric diatom frustules: modulation of the in vivo light field for efficient diatom photosynthesis
Authors: Goessling Johannes W. , Su Yanyan , Cartaxana Paulo , Maibohm Christian , Rickelt Lars F. , Trampe Erik C. L. , Walby Sandra L. , Wangpraseurt Daniel , Wu Xia , Ellegaard Marianne , Kühl Michael 
Published: April 2018

Summary

The optical properties of diatom silicate frustules inspire photonics and nanotechnology research. Whether light interaction with the nano‐structure of the frustule also affects diatom photosynthesis has remained unclear due to lack of information on frustule optical properties under more natural conditions.

Here we demonstrate that the optical properties of the frustule valves in water affect light harvesting and photosynthesis in live cells of centric diatoms (Coscinodiscus granii).

Microscale cellular mapping of photosynthesis around localized spot illumination demonstrated optical coupling of chloroplasts to the valve wall. Photonic structures of the three‐layered C. granii valve facilitated light redistribution and efficient photosynthesis in cell regions distant from the directly illuminated area. The different porous structure of the two sides of the valve exhibited photon trapping and forward scattering of blue light enhancing photosynthetic active radiation inside the cell.

Photonic structures of diatom frustules thus alter the cellular light field with implications on diatom photobiology.
Interventions aimed at preventing and reducing overweight/obesity among children and adolescents: a meta‐synthesis
Authors: Kobes A. , Kretschmer T. , Timmerman G. , Schreuder P. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe prevalence of child and adolescent obesity has been a major worldwide problem for decades. To stop the number of youth with overweight/obesity from increasing, numerous interventions focusing on improving children's weight status have been implemented. The growing body of research on weight‐related interventions for youth has been summarized by several meta‐analyses aiming to provide an overview of the effectiveness of interventions. Yet, the number of meta‐analyses is expanding so quickly and overall results differ, making a comprehensive synopsis of the literature difficult. To tackle this problem, a meta‐synthesis was conducted to draw informed conclusions about the state of the effectiveness of interventions targeting child and adolescent overweight. The results of the quantitative synthesis of 26 meta‐analyses resulted in a standardized mean difference (SMD) of −0.12 (95%CI: −0.16, −0.08). Several moderator analyses showed that participant and intervention characteristics had little impact on the overall effect size. However, a moderator analysis distinguishing between obesity treatment and obesity prevention studies showed that obesity treatment interventions (SMD: −0.048, 95%CI: −0.60, −0.36) were significantly more effective in reducing body mass index than obesity prevention interventions (SMD: −0.08, 95%CI: −0.11, −0.06). Overall, the results of this meta‐synthesis suggest that interventions result in statistically significant effects albeit of relatively little clinical relevance.
Strategies of leaf water uptake based on anatomical traits
Authors: Boanares D. , Isaias R. R. M. S. , de Sousa H. C. , Kozovits A. R. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The ability of leaves to absorb fog water can positively contribute to the water and carbon balance of plants in montane ecosystems, especially in periods of soil water deficit. However, the ecophysiological traits and mechanisms responsible for variations in the speed and total water absorption capacity of leaves are still poorly known.

This study investigated leaf anatomical attributes of seven species occurring in seasonal tropical high‐altitude ecosystems (rocky outcrop and forest), which could explain differences in leaf water uptake (LWU) capacities. We tested the hypothesis that different sets of anatomical leaf attributes will be more marked in plant individuals living under these contrasting environmental conditions. Anatomical variations will affect the initial rate of water absorption and the total storage capacity, resulting in different strategies for using the water supplied by fog events.

Water absorption by leaves was inferred indirectly, based on leaf anatomical structure and visual observation of the main access routes (using an apoplastic marker), the diffusion of water through the cuticle, and non‐glandular or glandular trichomes in all species.

The results suggest that three LWU strategies coexist in the species studied. The different anatomical patterns influenced the speed and maximum LWU capacity. The three LWU strategies can provide different adaptive advantages to adjust to temporal and spatial variations of water availability in these tropical high‐altitude environments.
Dumping and oil pollution: Regulatory approaches for vessel operations in an ice‐free Central Arctic Ocean
Authors: Kirchner Stefan , Kleemola‐Juntunen Pirjo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPollution of the seas by ships has long been an international regulatory concern. International law is mainly reactive in nature, responding to specific needs for regulation. Because lawmaking at the international level can be a slow‐moving process, it is important to determine such regulatory needs early on. This article asks the question whether the regulatory possibilities that exist today are sufficient to protect the Central Arctic Ocean from vessel‐based pollution, with a focus on oil pollution and dumping. It analyses different legal tools with a view to their suitability for the protection of the Central Arctic Ocean against future threats of pollution from vessels operating in the area. It will be shown that, though imperfect and incomplete, rules are already in place which enable the international community to take action to protect the Central Arctic Ocean against dumping and deliberate oil pollution.
Forecast accuracy of small and large scale dynamic factor models in developing economies
Authors: Lopez‐Buenache German 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDeveloping economies usually present limitations in the availability of economic data. This constraint may affect the capacity of dynamic factor models to summarize large amounts of information into latent factors that reflect macroeconomic performance. This paper addresses this issue by comparing the accuracy of two kinds of dynamic factor models at GDP forecasting for six Latin American countries. Each model is based on a dataset of different dimensions: a large dataset composed of series belonging to several macroeconomic categories (large scale dynamic factor model) and a small dataset with a few prescreened variables considered as the most representative ones (small scale dynamic factor model). Short‐term pseudo real time out‐of‐sample forecast of GDP growth is carried out with both models reproducing the real time situation of data accessibility derived from the publication lags of the series in each country. Results (i) confirm the important role of the inclusion of latest released data in the forecast accuracy of both models, (ii) show better precision of predictions based on factors with respect to autoregressive models and (iii) identify the most adequate model for each country according to availability of the observed data.
A conserved RxLR effector interacts with host RABA‐type GTPases to inhibit vesicle‐mediated secretion of antimicrobial proteins
Authors: Tomczynska Iga , Stumpe Michael , Mauch Felix 
Published: April 2018

SummaryPlant pathogens of the oomycete genus Phytophthora produce virulence factors, known as RxLR effector proteins that are transferred into host cells to suppress disease resistance. Here, we analyse the function of the highly conserved RxLR24 effector of Phytophthora brassicae. RxLR24 was expressed early in the interaction with Arabidopsis plants and ectopic expression in the host enhanced leaf colonization and zoosporangia formation. Co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) experiments followed by mass spectrometry identified different members of the RABA GTPase family as putative RxLR24 targets. Physical interaction of RxLR24 or its homologue from the potato pathogen Phytophthora infestans with different RABA GTPases of Arabidopsis or potato, respectively, was confirmed by reciprocal Co‐IP. In line with the function of RABA GTPases in vesicular secretion, RxLR24 co‐localized with RABA1a to vesicles and the plasma membrane. The effect of RxLR24 on the secretory process was analysed with fusion constructs of secreted antimicrobial proteins with a pH‐sensitive GFP tag. PATHOGENESIS RELATED PROTEIN 1 (PR‐1) and DEFENSIN (PDF1.2) were efficiently exported in control tissue, whereas in the presence of RxLR24 they both accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum. Together our results imply a virulence function of RxLR24 effectors as inhibitors of RABA GTPase‐mediated vesicular secretion of antimicrobial PR‐1, PDF1.2 and possibly other defence‐related compounds.
Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium CpxRA Two-Component System Contributes to Gut Colonization in Salmonella-Induced Colitis
Authors: Fujimoto Mayuka , Goto Ryosuke , Haneda Takeshi , Okada Nobuhiko , Miki Tsuyoshi 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
, a common cause of diarrhea, has to colonize the gut lumen to elicit disease. In the gut, the pathogen encounters a vast array of environmental stresses that cause perturbations in the bacterial envelope. The CpxRA two-component system monitors envelope perturbations and responds by altering the bacterial gene expression profile. This allows
Salmonella
to survive under such harmful conditions. Therefore, CpxRA activation is likely to contribute to
Salmonella
gut infection. However, the role of the CpxRA-mediated envelope stress response in
Salmonella
-induced diarrhea is unclear. Here, we show that CpxRA is dispensable for the induction of colitis by
S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium, whereas it is required for gut colonization. We prove that CpxRA is expressed during gut infection and that the presence of antimicrobial peptides in growth media activates the expression of CpxRA-regulated genes. In addition, we demonstrate that a
S
. Typhimurium strain lacking the
cpxRA
gene is able to cause colitis but is unable to continuously colonize the gut. Finally, we show that CpxRA-dependent gut colonization requires the host gut inflammatory response, while DegP, a CpxRA-regulated protease, is dispensable. Our findings reveal that the CpxRA-mediated envelope stress response plays a crucial role in
Salmonella
gut infection, suggesting that CpxRA might be a promising therapeutic target for infectious diarrhea.
True rotational stability of a single-piece hydrophobic intraocular lens
Authors: Schartmüller Daniel , Schriefl Sabine , Schwarzenbacher Luca , Leydolt Christina , Menapace Rupert 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundTo evaluate rotation and its influencing factors of an aspheric one-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) Vivinex XY1 during 6 months after operation.MethodsIn this institutional trial, 122 eyes of 66 patients were implanted with a non-toric aspheric IOL Vivinex XY1 (Hoya Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). IOL alignment was assessed at the end of surgery, 1 hour, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after implantation. Confounding factors such as axial length, presence of anterior fibrosis and randomised implantation in four different intended axes (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) were evaluated. Decentration and tilt were measured using a Purkinje metre.ResultsAssessment of rotational stability was possible for 103 of 122 implanted IOLs 6 months after eye surgery. The median absolute rotation was 1.1° (range: 0°–5°). Rotation was significantly increased within the first hour after operation compared with later time-points (p<0.001). No correlation was found with axial length and rotation (Spearman’s r=0.048, p=0.63). No significant difference was observed regarding different implantation axes (p=0.75). Rotation was not influenced by the presence of anterior fibrosis (p=0.98).ConclusionAssessing the true IOL position at the end of surgery is crucial for the evaluation of rotational stability of IOLs. No IOL rotation exceeding 5° could be detected 6 months after surgery.