bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PKN2 is essential for mouse embryonic development and proliferation of mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Danno Sally , Kubouchi Koji , Mehruba Mona , Abe Manabu , Natsume Rie , Sakimura Kenji , Eguchi Satoshi , Oka Masahiro , Hirashima Masanori , Yasuda Hiroki , Mukai Hideyuki 
Published: January 2017

PKN2, a member of the protein kinase N (PKN) family, has been suggested by in vitro culture cell experiments to bind to Rho/Rac GTPases and contributes to cell–cell contact and cell migration. To unravel the in vivo physiological function of PKN2, we targeted the PKN2 gene. Constitutive disruption of the mouse PKN2 gene resulted in growth retardation and lethality before embryonic day (E) 10.5. PKN2−/− embryo did not undergo axial turning and showed insufficient closure of the neural tube. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from PKN2−/− embryos at E9.5 failed to grow. Cre‐mediated ablation of PKN2 in PKN2flox/flox MEFs obtained from E14.5 embryos showed impaired cell proliferation, and cell cycle analysis of these MEFs showed a decrease in S‐phase population. Our results show that PKN2 is essential for mouse embryonic development and cell‐autonomous proliferation of primary MEFs in culture. Comparison of the PKN2−/− phenotype with the phenotypes of PKN1 and PKN3 knockout strains suggests that PKN2 has distinct nonredundant functions in vivo, despite the structural similarity and evolutionary relationship among the three isoforms.
Nursing perceptions of patient safety climate in the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Elsous A. , Akbari Sari A. , AlJeesh Y. , Radwan M. 
Published: January 2017

AimsThis study was undertaken to assess the perception of nurses about patient safety culture and to test whether it is significantly affected by the nurses’ position, age, experience and working hours.BackgroundPatient safety has sparked the interest of healthcare mangers, yet there is limited knowledge about the current patient safety culture among nurses in the Gaza Strip.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross‐sectional study, administering the Arabic Safety Attitude Questionnaire (Short Form 2006) to 210 nurses in four public general hospitals.ResultsJob Satisfaction was the most highly perceived factor affecting patient safety, followed by Perception of Management. Safety culture varied across nursing position, age, work experience and working hours. Nurse Managers had more positive attitudes towards patients than frontline clinicians did. The more experience nurses had, the better their attitudes towards patient safety. Nurses who worked the minimum weekly required hours and who were 35 years and older had better attitudes towards all patient safety dimensions except for Stress Recognition. Nurses with a positive attitude had better collaboration with healthcare professionals than those without a positive attitude.LimitationGeneralization is limited, as nurses who worked in private and specialized hospitals were excluded.ConclusionEvaluation of the safety culture is the essential starting point to identify hindrances or drivers for safe patient care. Job Satisfaction, Perception of Management and Teamwork necessitate reinforcement, while Working Conditions, Stress Recognition and Safety Climate require improvement.Implications for nursing and health policyEnsuring job satisfaction through adequate staffing levels, providing incentives and maintaining a collegial environment require both strategic planning and institutional policies at the higher administrative level. Creation of a non‐punitive and learning environment, promoting open communication and fostering continuous education should be fundamental aspects of hospital management. A policy of mixing experienced nurses with inexperienced nurses should be considered.
Evaluation of iris functional capillary density in experimental local and systemic inflammation
Authors: ARORA N. , ISLAM S. , WAFA K. , ZHOU J. , TOGURI J.T. , CERNY V. , LEHMANN C. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThe ocular microcirculation represents an important target to treat inflammatory diseases of eye, where impairment of microvascular blood flow plays key role as, for example, in anterior uveitis. To evaluate novel interventions targeting the microcirculation, appropriate and reliable tools to study this particular microvascular bed are needed. Intravital microscopy (IVM) belongs to several methods allowing evaluation of microcirculation experimentally, even in small animals. The aim of our study was to examine the iridial microcirculation (IMIC) in uveitis induced by local or systemic endotoxin administration in rats and mice by IVM and to propose new parameters to quantify the changes within the IMIC. Systemic inflammation was induced in rats by intravenous endotoxin administration, control group received normal saline intravenously. Local inflammation was induced in mice by intravitreal endotoxin administration, the control group received normal saline intravitreally. IVM of IMIC was performed in animals receiving systemic endotoxin prior injection and 1 and 2 h afterwards, respectively, in animals receiving intravitreal endotoxin/saline prior local injection and 5 h afterwards. Obtained video recordings were analyzed off‐line. Functional capillary density (FCD) and dysfunctional capillary density (DCD) were evaluated for description of IMIC, and calculation of FCD/DCD ratio was performed. In systemic inflammation, FCD was significantly decreased compared to control animals. In local inflammation, the number of functional capillaries in the IMIC was significantly reduced following the endotoxin challenge. Analysis of the DCD revealed a significant increase in capillaries with reduced perfusion after intravitreal endotoxin administration and right shift of the FCD/DCD ratio was observed after endotoxin local injection. Detecting and quantifying changes in IMIC during systemic or local inflammation in experimental animals by IVM was feasible. Therefore, IVM of the IMIC represents a valuable tool to evaluate and quantify inflammatory changes in experimental eye disease.
What is the relationship between increased access to HAART, relationship status and fertility decisions amongst HIV‐positive women? A literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Burgess Abigail , Purssell Edward 
Published: January 2017

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the relationship between fertility decisions, to have already had a child or to desire to have one in the future, and the prognostic factors; access to antiretrovirals, the time since these became widely available (year of the study); and relationship status.BackgroundThere have been significant advances in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus with the advent of antiretroviral therapy which has been used to successfully reduce the rate of mother to child transmission; leading researchers to hypothesise that human immunodeficiency virus‐positive women may desire to have children more so now than in the past. However, this topic is often not discussed in healthcare consultations.Design & MethodsA systematic search was conducted on Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Medline, using the key terms ‘fertility decisions’ and ‘human immunodeficiency virus positive’. A meta‐analysis of proportions and a meta‐regression were conducted using a random‐effects model and a logit transformation to normalise the data. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q, I2 and R2 values, and p‐values were produced for each regressed variable.ResultsThere was no statistically significant relationship between a desire to have children in the future and any of the prognostic variables. However, there were statistically significant relationships between already having had at least one child; being on antiretroviral therapy; wanting a child in the future; and being in a cohabiting partnership or marriage.ConclusionThere are no reliable prognostic variables which can be used to predict fertility intentions in human immunodeficiency virus‐positive women. There is, however, a significant proportion of women who wish to have children or who have already had children and are in need of reproductive counselling from their healthcare providers.Relevance to clinical practiceA greater knowledge of factors which may influence reproductive decisions amongst human immunodeficiency virus‐positive position will allow healthcare professionals to individualise the care they provide.
Perceived consequences, changeability and personal control of coronary heart disease are associated with health‐related quality of life
Authors: Sigurdardottir Arun K , Sigurlásdóttir Kolbrún , Ólafsson Kjartan , Svavarsdóttir Margrét Hrönn 
Published: January 2017

Aims and objectivesTo explore changes in illness perception and health‐related quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease following percutaneous coronary intervention from the time when patients were discharged from hospital and five months later and to investigate association between illness perception and physical and mental health‐related quality of life at five‐month follow‐up.BackgroundIllness perception is known to influence patients’ motivation to engage in preventive behaviour.DesignProspective and comparative with two measurement points: at discharge from hospital (time 1) and five months later (time 2).MethodsTwo self‐administered questionnaires were used as follows: the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised measured illness perception and the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) measured physical and mental health‐related quality of life. The sample consisted of patients with coronary heart disease admitted to University Hospital between November 2011–April 2012.ResultsA total of 69 questionnaires were returned for both measurement times. Most responders were male (71%), mean age was 68·9 (SD 10·3) years. Health‐related quality of life increased over time, and illness perception changed; five months after discharge, participants were more aware that the disease was chronic and could worsen suddenly, and they perceived that the disease had less of a consequence on their lives compared to when they were staying in the hospital. Associations between increased personal control, changeability of the disease, perceptions of less of a consequence of the disease on daily life and increased health‐related quality of life were demonstrated at time 2.ConclusionPerceptions of personal control, changeability and consequences of the disease should be assessed and discussed with cardiac patients, as these illness perceptions are related to physical and mental health‐related quality of life.Relevance to clinical practiceIncreased understanding of consequences of the disease, personal control and perceived changeability of the illness affects health‐related quality of life; these are factors that nurses in clinical practice can influence and thereby improve patients’ outcomes.
Sleep quality and body mass index: a co‐twin study
Authors: Madrid‐Valero Juan J. , Martínez‐Selva José M. , Ordoñana Juan R. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThere is a consistent relationship between body mass index and sleep quality. However, the directionality and possible confounding factors of this relationship are unclear. Our aim is to confirm the association between sleep quality and body mass index, independent of possible genetic confounding, as well as to provide some indirect inferences about the directionality of this association. The co‐twin study design was used to analyse the body mass index–sleep relationship in a sample of 2150 twins. We selected two parallel sub‐samples of twins discordant for body mass index (n = 430 pairs), or discordant for sleep quality (n = 316 pairs). Sleep quality and body mass index showed an inverse relationship (b = 0.056, P = 0.032) in the global sample. When twins discordant for body mass index were selected, this association maintained a similar effect size and statistical significance, at all levels of the case–control analysis (all discordant pairs b = 0.173, P < 0.001; dizygotic twins b = 0.174, P = 0.002; monozygotic twins b = 0.173, P = 0.050). Nevertheless, when twin pairs were selected on the basis of their discordance for sleep quality, the association between body mass index and sleep quality appeared weaker and lost significance (b = 0.021, P = 0.508). The analyses including only dizygotic (b = 0.028, P = 0.526) or monozygotic (b = 0.001, P = 0.984) pairs produced similar non‐significant results. Our results confirm the relationship between sleep quality and body mass index, even after applying high levels of control, including genetic factors. Moreover, this study suggests a possible directionality of this relationship, such that sleep quality would strongly affect body mass index, while the opposite would be less robust and consistent in non‐clinical samples.
Acute and Chronic Effects of Ammonia on Juvenile Cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis
Authors: Peng Rui‐Bing , Wang Peng‐Shuai , Le Ke‐Xin , Wang Yuan , Han Qing‐Xi , Jiang Xia‐Min 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to provide a reference value for the safe regulation and control of ammonia nitrogen in the aquaculture of Sepia pharaonis. The effects of acute and chronic toxicity of ammonia on the cuttlefish, S. pharaonis, were tested experimentally using juvenile S. pharaonis. The results showed that the half‐lethal concentration (LC50
) values of ammonia nitrogen in juvenile S. pharaonis with a body weight of 6.52 ± 0. 23 g at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were 31.72, 25.77, 23.33, and 18.33 mg/L, respectively, and the corresponding un‐ionized ammonia nitrogen (UIA‐N) concentrations were 1.66, 1.35, 1.22, and 0.96 mg/L, respectively. Compared with the control, the survival rate, specific growth rate, and feed intake of juvenile S. pharaonis declined significantly, and the feed conversion ratio and hepatosomatic index increased significantly at 56 d after exposure to >1 mg/L ammonia nitrogen. Juvenile S. pharaonis should be maintained at a concentration of ammonia nitrogen of no more than 1 mg/L (UIA‐N is 0.056 mg/L) in culture, and removing harmful nitrogenous wastes from the seawater is critical in maintaining cuttlefish culture.
Phonetic analysis during treatment with rapid maxillary expander
Authors: Biondi E. , Bandini A. , Lombardo L. , Orlandi S. , Siciliani G. , Manfredi C. 
Published: January 2017

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo investigate possible changes and/or device‐related impairments in phonetic habits produced by rapid maxillary expansion (RME).Materials and MethodsThirty‐five patients scheduled for RME were divided into two groups: Group A (banded two‐arm Hyrax) and Group B (banded four‐arm Hyrax). Speech samples were collected at six time points, before, during and after RME removal. Acoustical analysis was performed using PRAAT and BioVoice analysis tools. Ten volunteers completed a questionnaire on the acceptability of patient's speech. Maxillary dimensions and palatal volume were measured on dental casts before and after expansion using a digital gauge.ResultsVoice analysis showed an increase in the peak frequency of fricative consonants (/s/,/ʃ/) after expansion, whereas there was no change of formant frequencies of palatal consonants (/ɲ/,/ʎ/). Vowel /i/ displayed a lowering of the first formant frequency, and an increase in the second and third formant frequencies. After bonding, Group B showed both a greater reduction in the peak frequency of fricatives and a greater increase in the formant frequencies of palatal consonants than Group A.ConclusionRapid maxillary expansion causes a slight phonetic change in the acoustical parameters of both consonants and vowels. The two‐arm Hyrax caused less speech impairment than the four‐arm Hyrax during the treatment.
Successful surgical management of congenital Kasabach–Merritt syndrome
Authors: Pascal Sébastien , Bettex Quentin , Andre Nicolas , Petit Philippe , Casanova Dominique , Degardin Nathalie 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSince the first description of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome (KMS) in 1940, many treatments have been proposed combining pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic approaches, which can be effective on the pathology but can have adverse and unpredictable side‐effects with long‐term use. Herein we describe the solely surgical treatment of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome in a neonate with a severe and rapidly progressive thrombocytopenia. The patient's condition normalized at 7 days postoperatively, with rapid increase in platelet count and normalization of d‐dimer concentration.
Partial monosomy of 10p and duplication of another chromosome in two patients
Authors: Ohta Sayaka , Isojima Tsuyoshi , Mizuno Yoko , Kato Motohiro , Mimaki Masakazu , Seki Masafumi , Sato Yusuke , Ogawa Seishi , Takita Junko , Kitanaka Sachiko , Oka Akira 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPartial monosomy of 10p is a rare chromosomal abnormality. Common features are hypoparathyroidism, deafness, renal anomalies, distinctive facies, and mental retardation, with phenotypic variability. We report two patients with chromosomal abnormalities identified on single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis. Although patient 1 had common features of monosomy10p, G‐banding indicated a normal karyotype. SNP array and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), however, indicated unbalanced translocation of a 10p terminal deletion of 11.7 Mb and a 15q terminal duplication of 8.2 Mb. In patient 2, SNP array and FISH indicated a 10p terminal deletion of 12.6 Mb and a 7q terminal duplication of 1.9 Mb. This is the first case report of monosomy 10p combined with trisomy 15q (patient 1). Because the clinical heterogeneity of the 10p deletion syndrome would be affected by duplication of another chromosome, we emphasize that SNP/microarray analysis is necessary to confirm genotype–phenotype correlation.
Neonatal stridor and laryngeal cyst: Which comes first?
Authors: Marseglia Lucia , D'Angelo Gabriella , Impellizzeri Pietro , Salvo Vincenzo , Catalano Natalia , Bruno Rocco , Galletti Claudio , Galletti Bruno , Galletti Francesco , Gitto Eloisa 
Published: January 2017

Neonatal stridor is a rare condition usually caused by laryngomalacia. Congenital laryngeal cyst represents an uncommon cause of stridor in the neonatal population and may be misinterpreted as laryngomalacia, leading to serious morbidity and mortality if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Herein we report the case of a full‐term infant with stridor, feeding problems and failure to thrive. Initially, direct laryngoscopy diagnosed only laryngomalacia. As stridor worsened, however, and respiratory distress appeared, repeat laryngoscopy showed vallecular laryngeal cyst, visible macroscopically. The patient was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization. There was no evidence of recurrence at follow up after 3 months. This case highlights the importance of laryngoscopic assessment for suspected laryngeal abnormalities in infants with stridor. If symptoms worsen, endoscopy should be repeated, because congenital laryngeal cysts may not be immediately visible macroscopically.
Effect of cholesterol‐loaded cyclodextrins on cryosurvival of dog spermatozoa
Authors: Khan J , Tahir MZ , Khalid A , Sattar A , Ahmad N 
Published: January 2017

ContentsCryopreservation affects integrity of cholesterol and phospholipids in the plasma membrane of sperm leading to decreased fertility of frozen‐thawed semen. Cholesterol‐loaded cyclodextrins (CLC) have been shown to improve post‐thaw semen quality in various species. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal concentration of CLC for better post‐thaw semen quality in dogs. Semen collection, through digital manipulation, was conducted once a week in four adult German shepherd dogs (n = 20 ejaculates; five ejaculates/dog). Semen samples with mass motility>3 (0: without movement; 5: fast progressive movement), motility >70% and concentration >200 × 106/ml were pooled and processed in Tris‐citrate extender containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 mg of CLC. The post‐thaw quality was assessed on the basis of percentage motility, morphological abnormalities, live/dead ratio and plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA integrity, evaluated using anova and further analysed by Tukey's range test, if applicable. The addition of CLC showed an overall improvement in post‐thaw semen quality. Among various treatment groups, and when compared to the control, the percentages of motile (55.5%), viable (65%), plasma membrane intact (56.7%), acrosome intact (49.2%) and DNA intact (98%) spermatozoa were significantly higher in 2 mg/ml CLC group (p < .05). It is concluded that incorporation of cholesterol in semen extender results in a beneficial increase in post‐thaw semen quality in dogs.
The Use of Heuristic Optimization Algorithms to Facilitate Maximum Simulated Likelihood Estimation of Random Parameter Logit Models
Authors: Hole Arne Risa , Yoo Hong Il 
Published: January 2017

SummaryApplications of random-parameter logit models can be found in various disciplines. These models have non-concave simulated likelihood functions and the choice of starting values is therefore crucial to avoid convergence at an inferior optimum. Little guidance exists, however, on how to obtain good starting values. We apply an estimation strategy which makes joint use of heuristic global search routines and gradient-based algorithms. The central idea is to use heuristic routines to locate a starting point which is likely to be close to the global maximum, and then to use gradient-based algorithms to refine this point further. Using four empirical data sets, as well as simulated data, we find that the strategy proposed locates higher maxima than more conventional estimation strategies.
Conceptions of teaching: an illustrated review
Authors: Ross Michael 
Published: January 2017

SummaryBackgroundAsking teachers what the term ‘teaching’ means to them can be a useful first activity in a faculty development session, as it typically leads to an engaging and enlightening discussion for participants and facilitators. Mapping their responses to ‘conceptions of teaching’ (sets of assumptions, knowledge and beliefs about teaching) in the literature seems particularly helpful in illuminating the inconsistencies, gaps and additional ways of thinking about teaching that participants may wish to consider.Literature reviewAt least 25 conceptions of teaching can be identified in the literature. Each of these are briefly described and illustrated in this article, along with detailed examples and suggestions of how conceptions of teaching can be explored in faculty development. There is evidence that a teacher's conceptions of teaching affect the way that they approach their teaching, which in turn can affect learner learning. There is also some evidence that helping teachers examine and develop their conceptions of teaching may be more effective and have more impact on learner learning than other forms of faculty development.Take‐home messagesDifferent conceptions of teaching seem to be more or less appropriate in different teaching situations and contexts. It is likely that the more ways in which teachers can conceptualise and reflect on what they are doing, and why, the more adaptable, responsive and effective their teaching will be. Teachers have much to gain from learning more about themselves, their values and assumptions, and how these can influence their practice. This article offers a practical approach aimed at helping them to achieve this.A teacher's conceptions of teaching affect the way that they approach their teaching