bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of ICU nurses in the spiritual aspects of end‐of‐life care in the ICU: an explorative study
Authors: Noome Marijke , Beneken Genaamd Kolmer Deirdre M. , van Leeuwen Evert , Dijkstra Boukje M. , Vloet Lilian C. M. 
Published: November 2016

AimThe aim of this study was to examine the role and responsibilities of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses regarding the spiritual aspects of end‐of‐life care in the ICU, from the chaplains’ perspectives.MethodAn explorative study including inductive thematic analysis was used. Two focus group interviews with in total eleven chaplains working in several Dutch ICUs were performed.ResultsThe focus group interviews resulted in five themes: (i) awareness of ICU nurses, (ii) communication, (iii) nursing interventions, (iv) multidisciplinary care and (v) education. In total, twenty recommendations were formulated.ConclusionsThis explorative study provides an overview of the perspectives of chaplains about the role of ICU nurses during end‐of‐life care, specified to spiritual care. Chaplains mentioned different roles, responsibilities and competences which are needed for ICU nurses to give spiritual care. These roles, responsibilities and competences included giving spiritual care to patients and families as standard care. Chaplains agreed that ICU nurses should start and maintain a dialogue with patient and families, but that it is also important to be aware of one's own spiritual background. However, education about spiritual care is needed to establish this. It could be recommended to educate ICU nurses during their ICU training or retraining about spiritual care and reflection.
Between Occupation and Politics: Legislative Professionalization in the Swiss Cantons
Authors: Bundi Pirmin , Eberli Daniela , Bütikofer Sarah 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn this article, we consider the question of how professionalized the cantonal parliamentarians are and which factors are related to this professionalization. By definition, Swiss parliamentarians exert an occupation in parallel to their mandate. We argue that parliamentarians who spend more time for their mandate have more resources to do so and, more importantly, intend to pursue a political career. In doing so, we analyze data gathered from a survey that was conducted among all Swiss cantonal parliaments in 2014. Our multi‐level analysis shows that parliamentarians who run for office at the national level spend significantly more time for their parliamentary mandate than their colleagues. This effect decreases with the parliamentarians’ age. This finding could be relevant in order to understand the career paths of Swiss parliamentarians. In addition, the study contributes to the discussion of the future development of the militia system in Switzerland.
Systems genetics reveals a transcriptional network associated with susceptibility in the maize–grey leaf spot pathosystem
Authors: Christie Nanette , Myburg Alexander A. , Joubert Fourie , Murray Shane L. , Carstens Maryke , Lin Yao‐Cheng , Meyer Jacqueline , Crampton Bridget G. , Christensen Shawn A. , Ntuli Jean F. , Wighard Sara S. , Van de Peer Yves , Berger Dave K. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryWe used a systems genetics approach to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the responses of maize to grey leaf spot (GLS) disease caused by Cercospora zeina, a threat to maize production globally. Expression analysis of earleaf samples in a subtropical maize recombinant inbred line population (CML444 × SC Malawi) subjected in the field to C. zeina infection allowed detection of 20 206 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Four trans‐eQTL hotspots coincided with GLS disease QTLs mapped in the same field experiment. Co‐expression network analysis identified three expression modules correlated with GLS disease scores. The module (GY‐s) most highly correlated with susceptibility (r = 0.71; 179 genes) was enriched for the glyoxylate pathway, lipid metabolism, diterpenoid biosynthesis and responses to pathogen molecules such as chitin. The GY‐s module was enriched for genes with trans‐eQTLs in hotspots on chromosomes 9 and 10, which also coincided with phenotypic QTLs for susceptibility to GLS. This transcriptional network has significant overlap with the GLS susceptibility response of maize line B73, and may reflect pathogen manipulation for nutrient acquisition and/or unsuccessful defence responses, such as kauralexin production by the diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway. The co‐expression module that correlated best with resistance (TQ‐r; 1498 genes) was enriched for genes with trans‐eQTLs in hotspots coinciding with GLS resistance QTLs on chromosome 9. Jasmonate responses were implicated in resistance to GLS through co‐expression of COI1 and enrichment of genes with the Gene Ontology term ‘cullin‐RING ubiquitin ligase complex’ in the TQ‐r module. Consistent with this, JAZ repressor expression was highly correlated with the severity of GLS disease in the GY‐s susceptibility network.
Granulocytapheresis with modified fluid gelatin versus high‐molecular‐weight hydroxyethyl starch: a matched‐pair analysis
Authors: Dullinger Katharina , Pamler Irene , Brosig Andreas , Mohrez Morad , Hähnel Viola , Offner Robert , Dormann Frauke , Becke Christine , Holler Ernst , Ahrens Norbert 
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUNDGranulocyte apheresis requires a sedimentation agent. Usually, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is administered to donors for this purpose and, as granulocyte concentrate (GC) ingredient, also to patients. Authorities recently recommended suspending market authorizations for starch‐containing products due to side effects. Therefore, we tested the efficacy of modified fluid gelatin (MFG, Gelafundin 4%) versus hetastarch (Hespan) for GC apheresis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis retrospective matched‐pair analysis compared MFG‐ and hetastarch‐derived GCs. Each group consisted of 15 unrelated male donors mobilized with dexamethasone and granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor for apheresis on 1 or 2 days with the COBE Spectra's PMN program.RESULTSIn each group, 24 GCs were collected from 15 male donors and analyzed. None of the HES‐derived products, but two of the MFG‐derived products (8.3%), had aggregates and could not be used. The HES‐derived products had significantly higher neutrophil counts on the first day (7.7 × 1010/unit vs. 4.0 × 1010/unit; p = 0.00005) as well as second day of apheresis (4.0 × 1010/unit vs. 1.1 × 1010/unit; p = 0.0002). Median white blood cell collection efficacies were lower with MFG than with HES on Day 1 (24% vs. 43%) and Day 2 (15% vs. 37%). Twenty‐one percent of the MFG‐derived products had less than 1 × 1010 granulocytes.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that granulocyte apheresis is feasible with MFG as well as with hetastarch and that the latter is superior for GC production, if used in the same dosage. In addition, aggregates in GC from the COBE Spectra were observed in the MFG group but not in the hetastarch group.
Sludge settling and algal flocculating activity of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) derived from bacillus cereus SK
Authors: Busi Siddhardha , Karuganti Sukumar , Rajkumari Jobina , Paramanandham Parasuraman , Pattnaik Subhaswaraj 
Published: November 2016

AbstractExopolysaccharides (EPS) of microbial origin is a promising alternative to chemical flocculants due to their sustainability and eco‐friendly nature. In the present study, EPS produced by Bacillus cereus SK was studied and their flocculating activity was investigated. On incubation for 48 h, B. cereus SK produced 0.919 ± 0.022 g/L of EPS from a cell mass of 3.59 ± 0.06 g/L. The isolated EPS was identified as glycoprotein and chemical characterization by FTIR spectroscopic analysis suggested the presence of hydroxyl, amino and carboxyl groups. The kaolin clay flocculating activity of 83.4% was obtained on treatment with 12 mg/L of EPS. At 30% (v/v) of EPS 31.22 ± 4.71 mL/g of Sludge volume index (SVI) and 34.44 ± 1.51 mL/g of algal flocculation was observed. The EPS produced by B. cereus SK was non‐toxic and did not exert any adverse effect on Danio rerio even at a concentration of 800 mg/mL.
A comprehensive microbiological safety approach for agarose encapsulated porcine islets intended for clinical trials
Authors: Gazda Lawrence S. , Collins James , Lovatt Archie , Holdcraft Robert W. , Morin Merribeth J. , Galbraith Daniel , Graham Melanie , Laramore Melissa A. , Maclean Christine , Black John , Milne Euan W. , Marthaler Douglas G. , Vinerean Horatiu V. , Michalak Michelle M. , Hoffer Deborah , Richter Steven , Hall Richard D. , Smith Barry H. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe use of porcine islets to replace insulin‐producing islet β‐cells, destroyed during the diabetogenic disease process, presents distinct challenges if this option is to become a therapeutic reality for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. These challenges include a thorough evaluation of the microbiological safety of the islets. In this study, we describe a robust porcine islet‐screening program that provides a high level of confidence in the microbiological safety of porcine islets suitable for clinical trials.MethodsA four‐checkpoint program systematically screens the donor herd (Large White – Yorkshire × Landrace F1 hybrid animals), individual sentinel and pancreas donor animals and, critically, the islet macrobeads themselves. Molecular assays screen for more than 30 known viruses, while electron microscopy and in vitro studies are employed to screen for potential new or divergent (emergent) viruses.ResultsOf 1207 monthly samples taken from random animals over a 2‐year period, only a single positive result for Transmissible gastroenteritis virus was observed, demonstrating the high level of biosecurity maintained in the source herd. Given the lack of clinical signs, positive antibody titers for Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Porcine parvovirus, and Influenza A confirm the efficacy of the herd vaccination program. Porcine respiratory coronavirus was found to be present in the herd, as expected for domestic swine. Tissue homogenate samples from six sentinel and 11 donor animals, over the same 2‐year period, were negative for the presence of viruses when co‐cultured with six different cell lines from four species. The absence of adventitious viruses in separate islet macrobead preparations produced from 12 individual pancreas donor animals was confirmed using validated molecular (n = 32 viruses), in vitro culture (cells from four species), and transmission electron microscopy assays (200 cell profiles per donor animal) over the same 2‐year period. There has been no evidence of viral transmission following the implantation of these same encapsulated and functional porcine islets into non‐immunosuppressed diabetic cynomolgus macaques for up to 4 years. Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from all time points were negative for PCV (Type 2), PLHV, PRRSV, PCMV, and PERV‐A, PERV‐B, and PERV‐C by PCR analysis in all six recipient animals.ConclusionThe four‐checkpoint program is a robust and reliable method for characterization of the microbiological safety of encapsulated porcine islets intended for clinical trials.
Magnitude and scope of non-communicable disease-related disability: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Lisy Karolina , Aromataris Edoardo , Moola Sandeep , Tufanaru Catalin , Lockwood Craig 
Published: November 2016

Review question/objective:
The objective of the review will be to identify, assess and synthesize the evidence that examines the magnitude and scope of disability including impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions associated with four main non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
To systematically examine the magnitude of disability associated with CVDs, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases, the questions that this review will specifically address are:What is the prevalence of disability related to each of the four NCDs (presented by country and NCD where possible)?What is the prevalence of co-existing diseases/conditions (comorbidity) in persons with disabilities related to the four NCDs?

To systematically examine the scope of disability associated with CVDs, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, the questions that this review will address are:What is the impact of disability on a person's life (measured using patient reported outcomes including quality of life measures)?What are the unmet needs in persons with disabilities related to the four NCDs?
Tattoos and administration of regional anesthesia: a comprehensive systematic review protocol
Authors: Houhoulis Kathryn , Lewis Kevin , Fasone Rachel , Benham Brian E. 
Published: November 2016

Review question/objective:
The review question is what is the impact of tattoos on the administration of regional anesthesia?
The quantitative objective is to identify and quantify the risks to a patient when advancing a needle through tattooed skin for the purpose of administering a regional anesthetic.
The qualitative objective is to investigate anesthesia providers’ perceptions and experiences when presented with a patient and/or a surgeon requests for a regional anesthetic that would require needle trespass through tattooed skin. An additional qualitative objective is to identify the thoughts, opinions and biases related to the administration of a regional anesthetic through tattooed skin from the perspective of the patient, anesthesia provider, surgeon or other affected parties (e.g. patient families, hospital or clinic administrators or insurance providers).
Effectiveness of intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine spinal anesthesia in adult patients undergoing elective surgery: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pierce Stephanie , Bonanno Laura , Sanvi Stephanie 
Published: November 2016

Review question
The current review aims to identify the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine spinal anesthesia compared to the sole use of bupivacaine spinal anesthesia alone in adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures.
Effectiveness of ketamine as an adjuvant to opioid-based therapy in decreasing pain associated with opioid tolerance in adults undergoing orthopedic surgery: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Bennett Marsha , Bonanno Laura , Kuhn William 
Published: November 2016

Review question/objective:
The objective of this systematic review is to examine the best available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of ketamine as an adjuvant to opioid-based therapy versus opioid-based therapy alone in decreasing perioperative pain associated with opioid tolerance in adult patients, aged 18-70 years, undergoing orthopedic surgical procedures.
The following question guides the systematic review: does the administration of ketamine as an adjuvant to opioid-based therapy, compared to opioid-based therapy alone, improve perioperative pain relief in opioid-tolerant adult patients undergoing orthopedic surgical procedures?
A unifying hypothesis for M1 muscarinic receptor signalling in pyramidal neurons
Authors: Dasari Sameera , Hill Corey , Gulledge Allan T. 
Published: November 2016

Key points
Phasic release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the neocortex facilitates attentional processes.
Acting at a single metabotropic receptor subtype, ACh exerts two opposing actions in cortical pyramidal neurons: transient inhibition and longer‐lasting excitation.
Cholinergic inhibitory responses depend on calcium release from intracellular calcium stores, and run down rapidly at resting membrane potentials when calcium stores become depleted.
We demonstrate that cholinergic excitation promotes calcium entry at subthreshold membrane potentials to rapidly refill calcium stores, thereby maintaining the fidelity of inhibitory cholinergic signalling.
We propose a ‘unifying hypothesis’ for M1 receptor signalling whereby inhibitory and excitatory responses to ACh in pyramidal neurons represent complementary mechanisms governing rapid calcium cycling between the endoplasmic reticulum, the cytosol and the extracellular space.
AbstractGq‐coupled M1‐type muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChRs) mediate two distinct electrophysiological responses in cortical pyramidal neurons: transient inhibition driven by calcium‐dependent small conductance potassium (‘SK’) channels, and longer‐lasting and voltage‐dependent excitation involving non‐specific cation channels. Here we examine the interaction of these two cholinergic responses with respect to their contributions to intracellular calcium dynamics, testing the ‘unifying hypothesis’ that rundown of inhibitory SK responses at resting membrane potentials (RMPs) reflects depletion of intracellular calcium stores, while mAChR‐driven excitation acts to refill those stores by promoting voltage‐dependent entry of extracellular calcium. We report that fidelity of cholinergic SK responses requires the continued presence of extracellular calcium. Inhibitory responses that diminished after repetitive ACh application at RMPs were immediately rescued by pairing mAChR stimulation with subthreshold depolarization (∼10 mV from RMPs) initiated with variable delay (up to 500 ms) after ACh application, but not by subthreshold depolarization preceding mAChR stimulation. Further, rescued SK responses were time‐locked to ACh application, rather than to the timing of subsequent depolarizing steps, suggesting that cholinergic signal transduction itself is not voltage‐sensitive, but that depolarization facilitates rapid cycling of extracellular calcium through the endoplasmic reticulum to activate SK channels. Consistent with this prediction, rescue of SK responses by subthreshold depolarization required the presence of extracellular calcium. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to gating calcium release from intracellular stores, mAChR activation facilitates voltage‐dependent refilling of calcium stores, thereby maintaining the ongoing fidelity of SK‐mediated inhibition in response to phasic release of ACh.
Activity cross‐calibration of unsealed radionuclides utilizing a portable ion chamber
Authors: Jans Hans‐Sonke 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:To present and evaluate an ion chamber‐based method for the cross‐calibration between sites of activity measurements of unsealed radionuclides. Notably, the method allows direct comparison of short lived (i.e., clinically used) radioisotopes and the cross‐calibration of radionuclide activity meters (also known as “dose calibrators”).Methods:A portable ion chamber has been designed which is easily shipped between sites, e.g., between a standards laboratory and a nuclear medicine department. The cylindrical chamber accommodates a syringe filled with unsealed radionuclide. Low background and staff shielding are achieved by designing the ion chamber small enough to fit into the well of a dose calibrator. The chamber's sensitivity for the clinically important unsealed radioisotopes 99mTc, 131I, and 18F was measured and compared to Monte Carlo calculations. The influence of syringe fill volume, positioning, and construction (wall diameter, length) was also investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. The chamber's linearity was measured over 5.5 orders of magnitude and its constancy tested over a period of >14.5 months. An overall uncertainty budget is presented.Results:Measured chamber sensitivity was 12.1 pA/100 MBq, 12.5 pA/100 MBq and 29.4 pA/100 MBq for 131I, 99mTc, and 18F, respectively. The uncertainty budget for the ion chamber alone yields an overall uncertainty of less than 1%, with the greatest contribution arising from constancy and linearity (0.5% each). Strategies to further reduce uncertainties are discussed.Conclusions:The investigation presented in this paper confirms the feasibility of the concept introduced here. To optimize its practical implementation, the concept would benefit from computerization for the purpose of data acquisition, evaluation, processing, and storage of measured values.
Technical Note: Magnetic field effects on Gafchromic‐film response in MR‐IGRT
Authors: Reynoso Francisco J. , Curcuru Austen , Green Olga , Mutic Sasa , Das Indra J. , Santanam Lakshmi 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:Magnetokinetic changes may affect crystal orientation and polymerization within the active layer of radiochromic film (RCF). This effect is investigated in a magnetic resonance image‐guided radiotherapy unit within the context of film dosimetry.Methods:Gafchromic EBT2 RCF was irradiated in a 30 × 30 × 30 cm3 solid water phantom using a Co‐60 MRI guided radiotherapy system (B = 0.35 T) under normal operating conditions, and under the exact conditions and setup without a magnetic field. Fifteen 20.3 × 25.4 cm2 EBT2 film sheets were placed at three different depths (d = 0.5, 5, and 10 cm) using five different treatment plans. The plans were computed using the MRIdian (ViewRay, Inc.) treatment planning system to deliver doses between 0 and 17.6 Gy. Films were analyzed before and after irradiation to obtain the net optical density (netOD) for each color channel separately. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were obtained to compare the active layer of selected samples.Results:The results indicated that the red channel netOD decreased between 0.013 and 0.123 (average of 0.060 ± 0.033) for doses above 2.8 Gy, with a linear increase in this effect for higher doses. Green channel netOD showed similar results with a decrease between 0.012 and 0.105 (average of 0.041 ± 0.027) for doses above 3.5 Gy. The blue channel showed the weakest effect with a netOD decrease between 0.013 and 0.029 (average of 0.020 ± 0.006) for doses above 8.0 Gy. SEM images show changes in crystal orientation within active layer in RCF exposed in a magnetic field.Conclusions:The presence of a magnetic field affects crystal orientation and polymerization during irradiation, where netOD decreased by an average of 8.7%, 8.0%, and 4.3% in the red, green, and blue channels, respectively. The under response was dependent on dose and differed by up to 15% at 17.6 Gy.
In Vitro
Tolerance of Drug-Naive Staphylococcus aureus Strain FDA209P to Vancomycin
Authors: Singh Madhuri , Matsuo Miki , Sasaki Takashi , Morimoto Yuh , Hishinuma Tomomi , Hiramatsu Keiichi 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

The mechanisms underlying bacterial tolerance to antibiotics are unclear. A possible adaptation strategy was explored by exposure of drug-naive methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
strain FDA209P to vancomycin
in vitro
. Strains surviving vancomycin treatment (vancomycin survivor strains), which appeared after 96 h of exposure, were slow-growing derivatives of the parent strain. Although the vancomycin MICs for the survivor strains were within the susceptible range, the cytokilling effects of vancomycin at 20-fold the MIC were significantly lower for the survivor strains than for the parent strain. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated that
ileS
, encoding isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), was mutated in two of the three vancomycin survivor strains. The IleRS Y723H mutation is located close to the isoleucyl-tRNA contact site and potentially affects the affinity of IleRS binding to isoleucyl-tRNA, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis and leading to vancomycin tolerance. Introduction of the mutation encoding IleRS Y723H into FDA209P by allelic replacement successfully transferred the vancomycin tolerance phenotype. We have identified mutation of
ileS
to be one of the bona fide genetic events leading to the acquisition of vancomycin tolerance in
S. aureus
, potentially acting via inhibition of the function of IleRS.