bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New parameters available on Sysmex XE‐5000 hematology analyzers contribute to differentiating dengue from leptospirosis and enteric fever
Authors: Oehadian A. , Michels M. , de Mast Q. , Prihatni D. , Puspita M. , Hartantri Y. , Sinarta S. , van der Ven A. J. A. M. , Alisjahbana B. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIntroductionDistinguishing dengue virus infection from other febrile thrombocytopenic illnesses such as leptospirosis or enteric fever is important but difficult, due to the unavailability of reliable diagnostic tests. Sysmex XE‐5000 hematology analyzers use fluorescence flow cytometry to quantitate new parameters including cells in the atypical lymphocyte area (AL), high‐fluorescent lymphocyte counts (HFLC), immature granulocytes (IG), and immature platelets (IPF). This study aimed to investigate whether these parameters can help to discriminate between the diseases.Material and methodsWe compared hematocytometry performed by a Sysmex XE‐5000 analyzer in Indonesian adults with dengue (n = 93), leptospirosis (n = 11), and enteric fever (n = 6) infection, and in healthy controls (n = 28).ResultsReceiver operating characteristic curves comparing dengue and leptospirosis showed that dengue was characterized by increased %AL (AUC 0.87; 95% CI 0.70–1.03), %HFLC (AUC 0.89; 95% CI 0.78–0.99), and %IPF (AUC 0.81; 95% CI 0.65–0.97), while patients with leptospirosis had increased %IG (AUC 0.86; 95% CI 0.71–1.02). Low %AL, %HFLC, and %IG supported a diagnosis of enteric fever.ConclusionsThe detection of AL, HFLC, IG, and IPF by Sysmex XE‐5000 hematology analyzers can help to differentiate between common causes of febrile illnesses with thrombocytopenia in dengue endemic areas. We recommend further investigating the discriminatory value of these parameters in clinical practice.
Dynamic pathology of islet endocrine cells in type 2 diabetes: β‐Cell growth, death, regeneration and their clinical implications
Authors: Yagihashi Soroku , Inaba Wataru , Mizukami Hiroki 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDiabetes is defined as a disease of hyperglycemic metabolic disorder caused by impaired insulin action or low insulin secretion, resulting in the occurrence of vascular complications. Based on this definition, diabetes therapy has long been oriented to correct hyperglycemia against the specific complications of diabetes. This definition has posed some difficulties, however, in understanding of the pathophysiology of this complicated disease and as such in the establishment of an effective treatment. With continuing efforts to explore the structural basis for diabetes onset and methodological development of immunohistochemistry, progressive decline of β‐cells is now established as a salient feature of type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, diabetes therapy has now turned out to protect β‐cells concurrently with the correction of hyperglycemia. Together with this effort, exploration of the means to regenerate β‐cells or to supply new β‐cells by, for example, induced pluripotential stem cells, are vigorously made with the search for the mechanism of β‐cell decline in diabetes. In the present review, we describe the advances in the islet pathology in type 2 diabetes with special reference to the dynamic alterations of islet endocrine cells in the milieu of maturation, obesity, aging and ethnic differences. The effect of amyloid deposition is also discussed. We hope it will help with understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes, and suggest the future direction of diabetes treatment.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid Modulates Trichomonas vaginalis Activity
Authors: Korosh Travis , Jordan Kelsey D. , Wu Ja‐Shin , Yarlett Nigel , Upmacis Rita K. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTrichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted parasite and, while it is often asymptomatic in males, the parasite is associated with disease in both sexes. Metronidazole is an effective treatment for trichomoniasis, but resistant strains have evolved and, thus, it has become necessary to investigate other possible therapies. In this study, we examined the effects of native and oxidized forms of the sodium salts of eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic acids on T. vaginalis activity. Eicosapentaenoic acid was the most toxic with 190 and 380 μM causing approximately 90% cell death in Casu2 and ATCC 50142 strains, respectively. In contrast, oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid was the least toxic, requiring > 3 mM to inhibit activity, while low levels (10 μM) were associated with increased parasite density. Mass spectrometric analysis of oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid revealed C20 products containing one to six additional oxygen atoms and various degrees of bond saturation. These results indicate that eicosapentaenoic acid has different effects on T. vaginalis survival, depending on whether it is present in the native or oxidized form. A better understanding of lipid metabolism in T. vaginalis may facilitate the design of synthetic fatty acids that are effective for the treatment of metronidazole‐resistant T. vaginalis.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Entamoeba nuttalli Strains Showing Novel Isoenzyme Patterns from Wild Toque Macaques in Sri Lanka
Authors: Tachibana Hiroshi , Yanagi Tetsuo , Feng Meng , Bandara K. B. Anura T. , Kobayashi Seiki , Cheng Xunjia , Hirayama Kenji , Rajapakse R. P. V. Jayanthe 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe have proposed the revival of the name Entamoeba nuttalli for a virulent ameba strain, P19‐061405, from a rhesus macaque and located it phylogenetically between E. histolytica and E. dispar. As E. nuttalli was originally described for an ameba found in a toque macaque in Sri Lanka, the prevalence and characteristics of Entamoeba species in wild toque macaques were examined. PCR analysis of 227 stool samples from six locations showed positive rates for E. nuttalli, E. dispar, and E. histolytica of 18.5%, 0.4%, and 0%, respectively. Fifteen E. nuttalli strains were cultured successfully from five locations. The 18S ribosomal RNA gene showed only three nucleotide differences in comparison with P19‐061405 strain. In isoenzyme analysis, the pattern of hexokinase in Sri Lankan strains was different from that of P19‐061405 strains and the difference was confirmed by analysis of the genes. Hepatic inoculation of one of the Sri Lankan E. nuttalli strains in hamsters resulted in amebic abscess formation and body weight loss. These results demonstrate that E. nuttalli is prevalent in wild toque macaques and that several characteristics of the strains are unique. We conclude that use of the name E. nuttalli is appropriate for the new Entamoeba species found in nonhuman primates.
Morphological and Molecular Diversity of the Neglected Genus Rhizomastix Alexeieff, 1911 (Amoebozoa: Archamoebae) with Description of Five New Species
Authors: Zadrobílková Eliška , Smejkalová Pavla , Walker Giselle , Čepička Ivan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe genus Rhizomastix is a poorly known group of amoeboid heterotrophic flagellates living as intestinal commensals of insects, amphibians or reptiles, and as inhabitants of organic freshwater sediments. Eleven Rhizomastix species have been described so far, but DNA sequences from only a single species have been published. Recently, phylogenetic analyses confirmed a previous hypothesis that the genus belongs to the Archamoebae; however, its exact position therein remains unclear. In this study we cultured nine strains of Rhizomastix, both endobiotic and free‐living. According to their light‐microscopic morphology and SSU rRNA and actin gene analyses, the strains represent five species, of which four are newly described here: R. bicoronata sp. nov., R. elongata sp. nov., R. vacuolata sp. nov. and R. varia sp. nov. In addition, R. tipulae sp. nov., living in the intestine of crane flies, is separated from the type species, R. gracilis. We also examined the ultrastructure of R. elongata sp. nov., which revealed that it is more complicated than the previously described R. libera. Our data show that either the endobiotic lifestyle of some Rhizomastix species has arisen independently from other endobiotic archamoebae, or the free‐living members of this genus represent a secondary switch from the endobiotic lifestyle.
Meaning given to spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs: explored by a sample of a Norwegian population
Authors: Torskenæs Kristina B , Kalfoss Mary H , Sæteren Berit 
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectivesThe aim of this article is to explore the meanings given to the words ‘spirituality’, ‘religiousness’ and ‘personal beliefs’ by a Norwegian sample of healthy and sick individuals.BackgroundStudies show that a high proportion of nurses do not identify the spiritual needs of their patients, even if the nurses are educated to give care for the whole person, including the spiritual dimension.DesignThis study used an exploratory qualitative design.MethodsQualitative data generated from six focus groups were collected in southeast Norway. The focus groups were comprised of three groups of health professionals (n = 18) and three groups of patients from different institutions (n = 15).ResultsThe group discussions revealed that the meanings of spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs were interwoven, and the participants had difficulty in finding a common terminology when expressing their meanings. Many of the participants described the spiritual dimension with feelings of awe and respect. They were dependent on spirituality in order to experience balance in life and cope with life crises.ConclusionThe themes and categories identified by the focus group discussion highlights that spirituality ought to be understood as a multilayered dimension. An appreciation of the spiritual dimension and it's implication in nursing may help to increase health and decrease suffering.Relevance to clinical practiceHealth professionals need to be cognizant of their own sense of spirituality to investigate the spiritual needs among their patients. This study's focus group discussions helped both patients and health professionals to improve their knowledge regarding the meanings given to the spiritual dimension.
Registered nurses views of caring in coronary care – a deductive and inductive content analysis
Authors: Andersson Ewa K , Sjöström‐Strand Annica , Willman Ania , Borglin Gunilla 
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectivesTo extend nurses’ descriptions of how they understood caring, as reflected in the findings of an earlier study (i.e. the hierarchical outcome space) and to gain additional understandings and perspectives of nurses’ views of caring in relation to a coronary care patient case.BackgroundScientific literature from the 1970s–1990s contains descriptions of caring in nursing. In contrast, the contemporary literature on this topic – particularly in the context of coronary care – is very sparse, and the few studies that do contain descriptions rarely do so from the perspective of nurses.DesignQualitative descriptive study.MethodsTwenty‐one nurses were interviewed using the stimulated recall interview technique. The data were analysed using deductive and inductive qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe results of the iterative and integrated content analysis showed that the data mainly reproduced the content of the hierarchical outcome space describing how nurses could understand caring; however, in the outcome space, the relationship broke up (i.e. flipped). The nurses’ views of caring could now also be understood as: person‐centredness ‘lurking’ in the shadows; limited ‘potential’ for safeguarding patients’ best interests; counselling as virtually the ‘only’ nursing intervention; and caring preceded by the ‘almighty’ context. Their views offered alternative and, at times, contrasting perspectives of caring, thereby adding to our understanding of it.ConclusionCaring was described as operating somewhere between the nurses caring values and the contextual conditions in which caring occurred. This challenged their ability to sustain caring in accordance with their values and the patients’ preferences.Relevance to clinical practiceTo ensure that the essentials of caring are met at all times, nurses need to plan and deliver caring in a systematic way. The use of systematic structures in caring, as the nursing process, can help nurses to work in a person‐centred way, while sustaining their professional values.
Perceived Social Standing, Medication Nonadherence, and Systolic Blood Pressure in the Rural South
Authors: Cummings Doyle M. , Wu Jia‐Rong , Cene Crystal , Halladay Jacquie , Donahue Katrina E. , Hinderliter Alan , Miller Cassandra , Garcia Beverly , Penn Dolly , Tillman Jim , DeWalt Darren 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeLittle is known about how perceived social standing versus traditional socioeconomic characteristics influence medication adherence and blood pressure (BP) among African American and white patients with hypertension in the rural southeastern United States.MethodsPerceived social standing, socioeconomic characteristics, self‐reported antihypertensive medication adherence, and BP were measured at baseline in a cohort of rural African American and white patients (n = 495) with uncontrolled hypertension attending primary care practices. Multivariate models examined the relationship of perceived social standing and socioeconomic indicators with medication adherence and systolic BP.FindingsMedication nonadherence was reported by 40% of patients. Younger age [β = 0.20; P = .001], African American race [β = ‐0.30; P = .03], and lower perceived social standing [β = 0.08; P = .002] but not sex or traditional socioeconomic characteristics including education and household income, were significantly associated with lower medication adherence. Race‐specific analyses revealed that this pattern was limited to African Americans and not observed in whites. In stepwise modeling, older age [β = 0.57, P = .001], African American race [β = 4.4; P = .03], and lower medication adherence [β = ‐1.7, P = .01] but not gender, education, or household income, were significantly associated with higher systolic BP.ConclusionsLower perceived social standing and age, but not traditional socioeconomic characteristics, were significantly associated with lower medication adherence in African Americans. Lower medication adherence was associated with higher systolic BP. These findings suggest the need for tailored, culturally relevant medication adherence interventions in rural communities.
Associations of Provider‐to‐Population Ratios and Population Health by County‐Level Rurality
Authors: Fields Bronwyn E. , Bigbee Jeri L. , Bell Janice F. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeTo explore the relationship between provider‐to‐population ratios, rurality and population health in the United States using counties as the unit of analysis.MethodPopulation ratios for registered nurses (RNs), primary care physicians, and dentists were included in multivariable regression analyses. Population health indices assessed were premature death rate, self‐rated health, teen birth rate, and mammography screening rate.FindingsCounty levels of health and health care providers per capita declined as rurality increased. In adjusted regression models, the highest RN‐to‐population ratio was associated with significantly better health measures in most urban/rural categories, with the magnitude of these associations generally increasing as rurality increased. In the smallest rural counties, the highest RN‐to‐population quartile was associated with 1,655 fewer years of potential life lost (YPLL), 2% lower rates of poor or fair health, 11/1,000 fewer teen births, and 6% more mammography screening relative to the lowest quartile. For primary care physicians, more significant associations were found in medium and small rural counties where the highest quartile was associated with 1,482 fewer YPLL, 3% lower rates of poor or fair health, 7/1,000 fewer teen births, and 4% more mammography screening. The highest quartile of dentist‐to‐population ratio was generally associated with lower rates of premature death and poor or fair health in urban, large‐, and medium‐sized rural counties, but not in small rural counties.ConclusionsThe consistency of the results by provider type suggests that the supply of health care professionals, particularly in rural areas, positively impacts the health of the population.
Glutathione as a promising anti‐hydrophobicity agent against Malassezia spp.
Authors: Sivasankar Chandran , Ponmalar Ayyappan , Bhaskar James P. , Pandian Shunmugiah K. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe genus Malassezia has recently attracted wide attention in medical microbiology and dermatology as a pathogen. They are lipophilic yeasts possessing high level of cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH). l‐glutathione (GSH) is a ubiquitous antioxidant which offers protection against microbial infections. This study is intended to investigate the role of GSH as a potential anti‐hydrophobicity agent against Malazessia spp. Microbial adherence to hydrocarbon assay was performed to assess the anti‐hydrophobicity activity (AHA) of GSH against four Malassezia spp. The assay revealed that GSH at 400 μg ml−1 concentration inhibited CSH, ranging from 84% to 95% in M. furfur, M. globosa, M. restricta and M. sympodialis without killing the cells. The AHA of GSH was corroborated by auto‐aggregation assay and zeta‐potential measurement, through which delayed cell aggregation was observed due to reduction in CSH level and not by modification in cell surface charge. In addition, colony‐forming unit assay was performed in which 62–93% of CSH reduction was observed in Malassezia spp. tested. Furthermore, GSH treatment enhanced the sensitivity of Malassezia spp. towards human blood at the rate of 64–72%. The AHA was further confirmed through Fourier transform infrared analysis. Thus, this study portrays GSH as a prospective therapeutic alternative for Malassezia‐mediated infections.
Could robots become authentic companions in nursing care?
Authors: Metzler Theodore A. , Lewis Lundy M. , Pope Linda C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCreating android and humanoid robots to furnish companionship in the nursing care of older people continues to attract substantial development capital and research. Some people object, though, that machines of this kind furnish human–robot interaction characterized by inauthentic relationships. In particular, robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have been charged with substituting mindless mimicry of human behaviour for the real presence of conscious caring offered by human nurses. When thus viewed as deceptive, the robots also have prompted corresponding concerns regarding their potential psychological, moral, and spiritual implications for people who will be interacting socially with these machines. The foregoing objections and concerns can be assessed quite differently, depending upon ambient religious beliefs or metaphysical presuppositions. The complaints may be set aside as unnecessary, for example, within religious traditions for which even current robots can be viewed as presenting spiritual aspects. Elsewhere, technological cultures may reject the complaints as expression of outdated superstition, holding that the machines eventually will enjoy a consciousness described entirely in materialist and behaviourist terms. While recognizing such assessments, the authors of this essay propose that the heart of the foregoing objections and concerns may be evaluated, in part, scientifically – albeit with a conclusion recommending fundamental revisions in AI modelling of human mental life. Specifically, considerations now favour introduction of AI models using interactive classical and quantum computation. Without this change, the answer to the essay's title question arguably is ‘no’ – with it, the answer plausibly becomes ‘maybe’. Either outcome holds very interesting implications for nurses.
Pulsed Laser‐Driven Molecular Self‐assembly of Cephalexin: Aggregation‐Induced Fluorescence and Its Utility as a Mercury Ion Sensor
Authors: Singh Pradeep Kumar , Prabhune Asmita , Ogale Satishchandra 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA fluorescent self‐assembly of cephalexin is obtained by pulsed laser irradiation process. An intense fluorescence emission is found in the self‐assembled form due to occurrence of a typical aggregation‐induced emission in cephalexin molecules. It is observed that fluorescence quenching of the self‐assembled fluorescent nanostructures occurs in the presence of extremely low Hg++ ions concentrations (10−7 m) as compared to other heavy metal ions e.g. Ferrous (Fe++), Manganese (Mn++), Magnesium (Mg++), Cobalt (Co++), Nickel (Ni++) and Zinc (Zn++) at the same concentrations.
Technology and Restructuring the Social Field of Dairy Farming: Hybrid Capitals, ‘Stockmanship’ and Automatic Milking Systems
Authors: Butler Deborah , Holloway Lewis 
Published: September 2015

AbstractUsingAutomaticMilkingSystems (AMS) as an example we use the work ofBourdieu to illustrate how technology can be seen as restructuring dairy farming practices, what it is to be a dairy farmer, and the wider field of dairy farming. Approaching technology in this way and drawing upon the ‘thinking tools’ ofPierreBourdieu, namely field, capital and habitus, the article critically examines the relevance ofBourdieu's thought to the study of technology. We expand onBourdieu's types of capital to define what we have called ‘hybrid’ capital involving human‐cow‐technology collectives. The concept expresses how new technology can shift power relations within the dairy field, affecting human‐animal relations and changing the stock person' habitus. Hybrid capital is produced through a co‐investment of stock‐keepers, cows and technologies, and can become economically and culturally valuable within a rapidly restructuring dairying field when invested in making dairy farming more efficient changing farmers' social status and work‐life balance. The article shows howAMSand this emergent hybrid capital is associated with new but contested definitions of what counts as ‘good’ dairy farming practice, and with the emergence of new modes of dairy farmer habitus, within a wider dairy farming field.
Great Expectations or Small Country Living? Enabling Small Rural Creative Businesses with ICT
Authors: Anderson Alistair R. , Wallace Claire , Townsend Leanne 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSmall businesses are prototypical rural business, but limited by distance. However, creative businesses are less constrained by space and hold great promise for rural development. Indeed, the rural is an attractive creative aesthetic milieu. Moreover, new broadband technologies seem to offer a solution to address connectivity; the social and spatial problem of being rural. Consequently, we ask how does broadband enable small rural creative firms. We sought out the practices and experiences of creative business owners, finding that broadband offered useful technical, creative, and business linking. However many were frustrated by poor technical performance. Furthermore, the accelerating pace of ICT worried respondents, who feared being left behind. Nonetheless for most–without broadband their rural location would have been impossible. We found that broadband has fostered creative rural businesses, but as new ways of making a small country living rather than stimulating a rural creative milieu. The digital promise of a creative transformation of the rural has not been realised in Scotland.