bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential benefits of reducing medication‐related anticholinergic burden for demented older adults: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Yeh Yen‐Chi , Liu Chien‐Liang , Peng Li‐Ning , Lin Ming‐Hsien , Chen Liang‐Kung 
Published: December 2012

AimMedication‐related anticholinergic burden is a quality indicator for geriatric pharmacotherapy; however, little is known regarding the benefits of reducing anticholinergic burden for demented patientsMethodsDemented residents in a Veteran Home were enrolled for this study and an educational program was held for primary care physicians providing services at the Veterans Home. Residents were assigned to the intervention group if the primary care team could adhere to the research protocol and the remaining residents were assigned to the reference group receiving conventional care. Anticholinergic burden was estimated by Clinician‐Rated Anticholinergic Score (CR‐ACHS). Healthcare outcomes; for example, hospitalizations, mortality, cognitive and physical function, were compared between groups.ResultsOverall, 53 of the 67 demented residents (mean age 83.4 ± 4.4 years) completed this study. Anticholinergic exposure was found in 38 participants (56.7%) at baseline, in which antipsychotics (n = 29, 76.3%) and antidepressants (n = 19, 50%) were the most common agents. Compared with participants in the reference group, CR‐ACHS was significantly reduced in the intervention group at 12‐week follow up (intervention group vs reference group = 0.5 ± 1.1 vs 1.1 ± 1.3, P = 0.021), whereas the mean Mini‐Mental State Examination and Barthel Index were similar between groups. In contrast, no clinical complication was observed regarding medication adjustments during the study period.ConclusionsAnticholinergic burden can be successfully and safely reduced through an educational program for primary care physicians, but the benefit of reducing anticholinergic burden remained unclear within the first 12 weeks. Further investigation is required to evaluate the long‐term benefits of reducing anticholinergic burden for demented older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 694–700.
Factors that allow elderly individuals to stay at home with their families using the Japanese long‐term care insurance system
Authors: Oyama Yumiko , Tamiya Nanako , Kashiwagi Masayo , Sato Mikiya , Ohwaki Kazuhiro , Yano Eiji 
Published: December 2012

AimThis study examined the factors that allow elderly individuals to stay at home continuously by considering the roles of the family caregiver, the use of services and characteristics of the elderly individual.MethodsWe analyzed 432 elderly individuals living at home with family. The outcome was that participants remained at home continuously over a 24‐month period. The participants were stratified into two care‐needs levels, and then multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine relationships between staying at home and the Japanese version of the Zarit Burden Interview (J‐ZBI), public Long‐term Care Insurance (LTCI) service use, family caregivers' characteristics and elderly peoples' characteristics.ResultsLow scores on the J‐ZBI were related to outcome in both care‐needs subgroups (low care‐needs subgroup: OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.31–3.43, high care‐needs subgroup: OR 5.03; 95% CI 1.04–31.1). Regarding LTCI services, the use of home‐visit nursing (HN) service was related to staying at home continuously in the high care‐needs group (OR 37.39; 95% CI 3.31–879.1).ConclusionsAlleviation of caregiver' burden was essential for continuous stay at home of elderly people regardless of care‐needs levels. Also, the HN service was founded as the relevant LTCI service factor for staying at home continuously. The HN service use might affect the outcome when we consider the causal relationship. Therefore, the policy for the promotion of HN service use will be important to achieve the ultimate goal of LTCI, which is to allow elderly people to live in their communities for as long as possible. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 764–773.
Efficient nursery plant production of dwarf cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.) through mass propagation in liquid culture
Authors: Umami Nafiatul , Gondo Takahiro , Tanaka Hidenori , Rahman Mohammad M. , Akashi Ryo 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDwarf cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.) was developed as a dwarf mutant through heavy‐ion beam irradiation 7 years ago. The dwarf mutant could be expected to use as a new variety for a cover plant with low maintenance, although it has poor seed fertility. To establish an efficient nursery production system for dwarf cogongrass, we attempted mass propagation of it in liquid culture and investigated the genetic stability of its regenerants. Multiple‐shoot clumps (MSCs) were initiated from apical meristems of dwarf cogongrass on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and 2.0 mg L−1 benzylaminopurine (BAP). Mass propagation conditions were established from MSCs cultured in MS liquid medium containing 0.05 mg L−1 2,4‐D and 0.5 mg L−1 BAP. The fresh weight of the MSCs per flask increased by more than 16 times in 14 days of liquid culture. Two different sizes of MSCs were produced in liquid culture. When smaller MSCs (<2 mm in diameter) were transferred to half‐strength hormone‐free MS solid medium, plant regeneration occurred at high frequency (93.3%). These tissues showed high regenerative potential with approximately 350 green shoots recovered within 50 days from 60 regenerating clumps. Furthermore, root elongation was vigorous in the regenerants growing in the same medium. Regenerated plants were acclimatized in hydrated Jiffy‐7 pellets for 30 days and then grown in soil as nursery plants. The plant height of regenerants was almost the same as original dwarf cogongrass and significantly lower than the wild type plants (P < 0.01). Analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) banding patterns generated using 10 primer combinations showed no major genetic variations among the regenerated plants and original dwarf cogongrass.
Do soil nutrients mediate competition between grasses and Acacia saplings?
Authors: Tedder Michelle , Morris Craig , Fynn Richard , Kirkman Kevin 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe structure and composition of savanna vegetation is influenced by resource availability and disturbance. Grasses, a major component of savanna systems, influence the tree‐grass balance by competing with trees for light, water and soil nutrients as well as providing fuel for fires. Overgrazing, and the ensuing decreased grass competition and fire effects resulting from diminished grass vigor and cover, are thought to be major drivers of bush encroachment. To investigate impacts of competition from grass on saplings of Acacia karroo Hayne. and Acacia nilotica (L.). Willd. ex. Del. under high and low soil fertility, six grass species, Aristida junciformis (Trin & Rupr.), Eragrostis capensis (Thunb.) Trin., Hyparrhenia hirta Stapf., Panicum maximum Jacq., Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay and Themeda triandra Forssk., were planted in pots with a tree sapling as the central test species. The major competitive effects experienced by tree saplings were dependent on nutrient level and the identity of the competing grass species (P < 0.001). Aboveground A. karroo was more strongly affected by grass competition under high nutrient conditions, whereas an increase in nutrient level had little effect on the competition between A. nilotica and the grasses (P < 0.001). Acacia karroo was also strongly affected by grass competition belowground; however, the opposite trend was observed for A. nilotica (P < 0.001). Eragrostis capensis was one of the most competitive grass species, reducing sapling aboveground biomass by 85% and 65% under high and low nutrient conditions, respectively, and sapling belowground biomass by 71% on average. Increasing nutrient availability resulted in an increase in competition exerted on A. karroo by all grasses but little to no change for A. nilotica. Changes in savanna composition and structure are thus likely to be influenced by grass species composition and soil nutrient status.
Spatial variability of radioactive cesium fallout on grasslands estimated in various scales
Authors: Tsuiki Mikinori , Maeda Takeki 
Published: December 2012

AbstractLarge releases of radionuclides from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant have resulted in serious radioactive pollution over a wide region over Eastern Japan and the livestock industry has suffered serious damage as a result. In this study, the spatial variability of fallout radioactive cesium (Cs) on two grasslands (a pasture and a meadow) was estimated in various scales and the number of samples needed to determine the mean deposition density of radioactive Cs was calculated. In both grasslands, variances between sampling points were quite large compared with the repeated measurements. Because deposited radioactive Cs levels were higher in the pasture than in the meadow, the mean square of inter‐sampling points and repeated measurements were larger in the pasture than in the meadow. Mean contamination levels of radioactive Cs in the pasture ranged from 143.0 (site AL) to 172.8 kBq m−2 (paddock Z). The coefficients of variation ranged from 4.8 (site D) to 38.7% (whole pasture). Mean contamination levels of radioactive Cs in the meadow ranged from 59.6 (site Q) to 68.3 kBq m−2 (site OL). The coefficients of variation ranged from 4.9 (site R) to 10.2% (whole meadow). Sampling numbers that were necessary to get the mean deposition density of radioactive Cs in the range ±10% with a 95% confidence interval were 57.5 for the pasture and 4.0 for the meadow. The significant relationship between the investigated area and the minimum sampling numbers with an allowable error of ±10% with a 95% confidence interval estimated by bootstrapping showed that 29 samples are necessary to estimate the reliable mean of fallout Cs on 1 ha of the pasture. For the meadow, the number of samples for reliable mean estimation was 1–5, being independent of the investigated area.
An exceedingly rare localization of a brown tumor in a hemodialysis patient
Authors: Karagoz Ali , Turkmen Kultigin , Yazici Raziye , Arslan Sevket , Baktık Suleyman , Karanis Meryem Ilkay Eren , Altintepe Lutfullah , Guney Ibrahim 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBrown tumor, which is seen in the context of hyperparathyroidism, is defined as a uremic bone disease characterized by increased osteoclastic activity and fibroblastic proliferation in the involved bone. In chronic renal failure, there is an excessive parathyroid hormone secretion due to hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and vitamin D deficiency. Brown tumor of the femur, facial bones, mandible, sternum, ribs, and pelvis are rare, whereas, it rarely involves sacrum.Here, we presented a brown tumor of the sacrum that developed secondary to parathyroid hyperplasia in a patient receiving hemodialysis.
Chronic fondaparinux use in a hemodialysis patient with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia type II and extracorporeal circuit thrombosis—A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Brown Paula , Jay Richard , Fox Andrea , Oliver Matthew 
Published: December 2012

AbstractHeparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially life‐threatening condition that can develop after exposure to unfractionated or low–molecular‐weight heparins. Treatment options appear to be limited in patients on concurrent intermittent hemodialysis. We report the case of an 88‐year‐old man newly initiated on high‐flux hemodialysis who developed HIT and extracorporeal circuit thrombosis after 3 weeks of exposure to unfractionated heparin. Our patient was successfully treated with fondaparinux 2.5 mg subcutaneously three times per week and citrate during dialysis sessions. Antifactor Xa levels were measured on several occasions while receiving fondaparinux.
Associations among nocturnal sleep, daytime intradialytic sleep, and mortality risk in patients on daytime conventional hemodialysis: US Renal Data System special study data
Authors: Kutner Nancy , Zhang Rebecca , Johansen Kirsten , Bliwise Donald 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFragmented nocturnal sleep is commonly reported by patients undergoing daytime conventional hemodialysis (CHD) and may be associated with higher mortality risk. Subjective sleepiness during CHD is also frequently observed. We examined the association of reported sleep fragmentation and nocturnal and daytime (intradialytic) sleep durations with survival in a national cohort of 1440 CHD patients who were interviewed in 2005–2007 in a phone survey conducted by the US Renal Data System. Patient survival was followed through September 30, 2010 in the US Renal Data System. A total of 76% of patients reported that they typically dozed off or slept during their treatment, and intradialytic dozing was especially common among patients whose treatment shift started before 1000 hours. There was a trend for patients who reported dozing during CHD to report nocturnal sleep fragmentation (60.4% vs. 55.1%; P = 0.07). With adjustment for intradialytic sleep and other covariates, nocturnal sleep fragmentation was not associated with survival. Mortality risk was higher for patients who reported sleeping 9 or more hours/night compared with the referent category of nocturnal sleep equal to 6–7 hours (hazard ratio: 1.50 [95% confidence interval: 1.04–2.17]; P = 0.03). Continued investigation of the association of timing and duration of sleep with hemodialysis patient outcomes is warranted.
Oral hygiene and dental caries in 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children in Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hashim R , Williams S , Thomson WM 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between oral hygiene and dental caries in young children in the Emirate of Ajman, United Arab Emirates.MethodsA one‐stage cluster sample was used to randomly select children. Clinical examinations were conducted by a single examiner. Parents completed questionnaires seeking information on child and family characteristics, dietary habits and oral hygiene practices.ResultsThe total number of children sampled was 1297. Dental examination and questionnaire data were obtained for 1036 (79.9%). Frequency of eating per day and snack consumption level were both significantly associated with plaque score. Children who brushed their teeth more often had lower plaque scores. The observed association between mean plaque score and mean decayed, missing, filled teeth suggests that children with high plaque scores are more likely to experience caries.ConclusionsBrushing with fluoride toothpaste was under‐utilized in Ajman. Tooth brushing therefore needs better promotion and reinforcement.
Topological Model for the Viscosity of Multicomponent Glass‐Forming Liquids
Authors: Mauro John C. , Ellison Adam J. , Allan Douglas C. , Smedskjaer Morten M. 
Published: December 2012

Topological constraint theory holds the key to understanding the temperature and composition dependence of the dynamics of glass‐forming liquids. Unfortunately, existing analytical models currently do not apply to multicomponent industrial glasses. Moreover, models that are strictly empirical in nature fail to provide insight into the underlying physical trends and cannot extrapolate beyond the compositional ranges used for fitting of their parameters. In this paper, we present a phenomenological model offering an improved description of the composition and temperature dependence of the shear viscosity of multicomponent liquids. The model has a clear physical foundation based on the temperature dependence of the network constraints with only two empirical fitting parameters per oxide component. The model predicts the isokom temperatures of 7141 viscosity measurements for 760 different compositions with a root‐mean‐square error of only 6.55 K.
Spread of different rhinovirus B genotypes in hospitalized children in Spain
Authors: Cuevas María Teresa , Molinero Mar , Pozo Francisco , Calvo Cristina , García‐García Maria Luz , Reyes Noelia , Ledesma Juan , Casas Inmaculada 
Published: December 2012

Please cite this paper as: Cuevas et al. (2013) Spread of different rhinovirus B genotypes in hospitalized children in Spain. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(5), 623–628.Human Rhinovirus (HRV) classification is an evolving process. New genotypes have been described within HRV‐A and HRV‐C species, but only one has been accepted related to HRV‐B. From 2003 to 2010, a total of 3987 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were taken from pediatric patients admitted to the Severo Ochoa Hospital in Madrid (Spain). After viral analysis, 949 (23·8%) tested positive to HRV. A random selection of 397 (42%) positive samples showed that 39 (9·8%) were HRV‐B. The sequencing of partial VP4/VP2 coding region revealed the spread of 13 of 25 defined HRV‐B serotypes and three putative new genotypes. Such results remark the high diversity of HRV‐B.
Preoperative patient teaching: the practice and perceptions among surgical ward nurses
Authors: Lee Chi‐Kong , Lee Iris F‐K 
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectivesTo explore the consistency between the perceptions and actual practice of preoperative patient teaching and also the factors affecting the provision of teaching from the perspective of nurses working in surgical wards.BackgroundPreoperative teaching is beneficial to surgical patients in alleviating their anxiety and promoting their postoperative recovery. Despite the leading role in patient teaching by nurses, sparse studies have been addressed the consistency between nurses' perceptions and their actual practice of preoperative teaching in surgical wards.DesignA cross‐sectional survey.MethodData were collected by using self‐reported preoperative teaching questionnaires together with nurse demographic data sheets. Sampling setting was an acute public hospital and all nurses working in surgical wards (n = 100) were approached in the study.ResultsA total of 86 nurses returned the questionnaires. ‘Details of anaesthesia’ was the most prominent preoperative teaching component rated by nurses although their major teaching was pertained to ‘preoperative preparation’. In addition, oral explanation was reported as the most prevalent way of information delivery and internet was the least preferred method. Discrepancies between nurses' perceptions and actual practice were found in this study. Moreover, nurses' time availability, language barriers and tight operation schedules were perceived as top factors affecting the provision of preoperative teaching. Furthermore, nurses' satisfaction with such patient teaching was significantly associated with their professional training and their daily workload in the clinical setting.ConclusionsPreoperative patient teaching was not fully achieved by nurses in this study, and the results highlighted the conflicting issues related to the implementation process that could be resolved by means of proper planning and management in clinical practice.Relevance to clinical practiceHealthcare organisations and nurse managers should periodically review the existing clinical resources so that sufficient preoperative teaching strategies can be provided. Nurses' perceptions and satisfaction towards preoperative teaching can be compared with those of the patients in further studies so that the insights for developing an effective preoperative teaching programme can be more comprehensive.
Homeward bound: factors affecting homing ability in a polymorphic lizard
Authors: Scali S. , Sacchi R. , Azzusi M. , Daverio S. , Oppedisano T. , Mangiacotti M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractColour polymorphism is a widespread phenomenon among reptiles and is often associated with alternative physiological and behavioural strategies, including dispersal and movement patterns. To test the homing ability of Podarcis muralis and look for morph‐specific responses, we conducted a translocation experiment in two areas of Northern Italy during 2009 and 2010. The first study area was a wall surrounding a city park with a linear and simplified habitat structure; the second one was an archaeological park in a natural area, including stone walls remains, grasses and woods. Lizards of both sexes (203 and 288 for site, respectively) were translocated at 50–200 m distances using cloth bags to block lizard sight. Podarcis muralis were able to return home as 56.7% of translocated individuals in the first site and 35.1% of translocated individuals in the second site successfully returned to their home range. The homing ability decreased with increasing distances, whereas body size positively affected homing behaviour, probably depending on the territoriality of adult lizards. More interestingly, homing performance differed among colour morphs, as yellow lizards of both sexes had significantly better homing skill than other morphs.
Lynx prey selection for age and sex classes of roe deer varies with season
Authors: Mejlgaard T. , Loe L. E. , Odden J. , Linnell J. D. C. , Nilsen E. B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPredator selectivity for age and sex classes has large implications for their impact on prey populations. We examined whether the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx selects specific sex and age categories of roe deer Capreolus capreolus, and if this selection pattern differs between summer and winter. Data on sex and age of 194 roe deer killed by 44 VHF‐ and GPS‐marked lynx were collected in southern Norway from 1995 to 2010. The sex and age distribution of the roe deer population was estimated using demographic parameters estimated from radio‐collared roe deer in the study area. We found that lynx selection differed between summer and winter. In both seasons, lynx selected adult roe deer of both sexes. In summer, there was a clear selection against yearlings, but in winter, lynx selected male yearlings. Compared with the availability, fawns of both sexes were under‐represented during summer. Male and female lynx did not differ in their prey selection, but yearling lynx tended to kill a larger proportion of roe deer fawns than older lynx. We argue that seasonal differences in behaviour, activity and habitat use by roe deer may explain this variation in lynx selection patterns, supporting the view that prey selection is affected by the life cycle stage of both the predators and the prey.
Increasing Charitable Giving: What Can We Learn from Economics?*
Authors: Smith Sarah 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThere is growing policy interest in charitable giving in the UK. As part of its Big Society agenda, the current government is keen to encourage a higher level of donations, highlighting new technologies, new social norms and tax incentives as potential mechanisms for raising giving. In the 2012 Budget, however, the Chancellor also proposed limiting tax relief on donations to £50,000, sparking an intense discussion about the effectiveness and desirability of tax incentives for major donors. This paper brings together recent evidence relevant to the ongoing policy debates.
Dynamic Linkages among Budget Deficits, Interest Rates and the Stock Market*
Authors: Laopodis Nikiforos T. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis paper examines the dynamic linkages among the federal budget deficit, interest rates and the stock market for the United States from 1960 to 2006. The empirical strategy includes vector autoregression (VAR) and Granger causality analyses. The results suggest that budget deficits negatively impact upon stock returns, which implies a violation of the Ricardian Equivalence Proposition. Further analysis shows a higher sensitivity of stock returns to corporate taxes than to public spending. Finally, it is shown that although taxes are relevant for corporate profits in the short run, budget deficits are important for the stock market in the long run.