bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Needs of Aboriginal Australian women with comorbid mental and alcohol and other drug use disorders
Authors: Lee KS Kylie , Harrison Kaylie , Mills Katherine , Conigrave Katherine M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAboriginal Australian women have an important role in raising strong families. Yet there are many challenges for women with mental health disorders, sometimes following past traumas. This study examines experiences of Aboriginal women engaging with treatment services for co‐occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUD), and the experiences of their family, and of health staff seeking to support them.Design and MethodsThe study was implemented by four Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in urban and regional New South Wales to inform improvements to local health service delivery. All Aboriginal female clients with a diagnosed comorbid mental health and SUD were offered study participation by staff of that Aboriginal Medical Service. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted by an independent Aboriginal interviewer: 21 with clients, 12 with adult family members of these clients and 11 with Aboriginal health workers from these services.ResultsClients (aged 21–60) experienced a range of mental health and SUD, attributed by them to negative events early in life. Clients and family members reported that the disorders have severe impacts on the women and their families, including children. Considerable barriers to accessing relevant services were described. Suggested service improvements included more local inpatient treatment options, more friendly and flexible services, better service promotion and improved staff professional development opportunities.Discussion and ConclusionBarriers to accessing mental health and SUD treatment (Aboriginal and mainstream) need addressing. Research is needed to optimise treatment to meet the complex needs of Aboriginal Australians with co‐occurring mental health and SUD. [Lee KSK, Harrison K, Mills K, Conigrave KM. Needs of Aboriginal Australian women with comorbid mental and alcohol and other drug use disorders. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:473–481]
Determination of interventions for upper extremity tactile impairment in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Auld Megan L , Russo Remo , Moseley G Lorimer , Johnston Leanne M 
Published: March 2014

AimThis study reviewed interventions suitable for treating tactile dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodA systematic review was conducted of six databases, searched for population: (‘brain injury’ OR ‘cerebral palsy’ OR ‘stroke’ OR ‘cerebrovascular accident’) and intervention: (‘tactile’ OR ‘sensation’). Inclusion criteria were: (1) published after 1950 in English; (2) participants older than 4 years with brain injury; (3) upper limb intervention; and (4) examined tactile registration or perception.ResultsOf 2938 studies identified, 30 met the inclusion criteria. Results from included studies indicated that tactile function improved in adults with stroke after transfer enhanced training (t[47]=2.75, p=0.004), stimulus specific training (p<0.001), ice therapy (F=5.71, p=0.028), mirror therapy (F=7.7, p=0.009), and functional deafferentation using an anaesthetic cream (t=3.76; p<0.01). No intervention reported improvement in tactile dysfunction for children with CP.InterpretationResearch is required to develop tactile interventions for children with CP that integrate methodology from effective approaches for adults after stroke. Stimulus specific training, transfer enhanced training, and mirror therapy are promising. Other approaches are less suitable for children because of invasiveness (electrical stimulation), safety (ice therapy), or limitation of bimanual function (eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics, pneumatic cuff).
The Ipswich Touch Test: a simple and novel method to screen patients with diabetes at home for increased risk of foot ulceration
Authors: Sharma S. , Kerry C. , Atkins H. , Rayman G. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimsThe Ipswich Touch Test is a novel method to detect subjects with diabetes with loss of foot sensation and is simple, safe, quick, and easy to perform and teach. This study determines whether it can be used by relatives and/or carers to detect reduced foot sensation in the setting of the patient's home.MethodsThe test involves lightly and briefly (1–2 s) touching the tips of the first, third and fifth toes of both feet with the index finger. Reduced foot sensation was defined as ≥ 2 insensate areas. Patients due to attend clinic over a 4‐week period were invited by post. The invitation contained detailed instructions and a sheet for recording the results. The findings were compared with those obtained in clinic using the 10‐g monofilament at the same six sites.ResultsOf 331 patients (174 males), 25.1% (n = 83) had ≥ 2 insensate areas to 10‐g monofilament testing. Compared with this, the Ipswich Touch Test at home had a sensitivity of 78.3% and a specificity of 93.9%. The predictive values of detecting ‘at‐risk’ feet were positive at 81.2% and negative at 92.8%. The likelihood ratios were positive at 12.9 and negative at 0.23.ConclusionsWith clearly written instructions, this simple test can be used by non‐professionals to accurately assess for loss of protective sensation. We believe that the Ipswich Touch Test may also be a useful educational adjunct to improve awareness of diabetes foot disease in patients and relatives alike and empower them to seek appropriate care if sensation was found to be abnormal.
The glucagon‐like peptide‐1‐based therapeutics exenatide and saxagliptin did not cause detrimental effects on the pancreas in mice, rats, dogs and monkeys
Authors: Roy D. , Chadwick K. D. , Tatarkiewicz K. , LaCerte C. , Bergholm A.‐M. , Brodie T. , Mangipudy R. S. , Parkes D. , Graziano M. J. , Reilly T. P. 
Published: March 2014

AimsRecent reports in the literature have suggested that glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1)‐based therapies may lead to increased risk of pancreatic pathology leading to chronic pancreatic injury and pancreatic neoplasia. Extensive non‐clinical and clinical safety testing was conducted to support the global development of exenatide twice daily, exenatide once weekly and saxagliptin. Our aim was to integrate these non‐clinical data obtained with both mechanisms of GLP‐1‐based drugs to provide complementary data regarding the potential for drug‐induced pancreatic safety signals.MethodsMore than 70 regulated non‐clinical toxicology studies in rodents and non‐rodents were conducted in accordance with International Conference on Harmonisation and US Food and Drug Administration guidance documents, current industry standards, animal welfare regulations and in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice regulations. Treatment duration was up to 2 years in rodents and up to 12 months in non‐rodents using high doses representing large multiples of human exposures (up to 130× for exenatide and 2200× for saxagliptin). Comprehensive pancreas assessments involved more than 2400 pancreata from animals exposed to exenatide and over 1700 pancreata from animals exposed to saxagliptin.ResultsNeither exenatide nor saxagliptin treatment resulted in drug‐related microscopic changes indicative of acute or chronic adverse effects (including neoplasia) in the endocrine or exocrine pancreas, at doses far exceeding the maximum human systemic exposures.ConclusionsThese data substantially add to the weight of evidence supporting the lack of non‐clinical drug‐induced pancreatic safety signals in animals exposed to GLP‐1‐based therapies.
Does Gestational Diabetes History Increase Epicardial Fat and Carotid Intima Media Thickness?
Authors: Caliskan Mustafa , Caklili Ozge Telci , Caliskan Zuhal , Duran Cevdet , Çiftçi Faika C. , Avci Enver , Güllü Hakan , Kulaksizoglu Mustafa , Koca Harun , Muderrisoglu Haldun 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that has begun during pregnancy. Recent studies have proven that development of atherosclerosis may be established in this population even without presence of type 2 diabetes. For assessment of atherosclerosis, epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is recently being used as a surrogate marker. In this study, we aimed to prove that women with GDM history are more inclined to have higher EFT levels than women without GDM history.MethodsSixty‐two patients with previous GDM and 33 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were allocated. Epicardial fat thicknesses of the subjects were measured with transthorasic echocardiography and carotid intima media thickness (c‐IMT) was measured with ultrasound. Insulin resistance (IR) of each subject was assessed with Homeostasis model of assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR).ResultsCarotid IMT and EFT were significantly higher in previous GDM group than controls. Serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), uric acid, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels were also found significantly higher in the patients with previous GDM as compared to the controls. We observed that carotid IMT (β = 310, P = 0.003), total cholesterol (β = 315, P = 0.002), BMI (β = 308, P = 0.002), HbA1c (β = 227, P = 0.018), and HOMA‐IR (β = 184, P = 0.049) were independently correlated with EFT.ConclusionsAlthough the number of patients included in this study is limited, high EFT results may indicate presence of atherosclerosis in women with previous GDM.
Species distribution, host affinity and genetic variability of Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato in the Czech Republic
Authors: Sedlák P. , Tomšovský M. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe distribution and host affinity of Heterobasidon annosum (Fr.) Bref. sensu lato (Basidiomycota, Bondarzewiaceae) in the Czech Republic was investigated. Sampling was undertaken in natural forests, in stands with former presence of fir and spruce and in forests on formerly agricultural lands. The identification and phylogenetic relationship of the species complex was studied by comparing DNA sequences of three gene regions: glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G3P), translation elongation factor 1‐alfa (EFA) and transcription factor (TF). The species relationships were demonstrated by haplotype network and Bayesian phylogram construction for the combined data set. The distribution of each species was demonstrated. Heterobasidion annosum s.s., which had the greatest host range, was found on thirteen genera (Pinus, Picea, Fraxinus, Betula, Corylus, Alnus, Abies, Acer, Salix, Ligustrum, Quercus, Larix and Prunus). Heterobasidion parviporum was found on spruce (Picea abies), fir (Abies alba), apple tree (Malus sylvestris), Vitis vinifera and Fagus sylvatica, and Heterobasidion abietinum was observed on fir (Abies), spruce (Picea), pine (Pinus) and maize (Zea mays). Sequences from different genes yielded conflicting results for six specimens, which were interpreted as belonging to interspecific hybrids. These were collected from A. alba, P. abies and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. The occurrence of Heterobasidion annosum s.l. is strongly associated with the natural distribution of its hosts and the occurrence of H. abietinum appears to be related to the historical occurrence of A. alba in stands now reforested with P. abies. No statistically significant differences in the vertical distributions within the species complex were detected.
Comparison of the potential spread of pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) inFinland andIberia simulated with a cellular automaton model
Authors: Pukkala T. , Möykkynen T. , Robinet C. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryPinewood nematode (PWN) is one of the most threatening invasive pests in the pine forests ofEurope, and it has recently spread to theIberianPeninsula via import of timber and wooden packaging material fromEastAsia. A cellular automaton (CA) model was developed to simulate and compare the potential spread ofPWNby transportation and its vectors,Monochamusbeetles in the pine forests of Finland and Iberian Peninsula. The model assumes that all pines are equally sensitive toPWN. TheCAis a spatio‐temporal grid‐based model, which can easily be applied on different geographical scales. The effects of climate warming and number of entries from ports on the spread ofPWNwere studied. A sensitivity analysis was conducted on the most uncertain model parameters. Twenty years after hypothetical entries, the predicted area of symptomaticPWNinfection (pine wilt disease,PWD) was very low inFinland compared toIberia. This was because of the low probability of warmJuly inFinland. The increase in the meanJuly temperature increased the area ofPWD‐infected pine forest relatively more inFinland than inIberia. An increase in the number of entries also increased the area ofPWD‐infected pine forest relatively more in Finland than in Iberia. The probability ofPWDinfection was the highest in pine forests that were close to entry points and in areas with low elevation and high human population density.
A spatiotemporal study of gliosis in relation to depth electrode tracks in drug‐resistant epilepsy
Authors: Goc Joanna , Liu Joan Y. W. , Sisodiya Sanjay M. , Thom Maria 
Published: March 2014

AbstractKey questions remain regarding the processes governing gliogenesis following central nervous system injury that are critical to understanding both beneficial brain repair mechanisms and any long‐term detrimental effects, including increased risk of seizures. We have used cortical injury produced by intracranial electrodes (ICEs) to study the time‐course and localization of gliosis and gliogenesis in surgically resected human brain tissue. Seventeen cases with ICE injuries of 4–301 days age were selected. Double‐labelled immunolabelling using a proliferative cell marker (MCM2), markers of fate‐specific transcriptional factors (PAX6, SOX2), a microglial marker (IBA1) and glial markers (nestin, GFAP) was quantified in three regions: zone 1 (immediate vicinity: 0–350 μm), zone 2 (350–700 μm) and zone 3 (remote ≥2000 μm) in relation to the ICE injury site. Microglial/macrophage cell densities peaked at 28–30 days post‐injury (dpi) with a significant decline in proliferating microglia with dpi in all zones. Nestin‐expressing cells (NECs) were concentrated in zones 1 and 2, showed the highest regenerative capacity (MCM2 and PAX6 co‐expression) and were intimately associated with capillaries within the organizing injury cavity. There was a significant decline in nestin/MCM2 co‐expressing cells with dpi in zones 1 and 2. Nestin‐positive fibres remained in the chronic scar, and NECs with neuronal morphology were noted in older injuries. GFAP‐expressing glia were more evenly distributed between zones, with no significant decline in density or proliferative capacity with dpi. Colocalization between nestin and GFAP in zone 1 glial cells decreased with increasing dpi. In conclusion, NECs at acute injury sites are a proliferative, transient cell population with capacity for maturation into astrocytes with possible neuronal differentiation observed in older injuries.
Food‐availability dependent premature metamorphosis in the bean blister beetle Epicauta gorhami (Coleoptera: Meloidae), a hypermetamorphic insect that feeds on grasshopper eggs in the larval stage
Authors: Terao Misato , Hirose Yuzuru , Shintani Yoshinori 
Published: March 2014

AbstractLarvae of the bean blister beetle, Epicauta gorhami, feed on only grasshopper eggs and undergo hypermetamorphosis with pseudopupal diapause in the fifth instar. Whether E. gorhami larvae enter pseudopupal diapause or pupate directly from the fourth instar is controlled by temperature and photoperiod. In nature, larvae are confronted with a significant variation in the availability of food, suggesting the possibility that feeding conditions may also affect the diapause incidence. Here, we addressed this issue by changing the feeding conditions in the fourth instar under conditions of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16 : 8) at 25°C. Food deprivation reduced the length of instar and increased the tendency to pupate, leading to the early eclosion of a small adult. Even non‐feeding fourth‐instar larvae pupated. Regardless of the timing of food deprivation, the post‐feeding larval period was constant and equivalent to that of ad libitum‐fed larvae, suggesting that premature exhaustion of the food supply triggers the initiation of pupation. In agreement with these results, when larvae were fed on intact grasshopper egg pods of various sizes from four species, those that fed on smaller egg pods had a decreased tendency to pseudopupate (i.e., to enter diapause). Food‐deprived larvae showed a clearer photoperiodic response and had a shorter critical day‐length. Thus, in E. gorhami, feeding conditions do not affect pupation success, but do affect the tendency to pupate or pseudopupate. This is the first report of the occurrence of premature pupation in carnivorous insects. We discuss our findings in the context of the natural history and behavioral ecology of E. gorhami.
Insights on the association of American Cetoniinae beetles with ants
Authors: Puker Anderson , Rosa Cassiano S. , Orozco Jesús , Solar Ricardo R. C. , Feitosa Rodrigo M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCetoniinae beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae) can occupy the nests of social insects. In many cases the beetles located within the colonies of social insects encounter a place of shelter and food resources for both adults and immatures. Despite the numerous cohabitation records, the relationship of Cetoniinae beetles with their ant hosts remains mostly unexplored. In this review we provide hypotheses explaining this ant–beetle association. A conceptual model is presented on the processes underpinning the occupation of the nest and the consequences that unfold after occupation, including: (i) death of the ant colony; (ii) death of beetles; and (iii) coexistence. We also provide an exhaustive list of American Cetoniinae beetle species found associated with ants and discuss the symbiotic relationships occurring between the beetles and their host ants.
The discovery of epidermal tight junctions
Authors: Ozawa Toshiyuki , Sugawara Koji , Tsuruta Daisuke 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIt was previously thought that the skin barrier is composed singly by the stratum corneum. However, this concept was overturned by the report of Tsukita's group in 2002. They convinced us that tight junctions exist in the stratum granulosum of the epidermis, with the constituent proteins being occludin, claudin‐1 and claudin‐4. However, more than 30 years before this, Hashimoto et al. described the possible existence of tight junctions in the epidermis in ‘Intercellular spaces of the human epidermis as demonstrated with lanthanum’ in 1971. Dr. Hashimoto observed lanthanum nitrate‐injected human skin by electron microscopy. He discovered that the injected lanthanum penetrated the intercellular spaces of the basal and spinous layers of the epidermis and then moved towards the skin surface until penetration was halted in the granular cell layer near the stratum corneum. He described the cell‐to‐cell adhesion structures that blocked the movement of lanthanum as ‘truly tight junctions’. Thus, this was the first description of the existence of tight junctions in the epidermis. However, the presence of these structures was denied by others and was forgotten. Thanks to the discovery of claudin, the existence of tight junctions between epidermal keratinocytes was finally confirmed. It is interesting that Hashimoto's finding was eventually proved to be correct three decades later as a result of progress in molecular biology. This article encourages us to recognize the importance of careful observation in the molecular biology era.
Academic challenges and positive aspects: perceptions of male nursing students
Authors: Abushaikha L. , Mahadeen A. , AbdelKader R. , Nabolsi M. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundNursing shortage remains a global issue that emphasizes the need for both male and female nurses. Understanding the educational experiences of male nursing students may help in recruiting and retaining male nurses in the nursing profession.AimThe aim of this study was to explore the challenges and positive aspects that undergraduate male nursing students encounter during the course of their study.MethodsA qualitative research design using inductive content analysis approach was used to explore perceptions of 20 undergraduate male nursing students in a baccalaureate nursing programme at a major public university in Jordan.ResultsContent analysis revealed two major themes: challenges (academic difficulties, biased policies, no social life, negative views of nursing and negative self‐view) and positive aspects (personal benefits of studying nursing, every home need a nurse and nursing is a science).DiscussionThe findings added new insights and knowledge regarding the educational experiences of undergraduate male nursing students in a developing country, which is an understudied population. Understanding the challenges and positive aspects of nursing education from the perspectives of undergraduate male nursing students may help nursing educators better understand their students' educational experiences and help clarify their roles and responsibilities in dealing with these issues.ConclusionNursing as a career should continue to be a viable choice for both male and female students to address global nursing shortages. This can be ensured by decreasing challenges and supporting positive aspects that nursing students face during their nursing education.Implications for Nursing and Health PolicyHigher education policy makers can use the findings of this study to appreciate the challenges that university students face. They can also reconsider existing policies that may hinder the acceptance of male student into nursing programmes and contribute to educational challenges.
Kinetics of Cristobalite Formation in Sintered Silica
Authors: Breneman Ryan C. , Halloran John W. 
Published: March 2014

The kinetics of the cristobalite transformation are reported for sintered silica glass from 1200°C to 1650°C and plotted as a time–temperature–transformation diagram. The 1200°C–1350°C transformation data were fit to the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov expression with an time exponent of 3.0 ± 0.6 and an apparent activation energy of 555 ± 24 kJ/mol for the kinetic constant. The temperature of maximum transformation rate was found to fall between 1500°C and 1600°C. Seeding amorphous silica powder with cristobalite resulted in accelerated transformation kinetics. Silica glass powder containing residual quartz had faster transformation kinetics than fully amorphous powder seeded with cristobalite.
The Cobalt Zinc Spinel Ferrite Nanofiber: Lightweight and Efficient Microwave Absorber
Authors: Huang Xiaogu , Zhang Jing , Xiao Shaorong , Chen Guosheng 
Published: March 2014

To solve the heavy mass problem of the traditional spinel ferrite using as the microwave absorber, the CoxZn(1−x)Fe2O4 (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) ferrite nanofibres were synthesized by electrospinning method. The phase composition, morphology, and electromagnetic properties were analyzed. The results showed that all the as‐prepared CoxZn(1−x)Fe2O4 ferrites exhibited the homogeneous nanofibrous shape. The saturation magnetization and coercivity were enhanced by tuning the Co2+ content. The electromagnetic loss analysis indicated that the Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 ferrite nanofiber performed the strongest microwave attenuation ability. The microwave absorbing coating containing 15 wt% of Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 ferrite nanofiber showed the reflection loss less than −10 dB in the whole X‐band and 80% of the Ku‐band frequencies. Meanwhile, the surface density was only 2.4 Kg/m2.