bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caring for families of the terminally ill in Malaysia from palliative care nurses’ perspectives
Authors: Namasivayam Pathma , Lee Susan , O'Connor Margaret , Barnett Tony 
Published: May 2013

Aims and objectivesTo describe the process that nurses experienced in engaging with families in Malaysian palliative care settings and the challenges they faced.BackgroundIn palliative care settings, nurses and the terminally ill person's family members interact very closely with each other. It is important for nurses to work with families to ensure that the care of the terminally ill person is optimised.Research designA qualitative design using grounded theory methods was used to describe how nurses engaged with families and the challenges they faced.MethodsTwenty‐two nurses from home care and inpatient palliative care settings across Malaysia participated in this study. Data were collected through seven interviews and eight focus group discussions conducted between 2007–2009.ResultsThe main problem identified by nurses was the different expectations to patient care with families. The participants used the core process of Engaging with families to resolve these differences and implemented strategies described as Preparing families for palliative care, Modifying care and Staying engaged to promote greater consistency and quality of care. When participants were able to resolve their different expectations with families, these resulted in positive outcomes, described as Harmony. However, negative outcomes of participants not being able to resolve their different expectations with families were Disharmony.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of engaging and supporting families of the terminally ill as well as providing a guide that may be used by nurses and carers to better respond to families' needs and concerns.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study draws attention to the need for formal palliative care education, inclusive of family care, to enable nurses to provide the terminally ill person and their family effective and appropriate care.
JMS at 50: Trends over Time
Authors: Clark Timothy , Wright Mike , Iskoujina Zilia , Garnett Philip 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe present an analysis of the articles published in the Journal of Management Studies since its inception to assess to what extent JMS has: maintained its leading international ranking; maintained its founding mission as a broad based management journal; and remained a broad based management journal compared to other general management journals. In terms of its impact factor and citations despite reaching a low point in 2001, we find that JMS today ranks higher than it has ever done throughout its 50‐year history. From our content analysis covering the life‐cycle of JMS, we find four areas have been the most frequently represented, although their relative importance varies between decades: Organizational Management/Behaviour, Strategy, Human Resource Management, and General Management, accounting for 67 per cent of articles published over the period. JMS has strengthened its international author distribution through the increase in authors from the EU especially; the period 2000–04 which saw the predominance of UK authors was an anomaly. There are marked differences between type of article and author country of origin. Our comparative analysis of the word networks between the journals JMS, AMJ, ASQ, and HRM shows that over each decade the papers in the first three normally form a single cluster, indicating that the words used in the papers in the different journals are similar, while papers from HRM often form an outlining group. Notably, in the early 2000s papers in JMS form a distinct cluster, with papers from HRM paralleling the anomaly identified in the content analysis. Overall, JMS has regained its distinctiveness as a broad‐based international management journal, not favouring any particular theoretical or empirical approach.
The Relationship Between Erectile Dysfunction and Open Urethroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Feng Chao , Xu Yue-Min , Barbagli Guido , Lazzeri Massimo , Tang Chen-ye , Fu Qiang , Sa Ying-Long 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Various urethroplasty techniques have been used to treat urethral stricture. Whether the patient erectile function is affected by this open surgery is still controversial.

Aim
The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between erectile function and open urethroplasty.

Methods
A systematic review of the literature was performed using Medline, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases through October 2012 to identify articles published in any language that examined the effect of open urethroplasty on the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). This meta-analysis was conducted according to the guidelines for the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology.

Main Outcome Measures
The incidence of ED after urethroplasty.

Results
This meta-analysis consisted of 23 cohort studies, which included 1,729 cases. No significant difference was noticed in patients with anterior urethral stricture before or after intervention (odds ratio [OR] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–1.40; P = 0.53). While statistical difference in the incidence of ED was revealed in patients before and after intervention for a posterior urethral (OR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.82–3.45; P &lt; 0.001), further comparisons demonstrated that most anterior urethroplasties did not have an obvious effect on patient erectile function. However, it seems that the incidence of ED was higher in the bulbar anastomosis group than in the oral graft urethroplasty group (OR = 0.32 95% CI: 0.11–0.93; P = 0.04). For the posterior urethroplasty, previous operative history did not show a strong relationship with ED. No statistically significant difference in the risk of ED was demonstrated comparing the posterior urethral reconstructive techniques included in this analysis.

Conclusion
The adverse effect of urethroplasty itself on erectile function is limited, as more patients recover erectile function after urethral reconstruction. For anterior urethroplasty, bulbar anastomosis might cause a slightly higher incidence of ED than other operations. For posterior urethroplasty, trauma might be the main cause of ED.
Mutation design and strain background influence the phenotype of Escherichia coli luxS mutants
Authors: Haigh Richard , Kumar Brijesh , Sandrini Sara , Freestone Primrose 
Published: May 2013

SummaryPrevious analyses of luxS in Escherichia coli have used different strain backgrounds and design formats to produce the luxS mutation, resulting in luxS mutants with confusingly dissimilar phenotypes. This study therefore investigates the roles that strain background and mutational design strategy have upon the phenotype of the pathogenic E. coli luxS mutant. We inactivated luxS in three E. coli backgrounds: enteropathogenic E. coli E2348‐69, and enterohaemorrhagic strains Sakai and NCTC12900. To investigate the influence of mutational design strategy, four mutation formats were used: antibiotic resistance insertion methodologies as previously employed, using tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance cassettes, and non‐polar strategies creating deletion and premature termination mutations. Our study showed that the E. coli luxS phenotype was markedly dependent on strain background: in some strains disruption of luxS caused significant metabolic stress or no stress at all. How the luxS mutation was constructed also shaped its phenotype: non‐polar mutants were very similar to wild type, while mutations made using the antibiotic insertion methodologies produced phenotypes defective in growth and virulence. Proteomic profiling of our luxS mutants showed only a few proteins were differentially expressed and those that were altered suggested a metabolic rather than communication role for the E. coli luxS gene product.
Cyanuric acid hydrolase: evolutionary innovation by structural concatenation
Authors: Peat Thomas S. , Balotra Sahil , Wilding Matthew , French Nigel G. , Briggs Lyndall J. , Panjikar Santosh , Cowieson Nathan , Newman Janet , Scott Colin 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe cyanuric acid hydrolase, AtzD, is the founding member of a newly identified family of ring‐opening amidases. We report the first X‐ray structure for this family, which is a novel fold (termed the ‘Toblerone’ fold) that likely evolved via the concatenation of monomers of the trimeric YjgF superfamily and the acquisition of a metal binding site. Structures of AtzD with bound substrate (cyanuric acid) and inhibitors (phosphate, barbituric acid and melamine), along with mutagenesis studies, allowed the identification of the active site. The AtzD monomer, active site and substrate all possess threefold rotational symmetry, to the extent that the active site possesses three potential Ser–Lys catalytic dyads. A single catalytic dyad (Ser85–Lys42) is hypothesized, based on biochemical evidence and crystallographic data. A plausible catalytic mechanism based on these observations is also presented. A comparison with a homology model of the related barbiturase, Bar, was used to infer the active‐site residues responsible for substrate specificity, and the phylogeny of the 68 AtzD‐like enzymes in the database were analysed in light of this structure–function relationship.
PTS phosphorylation of Mga modulates regulon expression and virulence in the group A streptococcus
Authors: Hondorp Elise R. , Hou Sherry C. , Hause Lara L. , Gera Kanika , Lee Ching‐En , McIver Kevin S. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe ability of a bacterial pathogen to monitor available carbon sources in host tissues provides a clear fitness advantage. In the group A streptococcus (GAS), the virulence regulator Mga contains homology to phosphotransferase system (PTS) regulatory domains (PRDs) found in sugar operon regulators. Here we show that Mga was phosphorylated in vitro by the PTS components EI/HPr at conserved PRD histidines. A ΔptsI (EI‐deficient) GAS mutant exhibited decreased Mga activity. However, PTS‐mediated phosphorylation inhibited Mga‐dependent transcription of emm in vitro. Using alanine (unphosphorylated) and aspartate (phosphomimetic) mutations of PRD histidines, we establish that a doubly phosphorylated PRD1 phosphomimetic (D/DMga4) is completely inactive in vivo, shutting down expression of the Mga regulon. Although D/DMga4 is still able to bind DNA in vitro, homo‐multimerization of Mga is disrupted and the protein is unable to activate transcription. PTS‐mediated regulation of Mga activity appears to be important for pathogenesis, as bacteria expressing either non‐phosphorylated (A/A) or phosphomimetic (D/D) PRD1 Mga mutants were attenuated in a model of GAS invasive skin disease. Thus, PTS‐mediated phosphorylation of Mga may allow the bacteria to modulate virulence gene expression in response to carbohydrate status. Furthermore, PRD‐containing virulence regulators (PCVRs) appear to be widespread in Gram‐positive pathogens.
The sensor kinase KdpD of Escherichia coli senses external K+
Authors: Laermann Vera , Ćudić Emina , Kipschull Kerstin , Zimmann Petra , Altendorf Karlheinz 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe Kdp system of Escherichia coli is composed of the high‐affinity K+ transporter KdpFABC and the two regulatory proteins KdpD (sensor kinase) and KdpE (response regulator), which constitute a typical two‐component system. The kdpFABC operon is induced under K+‐limiting conditions and, to a lesser extent, under high osmolality in the medium. In search for the stimulus sensed by KdpD, we studied the inhibitory effect of extracellular K+ on the Kdp system at pH 6.0, which is masked by unspecific K+ transport at higher pH values. Based on KdpD derivatives carrying single aspartate replacements in the periplasmic loops which are part of the input domain, we concluded that the inhibition of the Kdp system at extracellular K+ concentrations above 5 mM is mediated via KdpD/KdpE and not due to inhibition of the K+‐transporting KdpFABC complex. Furthermore, time‐course analyses of kdpFABC expression revealed that a decline in the extracellular K+ concentration efficiently stimulates KdpD/KdpE‐mediated signal transduction. In this report we provide evidence that the extracellular K+ concentration serves as one of the stimuli sensed by KdpD.
Paralogous chemoreceptors mediate chemotaxis towards protein amino acids and the non‐protein amino acid gamma‐aminobutyrate (GABA)
Authors: Rico‐Jiménez Miriam , Muñoz‐Martínez Francisco , García‐Fontana Cristina , Fernandez Matilde , Morel Bertrand , Ortega Álvaro , Ramos Juan Luis , Krell Tino 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe paralogous receptors PctA, PctB and PctC of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were reported to mediate chemotaxis to amino acids, intermediates of amino acid metabolism and chlorinated hydrocarbons. We show that the recombinant ligand binding regions (LBRs) of PctA, PctB and PctC bind 17, 5 and 2 l‐amino acids respectively. In addition, PctC‐LBR recognized GABA but not any other structurally related compound. l‐Gln, one of the three amino acids that is not recognized by PctA‐LBR, was the most tightly binding ligand to PctB suggesting that PctB has evolved to mediate chemotaxis primarily towards l‐Gln. Bacteria were efficiently attracted to l‐Gln and GABA, but mutation of pctB and pctC, respectively, abolished chemoattraction. The physiological relevance of taxis towards GABA is proposed to reside in an interaction with plants. LBRs were predicted to adopt double PDC (PhoQ/DcuS/CitA) like structures and site‐directed mutagenesis studies showed that ligands bind to the membrane‐distal module. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies have shown that PctA‐LBR and PctB‐LBR are monomeric in the absence and presence of ligands, which is in contrast to the enterobacterial receptors that require sensor domain dimers for ligand recognition.
The role of zinc in the interplay between pathogenic streptococci and their hosts
Authors: Shafeeq Sulman , Kuipers Oscar P. , Kloosterman Tomas G. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryRecent studies on pathogenic streptococci have revealed that zinc is a pivotal metal ion in their interaction with the host. In these streptococci, systems exist that ensure optimal use of zinc from the surrounding milieu, as well as export of zinc when concentrations exceed tolerance levels. Zinc uptake is of crucial importance for the virulence of streptococci, whereas elevated zinc levels induced in the host during infection are detrimental for these pathogens. The expression or activity of a number of putative surface proteins and virulence factors depends on zinc. Moreover, several metal sensor proteins that mediate the transcriptional response to zinc in streptococci have recently been characterized. A number of components of zinc‐ and other metal ion‐acquisition systems are suitable as protective antigens and may be future targets for the development of new vaccines, thus providing opportunities for the development of novel therapies. This review will discuss the recent advancements in the important field of metal ion biology in relation to the virulence of pathogenic streptococci, with a central focus on zinc homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Cadential Intervention inShostakovich's Piano Trio inEminor, Op. 67
Authors: Fankhauser Gabriel 
Published: May 2013

AbstractInsertions between the structural dominant and tonic of underlying perfect cadences delay and intensify progressions of harmony, voice leading and hypermetre. More disruptive than other evaded cadences, these cadential interventions ultimately still serve to unify the music through motivic development. Brief analysis of excerpts from the works ofJ.S.Bach andHaydn demonstrates the traditional use of cadential intervention and prepares for the analysis of an idiomatic approach byShostakovich. His Prelude inC♯ minor, Op. 34 No. 10, and Second Piano Trio, Op. 67, contain extraordinary cadential interventions that seem to break continuity, on the one hand, yet serve vital unifying roles in the larger context of each piece, on the other. Since both structural and hermeneutical meaning in the Trio hinges on interpretation of its tonal closure, the cadential intervention at its conclusion receives special attention. Modified Schenkerian analysis invites an alternative approach, showing how an underlying complete tonal structure may substantiate a complete narrative.
In vitro antibacterial activity and physicochemical properties of a crude methanol extract of the larvae of the blow fly Lucilia cuprina
Authors: TEH C. H. , NAZNI W. A. , LEE H. L. , FAIRUZ A. , TAN S. B. , SOFIAN‐AZIRUN M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacterial strains has prompted the reintroduction of maggot therapy in the treatment of chronic, infected wounds. Many previous studies have demonstrated the potent antibacterial activity of larval excretions/secretions of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera:Calliphoridae) against bacteria. However, the antibacterial activity of its sibling species, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera:Calliphoridae) against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria has never been determined. The aim of this study was to develop a new procedure to produce whole body extract of larvae of L. cuprina via methanol extraction as well as to demonstrate the in vitro antibacterial activity of this extract against seven selected wound pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The turbidimetric assay demonstrated that L. cuprina larval extract was significantly potent against all bacteria tested (P < 0.001). Additionally, colony‐forming unit (CFU), agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays have confirmed the apparent potency of larval extract against P. aeruginosa. The reconstituted larval extract was highly robust and thermally stable. These observations substantiated the feasibility of the methanol extraction method in the production of larval extract.
Apples and oranges: a comparison of costing methods for obesity
Authors: Bierl M. , Marsh T. , Webber L. , Brown M. , McPherson K. , Rtveladze K. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryObesity has escalated to epidemic proportions over the past 30 years resulting in increased disease burden and healthcare costs. The aim of this paper was to analyse different costing methods for obesity. Several databases have been searched to identify eligible literature estimating obesity cost. These were categorized into databases, patient‐attributable fraction (PAF) and modelling studies. Studies from the United States were used to explore effects of study designs on cost outcomes. Our results show that cost outcomes are largely affected by underlying study designs, such as population size, age, cost categories (medical expenditure vs. total costs), length of the data collection and body mass index cut‐offs. Three study types are likely to have an impact on reported costs, with modelling studies providing the most conservative estimates. Database studies can help to increase the overall awareness of the economic burden of obesity. PAF studies can make the obesity disease more tangible by drawing connections to diseases. Decision makers need to be aware of the different purposes and weaknesses of the studies when interpreting cost outcomes. Further research is needed to refine the existing methods and provide high‐quality data accounting for the complexity of the disease.
Calcitonin Promotes Mouse Pre‐implantation Development: Involvement of Calcium Mobilization and P38 Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Activation
Authors: Wang F‐w , Zhang Y‐m , Wang Z , Liu S‐m , Wang L‐y , Zhang X‐l , Jia D‐y , Hao A‐j , Wu Y‐l 
Published: May 2013

ContentsThe study was designed to examine the effects of calcitonin (CT) on the development of murine pre‐implantation embryos and possible molecular mechanisms involved in the process. In the present study, the 2‐cell embryos were treated with different concentration of CT in vitro for the indicated time and the results demonstrated that CT promoted the development of the pre‐implantation embryos in a dosage‐dependent manner by increasing the intracellular Ca2+ level. Furthermore, the present study showed that CT significantly increased the expression of phospho‐P38MAPK (Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase) of the pre‐implantation embryos by Western blots and pre‐treatment of specific P38MAPK inhibitor significantly reduced the promotion effects of CT on the embryonic development in vitro culture. Moreover, the results of intrauterine horn injection showed that the average number of embryos implanted in CT‐antibody or specific P38 MAPK inhibitor‐treated uterus was significantly lower than that of the corresponding control, respectively. And the observation of tissue specimen suggested that some embryos were degenerated in CT‐antibody or specific P38 MAPK inhibitor‐treated uterus, and adipose vacuoles were present in the decidual cells. In conclusion, CT promoted the development of pre‐implantation embryos and the intracellular Ca2+‐dependent P38MAPK signal molecule was involved in the process.
Association of IL‐1β +3954 C/T and IL‐10‐1082 G/A Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Tuberculosis
Authors: Meenakshi P. , Ramya S. , Shruthi T. , Lavanya J. , Mohammed H. H. , Mohammed S. A. , Vijayalakshmi V. , Sumanlatha G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) constitutes the major cause of death due to infectious diseases. Cytokines play a major role in defence against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding various cytokines have been associated with tuberculosis susceptibility. Household contacts (HHC) are at increased risk of developing the disease. In this study, we examined the association of IL‐1β and IL‐10 cytokine gene polymorphisms with risk of developing tuberculosis in TB patients, their HHC and healthy controls (HC) using JavaStat and SPSS. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analyses were performed to explore the potential gene–gene interactions. The genotype and allele frequencies of IL‐1β +3954C/T polymorphism did not vary significantly between TB patients and HC. GG (P < 0.005, OR = 0.219 and 95% CI = 0.059–0.735) and GA (P < 0.0001, OR = 2.938 and 95% CI = 1.526–5.696) genotypes of IL‐10‐1082 G/A polymorphism were found to be significantly associated with patients versus HC. HHC with CC (P < 0.03, OR = 1.833 and 95% CI = 1.1–3.35) genotype in IL‐1β and GA (P < 0.0001, OR = 4.612 and 95% CI = 2.225–9.702) genotype in IL‐10 were at increased risk of developing tuberculosis. MDR tests revealed high‐risk genotypes in IL‐1β and IL‐10 based on the association model. Our results demonstrate that the polymorphisms of IL‐1β and IL‐10 genes may be valuable markers to predict the risk for the development of TB in household contacts.