bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental health nursing staff's attitudes towards mental illness: an analysis of related factors
Authors: Mårtensson G. , Jacobsson J. W. , Engström M. 
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary
Employer/workplaces have an impact on mental health nursing staff's general attitudes towards persons with mental illness.
Staff have more positive attitudes if their knowledge about mental illness is less stigmatized and currently have or have once had a close friend with mental problem.
More favourable attitudes among staff towards persons with mental illness could be developed and transmitted in the subculture at work places.
AbstractThere is growing awareness that mental illness is surrounded by negative attitudes and stigmas. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with mental health nursing staff's attitudes towards persons with mental illness. Data were collected from 256 mental health nursing staff employed by one county council and 10 municipalities. The findings show that staff have more positive attitudes towards persons with mental illness if their knowledge about mental illness is less stigmatized, their work places are in the county council, and they currently have or have once had a close friend with mental health problems. The multiple regression model explained 16% of the variance; stigma‐related knowledge and employer had significant Beta‐coefficients. To account for unknown correlations in data, a linear generalized estimating equation was performed. In this model, stigma‐related knowledge and employer remained significant, but a new significant factor also emerged: personal contact, i.e. currently having or having once had a close friend with mental health problems. This indicates correlations at unit level in the county council and in the municipalities. The conclusion is that more favourable attitudes among staff towards persons with mental illness could be developed and transmitted in the subculture at work places.
Dementia care: using empathic curiosity to establish the common ground that is necessary for meaningful communication
Authors: McEvoy P. , Plant R. 
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary
Empathic curiosity is a standpoint that we adopt when we focus our attention on the perceptual experiences of people with dementia, as they are experiencing them in the here and now.
Adopting an empathic and curious stance may help to establish the common ground for meaningful communication and help to cultivate relationships that are based upon equality and common understanding, rather than power and dependency.
Four key sets of communication skills can support this approach: (1) asking short open questions in the present tense; (2) picking up on emotional cues; (3) giving time and space for the person with dementia to find their words and share responsibility for steering the course of a conversation; and (4) exploring the use of metaphors.
Providing access to training and supervision that supports these communication skills may be an essential element of building an informed and effective dementia care workforce.
AbstractOver the past two decades the advocates of person‐centred approaches to dementia care have consistently argued that some of the negative impacts of dementia can be ameliorated in supportive social environments and they have given lie to the common but unfounded, nihilistic belief that meaningful engagement with people with dementia is impossible. This discussion paper contributes to this welcome trend by exploring how carers can use empathic curiosity to establish the common ground that is necessary to sustain meaningful engagement with people who have mild to moderate dementia. The first section of the paper gives a brief theoretical introduction to the concept of empathic curiosity, which is informed by perceptual control theory and applied linguistics. Three case examples taken from the literature on dementia care are then used to illustrate what empathic curiosity may look like in practice and to explore the potential impact that adopting an empathic and curious approach may have.
Hemodynamic and Biochemical Alterations in Dogs with Lymphoma after Induction of Chemotherapy
Authors: Fine D.M. , Selting K. , Backus R.C. , Rossi N.F. , Harmon M.W. , Durham H.E. , Spier A.W. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundDoxorubicin is a common antineoplastic agent with dose‐dependent cardiotoxic adverse effects, and pre‐existing myocardial dysfunction is a contraindication to its use.ObjectivesTo systematically define the hemodynamic and biochemical alterations in dogs undergoing chemotherapy for newly diagnosed lymphoma and assess the reversibility of these alterations with fluid administration.AnimalsTwenty‐one client‐owned dogs with newly diagnosed lymphoma were evaluated 1 week after induction of chemotherapy. Underlying degenerative valve disease was exclusionary. Eighteen healthy age‐ and weight‐matched dogs were used as controls.MethodsPhysical examination, blood pressure by Doppler, echocardiography, and biochemical evaluation (routine serum biochemistry, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations, plasma and urine osmolalities, and urine electrolyte concentrations) were measured in dogs with lymphoma and compared to controls. Dogs with lymphoma received crystalloids IV at 6 mL/kg/h for 24 hours. All variables were reassessed at 4 and 24 hours. Deuterium oxide dilution and bromide dilution were used to determine total body water and extracellular water space, respectively.ResultsBaseline echocardiograms showed significantly smaller chamber dimensions in dogs with lymphoma compared to controls. These changes were reversed by fluid administration. Systolic blood pressure and urine sodium concentration were significantly increased, and bromide dilution space, PCV, urine specific gravity, and urine potassium concentration were significantly decreased compared to controls.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceEchocardiographic and biochemical abnormalities in dogs with lymphoma appear consistent with volume depletion, and may be the result of systemic hypertension and subsequent pressure natriuresis.
A Review of the Studies Using Buprenorphine in Cats
Authors: Steagall P.V.M. , Monteiro‐Steagall B.P. , Taylor P.M. 
Published: March 2014

Pain management is a crucial component of feline medicine and surgery. This review critically evaluates studies using buprenorphine in cats and highlights the clinical application of the opioid in this species. The pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) modeling of IV buprenorphine has been best described by a combined effect compartmental/receptor association‐dissociation model with negative hysteresis. Therefore, plasma concentrations of the drug are not correlated with analgesia, and clinicians should not expect to observe pain relief immediately after drug administration. In addition, a ceiling effect has not been demonstrated after administration of clinical doses of buprenorphine in cats; dosages of up to 0.04 mg/kg have been reported. The route of administration influences the onset, duration, and magnitude of antinociception and analgesia when using this drug in cats. At clinical dosages, the SC route of administration does not appear to provide adequate antinociception and analgesia whereas the buccal route has produced inconsistent results. Intravenous or IM administration at a dosage of 0.02–0.04 mg/kg is the preferred for treatment of pain in the acute setting. A literature search found 14 clinical trials evaluating buprenorphine sedation, analgesia, or both in cats. There were 22 original research studies reporting the antinociceptive effects of buprenorphine by means of thermal threshold, mechanical threshold, or both, minimal alveolar concentration, or PK‐PD. Individual variability in response to buprenorphine administration has been reported, indicating that buprenorphine may not provide sufficient analgesia in some cats. Pain assessment is important when evaluating the efficacy of buprenorphine and determining whether additional analgesic treatment is needed.
Prediction of formulation effects on dermal absorption of topically applied ectoparasiticides dosed in vitro on canine and porcine skin using a mixture‐adjusted quantitative structure permeability relationship
Authors: Riviere J. E. , Brooks J. D. , Collard W. T. , Deng J. , de Rose G. , Mahabir S. P. , Merritt D. A. , Marchiondo A. A. 
Published: March 2014

Topical application of ectoparasiticides for flea and tick control is a major focus for product development in animal health. The objective of this work was to develop a quantitative structure permeability relationship (QSPeR) model sensitive to formulation effects for predicting absorption and skin deposition of five topically applied drugs administered in six vehicle combinations to porcine and canine skin in vitro. Saturated solutions (20 μL) of 14C‐labeled demiditraz, fipronil, permethrin, imidacloprid, or sisapronil were administered in single or binary (50:50 v/v) combinations of water, ethanol, and transcutol (6 formulations, n = 4–5 replicates per treatment) nonoccluded to 0.64 cm2 disks of dermatomed pig or dog skin mounted in flow‐through diffusion cells. Perfusate flux over 24 h and skin deposition at termination were determined. Permeability (logKp), absorption, and penetration endpoints were modeled using a four‐term Abrahams and Martin (hydrogen‐bond donor acidity and basicity, dipolarity/polarizability, and excess molar refractivity) linear free energy QSPeR equation with a mixture factor added to compensate for formulation ingredient interactions. Goodness of fit was judged by r2, cross‐validation coefficient, coefficients (q2s), and Williams Plot to visualize the applicability domain. Formulation composition was the primary determinant of permeation. Compounds generally penetrated dog skin better than porcine skin. The vast majority of permeated penetrant was deposited within the dosed skin relative to transdermal flux, an attribute for ectoparasiticides. The best QSPeR logKp model for pig skin permeation (r2 = 0.86, q2s = 0.85) included log octanol/water partition coefficient as the mixture factor, while for dogs (r2 = 0.91, q2s = 0.90), it was log water solubility. These studies clearly showed that the permeation of topical ectoparasiticides could be well predicted using QSPeR models that account for both the physical–chemical properties of the penetrant and formulation components.
Congruent phylogeographical patterns of eight tree species in Atlantic Central Africa provide insights into the past dynamics of forest cover
Authors: Dauby G. , Duminil J. , Heuertz M. , Koffi G. K. , Stévart T. , Hardy O. J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCycles of Quaternary climatic change are assumed to be major drivers of African rainforest dynamics and evolution. However, most hypotheses on past vegetation dynamics relied on palaeobotanical records, an approach lacking spatial resolution, and on current patterns of species diversity and endemism, an approach confounding history and environmental determinism. In this context, a comparative phylogeographical study of rainforest species represents a complementary approach because Pleistocene climatic fluctuations may have left interpretable signatures in the patterns of genetic diversity within species. Using 1274 plastid DNA sequences from eight tree species (Afrostyrax kamerunensis, A. lepidophyllus, Erythrophleum suaveolens, Greenwayodendron suaveolens, Milicia excelsa, Santiria trimera, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Symphonia globulifera) sampled in 50 populations of Atlantic Central Africa (ACA), we averaged divergence across species to produce the first map of the region synthesizing genetic distinctiveness and standardized divergence within and among localities. Significant congruence in divergence was detected mostly among five of the eight species and was stronger in the northern ACA. This pattern is compatible with a scenario of past forest fragmentation and recolonization whereby forests from eastern Cameroon and northeastern Gabon would have been more affected by past climatic change than those of western Cameroon (where one or more refugia would have occurred). By contrast, southern ACA (Gabon) displayed low congruence among species that may reflect less drastic past forest fragmentation or a more complex history of vegetation changes. Finally, we also highlight the potential impact of current environmental barriers on spatial genetic structures.
Spatial patterns of neutral and functional genetic variations reveal patterns of local adaptation in raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations exposed to raccoon rabies
Authors: Kyle Christopher J. , Rico Yessica , Castillo Sarrah , Srithayakumar Vythegi , Cullingham Catherine I. , White Bradley N. , Pond Bruce A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractLocal adaptation is necessary for population survival and depends on the interplay between responses to selective forces and demographic processes that introduce or retain adaptive and maladaptive attributes. Host–parasite systems are dynamic, varying in space and time, where both host and parasites must adapt to their ever‐changing environment in order to survive. We investigated patterns of local adaptation in raccoon populations with varying temporal exposure to the raccoon rabies virus (RRV).RRVinfects approximately 85% of the population when epizootic and has been presumed to be completely lethal once contracted; however, disease challenge experiments and varying spatial patterns ofRRVspread suggest some level of immunity may exist. We first assessed patterns of local adaptation in raccoon populations along the eastern seaboard ofNorthAmerica by contrasting spatial patterns of neutral (microsatellite loci) and functional, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic diversity and structure. We explored variation ofMHCallele frequencies in the light of temporal population exposure toRRV(0–60 years) and specificRRVstrains in infected raccoons. Our results revealed high levels ofMHCvariation (66DRBexon 2 alleles) and pronounced genetic structure relative to neutral microsatellite loci, indicative of local adaptation. We found a positive association linkingMHCgenetic diversity and temporalRRVexposure, but no association with susceptibility and resistance toRRVstrains. These results have implications for landscape epidemiology studies seeking to predict the spread ofRRVand present an example of how population demographics influence the degree to which populations adapt to local selective pressures.
Elevated levels of the second messenger c‐di‐GMP contribute to antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gupta Kajal , Liao Julie , Petrova Olga E. , Cherny K. E. , Sauer Karin 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBiofilms are highly structured, surface‐associated communities. A hallmark of biofilms is their extraordinary resistance to antimicrobial agents that is activated during early biofilm development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and requires the regulatory hybrid SagS and BrlR, a member of the MerR family of multidrug efflux pump activators. However, little is known about the mechanism by which SagS contributes to BrlR activation or drug resistance. Here, we demonstrate that ΔsagS biofilm cells harbour the secondary messenger c‐di‐GMP at reduced levels similar to those observed in wild‐type cells grown planktonically rather than as biofilms. Restoring c‐di‐GMP levels to wild‐type biofilm‐like levels restored brlR expression, DNA binding by BrlR, and recalcitrance to killing by antimicrobial agents of ΔsagS biofilm cells. We likewise found that increasing c‐di‐GMP levels present in planktonic cells to biofilm‐like levels (≥ 55 pmol mg−1) resulted in planktonic cells being significantly more resistant to antimicrobial agents, with increased resistance correlating with increased brlR, mexA, and mexE expression and BrlR production. In contrast, reducing cellular c‐di‐GMP levels of biofilm cells to ≤ 40 pmol mg−1 correlated with increased susceptibility and reduced brlR expression. Our findings suggest that a signalling pathway involving a specific c‐di‐GMP pool regulated by SagS contributes to the resistance of P. aeruginosa biofilms.
Streptococcus pneumoniae PBP2x mid‐cell localization requires the C‐terminal PASTA domains and is essential for cell shape maintenance
Authors: Peters Katharina , Schweizer Inga , Beilharz Katrin , Stahlmann Christoph , Veening Jan‐Willem , Hakenbeck Regine , Denapaite Dalia 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe transpeptidase activity of the essential penicillin‐binding protein 2x (PBP2x) of Streptococcus pneumoniae is believed to be important for murein biosynthesis required for cell division. To study the molecular mechanism driving localization of PBP2x in live cells, we constructed a set of N‐terminal GFP–PBP2x fusions under the control of a zinc‐inducible promoter. The ectopic fusion protein localized at mid‐cell. Cells showed no growth defects even in the absence of the genomic pbp2x, demonstrating that GFP–PBP2x is functional. Depletion of GFP–PBP2x resulted in severe morphological alterations, confirming the essentiality of PBP2x and demonstrating that PBP2x is required for cell division and not for cell elongation. A genetically or antibiotic inactivated GFP–PBP2x still localized at septal sites. Remarkably, the same was true for a GFP–PBP2x derivative containing a deletion of the central transpeptidase domain, although only in the absence of the protease/chaperone HtrA. Thus localization is independent of the catalytic transpeptidase domain but requires the C‐terminal PASTA domains, identifying HtrA as targeting GFP–PBP2x derivatives. Finally, PBP2x was positioned at the septum similar to PBP1a and the PASTA domain containing StkP protein, confirming that PBP2x is a key element of the divisome complex.
Association of Malassezia species with psoriatic lesions
Authors: Rudramurthy Shivaprakash M. , Honnavar Prasanna , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Dogra Sunil , Singh Pankaj , Handa Sanjeev 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe aetiology of psoriasis remains elusive. Among multiple factors hypothesised, association of Malassezia spp. is supported by response to topical antifungals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of Malassezia spp. with psoriatic lesion. The subjects included 50 consecutive patients with psoriasis, and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Samples were collected using scotch tape over one square inch area from the lesional and non‐lesional sites. The isolated Malassezia spp. were identified by phenotypic methods and confirmed by ITS2 PCR‐RFLP and sequencing of D1/D2 region of 26S rDNA. Psoriatic lesions were seen commonly on scalp (28%, 14), chest (22%, 11) and arms (16%, 8). Majority of cases presented with chronic plaque form (76%, 38; P < 0.05). From psoriatic lesions, most frequently isolated Malassezia species was M. furfur (70.6%, 24), followed by M. japonica (11.8%, 4) and M. globosa (8.8%, 3). From healthy individuals M. furfur, M. sympodialis, mixture of M. furfur and M. globosa was isolated in 73.3%, 10% and 16.7% (22, 3 and 5) of cases respectively. The average number of colonies isolated from scalp lesions of the patients was significantly higher (P = 0.03) than healthy areas. Although no strong association of Malassezia species was formed with psoriatic lesion in general, the fungi may play a role in exacerbation of scalp psoriasis.
Instrument for Scoring Clinical Outcome of Research for Epidermolysis Bullosa: A Consensus‐Generated Clinical Research Tool
Authors: Schwieger‐Briel Agnes , Chakkittakandiyil Ajith , Lara‐Corrales Irene , Aujla Nimrita , Lane Alfred T. , Lucky Anne W. , Bruckner Anna L. , Pope Elena 
Published: March 2014

AbstractEpidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic condition characterized by skin fragility and blistering. There is no instrument available for clinical outcome research measurements. Our aim was to develop a comprehensive instrument that is easy to use in the context of interventional studies. Item collection was accomplished using a two‐step Delphi Internet survey process for practitioners and qualitative content analysis of patient and family interviews. Items were reduced based on frequency and importance using a 4‐point Likert scale and were subject to consensus (>80% agreement) using the nominal group technique. Pilot data testing was performed in 21 consecutive patients attending an EB clinic. The final score, Instrument for Scoring Clinical Outcome of Research for Epidermolysis Bullosa (iscorEB), is a combined score that contains clinician items grouped in five domains (skin, mucosa, organ involvement, laboratory abnormalities, and complications and procedures; maximum score 114) and patient‐derived items (pain, itch, functional limitations, sleep, mood, and effect on daily and leisurely activities; maximum score 120). Pilot testing revealed that combined (see below) and subscores were able to differentiate between EB subtypes and degrees of clinical severity (EB simplex 21.7 ± 16.5, junctional EB 28.0 ± 20.7, dystrophic EB 57.3 ± 24.6, p = 0.007; mild 17.3 ± 9.6, moderate 41.0 ± 19.4, and severe 64.5 ± 22.6, p < 0.001). There was high correlation between clinician and patient subscores (correlation coefficient = 0.79, p < 0.001). iscorEB seems to be a sensitive tool in differentiating between EB types and across the clinical spectrum of severity. Further validation studies are needed.
“You make me a better/worse person”: A two‐dimensional model of relationship self‐change
Authors: MATTINGLY BRENT A. , LEWANDOWSKI GARY W. , McINTYRE KEVIN P. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractFor better or worse, relationships have the potential to affect individuals' self‐concepts; however, currently no integrative model exists to explain the variety of these self‐concept changes. We propose that self‐concept changes occur along two independent dimensions: direction (increase vs. decrease in content) and valence (positivity vs. negativity of content). These two dimensions combine to create four processes of relationship‐induced self‐concept change: self‐expansion (increasing positive content), self‐contraction (decreasing positive content), self‐pruning (decreasing negative content), and self‐adulteration (increasing negative content). Using community and university samples, we developed a measure of self‐concept change (Study 1) and examined how the four self‐processes were associated with love (Study 1), relationship quality (Studies 2 and 3), and infidelity (Study 3). The self‐concept improvement processes (i.e., self‐expansion and self‐pruning) were associated with greater love and relationship quality, whereas in Study 3 self‐concept degradation processes (i.e., self‐contraction and self‐adulteration) predicted infidelity.