bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients as educators: the challenges and benefits of sharing experiences with students
Authors: Lauckner Heidi , Doucet Shelley , Wells Sandy 
Published: September 2012

Medical Education 2012: 46: 992–1000Context  Despite movement towards active patient involvement in the education of health professionals, explorations of the experiences of patient‐educators beyond descriptive research are limited.Objectives  The purpose of this study was to identify the positive and negative factors that contributed to the experiences of patient‐educators in a health mentors programme for health professional students at a Canadian university.Methods  Semi‐structured focus group discussions and individual interviews were used to elicit the experiences of 30 patient‐educators with chronic conditions or disabilities, of the 151 involved in the programme. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes in the participants’ experiences.Results  Study participants spoke of the potential challenges and benefits of sharing their experiences. The main challenge involved in sharing their experiences was potential vulnerability should students not appreciate what was shared. The main benefits were personal learning and making valued contributions. Two factors influenced the participants’ sense of whether the potential benefits outweighed the challenges of personal sharing in the programme: monitoring disclosure, and perceived student learning. Participants used the strategy of monitoring their disclosure to limit how much personal information they shared with students. The benefits of participating in the programme outweighed the potential challenges when students were seen to embrace the intended messages of the patient‐educators.Conclusions  The results of this study provide a conceptual framework that can be used to better prepare patient‐educators and students for more reciprocal learning interaction.
Fatal outcome after heart transplantation caused by Aspergillus lentulus
Authors: Zbinden A. , Imhof A. , Wilhelm M.J. , Ruschitzka F. , Wild P. , Bloemberg G.V. , Mueller N.J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractOpportunistic invasive fungal infections are a major cause of mortality in immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and proper identification of the causative agent is crucial for guidance of therapy. Accurate differentiation of Aspergillus lentulus, a filamentous fungus often misidentified as atypical Aspergillus fumigatus, is of concern as multiple antifungal drugs show a reduced susceptibility. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a proven pulmonary invasive fungal infection caused by A. lentulus after heart transplantation.
Geographical variation in reproductive ageing patterns and life‐history strategy of a short‐lived passerine bird
Authors: Balbontín J. , Møller A. P. , Hermosell I. G. , Marzal A. , Reviriego M. , de Lope F. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe investigated differences in ageing patterns in three measures of breeding performance in populations of barn swallows Hirundo rustica L. from Spain and Denmark differing in breeding latitude and hence migration distance and duration of the breeding season. We found differences in ageing patterns between populations. Generally, young (i.e. yearling) and old females (i.e. ≥ 5 years of age) laid their first eggs later and produced smaller clutches than middle‐aged females (i.e. 2–4 years of age) in both populations. The southernmost population (i.e. Spanish) showing the shorter migratory distance experienced a greater within‐individual increase in timing of breeding and clutch size in early life and a greater within‐individual decrease in laying date but not in clutch size during senescence compared with the northernmost population (i.e. Danish). We also found that the number of fledglings produced annually was related to the age of the two members of the breeding pairs with pairs composed of young and old females performing less well than breeding pairs composed of middle‐aged females. We did not find reproductive senescence for the age of the male while controlling for the age of the female on the number of fledglings produced annually by the breeding pair. Differential survival between individuals did not explain age effects on laying date or annual clutch size in neither population. However, the increase in the number of fledglings produced annually with age was partly explained by the disappearance of poor‐quality members of the pairs, mainly poor‐quality males. Age‐related breeding success (i.e. number of fledglings) was similar for barn swallows from Spain and Denmark. Therefore, the study of ageing patterns and life‐history strategies in free‐ranging animals from more than a single population can throw new light on life‐history theory, population dynamics and evolutionary studies of senescence.
Does competition drive character differences between species on a macroevolutionary scale?
Authors: Monroe M. J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractSympatric sister species generally have a degree of phenotypic differentiation that allows them to coexist. It has been well documented that phenotypic similarity results, through resource competition, in one of two major outcomes: local extinction of either competitor or character displacement. Limiting similarity suggests that there is a maximum degree of phenotypic niche overlap with which similar species may coexist. Breaching that maximum would result in exclusion. Character displacement, on the other hand, implies that the species differentiate phenotypically so that resource competition is reduced to the point where coexistence is possible. While it has been suggested that these theories have the potential to accelerate (character displacement) or limit phenotypic evolution (competitive exclusion) on microevolutionary time scales, their effects on macroevolution remain under‐studied. If competition accelerates evolution on a macroevolutionary scale, one would expect that phenotypic diversity increases as novel species ‘push aside’ existing species. On the other hand, one might also expect that phenotypic evolution comes to a halt as novel species are trapped in the (ever decreasing) phenotypic space not yet occupied by existing species, except at the extremes of the phenotypic spectrum. Studying the current geographical ranges of more than 3000 extant species representing 29 mammalian families and their respective body masses, I found little evidence of competition accelerating body size differentiation between species.
Evolutionary relationships of flavobacterial and enterobacterial endosymbionts with their scale insect hosts (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)
Authors: Rosenblueth M. , Sayavedra L. , Sámano‐Sánchez H. , Roth A. , Martínez‐Romero E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFlavobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae have been previously reported as scale insect endosymbionts. The purpose of this work was twofold: first, to screen different scale insect families for the presence of these endosymbionts by PCR analyses and second, to elucidate the history of cophylogeny between these bacteria and the insects by analysing a portion of 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequences by two reconciliation tools, CoRe‐PA and Jane. From a survey of 27 scale insects within seven families, we identified Flavobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae as coexisting in ten species that belong to the Ortheziidae, Monophlebidae, Diaspididae and Coccidae families, and we frequently found two closely related enterobacteria harboured in the same individual. Analyses performed with CoRe‐PA and Jane suggest that Flavobacteria from the scale insects analysed have a unique origin, except for Candidatus Brownia rhizoecola (Flavobacteria of Pseudococcidae, Phenacoccinae), which seems to come from a nonscale insect. Nevertheless, cospeciation between Flavobacteria and scale insects is suggested only within the families Monophlebidae, Ortheziidae and Diaspididae, and host switches seem to have occurred from the ancestors of Monophlebidae and Ortheziidae to insects from families Coccidae, Lecanodiaspididae, Eriococcidae and Pseudococcidae. Our analyses suggest that Enterobacteriaceae underwent more evolutionary events (losses, duplications and host switches), and their phylogenies showed a lower proportion of congruent nodes between host and bacteria, indicating a more relaxed relationship with scale insects compared with Flavobacteria.
Quality of life and its associated factors among patients with two common types of chronic mental illness living in Kaohsiung City
Authors: Huang Rong‐Rong , Chen Yong‐Shing , Chen Cheng‐Chung , Chou Frank Huang‐Chih , Su Su‐ Fang , Chen Ming‐Chao , Kuo Ming‐Hui , Chang Li‐Hsing 
Published: September 2012

Aim:  This study explored the associations of personal, disease, family, and social factors with quality of life (QoL) in patients with two common types of chronic mental illness (CMI) living in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.Methods:  Using a convenience sample and a cross‐sectional design, 714 patients (50.1% male, 49.9% female) with CMI (72.1% schizophrenia and 27.9% affective disorder) and their caregivers were recruited. Demographic information was collected via the following questionnaires: 12‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐12), five‐item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS‐5), Caregiver Burden Scale, and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI‐S) Scale. Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were used to predict QoL.Results:  Disease factors accounted for 17–50% of the change in variance. Predictors of low mental subscale scores included the following: high psychological distress and high family burden as well as a history of suicide attempts, negative caregiver attitudes, and living away from home. Disease factors also explained the greatest variance in the physical subscales. Predictors of low physical subscale scores included the following: high psychological distress, age, unemployment, a history of suicide attempts, high family burden, and living alone.Conclusions:  Disease factors were the most important predictors of QoL in patients with CMI. Family factors were more important than social factors on the mental subscales. Differential relationships were also found for the other two dimensions. Together, these results indicate that a wide range of factors improve the QoL in patients with CMI.
Early diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing fasciitis can improve survival: an observational intensive care unit cohort study
Authors: Bucca Kelly , Spencer Ryan , Orford Neil , Cattigan Claire , Athan Eugene , McDonald Anthony 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, clinical management and outcomes of patients presenting to a tertiary adult Australian intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF).MethodsThis retrospective observational study was conducted in a 19‐bed, level III, adult ICU in a 450‐bed tertiary, regional hospital. Clinical databases were accessed for patients diagnosed with NF and admitted to The Geelong Hospital ICU between 1 February 2000 and 1 June 2011. Information on severity of sepsis, surgical procedures and microbiological results were collected.ResultsTwenty patients with NF were identified. The median age was 52.5 years and 38% were female. The overall mortality rate was 8.3%. Common co‐morbidities were diabetes (21%) and heart failure (17%), although 50% of patients had no co‐morbidities. Group A Streptococcus was the identified pathogen in 11 (46%) patients, and Streptococcus milleri group in 5 (21%) patients. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was not used in the majority of patients. The initial antibiotics administered were active against subsequently cultured bacteria in 83% of patients. Median time to surgical debridement was 20 h. Diagnosis and management was delayed in the nosocomial group.ConclusionsThis study reports physiological data, aetiology and therapeutic interventions in NF for an adult tertiary hospital. We demonstrate one of the lowest reported mortality rates, with early surgical debridement being achieved in the majority of patients. The main delay was found to be in the diagnosis of NF.
Surgical location and anatomical variations of pudendal nerve
Authors: Matejčík Viktor 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundAn objective of our work was to clarify variations in pudendal nerve formation, as well as their possible impact on the clinical picture.MethodBilateral pudendal nerve course and formation was studied on 20 adult cadavers. An anterior approach was used in 15 subjects, and both posterior and anterior approaches were used in five subjects.ResultsThe prefixed type plexus formation was observed in eight cases (40%). In these cases, S1 and S2 roots contributed to the formation of the pudendal nerve. In the postfixed type, the S3 root was dominant in two cases (66.7%), and less the S4 root in one case (23.3%), albeit to a lesser degree. Most commonly, the S2 root participated in its formation in 17 cases (85%). The inferior rectal nerve penetrating the sacrospinous ligament was seen in one case, arising from the pudendal nerve before entering the pudendal canal in four cases. The dorsal nerve of the penis arose from the S1 root in two cases (10%). We observed it branching before entering the pudendal canal in 15 cases (75%), and it had divided in the pudendal canal in the other cases. For the posterior access, the pudendal nerve was localized 13.1 ± 0.72 cm medial to the greater trochanter, 8.1 ± 0.72 cm above the ischial tuberosity, at a depth of 6.4 ± 0.32 cm.ConclusionsThis description may be useful when carrying out a pudendal nerve block and during surgical procedures carried out in this anatomical region.
Biofilm formation by haloarchaea
Authors: Fröls Sabrina , Dyall‐Smith Mike , Pfeifer Felicitas 
Published: September 2012

SummaryA fluorescence‐based live‐cell adhesion assay was used to examine biofilm formation by 20 different haloarchaea, including species of Halobacterium, Haloferax and Halorubrum, as well as novel natural isolates from an Antarctic salt lake. Thirteen of the 20 tested strains significantly adhered (P‐value < 0.05) to a plastic surface. Examination of adherent cell layers on glass surfaces by differential interference contrast, fluorescence and confocal microscopy showed two types of biofilm structures. Carpet‐like, multi‐layered biofilms containing micro‐ and macrocolonies (up to 50 μm in height) were formed by strains of Halobacterium salinarum and the Antarctic isolate t‐ADL strain DL24. The second type of biofilm, characterized by large aggregates of cells adhering to surfaces, was formed by Haloferax volcanii DSM 3757T and Halorubrum lacusprofundi DL28. Staining of the biofilms formed by the strongly adhesive haloarchaeal strains revealed the presence of extracellular polymers, such as eDNA and glycoconjugates, substances previously shown to stabilize bacterial biofilms. For Hbt. salinarum DSM 3754T and Hfx. volcanii DSM 3757T, cells adhered within 1 day of culture and remained viable for at least 2 months in mature biofilms. Adherent cells of Hbt. salinarum DSM 3754T showed several types of cellular appendages that could be involved in the initial attachment. Our results show that biofilm formation occurs in a surprisingly wide variety of haloarchaeal species.
Acute and chronic antiparkinsonian effects of the novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonist NiK‐21273 in comparison with SB‐612111
Authors: Marti M , Mela F , Budri M , Volta M , Malfacini D , Molinari S , Zaveri NT , Ronzoni S , Petrillo P , Calò G , Morari M 
Published: September 2012

Background and PurposeNociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor antagonists have been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease. Main limitations of previous studies were the use of structurally similar compounds and the evaluation of their acute effects only. We report here on the acute and long‐term antiparkinsonian effects of the novel compound 2‐[3‐[4‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluoro‐phenyl)‐piperidin‐1‐ylmethyl]‐2‐(morpholine‐4‐carbonyl)‐indol‐1‐yl]‐acetamide (NiK‐21273) in comparison with the potent and selective NOP receptor antagonist SB‐612111.Experimental ApproachBasic pharmacological properties of NiK‐21273 were studied in cell lines and isolated tissues (mouse and rat vas deferens). Antiparkinsonian effects were studied in reserpinized mice and 6‐hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats under both acute and chronic administration protocols.Key ResultsIn vitro, NiK‐21273 behaved as a potent (pA2 7.7) and selective NOP receptor antagonist. In vivo, it reduced hypokinesia in reserpinized mice at 0.1 and 1 but not 10 mg·kg−1, whereas SB‐612111 (0.01–1 mg·kg−1) provided a dose‐dependent antiparkinsonian effect. NiK‐21273 ameliorated motor performance in 6‐hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats at 0.5 and 5 but not 15 mg·kg−1. SB‐612111 replicated these effects in the 0.01–1 mg·kg−1 range without loss of efficacy. Both antagonists synergized with L‐DOPA at subthreshold doses. Chronic administration of NiK‐21273 provided delayed improvement in baseline activity at 0.5 and 1.5 mg·kg−1, although tolerance to the higher dose was observed. Conversely, SB‐612111 (1 mg·kg−1) maintained its effects over time without modifying baseline activity.Conclusions and ImplicationsNOP receptor antagonists provide motor benefit in parkinsonism models although the ‘therapeutic’ window and long‐term effects may vary between compounds.
Effect of overexpression of human aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 in LLC‐PK1 cells on glyceryl trinitrate biotransformation and cGMP accumulation
Authors: D'Souza Y , Ji Y , Bennett BM 
Published: September 2012

Background And PurposeRecent studies suggest a primary role for aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in mediating the biotransformation of organic nitrates, such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), to the proximal activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), resulting in increased cGMP accumulation and vasodilation. Our objective was to assess the role of ALDH2 in organic nitrate action using a cell culture model.Experimental ApproachPorcine renal epithelial (LLC‐PK1) cells possess an intact NO‐sGC‐cGMP signaling system, and can be used as a biochemical model of organic nitrate action. We used a pcDNA3.1‐human ALDH2 expression vector to establish a stably transfected cell line (PK1ALDH2) that overexpressed ALDH2, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) to deplete endogenous ALDH2, and assessed GTN biotransformation and GTN‐induced cGMP formation.Key ResultsALDH2 activity in the stably transfected cells was approximately sevenfold higher than wild‐type cells or cells stably transfected with empty vector (PK1vector); and protein expression, as assessed by immunoblot analysis, was markedly increased. In PK1ALDH2, GTN biotransformation was significantly increased as a result of increased glyceryl‐1,2‐dinitrate formation compared to wild‐type or PK1vector. However, the incubation of PK1ALDH2 with 1 or 10 μM GTN did not alter GTN‐induced cGMP accumulation compared with wild‐type or PK1vector cells. Furthermore, siRNA‐mediated depletion of ALDH2 had no effect on GTN‐induced cGMP formation.Conclusions And ImplicationsIn an intact cell system, neither overexpression nor depletion of ALDH2 affects GTN‐induced cGMP formation, indicating that ALDH2 does not mediate the mechanism‐based biotransformation of GTN to an activator of sGC.
RESERVOIR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ALBIAN UPPER QAMCHUQA FORMATION CARBONATES, TAQ TAQ OILFIELD, KURDISTAN, IRAQ
Authors: Al‐Qayim B. , Rashid F. 
Published: September 2012

The Albian Upper Qamchuqa Formation in NE Iraq is part of an extensive dolomitized carbonate platform developed during the Barremian – Albian over the passive continental margin of NE Arabia. Recent drilling at the Taq Taq oilfield in Kurdistan has renewed interest in this formation as a reservoir unit. In this paper, the reservoir and petrophysical characteristics of the Upper Qamchuqa Formation at Taq Taq are described using data from wireline logs, cores and thin‐sections from four wells.At Taq Taq oilfield, the Qamchuqa Formation can be divided on the basis of lithology into two units: an upper Dolomite Unit and a lower Limestone Unit. The Dolomite Unit is 140–190 m thick and is dominated by massive dolomites and dolomitic limestones. High porosity values (up to 26%, estimated from well logs) were recorded in intervals comprising fine to medium crystalline planar‐e to planar‐s type dolomite which were frequently oil stained. Pore types include microvugs, moulds, fractures, stylolites and intercrystalline porosity. The Limestone Unit is 72–55 m thick and is composed mainly of bioturbated bioclastic limestones with minor dolomites. A wide range of carbonate facies are present and are dominated by foraminiferal wacke‐packstones and rudist packstones.Wireline log data was used to characterize the reservoir quality of the Qamchuqa Formation at Taq Taq. Four porosity units were recognized. The upper porosity units has the best reservoir quality with average porosities of 15 %, compared to the second unit (7.5%), the third unit (7%) and the fourth unit (4%).Different cut‐off values were estimated, and related petrophysical parameters were evaluated and were used to subdivide the reservoir succession into three reservoir units. The uppermost of these units was found to have the best reservoir characteristics and represents the upper part of the Dolomite Unit. It has a thickness of 31–43.5 m with 25–41 m of net pay and 82% oil saturation. Flow in this unit is dual, dominated by fracture flow superimposed on matrix flow.
Multiple pathways to conservation success
Authors: Phillis Corey C. , O’Regan Sacha M. , Green Stephanie J. , Bruce Jeanette E.B. , Anderson Sean C. , Linton Jennifer N. ,   EarthOcean Research Derby, Favaro Brett 
Published: September 2012

AbstractConservation successes can and do happen, however, the process by which society achieves them remains unclear. Using a novel culturomics approach, we analyse word usage within digitized texts to assess the chronological order in which scientists, the public, and policymakers engage in the conservation process for three prominent conservation issues: acid rain in North America, global DDT contamination, and the overexploitation of African elephants for ivory. Variation in the order and magnitude of sector responses among the three issues emphasizes that there are multiple pathways to conservation success and that science is just one component. Our study highlights that while scientists can initiate the process, policy change does not occur in the absence of public interest. We suggest that the fate of conservation action is not solely determined by the scientific soundness of the conservation plan, but rather requires the engagement of scientists, public, and policy makers alike.