bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do community hospice programmes reduce hospitalisation rate in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Authors: Iupati S. P. M. , Ensor B. R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundSince Hinton first published his observations on the distress of patients dying on a medical ward in 1963, there has been increasing awareness of the palliative care needs in patients who have non malignant diseases. Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to have comparable symptom burden to lung cancer patients and are more likely receive invasive treatment at the end of life than patients with end stage lung cancer. They are also less likely to receive hospice services, and the benefit of such programmes in this key group of patients remain largely unknown, in particular what effect hospice programmes have on hospitalisation.Aims(i) To examine any effect of community hospice programmes on hospitalisation in patients with advanced COPD. (ii) To identify any association between utilisation of specific hospice services with hospitalisation. (iii) To describe key peri‐mortem outcomes.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with COPD admitted into community hospice programmes in the greater Wellington region, New Zealand between 1 October 2007 and 31 October 2013.ResultsA mean decrease of 2.375 (median decrease of 2; 95% confidence interval 1, 3) hospital admissions over a 12‐month period was found after admission into hospice programme (P < 0.0005).ConclusionCommunity hospice programmes may be associated with reduction in hospitalisation in patients with advanced COPD.
A survey of lung cancer in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland: health views that impact on early diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Page B. J. , Bowman R. V. , Yang I. A. , Fong K. M. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundLung cancer incidence, mortality and hospitalisation rates are higher for Indigenous Australians compared with non‐Indigenous Australians and increase again when living in more remote areas. If Indigenous Australians are made more aware of lung cancer through better access to health services and programmes, lung cancer outcomes might improve.AimWe aimed to survey the level of lung cancer awareness in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and discover perceived barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.MethodsInterviews were conducted in three discrete outer regional and remote Aboriginal communities and one urban setting in Queensland. Participants included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from three target population groups: patients referred for medical treatment with symptoms suspicious of lung cancer or confirmed lung cancer; Indigenous health workers; community members aged 18 years and over. Participants gave written, informed consent.ResultsOf 51 community members and 14 Indigenous health workers, 32 reflected they knew very little about lung cancer, 60 cited smoking as the cause of lung cancer and 54 recognised warning symptoms as a prompt to seek healthcare. Indigenous health workers were not able to describe a healthcare pathway that would apply to a patient with suspected lung cancer.ConclusionThe two main barriers identified as impacting on quality healthcare were communication and follow‐up processes. These could be addressed by service improvement activities.
Effects of team‐building on communication and teamwork among nursing students
Authors: Yi Y.J. 
Published: November 2015

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of team‐building on communication and teamwork (i.e. teamwork skills and team effectiveness) among nursing students.BackgroundTeam‐building is effective for improving communication and teamwork among the nursing organization. However, the effects of team‐building are not well known especially in Korea.MethodsThis study used a quasi‐experimental design. The sample was composed of 195 junior‐year nursing students in Korea. The experimental group (100 subjects) participated in team‐building activities over a 100‐day period, whereas no intervention was applied to the control group (95 subjects). Pretest was conducted in both groups, and post‐test was conducted after the 100‐day intervention.FindingsThe pre–post change in mean communication competence score did not differ between the two groups. However, the mean scores for teamwork skills and team effectiveness differed significantly between the two groups after team‐building activity.LimitationsThis study was not a double‐blind test, and randomized sampling was not implemented. Caution should thus be used when interpreting the findings.ConclusionTeam‐building activities were effective for improving the teamwork skills and team effectiveness among Korean nursing students.Implications for nursing educationIt is recommended that team‐building activities should be included regularly as an integral educational approach in nursing education. The findings suggest that suggests that team‐building for improving communication and teamwork should be designated as one of the required criteria for nursing college programme accreditation in many countries, including Korea. However team‐building requires further testing to verify this across cultures.Implications for nursing policyNurses need to receive formal team‐building training for improving communication and teamwork, and formal education should be included in their job training schedule. It is recommended that communication competence and teamwork be used as one of job performance evaluations in their workplace.
Differences in developmental strategies between long‐settled and invasion‐front populations of the cane toad in Australia
Authors: Ducatez S. , Crossland M. , Shine R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPhenotypic plasticity can enhance a species’ ability to persist in a new and stressful environment, so that reaction norms are expected to evolve as organisms encounter novel environments. Biological invasions provide a robust system to investigate such changes. We measured the rates of early growth and development in tadpoles of invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) in Australia, from a range of locations and at different larval densities. Populations in long‐colonized areas have had the opportunity to adapt to local conditions, whereas at the expanding range edge, the invader is likely to encounter challenges that are both novel and unpredictable. We thus expected invasion‐vanguard populations to exhibit less phenotypic plasticity than range‐core populations. Compared to clutches from long‐colonized areas, clutches from the invasion front were indeed less plastic (i.e. rates of larval growth and development were less sensitive to density). In contrast, those rates were highly variable in clutches from the invasion front, even among siblings from the same clutch under standard conditions. Clutches with highly variable rates of growth and development under constant conditions had lower phenotypic plasticity, suggesting a trade‐off between these two strategies. Although these results reveal a strong pattern, further investigation is needed to determine whether these different developmental strategies are adaptive (i.e. adaptive phenotypic plasticity vs. bet‐hedging) or instead are driven by geographic variation in genetic quality or parental effects.
Effect of Drying on Texture and Color Characteristics of Ginger and Turmeric in a Solar Biomass Integrated Dryer
Authors: Borah A. , Sethi L.N. , Sarkar S. , Hazarika K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSpices are more preferred in powdered form and this invariably demands drying without compromising its quality attributes before grinding. Four different drying methods viz. integrated drying system (IDS), fluidized bed dryer (FBD), electrical oven (EO) and open sun drying (OSD) were selected for comparative study of textural and color changes of ginger and turmeric. The texture values of ginger differed significantly among different drying methods. Minimum crushing strength of 1,124.597 g (IDS) and highest of 1,421.62 g (OSD) was observed. Turmeric dried in IDS reflected maximum (8,789.01 g) and dried in EO showed minimum (6,307.619 g) crushing strength. Color loss values in dried ginger was minimum in IDS (34.795) followed by OSD (32.214), EO (37.479) and FBD (38.131), respectively. Color of dried turmeric was affected maximum in EO (67.354) followed by FBD (61.001) and OSD (58.213). Minimum color loss was observed in IDS (52.681). Instrumental measurement of texture and color attributes showed spices dried in IDS retained best quality attributes among the selected methods.Practical ApplicationsThe developed solar‐biomass integrated drying system, apart from advantage of independence from grid power dependency, could safely be promoted for drying of ginger and turmeric to the stakeholders as evident from the comparative instrumental measurement study of texture and color attributes of the dried products.
Total Monomeric Anthocyanin, Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.) Peel Using Ultrasonic Treatments
Authors: Dranca Florina , Oroian Mircea 
Published: November 2015

AbstractEggplant peel is a less studied source in terms of bioactive compound extraction from industrial residues, although its high content of anthocyanin and phenolic compounds is known. The method described here uses three different solvents, namely ethanol, methanol and 2‐propanol, for phenol, anthocyanin and antioxidant activity extraction. The extraction yields of total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), total phenolic compound (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) from eggplant peel were optimized by varying the frequency, temperature and time of ultrasonic treatment. The influence of interactions between process parameters on extraction efficiency was also studied. The highest concentrations achieved were 7.842 g/100g in the case of TPC (2‐propanol, 45 kHz, 60°C for 40 min), 2,275 mg/kg in the case of TMA (methanol, 45 kHz, 50°C for 50 min) and 10.18 μM Trolox/kg in the case of AA (methanol, 0 kHz, 60°C for 20 min). The suitable parameters to achieve the highest concentration of antioxidants were determined for each solvent as follows: ethanol – 28.8 kHz, 67.1°C and 49.5 min; methanol – 45 kHz, 50°C and 53.75 min; and 2‐propanol – 30.6 kHz, 70°C and 60 min.Practical ApplicationsThis study presents a significant improvement in eggplant peel extraction using ultrasonic‐assisted extraction of bioactive compounds. During ultrasonication, the extraction of bioactive compounds in eggplant peel increases because the solvent has been energized. The ultrasound‐assisted extraction of bioactive compounds is a fast, economical and green alternative to the current techniques used in the extraction industry.
Protective effects of ellagic acid and ozone on rat ovaries with an ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Sayar Ilyas , Bicer Senol , Gursul Cebrail , Gürbüzel Mehmet , Peker Kemal , Işik Arda 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimThis study investigated the effects of the antioxidant agents, ozone (O) and ellagic acid (EA), on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries developed from an ovarian torsion‐detorsion model.Materials and MethodsArteries in the left ovaries of rats were clamped for two hours to achieve torsion, and then the clamps were removed for a two‐hour detorsion period. Thirty‐five female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control: administered only with anesthesia, rats were not subjected to torsion‐detorsion; I/R: subjected to torsion and subsequent detorsion, without administering any treatment agent; and I/R + EA, I/R + O and I/R + O + EA: subjected to torsion and detorsion processes and administered with EA, O or EA + O at the 75th minute of torsion. The rats were then sacrificed under general anesthesia and the ovarian tissues were excised. The tissues were homogenized and levels of glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed. Tissue damage was evaluated in terms of histopathological parameters, such as hemorrhage, congestion, edema and inflammation.ResultsAntioxidant enzyme activity and MDA levels in the ovary tissue increased in the I/R group and decreased in the O, EA and O + EA groups (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that tissue damage in the O, EA and O + EA groups decreased in comparison with the I/R group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese biochemical and histopathological findings suggest that EA and O are effective against ovarian I/R injury.
A systematic review of the comorbidity between Temporomandibular Disorders and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Robinson L. J. , Durham J. , Newton J. L. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe most common cause of chronic oro‐facial pain is a group of disorders collectively termed temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Chronic painful TMD is thought to be a ‘central sensitivity syndrome’ related to hypersensitivity of the nervous system, but the cause is unknown. A similar understanding is proposed for other unexplained conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Exploring the comorbidity of the two conditions is a valuable first step in identifying potential common aetiological mechanisms or treatment targets.MethodSystematic literature review. Studies were included if they recruited community or control samples and identified how many reported having both TMD and CFS, or if they recruited a sample of patients with either TMD or CFS and measured the presence of the other condition.ResultsSix papers met inclusion criteria. In studies of patients with CFS (n = 3), 21–32% reported having TMD. In a sample of people with CFS and fibromyalgia, 50% reported having TMD. Studies in people with TMD (n = 3) reported 0–43% having CFS. Studies in samples recruited from oro‐facial pain clinics (n = 2) reported a lower comorbidity with CFS (0–10%) than a study that recruited individuals from a TMD self‐help organisation (43%).ConclusionThe review highlights the limited standard of evidence addressing the comorbidity between oro‐facial pain and CFS. There is a valuable signal that the potential overlap in these two conditions could be high; however, studies employing more rigorous methodology including standardised clinical assessments rather than self‐report of prior diagnosis are needed.
Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐osteoclastogenic effects of zinc finger protein A20 overexpression in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Hong J.‐Y. , Bae W.‐J. , Yi J.‐K. , Kim G.‐T. , Kim E.‐C. 
Published: November 2015

Background and ObjectiveAlthough overexpression of the nuclear factor κB inhibitory and ubiquitin‐editing enzyme A20 is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, its function in periodontal disease remains unknown. The aims of the present study were to evaluate A20 expression in patients with periodontitis and to study the effects of A20 overexpression, using a recombinant adenovirus encoding A20 (Ad‐A20), on the inflammatory response and on osteoclastic differentiation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ and nicotine‐stimulated human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).Material and MethodsThe concentration of prostaglandin E2 was measured by radioimmunoassay. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reactions and western blot analyses were used to measure mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Osteoclastic differentiation was assessed in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages using conditioned medium from LPS‐ and nicotine‐treated hPDLCs.ResultsA20 was upregulated in the gingival tissues and neutrophils from patients with periodontitis and in LPS‐ and nicotine‐exposed hPDLCs. Pretreatment with A20 overexpression by Ad‐A20 markedly attenuated LPS‐ and nicotine‐induced production of prostaglandin E2, as well as expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 and proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, A20 overexpression inhibited the number and size of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐stained osteoclasts, and downregulated osteoclast‐specific gene expression. LPS‐ and nicotine‐induced p38 phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB activation were blocked by Ad‐A20. Ad‐A20 inhibited the effects of nicotine and LPS on the activation of pan‐protein kinase C, Akt, GSK‐3β and protein kinase Cα.ConclusionsThis study is the first to demonstrate that A20 overexpression has anti‐inflammatory effects and blocks osteoclastic differentiation in a nicotine‐ and LPS‐stimulated hPDLC model. Thus, A20 overexpression may be a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory bone loss diseases, such as periodontal disease.
NPHS1 gene mutations confirm congenital nephrotic syndrome in four Brazilian cases: A novel mutation is described
Authors: Guaragna Mara S. , Cleto Thaís Lira , Souza Marcela Lopes , Lutaif Anna Cristina G.B. , de Castro Luiz Cláudio Gonçalves , Penido Maria Goretti Moreira Guimarães , Maciel‐Guerra Andréa T. , Belangero Vera M.S. , Guerra‐Junior Gil , De Mello Maricilda P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimAutosomal recessive mutations in NPHS1 gene are a common cause of congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS). The disorder is characterized by massive proteinuria that manifests in utero or in the neonatal period during the first 3 months of life. NPHS1 encodes nephrin, a member of the immunoglobulin family of cell adhesion molecules and the main protein expressed at the renal slit diaphragm. Currently, there are approximately 250 mutations described in the NPHS1 gene distributed among all nephrin domains. The main objective of this study was to perform the analysis of the NPHS1 gene in patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome in order to determine the molecular cause of the disease.MethodsDirect sequencing of NPHS1 gene in four children was performed.ResultsEach patient was heterozygous for two pathogenic mutations disclosing the molecular cause of the disease in 100% of the cases. We identified six different mutations, consisting of one in‐frame deletion, one frameshift, and four missense substitutions. The p.Val736Met mutation that is described here for the first time was considered pathogenic by different mutation predictive algorithms. Regardless of the type of mutation, three patients had a bad outcome and diedConclusionsDespite the small size of the cohort, this study contributed to the increasing number of deleterious mutations in the NPHS1 gene by describing a new mutation. Also, since we identified NPHS1 pathogenic mutations as the cause of the disease in all cases analyzed, it might be a frequent cause of CNS in the South Eastern region of Brazil, although the analysis of a larger sample is required to obtain more indicative epidemiological data.
Development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire on nurses' clinical competence eye care in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Ebadi Abbas , Saeid Yaser , Ashrafi Shahrbanoo , Taheri‐Kharameh Zahra 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundGiven the high prevalence of eye disorders in intensive care units, evaluating critical care nurses' competence in providing standard eye care is a matter of utmost importance. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no valid questionnaire for measuring nurses' competence to undertake eye care.AimsThe aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire on nurses' clinical competence in providing eye care to patients hospitalized in intensive care units.DesignThis was a psychometric study.MethodsWe initially performed a literature review and developed a 38‐item questionnaire consisting of knowledge, attitude and practice domains. We invited a panel of experts and a group of critical care nurses to assess the content and face validity of the questionnaire. Thereafter, we evaluated its construct validity by using the exploratory factor analysis and the known‐groups comparison technique. Moreover, the test‐retest and the internal consistency evaluation techniques were used for assessing the reliability of the questionnaire.ResultsTotally, 35 items remained in the final version of the questionnaire. Based on the results of the exploratory factor analysis, we categorized the items of the questionnaire into three factors. The Cronbach's alpha for the attitude and the practice domains as well as the Kuder‐Richardson 20 for the knowledge domain showed satisfactory internal consistency. The Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire also was 0·83.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the nurses' clinical competence in eye care questionnaire has a good factor structure and an acceptable reliability.Relevance to clinical practiceA complication of sedation and coma is that some patients are unable to maintain effective eyelid closure. These patients present a higher risk of eye complications. Development of tools for evaluating nurses' competence in providing standard eye care is a fundamental prerequisite for improving the quality of eye care.
Adherence to an Aerobic Exercise Intervention after an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Authors: DOUGHERTY CYNTHIA M. , LUTTRELL MATILDA N. , BURR ROBERT L. , KIM MISUN , HASKELL WILLIAM L. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundExercise adherence is an important element in achieving important exercise outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe adherence in a home‐based aerobic exercise program following an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), determine effects of adherence on peakVO2, and outline reasons for nonadherence.Methods and ResultsA single‐blind randomized control trial of home walking compared to usual care in 160 patients with an ICD for primary or secondary prevention was conducted. This report is on adherence in the exercise arm (N = 84). Home walking exercise consisted of 8 weeks of aerobic conditioning (60 minutes/day, 5 days/week) followed by 16 weeks of aerobic maintenance (150 minutes/week, 30 minutes/session) at 60–80% of heart rate reserve. Adherence was tracked using Polar heart rate (HR) monitors, pedometers, home exercise logs, and telephone follow‐up. Adherence was defined as performing at least 80% of prescribed exercise. For aerobic conditioning, there was a mean frequency of 3.81 walks/week, duration of 1,873 minutes walked, and 17.5% of exercise was in the target HR (THR) zone. For aerobic maintenance, there was a mean frequency of 2.4 walks/week, duration of 1,872 minutes/walked, and 8.7% of exercise was in the THR zone. Those who were 80% adherent achieved a 3.4 mL/kg/min (P = 0.03) improvement in peakVO2 over those who were <80% adherent. Reasons for nonadherence to exercise ranged from scheduling issues to viral illness and fatigue.ConclusionsAdherence to aerobic exercise frequency and duration was high with few dropouts, resulting in higher peakVO2. Exercise monitoring equipment encouraged adherence and conferred a sense of safety to exercise.