bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the environments of residential care settings
Authors: Moos Rudolf H. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review some research on the environmental characteristics of residential care settings.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is an integrative overview and formulation of a conceptual framework to understand and measure the key environmental domains of residential care programs.FindingsThe five major domains that comprise the characteristics of residential program are the institutional context, physical and architectural features, policies and services, aggregate resident and staff characteristics, and the social climate. The multiphasic environmental assessment procedure (MEAP), which systematically assesses these domains, shows that, for example, programs with better physical features tend to have better policy and program characteristics, more functionally able residents, more varied and experienced staff, and a more cohesive social climate.Practical implicationsThe conceptual framework and assessment procedures can be used to provide useful information to help prospective residents and staff select appropriate residential care settings, to identify characteristics of settings most amenable to change, decide what changes would benefit residents and staff, and, by providing systematic feedback, help guide program improvement; and identify environmental features most closely associated with residents' quality of life and functional maintenance or improvement.Originality/valueThe paper presents a unique and innovative conceptualization of the environmental domains of residential care settings, along with a validated procedure to measure these domains.
A rural/urban comparison of psychiatric inpatient admissions in Ireland
Authors: Morrissey Karyn , Daly Antoinette , Clarke Graham , O'Donoghue Cathal , Ballas Dimitris 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThere is a body of evidence that indicates mental illnesses are more prevalent in urban settings. However, to date no research has been carried out on the urban/rural incidence of mental illness in Ireland. This paper seeks to examine the micro level determinants of admissions to psychiatric hospitals between urban and rural areas.Design/methodology/approachData from the National Psychiatric In‐patient Reporting System (NPIRS) and multivariate regression models are used.FindingsResults from this analysis found that, in Ireland, rural residents had a higher probability of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital for schizophrenia and depression compared to urban residents.Research limitations/implicationsThe results presented here are only applicable to individuals that have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Findings cannot be extrapolated to the general population. Future research will involve the simulation of mental health characteristics for the entire Irish population.Originality/valueThe analysis presented in the paper contributes to the current understanding of the social and spatial profile of psychiatric admissions in Ireland, whilst providing additional research to the international debate regarding urban/rural differentials in acute psychiatric hospital admissions.
Evaluating stress in natural populations of vertebrates: total CORT is not good enough
Authors: Breuner Creagh W. , Delehanty Brendan , Boonstra Rudy 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Our goal in this review is to discuss how measures beyond simple quantification of total glucocorticoid levels are needed in comparative studies of stress. We need to measure corticosteroid binding globulin – CBG – and further downstream performance metrics to properly evaluate the significance and impact of stress in wild populations. We briefly cover the current literature, discuss methods that may enable detection of chronic stress and point to directions for future research to continue to clarify this field.
CBG may regulate access of hormones to tissues, but disagreement remains as to the functional importance of total vs. free vs. bound hormone in the plasma. Here we focus on recent studies providing solid evidence supporting the free hormone hypothesis. These studies unequivocally indicate that the biologically active fraction consists only of the portion that is free (not total levels in the blood). We also present the ‘reservoir hormone hypothesis’, indicating the relevance of CBG‐bound hormone in the plasma.
The vast majority of physiological studies on stress in natural populations only measure blood corticosterone or its faecal metabolites. However, downstream metrics (e.g. immune function, oxidative stress and body mass changes) can assess the physiological impact of the changes in corticosterone and CBG and ultimately of the adaptiveness of these changes. Here we will discuss some of the most promising factors that can be measured downstream of the plasma and the rationale for their measurement, how to do it, and an introduction to the evidence.
Although we draw on biomedical findings for some of this insight, we recognized that findings from a few mammalian laboratory species (primarily rats and mice) may not apply to the vast diversity of vertebrate species from fish to birds. In large measure we are still in the natural history phase of the accumulation of fundamental knowledge in terms of trying to extract general principles in the stress biology of natural populations. Our review outlines what is needed to lay the foundation for these principles.
Female ornaments revisited – are they correlated with offspring quality?
Authors: Nordeide Jarle T. , Kekäläinen Jukka , Janhunen Matti , Kortet Raine 
Published: November 2012

Summary

The evolution and signalling content of female ornamentation has remained an enduring challenge to evolutionary biologists, despite the fact that secondary sexual characters are widespread in females. While females usually invest significant amounts of their resources, including carotenoids, in offspring, all the resources allocated to elaborate ornamentation reduce resources available for other purposes. This may in turn constrain female fitness leading to dishonest female signalling.

We review the literature for empirical studies on mutually ornamented species with conventional sex roles, by focusing on the association between female ornaments and quality of their offspring.

We found 43 papers where 33 (77%) are bird‐studies, nine (21%) are on fishes, and one (2%) is a lizard‐study. Nine of these report negative, 14 non‐existing, and 20 positive associations between female ornament and offspring quality. Eighteen of the bird studies (55%) show a positive association between the two traits investigated, whereas five (15%) of the studies report a negative association. The number of fish studies, although few, is skewed in the opposite direction with two (22%) and four (44%) studies supporting positive and negative association, respectively. A minority of studies on carotenoids‐based ornaments reports a positive association (4 of 18 studies, or 22%) between the traits, which is low compared to studies on non‐carotenoids‐based ornaments (16 of 25 studies, or 64%).

The above‐mentioned relative large number of studies with negative association, especially common in studies on fishes and in carotenoids‐based‐ornaments, challenges the generality of the direct selection hypothesis to account for female fineries. This is important because this hypothesis seems to have strong support in recent literature on the topic. In the present paper, we also propose possible explanations for the observed differences between taxa and suggest directions and ideas for future research on the evolution of female ornamentation.
Renal oxygenation and haemodynamics in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Singh Prabhleen , Ricksten Sven‐Erik , Bragadottir Gudrun , Redfors Bengt , Nordquist Lina 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major burden on health systems and may arise from multiple initiating insults, including ischaemia‐reperfusion injury, cardiovascular surgery, radiocontrast administration and sepsis. Similarly, the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to increase, with significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, an increasing number of AKI patients survive to develop CKD and end‐stage renal disease.

Although the mechanisms for the development of AKI and progression to CKD remain poorly understood, initial impairment of oxygen balance likely constitutes a common pathway, causing renal tissue hypoxia and ATP starvation that, in turn, induce extracellular matrix production, collagen deposition and fibrosis. Thus, possible future strategies for one or both conditions may involve dopamine, loop diuretics, atrial natriuretic peptide and inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase, substances that target kidney oxygen consumption and regulators of renal oxygenation, such as nitric oxide and heme oxygenase‐1.
Adaptation of spherical multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes to the geochemically variable habitat of an intertidal zone
Authors: Zhou Ke , Zhang Wen‐Yan , Pan Hong‐Miao , Li Jin‐Hua , Yue Hai‐Dong , Xiao Tian , Wu Long‐Fei 
Published: November 2012

SummaryA combination of microscopic, molecular and biogeochemical methods was used to study the structure, phylogenetics and vertical distribution of spherical multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes (MMPs) of intertidal sediments in theYellowSea. TheseMMPswere 5.5 μm in diameter and composed of approximately 15–30 cells. They synthesized bullet‐shaped magnetites in chains or clusters. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNAgene sequences suggested that theseMMPsrepresent a novel species affiliated to theDeltaproteobacteria.To study their vertical distribution and the relationship to geochemical parameters, sediment cores were collected after the redox potential was measuredin situ. The sediments were composed of yellow, grey and black layers from the surface to depth. The sphericalMMPswere concentrated near the grey‐black layer transition at a depth of 8–12 cm, while coccoid‐shaped magnetotactic bacteria near the yellow‐grey layer transition at a depth of 3–5 cm. The intertidalMMPsshowed a deeper distribution at more reduced environments than coccoid‐shaped magnetotactic bacteria, andMMPsin lagoon sediments. Additionally theMMPswere concentrated significantly in layers with high proportion of fine sand and total organic carbon, rich in leachable iron but poor in nitrate. These results show an adaptation of sphericalMMPsto the peculiar intertidal sediment habitat.
Should oral misoprostol be used to prevent postpartum haemorrhage in home‐birth settings in low‐resource countries? A systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Hundley VA , Avan BI , Sullivan CJ , Graham WJ 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundUsing misoprostol to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in home‐birth settings remains controversial.ObjectivesTo review the safety and effectiveness of oral misoprostol in preventing PPH in home‐birth settings.Search strategyThe Cochrane Library, PubMed, and POPLINE were searched for articles published until 31 March 2012.Selection criteriaStudies, conducted in low‐resource countries, comparing oral misoprostol with a placebo or no treatment in a home‐birth setting. Studies of misoprostol administered by other routes were excluded.Data collection and analysisData were extracted by two reviewers and independently checked for accuracy by a third. The quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Data were sythesised and meta‐analysis was performed where appropriate.Main resultsTen papers describing two randomised and four non randomised trials. Administration of misoprostol was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of PPH (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38–0.87), additional uterotonics (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16–0.73), and referral for PPH (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.37–0.66). None of the studies was large enough to detect a difference in maternal mortality, and none reported neonatal mortality. Shivering and pyrexia were the most common side effects.Author's conclusionsThe finding that the distribution of oral misoprostol through frontline health workers is effective in reducing the incidence of PPH could be a significant step forwards in reducing maternal deaths in low‐resource countries. However, given the limited number of high‐quality studies in this review, further randomised controlled trials are required to confirm the association, particularly in different implementation settings. Adverse effects have not been systematically captured, and there has been limited consideration of the potential for inappropriate or inadvertent use of misoprostol. Further evidence is needed to inform the development of implementation and safety guidelines on the routine availability of misoprostol.
Changes in snuff and smoking habits in Swedish pregnant women and risk for small for gestational age births
Authors: Baba S , Wikström A‐K , Stephansson O , Cnattingius S 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveTo examine associations between antenatal exposure to Swedish oral moist snuff (which includes essentially only nicotine) and to smoking and risks of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) births and to compare risks among women who stopped or continued using snuff or smoking during pregnancy.DesignPopulation‐based cohort study.SettingSweden.PopulationAll live singleton births in Sweden 1999–2010.MethodsOdds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis.Main outcome measuresSGA birth, also stratified into preterm (≤36 weeks of gestation) and term (≥37 weeks of gestation) SGA births.ResultsCompared with non‐tobacco users in early pregnancy, snuff users and above all smokers in early pregnancy had increased risks of SGA births: adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 1.26 (1.09–1.46) and 2.55 (2.43–2.67), respectively). Snuff use had, if anything, a stronger association with preterm SGA than term SGA, whereas the opposite was true for smoking. Compared with non‐tobacco users, women who stopped using snuff before their first visit to antenatal care had no increased risks of preterm or term SGA, and women who stopped using snuff later during pregnancy had no increased risk of term SGA. Smoking cessation early in pregnancy was associated with a larger reduction in risk than smoking cessation later in pregnancy.ConclusionsAs both smoking and snuff use influence risk of SGA, both nicotine but above all tobacco combustion products are involved in the mechanisms by which maternal smoking increases the risk of SGA.
Age‐related impairment of endothelial progenitor cell migration correlates with structural alterations of heparan sulfate proteoglycans
Authors: Williamson Kate A. , Hamilton Andrew , Reynolds John A. , Sipos Peter , Crocker Ian , Stringer Sally E. , Alexander Yvonne M. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAging poses one of the largest risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. The increased propensity toward vascular pathology with advancing age maybe explained, in part, by a reduction in the ability of circulating endothelial progenitor cells to contribute to vascular repair and regeneration. Although there is evidence to suggest that colony forming unit‐Hill cells and circulating angiogenic cells are subject to age‐associated changes that impair their function, the impact of aging on human outgrowth endothelial cell (OEC) function has been less studied. We demonstrate that OECs isolated from cord blood or peripheral blood samples from young and old individuals exhibit different characteristics in terms of their migratory capacity. In addition, age‐related structural changes were discovered in OEC heparan sulfate (HS), a glycocalyx component that is essential in many signalling pathways. An age‐associated decline in the migratory response of OECs toward a gradient of VEGF significantly correlated with a reduction in the relative percentage of the trisulfated disaccharide, 2‐O‐sulfated‐uronic acid, N, 6‐O‐sulfated‐glucosamine (UA[2S]‐GlcNS[6S]), within OEC cell surface HS polysaccharide chains. Furthermore, disruption of cell surface HS reduced the migratory response of peripheral blood‐derived OECs isolated from young subjects to levels similar to that observed for OECs from older individuals. Together these findings suggest that aging is associated with alterations in the fine structure of HS on the cell surface of OECs. Such changes may modulate the migration, homing, and engraftment capacity of these repair cells, thereby contributing to the progression of endothelial dysfunction and age‐related vascular pathologies.
Ultrasonographic markers and preoperative CA‐125 to distinguish between borderline ovarian tumors and stage I ovarian cancer
Authors: Zacharakis Dimitrios , Thomakos Nikolaos , Biliatis Ioannis , Rodolakis Alexandros , Simou Maria , Daskalakis Georgios , Bamias Aris , Antsaklis Aris 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectivePreoperative evaluation of ovarian masses has become increasingly important for optimal planning of treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the role of preoperative serum cancer antigen 125 (CA‐125) levels in correlation with ultrasonographic features in order to distinguish between borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and stage I epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC).DesignRetrospective study.SettingTertiary University Hospital.PopulationWe reviewed all women with BOTs and stage I EOC from January 2000 to December 2010. Data from 165 women (66 BOTs and 99 stage I EOC) were analyzed.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression with stepwise selection of variables was used to determine which clinical variables, ultrasound features and CA‐125 level were independently associated with invasiveness.Main outcome measuresUtility of ultrasonographic markers and CA‐125 in the preoperative differential diagnosis between BOTs and stage I EOC.ResultsWomen with CA‐125 > 100 IU mL−1 had almost three times greater likelihood of belonging in the EOC group [odds ratio (OR) 3.02; confidence interval (CI) 95%: 1.13–8.12]. Furthermore, the presence of large solid component (≥20% of the tumor comprised of solid components) was associated with 4.25 times greater odds of it to representing ovarian cancer rather than a BOT (OR 4.25; 95% CI: 2.05–8.82). In contrast, the presence of papillary projections was associated with a 73% lower likelihood of EOC (OR 0.27; 95% CI: 0.13–0.58).ConclusionsPreoperative CA‐125 > 100 IU mL−1 combined with the presence of a large solid component and the absence of papillary projections seems to improve the discriminative ability in favor of stage I EOC.
Impact of nursing care on temperature environment in preterm newborns nursed in closed convective incubators
Authors: Deguines C , Dégrugilliers L , Ghyselen L , Chardon K , Bach V , Tourneux P 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsVery‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) neonates require regular nursing procedures with frequent opening of the incubator resulting in a decrease in incubator air temperature. This study was designed to assess changes in the thermal status of VLBW neonates according to the type of nursing care and incubator openings.MethodsThirty‐one VLBW neonates (mean gestational age: 28.7 ± 0.3 weeks of gestation) were included. Over a 10‐day period, each opening of the incubator was recorded together with details about caregiving. Body temperature was recorded continuously, and door opening and closing events were recorded by a video camera.ResultsThis study analysed 1,798 caregiving procedures with mean durations ranging from 6.2 ± 2.1 to 88.5 ± 33.4 min. Abdominal skin temperature decreased by up to 1.08°C/h for procedures such as tracheal intubation (p < 0.01). The temperature decrease was strongly correlated with the type of procedure (p < 0.01), incubator opening (p < 0.01) and procedure duration (p < 0.01). The procedure duration accounted for only 10% of the abdominal skin temperature change (p < 0.01).ConclusionsFor VLBW neonates nursed in skin temperature servo‐control incubators, the decrease in abdominal skin temperature during caregiving was correlated with the type of procedure, incubator opening modalities and procedure duration. These parameters should be considered to optimize the thermal management of VLBW neonates.
Shared physical custody after family split‐up: implications for health and well‐being in Swedish schoolchildren
Authors: Carlsund Åsa , Eriksson Ulrika , Sellström Eva 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimIn Sweden, shared physical custody following a parental separation has emerged as means for children to keep close relationships with both parents. Previous studies show that children benefit from regular contact with both parents, who share responsibility for their social, emotional and economic welfare. In this study, we investigate any associations between family arrangements, that is, two‐parent, single and shared physical custody families and child health outcomes and whether this association was modified by parent–child communication.MethodsData on 11‐ to 15‐year‐old children from the 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 Swedish Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children survey were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsChildren in shared physical custody were more likely than children in two‐parent families to report multiple health complaints (OR 1.26) and low well‐being (OR 1.71). When variables of parent–child communication were entered in the model, the initial differences remained between children living in shared physical custody and those living in two‐parent families.ConclusionChildren in shared physical custody and single‐parent families are more at risk of negative outcomes compared with children in two‐parent families. This association was not modified by parent–child communication in children in shared custody families, indicating that the communication equals that in two‐parent family children.
Mucosal healing and mortality in coeliac disease
Authors: Lebwohl B. , Granath F. , Ekbom A. , Montgomery S. M. , Murray J. A. , Rubio‐Tapia A. , Green P. H. R. , Ludvigsson J. F. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundCoeliac disease (CD), characterised by the presence of villous atrophy (VA) in the small intestine, is associated with increased mortality, but it is unknown if mortality is influenced by mucosal recovery.AimsTo determine whether persistent VA is associated with mortality in CD.MethodsThrough biopsy reports from all pathology departments (n = 28) in Sweden, we identified 7648 individuals with CD (defined as VA) who had undergone a follow‐up biopsy within 5 years following diagnosis. We used Cox regression to examine mortality according to follow‐up biopsy.ResultsThe mean age of CD diagnosis was 28.4; 63% were female; and the median follow‐up after diagnosis was 11.5 years. The overall mortality rate of patients who underwent follow‐up biopsy was lower than that of those who did not undergo follow‐up biopsy (Hazard Ratio 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.96). Of the 7648 patients who underwent follow‐up biopsy, persistent VA was present in 3317 (43%). There were 606 (8%) deaths. Patients with persistent VA were not at increased risk of death compared with those with mucosal healing (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.86–1.19). Mortality was not increased in children with persistent VA (HR: 1.09 95% CI: 0.37–3.16) or adults (HR 1.00 95% CI: 0.85–1.18), including adults older than age 50 years (HR: 0.96 95% CI: 0.80–1.14).ConclusionsPersistent villous atrophy is not associated with increased mortality in coeliac disease. While a follow‐up biopsy will allow detection of refractory disease in symptomatic patients, in the select population of patients who undergo repeat biopsy, persistent villous atrophy is not useful in predicting future mortality.