bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards an understanding of the lives of families affected by stroke: a qualitative study of home carers
Authors: Cecil Rosanne , Thompson Kate , Parahoo Kader , McCaughan Eilis 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimTo explore caring and coping among carers of stroke survivors and identify factors that had an impact on their lives.BackgroundInformal carers carry the main responsibility for the care of stroke survivors in the community, which can have a detrimental effect on the health and well‐being of carers. However, the circumstances of caring differ for each carer: this study identifies the diverse factors that can cause caring to be burdensome for some carers and less so for others.DesignQualitative descriptive study.MethodsA convenience sample of 30 carers of stroke survivors were interviewed in 2008–2010, following hospital discharge of the stroke survivor.ResultsThe impact that the stroke event had on the participants of this study varied enormously. Not only did the health status and well‐being of the stroke survivors vary greatly but it was also clear that many different factors had an influence on the impact of the stroke on the carer and on how each of them coped. Nine thematic categories were identified, which fell into three broad categories: (1) the impact of the stroke event on the carer; (2) the extrinsic factors that support the caring scenario; and (3) the intrinsic factors that help a carer to cope with the new role.ConclusionsThis study provided an insight into the circumstances where caring for stroke survivors takes place. These factors that have an impact on caring and carers should inform the nursing assessment of needs of carers of stroke survivors in the community.
Informed consent for blood tests in people with a learning disability
Authors: Goldsmith Lesley , Woodward Val , Jackson Leigh , Skirton Heather 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimThis article is a report of a study of informed consent in people with a learning disability. The aims of the study were to explore the information needs of people with mild‐to‐moderate learning disabilities with respect to consent for blood tests and to identify ways of facilitating informed consent.BackgroundThe recent political agenda for social change in theUKhas emphasized the right of people with a learning disability to have more autonomy and make their own decisions. As in other countries, there has also been a shift towards shared decision‐making in healthcare practice.DesignQualitative study using an ethnographic approach.MethodsAn ethnographic approach was used for this qualitative study. Phase 1 involved observation of six participants with a learning disability having a routine blood test in general practice, followed by semi‐structured interviews with 14 participants with a learning disability in Phase 2. Data were collected between February 2009–February 2010.FindingsThe data showed that consent procedures were often inadequate and provision of information to patients prior to a blood test was variable. People with a learning disability expressed clearly their information requirements when having a routine blood test; this included not wanting any information in some cases.ConclusionsHealthcare practitioners and people with a learning disability need to be familiar with current consent law in their own country to facilitate valid consent in the healthcare context. This study demonstrated the value of qualitative research in exploring the knowledge and attitudes of people with learning disability.
Psychological aspects of male fertility treatment
Authors: Mikkelsen Alice Toft , Madsen Svend Aage , Humaidan Peter 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimsTo explore and to identify the possible need for psychological communicative support in men undergoing fertility treatment.BackgroundMale infertility affects many aspects of a man's life and may cause a life crisis. Although infertility treatment is now commonplace in men, they often feel remote and disconnected from the treatment process.DesignA descriptive survey.MethodsA questionnaire with structured and open‐ended questions was completed by 210 Danish men undergoing fertility treatment. The questionnaire covered three issues: individual perception of male infertility, gender equality issues, and communication with health professionals in the clinic. Data were collected during 2008.FindingsOf the participants, 28% believed that their reduced sperm quality affected their perception of masculinity. 46% stated that equal involvement between partners was a very important element of the treatment; however, 63% said that the health professionals communicated primarily with their female partner. Finally, 62% found that there was a need for a deeper dialogue with the nurses concerning male infertility and 72% lacked information about the psychological consequences of male infertility. In general, participants wanted a more open and balanced dialogue about infertility treatment and the role of the male partner during this process.ConclusionInfertile men want health professionals to view them on equal terms with their partner. When treating the infertile man, there is a further need to develop more inclusive communication skills.
Humour in adult cancer care: a concept analysis
Authors: Tanay Mary Anne Lagmay , Roberts Julia , Ream Emma 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimsTo report an analysis of the concept of humour in adult cancer care.BackgroundHumour is a form of communication which is present in the adult cancer setting. Numerous studies show the multi‐dimensional value of humour in cancer care. A clear conceptual understanding, however, of what it represents is lacking.DesignWalker and Avant's framework was used to guide this concept analysis.Data sourcesLiterature searches included bibliographic databases, internet, and manual searches.Review methodsLiterature published from 1990 to the present was reviewed. Thematic analysis was carried out to identify critical attributes and antecedents.ResultsBased on the analysis, a definition of humour in adult cancer nursing is proposed. Humour is a subjective emotional response, resulting from the recognition and expression of incongruities of a comic, absurd and impulsive situation, remark, character, or action, which enhances feelings of closeness or togetherness when shared in the context of trust between the patient and nurse and may be used as a coping mechanism in a stressful situation such as the adult cancer care setting.ConclusionThe analysis provides an understanding of the concept of humour in the adult cancer setting and includes a theoretical illustration of its critical attributes. This concept analysis provides a forum for discussion with reference to the use of humour in adult cancer nursing care. Further exploration is recommended to determine the meaning of humour and its nature across different care settings.
Liver‐specific protein 2: a Plasmodium protein exported to the hepatocyte cytoplasm and required for merozoite formation
Authors: Orito Yuki , Ishino Tomoko , Iwanaga Shiroh , Kaneko Izumi , Kato Tomomi , Menard Robert , Chinzei Yasuo , Yuda Masao 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe liver stage is the first stage of the malaria parasite that replicates in the vertebrate host. However, little is known about the interplay between the parasite liver stage and its host cell, the hepatocyte. In this study, we identified an exported protein that has a critical role in parasite development in host hepatocytes. Expressed sequence tag analysis of Plasmodium berghei liver‐stage parasites indicated that transcripts encoding a protein with an N‐terminal signal peptide, designated liver‐specific protein 2 (LISP2), are highly expressed in this stage. Expression of LISP2 was first observed 24 h after infection and rapidly increased during the liver‐stage schizogony. Immunofluorescent staining with anti‐LSP2 antibodies showed that LISP2 was carried to the parasitophorous vacuole and subsequently transported to the cytoplasm and nucleus of host hepatocytes. Gene targeting experiments demonstrated that majority of the LISP2‐mutant liver‐stage parasites arrested their development during formation of merozoites. These results indicate that exported LISP2 is involved in parasite–host interactions required for the development of liver‐stage parasites inside hepatocytes. This study demonstrated that mid‐to‐late liver‐stage malarial parasites have a system for exporting proteins to the host cell as intraerythrocytic stages do and presumably to use the proteins to modify the host cell and improve the environment.
Trypanosoma bruceiOrc1 is essential for nuclear DNA replication and affects both VSG silencing and VSG switching
Authors: Benmerzouga Imaan , Concepción‐Acevedo Jeniffer , Kim Hee‐Sook , Vandoros Anthula V. , Cross George A. M. , Klingbeil Michele M. , Li Bibo 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBinding of the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) to replication origins is essential for initiation of DNA replication, but ORC has non‐essential functions outside of DNA replication, including in heterochromatic gene silencing and telomere maintenance. Trypanosoma brucei, a protozoan parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis, uses antigenic variation as a major virulence mechanism to evade the host's immune attack by expressing its major surface antigen, the Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG), in a monoallelic manner. An Orc1/Cdc6 homologue has been identified in T. brucei, but its role in DNA replication has not been directly confirmed and its potential involvement in VSG repression or switching has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we show that TbOrc1 is essential for nuclear DNA replication in mammalian‐infectious bloodstream and tsetse procyclic forms (BF and PF). Depletion of TbOrc1 resulted in derepression of telomere‐linked silent VSGs in both BF and PF, and increased VSG switching particularly through the in situ transcriptional switching mechanism. TbOrc1 associates with telomere repeats but appears to do so independently of two known T. brucei telomere proteins, TbRAP1 and TbTRF. We conclude that TbOrc1 has conserved functions in DNA replication and is also required to control telomere‐linked VSG expression and VSG switching.
Quantification of flagellar motor stator dynamics through in vivo proton‐motive force control
Authors: Tipping Murray J. , Steel Bradley C. , Delalez Nicolas J. , Berry Richard M. , Armitage Judith P. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe bacterial flagellar motor, one of the few rotary motors in nature, produces torque to drive the flagellar filament by ion translocation through membrane‐bound stator complexes. We used the light‐driven proton pump proteorhodopsin (pR) to control the proton‐motive force (PMF) in vivo by illumination. pR excitation was shown to be sufficient to replace native PMF generation, and when excited in cells with intact native PMF generation systems increased motor speed beyond the physiological norm. We characterized the effects of rapid in vivo PMF changes on the flagellar motor. Transient PMF disruption events from loss of illumination caused motors to stop, with rapid recovery of their previous rotation rate after return of illumination. However, extended periods of PMF loss led to stepwise increases in rotation rate upon PMF return as stators returned to the motor. The rate constant for stator binding to a putative single binding site on the motor was calculated to be 0.06 s−1. Using GFP‐tagged MotB stator proteins, we found that transient PMF disruption leads to reversible stator diffusion away from the flagellar motor, showing that PMF presence is necessary for continued motor integrity, and calculated a stator dissociation rate of 0.038 s−1.
The Escherichia coliSLC26 homologue YchM (DauA) is a C4‐dicarboxylic acid transporter
Authors: Karinou Eleni , Compton Emma L. R. , Morel Mélanie , Javelle Arnaud 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe SLC26/SulP (solute carrier/sulphate transporter) proteins are a ubiquitous superfamily of secondary anion transporters. Prior studies have focused almost exclusively on eukaryotic members and bacterial members are frequently classified as sulphate transporters based on their homology with SulP proteins from plants and fungi. In this study we have examined the function and physiological role of the Escherichia coli Slc26 homologue, YchM. We show that there is a clear YchM‐dependent growth defect when succinate is used as the sole carbon source. Using an in vivo succinate transport assay, we show that YchM is the sole aerobic succinate transporter active at acidic pH. We demonstrate that YchM can also transport other C4‐dicarboxylic acids and that its substrate specificity differs from the well‐characterized succinate transporter, DctA. Accordingly ychM was re‐designated dauA (dicarboxylic acid uptake system A). Finally, our data suggest that DauA is a protein with transport and regulation activities. This is the first report that a SLC26/SulP protein acts as a C4‐dicarboxylic acid transporter and an unexpected new function for a prokaryotic member of this transporter family.
The status of religion in emergent political regimes: lessons fromTurkey andIsrael
Authors: Rubin Aviad 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWhy do some newly formed regimes incorporate religion in various dimensions of public affairs, while others relegate religious actors and content to the private sphere? This article offers an explanatory model with four key components that together determine the status of religion in newborn political regimes: (1) the pervasiveness of religion in the old order; (2) the overlap among different ingredients of national‐identity; (3) the constraints of demographic realities; and (4) the period before and during the formation of the new regime as critical juncture. The model is applied and tested in the cases ofIsrael andTurkey, which in many respects represent opposite trends – accommodation and marginalization, respectively – that produced broad and long‐term consequences for their respective political regimes.
Feasibility of ultra‐low‐volume indoor space spraying for dengue control in Southern Thailand
Authors: Ditsuwan Thanittha , Liabsuetrakul Tippawan , Ditsuwan Vallop , Thammapalo Suwich 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of conducting standard indoor space spraying using ultra‐low‐volume (SID‐ULV) in terms of willingness to pay (WTP) and ability to pay (ATP) and ability to conduct space spraying by local administrative organisations (LAO) in lower Southern Thailand.MethodsCross‐sectional study. The executive leaders of each LAO were asked to state their WTP and ATP for SID‐ULV. Willingness to pay was measured by the payment card and open‐ended question methods. Ability to pay was calculated using the budget allocation for space spraying and estimated expenditure for SID‐ULV. Ability to conduct the SID‐ULV was assessed by interviewing the spraymen. Average WTP and ATP were calculated and uncertainties were estimated using a bootstrapping technique.ResultsNinty‐three percent of executive leaders were willing to pay for SID‐ULV. The average WTP per case was USD 259 (95% confidence interval [CI] 217–303). Thirty‐eight percent of all LAO had actual ATP and 60% had ideal ATP. The average annual budget allocated for space spraying was USD 2327 (95% CI: 1654–3138). The amount of money LAO were willing to pay did not vary significantly between their different types, but ATP did. Thirty‐two percent of spraymen could not complete all nine procedures of SID‐ULV.ConclusionsAlthough WTP for SID‐ULV space spraying was high, ATP was low, which revealed the flexibility of budget allocation for SID‐ULV in each LAO. The spraymen require training in SID‐ULV space spraying.
Blood supply safety in Afghanistan: a national assessment of high‐volume facilities
Authors: Mansoor G. Farooq , Rahmani Ahmad Masoud , Kakar M. Aziz , Hashimy Pashtoon , Abrahimi Parwiz , Scott Paul T. , Peel Sheila A. , Rentas Francisco J. , Todd Catherine S. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundLittle information is available regarding blood supply safety in Afghanistan. The purpose of this study was to assess blood safety through serologic and observational measures in Afghanistan.Study Design and MethodsThis cross‐sectional assessment included the 40 highest‐volume facilities collecting and transfusing blood nationally identified in a previous survey. At each facility, study representatives completed a standardized instrument assessing staff performance of transfusion‐related activities and performed rapid testing for human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C with rapid diagnostic tests on clinically discarded specimens. Reactive samples received confirmatory testing. Descriptive statistics were generated, with differences analyzed using chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests.ResultsBetween November 2010 and May 2011, a total of 332 blood donor collection procedures were observed. Only 52.4% of observed encounters correctly screened and deferred donors by international criteria. Public and private facilities demonstrated glove use, proper sharps disposal, and patient counseling and relayed screening test results in less than 75% of observed events, significantly less likely than military facilities (p < 0.01). Of 1612 specimens assessed, confirmed cases of hepatitis B (n = 6), hepatitis C (n = 1), and syphilis (n = 3) were detected among units already prescreened and accepted for transfusion.ConclusionLapses in proper donor screening contributed to the presence of confirmed‐positive units available for transfusion, as detected in this study. Steps must be taken to ensure standardization of testing kits requirements, documentation, and mandatory training and continuing education for blood bank staff with regard to counseling, drawing, processing, and transfusion of blood products.
Hypoxia modifies planktivore–zooplankton interactions in Lake Erie
Authors: Pothoven Steven A. , Vanderploeg Henry A. , Höök Tomas O. , Ludsin Stuart A. 
Published: December 2012

We evaluated vertical distributions of fish and zooplankton, planktivore consumption, and prey production in Lake Erie during 2005 to determine how hypolimnetic hypoxia alters fish (i.e., rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) and emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides)) and invertebrate planktivore (i.e., Bythotrephes longimanus and Leptodora kindtii) relationships with their mesozooplankton prey. Hypoxia concentrated 45%–76% of fish into a narrow (<2 m) metalimnetic layer, but only 3%–13% of zooplankton production was in this layer. The epilimnion may have served to some degree as a refuge for mesozooplankton because high temperatures may have excluded rainbow smelt. High concentrations of fish above the hypolimnion likely resulted in increased competition for large prey (i.e., predatory claodcerans). Although hypoxia did not result in overall high predation demands by planktivores relative to total zooplankton production, planktivore consumption rates within the metalimnion exceeded zooplankton production in that layer.
Spatial and temporal trends of muscle lipid content in Great Lakes fishes: 1970s–2008
Authors: Neff Margaret R. , Bhavsar Satyendra P. , Chin Janice Xin Yan 
Published: December 2012

An evaluation of spatial and temporal trends in fish lipid content may provide insight into trends of lipophilic contaminant levels, fish population health, and nutritional benefits to fish consumers. Currently, little is known about lipid content in fishes of the Great Lakes, where commercial and recreational fisheries are important. We examined 35+ years of muscle lipid content data for ten Great Lakes fishes from Canadian waters and found lipid content to have significantly (p < 0.05) declined in 2/6 species in Lake Superior, 3/8 species in Lake Huron, 1/8 species in Lake Erie, and 5/10 species in Lake Ontario. Lake Erie showed the least number of declining trends and most increasing trends (2/8 populations, p < 0.1). For most species, recent (2000–2008) muscle lipid values for Lakes Erie and Ontario are significantly higher compared with Lakes Superior and Huron. These observed trends may be linked to a number of environmental changes within the Great Lakes, and the mechanism(s) of decline are likely to be complex.
Metabolomics Strategy Reveals Subpopulation of Liposarcomas Sensitive to Gemcitabine Treatment
Authors: Braas Daniel , Ahler Ethan , Tam Brenna , Nathanson David , Riedinger Mirielle , Benz Matthias R. , Smith Kathleen B. , Eilber Fritz C. , Witte Owen N. , Tap William D. , Wu Hong , Christofk Heather R. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Unlike many cancers that exhibit glycolytic metabolism, high-grade liposarcomas often exhibit low 2[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake by positron emission tomography (PET), despite rapid tumor growth. Here, we used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to identify carbon sources taken up by liposarcoma cell lines derived from xenograft tumors in patients. Interestingly, we found that liposarcoma cell lines consume nucleosides from culture media, suggesting nucleoside salvage pathway activity. The nucleoside salvage pathway is dependent on deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and can be imaged in vivo by PET with 1-(2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoroarabinofuranosyl) cytosine (FAC). We found that liposarcoma cell lines and xenograft tumors exhibit dCK activity and dCK-dependent FAC uptake in vitro and in vivo. In addition, liposarcoma cell lines and xenograft tumors are sensitive to treatment with the nucleoside analogue prodrug gemcitabine, and gemcitabine sensitivity is dependent on dCK expression. Elevated dCK activity is evident in 7 of 68 clinical liposarcoma samples analyzed. These data suggest that a subpopulation of liposarcoma patients have tumors with nucleoside salvage pathway activity that can be identified noninvasively using [18F]-FAC–PET and targeted using gemcitabine.
Significance: Patients with high-grade liposarcoma have poor prognoses and often fail to respond to chemotherapy. This report identifies elevated nucleoside salvage activity in a subset of liposarcomas that are identifiable using noninvasive PET imaging with FAC and that are sensitive to gemcitabine. Thus, we suggest a new treatment paradigm for liposarcoma patients that uses [18F]-FAC-PET in the clinic to delineate gemcitabine responders from nonresponders. Cancer Discov; 2(12); 1109–17. ©2012 AACR.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1065
Hello Out There…Is Anybody Listening?
Authors: DeFilippis Rosa Anna , Tlsty Thea D. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Summary: Using a murine xenograft model system, Kuznetsov and colleagues show the existence of systemic interactions between a primary tumor and the growth of distal tumors in both homotypic and heterotypic tissues. Importantly, they show that the characteristics of the primary tumor govern the histologic features of the distal tumor through distinct pathways, thus providing novel opportunities for risk assessment, prognosis, prevention, and intervention. Cancer Discov; 2(12); 1084–6. ©2012 AACR.
Commentary on Kuznetsov et al., p. 1150
Lineage-Specific Biomarkers Predict Response to FGFR Inhibition
Authors: Loch David C. , Pollock Pamela M. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Summary: In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Guagnano and colleagues use a large and diverse annotated collection of cancer cell lines, the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, to correlate whole-genome expression and genomic alteration datasets with cell line sensitivity data to the novel pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor NVP-BGJ398. Their findings underscore not only the preclinical use of such cell line panels in identifying predictive biomarkers, but also the emergence of the FGFRs as valid therapeutic targets, across an increasingly broad range of malignancies. Cancer Discov; 2(12); 1081–3. ©2012 AACR.
Commentary on Guagnano et al., p. 1118