bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of the Palliative Performance Scale version 2 in obtaining palliative care consults
Authors: Fedel Patrice , Joosse Laura L , Jeske Lee 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo examine whether an educational intervention and implementation of a validated prognostication tool can improve inpatient acute care nurses' knowledge of palliative care and their comfort in determining the need for palliative care and requesting a palliative care consult from the attending physician.BackgroundPatients with chronic illness report low levels of quality of life. Relief from suffering may be found in services provided by palliative care; however, their services are often underused, in part, due to difficulties in prognostication. The Palliative Performance Scale version 2 is a prognostication tool that can help overcome this barrier.DesignA pretest/post‐test design with nursing education intervention was used on an acute care medical unit within a Midwest tertiary hospital.MethodSurvey questions for both pre‐ and postintervention assessed nurses' knowledge related to palliative care and examined nurses' comfort in identifying patients appropriate for palliative care and requesting consults. Following the presurvey, education on palliative care and the use of the Palliative Performance Scale version 2 was provided during a regularly scheduled staff meeting. Posteducation mentoring occurred for one month prior to the postsurvey.ResultsPre‐ and post‐test comparisons showed an overall increase in both comfort and knowledge related to palliative care. There was also a significant improvement in the nurses' comfort in identifying patients appropriate for palliative care.ConclusionsFindings suggest that nursing education on palliative care and Palliative Performance Scale version 2 can improve their knowledge level and comfort in requesting palliative care consults.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses are in the best position to advocate for the patient and the management of their chronic illness. Educating nurses on the philosophy of palliative care and improving their comfort level in assessing the need for palliative care will overcome barriers to consultation.
A critical review: a combined conceptual framework of severity of illness and clinical judgement for analysing diagnostic judgements in critical illness
Authors: Coulter Smith Margaret A , Smith Pam , Crow Rosemary 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo analyse theoretical literature on severity of illness and clinical judgement and propose a combined conceptual framework for judgements taken to identify patients' clinical states in critical illness and also to critically review and synthesise general severity of illness prognostic models to identify dimensions and attributes of severity of illness in critical illness.BackgroundThe effective treatment of the critically ill requires the early identification of severe illness, and in acute wards, this is predominantly addressed by applying early warning scores focusing on indicators of physiological severity. Clinical judgement complements the application of early warning scores, but is generally not the focus of research and so requires further investigation.DesignA critical review of the literature.MethodsSeverity of illness and clinical judgement literature was reviewed to identify themes for a combined conceptual framework for patient assessment in critical illness.MEDLINEandCINAHL(January 1981–December 2011) were searched for general severity of illness prognostic models in critical illness. Eleven research and five systematic review papers meeting review inclusion criteria were selected.ResultsSeverity of illness is found to be a crucial theoretical construct in critical illness. It can enhance descriptive models of clinical judgement (such as social judgment theory and an inference/correspondence model in diagnostic judgment) when used to analyse and reflect on judgements made to diagnose the clinical state of the patient.ConclusionsA combined conceptual framework of severity of illness and a descriptive clinical judgement model further informs patient assessments about the identification of clinical states in critical illness, alongside early warning scores.Relevance to clinical practiceThis article contributes to an understanding of the complexity of patient assessment and diagnostic judgement in critical illness.
Low risk, but not no risk, of umbilical hernia complications requiring acute surgery in childhood
Authors: Ireland Amanda , Gollow Ian , Gera Parshotam 
Published: December 2013

AimsUmbilical hernias are a common finding in the paediatric community, with a preponderance to affect Afro‐Caribbean and premature children. The rate of incarceration varies greatly between populations. Therefore, it is valuable to obtain some Australian data on this topic.MethodsWe undertook a retrospective study of the records of all patients who underwent umbilical hernia repair over a 12‐year period of between October 1999 and May 2012 at Princess Margaret Hospital. From this group, all patients that had an umbilical hernia repair for reason of acute complication were identified and analysed for age, ethnicity and co‐morbidities.ResultsBetween October 1999 and May 2012, 433 umbilical hernias were repaired at Princess Margaret Hospital, five of which were as the direct result of an acutely complicated umbilical hernia. The mean age of hernia repair was 5 years old, and the mean age of acute complication was 5 years old. Out of the patients with acutely complicated umbilical hernia, there were no Afro‐Caribbean patients, and one was premature complicated by hyaline membrane disease and broncho‐pulmonary dysplasia.ConclusionsWestern Australia has an incidence of acutely complicated umbilical hernia requiring operative intervention of 1:3000 to 1:11 000. On an international scale, this is low, and studies with similar incidence do not advocate for immediate repair of all identified umbilical hernias. The authors believe repair should be guided by patient and guardian, but if there is an episode of incarceration, acute repair is advised.
Improving preterm infants' immunisation status: A follow‐up audit
Authors: Crawford Nigel W , Barfield Charles , Hunt Rod W , Pitcher Helen , Buttery Jim P 
Published: December 2013

AimPreterm infants are at increased risk of vaccine preventable diseases. An audit in 2007 identified suboptimal immunisation status of preterm infants. The aim of this study was to complete the ‘audit loop’, reviewing preterm infants' immunisation status at a single tertiary paediatric hospital.MethodsA retrospective follow‐up immunisation audit was conducted at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, neonatal unit. The ‘audit loop’ included a preterm infants' reminder sticker and feedback of the original audit findings to Royal Children's Hospital health‐care professionals. Immunisation status was determined using the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register record for all admitted preterm infants born <32 weeks gestation (July 2008–June 2009).ResultsConducted in March 2011, the median age of participants (n = 57) was 2.5 years (range 1.7–3.1 years). Forty‐four per cent (25/57) had a history of chronic lung disease, 86% (49/57) were <1500 g and 42% (24/57) <28 weeks gestation. The majority (96% (55/57)) were up to date with routine immunisations at 12 months of age. There was a 2.4‐fold increase, compared with the original audit, for receipt of the additional recommended hepatitis B vaccine at 12 months of age, as well as influenza vaccine in infants with chronic lung disease.ConclusionThis study showed that a simple reminder combined with education strategies can improve vaccine delivery in special risk groups such as preterm infants.
Industry self‐regulation and TV advertising of foods to Australian children
Authors: Smithers Lisa G , Lynch John W , Merlin Tracy 
Published: December 2013

AimThe aim of this study is to examine the amount of non‐core (unhealthy) food advertising currently on Australian television (i) during children's programmes and viewing times; (ii) since the introduction of food industry self‐regulatory initiatives in 2009; and (iii) whether advertising differs according to signatory status to industry initiatives.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase.com and JSTOR (media/marketing) databases; grey literature; and reference lists of relevant articles for studies published since 2009 that reported on food advertising on Australian television.ResultsThe title and abstract of 316 articles were screened, yielding 25 articles considered potentially eligible, of which eight met the pre‐defined selection criteria. Meta‐analysis was not possible because of temporal and methodological differences across studies. The advertising of non‐core foods was found to be negligible during programmes with a C‐(children's) classification but ranged from 1.5 to 6.5/h during children's peak viewing times. From 2006 to 2011, non‐core food advertising decreased by 0.18 advertisements per hour every year, whereas fast food advertising increased by 0.09/h; however, these analyses are based on one study with only five time points. During children's viewing times, signatories to industry initiatives advertise non‐core foods at higher rates than non‐signatories.ConclusionsAlthough it is not possible to determine whether advertising has changed since the industry initiatives were introduced, signatories to the initiatives continue to advertise non‐core foods at times when many children watch television. Future efforts to reduce children's exposure to food advertising should be focused on advertising during children's peak viewing times rather than by programme classifications.
Morphology and taxonomy of leaf papillae and mammillae in Pottiaceae of China
Authors: KOU Jin , FENG Chao , BAI Xue‐Liang , CHEN Hui 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBoth papillae and mammillae are important structural characteristics for Pottiaceae classification, but these characters are diverse and their nomenclature is confused, hindering the classification of Pottiaceae. So, we selected representative species that cover all types of papillae and mammillae of Chinese Pottiaceae and observed and compared differences between them using light and scanning electronic microscopy. We corrected the chaotic descriptions of papillae of representative species, and have provided a uniform set of terms (“simple”, “forked”, “branched”, and “pedicellate”) to describe the shapes of papillae. In addition, we described how to quickly and accurately use papillae and mammillae to classify representative species in Chinese Pottiaceae.
Local increases in diversity accompany community homogenization in floodplain forest understories
Authors: Johnson Sarah E. , Mudrak Erika L. , Waller Donald M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractQuestionsChanges in land use, altered flow regimes, invasions by pests and pathogens, and climate change are, separately and together, altering ecological dynamics of floodplain forests. The complex changes these forces impose often go unnoticed due to a lack of reliable baseline data. Using historical data from the 1950s and re‐survey data on floodplain forest understories, we ask: (1) what is the direction, magnitude and nature of changes in local and regional diversity; (2) have these floodplain communities become more homogenous in composition due to losses of native species and increases in non‐natives; (3) has the relationship between the ground layer and overstorey community weakened over time; and (4) are changes in local and regional diversity among these floodplain forests more or less pronounced than in nearby upland forests?LocationFloodplain forests throughout southern Wisconsin, USA.MethodsWe quantified composition of vegetation in the understorey and overstorey of 40 sites and compared these data with data from the 1950s using a combination of uni‐ and multivariate analyses. We focus on changes in local vs regional diversity.ResultsAlthough average site‐level diversity has increased by 18.5%, sites are now 30% more similar to each other, reflecting a pronounced decline in among‐site (beta) diversity. Although exotic species have increased in site occupancy and abundance, increases in native woody plants (+30%), graminoids (+24%) and forbs (+16%) drive most of these changes in local and regional diversity. Sites have experienced an average species turnover rate of 39% since the 1950s, and understories are now 39% more correlated with canopy composition than in the 1950s. Biotic homogenization among these floodplain forests since the 1950s is 23.3% higher than the increase in similarity observed in nearby upland forests.ConclusionsVegetation changes in floodplain understories differ from changes previously documented in nearby upland forests. Floodplain forests have experienced a faster rate of biotic homogenization. Unlike upland forests the homogenization trend in these floodplain forests is accompanied by increases in site‐level diversity. These may reflect widespread colonization by certain native species. Both trends may also reflect relatively high connectivity among floodplain forests and control of hydrologic fluctuations via dams.
Compensatory responses to nephron deficiency: Adaptive or maladaptive?
Authors: Fong Debra , Denton Kate M , Moritz Karen M , Evans Roger , Singh Reetu R 
Published: December 2013

AbstractCompensatory renal growth is a characteristic adaptation to reduced renal mass that appears to recapitulate the normal pattern of maturation of the kidney during the postnatal period. Hypertrophy of tubules (predominantly the proximal tubule) and glomeruli is accompanied by increased single nephron glomerular filtration rate and tubular reabsorption of sodium. We propose that the very factors, which contribute to the increase in growth and function of the renal tubular system, are, in the long term, the precursors to the development of hypertension in those with a nephron deficit. The increase in single nephron glomerular filtration rate is dependent on multiple factors, including reduced renal vascular resistance associated with an increased influence of nitric oxide, and a rightward shift in the tubuloglomerular feedback curve, both of which contribute to the normal maturation of renal function. The increased influence of nitric oxide appears to contribute to the reduction in tubuloglomerular feedback sensitivity and facilitate the initial increase in glomerular filtration rate. The increased single‐nephron filtered load associated with nephron deficiency may promote hypertrophy of the proximal tubule and so increased reabsorption of sodium, and thus a rightward shift in the pressure natriuresis relationship. Normalization of sodium balance can then only occur at the expense of chronically increased arterial pressure. Therefore, alterations/adaptations in tubules and glomeruli in response to nephron deficiency may increase the risk of hypertension and renal disease in the long‐term.
Confirmation of a major QTL on chromosome 10 for maize kernel row number in different environments
Authors: Tian Baohua , Wang Jianhua , Wang Guoying 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMaize kernel row number (KRN) is an important agronomic trait. In this study, 13 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for maize KRN were identified in different environments using F2:3 and F2:4 populations developed from two inbred lines. These QTL are distributed on chromosomes 2,3,5,8 and 10, and the genic effects are additive or partially dominant. Using the BC3F2:3 populations developed from the same parental lines, QTL of KRN located on chromosomes 5 and 10 were also identified in two environments. Three BC5F2:3 populations were used to confirm the major QTL for KRN between ssr1430 and umc1077 on chromosome 10(qKRN10). This result will facilitate the fine mapping and map‐based cloning of this major QTL in the future.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Jurecka Agnieszka , Zakharova Ekaterina , Cimbalistiene Loreta , Gusina Nina , Malinova Vera , Różdżyńska‐Świątkowska Agnieszka , Golda Adam , Kulpanovich Anna , Kaldenovna Abdilova Gulnara , Voskoboeva Elena , Tylki‐Szymańska Anna 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to describe the natural clinical course, incidence and prevalence of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Central and Eastern Europe.MethodsPatients (n = 49) were identified by retrieving the data from eight international centers for MPS VI.ResultsA large number of patients presented with an attenuated phenotype (33%). Height and genotype were related to the severity of the disease, while no clear trend was observed between height and urinary glycosaminoglycan level. A high prevalence of the p.R152W mutation was observed both in the whole series (42%) as well as in Russian patients (43%). The incidence rate ranged from 0.0363 to 0.64 per 100 000 live births in Poland and Lithuania, respectively.ConclusionsThe observed high p.R152W carrier frequency in the Lithuanian population may indicate a possible founder effect in this region. The high prevalence of this mutation observed in the whole series, as well as the Slavic origin of the majority of patients homozygous for this mutation, suggest that p.R152W may be of Slavic, not Lithuanian origin. Resettlement of the Polish population after World War II resulted in dilution of the prevalence of carriers in Poland and a very low MPS VI incidence.
Clinical, psychological and maternal characteristics in early functional constipation
Authors: Kilincaslan Huseyin , Abali Osman , Demirkaya Sevcan Karakoc , Bilici Mustafa 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThis cross‐sectional study investigated the clinical features of functional constipation (FC) at preschool age, as well as emotional and behavioral characteristics of the children, psychological symptom level and parental attitudes of the mothers, and compared these with that of non‐referred typically developing controls with normal intestinal habits.MethodsParticipants included 65 children with FC (mean age, 43.6 ± 15.4 months; range, 25–72 months), 59 healthy controls (mean age, 46.9 ± 14.5 months; range, 25–72 months) and the mothers of the children. The Childhood Behavior Checklist, Symptom Checklist 90 and Parental Attitude Research Instrument were filled in by the mothers.ResultsParticipants with FC had higher problem scores than the comparison children in a variety of emotional and behavioral parameters. Approximately half exhibited internalizing and one‐third had externalizing problems in the clinical range. The mothers of the patient group had higher levels of psychological distress, overprotective parenting and strict discipline. On multiple logistic regression analysis child psychopathology, maternal education level and maternal distress were independently associated with FC.ConclusionBehavior problems are common in children with FC from an early age. Low level of education and high psychological distress of the mothers seem to be important risk factors for constipation and should be assessed carefully in the management of these cases.
Introduction and use of non‐native species for aquaculture in China: status, risks and management solutions
Authors: Lin Yaping , Gao Zexia , Zhan Aibin 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAquaculture is one of the fast‐growing industries in the past decades. The fast expansion of aquaculture largely relies on the introduction and use of non‐native species. This forms a paradox: some species significantly contribute to the fast expansion of aquaculture, while negative effects associated with unregulated introduction and irresponsible use of non‐native species are increasing in number and area affected. However, lessons from reported disasters are slowly learned, and risks raised have been highly overlooked. Here, we discuss the known and potential risks derived from the introduction and use of non‐native species in China to urge the necessity of incorporating sound management into sustainable aquaculture. Sound management needs to be performed based on the characteristics of each aquaculture activity or related event. We discuss risks based on aquaculture activities or related events popularly employed in the past decades in China, including (i) transfers of non‐native species; (ii) fellow travellers, accidental introductions; (iii) artificial hybridization; and (iv) mass release of non‐native species for ranching. For each aquaculture activity or related event, we provide general background, status of this activity, risks raised and recommendations for management. Finally, we call for the collaboration of researchers from academia, government and aquaculture industry for proper risk assessment and sound management for sustainable development of aquaculture.
Current knowledge on biotin nutrition in fish and research perspectives
Authors: Yossa Rodrigue , Sarker Pallab K. , Mock Donald M. , Lall Santosh P. , Vandenberg Grant W. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBiotin, a water‐soluble vitamin, is essential for normal growth, development and health of all animals. In terrestrial animal nutrition, biotin has recently spurred scientific interest because of the increasing body of knowledge on biotin involvement in gene expression, cell cycle and reproduction in mammals, and recent advances in molecular biology techniques allowing a more effective estimation of biotin effects in metabolism and physiology. In contrast, this information is scarce in aquatic animal nutrition, as studies have essentially focused on the estimation of minimum biotin requirement for maximum growth and tissue storage as well as for the formulation of least‐cost diet. This scarcity of information is also due to the lack of well‐established indicators of biotin status in aquatic organisms. The present review is a comparative analysis of current knowledge on biotin physiology and nutritional biochemistry in terrestrial and aquatic animal nutrition. Also, general information on biotin sources, bioavailability, deficiency and requirement in mammals and fish is provided in order to plan further studies. In the future, biotin nutrition studies in aquaculture should also include haematological parameters, histopathology of the gills, liver and kidney, gonad development, gamete quality and quantity, fecundity, larvae survival and gene expression. Dietary biotin requirement levels should be estimated at every life history stage of farmed fish. The potential contribution of intestinal microflora to biotin supply in different fish species should be investigated. All this information will allow a better understanding of the essentiality of biotin in fish growth, development, reproduction and health.