bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of a self‐managed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention DVD for physical activity initiation
Authors: Moffitt Robyn , Mohr Philip 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesInitiating and maintaining physical activity presents the individual with challenges of inconvenience, discomfort, and counteractive energy. Addressing these challenges requires an intervention that elicits motivation to engage in this activity, minimizes the direct relationship between unwanted internal experiences and inaction, and is also in itself accessible and convenient. Accordingly, this study investigated the efficacy of a self‐managed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention delivered via DVD and tailored for physical activity initiation.Design and methodsFifty‐nine minimally active community participants were randomly allocated to receive a 12‐week pedometer‐based walking programme, or the same walking programme with the additional provision of the ACT DVD. The primary outcome was overall physical activity level (assessed at baseline and post‐intervention), and the secondary outcome was pedometer‐assessed step count (measured at 4‐weekly intervals throughout the intervention period).ResultsParticipants who received the ACT DVD achieved a significantly greater increase in physical activity levels post‐intervention, were more likely to achieve the goals specified in the programme, and reported a higher average step count than participants who received the walking programme in isolation.ConclusionsThe ACT intervention, delivered via DVD for the promotion of physical activity, proved a simple, efficient, and accessible method to encourage positive short‐term increases in an important health‐promoting behaviour.
Statement of contribution

What is already known?

ACT interventions can increase physical activity levels through augmenting initiatory self‐regulatory control.

Face‐to‐face delivery presents challenges of accessibility and feasibility for community implementation.

There is a need for effective interventions that maximize impact while minimizing inconvenience.

What does this study add?

Supplementing a walking programme with a self‐managed ACT DVD produced significant increases in physical activity.

The ACT DVD is a convenient, accessible, and potentially cost‐effective approach to physical activity initiation.

ACT lends itself to implementation as a self‐managed electronically delivered intervention.
Endoscopic diagnosis of gastric mucosal atrophy: Multicenter prospective study
Authors: Nomura Sachiyo , Ida Kazunori , Terao Shuichi , Adachi Kyoichi , Kato Takahiro , Watanabe Hidenobu , Shimbo Takuro ,   Research Group for Establishment of Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis
Published: April 2014

Background and AimGastric atrophy is one of the important pathological states that cause gastric cancer. As atrophic gastritis is related to the risk of gastric cancer, it is important to diagnose atrophic gastritis. In the present study, we tried to establish endoscopic criteria for atrophic gastritis.MethodsA multicenter study of prospectively collected patients was conducted in 24 participating facilities. Two hundred and seventy‐five patients received endoscopic examination and 15 endoscopic features, including diffuse redness, swelling of areae gastrica, and mucosal swelling, were evaluated. Biopsy specimens were taken from five points recommended by the Updated Sydney System, and evaluated by a single pathologist for atrophy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC/ROC) of each endoscopic finding to histological atrophy were calculated. Pepsinogen I/II ratios of these patients were measured and compared to the endoscopic features.ResultsThere was no single endoscopic feature that is highly specific for histological atrophy. In the corpus, the combination of visibility of vascular pattern and swelling of areae gastrica by indigocarmine chromoendoscopy showed the highest AUC/ROC (0.83). In the antrum, the combination of visibility of vascular pattern and mucosal swelling showed the highest AUC/ROC (0.70). These endoscopic findings correlated very well to the pepsinogen I/II ratio.ConclusionsCombination of endoscopic findings can improve diagnostic accuracy, and endoscopic diagnosis of atrophy is improved especially with new endoscopic criteria, such as swelling of areae gastrica or mucosal swelling.
Structural and functional diversity of metalloproteinases encoded by the Bacteroides fragilis pathogenicity island
Authors: Shiryaev Sergey A. , Aleshin Alexander E. , Muranaka Norihito , Kukreja Muskan , Routenberg David A. , Remacle Albert G. , Liddington Robert C. , Cieplak Piotr , Kozlov Igor A. , Strongin Alex Y. 
Published: April 2014

Bacteroides fragilis causes the majority of anaerobic infections in humans. The presence of a pathogenicity island in the genome discriminates pathogenic and commensal B. fragilis strains. The island encodes metalloproteinase II (MPII), a potential virulence protein, and one of three homologous fragilysin isozymes (FRA; also termed B. fragilis toxin or BFT). Here, we report biochemical data on the structural–functional characteristics of the B. fragilis pathogenicity island proteases by reporting the crystal structure of MPII at 2.13 Å resolution, combined with detailed characterization of the cleavage preferences of MPII and FRA3 (as a representative of the FRA isoforms), identified using a high‐throughput peptide cleavage assay with 18 583 substrate peptides. We suggest that the evolution of the MPII catalytic domain can be traced to human and archaebacterial proteinases, whereas the prodomain fold is a feature specific to MPII and FRA. We conclude that the catalytic domain of both MPII and FRA3 evolved differently relative to the prodomain, and that the prodomain evolved specifically to fit the B. fragilis pathogenicity. Overall, our data provide insights into the evolution of cleavage specificity and activation mechanisms in the virulent metalloproteinases.
Chryseobacterium meningosepticum in a parapneumonic effusion in a chronic kidney disease patient on hemodialysis
Authors: Gnanasoundran Vanitha , Fernando M Edwin , Kumar Senthil , Kumar Raj , Valavan Thiruma , Mohan Chandra , Mohammed Noor , Prasad Srinivasa 
Published: April 2014

AbstractChryseobacterium meningosepticum is an uncommon human pathogen, which is an inhabitant of soil and water. It should be included in the list of suspected nosocomial infections, especially in patients with immunocompromised status. C. meningosepticum infections are not common but are clinically important because the organism is naturally resistant to multiple antibiotics. We report a case where the bacterium was isolated from the pleural fluid from a chronic kidney disease patient on hemodialysis, who developed pneumonia with complicated parapneumonic effusion. To the best of our knowedge, this is the first case where C. meningosepticum is isolated from the pleural effusion, from India.
Analytical reactivity of 13 commercially available rapid influenza diagnostic tests with H3N2v and recently circulating influenza viruses
Authors: Bose Michael E. , Sasman Amy , Mei Hong , McCaul Kate C. , Kramp William J. , Chen Li‐Mei , Shively Roxanne , Williams Tracie L. , Beck Eric T. , Henrickson Kelly J. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesRapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) used widely in clinical practice are simple to use and provide results within 15 minutes; however, reported performance is variable, which causes concern when novel or variant viruses emerge. This study's goal was to assess the analytical reactivity of 13 RIDTs with recently circulating seasonal and H3N2v influenza viruses, using three different viral measures.DesignVirus stocks were characterized by infectious dose (ID50) and nucleoprotein (NP) concentration, diluted at half‐log dilutions, and tested with each RIDT and real‐time RT‐PCR.ResultsStrong correlation was observed between NP concentration and RIDT reactivity; however, only weak correlation was seen with ID50 or Ct values. Only four RIDTs detected viral NP at the lowest dilution for all influenza A viruses (IAV). Influenza A viruses not detected by more than one RIDT had lower NP levels. Of the 13 RIDTs, 9 had no significant differences in reactivity across IAV when compared to NP levels.ConclusionsPrevious reports of RIDT performance typically compare reactivity based on ID50 titers, which in this study correlated only weakly with proportional amounts of viral NP in prepared virus samples. In the context of the strong correlation of RIDT reactivity with NP concentration, H3N2v was found to be as reactive as seasonal circulating IAV. While these findings may not reflect clinical performance of these RIDTs, measuring NP concentration can be useful in the future to assess comparable reactivity of available RIDTs, or to assess reactivity with newly evolving or emerging viruses.
Recommendations for reporting the results of studies of instrument and scale development and testing
Authors: Streiner David L. , Kottner Jan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractScales and instruments play an important role in health research and practice. It is important that studies that report on their psychometric properties do so in a way such that readers can understand what was done and what was found. This paper is a guide to writing articles about the development and assessment of these tools. It covers what should be in the abstract and how key words should be chosen. The article then discusses what should be in the main parts of the paper: the introduction, methods, results and discussion. In each of these parts, it suggests the statistical tests that should be used and how to report them. The emphasis throughout the paper is that reliability and validity are not fixed properties of a scale, but depend on an interaction among it, the population being evaluated and the circumstances under which the instrument is administered.
Comparison of Regular Atrial Tachycardia Incidence After Circumferential Radiofrequency versus Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Real‐Life Practice
Authors: AKERSTRÖM FINN , BASTANI HAMID , INSULANDER PER , SCHWIELER JONAS , ARIAS MIGUEL A. , JENSEN‐URSTAD MATS 
Published: April 2014

Atrial Tachycardia Incidence After RF versus Cryoballoon PVIBackgroundPostablation atrial tachycardia (AT) is a significant complication following radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Cryoballoon (CB) ablation is an alternative technique for PVI that appears to have a low incidence of AT. No direct comparison between AT risk in RF and CB ablation has been made.ObjectiveTo compare the incidence and characteristics of ATs after PVI with RF and with CB ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsAll patients who underwent their first PVI between January 2006 and September 2012 using either RF or CB ablation were included. When a repeat ablation procedure for AT was performed, the arrhythmia was classified as typical cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) flutter or left atrial tachycardia (LA‐AT) based on invasive mapping procedure findings and ECG P‐wave morphology.ResultsThe study population consisted of 415 and 215 consecutive patients in the RF and CB groups, respectively. After a mean follow‐up of 38 ± 21 months, 52 (8.3%) patients presented ATs (9.4% and 6% in the RF and CB groups, respectively; P = 0.15). Of those, 26 (4.1%) were classified as LA‐AT with 20 (4.8%) in the RF group and 6 (2.8%) in the CB group (P = 0.23). In patients without a history of typical CTI flutter or CTI line (n = 458), the incidence for this type of arrhythmia during follow‐up was 3.5%.ConclusionIn patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing either RF or CB PVI as the sole ablation strategy, the incidence of postprocedural AT was low and there was no significant difference between the 2 techniques.
Discreet Players: Jean Monnet, Transatlantic Networks and Policy‐Makers in International Co‐operation
Authors: Chira‐Pascanut Constantin 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe origins of the first supranational European community can be traced back to the bold and imaginative proposal drafted by Jean Monnet in early 1950. Yet his plan entered history under a different name: that of the statesman who offered his political backing – Robert Schuman. This article investigates the factors that made it possible for political leaders to accept this ground‐breaking idea. Furthermore, it investigates the source of Monnet's power and influence, which helped to persuade various leaders at different times. By adopting a transnational network approach, it concludes that policy‐makers' acceptance of the coal and steel plan was the result of Monnet's special method of persuasion, developed and refined over the years, and the activity of and pressure exerted by his close network of influential transatlantic friends.
Microbiological, Biochemical and Rheological Changes Throughout Ripening of Kurdish Cheese
Authors: Milani Elnaz , Shahidi Fakhri , Mortazavi S. Ali , Vakili S. Ali Reza , Ghoddusi H.B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractKurdish cheese has been traditionally prepared from raw milk in the northeast of Iran. It is ripened in goat's skin bags. This study was conducted on microbiological diversity and physicochemical properties of Kurdish cheese during ripening (1, 20, 40 and 60 days). The results indicated that the type and counts of microorganisms were mainly influenced by ripening time. Lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were predominant during the first 20 days of ripening, and lactobacilli were the most common microorganisms found during ripening. The initial numbers of coliforms and E. coli decreased rapidly, whereas a gradual increase in counts of moulds and yeasts was noticed in the early days of ripening. Coliforms, Salmonella and coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus spp. were undetectable in ripened cheese. The optimal time for consuming is after 60 days because the undesired biota decreased below dangerous limits. pH, moisture content and aw decreased during ripening. No significant variations were observed in protein values during ripening. The textural parameters such as hardness, chewiness and gumminess increased as ripening progressed, but springiness decreased. The level of microelements in cheese samples during maturation were in the following order Na > Ca > K > Zn > Cu.Practical ApplicationsKurdish cheeses have been traditionally prepared, and the market for them has existed in many parts of Iran for many years. Its microbial diversity originates from natural microbiota present in the raw milk, and environmental exposures are important points to consider for public health. There is an increased demand from consumers for high‐quality natural food, free from contaminating microorganisms. Hence, indigenous lactic acid bacteria were identified successfully for production of fermented milk products with increased safety. Given the significant economic importance of Kurdish cheeses to a number of small domestic and industrial producers, particularly in the northeast of Iran, this study can be used to help implement strategies designed to enhance the product's microbiological and physicochemical quality.
microRNA‐200b modulates microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation via the cJun/MAPK pathway
Authors: Jadhav Shweta P. , Kamath Sandhya P. , Choolani Mahesh , Lu Jia , Dheen S. Thameem 
Published: April 2014

AbstractChronic activation of microglia, the macrophages of the CNS, has been shown to enhance neuronal damage because of excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic molecules in a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent reports showed altered microRNA (miRNA) expression in immune‐mediated pathologies, thus suggesting that miRNAs modulate expression of genes involving immune responses. This study demonstrates that miRNA‐200b is expressed in microglia and modulates inflammatory response of microglia by regulating mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. miRNA‐200b expression was found to be down‐regulated in activated microglia in vivo (traumatic brain injury rat model) and in vitro. A luciferase assay and loss‐ and gain‐of‐function studies revealed c‐Jun, the transcription factor of cJun‐N terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway to be the target of miR‐200b. Knockdown of miR‐200b in microglia increased JNK activity along with an increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide (NO) production. Conversely, over‐expression of miRNA‐200b in microglia resulted in a decrease in JNK activity, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, NO production and migratory potential of activated microglia. Furthermore, miR‐200b inhibition resulted in increased neuronal apoptosis after treatment of neuronal cells with conditioned medium obtained from microglial culture. Taken together, these results indicate that miRNA‐200b modulates microglial inflammatory process including cytokine secretion, NO production, migration and neuronal survival.
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Chronic microglial activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, miRNAs, the novel epigenetic factors, have been shown to be involved in several diseases including neurological disorders. In this study, we demonstrate that miR‐200b is expressed in microglia and modulates inflammatory response of activated microglia by altering the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, NO production and neuronal survival via targeting the cJun MAPK pathway. Thus, miRNA‐200b may prove to be a useful therapeutic target in the context of chronic neuroinflammation.
The effects of topical heat therapy on chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mohammadpour Ali , Mohammadian Batol , Basiri Moghadam Mehdi , Nematollahi Mahmoud Reza 
Published: April 2014

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the effects of local heat therapy on chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome.BackgroundChest pain is a very common complaint in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is managed both pharmacologically and nonpharmacologically. Pharmacological pain management is associated with different side effects.DesignThis was a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial conducted in 2013.MethodsA convenience sample of 66 patients with acute coronary syndrome was selected from a coronary care unit of a local teaching hospital affiliated to Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the placebo group. Patients in the experimental and the placebo groups received local heat therapy using a hot pack warmed to 50 and 37 °C, respectively. We assessed chest pain intensity, duration and frequency as well as the need for opioid analgesic therapy both before and after the study. The study instrument consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and a data sheet for documenting pain frequency and duration as well as the need for analgesic therapy.FindingsThe placebo heat therapy did not significantly decrease the intensity, the duration and the frequency of pain episodes. However, pain intensity, duration and frequency in the experimental group decreased significantly after the study. Moreover, the groups differed significantly in terms of the need for opioid analgesic therapy neither before nor after the intervention.ConclusionLocal heat therapy is an effective intervention for preventing and relieving chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome.Relevance to clinical practiceEffective pain management using local heat therapy could help nurses play an important role in providing effective care to patients with acute coronary syndrome and in minimising adverse effects associated with pain medications.
How Christian nurses converse with patients about spirituality
Authors: Pfeiffer Jane Bacon , Gober Carla , Taylor Elizabeth Johnston 
Published: April 2014

Aims and objectivesTo describe the experience of conversing with clients to provide spiritual care from the perspective of Christian nurses identified as exemplary spiritual caregivers. More specifically, findings presented here describe the goals and strategies of these nurses when conversing with patients about spirituality.BackgroundAlthough verbal communication is pivotal to most spiritual care interventions recognised in the nursing literature, there is scant empirical evidence to inform such spiritual care. There is evidence, however, that many nurses have discomfort and difficulty with conversations about spirituality.DesignCross‐sectional, descriptive, qualitative design framed by phenomenology.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 southern California registered nurses working in varied clinical settings. Data were coded and thematically analysed by three researchers who established equivalency. Methods to support the trustworthiness of the findings were employed.ResultsThemes providing structure to the description of how nurses converse with patients about spirituality included assessing and establishing connection, overt introductions of spirituality, finding spiritual commonality, self‐disclosure, spiritual encouragement, spiritual advice or religious teaching, and prayer. Requisite to any spiritual care conversation, however, was ‘allowing them (patients) to talk’. Informants tread ‘gently and softly’ in approaching spiritual discourse, assessing for any patient resistance, and not pushing further if any was met.ConclusionFindings illustrate compassionate nursing with specifiable goals and strategies for conversations about spirituality; they also raise questions about how nurse religious beliefs are to ethically inform these conversations.Relevance to clinical practiceThe Invitation, Connection, Attentive care, Reciprocity mnemonic is offered as a means for nurses to remember essentials for communication with patients about spirituality.
Efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical dinoprostone for labor induction at term: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Aihai , Lv Jieqiang , Hu Yue , Lang Junzhe , Ma Luhang , Chen Wenbing 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimRecent studies suggest that misoprostol may be more effective than dinoprostone in pregnant women with unfavorable cervix. The objective here is to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical dinoprostone for labor induction, including incidence of cesarean section, vaginal delivery rate within 24 h, uterine hyperstimulation, tachysystole, oxytocin augmentation, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and Apgar score of less than 7 at 1 and 5 min.MethodsDatabases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up to July 2013. Randomized controlled trials comparing intravaginal misoprostol with intracervical dinoprostone in women with singleton pregnancy, intact membranes and unfavorable cervix (Bishop's <6) were included. Pooled relative risk, mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.ResultsThe use of misoprostol was significantly effective in increasing the rate of vaginal delivery within 24 h and less oxytocin augmentation when compared with dinoprostone. However, the incidents of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole were significantly higher under the misoprostol protocol than dinoprostone protocol. Furthermore, we found similar efficiency in the rate of cesarean delivery, NICU admission and Apgar score at 1 and 5 min among the study groups.ConclusionIntravaginal misoprostol appears to be more efficient for labor induction than intracervical dinoprostone; however, dinoprostone has been demonstrated to be safer because of the lower incidence of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole. Further high‐quality studies assessing the possible effectiveness of misoprostol and dinoprostone in selected groups of patients are warranted.