bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of vitamin D status in long‐term renal transplant patients
Authors: Penny Hugo , Frame Sharon , Dickinson Francis , Garrett Giorgia , Young Antony R. , Sarkany Robert , Chitalia Nihil , Hampson Geeta , Goldsmith David 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this study, we explored the determinants of vitamin D status in a large cohort of stable, Long‐term renal transplant (RTx) patients. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations, and bone biochemistry parameters, were retrospectively analyzed from 266 RTx patients (>10 yr post‐engraftment) presenting to clinic over the course of a year. Forty‐five percent of the cohort were vitamin D deficient (<37.5 nM), 38% insufficient (37.5 75–nM), and 17% sufficient (>75 nM). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in patients presenting in summer (p < 0.001) and in more active patients (p < 0.05). RTx patients with non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (n = 45) had higher 25(OH)D concentrations than patients without NMSC (n = 221; p < 0.05) despite these patients being older, having worse eGFR, transplanted for longer, and less active physically (p < 0.05). Lower 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with higher PTH concentrations (p < 0.05) which, in the setting of widespread hypovitaminosis, suggests that secondary hyperparathyroidism was common in this cohort. In conclusion, season and activity status are important determinants of vitamin D status. We report, for the first time, that NMSC is associated with higher 25(OH)D, probably through increased UV radiation exposure. Long‐term RTx patients may benefit from oral vitamin D supplementation, but this requires a randomized controlled trial to confirm.
Multinational study of oestrogen and progesterone receptor immunocytochemistry on breast carcinoma fine needle aspirates
Authors: Marinšek Ž. P. , Nolde N. , Kardum‐Skelin I. , Nizzoli R. , Önal B. , Rezanko T. , Tani E. , Ostović K. T. , Vielh P. , Schmitt F. , Kocjan G. 
Published: October 2012

Ž. P. Marinšek, N. Nolde, I. Kardum‐Skelin, R. Nizzoli, B. Önal, T. Rezanko, E. Tani, K. T. Ostović, P. Vielh, F. Schmitt and G. Kocjan  Multinational study of oestrogen and progesterone receptor immunocytochemistry on breast carcinoma fine needle aspiratesObjectives:  To collect data on the variability of immunocytochemical (ICC) procedures used to detect oestrogen/progesterone receptors (ER/PR) on cytological material; to test the reproducibility of results; and to identify the crucial points in the ICC procedures that affect the result.Methods:  Ten laboratories from eight countries participated in a two‐part study. In the first part, one of the participants (the coordinator) prepared and distributed cytospins from a fine needle aspirate of a primary breast carcinoma. Laboratories performed ICC staining for ER/PR according to their own methods on the test slides and in‐house positive controls. Slides were returned to the coordinator together with information on the preparation of positive control slides and the ICC methodology used. In the second part, obligatory methods of fixation and antigen retrieval were specified. Evaluation of results included grading the number of positive cells, staining intensity, background staining, cytoplasmic staining, sample condition and cellularity. Participants evaluated their own results, which were subsequently evaluated by the coordinator.Results:  There was great variability in the preparation of slides for in‐house controls and ICC methodology. The outcome of ICC staining of in‐house control slides was excellent in two laboratories, adequate in three, sub‐optimal in four and inadequate in one. Only six obtained a positive reaction on the test slides and not all were of a high quality. Results of the second run were greatly improved in terms of cellularity of in‐house positive control slides, and scores for the percentage of stained cells and staining intensity of control and test slides. Cytospins and monolayer (ThinPrep®) preparations were superior to direct smears; methods of fixation and antigen retrieval were the key points in the staining process.Conclusions:  Our experience points to the need for guidelines for hormonal receptor determination and external quality control on cytological material, in order for cytological methods to be used in routine clinical practice with a suitable degree of confidence.
Unravelling the Phellinus pini s.l. complex in North America: a multilocus phylogeny and differentiation analysis of Porodaedalea
Authors: Brazee N. J. , Lindner D. L. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPhellinus sensu lato (s.l.) is a complex of segregate genera that act as aggressive pathogens of woody plants. Nearly all of the genera in this complex have unresolved taxonomies, including Porodaedalea, which is one of the most important trunk rot pathogens of coniferous trees throughout the northern hemisphere. In an attempt to elucidate the species within Porodaedalea, a multilocus phylogenetic analysis was performed with partial sequences from four loci (internal transcribed spacer, nuclear large subunit, tef1 and rpb2) using 41 isolates that originated from North America and Europe. For reference, we analysed the neotype isolates of Porodaedalea pini and P. chrysoloma. Our results confirmed that Porodaedalea pini s.s. and P. chrysoloma s.s. are unique phylogenetic species that do not occur in North America. We detected two discrete clades of Porodaedalea originating from the southwestern and southeastern United States. Isolates from these regions grouped with significant statistical support and represent undescribed taxa. With the exception of P. cancriformans, our analyses revealed monophyly among 28 isolates originating from the northern United States, Canada and Fennoscandia, a group we have labelled the ‘Holarctic group’. Holarctic group isolates were collected from Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga and Tsuga and were presumed to represent at least four morphological species (P. gilbertsonii, P. laricis, P. pini s.l. and P. piceina). Tests of gene flow and genetic differentiation detected significant differences among Holarctic group isolates by region of origin, and three subgroups were designated: (i) Atlantic‐Boreal; (ii) Interior; and (iii) Pacific. Neutrality tests using the Holarctic group demonstrated significant departures from the standard neutral model of evolution and could indicate that a diversifying selection has maintained rare phenotypes in the population, which has fostered taxonomic confusion in Porodaedalea.
Pregnancy outcome following use of levodopa, pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine for restless legs syndrome during pregnancy: a case series
Authors: Dostal M. , Weber‐Schoendorfer C. , Sobesky J. , Schaefer C. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is related to parity, and its symptoms may worsen during pregnancy. Treatment with levodopa or dopamine agonists is the first‐line therapy for RLS; however, there are limited data on treatment in pregnancy. We therefore assessed the safety of levodopa, pramipexole, rotigotine, and ropinirole in pregnancy.MethodsProspective documentation of pregnancies exposed to levodopa, pramipexole, rotigotine, and ropinirole between 1998 and 2011 was evaluated as to their outcome (teratogenicity or fetotoxicity) by the Berlin Institute for Clinical Teratology and Drug Risk Assessment in Pregnancy.ResultsWe were able to complete 59 pregnancy outcomes exposed to RLS pharmacotherapy. For specific treatments, the numbers of exposed pregnancies/live born children/spontaneous abortions/induced abortions/malformations were as follows: levodopa only: 38/29 (one pair of twins)/3/7/3; pramipexole only: 12/9/3/0/0; rotigotine only: 2/2/0/0/0; ropinirole only: 3/2/0/1/0; levodopa combined with pramipexole: 3/3/0/0/0; levodopa combined with ropinirole: 1/1/0/0/0. No major birth defects were found with any RLS treatment, and three infants exposed to levodopa had minor anomalies.ConclusionsIn our small prospective case series, there was no increased risk above baseline for major malformations or other adverse outcomes for levodopa and pramipexole. If necessary, levodopa treatment may be considered as an alternative to cabergoline, for which safety has been well documented in pregnancy.
Pain–autonomic interaction after work‐induced sleep restriction
Authors: Schestatsky P. , Dall‐Agnol L. , Gheller L. , Stefani L. C. , Sanches P. R. S. , de Souza I. C. , Torres I. L. , Caumo W. 
Published: October 2012

Background and purposePoor sleep is commonly associated with alterations in pain perception. However, there is a lack of studies that address work‐associated sleep restriction (SR) and changes in non‐nociceptive perception and autonomic responses after work‐induced SR.MethodsThis study was performed with 19 medical students after a normal‐sleep night (NS phase) and after a night shift at the local emergency room (SR phase). We performed clinical assessment, quantitative sensory testing for electrical and temperature sensation, RR interval analysis, and recorded sudomotor skin responses (SSRs).ResultsThe total mean duration of sleep was 436 ± 18 min in the NS group and 120 ± 28 min in the SR group (P < 0.001). The anxiety scores were higher following the SR phase compared with those after the NS phase (P < 0.01). After SR, there was a decrease in heat‐pain threshold, but neither warm nor electrical thresholds were affected. Following SR, subjects showed higher SSR amplitudes and an increased number of double responses at an interstimulus interval of 2 s. We also observed a moderate inverse correlation between heat‐pain thresholds and SSR amplitude (r = −0.46; P < 0.01). However, there was no correlation between anxiety scores and SSR parameters.ConclusionsThe effects of SR in the context of work stress on pain are specific and appear unrelated to general changes in sensory perception. Hyperalgesia was associated with abnormal autonomic responses, but not with increased anxiety, which suggests an association between the nociceptive and autonomic nervous systems that is independent of the emotional state.
The immediate and long‐term effects of water drawdown on macrophyte assemblages in a large subtropical reservoir
Authors: BOSCHILIA SOLANA MENEGHEL , DE OLIVEIRA EDSON FONTES , SCHWARZBOLD ALBANO 
Published: October 2012

Summary1. Disturbances play a central role in determining the spatial and temporal dynamics of many plant communities. In our study of macrophyte assemblages at 150 sites in five arms of a large subtropical reservoir (Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil–Paraguay border), we used co‐occurrence null models and spatiotemporal analyses to describe the patterns in the assemblages during a historically large water drawdown in 2000, in comparison with the previous year (1999) and subsequent years (2001–07). AC‐Score co‐occurrence index tested the null hypothesis of random structure during the drawdown period. A detrended correspondence analysis and multiresponse permutation procedure were used to verify whether species composition differed before, during and after the disturbance.2. In contrast to our expectations, the null models showed that the macrophyte assemblages were spatially structured during the drawdown (2000), although species composition was significantly different from the previous year (1999) and also changed in the following years (2001–07). Significant species co‐occurrence patterns were generated by the drawdown disturbance, with species extinctions and colonisation by new species from propagules and seed bank germination.3. The randomness we expected in 2000 actually occurred in 2001, probably because the reestablishment of normal water level enabled both submersed and free‐floating species to recolonise the shore that emergent species had inhabited since the drawdown. Biotic interactions appeared to increase during the years after the disturbance and the habitat preferences of the aquatic macrophytes were re‐established, resulting in higher similarities in aquatic macrophyte species composition in the years after the drawdown.
Polar auxin transport is essential for gall formation by Pantoea agglomerans on gypsophila
Authors: Chalupowicz Laura , Weinthal Dan , Gaba Victor , Sessa Guido , Barash Isaac , Manulis‐Sasson Shulamit 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe virulence of the bacterium Pantoea agglomerans pv. gypsophilae (Pag) on Gypsophila paniculata depends on a type III secretion system (T3SS) and its effectors. The hypothesis that plant‐derived indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) plays a major role in gall formation was examined by disrupting basipetal polar auxin transport with the specific inhibitors 2,3,5‐triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) and N‐1‐naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). On inoculation with Pag, galls developed in gypsophila stems above but not below lanolin rings containing TIBA or NPA, whereas, in controls, galls developed above and below the rings. In contrast, TIBA and NPA could not inhibit tumour formation in tomato caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The colonization of gypsophila stems by Pag was reduced below, but not above, the lanolin–TIBA ring. Following Pag inoculation and TIBA treatment, the expression of hrpL (a T3SS regulator) and pagR (a quorum‐sensing transcriptional regulator) decreased four‐fold and that of pthG (a T3SS effector) two‐fold after 24 h. Expression of PIN2 (a putative auxin efflux carrier) increased 35‐fold, 24 h after Pag inoculation. However, inoculation with a mutant in the T3SS effector pthG reduced the expression of PIN2 by two‐fold compared with wild‐type infection. The results suggest that pthG might govern the elevation of PIN2 expression during infection, and that polar auxin transport‐derived IAA is essential for gall initiation.
Does an anti‐oxidant ascorbic acid improve the condition of hippocampal formation slice preparations? – a micro‐EEG approach
Authors: Kazmierska Paulina , Grebowski Jacek , Konopacki Jan 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe objective of this study was to assess whether ascorbic acid (AA), an intracellular anti‐oxidant critical for neuronal protection, when added to artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF), is able to protect hippocampal (HPC) formation slice preparations from ageing. In this research, the micro‐electroencephalographic (EEG) technique was applied. Experiments were performed on 72 HPC formation slices obtained from 12 male Wistar rats. Two series of experiments were conducted: the control experiment, in which ACSF was used as an incubation medium, and the research one, in which ACSF was supplemented with 200 μM AA. The experimental model of carbachol‐induced EEG theta rhythm was applied. The following parameters of theta rhythm after 15, 30 and 45 min of recording were analysed: frequency, power, time duration of theta epochs and time duration of intervals between theta epochs. The results show that AA causes a statistically significant decrease in the power of theta rhythm after 15, 30 and 45 min of recording. The time duration of intervals between theta epochs was almost twice as long in slices incubated in ACSF + AA than in ACSF after 45 min of recording. The data obtained indicate that AA does not improve the condition of HPC slices. On the contrary, it worsens the ability of slice preparations to generate theta oscillations. We hypothesize that our data may result from the Fenton reaction or changes in the conformation of connexins.
Caring to achieve the maximum independence possible: a synthesis of qualitative evidence on older adults’ adaptation to dependency
Authors: Abad‐Corpa Eva , Gonzalez‐Gil Teresa , Martínez‐Hernández Antonio , Barderas‐Manchado Ana M , De la Cuesta‐Benjumea Carmen , Monistrol‐Ruano Olga , Mahtani‐Chugani Vinita ,   RETICEF‐evidencia Group
Published: October 2012

Aims and objectives.  To understand the process of adaptation to dependency in older adults and their families.Background.  Dependency and family care giving are attracting the attention of policymakers, service providers and researchers.Design.  An interpretative synthesis of qualitative studies has been conducted.Methods.  An extensive search without time and idiom limitations was conducted using the main databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SSCI, LILACS, CUIDEN, Cochrane Library and JBI): personal communication from expert panel was used to detect filters strategies to find qualitative studies; these strategies were combined with search terms for dependence in older adults. The studies (2164 potentially relevant papers) were judged by two reviewers based on reading title, abstract, keywords and/or full text (English, Spanish, French and Portuguese) to determine their inclusion. After, 203 papers were critically appraised by two reviewers (disagreements were resolved by discussions). Finally, the synthesis of the 20 studies with best interpretative character was carried out based on the principles and procedures of Grounded Theory.Results.  The findings were related to the process of adaptation to dependency, the factors and the strategies used, the emotions, perceptions and feelings of care givers and older adults. The central category that emerged was ‘Caring to achieve the maximum independence possible’, and this could be seen as a transition period in which older adults and their families progressed in a mutually determined adaptation process. This category is made up of several redefinitions of concepts, phases, adaptation strategies and final responses to the process.Conclusions.  The findings show the interconnected nature of physical, material, social and emotional aspects of care; and the profound social impact of providing and receiving care.Relevance to clinical practice.  The nurses can assist families and older adults to enhance adaptation to dependency, anticipating and helping to redefine the concepts of care.
Demonstration of the usefulness of a theoretical framework for humanising care with reference to a residential aged care service in Australia
Authors: Borbasi Sally , Galvin Kathleen T , Adams Trevor , Todres Les , Farrelly Brona 
Published: October 2012

Aims and objectives.  To demonstrate the usefulness of a theoretical framework for humanising care of dementia patients.Background.  The term humanisation of care has been increasingly used to describe an approach to health care that is informed by core dimensions of what it means to be human. Recent developments in dementia care highlight the importance of maintaining personhood in people with dementia.Design.  A conceptual framework is proposed by which the humanisation of care can be understood and applied. Eight dimensions that articulate core features of what needs to be attended to in order for a person to feel more deeply ‘met’ as a human being are discussed. Evidence from an evaluative study of a dementia outreach service is used to illustrate the usefulness of the humanising framework.Methods.  Case study examples demonstrate the value of this framework by describing how a dementia outreach service enables care staff in residential aged care facilities to change their focus in the provision of care to residents with dementia. Each of the eight dimensions of humanisation/dehumanisation is used to illustrate how the dementia outreach service team have led to the improvements in resident care.Results.  Positive outcomes can be achieved by providing humanised care to residents with dementia.Conclusion.  The paper highlights the potential for the humanising framework to be used in dementia care and shows how the framework can be helpfully translated into practice so that carers are supported to adopt an inclusive view of care delivery.Relevance to clinical practice.  A comprehensive framework, grounded in a strong philosophical foundation, can name a breadth of criteria for humanly sensitive care and can be translated into practice in such a way as to potentially transform the provision of care to residents in residential aged care facilities.
Supporting bereaved parents: a phenomenological study of a telephone intervention programme in a paediatric oncology unit
Authors: Darbyshire Philip , Cleghorn Alexandra , Downes Maeve , Elford Joanna , Gannoni Anne , McCullagh Cheryl , Shute Rosalyn 
Published: October 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study sought to discover bereaved parents’ perspectives and experiences of a nurse‐led, ward‐based, telephone support programme in a children’s oncology unit.Background.  Parental grief is especially intense and long‐lasting, and many parents can experience serious psychological problems. The oncology team learned that some parents felt ‘forgotten’ or ‘abandoned’ following their child’s death and addressed this concern by initiating and subsequently evaluating a telephone bereavement support programme.Design.  An interpretive phenomenological investigation of the experiences of six parents who participated in the programme.Methods.  Parents shared their experiences and perceptions of the programme in individual interviews. Interpretive phenomenology and thematic analysis guided the interviews’ interpretation to ascertain both the parents’ experiences of the programme and their understandings of everyday clinical terms such as ‘support’ or ‘reassurance’.Results.  Parents found the programme supportive, especially valuing ongoing contact with a nurse who ‘knew them’. Telephone contact was preferred to visiting the hospital, which brought back painful memories. Calls were important elements in helping parents create meaning and memory around their deceased child.Conclusions.  Regular telephone contact over an agreed period from a familiar member of the child’s treating team can create a more positive and supportive bereavement experience for parents in the year following their child’s death. The specific findings are discussed in the context of the death of a child as a crisis of meaning.Relevance to clinical practice.  Clinical nurses are ideally placed to use existing close relationships to extend care and support to bereaved parents. This study shows how nurses can identify service gaps, work with interdisciplinary team colleagues to initiate appropriate actions and participate in the essential evaluation subsequently required.