bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interventions for supporting nurse retention in rural and remote areas: an umbrella review
Authors: Mbemba Gisèle , Gagnon Marie-Pierre , Paré Guy , Côté José 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Context
Retention of nursing staff is a growing concern in many countries, especially in rural, remote or isolated regions, where it has major consequences on the accessibility of health services.

Purpose
This umbrella review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to promote nurse retention in rural or remote areas, and to present a taxonomy of potential strategies to improve nurse retention in those regions.

Methods
We conducted an overview of systematic reviews, including the following steps: exploring scientific literature through predetermined criteria and extracting relevant information by two independents reviewers. We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria in order to assess the quality of the reports.

Findings
Of 517 screened publications, we included five reviews. Two reviews showed that financial-incentive programs have substantial evidence to improve the distribution of human resources for health. The other three reviews highlighted supportive relationships in nursing, information and communication technologies support and rural health career pathways as factors influencing nurse retention in rural and remote areas. Overall, the quality of the reviews was acceptable.

Conclusions
This overview provides a guide to orient future rural and remote nurse retention interventions. We distinguish four broad types of interventions: education and continuous professional development interventions, regulatory interventions, financial incentives, and personal and professional support. More knowledge is needed regarding the effectiveness of specific strategies to address the factors known to contribute to nurse retention in rural and remote areas. In order to ensure knowledge translation, retention strategies should be rigorously evaluated using appropriate designs.
Structure, morphology, and photoluminescence of porous Si nanowires: effect of different chemical treatments
Authors: Leontis Ioannis , Othonos Andreas , Nassiopoulou Androula G 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
The structure and light-emitting properties of Si nanowires (SiNWs) fabricated by a single-step metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process on highly boron-doped Si were investigated after different chemical treatments. The Si nanowires that result from the etching of a highly doped p-type Si wafer by MACE are fully porous, and as a result, they show intense photoluminescence (PL) at room temperature, the characteristics of which depend on the surface passivation of the Si nanocrystals composing the nanowires. SiNWs with a hydrogen-terminated nanostructured surface resulting from a chemical treatment with a hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution show red PL, the maximum of which is blueshifted when the samples are further chemically oxidized in a piranha solution. This blueshift of PL is attributed to localized states at the Si/SiO2 interface at the shell of Si nanocrystals composing the porous SiNWs, which induce an important pinning of the electronic bandgap of the Si material and are involved in the recombination mechanism. After a sequence of HF/piranha/HF treatment, the SiNWs are almost fully dissolved in the chemical solution, which is indicative of their fully porous structure, verified also by transmission electron microscopy investigations. It was also found that a continuous porous Si layer is formed underneath the SiNWs during the MACE process, the thickness of which increases with the increase of etching time. This supports the idea that porous Si formation precedes nanowire formation. The origin of this effect is the increased etching rate at sites with high dopant concentration in the highly doped Si material.
Prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira sp. in snakes, lizards and turtles in Slovenia
Authors: Lindtner-Knific Renata , Vergles-Rataj Aleksandra , Vlahović Ksenija , Zrimšek Petra , Dovč Alenka 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Leptospiral infections in poikilothermic (cold blooded) animals have received very little attention and the literature concerning natural infections of these animals is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in reptiles, imported into Slovenia and intended to be pets in close contact with humans. A total of 297 reptiles (22 snakes, 210 lizards and 65 turtles) were tested for specific antibodies against serovars of Leptospira interrogans sensu stricto using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Live cultures of different serovars were used as antigens. MAT was performed according to standard procedures and the degree of reaction was interpreted by estimating the percentage of agglutinated leptospires. Samples showing titres of ≥ 50 against one or more serovars were considered as positive.

Results
Antibodies against seven pathogenic serovars of L. interrogans sensu stricto were detected in 46 of 297 reptiles. Among 22 snakes, specific antibodies against pathogenic serovars of three Leptospira species (L. interrogans, L. kirschneri and L. borgpetersenii) at titre levels from 1:50 to 1:400 were detected in 6 snakes. In 31 of 210 lizards, specific antibodies were found in titres from 1:50 to 1:1000 and, finally, among 65 turtles (terrapins and tortoises), 9 had specific antibodies at titre levels between 1:50 and 1:1600. Animals imported from non-EU countries showed significantly higher prevalence (25.0%; 95 confidence interval: 16.7–33.3%) than animals from EU member states (10.4%; confidence interval: 6.1–14.7%).

Conclusions
Reptiles may be considered as potential reservoirs of L. interrogans sensu stricto. Origin of the animals is a risk factor for presence of leptospiral antibodies, especially in lizards. Special attention should be focused on animals from non-EU member states.
Inter-observer reliability assessment of the Schatzker, AO/OTA and three-column classification of tibial plateau fractures
Authors: Zhu Yi , Hu Cheng-Fang , Yang Guang , Cheng Dong , Luo Cong-Feng 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
The purpose of our study was to evaluate inter-observer reliability of the Three-Column classifications with conventional Schatzker and AO/OTA of Tibial Plateau Fractures.

Methods
50 cases involving all kinds of the fracture patterns were collected from 278 consecutive patients with tibial plateau fractures who were internal fixed in department of Orthopedics and Trauma III in Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital. The series were arranged randomly, numbered 1 to 50. Four observers were chosen to classify these cases. Before the research, a classification training session was held to each observer. They were given as much time as they required evaluating the radiographs accurately and independently. The classification choices made at the first viewing were not available during the second viewing. The observers were not provided with any feedback after the first viewing. The kappa statistic was used to analyze the inter-observer reliability of the three fracture classification made by the four observers.

Results
The mean kappa values for inter-observer reliability regarding Schatzker classification was 0.567 (range: 0.513–0.589), representing “moderate agreement”. The mean kappa values for inter-observer reliability regarding AO/ASIF classification systems was 0.623 (range: 0.510–0.710) representing “substantial agreement”. The mean kappa values for inter-observer reliability regarding Three-Column classification systems was 0.766 (range: 0.706–0.890), representing “substantial agreement”.

Conclusion
Three-Column classification, which is dependent on the understanding of the fractures using CT scans as well as the 3D reconstruction can identity the posterior column fracture or fragment. It showed “substantial agreement” in the assessment of inter-observer reliability, higher than the conventional Schatzker and AO/OTA classifications. We finally conclude that Three-Column classification provides a higher agreement among different surgeons and could be popularized and widely practiced in other clinical centers.
Structural characterization of copia-type retrotransposons leads to insights into the marker development in a biofuel crop, Jatropha curcasL.
Authors: Alipour Atefeh , Tsuchimoto Suguru , Sakai Hiroe , Ohmido Nobuko , Fukui Kiichi 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundRecently,Jatropha curcasL. has attracted worldwide attention for its potential as a source of biodiesel. However, most DNA markers have demonstrated high levels of genetic similarity among and within jatropha populations around the globe. Despite promising features ofcopia-type retrotransposons as ideal genetic tools for gene tagging, mutagenesis, and marker-assisted selection, they have not been characterized in the jatropha genome yet. Here, we examined the diversity, evolution, and genome-wide organization ofcopia-type retrotransposons in the Asian, African, and Mesoamerican accessions of jatropha, then introduced a retrotransposon-based marker for this biofuel crop.ResultsIn total, 157 PCR fragments that were amplified using the degenerate primers for the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain ofcopia-type retroelements were sequenced and aligned to construct the neighbor-joining tree. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that isolatedcopiaRT sequences were classified into ten families, which were then grouped into three lineages. An in-depth study of the jatropha genome for the RT sequences of each family led to the characterization of full consensus sequences of the jatrophacopia-type families. Estimated copy numbers of target sequences were largely different among families, as was presence of genes within 5 kb flanking regions for each family. Fivecopia-type families were as appealing candidates for the development of DNA marker systems. A candidate marker from familyJc7was particularly capable of detecting genetic variation among different jatropha accessions. Fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) to metaphase chromosomes reveals thatcopia-type retrotransposons are scattered across chromosomes mainly located in the distal part regions.ConclusionThis is the first report on genome-wide analysis and the cytogenetic mapping ofcopia-type retrotransposons of jatropha, leading to the discovery of families bearing high potential as DNA markers. Distinct dynamics of individualcopia-type families, feasibility of a retrotransposon-based insertion polymorphism marker system in examining genetic variability, and approaches for the development of breeding strategies in jatropha usingcopia-type retrotransposons are discussed.
Analysis of the gut microbiota of walking sticks (Phasmatodea)
Authors: Shelomi Matan , Lo Wen-Sui , Kimsey Lynn S , Kuo Chih-Horng 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Little is known about the Phasmatodea gut microbial community, including whether phasmids have symbiotic bacteria aiding in their digestion. While symbionts are near ubiquitous in herbivorous insects, the Phasmatodea’s distinctively thin body shape precludes the gut enlargements needed for microbial fermentation. High-throughput sequencing was used to characterize the entire microbiota of the fat bodies, salivary glands, and anterior and posterior midguts of two species of walking stick.

Results
Most bacterial sequences belonged to a strain of Spiroplasma (Tenericutes) found primarily in the posterior midgut of the parthenogenetic species Ramulus artemis (Phasmatidae). Beyond this, no significant differences were found between the R. artemis midgut sections or between that species and Peruphasma schultei (Pseudophasmatidae). Histological analysis further indicated a lack of bacteriocytes.

Conclusions
Phasmids are unlikely to depend on bacteria for digestion, suggesting they produce enzymes endogenously that most other herbivorous insects obtain from symbionts. This conclusion matches predictions based on phasmid anatomy. The role of Spiroplasma in insects warrants further study.
Cause-specific telomere factors deregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: El Idrissi Manale , Hervieu Valérie , Merle Philippe , Mortreux Franck , Wattel Eric 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Among the numerous genetic defects associated with hepatocarcinogenesis, telomere abnormalities appear to play a role both in tumor promotion and maintenance. Telomeres, the chromosome extremities, are protected by specific proteins, the shelterin complex and by additional factors. Besides telomerase dysregulation, expression changes of these telomere factors have been observed in cancers.

Methods
Here, we tested the hypothesis that such dysregulation might occur in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with specific patterns depending on the cause of HCC. We compared telomere length, telomerase activity (TA), hTERT and telomere genes expression using PCR and Western-blot analyses between non-cirrhotic liver, peritumoral cirrhotic tissue (40 samples) and cancerous tissue (40 samples) derived from 40 patients with HBV-, HCV-, or alcohol-related HCC.

Results
Alterations in TA, hTERT expression and telomere length between non-cirrhotic, cirrhotic, and tumor samples were not significantly influenced by the cause of HCC. In contrast, the expression pattern of hTR, shelterin, and non-shelterin telomere protective factors clearly distinguished the 3 causes of cirrhosis and HCC. For patients with HBV diseased liver, when compared with non-cirrhotic liver, the cirrhotic tissue underexpressed all shelterin and all but HMRE11A and RAD50 non-shelterin telomere factors. For HCV the expression level of POT1, RAP1, Ku80, and RAD50 was higher in cirrhotic than in non-cirrhotic liver samples without evidence for significant transcriptional change for the remaining genes. For alcohol-related liver diseases, the expression level of POT1, RAP1, TIN2, hMRE11A, hMRE11B, Ku70, Ku80, RAD50, TANK1, and PINX1 was higher in cirrhotic than in non-cirrhotic liver samples. For the 3 causes of HCC, there was no significant change in shelterin and non-shelterin gene expression between cirrhosis and HCC samples.

Conclusions
These results validate our hypotheses and demonstrate that cirrhosis and HCC add-up numerous telomere dysfunctions including numerous cause-specific changes that appear to occur early during the course of the disease.
Comparative evaluation of rumen metagenome community using qPCR and MG-RAST
Authors: Nathani Neelam M , Patel Amrutlal K , Dhamannapatil Prakash S , Kothari Ramesh K , Singh Krishna M , Joshi Chaitanya G 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Microbial profiling of metagenome communities have been studied extensively using MG-RAST and other related metagenome annotation databases. Although, database based taxonomic profiling provides snapshots of the metagenome architecture, their reliability needs to be validated through more accurate methods. Here, we performed qPCR based absolute quantitation of selected rumen microbes in the liquid and solid fraction of the rumen fluid of river buffalo adapted to varying proportion of concentrate to green or dry roughages and compared with the MG-RAST based annotation of the metagenomes sequences of 16S r-DNA amplicons and high throughput shotgun sequencing. Animals were adapted to roughage-to-concentrate ratio in the proportion of 50:50, 75:25 and 100:00, respectively for six weeks. At the end of each treatment, rumen fluid was collected at 3 h post feeding. qPCR revealed that the relative abundance of Prevotella bryantii was higher, followed by the two cellulolytic bacteria Fibrobacter succinogens and Ruminococcus flavefaciens that accounted up to 1.33% and 0.78% of the total rumen bacteria, respectively. While, Selenomonas ruminantium and archaea Methanomicrobiales were lower in microbial population in the rumen of buffalo. There was no statistically significant difference between the enumerations shown by qPCR and analysis of the shotgun sequencing data by MG-RAST except for Prevotella. These results indicate the variations in abundance of different microbial species in buffalo rumen under varied feeding regimes as well as in different fractions of rumen liquor, i.e. solid and the liquid. The results also present the reliability of shotgun sequencing to describe metagenome and analysis/annotation by MG-RAST.
Comparison of survival time between two types of orthodontic fixed retainer: a prospective randomized clinical trial
Authors: Salehi Parisa , Zarif Najafi Hooman , Roeinpeikar Seyyed Mehdi 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this prospective clinical study was to compare the mean durability and the failure rates of two types of orthodontic retainers.MethodsOrthodontic patients (142) aged between 14 and 28 years were recruited in this study. The polyethylene woven ribbon (Ribbond, Seattle, WA, USA) retainer was compared with a 0.0175-in flexible spiral wire (Respond, Ormco, Glendora, CA, USA) retainer. When treatment was completed, the retainers were bonded from canine to canine in the maxillary and the mandibular arches of the participants. In the follow-up visits, the patients were re-evaluated every 3 months over a period of 18 months. The time taken for the retainers to remain without any fracture was appraised. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the logrank test were employed to identify significant differences in the survival functions between the groups. The rates of the retainers' failure between the groups were analyzed using Chi-square test.ResultsIt was revealed that the mean survival of the flexible spiral wire retainer was 15.34 ± 0.47 and 15.60 ± 0.42 months in the maxillary and mandibular arches, respectively. The mean survival of the ribbon retainer was 13.95 ± 0.55 and 14.26 ± 0.57 months in the maxillary and mandibular arches, respectively. Ribbon retainers showed a failure rate of 50% in the maxillary and 42.6% in the mandibular arches. Flexible spiral retainers showed a failure rate of 36.5% in the maxillary and 37.8% in the mandibular arches. The differences were not statistically significant. Regarding the evaluation period, the differences had limited clinical significance.ConclusionThe mean survival time and the failure rates of the polyethylene woven ribbon retainer were comparable to the flexible spiral wire retainer during the 18 months after orthodontic treatment.
Direct Functionalization of Aromatic Rings on Platinum-loaded Titanium Oxide Photocatalyst
Authors: Yuzawa Hayato , Yoshida Hisao 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Organic syntheses by using TiO2 photocatalysts have been extensively studied in view of green and sustainable chemistry. This highlight review shows our recent studies on photocatalytic direct functionalization of aromatic rings, i.e., aromatic ring hydroxylation with H2O and aromatic ring amination with aqueous NH3 on Pt-loaded TiO2 photocatalysts. Both reactions involve two key steps: one is an activation of a rather stable molecule (H2O or NH3) by a photoexcited hole on the TiO2 surface to produce its radical species, and the other is an aromatic substitution by the radical species through an addition–elimination mechanism. Interestingly, the radical species produced from H2O (surface oxygen radical or hydroxyl radical) is electrophilic while that produced from NH3 (amide radical) is electroneutral. These properties determine the regioselectivity in the functionalization of substituted benzene.
Hydrogen-transfer Oxidation of Primary Alcohols Catalyzed by Iridium Complexes Bearing a Functional Pyridonate Ligand Using Isopropenyl Acetate as a Hydrogen Acceptor
Authors: Fujita Ken-ichi , Uejima Takehisa , Yamaguchi Ryohei 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
A new catalytic system for the hydrogen-transfer oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by iridium complexes bearing a functional pyridonate ligand has been developed. By using isopropenyl acetate as a hydrogen acceptor, a variety of primary alcohols were efficiently converted to the corresponding aldehydes in moderate to excellent yields.
Correlation between miRNA-targeted-gene promoter methylation and miRNA regulation of target genes
Authors: Taguchi Y-h 
Published: September 2013

Background miRNA regulation of target genes and promoter methylation are known to be the primary mechanisms underlying the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. However, how these two processes cooperatively regulate gene expression has not been extensively studied.Methods Gene expression and promoter methylation profiles of 270 distinct human cell lines were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. P-values that describe both miRNA-targeted-gene promoter methylation and miRNA regulation of target genes were computed using the MiRaGE method proposed recently by the author.Results Significant changes in promoter methylation were associated with miRNA targeting. It was also found that miRNA-targeted-gene promoter hypomethylation was related to differential target gene expression; the genes with miRNA-targeted-gene promoter hypomethylation were downregulated during cell senescence and upregulated during cellular differentiation. Promoter hypomethylation was especially enhanced for genes targeted by miR-548 miRNAs, which are non-conserved, primate-specific miRNAs that are typically expressed at lower levels than the frequently investigated conserved miRNAs. miRNA-targeted-gene promoter methylation may also be related to the seed region features of miRNA.Conclusions It was found that promoter methylation was correlated to miRNA targeting. Furthermore, miRNA-targeted-gene promoter hypomethylation was especially enhanced in promoters of genes targeted by miRNAs that are not strongly expressed (e.g., miR-548 miRNAs) and was suggested to be highly related to some seed region features of miRNAs.
Application of the paediatric throat disorders outcome test (T-14) for tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Konieczny K , Biggs TC , Caldera S 
Published: September 2013

Introduction The T-14 questionnaire is a validated patient reported outcome measure (PROM) used to assess the value of paediatric tonsillectomy from the patient’s perspective. Tonsillectomy is a procedure under threat. As such, this study aimed to provide further evidence supporting the role of tonsillectomy in the management of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea. Methods A prospective uncontrolled observational study was undertaken examining 54 paediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy at our institution. Parents of children having surgery were invited to complete a T-14 questionnaire preoperatively as well as at three and six months postoperatively. Results The questionnaire was completed for 52 of the 54 patients preoperatively as well as at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (96% response rate). The mean difference between the preoperative and six-month T-14 score was 31.8 (p<0.0001). T-14 scores at three months were also significantly improved compared with those taken preoperatively (mean difference: 29.9, p<0.0001). Conclusions This is the first study in the literature to assess T-14 questionnaires at three and six months following paediatric tonsillectomy, providing evidence of the early benefit on PROMs. Tonsillectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed in the UK, and it is regarded highly by patients and otolaryngologists alike. This study provides significant evidence that tonsillectomy improves PROMs, thereby demonstrating its ongoing clinical value as a funded National Health Service procedure.