bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lynn White Jr.'s ‘The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis’ After 50 Years
Authors: Whitney Elspeth 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOver the past half‐century, Lynn White Jr.'s ‘The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis’ has stimulated examination of the relationship between religion, particularly Christianity, and attitudes toward nature in the U.S. and elsewhere. The article contrasts critiques of the Lynn White thesis as expressed in White's scholarly work (Medieval Technology and Religion, Medieval Technology and Social Change) with the far broader response to ‘Roots’ by not only medieval historians but also scholars in the fields of environmental philosophy and ethics, Religion and Ecology, and modern history. The bifurcated response to White reveals how the White thesis became a flashpoint for discussion of environmental issues outside and beyond medieval studies, a discussion that until recently took place largely independently of continuing work in medieval environmental history itself. Only within the last decade or so have the main lines of criticism of the White thesis by medieval historians begun to be integrated into a more unified consensus, leaving as White's legacy the fundamental point that religion is an important, if not the only, factor in how human societies relate to the natural world.
Evaluation of a newly established nurse‐led urodynamics clinic: Has it added value?
Authors: Townsend Jacinta 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate patient experience of a newly established nurse‐led urodynamics clinic, in comparison to the established consultant‐led urodynamics clinic. The secondary aim was to analyse the impact upon waiting times, cost reduction and creating more consultant time, to enable a greater capacity for more complex patients to be seen. A retrospective cross‐sectional mixed method postal survey was utilized and sent to all patients who attended a urodynamics outpatient appointment between July 2013 and July 2014. The survey was posted to all patients who attended either the nurse‐led clinic or the consultant clinic. This totalled of 97 patients. A text reminder was sent 3 weeks later, with a final repeat postal survey sent 6 weeks later inviting patients to participate, and thanking those who had already. The response rate was 57·7%. The median age was 69 years. Whilst the sample demographics for ethnicity were equal across both groups, the nurse‐led clinic saw more females. Overall, 87·5% of patients who responded were male. The secondary aim regarding the impact upon waiting time revealed a median reduction in waiting time of 50 d, resulting in improved access to the procedure. Survey measurable outcomes included communication, patient experience, involvement in care and patient safety and quality of life. The development of the nurse‐led urodynamics clinic has proven to be as effective as a consultant clinic measured by patient experience, whilst also reducing waiting times significantly and remaining cost‐effective. This evaluation has enabled the identification of areas in the service delivery that can benefit from further refinement. In summary, collaborative practice and supported development of nursing practice is essential not only for the future of nursing but also as a way to address the growing demand for service provision in a financially intelligent way.
Development of glutathione-conjugated asiatic acid-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles for brain-targeted drug delivery
Authors: Raval Nisith , Mistry Tejas , Acharya Niyati , Acharya Sanjeev 
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Objective
Asiatic acid, a well-known plant-based neuroprotective pentacyclic triterpenoid, has major limitation for its bioavailability in the brain. The objective of this study is to develop novel bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles coupled with glutathione (natural tripeptide) to enhance drug delivery to brain.

Methods
Asiatic acid-loaded BSA nanoparticles were prepared by using modified desolvation technique. Conjugation of glutathione with asiatic acid-loaded BSA nanoparticle was done by carbodiimide reaction using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDAC). In-vivo biodistribution study of asiatic acid solution, and conjugated and unconjugated asiatic acid-loaded BSA nanoparticles, at the dose equivalent to 75 mg/kg was evaluated, through intravenous administration to Wistar rats. Asiatic acid has very weak chromophore so high-pressure liquid chromatography-based novel pre-derivatization method was developed using p-toluidine as a coupling agent to improve sensitivity.

Key findings
The results showed 10-fold more bioavailability of asiatic acid in the brain after 5 h with glutathione-conjugated asiatic acid-loaded BSA nanoparticles as compared with asiatic acid solution with 627.21% drug targeting efficiency to the brain.

Conclusion
The present investigation demonstrated enhanced delivery of asiatic acid using glutathione and hence served as a potential ligand to improve brain targeting efficiency.
HBx triggers either cellular senescence or cell proliferation depending on cellular phenotype
Authors: Idrissi M. E. , Hachem H. , Koering C. , Merle P. , Thénoz M. , Mortreux F. , Wattel E. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryReplicative senescence is a hallmark of chronic liver diseases including chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, whereas HBV‐encoded oncoproteins HBx and preS2 have been found to overcome senescence. HBx possesses a C‐terminal truncation mainly in hepatocellular carcinomas but also in noncancerous liver tissues. Here, by cell counting, BrdU incorporation, MTT proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis, SA‐βgal staining and Western blotting in primary and malignant cells, we investigated the effect of HBx C‐terminal mutants on cellular senescence. HBx C‐terminal mutants were found to trigger cellular senescence in primary MRC5 cells, and malignant liver cells Huh7, and SK‐Hep1. In contrast, these mutants promoted the proliferation of HepG2 malignant liver cells. The pro‐senescent effect of HBx relied on an increased p16INK4a and p21Waf1/Cip1 expression, and a decreased phosphorylation of Rb. Together, these results suggest that the two main variants of HBx present in HBV‐infected liver possess opposite effects on cellular senescence that depend on the phenotype of infected cells.
Palaeodiversity and formation counts: redundancy or bias?
Authors: Benton Michael J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA key question in palaeontology is whether the fossil record taken at face value is adequate to represent true patterns of diversity through time. Some methods of assessing data quality have depended on the commonly observed covariation of palaeodiversity and fossiliferous formation counts through time, based on the assumption that the count of formations containing fossils, to a greater or lesser extent, drives diversity; but what if diversity drives formations? Close study of two fossil records, early tetrapods (Devonian–Jurassic) and dinosaurs, shows how the relationship between new taxa and new fossiliferous formations varies through research time. Initially, each new find represents a new fossiliferous formation and discovery follows the ‘bonanza’ model (fossils drive formations). In unexplored parts of the world, new taxa are identified frequently in new regions/formations. Only after time, in well‐explored continents such as Europe and North America, does collecting style switch to a mix of exploration for new formations and re‐sampling of known fossiliferous formations. Data are most striking for dinosaurs, where the Triassic–Jurassic record largely comprises finds from Europe and North America, where new formation discoveries reached their half‐life in 1914. This contrasts with the Cretaceous, which is dominated by rapidly rising discoveries from regions outside Europe and North America and the formation half‐life for these ‘new’ lands is 1986, showing that 50% of new Cretaceous dinosaur‐bearing formations were identified only in the past 30 years. The relationship between dinosaur‐bearing formations and palaeodiversity then combines three signals in variable amounts, reflecting the original diversity (relative abundances of particular taxa in different formations), redundancy (new fossiliferous formations accruing because of new fossil finds) and sampling (intensity of exploration for new fossiliferous formations, and of search within already‐sampled formations). For fossil vertebrates at least, formation counts of various kinds are poor predictors of sampling, missing, for example, the bonanza samples of Lagerstätten such as the Yixian Formation in China: thousands of specimens, dozens of species, but counted as one formation. These observations suggest that formation count cannot be regarded as an unbiased metric of sampling.
Renal‐limited necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis in a pediatric patient
Authors: Odaka Jun , Kanai Takahiro , Ito Takane , Saito Takashi , Aoyagi Jun , Ueda Yoshihiko , Yamagata Takanori 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA 10‐year‐old girl presented with mild proteinuria and hypertension. Laboratory data indicated slightly elevated serum creatinine (0.67 mg/dL) and elevated serum IgG (2111 mg/dL). On renal arteriography mild stenosis over the entire length of the right renal artery and irregular stenosis of the interlobar arteries in the right kidney were seen. She was diagnosed with renovascular hypertension, and received conventional anti‐hypertensive therapy, but did not respond to them. The right kidney had atrophy and dysfunction on technetium‐99m‐labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy, and was therefore resected. Histopathology of the kidney indicated severe necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis affecting the arteries from the renal hilus to the interlobar area. After nephrectomy plus steroid pulse therapy, blood pressure and urinary protein returned to normal. To our knowledge, this is the first report of necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis limited to the medium‐sized renal arteries.
Differing phenotypes of Moyamoya disease in a familial case involving heterozygous c.14429G > A variant in RNF213
Authors: Inoue Takeshi , Murakami Nobuyuki , Sakadume Satoru , Kido Yasuhiro , Kikuchi Astuo , Ichinoi Natsuko , Suzuki Kensuke , Kure Shigeo , Sakuta Ryoichi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMoyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic steno‐occlusive arteriopathy involving the development of abnormal collateral vessels. Ring finger protein (RNF213) on the 17q25.3 locus was identified as an MMD‐susceptibility gene in East Asian populations. We report a 5‐year‐old Japanese boy diagnosed with cerebral infarction and unilateral MMD. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed severe stenosis of the left internal carotid artery (ICA), terminal portion of the left ICA, and left origin of the posterior cerebral artery. Genetic testing indicated a heterozygous c.14429G > A (formerly described as c.14576G > A) variant in RNF213. The boy's mother had no neurological symptoms, but sequencing of RNF213 showed the same variant, and MRA indicated stenosis of the terminal bilateral ICA. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of different MMD phenotypes in a familial case involving the same heterozygous c.14429G > A variant in RNF213. Genetic testing for RNF213 is suggested for family member screening.
Public Health Nurses' Experiences in Caring for the Fukushima Community in the Wake of the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Accident
Authors: Kawasaki Chie , Omori Junko , Ono Wakanako , Konishi Emiko , Asahara Kiyomi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectiveThis study described public health nurses' (PHNs) experiences in caring for people in their communities during the recovery stage of the Fukushima nuclear accident.Design and SampleForty‐four PHNs responded to an open‐ended questionnaire administered before a radiation protection workshop and participated in interviews after the workshop. Data were qualitatively analyzed.ResultsTwo major themes were identified: (1) profound powerlessness and (2) compelling sense of mission. The participants cared for people driven by their compelling sense of mission, despite not having the correct information or sufficient knowledge. They spoke of being heart‐broken and barely able to face the reality of the impact of the accident.ConclusionsPHNs supported people because of a compelling sense of mission yet it was a great burden. Education about radiation and radiation protection for nursing students and PHNs, two‐way communication between PHNs and radiation specialists, long‐term support by specialists, and the opportunity for PHNs to share their feelings and experiences is necessary.
Nutritional analysis and microbiological evaluation of commercially available enteral diets for cats
Authors: Prantil Lori R. , Markovich Jessica E. , Heinze Cailin R. , Linder Deborah E. , Tams Todd R. , Freeman Lisa M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of nutrients less than or greater than accepted standards in commercially available enteral diets for cats, and to identify contamination incidence in enteral diets for cats.DesignProspective cross‐sectional study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.SamplesSeven commercial enteral diets for cats.InterventionsLabels were evaluated to determine if diets were intended to be nutritionally complete and balanced. One diet under storage techniques partially representative of clinical conditions was sampled on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 of storage for aerobic bacterial culture.Measurements and Main ResultsAll 7 diets were analyzed for key nutrients and results were compared to Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Nutrient Profiles for Adult Cats for maintenance and National Research Council recommended allowance (NRC‐RA). From label information, 4 diets were classified as complete and balanced and 3 diets were classified as not complete and balanced. All 7 diets had at least 1 nutrient less than the AAFCO minimums and the NRC‐RA. The total number of nutrients less than AAFCO minimums ranged from 3 to 9 (median = 4), with iron, potassium, and manganese being the most common. Concentrations of some nutrients were undetectable. None of the samples tested had a positive aerobic culture at baseline (day 0) or on subsequent samples from days 1, 3, 5, and 7 under any storage condition.ConclusionsNone of the diets analyzed met all of the minimum nutrient concentrations. While short‐term feeding may not be of concern for an individual patient, clinicians should be aware of potential nutritional limitations when feeding enteral diets to ill or injured cats.
Preliminary results of a prospective study of inter‐ and intra‐user variability of the Royal Veterinary College corneal clarity score (RVC‐CCS) for use in veterinary practice.
Authors: Sanchez Rick F. , Dawson Charlotte , Matas Riera Màrian , Escanilla Natàlia 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo introduce a new corneal clarity score for use in small animals and describe its inter‐ and intra‐user variability.Animals studiedTwelve dogs and two cats with corneal abnormalities and five dogs with healthy corneas.Materials and MethodsFour examiners scored every patient twice and never consecutively, focusing on the central cornea. The peripheral cornea was scored separately. The following scoring system was used to describe corneal clarity:G0: no fundus reflection is visible on retroillumination (RI) using a head‐mounted indirect ophthalmoscope.G1: a fundus reflection is visible with RI.G2: a 0.1‐mm diameter light beam is visible on the anterior surface of the iris and/or lens.G3: gross fundic features are visible when viewed with indirect ophthalmoscopy (IO) using a head‐mounted indirect ophthalmoscope and a hand‐held 30D lens, although fine details are not clear.G4: fine details of the fundic features are clearly visible with IO.The minimum grades given were analyzed for inter‐ and intra‐user variability with kappa analysis.ResultsIntra‐ and interuser variability of the central corneal clarity ranged from 0.78 to 0.96, showing substantial to almost perfect reproducibility, and from 0.66 to 0.91, showing substantial to almost perfect reliability, respectively. Intra‐ and interuser variability of the peripheral cornea ranged from 0.83 to 0.95, showing almost perfect agreement, and from 0.53 to 0.91, showing moderate to almost perfect agreement.ConclusionsThe RVC‐CCS is well suited to assess and monitor central corneal clarity in small animals and to compare outcomes between studies and different surgeons.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Bordetella hinzii Strains Isolated from Humans
Authors: Weigand Michael R. , Changayil Shankar , Kulasekarapandian Yasvanth , Tondella M. Lucia 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Bordetella hinzii
is primarily recovered from poultry but can also colonize mammalian hosts and immunocompromised humans. Here, we report the first complete genome sequences of
B. hinzii
in two isolates recovered from humans. The availability of these sequences will hopefully aid in identifying host-specific determinants variably present within this species.
Genome Sequence of Aeribacillus pallidus Strain GS3372, an Endospore-Forming Bacterium Isolated in a Deep Geothermal Reservoir
Authors: Filippidou Sevasti , Jaussi Marion , Junier Thomas , Wunderlin Tina , Jeanneret Nicole , Regenspurg Simona , Li Po-E , Lo Chien-Chi , Johnson Shannon , McMurry Kim , Gleasner Cheryl D. , Vuyisich Momchilo , Chain Patrick S. , Junier Pilar 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

The genome of strain GS3372 is the first publicly available strain of
Aeribacillus pallidus
. This endospore-forming thermophilic strain was isolated from a deep geothermal reservoir. The availability of this genome can contribute to the clarification of the taxonomy of the closely related
Anoxybacillus
,
Geobacillus
, and
Aeribacillus
genera.
Challenges faced by primary care physicians when prescribing for patients with chronic diseases in a teaching hospital in Malaysia: a qualitative study
Authors: Sellappans Renukha , Lai Pauline Siew Mei , Ng Chirk Jenn 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the challenges faced by primary care physicians (PCPs) when prescribing medications for patients with chronic diseases in a teaching hospital in Malaysia.Design/setting3 focus group discussions were conducted between July and August 2012 in a teaching primary care clinic in Malaysia. A topic guide was used to facilitate the discussions which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach.ParticipantsPCPs affiliated to the primary care clinic were purposively sampled to include a range of clinical experience. Sample size was determined by thematic saturation of the data.Results14 family medicine trainees and 5 service medical officers participated in this study. PCPs faced difficulties in prescribing for patients with chronic diseases due to a lack of communication among different healthcare providers. Medication changes made by hospital specialists, for example, were often not communicated to the PCPs leading to drug duplications and interactions. The use of paper-based medical records and electronic prescribing created a dual record system for patients’ medications and became a problem when the 2 records did not tally. Patients sometimes visited different doctors and pharmacies for their medications and this resulted in the lack of continuity of care. PCPs also faced difficulties in addressing patients’ concerns, and dealing with patients’ medication requests and adherence issues. Some PCPs lacked time and knowledge to advise patients about their medications and faced difficulties in managing side effects caused by the patients’ complex medication regimen.ConclusionsPCPs faced prescribing challenges related to patients, their own practice and the local health system when prescribing for patients with chronic diseases. These challenges must be addressed in order to improve chronic disease management in primary care and, more importantly, patient safety.
Improving phlebotomy handover of untaken blood tests to junior doctors
Authors: Brown Emily , Jarrett Helen , Churchhouse Gabrielle , Hartley Matthew , Cohen David , Kyprianou Katerina , Murphy Sarah , Walker Brindley , Hill Catherine 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA lack of communication between junior doctors and phlebotomists means untaken blood tests are often not recognised until late in a junior doctor’s day, resulting in additional hours worked, delays in patient management, and potentially avoidable handover of additional work to on-call doctors.We set out to improve communication, with an aim that ward doctors should be made aware of patients who have not been successfully bled by phlebotomists by 1:00pm. By introducing a formal handover clipboard in a designated ward space, we facilitated communication between phlebotomists and doctors, and minimised the potential for unrecognised "missed" blood tests.Our intervention was met with approval; 88% of junior doctors surveyed stated they found the clipboards useful, and 74% have noticed an improvement in communication, working efficiency and better patient safety. Post-intervention, junior doctors knew about 70% of booked blood tests that had not been taken by 1:00pm, compared to 26% pre-intervention. By allowing the recognition of missed blood tests to be noted early enough in the day for repeat samples to be taken, and the results to be acted upon, we feel our intervention has been a success. As a group of new foundation doctors we have felt empowered that as a result of recognising a problem, implementing simple changes, and monitoring results we have made a genuine improvement to multi-disciplinary team working, workload of junior doctors, and patient safety.
Characteristics associated with sexual assaults at mass gatherings
Authors: Sampsel Kari , Godbout Justin , Leach Tara , Taljaard Monica , Calder Lisa 
Published: August 2015

IntroductionSexual assault is disturbingly common, yet little is known about those occurring at mass gatherings, defined as a group of people congregated for a common purpose. Our objectives were to examine patterns of variation in sexual assault associated with mass gatherings and to determine factors associated with assaults occurring at mass gatherings.MethodsWe performed a case series analysis from January to December, 2013. We included all patients >16 years presenting within 30 days of their sexual assault to the Ottawa Hospital Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program (SAPACP). Cases were stratified by whether or not they occurred at mass gatherings. We abstracted from the SAPACP records: patient and sexual assault characteristics, alcohol or drug consumption and medical and forensic care accepted. We performed descriptive analyses and multiple logistical regression to identify factors associated with mass gathering assaults.ResultsWe found 204 cases of sexual assault, of which 53 (26%) occurred at mass gatherings. Relative frequencies of mass gathering sexual assaults peaked during New Year's Eve, Canada Day, university frosh week and Halloween. We found the following factors were statistically significantly associated with sexual assault at mass gatherings: younger age (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.99); voluntary consumption of drugs and alcohol (3.88, 95% CI 1.34 to 11.23); assault occurring on a holiday (2.37, 95% CI 1.00 to 5.64) and the assailant unknown to the victim (2.43, 95% CI 1.15 to 5).InterpretationThis study is the first to describe patterns of variation in sexual assault incidents associated with occurrence of mass gatherings as well as factors associated with such assaults. We will disseminate these results to key stakeholders in order to develop prevention-minded policies for future mass gatherings.