bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Being perceived as a ‘visitor’ in the nursing staff's working arena – the involvement of relatives in daily caring activities in nursing homes in an urban community in Sweden
Authors: Holmgren Jessica , Emami Azita , Eriksson Lars E. , Eriksson Henrik 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundIt is both complex and difficult for relatives when a loved one moves into a nursing home and many relatives are not prepared for the realities these new situations entail. Little attention has been paid to scrutinising the involvement of relatives in patient care, particularly in relation to the structures and routines of nursing homes or to the staff's reasoning concerning their involvement.AimTo describe, from a gender perspective, how nursing staff's routines and reasoning act to condition the involvement of relatives in nursing homes.MethodsFocused ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in a medium‐sized urban community in central Sweden in three different nursing homes.ResultsThe nursing staff assigns a certain code of conduct to all relatives they perceived as ‘visitors’ in their working arena. This code of conduct was related to the routines and subcultures existing among the nursing staff and stemmed from a division of labour; the underlying concept of ‘visitor’ predetermined the potential for relatives' involvement. This involvement is explicitly related to the general gendered characteristics that exist in the nursing staff's perception of the relatives.DiscussionThe study's limitations are primarily concerned with shortcomings associated with a research presence during the fieldwork. The discussion focuses on the dimensions of power structures observed in the nursing home routines and the staff's reasoning based on their gendered assumptions. We argue that it is important to develop mechanisms that provide opportunities for nursing staff in elderly care to reflect on these structures without downplaying the excellent care they provide. We stress the importance of further exploring these issues concerning relatives and their involvement in nursing homes to facilitate the transition from informal caregiver to ‘visitor’.
The usable leftover one‐dimensional cutting stock problem—a priority‐in‐use heuristic
Authors: Cherri Adriana Cristina , Arenales Marcos Nereu , Yanasse Horacio Hideki 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe consider a one‐dimensional cutting stock problem in which the material not used in the cutting patterns, if large enough, is kept for use in the future. Moreover, it is assumed that leftovers should not remain in stock for a long time, hence, such leftovers have priority‐in‐use compared to standard objects (objects bought by the industry) in stock. A heuristic procedure is proposed for this problem, and its performance is analyzed by solving randomly generated dynamic instances where successive problems are solved in a time horizon. For each period, new demands arise and a new problem is solved on the basis of the information about the stock of the previous periods (remaining standard objects in the stock) and usable leftovers generated during those previous periods. The computational experiments show that the solutions presented by the proposed heuristic are better than the solutions obtained by other heuristics from the literature.
In vivo pharmacological interactions between a type II positive allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic ACh receptors and nicotinic agonists in a murine tonic pain model
Authors: Freitas K , Negus SS , Carroll FI , Damaj MI 
Published: September 2012

Background and PurposeThe α7 nicotinic ACh receptor subtype is abundantly expressed in the CNS and in the periphery. Recent evidence suggests that α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) subtypes, which can be activated by an endogenous cholinergic tone comprising ACh and the α7 agonist choline, play an important role in chronic pain and inflammation. In this study, we evaluated whether type II α7 positive allosteric modulator PNU‐120596 induces antinociception on its own and in combination with choline in the formalin pain model.Experimental ApproachWe assessed the effects of PNU‐120596 and choline and the nature of their interactions in the formalin test using an isobolographic analysis. In addition, we evaluated the interaction of PNU‐120596 with PHA‐54613, an exogenous selective α7 nAChR agonist, in the formalin test. Finally, we assessed the interaction between PNU‐120596 and nicotine using acute thermal pain, locomotor activity, body temperature and convulsing activity tests in mice.Key ResultsWe found that PNU‐120596 dose‐dependently attenuated nociceptive behaviour in the formalin test after systemic administration in mice. In addition, mixtures of PNU‐120596 and choline synergistically reduced formalin‐induced pain. PNU‐120596 enhanced the effects of nicotine and α7 agonist PHA‐543613 in the same test. In contrast, PNU‐120596 failed to enhance nicotine‐induced convulsions, hypomotility and antinociception in acute pain models. Surprisingly, it enhanced nicotine‐induced hypothermia via activation of α7 nAChRs.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur results demonstrate that type II α7 positive allosteric modulators produce antinociceptive effects in the formalin test through a synergistic interaction with the endogenous α7 agonist choline.
Silibinin inhibits VEGF secretion and age‐related macular degeneration in a hypoxia‐dependent manner through the PI‐3 kinase/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Lin CH , Li CH , Liao PL , Tse LS , Huang WK , Cheng HW , Cheng YW 
Published: September 2012

Background and PurposeHypoxia‐mediated neovascularization plays an important role in age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). There are few animal models or effective treatments for AMD. Here, we investigated the effects of the flavonoid silibinin on hypoxia‐induced angiogenesis in a rat AMD model.Experimental ApproachRetinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells were subjected to hypoxia in vitro and the effects of silibinin on activation of key hypoxia‐induced pathways were examined by elucidating the hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) protein level by Western blot. A rat model of AMD was developed by intravitreal injection of VEGF in Brown Norway rats, with or without concomitant exposure of animals to hypoxia. Animals were treated with oral silibinin starting at day 7 post‐VEGF injection and AMD changes were followed by fluorescein angiography on days 14 and 28 post‐injection.Key ResultsSilibinin pretreatment of RPE cells increased proline hydroxylase‐2 expression, inhibited HIF‐1α subunit accumulation, and inhibited VEGF secretion. Silibinin‐induced HIF‐1α and VEGF down‐regulation required suppression of hypoxia‐induced phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. In the rat model of AMD, silibinin administration prevented VEGF‐ and VEGF plus hypoxia‐induced retinal oedema and neovascularization.Conclusion and ImplicationsThe effects of silibinin, both in vitro and in vivo, support its potential as a therapeutic for the prevention of neovascular AMD.
Effects of Weighting Schemes on the Identification of Wildlife Corridors Generated with Least‐Cost Methods
Authors: PARKS SEAN A. , MCKELVEY KEVIN S. , SCHWARTZ MICHAEL K. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe importance of movement corridors for maintaining connectivity within metapopulations of wild animals is a cornerstone of conservation. One common approach for determining corridor locations is least‐cost corridor (LCC) modeling, which uses algorithms within a geographic information system to search for routes with the lowest cumulative resistance between target locations on a landscape. However, the presentation of multiple LCCs that connect multiple locations generally assumes all corridors contribute equally to connectivity, regardless of the likelihood that animals will use them. Thus, LCCs may overemphasize seldom‐used longer routes and underemphasize more frequently used shorter routes. We hypothesize that, depending on conservation objectives and available biological information, weighting individual corridors on the basis of species‐specific movement, dispersal, or gene flow data may better identify effective corridors. We tested whether locations of key connectivity areas, defined as the highest 75th and 90th percentile cumulative weighted value of approximately 155,000 corridors, shift under different weighting scenarios. In addition, we quantified the amount and location of private land that intersect key connectivity areas under each weighting scheme. Some areas that appeared well connected when analyzed with unweighted corridors exhibited much less connectivity compared with weighting schemes that discount corridors with large effective distances. Furthermore, the amount and location of key connectivity areas that intersected private land varied among weighting schemes. We believe biological assumptions and conservation objectives should be explicitly incorporated to weight corridors when assessing landscape connectivity. These results are highly relevant to conservation planning because on the basis of recent interest by government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in maintaining and enhancing wildlife corridors, connectivity will likely be an important criterion for prioritization of land purchases and swaps.Efectos de los Esquemas de Ponderación sobre la Identificación de Corredores para Vida Silvestre Generados con Métodos Menos Costosos
Associations of Forest Cover, Fragment Area, and Connectivity with Neotropical Understory Bird Species Richness and Abundance
Authors: Martensen Alexandre Camargo , Ribeiro Milton Cezar , Banks‐Leite Cristina , Prado Paulo Inácio , Metzger Jean Paul 
Published: September 2012

AbstractTheoretical and empirical studies demonstrate that the total amount of forest and the size and connectivity of fragments have nonlinear effects on species survival. We tested how habitat amount and configuration affect understory bird species richness and abundance. We used mist nets (almost 34,000 net hours) to sample birds in 53 Atlantic Forest fragments in southeastern Brazil. Fragments were distributed among 3 10,800‐ha landscapes. The remaining forest in these landscapes was below (10% forest cover), similar to (30%), and above (50%) the theoretical fragmentation threshold (approximately 30%) below which the effects of fragmentation should be intensified. Species‐richness estimates were significantly higher (F= 3715, p =0.00) where 50% of the forest remained, which suggests a species occurrence threshold of 30–50% forest, which is higher than usually occurs (<30%). Relations between forest cover and species richness differed depending on species sensitivity to forest conversion and fragmentation. For less sensitive species, species richness decreased as forest cover increased, whereas for highly sensitive species the opposite occurred. For sensitive species, species richness and the amount of forest cover were positively related, particularly when forest cover was 30–50%. Fragment size and connectivity were related to species richness and abundance in all landscapes, not just below the 30% threshold. Where 10% of the forest remained, fragment size was more related to species richness and abundance than connectivity. However, the relation between connectivity and species richness and abundance was stronger where 30% of the landscape was forested. Where 50% of the landscape was forested, fragment size and connectivity were both related to species richness and abundance. Our results demonstrated a rapid loss of species at relatively high levels of forest cover (30–50%). Highly sensitive species were 3‐4 times more common above the 30–50% threshold than below it; however, our results do not support a unique fragmentation threshold.Asociaciones de la Cobertura Forestal, Superficie del Fragmento y Conectividad con la Riqueza y Abundancia de Aves Neotropicales de Sotobosque
Emergence of Multiresistant Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Two Patients with Atopic Dermatitis Requiring Linezolid Treatment
Authors: Rosa Jaime S. , Ross Lawrence A. , Ong Peck Y. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe report two patients with atopic dermatitis who developed methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections resistant to clindamycin and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole requiring repeated linezolid treatment. For one patient and family members who received an aggressive regimen of staphylococcal decolonization, including intranasal mupirocin, dilute bleach baths, and bleach cleansing of household items and surfaces, subsequent culture results demonstrated methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus colonization and infection. These findings underscore the challenges presented by multiresistant MRSA infections in children with atopic dermatitis.
Persistent Pediatric Contact Leukoderma After Exposure to Butterfly Electrocardiogram Back Pad: A Report of Three Cases
Authors: Gordon Shayna , LaTorre Andrea , Witman Patricia 
Published: September 2012

AbstractContact leukoderma or chemical leukoderma refers to hypopigmentation related to the application of chemical compounds to the skin. Hypopigmentation can occur with or without preceding inflammatory eczematous changes. We present three cases of contact leukoderma associated with exposure to a new type of electrocardiogram electrode back pad.
Self‐Reported Sleep Characteristics and Mortality in Older Adults of Mexican Origin: Results from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly
Authors: Howrey Bret T. , Peek M. Kristen , Raji Mukaila A. , Ray Laura A. , Ottenbacher Kenneth J. 
Published: September 2012

ObjectivesTo determine how poor sleep affects the health of older ethnic minorities.DesignCross‐sectional study involving a population‐based survey.SettingHispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H‐EPESE) survey conducted in the southwestern United States.ParticipantsTwo thousand two hundred fifty‐six Mexican‐American men and women aged 65 and older.MeasurementsThe association between self‐reported sleep problems and mortality over a 15‐year period in a population based sample of older Mexican Americans was examined. Using five waves of data (1993–2008) from the H‐EPESE, Cox proportional hazard models stratified according to sex were used to model the risk of death as a function of chronic sleep problems.ResultsHaving any sleeping problems during the last month was associated with greater risk of mortality (hazard ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.00–1.29) in unadjusted models, although the association was attenuated after accounting for covariates.ConclusionsSimilar factors explained the association between sleep and mortality in men and women: health behaviors, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. These factors are related to stress, and both may lead to poor sleep quality. Research is needed to better understand the factors moderating the relationship between sleep, mortality, and sex.
Mobility Stress Test Approach to Predicting Frailty, Disability, and Mortality in High‐Functioning Older Adults
Authors: Verghese Joe , Holtzer Roee , Lipton Richard B. , Wang Cuiling 
Published: September 2012

ObjectivesTo examine the validity of the Walking While Talking Test (WWT), a mobility stress test, to predict frailty, disability, and death in high‐functioning older adults.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingCommunity sample.ParticipantsSix hundred thirty‐one community‐residing adults aged 70 and older participating in the Einstein Aging Study (mean follow‐up 32 months). High‐functioning status at baseline was defined as absence of disability and dementia and normal walking speeds.MeasurementsHazard ratios (HRs) for frailty, disability, and all‐cause mortality. Frailty was defined as presence of three out of the following five attributes: weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slow gait. The predictive validity of the WWT was also compared with that of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for study outcomes.ResultsTwo hundred eighteen participants developed frailty, 88 developed disability, and 49 died. Each 10‐cm/s decrease in WWT speed was associated with greater risk of frailty (HR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.18), disability (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03–1.23), and mortality (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.01–1.27). Most associations remained robust even after accounting for potential confounders and gait speed. Comparisons of HRs and model fit suggest that the WWT may better predict frailty whereas SPPB may better predict disability.ConclusionMobility stress tests such as the WWT are robust predictors of risk of frailty, disability, and mortality in high‐functioning older adults.
Decline in Physical Function and Risk of Elder Abuse Reported to Social Services in a Community‐Dwelling Population of Older Adults
Authors: Dong XinQi , Simon Melissa , Evans Denis 
Published: September 2012

ObjectivesTo examine the longitudinal association between decline in physical function and risk of elder abuse.DesignProspective population‐based study.SettingGeographically defined community in Chicago.ParticipantsOne hundred forty‐three Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) participants who had elder abuse reported to a social services agency from 1993 to 2010 were identified.ParticipantsThe primary independent variable was objectively assessed physical function using decline in physical performance testing (tandem stand, measured walk, and chair stand). Secondary independent variables were assessed using decline in self‐reported Katz, Nagi, and Rosow‐Breslau scale scores. Dependent variables were reported and confirmed elder abuse and specific subtypes of elder abuse (physical, psychological, caregiver neglect, and financial exploitation). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between decline in physical function measures and risk of elder abuse.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, decline in physical performance testing (odds ratio (OR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.19), Katz impairment (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.15–1.45), Nagi impairment (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.13–1.49), and Rosow Breslau impairment (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.15–1.74) was associated with greater risk for elder abuse. The lowest tertile of physical performance testing (OR = 4.92, 95% CI = 1.39–17.46) and the highest tertiles of Katz impairment (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 2.18–7.31), Nagi impairment (2.37, 95% CI = 1.08–5.23), and Rosow Breslau impairment (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.39–5.84) were associated with greater risk of elder abuse.ConclusionDecline in objectively assessed physical function and self‐reported physical function are associated with greater risk for elder abuse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Older People: A Meta‐Analysis and Meta‐Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Gould Rebecca L. , Coulson Mark C. , Howard Robert J. 
Published: September 2012

ObjectivesTo review the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression in older people, together with factors associated with its efficacy.DesignOnline literature databases and registers were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CBT for depression in older people. Random‐effects meta‐analysis and meta‐regression were conducted.SettingStudies involving participants from the community and inpatient and outpatient clinical settings were included in the meta‐analysis.ParticipantsOlder people with major or minor depression, dysthymia, or depressive symptoms.MeasurementsEvidence‐based outcome measures of depression.ResultsFour hundred eighty‐five studies were identified, of which 23 were included. At the end of the intervention, CBT was significantly more effective at reducing depressive symptoms (irrespective of whether rated by clinicians or participants) than treatment as usual (TAU) or being on a waiting list but not than active controls. The same pattern of results was found for 6‐month follow‐up. At all other time‐points, pooled effect sizes in favor of CBT were nonsignificant. Clinician‐rated outcome measures resulted in larger effect sizes in favor of CBT than self‐rated measures. No significant differences in efficacy were found between CBT and other treatment (pharmacotherapy and other psychotherapies). Meta‐regression analyses revealed four factors that predicted effect sizes for comparisons between CBT and control conditions, including whether concurrent pharmacotherapy was allowed.ConclusionCBT for depression in older people is more effective than waiting list or TAU, but greater efficacy than active controls or other treatment has not been demonstrated. More high‐quality RCTs comparing CBT with active controls need to be conducted before firm conclusions can be drawn about the efficacy of CBT for depression in older people. Other treatment approaches that could be contrasted with or augment CBT (e.g., pharmacotherapy) also need to be explored further.
Is Growing Up Affluent Risky for Adolescents or Is the Problem Growing Up in an Affluent Neighborhood?
Authors: Lund Terese J. , Dearing Eric 
Published: September 2012

Community studies indicating that affluence has social‐emotional consequences for youth have conflated family and neighborhood wealth. We examined adolescent boys' delinquency and adolescent girls' anxiety‐depression as a function of family, neighborhood, and cumulative affluence in a sample that is primarily of European–American descent, but geographically and economically diverse (N = 1,364). Boys in affluent neighborhoods reported higher levels of delinquency and girls in affluent neighborhoods reported higher levels of anxiety‐depression compared with youth in middle‐class neighborhoods. Neither family affluence nor cumulative affluence, however, placed boys or girls at risk in these domains. Indeed, boys' delinquency and girls' anxiety‐depression levels were lowest for those in affluent families living in middle‐class neighborhoods.
The role of failure modes and effects analysis in showing the benefits of automation in the blood bank
Authors: Han Tae Hee , Kim Moon Jung , Kim Shinyoung , Kim Hyun Ok , Lee Mi Ae , Choi Ji Seon , Hur Mina , St John Andrew 
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND: Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a risk management tool used by the manufacturing industry but now being applied in laboratories.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Teams from six South Korean blood banks used this tool to map their manual and automated blood grouping processes and determine the risk priority numbers (RPNs) as a total measure of error risk.RESULTS: The RPNs determined by each of the teams consistently showed that the use of automation dramatically reduced the RPN compared to manual processes. In addition, FMEA showed where the major risks occur in each of the manual processes and where attention should be prioritized to improve the process. Despite no previous experience with FMEA, the teams found the technique relatively easy to use and the subjectivity associated with assigning risk numbers did not affect the validity of the data.CONCLUSION: FMEA should become a routine technique for improving processes in laboratories.