bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitudes and usage of cancer screening among West African migrant women
Authors: Ogunsiji Olayide , Wilkes Lesley , Peters Kath , Jackson Debra 
Published: January 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore West African migrant women's knowledge, attitude and usage of cancer screening in Australia.BackgroundDespite strong evidence that cancer screening saves lives through early detection and treatment, there is lack of empirical studies on West African migrant women's knowledge, attitude and usage of cancer screening in Australia.DesignQualitative naturalistic inquiry.MethodsTwenty‐one West African migrant women who consented to participate in the study were recruited through a snowballing technique. These women were engaged in face‐to‐face audiotaped in‐depth interviews which lasted for about 90 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.ResultsThe following three themes emerged from the data: knowledge of cancer screening, attitude towards cancer screening and usage of cancer screening Irrespective of the women's place of birth in Africa, twenty of the participants had no knowledge of cancer screening prior to migration, and most had a negative attitude towards screening. Women who had given birth after migrating to Australia were more likely to have had cervical cancer screening. Women who had passed their child‐bearing years or had not presented to healthcare facilities for medical issues were more likely to be unaware of cancer screening.ConclusionsImproved health promotion strategies that provide accessible information and education to West African migrant women regarding cancer screening are required to enhance the uptake of such screening in this migrant group.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses who encounter West African migrant women in their day‐to‐day practice have the opportunity to provide this group with education related to the importance of cancer screening.
Evaluation of GLUT‐1 in the granular cell tumour and congenital granular cell epulis
Authors: Souto Giovanna Ribeiro , Caldeira Patrícia Carlos , Johann Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues , Andrade Marigo Helenicede , Souza Suzana Cantanhede Orsini Machadode , Mesquita Ricardo Alves 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundThe glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT‐1) protein is a useful marker for perineurial cells. Because of the possible neuroectodermal histogenesis of the granular cell tumour and congenital granular cell epulis, the aim of this study was to assess the immunoexpression of GLUT‐1 protein in granular cell tumour and congenital granular cell epulis to aid in clarifying their histogenesis.MethodsThe protocol of this study was approved by the Committee of Bioethics in Research at Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Six cases of granular cell tumour and three cases of congenital granular cell epulis were submitted to immunohistochemistry for GLUT‐1 and S‐100 using the streptavidin‐biotin standard protocol.ResultsFive cases of granular cell tumour were located on the tongue and one case on the upper lip. All cases of congenital granular cell epulis were observed in the alveolar ridge of newborns. All lesions evaluated proved to be immunonegative for GLUT‐1. S‐100 was found to be positive in all granular cell tumours and negative in congenital granular cell epulis.ConclusionsNeither granular cell tumour nor congenital granular cell epulis is directly related to perineurial cells.
The accuracy of parental concern expressed in the Ages and Stages Questionnaire to predict developmental delay
Authors: Deakin‐Bell Nicole , Walker Karen , Badawi Nadia 
Published: January 2013

AimWhilst there have been comparisons of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) with other gold standard developmental assessments, research concerning the free‐text comments section of the questionnaire has been limited. The objective of this paper is to assess whether parental concerns expressed in the free‐text comments section of the ASQ can accurately predict infant development.MethodData from the Development After Infant Surgery study was analysed post hoc. Free‐text comments from the ASQ were analysed qualitatively by thematic analysis and quantitatively in comparison to the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID‐III). Infants who underwent cardiac surgery (97), non‐cardiac surgery (131) and no surgery (controls; 166) were analysed.ResultsParental concern expressed on the ASQ predicted a lower mean BSID‐III score when groups were analysed collectively. Medical concern and developmental concern were shown to be predictors of child development, whilst global concerns and behavioural concerns were unrelated to child development. The presence of carer concern was assessed for its value in predicting a BSID‐III subscale score less than 8 in all groups. Sensitivity ranged from 22% to 48%, and specificity ranged from 73% to 88%.ConclusionsParental concern was found to predict a lower BSID‐III when all groups were analysed collectively. Despite this, parental concern as a screening test for developmental delay failed to meet the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for adequate psychometric properties. The findings from this study suggest that there is value in attending to the comments written by carers on the ASQ.
Changes in the epidemiology of gastroenteritis in a paediatric short stay unit following the introduction of rotavirus immunisation
Authors: Akikusa Jonathan D , Hopper Sandy M , Kelly Julian J , Kirkwood Carl D , Buttery Jim P 
Published: January 2013

AimAcute gastroenteritis (AGE) has been a significant component of the clinical load in the short stay unit (SSU) at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) since its establishment in 2004. Since the introduction of routine rotavirus immunisation in Australia in 2007 there has been a clinical impression of a substantial reduction in AGE managed in the SSU. This study aimed to examine changes in the epidemiology of AGE in the SSU, and RCH overall, between 2005 and 2009 and explore whether this reflects a change specifically in AGE due to rotavirus.MethodsDischarge coding data for AGE from all inpatient wards, the SSU and emergency department (ED) at the RCH were examined. Stool virology results for the same period were analysed.ResultsSince 2007 there has been a 58% reduction in AGE admissions to the SSU. The median age of patients admitted to the RCH with rotaviral enteritis has increased from 1.3 years to 3.8 years. Presentations to the ED for AGE have fallen from 53 to 34 cases per 1000 attendances between 2004 and 2009, and admission rates from the ED have fallen from 23 to 13% of AGE presentations. Detection rates of rotavirus fell from 13.1 to 6.7% between 2005 and 2009.ConclusionA marked decrease in AGE‐related clinical activity and reduction in rotavirus detection at the RCH has occurred since the introduction of routine rotavirus immunisation in Australia. This has significant resource planning implications for units based on short stay models of care.
Characterization of water quality in a small hydropower plant reservoir in southern Brazil
Authors: Pimenta Adriane M. , Albertoni Edélti F. , Palma‐Silva Cleber 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe construction of large reservoirs can cause profound environmental changes. Reduced water flow, increased water residence time, thermal stratification, increased sedimentation rates and decreased dissolved oxygen concentrations are examples of such changes. These changes can affect water quality and the biota in the environments adapted to the natural conditions of a river. Small reservoirs developed in conjunction with hydropower plants, however, could reduce the degraded water quality. This study focuses on characterizing water quality in a small hydroelectric reservoir. The study reservoir has an area of 1.4 km2 and a short water retention time. The Monte Claro Hydroelectric Power Plant is part of a complex consisting of three plants on the Antas River in the north‐west of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The reservoirs associated with these plants are operated as run‐of‐the‐river facilities. Monitoring results obtained by CERAN, the Energetic Company of Antas River (Companhia Energética Rio das Antas), were used to evaluate the reservoir water quality. Three samples were collected seasonally (spring, summer, autumn and winter) in the area of influence of this plant following the filling of the reservoir (2005–2008). The examined water quality parameters were electrical conductivity, colour, turbidity, alkalinity, pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, suspended and dissolved solids, chlorophyll‐a, total and faecal coliforms, water temperature and Secchi depth transparency. The results were interpreted using an index of water quality, Trophic State Index, reservoir water quality and CONAMA Regulation 357/05 (Brazilian legislation). Based on these analyses, no significant changes were exhibited in the water quality of the reservoir from the hydroelectric plant operation.
Climate change does not explain historical changes in the pelagic ecosystem of Lake Kariba (Zambia–Zimbabwe)
Authors: Marshall Brian E. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractRecent studies on the pelagic ecosystem of Lake Kariba identified a number of changes in its thermal regime, planktonic communities and fishery production, concluding they were the result of climate change, particularly warming. This study re‐examines these conclusions and suggests alternative explanations for these changes. Historical data suggest there was no warming of the lake until at least the 1990s. Furthermore, lack of recent data makes it difficult to conclude that the lake’s temperature has increased by 2 °C. It is also not clear that the pattern of thermal stratification has changed, or that the thermocline has risen and become more stable. Although one of the suggested effects of climate change was a decreased number of larger zooplankton, this change occurred in the 1970s, when there had been no change in the lake temperature. Rather, there is strong evidence that the zooplankton composition changed as a result of selective predation by the introduced clupeid, Limnothrissa miodon. Furthermore, the loss of large grazing zooplankton species could have affected the composition of the phytoplankton, although this phenomenon also has been attributed to climate change. Although the phytoplankton communities in the lake are not as well documented as the zooplankton communities, it is clear that many changes in the lake actually began in the 1970s. Finally, the decline in the pelagic fishery for Limnothrissa was also linked to temperature changes. However, because the fisheries on the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides exhibited very different behaviours, there is little evidence to support this conclusion. It is concluded that the impacts of climate change on Lake Kariba are likely to be complex and that possible over‐simplification in identifying these impacts will not facilitate our understanding of these complexities.
Global gene expression changes in Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus during the transmission in distinct hosts between plant and insect
Authors: Yan Qing , Sreedharan Aswathy , Wei Shiping , Wang Jihua , Pelz‐Stelinski Kirsten , Folimonova Svetlana , Wang Nian 
Published: January 2013

SummaryHuanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease is a destructive disease of citrus worldwide, which is associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. This phloem‐limited fastidious pathogen is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and appears to be an intracellular pathogen that maintains an intimate association with the psyllid or the plant throughout its life cycle. The molecular basis of the interaction of this pathogen with its hosts is not well understood. We hypothesized that, during infection, Ca. L. asiaticus differentially expresses the genes critical for its survival and/or pathogenicity in either host. To test this hypothesis, quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction was performed to compare the gene expression of Ca. L. asiaticus in planta and in psyllid. Overall, 381 genes were analysed for their gene expression in planta and in psyllid. Among them, 182 genes were up‐regulated in planta compared with in psyllid (P < 0.05), 16 genes were up‐regulated in psyllid (P < 0.05) and 183 genes showed no statistically significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) in expression between in planta and in psyllid. Our study indicates that the expression of the Ca. L. asiaticus genes involved in transcriptional regulation, transport system, secretion system, flagella assembly, metabolic pathway and stress resistance are changed significantly in a host‐specific manner to adapt to the distinct environments of plant and insect. To our knowledge, this is the first large‐scale study to evaluate the differential expression of Ca. L. asiaticus genes in a plant host and its insect vector.
First environmental isolation of Cryptococcus gattii, genotype AFLP5, from India and a global review
Authors: Chowdhary A. , Prakash A. , Randhawa H. S. , Kathuria S. , Hagen F. , Klaassen C. H. , Meis J. F. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryWe report the first environmental isolation from India of Cryptococcus gattii, genotype amplified fragment length polymorphism 5 (AFLP5), which is one of the rarely reported genotypes of this pathogen. It originated from decayed wood inside a trunk hollow of Manilkara hexandra, a native tree in Delhi. We investigated 101 isolates of C. gattii, originating from 556 samples of decayed wood inside trunk hollows of 311 heterogeneous tree species and their surrounding soil. Of these, only a solitary isolate proved to be AFLP5, the remainder belonged to AFLP4. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed a low MIC90 (0.25 μg ml−1) of the new azoles posaconazole and isavuconazole for these environmental isolates. Genotype AFLP5 has been mainly reported from environmental sources in Colombia and from clinical sources in California (USA), where it seems to be endemic. Phylogenetic analysis of multi‐locus sequence typing data showed that the Indian AFLP5 C. gattii isolate had a distinct profile compared with a cluster of mainly Colombian and Californian C. gattii AFLP5 isolates. As molecular typing of human pathogenic fungi is still in its infancy and not accessible to many countries, our current knowledge cannot be taken as reflective of the true geographic distribution of C. gattii AFLP5 or its other rarely reported molecular types.
Relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life in Turkish nursing school students
Authors: Yildirim Yasemin , Kilic Serap Parlar , Akyol Asiye Durmaz 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life of nursing students. This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was conducted with a research population of 396 nursing students who received education at a school of nursing. The research data were collected between May and June of the 2007–2008 academic year. The data collection tools included “Student Description Form,” Life Satisfaction Scale, and WHOQOL‐BREF (TR) Quality of Life (QOL) Scale. The mean score of life satisfaction was 22.90 ± 5.74. Participants' QOL mean scores were 67.16 ± 15.29 in the physical domain, 64.33 ± 14.72 in the psychological domain, 62.81 ± 19.12 in the social relationships domain, and 60.59 ± 12.59 in the environmental domain. There was a significant correlation between life satisfaction and the four main domains of quality of life scores (P < 0.05) and that there was a significant positive correlation between life satisfaction and quality of life among nursing students. In addition, it was determined that being a nursing student had a positive effect on students' life satisfaction and quality of life. Therefore, the education system is recommended to be redesigned in such a way as to make students more active and to improve their life satisfaction and quality of life.
Corticosterone mediates stress‐related increased intestinal permeability in a region‐specific manner
Authors: Zheng G. , Wu S.‐P. , Hu Y. , Smith D. E. , Wiley J. W. , Hong S. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackground  Chronic psychological stress (CPS) is associated with increased intestinal epithelial permeability and visceral hyperalgesia. It is unknown whether corticosterone (CORT) plays a role in mediating alterations of epithelial permeability in response to CPS.Methods  Male rats were subjected to 1‐h water avoidance (WA) stress or subcutaneous CORT injection daily for 10 consecutive days in the presence or absence of corticoid receptor antagonist RU‐486. The visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD) was measured. The in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion was used to measure intestinal permeability in jejunum and colon simultaneously.Key Results  We observed significant decreases in the levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and tight junction proteins in the colon, but not the jejunum in stressed rats. These changes were largely reproduced by serial CORT injections in control rats and were significantly reversed by RU‐486. Stressed and CORT‐injected rats demonstrated a threefold increase in permeability for PEG‐400 (MW) in colon, but not jejunum and significant increase in VMR to CRD, which was significantly reversed by RU‐486. In addition, no differences in permeability to PEG‐4000 and PEG‐35 000 were detected between control and WA groups.Conclusions & Inferences  Our findings indicate that CPS was associated with region‐specific decrease in epithelial tight junction protein levels in the colon, increased colon epithelial permeability to low molecular weight macromolecules which were largely reproduced by CORT treatment in control rats and prevented by RU‐486. These observations implicate a novel, region‐specific role for CORT as a mediator of CPS‐induced increased permeability to macromolecules across the colon epithelium.
Acupuncture and Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sardella Andrea , Lodi Giovanni , Tarozzi Marco , Varoni Elena , Franchini Roberto , Carrassi Antonio 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBurning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition most common in middle‐aged and elderly women, with prevalence rates in the general population ranging from 0.5% to 5%. Defined by the International Headache Society as “an intraoral burning sensation for which no medical or dental cause can be found,” BMS is considered a form of neuropathic pain. The management of BMS remains unsatisfactory. In this pilot study, we investigated the use of acupuncture in a small group of BMS patients. The study group, after 4 refusals, was composed of 10 BMS patients (9 females and 1 male; mean age, 65.2 years; range, from 48 to 80 years; mean duration of BMS, 2.6 years; SD ± 0.8 years). Oral pain/burning sensation (primary outcome) was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Health‐related quality of life (secondary outcome) was measured using the 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Acupuncture treatment lasted 8 weeks and consisted of 20 sessions. Patients reported a mean reduction in pain of 0.99 points on the VAS (max 2.1–min 0.1), which, although slight, was statistically significant (Wilcoxon test P < 0.009). No significant improvement in the overall score for quality of life was observed, although subjects receiving acupuncture treatment seemed better able cope with their oral symptoms.
Interactive effects of water, light and heat stress on photosynthesis in Fremont cottonwood
Authors: TOZZI EMILY S. , EASLON HSIEN MING , RICHARDS JAMES H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractFremont cottonwood seedlings are vulnerable to water stress from rapid water‐table decline during river recession in spring. Water stress is usually cited as the reason for reduced establishment, but interactions of water stress with microclimate extremes are more likely the causes of mortality. We assessed photosynthetic responses of Fremont cottonwood seedlings to water, light and heat stresses, which commonly co‐occur in habitats where seedlings establish. Under moderate temperature and light conditions, water stress did not affect photosynthetic function. However, stomatal closure during water stress predisposed Fremont cottonwood leaves to light and heat stress, resulting in greatly reduced photosynthesis beginning at 31 °C versus at 41 °C for well‐watered plants. Ontogenetic shifts in leaf orientation from horizontal to vertical, which occur as seedlings mature, reduce heat and light stress, especially during water stress. When compared with naturally occurring microclimate extremes, seedling stress responses suggest that reduced assimilation and photoprotection are common for Fremont cottonwood seedlings on exposed point bars where they establish. These reductions in photosynthesis likely have negative impacts on growth and may predispose young (<90‐day‐old) seedlings to early mortality during rapid water‐table declines. Interactions with heat and light stress are more important in these effects than water stress alone.
Ambient UVA‐Induced Expression of p53 and Apoptosis in Human Skin Melanoma A375 Cell Line by Quinine
Authors: Yadav Neera , Dwivedi Ashish , Mujtaba Syed Faiz , Kushwaha Hari Narayan , Singh Shio Kumar , Ray Ratan Singh 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze the phototoxic mechanism and photostability of quinine in human skin cell line A375 under ambient intensities of UVA (320–400 nm). Photosensitized quinine produced a photoproduct 6‐methoxy‐quinoline‐4‐ylmethyl‐oxonium identified through LC‐MS/MS. Generation of 1O2, O2•−, and •OH was measured and further substantiated through their respective quenchers. Photosensitized Quinine (Q) caused degradation of 2‐deoxyguanosine, the most sensitive nucleotide to UV radiation. The intracellular ROS was increased in a concentration‐dependent manner. Significant reduction in metabolic status measured in terms of cell viability (54%) at 25 μg mL−1 was observed through MTT assay. Results of MTT assay accord NRU assay. Single strand DNA breaks and apoptosis were increased significantly (P < 0.01) as observed through comet assay and EB/AO double staining. Photosensitized quinine caused cells to arrest in G2 phase of cell cycle and induced apoptosis (5.08%) as revealed through FACS. Real‐Time PCR showed upregulation of p21 (4.56 folds) and p53 (2.811 folds) genes expression. Thus, our study suggests that generation of reactive oxygen species by quinine under ambient intensity of UVA may result into deleterious phototoxic effects among human population.
Malaria and Economic Development
Authors: Datta Saurabh C. , Reimer Jeffrey J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMalaria tends to have a negative correlation with national income per capita. Many existing studies emphasize how falling rates of malaria can enhance economic development due to the beneficial effect on human capital. This paper emphasizes that causality may also run in the opposite direction, in particular, that higher incomes—arising for reasons having nothing to do with human capital—may allow for increased prevention and treatment of malaria, and therefore contribute to the negative correlation. We analyze the malaria‐income relationship for 100 endemic countries over a 17‐year period using a simultaneous equations model that accounts for reverse causality and incidental associations. For most countries, income growth has been the most important driver of the negative correlation between malaria and income. Although reducing malaria may be its own reward, it takes much more than reductions in malaria to foster development. This holds widely for different samples of countries.