bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality nursing care in Australian paediatric hospitals: a Delphi approach to identifying indicators
Authors: Wilson Sally , Hauck Yvonne , Bremner Alexandra , Finn Judith 
Published: March 2012

Aim.  To identify indicators of quality nursing care by identifying structures, processes and outcomes perceived as valid, feasible, reliable and suitable for Australian paediatric hospitals by nursing experts.Background.  Although measuring the quality of nursing care in acute care settings is being practised, there are few indicators validated for use in paediatric nursing. Using adult indicators for quality care measures in children’s nursing has inherent problems. To contribute to quality improvement and safety in the paediatric population, it is essential to identify and validate indicators that will be useful in this context.Design.  A modified Delphi technique.Method.  Fifty‐seven indicators that potentially measure the quality of nursing care in paediatrics were identified following a review of the literature. Three online surveys where panellists rated these indicators for perceived validity in paediatric nursing, feasibility of data collection, reliability based on existing documentation and suitability in the paediatric context were completed between March–May 2010.Results.  Fifty‐two nurses contributed to the expert panel. Consensus of 75% for validity in paediatric nursing was reached on 42 indicators, which were then ranked for suitability of use. Nineteen indicators were deemed inappropriate, which included indicators commonly used in adult settings.Conclusion.  Face and content validity were reached for 42 indicators identified as potential valid measures of quality care in paediatric nursing. Further work is required to solve issues of reliability and feasibility of data collection and to ascertain whether the indicators occur frequently enough within Australian hospitals to be clinically useful.Relevance to clinical practice.  Identification of nursing‐sensitive indicators that are valid in the paediatric setting is the first step in measuring the quality of care provided to children. Once established, measurement of the indicators may lead to improved patient safety and care in hospitals.
Innovations aimed at improving the physical health of the seriously mentally ill: an integrative review
Authors: Tranter Siobhan , Irvine Fiona , Collins Eve 
Published: March 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this paper is to report an integrative review of the literature that focused on innovations aimed at enhancing the physical health of people with serious mental illness.Background.  Despite the abundance of literature that highlights the relationship between serious mental illness and physical ill health, the provision of physical health care for the seriously mental ill remains a challenge. Many different strategies have been developed, which endeavour to address the poor physical health of people with serious mental illness. However, there is inadequate evidence to establish the success of these strategies.Design.  Integrative literature review.Method.  The review was conducted using an adapted version of Whittemore and Knafl’s review method to critically appraise and evaluate the literature.Results.  Three main themes derived for the types of intervention in the studies emerged from the review. These included assessment, health education/health promotion and multimodal interventions.Conclusion.  Although there is some evidence to demonstrate that health assessments are effective in highlighting physical health problems, the evidence to support health education and multimodal interventions is far from conclusive. Further research is needed, in particular larger intervention and longitudinal studies, to help nurses decide on the best possible interventions that will improve the physical health of the seriously mentally ill.Relevance to clinical practice.  Whilst nurses’ continued attempts to develop health‐enhancing interventions are commendable, there needs to be a greater focus on conducting research to develop the evidence base to guide and support nurses in this area of their practice. Until robust and convincing evidence is available, policy relating to the advancement of the physical health of people with serious mental illness should be developed cautiously.
First case of Aeromonas schubertii infection in the freshwater cultured snakehead fish, Ophiocephalus argus (Cantor), in China
Authors: Liu J Y , Li A H 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAn epizootic in snakehead fish, Ophiocephalus argus, in earthen ponds in Xianning, Hubei Province, central China, from June to August 2009 was found to be caused by Aeromonas schubertii. The cumulative mortality within 40 days was 45%, and the diseased fish were 18 months old and 35–45 cm in length. Multiple, ivory‐white, firm nodules, 0.5–1 mm in diameter, were scattered throughout the kidney. Blood clots, 3–5 mm in diameter, were found in the liver. This is a disease frequently found in cultured snakehead throughout China. Isolated bacteria were Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, short rod‐shaped, with a length of 0.3–1.0 μm. Morphological and biochemical tests, as well as phylogenetic analysis derived from 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and dnaJ gene sequencing all strongly indicated that these snakehead isolates are identical to A. schubertii. In addition, the isolates possessed two plasmids: 5.0 kb and 10.0 kb. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolates was carried out by the standard Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Experimental infection assays were conducted, and pathogenicity (by intraperitoneal injection) was demonstrated in snakehead fingerlings and zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio (Hamilton).
Effect of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate on Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, larvae challenged with pathogenic Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Sui L , Cai J , Sun H , Wille M , Bossier P 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis study investigated the protective effect of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) on Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, zoea larvae challenged with pathogenic Vibrio anguillarum. PHB was delivered to the crab larvae through rotifer and Artemia bioencapsulation. Zoea 3 larvae were challenged with V. anguillarum at a final concentration of 105 CFU mL−1. PHB‐enriched rotifers and Artemia nauplii were added to the culture water 24 h prior to, upon and 24 h after challenge. The results confirmed that PHB could enhance the survival and growth of unexposed E. sinensis larvae. Moreover, PHB protected larvae from the pathogen as the larvae fed PHB‐enriched live food showed the highest survival and development rate in all challenged groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, larval performance was the best when PHB was delivered to the larvae 24 h before challenge (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that PHB can be used as part of an effective strategy to protect E. sinensis larvae from V. anguillarum resulting in higher survival and better growth, especially when applied before the challenge.
Molecular characterization and increased expression of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), T‐cell receptor beta chain in response to Streptococcus agalactiae infection
Authors: Nithikulworawong N , Yakupitiyage A , Rakshit SK , Srisapoome P 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe complete cDNA sequence of the Nile tilapia T‐cell receptor (TCR) β chain was cloned using 5′ RACE. The full‐length, 1263‐bp cDNA contained a 942‐bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 314‐amino‐acid protein. Sequence analyses revealed that the Nile tilapia TCR β chain contains four conserved cysteine residues involved in the formation of disulphide bridges and a conserved amino acid motif believed to be important for assembly and signalling of the TCR αβ/CD3 complex, both of which are normally found in the TCR β chain of other vertebrates. As detected using semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR, the highest expression level of TCR β was detected in the thymus. Interestingly, Streptococcus agalactiae significantly induced the up‐regulation of the TCR β chain, and the strongest up‐regulation was detected in the brain and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). In in vitro experiments, concanavalin A and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to significantly increase the expression of the TCR β chain in PBLs after 48 h (P < 0.01) and 72 h (P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, real‐time PCR analysis showed that intraperitoneal injection (IP) of 107 cfu mL−1 of S. agalactiae could induce TCR β expression that was greater than the expression observed following administration of 109 cfu mL−1. The presence of the TCR β chain in fish detected in this study suggests the presence of T‐cell populations that have been found in higher vertebrates, which may play a crucial functional role in the response to fish pathogens.
Multiple biogeographical barriers identified across the monsoon tropics of northern Australia: phylogeographic analysis of the brachyotis group of rock‐wallabies
Authors: POTTER SALLY , ELDRIDGE MARK D.B. , TAGGART DAVID A. , COOPER STEVEN J.B. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe monsoon tropics of northern Australia are a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, but its phylogeography is poorly known. A major challenge for this region is to understand the biogeographical processes that have shaped the distribution and diversity of taxa, without detailed knowledge of past climatic and environmental fluctuations. Although molecular data have great potential to address these questions, only a few species have been examined phylogeographically. Here, we use the widely distributed and abundant short‐eared rock‐wallaby (Petrogale brachyotis; n = 101), together with the sympatric monjon (P. burbidgei; n = 11) and nabarlek (P. concinna; n = 1), to assess historical evolutionary and biogeographical processes in northern Australia. We sequenced ∼1000 bp of mitochondrial DNA (control region, ND2) and ∼3000 bp of nDNA (BRCA1, ω‐globin and two anonymous loci) to investigate phylogeographic structuring and delineate the time‐scale of diversification within the region. Our results indicate multiple barriers between the Top End (Northern Territory) and Kimberley (Western Australia), which have caused divergence throughout the Plio‐Pleistocene. Eight geographically discrete and genetically distinct lineages within the brachyotis group were identified, five of which are separated by major river valleys (Ord, Victoria, Daly), arid lowlands and discontinuous sandstone ranges. It is likely that these barriers have similarly influenced genetic structure in other monsoonal biota.
Pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration is not a synucleinopathy
Authors: Li A. , Paudel R. , Johnson R. , Courtney R. , Lees A. J. , Holton J. L. , Hardy J. , Revesz T. , Houlden H. 
Published: March 2012

A. Li, R. Paudel, R. Johnson, R. Courtney, A. J. Lees, J. L. Holton, J. Hardy, T. Revesz and H. Houlden (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 121–131Pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration is not a synucleinopathyAims: Mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene (PANK2) are responsible for the most common type of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), known as pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Historically, NBIA is considered a synucleinopathy with numerous reports of NBIA cases with Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites and some cases reporting additional abnormal tau accumulation. However, clinicopathological correlations in genetically proven PKAN cases are rare. We describe the clinical, genetic and neuropathological features of three unrelated PKAN cases. Methods: All three cases were genetically screened for the PANK2 gene mutations using standard Sanger polymerase chain reaction sequencing. A detailed neuropathological assessment of the three cases was performed using histochemical and immunohistochemical preparations. Results: All cases had classical axonal swellings and Perls' positive iron deposition in the basal ganglia. In contrast to neuroaxonal dystrophies due to mutation of the phospholipase A2, group VI (PLA2G6) gene, in which Lewy body pathology is widespread, no α‐synuclein accumulation was detected in any of our PKAN cases. In one case (20‐year‐old male) there was significant tau pathology comprising neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads, with very subtle tau pathology in another case. Conclusions: These findings indicate that PKAN is not a synucleinopathy and, hence the cellular pathways implicated in this disease are unlikely to be relevant for the pathomechanism of Lewy body disorders.
Phytophthora infestans populations in central, eastern and southern African countries consist of two major clonal lineages
Authors: Pule B. B. , Meitz J. C. , Thompson A. H. , Linde C. C. , Fry W. E. , Langenhoven S. D. , Meyers K. L. , Kandolo D. S. , van Rij N. C. , McLeod A. 
Published: March 2012

Limited knowledge is available on Phytophthora infestans populations in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Therefore, and in response to recent severe late blight epidemics, P. infestans isolates from potato, tomato and Petunia × hybrida from eight SSA countries were characterized. Isolates were characterized with ‘old’ markers, including mating type (176 isolates), mitochondrial DNA haplotype (mtDNA) (281 isolates), glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase (Gpi) (70 isolates), restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with probe RG‐57 (49 isolates), and by metalaxyl sensitivity (64 isolates). Most isolates belonged to the US‐1 genotype or its variants (US‐1.10 and US‐1.11). The exceptions were genotype KE‐1 isolates (A1 mating type, mtDNA haplotype Ia, Gpi 90/100 and unique RG‐57 genotype), identified in two fields in Kenya, which are related to genotypes previously identified in Rwanda (RW‐1 and RW‐2), Ecuador and Europe. Metalaxyl‐resistant P. infestans isolates from potato were present in all the countries except Malawi, whereas all the isolates from tomato were sensitive. Genotyping of 176 isolates with seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including locus D13 that was difficult to score, revealed 79 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) in SSA. When this locus was excluded, 35 MLGs were identified. Genetic differentiation estimates between regional populations from SAA were significant when locus D13 was either excluded (P = 0·05) or included (P = 0·007), but population differentiation was only low to moderate (FST = 0·044 and 0·053, respectively).
Disease development and genotypic diversity of Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae in Swedish oat fields
Authors: Berlin A. , Samils B. , Djurle A. , Wirsén H. , Szabo L. , Yuen J. 
Published: March 2012

The disease development and population structure of Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae, which causes stem rust on oats, were studied to investigate if sexual reproduction plays an important role in the epidemiology of the disease. The genetic population structure of P. graminis f. sp. avenae in Sweden was investigated by sampling 10 oat fields in July and August 2008 and seven fields during the same period in 2009. Nine single‐pustule isolates were first used to test simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed for P. graminis f. sp. tritici. Eleven of the 68 tested SSR markers were useful for genotyping P. graminis f. sp. avenae. For the main study, DNA from single uredinia was extracted and the SSR markers were used to genotype 472 samples. Both allelic and genotypic diversity were high in all fields, indicating that P. graminis f. sp. avenae undergoes regular sexual reproduction in Sweden. No significant relationship between genetic and geographic distances was found. Disease development was studied on two farms during 2008 and 2009. The apparent infection rates ranged between 0·17 and 0·55, indicating the potential for rapid disease development within fields. The incidence of oat stem rust has increased recently in Sweden. One possible explanation is a resurgence of its alternate host, barberry (Berberis spp.), after the repeal of the barberry eradication law in 1994. Barberry is present in several grain‐producing areas in Sweden, which supports the conclusion that P. graminis f. sp. avenae undergoes regular sexual reproduction there.
Misuse of the Mood Disorders Questionnaire as a case‐finding measure and a critique of the concept of using a screening scale for bipolar disorder in psychiatric practice
Authors: Zimmerman Mark 
Published: March 2012

Zimmerman M. Misuse of the Mood Disorders Questionnaire as a case‐finding measure and a critique of the concept of using a screening scale for bipolar disorder in psychiatric practice. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 127–134. © 2012 The Author. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objectives:  Under‐recognition of bipolar disorder (BD) is common and incurs significant costs for individuals and society. Clinicians are often encouraged to use screening instruments to help them identify patients with the disorder. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is the most widely studied measure for this purpose. Some studies, however, have used the MDQ as a case‐finding instrument rather than a screening scale. Such inappropriate use of screening scales risks distorting perceptions about many facets of BD, from its prevalence to its consequences.Methods:  Studies using the MDQ were reviewed to identify those reports that have used the scale as a case‐finding measure rather than a screening scale.Results:  Multiple studies were identified in the BD literature that used the MDQ as a diagnostic proxy. The findings of these studies were misinterpreted because of the failure to make the distinction between screening and case‐finding.Conclusions:  Inappropriate conclusions have been drawn regarding the prevalence, morbidity, and diagnostic under‐recognition of BD in studies that rely on the MDQ as a diagnostic proxy. A conceptual critique is offered against the use of self‐administered screening questionnaires for the detection of BD in psychiatric settings.
Amygdala activity and prefrontal cortex–amygdala effective connectivity to emerging emotional faces distinguish remitted and depressed mood states in bipolar disorder
Authors: Perlman Susan B , Almeida Jorge RC , Kronhaus Dina M , Versace Amelia , LaBarbara Edmund J , Klein Crystal R , Phillips Mary L 
Published: March 2012

Perlman SB, Almeida JRC, Kronhaus DM, Versace A, LaBarbara EJ, Klein CR, Phillips ML. Amygdala activity and prefrontal cortex–amygdala effective connectivity to emerging emotional faces distinguish remitted and depressed mood states in bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 162–174. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objectives:  Few studies have employed effective connectivity (EC) to examine the functional integrity of neural circuitry supporting abnormal emotion processing in bipolar disorder (BD), a key feature of the illness. We used Granger Causality Mapping (GCM) to map EC between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and bilateral amygdala and a novel paradigm to assess emotion processing in adults with BD.Methods:  Thirty‐one remitted adults with BD [(remitted BD), mean age = 32 years], 21 adults with BD in a depressed episode [(depressed BD), mean age = 33 years], and 25 healthy control participants [(HC), mean age = 31 years] performed a block‐design emotion processing task requiring color‐labeling of a color flash superimposed on a task‐irrelevant face morphing from neutral to emotional (happy, sad, angry, or fearful). GCM measured EC preceding (top‐down) and following (bottom‐up) activity between the PFC and the left and right amygdalae.Results:  Our findings indicated patterns of abnormally elevated bilateral amygdala activity in response to emerging fearful, sad, and angry facial expressions in remitted‐BD subjects versus HC, and abnormally elevated right amygdala activity to emerging fearful faces in depressed‐BD subjects versus HC. We also showed distinguishable patterns of abnormal EC between the amygdala and dorsomedial and ventrolateral PFC, especially to emerging happy and sad facial expressions in remitted‐BD and depressed‐BD subjects.Discussion:  EC measures of neural system level functioning can further understanding of neural mechanisms associated with abnormal emotion processing and regulation in BD. Our findings suggest major differences in recruitment of amygdala–PFC circuitry, supporting implicit emotion processing between remitted‐BD and depressed‐BD subjects, which may underlie changes from remission to depression in BD.
Allopurinol augmentation in the outpatient treatment of bipolar mania: a pilot study
Authors: Fan Alexander , Berg Andrew , Bresee Catherine , Glassman Lisa Hayley , Rapaport Mark Hyman 
Published: March 2012

Fan A, Berg A, Bresee C, Glassman LH, Rapaport MH. Allopurinol augmentation in the outpatient treatment of bipolar mania: a pilot study. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 206–210. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Background:  Allopurinol promotes the salvage of purines, possibly increasing endogenous adenosine levels. Recent studies suggest that adenosine has neuroprotective and inhibitory effects. Two previous inpatient trials demonstrated that allopurinol has anti‐manic activity. Our objective was to test allopurinol as an adjunct to standard medications in bipolar disorder manic outpatients.Methods:  In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 27 subjects who met DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar disorder and scored ≥ 14 on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) were randomized to augmentation with allopurinol or placebo for six weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the YMRS. The primary safety measure was the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale.Results:  The effect of allopurinol augmentation in decreasing mean YMRS scores was modest, with an overall effect size of −0.25 (Cohen’s d). Allopurinol‐treated individuals who abstained from caffeine (n = 4) had a greater decrease in YMRS scores (−15.3 ± 1.8) than subjects using caffeine (n = 5) (−9.6 ± 3.4, p = 0.219), with an effect size of −0.86.Conclusion:  In this small outpatient pilot study, allopurinol augmentation did not show a statistically significant improvement over placebo in attenuating manic symptoms. Subjects with restricted caffeine use showed a greater effect size compared to caffeine users. This finding may be interpreted as corroborating the hypothesized mechanism of action of allopurinol’s anti‐manic effect in previous studies.