bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The next of kin of older people undergoing haemodialysis: a discursive perspective on perceptions of participation
Authors: Aasen Elin Margrethe , Kvangarsnes Marit , Wold Bente , Heggen Kåre 
Published: October 2011

aasen e.m., kvangarsnes m., wold b. & heggen k. (2011) The next of kin of older people undergoing haemodialysis: a discursive perspective on perceptions of participation. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1716–1725.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore how the family members of older people who will undergo haemodialysis treatment for the rest of their lives perceive participation.Background.  The rights of families to participate in treatment and health care are supported by international law, and by national law in Norway since 1999.Method.  This study, which employed an explorative qualitative approach, was carried out in Norway in 2008. Data were derived from transcribed interviews with seven family members underwent critical discourse analysis.Findings.  Three discourse practices about the next of kin perception of participation were found: (1) to care and take control, (2) to struggle for involvement, and (3) to be forgotten and powerless. The next of kin said that they had no dialogue with the healthcare team, and some fought to be included in the decision‐making process.Conclusion.  The dominant part of the discourse as expressed by the next of kin seems to be a paternalistic ideology. Thus, finding ways to enable the next of kin to participate in the decision‐making process seems to be a major challenge for the healthcare team in the dialysis units.
Rotifer population spread in relation to food, density and predation risk in an experimental system
Authors: Kuefler Daniel , Avgar Tal , Fryxell John M. 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Despite the popular use of diffusion models to predict the spatial spread of populations over time, we currently know little about how diffusion rates change with the state of the environment or the internal condition of individuals. To address this gap in our understanding, we measured rates of spread for many populations of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus in a suite of well‐replicated experiments.2. In one set of experiments, we manipulated food availability and population density along a continuous range of densities. In a second set, we manipulated the internal state of entire populations via food deprivation and exposure to predator kairomones.3. Across replicate populations, diffusion rates were positively correlated with conspecific density. Diffusion rates were negatively correlated with food availability, especially when conspecific density was high. Diffusion rates of food‐deprived populations or those exposed to predation risk were lower than controls.4. Our results provide direct experimental evidence that rates of population spread are conditional on population density, food availability, body condition and predation risk.
Evaluation of anti‐emetic use in chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in a third‐world country (Lebanon)
Authors: Zeitoun Abeer A. , Nassif Jeanette G. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractRationale  In Lebanon, the appropriateness of anti‐emetic use is questionable in large measure because of the absence of published multicentre trials.Aim and objectives  To evaluate the extent of appropriateness of anti‐emetic use in patients on chemotherapy among several Lebanese hospitals. Appropriateness of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prophylaxis was determined as per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.Methods  A multicentre, cross‐sectional study was conducted over a 3‐month period. Data were collected from medical charts of cancer patients. The main outcome measure was to evaluate the appropriateness of prophylactic use of anti‐emetics in CINV in terms of selected drug regimen, dosage and route of administration, and to investigate the role of several pre‐specified variables (including hospital type and size, type of insurance coverage and patient‐related factors) in influencing the appropriateness of anti‐emetic practice.Results  A total of 493 patients' forms were analysed. The median age was 58.8 ± 13.9 years, 290 (58.8%) patients were female. Around 211 (42.8%) patients received inappropriate anti‐emetic regimen, and only 17 (6%) patients of those receiving appropriate regimen received the appropriate dose, and just 55 (19.5%) patients were treated for the appropriate duration. Factors that may affect the relative effectiveness of treatment were identified.Conclusion  This study reflected substantial flaws in CINV prophylaxis practice in Lebanon which should alert health care professionals of the adverse consequences resulting from non‐adherence to guidelines. Our study also highlighted areas for improvement and suggested recommendations in order to minimize patient risk and optimize safe and effective CINV management.
Two AP2 family genes,SUPERNUMERARY BRACT(SNB) andOsINDETERMINATE SPIKELET 1(OsIDS1), synergistically control inflorescence architecture and floral meristem establishment in rice
Authors: Lee Dong‐Yeon , An Gynheung 
Published: October 2011

SummaryMeristem identity is crucial in determining the inflorescence architecture of grass species. We previously reported thatSUPERNUMERARY BRACT(SNB) regulates the transition of spikelet meristems into floral meristems in rice (Oryza sativa). Here we demonstrated thatSNBandOryza sativa INDETERMINATE SPIKELET 1(OsIDS1) together play important roles in inflorescence architecture and the establishment of floral meristems. Insnb osids1double mutants, the numbers of branches and spikelets within a panicle are significantly decreased, and the transition to a floral meristem is further delayed compared with thesnbsingle mutant. Expression analyses showed thatSNBandOsIDS1are required for spatio‐temporal expression of B‐ and E‐function floral organ identity genes in the lodicules. In addition, the AP2 family genes are important for determining the degree of ramification in branch meristems, regulating the spatio‐temporal expression of spikelet meristem genes, such asFRIZZY PANICLE(FZP). Furthermore, overexpression ofmicroRNA172(miR172) causes reductions inSNBandOsIDS1transcript levels, and phenotypes of the transgenic plants are more severe than forsnb osids1. This indicates that additional gene(s) participate in the development of branch and floral meristems. Preferential expression of maturemiR172s in the area around the spikelet meristems implies that depletion of the AP2 family genes in those meristems viamiR172is an important step in controlling inflorescence branching and the formation of floral organs.
Pregnancy following liver transplantation during childhood and adolescence
Authors: Spearman C. W. N. , Goddard E. , McCulloch M. I. , Hairwadzi H. N. , Sonderup M. W. , Kahn D. , Millar A. J. W. 
Published: October 2011

Spearman CWN, Goddard E, McCulloch MI, Hairwadzi HN, Sonderup MW, Kahn D, Millar AJW. Pregnancy following liver transplantation during childhood and adolescence. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 712–717. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  More than 80% of pediatric transplant recipients will survive to reach adulthood, and many will consider having children. We report on outcomes and management of five pregnancies in four women undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation during childhood or adolescence and followed up at our Transplant Center. A retrospective clinical folder audit was performed. Mean age at transplantation was 13.3 ± 3.4 yr (range, 10–18 yr). Mean interval between transplantation and pregnancy was 15.4 ± 4.9 yr (range, 10–22 yr). Mean maternal age at conception was 28 ± 3.5 yr (range, 23–32 yr). Mean gestational age was 36.6 ± 1.7 wk. Mean birth weight was 2672 ± 249 g. Immunosuppression was cyclosporin based in three women and tacrolimus based in one woman. Pregnancy complications necessitating the induction of labor included fetal distress and rising maternal liver enzymes in two women, cholestasis of pregnancy and impaired renal graft function in one woman, fetal distress and preeclampsia in one woman. Modes of delivery were normal vaginal delivery in three women and cesarean section in one woman. No maternal or fetal deaths and no congenital malformations occurred. No episodes of rejection occurred during pregnancy. Two women experienced acute cellular rejection requiring an increase in baseline immunosuppression in the first year, following delivery. No graft losses occurred during a mean follow‐up of 44 ± 17.9 months post‐delivery. With careful management, pregnancy post‐liver transplantation can have a successful outcome.
Population dynamics and production of the seagrass Zostera noltii in colonizing versus established meadows
Authors: Cabaço Susana , Santos Rui , Sprung Martin 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe dynamics of the seagrass Zostera noltii in established and colonizing meadows were assessed in Ria Formosa lagoon, Southern Portugal. Shoot weight, above:belowground biomass ratio, flowering shoot density, meadow production, and biomass–density relationships were investigated. Results indicate that the species population dynamics differ clearly in different development stages of the meadows. The overall mean of flowering shoot density was five times higher in the colonizing (83 flowering shoots m−2) than in the established meadow (16 flowering shoots m−2), revealing a greater contribution of sexual reproduction during the species colonization process. The temporal variation of the biomass–density relationship in the colonizing meadow showed a cyclic seasonal trajectory, a wider range of data, and a simultaneous peak of biomass and density, suggesting no space limitations constraining the internal packing of shoots during the growing season. In the established meadow, density peaked before biomass in agreement to the dominant role of the clonal architecture of seagrasses in the configuration of closed meadows, suggesting the occurrence of self‐thinning and/or regulation of ramet formation. Slope of the biomass–density relationships was similar in the established and colonizing meadows, generally suggesting similar nutritional conditions, regardless of their muddy and sandy sediments. Plants of the colonizing meadow invest mainly on the belowground fraction (above:belowground biomass ratio <1), as meadow expansion is mainly controlled by the elongation of horizontal rhizomes. The annual total production (1163 g C m−2 year−1) and the biomass turnover (34.8 year−1) were also higher in this meadow, corroborating the high investment of the species during the meadow expansion. The faster biomass turnover of the colonizing meadow implies a more limited capacity to accumulate biomass, indicating a greater exportation of organic carbon and nutrients to the coastal area. The different biomass turnover rates suggest different trophic and structural roles of Z. noltii communities in established and colonizing meadows.
Protective effect of ligustrazine against myocardial ischaemia reperfusion in rats: The role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Lv Lei , Jiang Shi‐Sen , Xu Jun , Gong Jian‐Bin , Cheng Yan 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ligustrazine (2,3,5,6‐tetramethylpyrazine; TMP) exerts a cardioprotective effect during myocardial ischaemia reperfusion (IR), and to investigate the underlying mechanisms and the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in cardioprotection.2. Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into a sham group and five IR groups: IR control, TMP pretreated, TMP + wortmannin (a phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor), NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME; a NOS inhibitor) and TMP + L‐NAME. IR was produced by 35 min of regional ischaemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size, oxidative stress, myocardial apoptosis, nitric oxide (NO) production, and expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) and eNOS were measured.3. TMP markedly decreased infarct size and attenuated myocardial apoptosis, as evidenced by a decrease in the apoptotic index and reduced caspase‐3 activity. TMP treatment caused a marked increase in NO production. Cotreatment with wortmannin or L‐NAME completely blocked the TMP‐induced NO increase. TMP induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser 473 (1.61 ± 0.18 vs 0.79 ± 0.10 in the IR control group) and phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 (1.87 ± 0.33 vs 0.94 ± 0.22 in the IR control group). Wortmannin abrogated the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS induced by TMP.4. These data suggest that ligustrazine has anti‐apoptotic and cardioprotective effects against myocardial IR injury and that it acts through the PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, the phosphorylation of eNOS with subsequent NO production was found to be an important downstream effector that contributes significantly to the cardioprotective effect of TMP.
Lipopolysaccharide enhances transforming growth factor β1‐induced platelet‐derived growth factor‐B expression in bile duct epithelial cells
Authors: Kassel Karen M , Sullivan Bradley P , Luyendyk James P 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐B is a potent profibrogenic mediator expressed by bile duct epithelial cells (BDECs) that contributes to liver fibrosis after bile duct ligation. However, the mechanism of PDGF‐B induction in BDECs during cholestasis is not known. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also contribute to the profibrogenic response after bile duct ligation. We tested the hypothesis that LPS and TGFβ1 synergistically induce PDGF‐B expression in BDECs.Methods:  Transformed human BDECs (MMNK‐1 cells) and primary rat BDECs were stimulated with LPS and/or TGFβ1, and signaling pathways through which LPS potentiates TGFβ1‐induced PDGF‐B mRNA expression were investigated.Results:  Stimulation of MMNK‐1 cells with LPS alone did not significantly induce PDGF‐B mRNA expression. However, LPS co‐treatment enhanced TGFβ1 induction of PDGF‐B mRNA in MMNK‐1 cells and also in primary rat BDECs. Importantly, co‐treatment of MMNK‐1 cells with LPS and TGFβ1 also significantly increased PDGF‐BB protein expression. Interestingly, LPS did not affect TGFβ1 activation of a SMAD‐dependent reporter construct. Rather, stimulation of MMNK‐1 cells with LPS, but not TGFβ1, increased JNK1/2 phosphorylation. Expression of dominant negative JNK2, but not dominant negative JNK1, inhibited the LPS potentiation of TGFβ1‐induced PDGF‐B mRNA expression in MMNK‐1 cells. In addition, LPS treatment caused IκBα degradation and activation of a nuclear factor κB (NFκB)‐dependent reporter construct. Expression of an IκBα super repressor inhibited activation of NFκB and attenuated LPS potentiation of TGFβ1‐induced PDGF‐B mRNA.Conclusions:  The results indicate that LPS activation of NFκB and JNK2 enhances TGFβ1‐induced PDGF‐B expression in BDECs.
Adherence to follow‐up after a positive fecal occult blood test in an organized colorectal cancer screening program in Korea, 2004–2008
Authors: Choi Kui Son , Lee Hoo‐Yeon , Jun Jae Kwan , Shin Aesun , Park Eun‐Cheol 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To investigate the participation rates, positivity rates, and follow‐up rates from 2004 to 2008 in an organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program using a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in Korea.Methods:  The study population was men and women aged 50 years or older who were invited to participate in the National Cancer Screening Program for CRC between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008. We collected the FOBT results and follow‐up information for the FOBT positives.Results:  Participation rates increased steadily each year from 10.5% in 2004 to 21.1% in 2008. Between 2004 and 2008, FOBT positivity rates declined from 8.0% to 6.8%. Among the FOBT‐positives, 61.3% of participants underwent either colonoscopy or double contrast barium enema (DCBE) in 2004, and this rate decreased to 38.6% in 2008. Age, health insurance type, and screening history were associated with adherence to follow‐up test after a positive FOBT. With regard to follow‐up tests, colonoscopy rates increased from 17.9% in 2004 to 27.6% in 2008, while DCBE decreased from 43.4% in 2004 to 11.0% in 2008. Colonoscopy was significantly more likely to be chosen as a follow‐up test by men, participants aged 50–59 years, and National Health Insurance beneficiaries.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that targeting participants for follow‐up, based on age and previous screening history, could be a good way to improve the follow‐up rate.
Genetic risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus: A case control study
Authors: Tomoda Takeshi , Nouso Kazuhiro , Sakai Akiko , Ouchida Mamoru , Kobayashi Sayo , Miyahara Koji , Onishi Hideki , Nakamura Shinichiro , Yamamoto Kazuhide , Shimizu Kenji 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroud and Aim:  Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a well known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to elucidate the genetic risk of development and recurrence of HCC in patients with HCV.Methods:  A total of 468 patients with HCV, including 265 with HCC were enrolled. We genotyped 88 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 81 genes expected to influence hepatocarcinogenesis using the iPLEX assay. Risk of HCC was clarified by stratifying patients into risk groups based on the multiplied odds ratio (MOR) for SNPs associated with HCC, and the cumulative effects on the development and recurrence of HCC were analyzed.Results:  Six SNPs associated with risk of HCC were identified (OR range: 0.29–1.76). These included novel SNPs for hepatocarcinogenesis with HCV CCND2 rs1049606, RAD23B rs1805329, CEP164 rs573455, and GRP78rs430397 in addition to the known SNPs MDM2 rs2279744 and ALDH2 rs671. MOR analysis revealed that the highest risk group exerted about a 19‐fold higher relative OR compared with the lowest risk group (P = 1.08 × 10−5). Predicted 10‐year HCC risk ranged from 1.7% to 96% depending on the risk group and the extent of fibrosis. Recurrence‐free survival of radiofrequency ablation‐treated HCC in the high risk group (n = 53) was lower than that of low risk group (n = 58, P = 0.038).Conclusion:  Single nucleotide polymorphisms of CCND2, RAD23B, GRP78, CEP164, MDM2, and ALDH2 genes were significantly associated with development and recurrence of HCC in Japanese patients with HCV.
Trends in childhood asthma hospitalisation in three Asia Pacific countries
Authors: Chua Kun Lin , Ma Stefan , Prescott Susan , Ho Marco HK , Ng Daniel K , Lee Bee Wah 
Published: October 2011

Aim:  The study aims to examine recent childhood asthma hospitalisation rates in the Asia Pacific countries of Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. On the background of reported decline in many countries with high asthma prevalence during late 1990s.Methods:  Annual asthma hospitalisation (ICD9‐CM: 493 or ICD10‐AM: J45‐46)* and population data from 1994 to 2008, of children aged 0–14 years old, were obtained from the Australian National Hospital Morbidity Database, from the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong and from the Ministry of Health in Singapore. Data were stratified in two age groups: 0–4 and 5–14 years old, and also in different periods of calendar years. Time‐series regression analyses were used to examine temporal trends. Diagnostic transfer was addressed by examining bronchitis hospitalisations.Results:  Significant decreases of up to 6.5% per annum in childhood asthma hospitalisation rates were found over the study period. However, the latter half of the study period showed increases in hospitalisation rates in all countries studied. No evidence of diagnostic transfer was found.Conclusion:  Although there has been a decrease in childhood asthma hospitalisation rates since the 1990s, a modest increase was observed from 2003 to 2008. Ongoing monitoring is required.
Long‐term efficacy of plasma exchange treatment for refractory Kawasaki disease
Authors: Hokosaki Tatsunori , Mori Masaaki , Nishizawa Takashi , Nakamura Tomoko , Imagawa Tomoyuki , Iwamoto Mari , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground:  The treatment of Kawasaki disease patients who fail to respond to initial i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long‐term efficacy of plasma exchange (PE) treatment for refractory Kawasaki disease.Methods:  A total of 125 Kawasaki disease patients refractory to IVIG were treated with PE. Coronary artery lesions (CAL) before PE, in the acute period, and during the late period were examined retrospectively.Results:  Residual sequelae requiring medical treatment occurred in six cases in the late period. The outcomes of treatment tended to be better when PE was begun in the early stage. Sequelae remained in 2.8% of patients in whom PE was initiated prior to day 9 after onset, and were present in 15% of patients in whom PE was started on or after day 10. The 105 patients whose coronary arteries were normal before PE had no sequelae (residual sequelae: 0%). Dilatation was present before PE in 14 patients, but remained in only two patients in the late period (residual sequelae, 14.3%). In four of the six patients in whom aneurysms had already formed before PE, the lesions had advanced into giant aneurysms, but in the other two patients they returned to the normal range (residual sequelae, 66.6%).Conclusions:  The outcomes of PE for Kawasaki disease refractory to IVIG are favorable, and the effectiveness of this treatment is excellent, particularly if it is initiated before CAL arise.
Ranibizumab therapy for choroidal neovascularization secondary to non‐age‐related macular degeneration causes
Authors: Troutbeck Robyn , Bunting Roland , van Heerdon Anton , Cain Melinda , Guymer Robyn 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground:  To investigate the efficacy of ranibizumab therapy for choroidal neovascular (CNV) membranes secondary to conditions other than macular degeneration.Design:  Prospective case series conducted at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.Participants:  Twelve‐month follow‐up data for 41 patients with CNV recruited from the outpatient clinic from May 2008 to April 2010 is presented. Fifteen patients had myopia, seven had multifocal choroiditis, and eight had other primary causes.Methods:  All patients had visual acuity, fluorescein angiogram and optical coherence tomography performed at the initial visit (baseline). Ranibizumab was injected with a standard sterile technique. Patients were reviewed after 1 month, and further injections were given at the treating doctors' discretion.Main Outcome Measures:  Change in visual acuity and central macular thickness at 12 months was compared with baseline for each of the groups. Local and systemic adverse outcomes were recorded.Results:  Analysis was stratified by primary pathology. On average, 40%, 43% and 25% of patients with myopia, multifocal choroiditis and ‘other’ pathologies, respectively, experienced a three or more line improvement in vision. The average number of injections in 12 months was 4.2 for the entire group. Central macular thickness significantly decreased in the 12‐month period for the combined group (P = 0.03). No patient had an adverse systemic side‐effect; however, there was one case of endophthalmitis.Conclusions:  Ranibizumab is an effective treatment for CNV secondary to non‐age‐related macular degeneration causes, with most patients gaining an improvement in the first 2 months following injection.