bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
At What Age Should Children Engage in Agricultural Tasks?
Authors: Yang Jingzhen , O’Gara Erin , Cheng Gang , Kelly Kevin M. , Ramirez Marizen , Burmeister Leon F. , Merchant James A. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose: We compared parents’ perceived‐as‐appropriate ages with actual‐performance ages for their children engaging in selected agricultural tasks or practices, and we examined the factors associated with age discrepancy.Methods: We analyzed data from the Keokuk County Rural Health Study collected among parents of children age 17 or younger. Parents were interviewed separately regarding the age of their children's involvement in 14 selected agricultural tasks and their opinions about appropriate age of involvement.Findings: Of the 264 families included, 86.5% with a son and 69.8% with a daughter reported having children involved in at least 1 of 14 selected agricultural tasks. The average actual‐performance ages for children to be involved in any of the tasks were younger than those that parents perceived appropriate. Furthermore, in 6 of the 9 North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) that we assessed, parents’ perceived‐as‐appropriate ages were younger than minimum ages recommended by the NAGCAT. Driving an all‐terrain vehicle (ATV) was the most common task with actual‐performance age younger than the NAGCAT‐recommended age; 53.0% of boys (n = 106) and 36.1% of girls (n = 61) did so under the recommended age. Boys and children who live on a farm, or whose parents have been or are farmers, were significantly more likely to perform agricultural tasks at earlier ages.Conclusions: Our results suggest farm parents and other rural stakeholders need to be better educated and encouraged to follow the NAGCAT guidelines, and that multilevel interventions need to be developed to ensure protection of children from agricultural injury and death.
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Ureaplasma diversum from urogenital swabs in cattle in Australia
Authors: Smith A , Chousalkar KK , Chenoweth PC 
Published: May 2012

Background  Ureaplasma diversum has been associated with various reproductive problems in cattle, including granular vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis, early embryonic death, weak calves, decreased conception rates, balanoprosthitis, impaired spermatozoids and seminal vesiculitis in bulls.Methods  This study briefly outlines the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the rapid detection of U. diversum directly from urogenital swabs collected from Australian beef cattle.Results  The 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences obtained from the PCR products of the clinical samples were closely related to U. diversum strain A417.Conclusion  The present test enabled detection of the organism directly from clinical swabs collected from animals with or without lesions.
Anti‐atherogenic effect of chromium picolinate in streptozotocin‐induced experimental diabetes (在链脲霉素诱导的实验性糖尿病中吡啶甲酸铬的抗动脉粥样硬化作用)
Authors: SUNDARAM Bhuvaneshwari , SINGHAL Kirti , SANDHIR Rajat 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground:  Several studies have implicated changes in the levels of trace elements in diabetes. Chromium is one such element that seems to potentiate insulin action, thereby regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chromium supplementation as chromium picolinate on the lipid profile of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats.Methods:  Rats were rendered diabetic by a single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Chromium picolinate (1 mg/kg per day, p.o.) was administered to rats for a period of 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, plasma total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and lipoprotein levels were determined, as was hepatic glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity.Results:  Total plasma lipids increased significantly in diabetic rats and this increase was ameliorated by chromium treatment for 4 weeks. Elevated total lipids in diabetic rats were due to increased plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Chromium supplementation lowered plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels to near normal. Chromium treatment also normalized low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL‐C) and very low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels and improved the total cholesterol:high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL‐C) and HDL‐C:LDL‐C ratios, suggesting an anti‐atherogenic effect. In addition to improving the plasma lipid profile, chromium supplementation normalized liver glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity in diabetic rats.Conclusions:  These results provide evidence that chromium picolinate effectively attenuates the dyslipidemia associated with diabetes and thus can be used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications.
Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus posterolateral thoracotomy lobectomy: A more patient‐friendly approach on postoperative pain, pulmonary function and shoulder function
Authors: Pu Qiang , Ma Lin , Mei Jiandong , Zhu Yunke , Che Guowei , Lin Yidan , Wu Zhu , Wang Yun , Kou Yingli , Liu Lunxu 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe evaluated the physiological benefits following video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy or posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT) lobectomy for lung cancer patients. One hundred and three patients were included in this study, who underwent either a VATS approach (n= 51) or a PLT approach (n= 52) lobectomy for clinical stage I lung cancer. Pain scores were measured preoperatively and on postoperative day (POD) one, three, seven, 30, and 90, by using a visual analog scale. Pulmonary function and shoulder function were measured preoperatively and on POD seven, 30 and 90 by using a portable spirometer and by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) standardized shoulder assessment form, respectively. Postoperative pain was experienced less in the VATS group than in the PLT group on POD one, three, seven, 30, and 90 (P= 0.060, 0.055, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, respectively). Analgesic requirements were significantly less in the VATS group than in the PLT group during hospital stay (90.2 ± 60.8 mg vs. 119.2 ± 70.8 mg, P= 0.028). The pain score returned to the preoperative reference level on POD seven in the VATS group, but not until POD 30 in the PLT group. The recovery of forced vital capacity (FVC) was statistically better in the VATS group on POD seven, postoperative month (POM) one, and POM three (P= 0.000, 0.000, 0.002, respectively). The recovery of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was better in the VATS group, but the differences were not significant. The shoulder function in the VATS group was significantly well preserved on POD seven, 30 and 90, compared with the PLT group. Lobectomy by the VATS approach generates less pain, and preserves better pulmonary function and shoulder function in the early postoperative phase.
Study of Vancomycin Resistance in Faecal Enterococci from Healthy Humans and Dogs in Spain a Decade after the Avoparcin Ban in Europe
Authors: López M. , Tenorio C. , Torres C. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryOne hundred and 26 faecal samples from healthy dogs (2009) and 157 faecal samples from healthy humans (2007) from La Rioja region (Spain) were tested to know the carriage of vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE). VRE with intrinsic resistance (vanC) were found in 12% of healthy dogs and humans (29 Enterococcus gallinarum and four Enterococcus casseliflavus). Nevertheless, VRE with acquired mechanism of resistance were not detected among these samples. Four Enterococcus faecalis isolates with vancomycin MIC of 8‐16 mg L−1 were recovered in human samples, but no single organism with known mechanism of acquired resistance could be identified. These 37 VRE isolates (33 E. gallinarum/E. casseliflavus and four E. faecalis) of dog and human origin were further characterized (PCR detection of antibiotic resistance, virulence and bacteriocin genes). High prevalence of tetracycline resistance was identified (70%), especially among dog isolates harbouring tet(M) ± tet(L) genes; erythromycin resistance was also higher among isolates from dogs and they harboured the erm(B) gene, associated with erm(A) gene in one case. Virulence genes were only identified among E. faecalis isolates of human origin (agg, cpd and/or gelE) and never among E. gallinarum/E. casseliflavus of human or dog origin. Five E. gallinarum isolates of dog and three E. faecalis of human origin expressed bacteriocin activity; among them, only one E. faecalis presented activity against Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteriocin structural gene ef1097 was identified in 3 bacteriocin‐producing E. faecalis isolates, associated with ent1071 in one of them.
Effect of Xiongbing compound on the pharmacokinetics and brain targeting of tetramethylpyrazine
Authors: Wang Li-Sheng , Shi Zong-Feng , Zhang Ying-Feng , Guo Qi , Huang Yu-Wei , Zhou Li-Ling 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the effect of the Xiongbing compound (XBC) on the pharmacokinetics and brain targeting of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP).

Methods
Three microemulsions containing the same TMP concentration were prepared. XBC microemulsions were made from Rhizoma ligustric Chuanxiong extracts, borneol and TMP. TMP microemulsions were made with TMP only. Borneol microemulsions contained borneol and TMP. Microdialysis with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the concentration of TMP in the blood and striatum after intravenous (i.v.) or intragastric (i.g.) administration of the three different microemulsions.

Key findings
The pharmacokinetics of free TMP concentration in the blood and the striatum fit a first-order rate, open two-compartment model after intravenous and intragastric microemulsion administration. The maximal concentration (Cmax) and area under curve (AUC) values in the XBC microemulsion i.v. group were significantly higher than that in the TMP microemulsion and borneol microemulsion i.v. groups. After XBC microemulsion i.g. administration, the t1/2, mean residence time (MRT) and AUC of TMP in both plasma and brain tissues were greater than those with TMP microemulsion and borneol microemulsion administration. The relative brain targeting efficiency of TMP for the XBC microemulsion i.v and i.g. groups relative to the TMP microemulsion and borneol microemulsion groups were greater than 1.

Conclusion
XBC microemulsion can enhance TMP oral bioavailability, brain targeting and tissue distribution, mainly through a synergistic action of Rhizoma ligustric Chuanxiong extracts and borneol.
Did We Interpret the Same Thing?
Authors: Falan Sharie L. , Han Bernard T. 
Published: May 2012

PURPOSE:  Motivated by the potential application of "similarity theory" in nursing communication, the primary objectives of this paper are (a) to seek an in‐depth understanding of how nurses identify like concepts when comparing two similar but different images, and (b) to pinpoint the thinking process nurses use to determine "similarity" as a pretest of a framework that is meant to improve nursing communication for better patients' care.METHODS:  A think‐aloud approach is used to elicit both written and verbal responses from six participants, who are medical‐surgical registered nurses with an associate degree, by comparing two specifically designed images for similarity determination. Data collected from participants include responses about four levels of similarities, a similarity rating using a 1–10 Likert‐type scale, and a most meaningful concept shared by the image pair.FINDINGS:  Collected data indicate noticeable variability in the level and quality of details, which in turn demonstrates inconsistencies. The findings from analyzing the collected think‐aloud responses indicate that the proposed framework of thinking process was undertaken by at least three participants (i.e., 50%) before they reached the similarity rating and a meaningful concept. This study shows how misunderstandings in interpretation can occur simply because nurses used different similarity approaches. Anomalies are also found in the collected data (i.e., think‐aloud responses). Possible causes and explanations are given, along with suggestions for further investigation and validation of the proposed framework.CONCLUSIONS:  In this study, a communication framework based on similarity theory was proposed to highlight the thinking process of nursing concept development. A think‐aloud pilot study was conducted. Results suggest that similarity theory and the proposed framework can be used to explain how nurses classify and determine similarities, though an in‐depth validation is needed. This framework may guide nurse educators to promote higher levels of thinking when educating students and nurses in the process of extracting quality information during patient care. The limitations of current research have been addressed. Additional research issues and extensions to this study are also provided in order to further improve nursing communication education.
Cross‐Cultural Adaptation of the Quality of Diagnoses, Interventions and Outcomes (Q‐DIO) Instrument into Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: da Costa Linch Graciele Fernanda , Müller‐Staub Maria , Moraes Maria Antonieta , Azzolin Karina , Rabelo Eneida Rejane 
Published: May 2012

PURPOSE:  To describe the cross‐cultural adaptation of the Quality of Diagnoses, Interventions and Outcomes instrument into Brazilian Portuguese.METHOD:  This process entailed translation, synthesis, back‐translation, expert committee review, and pretesting.FINDINGS:  Six items were altered in the Brazilian version, and the scoring system was changed from a five‐point to a three‐point Likert‐type scale. Pretesting was conducted on a sample of 40 randomly selected nursing records. Overall reliability as measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.96.CONCLUSIONS:  Adaptation resulted in a preliminary version of the instrument.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:  Assessment of the psychometric properties of the instrument in a larger sample of nursing records is required, and such a study is underway.
Software Application That Evaluates the Diagnostic Accuracy of Nursing Students
Authors: Jensen Rodrigo , Silveira Paulo Sérgio Panse , Ortega Neli Regina Siqueira , de Moraes Lopes Maria Helena Baena 
Published: May 2012

PURPOSE:  Apply the educational software Fuzzy Kitten with undergraduate Brazilian nursing students.METHODS:  This software, based on fuzzy logic, generates performance scores that evaluate the ability to identify defining characteristics/risk factors present in clinical cases, relate them with nursing diagnoses, and determine the diagnoses freely or using a decision support model.FINDINGS:  There were differences in student performance compared to the year of the course. The time to perform the activity did not present a significant relation to the performance. The students' scores in the diagnoses indicated by the model was superior (p= .01).CONCLUSIONS:  The software was able to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of students.IMPLICATIONS:  The software enables an objective evaluation of diagnostic accuracy.OBJETIVO:  Aplicar o software educacional Fuzzy Kitten com graduandos de enfermagem brasileiros.MÉTODOS:  Este software, baseado em lógica fuzzy, gera escores de desempenho que avaliam a capacidade do aluno em identificar características definidoras/fatores de risco presentes em casos clínicos, relacioná‐las com diagnósticos de enfermagem e determinar diagnósticos de forma livre ou usando um modelo de apoio à decisão.RESULTADOS:  Houve diferença no desempenho dos alunos em relação ao ano do curso. O tempo para realizar a atividade não apresentou relação com o desempenho. O escore dos alunos foi superior no diagnóstico gerado pelo modelo (p = ,01).CONCLUSÕES:  O software permitiu avaliar a acurácia diagnóstica dos alunos.IMPLICAÇÕES:  O software possibilita uma avaliação objetiva da acurácia diagnóstica.
Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-Associated Tuberculosis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Strain Predominance, Clustering, and Polyclonal Disease
Authors: Adams Lisa V. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Arbeit Robert D. , Soini Hanna , Mtei Lillian , Matee Mecky , Bakari Muhammad , Lahey Timothy , Wieland-Alter Wendy , Shashkina Elena , Kurepina Natalia , Driscoll Jeffrey R. , Pallangyo Kisali , Horsburgh C. Robert , von Reyn C. Fordham 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Molecular typing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
can be used to elucidate the epidemiology of tuberculosis, including the rates of clustering, the frequency of polyclonal disease, and the distribution of genotypic families. We performed IS
6110
typing and spoligotyping on
M. tuberculosis
strains isolated from HIV-infected subjects at baseline or during follow-up in the DarDar Trial in Tanzania and on selected community isolates. Clustering occurred in 203 (74%) of 275 subjects: 124 (80%) of 155 HIV-infected subjects with baseline isolates, 56 (69%) of 81 HIV-infected subjects with endpoint isolates, and 23 (59%) of 39 community controls. Overall, 113 (41%) subjects had an isolate representing the East Indian “GD” family. The rate of clustering was similar among vaccine and placebo recipients and among subjects with or without cellular immune responses to mycobacterial antigens. Polyclonal disease was detected in 6 (43%) of 14 patients with multiple specimens typed. Most cases of HIV-associated tuberculosis among subjects from this study in Dar es Salaam resulted from recently acquired infection. Polyclonal infection was detected and isolates representing the East Indian GD strain family were the most common.
Recovery of Gram-Negative Bacilli in Stored Endotracheal Aspirates
Authors: Ranke Tarah D. , Strassle Paula , Harris Anthony D. , Zhu Jingkun , Johnson J. Kristie 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the recovery rates of Gram-negative bacilli from stored endotracheal aspirates frozen with and without glycerol. Samples frozen with glycerol showed a significant difference in isolate recovery, 89.7% versus 69.2% (
P
= 0.02). This study demonstrates that it is possible to achieve high recovery rates of potentially pathogenic organisms from endotracheal aspirates when stored with glycerol, thus broadening the scope of active surveillance cultures for both clinical and research purposes.
Influenza A Viruses Control Expression of Proviral Human p53 Isoforms p53β and Δ133p53α
Authors: Terrier Olivier , Marcel Virginie , Cartet Gaëlle , Lane David P. , Lina Bruno , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel , Bourdon Jean-Christophe 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
Previous studies have described the role of p53 isoforms, including p53β and Δ133p53α, in the modulation of the activity of full-length p53, which regulates cell fate. In the context of influenza virus infection, an interplay between influenza viruses and p53 has been described, with p53 being involved in the antiviral response. However, the role of physiological p53 isoforms has never been explored in this context. Here, we demonstrate that p53 isoforms play a role in influenza A virus infection by using silencing and transient expression strategies in human lung epithelial cells. In addition, with the help of a panel of different influenza viruses from different subtypes, we also show that infection differentially regulates the expressions of p53β and Δ133p53α. Altogether, our results highlight the role of p53 isoforms in the viral cycle of influenza A viruses, with p53β and Δ133p53α acting as regulators of viral production in a p53-dependent manner.
The Nordic Patient Experiences Questionnaire (NORPEQ): cross-national comparison of data quality, internal consistency and validity in four Nordic countries
Authors: Skudal Kjersti Eeg , Garratt Andrew Malcolm , Eriksson Birgitta , Leinonen Tuija , Simonsen Jan , Bjertnaes Oyvind Andresen 
Published: May 2012

ObjectivesTo evaluate the Nordic Patient Experiences Questionnaire (NORPEQ) for data quality, reliability and validity following surveys of patients in Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands.Design, methods and participantsThe NORPEQ was mailed to 500 patients randomly selected after receiving inpatient treatment in Finland, Norway and Sweden. The NORPEQ was also included in a national survey in Norway and in the Faroe Islands. Dimensionality was assessed using principal component analysis and internal consistency by item-total correlation and Cronbach's α. Construct validity was assessed by correlating NORPEQ scores with variables known to be related to patient experiences.SettingSomatic hospitals in Finland, Faroe Islands, Norway and Sweden.Primary and secondary outcome measuresItem missing, internal consistency reliability and construct validity.ResultsResponse rates ranged from 45.8% in Norway to 84% for Sweden. Levels of missing data were low for all items across the surveys. Principal component analysis identified one component with six experiences items. Mean NORPEQ scores ranged from 74 to 79 on the 0–100 scale, where 100 represents the best possible experiences. Cronbach's α ranged from 0.84 in Finland to 0.88 in Sweden.ConclusionsThe NORPEQ is a brief measure of patient experiences that covers important aspects of the healthcare encounter. It shows good evidence of reliability and validity.Practice implicationsThe NORPEQ instrument is recommended for cross-national comparisons of healthcare experiences for the four Nordic countries.
The excitability of dorsal horn neurons is affected by cerebrospinal fluid from humans with osteoarthritis
Authors: Lu Van B. , Smith Peter A. , Rashiq Saifee 
Published: May 2012

Changes in central neural processing are thought to contribute to the development of chronic osteoarthritis pain. This may be reflected as the presence of inflammatory mediators in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). We therefore exposed organotypically cultured slices of rat spinal cord to CSF from human subjects with osteoarthritis (OACSF) at a ratio of 1 part CSF in 9 parts culture medium for 5–6 days, and measured changes in neuronal electrophysiological properties by means of whole-cell recording. Although OACSF had no effect on the membrane properties and excitability of neurons in the substantia gelatinosa, synaptic transmission was clearly altered. The frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) in delay-firing putative excitatory neurons was increased, as was sEPSC amplitude and frequency in tonic-firing inhibitory neurons. These changes could affect sensory processing in the dorsal horn, and may affect the transfer of nociceptive information. Although OACSF also affected inhibitory synaptic transmission (frequency of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents; sIPSC), this may have little bearing on sensory processing by substantia gelatinosa neurons, as sEPSC frequency is >3× greater than sIPSC frequency in this predominantly excitatory network. These results support the clinical notion that changes in nociceptive processing at the spinal level contribute to the generation of chronic osteoarthritis pain.