bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of heat application on pain, stiffness, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Yıldırım Nurcan , Filiz Ulusoy Mehlika , Bodur Hatice 
Published: March 2010

Aims and objectives.  The aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of local heat application on pain, stiffness, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Background.  Local heat application is used as a non‐pharmacological practice for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. On the other hand, literature reveals limited information on the effects of heat application.Design.  The study was a comparative study.Methods.  The patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups (23 patients in each) as intervention and control groups, and patients in the control group were applied with the routine medication of the physician. The intervention group received 20‐minute heat application every other day for four weeks in addition to the routine medication. The data were collected using data collection form, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index and SF‐36.Results.  The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities disability scores of the patients with knee osteoarthritis in control and intervention groups before and after the intervention were compared, and the differences for both scores in the change were found to be statistically significant (p < 0·05). Moreover, statistically significant differences were found between the control and intervention group patients in terms of changes in the scores for physical function, pain and general health perception (p < 0·05).Conclusions.  It was found that heat application every other day decreased pain and disability of the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Also, heat application was found to improve the subdimensions of quality of life scores of physical function, pain and general health perception of patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  The data obtained in this study on the efficiency of heat application on pain, stiffness, physical function and general health perception of patients with knee osteoarthritis may offer an insight into decision‐making process for appropriate intervention.
Pivotal moments and changes in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music for patients with depression
Authors: Lin Mei‐Feng , Hsu Mei‐Chi , Chang Hsiu‐Ju , Hsu Yu‐Yun , Chou Mei‐Hsien , Crawford Paul 
Published: March 2010

Aims.  To explore pivotal moments and changes during the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music from the perspective of patients with depression.Background.  Depression has been described as an extremely difficult experience for people and is characterised by emotional distress and suffering. As depression progresses, symptoms increase and gradually influence all aspects of the lives of those affected. Few studies have been undertaken into the essence of inner and pivotal experiences during Guided Imagery and Music in patients with depression.Design.  A qualitative research design and discovery‐oriented approach were used as the method of both data gathering and textual analysis.Methods.  This study conducted semi‐structured interviews with five patients with depression after each of eight sessions of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Each session took place in a music therapy laboratory. Forty transcripts were organised into categories and analysed according to the discovery‐oriented approach of Mahrer and Boulet, considering the dimensions of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music.Results.  Nine patients with depression were recruited from a medical centre in southern Taiwan from 2004–2005. Five successfully completed eight Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music sessions. There were 141 statements coded into 10 subthemes and three themes describing pivotal moments: pushing aside the barrier, gaining new insight, moving forward. Each category was supported by three‐four themes. The analysis also yielded three meaningful moments: releasing mind–body rigidity, awareness and inspiration, acceptance and inner transformation. Patients described personal emotional, cognitive and behavioural transformation during the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music experiences.Conclusions.  The discovery‐oriented approach fulfilled the aim of gaining a valuable understanding of the psychological growth experiences of patients with depression during the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music.Relevance to clinical practice.  Patients with depression particularly need comfort and caring. It is important that nurses offer interventions as adjuvants to medication. This study supports the feasibility of incorporating the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music into the nursing management of patients with depression. Future studies are suggested to examine the interactive process of music stimulus and the multidimensional nature of imagery.
The physiological and psychological effects of slow‐stroke back massage and hand massage on relaxation in older people
Authors: Harris Melodee , Richards Kathy C 
Published: March 2010

Background and aims.  In recent years, the nursing profession used technology and pharmacology to relieve conditions such as pain, anxiety and insomnia that were once treated with massage. However, interest in massage has grown with the move to more holistic nursing. This review examines the physiological and psychological effects of slow‐stroke back massage and hand massage on relaxation in older people and identifies effective protocols for massage in older people.Design.  Review.Methods.  Cooper’s five‐stage model was used in the review process. The search strategy included all studies without limiters for dates through June 2009 in the following databases: Ovid Medline, Cochrane databases, PubMed, EBSCO, CINAHL, Health Resource, PychINFO and EMB Reviews 1991–June 2009. The quality of the research was evaluated using the Research Appraisal Checklist. Twenty‐one studies met the inclusion criteria for massage, relevance to older people and rigorous research.Results.  All studies using slow‐stroke back massage and hand massage showed statistically significant improvements on physiological or psychological indicators of relaxation. The most common protocols were three‐minute slow‐stroke back massage and 10‐minute hand massage.Conclusion.  Physiological and psychological indicators suggest the effectiveness of slow‐stroke back massage and hand massage in promoting relaxation in older people across all settings.Relevance to clinical practice.  Studies are needed to analyse the feasibility and cost effectiveness of massage to develop best practices for massage interventions in older people.
Plant responses to simulated hurricane impacts in a subtropical wet forest, Puerto Rico
Authors: Shiels Aaron B. , Zimmerman Jess K. , García‐Montiel Diana C. , Jonckheere Inge , Holm Jennifer , Horton David , Brokaw Nicholas 
Published: March 2010

Summary 1. We simulated two key components of severe hurricane disturbance, canopy openness and detritus deposition, to determine the independent and interactive effects of these components on woody plant recruitment and forest structure. 2. We increased canopy openness by trimming branches and added or subtracted canopy detritus in a factorial design. Plant responses were measured during the 4‐year study, which followed at least 1 year of pre‐manipulation monitoring. 3. The physical conditions of canopy openness and detritus deposition in our experiment resembled the responses to Hurricane Hugo, a severe category 4 hurricane that struck this forest in 1989. 4. Canopy detritus deposition killed existing woody seedlings and provided a mechanical barrier that suppressed seedling recruitment. The increase in understorey light caused by canopy trimming stimulated germination from the seed bank and increased seedling recruitment and density of pioneer species several hundred‐fold when hurricane debris was absent. Many significant interactions between trimming and detritus deposition were evident from the manner in which seedling density, recruitment and mortality changed over time, and subsequently influenced the composition of woody stems (individuals ≥ 1 cm d.b.h.). 5. When the canopy was trimmed, stem densities increased > 2‐fold and rates of recruitment into the stem size class increased > 25‐fold. Trimming had no significant effect on stem mortality. The two dominant species that flourished following canopy trimming were the pioneer species Cecropia schreberiana and Psychotria berteriana. Deposition of canopy detritus had little effect on stems, although basal area increased slightly when detritus was added. There were no evident effects of the interactions between canopy trimming and detritus deposition on stems. 6. Synthesis. The separate and interactive effects of canopy openness and detritus deposition result in variable short‐term trajectories of forest recovery. However, the short interval of increased canopy openness due to hurricane impacts and its influence on the recruitment of pioneer trees is the dominant factor that drives short‐term recovery and may alter long‐term structure and composition of the forest.
C‐reactive protein lowering with rosuvastatin in the METEOR study
Authors: Peters S. A. E. , Palmer M. K. , Grobbee D. E. , Crouse J. R. , O’Leary D. H. , Raichlen J. S. , Bots M. L. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract.  Peters SAE, Palmer MK, Grobbee DE, Crouse JR III, O’Leary DH, Raichlen JS, Bots ML (Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Keele University, Keele, UK; Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston‐Salem, NC, USA; Caritas Carney Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, USA). C‐reactive protein lowering with rosuvastatin in the METEOR study. J Intern Med 2010; 268: 155–161.Objectives.  In addition to its LDL‐C‐lowering effects, statin treatment reduces the level of C‐reactive protein (CRP). Long‐term data on this effect in low‐risk populations are limited. Furthermore, whether the CRP reduction is a consequence of LDL‐C lowering or occurs independently remains unclear. We studied these aspects in the Measuring Effects on intima media Thickness: an Evaluation Of Rosuvastatin (METEOR) study, a randomized placebo‐controlled trial amongst 984 low‐risk subjects.Methods.  METEOR is a randomized placebo‐controlled trial that evaluated the effect of 40 mg of rosuvastatin on 2‐year change in carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) amongst 984 low‐risk patients (10‐year Framingham risk <10%) with modest CIMT (CIMT ≥ 1.2 and <3.5 mm) and elevated LDL‐C. CRP levels were measured at baseline and after 2 years of treatment.Results.  Median baseline CRP was 1.4 mg L–1. Rosuvastatin lowered CRP significantly compared with placebo: −36% in the rosuvastatin group versus no change in the placebo group. There was no relation between change in CRP and change in LDL‐C (Spearman correlation: 0.08; SE: 0.04). Stratified analyses showed that the CRP‐lowering effect was present amongst all strata of baseline characteristics, including baseline lipids and CRP levels. However, the magnitude of CRP reduction was larger amongst women and participants older than 60 years.Conclusions.  Rosuvastatin (40 mg) lowers CRP independently from its effects on LDL‐C in low‐risk subjects with normal baseline CRP levels and modest CIMT.
Phylogenetic similarity and structure of Agaricomycotina communities across a forested landscape
Authors: EDWARDS IVAN P. , ZAK DONALD R. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe Agaricomycotina are a phylogenetically diverse group of fungi that includes both saprotrophic and mycorrhizal species, and that form species – rich communities in forest ecosystems. Most species are infrequently observed, and this hampers assessment of the role that environmental heterogeneity plays in determining local community composition and in driving β‐diversity. We used a combination of phenetic (TRFLP) and phylogenetic approaches [Unifrac and Net Relatedness Index (NRI)] to examine the compositional and phylogenetic similarity of Agaricomycotina communities in forest floor and surface soil of three widely distributed temperate upland forest ecosystems (one, xeric oak – dominated and two, mesic sugar maple dominated). Generally, forest floor and soil communities had similar phylogenetic diversity, but there was little overlap of species or evolutionary lineages between these two horizons. Forest floor communities were dominated by saprotrophic species, and were compositionally and phylogenetically similar in all three ecosystems. Mycorrhizal species represented 30% to 90% of soil community diversity, and these communities differed compositionally and phylogenetically between ecosystems. Estimates of NRI revealed significant phylogenetic clustering in both the forest floor and soil communities of only the xeric oak‐dominated forest ecosystem, and may indicate that this ecosystem acts as a habitat filter. Our results suggest that environmental heterogeneity strongly influences the phylogenetic β‐diversity of soil inhabiting Agaricomycotina communities, but has only a small influence on forest floor β‐diversity. Moreover, our results suggest that the strength of community assembly processes, such as habitat filtering, may differ between temperate forest ecosystems.
Effect of production system and pruning on Aphis sambuci dynamics over time and on elderberry yield
Authors: Holb I. J. , Fodor B. , Lakatos P. , Abonyi F. , Balla B. , Fazekas M. , Gáll J. M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIn a 2‐year study, elder aphid (Aphis sambuci) dynamics over time and berry yield were evaluated in two production systems (integrated and organic) and in two winter pruning treatments (trees pruned to four and eight scaffolds) in two black elderberry orchards in Hungary. In the organic production system, the first aphid colony was observed 1–2 weeks earlier (late‐March) in both years and locations compared to the integrated programme. The number of aphid colonies then increased until mid‐May in both years, reaching a maximum number of aphid colonies of 11.2 on 100 scaffolds in the integrated production system and of 38.9 in the organic programme. Then, the number of colonies decreased and reached a zero value at mid‐June in the integrated production system and 2 weeks later (early July) in the organic one in both years and locations. First autumn aphid colonies were observed in early September in the integrated production system but 2 weeks earlier (late August) in the organic one in both years and locations. The number of aphid colonies between mid‐April and mid‐June indicated a larger increase on trees pruned to eight scaffolds compared to trees pruned to four scaffolds. Both the total number of aphid colonies and the area under the aphid colony curves (AUACC) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the integrated treatments compared with organic ones. Across all treatments, both measures were significantly lower (P < 0.05) on trees pruned to four scaffolds compared with trees pruned to eight scaffolds. However, when the effect of pruning on the number of aphid colonies was analysed separately for integrated and organic plots, pruning caused significant differences in aphid colony numbers and AUACC in the organic plots. Berry yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the integrated treatments compared with the organic ones, but pruning showed no significant effect on yield. Overall, pruning to four scaffolds resulted in a lower aphid colony number in the organic production system compared to the integrated one. Thus, winter pruning may be useful as an aphid control strategy in organic elderberry orchards.
Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β prevents peroxide‐induced collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential in rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Förster Karina , Richter Heike , Alexeyev Mikhail F , Rosskopf Dieter , Felix Stephan B , Krieg Thomas 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. Preconditioning has been proposed to protect the myocardium by inhibiting glycogen‐synthase kinase (GSK) 3β. The aim of the present study was to test whether transfection of ventricular myocytes with inactive GSK3β would mimic preconditioning and whether a constitutively active form of GSK3β would prevent protection by an opioid receptor agonist.2. Isolated ventricular myocytes from adult rats were infected with live adenovirus containing either a wild‐type (wtGSK), constitutively active (caGSK) or dominant‐negative (dnGSK) GSK3β plasmid. Cells were loaded with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and exposed to H2O2 (100 μmol/L) for 40 min before mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was assessed using flow cytometric analysis.3. Fluorescence intensity was reduced in H2O2‐treated cells compared with untreated cells, presumably because oxidant injury opened mitochondrial permeability transition pores, causing mitochondria to lose TMRE. The selective GSK3β inhibitor SB216763, as well as the δ‐opioid receptor agonist [d‐Ala2‐d‐Leu5]‐enkephalin (DADLE) (1 μmol/L), protected cells against peroxide‐induced loss of ΔΨm.4. Cells transfected with dnGSK (1 μmol/L) were equally protected against peroxide stress, when given throughout the TMRE and H2O2 treatment, confirming a protective effect of GSK3β with a highly selective inhibition. Cells transfected with wtGSK did not show any difference in responses to H2O2, SB216763 or DADLE compared with untransfected cells, suggesting that adenovirus infection itself had no effect. In contrast, caGSK‐transfected myocytes could no longer be protected with DADLE, suggesting a role for GSK3β between the surface receptor and the mitochondria.5. These experiments confirm that inhibition of GSK3β protects the myocytes, but also that the preconditioning mimetic DADLE loses its protective effect when a constitutively active GSK3β is present.
Agonist function of the recombinant α4β3δ GABAAreceptor is dependent on the human and rat variants of the α4‐subunit
Authors: Wang Ming‐De , Rahman Mozibur , Johansson Inga‐Maj , Bäckström Torbjörn 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. It is known that the α4‐subunit is likely to occur in the brain predominantly in α4β3δ receptors at extrasynaptic sites. Recent studies have revealed that the α1‐, α4‐, γ2‐ and δ‐subunits may colocalize extrasynaptically in dentate granule cells of the hippocampus. In the present study, we characterized a series of recombinant GABAAreceptors containing human (H) and rat (R) α1/α4‐, β2/β3‐ and γ2S/δ‐subunits inXenopusoocytes using the two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique.2. Both Hα1β3δ and Hα4β3γ2Sreceptors were sensitive to activation by GABA and pentobarbital. Contrary to earlier findings that the α4β3δ combination was more sensitive to agonist action than the α4β3γ2Sreceptor, we observed extremely small GABA‐ and pentobarbital‐activated currents at the wild‐type Hα4β3δ receptor. However, GABA and pentobarbital activated the wild‐type Rα4β3δ receptor with high potency (EC50 = 0.5 ± 0.7 and 294 ± 5 μmol/L, respectively).3. Substituting the Hα4subunit with Rα4conferred a significant increase in activation on the GABA and pentobarbital site in terms of reduced EC50and increasedImax. When the Hα4subunit was combined with the Rβ3and Rδ subunit in a heteropentameric form, the amplitude of GABA‐ and pentobarbital‐activated currents increased significantly compared with the wild‐type Hα4β3δ receptor.4. Thus, the results indicate that the Rα4β3δ, Hα1β3δ and Hα4β3γ2Scombinations may contribute to functions of extrasynaptic GABAAreceptors. The presence of the Rα4subunit at recombinant GABAAreceptors containing the δ‐subunit is a strong determinant of agonist action. The recombinant Hα4β3δ receptor is a less sensitive subunit composition in terms of agonist activation.
Total intravenous anesthesia and spontaneous respiration for airway endoscopy in children – a prospective evaluation
Authors: MALHERBE STEPHAN , WHYTE SIMON , SINGH PERMENDRA , AMARI ERICA , KING ASHLEE , MARK ANSERMINO J. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryIntroduction:  Inhalational anesthesia with spontaneous respiration is traditionally used to facilitate airway endoscopy in children. The potential difficulties in maintaining adequate depth of anesthesia using inhalational anesthesia and the anesthetic pollution of the surgical environment are significant disadvantages of this technique. We report our institutional experience using total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and spontaneous respiration.Methods:  We prospectively studied 41 pediatric patients undergoing 52 airway endoscopies and airway surgeries. Following induction of anesthesia, a propofol infusion was titrated to a clinically adequate level of anesthesia, guided by the Bispectral Index (BIS), and a remifentanil infusion was titrated to respiratory rate. ECG, BP, pulse oximetry, BIS level, transcutaneous CO2 (TcCO2), respiratory rate, and drug infusion rates were recorded. Adverse events and the response to these events were also recorded.Results:  Forty‐one children underwent 52 airway procedures; 17 rigid bronchoscopies and 35 microlaryngobronchoscopies, including 18 LASER treatments, were performed. The mean (sd) age was 6.9 (5.8) years and weight 26.9 (21.2) kg. The mean induction time was 13 (6) min, and anesthesia duration was 49 (30) min. The mean highest TcCO2 recorded during the procedures was 62.8 ± 15.3 mmHg. Coughing occurred in 14 (27%) patients, requiring additional topical anesthesia (3), a bolus of propofol (4) or remifentanil (1), or removal of the bronchoscope (1). Desaturation below 90% occurred in 10 (19%) cases; only three required intervention in the form of temporary assisted ventilation (2) or inhaled bronchodilators (1). No laryngospasm, stridor, or arrhythmias were observed.Conclusion:  TIVA and spontaneous respiration is an effective technique to manage anesthesia for airway endoscopy and surgery in children.
The incidence of major stroke subtypes in Southern Italy: a population‐based study
Authors: Manobianca G. , Zoccolella S. , Petruzzellis A. , Miccoli A. , Logroscino G. 
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose:  Stroke is characterized by well‐defined clinical major subtypes, but there are few studies on incidence rates, aetiologies and outcomes in population‐based setting. We assessed the age/sex incidence of the major stroke subtypes in a region of Southern Italy.Methods:  We established a multisource, prospective population‐based register in Puglia, Southern Italy to identify all residents with a first‐ever stroke between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2002.Results:  One hundred and twenty‐seven first‐ever strokes were diagnosed, and stroke subtype was defined in 119 cases. The incidence rates per 100 000 adjusted to the European population (AEP) were 112 for cerebral infarction (CI), 30 for intracerebral haemorrhage (IH), four for subarachnoid haemorrhage (SH) and nine for undetermined stroke (US). The incidence rates for CI, IH and US approximately doubled with each decade of life and were higher in men. AEP incidence rates for CI in the age groups 45–84 were lower compared to other studies, whilst the corresponding rates for IH were higher.Conclusions:  This population had a lower incidence of CI compared to other population‐based studies from Northern Europe and the United States. Furthermore, with the projected increase in the segment of the very old in the general population, our data indicate that both CI and IH will dramatically increase in the near future.