bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tropisetron and paracetamol association in post‐operative patients
Authors: Pickering Gisèle , Faure Michael , Commun Fabienne , de Boissy Elisabeth Carrier , Roche Ghislaine , Mom Thierry , Simen Estelle , Dubray Claude , Eschalier Alain , Gilain Laurent 
Published: March 2011

AbstractStudies in animals and in healthy volunteers have demonstrated the central serotonergic analgesic mechanism of action of paracetamol involving the inhibition of this analgesia by tropisetron, a 5‐HT3 antagonist. This randomized, double‐blind, controlled study aims at studying this interaction in post‐operative patients after ear surgery. Thirty‐six patients are included in two parallel groups with intravenous paracetamol (1 g) and either tropisetron (T, 5 mg/mL) or placebo (c, NaCl 0.9%) administered at the end of surgery. Numerical pain evaluations are performed every 30 min, six times after awakening. The difference between the sums of numerical scales of both groups [9 ± 10 (T) vs. 6 ± 7 (c)] is not significant, but the tropisetron group displays higher pain scores despite additional rescue analgesia. The limits of this trial call for a much larger study to investigate further this pharmacodynamic interaction.
Comparison of the approaches to non‐febrile neutropenia developing in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Paksu Muhammet Sukru , Paksu Sule , Akbalik Mehtap , Ozyurek Emel , Duru Feride , Albayrak Davut , Fisgin Tunc 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe objectives of this study was to investigate of the influences of high‐dose (20 mg/kg/day) methyl prednisolone (HDMP) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) in shortening the duration of chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia encountered in children with ALL receiving maintenance therapy. Sixty‐four non‐febrile neutropenic attacks developed in 29 patients with ALL receiving St Jude XIII maintenance protocol were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were clinically followed up without drugs for shortening the duration of neutropenia in 21 (32.8%) attacs, while HDMP and G‐CSF were administered in 26 (40.6%) and 17 (26.6%) attacks, respectively. After the detection of neutropenia, restoration of neutrophil counts at 2nd or 4th days to the levels that allow resuming the chemotherapy were considered as success. While second day and overall success rates in patients administered HDMP and G‐CSF were significantly higher than the patients who were observed clinically. Both second day and overall neutrophil counts were significantly higher in patients administered G‐CSF than the other groups. Methyl prednisolone and G‐CSF treatments were well‐tolerated by the patients. The cost‐per neutropenic attack was significantly higher in G‐CSF group than of the HDMP group. Especially in patients experiencing frequent neutropenic attacks and hence interruptions of the therapy, one of the myelopoiesis induction therapies can be used to shorten the duration of neutropenia. For this indication short‐course HDMP therapy can be considered as an alternative to G‐CSF in this patients due to its relatively low cost, amenability to outpatient administration, and well‐tolerability by children.
Immediate newborn care practices delay thermoregulation and breastfeeding initiation
Authors: Sobel Howard L , Silvestre Maria Asuncion A , Mantaring III Jacinto Blas V , Oliveros Yolanda E , Nyunt‐U Soe 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  A deadly nosocomial outbreak in a Philippine hospital drew nationwide attention to neonatal sepsis. Together with specific infection control measures, interventions that protect newborns against infection‐related mortality include drying, skin‐to‐skin contact, delayed cord clamping, breastfeeding initiation and delayed bathing. This evaluation characterized hospital care in the first hours of life with the intent to drive policy change, strategic planning and hospital reform.Methods:  Trained physicians observed 481 consecutive deliveries in 51 hospitals using a standardized tool to record practices and timing of immediate newborn care procedures.Results:  Drying, weighing, eye care and vitamin K injections were performed in more than 90% of newborns. Only 9.6% were allowed skin‐to‐skin contact. Interventions were inappropriately sequenced, e.g. immediate cord clamping (median 12 sec), delayed drying (96.5%) and early bathing (90.0%). While 68.2% were put to the breast, they were separated two minutes later. Unnecessary suctioning was performed in 94.9%. Doctors trained in neonatal resuscitation were 2.5 (1.1–5.7) times more likely to unnecessarily suction vigorous newborns. Two per cent died and 5.7% developed sepsis/pneumonia.Conclusions:  This minute‐by‐minute observational assessment revealed that performance and timing of immediate newborn care interventions are below WHO standards and deprive newborns of basic protections against infection and death.
Von Richthofen, Einstein and the AGA
Authors: Simkin Mikhail , Roychowdhury Vwani 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Every schoolboy has heard of Einstein; fewer have heard of Antoine Becquerel; almost nobody has heard of Nils Dalén. Yet they all won Nobel Prizes for Physics. Can we gauge a scientist's achievements by his or her fame? If so, how? And how do fighter pilots help?Mikhail Simkin and Vwani Roychowdhury look for the linkages.
Hal Varian and The Sexy Profession
Authors: Champkin Julian 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The data revolution is upon us. The data we have and the way we treat it has changed beyond measure – as witness a quote from Hal Varian of Google: “Back in the early days of the Web, every document had at the bottom, ‘Copyright 1997. Do not redistribute.’ Now every document has at the bottom, ‘Copyright 2008. Click here to send to your friends.’” Hal Varian has made another famous quote about statistics in the new data age. Julian Champkin interviewed him.
Don't Try for the Triple 20
Authors: Tibshirani Ryan 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Significance not only increases your understanding of statistics, it also increases your score at darts. Where you should aim depends on just how bad a player you are. Ryan Tibshirani shares the story of how his own lack of skill called for a better darts strategy. Now you can learn from his mistakes, and rack up more points the next time you play!
Validation of Scales Measuring Self‐Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy in Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Chang Anne M. , Crowe Linda 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT Background: Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is embraced internationally as an ideal approach to improve patient outcomes and provide cost‐effective care. However, despite the support for and apparent benefits of EBP, it has been shown to be complex and difficult to incorporate in the clinical setting. Research exploring implementation of EBP has highlighted many internal and external barriers including clinicians’ lack of knowledge and confidence to integrate EBP into their day‐to‐day work. Nurses in particular often feel ill‐equipped with little confidence to find, appraise and implement evidence. Aims: This study aimed to undertake preliminary testing of the psychometric properties of tools that measure nurses’ self‐efficacy and outcome expectancy in regard to EBP. Methods: A survey design was used in which nurses who had either completed an EBP unit or were randomly selected from a major tertiary referral hospital in Brisbane, Australia, were sent two newly developed tools: (1) Self‐Efficacy in EBP (SE‐EBP) scale and (2) Outcome Expectancy for EBP (OE‐EBP) scale. Results: Principal Axis Factoring found three factors with eigenvalues above 1 for the SE‐EBP explaining 73% of the variance and one factor for the OE‐EBP scale explaining 82% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha for SE‐EBP, three SE‐EBP factors and OE‐EBP were all >0.91 suggesting some item redundancy. The SE‐EBP was able to distinguish between those with no prior exposure to EBP and those who completed an introductory EBP unit. Conclusions: While further investigation of the validity of these tools is needed, preliminary testing indicates that the SE‐EBP and OE‐EBP scales are valid and reliable instruments for measuring health professionals’ confidence in the process and the outcomes of basing their practice on evidence.
Nurse Executives’ Perceptions of the Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA) Program
Authors: Lavoie‐Tremblay Mélanie , Anderson Malcolm , Bonneville‐Roussy Arielle , Drevniok Ulrika , Lavigne Genevieve L. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground: To improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the Canadian health care system through better decisions supported by research‐based evidence (RBE), the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) and partners have created the Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA) program.Objectives: To evaluate how nurse executive fellows perceive changes in their levels of knowledge of RBE and in their level of use of RBE following participation in the EXTRA program.Methods: Nurse executives in the first four cohorts of the program (2004–2007) completed a survey during their 2‐year fellowship period.Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed regarding nurse executives’ perceived knowledge and use of RBE. According to the participants, the EXTRA fellowship contributes to their role and function in their organization by providing tools, learning, and access to resources and networking, which contributes to their credibility, leadership, and knowledge transfer skills.Conclusions: The EXTRA program has been structured to reduce barriers and to enhance the facilitators found in the literature on the implementation of evidence‐based practices (EBP) in health care settings. Overall, nurse executives perceived that the benefits of participating in the EXTRA program were both individual and organizational.
Experiences of a critical reflection program for mid‐career nurses
Authors: OYAMADA Kyoko 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of the present study was to describe the experiences of Japanese nurses who participated in a critical reflection program for mid‐career nurses. Critical reflection is one method that is appropriate for the professional development of mid‐career nurses. However, its implementation is difficult because of the need for educational resources. Of the numerous reports on critical reflection outcomes, few delineate the underlying process and none relates to Japanese nurses.Methods:  A program was developed, based on Mezirow's transformation theory, to facilitate nurses' critical reflection. The program was implemented at three hospitals in Japan with 14 mid‐career nurses. The data‐collection period was from 2006 to 2007. The grounded theory approach was used to describe the results.Results:  Two participants experienced a transformation in their frame of reference after undergoing critical reflection during the program. One participant's viewpoint began to change and the other's “habit of mind” (social norms and personality characteristics that provide one with a general orientation) changed. Both participants met the conditions that were necessary for transformation, such as having an open attitude toward change, and compared to the other participants, their critical reflection progressed markedly on the worksheets that were designed to promote critical reflection. The process of change in the frame of reference that was experienced by the two participants followed eight of the ten phases of Mezirow's transformation theory.Conclusions:  The characteristics of the experiences of the two participants who underwent changes in their frame of reference were described and discussed. The conditions for such transformation and the effects of critical reflection on the participants were consistent with those reported by previous studies.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine and the anxiety levels of mothers of children with chronic diseases
Authors: ÖZYAZICIOĞLU Nurcan , OGUR Pakize , TANRIVERDI Gülbu , VURAL Pınar 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAims:  This study aimed to determine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by mothers with a chronically ill child and their anxiety levels.Methods:  This study used a descriptive design. The study was conducted with 135 mothers of a chronically ill child at a general pediatric and oncology unit in Uludağ University Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. A questionnaire, including sociodemographic items and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, were given to the mothers.Results:  In the study, 42.29% of the mothers reported using one or more CAM therapies for their child with a chronic disease, including herbal medicine, taking the child to hodja (prayers), a special diet, and a special massage. The mothers experienced anxiety and the presence of a disease within the close family circle increased the anxiety level of the mothers.Conclusion:  Herbs and other alternative supplements were used by some children with a chronic disease in Turkey. The most commonly used CAM therapies included oral herbal medicine, taking the child to hodja, massage, and diets. Therefore, it is important to consider the implications of the popularity of complementary therapies. Most of the mothers used more than one of these therapies for their child and the anxiety level of the mothers was found to be moderate.
The gel hypothesis applied to the rat renal capillary membranes – a review
Authors: Wolgast M. , Persson A. E. G. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn the gel model for the glomerular (and peritubular) capillary membrane, the integrity of the membrane is supposed to result from the fluid reabsorption induced by the osmotic action of the counter‐ions attracted to negative fixed charges, increasing the gel pressure such that it becomes the same as in the capillaries. From this point on, the gel will be unaffected by the high capillary pressure. The same fluid reabsorption will also suspend the fibrils in the matrix such that they form a series of grids composed of, for example, horizontal fibrils spaced similarly from one another. The model thereby explains the well‐known phenomenon of a uniform ‘pore’ size, although slits rather than pores constitute the transport routes. The model also explains the fact that the plasma proteins are free to move in the membrane matrix, which is the consequence of a recent finding that a major restriction to albumin is offered by a unique protein, nephrin, located between the podocytes in Bowman’s space cells. A large molecule, which may become trapped in a slit between two fibrils, will thus push out the positive counter‐ions whereby the charges become free and hence repel one another, widening the slit such that the molecule is free to move in any direction. It is furthermore concluded that the restriction to proteins is also dependent on the width of the slits closest to plasma.
Correlation between acoustic rhinometry and visual analogue scale in children with no nasal symptoms: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Haavisto L.E. , Vahlberg T.J. , Sipilä J.I. 
Published: March 2011

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 129–133Objectives:  Acoustic rhinometry is an objective tool to evaluate nasal obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of visual analogue scale (VAS) as a subjective tool for nasal obstruction and the correlation between acoustic rhinometry and VAS in children with no nasal symptoms.Design:  Unilateral acoustic values and VAS were measured at baseline and after decongestion of the nose.Setting:  Tertiary academic hospital.Participants:  The study included 124 children aged between 7 and 14 years with no permanent nasal symptoms.Results:  At baseline, the mean minimal cross‐sectional area on the right side was 0.392 cm2 (sd 0.094), and on the left side 0.360 cm2 (sd 0.093), whereas the mean VAS on the right side was 7.43 (sd 2.50) and on the left side 6.81 (sd 3.01). After decongestion, the mean minimal cross‐sectional area on the right and left sides were 0.421 cm2 (sd 0.087) and 0.373 cm2 (sd 0.11), respectively, whereas the mean VAS on the right and left sides were 8.77 (sd 2.02) and 8.54 (sd 2.14), respectively. At baseline, a significant correlation was found between VAS and minimal cross‐sectional area, but no correlation was found between VAS and acoustic values after decongestion.Conclusions:  We conclude that VAS shows potential as a subjective tool to investigate nasal obstruction in children over 7 years of age. There was a correlation between VAS and acoustic rhinometry in children with no nasal symptoms at baseline. No correlation was found in children with decongested normal nasal airways.
Vitamin C and Sugar Levels as Simple Markers for Discriminating Spanish Honey Sources
Authors: León‐Ruiz Virginia , Vera Soledad , González‐Porto Amelia V. , Andrés María Paz San 
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  In this work, 7 Spanish honeys with different botanical origins were studied. The honey origins were rosemary, chestnut, lavender, echium, thyme, multifloral, and honeydew. The chemical compounds determined were ascorbic acid (vitamin C), hydroxymethylfurfural, and major sugar contents (glucose and fructose). The physicochemical parameters, pH, conductivity, moisture, free acidity, and color, were also measured. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant in food, and the possibility to use it as discriminate parameter among different honeys was studied. The determination of vitamin C in honey samples was carried out by 2 different methods, volumetric and chromatographic comparing the results by both statistically. Vitamin C content was higher in thyme honeys than in the other types; however a wide dispersion in the values was found. Through a linear discriminant analysis (LDA), conductivity, glucose, fructose, and vitamin C content were the most important discriminant parameters.Practical Application:  Vitamin C content in different honey sources has been determined by a simple and rapid chromatographic method (less than 3 min) in honeys from 6 botanical origins. The results together with glucose and fructose content and some physicochemical parameters have been studied in order to discriminate the botanical origin of honeys and in the future certified their quality. A statistical LDA was applied to the data, and differentiation of honey sources was possible with very good agreement. The vitamin C content found in thymus honeys was significantly higher than in other types. This fact makes vitamin C a special marker for thymus honeys that have a higher antioxidant effect than the others giving it special properties. The identification of honey sources is essential for beekeepers in order to certify honeys for consumers.
Credentialing of pharmacy technicians in the USA
Authors: Alkhateeb Fadi M , Shields Kelly M , Broedel-Zaugg Kimberly , Bryan Amy , Snell Jennifer 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Objective
This review will compare the USA and UK regarding pharmacy technicians' roles, it will summarize the current roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in the USA, public perception of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy organizations' perspectives on pharmacy technician credentialing, academic programmes for pharmacy technicians, accreditation of pharmacy technician programmes, pharmacy technician certification exams and differing perspectives on the push for standardized technician training. It will conclude with observations regarding the importance of standardized pharmacy technician training.

Methods
Articles were identified via searches of PubMed and IPA from inception to November 2010 related to credentialing of pharmacy technicians. Search terms included pharmacy technician, pharmacy technician certification, pharmacy registration, technician education and technician requirements. Articles describing the roles and responsibilities of a technician, public perception of technicians, demographics, certification processes and the future of technician roles were included. An Internet search was also performed to identify articles in the lay press related to this topic.

Key findings
Providing a pharmacy technician with proper training and education is necessary for operating a successful pharmacy. In the USA, mandating a national standardized training programme is the source of the debate. Current rules and regulations regarding the training and education needed for a pharmacy technician vary from state to state in the USA. Attitudes of technicians towards standardized training may be difficult to change.

Conclusion
This paper provides a review of pharmacy technicians' roles and responsibilities across different pharmacy settings. Although the literature provides some insight, more studies are needed to assess the value and impact of the knowledge and skills possessed by certified pharmacy technicians with standardized training compared with technicians with site-specific or limited training.
Characterization of the Highly Active Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthase of Chromobacterium sp. Strain USM2
Authors: Bhubalan Kesaven , Chuah Jo-Ann , Shozui Fumi , Brigham Christopher J. , Taguchi Seiichi , Sinskey Anthony J. , Rha ChoKyun , Sudesh Kumar 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

The synthesis of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) is very much dependent on the expression and activity of a key enzyme, PHA synthase (PhaC). Many efforts are being pursued to enhance the activity and broaden the substrate specificity of PhaC. Here, we report the identification of a highly active wild-type PhaC belonging to the recently isolated
Chromobacterium
sp. USM2 (PhaC

Cs

). PhaC

Cs

showed the ability to utilize 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) monomers in PHA biosynthesis. An
in vitro
assay of recombinant PhaC

Cs

expressed in
Escherichia coli
showed that its polymerization of 3-hydroxybutyryl-coenzyme A activity was nearly 8-fold higher (2,462 ± 80 U/g) than that of the synthase from the model strain
C. necator
(307 ± 24 U/g). Specific activity using a Strep2-tagged, purified PhaC

Cs

was 238 ± 98 U/mg, almost 5-fold higher than findings of previous studies using purified PhaC from
C. necator
. Efficient poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] accumulation in
Escherichia coli
expressing PhaC

Cs

of up to 76 ± 2 weight percent was observed within 24 h of cultivation. To date, this is the highest activity reported for a purified PHA synthase. PhaC

Cs

is a naturally occurring, highly active PHA synthase with superior polymerizing ability.
Plasmid Typing and Resistance Profiling of Escherichia fergusonii and Other Enterobacteriaceae Isolates from South Korean Farm Animals
Authors: Rayamajhi Nabin , Cha Seung Bin , Shin Seung Won , Jung Byeong Yeal , Lim Suk-Kyung , Yoo Han Sang 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

In this study, we focused on determining the distribution and prevalence of major plasmid replicons in β-lactam-resistant
Escherichia fergusonii
and
Enterobacteriaceae
of animal and human origin. A high degree of plasmid variability and multiple plasmid replicons were observed among the isolates. The IncF and IncI1 replicons were the most prevalent in
E. fergusonii
and
Salmonella enterica
serovar Indiana isolated from swine and poultry in South Korea, respectively. The presence of broad-host-range plasmid replicons such as IncN, IncA/C, IncHI1, and IncHI2 that are associated with important virulence genes and toxins as well as antimicrobial resistance determinants indicates that
E. fergusonii
has the potential to become an important pig pathogen and possible emerging opportunistic zoonotic pathogen.