bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of and the related factors for urinary and fecal incontinence among older residing in nursing homes
Authors: Aslan Ergul , Beji Nezihe K , Erkan Habibe A , Yalcin Onay , Gungor Funda 
Published: November 2009

Aims and objectives.  To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence among older people residing in nursing homes in Istanbul.Background.  Urinary incontinence (UI) is a multifactorial condition associated with age‐related changes and disorders of the genitourinary system and systemic problems affecting normal micturition. The impact of UI and fecal incontinence (FI) on older people living in nursing homes is more significant than those living in the community.Design.  Cross‐sectional study.Methods.  This study was performed with 1110 older people who were 60 years and older residing in five government rest homes on the European side of Istanbul in Turkey. An interview was conducted with the residents that had sufficient cognitive function and agreed to participate. Demographic findings and complaints about incontinence were analyzed using a special questionnaire.Results.  The total number of older people who participated was 694; 56·5% females and 43·5% males; 43·4% of females and 20·9% of males. Urge incontinence was common in both groups. FI was more common among females (14%, males 6%) and the mean duration of symptoms was longer. The related factors for UI among older females revealed that history of an episiotomy, frequency, urgency, fecal incontinence and functional incapacity among males; whereas history of stroke and pulmonary disorders were independent variables that increased the incidence of frequency, recurrent urinary tract infections and fecal incontinence. The related factors for fecal incontinence among older females included history of stroke and functional status. Diabetes mellitus requiring medical treatment, frequency, functional incapacity and urinary incontinence were significant related factors for fecal incontinence among males.Conclusions.  According to similar studies, the urinary and fecal incontinence rates in nursing home residents were lower compared to the other countries. Incontinence was more common among females according to males. Understanding related factors of incontinence are important for providing care and counseling in nursing homes.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses can provide appropriate information and support at each step in the protecting, screening, diagnosis and treatment process so that elders’ incontinence is minimized.
Factors influencing oncology nurses’ approaches to accommodating cultural needs in palliative care
Authors: Huang Ya‐Ling , Yates Patsy , Prior Deborah 
Published: November 2009

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study is to explore the social construction of cultural issues in palliative care amongst oncology nurses.Background.  Australia is a nation composed of people from different cultural origins with diverse linguistic, spiritual, religious and social backgrounds. The challenge of working with an increasingly culturally diverse population is a common theme expressed by many healthcare professionals from a variety of countries.Design.  Grounded theory was used to investigate the processes by which nurses provide nursing care to cancer patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.Methods.  Semi‐structured interviews with seven Australian oncology nurses provided the data for the study; the data was analysed using grounded theory data analysis techniques.Results.  The core category emerging from the study was that of accommodating cultural needs. This paper focuses on describing the series of subcategories that were identified as factors which could influence the process by which nurses would accommodate cultural needs. These factors included nurses’ views and understandings of culture and cultural mores, their philosophy of cultural care, nurses’ previous experiences with people from other cultures and organisational approaches to culture and cultural care.Conclusions.  This study demonstrated that previous experiences with people from other cultures and organisational approaches to culture and cultural care often influenced nurses’ views and understandings of culture and cultural mores and their beliefs, attitudes and behaviours in providing cultural care.Relevance to clinical practice.  It is imperative to appreciate how nurses’ experiences with people from other cultures can be recognised and built upon or, if necessary, challenged. Furthermore, nurses’ cultural competence and experiences with people from other cultures need to be further investigated in clinical practice.
Shading, Defoliation and Light Enrichment Effects on Chickpea in Northern Latitudes
Authors: Li L. , Gan Y. T. , Bueckert R. , Warkentin T. D. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) has an indeterminate growth nature, and the plant canopy with an improved light environment during critical growth stages may increase biomass (BM) production and improve crop yield. This study examined (i) the effects of shading, light enrichment and defoliation applied at various growth stages on BM and seed yield of chickpea in northern latitudes; and (ii) the difference between cultivars with fern‐ vs. unfoliate‐leaf type in responding to the altered canopy light environments. Field studies were conducted at Saskatoon and Swift Current, Saskatchewan in 2004 and 2005. Different light environments were created by 50 % defoliation at vegetative growth and at first flower, 50 % shading from vegetative growth to first flower, and two light enrichment treatments initiated at the first flower and pod formation stages. The 50 % shade treatment prior to flowering significantly decreased harvest index (HI) and seed yield. Light enrichments increased seed yield only one of three location‐years (the fourth site excluded because of disease damage). Defoliation at vegetative growth or first flower had a marginal effect on seed yield, largely as a result of the regrowth of vegetative tissues compensating for the lost plant tissues. The cultivar CDC Yuma (fern‐leaf type) exhibited consistently greater maximum light interception (LI), cumulative intercepted radiation, HI and seed yield than the cultivar Sanford (unifoliate‐leaf type) across all location‐years. Selective use of chickpea cultivars with improved morphological traits such as fern‐leaf type will likely improve LI and increase crop yield for chickpea in northern latitudes. Moreover, optimized crop management practices should be adopted to ensure that chickpea be grown under conditions with minimum shading before flowering and optimum light environment within the canopy especially during reproductive growth period.
Influence of red clover‐derived isoflavones on serum lipid profile in postmenopausal women
Authors: Terzic Milan M. , Dotlic Jelena , Maricic Sanja , Mihailovic Tihomir , Tosic‐Race Bratislava 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim:  Menopause is associated with adverse metabolic changes, especially in plasma lipoprotein and cholesterol levels. Estrogens have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism. Phytoestrogens are plant substances that are structurally and functionally similar to 17β‐estradiol and are capable of producing estrogenic effects. The goal of the present study was to estimate the effects of red clover‐derived isoflavones on serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women.Methods:  The study comprised 40 healthy postmenopausal women with an average age of 56 years. The women were divided into two groups: 22 were allocated to a red clover‐derived isoflavone medication group, and 18 were allocated to a non‐medication group. Total blood cholesterol, cholesterol fractions and triglycerides in the women of both groups were investigated before treatment and at 4‐month intervals over the following 12 months.Results:  Both total serum cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, as well as triglyceride levels, were decreased significantly in the group receiving phytoestrogens. However, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol showed a significant increase.Conclusion:  Red clover phytoestrogen supplementation in postmenopausal women had favorable metabolic effects on serum lipids. Furthermore, red clover phytoestrogens have no side‐effects and can be considered safe.
Serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress markers in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restricted infants
Authors: Toy Harun , Camuzcuoglu Hakan , Arioz Dagistan Tolga , Kurt Sefa , Celik Hakim , Aksoy Nurten 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim:  To compare the levels of serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress markers, including total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), and total free sulfhydryl (–SH) in healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with intrauterine growth restricted infants.Methods:  Serum samples were obtained from 18 healthy third trimester pregnancies and 14 pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR). The criteria for FGR were clinical evidence of suboptimal growth, ultrasonographic demonstration of deviation from normal percentiles of growth, and birthweight under the 10th percentile. We spectrophotometrically measured serum prolidase activity, TAC, TOS, and –SH levels. Oxidative stress was determined from total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status measurement and calculation of the oxidative stress index.Results:  Serum TAC and –SH levels were significantly lower in the FGR group than in the healthy control group (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas TOS level, OSI value, and prolidase activity were significantly higher (P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Prolidase activity was positively correlated with TOS and OSI values (rho = 0.552, P = 0.041 and rho = 0.635, P = 0.015, respectively) and negatively correlated with TAC and –SH levels (rho = −0.578, P = 0.030 and rho = −0.622, P = 0.018, respectively).Conclusion:  The present study shows that serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress are significantly associated with the presence of FGR and that the correlation between serum prolidase activity and markers of oxidative stress are represented as increased serum TOS level and decreased serum TAC and –SH levels, suggesting an association of collagen turnover and oxidative stress in vascular dysfunction.
Thrombophilia investigation in Malaysian women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Ayadurai Thiruchelvam , Muniandy Sekaran , Omar Siti Zawiah 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim:  The status of thrombophilia in Asian women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is obscure and poorly understood. Numerous studies suggest the non‐existence or extreme rarity of the two important thrombophilia markers, factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A (PTG) mutations, in patients of Asian ancestries. Thus, the consensus that thrombophilia is rare among Asians and laboratory investigations is irrelevant. We therefore investigated Malaysian women with RPL for thrombophilia abnormalities.Methods:  A total of 402 patients (RPL subjects) and 160 female controls were screened for FVL, PTG and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase mutations using polymerase chain reaction, activated protein C resistance (APC‐R) using clot‐based tests, protein C and antithrombin using chromogenic tests, and protein S and antiphospholipid antibodies using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.Results:  APC‐R was identified in 21.6% (87/402) of the RPL subjects. Of the 87 APC‐R positive RPL subjects, 9.2% (8/87) were due to FVL, 51.7% (45/87) had protein S deficiency, 6.9% (6/87) had protein C deficiency, 6.9% (6/87) had combined protein S and protein C deficiencies, 1.1% (1/87) had antithrombin deficiency and 25.3% (22/87) had unidentifiable non‐specific abnormalities. Antiphospholipid antibodies were identified in 4.2% (17/402) of the RPL subjects. FVL (2% = 8/402) and PTG (0.5% = 2/402) were identified in the Malay and Indian RPL subjects, but there were none in the Chinese subjects or the controls. Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase was identified in 35.3% (142/402) of the RPL subjects.Conclusions:  Thrombophilia was identified in more than one‐quarter (26.6% = 107/402) of the RPL subjects. APC‐R not caused by FVL mutation was the most common thrombophilia marker in Malaysians, whereas in Caucasians it was the APC‐R due to FVL mutation. The identification of FVL and PTG mutations in Malaysian women with RPL disputes prevailing evidences suggesting its non‐occurrence in patients with Asian ancestries.
Pregnancy complicated with Alport syndrome: A good obstetric outcome and failure to diagnose an infant born to a mother with Alport syndrome by umbilical cord immunofluorescence staining
Authors: Matsubara Shigeki , Ueda Yoshihiko , Takahashi Hisako , Nagai Takashi , Kuwata Tomoyuki , Muto Shigeaki , Yamaguchi Takehiko , Takizawa Toshihiro , Suzuki Mitsuaki 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAlport syndrome is a familial progressive nephritis. The most frequent type is X‐linked Alport syndrome, caused by genetic abnormalities in the alpha 5 chain of type IV collagen. Skin biopsy is a useful tool for diagnosing this disease. It is not well known how this syndrome affects pregnancy and how it is affected by pregnancy, or whether the umbilical cord may provide material for detecting this collagen abnormality. We report a primigravida with Alport syndrome with mild proteinuria who gave birth abdominally to a term male infant without deteriorating renal function during pregnancy. The umbilical cord from not only this infant but also from an Alport (‐) control infant showed negative immunofluorescence staining for the alpha 5 chain of type IV collagen. Women with Alport syndrome without renal dysfunction may follow an uneventful obstetrical course until term. The cord may not be suitable for diagnosing Alport syndrome with immunofluorescence staining.
Successful pregnancy outcome in a case of heterotopic intrauterine and cervical pregnancy and a literature review
Authors: Hoshino Tatsuji , Kita Masato , Imai Yukihiro , Kokeguchi Shoji , Shiotani Masahide 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIt is difficult to treat cervical pregnancy without harming the intrauterine pregnancy. We report the case of a patient who was 37 years old and had an abdominal myomectomy. She had become pregnant by in vitro fertilization and egg transfer, and was transferred because of massive bleeding at 6 weeks of gestation. Afterwards, Escherichia coli infection was detected and intravenous antibiotics were administered. Careful intracervical mass reduction and curettage were performed under abdominal ultrasound guidance. The postoperative course was uneventful and she gave birth by cesarean section at 38 weeks. Sixteen cases exist in the literature. Treatment of cervical pregnancy was performed by KCl injection in six cases, hyperosmotic glucose injection in one and complete cervical evacuation in nine. The nine patients that had cervical evacuation delivered at term. In seven cervical mass preservation cases, one patient with twin pregnancy delivered at 34 weeks, and six with singletons delivered at 31–36 weeks. The best therapy is complete evacuation in early gestation in order to avoid infection, bleeding and premature birth. The authors emphasize abdominal ultrasound usage through the bladder window with 150–200 mL of water (or urine) for careful cervical mass reduction and curettage without harming the intrauterine pregnancy.
The changing trend of diverticular disease in a developing Nation
Authors: Fong S. S. , Tan E. Y. , Foo A. , Sim R. , Cheong D. M. O. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  Left‐sided diverticular disease (LDD) is associated with reduced dietary intake, whereas right‐sided diverticular disease (RDD) is more common amongst Oriental populations. We aimed to determine whether the prevalence, site and distribution of diverticular disease in our Oriental population has changed over the past two decades.Method  A total of 1663 barium enema studies performed between January 2001 and August 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. The site of disease was correlated with age, gender and ethnicity of the patient.Results  Forty‐five per cent of patients in the study population had diverticular disease. Older patients were more likely to have LDD, whereas the Chinese ethnic group was more likely to have RDD. Right‐sided diverticular disease peaks at in the sixth decade, while for LDD this occurred in the seventh and eighth decades. Right‐sided diverticular disease was more common in all age groups overall. When compared with two barium enema studies carried out in Singapore two decades earlier, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of RDD and LDD.Conclusion  There is a positive association of RDD and LDD with Chinese race and increasing age. There is an increasing incidence of both LDD and RDD compared with two decades previously.
Outpatient treatment of patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis
Authors: Alonso S. , Pera M. , Parés D. , Pascual M. , Gil M. J. , Courtier R. , Grande L. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  Evidence supporting outpatient treatment with oral antibiotics in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis is limited. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an ambulatory treatment protocol in patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.Method  All patients diagnosed with uncomplicated diverticulitis based on abdominal computed tomography findings from June 2003 to December 2008 were considered for outpatient treatment. Admission was indicated in patients not able to tolerate oral intake and those with comorbidity or without adequate family support. Treatment consisted of oral antibiotics for 7 days (amoxicillin‐clavulanic or ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole in patients with penicillin allergy). Patients were seen again at between 4 and 7 days after starting treatment to confirm symptom improvement.Results  Ninety‐six patients were diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis and 26 presented at least one criterion for admission. Ambulatory treatment was initiated in 70 (73%) patients. Only two (3%) required admission because of persisting abdominal pain and vomiting, respectively. Intravenous antibiotics resolved the inflammatory process in both cases. In the remaining 68 (97%), ambulatory treatment was completed without complication.Conclusion  Ambulatory treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis is safe, effective and applicable to most patients with tolerance to oral intake and without severe comorbidity and having appropriate family support.
Surgical excision of retrorectal tumour using transanal endoscopic microsurgery
Authors: Serra Aracil X. , Gómez Díaz C. , Bombardó Junca J. , Mora López L. , Alcántara Moral M. , Ayguavives Garnica I. , Navarro Soto S. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractSurgical excision is the best therapeutic option for tumours in the retrorectal space. Classically, surgery in this area required an abdominal or posterior approach, or a combination of the two methods. We report the use of transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of retrorectal tumours as an alternative to classical procedures.
Long‐term follow up of abdominal rectosigmoidectomy with posterior end‐to‐side stapled anastomosis for Chagas megacolon
Authors: Nahas S. C. , Pinto R. A. , Dias A. R. , Nahas C. S. R. , Araújo S. E. A. , Marques C. F. S. , Cecconello I. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  Chagas’ disease is an endemic parasitosis found in Latin America. The disease affects different organs, such as heart, oesophagus, colon and rectum. Megacolon is the most frequent long‐term complication, caused by damage to the myoenteric and submucous plexus, ultimately leading to a functional barrier to the faeces. Patients with severe constipation are managed surgically. The study aimed to analyse the 10‐year minimum functional outcome after rectosigmoidectomy with posterior end‐to‐side anastomosis (RPESA).Method  A total of 21 of 46 patients were available for follow up. Patients underwent clinical, radiological and manometric evaluation, and the results were compared with preoperative parameters.Results  Of the 21 patients evaluated, 81% (17) were female, with a mean age of 60.6 years. Good function was achieved in all patients, with significant improvement in defaecatory frequency (P < 0.0001), usage of enemas (P < 0.0001) and patient satisfaction. Barium enema also showed resolution of the colonic and rectal dilatation in 19 cases evaluated postoperatively.Conclusion  Minimal 10‐year follow up of RPESA showed excellent functional results, with no recurrence of constipation.
The potential of cinnamon to reduce blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
Authors: Kirkham S. , Akilen R. , Sharma S. , Tsiami A. 
Published: November 2009

Aim: Cinnamon has a long history as an antidiabetic spice, but trials involving cinnamon supplementation have produced contrasting results. The aim of this review was to examine the results of randomized controlled clinical trials of cinnamon and evaluate the therapeutic potential amongst patients with diabetes and insulin‐resistant patients, particularly the ability to reduce blood glucose levels and inhibit protein glycation. Methods: A systematic electronic literature search using the medical subject headings ‘cinnamon’ and ‘blood glucose’ was carried out to include randomized, placebo‐controlled in vivo clinical trials using Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia conducted between January 2003 and July 2008. Results: Five type 2 diabetic and three non‐diabetic studies (total N = 311) were eligible. Two of the diabetic studies illustrated significant fasting blood glucose (FBG) reductions of 18–29% and 10.3% (p < 0.05), supported by one non‐diabetic trial reporting an 8.4% FBG reduction (p < 0.01) vs. placebo, and another illustrating significant reductions in glucose response using oral glucose tolerance tests (p < 0.05). Three diabetic studies reported no significant results. Conclusions: Whilst definitive conclusions cannot be drawn regarding the use of cinnamon as an antidiabetic therapy, it does possess antihyperglycaemic properties and potential to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. Further research is required to confirm a possible correlation between baseline FBG and blood glucose reduction and to assess the potential to reduce pathogenic diabetic complications with cinnamon supplementation.
Beliefs about the causes of cervical cancer in Botswana: implications for nursing
Authors: McFarland D. M. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality and morbidity for women in Botswana. Yet, little is known about what women believe to be the causes of the disease.Aim:  This paper presents data on factors women in Botswana believe are responsible for the high incidence of cervical cancer in their country. Data were part of a larger study that explored knowledge and perceptions about cervical cancer and Pap smear screening from the perspectives of the clients and the healthcare providers.Methods:  The study that generated the data included 30 women of all socio‐economic levels, recruited by network sampling. The women's ages ranged from 31 to 54 years. Demographic data were analysed descriptively. Individualized interview data were content‐analysed.Findings:  The identified causes of cervical cancer were classified as cervical irritants and non‐irritants. The most commonly cited cervical irritants were vaginally inserted chemical agents and traditional medicine.Discussions:  Participants identified vaginally inserted chemical substances and traditional medicines as possible explanations for the high incidence of cervical cancer in Botswana. They reported that women used these substances for sexual and hygienic purposes. Although these factors are believed to be the causes of cervical cancer and have not yet been medically acknowledged, verbal reports suggest that their use is problematic.Conclusion:  There is a need for health education and for further research to affirm women's beliefs about the harmful effects of intravaginal agents.