bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conjugated linoleic acid improves airway hyper‐reactivity in overweight mild asthmatics
Authors: MacRedmond R. , Singhera G. , Attridge S. , Bahzad M. , Fava C. , Lai Y. , Hallstrand T. S. , Dorscheid D. R. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryBackground
Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are naturally occurring fatty acids that have multiple biological properties including the regulation of metabolic, proliferative and immune processes.Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of CLA as a dietary supplement in mild asthma.Methods
This was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Twenty‐eight adult subjects (aged 19–40 years) with mild asthma (FEV1>70% predicted) were randomized to CLA 4.5 g/day or placebo for 12 weeks in addition to usual treatment. On average, subjects were overweight with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.9 kg/m2.Results
Subjects in the CLA group had a significant improvement in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) at week 12 compared with week 0 [PC20 6.6 (2.1) mg/mL vs. 2.2 (0.7) mg/mL; P<0.05]. The CLA group had a significant reduction in weight and BMI compared with placebo and this was associated with a reduction in leptin/adiponectin ratio. There were no differences in systemic cytokine levels, induced sputum cell counts, quality‐of‐life scores or adverse events.Conclusions
CLA treatment as an adjunct to usual care in overweight mild asthmatics was well tolerated and was associated with improvements in AHR and BMI. Cite this as: R. MacRedmond, G. Singhera, S. Attridge, M. Bahzad, C. Fava, Y. Lai, T. S. Hallstrand and D. R. Dorscheid, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1071–1078.
Differential regulation of Toll‐like receptor signalling in spleen and Peyer’s patch dendritic cells
Authors: Davies Julie M. , MacSharry John , Shanahan Fergus 
Published: June 2010

SummaryToll‐like receptor (TLR) signalling shapes dendritic cell (DC) responses by inducing co‐stimulatory molecule up‐regulation and cytokine secretion while TLR regulatory proteins inhibit this process. We aimed to determine if gene expression of TLRs and TLR regulatory proteins underpins the functionally different lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responses of DCs from murine Peyer’s patches (PP) and spleen and of murine bacteria‐conditioned bone‐marrow‐derived cells. Isolated spleen and PP DCs were analysed for basal expression of TLRs by flow cytometry and real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The DCs were stimulated with LPS to determine cytokine secretion by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and expression of TLR regulatory proteins by qRT‐PCR. In vitro results were confirmed following in vivo intraperitoneal LPS injection. In addition, changes in gene expression of TLR regulatory proteins were assessed in bacteria‐conditioned bone‐marrow‐derived cells. Results indicated that surface expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on PP DCs was decreased compared with spleen DCs. The PP DCs secreted a limited profile of cytokines compared with spleen DCs following LPS stimulation. In vivo LPS exposure up‐regulated sigirr, tollip and tmed1 messenger RNA in PP DCs, but not spleen DCs. Similar gene expression changes were observed in bacteria‐conditioned bone‐marrow‐derived cells. Therefore, functionally different LPS responses in PP and spleen DCs reflect their characteristic expression of TLRs and TLR regulatory proteins. Differential regulation of TLR signalling was also evident in bacteria‐conditioned bone‐marrow‐derived cells indicating that bacterial signalling may be a mechanism for inducing altered gene regulation in PP DCs.
Gqα‐linked phospholipase Cβ1 and phospholipase Cγ are essential components of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) signal transduction cascade
Authors: Hull J. J. , Lee J. M. , Matsumoto S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSex pheromone production for most moths is regulated by pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). In Bombyx mori, PBAN binding triggers the opening of store‐operated Ca2+ channels, suggesting the involvement of a receptor‐activated phospholipase C (PLC). In this study, we found that PLC inhibitors U73122 and compound 48/80 reduced sex pheromone production and that intracellular levels of 3H‐inositol phosphate species increased following PBAN stimulation. In addition, we amplified cDNAs from pheromone glands corresponding to PLCβ1, PLCβ4, PLCγ and two G protein α subunits, Go and Gq. In vivo RNA interference‐mediated knockdown analyses revealed that BmPLCβ1, BmGq1, and unexpectedly, BmPLCγ, are part of the PBAN signal transduction cascade.
Determinants of partial bird migration in the Amazon Basin
Authors: Jahn Alex E. , Levey Douglas J. , Hostetler Jeffrey A. , Mamani Ana María 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. Little is known about mechanisms that drive migration of birds at tropical latitudes. Because most migratory bird species in South America have populations that are present year‐round, partial migration (in which only some individuals of a given population migrate at the end of the breeding season) is likely to be common, providing an opportunity to assess proximate mechanisms of migration. 2. Two non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses explaining intraspecific variation in migratory behaviour were tested in a Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus population in the southern Amazon Basin, where a dramatic dry season decrease in the abundance of insect food for kingbirds may promote migration of some individuals. 3. The Dominance hypothesis predicts sub‐dominant individuals migrate at the end of the breeding season and dominant individuals do not, whereas the Body Size hypothesis predicts smaller individuals migrate and larger individuals do not. 4. Based on 4 years of data on individually‐marked birds, strong support was found for occurrence of partial migration in the study population. 5. In the best model, the largest males (which are typically older and dominant to younger individuals) had the highest probability of migrating. Younger females (which are the smallest individuals in the population) were also more likely to migrate than other kingbirds, except the largest males. Thus, an individual’s probability of migrating was associated with a more complex interaction of size, age and sex than predicted by current hypotheses. 6. These results suggest that determinants of migratory behaviour differ between North temperate and tropical latitudes. Most tests of partial migration theory have been conducted on granivores (e.g. emberizids) or omnivores (e.g. turdids and icterids) at North temperate latitudes, where seasonality is primarily defined by temperature cycles. In tropical South America, however, the most common long‐distance migrants are primarily insectivorous (i.e. tyrannids), and seasonality is largely defined by rainfall cycles. 7. We propose a hypothesis based on seasonal food limitation to explain partial migration of primarily insectivorous species in seasonal tropical habitats.
Sanitary versus environmental policies: fitting together two pieces of the puzzle of European vulture conservation
Authors: Margalida Antoni , Donázar José A. , Carrete Martina , Sánchez‐Zapata José A. 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. Between 1996 and 2000 the appearance of bovine spongiform encephalopathy swiftly became one of the most serious public health and political crises concerning food safety ever experienced in the European Union (EU). Subsequent sanitary regulations led to profound changes in the management of livestock carcasses (i.e. the industrial destruction of around 80% of all animal carcasses), thereby threatening the last remaining healthy scavenger populations of the Old World and thus contradicting the long‐term environmental policies of the EU. 2. Several warning signs such as a decrease in breeding success, an apparent increase in mortality in young age classes of vultures and an increase in the number of cases of vultures attacking and killing cattle, as well as a halt in population growth, suggest that the decrease in the availability of food resources has had harmful effects on vulture populations. 3. Between 2002 and 2005, a number of dispositions to the EU regulations (2003/322/CE 2005/830/CE) enabled conservation managers to adopt rapid solutions (i.e. the creation of vulture restaurants) aimed at satisfying the food requirements of vultures. However, these conservation measures may seriously modify habitat quality and have indirect detrimental effects on avian scavenger populations and communities. 4. Synthesis and applications. Conservation managers and policy‐makers need to balance the demands of public health protection and the long‐term conservation of biodiversity. The regulations concerning carrion provisioning need to be more flexible and there needs to be greater compatibility between sanitary and environmental policies. We advocate policies that authorize the abandonment of livestock carcasses and favours populations of wild herbivores to help to maintain populations of avian scavengers. Conservation strategies should be incorporated into new European Commission regulations, which should be effective in 2011.
Management of bovine tuberculosis in brushtail possums in New Zealand: predictions from a spatially explicit, individual‐based model
Authors: Ramsey David S. L. , Efford Murray G. 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. Bovine tuberculosis Mycobacterium bovis (Tb) in brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula in New Zealand continues to pose a threat to the livestock industry. While significant reductions in cattle reactor rates have been achieved by widespread possum control, there is still a need for significant improvement, particularly in relation to limiting the further spread of the disease. 2. A recently developed oral Tb vaccine based on bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) offers a possible alternative to poison baiting for widespread disease control in possums. In addition, there is ongoing development of orally delivered fertility control vaccines (FC) as an alternative method for possum control. However, there is some doubt about whether control strategies based on oral BCG or FC can offer cost‐effective solutions for disease control in possums. 3. We developed a spatially explicit, individual‐based model (IBM) of Tb in possums to address perceived shortcomings in existing non‐spatial models, particularly their failure to model realistically the spatial scale of transmission. The spatial IBM was also used to compare the cost‐effectiveness of control strategies using BCG and combined BCG/FC to existing strategies based on lethal control. In particular, we explored the effectiveness of strategies to contain a localized outbreak. 4. Considering the cumulative cost of control to contain a localized Tb outbreak, the most cost‐effective strategy combined an initial cull of possums with both BCG and FC applied every 3 years. In addition, the combined culling/BCG/FC strategy required only a 2‐ to 3‐km control buffer around the outbreak site to achieve successful containment. By comparison, control strategies that used BCG or BCG/FC alone were not as cost‐effective as they required at least a 5‐km buffer around the outbreak site to achieve containment. 5. Synthesis and applications. Current strategies for Tb control in possums rely heavily on lethal control techniques, but there is public antipathy in New Zealand to the widespread use of toxicants for pest control. Strategies for Tb control that use oral vaccination of possums with BCG, or combined BCG/FC, in combination with a single initial cull of the population offer a cost‐effective alternative for local eradication and containing disease spread. Such strategies would greatly reduce the need for repeated application of toxicants.
Exploring temperament and character traits in nurses and nursing students in a large regional area of Australia
Authors: Eley Diann , Eley Rob , Young Louise , Rogers‐Clark Cath 
Published: June 2010

Aims and objectives. To describe individual temperament and character trait profiles associated with nurses and nursing students in a large regional health district and university in Australia.Background. Identification of personality characteristics have been undertaken in most professions; however there is little extant literature on nurses which looks at specific aspects of temperament and character.Design. A cross‐sectional quantitative study of nurses and nursing students in a large regional health service district and university in South East Queensland, Australia.Method. An online survey to nurses and nursing students included a demographic questionnaire and the temperament and character inventory (TCI) to identify levels of the seven basic dimensions of temperament and character. Univariate analysis made multiple and covariate comparisons between TCI scores, nurses, students, working status and age.Results. The target number of responses was exceeded and totalled 451. Results are reported for females who comprised 90% of respondents; 53·5% students and 46·5% nurses. Significant main effects for age and student status were detected in several temperament and character inventory dimensions. Working students had significantly different temperament and character profiles compared to non‐working students.Conclusions. Overall, this sample displays levels of temperament and character traits congruent with a profession requiring high levels of persistence, self‐directedness, cooperativeness and reward dependence. Our findings prompt further investigation of whether individuals with the requisite temperament traits are attracted to nursing, or do individuals develop certain character traits as a product of their professional experiences/training.Relevance to clinical practice. The identification of distinct profiles of temperament and character traits among different nursing roles may provide insight into what traits are conducive to retention of nurses in these roles. The predictive potential of the temperament traits plus the modifiable component of character traits may provide scope for nursing educators and policy‐makers to assist in recruitment and retention of nurses in the workforce.
An integrative literature review of interventions to reduce violence against emergency department nurses
Authors: Anderson Linda , FitzGerald Mary , Luck Lauretta 
Published: June 2010

Aim. To critique the evidence that underpins interventions intended to minimise workplace violence directed against emergency department nurses, to inform researchers and policy makers regarding the design, development, implementation and evaluation of emergency nursing anti‐violence and counter‐violence interventions.Background. Workplace violence perpetrated against emergency department nurses is at least continuing and at worst increasing. Occupational violence has detrimental effects on job satisfaction, retention and recruitment, and the quality and cost of patient care.Design. An integrated literature review.Method. Searches of the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE and the Joanna Briggs Institute between 1986–May 2007. Included articles were appraised and then synthesised into a narrative summary.Results. Ten primary research studies were included. Interventions were classified as environmental, practices and policies, or skills. While each study has useful information regarding the implementation of interventions, there is no strong evidence for their efficacy.Conclusions. The weight of effort is still directed towards defining the phenomenon rather than addressing solutions. Studies that assessed the efficacy of a single intervention failed to take account of context; and participatory context‐driven studies failed to provide generalisable evidence. Concerted multi‐site and multi‐disciplinary, action‐oriented research studies are urgently needed to provide an evidence base for the prevention and mitigation of violence perpetrated against emergency department nurses.Relevance to clinical practice. The investigation of interventions rather than repeatedly redefining the problem and directing resources into debating semantics or differentiating ‘degrees’ of violence and aggression is recommended. This review unambiguously identifies the gap in research‐based interventions.
Understanding patient satisfaction with family doctor care
Authors: Marcinowicz Ludmila , Chlabicz Slawomir , Grebowski Ryszard 
Published: June 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Patient satisfaction is receiving increased attention in the evaluation of health care quality. However, qualitative methods have seldom been used to study patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to explore how satisfaction is understood from the perspective of patients receiving care from family doctors.Method  We used a qualitative approach consisting of in‐depth interviews with 36 patients attending clinics in Poland. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and content analysis performed.Results  There was no single definition of satisfaction among study participants; however, some core characteristics of satisfaction emerged. These characteristics were: (1) good doctor–patient interaction; (2) health improvement or resolution of health problems; (3) fulfilment of prior expectations; (4) availability of health care; (5) combination of multiple characteristics; and (6) absence of dissatisfaction.Conclusion  Because patients have differing concepts of satisfaction with health care provided by family doctors, quality assessments should focus on components of satisfaction whereas questions about satisfaction itself should be avoided.
Reporting cancer patients' experiences of care for quality improvement: analysis of 2000 and 2004 survey results for South East England
Authors: Madden Peter B. , Davies Elizabeth A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  National surveys of patients' experiences of English cancer services found improvements between 2000 and 2004, particularly in the areas of information, communication and trust in professionals.Objectives  We assessed the potential such surveys might have to stimulate service improvements by comparing their inclusion criteria, sampling and timing and by investigating how representative they were of patients registered with cancer in South East England. Where hospital trusts had data from 50 patients with the same cancer, we determined whether national improvements in six key areas held at hospital trust level.Design  Data were extracted from the two national surveys and from the Thames Cancer Registry.Results  The 2000 survey achieved a higher response rate, included a larger number of hospital trusts, and a wider range of cancer sites, but a lower proportion with lung cancer. Each survey sampled patients at different points following diagnosis, with a year elapsing between data collection and reporting. Compared with cancer registry data, breast cancer patients appeared most well‐represented. Only three hospital trusts had sufficiently large samples to allow comparison over time. We found no change in experience in three of the key areas, but a significant decline from previously high scores in two.Conclusion  To provide information useful for quality improvement future surveys will need to sample larger numbers of patients from most hospital trusts, including patients with less common cancers or receiving palliative care. Surveys should also sample patients at a consistent time after diagnosis and feedback results more rapidly to services.
Osteoporosis risk assessment and management in primary care: focus on quantity and quality
Authors: Blazkova Sarka , Vytrisalova Magda , Palicka Vladimir , Stepan Jan , Byma Svatopluk , Kubena Ales A. , Hala Tomas , Vlcek Jiri 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIntroduction and hypothesis  Early identification of high‐risk patients by general practitioners (GPs) plays the key role in the management of osteoporosis (OP).Methods  We conducted a postal questionnaire survey among 1500 Czech GPs to examine their behaviour related to OP.Results  The overall questionnaire return rate was 38%. The respondents (mean age 52 years; 61.5% women) did not differ from non‐respondents. OP knowledge correlated negatively with age (P < 0.001). The most common reason for both suspicion of OP and referral for suspected OP is the patient's complaints. When the initial skeletal examination for suspected OP is conducted on the GP's initiative, it is most often X‐ray (76%) followed by osteodensitometry (61%). The respondents address five patients (median) per month about this issue. The number of referrals to a specialist for suspected OP during the last quarter was 5 (median). The most commonly reported barriers to OP management were financial limits set by the health insurance agency (71%) and lack of authorization to prescribe selected drugs (71%).Conclusions  The GPs should pay greater attention to risk factors and be more active in the detection of at‐risk patients. It is necessary to motivate the GPs and to overcome the barriers to effective clinical practice.
Hematologic improvement in dogs with parvovirus infection treated with recombinant canine granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor
Authors: DUFFY A. , DOW S. , OGILVIE G. , RAO S. , HACKETT T. 
Published: June 2010

Duffy A., Dow S., Ogilvie G., Rao S., Hackett T. Hematologic improvement in dogs with parvovirus infection treated with recombinant canine granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2885.2009.01153.x.Previously, dogs with canine parvovirus‐induced neutropenia have not responded to treatment with recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF). However, recombinant canine G‐CSF (rcG‐CSF) has not been previously evaluated for treatment of parvovirus‐induced neutropenia in dogs. We assessed the effectiveness of rcG‐CSF in dogs with parvovirus‐induced neutropenia with a prospective, open‐label, nonrandomized clinical trial. Endpoints of our study were time to recovery of WBC and neutrophil counts, and duration of hospitalization. 28 dogs with parvovirus and neutropenia were treated with rcG‐CSF and outcomes were compared to those of 34 dogs with parvovirus and neutropenia not treated with rcG‐CSF. We found that mean WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 28 dogs treated with rcG‐CSF compared to disease‐matched dogs not treated with rcG‐CSF. In addition, the mean duration of hospitalization was reduced (P = 0.01) in rcG‐CSF treated dogs compared to untreated dogs. However, survival times were decreased in dogs treated with rcG‐CSF compared to untreated dogs. These results suggest that treatment with rcG‐CSF was effective in stimulating neutrophil recovery and shortening the duration of hospitalization in dogs with parvovirus infection, but indicate the need for additional studies to evaluate overall safety of the treatment.