bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of harvest time across maturity stages and within a day on the nutritive value in the first crop of timothy (Phleum pratense L.)
Authors: Ashikaga Kazunori , Tamaki Hiroyuki , Tanaka Tsuneki , Deguchi Kenzaburo , Iida Kenji , Sato Koichi 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTimothy (Phleum pratense L.) is the most important perennial forage grass grown in parts of Canada, USA, the Nordic countries of Europe and Hokkaido, Japan. Improvement of its nutritive value through breeding should result in enhanced livestock productivity. The objective of the present study was to investigate the magnitude of genotype × maturity stage interaction (G × M), genotype × harvest time on sunny day interaction (G × TS) and genotype × harvest time on cloudy day interaction (G × TC) for the nutritive value of the first crop of timothy. Fifteen early‐maturing clones of timothy were used to evaluate G × M and 13 clones were used to evaluate G × TS and TC in Kunneppu, Hokkaido in 2005 by analyzing the nutritive value of the first crops using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Contents of low‐digestible fiber (Ob) and water‐soluble carbohydrate and the ratio of Ob to organic cell wall measured at early heading significantly correlated with their measurements at full heading stage, with non‐significant effects of G × M. These traits also showed a significant correlation between morning and evening in both sunny and cloudy weather conditions, with non‐significant effects of G × TS and TC. We conclude that the relative ranking of genotypes at different maturity stages from early to full heading stage and at different times within a day should be consistent for the required traits, and that selection for these traits at any stage of heading and any time of day should permit effective improvement of the nutritive value of timothy only if the plants are harvested at about the same time (within 1 h).
Diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation in the acute care setting
Authors: Nottingham Fatima 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Purpose: To discuss the causes of atrial fibrillation (AF), risk factors, and pathophysiology, and review current treatment guidelines for AF in the inpatient setting. Data sources: Peer‐reviewed medical and nursing journals, American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) practice guidelines. Conclusions: There are many predisposing factors to AF and a variety of treatment modalities. Nurse practitioners (NPs) should acquaint themselves with the pathophysiology and evidence‐based treatments in order to provide individually based care to patients. Implications for practice: Pharmacological management is often warranted in patients with AF. NPs must be aware of updated clinical evidence in order to properly treat patients to provide symptomatic relief and improve quality of life.
Clinical recommendations for promoting breastfeeding among Hispanic women
Authors: Faraz Asefeh 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Purpose: To synthesize research regarding the low breastfeeding rates in Hispanic women living in the United States, particularly those who immigrate to this country and become acculturated. Data sources: Extensive review of global literature on the subject. Conclusions: Exclusive and continued breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased in recent years but remain low, and no state in the United States currently meets the Healthy People 2010 recommendations. Due to the increasing number of Hispanic women immigrating to the United States and having children, it is imperative to develop appropriate culturally specific guidelines in breastfeeding promotion programs. When providing care to a Hispanic mother, clinicians can best assist this population by holistically reviewing all aspects of a woman's life including her environment and relationships with others to provide positive outcomes that ultimately benefit Hispanic mothers and their newborns. Implications for practice: Guidelines and interventions for initiating and continuing breastfeeding in Hispanic women are proposed, including providing a bilingual personal breastfeeding advocate, as well as group classes that incorporate traditional Hispanic cultural beliefs and allow the women to devise personal breastfeeding plans.
Prescribing generic antiepileptic drugs: Issues and concerns for nurse practitioners
Authors: Barrett Megan Weigel 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Purpose: To educate prescribing clinicians about bioequivalent standards for therapeutic equivalence of brand and generic antiepileptic durgs (AEDs) as more generic drugs come to market, and to increase awareness of practice and safety issues surrounding the use of these drugs for people with seizures. Data sources: Information was gathered from a search of the scientific literature as well as the author's clinical experience. Conclusions: Controversy exists regarding the therapeutic equivalence of brand and generic AEDs, even when bioequivalent standards are satisfied. Generic AEDs have been associated with breakthrough seizures and adverse events that may outweigh cost savings encouraged by third‐party payors. Further research is needed comparing brand to generic drugs in a rigorous manner in order to make a consensus statement regarding the safety and equivalency of generic AEDs for all patient populations. Implications for practice: Generic AEDs may be safely prescribed in certain situations if clinicians are aware of ethical, legal, and practice issues surrounding their use. Sufficient time should be spent educating patients, caregivers, and pharmacists about implications of a switch made without the knowledge of the patient and/or prescriber.
Teaching so they hear: Using a co‐created diabetes self‐management education approach
Authors: New Nelda 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Purpose: To describe the development and outcomes of a co‐created diabetes self‐management education (DSME) intervention that resulted in statistically significant (p= .02) improvements in diabetes self‐care activities when compared to outcomes of a typical DSME program. Data sources: In this pilot study, an experimental self‐management intervention with a self‐selected group of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus was held in the southern United States. Focus group results were used to develop the intervention and DSME participants co‐created the sessions. Pre‐ and postintervention outcomes were compared to those of participants in DSME programs at two area, certified diabetes education centers. Conclusions: No significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups with regard to knowledge, adaptation, and program satisfaction. However, diabetes self‐care activities significantly improved (p= .02) for the experimental group. Implications for practice: A co‐created teaching approach better meets the learning needs of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and results in enhanced ability to perform the self‐care activities required for successful diabetes control. Better diabetes control reduces visits to monitor and treat complications and the need for repetitive educational sessions that exceed third‐party pay limits and extend the time needed for patient encounters.
Punishment: The Future
Authors: Wood David 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA companion to ‘Punishment: Consequentialism’ and ‘Punishment: Nonconsequentialism’, which examine attempts to justify punishment as a state institution, this paper considers possible alternatives to punishment. On the assumption that there are two elements to punishment, an element of condemnation and of hard treatment, the paper considers, first, the alternative of condemnation without hard treatment, and secondly, of hard treatment without condemnation. The paper then looks ahead to possible developments in thinking and theorising about punishment.
Inhibition of Shiga Toxin 2 (Stx2) in Apple Juices and its Resistance to Pasteurization
Authors: Rasooly Reuven , Do Paula M. , Levin Carol E. , Friedman Mendel 
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  In the present study, we evaluated Shiga toxin (Stx2) activity in apple juices by measuring a decrease in dehydrogenase activity of Vero cells with the microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Freshly prepared juice from Red Delicious apples and Golden Delicious apples inhibited the biological activity of the bacterial toxin Stx2 produced by E. coli O157:H7 strains. Studies with immunomagnetic beads bearing specific antibodies against the toxin revealed that Stx2 activity was restored when removed from the apple juice. SDS gel electrophoresis revealed no difference (P < 0.05) in the densities or molecular weights between Stx2 in either PBS or apple juices. These results suggest that Stx2 may be reversibly bound to small molecular weight constituents in the juice. The Stx2 toxin was not inactivated on exposure to heat programs (63 °C for 30 min, 72 °C for 15 s, 89 °C for 1 s) commonly used to pasteurize apple juice, but lost all activity when exposed to 100 °C for 5 min. The results suggest that pasteurization of apple juice used to inactivate E. coli O157:H7 has no effect on Stx2, and that food‐compatible and safe antitoxin compounds can be used to inhibit the biological activity of the Shiga toxin.Practical Application:  This study explores the possibility of using naturally occurring antioxidative substances, in this case high phenolic apples juices, to inactivate Shiga toxin (Stx2) produced by E. coli O157:H7 in contaminated foods.
Small interfering RNA against the apurinic or apyrimidinic endonuclease enhances the sensitivity of human pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine in vitro
Authors: XIONG Guang Su , SUN Hui Ling , WU Shu Ming , MO Jian Zhong 
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate whether the downregulation of human apurinic or apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox factor‐1 gene (APE1/Ref‐1) expression by ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) would increase the sensitivity of SW1990 cells to gemcitabine.METHODS:  Chemically synthesized small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against human APE1/Ref‐1 (si‐APE1) was transfected into SW1990 cells through transfection reagents. The mRNA expression of APE1/Ref‐1 was detected by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR and the protein expression of APE1/Ref‐1 was detected by Western blot; cell proliferation and apoptosis were studied by a Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK‐8) and flow cytometry (FCM) and fluorescence microscopy.RESULTS:  After transfecting the SW1990 cells with siRNA directed against human APE1/Ref‐1, the mRNA expression of APE1/Ref‐1 of these cells was reduced, and its protein expression was reduced by 55.41 ± 3.58%. The CCK‐8 assay showed that the absorbance and the inhibition of cell growth transfected with si‐APE1 were significantly different from the blank (cultured with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) and negative control (given 50 nmol/L scrambled control siRNA). The inhibition rates of cell growth of the si‐APE1 group at 24, 48, 72 h were 41.69 ± 2.78%, 24.83 ± 3.70% and 21.27 ± 9.82%, respectively. A FCM analysis and cell morphology study showed that the apoptotic rate of SW1990 cells transfected with si‐APE1 combined with gemcitabine treatment was significantly different from the blank control and others.CONCLUSION:  To knock down APE1/Ref‐1 gene expression may significantly sensitize the SW1990 cells to gemcitabine and enhance cell apoptosis.
Les incidences de la crise sur les administrations de sécurité sociale: résultats d'une enquête menée par l'AISS
Authors: Orton Ian 
Published: June 2010

RésuméCet article dresse le bilan d'une grande enquête conduite en 2009 par l'Association internationale de la sécurité sociale (AISS), qui porte sur les incidences de la crise économique et financière sur les administrations de sécurité sociale. Il en ressort qu'une majorité d'administrations a été durement éprouvée par la baisse de la rentabilité des investissements des fonds de la sécurité sociale et par la chute des recettes provenant des cotisations. Dans le même temps, ces administrations doivent faire face à une augmentation des dépenses au titre des prestations. Or, en dépit de ce constat, il semblerait qu'elles aient réagi de manière souvent positive et novatrice à ces revers. Néanmoins, les difficultés persistent. A cet égard, le problème le plus préoccupant reste que la reprise économique risque d'être lente, que la crise sur le marché du travail peut perdurer avec, pour corollaire, des réserves financières qui s'épuisent et une marge de manœuvre budgétaire plus que restreinte.
Attributes of an ideal oral health care system
Authors: Tomar Scott L. , Cohen Lois K. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives: The sense of urgency concerning the inadequacies of the current U.S. oral health care system in better preventing oral diseases, eliminating oral health disparities, and ensuring access to basic oral health services has increased in recent years. This paper sought to articulate the attributes that an ideal oral health care system would possess, which would be consistent with the principles of the leading authorities on the public's health.Methods: The authors reviewed policy statements and position papers of the World Health Organization, The Institute of Medicine, The American Public Health Association, Healthy People 2010 Objectives for the Nation, and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.Results: Consistent with leading public health authorities, an ideal oral health care system would be have the following attributes: integration with the rest of the health care system; emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention; monitoring of population oral health status and needs; evidence‐based; effective; cost‐effective; sustainable; equitable; universal; comprehensive; ethical; includes continuous quality assessment and assurance; culturally competent; and empowers communities and individuals to create conditions conducive to health.Conclusions: Although there are some attributes of an ideal oral health care system on which the United States has made initial strides, it falls far short in many areas. The development of an oral health care delivery system that meets the characteristics described above is possible but would require tremendous commitment and political will on the part of the American public and its elected officials to bring it to fruition.
Combining genetic, historical and geographical data to reconstruct the dynamics of bioinvasions: application to the cane toadBufo marinus
Authors: ESTOUP ARNAUD , BAIRD STUART J.E. , RAY NICOLAS , CURRAT MATHIAS , CORNUET JEAN‐MARIE , SANTOS FILIPE , BEAUMONT MARK A. , EXCOFFIER LAURENT 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe developed a spatially explicit model of a bioinvasion and used an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) framework to make various inferences from a combination of genetic (microsatellite genotypes), historical (first observation dates) and geographical (spatial coordinates of introduction and sampled sites) information. Our method aims to discriminate between alternative introduction scenarios and to estimate posterior densities of demographically relevant parameters of the invasive process. The performance of ourlandscape‐ABCmethod is assessed using simulated data sets differing in their information content (genetic and/or historical data). We apply our methodology to the recent introduction and spatial expansion of the cane toad,Bufo marinus, in northern Australia. We find that, at least in the context of cane toad invasion, historical data are more informative than genetic data for discriminating between introduction scenarios. However, the combination of historical and genetic data provides the most accurate estimates of demographic parameters. For the cane toad, we find some evidence for a strong bottleneck prior to introduction, a small initial number of founder individuals (about 15), a large population growth rate (about 400% per generation), a standard deviation of dispersal distance of 19 km per generation and a high invasion speed at equilibrium (50 km per year). Our approach strengthens the application of the ABC method to the field of bioinvasion by allowing statistical inferences to be made on the introduction and the spatial expansion dynamics of invasive species using a combination of various relevant sources of information.
Which factors influence patients’ maximum acceptable waiting time for cataract surgery? – a questionnaire survey
Authors: Weingessel Birgit , Richter‐Mueksch Sibylla , Vécsei‐Marlovits Pia V. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate patients’ maximum acceptable waiting time (MAWT) and to assess the determinants of patient perceptions of MAWT.Methods:  A total of 500 consecutive patients with cataract were asked to fill out a preoperative questionnaire, addressing patients’ MAWT to undergo cataract surgery. Patients’ visual impairment (VF‐14 score), education, profession and social status were evaluated, and an ophthalmologic examination was performed. Univariate analysis included Spearman’s correlation test, unpaired Student’s t‐test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Univariate and multivariate associations were calculated using unconditional logistic regression.Results:  The mean MAWT was 3.17 ± 2.12 months. The mean VF‐14 score was 72.10 ± 22.54. Between VF‐14 score and MAWT, there was a significant correlation (r = 0.180, p = 0.004). Patients with higher education (high school, university) accepted significantly longer MAWT (3.92 ± 2.38 months versus 3.02 ± 2.00 months, p = 0.009). Patients who had self‐noticed visual impairment were nearly four times (OR: 3.88, 95% CI = 2.07–7.28, p < 0.001) more likely to accept only MAWT of <3 months.Conclusions:  Patients with low tolerance for waiting had greater self‐reported difficulty with vision. Patients’ acceptance of waiting was not associated with clinical visual acuity measures. Education, ability to work, living independently and taking care of dependents were also strong predictors from patients’ perspective. Considering the implementation of standards for waiting lists, these facts should be taken into account.
West‐Libyan propolis and rosemary have synergistic anti‐tumor effect against 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate‐induced skin tumor in BULB/C mice previously initiated with 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene
Authors: Abd El‐Rahman Sahar S 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Background and aim: Many dietary constituents are chemopreventive in animal models and experiments with cultured cells are revealing various potential mechanisms of action. Many of these compounds can prevent, or greatly reduce, initiation of carcinogenesis, or can act on cell proliferation. In this study we examined the effects of topical application of propolis extract, rosemary extract and a mixture of both extracts together on 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate‐induced tumor promotion in mice previously initiated with 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Methods: The propolis extract, rosemary extract and a mixture of both extracts together were applied topically 15 min prior to the application of 5 nmol TPA for 20 weeks. Results: A decrease in the number of skin tumors per mouse by 27, 39, 71% was seen, as well as a decrease in the number of mice with tumors by 22, 31, 75% and inhibited the tumor size per mouse by 46, 62, 72% for propolis, rosemary and both together respectively. Also TUNEL data showed more increased incidence of TUNEL positivity among cancer cells in both topical applications together than their separate application on the back skin of mice. Conclusions: It is likely that the combination of their activities such as antioxidant and cytotoxic ones as well as the combination of several components in both are responsible for their inhibitory effect on carcinogenesis. Further investigations are recommended in order to establish the conditions under which topical application of propolis as well as rosemary produces either protective or deleterious effects.
Endosymbiotic bacterium Protochlamydia can survive in acanthamoebae following encystation
Authors: Nakamura Shinji , Matsuo Junji , Hayashi Yasuhiro , Kawaguchi Kouhei , Yoshida Mitsutaka , Takahashi Kaori , Mizutani Yoshihiko , Yao Takashi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2010

SummaryObligate intracellular bacteria are commonly seen as endosymbionts of acanthamoebae. However, whether endosymbionts can survive amoebal encystations remains a significant challenge in cellular biology. The survival of the endosymbiotic bacteria Protochlamydia belonging to environmental chlamydiae found in an amoebal isolate that we have previously reported (Environmental Microbiology Reports, DOI: 10.1111/j.1758‐2229.2009.00094.x, 2009) following encystation was therefore assessed. The bacteria were observed in cysts and trophozoites reverted from cysts by analysis with transmission electron microscope, and the bacterial 16S rRNA transcripts were detected in amoeba cultures following encystations by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. Furthermore, the bacterial growth was also confirmed, by fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis and the AIU assay that we have previously established (Applied Environmental Microbiology, 74: 6397‐6404, 2008), in trophozoites reverted from cysts stored at 4°C for up to a month after encystation. Thus, these results demonstrated that Protochlamydia could survive in acanthamoebae following encystation. Our findings suggest that amoeba cysts might be further studied in order to understand their role in the environmental survival of endosymbionts.
Contribution of a Plasmid-Borne
bla
OXA-58
Gene with Its Hybrid Promoter Provided by IS
1006
and an IS
Aba3
-Like Element to β-Lactam Resistance in
Acinetobacter
Genomic Species 13TU
Authors: Chen Te-Li , Chang Wei-Che , Kuo Shu-Chen , Lee Yi-Tzu , Chen Chien-Pei , Siu Leung-Kei , Cho Wen-Long , Fung Chang-Phone 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The contribution of the
bla
OXA-58
gene and its promoter to β-lactam resistance has not been validated in
Acinetobacter
spp. other than
Acinetobacter baumannii
. We identified a multidrug-resistant (including carbapenem resistance)
Acinetobacter
genomic species 13TU in which
bla
OXA-58
was the only detected carbapenemase gene. The
bla
OXA-58
gene was plasmid located, flanked by IS
Aba3
(downstream) and an IS
Aba3-
like element (upstream). An IS
1006
element was inserted into IS
Aba3
-like (IS
1006
-ΔIS
Aba3
-like) to generate a hybrid promoter for
bla
OXA-58
, with a −35 promoter located in IS
1006
and a −10 promoter in IS
Aba3
-like. The reference strain of
Acinetobacter
genomic species 13TU, ATCC 17903, revealed higher MICs of amoxicillin, ticarcillin, and piperacillin and heteroresistance to imipenem and meropenem when it was transformed with a shuttle vector containing a fragment encompassing ΔIS
Aba3
-like-
bla
OXA-58
, compared to the same host containing only
bla
OXA-58
. When the fragment was changed from ΔIS
Aba3
-like-
bla
OXA-58
to IS
1006
-ΔIS
Aba3
-like-
bla
OXA-58
, the ATCC 17903 transformant revealed a markedly higher level of
bla
OXA-58
transcription (12-fold), increased cefuroxime and piperacillin-tazobactam MICs, and homoresistance to imipenem and meropenem. Different roles of the insertion elements preceding the
bla
OXA-58
gene in
Acinetobacter
genomic species 13TU are demonstrated. The IS
Aba3
-like-
-bla
OXA-58
construct can mediate resistance to penicillin derivatives but only heteroresistance to carbapenems. The insertion of IS
1006
into IS
Aba3
-like, generating a hybrid promoter, could further enhance the transcription of
bla
OXA-58
and mediate homoresistance to carbapenems and also enhanced resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam.