bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What primary health‐care services are Australian consumers willing to accept from nurse practitioners? A National Survey
Authors: Parker Rhian , Forrest Laura , McCracken James , McRae Ian , Cox Darlene 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundNurses are becoming increasingly important as providers of primary health care in Australia. In November 2010, Medicare provider rights and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rights for nurse practitioners, working in private practice and in collaboration with a medical practitioner, were introduced in Australia. Although international evidence suggests that nurse practitioners would be appropriate and acceptable providers of care at the first point of contact, such as primary health care, there is little Australian evidence about what care consumers are willing to accept from nurse practitioners.ObjectivesTo ascertain what care Australian health‐care consumers would accept from nurse practitioners in this setting.ParticipantsAustralian adults over 18 years of age.MethodsNational Survey delivered online. Information about the survey was disseminated through a media campaign, stakeholder engagement and through the health‐care consumer networks nationally.ResultsThe total number of respondents that started the survey was n = 1883. Ninety‐five percentage (n = 1784) of respondents completed the survey. The majority of respondents were women, aged 25–54 years, had completed tertiary education and had an annual household income of more than A$80 000. The majority of the respondents (n = 1562, 87%) said they would be prepared to see a nurse practitioner for some of their primary health‐care needs.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest consumers are accepting of a range of activities undertaken by nurse practitioners in primary health care and this has relevance for primary health‐care workforce mix and organization, particularly for areas that are underserved by medical practitioners.
Similar slow down in running speed progression in species under human pressure
Authors: Desgorces F.‐D. , Berthelot G. , Charmantier A. , Tafflet M. , Schaal K. , Jarne P. , Toussaint J.‐F. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractRunning speed in animals depends on both genetic and environmental conditions. Maximal speeds were here analysed in horses, dogs and humans using data sets on the 10 best performers covering more than a century of races. This includes a variety of distances in humans (200–1500 m). Speed has been progressing fast in the three species, and this has been followed by a plateau. Based on a Gompertz model, the current best performances reach 97.4% of maximal velocity in greyhounds to 100.3 in humans. Further analysis based on a subset of individuals and using an ‘animal model’ shows that running speed is heritable in horses (h2 = 0.438, P = 0.01) and almost so in dogs (h2 = 0.183, P = 0.08), suggesting the involvement of genetic factors. Speed progression in humans is more likely due to an enlarged population of runners, associated with improved training practices. The analysis of a data subset (40 last years in 800 and 1500 m) further showed that East Africans have strikingly improved their speed, now reaching the upper part of the human distribution, whereas that of Nordic runners stagnated in the 800 m and even declined in the 1500 m. Although speed progression in dogs and horses on one side and humans on the other has not been affected by the same genetic/environmental balance of forces, it is likely that further progress will be extremely limited.
Morphological Analysis and Osteometry of the Foramen Magnum of the One‐Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Yahaya A. , Olopade J. O. , Kwari H. D. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe foramen magnum (FM) has been an integral component of studies on the ontogeny and evolutionary transformation of the skull. While its shape is variable in different species and breeds, the morphological variations and metrical indices of the foramen have scarcely been studied in camels. A total of 30 adult camel heads with equal sex disparity from three different locations ofNorthernNigeria were used in this study for determining the morphological characteristics and osteometry of their foramen magnum. The study reported a mean foramen magnum height and width of 4.04 ± 0.15 and 3.70 ± 0.16 cm, and 3.65 ± 0.27 and 3.45 ± 0.21 cm in the overall males and females, respectively, and a foramen magnum index (FMI) in adult camels, which was over 100. We propose a classification for the morphology of foramen magnum in camels demarcating them into three types. The dorsal border of the foramen presented either a smoothly curved bony margin (Type I), a small, ventrally directed, median bony protrusion (TypeII) or a dorsal notch (TypeIII). No significant osteometric differences were found in any of the variables of the foramen magnum measured in the adult camels (FMH,FMWandFMI) of the various geographical locations, nor between animals of either gender except for theFMHthat had a significantly higher mean value in overall males.
Influence of sample size on ecological status assessment using marine benthic invertebrate‐based indices
Authors: Mavrič Borut , Urbanič Gorazd , Lipej Lovrenc , Simboura Nomiki 
Published: July 2012

AbstractRoutine monitoring of the quality status of water bodies demands the best cost‐benefit relation and sample‐size reduction is therefore welcomed. However, great caution is needed because such reduction affects the accuracy and variation of the results. In the present study we tested the influence of sample size (number of replicate samples) on reference condition values and within‐sample ecological quality ratio (EQR) variability of six commonly used ecological indices (taxa richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, AMBI, Medocc index, Bentix and M‐AMBI). Analysis of soft‐bottom benthic invertebrate data from Slovenian coastal waters showed that sample size influenced the reference condition values of richness/diversity indices (taxa richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity) but not of the sensitivity/tolerance indices (AMBI, Medocc index, Bentix). Increased sample size decreased the within‐sample EQR variability and, concomitantly, increased the accuracy of site ecological status classification for all indices. The size of EQR variability differed depending on the index used. EQR variability of M‐AMBI, an index composed of metrics with different within‐sample EQR variability, was statistically the same as that of the metric with the lowest within‐sample EQR variability. Whether this is a common principle for multimetric indices remains to be confirmed. Based on these results, the use of at least three replicates is suggested to obtain reliable measures of reference condition and EQR for the assessment of ecological status. This level of replication is particularly necessary in areas with high diversity and environmental patchiness, and when richness/diversity measures and indices that include these measures are used.
Effects of early oral feeding on relapse and symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in peptic ulcer disease
Authors: Khoshbaten Manouchehr , Ghaffarifar Saeideh , Jabbar Imani Afshin , Shahnazi Tahere 
Published: July 2012

Background:  Peptic ulcer is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and nutritional support is a helpful strategy in malnutrition prevention during treatment. As early oral feeding in patients with GIB may shorten hospital stay and decrease costs and risk of infection, the present study was carried out to investigate the effects of early oral feeding on relapse and symptoms of upper GIB.Methods:  The present clinical trial was conducted with the participation of 100 patients with upper GIB due to gastric or duodenum ulcer at Emam Reza University Hospital in Tabriz. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 50). In one group, patients received oral diet from day 1 and in other group patients were nil by mouth until day 3 and then received oral diet. Endoscopic and clinical findings of patients were recorded from day 1 to 3.Results:  The mean age of subjects was 57.6 ± 1.7 and 63% were male. Sclerotherapy was used in most cases as a hemostasis treatment. There was no significant difference in laboratory findings and rebleeding between the two groups. In the group with early oral feeding, the time of hospital stay was significantly shorter than in the control group (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Although early oral feeding had no significant effects on electrolyte balance and treatment outcomes in patients with upper GIB who were treated with endoscopic hemostasis, it could effectively shorten the hospital stay. Consequently, early oral feeding in these patients enables early discharge and reduces the costs of treatment.
Unsedated transnasal percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy carried out by a single physician
Authors: Lin Lian‐Feng , Shen Hsiu‐Chu 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  The present prospective observational study investigates the safety of transnasal percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (T‐PEG) carried out by a single physician using an ultrathin endoscope.Methods:  A single endoscopist attempted the unsedated transnasal insertion of a 20‐Fr PEG tube using a pull‐method in 31 dysphagic patients: 11 females and 20 males aged 76.5 ± 10.6 (46–96) years, using a 5‐mm‐diameter endoscope. The indications for PEG, cardiopulmonary function before and after T‐PEG, operation time, success or failure, and any immediate adverse events that occurred during each procedure were recorded. Complications, including peristomal infection, systemic infection, tube lifespan, and patient mortality were monitored throughout the post‐T‐PEG follow‐up period.Results:  Thirty (96.8%) of the transnasal PEG insertions were successful. The mean operation time was 14.7 ± 2.9 (10–20) min, and cardiopulmonary function did not change before and after T‐PEG. Complications included three (10%) cases of epistaxis, eight (26.6%) cases of minor Pseudomonas wound infection and two cases of Foley‐related urinary tract infection (UTI). No self‐extubation was observed, and the mean lifespan of the PEG tubes was 10.7 ± 2.2 months. Four patients died from pneumonia 10 months after T‐PEG insertion.Conclusion:  Unsedated T‐PEG insertion carried out by a single physician is a feasible and safe procedure. No major complications or mortality were observed following the procedures; only minor Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infections were noted. It is an alternative method for dysphagic patients when transoral insertion of endoscopy is impossible.
Sharpening and formation: two distinct neuronal mechanisms of repetition priming
Authors: Martens Ulla , Gruber Thomas 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe repetition of an object stimulus results in faster and better recognition of this object (repetition priming). This phenomenon is neuronally associated with a reduced firing rate of neurons (repetition suppression). It has been interpreted as a sharpening mechanism within the cell assembly representing the object. In the case of an unfamiliar stimulus for which no object representation exists, the repetition of the stimulus results in an increase in the firing rate (repetition enhancement).It has been hypothesized that this increase reflects the formation of a cortical object representation. We aimed to investigate cortical object representations as well as repetition suppression and enhancement by means of the steady‐state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) in the healthy human brain. To that end, we used a repetition paradigm with familiar and unfamiliar objects, each presented with 12‐Hz flicker, producing an oscillatory brain response at the same frequency (i.e. an SSVEP). Results showed significantly smaller SSVEP amplitudes for repeated familiar objects compared to their first presentation (repetition suppression). For unfamiliar objects, SSVEP amplitudes increased with stimulus repetition (repetition enhancement). Source reconstruction revealed inferior temporal regions as generators for the repetition suppression effect, probably reflecting a sharpening mechanism within the cortical representations of the constituting features of an object. In contrast, repetition enhancement was localised in the superior parietal lobe, possibly reflecting the formation of a structural object representation. Thus, the mechanisms underlying repetition priming (i.e. sharpening and formation) depend on the semantic content of the incoming information.
Dynamics of anticipatory mechanisms during predictive context processing
Authors: Bidet‐Caulet Aurélie , Barbe Pierre‐Guillaume , Roux Sylvie , Viswanath Humsini , Barthélémy Catherine , Bruneau Nicole , Knight Robert T. , Bonnet‐Brilhault Frédérique 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe employed an electroencephalography paradigm manipulating predictive context to dissociate the neural dynamics of anticipatory mechanisms. Subjects either detected random targets or targets preceded by a predictive sequence of three distinct stimuli. The last stimulus in the three‐stimulus sequence (decisive stimulus) did not require any motor response but 100% predicted a subsequent target event. We showed that predictive context optimises target processing via the deployment of distinct anticipatory mechanisms at different times of the predictive sequence. Prior to the occurrence of the decisive stimulus, enhanced attentional preparation was manifested by reductions in the alpha oscillatory activities over the visual cortices, resulting in facilitation of processing of the decisive stimulus. Conversely, the subsequent 100% predictable target event did not reveal the deployment of attentional preparation in the visual cortices, but elicited enhanced motor preparation mechanisms, indexed by an increased contingent negative variation and reduced mu oscillatory activities over the motor cortices before movement onset. The present results provide evidence that anticipation operates via different attentional and motor preparation mechanisms by selectively pre‐activating task‐dependent brain areas as the predictability gradually increases.
Bacterial pathogens: from natural ecosystems to human hosts
Authors: Martínez José L. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe analysis of the genomes of bacterial pathogens indicates that they have acquired their pathogenic capability by incorporating different genetic elements through horizontal gene transfer. The ancestors of virulent bacteria, as well as the origin of virulence determinants, lay most likely in the environmental microbiota. Studying the role that these determinants may have in non‐clinical ecosystems is thus of value for understanding in detail the evolution and the ecology of bacterial pathogens. In this article, I propose that classical virulence determinants might be relevant for basic metabolic processes (for instance iron‐uptake systems) or in modulating prey/predator relationships (toxins) in natural, non‐infective ecosystems. The different role that horizontal gene transfer and mutation may have in the evolution of bacterial pathogens either for their speciation or in short‐sighted evolution processes is also discussed.
Financial stress is associated with reduced treatment adherence in HIV‐infected adults in a resource‐rich setting
Authors: McAllister J , Beardsworth G , Lavie E , MacRae K , Carr A 
Published: July 2012

ObjectivesFinancial stress has been identified as a barrier to antiretroviral adherence, but only in resource‐ limited settings. Almost half of HIV‐infected Australian adults earn no regular income and, despite highly subsidised antiretroviral therapy and universal health care, 3% of HIV‐infected Australians cease antiretroviral therapy each year. We studied the relationship between financial stress and treatment adherence in a resource‐rich setting.MethodsOut‐patients attending the HIV clinic at St Vincent's Hospital between November 2010 and May 2011 were invited to complete an anonymous survey including questions relating to costs and adherence.ResultsOf 335 HIV‐infected patients (95.8% male; mean age 52 years; hepatitis coinfection 9.2%), 65 patients (19.6%) stated that it was difficult or very difficult to meet pharmacy dispensing costs, 49 (14.6%) reported that they had delayed purchasing medication because of pharmacy costs, and 30 (9.0%) reported that they had ceased medication because of pharmacy costs. Of the 65 patients with difficulties meeting pharmacy costs, 19 (29.2%) had ceased medication vs. 11 (4.1%) of the remaining 270 patients (P < 0.0001). In addition, 19 patients (5.7%) also stated that it was difficult or very difficult to meet travel costs to the clinic. Treatment cessation and interruption were both independently associated with difficulty meeting both pharmacy and clinic travel costs. Only 4.9% had been asked if they were having difficulty paying for medication.ConclusionsThese are the first data to show that pharmacy dispensing and clinic travel costs may affect treatment adherence in a resource‐rich setting. Patients should be asked if financial stress is limiting their treatment adherence.
Combinations of classical time‐honoured topicals in plaque psoriasis: a systematic review
Authors: Hendriks A.G.M. , Keijsers R.R.M.C. , de Jong E.M.G.J. , Seyger M.M.B. , van de Kerkhof P.C.M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Despite the availability of newer topical treatments, classical topical treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis still have an important position for selected patient populations. The vast majority of patients are treated with a combination of topicals. The question arises: what is the evidence behind these approaches?Objectives  To systematically review all available literature on efficacy and safety of combinations of classical topical treatments in chronic plaque psoriasis, including all combinations with dithranol, coal tar and penetration enhancers, and ultimately, to propose recommendations for combination treatment.Methods  Standardized literature searches in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trial Register, and allocation of the degree of evidence was carried out.Results  In total 2918 publications on topical combination therapy were revealed, of which 48 articles on combinations of classical treatments. In this article, the results concerning the 19 included publications are stated. The majority of combination regimens is at least as effective as monotherapies, and is generally well tolerated.Conclusions  Methods of classical treatments are not standardized and different protocols in different treatment settings are used. Therefore the interpretation of study results cannot be generalized. Most evidence was found to recommend the use of a combination regimen of topical corticosteroids and salicylic acid, above monotherapy with either component. Also, the combinations of dithranol with superpotent corticosteroids or with coal tar may be preferred above both monotherapies. In case first‐line treatments and systemic therapies are not effective or contraindicated, combinations of classical topicals may provide an important opportunity.
Cranial muscles in amphibians: development, novelties and the role of cranial neural crest cells
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer , Piekarski Nadine , Olsson Lennart 
Published: July 2012

AbstractOur research on the evolution of the vertebrate head focuses on understanding the developmental origins of morphological novelties. Using a broad comparative approach in amphibians, and comparisons with the well‐studied quail‐chicken system, we investigate how evolutionarily conserved or variable different aspects of head development are. Here we review research on the often overlooked development of cranial muscles, and on its dependence on cranial cartilage development. In general, cranial muscle cell migration and the spatiotemporal pattern of cranial muscle formation appears to be very conserved among the few species of vertebrates that have been studied. However, fate‐mapping of somites in the Mexican axolotl revealed differences in the specific formation of hypobranchial muscles (tongue muscles) in comparison to the chicken. The proper development of cranial muscles has been shown to be strongly dependent on the mostly neural crest‐derived cartilage elements in the larval head of amphibians. For example, a morpholino‐based knock‐down of the transcription factor FoxN3 in Xenopus laevis has drastic indirect effects on cranial muscle patterning, although the direct function of the gene is mostly connected to neural crest development. Furthermore, extirpation of single migratory streams of cranial neural crest cells in combination with fate‐mapping in a frog shows that individual cranial muscles and their neural crest‐derived connective tissue attachments originate from the same visceral arch, even when the muscles attach to skeletal components that are derived from a different arch. The same pattern has also been found in the chicken embryo, the only other species that has been thoroughly investigated, and thus might be a conserved pattern in vertebrates that reflects the fundamental nature of a mechanism that keeps the segmental order of the head in place despite drastic changes in adult anatomy. There is a need for detailed comparative fate‐mapping of pre‐otic paraxial mesoderm in amphibians, to determine developmental causes underlying the complicated changes in cranial muscle development and architecture within amphibians, and in particular how the novel mouth apparatus in frog tadpoles evolved. This will also form a foundation for further research into the molecular mechanisms that regulate rostral head morphogenesis. Our empirical studies are discussed within a theoretical framework concerned with the evolutionary origin and developmental basis of novel anatomical structures in general. We argue that a common developmental origin is not a fool‐proof guide to homology, and that a view that sees only structures without homologs as novel is too restricted, because novelties must be produced by changes in the same framework of developmental processes. At the level of developmental processes and mechanisms, novel structures are therefore likely to have homologs, and we need to develop a hierarchical concept of novelty that takes this into account.