bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of inflammatory cells, cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in neutrophil-mediated skin diseases
Authors: Marzano A V , Cugno M , Trevisan V , Fanoni D , Venegoni L , Berti E , Crosti C 
Published: July 2010

SummaryPyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease presenting with painful ulcers having undermined edges. Less commonly, bullous and vegetative variants exist. Histology consists of a neutrophil-rich dermal infiltrate. We characterized immunohistochemically the infiltrate in different variants of PG and in another neutrophilic dermatosis as Sweet's syndrome. We studied 21 patients with PG, eight with Sweet's syndrome and 20 controls, evaluating skin immunoreactivity for inflammatory cell markers (CD3, CD163 and myeloperoxidase), cytokines [tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-17], metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunoreactivities of CD3, CD163, myeloperoxidase, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were significantly higher in both PG and Sweet's syndrome than in controls (P = 0·0001). Myeloperoxidase (neutrophil marker), IL-8 (cytokine chemotactic for neutrophils) and MMP-9 (proteinase-mediating tissue damage) were expressed more significantly in both ulcerative and bullous PG than in vegetative PG as well as in Sweet's syndrome (P = 0·008–P = 0·0001). In ulcerative PG, the expression of CD3 (panT cell marker) and CD163 (macrophage marker) were significantly higher in wound edge than wound bed (P = 0·0001). In contrast, the neutrophil marker myeloperoxidase was expressed more significantly in wound bed than wound edge (P = 0·0001). Our study identifies PG as a paradigm of neutrophil-mediated inflammation, with proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and MMPs acting as important effectors for the tissue damage, particularly in ulcerative and bullous PG where damage is stronger. In ulcerative PG, the wound bed is the site of neutrophil-recruitment, whereas in the wound edge activated T lymphocytes and macrophages pave the way to ulcer formation.
A critical update on the immunopathogenesis of Stiff Person Syndrome
Authors: Alexopoulos Harry , Dalakas Marinos C. 
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (11): 1018–1025AbstractBackground  Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a relatively rare but often overlooked autoimmune neurological disorder that targets antigens within the brain’s inhibitory pathways resulting in incapacitating stiffness and spasms that impact on the patients’ quality of life. Although a number of immunomodulating therapies significantly improve the patients’ symptoms, the exact pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear.Materials and methods  The current literature on SPS was reviewed and combined with the authors' experience with many patients and various laboratory studies. The majority of the patients have high‐titre anti‐GAD (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase) antibodies in the sera and CSF suggesting dysfunction of the GABAergic neurotransmission. These antibodies are excellent disease markers but their pathogenic role remains uncertain.Conclusions  This review provides a critical assessment on the immunobiology of SPS, describes the identification of anti‐GABARAP antibodies as a new antigenic target in the GABAergic synapse and identifies the areas for future research.
A critical function of toll‐like receptor‐3 in the induction of anti‐human immunodeficiency virus activities in macrophages
Authors: Zhou Yu , Wang Xu , Liu Manqing , Hu Quan , Song Li , Ye Li , Zhou Dunjin , Ho Wenzhe 
Published: July 2010

SummaryToll‐like receptor‐3 (TLR‐3) recognizes double‐stranded RNA and induces multiple intracellular events responsible for innate anti‐viral immunity against a number of viral infections. Activation of TLR‐3 inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, but the mechanism(s) underlying the action of TLR‐3 activation on HIV are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that treatment of monocyte‐derived macrophages with poly I:C, a synthetic ligand for TLR‐3, significantly inhibited HIV infection and replication. Investigation of the mechanisms showed that TLR‐3 activation resulted in the induction of type I interferon inducible antiviral factors, including APOBEC3G and tetherin, the newly identified anti‐HIV cellular proteins. In addition, poly I:C‐treated macrophages expressed increased levels of CC chemokines, the ligands for CCR5. Furthermore, TLR‐3 activation in macrophages induced the expression of cellular microRNAs (miRNA‐28, ‐125b, ‐150, ‐223 and ‐382), the newly identified intracellular HIV restriction factors. These findings indicate that TLR‐3‐mediated induction of multiple anti‐HIV factors should be beneficial for the treatment of HIV disease where innate immune responses are compromised by the virus.
The work of nurse practitioners
Authors: Gardner Glenn , Gardner Anne , Middleton Sandy , Della Phillip , Kain Victoria , Doubrovsky Anna 
Published: July 2010

gardner g., gardner a., middleton s., della p., kain v. & doubrovsky a. (2010) The work of nurse practitioners.Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(10), 2160–2169.AbstractAim. This paper is a report of a study of variations in the pattern of nurse practitioner work in a range of service fields and geographical locations, across direct patient care, indirect patient care and service‐related activities.Background. The nurse practitioner role has been implemented internationally as a service reform model to improve the access and timeliness of health care. There is a substantial body of research into the nurse practitioner role and service outcomes, but scant information on the pattern of nurse practitioner work and how this is influenced by different service models.Methods. We used work sampling methods. Data were collected between July 2008 and January 2009. Observations were recorded from a random sample of 30 nurse practitioners at 10‐minute intervals in 2‐hour blocks randomly generated to cover 2 weeks of work time from a sampling frame of 6 weeks.Results. A total of 12,189 individual observations were conducted with nurse practitioners across Australia. Thirty individual activities were identified as describing nurse practitioner work, and these were distributed across three categories. Direct care accounted for 36·1% of how nurse practitioners spend their time, indirect care accounted for 32·0% and service‐related activities made up 31·9%.Conclusion. These findings provide useful baseline data for evaluation of nurse practitioner positions and the service effect of these positions. However, the study also raises questions about the best use of nurse practitioner time and the influences of barriers to and facilitators of this model of service innovation.
Child sexual abuse: is it a risk factor for pregnancy?
Authors: Yampolsky Lee , Lev‐Wiesel Rachel , Ben‐Zion Itzahk Z. 
Published: July 2010

yampolsky l., lev‐wiesel r. & ben‐zion i.z.
(2010) Child sexual abuse: is it a risk factor for pregnancy? Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(9), 2025–2037.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study of the relationship of post‐traumatic stress symptoms, depression, and health status to high risk pregnancy status in survivors of childhood sexual abuse.Background.  Studies examining the long‐term effects of childhood sexual abuse have delineated diverse psychological, cognitive, and social difficulties in adult survivors that often manifest somatically.Methods.  A random sample of 1835 mid‐pregnant Jewish women was recruited in Israel over an 18‐month period in 2005–2007. Participants were divided into three sub‐groups consisting of the different combinations between pregnancy at risk (yes/no), childhood sexual abuse (yes/no), other than childhood sexual abuse trauma (yes no), and no trauma (yes/no). They completed a self‐administered questionnaire consisting of five scales: a demographic variables scale, the Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Traumatic Events Questionnaire, and Childhood Sexual Experiences Scale.Findings.  Pregnant survivors of childhood sexual abuse suffered higher distress levels which heightened poor health, hence increasing the probability of high risk pregnancy compared to women who had had other than sexual abuse trauma or reported no trauma. Post traumatic stress symptoms and avoidance (a sub‐category) were found to explain chronic illnesses, whereas depression was found to explain gynecological problems in pregnant sexually‐abused survivors.Conclusion.  Healthcare workers need to recognize and address the psychological state of pregnant child sexual abuse survivors. Screening of pregnant women for child sexual abuse is needed to assess survivors’ psychological well‐being and recognize their unique concerns during pregnancy monitoring.
Predicting nursing turnover with catastrophe theory
Authors: Wagner Cheryl M. 
Published: July 2010

wagner c.m. (2010) Predicting nursing turnover with catastrophe theory. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(9), 2071–2084.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study comparing an innovative nonlinear model and a traditional linear model for accuracy in prediction of nursing turnover.Background.  An international, sustained nursing shortage creates a need to target accurately the staff population at risk for turnover. Existing linear methodology is cumbersome with the number of variables needed, while producing inadequate results. Nonlinear modelling methods offer increased simplicity and accuracy in predictability.Methods.  A correlational survey with a longitudinal cohort prospective study was carried out in 2005–2006 with a convenience sample of 1033 Registered Nurses from the Midwest region of the United States of America. At time 1, 756 usable questionnaires were returned and 496 at time 2. Data analysis included analyses of a cusp catastrophe model, a cube‐shaped four‐dimensional figure with a top that provided a down‐turning slope area (the catastrophe/cusp zone). This fluid, dynamic cusp version employed the smallest number of control and dependent variables.Results.  The exceedingly small turnover sample preempted the use of the computerized program Cuspfit; a proven quasi‐quantitative methodology demonstrated 80·4% predictability in the cusp catastrophe model overall and 53·6% correct predictions of actual terminations, particularly in nurses with <5 years of nursing experience. Additional accurate predictions were obtained with the use of a time‐staged model. Organizational commitment and anticipated turnover were accurate predictor variables; job tension was not.Conclusion.  Catastrophe models are useful in predicting nursing turnover. Future nursing researchers should act on this evidence to benefit forthcoming studies and the profession.
Against all odds: Australian women’s experiences of recovery from breast cancer
Authors: Elmir Rakime , Jackson Debra , Beale Barbara , Schmied Virginia 
Published: July 2010

Aim.  The aim of this study was to generate insight into younger women’s experiences of recovery from breast cancer‐related breast surgery and to contribute to the knowledge base for clinicians practising in this field.Background.  Despite the abundance of literature concerning the impact of breast cancer and breast loss on older women over 50 years of age, fewer studies have been conducted specifically with women younger than 50 years focusing on the recovery from breast cancer and related breast surgery. The effects of breast cancer on younger women differ to those of older women; younger women may have difficulty coming to terms with loss of fertility, perceived loss of femininity, sexuality and may experience body image disfigurement. Younger women may face these issues as a result of the treatment and surgery they have received to confine the breast cancer and attempt to improve their chances of survival.Design.  A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to capture the true essence and lived experience of four Australian women under the age of 50, who had undergone surgery as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer.Methods.  Tape‐recorded semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews.Results.  Thematic analysis revealed four major themes. These were ‘It absolutely encompassed me,’‘Being overwhelmed,’‘Living with fear and uncertainty’ and ‘Finding strength within.’Conclusions.  Findings of this study shed light on the experiences of recovery from breast cancer‐related surgery in women under 50.Relevance to clinical practice.  This research study will assist clinicians in understanding the needs of younger women undergoing breast cancer‐related breast surgery, who may require counselling in relation to fertility and relationship issues and assistance in coping with the demands of work and home life.
Adaptive assessment of student's knowledge in programming courses
Authors: Chatzopoulou D.I. , Economides A.A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis paper presents Programming Adaptive Testing (PAT), a Web‐based adaptive testing system for assessing students' programming knowledge. PAT was used in two high school programming classes by 73 students. The question bank of PAT is composed of 443 questions. A question is classified in one out of three difficulty levels. In PAT, the levels of difficulties are adapted to Bloom's taxonomy lower levels, and students are examined in their cognitive domain. This means that PAT has been designed according to pedagogical theories in order to be appropriate for the needs of the course ‘Application Development in a Programming Environment’. If a student answers a question correctly, a harder question is presented, otherwise an easier one. Easy questions examine the student's knowledge, while difficult questions examine the student's skills to apply prior knowledge to new problems. A student answers a personalized test composed of 30 questions. PAT classifies a student in one out of three programming skills' levels. It can predict the corresponding classification of students in Greek National Exams. Furthermore, it can be helpful to both students and teachers. A student could discover his or her programming shortcomings. Similarly, a teacher could objectively assess his or her students as well as discover the subjects that need to be repeated.
Guiding students to the right questions: adaptive navigation support in an E‐Learning system for Java programming
Authors: Hsiao I.‐H. , Sosnovsky S. , Brusilovsky P. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRapid growth of the volume of interactive questions available to the students of modern E‐Learning courses placed the problem of personalized guidance on the agenda of E‐Learning researchers. Without proper guidance, students frequently select too simple or too complicated problems and ended either bored or discouraged. This paper explores a specific personalized guidance technology known as adaptive navigation support. We developed JavaGuide, a system, which guides students to appropriate questions in a Java programming course, and investigated the effect of personalized guidance a three‐semester long classroom study. The results of this study confirm the educational and motivational effects of adaptive navigation support.
Sleep disturbances and behavioural problems in adults with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Maas A. P. H. M. , Sinnema M. , Didden R. , Maaskant M. A. , Smits M. G. , Schrander‐Stumpel C. T. R. M. , Curfs L. M. G. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground  Individuals with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) are at risk of sleep disturbances, such as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and sleep apnoea, and behavioural problems. Sleep disturbances and their relationship with other variables had not been researched extensively in adults with PWS.Method  Sleep disturbances and behavioural problems were investigated in adults with genetically confirmed PWS using standardised questionnaires. Results of adults with paternal deletion (n = 45) were compared with those of adults with maternal uniparental disomy (n = 33).Results  Eleven adults with PWS (i.e. 15%) had a current sleep problem, mostly night waking problems. Twenty‐six adults with PWS (i.e. 33%) suffered from severe EDS. No differences in prevalence of sleep disturbances between genetic subtypes were found. Seventeen adults with deletion (i.e. 38%) and 17 adults with maternal uniparental disomy (i.e. 52%) had behavioural problems. No significant relationships were found between sleep disturbances and behavioural problems.Conclusions  In adults with PWS, EDS is the most common type of sleep disturbance. Men and individuals with relative high body mass index are at increased risk for EDS. More research, aimed at developing a suitable screening instrument for sleep apnoea in adults with PWS, is necessary. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Multistage dolomitization and distribution of dolomitized bodies in Early Jurassic carbonate platforms (Southern Alps, Italy)
Authors: RONCHI PAOLA , JADOUL FLAVIO , CERIANI ANDREA , DI GIULIO ANDREA , SCOTTI PAOLO , ORTENZI ANDREA , PREVIDE MASSARA ELISABETTA 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe Early Jurassic dolomitized carbonates are a hydrocarbon exploration target in Northern Italy. Of these carbonates, the Liassic Albenza Formation platform and the overlying Sedrina Formation shelf were studied to define a pervasive dolomitization model and to shed light on dolomite distribution in the sub‐surface. Field work, as well as analyses of well cores, stable isotopes, trace elements and fluid inclusions, was carried out on the outcropping thrust belt and sub‐surface deformed foreland of the Southern Alps. Petrographic analyses showed a first, pervasive, replacement dolomitization phase (D1) followed by volumetrically less important dolomite cement precipitation phases (D2, D3 and D4). The δ18O values fall between −8·2‰ and 0·1‰ Vienna‐Pee Dee Belemnite with the more depleted samples belonging to dolomite cement‐rich dolostones; the δ13C ranges from 2·6‰ to 3·7‰ Vienna‐Pee Dee Belemnite. Analysis of trace elements showed different Fe and Mn contents in the sub‐surface and outcropping dolostones, and a higher Fe in the younger dolomite cements. An increase in the precipitation temperature (up to 130 °C from fluid inclusion data) and a decrease in diagenetic fluid salinity (from sea water to brackish) are observed from the first pervasive replacement dolomite to the dolomite cement phases. Field observations indicate that, in the Albenza Formation, dolomitization was limited to palaeohighs or faulted platform margins in the Early Jurassic carbonates. The pervasive replacement phase is interpreted based on a ‘compaction model’; the formation fluids expelled from compacting basinal carbonates could have funnelled along faults into permeable palaeohighs. The high homogenization temperature of the dolomite cements and decreased salinities indicate precipitation at great depth with an influx of meteoric water. These data, along with the thermal history, suggest that the dolomite cements precipitated according to the ‘tectonic squeegee’ dolomitization model. The dolomite precipitation temperature was set against the thermal history of the carbonate platform to interpret the timing of dolomite precipitation. The dolomite precipitation temperatures (90 to 100 °C) were reached in the studied formations first in the thrust fold belt (Early Tertiary, 60 Ma), and then in the foreland succession during the Late Tertiary (10 Ma). This observation suggests that the dolomite precipitation fronts moved southwards over time, recording a ‘diagenetic wave’ linked to the migration of the orogenic system. Observations suggest that the porosity increased during the first phase of replacement dolomitization while the dolomite cementation phases partially occluded the pores. The distribution of porous dolomitized bodies is therefore linked to the ‘compaction dolomitization’ model.
‘Virtual Parrots’ Confirm Mating Preferences of Female Budgerigars
Authors: Moravec Marin L. , Striedter Georg F. , Burley Nancy T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractParrots comprise one of the several taxa in which life‐long learning of new vocal signals used in intraspecific communication is known to occur routinely. The functions and evolutionary bases of this ability are largely unknown. In the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), males typically imitate their partner’s contact call type during pair formation. However, a female’s initial choice among unfamiliar males is not based on their production of her call type, because birds without prior social contact rarely produce the same call type. Here, we demonstrate that female budgerigars prefer unfamiliar males with calls that are similar to their own, as measured by spectrogram cross‐correlation, but which are not imitations. This was shown by training females via operant conditioning to control access to movies of courting males and by systematically varying the audio tracks of these movies. Females learned this task easily and interacted with virtual males as if they were real. This methodology will be useful for exploring functions and mechanisms of social communication, because it eliminates the confounding impact of short‐term changes in a stimulus individual’s behavior on a test individual’s response. Our results suggest that the neuroplastic vocal abilities of budgerigars, and perhaps other parrots, have been shaped by sexual selection.
CALCIUM ANTAGONIST PROPERTY OF CPU228, A DOFETILIDE DERIVATIVE, CONTRIBUTES TO ITS LOW INCIDENCE OF TORSADES DE POINTES IN RABBITS
Authors: Huang Zhi‐Jiang , Dai De‐Zai , Li Na , Na Tao , Ji Min , Dai Yin 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYTorsades de pointes (TDP) is a severe adverse effect during the clinical use of dofetilide, a selective blocker of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKr). The present study was designed to test whether CPU228, a derivative of dofetilide with calcium (Ca2+) antagonist properties, could reduce TDP without reducing the blockade ofIKr.The incidence of TDP in a rabbit model and the effective refractory period (ERP) were measured and compared for dofetilide and CPU228. Suppression ofIKrand the L‐type Ca2+current (ICa,L) and the Ca2+transients of isolated cardiomyocytes were investigated by whole‐cell patch‐clamp and Fluo‐3 dye spectrophotometry.The incidence of TDP was greatly reduced by CPU228 relative to dofetilide, occurring in only one of six rabbits compared with five of six rabbits following dofetilide (P < 0.05). In isolated atria, prolongation of ERP by CPU228 was less than that of dofetilide and no reverse frequency dependence was observed. Negative inotropism by CPU228 was significant against positive inotropism by dofetilide. CPU228 inhibited bothIKrandICa,Lcurrents and the IC50forICa,Linhibition was 0.909 µmol/L. At 3 µmol/L, CPU228 significantly suppressed the Ca2+transients.CPU228 is able to blockICa,L, contributing to decreased TDP, while also blockingIKractivity. By combined blockade ofIKrandICa,L, CPU228 shares the property of complex Class III anti‐arrhythmic agents.