bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploratory study on baccalaureate‐prepared nurses’ perceptions regarding clinical decision‐making in mainland China
Authors: Wang Yue , Chien Wai‐Tong , Twinn Sheila 
Published: December 2011

Aims.  To explore Chinese baccalaureate‐prepared nurses’ perceptions of the concept and practices of clinical decision‐making.Background.  Clinical decision‐making is an integral part of nursing practice. Several studies have explored the experiences and factors which influence nurses’ clinical decisions and these have recognised the cultural impact. However, little is known about the experience of clinical decision‐making from the perspective of Chinese baccalaureate‐prepared nurses.Design.  A qualitative, exploratory study.Method.  Data were obtained through in‐depth, semi‐structured interview with a convenience sample of 12 baccalaureate‐prepared registered nurses. Interviews focused on registered nurses’ understanding and perceptions of clinical decision‐making in clinical practice. They were tape‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and content analysed.Results.  Two major themes were identified, namely, functional perspectives of clinical decision‐making and perceived autonomy in clinical decision‐making. There were two sub‐themes for the first theme: emphasising a full understanding of the patient’s health status and undertaking appropriate nursing judgements and problem‐solving. Three sub‐themes emerged for perceived autonomy in clinical decision‐making: relying on a doctor’s instructions, making judgements on a doctor’s orders and making decisions independently in emergency care.Conclusions.  The findings indicate that Chinese nurses understand the essence of clinical decision‐making, but they have low autonomy in such decisions in their daily practice. More importantly, the results also reveal the importance of social and cultural factors in nurses’ perceptions of this topic.Relevance to clinical practice.  A better understanding of the perceptions and concepts of clinical decision‐making among nurses in mainland China and other countries as well, can help in establishing nurses’ roles and responsibilities in participating in making effective decisions for patient care. The findings can also inform us of potential strategies which may be adopted to develop the knowledge and skills of Chinese baccalaureate‐prepared nursing students and graduates in making autonomous and accurate clinical decisions.
Comparison of health‐related quality of life between subjects treated with radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hua , Lin Victor Chia‐Hsiang , Yu Tsan‐Jung , Wang Hua‐Pin , Lu Kevin 
Published: December 2011

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate the symptoms and self‐assessment of quality of life in men with localised prostate cancer after having had a radical prostatectomy or brachytherapy treatment.Background.  Prostate cancer is a significant growing disease among men in Taiwan. Quality of life issues for the men who are living with this disease and the consequences of treatment.Design.  A postal questionnaire survey.Methods.  The study population came from one 1170‐bed hospital in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. Data was collected from 20 August 2007–20 November 2009. Seventy‐eight men met the inclusion criteria. The researchers mailed a survey to each participant, which they completed at home and returned in a pre‐stamped, addressed envelope. Sixty‐four subjects participated and self‐reported using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of overall prostate cancer index was 0·90 and 0·85, 0·93 and 0·72 for each subscale, respectively.Results.  The results indicate that the number of months post‐treatment was positively correlated with urinary function and age was negatively correlated with sexual, bowel function and bowel bothers. One predictor (month post‐treatment) was related to urinary function; one predictor (treatment method) was related to bowel function and four predictors (marital status, age, treatment method and month post‐treatment) were related to sexual function. Findings showed that patients who received brachytherapy have better urinary functions, as compared with prostatectomy patients.Conclusion.  Study findings suggest that healthcare providers should have a better understanding of patients’ complications after treatment and this can ultimately raise the quality of life for prostate cancer patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  The impact of quality of life among post prostate cancer treatment is common. Urological nurses should therefore take the responsibility regarding the consequence of urinary incontinence and sexual function and seeking appropriate nursing interventions for these complications.
Self‐efficacy: a useful construct to promote physical activity in people with stable chronic heart failure
Authors: Du HuiYun , Everett Bronwyn , Newton Phillip J , Salamonson Yenna , Davidson Patricia M 
Published: December 2011

Aim.  To explore the conceptual underpinnings of self‐efficacy to address the barriers to participating in physical activity and propose a model of intervention.Background.  The benefits of physical activity in reducing cardiovascular risk have led to evidence‐based recommendations for patients with heart disease, including those with chronic heart failure. However, adherence to best practice recommendations is often suboptimal, particularly in those individuals who experience high symptom burden and feel less confident to undertake physical activity. Self‐efficacy is the degree of confidence an individual has in his/her ability to perform behaviour under several specific circumstances. Four factors influence an individual’s level of self‐efficacy: (1) past performance, (2) vicarious experience, (3) verbal persuasion and (4) physiological arousal.Design.  Discursive.Methods.  Using the method of a discursive paper, this article seeks to explore the conceptual underpinnings of self‐efficacy to address the barriers to participating in physical activity and proposes a model of intervention, the Home‐Heart‐Walk, to promote physical activity and monitor functional status.Conclusions.  Implementing effective interventions to promote physical activities require appreciation of factors impacting on behaviour change. Addressing concepts relating to self‐efficacy in physical activity interventions may promote participation and adherence in the longer term.Relevance to clinical practice.  The increasing burden of chronic disease and the emphasis on self‐management strategies underscore the importance of promoting adherence to recommendations, such as physical activity.
Systemic FasL neutralization increases eosinophilic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma
Authors: Sharma S. K. , Almeida F. A. , Kierstein S. , Hortobagyi L. , Lin T. , Larkin A. , Peterson J. , Yagita H. , Zangrilli J. G. , Haczku A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:Eosinophils and lymphocytes are pathogenically important in allergic inflammation and sensitive to Fas‐mediated apoptosis. Fas ligand (FasL) activity therefore should play a role in regulating the allergic immune response. We aimed to characterize the role of FasL expression in airway eosinophilia in Aspergillus fumigatus (Af)‐induced sensitization and to determine whether FasL neutralization alters the inflammatory response.Methods:Sensitized Balb/c mice were killed before (day 0) and 1, 7 and 10 days after a single intranasal challenge with Af. Animals received either neutralizing antibody to FasL (clone MFL4) or irrelevant hamster IgG via intraperitoneal injection on days −1 and 5. FasL expression, BAL and tissue inflammatory cell and cytokine profile, and apoptosis were assessed.Results:Postchallenge FasL gene expression in BAL cells and TUNEL positivity in the airways coincided with the height of inflammatory cell influx on day 1, while soluble FasL protein was released on day 7, preceding resolution of the inflammatory changes. Although eosinophil numbers showed a negative correlation with soluble FasL levels in the airways, MBP+ eosinophils remained TUNEL negative in the submucosal tissue, throughout the 10‐day period after Af challenge. Systemic FasL neutralization significantly enhanced BAL and tissue eosinophil counts. This effect was associated with increased activation of T cells and release of IL‐5, IL‐9, and GM‐CSF in the BAL fluid of mice, indicating an involvement of pro‐eosinophilic survival pathways.Conclusions:FasL activity may play an active role in resolving eosinophilic inflammation through regulating T cells and pro‐eosinophilic cytokine release during the allergic airway response.
A Basic Approach Towards the Development of Bioelectric Bacterial Biosensors for the Detection of Plant Viruses
Authors: Gramberg Bettina , Kintzios Spiridon , Schmidt Uwe , Mewis Inga , Ulrichs Christian 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThere is a growing need for virus sensors with improved sensitivity and dynamic range for disease diagnosis, pharmaceutical research, agriculture and homeland security. Membrane‐engineered animal cells bearing antibodies against viral antigens have been previously used for biorecognition biosensors for the ultrarapid (3 min), sensitive (1 ng/ml) detection of plant viruses, such as the cucumber mosaic virus. We here report a new approach for the construction of cell‐based sensors for virus detection, based on membrane (antibody)‐engineered bacteria. The novel method was applied for the detection of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) using sensors containing modified Escherichia coli XL‐1Blue MRF’ bacteria. E. coli membranes have been engineered with electro‐inserted, virus‐homologous antibodies. The detection principle was based on the measurement of changes in the bacterial membrane potential as a result of virus–antibody binding. After optimization of the membrane‐engineering process, the virus detection limit for TMV and CLRV with the bacteria‐based biosensor system was 1 pg/ml, representing a 1000‐fold improvement over currently available methods. Although the novel biosensor is still in its proof‐of‐concept stage of development, its sensitivity and speed (assay time: 60–100 s) could make it a very promising tool for high throughput, field‐based virus screening.
First Report of Root Rot Caused by Ilyonectria (=Neonectria) macrodidyma on Avocado (Persea americana) in Italy
Authors: Vitale Alessandro , Aiello Dalia , Guarnaccia Vladimiro , Perrone Giancarlo , Stea Gaetano , Polizzi Giancarlo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDuring the 2009 and the 2010 growing seasons, a root rot disease has been detected on young potted Persea americana plants in two nurseries located in the Catania and Messina provinces (eastern Sicily, Italy). A Cylindrocarpon sp. was consistently recovered from pieces of symptomatic tissues on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar. On the basis of morphological characteristics and molecular identification by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer and β‐tubulin gene regions, the causal agent was identified as Ilyonectria (=Neonectria) macrodidyma. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by pathogenicity tests carried out on potted P. americana seedlings. To our knowledge, this is the first to report worldwide of the occurrence of a disease caused by I. macrodidyma on P. americana.
Facial sebum affects the development of acne, especially the distribution of inflammatory acne
Authors: Choi C.W. , Choi J.W. , Park K.C. , Youn S.W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  The increased sebum secretion has been considered as one of the pathogenic factors of acne.Objective  The goal of this study was to assess the correlation between the casual sebum level and the severity of acne using objective measuring methods in a large acne patients group. We also investigated the influence of age or gender on the correlation.Methods  A total number of 914 acne patients were recruited. The standard digital photographs were taken, and the acne lesions were counted as comedones or inflammatory lesions. The casual sebum level was measured using the Sebumeter SM 815®. The correlation analysis was performed.Results  The casual sebum level showed positive correlation with the number of acne lesions. The casual sebum level markedly influenced the number of inflammatory lesions and the acne lesions located in the U‐zone. In the young acne patients, the casual sebum level showed significant correlations in the U‐zone, whereas in the old acne patients, there were significant correlations in the T‐zone. The male acne patients were more influenced by the casual sebum level.Conclusion  This was the first study to report the significant correlations between the casual sebum level and the number, proportion and location of acne lesions in a large acne patients group, using an objective, bioengineering method. Moreover, we also found that the influence of sebum was prominent on the inflammatory lesions. In addition, both age and gender influenced the correlation between the casual sebum level and the acne.
Selected urticaria patients benefit from a referral to tertiary care centres – results of an expert survey
Authors: Weller K. , Schoepke N. , Krause K. , Ardelean E. , Bräutigam M. , Maurer M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Urticaria is a frequent reason for consultations. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria (csU) in the practice setting does not fully comply with published guidelines. In addition, it was shown that one of four csU patients is referred to specialized centres.Objective  To analyse the management of urticaria patients in tertiary referral centres.Methods  During a standardized expert‐to‐expert interview, 41 specialists from German tertiary care centres were asked for different aspects of urticaria patient care with a special focus on csU.Results  On average, the participating centres saw 25 csU patients per month. All ran programmes for the identification of underlying causes with an average success rate of 45 ± 3% which is considerably higher as has been found in the practice setting. In those patients where an identification succeeds, infections, drugs, intolerance and autoreactivity were reported to be causes in 41%, 20%, 17% and 16%. In their symptomatic treatment the majority of centres (71%) followed the guidelines by using regular dosed non‐sedating H1‐antihistamines as first line and higher doses (61%) as second line option. In contrast to the practice setting, meaningful experience also existed for alternative therapies in antihistamine‐resistant patients, such as dapsone, cyclosporin and omalizumab. The expenditure of time, laboratory costs and frequency of follow‐up visits was reported to be above average in case of csU.Conclusion  This study indicates that some urticaria patients, especially those with unknown causes or with an H1‐antihistamine‐resistant disease, may benefit from a referral to tertiary care centres.
Severe diffuse non‐scarring hair loss in systemic lupus erythematosus – clinical and histopathological analysis of four cases
Authors: Gong Y. , Ye Y. , Zhao Y. , Caulloo S. , Chen X. , Zhang B. , Cai Z. , Zhang X. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Although diffuse non‐scarring hair loss been found common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), study that conduted on the severe type has been scarce.Objective  This study aims to explore the dermoscopic and pathological features of severe diffuse hair loss in SLE.Method  Data including clinico‐laboratory, dermoscopic and histopathological findings of four patients with SLE with severe diffuse hair loss were analysed retrospectively.Results  All four patients were women aged 41, 39, 14 and 48 with complaints of hair loss involving 55%, 100%, 60% and 55% of their scalp respectively. Common clinical findings observed in the patients were sparse scalp hair with clusters of newly regrown hair. Scalp dermoscopy showed scaling, perifollicular telangiectasia, increased numbers of short vellus hairs, focal atrichia and decreased hair shaft pigmentation. Scalp tissue histopathology revealed typical changes of SLE such as epidermal atrophy with focal liquefaction, degeneration of the basement membrane zone, pigment incontinence, mild focal perivascular and perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrates and deposition of immunoglobulins at the dermal–epidermal junction. Treatment and improvement in SLE disease activity indices had a favourable impact on hair regrowth.Conclusion  The severe type of hair loss in patient with SLE presents a unique set of clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological features.
Cognitive control and conflict adaptation in youth with high‐functioning autism
Authors: Larson Michael J. , South Mikle , Clayson Peter E. , Clawson Ann 
Published: December 2011

Background:  Youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often show deficits in cognitive control processes, potentially contributing to characteristic difficulties monitoring and regulating behavior. Modification of performance following conflict can be measured by examining conflict adaptation, the adjustment of cognitive resources based on previous‐trial conflict. The electrophysiological correlates of these processes can be measured using the N2, a stimulus‐locked component of the event‐related potential (ERP).Methods:  High‐density ERPs and behavioral data [i.e. response times (RTs) and error rates] were acquired while 28 youth with ASD and 36 typically developing controls completed a modified Eriksen flanker task.Results:  Behaviorally, groups showed similar conflict adaptation effects; youth with ASD showed larger RT slowing on switch trials. For electrophysiology, controls demonstrated larger N2 amplitudes for incongruent (high‐conflict) trials following congruent (low‐conflict) trials than for incongruent trials following incongruent trials. Importantly, youth with ASD showed no such differences in N2 amplitude based on previous‐trial conflict.Conclusions:  Lack of electrophysiological conflict adaptation effects in youth with ASD indicates irregular neural processing associated with conflict adaptation. Individuals with ASD show declines in level of conflict evaluation and adaptation. Future research is necessary to accurately characterize and understand the behavioral implications of these cognitive control deficits relative to diagnostic severity, anxiety, and personality.
Understanding desisting and persisting forms of delinquency: the unique contributions of disruptive behavior disorders and interpersonal callousness
Authors: Byrd Amy L. , Loeber Rolf , Pardini Dustin A. 
Published: December 2011

Background:  While associations between conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and interpersonal callousness (IC) symptoms and delinquency onset are well established, less is known about whether these characteristics differentiate desisting and persisting delinquency. The current study examined whether childhood and adolescent CD, ODD, ADHD, and IC symptoms uniquely distinguished boys who exhibited persisting versus desisting delinquency from adolescence into adulthood.Methods:  Participants were 503 boys (57% African American) repeatedly assessed from ages 7 to 25. Associations between childhood and adolescent CD, ODD, ADHD, and IC symptoms and desisting and persisting delinquency were examined independently and after controlling for their co‐occurrence and multiple covariates.Results:  Conduct disorder and IC symptoms in childhood and adolescence were higher among boys whose delinquency persisted into adulthood relative to those boys whose delinquency desisted across time. After controlling for the overlap between symptoms of ADHD, ODD, CD and IC, only adolescent CD and IC symptoms emerged as unique predictors of the differentiation between persisters and desisters. Moreover, adolescent CD and IC symptoms continued to contribute unique variance even after childhood levels of these characteristics were accounted for.Conclusions:  Boys with elevated levels of CD and IC symptoms in childhood and adolescence are at risk for exhibiting a pattern of delinquency that persists from adolescence into adulthood. Intervention efforts designed to prevent chronic delinquency should target youth with co‐occurring CD and IC symptoms in childhood and adolescence.
Journalists’ views about reporting avian influenza and a potential pandemic: a qualitative study
Authors: Hooker Claire , King Catherine , Leask Julie 
Published: December 2011

Please cite this paper as: Hooker et al. (20XX) Journalists’ views about reporting avian influenza and a potential pandemic: a qualitative study. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 224–229.Background  The mass media is a key component of any public communication strategy for influenza or other respiratory illnesses, but coverage can be variable. In this study, we explored the factors that influenced journalists’ coverage of avian influenza as a model for coverage of a potential influenza pandemic.Methods  This study involved semi‐structured interviews with 16 journalists from major Australian print, radio and television media organisations reporting on avian influenza and pandemic planning. Journalists, including reporters, editors and producers, were interviewed between October 2006 and August 2007. Thematic analysis was used to draw out major lessons for health communicators.Results  Coverage of avian influenza was influenced by a small set of news values: catastrophic potential, cultural and geographical proximity, unfamiliarity and uncertainty. Lack of novelty and the absence of compelling images led to a decline in coverage. Journalists expressed concerns about the accuracy and impacts of reporting, but saw as critically important, their primary role as informants. They hence emphasised the importance of journalistic independence. Journalists all intended to continue working in a pandemic.Conclusions  Health experts need to adapt their timetables and resources to journalists’ needs to improve their mutual communication. In crisis situations, journalists communicate with the public efficiently and effectively, but expert and journalistic views on the role and content of coverage may diverge in the post‐acute, reflective phase of a crisis.
Association of Different Genetic Types of Francisella-Like Organisms with the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) and the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in Localities Near Their Northern Distributional Limits
Authors: Dergousoff Shaun J. , Chilton Neil B. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTDermacentor andersoniandDermacentor variabilisfrom allopatric and sympatric populations near their northern distributional limits were examined for the presence ofFrancisellaspecies using molecular techniques that targeted 373 bp of the 16S rRNA gene. Although there was no evidence for the presence ofFrancisella tularensisin any tick,Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) were common inD. andersoniandD. variabilisadults and immatures. A significantly greater proportion of female ticks contained FLEs compared to male ticks. In addition, significantly moreD. variabilisadult individuals contained multiple FLE sequence types than didD. andersoniadults. Ten different types of FLEs were identified based on the sequence data, which has implications for diagnostic tests and epidemiological studies ofF. tularensisin tick populations in Canada. The three most prevalent types of FLEs have been detected previously inD. andersoniorD. variabilisfrom other parts of their distributional ranges, whereas the other seven FLE types have not been reported previously. A comparison of the FLEs from both allopatric and sympatric populations of these two tick species provided insight into the relative host-specificity and the modes of transmission of these tick-borne bacteria. In general, each FLE type was specific for one tick species, suggesting vertical transmission of each bacterium. However, there were a few instances of potential cross-transfer of two FLE types to the other tick species at locations whereD. andersoniandD. variabilisoccurred in sympatry, suggesting that there may be occasional horizontal transmission of some FLEs.