bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of five needleless intravenous connectors
Authors: Chernecky Cynthia , Waller Jennifer 
Published: March 2011

chernecky c. & waller j. (2011) Comparative evaluation of five needleless intravenous connectors. Journal of Advanced Nursing67(7), 1601–1613.AbstractAim.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro differences of colony forming units (CFUs), of four different bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), over 4 days, using bovine blood, in five intravenous needleless connectors (three negative, one positive, one zero).Background.  Availability of colony forming units creates a definitive environment for bloodstream infections and occlusions. Protection of the intraluminal pathway is one important way to help eliminate occlusions and catheter‐related bloodstream infections and utilization of best available product(s) will aid in best patient outcomes.Methods.  Five different connectors evaluated in 2009 by an independent laboratory for in vitro differences about colony forming units of four different organisms over 4 days.Results.  The Q‐Syte™ performed poorly on all organisms (P < 0·0001). The MaxPlus® Clear and MicroCLAVE® fluctuated between high colony forming units (28·15 & 56·55 respectively) and zero colony forming units. The TKO™Clave® stayed increased (high of 50·8 colony forming units). The RyMed‐5001® performed the best with very low colony forming units (2·25 CFUs to zero).Conclusions.  Non‐antimicrobial connectors differ on colony forming unit counts in vitro for four types of bacteria. Connectors with most colony forming units to least colony forming units included the Q‐Syte™, TKO™Clave®, MicroCLAVE®, MaxPlus® Clear and RyMed‐5001®. Connectors are one statistically significant variable (50%) in the development of occlusions and infections. Staff nurses, managers, infection control specialists and vascular access specialists in all settings need to use technologies that invoke the least patient harm. The RyMed‐5001® connector best protects the intraluminal pathway from bacteria compared with four other commonly used connectors in vitro.
Nurses’ responses to suicide and suicidal patients: a critical interpretive synthesis*
Authors: Talseth Anne‐Grethe , Gilje Fredricka L 
Published: March 2011

Aims and objectives. To provide an inclusive understanding of nurses’ responses to suicide and suicidal patients that can benefit nursing practice and guide research. The question was ‘What is a critical interpretive synthesis of accumulated nursing research on nurses’ responses to suicide and suicidal patients?’Background. Various studies address nurses’ responses to suicide and suicidal patients. An understanding of accumulated research‐based literature about nurses’ responses to suicide and suicidal patients may guide nurses to care for suicidal patients in ways that facilitate suicide prevention and recovery.Design. The design is reflexive and iterative.Method. A Critical Interpretive Synthesis was conducted, which comprised of six phases: formulating the review question, searching the literature, sampling, determining quality, extracting data and conducting an interpretive synthesis. Qualitative content analysis and systematic review of literature was included in these phases.Results. The results report the review question, literature review strategies, purposive sample (26 full‐text studies published in peer reviewed journals, 1988–July 2009, conducted mostly in Europe and North American), quality determinants, data extraction into themes and an interpretive synthesis of four key concepts, i.e. critical reflection, attitudes, complex knowledge/professional role responsibilities, desire for support services/resources.Conclusion. This understanding of accumulated research‐based literature enhances contextual, conceptual and methodological perspectives. Contextually, gaps exist in international research. Conceptually, the four key concepts can serve as a useful guide for nurses to understand their own and other nurses’ responses to caring for suicidal patients in various settings. Methodologically, the Critical Interpretive Synthesis approach moved a small body of knowledge that varied in quality measures beyond an aggregate understanding.Relevance to clinical practice. Understanding nurses’ responses to suicide and suicidal patients may guide nurses to care for suicidal patients in ways that facilitate suicide prevention and recovery, thus addressing the urgent work of suicide prevention in the world.
A comparison of physical health status, self‐esteem, family support and health‐promoting behaviours between aged living alone and living with family in Korea
Authors: Sok Sohyune R , Yun Eun K 
Published: March 2011

Aims. This study examined and compared the physical health status, self‐esteem, family support and health‐promoting behaviours between aged living alone and the aged living with family.Background. As the Korean population ages, the number of older people living alone is steadily rising. Previous studies have been conducted to define the factors affecting the health of older people. However, research studies focused on the impact of family support, which potentially affects the overall health of older people, have been rarely conducted.Design. This was a comparative descriptive design.Methods. The survey included a set of four questionnaires. All measures were self‐administered. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics were used to analyse the demographic characteristics. The Chi‐square test and independent t‐test were used to examine the differences between the aged living alone and the aged living with family.Results. The physical health status (t = −40·85, p < 0·001), self‐esteem (t = −26·75, p < 0·001), family support (t = −16·46, p < 0·001) and health‐promoting behaviours, specifically exercise (t = −15·86, p < 0·001) and nutrition (t = −17·29, p < 0·001), of the aged living with family were higher than that of the aged living alone.Conclusions. This study shows that the aged living with family exhibited better physical health status, self‐esteem and health‐promoting behaviours than the aged living alone.Relevance to clinical practice. Clinical practice should be focused on emotional support with family or society for Korean aged, especially the aged living alone. Also, the practice should be adjusted to encourage the health‐promoting behaviour for them as well.
Creating a new profession in cancer nursing? Experiences of working as a psychosocial nurse in cancer care
Authors: Arving Cecilia , Holmström Inger 
Published: March 2011

Aims.  To describe the nature of being a psychosocial nurse in cancer care.Background.  Psychosocial nurses in cancer care are a new profession in cancer nursing in Sweden, with potential to offer unique support to patients regarding somatic and psychological needs. This new profession is hitherto unexplored.Design.  A qualitative inductive interview approach was used.Methods.  A strategic sample of five nurses working as psychosocial nurses in cancer care in Sweden was interviewed. A thematic stepwise analysis was performed.Results.  The analysis revealed the twofold experience of being a psychosocial nurse in cancer care. The nurses felt as if they had two professions: nurse and therapist. They used skills from both professions to help the person, who had cancer and a psychosocial problem. It was stimulating to be able to combine the knowledge and practices of two professions. It was also difficult because they felt an uncertainty about what their roles and responsibilities really were.Conclusions.  This new profession seems to need role descriptions and formal education so that psychosocial nurses receive respect and appreciation in their new and relatively unknown work in cancer care.Relevance to clinical practices.  The adjustment to the cancer disease and treatment side effects can be difficult for the patients and their families, which has highlighted the need for psychosocial support. To meet this need the health care system has to provide such support. Nurses are available and can be successfully educated to handle psychosocial problems among cancer patients. A new profession among nurses is emerging, which the present study aimed at describing. The present findings have potential to make healthcare professionals grasp what the core of psychosocial cancer nursing is, as well as its potential and pitfalls.
No Evidence for Linkage between the Hereditary Angiooedema Clinical Phenotype and the BDKR1, BDKR2, ACE or MBL2 gene
Authors: Freiberger T. , Grombiříková H. , Ravčuková B. , Jarkovský J. , Kuklínek P. , Kryštůfková O. , Hanzlíková J. , Daňková E. , Kopecký O. , Zachová R. , Lahodná M. , Vašáková M. , Grodecká L. , Litzman J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractHereditary angiooedema (HAE) is a life‐threatening disease with poor clinical phenotype correlation with its causal mutation in the C1 inhibitor (SERPING1) gene. It is characterized by substantial symptom variability even in affected members of the same family. Therefore, it is likely that genetic factors outside the SERPING1 gene have an influence on disease manifestation. In this study, functional polymorphisms in genes with a possible disease‐modifying effect, B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors (BDKR1, BDKR2), angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) and mannose‐binding lectin (MBL2), were analysed in 36 unrelated HAE patients. The same analysis was carried out in 69 HAE patients regardless of their familial relationship. No significant influence of the studied polymorphisms in the BDKR1, BDKR2, ACE and MBL2 genes on overall disease severity, localization and severity of particular attacks, frequency of oedema episodes or age of disease onset was detected in either group of patients. Other genetic and/or environmental factors should be considered to be responsible for HAE clinical variability in Caucasians.
Evidence for a Repertoire of Functional Untolerized CD4+ T Cells Specific for Melanoma‐Associated Antigens
Authors: Huber V. , Benkhoucha M. , Huard B. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractActive vaccination against melanoma requires tolerance break as melanoma‐associated antigens (MAA) used in vaccine formula are mostly self‐antigens. While tolerance to MAA in the CD8+ T cell compartment is well characterized, it is still not the case for the CD4+ T cell compartment. Here, we analysed CD4+ T cell tolerance to such antigens in mice genetically engineered to express ovalbumin (OVA) in melanocytes (Tyr‐OVA mice). When we crossed Tyr‐OVA mice with DO11.10 and OT‐II mice transgenic for an OVA‐specific TCR restricted by MHC class II, we observed different tolerization levels. Central tolerance was complete for high avidity DO11.10 CD4+ T cells, but absent for low avidity OT‐II CD4+ T cells. OT‐II CD4+ T cells also ignored OVA in the periphery of Tyr‐OVA mice, albeit being potently reactive to vaccination. OVA challenge in single transgenic Tyr‐OVA mice confirmed the existence of OVA‐reactive CD4+ T cells with the induction of efficient T helper cells for antibody production and anti‐tumour T cell response. In total, our study demonstrates the existence of low avidity MAA‐specific CD4+ T cells escaping by ignorance central and peripheral tolerance, but valuable in the context of vaccination against melanoma.
Maternal red blood cell alloimmunisation in South Western Uganda
Authors: Natukunda B. , Mugyenyi G. , Brand A. , Schonewille H. 
Published: March 2011

Aims/Objectives: To identify the frequency and nature of maternal red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunisation in Uganda and to determine the prevalence of RhD negativity and the rate of RBC alloimmunisation in Ugandan pregnant women. Background: Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) results from maternal alloimmunisation following exposure to allogeneic RBCs during pregnancy or blood transfusion. The prevalence of maternal RBC alloimmunisation in Ugandans is not known. Materials and Methods: Pregnant women at Mbarara Hospital, South Western Uganda, were investigated in a cross‐sectional study. Demographics, transfusion and obstetric histories were recorded. Maternal RBC alloimmunisation was demonstrated using immunohaematological techniques. Results: A total of 2001 pregnant women were recruited; 3·6% of them being RhD negative. Forty‐five women (2·2%; 95% CI: 1·6–2·9) were found to be alloimmunised to RBC antigens. There were 38 RBC alloantibodies of known specificity including anti‐S, 12; anti‐M, 11; anti‐Lea, 6; anti‐D, 4 and 1 each of anti‐K, anti‐Fyb, anti‐Jka, anti‐Lua and anti‐Kpa. In two women (4·4%), there were antibody combinations (anti‐M+S and anti‐K+Kpa). Obstetric history, gestational age and previous immunising events were not significantly associated with the rate of alloimmunisation. Conclusions: This study revealed a maternal RBC alloimmunisation rate of 2·2% which was comparable with findings from a Zimbabwean study where the prevalence was 1·7%. Given the 6·0% prevalence of anti‐D among RhD‐negative women in our study and the high immunogenicity of the D antigen, programmes for preventing anti‐D alloimmunisation and HDFN in Uganda should be considered seriously.
Climate change and weed adaptation: can evolution of invasive plants lead to greater range expansion than forecasted?
Authors: CLEMENTS D R , DITOMMASO A 
Published: March 2011

ClementsDR & DitommasoA (2011). Climate change and weed adaptation: can evolution of invasive plants lead to greater range expansion than forecasted?Weed Research51, 227–240.SummaryInvasive plants are frequently viewed as harbingers of climate change owing to their potential to cause economic and ecological damage in the process of expanding their ranges. Models are being developed to help predict the range expansion of these plants, based on known tolerance ranges. Success of weeds has often been attributed to an ‘all‐purpose genotype’, implying a high level of phenotypic plasticity. However, recent work has shown that many species are capable of relatively rapid genetic change as well, enhancing their ability to invade new areas in response to anthropogenic ecosystem modification. We thus predict that range expansion by many invasive species will exceed that predicted by modelling approaches that do not consider potential evolutionary change. We highlight a number of cases where weeds have expanded their latitudinal ranges or are predicted to do so in response to climatic selection pressures. We also list ten traits as likely targets for natural selection under climate change. The lag phase commonly observed for invasive species may frequently be a result of the time needed for the invader to evolve to fit the new habitat. During this present period of climate change, many invasive plant populations are likely to be in the process of developing adaptations that could lead to exponential population growth in the near future. Thus, assessment of the risk of invasive species owing to changing climate must incorporate evolutionary potential.
Leaf cuticular n‐alkanes as markers in the chemotaxonomy of the eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and related species
Authors: Haliński Ł. P. , Szafranek J. , Stepnowski P. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe complex of species formed by eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and its wild and weedy relatives (mainly S. incanum L. and S. insanum L.) is characterised by an extreme morphological divergence that is not always associated with genetic variation. The taxonomy of so‐called ‘spiny Solanum’ species (subgenus Leptostemonum) is therefore extremely unclear. Cultivated eggplant lacks resistance to pests that frequently occur among the wild forms and species. As these wild plants are a potential gene pool for improvement of eggplant cultivars, knowledge of the characteristics of taxonomic relations between plants of different origin is crucial. We suggest using the leaf cuticular n‐alkane chain length distribution pattern as an alternative taxonomic marker for eggplant and related species. The results are in good agreement with current knowledge of the systematics of these plants; at the same time, the method developed here is useful for verifying plant identification based on morphological traits. Analysis of 13 eggplant cultivars, five accessions of S. incanum and two lines of S. macrocarpon enabled the intraspecific variation within eggplant to be assessed as low. There was wide variability among S. incanum accessions, probably because plants described as S. incanum are members of a number of different species. Some Asian accessions (sometimes described as S. insanum) were found to be almost identical to S. melongena, while a truly wild African S. incanum plant showed extensive similarity. The usefulness of the chemotaxonomic approach in dealing with the S. melongena–S. incanum complex is discussed.
Effects of Orchidectomy in Selective Biochemical Analytes in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Tvarijonaviciute A , Martinez‐Subiela S , Carrillo‐Sanchez JD , Tecles F , Ceron JJ 
Published: March 2011

ContentsThe objective of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of orchidectomy and associate hormonal changes on circulating concentrations of acute‐phase proteins (APPs) (CRP – C‐reactive protein; Hp – haptoglobin; Cp – ceruloplasmin), adiponectin and IGF‐1 in dogs. For this, a total of five adult Beagle dogs were subjected to orchidectomy. Blood samples were taken before neutering, during six consecutive days and on weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 after surgery. Appropriate diet regime was maintained to keep stable body weight of the dogs. Concentrations of APPs significantly increased on days 2–3 for CRP and 2–7 for Hp and Cp. On days 3–4 after neutering, adiponectin levels were significantly lower than before surgery (p < 0.05 and <0.01, respectively). After this initial change, adiponectin did not show any significant alteration during the 3 months. Serum IGF‐1 concentrations were significantly decreased at days 2–5 after neutering. In addition, on weeks 8 and 12 serum IGF‐1 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and <0.01 respectively) in comparison with those before surgery. In conclusion, orchidectomy induced a short‐term inflammatory process that was associated with the increase in serum levels of APPs and decrease in IGF‐1 and adiponectin levels. However, orchidectomy did not result in long‐term changes of circulating concentrations of APPs or adiponectin. Although a decrease in IGF‐1 levels was recorded 2 months after surgery, possibly as a consequence of associated decrease in androgen levels or food restriction.
Vagal activities are involved in antigen‐specific immune inflammation in the intestine
Authors: Liang Hong , Xu Lunshan , Zhou Chun , Zhang Yihua , Xu Minhui , Zhang Chengqu 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The mechanism of intestinal immune inflammation, such as food allergy, remains to be further understood. The present study aims to investigate the role of the vagal nerve in the pathogenesis of skewed T‐helper 2 (Th2) responses in the intestine.Methods:  The expression of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor on the vagus nerve in the mouse intestine was observed by immunohistochemistry. Vagus ganglion neurons (VGN) were isolated from mice and cultured in vitro. The IgE receptor/IgE complex on vagus neurons was examined by immune precipitation assay. A food allergy mouse model was developed; the effect of the partial removal of the vagal nerve (PRVn) via surgery or administration with anticholinergic agents on the suppression of Th2 inflammation was evaluated.Results:  The high‐affinity IgE receptor was detected on the intestinal vagus nerve. An increase in the expression of the IgE receptor on the vagus nerve was observed in the intestines of mice with intestinal immune inflammation. Isolated mouse VGN express IgE receptor I, which could form complexes with IgE. Re‐exposure to specific antigens activated the sensitized VGN, manifesting the release of transmitter glutamate that could activate dendritic cells by increasing the expression of CD80 and major compatibility complex class II and suppressing interleukin‐12. The PRVn suppressed Th2 inflammation in the intestine.Conclusions:  The intestinal vagus nerve in mice expresses a high‐affinity IgE receptor. An antigen‐specific immune response can activate the vagus nerve in the intestine and induces the release of transmitters to modulate dendritic cell phenotypes that facilitate the development of skewed Th2 polarization in the intestine.
Lizard responses to wildfire in arid interior Australia: Long‐term experimental data and commonalities with other studies
Authors: PIANKA ERIC R. , GOODYEAR STEPHEN E. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractLife in terrestrial Australian ecosystems has evolved over the past 10 million years to thrive in habitats kept in a dynamic state through fire succession cycles. Previous studies support the notion that wildfires promote species diversity in plant and animal communities by creating a heterogeneous mix of habitats, each habitat more suitable for particular subsets of species. We document population and community responses to fire in a species‐rich lizard assemblage in the Great Victoria Desert of Western Australia. Lizards were censused by pit trapping at a long‐unburned flat spinifex site in the Great Victoria Desert in Austral springs of 1992 and 1995. A controlled burn was undertaken in mid‐October of 1995, and lizards were censused thereafter in late 1995 and early 1996, and then again in the Austral springs of 1998, 2003 and 2008. Forty‐six species of lizards (2872 individuals) were collected and their stomach contents analysed over the course of a 16‐year fire succession cycle at this single study site. Most strikingly, relative abundances of two species of agamids varied inversely, responding oppositely to habitat clearing effects of fire. The military dragon Ctenophorus isolepis reached higher abundances when vegetation was dense, and decreased in abundance in open vegetation following fire. The netted dragon Ctenophorus nuchalis was rare when vegetation coverage was high but increased rapidly after fire. Abundances of five species of Ctenotus skinks, C. ariadnae, C. calurus, C. hanloni, C. pantherinus and C. piankai, tracked those of C. isolepis. Abundance of a termite‐specialized nocturnal gecko, Rhynchoedura ornata, increased in abundance following fire. Lizard diets changed during the course of the fire succession cycle, returning to near pre‐burn conditions after 16 years. In addition to short‐term fire succession cycles that contribute to structuring local communities, changes in long‐term rainfall also impact desert food webs and regional biotas.
The protein folding challenge in psychrophiles: facts and current issues
Authors: Piette Florence , Struvay Caroline , Feller Georges 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe protein folding process in psychrophiles is impaired by low temperature, which exerts several physicochemical constraints, such as a decrease in the folding rate, reduced molecular diffusion rates and increased solvent viscosity, which interfere with conformational sampling. Furthermore, folding assistance is required at various folding steps according to the protein size. Recent studies in the field have provided contrasting and sometimes contradictory results, although protein folding generally appears as a rate‐limiting step for the growth of psychrophiles. It is proposed here that these discrepancies reflect the diverse adaptive strategies adopted by psychrophiles in order to allow efficient protein folding at low temperature. Cold adaptations apparently superimpose on pre‐existing cellular organization, resulting in different adaptive strategies. In addition, microbial lifestyle further modulates the properties of the chaperone machinery, which possibly explains the occurrence of cold‐adapted and non‐cold‐adapted protein chaperones in psychrophiles.