bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Living with home‐based haemodialysis: insights from older people
Authors: Namiki Satoko , Rowe Jennifer , Cooke Marie 
Published: November 2009

Aims and objectives.  To understand the challenges older people living with end‐stage kidney disease and home haemodialysis face in their everyday life.Background.  As the treatment of end‐stage kidney disease has advanced, two aspects have emerged; increased life expectancy of end‐stage kidney disease patients and psychosocial adaptation to a changed life. There is limited information regarding older peoples’ experiences of adaptation to end‐stage kidney disease and home haemodialysis.Design.  This qualitative study took place in Australia and involved participants who were over 60 years of age and undergoing home haemodialysis.Methods.  Four participants aged between 60–75 years, with end‐stage kidney disease and currently enrolled in a programme of home haemodialysis took part. Data were collected via in‐depth audio‐recorded interviews and subjected to a qualitative thematic analysis.Results.  Three themes were generated that provide insight into participants’ everyday activities, significant relationships, challenges and hopes for the future.Conclusion.  Findings indicated a transformed care dynamic, positive appraisal and active everyday engagement by participants. A positive outlook on life in the present enabled participants to look to their future with purpose and hope. Outstanding systems of partnership significantly facilitated this view.Relevance to clinical practice.  Knowledge from the study may contribute to the development of patient–care partnerships that facilitate and promote independence for older people being treated for chronic illnesses.
A systematic review of body temperature variations in older people
Authors: Lu Shu‐Hua , Leasure Angela‐Renee , Dai Yu‐Tzu 
Published: November 2009

Aim.  The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the extent to which the research literature indicates body temperature norms in the geriatric population.Objectives.  The specific questions addressed were to examine normal body temperature values in persons 60 years of age and older; determine differences in temperature values depending on non‐invasive measurement site and measurement device used; and, examine the degree and extent of temperature variability according to time of day and time of year.Background.  The traditional ‘normal’ temperature of 98·6 °F/37 °C may in fact be lower in older people due to the ageing process. Age‐associated changes in vasomotor sweating function, skeletal muscle response, temperature perception and physical behaviours may influence the ability to maintain optimum temperature.Design.  A systematic literature review.Methods.  A search of multiple databases yielded 22 papers which met inclusion criteria. Studies were included which focused on temperature measurement, sampled persons 60 years of age and older, collected data from non‐invasive temperature measurement sites and which used a prospective study design. Studies were independently appraised using a structured appraisal format.Results.  Temperature normal values by site were rectal 98·8 °F/37·1 °C, ear‐based 98·3 °F/36·8 °C, urine 97·6 °F/36·5 °C, oral 97·4 °F/36·3 °C and axillary 97·1 °F/36·2 °C. Temperature exhibited a 0·7 °F/0·4 °C diurnal and 0·2 °F/0·1 °C circannual variation.Conclusions.  Synthesis of data indicated that normal body temperature values in older people by sites were rectal 0·7 °F/0·4 °C, ear‐based 0·3 °F/0·2 °C, oral 1·2 °F/0·7 °C, axillary 0·6 °F/0·3 °C lower than adults’ acceptable value from those traditionally found in nursing textbooks.Relevance to clinical practice.  Given the fact that normal body temperature values were consistently lower than values reported in the literature, clinicians may need to re‐evaluate the point at which interventions for abnormal temperatures are initiated.
Effects of a therapeutic lifestyle‐change programme on cardiac risk factors after coronary artery bypass graft
Authors: Lin Hsin‐Hsin , Tsai Yun‐Fang , Lin Pyng‐Jing , Tsay Pei‐Kwei 
Published: November 2009

Aims.  The aim of this study was to explore the behavioural and clinical impact of a therapeutic lifestyle‐change intervention for cardiac risk factors in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.Background.  Coronary atherosclerosis‐induced cardiovascular disease involves a progressive process. Progression of coronary atherosclerosis remains a significant problem after coronary artery intervention, requiring patients to make ongoing modifications in their lifestyle to reduce cardiac risk factors.Design.  A prospective quasi‐experimental design was used.Methods.  Patients who received coronary artery bypass graft surgery at a medical centre in Taiwan were sampled by convenience and assigned to two groups. The control group (n = 37) and experimental group (n = 36) both received routine postoperative rehabilitation, with the experimental group also receiving the therapeutic lifestyle‐change programme. Measures of behavioural and clinical outcomes were compared before surgery, one and three months after discharge.Results.  The results revealed that the amount of cigarette smoking, blood pressure control, frequency of physical activity and dietary behaviour were modified in both groups. Both groups improved significantly in blood lipid profiles and fasting glucose levels from presurgery to the first month after discharge and the experimental group improved even more (p < 0·05). Similar findings were also noted for changes in cigarette smoking and dietary behaviour. Three months after discharge, blood pressure control and frequency of physical activity in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group.Conclusions.  Incorporating a therapeutic lifestyle‐change intervention into a postoperative cardiac rehabilitation programme effectively modified cardiac risk factors and may improve postoperative recovery and prognosis.Relevance to clinical practice.  Guidelines for Taiwanese patients with cardiovascular disease should stress and support implementation of and adherence to therapeutic lifestyle changes in addition to drug therapy.
Safety assessment for nanotechnology and nanomedicine: concepts of nanotoxicology
Authors: Oberdörster G. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract.Nanotechnology, nanomedicine and nanotoxicology are complementary disciplines aimed at the betterment of human life. However, concerns have been expressed about risks posed by engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), their potential to cause undesirable effects, contaminate the environment and adversely affect susceptible parts of the population. Information about toxicity and biokinetics of nano‐enabled products combined with the knowledge of unintentional human and environmental exposure or intentional delivery for medicinal purposes will be necessary to determine real or perceived risks of nanomaterials. Yet, results of toxicological studies using only extraordinarily high experimental doses have to be interpreted with caution. Key concepts of nanotoxicology are addressed, including significance of dose, dose rate, and biokinetics, which are exemplified by specific findings of ENM toxicity, and by discussing the importance of detailed physico‐chemical characterization of nanoparticles, specifically surface properties. Thorough evaluation of desirable versus adverse effects is required for safe applications of ENMs, and major challenges lie ahead to answer key questions of nanotoxicology. Foremost are assessment of human and environmental exposure, and biokinetics or pharmacokinetics, identification of potential hazards, and biopersistence in cells and subcellular structures to perform meaningful risk assessments. A specific example of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) illustrates the difficulty of extrapolating toxicological results. MWCNT were found to cause asbestos‐like effects of the mesothelium following intracavitary injection of high doses in rodents. The important question of whether inhaled MWCNT will translocate to sensitive mesothelial sites has not been answered yet. Even without being able to perform a quantitative risk assessment for ENMs, due to the lack of sufficient data on exposure, biokinetics and organ toxicity, until we know better it should be made mandatory to prevent exposure by appropriate precautionary measures/regulations and practicing best industrial hygiene to avoid future horror scenarios from environmental or occupational exposures. Similarly, safety assessment for medical applications as key contribution of nanotoxicology to nanomedicine relies heavily on nano‐specific toxicological concepts and findings and on a multidisciplinary collaborative approach involving material scientists, physicians and toxicologists.
Lipid‐based nanotherapeutics for siRNA delivery
Authors: Schroeder A. , Levins C. G. , Cortez C. , Langer R. , Anderson D. G. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract.RNA interference (RNAi) is a specific gene‐silencing mechanism triggered by small interfering RNA (siRNA). The application of RNAi in the clinic requires the development of safe and effective delivery systems. Inspired by progress with lipid‐based systems in drug delivery, efforts have been dedicated to the development of liposomal siRNA delivery systems. Many of the lipid‐based delivery vehicles self‐assemble with siRNA through electrostatic interactions with charged amines, generating multi‐lamellar lipoplexes with positively charged lipid bilayers separated from one another by sheets of negatively charged siRNA strands. Internalization of lipid‐based siRNA delivery systems into cells typically occurs through endocytosis; accordingly, delivery requires materials that can facilitate endosomal escape. The size of the carrier is important as carriers <100 nm in diameter have been reported to have higher accumulation levels in tumours, hepatocytes and inflamed tissue, whereas larger particles tend to be taken up by Kupffer cells or other components of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). To reduce RES uptake and increase circulation time, carriers have been modified on the surface with hydrophilic materials, such as polyethyleneglycol. Herein, we review the molecular and structural parameters of lipid‐based siRNA delivery systems.
When it comes to inbreeding: slower is better
Authors: REED DAVID H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe extent to which genetic diversity is lost from inbred populations is important for conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, and plant and animal breeding. This importance stems from the fact that the amount of genetic diversity a population has is expected to correlate with evolutionary potential. A population’s ability to avert extinction during rapidly changing environmental conditions, or the magnitude of response to selection on a trait, depend on the ability of the genome to maintain potentially adaptive genetic variation in the face of random genetic drift. Although a few previous studies have demonstrated that the rate of inbreeding affects the amount of genetic diversity maintained, the elegant work of Demontis et al., in this issue, clearly demonstrates that slow inbreeding maintains more genetic diversity than fast inbreeding and that the primary mechanism could be balancing selection. In their study, populations that took 19 generations, rather than one generation, to reach the same level of inbreeding maintained 10% higher levels of allelic richness and 25% higher levels of heterozygosity. The use of specifically chosen molecular markers not expected to be neutral makes this study especially noteworthy, as the study provides evidence concerning the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of genetic diversity in the face of inbreeding.
The rice yellow mottle virus P1 protein exhibits dual functions to suppress and activate gene silencing
Authors: Lacombe Séverine , Bangratz Martine , Vignols Florence , Brugidou Christophe 
Published: November 2009

SummaryIn plants RNA silencing is a host defense mechanism against viral infection, in which double‐strand RNA is processed into 21–24‐nt short interfering RNA (siRNA). Silencing spreads from cell to cell and systemically through a sequence‐specific signal to limit the propagation of the virus. To counteract this defense mechanism, viruses encode suppressors of silencing. The P1 protein encoded by the rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) displays suppression activity with variable efficiency, according to the isolates that they originated from. Here, we show that P1 proteins from two RYMV isolates displaying contrasting suppression strength reduced local silencing induced by single‐strand and double‐strand RNA in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. This suppression was associated with a slight and a severe reduction in 21‐ and 24‐nt siRNA accumulation, respectively. Unexpectedly, cell‐to‐cell movement and systemic propagation of silencing were enhanced in P1‐expressing Nicotiana plants. When transgenically expressed in rice, P1 proteins induced specific deregulation of DCL4‐dependent endogenous siRNA pathways, whereas the other endogenous pathways were not affected. As DCL4‐dependent pathways play a key role in rice development, the expression of P1 viral proteins was associated with the same severe developmental defects in spikelets as in dcl4 mutants. Overall, our results demonstrate that a single viral protein displays multiple effects on both endogenous and exogenous silencing, not only in a suppressive but also in an enhancive manner. This suggests that P1 proteins play a key role in maintaining a subtle equilibrium between defense and counter‐defense mechanisms, to insure efficient virus multiplication and the preservation of host integrity.
The nucleotide sugar transporters AtUTr1 and AtUTr3 are required for the incorporation of UDP‐glucose into the endoplasmic reticulum, are essential for pollen development and are needed for embryo sac progress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Reyes Francisca , León Gabriel , Donoso Maribel , Brandizzí Federica , Weber Andreas P.M. , Orellana Ariel 
Published: November 2009

SummaryUridine 5′‐diphosphate (UDP)‐glucose is transported into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and the Arabidopsis nucleotide sugar transporter AtUTr1 has been proposed to play a role in this process; however, different lines of evidence suggest that another transporter(s) may also be involved. Here we show that AtUTr3 is involved in the transport of UDP‐glucose and is located at the ER but also at the Golgi. Insertional mutants in AtUTr3 showed no obvious phenotype. Biochemical analysis in both AtUTr1 and AtUTr3 mutants indicates that uptake of UDP‐glucose into the ER is mostly driven by these two transporters. Interestingly, the expression of AtUTr3 is induced by stimuli that trigger the unfolded protein response (UPR), a phenomenon also observed for AtUTr1, suggesting that both AtUTr1 and AtUTr3 are involved in supplying UDP‐glucose into the ER lumen when misfolded proteins are accumulated. Disruption of both AtUTr1 and AtUTr3 causes lethality. Genetic analysis showed that the atutr1 atutr3 combination was not transmitted by pollen and was poorly transmitted by the ovules. Cell biology analysis indicates that knocking out both genes leads to abnormalities in both male and female germ line development. These results show that the nucleotide sugar transporters AtUTr1 and AtUTr3 are required for the incorporation of UDP‐glucose into the ER, are essential for pollen development and are needed for embryo sac progress in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Establishing a standardized quality management system for the European Health Network GA2LEN*
Authors: Heinzerling L. , Burbach G. , Van Cauwenberge P. , Papageorgiou P. , Carlsen K.‐H. , Lødrup Carlsen K. C. , Zuberbier T. 
Published: November 2009

To cite this article: Heinzerling L, Burbach G, van Cauwenberge P, Papageorgiou P, Carlsen K‐H, Lødrup Carlsen KC, Zuberbier T. Establishing a standardized quality management system for the European Health Network GA2LEN. Allergy 2010; 65: 743–752.AbstractBackground:  Quality management is increasingly important in clinical practice. The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) is a network of clinical and scientific excellence with originally 25 allergy centres in 16 European countries, a scientific society (European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology), and a patient organization (European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations). Although some allergy centres adhere to internal quality criteria, the implementation of a standardized quality management system for allergy centres across Europe was lacking.Objectives:  To implement standardized quality criteria among allergy centres organized within GA2LEN and thus ensure equal standards of diagnosis and care as well as to establish a culture of continuous quality improvement.Methods:  Quality criteria covering, e.g., diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and emergency preparedness to assure patient safety were developed and agreed upon by all 25 participating centres. To assure implementation of quality criteria, centres were audited to check quality indicators and document deviations. A follow‐up survey was used to assess the usefulness of the project.Results:  Deviations were documented mainly in the areas of emergency care/patient safety (27.3% lacked regular emergency training of doctors and nurses; 22.7% inadequate emergency intervention equipment; 22.7% lacked critical incidence reporting/root cause analyses) and handling of extracts/pharmaceuticals (31.8% lacked temperature logs of fridges; 4.5% inadequate check of expiration dates). Quality improvement was initiated as shown by findings of re‐audits. Usefulness of the project was rated high.Conclusion:  The establishment of a quality management system with joint standards of care and harmonized procedures can be achieved in an international health network and ensures quality of care.
The evolutionary consequence of the individualistic response to climate change
Authors: STEWART J. R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe Quaternary fossil record has abundant evidence for ecologically nonanalogue communities made up of combinations of modern taxa not seen in sympatry today. A brief review of the literature detailing these nonanalogue communities is given with a discussion of their various proposed causes. The individualistic, Gleasonian, response of species to climate and environmental change is favoured by many. The degree to which communities are nonanalogue appears to increase with greater time depth, and this progressive process is a necessary outcome of the individualistic response of species to climate change through time. In addition, it is noted that populations within species, as well as the species as a whole, respond individualistically. This paper proposes that many elements of nonanalogue communities are extinct populations, which may explain their environmentally anomalous combinations. These extinct populations are, by definition, lineages without descendents. It is further proposed that the differential extinction of populations, as a result of continuous ecological reassembly, could amount to a significant evolutionary phenomenon.
Contrasting patterns of phenotypic variation linked to chromosomal inversions in native and colonizing populations of Drosophila subobscura
Authors: FRAGATA I. , BALANYÀ J. , REGO C. , MATOS M. , REZENDE E. L. , SANTOS M. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn fewer than two decades after invading the Americas, the fly Drosophila subobscura evolved latitudinal clines for chromosomal inversion frequencies and wing size that are parallel to the long‐standing ones in native Palearctic populations. By sharp contrast, wing shape clines also evolved in the New World, but the relationship with latitude was opposite to that in the Old World. Previous work has suggested that wing trait differences among individuals are partially due to the association between chromosomal inversions and particular alleles which influence the trait under consideration. Furthermore, it is well documented that a few number of effective individuals founded the New World populations, which might have modified the biometrical effect of inversions on quantitative traits. Here we evaluate the relative contribution of chromosomal inversion clines in shaping the parallel clines in wing size and contrasting clines in wing shape in native and colonizing populations of the species. Our results reveal that inversion‐size and inversion‐shape associations in native and colonizing (South America) populations are generally different, probably due to the bottleneck effect. Contingent, unpredictable evolution was suggested as an explanation for the different details involved in the otherwise parallel wing size clines between Old and New World populations of D. subobscura. We challenge this assertion and conclude that contrasting wing shape clines came out as a correlated response of inversion clines that might have been predicted considering the genetic background of colonizers.
Spatio‐temporal pattern ofPentastiridius leporinusmigration in an ephemeral cropping system
Authors: Bressan Alberto , Moral García Francisco J. , Sémétey Olivier , Boudon‐Padieu Elisabeth 
Published: November 2009

Cixiid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) are considered to be important economic pests because of their ability to transmit phloem‐restricted prokaryotes causing emerging plant diseases worldwide. However, little information is available on the biology and ecology of such species. This is the case forPentastiridius leporinus(Linnaeus), a cixiid planthopper reported to live on common reed across Countries of Central and Northern Europe. However, in the east of France, the same planthopper species appears to complete its life cycle in the sugar beet‐wheat cropping system and has been repeatedly shown to transmit prokaryotic plant pathogens that are associated with an emerging disease of sugar beet called syndrome ‘basses richesses'.To gather evidence on the biology of the planthopper in the cropping rotation, we analysed the flight activity of adults. We used transparent sticky traps for sampling migrating adults and quantified nymphs as well as emerging adults on the roots of wheat plants.Results showed a significant correlation between disappearance of nymphs and emerging adults from wheat roots and the occurrence of migrant adults in nearby sugar beet fields. Planthoppers migrated more abundantly and colonized sugar beet for longer periods than any other crop available. Flight activity was very pronounced during the migratory phase that was extended from the middle of June to the middle of July. A geographic information system and geostatical analysis revealed that planthoppers flew and colonized the centre of the sugar beet field rather than the borders.Overall, results obtained in the present study suggest that the ecology and biology of the planthopper vector in the cropping rotation is a primary factor that leads to the emergence of the syndrome ‘basses richesses' disease of sugar beet.