bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective study in a tertiary care institution of North India
Authors: Tripathi Reva , Tolia Nalini , Gupta Vinod Kumar , Mala Yedla Manikya , Ramji Siddarth , Tyagi Shakun 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to determine the relevance of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the patients attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary institute of North India.Material and Methods:  This was a prospective study conducted on 700 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi at or before 24 weeks of gestation. All patients underwent screening with a 50‐g 1‐h glucose challenge test at 24–28 weeks of gestation. The women with an abnormal glucose challenge test subsequently underwent a diagnostic 3‐h oral glucose tolerance test. All the patients were followed up till delivery.Results:  Out of 700, thirteen patients were lost to follow up and hence the final outcomes were measured on 687 patients. Out of 687, 613 patients (89.2%) had a normal glucose challenge test value, that is, <140 mg%, and 74 (10.8%) had a glucose challenge test value ≥140 mg%. On the subsequent oral glucose tolerance test, 64 (9.3%) had normal values and only 10 (1.5%) had an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test, that is, GDM.Conclusion:  With such a low prevalence rate it appears to be unjustified to recommend universal screening for GDM. These findings may be considered as a basis for conducting larger, multicentric studies to establish the prevalence rate of GDM before deciding on a policy for screening.
Survival of Campylobacter jejuni in co‐culture with Acanthamoeba castellanii: role of amoeba‐mediated depletion of dissolved oxygen
Authors: Bui Xuan Thanh , Winding Anne , Qvortrup Klaus , Wolff Anders , Bang Dang Duong , Creuzenet Carole 
Published: December 2011

SummaryCampylobacter jejuni is a major cause of infectious diarrhoea worldwide but relatively little is known about its ecology. In this study, we examined its interactions with Acanthamoeba castellanii, a protozoan suspected to serve as a reservoir for bacterial pathogens. We observed rapid degradation of intracellular C. jejuni in A. castellanii 5 h post gentamicin treatment at 25°C. Conversely, we found that A. castellanii promoted the extracellular growth of C. jejuni in co‐cultures at 37°C in aerobic conditions. This growth‐promoting effect did not require amoebae – bacteria contact. The growth rates observed with or without contact with amoeba were similar to those observed when C. jejuni was grown in microaerophilic conditions. Preconditioned media prepared with live or dead amoebae cultivated with or without C. jejuni did not promote the growth of C. jejuni in aerobic conditions. Interestingly, the dissolved oxygen levels of co‐cultures with or without amoebae – bacteria contact were much lower than those observed with culture media or with C. jejuni alone incubated in aerobic conditions, and were comparable with levels obtained after 24 h of growth of C. jejuni under microaerophilic conditions. Our studies identified the depletion of dissolved oxygen by A. castellanii as the major contributor for the observed amoeba‐mediated growth enhancement.
The Pel and Psl polysaccharides provide Pseudomonas aeruginosa structural redundancy within the biofilm matrix
Authors: Colvin Kelly M. , Irie Yasuhiko , Tart Catherine S. , Urbano Rodolfo , Whitney John C. , Ryder Cynthia , Howell P. Lynne , Wozniak Daniel J. , Parsek Matthew R. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryExtracellular polysaccharides comprise a major component of the biofilm matrix. Many species that are adept at biofilm formation have the capacity to produce multiple types of polysaccharides. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces at least three extracellular polysaccharides, alginate, Pel and Psl, that have been implicated in biofilm development. Non‐mucoid strains can use either Pel or Psl as the primary matrix structural polysaccharide. In this study, we evaluated a range of clinical and environmental P. aeruginosa isolates for their dependence on Pel and Psl for biofilm development. Mutational analysis demonstrates that Psl plays an important role in surface attachment for most isolates. However, there was significant strain‐to‐strain variability in the contribution of Pel and Psl to mature biofilm structure. This analysis led us to propose four classes of strains based upon their Pel and Psl functional and expression profiles. Our data also suggest that Pel and Psl can serve redundant functions as structural scaffolds in mature biofilms. We propose that redundancy could help preserve the capacity to produce a biofilm when exopolysaccharide genes are subjected to mutation. To test this, we used PAO1, a common lab strain that primarily utilizes Psl in the matrix. As expected, a psl mutant strain initially produced a poor biofilm. After extended cultivation, we demonstrate that this strain acquired mutations that upregulated expression of the Pel polysaccharide, demonstrating the utility of having a redundant scaffold exopolysaccharide. Collectively, our studies revealed both unique and redundant roles for two distinct biofilm exopolysaccharides.
A natural freshwater origin for two chlamydial species, Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis and Candidatus Clavochlamydia salmonicola, causing mixed infections in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Schmidt‐Posthaus Heike , Polkinghorne Adam , Nufer Lisbeth , Schifferli Andrea , Zimmermann Dieter R. , Segner Helmut , Steiner Pascale , Vaughan Lloyd 
Published: December 2011

SummaryGill disease in salmonids is characterized by a multifactorial aetiology. Epitheliocystis of the gill lamellae caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the order Chlamydiales is one known factor; however, their diversity has greatly complicated analyses to establish a causal relationship. In addition, tracing infections to a potential environmental source is currently impossible. In this study, we address these questions by investigating a wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) population from seven different sites within a Swiss river system. One age class of fish was followed over 18 months. Epitheliocystis occurred in a site‐specific pattern, associated with peak water temperatures during summer months. No evidence of a persistent infection was found within the brown trout population, implying an as yet unknown environmental source. For the first time, we detected ‘Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis’ and ‘Candidatus Clavochlamydia salmonicola’ infections in the same salmonid population, including dual infections within the same fish. These organisms are strongly implicated in gill disease of caged Atlantic salmon in Norway and Ireland. The absence of aquaculture production within this river system and the distance from the sea, suggests a freshwater origin for both these bacteria and offers new possibilities to explore their ecology free from aquaculture influences.
Genital morphology of female goblin spiders (Arachnida: Araneae: Oonopidae) with functional implications
Authors: Burger Matthias 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSpider genital morphology usually provides the best characters for taxonomy. Furthermore, functional genital morphology helps to understand the evolution of complex genitalia and their role in the context of sexual selection. The genital systems of most haplogyne spider families are poorly investigated with respect to their morphology. The present study investigates the female genitalia of the oonopids Oonops pulcher, Oonopinus kilikus, and Pseudotriaeris sp. by means of light microscopy and SEM. The male palps are briefly described. Females of O. pulcher store spermatozoa in an anterior and a posterior receptaculum (PRe). The genitalia resemble the primitive dysderoid genitalia supporting the hypothesis that the subfamily Oonopinae contains more basal oonopids. In O. kilikus, the anterior receptaculum is reduced to a sclerite. Spermatozoa are stored in a PRe. The receptacula of Pseudotriaeris sp. are reduced to sclerites. Spermatozoa in the uterus internus indicate that fertilization happens there or in the ovary. The anterior sclerite might serve females to lock the uterus during copulation as suggested for other gamasomorphines. The male palp of O. kilikus is simple, whereas the palps of O. pulcher and Pseudotriaeris sp. appear more complex. Complicated structures on the palp of Pseudotriaeris sp. indicate that males exert copulatory courtship.
Blood pressure control among patients with hypertension and newly diagnosed diabetes
Authors: Choma N. N. , Griffin M. R. , Kaltenbach L. A. , Greevy R. A. , Roumie C. L. 
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 1126–1133 (2012)AbstractAims  To determine the proportion of patients who achieved blood pressure control during the 2 years following new diabetes diagnosis.Methods  A retrospective cohort of veterans ≥ 18 years with hypertension who initiated a diabetes medication from 2000 to 2007 in the Veterans Administration Mid‐South Network was assembled. Blood pressure control at diabetes treatment initiation (baseline) was compared with blood pressure control 6, 12, 18 and 24 months later. The Veterans Affairs and American Diabetes Association definitions of control, ≤ 140/90 and ≤ 130/80 mmHg, respectively, were primary and secondary outcomes.Results  At baseline, 59.5% of 16 182 patients had controlled blood pressure according to the Veterans Affairs guideline (31.5% using American Diabetes Association definition). Six months following initiation of diabetes treatment, 65.7% had their blood pressure controlled (P < 0.001). Blood pressure control was sustained but not further improved between 6 months and 2 years, with 66.5% controlled at 2 years following baseline. Higher initial systolic blood pressure, black race and hospitalization in the previous year were associated with higher likelihood of uncontrolled blood pressure at 6 months; whereas baseline cardiovascular disease, baseline dementia and later year of cohort entry were associated with lower likelihood of uncontrolled blood pressure.Conclusion  We found an increase in blood pressure control in the 6 months following initiation of diabetes treatment. However, overall blood pressure control remained suboptimal and with no further improvement over the next 18 months.
A pilot study examining perceived rejection and secrecy in relation to illicit drug use and associated stigma
Authors: PALAMAR JOSEPH J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Illicit drug use is a stigmatised behaviour; therefore, users tend to experience rejection and remain secretive about use. However, stigma‐related rejection and secrecy can adversely affect those who reject abstinence. This study aimed to modify measures to assess these concepts with regard to illicit drug use and examine how they relate to use of various drugs and associated perception of public stigma.Design and Methods. An Internet‐based convenience sample (n = 700) was surveyed to pilot items modified from previous scales in order to assess these concepts with regard to drug use. As perceived rejection and secrecy are related and potentially overlapping constructs, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the underlying structure of items previously used to assess these concepts. These variables were examined in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, perceived public stigma and use of various drugs (marijuana, powder cocaine, ecstasy and nonmedical use of opioids and prescription stimulants).Results. After factor reduction, perceived rejection and secrecy loaded as two distinct, but related concepts. These modified measures had moderate to high internal consistency and both concepts were positively related to perceived public stigma and use of various drugs.Discussion and Conclusions. This pilot study demonstrated validity evidence for these measures and results suggest that illicit drug use and associated stigma are related to increased feelings of rejection and secrecy in users. Research is needed to examine whether stigma towards users serves as a deterrent to use because rejection and secrecy are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes.[Palamar JJ. A pilot study examining perceived rejection and secrecy in relation to illicit drug use and associated stigma. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:573–579]
Know your limits: Awareness of the 2009 Australian alcohol guidelines among young people
Authors: BOWRING ANNA L. , GOLD JUDY , DIETZE PAUL , GOUILLOU MAELENN , VAN GEMERT CAROLINE , HELLARD MARGARET E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Young people are at high risk of alcohol‐related harm and injury. This study assessed awareness of the 2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, understanding of alcohol‐related risks and drinking behaviours among young people.Design and Methods. We recruited participants (16–29 years) from a music festival in Melbourne, Australia, January 2010. Participants self‐completed a risk behaviour questionnaire which included questions regarding the 2009 guidelines. Characteristics associated with awareness of the guidelines and accurate understanding of a ‘safe’ number of drinks to avoid long‐term harm and injury (defined as a maximum of two drinks daily and four drinks on a single occasion, respectively) were examined using multivariable logistic regression.Results. Of 1381 participants, only 32% were aware of the 2009 guidelines, but the majority had an accurate understanding of the safe number of drinks to avoid long‐term harm (74%) and injury (71%). Nonetheless, many reported drinking behaviour with risk of long‐term harm (22%) or injury (54%). Participants with lower‐risk drinking behaviours were more likely to have an accurate understanding of the safe number of drinks to avoid harm. Males and participants without post‐high school education were significantly less likely to be aware of the guidelines and/or have an accurate understanding of alcohol‐related risks (P < 0.05).Discussion and Conclusions. Although raising awareness of alcohol‐related risks may promote reduced alcohol consumption, many young people reported consuming alcohol at harmful levels despite having an accurate understanding of alcohol‐related risks. Multiple approaches to reducing alcohol‐related harm in young people should be considered.[Bowring AL, Gold J, Dietze P, Gouillou M, van Gemert C, Hellard ME. Know your limits: Awareness of the 2009 Australian alcohol guidelines among young people. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:213–223]
Philosophizing social justice in rural palliative care: Hayek's moral stone?
Authors: Pesut Barbara , Beswick Frances , Robinson Carole A. , Bottorff Joan L. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIncreasingly, palliative care is being referred to as an essential programme and in some cases as a human right. Once it is recognized as such, it becomes part of the lexicon of social justice in that it can be argued that all members of society should have access to such care. However, this begs the question of how that care should be enacted, particularly in rural and remote areas. This question illustrates some of Friedrich Hayek's critiques of social justice. Hayek has likened social justice to a ‘moral stone’ arguing that social justice is meaningless to the extent that society is impersonal and as such cannot be just, only those individuals who make up that society can be just. When responsibility for justice is assigned to an impersonal society, ideas of social justice can become a clarion call for whom no one is directly accountable. This opens the door for questionable macro‐level political agendas that have no capacity to enact the ideal, and worse, may suppress individual moral acts towards the desired end. Further, acts of interference at the macro level with the ideal of equal opportunity run the risk of disadvantaging other members of society. Instead, he has argued that a better approach lies in finding ways to induce and support individual moral acts that promote the human good. Hayek's arguments are particularly compelling for rural palliative care. In this paper we draw upon data from an ethnographic study in rural palliative care to illustrate the potential misfit between the ethical ideal of palliative care as expressed by rural participants and the narratives of social justice.
A performative and poetical narrative of critical social theory in nursing education: an ending and threshold of social justice
Authors: Lapum Jennifer , Hamzavi Neda , Veljkovic Katarina , Mohamed Zubaida , Pettinato Adriana , Silver Sarabeth , Taylor Elizabeth 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn this article, a poetical and performative narrative is shared to examine how the use of stories to critically self‐reflect on oppression facilitates an understanding of critical social theory in nursing education and impacts social justice. A fusion of prose with a poetical narrative is employed; the latter is reserved to capture the immediacy of personal, emotive, and embodied storied experiences. This deeply intimate and dialogical story begins with a pedagogical experiment created to facilitate nursing students' understanding of critical social theory. Drawing upon Paulo Freire's work, the nursing teacher in a professional development course attempted to deconstruct power relations and cultivate an open and safe learning environment by sharing a poem that depicts her oppression. Students then anonymously wrote a word/statement about their oppression. The teacher created a composite poem from students' words and shared it with the class; it was a powerful moment that highlighted their shared humanity. As a way to further explore stories and consider how to preserve these words, a small group of students and the teacher formed the ‘the oppression group’. Towards the end, we conclude an unfinished story by realizing that the chains of oppression are loosening and humanity is surfacing. There is still a camouflaging of an authentic self. There are still stories to be told. The group is not yet certain if a social representation of an authentic self is possible and if all stories can be told. It has become apparent that the personal can play out in social justice as enacted in the classroom between teacher and students and provides an entry point into the development of the capacity to be social agents in nursing. The group simultaneously concludes the story with both an ending and a threshold of social justice.
Exploring the relevance of social justice within a relational nursing ethic
Authors: Woods Martin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn the last few decades, a growing number of commentators have questioned the appropriateness of the ‘justice view’ of ethics as a suitable approach in health care ethics, and most certainly in nursing. Essentially, in their ethical deliberations, it is argued that nurses do not readily adopt the high degree of impartiality and objectivity that is associated with a justice view; instead their moral practices are more accurately reflected through the use of alternative approaches such asrelationalorcare‐basedethics. Yet, it has also been argued that this viewpoint does not necessarily ‘do justice’ to the broader moral responsibilities of nurses towards humanity in general, i.e. to the wider socio‐cultural and socio‐political issues in society, and to the concept ofsocial justicein particular. This criticism has triggered a much closer examination of relational and care‐based ethics in nursing at levels beyond individual responsiveness within relationships and brought into the spotlight the need for a more ethically refined nursing response to an increasingly complex set of socio‐cultural inequalities. This article explores a relational ethic within nursing practices with contemporary ideas regarding social justice. In particular, it is argued that the synergy between the two actually produces an ethic that is capable of not only challenging the continuing predominance of justice‐based ethics within health care, but of replacing it. Subsequently, in the discussion that follows, it is suggested that a combined social justiceandrelational care‐based approach, as asocial ethic, should guide the moral deliberations and actions of nurses. It is maintained that such an approach is not only possible, but crucial if nurses are to realize their full potential as ethical agents for individual and social good.
To B(TA) or Not to B(TA)? On the Legality and Desirability of Border Tax Adjustments from a Trade Perspective
Authors: Horn Henrik , Mavroidis Petros C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper asks two questions concerning border tax adjustments (BTAs) for climate purposes, when viewed from a trade perspective: First, under what conditions are BTAs possible in the WTO‐world? To address this issue, the paper provides a detailed discussion of the relevant law and case law. We also apply our main conclusions on what we consider to be paradigmatic cases of measures to address climate change where trade concerns are raised. We conclude that the WTO regime is no major obstacle to those aspiring to use BTAs, although the allocation of the burden of proof could be an issue. The second issue addressed is whether the economic literature on the desirability of BTAs adequately reflects concerns that have been raised in the trade policy community. Here, we conclude that it has hardly addressed these concerns at all. We also point to some aspects of BTAs that would be important to take into account in a more complete analysis.
Effect of statin treatment on three‐month outcomes in patients with stroke‐associated infection: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yeh P.‐S. , Lin H.‐J. , Chen P.‐S. , Lin S.‐H. , Wang W.‐M. , Yang C.‐M. , Li Y.‐H. 
Published: December 2011

Background and purpose:  Infection is a major medical problem in patients with acute stroke. Recent evidences suggest that statins reduce infection‐associated complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of statin treatment on mortality and functional outcomes in patients with stroke‐associated infection.Methods:  In this prospective observational cohort study, 514 patients with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (mean age, 74 ± 11 years; men, 48%) with infection occurring in the first 7 days after admission were included. We examined the effect of in‐hospital statin treatment on mortality and favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) at 3 months follow‐up.Results:  Infection occurred at 0.93 ± 1.49 days after admission. All patients had not received statin treatment prior to admission, and 121 patients (24%) received statin at 1.71 ± 1.28 days after admission. Follow‐up at 3 months was completed for 511 patients (99%). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Charlson index were the most important independent predictors of mortality and functional outcome. Univariate [hazard ratio (HR), 0.82; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.47–1.42] and multivariate (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.79–3.56) Cox regression analysis showed that statin did not significantly decrease the morality. In propensity analysis, statin treatment still had no significant association with mortality (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.68–3.47) in the multivariate analyses after adjusting for age, sex, and propensity score.Conclusions:  Statin use was not associated with a better functional outcome or survival in patients with stroke‐associated infection.