bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation Between Hump Dimensions and Curve Severity in Idiopathic Scoliosis Before and After Conservative Treatment
Authors: Aulisa Angelo Gabriele , Guzzanti Vincenzo , Perisano Carlo , Marzetti Emanuele , Menghi Amerigo , Giordano Marco , Aulisa Lorenzo 
Published: January 2011

Study Design.
Prospective study in 150 consecutive outpatients affected by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objectives.
The purposes were to (1) identify a correlation between hump dimensions and the severity of scoliotic curve, and (2) evaluate how the treatment influenced the main parameters of scoliosis.

Summary of Background Data.
The existence of a relationship between clinical deformities and curve severity in AIS is still debated. Furthemore, only a few studies have investigated the effectiveness of conservative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis taking into account both clinical and radiologic factors.

Methods.
150 consecutive outpatients (mean age 12.8 ± 1.9 years) affected by AIS were subjected to conservative brace-based treatment. 134 participants completed the treatment protocol. Two parameters were considered to evaluate the treatment progress: the hump and the Cobb angle. Measurements were determined at the beginning and the end of treatment. Statistical analyses were performed in the whole sample and after dividing the study participants into 4 subgroups: patients with lumbar (n = 66) or thoracic curves (n = 68), patients ranging in age between 6 and 13 years (n = 89) and patients ≥ 14 years of age (n = 45).

Results.
A positive correlation was detected between the hump dimension and curve severity at the beginning and the end of treatment, except for lumbar curves at baseline. The deformity was effectively corrected by the orthotic treatment (Cobb angle: 29.4 ± 8.5° at baseline and 19.3 ± 9.8° at the end of treatment; hump severity: 11.6 ± 5.6 mm at baseline and 6.2 ± 4.6 mm at the end). In addition, our data indicate that the hump correction is more evident than that of the curve registered in Cobb degrees.

Conclusion.
A significant correlation exists between the hump dimension and curve severity both at the beginning and the end of treatment, except for lumbar curves at baseline. The brace treatment confirmed its effectiveness in arresting the deformity progression and inducing a remodeling both of the scoliotic curve and the hump.
Cloning and Characterization of Purple Acid Phosphatase Phytases from Wheat, Barley, Maize, and Rice
Authors: Dionisio Giuseppe , Madsen Claus K. , Holm Preben B. , Welinder Karen G. , Jørgensen Malene , Stoger Eva , Arcalis Elsa , Brinch-Pedersen Henrik 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) possess significant phytase activity in the mature grains. Maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa) possess little or virtually no preformed phytase activity in the mature grain and depend fully on de novo synthesis during germination. Here, it is demonstrated that wheat, barley, maize, and rice all possess purple acid phosphatase (PAP) genes that, expressed in Pichia pastoris, give fully functional phytases (PAPhys) with very similar enzyme kinetics. Preformed wheat PAPhy was localized to the protein crystalloid of the aleurone vacuole. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that PAPhys possess four conserved domains unique to the PAPhys. In barley and wheat, the PAPhy genes can be grouped as PAPhy_a or PAPhy_b isogenes (barley, HvPAPhy_a, HvPAPhy_b1, and HvPAPhy_b2; wheat, TaPAPhy_a1, TaPAPhy_a2, TaPAPhy_b1, and TaPAPhy_b2). In rice and maize, only the b type (OsPAPhy_b and ZmPAPhy_b, respectively) were identified. HvPAPhy_a and HvPAPhy_b1/b2 share 86% and TaPAPhya1/a2 and TaPAPhyb1/b2 share up to 90% (TaPAPhy_a2 and TaPAPhy_b2) identical amino acid sequences. despite of this, PAPhy_a and PAPhy_b isogenes are differentially expressed during grain development and germination. In wheat, it was demonstrated that a and b isogene expression is driven by different promoters (approximately 31% identity). TaPAPhy_a/b promoter reporter gene expression in transgenic grains and peptide mapping of TaPAPhy purified from wheat bran and germinating grains confirmed that the PAPhy_a isogene set present in wheat/barley but not in rice/maize is the origin of high phytase activity in mature grains.
Structure and Mechanism of an Arabidopsis Medium/Long-Chain-Length Prenyl Pyrophosphate Synthase
Authors: Hsieh Fu-Lien , Chang Tao-Hsin , Ko Tzu-Ping , Wang Andrew H.-J. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Prenyltransferases (PTSs) are involved in the biosynthesis of terpenes with diverse functions. Here, a novel PTS from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is identified as a trans-type polyprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (AtPPPS), which forms a trans-double bond during each homoallylic substrate condensation, rather than a homomeric C10-geranyl pyrophosphate synthase as originally proposed. Biochemical and genetic complementation analyses indicate that AtPPPS synthesizes C25 to C45 medium/long-chain products. Its close relationship to other long-chain PTSs is also uncovered by phylogenetic analysis. A mutant of contiguous surface polar residues was produced by replacing four charged surface amino acids with alanines to facilitate the crystallization of the enzyme. The crystal structures of AtPPPS determined here in apo and ligand-bound forms further reveal an active-site cavity sufficient to accommodate the medium/long-chain products. The two monomers in each dimer adopt different conformations at the entrance of the active site depending on the binding of substrates. Taken together, these results suggest that AtPPPS is endowed with a unique functionality among the known PTSs.
Temporal linear mode complexity as a surrogate measure of the effect of remifentanil on the central nervous system in healthy volunteers
Authors: Choi Byung‐Moon , Shin Da‐Huin , Noh Moon‐Ho , Kim Young‐Hac , Jeong Yong‐Bo , Lee Soo‐Han , Lee Eun‐Kyung , Noh Gyu‐Jeong 
Published: January 2011

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Remifentanil, an intravenous ultra short‐acting opioid, depresses central nervous system activity with an increase in the delta band power, and causes beta activation after discontinuation, resulting in a rebound of the processed electroencephalographic parameters, including 95% spectral edge frequency, the canonical univariate parameter and electroencephalographic approximate entropy.• A sigmoid Emax model, in which the highest predicted values of processed electroencephalographic parameters are restricted to the baseline value, cannot describe a rebound of these parameters.• Electroencephalographic approximate entropy correlated well with the remifentanil blood concentration and demonstrated high baseline stability.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• A combined effect and tolerance model effectively characterized the time course of the remifentanil effect on the central nervous system, including the rebound which occurred during recovery from the remifentanil effect.• Temporal linear mode complexity was comparable with approximate entropy as a univariate electroencephalographic descriptor of the effect of remifentanil on the central nervous system.AIMSPreviously, electroencephalographic approximate entropy (ApEn) effectively described both depression of central nervous system (CNS) activity and rebound during and after remifentanil infusion. ApEn is heavily dependent on the record length. Linear mode complexity, which is algorithmatically independent of the record length, was investigated to characterize the effect of remifentanil on the CNS using the combined effect and tolerance, feedback and sigmoid Emaxmodels.METHODSThe remifentanil blood concentrations and electroencephalographic data obtained in our previous study were used. With the recording of the electroencephalogram, remifentanil was infused at a rate of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 µg kg−1 min−1for 15–20 min. The areas below (AUCeffect) or above (AACrebound) the effectvs.time curve of temporal linear mode complexity (TLMC) and ApEn were calculated to quantitate the decrease of the CNS activity and rebound. The coefficients of variation (CV) of median baseline (E0), maximal (Emax), and individual median E0minus Emaxvalues of TLMC were compared with those of ApEn. The concentration–TLMC relationship was characterized by population analysis using non‐linear mixed effects modelling.RESULTSMedian AUCeffectand AACreboundwere 1016 and 5.3 (TLMC), 787 and 4.5 (ApEn). The CVs of individual median E0minus Emaxwere 35.6, 32.5% (TLMC, ApEn). The combined effect and tolerance model demonstrated the lowest Akaike information criteria value and the highest positive predictive value of rebound in tolerance.CONCLUSIONSThe combined effect and tolerance model effectively characterized the time course of TLMC as a surrogate measure of the effect of remifentanil on the CNS.
Multikinase inhibitor sorafenib exerts cytocidal efficacy against Non‐Hodgkin lymphomas associated with inhibition of MAPK14 and AKT phosphorylation
Authors: Chapuy Bjoern , Schuelper Nikolai , Panse Melanie , Dohm Andrea , Hand Elisabeth , Schroers Roland , Truemper Lorenz , Wulf Gerald G. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryIntracellular signal transduction by kinase‐mediated phosphorylation is essential for the survival and growth of lymphoma cells. This study analysed the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib for its cytotoxic activity against lymphoma cells. We found that sorafenib reduced cell viability at low micromolar concentrations in a time‐dependent manner in cell lines and primary cell suspensions representing major types of aggressive B‐ and T‐cell lymphomas. In cells surviving short term exposure, proliferative arrest occurred leading to complete loss of in vitro clonogenicity. Previously described sorafenib targets within the RAF kinase family were found to be expressed and phosphorylated in all cell lines, and sorafenib perturbed the activation of classical RAF/MEK/ERK pathway targets. However, using a global phoshoprotein array, the most consistent downstream effect of sorafenib in NHL cells was the inhibition of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) and panAKT phosphorylation. In conclusion, sorafenib has significant in vitro efficacy against aggressive B‐ and T‐cell lymphoma cells, associated with inhibition of MAPK14 and panAKT.
An exploration of the relationship between adherence with dietary sodium restrictions and health beliefs regarding these restrictions in Irish patients receiving haemodialysis for end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Walsh Ella , Lehane Elaine 
Published: January 2011

Aims.  To measure adherence levels with dietary restrictions in Irish patients with end‐stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis and to explore the relationships between adherence with dietary sodium restrictions and health beliefs in relation to following these restrictions in this group.Background.  Non‐adherence to medical regimes is an important healthcare issue and an ever‐present problem, particularly in patients with a chronic illness. The literature revealed a lack of studies measuring adherence with the sodium component of the renal dietary restrictions and associated factors; despite the fact that adherence with sodium restrictions is essential to the optimal management of end‐stage renal disease. Furthermore, despite increased emphasis on ‘the patients’ view’ in healthcare no study to date has contextualised health beliefs and adherence in end‐stage renal disease from an Irish perspective.Design.  A quantitative, descriptive, correlational design was employed using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework.Methods.  A convenience sample (n = 79) was recruited from the haemodialysis units of a large hospital. Data were collected using self‐report questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics.Results.  Non‐adherence with dietary restrictions was a problem among a proportion of the sample. Greater adherence levels with dietary sodium restrictions were associated with greater ‘perceived benefits’ and fewer ‘perceived barriers.’Conclusion.  For the Irish patient, beliefs in relation to following a low sodium diet significantly affected adherence levels with this diet. This is an important finding as delineating key beliefs, particularly key barriers, facilitates an increased understanding of non‐adherence for nurses.Relevance for clinical practice.  These findings have implications for the care of patients with end‐stage renal disease in that they can provide guidance in terms of developing interventions designed to improve adherence.
Usefulness of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in predicting the nutritional status of people with mental disorders in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Alan C , Chou Yuan‐Ti , Chang Tsui‐Lan 
Published: January 2011

Objective.  The study was to evaluate the ability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment in predicting malnutrition in people with three subtypes of mental disorder (schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder) in Taiwan.Design.  The study involved a convenience sample of 120 residents of psychiatric wards managed by a hospital in central Taiwan (52 with schizophrenia, 36 with major depression and 32 with bipolar disorder) classified according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria.Methods.  A structured questionnaire elicited subjects’ personal data, disease history and answers to questions in the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Serum and anthropometrical parameters were measured. Nutritional status was evaluated with a content‐equivalent version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (Taiwan version‐1, T1).Results.  The Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Taiwan version‐1 was effective in assessing the nutritional status of people of all three subtypes of disorder. Nutritional statuses predicted with the Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Taiwan version‐1 agreed well with other nutritional indicators such as BMI, waist circumference and appetite status. According to the Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Taiwan version‐1, people with major depression were more likely to be at risk of undernutrition, whereas people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder were more likely to be at risk of overnutrition.Conclusion.  The Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Taiwan version‐1 can effectively grade both undernutrition and overnutrition of people with schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder.Relevance to clinical practice.  The Mini Nutritional Assessment enables nurses to monitor emerging nutritional problems in people with psychiatric disorder without relying on subjective judgement. With proper intervention, it can help reduce nutrition‐related chronic conditions in these individuals and save on healthcare cost.
Is it economically viable to employ the nurse practitioner in general practice?
Authors: Dierick‐van Daele Angelique TM , Steuten Lotte MG , Romeijn Arla , Derckx Emmy WCC , Vrijhoef Hubertus JM 
Published: January 2011

Aims.  This article provides insight into the potential economic viability of nurse practitioner employment in Dutch general practices.Background.  General practitioners face the challenging task of finding the most efficient and effective mix of professionals in general practice to accommodate future care demands within scarce health care budgets. To enable informed decision‐making about skill mix issues, economic information is needed.Design.  Discursive paper.Method.  A descriptive and explorative design was chosen to study the economic viability of nurse practitioner employment in general practice. The conditions under which the nurse practitioner is able to earn back his/her own cost of employment were identified. Preferences and expectations of general practitioners and health insurers about nurse practitioner reimbursement were made transparent.Results.  Although general practitioners and health insurers acknowledge the importance of the nurse practitioner in accommodating primary care demands, they have polarised views about reimbursement. The employment of nurse practitioners is seldom economically viable in current practices. It requires a reallocation of (80% of) the general practitioner’s freed up time towards practice growth (12% number of patients).Conclusion.  The economic viability of the nurse practitioner has proven difficult to achieve in every day health care practice. This study provided insight into the complex interaction of the (cost) parameters that result in economic viability and feeds a further discussion about the content of the nurse practitioner role in general practice based on optimal quality of care vs. efficiency.Relevance to clinical practice.  Effective and efficient health care can only be provided if the actual care needs of a population provide the basis for deciding which mix of professionals is best equipped to deal with the changing and increasing demand of care. A macro‐level intervention is needed to help a broad‐scale introduction of the nurse practitioner in general practice.
The psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Problem Areas in Psychological Empowerment Scale (PES): scale development
Authors: Sun Ning , Li Qiu‐Jie , Lv Dong‐Mei , Lin Ping , Lu Gui‐Zhi , An Xue‐Mei 
Published: January 2011

Aims.  This study was conducted to adapt the Problem Areas in Psychological Empowerment Scale for use among staff nurses and to evaluate the psychometric properties.Background.  Considering the importance of psychological aspects in the administration of nursing, there is a need for validated measurements in this area. Such tools make it possible to understand staff nurses as well as they serve as reliable measures when evaluating medical, psychological and educational interventions.Design.  Instrument development.Methods.  A convenience sample of 750 staff nurses was systematically selected from six hospitals in Harbin, China. Following the linguistic adaptation using the forward–backward translation method, the 12‐item Psychological Empowerment Scale was answered by the selected staff nurses. Statistics covered exploratory factor analysis, content validity, Cronbach’s alpha and item‐to‐total correlation.Results.  In the factor analysis, a four‐factor solution was found to be reasonable with the subdimensions psychological empowerment‐related meaning problems (three items), competence problems (three items), self‐determination (three items) and impact problems (three items). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total score was 0·85 and varied between 0·82–0·89 in the four subscales. The item‐to‐total correlation coefficient was 0·40, and items were excluded with item‐to‐total correlation coefficient of lower than 0·40. The findings also gave support for the content validity.Conclusions.  The Chinese version of the Problem Areas in Psychological Empowerment Scale seems to be reliable and valid outcome for measuring empowerment‐related psychological response in staff nurses.Relevance to clinical practice.  The Psychological Empowerment Scale can be used to evaluate staff nurses’ empowerment‐related psychological response in clinical.
Adherence to leg ulcer lifestyle advice: qualitative and quantitative outcomes associated with a nurse‐led intervention
Authors: Van Hecke Ann , Grypdonck Maria , Beele Hilde , Vanderwee Katrien , Defloor Tom 
Published: January 2011

Aim and objectives. Examining the (experienced) changes associated with a nursing intervention to enhance adherence to leg ulcer lifestyle advice.Background. Few interventions to enhance adherence to leg ulcer treatment are developed and tested.Design. Qualitative evaluation approach and pre–post‐test design were used.Method. Twenty‐six patients with venous ulcers in a community care setting participated. Data were collected by means of interviews and participant observation. Frequency and duration of wearing compression, leg exercising and leg elevation, activity level, pain and ulcer size were registered at baseline, after the end of the intervention and three months later. Inductive content analysis and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used.Results. Knowledge about leg ulcer advice increased. The education contributed to more consciously following of the advice. The rationale of the advice and its association with healing or recurrence remained often unclear. More patients performed exercises after the intervention and at follow‐up. Patients often looked out onto a ‘new’ perspective where enhancement of quality of life and even healing might be attainable. Some patients regained independence after learning how to apply and remove compression garments themselves. The frequency of exercising and the duration of exercises increased significantly. Step counts had not altered significantly. Patients not elevating the legs at baseline elevated the legs more and for a longer period of time after the intervention. This effect on leg elevation decreased after three months. No significant changes were reported on hours wearing compression.Conclusions. The perceived changes suggest that the intervention holds a promise for current home care. Combining qualitative and quantitative research assisted to determine the possible effects of the intervention, increasing the potential for a meaningful randomised trial in the future.Relevance to clinical practice. Education about leg ulcer advice should be incorporated in nursing practice. Further testing of the intervention is recommended.
Person‐centred medicine for older people
Authors: Snaedal Jon 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIt can be argued that person‐centred medicine is more important in old age than it is in young or middle age. The older patient is in many respects more of an individual than he was in his younger age as life experiences including diseases have shaped each person for a long time. For evaluation of an older person, the team approach has been shown to be the most efficient method. Cognitive factors and social support must be addressed specifically.
Falls in older adult psychiatric patients: equipping nurses with knowledge to make a difference
Authors: STUBBS B. 
Published: January 2011

Accessible summary

Falls and injuries sustained as a consequence are a major source of increased mortality, morbidity and death in older adults.
Osteoporotic fractures, particularly at the hip, are of particular concern.
Older adults with serious mental illness are at increased risk of falls and subsequent fracture because of a complex multitude of factors.
Nurses have a central role in monitoring patient falls risk in ward settings and can work with the multidisciplinary team to reduce this risk.

AbstractFalls are the most common cause of accidental death among older adults and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A particularly serious sequela of falls is osteoporotic fractures. Older adults with mental illness are at increased risk of both falls and subsequent fractures, because of a range of complex risk factors. Many falls are preventable and an awareness of the risk factors for falls among nurses will empower them to promptly refer a patient at risk to the multidisciplinary team. A multidisciplinary approach is required to be successful in any efforts to reduce an individual's risk of falls and nurses have a central role in achieving this. This article reviews the relevant literature on the causes and consequences of falls in older adults with mental illness in order to enable nurses to reduce falls and subsequent fractures.