bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complementary therapies in rehabilitation: nurses’ narratives. Part 1
Authors: van der Riet Pamela , Dedkhard Saowapa , Srithong Kannapatch 
Published: November 2011

Aims and objectives.  To document the narratives of nursing staff in a Thai rehabilitation centre where complementary therapies are used and to discuss perceived progress of these complementary therapies on stroke patients. Specific complementary therapies used at this rehabilitation centre include Thai massage and herbal therapies.Background.  In Thailand, there is cultural acknowledgement of a range of traditional therapies (including complementary therapies) widely used in Thai health care. For example, meditation enjoys wide acceptance in Thai culture and attracts strong participation from visitors to Thai Buddhist centres because of growing interest in developing a personal health regime for future preventative health problems.Design.  Qualitative study using narrative inquiry and discourse analysis framed by poststructural theory.Method.  Six nursing staff and six stroke patients were interviewed about their involvement in complementary therapy practice and treatments and their experiences of these therapies in rehabilitation. This paper reports the six nurses’ narratives of their involvement with patients and complementary therapies.Results.  The overall findings revealed two strong themes: nurses’ professional landscape and changes in stroke patients’ embodiment. These two themes were interwoven in a main discourse of nurses attending to and enabling holistic care.Conclusion.  The contexts of temporality, spatiality and other people influencing the progress of patients’ recovery are significant in this study. In particular, the findings illustrate the importance of the nurses’ discourse in preparing stroke patients for a state of readiness to heal.Relevance to clinical practice.  The nurses’ role becomes much more significant in health care as demonstrated through these stories. Their part in establishing a holistic approach through motivating, advising, educating, calming and imparting a sense of family enables a strong connection with mind, body and spirit potentiating recovery for stroke patients.
Understorey diversity in southern boreal forests is regulated by productivity and its indirect impacts on resource availability and heterogeneity
Authors: Reich Peter B. , Frelich Lee E. , Voldseth Richard A. , Bakken Peter , Adair E. Carol 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. Understanding the relationship between species diversity and productivity is central to linking compositional and functional aspects of terrestrial ecosystems, and little is known about such issues in boreal forests. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test several hypotheses about direct and indirect influences of productivity, its correlate basal area, and resources on understorey vascular plant diversity on 2025 plots in 81 southern boreal forests in Minnesota, USA.2. We first examined the hypothesis that increasing basal area reduces plot‐scale species richness due to competitive exclusion from the most limiting resource, light. As expected, light pre‐emption increased with total basal area, which directly reduced understorey species richness. However, complex relations between basal area, dominant understorey species, and resource supply to the understorey can also influence understorey communities. Hence, we addressed whether plots with low light availability in the understorey were associated with low abundance of dominant understorey species and alleviation of competitive exclusion of other understorey species. SEM results showed that low light decreased total understorey cover, alleviating resource competition from this stratum and thus increasing understorey species richness. Furthermore, the cover of four dominant understorey species was positively correlated with light availability and negatively correlated with plot‐scale species richness.3. Aggregating data for the 25 plots at each stand, SEM showed that stand‐scale species richness was positively influenced by light heterogeneity, which in turn increased with annual above‐ground productivity.4. Species richness was positively influenced by litter %N, considered an index of nitrogen availability at the plot and stand scale.5. Synthesis. These results suggest that understorey species richness in boreal forests is regulated by productivity, but is primarily mediated by the indirect effects of productivity of the dominant producers on resource availability and heterogeneity.
Structure, composition and dynamics of a calcareous grassland metacommunity over a 70‐year interval
Authors: Newton Adrian C. , Walls Robin M. , Golicher Duncan , Keith Sally A. , Diaz Anita , Bullock James M. 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. Calcareous grasslands are communities of high conservation value, often characterized by high plant species richness. These grasslands have experienced a major decline in area throughout Europe, principally resulting from agricultural intensification. Although they have been the focus of extensive previous research, few attempts have been made to examine the long‐term dynamics of multiple communities at the landscape scale.2. To assess long‐term change in the structure and composition of a calcareous grassland metacommunity, 88 extant sites first surveyed by R. Good in the 1930s were resurveyed in 2009. Values of α‐, β‐ and γ‐diversity were compared between the two surveys, using a one‐way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) and non‐metric multidimensional scaling. Elements of metacommunity structure (EMS) analysis was used to identify metacommunity structure, and changes in metacommunity composition were related to plant traits.3. Analyses indicated that α‐diversity increased over time, with mean (±SD) species richness per site increasing from 29.31 ± 7.65 in the 1930s to 40.18 ± 16.41 in 2009. No change in β‐diversity was recorded. However, γ‐diversity increased, with the total number of species rising from 219 in the 1930s to 280 in 2009. Species composition shifted over time, associated with a decline in ‘stress‐tolerant’ species typical of species‐rich calcareous grasslands, and an increase in species typical of mesotrophic grasslands. This was associated with an increase in mean Ellenberg N value, suggesting that eutrophication has been a driver of floristic change.4. Elements of metacommunity structure analysis indicated that the structure of this grassland plant metacommunity was Clementsian at both survey times, indicating species sorting. Metacommunity structure was stable over time, despite changes in α‐ and γ‐diversity. Analysis of potential structuring mechanisms revealed a significant influence of elevation.5. Synthesis. This investigation provides a rare example of the long‐term dynamics of a plant metacommunity. Results indicate that substantial change has occurred in the composition of calcareous grasslands during this time, both at local and regional scales. The investigation provides evidence of the impact of environmental change on immigration and extinction processes operating in calcareous grasslands at different scales, and highlights challenges for their future conservation.
Increased plant productivity in Alaskan tundra as a result of experimental warming of soil and permafrost
Authors: Natali Susan M. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Rubin Rachel L. 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. The response of northern tundra plant communities to warming temperatures is of critical concern because permafrost ecosystems play a key role in global carbon (C) storage, and climate‐induced ecological shifts in the plant community will affect the transfer of carbon‐dioxide between biological and atmospheric pools.2. This study, which focuses on the response of tundra plant growth and phenology to experimental warming, was conducted at the Carbon in Permafrost Experimental Heating Research project, located in the northern foothills of the Alaska Range. We used snow fences coupled with spring snow removal to increase deep‐soil temperatures and thaw depth (winter warming), and open‐top chambers to increase summer air temperatures (summer warming).3. Winter warming increased wintertime soil temperature (5–40 cm) by 2.3 °C, resulting in a 10% increase in growing season thaw depth. Summer warming significantly increased growing season air temperature; peak temperature differences occurred near midday when summer warming plots were approximately 1.0 °C warmer than ambient plots.4. Changes in the soil environment as a result of winter warming treatment resulted in a 20% increase in above‐ground biomass and net primary productivity (ANPP), while there was no detected summer warming effect on ecosystem‐level ANPP or biomass. Both summer and winter warming extended the growing season through earlier bud break and delayed senescence, despite equivalent snow‐free days across treatments. As with ANPP, winter warming increased canopy N mass by 20%, while there was no summer warming effect on canopy N.5. The warming‐mediated increase in N availability, coupled with phenological shifts, may have driven higher rates of ANPP in the winter warming plots, and the lack of ecosystem‐level N and ANPP response to summer warming suggest continued N limitation in the summer warming plots.6. Synthesis: These results highlight the role of soil and permafrost dynamics in regulating plant response to climate change and provide evidence that warming may promote greater C accumulation in tundra plant biomass. While warming temperatures are expected to enhance microbial decomposition of the large pool of organic matter stored in tundra soils and permafrost, these respiratory losses may be offset, at least in part, by warming‐mediated increases in plant growth.
Digital correction of motion artefacts in microscopy image sequences collected from living animals using rigid and nonrigid registration
Authors: LORENZ K. S. , SALAMA P. , DUNN K. W. , DELP E. J. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryDigital image analysis is a fundamental component of quantitative microscopy. However, intravital microscopy presents many challenges for digital image analysis. In general, microscopy volumes are inherently anisotropic, suffer from decreasing contrast with tissue depth, lack object edge detail and characteristically have low signal levels. Intravital microscopy introduces the additional problem of motion artefacts, resulting from respiratory motion and heartbeat from specimens imaged in vivo. This paper describes an image registration technique for use with sequences of intravital microscopy images collected in time‐series or in 3D volumes. Our registration method involves both rigid and nonrigid components. The rigid registration component corrects global image translations, whereas the nonrigid component manipulates a uniform grid of control points defined by B‐splines. Each control point is optimized by minimizing a cost function consisting of two parts: a term to define image similarity, and a term to ensure deformation grid smoothness. Experimental results indicate that this approach is promising based on the analysis of several image volumes collected from the kidney, lung and salivary gland of living rodents.
A 2D MEMS mirror with sidewall electrodes applied for confocal MACROscope imaging
Authors: BAI Y. , PALLAPA M. , CHEN A. , CONSTANTINOU P. , DAMASKINOS S. , WILSON B.C. , YEOW J.T.W. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThis paper presents microelectromechanical system micromirrors with sidewall electrodes applied for use as a Confocal MACROscope for biomedical imaging. The MACROscope is a fluorescence and brightfield confocal laser scanning microscope with a very large field of view. In this paper, a microelectromechanical system mirror with sidewall electrodes replaces the galvo‐scanner and XYZ‐stage to improve the confocal MACROscope design and obtain an image. Two micromirror‐based optical configurations are developed and tested to optimize the optical design through scanning angle, field of view and numerical aperture improvement. Meanwhile, the scanning frequency and control waveform of the micromirror are tested. Analysing the scan frequency and waveform becomes a key factor to optimize the micromirror‐based confocal MACROscope. When the micromirror is integrated into the MACROscope and works at 40 Hz, the micromirror with open‐loop control possesses good repeatability, so that the synchronization among the scanner, XYZ‐stage and image acquisition can be realized. A laser scanning microscope system based on the micromirror with 2 μm width torsion bars was built and a 2D image was obtained as well. This work forms the experimental basis for building a practical confocal MACROscope.
Shape extraction of low‐textured objects in video microscopy
Authors: SAHAY R.R. , RAJAGOPALAN A.N. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryShape from focus is an elegant method that estimates the structure of a 3D object from a video of captured frames using the degree of focus as the principal cue. However, the quality of the estimated structure is vulnerable to scene texture. The effect is particularly pronounced for objects that are smooth relative to the magnification of the optical system. In this paper, the shape estimation process is cast as an inverse problem. We exploit spatial dependencies by modeling the shape of the object with a discontinuity‐adaptive Markov random field wherein the focus measure profile is used to judiciously control the degree of smoothness. The 3D information is obtained by minimizing a suitably derived energy function that preserves fine details of the underlying structure. We show by experimentation on several real‐world specimens that our method yields state‐of‐the‐art performance.
An interacting multiple model filter‐based autofocus strategy for confocal time‐lapse microscopy
Authors: CHOWDHURY S. , KANDHAVELU M. , YLI‐HARJA O. , RIBEIRO A.S. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryGene expression and other cellular processes are stochastic, thus their study requires observing multiple events in multiple cells. Therefore, confocal microscopy cell imaging has recently gained much interest. In time‐lapse imaging, adjustments are needed at short intervals to compensate for focus drift. There are several automated methods for this purpose. In general, before acquiring higher resolution images, software‐based autofocus algorithms require a set of low‐resolution images along the z‐axis to determine the plane for which a predefined focusing function is maximized. These algorithms require 10–100 z‐slices each time, and there is no fixed number or upper limit of required z‐slices that ensures optimal focusing. The higher is this number, the stronger is photo bleaching, hampering the feasibility of long‐time series measurements. We propose a new focusing strategy in time‐lapse imaging. The algorithm relies on the nature and predictability of the focus drift. We first show that the focus drift curve is predictable within a small error bound in standard experimental setups. We, then, exploit the interacting multiple model filter algorithm to predict the drift at time, t, based on the measurement at time t – 1. This allows a drastic reduction of the number of required z‐slices for focus drift correction, largely overcoming the problem of photo bleaching. In addition, we propose a new set of functions for focusing in time‐lapse imaging, derived from preexisting ones. We demonstrate the method's efficiency in time‐lapse imaging of Escherichia coli cells expressing MS2d‐GFP tagged RNA molecules.
Fatty acid binding protein 4 is expressed in distinct endothelial and non‐endothelial cell populations in glioblastoma
Authors: Cataltepe O. , Arikan M. C. , Ghelfi E. , Karaaslan C. , Ozsurekci Y. , Dresser K. , Li Y. , Smith T. W. , Cataltepe S. 
Published: November 2011

O. Cataltepe, M. C. Arikan, E. Ghelfi, C. Karaaslan, Y. Ozsurekci, K. Dresser, Y. Li, T. W. Smith and S. Cataltepe (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 400–410Fatty acid binding protein 4 is expressed in distinct endothelial and non‐endothelial cell populations in glioblastomaAims: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumour in adults. Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis play key roles in progression of GBMs. Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) is an intracellular chaperone for free fatty acids. FABP4 is detected in microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) in several normal tissues and promotes proliferation of ECs. The goal of this study was to characterize the tissue distribution pattern of FABP4 in GBMs. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for FABP4 was performed on paraffin‐embedded tumour sections and the intensity and distribution of FABP4 immunoreactivity were analysed. Double immunofluorescence was employed for detailed characterization of FABP4‐positive cells. Results: FABP4 immunoreactivity was absent in normal brain tissue sections. FABP4‐positive cells were detected in 33%, 43%, 64% and 89% of Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV glial tumours, respectively. Thus, the percentage of FABP4‐positive cells in GBMs was significantly higher than lower‐grade gliomas. In general, FABP4‐expressing cells were distributed in a non‐homogenous pattern, as ‘hot spots’ in glial tumours. FABP4 expression was detected in a subset of vascular ECs as well as some non‐ECs. Conclusion: FABP4 is expressed in a significantly higher percentage of GBMs in comparison to both normal brain tissues and lower‐grade glial tumours. FABP4 is expressed in some tumour ECs as well as non‐ECs in glial tumours. As FABP4 promotes proliferation of ECs, detection of FABP4 in GBM‐ECs, but not normal brain ECs suggests that FABP4 may play a role in the robust angiogenesis associated with GBMs.
Light inhibition of leaf respiration in field‐grown Eucalyptus saligna in whole‐tree chambers under elevated atmospheric CO2 and summer drought
Authors: CROUS KRISTINE Y. , ZARAGOZA‐CASTELLS JOANA , ELLSWORTH DAVID S. , DUURSMA REMKO A. , LÖW MARKUS , TISSUE DAVID T. , ATKIN OWEN K. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYWe investigated whether the degree of light inhibition of leaf respiration (R) differs among large Eucalyptus saligna grown in whole‐tree chambers and exposed to present and future atmospheric [CO2] and summer drought. Associated with month‐to‐month changes in temperature were concomitant changes in R in the light (Rlight) and darkness (Rdark), with both processes being more temperature dependent in well‐watered trees than under drought. Overall rates of Rlight and Rdark were not significantly affected by [CO2]. By contrast, overall rates of Rdark (averaged across both [CO2]) were ca. 25% lower under drought than in well‐watered trees. During summer, the degree of light inhibition of leaf R was greater in droughted (ca. 80% inhibition) than well‐watered trees (ca. 50% inhibition). Notwithstanding these treatment differences, an overall positive relationship was observed between Rlight and Rdark when data from all months/treatments were combined (R2 = 0.8). Variations in Rlight were also positively correlated with rates of Rubisco activity and nitrogen concentration. Light inhibition resulted in a marked decrease in the proportion of light‐saturated photosynthesis respired (i.e. reduced R/Asat). Collectively, these results highlight the need to account for light inhibition when assessing impacts of global change drivers on the carbon economy of tree canopies.
The introduction of a choice to learn pre‐symptomatic DNA test results for BRCA or Lynch syndrome either face‐to‐face or by letter
Authors: Voorwinden JS , Jaspers JPC , ter Beest JG , Kievit Y , Sijmons RH , Oosterwijk JC 
Published: November 2011

Voorwinden JS, Jaspers JPC, ter Beest JG, Kievit Y, Sijmons RH, Oosterwijk JC. The introduction of a choice to learn pre‐symptomatic DNA test results for BRCA or Lynch syndrome either face‐to‐face or by letter.In predictive DNA testing for hereditary cancer, test results should traditionally be disclosed face‐to‐face. Increasingly, however, counselees ask to receive their test result at home by letter. To compare the quality of genetic counselling in the traditional way to a procedure in which counselees are offered a choice on how to get their test result. Counselees from families with a known BRCA1/2 or Lynch syndrome mutation were randomised into two groups. The control group was given the DNA test result in a face‐to‐face consultation. In the intervention group people could choose to learn their test result face‐to‐face or by letter. The quality of genetic counselling was assessed through questionnaires at three different moments. Data of 198 counselees were analysed. The quality of genetic counselling and psychological functioning were equally good in both groups. The majority of cases chose for disclosure by letter. The counselees with a good test result in the intervention group were the most satisfied. Our results indicate that in predictive DNA testing for BRCA1/2 and Lynch syndrome, a choice protocol is equally safe and more satisfying. Moreover, it is more efficient for both counsellor and counselee.
Liver transplantation for refractory severe pruritus related to widespread multifocal hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in a child: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Merli L. , Grimaldi C. , Monti L. , Nobili V. , Francalanci P. , de Ville de Goyet J. 
Published: November 2011

Merli L, Grimaldi C, Monti L, Nobili V, Francalanci P, de Ville de Goyet J. Liver transplantation for refractory severe pruritus related to widespread multifocal hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in a child: Case report and review of literature.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  FNH is a rare and benign tumor of the liver. It is not a conventional indication for liver transplantation, and no transplant for FNH in a child has been reported to date. Multifocal FNH growing in adolescent age to a widespread tumor invading the whole liver and associated with severe refractory pruritus was an unusual indication for transplantation in a 13‐yr‐old girl. The operation and the follow‐up were uneventful, allowing full recovery and disappearance of pruritus.
A single‐center study of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for primary immune deficiencies (PIDD)
Authors: DiNardo Laura , Brown Valerie , Perez Elena , Bunin Nancy , Sullivan Kathleen E. 
Published: November 2011

DiNardo L, Brown V, Perez E, Bunin N, Sullivan KE. A single‐center study of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for primary immune deficiencies (PIDD).  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 63–72. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  PIDD are rare inherited disorders that can result in life‐threatening infections. Allogeneic HSCT is the only cure for many primary immune deficiencies; however, the specific diseases and optimal type(s) of transplants are not clear. This study compares transplant outcomes in a large cohort with a relatively uniform pre‐ and post‐transplant management strategies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 39 pediatric patients who underwent HSCT for SCID (n = 25) or other immune deficiencies (n = 14) from 1986 to 2010. A structured case report form was used to collect clinical information. The outcomes of survival, immune reconstitution, engraftment, incidence of GvHD and IVIG dependency were tabulated. Overall survival rates were 88% for SCID and 86% for other primary immune deficiencies, which are high compared to other historical series. No single variable was associated with mortality. Immunoglobulin dependence occurred only in patients who had X‐linked SCID and a parental donor haploidentical transplant. Because of improved supportive care and use of alternative donors and conditioning regimens, HSCT has become an acceptable option for an increasing number of PIDD subtypes not previously transplanted with high frequency. This study encourages greater use of transplantation.