bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spanish nurses’ attitudes towards research and perceived barriers and facilitators of research utilisation: a comparative survey of nurses with and without experience as principal investigators
Authors: Moreno‐Casbas Teresa , Fuentelsaz‐Gallego Carmen , de Miguel Ángel Gil , González‐María Esther , Clarke Sean P 
Published: May 2011

Aims and objective.  To examine attitudes towards research and perceived barriers and facilitators of research utilisation in clinical practice in a broad cross‐section of Spanish nurses.Background.  Nurses’ attitudes towards research are critical in determining whether study findings are used to improve practice.Design.  Cross‐sectional comparative survey in Hospitals, Primary Care Centres and University‐affiliated schools of nursing.Methods.  Surveys were completed by 917 nurses: 69 who received funding from the Spanish national agency (1998–2004) and a nationally representative sample of 848 nurses who did not have the same research experience (the Comparison group). Two instruments (BARRIERS and Attitudes towards nursing research) were translated and culturally adapted for use in Spain. A descriptive analysis of demographic and practice characteristics was performed. Total scale scores, as well as subscale scores, were computed and compared across the two groups using one‐way analysis of variance (anova) and multivariate analysis of variance (manova) with post hoc tests. Pearson product‐moment correlation coefficients were computed between the total tool scores and subscales measuring barriers and attitudes in both groups.Results.  The investigators differed from other nurses on several demographic and work characteristics (more males, older age and more likely to work a fixed day shift schedule). On the whole, investigators showed more favourable attitudes but perceived several elements as posing greater barriers to research utilisation than the Comparison groups. Across all respondents, issues related to the quality of research were rated as the greatest barriers to research utilisation, followed by organisational barriers, barriers involving the communication of findings and finally, those related to nurses’ values, awareness and skills.Conclusions.  Very similar profiles of perceptions and attitudes regarding research were found in these samples of Spanish nurses relative to those from other countries in earlier reports. Nurses who had experience conducting research demonstrated more favourable research‐related attitudes and perceived barriers differently than those without such experience.Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding different organisational and experience perspectives is important to identify challenges and opportunities to ensure research utilisation in clinical practice.
Examining the relationship between risk assessment and risk management in mental health
Authors: GILBERT E. , ADAMS A. , BUCKINGHAM C. D. 
Published: May 2011

Accessible summary
Risk assessment is crucial for developing risk management plans to prevent or minimize mental health patients' risks that will impede their recovery.
Risk assessments and risk management plans should be closely linked. Their content and the extent to which they are linked within one Trust is explored.
There is a great deal of variability in the amount and detail of risk information collected by nurses and how this is used to develop risk management plans.
Keeping risk assessment information in one place rather than scattered throughout patient records is important for ensuring it can be accessed easily and linked properly to risk management plans.
Strengthening the link between risk assessment and management will help ensure interventions and care is tailored to the specific needs of individual patients, thus promoting their safety and well‐being.
AbstractThorough risk assessment helps in developing risk management plans that minimize risks that can impede mental health patients' recovery. Department of Health policy states that risk assessments and risk management plans should be inextricably linked. This paper examines their content and linkage within one Trust. Four inpatient wards for working age adults (18–65 years) in a large mental health Trust in England were included in the study. Completed risk assessment forms, for all patients in each inpatient ward were examined (n= 43), followed by an examination of notes for the same patients. Semi‐structured interviews took place with ward nurses (n= 17). Findings show much variability in the amount and detail of risk information collected by nurses, which may be distributed in several places. Gaps in the risk assessment and risk management process are evident, and a disassociation between risk information and risk management plans is often present. Risk information should have a single location so that it can be easily found and updated. Overall, a more integrated approach to risk assessment and management is required, to help patients receive timely and appropriate interventions that can reduce risks such as suicide or harm to others.
A central metabolic circuit controlled by QseC in pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hadjifrangiskou Maria , Kostakioti Maria , Chen Swaine L. , Henderson Jeffrey P. , Greene Sarah E. , Hultgren Scott J. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe QseC sensor kinase regulates virulence in multiple Gram‐negative pathogens, by controlling the activity of the QseB response regulator. We have previously shown that qseC deletion interferes with dephosphorylation of QseB thus unleashing what appears to be an uncontrolled positive feedback loop stimulating increased QseB levels. Deletion of QseC downregulates virulence gene expression and attenuates enterohaemorrhagic and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (EHEC and UPEC), Salmonella typhimurium, and Francisella tularensis. Given that these pathogens employ different infection strategies and virulence factors, we used genome‐wide approaches to better understand the role of the QseBC interplay in pathogenesis. We found that deletion of qseC results in misregulation of nucleotide, amino acid, and carbon metabolism. Comparable metabolic changes are seen in EHEC ΔqseC, suggesting that deletion of qseC confers similar pleiotropic effects in these two different pathogens. Disruption of representative metabolic enzymes phenocopied UPEC ΔqseC in vivo and resulted in virulence factor downregulation. We thus propose that in the absence of QseC, the constitutively active QseB leads to pleiotropic effects, impairing bacterial metabolism, and thereby attenuating virulence. These findings provide a basis for the development of antimicrobials targeting the phosphatase activity of QseC, as a means to attenuate a wide range of QseC‐bearing pathogens.
Heritability of short‐scale natal dispersal in a large‐scale foraging bird, the wandering albatross
Authors: CHARMANTIER A. , BUORO M. , GIMENEZ O. , WEIMERSKIRCH H. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractNatal dispersal is a key life history trait for the evolution and adaptation of wild populations. Although its evolution has repeatedly been related to the social and environmental context faced by individuals, parent–offspring regressions have also highlighted a possible heritable component. In this study, we explore heritability of natal dispersal, at the scale of the sub‐Antarctic Possession Island, for a large‐scale foraging seabird, the Wandering albatrossDiomedea exulans, exploiting a pedigree spanning over four decades and a maximum of four generations. The comparison of three different methods shows that heritability on the liability scale can vary drastically depending on the type of model (heritability from 6% to 86%), with a notable underestimation by restricted maximum likelihood animal models (6%) compared to Bayesian animal models (36%). In all cases, however, our results point to significant additive genetic variance in the individual propensity to disperse, after controlling for substantial effects of sex and natal colony. These results reveal promising evolutionary potential for short‐scale natal dispersal, which could play a critical role for the long‐term persistence of this species on the long run.
Influence of pollinator grooming on pollen‐mediated gene dispersal in Mimulus ringens (Phrymaceae)
Authors: HOLMQUIST KARSTEN G. , MITCHELL RANDALL J. , KARRON JEFFREY D. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPollinator foraging patterns and the dynamics of pollen transport influence the quality and diversity of flowering plant mating opportunities. For species pollinated by grooming pollinators, such as bees, the amount of pollen carried between a donor flower and potential recipient flowers depends on how grooming influences pollen transfer. To investigate the relationship between grooming and pollen‐mediated gene dispersal, we studied bumblebee (Bombus fervidus) foraging behavior and resulting gene dispersal in linear arrays of Mimulus ringens. Each of the 14 plants in an array had a unique multilocus genotype, facilitating unambiguous assignment of paternity to 1050 progeny. Each plant was trimmed to a single flower so that pollinator movements could be linked directly to resulting gene dispersal patterns. Pollen‐mediated gene dispersal was very limited. More than 95% of the seeds sired by a donor flower were distributed over the first three recipient flowers in the visitation sequence. However, seeds were occasionally sired on flowers visited later in the pollinator's floral visitation sequence. Intensive grooming immediately following pollen removal from a donor flower significantly increased the decay rate of the donor flower's gene dispersal curve. These results suggest that the frequency and relative intensity of grooming can have significant effects on patterns of pollen‐mediated gene dispersal from individual pollen donors.
Recent trends in pharmaceutical drug use among frequent injecting drug users, frequent methamphetamine users and frequent ecstasy users in New Zealand, 2006–2009
Authors: WILKINS CHRIS , SWEETSUR PAUL , GRIFFITHS RICHARD 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAims. To examine the rates of pharmaceutical drug use, and level of prescription use and injection of pharmaceutical drugs, by frequent injecting drug users (IDU), frequent methamphetamine users and frequent ecstasy users in New Zealand for 2006–2009.Design and method. The paper draws on findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). The IDMS interviews three groups of frequent illegal drug users (i.e. IDU, methamphetamine users and ecstasy users) from the three main cities of New Zealand using purposive sampling and ‘snowballing’.Results. Pharmaceutical morphine rather than heroin was the principal opioid used by the IDU. Few of the IDU or frequent methamphetamine users had prescriptions to use morphine. A lower proportion of the IDU had a prescription to use morphine in 2009 compared to 2008. The injection of methadone by IDU and methamphetamine users was common. A higher proportion of the IDU had injected methadone in 2009 compared to previous years. A higher proportion of the IDU had used oxycodone in 2009 compared to 2008 and prescription use of oxycodone by IDU was very low. All three groups of frequent drug users were involved in the extra‐medical use of methylphenidate and benzodiazepines.Discussion and conclusion. Extra‐medical use of pharmaceuticals occurred among all three groups of frequent illegal drug users to varying degrees. Differences between the three groups in the level and type of extra‐medical pharmaceutical drug use suggest that different control strategies may be effective for each group. [Wilkins C, Sweetsur P, Griffiths R. Recent trends in pharmaceutical drug use among frequent injecting drug users, frequent methamphetamine users and frequent ecstasy users in New Zealand, 2006–2009. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:255–263]
A Welfare‐Based Approach to Aggregating Growth Rates across Countries*
Authors: Son Hyun Hwa 
Published: May 2011

Abstract.Aggregating per capita gross domestic product growth across countries has always been a technical problem because of the complexities in the relative movements of exchange rates, economic output and populations. As such, the conventional approach to aggregating growth across countries suffers from sensitivity to exchange rates, as well as from the possibility of aggregate growth rates not being convex combinations of individual growth rates. This article introduces a new methodology in aggregating per capita growth rates that does not suffer from the drawbacks of the conventional approach. Using a welfare‐based approach, it is shown that the proposed methodology is robust w.r.t. exchange rates and generates weights that always add up to unity, thus avoiding the anomalies that are inherent in the conventional approach. The methodology proposed in the article is applied to calculate aggregate growth rates of 33 developing member countries as well as five regional groupings, and the results are compared with those arising from the conventional approach. A number of insights arise that were previously hidden or inaccessible.
Pre‐emptive morphine treatment abolishes nerve injury‐induced lysophospholipid synthesis in mass spectrometrical analysis
Authors: Nagai Jun , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem.(2011)118, 256–265.AbstractWe have previously demonstrated that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) production in the spinal cord following partial sciatic nerve injury (SCNI) and its signaling initiate neuropathic pain. In order to examine whether LPA production depends on the intense nociceptive signal, we have attempted to see suppression by pre‐emptive treatment with centrally administered morphine, which mainly inhibits nociceptive signal at the level of spinal cord. In the present study, we developed a quantitative mass spectrometry assay to simultaneously analyze several species of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC). The levels of 16:0‐, 18:0‐ and 18:1‐LPC in the spinal cord and dorsal root were maximally increased at 75 min after SCNI and then declined, as LPC is converted to LPA by autotaxin (ATX). Inatx+/−‐mice, on the other hand, these levels were similar to wild‐type mice at 75 min, but maximal at 120 min, suggesting that this difference is partly due to the low conversion of LPC to LPA inatx+/−‐mice. When morphine was centrally administered before SCNI, the injury‐induced increase of LPC was completely abolished. These results suggest that LPC (or LPA) is produced by injury‐induced nociceptive signal, which is effectively and pre‐emptively suppressed by central morphine, possibly through known descending anti‐nociceptive pathways.
Systemic and neurologic autoimmune disorders associated with seizures or epilepsy
Authors: Vincent Angela , Crino Peter B. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryIn this article, we review the incidence and significance of seizures in well‐established autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, thyroid disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The five following presentations discuss the incidence and possible pathogenesis of epilepsies that are found in these well‐known autoimmune conditions. There is a large body of evidence describing the clinical presentation of seizures with MS and SLE, and showing that refractory epilepsy can complicate these already challenging disorders. However, the mechanisms involved are complex and generally not well understood. Neurologic syndromes, including seizure disorders, can also be a feature of celiac disease (CD) or subclinical CD, sometimes associated with cerebral calcification. The association between type‐1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and epilepsy is unclear and requires more definitive epidemiologic analysis, despite the fact that antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase may provide a link between the two conditions. The association between thyroid disorders and encephalopathies, often termed Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, is well known but the pathogenic significance of antithyroid antibodies in this condition is still debated. In general, the relationships between autoimmune mechanisms and seizures in these conditions are unclear; the seizures are likely to be caused by a variety of mechanisms, including ischemia, neuronal damage, and specific and nonspecific immunity.
Vaccinations and febrile seizures
Authors: Cendes Fernando , Sankar Raman 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe occurrence of seizures related to fever results from complex interactions among genetic and environmental factors. The issue of the relationship between vaccination and febrile seizures is complex. It is difficult to identify whether the febrile seizures result from a nonspecific fever caused by vaccination or if these are secondary to an encephalitis or encephalopathy caused by the vaccine. There is evidence showing that vaccination does trigger the onset of febrile seizures in one third of patients with Dravet syndrome. In general, febrile seizures that occur after vaccination do not seem to be different from febrile seizures from other causes, thus advances in knowledge about febrile seizures in general should be relevant to vaccine‐associated febrile seizures.
A Phase II study on the safety and efficacy of a single dose of pegfilgrastim for mobilization and transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells in pediatric oncohematology patients
Authors: Cesaro Simone , Zanazzo Andrea Giulio , Frenos Stefano , Luksch Roberto , Pegoraro Anna , Tridello Gloria , Dallorso Sandro 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the use of pegfilgrastim in pediatric patients as a mobilizing agent in association with chemotherapy.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, Phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single dose of 100 µg/kg pegfilgrastim in mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in pediatric patients. The primary endpoint of the study was the percentage of good mobilizers with pegfilgrastim (blood peak of CD34+ cells ≥ 20 × 106/L). The results were compared with a historical control group.RESULTS: Thirty of 36 recruited patients were classified as good mobilizers (83%). The median value of circulating CD34+ at leukapheresis was 143 × 106/L (range, 20 × 106‐1988 × 106/L). No significant adverse effects were associated with the use of pegfilgrastim and no patient was withdrawn from using the drug. A blood peak of 20 × 106/L or more CD34+ was observed in 33 of 36 control patients (92%) and the median CD34+ count at leukapheresis was 158 × 106/kg (range, 28 × 106‐4529 × 106/kg; p = 0.7). No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of toxicity or other variables of mobilization. As at October 2008, 23 patients of the pegfilgrastim group and 32 patients of the filgrastim group underwent autologous transplant. No significant differences were found in terms of early toxicity, myeloid recovery, and Day 100 survival.CONCLUSION: A single dose of 100 µg/kg pegfilgrastim was safe and effective for PBSC collection in pediatric patients. We suggest that these results support the use of pegfilgrastim for pediatric patients.
Regulatory mechanisms of interleukin‐8 production induced by tumour necrosis factor‐α in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Yaohui , Wang Weimin , Wang Lingyan , Wang Xiangdong , Xia Jinglin 
Published: May 2011

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐8 plays the critical role in the initiation of micro‐environmental inflammation responsible for tumour growth and patient prognosis. This study aimed at investigating the molecular mechanisms of IL‐8 production from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The levels of IL‐8 and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), ERK1/2 and Akt in MHCC‐97H cells were measured by ELISA, Western blot and immunofluorescence. NF‐κB p65 protein nuclear translocation was determined by non‐radioactive NF‐κB p50/p65 transcription factor activity kit and cell bio‐behaviours were detected by the real‐time cell‐monitoring system. Tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) significantly induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK, Akt and production of IL‐8 from HCC cells, which were prevented by SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), PD98059 (ERK inhibitor), LY294002 and Wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) and SB328437 (CCR3 inhibitor). TNF‐α could significantly increase the translocation of NF‐κB p65 protein into the nucleus in a dose‐dependent manner, while SB203580 partially inhibited. In inflammatory micro‐environment, HCC auto‐produced IL‐8 through p38 MAPK, ERK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways, where the p38 MAPK is a central factor to activate the NF‐κB pathway and regulate the expression of IL‐8 production. There was a potential cross‐talking between receptors.
Home birth in women who have given birth at least once in a health facility: contributory factors in a developing country
Authors: FAYE ADAMA , NIANE MARIAMA , BA IBRAHIM 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjective. To study the link between patients’ satisfaction about received services in health facilities and the choice of future delivery place of women who had delivered at least once in a facility. Design. Cross‐sectional study. Setting. Health district Gossas in Senegal. Sample. Three hundred and seventy‐three women who gave birth in the last 12months. Methods. Data were collected using a questionnaire during an interview. Logistic regression was used to explore the determinants of childbirth at home using the Andersen behavioral model. Main Outcome Measures. Place of delivery and satisfaction at reception and conduct of delivery. Results. The average age was 28±6years. Among the women interviewed, 97% were married, 53% being in a polygamous system, and 18% were educated. Forty‐seven per cent of them were satisfied with the quality of the last delivery made within a health facility. The prevalence of home birth was 22%. Home births were more frequent among women in a polygamous marriage [odds ratio (OR) 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–3.14], with no means of transportation (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.02–3.95) and who lived more than 5km from a health facility (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.21–4.15). Poor quality of delivery in a health facility (OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.36–4.65) or a delivery done by a male provider (OR 3.90; 95% CI 2.30–6.65) were also risk factors for the choice of home delivery. Conclusions. Particular emphasis should be placed on training healthcare providers to improve the quality of service provided to patients in health facilities.