bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Critical Thinking in the Diagnostic Process
Authors: Lunney Margaret 
Published: April 2010

PURPOSE.  To demonstrate use of critical thinking in the diagnostic process in order to achieve accuracy of nursing diagnoses.METHODS.  The 7 cognitive skills and 10 habits of mind identified as important for nursing in a Delphi study by Scheffer and Rubenfeld are applied to the diagnostic process using a published case study of a woman with heart failure.FINDINGS.  Taking into account all data from the case study and using the concepts of critical thinking, two high‐accuracy nursing diagnoses were selected to guide nursing interventions.CONCLUSIONS.  Because the specific types of critical thinking needed for accurate diagnosing are not known, nurses should develop all 17 of the cognitive skills and habits of mind so these thinking abilities are available when needed.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  The 17 critical thinking concepts should be combined with domain knowledge, e.g., nursing diagnoses, to think about thinking, which will improve critical thinking processes.
Ecological Responses of Frugivorous Bats to Seasonal Fluctuation in Fruit Availability in Amazonian Forests
Authors: Ramos Pereira Maria João , Marques João Tiago , Palmeirim Jorge M. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTLowland Amazon is climatically one of the least seasonal regions on the planet, but little is known about how this is reflected in ecological seasonality. The central objective of this study was to determine whether seasonal fluctuations in the availability of fruit resources in Neotropical forests are sufficiently marked to affect the ecology and physiology of frugivorous bats. Seasonal variations in the overall bat abundance and in the captures, body condition, and reproductive activity of the two most abundant species,Carollia perspicillataandArtibeus planirostris, were studied within a region of central Brazilian Amazonia dominated by a mosaic of nonflooded (terra firme) and seasonally flooded forests (várzeaandigapó). Concurrent seasonal changes in fruit availability were measured. The abundance of fruits was markedly seasonal, with far fewer resources available during the low‐water season. There was a positive correlation between fruit and bat abundance. Overall, bats did not increase the consumption of arthropods during the period of fruit shortage. InA. planirostris, the body condition declined when fruits were scarcer. In bothC. perspicillataandA. planirostris, foraging and reproductive activity were positively correlated with fruit availability. Consequently, the results suggest that resource seasonality is sufficiently marked to affect frugivorous bats and force them to make important eco‐physiological adjustments.
Submergence, Persistence and Identity: Generations of German Origin in the Barossa and Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Authors: BURNLEY IAN 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis paper examines settlers of German ancestry and their cultural resilience in the Barossa Valley, Light and Adelaide Hills districts of South Australia. After five to seven generations of local settlement, cultural persistence has resulted from: the strong religious reasons for the original migration; early congregational exclusivity; maintenance of German as the liturgical language for over 80 years; and rural community self‐sufficiency. The excoriating public and State Government rejection of integration during World War One reinforced their cultural assertion. This was manifested in religion, family and place identity, musical events, traditional and hybrid cuisines and festivals, and has continued despite counter‐urbanisation into these German‐settled areas. Therefore the landscape and community consequences of persistence, resistance and reinvention have survived far longer than most inter‐generational models of socio‐cultural change would otherwise have predicted.
Challenges in developing an integrated catchment management model
Authors: Lerner David N. , Kumar Vikas , Holzkämper Annelie , Surridge Benjamin W. J. , Harris Bob 
Published: April 2010

AbstractDirectives and policies increasingly call for more integrated management of land and water. Frameworks such as integrated catchment management may address these calls, and yet their implementation requires decisions to be taken under conditions of extreme complexity and uncertainty. This paper summarises a participatory framework through which decision‐makers, experts and system modellers can collaboratively develop an integrated model to support such decisions. A feasibility study showed the potential of the framework. An operational version of the model, able to analyse the effects of 50 management options on 20 indicators, is estimated to require in the order of 225 man‐months from system modellers, alongside substantial inputs from stakeholders. The significant technical challenges confronting such an exercise may be overshadowed by the institutional challenges, including the fundamental question of whether organisations are truly committed. However, the reward for overcoming such challenges is the opportunity to achieve genuine improvements in the social, economic and environmental quality of our catchments.
Supercritical Fluid Chromatography of Myrosinase Reaction Products in Ground Yellow Mustard Seed Oil
Authors: Choubdar Niloufar , Li Shuliu , Holley Richard A. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT:  Escherichia coli O157:H7 can survive the dry fermented sausage manufacturing process. Compounds generated by enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates present in ground mustard have shown potential antibacterial properties against E. coli O157:H7. In the present study, supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) was used to investigate degradation products of 4‐hydroxybenzyl glucosinolate (sinalbin), the major glucosinolate present in yellow mustard seed. Using SFC the concentration of the reactive component, 4‐hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate (PHBITC) was measured during the hydrolysis of sinalbin with myrosinase while imposing the temperature and pH regimen used for the fermentation phase of dry fermented sausage production. The PHBITC concentration grew to a maximum after 7 h and decreased rapidly. The concentration of 4‐hydroxybenzyl alcohol increased rapidly to reach a maximum at 31 h and stayed at that level. The concentration of 4‐hydroxybenzyl cyanate increased up to 24 h, then decreased to 65% of its maximum, and stayed constant. The stability of 4‐hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate in the presence of maltodextrin in this system was investigated. It was concluded that the major PHBITC loss in the mixture of the oil with maltodextrin occurred within the first 4 d of its storage.Practical Application: During the work 4‐hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate (PHBITC) was measured during the hydrolysis of sinalbin with myrosinase while imposing the temperature and pH regimen used for the fermentation phase of dry fermented sausage production. The results on PHBITC stability in maltodextrin presented provide precautionary information on the limited ability of this material to afford stability of PHBITC expected.
Nestedness of insect assemblages on small Bahamian islands: importance of spatial processes
Authors: MURAKAMI MASASHI , HIRAO TOSHIHIDE 
Published: April 2010

Abstract.  1. Ecological assemblages frequently show nestedness patterns of species distribution. Despite the common occurrence, the causality for nestedness patterns remains unclear. The effects of environmental and spatial factors on the patterns of insect species distributions were examined on 28 small islands in central Exuma, Bahamas.2. Flying insects on each island were surveyed by Malaise traps, island area and vegetation height being used as environmental factors, and the degree of island isolation as a spatial factor. Body and relative wing length, and abundance of insect species were also considered as species traits which, together with environmental and spatial factors, determine insect distributions.3. Island isolation was determined from distance to the mainland, greatest distance in a stepping‐stone pathway, distance to the nearest island, and the island area within 250, 500 and 1000 m of each island’s perimeter.4. The pattern of island‐insect nestedness was examined for the overall insect assemblage and those of five dominant insect orders on the islands. The order of island ranking in the nested matrix was tested relative to area, isolation and vegetation height, the rank order of insect species then being examined relative to body and wing length, and abundance of species.5. Significant nestedness was found in all assemblages. Significant contributions of environmental factors were found in Diptera and Hemiptera assemblages, whereas relatively large contributions of spatial factors were found in Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera assemblages. These results illustrated the need to include spatial factors in analyses on the assembly of insular insect assemblages.
The airway epithelium as regulator of inflammation patterns in asthma
Authors: Erjefält Jonas Sten 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIntroduction:  Asthma is a complex, heterogeneous and mutifactorial disease and represents a major health problem in Westernised countries. The airway epithelium, with its direct physical contact with luminal triggers, has a major role in determining the nature of inflammation that develops in asthmatic airways.Objective:  The present review aims to provide a brief overview of the numerous ways the airway epithelium can affect and influence the histopathological picture in asthma.Results and Conclusion:  The ways the epithelium aggravates inflammation range from acute responses to luminal triggers such as allergens and infections to the multipathogenic events occurring as a consequence of repeated epithelial damage–repair responses. The airway epithelium also facilitates the selective migration of leukocytes into the airway lumen, a process that is important in regulating inflammatory cell homeostasis. The fact that only some of the important leukocyte subtypes participate in this process cause translational problems and difficulties in the interpretation of luminal samples. To further reveal the nature of the multifaceted involvement of the airway epithelium in inflamed asthmatic airways emerges as a promising goal for identifying new therapeutic strategies.Please cite this paper as: Erjefält JS. The airway epithelium as regulator of inflammation patterns in asthma. Clin Respir J 2010; 4 (Suppl. 1): 9–14.
The eosinophil and airway remodelling in asthma
Authors: Venge Per 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Eosinophils are common findings cells in allergic asthma as is sub‐base membrane thickening of the airways. The objective of this review was to summarise some recent findings linking the activities of eosinophils to airways remodelling.Data Source and Study Selection:  The study used a review of current literature with emphasis on our own recent findings.Results:  Eosinophils are found at increased numbers in asthma and more so in allergic as compared with non‐allergic asthma. A link has been found in several clinical studies on allergic asthmatics, but not in studies on non‐allergic asthma, between the presence of eosinophils and signs of airways remodelling. The eosinophil contains and secretes several pro‐fibrogenic molecules such as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β). Genetic studies on subjects developing liver fibrosis as a consequence of Schistosoma mansoni infection show close relationships to ECP genotypes.Conclusion:  Several clinical and experimental studies indicate that eosinophils contribute to airways remodelling not only through their secretion of cationic proteins such as ECP and cytokines such as TGF‐β1, but also through interactions with mast cells and epithelial cells.Please cite this paper as: Venge P. The eosinophil and airway remodelling in asthma. Clin Respir J 2010; 4 (Suppl. 1): 15–19.
Remodeling in asthma and COPD – differences and similarities
Authors: Sköld C. Magnus 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground:  Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both inflammatory disorders. Diagnosis of these diseases is based upon limitation of expiratory airflow. The pathophysiological correlates to this impaired lung function are complex but they are associated with the development of structural changes in the airways and lung parenchyma. These remodeling processes differ between the two diseases. In asthma, airways obstruction is predominately located in the large airways, although recent studies indicate that inflammation and structural changes also is present in other compartments of the lungs. In COPD, remodeling of the small airways and lung parenchyma are the main correlates to the limitation of expiratory airflow. However, both asthma and COPD are heterogeneous disorders including various phenotypes and there is a considerable overlap between the two diseases.Methods and Results:  In the present review, airway remodeling in asthma and COPD will be discussed in three different compartments of the airways: large airways, small airways and lung parenchyma. Different inflammatory cells will be mentioned, as well as markers of remodeling.Conclusion:  In COPD and severe asthma, current anti‐inflammatory pharmacotherapy does not restore lung function impairment fully. It is therefore recognized that research aiming to explore mechanisms of airway remodeling should be encouraged.Please cite this paper as: Sköld CM. Remodeling in asthma and COPD – differences and similarities. Clin Respir J 2010; 4 (Suppl. 1): 20–27.
The importance of airway remodelling in the natural course of asthma
Authors: Janson Christer 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIntroduction:  Asthma is associated with airflow limitation and increased decline in lung function. The underlying mechanism for this was probably that persisting inflammation leads to remodelling of the airways.Objectives:  To review the importance of different factors which are related to airflow limitation and lung function decline in asthma.Methods:  Case report and literature review.Results:  Asthma severity, smoking, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil inflammation were the variables that were most convincingly related to decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in asthma. Treatment with inhaled corticosteroids probably decreased the rate of FEV1 decline, although this was more uncertain because of the lack of randomised double blind studies that show such an effect. Progress in the field of the genetics of asthma may, in the near future, elucidate the role of gene–environment interaction in lung function decline in asthma.Conclusion:  Regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroids may partly have a beneficial effect on airway remodelling in asthma. Improved understanding of the processes leading to airway remodelling is, however, important in order to prevent a large number of asthmatics from developing irreversible airflow obstruction.Please cite this paper as: Janson C. The importance of airway remodelling in the natural course of asthma. Clin Respir J 2010; 4 (Suppl. 1): 28–34.
Measurement of spleen volume is useful for distinguishing between simple steatosis and early‐stage non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Suzuki Kaori , Kirikoshi Hiroyuki , Yoneda Masato , Mawatari Hironori , Fujita Koji , Nozaki Yuichi , Takahashi Hirokazu , Abe Yasunobu , Inamori Masahiko , Shimamura Takeshi , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Kubota Kensuke , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: April 2010

Aim: Although non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now a common cause of chronic liver disease, discriminating between simple steatosis and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially early‐stage NASH, remains difficult. We investigated the clinical usefulness of measuring the spleen volume as a marker of early‐stage NASH.Methods: We evaluated computed tomography (CT) images obtained in 84 patients with histologically diagnosed NAFLD (22 with simple steatosis, 62 with NASH with mild fibrosis [stages 1–2]). We defined the data obtained by the following formula as a spleen‐body index (SBI): SBI = maximal CT axial section area of the spleen (cm2)/body surface area (BSA) (cm2) × 104. We compared the SBI between patients with simple steatosis and those with NASH with mild fibrosis.Results: The mean SBI of the simple steatosis group was 15.8 ± 3.9, while that of the NASH with mild fibrosis group was 18.7 ± 5.7. This difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.0314). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the SBI was significantly correlated with the discrimination of simple steatosis and NASH with mild fibrosis. The area under the receiver–operator curve was 0.661 for distinguishing between simple steatosis and NASH with mild fibrosis (P = 0.026, 95% confidence interval = 0.532–0.789).Conclusion: Spleen enlargement may be a distinct feature of NASH, especially early‐stage NASH. SBI might be a non‐invasive and simple method of differentiating NASH and simple steatosis.
Efficacy of ezetimibe for the treatment of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: An open‐label, pilot study
Authors: Yoneda Masato , Fujita Koji , Nozaki Yuichi , Endo Hiroki , Takahashi Hirokazu , Hosono Kunihiro , Suzuki Kaori , Mawatari Hironori , Kirikoshi Hiroyuki , Inamori Masahiko , Saito Satoru , Iwasaki Tomoyuki , Terauchi Yasuo , Kubota Kensuke , Maeyama Shiro , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: April 2010

Aim: Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. However, effective drug therapy for NASH has not been established yet. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of 6 months of ezetimibe treatment for NASH patients with dyslipidemia for the comparison of improvement of the clinical parameters and histological alterations.Methods: We prospectively evaluated 10 consecutive NASH patients with dyslipidemia who agreed to participate in this study. The patients were given ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for 6 months, and clinical parameters and histological alterations were comparatively evaluated before and after treatment. All the patients were given standard calorie diet (30 kcal/kg per day, carbohydrate 50–60%, fat 20–30%, protein 15–20%) and exercise counseling from 3 months before the ezetimibe treatment.Results: The serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and type IV collagen 7 s levels were significantly improved by the treatment with ezetimibe for 6 months. In histological observations, follow‐up liver biopsies revealed that the NAS score and steatosis grade were also significantly improved. The fibrosis stage did not change significantly, but six of the 10 patients exhibited an improvement in their fibrosis stage.Conclusion: Major clinical parameters and histological observations were significantly improved by the treatment with ezetimibe. Our pilot study demonstrated the efficacy of ezetimibe for drug therapy of NASH and may lead to a large‐scale clinical trial in the future.
Role of the cytoskeleton in Cd2+-induced death of mouse mesangial cellsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a Special Issue on Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease.
Authors: Liu Ying , Templeton Douglas M. 
Published: April 2010

Cadmium induces apoptotic cell death in mouse mesangial cells that is in part dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cadmium also activates multiple kinases in these cells, including the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK-II) and p38 kinase, and also leads to disruption of the filamentous actin cytoskeleton. We investigated the role of the cytoskeleton in Cd2+-induced cell death. Cell viability was decreased by Cd2+and two types of apoptotic death, defined by flow cytometry, were increased. Disruption of actin filaments with cytochalasin D was partially protective, whereas stabilization of the cytoskeleton with jasplakinolide was without effect, indicating that cytoskeletal disruption contributes to, but is not necessary for, induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of CaMK-II and p38 kinase, mitochondrial stabilization with cyclosporine A, and the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine all protected against apoptosis and prevented disruption of the cytoskeleton. Cytochalasin D decreased Cd2+-dependent ROS production, reduced the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased phosphorylation of p38 kinase. We conclude that Cd2+-dependent actin disruption is a downstream event facilitating apoptotic death. Cadmium-dependent cell death involves actin-dependent mitochondrial changes, ROS production, and p38 activation.
Acrolein induces apoptosis through the death receptor pathway in A549 lung cells: role of p53This review is one of a selection of papers published in a Special Issue on Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease.
Authors: Roy Julie , Pallepati Pragathi , Bettaieb Ahmed , Averill-Bates Diana A. 
Published: April 2010

Acrolein, a highly reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, is an omnipresent environmental pollutant. Chronic and acute human exposures occur through exogenous and endogenous sources, including food, vapors of overheated cooking oil, house and forest fires, cigarette smoke, and automobile exhaust. Acrolein is a toxic byproduct of lipid peroxidation, which has been implicated in pulmonary, cardiac, and neurodegenerative diseases. This study shows that p53 is an initiating factor in acrolein-induced death receptor activation during apoptosis in A549 human lung cells. Exposure of cells to acrolein (0–50 µmol/L) mainly caused apoptosis, which was manifested by execution phase events such as condensation of nuclear chromatin, phosphatidylserine externalization, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Levels of necrosis (~5%) were low. Acrolein triggered the death receptor pathway of apoptosis, causing elevation of Fas ligand (FasL) and translocation of adaptor protein Fas-associated death domain to the plasma membrane. Acrolein caused activation of caspase-8, caspase-2, caspase-7, and the cross-talk pathway mediated by Bid cleavage. Activation of p53 and increased expression of p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) occurred in response to acrolein. FasL upregulation and caspase-8 activation were decreased by p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α and antioxidant polyethylene glycol catalase. These findings increase our knowledge about the induction of cell death pathways by acrolein, which has important implications for human health.