bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effects of cathepsin inhibition to prevent chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis
Authors: Alamir I , Boukhettala N , Aziz M , Breuillé D , Déchelotte P , Coëffier M 
Published: September 2010

Summary
One of the main secondary toxic side effects of anti-mitotic agents used to treat cancer patients is intestinal mucositis. Previous data showed that cathepsin D activity, contributing to the proteolytic lysosomal pathway, is up-regulated during intestinal mucositis in rats. At the same time, cathepsin inhibition limits intestinal damage in animal models of inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cathepsin inhibition on methotrexate-induced mucositis in rats. Male Sprague–Dawley rats received saline solution subcutaneously as the control group or 2·5 mg/kg of methotrexate for 3 days (D0–D2). From D0 to D3 methotrexate-treated rats also received intraperitoneal injections of pepstatin A, a specific inhibitor of cathepsin D or E64, an inhibitor of cathepsins B, H and L, or vehicle. Rats were euthanized at D4 and jejunal samples were collected. Body weight and food intake were partially preserved in rats receiving E64 compared with rats receiving vehicle or pepstatin A. Cathepsin D activity, used as a marker of lysosomal pathway, was reduced both in E64 and pepstatin-treated rats. However, villus atrophy and intestinal damage observed in methotrexate-treated rats were restored in rats receiving E64 but not in rats receiving pepstatin A. The intramucosal concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2, was markedly increased in methotrexate-treated rats receiving vehicle or pepstatin A but not after E64 treatment. In conclusion, a large broad inhibition of cathepsins could represent a new potential target to limit the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis as opposed to the inhibition of cathepsin D alone.
Nurses’ risk assessment judgements: a confidence calibration study
Authors: Yang Huiqin , Thompson Carl 
Published: September 2010

yang h. & thompson c. (2010) Nurses’ risk assessment judgements: a confidence calibration study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(12), 2751–2760.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study of the relationship between nurses’ clinical experience and calibration of their self‐confidence and judgement accuracy for critical event risk assessment judgements.Background.  Miscalibration (i.e. under‐confidence or over‐confidence of confidence levels) has an important impact on the quality of nursing care. Despite this, little is known about how nurses’ subjective confidence is calibrated with the accuracy of their judgments.Methods.  A sample of 103 nursing students and 34 experienced nurses were exposed to 25 risk assessment vignettes. For each vignette they made dichotomous judgements of whether the patient in each scenario was at risk of a critical event, and assigned confidence ratings (0–100) to their judgement calls. The clinical vignettes and judgement criteria were generated from real patient cases. The methodology of confidence calibration was used to calculate calibration measures and generate calibration curves. Data were collected between March 2007 and January 2008.Findings.  Experienced nurses were statistically significantly more confident than students but no more accurate. Whilst students tended towards under‐confidence, experienced nurses were over‐confident. Experienced nurses were no more calibrated than students. Experienced nurses were no better at discriminating between correct and incorrect judgements than students. These patterns were exacerbated when nurses and students were extremely over‐confident or extremely under‐confident.Conclusion.  Nurses were systematically biased towards over/under‐confidence in their critical event risk assessment judgements. In particular, experienced nurses were no better calibrated than their student counterparts; with student under‐confidence countered by experienced nurses’ greater susceptibility to over‐confidence.
Implementing evidence‐based practice: effectiveness of a structured multifaceted mentorship programme
Authors: Wallen Gwenyth R. , Mitchell Sandra A. , Melnyk Bernadette , Fineout‐Overholt Ellen , Miller‐Davis Claiborne , Yates Janice , Hastings Clare 
Published: September 2010

wallen g.r., mitchell s.a., melnyk b., fineout‐overholt e., miller‐davis c., yates j. & hastings c. (2010) Implementing evidence‐based practice: effectiveness of a structured multifaceted mentorship programme.Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(12), 2761–2771.AbstractAim. This paper is a report of the effectiveness of a structured multifaceted mentorship programme designed to implement evidence‐based practice in a clinical research intensive environment.Background. Barriers to implementing evidence‐based practice are well‐documented in the literature. Evidence‐based practice is associated with higher quality care and better patient outcomes than care that is steeped in tradition. However, the integration of evidence‐based practice implementation into daily clinical practice remains inconsistent, and the chasm between research and bedside practice remains substantial.Methods. This quasi‐experimental mixed methods study included three focused discussions with nursing leadership and shared governance staff as well as pre‐ (N = 159) and post‐intervention (N = 99) questionnaires administered between June 2006 and February 2007. Online questionnaires included measures of organizational readiness, evidence‐based practice beliefs, evidence‐based practice implementation, job satisfaction, group cohesion and intent to leave nursing and the current job.Results. Participants in the evidence‐based practice mentorship programme had a larger increase in perceived organizational culture and readiness for evidence‐based practice and in evidence‐based practice belief scores than those who did not participate. Qualitative findings suggested that leadership support of a culture for evidence‐based practice and the dedication of resources for sustainability of the initiative needed to be a priority for engaging staff at all levels.Conclusion. These findings corroborate other studies showing that nurses’ beliefs about evidence‐based practice are significantly correlated with evidence‐based practice implementation and that having a mentor leads to stronger beliefs and greater implementation by nurses as well as greater group cohesion, which is a potent predictor of nursing turnover rates.
Association of breathlessness with multiple symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Borge Christine Råheim , Wahl Astrid K. , Moum Torbjørn 
Published: September 2010

borge c.r., wahl a.k. & moum t. (2010) Association of breathlessness with multiple symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(12), 2688–2700.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of an exploration of relationships between demographic and clinical variables and the symptoms of breathlessness, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleeping difficulties and pain for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Background.  Research into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has focused on single symptoms and we lack knowledge about possible associations between several symptoms.Methods.  A total of 154 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease participated in a cross‐sectional study from June 2006 to December 2007 (response rate 40%). All underwent pulmonary lung function tests and completed questionnaires including demographic variables, the Brief Pain Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Lee Fatigue Scale, General Sleep Disturbance Scale and the Respiratory Quality of Life Questionnaire. Bivariate correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed.Results.  Breathlessness was statistically significantly positively associated with the other symptoms, after controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Younger age was statistically significantly related to more breathlessness, anxiety and sleeping difficulties and lower levels of education was statistically significantly related to more breathlessness, depression and anxiety. In relation to clinical variables, smoking was statistically significantly related to more depression, whereas more co‐morbidity was statistically significantly related to more breathlessness and pain. Poorer lung function was statistically significantly related to more breathlessness. However, higher lung function was related to more sleeping difficulties.Conclusion.  Breathlessness is associated with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleeping difficulties and pain, suggesting the need for an expanded focus on symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease guidelines, health care and research.
Population genetics reveals origin and number of founders in a biological invasion
Authors: FICETOLA GENTILE FRANCESCO , BONIN AURELIE , MIAUD CLAUDE 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPropagule pressure is considered the main determinant of success of biological invasions: when a large number of individuals are introduced into an area, the species is more likely to establish and become invasive. Nevertheless, precise data on propagule pressure exist only for a small sample of invasive species, usually voluntarily introduced. We studied the invasion of the American bullfrog,Rana catesbeiana,into Europe, a species that is considered a major cause of decline for native amphibians. For this major invader with scarce historical data, we used population genetics data (a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochromebgene) to infer the invasion history and to estimate the number of founders of non‐native populations. Based on differences between populations, at least six independent introductions from the native range occurred in Europe, followed by secondary translocations. Genetic diversity was strongly reduced in non‐native populations, indicating a very strong bottleneck during colonization. We used simulations to estimate the precise number of founders and found that most non‐native populations derive from less than six females. This capability of invasion from a very small number of propagules challenges usual management strategies; species with such ability should be identified at an early stage of introduction.
Skin diseases in the alpaca (Vicugna pacos): a literature review and retrospective analysis of 68 cases (Cornell University 1997–2006)
Authors: Scott Danny W. , Vogel Jeff W. , Fleis Rebekah I. , Miller William H. , Smith Mary C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis retrospective study describes 68 alpacas with skin diseases investigated from 1997 through 2006 at Cornell University. During this time period, 40 of 715 (5.6%) alpacas presented to the university hospital had dermatological diseases. In addition, skin‐biopsy specimens accounted for 86 of 353 (24.4%) of alpaca biopsy specimens submitted to the diagnostic laboratory, and of these 86 specimens, follow‐up was available for 28 cases. The following diseases were most common: bacterial infections (22%); neoplasms, cysts and hamartomas (19%); presumed immunological disorders (12%); and ectoparasitisms (10%). Conditions described for the first time included intertrigo, collagen and hair follicle hamartomas, lymphoma, hybrid follicular cysts, melanocytoma, anagen defluxion, telogen defluxion, presumed insect‐bite hypersensitivity, ichthyosis, and possible hereditary bilateral aural haematomas and chondritis. The results of the retrospective study are compared and contrasted with the results of a literature review.
JC virus‐associated nephropathy in a renal transplant recipient and comparative analysis of previous cases
Authors: Kantarci G. , Eren Z. , Demirağ A. , Dogan I. , Çakalagaoglu F. , Yilmaz G. 
Published: September 2010

G. Kantarci, Z. Eren, A. Demirağ, I. Dogan, F. Çakalagaoglu, G. Yilmaz. JC virus‐associated nephropathy in a renal transplant recipient and comparative analysis of previous cases. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 89–92. All rights reservedAbstract: We report JC virus (JCV)‐associated nephropathy in a renal allograft recipient and summarize the clinical and laboratory data of the 8 previous cases. A 28‐year‐old male renal allograft recipient received a preemptive transplant from his father. Six months later, a kidney biopsy was performed because of deterioration of allograft function. Biopsy revealed tubulointerstitial mononuclear infiltrates with normal glomeruli; on hematoxylin and eosin staining, basophilic nuclear inclusions were seen in the nucleus of tubular cells. Urinary cytology failed to demonstrate decoy cells, but polymerase chain reaction of a urinary sample was positive for JCV 3.15 × 1010 copies/mL. Additionally, polyomavirus (SV40) immunohistochemical staining was performed and was positive in the enlarged nuclei of tubular epithelial cells in the kidney biopsy sample. After the diagnosis of polyomavirus‐associated nephropathy (PVAN) was confirmed by kidney biopsy, immunosuppressive agents were reduced. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered 5 times at a dose of 500 mg/kg every other 3 weeks. Two months after diagnosis, the serum creatinine became stable and urinary viral load of JCV was decreased. Because viruria was still present, tacrolimus was converted to sirolimus. Four months after immunosuppressive agent conversion from tacrolimus to sirolimus, the viruria had disappeared. Review of the literature and our case demonstrates that male gender, previous acute rejection episode, low incidence of JCV viremia, PVAN pattern B histology, and reducing immunosuppression are the diagnostic touchstones for PVAN due to JCV.
H1N1 infection in a cohort of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: prompt antiviral therapy might be life saving
Authors: Suyani E. , Aki Z. , Güzel Ö. , Altindal Ş. , Şenol E. , Sucak G. 
Published: September 2010

E. Suyani, Z. Aki, Ö. Güzel, Ş. Altindal, E. Şenol, G. Sucak. H1N1 infection in a cohort of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: prompt antiviral therapy might be life saving. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 208–212. All rights reservedAbstract: Influenza A H1N1 virus, causing a pandemic since spring 2009, has been an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Patients with hematological malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients are in a high‐risk group and might require hospitalization more commonly because of H1N1 infection. Early demonstration of H1N1 influenza virus and commencing antiviral therapy promptly can be life saving particularly in immunosuppressed patients. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 10 HCT recipients who were diagnosed with influenza H1N1 infection at the Stem Cell Transplantation Unit of Gazi University Hospital in Turkey, from October through December 2009. All patients, except 1, were started empirically on oseltamivir on admission, after nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal sampling for H1N1 virus. Four of the patients, 2 of whom developed pneumonia, required hospitalization. One of the patients with pneumonia died of respiratory failure caused by bacterial co‐infection. The course of the remaining patients was uneventful. In conclusion, HCT recipients infected with H1N1 during the influenza H1N1 pandemic did not necessarily have an adverse prognosis, particularly with prompt administration of the appropriate antiviral therapy.
Duplicate retention in signalling proteins and constraints from network dynamics
Authors: SOYER O. S. , CREEVEY C. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDuplications are a major driving force behind evolution. Most duplicates are believed to fix through genetic drift, but it is not clear whether this process affects all duplications equally or whether there are certain gene families that are expected to show neutral expansions under certain circumstances. Here, we analyse the neutrality of duplications in different functional classes of signalling proteins based on their effects on response dynamics. We find that duplications involving intermediary proteins in a signalling network are neutral more often than those involving receptors. Although the fraction of neutral duplications in all functional classes increase with decreasing population size and selective pressure on dynamics, this effect is most pronounced for receptors, indicating a possible expansion of receptors in species with small population size. In line with such an expectation, we found a statistically significant increase in the number of receptors as a fraction of genome size in eukaryotes compared with prokaryotes. Although not confirmative, these results indicate that neutral processes can be a significant factor in shaping signalling networks and affect proteins from different functional classes differently.
Collagen cross‐linking: a new treatment paradigm in corneal disease – a review
Authors: Snibson Grant R 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe last 2 years has seen a marked increase in the prominence of corneal collagen cross‐linking as a treatment strategy for progressive keratoconus. This interest has arisen from a body of laboratory evidence documenting the biomechanical and cellular changes induced by cross‐linking. The findings of this research provide a plausible rationale for its use in keratoconus to retard the progression of this common disease. The rapidly growing number of clinical reports suggests, not only a consistent stabilizing effect of cross‐linking, but that a variable improvement in corneal shape and visual function may also occur in some patients. However, the marked variation in the clinical course of keratoconus, together with the challenges of accurately evaluating refractive error, visual acuity and even corneal shape in this condition, demands further evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials. The aim of this review is to summarize the theoretical basis and risks of corneal collagen cross‐linking, along with the available evidence for its use in keratoconus and other corneal disease states.
Early change detection in humans as revealed by auditory brainstem and middle‐latency evoked potentials
Authors: Slabu Lavinia , Escera Carles , Grimm Sabine , Costa‐Faidella Jordi 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe ability to detect unexpected novel stimuli is crucial for survival, as it might urge a prompt adaptive response. Human auditory novelty detection has been associated to the mismatch negativity long‐latency auditory‐evoked potential, peaking at 100–200 ms. Yet, recent animal studies showing novelty responses at a very short latency (about 20–30 ms) in individual neurons already at the level of the midbrain and thalamus suggest that novelty detection might be a basic principle of the functional organization of the auditory system, expanding from lower levels in the brainstem along the auditory pathway up to higher‐order areas of the cerebral cortex. To test this suggestion, we here measured auditory brainstem and middle latency response (MLR) to frequency novel stimuli embedded in an oddball sequence. To oversee refractoriness confounds a ‘control block’ was used. The results showed that occasional changes in auditory frequency information were detected as early as 30 ms (Pa waveform of the MLR) after stimulus onset. The control block precluded these effects as resulting merely from refractoriness, altogether supporting the notion of ‘true’ early auditory change detection in humans, matching the latency range of auditory novelty responses described in individual neurons of subhuman species. Our results suggest that auditory change detection of frequency information is a multistage process that occurs at the primary auditory cortex and is transmitted to the higher levels of the auditory pathway.
Comparing organic farming and land sparing: optimizing yield and butterfly populations at a landscape scale
Authors: Hodgson Jenny A. , Kunin William E. , Thomas Chris D. , Benton Tim G. , Gabriel Doreen 
Published: September 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 1358–1367AbstractOrganic farming aims to be wildlife‐friendly, but it may not benefit wildlife overall if much greater areas are needed to produce a given quantity of food. We measured the density and species richness of butterflies on organic farms, conventional farms and grassland nature reserves in 16 landscapes. Organic farms supported a higher density of butterflies than conventional farms, but a lower density than reserves. Using our data, we predict the optimal land‐use strategy to maintain yield whilst maximizing butterfly abundance under different scenarios. Farming conventionally and sparing land as nature reserves is better for butterflies when the organic yield per hectare falls below 87% of conventional yield. However, if the spared land is simply extra field margins, organic farming is optimal whenever organic yields are over 35% of conventional yields. The optimal balance of land sparing and wildlife‐friendly farming to maintain production and biodiversity will differ between landscapes.
Ability of cystatin C to detect acute changes in glomerular filtration rate provoked by hyperglycaemia in uncomplicated Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Cherney D. Z. I. , Sochett E. B. , Dekker M. G. , Perkins B. A. 
Published: September 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1358–1365 (2010)AbstractAims  Systematic study of hyperfiltration in diabetic nephropathy has been hindered by the lack of a simple glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measure that is accurate in this range of renal function. Serum cystatin C (GFRCYSTATIN C) reflects long‐term trends in GFR in normal or elevated ranges. To test whether it can reflect acute changes, we examined the impact of clamped hyperglycaemia on GFRCYSTATIN C and GFRINULIN in subjects with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  GFRINULIN and GFRCYSTATIN C were measured in 32 normotensive, normoalbuminuric subjects during clamped euglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. For comparison, GFRMDRD was estimated according to the four‐variable equation.Results  During clamped euglycaemia, agreement between GFRCYSTATIN C and GFRINULIN was excellent, with mean bias +1.9 (90% distribution −29 to +31) ml min−1 1.73 m−2, while GFRMDRD had mean bias +11.4 (−45 to +51) ml min−1 1.73 m−2. With exposure to clamped hyperglycaemia, the mean increase in GFRCYSTATIN C (+17.5 ± 13.5 ml min−1 1.73 m−2) reflected that observed with GFRINULIN (+15.3 ± 28.1 ml min−1 1.73 m−2, P = 0.74), while GFRMDRD demonstrated a mean decline of −4.4 ± 33.6 ml min−1 1.73 m−2 (P = 0.01). In all 24 subjects in whom GFRINULIN increased in response to hyperglycaemia, GFRCYSTATIN C reflected a concordant change (sensitivity, 100%) while GFRMDRD increased in 10/24 (sensitivity, 42%). In the eight remaining subjects, specificity was 25 and 75% for GFRCYSTATIN C and GFRMDRD, respectively.Conclusion  GFRCYSTATIN C reflects normal and elevated renal function better than GFRMDRD even under the acute influences of hyperglycaemia, suggesting a role for cystatin C in clinical practice and research for the study of early renal function changes in Type 1 diabetes.