bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nurses’ perception of disaster: implications for disaster nursing curriculum
Authors: Olivia Fung WM , Claudia Lai KY , Yuen Loke Alice 
Published: July 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aims of the study were to identify nurses’ perception of disaster, whether they considered some of the events that have occurred in Hong Kong to be disasters and the types of disastrous events that they considered likely in Hong Kong.Background.  The frequent occurrence of disasters has caused concern internationally. When disaster strikes, the demands on nursing staff are much higher than those on other healthcare professionals. There is little understanding of the concept of disaster among nurses in Hong Kong.Design.  This was a descriptive study. A questionnaire was used to explore nurses’ perception of disaster.Method.  The questionnaire was distributed to all registered nurses studying in a master’s degree programme in a university in Hong Kong.Findings.  Only 123 out of the 164 respondents (75%) gave a description of disaster in the open‐ended question. Sixty‐one per cent of them described unfortunate events with large numbers of victims as disasters. The ‘Lan Kwai Fong tragedy – stampede caused by over‐crowdedness’ (90·9%) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak (89·6%) were commonly referred to as disasters in Hong Kong. Fires in tall buildings (61·6%), infectious disease outbreaks (61%) and stampedes caused by overcrowding (48·8%) were rated as the events most likely to happen in Hong Kong.Conclusion.  Understanding how nurses perceive disaster and the likelihood of disastrous events is the initial step for disaster planning and the development of a disaster nursing curriculum in Hong Kong.Relevance to clinical practice.  All nurses around the world should be equipped with knowledge and skills for disaster care. This study provides information and implications for related research and the development of a disaster nursing curriculum to meet the global demand for disaster preparedness.
Professional aphasia care trusting the patient’s competence while facing existential issues
Authors: Nyström Maria 
Published: July 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to complement ‘expert’ knowledge about speech‐language therapy by studying the phenomenon of professional aphasia care from the patient’s perspective.Background.  The methods for assisting patients with aphasia have mainly been based on speech language therapy with methods for training language. However, the effectiveness of mereley training has not been conclusively proven. In this study, it was assumed that patients with impaired use of language require professional caring interventions as a base for training.Design.  A phenomenological approach was used to gain understanding of patients’ lived experiences of professional aphasia care.Method.  Data consisted of eight in‐depth interviews, four follow‐up interviews, two notes from diaries and two biographies. Data were analysed according to a descriptive phenomenological method.Results.  The essential meaning of the phenomenon was: trusting the patient’s competence while facing existential issues. To enhance understanding, the essential meaning was specified in terms of the following constituents: preventing isolation, straightforwardness, provision of security, recognition of caring needs, encouraging efforts to practise language, equality and supporting maintenance of identity.Conclusions.  This study adds to the knowledge about speech‐language therapy that professional aphasia care presupposes a secure base and a carer who recognises and trusts the patient’s ability to think and communicate.Relevance to clinical practice.  Implications for clinical practice are outlined under the following main headings, a secure caring base, encourage a fighting spirit and expressions of feelings, facilitate communication, try to understand the patient’s existential situation and enable patients to recognise that their self‐image derives from the painful experience of losing the world of symbols. Inside is the same person and carers should make it clear that they are aware of that.
Psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale
Authors: Lu Chia‐Chen , Lin Hsi‐Hui , Chen Chia‐Jung , Huang Chih‐Ling 
Published: July 2009

Aims.  This paper reports on a study to establish the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale as these apply in Taiwan.Background.  The instruments for measuring cigarette dependence among adolescent smokers are not available in Taiwan. Therefore, it has not so far been possible to assess such dependence.Design.  Survey.Method.  A sample comprising 293 adolescent smokers was recruited. They were drawn from nine senior high schools in middle and southern Taiwan. The Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale and the Fagerstrom Test of nicotine dependence were administered, with saliva being subjected to salivary cotinine analysis using competitive enzyme immunoassay kits.Results.  The internal structure of the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale (DTDS) was first examined using exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation. By applying the parallel test as the means of selection, four criteria emerged from the factor analysis that accounted for 47·7% of the variance. Concerning criterion validity, the DTDS was found to have a positive and significant association with the Fagerstrom test of nicotine dependence scores (r = 0·58; p < 0·01) and with saliva cotinine levels (r = 0·30; p < 0·01). Cronbach’s α values for the DTDS were 0·94.Conclusions.  The study confirmed that the Chinese version of the DTDS is similar to the English version in that it is multidimensional and has consistent factor structures. And, as a result of the study, it was established that the Chinese version of the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale is a reliable and valid measure of tobacco dependence among adolescents in Taiwan.Relevance to clinical practice.  The DTDS can provide health professionals with a reference measure for assessing adolescents’ tobacco dependence when applied in the context of a smoking cessation programme.
Effects of a postdischarge transitional care programme for patients with coronary heart disease in China: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Yue , Wong Frances Kam Yuet 
Published: July 2009

Aim.  To test the effects of a postdischarge transitional care programme among patients with coronary heart disease.Background.  Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Effective postdischarge care can help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle and thereby control the risk factors. Transitional care is under‐developed in mainland China.Design.  A randomised controlled trial.Method.  The control group (n = 100) received routine care and the study group (n = 100) received the postdischarge transitional care programme, which consisted of predischarge assessment, structured home visits and telephone follow‐ups within four weeks after discharge. Subjects were recruited in 2002–2003, with data collected at baseline before discharge, two days and four and 12 weeks after discharge.Results.  Participants in the study group had significantly better understanding in diet, medications and health‐related lifestyle behaviour at day 2 and in weeks 4 and 12 and better understanding in exercise at weeks 4 and 12. There were significant differences between the control and study groups in diet and health‐related lifestyle at day 2 and weeks 4 and 12, in medication at weeks 4 and 12 and exercise at week 12. There was no difference in hospital readmission between the two groups. The study group was very satisfied with the care. There was no difference in willingness to pay for nurse follow‐up services between groups.Conclusion.  This study is an original effort to establish and test a nurse‐led transitional care model in China. Results demonstrate that transitional care is effective in mainland China, concurring with studies done elsewhere.Relevance to clinical practice.  This study has constructed a transitional care model for patients with coronary heart disease in the context of the Chinese population which is effective in enhancing healthy lifestyle among these patients.
Collection of secondary electrons in scanning electron microscopes
Authors: MÜLLEROVÁ I. , KONVALINA I. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryCollection of the secondary electrons in the scanning electron microscope was simulated and the results have been experimentally verified for two types of the objective lens and three detection systems. The aberration coefficients of both objective lenses as well as maximum axial magnetic fields in the specimen region are presented. Compared are a standard side‐attached secondary electron detector, in which only weak electrostatic and nearly no magnetic field influence the signal trajectories in the specimen vicinity, and the side‐attached (lower) and upper detectors in an immersion system with weak electrostatic but strong magnetic field penetrating towards the specimen. The collection efficiency was calculated for all three detection systems and several working distances. The ability of detectors to attract secondary electron trajectories for various initial azimuthal and polar angles was calculated, too. According to expectations, the lower detector of an immersion system collects no secondary electrons I and II emitted from the specimen and only backscattered electrons and secondary electrons III form the final image. The upper detector of the immersion system exhibits nearly 100% collection efficiency decreasing, however, with the working distance, but the topographical contrast is regrettably suppressed in its image. The collection efficiency of the standard detector is low for short working distances but increases with the same, preserving strong topographical contrast.
Evidence for a discrete evolutionary lineage within Equatorial Guinea suggests that the tsetse flyGlossina palpalis palpalisexists as a species complex
Authors: DYER N. A. , FURTADO A. , CANO J. , FERREIRA F. , ODETE AFONSO M. , NDONG‐MABALE N. , NDONG‐ASUMU P. , CENTENO‐LIMA S. , BENITO A. , WEETMAN D. , DONNELLY M. J. , PINTO J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTsetse flies of thepalpalisgroup are major vectors of Human African Trypanosomiasis in Africa. Accurate knowledge of species identity is essential for vector control. Here, we combine ribosomalinternal transcribed spacer 1(ITS1), mitochondrialCytochrome Oxidase 1(COI) and microsatellites to determine the population structure and phylogenetic relations ofGlossina p. palpalisin Equatorial Guinea.CO1sequence data suggest thatG. p. palpalisin Equatorial Guinea is a distinct subspecies from previously describedG. p. palpalisin West Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo.Glossina p. palpalisin Equatorial Guinea and DRC share a common ancestor which diverged from West AfricanG. p. palpalisaround 1.9 Ma. PreviousITS1length polymorphism data suggested the possible presence of hybrids in Equatorial Guinea. However,ITS1showed incomplete lineage sorting compared with clearly definedCOIgroups, and data from 12 unlinked microsatellites provided no evidence of hybridization. Microsatellite data indicated moderate but significant differentiation between the populations analysed (Rio Campo, Mbini and Kogo). Moreover, unlike previous studies ofG. p. palpalis, there was no evidence for heterozygote deficiency, presence of migrants or cryptic population structure. Variance effective population size at Rio Campo was estimated at 501–731 assuming eight generations per year. This study of the population genetics ofG. p. palpalisin central Africa provides the first estimate of genetic differentiation between geographically separatedG. p. palpalispopulations.
GDP‐d‐mannose 3,5‐epimerase (GME) plays a key role at the intersection of ascorbate and non‐cellulosic cell‐wall biosynthesis in tomato
Authors: Gilbert Louise , Alhagdow Moftah , Nunes‐Nesi Adriano , Quemener Bernard , Guillon Fabienne , Bouchet Brigitte , Faurobert Mireille , Gouble Barbara , Page David , Garcia Virginie , Petit Johann , Stevens Rebecca , Causse Mathilde , Fernie Alisdair R. , Lahaye Marc , Rothan Christophe , Baldet Pierre 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe GDP‐d‐mannose 3,5‐epimerase (GME, EC 5.1.3.18), which converts GDP‐d‐mannose to GDP‐l‐galactose, is generally considered to be a central enzyme of the major ascorbate biosynthesis pathway in higher plants, but experimental evidence for its role in planta is lacking. Using transgenic tomato lines that were RNAi‐silenced for GME, we confirmed that GME does indeed play a key role in the regulation of ascorbate biosynthesis in plants. In addition, the transgenic tomato lines exhibited growth defects affecting both cell division and cell expansion. A further remarkable feature of the transgenic plants was their fragility and loss of fruit firmness. Analysis of the cell‐wall composition of leaves and developing fruit revealed that the cell‐wall monosaccharide content was altered in the transgenic lines, especially those directly linked to GME activity, such as mannose and galactose. In agreement with this, immunocytochemical analyses showed an increase of mannan labelling in stem and fruit walls and of rhamnogalacturonan labelling in the stem alone. The results of MALDI‐TOF fingerprinting of mannanase cleavage products of the cell wall suggested synthesis of specific mannan structures with modified degrees of substitution by acetate in the transgenic lines. When considered together, these findings indicate an intimate linkage between ascorbate and non‐cellulosic cell‐wall polysaccharide biosynthesis in plants, a fact that helps to explain the common factors in seemingly unrelated traits such as fruit firmness and ascorbate content.
Two Arabidopsis 3‐ketoacyl CoA synthase genes, KCS20 and KCS2/DAISY, are functionally redundant in cuticular wax and root suberin biosynthesis, but differentially controlled by osmotic stress
Authors: Lee Saet‐Buyl , Jung Su‐Jin , Go Young‐Sam , Kim Hyun‐Uk , Kim Jeong‐Kook , Cho Hong‐Joo , Park Ohkmae K. , Suh Mi‐Chung 
Published: July 2009

SummaryVery‐long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential precursors of cuticular waxes and aliphatic suberins in roots. The first committed step in VLCFA biosynthesis is condensation of C2 units to an acyl CoA by 3‐ketoacyl CoA synthase (KCS). In this study, two KCS genes, KCS20 and KCS2/DAISY, that showed higher expression in stem epidermal peels than in stems were isolated. The relative expression of KCS20 and KCS2/DAISY transcripts was compared among various Arabidopsis organs or tissues and under various stress conditions, including osmotic stress. Although the cuticular waxes were not significantly altered in the kcs20 and kcs2/daisy‐1 single mutants, the kcs20 kcs2/daisy‐1 double mutant had a glossy green appearance due to a significant reduction of the amount of epicuticular wax crystals on the stems and siliques. Complete loss of KCS20 and KCS2/DAISY decreased the total wax content in stems and leaves by 20% and 15%, respectively, and an increase of 10–34% was observed in transgenic leaves that over‐expressed KCS20 or KCS2/DAISY. The stem wax phenotype of the double mutant was rescued by expression of KSC20. In addition, the kcs20 kcs2/daisy‐1 roots exhibited growth retardation and abnormal lamellation of the suberin layer in the endodermis. When compared with the single mutants, the roots of kcs20 kcs2/daisy‐1 double mutantss exhibited significant reduction of C22 and C24 VLCFA derivatives but accumulation of C20 VLCFA derivatives in aliphatic suberin. Taken together, these findings indicate that KCS20 and KCS2/DAISY are functionally redundant in the two‐carbon elongation to C22 VLCFA that is required for cuticular wax and root suberin biosynthesis. However, their expression is differentially controlled under osmotic stress conditions.
A systematic review of the importance of milk TGF‐β on immunological outcomes in the infant and young child
Authors: Oddy Wendy H. , Rosales Francisco 
Published: July 2009

Oddy WH, Rosales F. A systematic review of the importance of milk TGF‐β on immunological outcomes in the infant and young child. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 47–59. © 2009 Mead Johnson Nutrition Journal compilation © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/SCytokines in milk like transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) have been shown to induce oral tolerance in experimental animal studies. However, human studies are less consistent with these findings. The primary objective of this review was to conduct a systematic review of published studies on the association between TGF‐β identified in human milk and immunological outcomes in infancy and early childhood. Human prospective clinical studies were identified through MEDLINE, CAB Abstracts, Biological Abstracts and Scopus. Selection criteria included: well described populations of mothers and infants, time of milk sampling, immunological outcome measures and analytical methods of TGF‐β determination. We considered a wide range of immunological outcomes in infancy and early childhood, such as wheeze, atopy, eczema and the immunoglobulin switch. Twelve human studies were included in the review and 67% showed a positive association with TGF‐β1 or TGF‐β2 demonstrating protection against allergy‐related outcomes in infancy and early childhood. High variability in concentrations of TGF‐β was noted between and within studies, some of it explained by maternal history of atopy or by consumption of probiotics. Human milk TGF‐β appears to be essential in developing and maintaining appropriate immune responses in infants and may provide protection against adverse immunological outcomes, corroborating findings from experimental animal studies. Further large clinical studies in diverse human populations are indicated to confirm these results.
Increased oxidative stress in the anterior cingulate cortex of subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Wang Jun‐Feng , Shao Li , Sun Xiujun , Young L Trevor 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Recent studies indicate the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction in brains of subjects with bipolar disorder (BD). Because the mitochondrial electron transport chain is a major source for production of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress, we sought to determine in the present study if BD is associated with oxidative stress.Methods:  Postmortem anterior cingulate brain sections from subjects with BD, major depressive disorder (MDD), or schizophrenia, and from nonpsychiatric, non‐neurologic comparison controls were generously provided by the Stanley Foundation Neuropathology Consortium. Oxidative stress was determined by analyzing 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE), a major product of lipid peroxidation. The level of 4‐HNE was determined by measuring 4‐HNE protein adducts using immunohistochemistry.Results:  We found that 4‐HNE levels were significantly increased by 59% in BD subjects and by 47% in schizophrenia subjects, but not in MDD subjects, when compared with controls. Levels of 4‐HNE were negatively correlated with pH in all 60 subjects. When pH was used as covariate, 4‐HNE levels were still significantly increased in BD subjects when compared with controls. Further, 4‐HNE levels were significantly correlated with pH values only in BD subjects, but not in MDD, schizophrenia, or control subjects.Conclusions:  Oxidative damage in the brain may contribute in part to the pathological process in BD and schizophrenia. This finding also suggests antioxidative stress as a probable alternative approach to the pharmacological treatment of these psychiatric disorders.
Remission from mania is associated with a decrease in amygdala activation during motor response inhibition
Authors: Kaladjian Arthur , Jeanningros Régine , Azorin Jean‐Michel , Nazarian Bruno , Roth Muriel , Anton Jean‐Luc , Mazzola‐Pomietto Pascale 
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  Neuroimaging studies of bipolar disorder (BD) have provided evidence of brain functional abnormalities during both the states of mania and remission. However, the differences in brain function between these two states are still poorly known. In the current study, we aimed to use a longitudinal design to examine the functional changes associated with symptomatic remission from mania within the brain network underlying motor response inhibition.Methods:  Using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 10 BD patients and 10 healthy subjects were imaged twice while performing a Go/NoGo task. Patients were in a manic state when they underwent the first scan and fully remitted during the second scan. A mixed‐effect ANOVA was used to identify brain regions showing differences in activation change over time between the two groups.Results:  The left amygdala was the only brain region to show a time‐dependent change in activation that was significantly different between BD patients and healthy subjects. Further analyses revealed that this difference arose from the patient group, in which amygdala activation was decreased between mania and subsequent remission.Conclusions:  This finding suggests that a decrease in left amygdala responsiveness is a critical phenomenon associated with remission from mania. It emphasizes the relevance of longitudinal approaches for identifying neurofunctional modifications associated with mood changes in BD.
The International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Task Force report on the nomenclature of course and outcome in bipolar disorders
Authors: Tohen Mauricio , Frank Ellen , Bowden Charles L , Colom Francesc , Ghaemi S Nassir , Yatham Lakshmi N , Malhi Gin S , Calabrese Joseph R , Nolen Willem A , Vieta Eduard , Kapczinski Flávio , Goodwin Guy M , Suppes Trisha , Sachs Gary S , Chengappa KN Roy , Grunze Heinz , Mitchell Philip B , Kanba Shigenobu , Berk Michael 
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  Via an international panel of experts, this paper attempts to document, review, interpret, and propose operational definitions used to describe the course of bipolar disorders for worldwide use, and to disseminate consensus opinion, supported by the existing literature, in order to better predict course and treatment outcomes.Methods:  Under the auspices of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, a task force was convened to examine, report, discuss, and integrate findings from the scientific literature related to observational and clinical trial studies in order to reach consensus and propose terminology describing course and outcome in bipolar disorders.Results:  Consensus opinion was reached regarding the definition of nine terms (response, remission, recovery, relapse, recurrence, subsyndromal states, predominant polarity, switch, and functional outcome) commonly used to describe course and outcomes in bipolar disorders. Further studies are needed to validate the proposed definitions.Conclusion:  Determination and dissemination of a consensus nomenclature serve as the first step toward producing a validated and standardized system to define course and outcome in bipolar disorders in order to identify predictors of outcome and effects of treatment. The task force acknowledges that there is limited validity to the proposed terms, as for the most part they represent a consensus opinion. These definitions need to be validated in existing databases and in future studies, and the primary goals of the task force are to stimulate research on the validity of proposed concepts and further standardize the technical nomenclature.