bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of clinical characteristics and management of inflammatory bowel disease in Hong Kong versus Melbourne
Authors: Prideaux Lani , Kamm Michael A , De Cruz Peter , Williams James , Bell Sally J , Connell William R , Brown Steven J , Lust Mark , Desmond Paul V , Chan Heyson , Chow Dorothy K L , Wu Justin C Y , Leong Rupert W , Sung Joseph J , Chan Francis K L , Ng Siew C 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), common in Melbourne, was rare but is now increasing in incidence in Hong Kong (HK). To investigate whether these are the same diseases in the West and East, potential causes of changing incidence, and to plan resource needs, an appreciation of clinical characteristics in contrasting populations is essential.Methods:  Disease characteristics were collected from prospectively populated IBD databases in two specialist centers in Melbourne, Australia and HK.Results:  Of 795 patients (Crohn's disease [CD] : ulcerative colitis [UC] Melbourne 272:159 and HK 161:203), the age of diagnosis was higher, there were proportionally more male patients with CD but no UC sex difference, fewer patients were current or ex‐smokers (CD 8% vs 50%; UC 17% vs 35%) and a family history of IBD was less common (2% vs 11%; P < 0.001) in HK compared to Melbourne. Stricturing and perianal CD were more common in HK (12% vs 6%; P < 0.001; and 29% vs 16%; P = 0.001, respectively). In HK for UC, more patients had extensive disease at diagnosis (42% vs 22%) but colectomy was less common (7% vs 20%; P < 0.001). In Melbourne there was greater steroid use at diagnosis and patients were more likely to receive an immunomodulator or anti‐tumor necrosis factor agent.Conclusions:  IBD in HK was diagnosed at an older age, and had more complicated disease behavior than in Melbourne. Medical therapy, however, was less intense in HK. These differences may relate to real differences in disease or delayed diagnosis due to late presentation and less disease recognition in HK.
Personal narrative skills of school‐aged children with Down syndrome
Authors: van Bysterveldt Anne Katherine , Westerveld Marleen Frederike , Gillon Gail , Foster‐Cohen Susan 
Published: November 2011

Abstract Background: Personal narratives are descriptions of past events experienced by the speaker and are one of the most commonly found forms of narration in children. The ability to tell personal narratives is considered critical for socio‐emotional wellbeing and academic performance.Aims: This study investigated the personal narrative skills of 25 children with Down syndrome (age 5;11–13;1 years) who attended predominantly mainstream primary schools in New Zealand and were classified as beginning readers.Methods & Procedures: Personal narrative samples were elicited by the children's speech–language therapists using a standard protocol commonly used with New Zealand children. Children were shown a series of 11 photographs with scripted introductory prompts and were asked if anything like that ever happened to them. Transcribed samples were analysed on measures of mean length of utterance in morphemes (MLU‐M), semantics (number of different words; NDW), and personal narrative quality (PNQ).Outcomes & Results: Consistent with previous research, results showed wide variability in performance. Although 92% of the children produced at least 50 utterances in response to the prompts, in general MLU‐M was very low (mean = 2.67, SD = 1.04). NDW ranged from 19 to 126 (mean = 61.52, SD = 25.39). Regression analyses showed no significant effect for age on MLU‐M (p= 0.094), nor on PNQ. There was a significant effect for age on NDW (p= 0.03), with performance improving with age. Analysis of PNQ revealed that only four children (ages 9;11–12;7) were able to relate a personal narrative containing a high point. Correlational analyses indicated significant correlations between PNQ, MLU‐M, NDW and performance on a standardized reading test.Conclusions & Implications: The findings highlight the difficulties children with Down syndrome have in producing personal narratives, despite exposure to a national English curriculum that encourages children to develop and convey ‘personal voice’. Clinical implications of these findings will be presented.
Sensorimotor integration for speech motor learning involves the inferior parietal cortex
Authors: Shum Mamie , Shiller Douglas M. , Baum Shari R. , Gracco Vincent L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractSensorimotor integration is important for motor learning. The inferior parietal lobe, through its connections with the frontal lobe and cerebellum, has been associated with multisensory integration and sensorimotor adaptation for motor behaviors other than speech. In the present study, the contribution of the inferior parietal cortex to speech motor learning was evaluated using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) prior to a speech motor adaptation task. Subjects’ auditory feedback was altered in a manner consistent with the auditory consequences of an unintended change in tongue position during speech production, and adaptation performance was used to evaluate sensorimotor plasticity and short‐term learning. Prior to the feedback alteration, rTMS or sham stimulation was applied over the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Subjects who underwent the sham stimulation exhibited a robust adaptive response to the feedback alteration whereas subjects who underwent rTMS exhibited a diminished adaptive response. The results suggest that the inferior parietal region, in and around SMG, plays a role in sensorimotor adaptation for speech. The interconnections of the inferior parietal cortex with inferior frontal cortex, cerebellum and primary sensory areas suggest that this region may be an important component in learning and adapting sensorimotor patterns for speech.
Artificial feeding synchronizes behavioral, hormonal, metabolic and neural parameters in mother‐deprived neonatal rabbit pups
Authors: Morgado Elvira , Juárez Claudia , Melo Angel I. , Domínguez Belisario , Lehman Michael N. , Escobar Carolina , Meza Enrique , Caba Mario 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNursing in the rabbit is under circadian control, and pups have a daily anticipatory behavioral arousal synchronized to this unique event, but it is not known which signal is the main entraining cue. In the present study, we hypothesized that food is the main entraining signal. Using mother‐deprived pups, we tested the effects of artificial feeding on the synchronization of locomotor behavior, plasma glucose, corticosterone, c‐Fos (FOS) and PERIOD1 (PER1) rhythms in suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, paraventricular and tuberomammillary nuclei. At postnatal day 1, an intragastric tube was placed by gastrostomy. The next day and for the rest of the experiment, pups were fed with a milk formula through the cannula at either 02:00 h or 10:00 h [feeding time = zeitgeber time (ZT)0]. At postnatal days 5–7, pups exhibited behavioral arousal, with a significant increase in locomotor behavior 60 min before feeding. Glucose levels increased after feeding, peaking at ZT4–ZT12 and then declining. Corticosterone levels were highest around the time of feeding, and then decreased to trough concentrations at ZT12–ZT16, increasing again in anticipation of the next feeding bout. In the brain, the suprachiasmatic nucleus had a rhythm of FOS and PER1 that was not significantly affected by the feeding schedule. Conversely, the supraoptic, paraventricular and tuberomammillary nuclei had rhythms of both FOS and PER1 induced by the time of scheduled feeding. We conclude that the nursing rabbit pup is a natural model of food entrainment, as food, in this case milk formula, is a strong synchronizing signal for behavioral, hormonal, metabolic and neural parameters.
Ablation of connexin30 in transgenic mice alters expression patterns of connexin26 and connexin32 in glial cells and leptomeninges
Authors: Lynn B. D. , Tress O. , May D. , Willecke K. , Nagy J. I. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractExpression of connexin26 (Cx26), Cx30 and Cx43 in astrocytes and expression of Cx29, Cx32 and Cx47 in oligodendrocytes of adult rodent brain has been well documented, as has the interdependence of connexin expression patterns of macroglial cells in Cx32‐ and Cx47‐knockout mice. To investigate this interdependence further, we examined immunofluorescence labelling of glial connexins in transgenic Cx30 null mice. Ablation of astrocytic Cx30, confirmed by the absence of immunolabelling for this connexin in all brain regions, resulted in the loss of its coupling partner Cx32 on the oligodendrocyte side of astrocyte–oligodendrocyte (A/O) gap junctions, but had no effect on the localization of astrocytic Cx43 and oligodendrocytic Cx47 at these junctions or on the distribution of Cx32 along myelinated fibres. Surprisingly, gene deletion of Cx30 led to the near total elimination of immunofluorescence labelling for Cx26 in all leptomeningeal tissues covering brain surfaces as well as in astrocytes of brain parenchyma. Moreover northern blot analysis revealed downregulation of Cx26 mRNA in Cx30‐knockout brains. Our results support earlier observations on the interdependency of Cx30/Cx32 targeting to A/O gap junctions and further suggest that Cx26 mRNA expression is affected by Cx30 gene expression. In addition, Cx30 protein may be required for co‐stabilization of gap junctions or for co‐trafficking in cells.
Gap junction‐mediated calcium waves define communication networks among murine postnatal neural progenitor cells
Authors: Lacar Benjamin , Young Stephanie Z. , Platel Jean‐Claude , Bordey Angélique 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn the postnatal neurogenic niche, two populations of astrocyte‐like cells (B cells) persist, one acting as neural progenitor cells (NPCs, B1 cells) and one forming a structural boundary between the neurogenic niche and the striatum (B2 cells, niche astrocytes). Despite being viewed as two distinct entities, we found that B1 and B2 cells express the gap junction protein connexin 43 and display functional coupling involving 50–60 cells. Using neonatal electroporation to label slowly cycling radial glia‐derived B1 cells, which send a basal process onto blood vessels, we further confirmed dye coupling between NPCs. To assess the functionality of the coupling, we used calcium imaging in a preparation preserving the three‐dimensional architecture of the subventricular zone. Intercellular calcium waves were observed among B cells. These waves travelled bidirectionally between B1 and B2 cells and propagated on blood vessels. Inter‐B‐cell calcium waves were absent in the presence of a gap junction blocker but persisted with purinergic receptor blockers. These findings show that privileged microdomains of communication networks exist among NPCs and niche astrocytes. Such functional coupling between these two cell types suggests that niche astrocytes do not merely have a structural role, but may play an active role in shaping the behavior of NPCs.
Positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa
Authors: Pretorius R. , Klopper H.C. 
Published: November 2011

PRETORIUS R. & KLOPPER H.C. (2011) Positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa. International Nursing Review59, 66–72Background:  The demanding nature of the critical care unit (CCU) presents a challenge to many nursing professionals and carries the risk of a high turnover rate. The critical care nurse (CCN) is responsible for caring for the most ill patients in hospitals, and the acute shortage of nurses contributes to the intensity and pressure of the environment. While the reasons for the nursing shortage are varied and complex; a key factor seems to be an unhealthy work environment. Little evidence exists of research conducted to investigate the practice environment of CCNs in South Africa (SA).Purpose:  This study aimed to construct a grounded theory for positive practice environments (PPEs) in private CCUs in SA.Methods:  Intensive interviews and a constant comparative approach to data collection and data analysis were used to explore the participants' (n = 6) perceptions of the elements of a PPE.Findings:  A theory depicting the core conceptual category of being in control and its relation to the other six categories was constructed from the data to explain a PPE for private CCUs in SA.Conclusions:  The study provides a robust overview of the elements of a PPE and contributes to the constructivist application of grounded theory.Study limitations:  The study was conducted in the private healthcare sector in SA, thus limiting the findings to this context.
Critical care nursing organizations and activities: a third worldwide review
Authors: Williams G. , Bost N. , Chaboyer W. , Fulbrook P. , Alberto L. , Thorsteinsdóttir R. , Schmollgruber S. , Chan D. 
Published: November 2011

WILLIAMS G., BOST N., CHABOYER W., FULBROOK P., ALBERTO L., THORSTEINSDÓTTIR R., SCHMOLLGRUBER S. & CHAN D. (2011) Critical care nursing organizations and activities: a third worldwide review. International Nursing Review59, 73–80Aim:  The study aim was to profile the issues and activities of critical care nurses and professional critical care nursing organizations (CCNOs), and to identify expectations of the role of the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. This information will determine how the critical care nursing specialty is changing over time and assist to formulate strategies that provide ongoing support to critical care nursing internationally.Background:  This study is the third worldwide review of CCNOs. Two previous surveys were undertaken in 1999–2000 and in 2005. Data were collected from 23 and 51 countries, respectively.Methods:  An online descriptive survey was e‐mailed to 97 countries with CCNOs or known nursing leaders. Responses were analysed descriptively by geographical region.Results:  Sixty‐five respondents completed the questionnaire, achieving a 67% return rate. The most common issues identified were teamwork, access to educational programmes, formal practice guidelines/competencies, staffing levels and working conditions. Respondents perceived professional representation, national conferences, practice standards/guidelines, educational course standards, website provision, skills courses and educational workshops as the most important activities that should be provided by national CCNOs. Furthermore, less affluent countries showed greater emphasis on educational and training needs compared with wealthier counties and had poorer access to Internet and other supportive infrastructure.Conclusions:  Teamwork, education, development of practice guidelines and workforce remain important issues to critical care nurses and have changed very little over the last 10 years, although the emphasis on teamwork is stronger than a decade ago. Differences in emphasis occur between affluent and less affluent countries and need to be acknowledged. Future research is recommended to better understand those priorities to enable the global community of critical care nurses to respond constructively.
Alcohol consumption patterns among parents of hospitalized children: findings from a brief intervention study
Authors: Bjerregaard L. , Rubak S. , Høst A. , Wagner L. 
Published: November 2011

Bjerregaard L., Rubak S., Høst A. & Wagner L. (2011) Alcohol consumption patterns among parents of hospitalized children: findings from a brief intervention study. International Nursing Review59, 132–138Aims:  This study aimed to explore parents' perception and experience of a brief intervention (BI), focusing on their alcohol consumption habits to assess the impact on parents of staff members using motivational interviewing (MI) and to gain knowledge of how to reinforce initiatives regarding behavioural changes of lifestyle problems in a clinical setting.Background:  Substantial parental alcohol consumption influences children's development negatively. Nursing staff lacks knowledge and training in communicating with parents about alcohol issues. Little is known about parents' attitudes towards, and perception of, nursing staff addressing issues concerning their use of alcohol.Methods:  A qualitative approach by use of phenomenological and hermeneutic methods was applied. Through interviews with 15 parents, their opinions and perceptions of a brief alcohol intervention were explored.Results:  Three themes emerged from the phenomenological reduction: (1) experiencing respect and genuine interest from the nursing staff, (2) BI causing reflections on own use of alcohol, and (3) reflections continuing and developing over time.Conclusion and practice implications:  The parents did not mind having their lifestyle habits discussed in connection with having their child admitted to hospital. The method MI proved effective in getting the parents to talk about and reflect on alcohol consumption habits. The effects of the intervention seemed to last beyond the first months after the intervention took place.
Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis: analysis of 10 cases and a brief review of the literature
Authors: Lange M. , Niedoszytko M. , Nedoszytko B. , Łata J. , Trzeciak M. , Biernat W. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground  Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) is an extremely rare disease characterized by mast cell (MCs) infiltration of the entire skin. Little is known about the natural course of DCM.Objectives  We decided to characterize clinical manifestations, the frequency of MCs mediator‐related symptoms and anaphylaxis, risk of systemic mastocytosis (SM) and prognosis, based on 10 cases of DCM, the largest series published to date.Methods  Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis, DCM was confirmed by histopathological examination of skin samples in all cases. SCORing Mastocytosis (SCORMA) Index was used to assess the intensity of DCM. The analysis of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests, including serum tryptase levels was performed. Bone marrow biopsy was done only in selected cases.Results  Large haemorrhagic bullous variant of DCM (five cases) and infiltrative small vesicular variant (five cases) were identified. The skin symptoms appeared in age‐dependent manner; blistering predominated in infancy, whereas grain‐leather appearance of the skin and pseudoxanthomatous presentation developed with time. SM was not recognized in any of the patients. Mast cell mediator‐related symptoms were present in all cases. Anaphylactic shock occurred in three patients. Follow‐up performed in seven cases revealed slight improvement of skin symptoms, reflected by decrease of SCORMA Index in all of them. Serum tryptase levels declined with time in six cases.Conclusions  Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis, DCM is a heterogeneous, severe, cutaneous disease, associated with mediator‐related symptoms and risk of anaphylactic shock. Although our results suggest generally favourable prognosis, the review of the literature indicate that SM may occur. Therefore, more guarded prognosis should be given in DCM patients.
Examining the application of Web 2.0 in medical‐related organisations
Authors: Chu Samuel Kai Wah , Woo Matsuko , King Ronnel B. , Choi Stephen , Cheng Miffy , Koo Peggy 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectives:  This study surveyed Web 2.0 application in three types of selected health or medical‐related organisations such as university medical libraries, hospitals and non‐profit medical‐related organisations.Methods:  Thirty organisations participated in an online survey on the perceived purposes, benefits and difficulties in using Web 2.0. A phone interview was further conducted with eight organisations (26.7%) to collect information on the use of Web 2.0. Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches.Results:  Results showed that knowledge and information sharing and the provision of a better communication platform were rated as the main purposes of using Web 2.0. Time constraints and low staff engagement were the most highly rated difficulties. In addition, most participants found Web 2.0 to be beneficial to their organisations.Conclusions:  Medical‐related organisations that adopted Web 2.0 technologies have found them useful, with benefits outweighing the difficulties in the long run. The implications of this study are discussed to help medical‐related organisations make decisions regarding the use of Web 2.0 technologies.
Comparative Cost Analysis of Housing and Case Management Program for Chronically Ill Homeless Adults Compared to Usual Care
Authors: Basu Anirban , Kee Romina , Buchanan David , Sadowski Laura S. 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo assess the costs of a housing and case management program in a novel sample—homeless adults with chronic medical illnesses.Data SourceThe study used data from multiple sources: (1) electronic medical records for hospital, emergency room, and ambulatory medical and mental health visits; (2) institutional and regional databases for days in respite centers, jails, or prisons; and (3) interviews for days in nursing homes, shelters, substance abuse treatment centers, and case manager visits. Total costs were estimated using unit costs for each service.Study DesignRandomized controlled trial of 407 homeless adults with chronic medical illnesses enrolled at two hospitals inChicago,Illinois, and followed for 18 months.Principal FindingsCompared to usual care, the intervention group generated an average annual cost savings of (−)$6,307 per person (95 percentCI: −16,616, 4,002;p = .23). Subgroup analyses of chronically homeless and those withHIVshowed higher per person, annual cost savings of (−)$9,809 and (−)$6,622, respectively. Results were robust to sensitivity analysis using unit costs.ConclusionThe findings of this comprehensive, comparative cost analyses demonstrated an important average annual savings, though in this underpowered study these savings did not achieve statistical significance.
Patient–Physician Role Relationships and Patient Activation among Individuals with Chronic Illness
Authors: Alexander Jeffrey A. , Hearld Larry R. , Mittler Jessica N. , Harvey Jillian 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo examine whether chronically ill patients’ perceptions of their role relationships with their physicians are associated with levels of patient activation.Data SourcesRandom digit dial survey of 8,140 chronically ill patients and the Area Resource File.Study DesignCross‐sectional, multivariate analysis of the relationship between dimensions of patient–physician role relationships and level of patient activation. The study controlled for variables related to patient demographics, socioeconomic status, health status, and market and family context.Principal FindingsHigher perceived quality of interpersonal exchange with physicians, greater fairness in the treatment process, and more out‐of‐office contact with physicians were associated with higher levels of patient activation. Treatment goal setting was not significantly associated with patient activation.ConclusionPatient–physician relationships are an important factor in patients taking a more active role in their health and health care. Efforts to increase activation that focus only on individual patients ignore the important fact that the nature of roles and relationships between provider and patient can shape the behaviors and attitudes of patients in ways that support or discourage patient activation.