bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma fetuin‐A is associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Dogru Teoman , Genc Halil , Tapan Serkan , Aslan Fatih , Ercin Cemal Nuri , Ors Fatih , Kara Muammer , Sertoglu Erdim , Karslioglu Yildirim , Bagci Sait , Kurt İsmail , Sonmez Alper 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectiveNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is closely associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Fetuin‐A is associated with MetS and NAFLD. We investigated the relationship of circulating fetuin‐A level with markers of endothelial dysfunction and presence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with NAFLD.MethodsThe consecutive 115 patients with NAFLD and age‐matched 74 healthy subjects were enrolled. Plasma levels of fetuin‐A and markers of endothelial dysfunction [asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and adiponectin] were measured by ELISA method. Insulin sensitivity was determined by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness (cIMT) was assessed by high‐resolution ultrasonography.ResultsFetuin‐A and ADMA were higher and, adiponectin was lower in NAFLD group than the control group (P = 0·004, P < 0·001 and P < 0·001, respectively). In addition, NAFLD group had greater cIMT measurements than the controls (P < 0·001). However, no difference was found for fetuin‐A, ADMA, adiponectin and cIMT between two groups when the findings were adjusted according to the glucose, lipids and HOMA‐IR index. In correlation analysis, fetuin‐A was found to be positively correlated with triglyceride (r = 0·23, P = 0·001), HOMA‐IR (r = 0·29, P < 0·001), ADMA (r = 0·24, P = 0·001), cIMT (r = 0·3, P = 0·003) and, negatively correlated with HDL‐C (r = −0·17, P = 0·02) and adiponectin (r = −0·19, P = 0·01) levels. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that fetuin‐A was independently associated with ADMA and cIMT levels.ConclusionThis study demonstrated for the first time that circulating fetuin‐A in NAFLD is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis.
Precepting and symbolic interactionism – a theoretical look at preceptorship during clinical practice
Authors: Carlson Elisabeth 
Published: June 2012

carlson e. (2012) Precepting and symbolic interactionism – a theoretical look at preceptorship during clinical practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(2), 457–464. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06047.xAbstractAim.  To present a discussion of precepting through the use of symbolic interactionism as exemplified by findings from an ethnographic study.Background.  It is a well‐known fact that clinical practice, where students are supervised by precepting nurses, is an important part of nursing education. Several previous studies have stressed the vital role preceptors have for the development of student nurses’ clinical competence. Despite this, few of these findings are discussed from a theoretical standpoint to further explain and illustrate the complexity of preceptorship.Data sources.  This article builds on findings from an ethnographic study undertaken between November 2006–May 2007 and again between March–September 2009. Full details of the empirical findings have been reported elsewhere.Discussion.  Precepting can be understood as a trusting relationship between preceptor and student interacting and sharing nursing activities. The participants’ actions will influence and shape the meaning and understanding of these activities.Implications for nursing.  Precepting is a complex and advanced role for nurses that they need to be properly prepared for. Thus, preceptor preparation needs to be organized in collaboration between healthcare organizations and universities. It is suggested that preceptor preparation programmes should focus on reflection, critical thinking and communication skills.Conclusion.  Symbolic interactionism can serve as a potential theory that will expand the understanding of and give new perspectives of nursing practice. It would therefore be encouraging to see further testing of suitable theories to interpret empirical findings and create opportunities for practice improvement.
Changes in intrapopulation resource use patterns of an endangered raptor in response to a disease‐mediated crash in prey abundance
Authors: Moleón Marcos , Sebastián‐González Esther , Sánchez‐Zapata José A. , Real Joan , Pires Mathias M. , Gil‐Sánchez José M. , Bautista Jesús , Palma Luís , Bayle Patrick , Guimarães Paulo R. , Beja Pedro 
Published: June 2012

Summary1. A long‐standing question in ecology is how natural populations respond to a changing environment. Emergent optimal foraging theory‐based models for individual variation go beyond the population level and predict how its individuals would respond to disturbances that produce changes in resource availability.2. Evaluating variations in resource use patterns at the intrapopulation level in wild populations under changing environmental conditions would allow to further advance in the research on foraging ecology and evolution by gaining a better idea of the underlying mechanisms explaining trophic diversity.3. In this study, we use a large spatio‐temporal scale data set (western continental Europe, 1968–2006) on the diet of Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata breeding pairs to analyse the predator trophic responses at the intrapopulation level to a prey population crash. In particular, we borrow metrics from studies on network structure and intrapopulation variation to understand how an emerging infectious disease [the rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)] that caused the density of the eagle’s primary prey (rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus) to dramatically drop across Europe impacted on resource use patterns of this endangered raptor.4. Following the major RHD outbreak, substantial changes in Bonelli’s Eagle’s diet diversity and organisation patterns at the intrapopulation level took place. Dietary variation among breeding pairs was larger after than before the outbreak. Before RHD, there were no clusters of pairs with similar diets, but significant clustering emerged after RHD. Moreover, diets at the pair level presented a nested pattern before RHD, but not after.5. Here, we reveal how intrapopulation patterns of resource use can quantitatively and qualitatively vary, given drastic changes in resource availability.6. For the first time, we show that a pathogen of a prey species can indirectly impact the intrapopulation patterns of resource use of an endangered predator.
Attitudes of healthcare staff and patients’ family members towards family presence during resuscitation in adult critical care units
Authors: Leung Nga Yee , Chow Susan KY 
Published: June 2012

Aim and objectives:  This study examines the attitudes of healthcare staff and patients’ family members towards family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) in critical care units in Hong Kong.Background:  A wealth of literature is available on FPDR in various hospital and healthcare settings. The findings include many anecdotal accounts of both the positive and the negative effects of family presence. There is little documentation on the comparisons of staff and family members’ perceptions and the predictors of staff attitudes towards FPDR practice.Design:  Cross‐sectional survey design.Method:  A convenience sample of 163 healthcare staff and 69 family members was recruited from the intensive care units.Results:  There was significant difference in the attitudes of healthcare staff and patients’ families towards FPDR. The regression analysis showed that the healthcare staff would be more supportive to FPDR if family members could share the dying moments with patients, family members were accompanied by a bereavement team member, there was adequate staff to support the family and staff members were adequately trained. If healthcare staff feel that family members may have the impression that the resuscitation is chaotic, witness resuscitation is traumatic experience for the family, family presence will increase risk of litigation and colleagues will not allow family members to stay during resuscitation making them less supportive of FPDR. Nurses were more supportive to FPDR than doctors.Conclusion:  The results provide information for healthcare professionals on the development of FPDR programmes for patients and their family members. Through multi‐disciplinary collaborations, the effective and safe implementation of FPDR practice can be enhanced.Relevance to clinical practice:  The results could help the clinical staff to develop written guidelines to produce an integrated and consistent approach to this sensitive issue in clinical practice.
Exploring nurses’ experiences of prescribing in secondary care: informing future education and practice
Authors: Scrafton Jane , McKinnon John , Kane Roslyn 
Published: June 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore the experiences of secondary care nurse prescribers to establish how prescribing is employed and what its benefits and disadvantages are perceived to be.Background.  Nurse prescribing has developed rapidly since it inception almost 20 years ago and there is a significant body of research evaluating its implementation in primary care. Recent expansion of non‐medical prescribing rights has prompted nurses in secondary care establishments to become prescribers. Evaluation of nurse prescribing in this new environment is required, if practice is to be informed and advanced. The lack of such evaluations in the published literature was the impetus for this study.Design.  A cross‐sectional qualitative study.Methods.  A convenience sample of nurse prescribers was interviewed using a single broad question to prompt elaboration. Transcribed interviews were analysed using Colaizzi’s procedural steps.Results.  Three main themes emerged from the analysis: motivations behind becoming a nurse prescriber; benefits and limitations of prescribing education and continuing professional development and prescribing in practice.Conclusion.  Nurses felt nurse prescribing offers clear benefits in relation to patient care. Where nurses were not prescribing, finance arrangements between different NHS trusts appear to be a significant barrier to its successful implementation of prescribing in practice. Nurse prescribing is strongly believed to be the domain of the experienced nurse. There is a clear need for ongoing evaluation of all aspects of nurse prescribing.Relevance to clinical practice.  This paper makes key recommendations on the future development and delivery of programmes of education for nurse prescribers and for the delivery of safe and effective prescribing in practice.
A systematic review of peer support interventions for breastfeeding
Authors: Kaunonen Marja , Hannula Leena , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu 
Published: June 2012

Aims and objectives.  The objective of this systematic review was to describe peer support interventions supporting breastfeeding during pregnancy and the postnatal period.Background.  Breastfeeding is an effective way to promote infants’ health. Including a peer support element in breastfeeding programmes is a highly successful way to increase breastfeeding.Design.  A systematic literature review.Methods.  The review was conducted from the CINAHL, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases from year 2000 until the end of February 2008. According to the inclusion criteria, the adopted studies focused on breastfeeding, breastfeeding support interventions and education of healthy mothers and infants from the perspective of mothers or family members. Additionally, the studies had to be conducted in Europe, North America, Australia or New Zealand to meet the criteria. Articles combining peer support and professional support were also included in the study.Results.  The results indicated that during pregnancy, hospitalisation and the postnatal period, individual support and education were used most commonly. Peer support was strongly associated with the postnatal period. The combination of professional support and peer support by trained and experienced peer supporters was effective in ensuring the continuation of breastfeeding.Conclusions.  Only continuous breastfeeding support produces effective results. Diverse types of interventions are needed during different phases of motherhood. The role of peer support is most important during the postnatal period. If professional support is not available for mothers, peer support could provide an alternative worth considering.Relevance to clinical practice.  Professionals require breastfeeding education to act as breastfeeding supporters as well as the support of their organisations in this work. Moreover, professionals need to gain knowledge of the role of peer support regarding the efficient combination of professional support and peer support to increase breastfeeding.
Visual functioning in nursing home residents: information in client records
Authors: Sinoo Marianne M , Kort Helianthe SM , Duijnstee Mia SH 
Published: June 2012

Aim and objectives.  To improve (eye)care in nursing homes by reporting and assessing visual functioning to enhance professional caregivers’ awareness of visual problems.Background.  Older adults experience visual problems owing to biological ageing or eye disease. In the Netherlands, the prevalence of visual impairments is the highest in the subgroup of nursing home residents (41·3%). These impairments influence quality of life in terms of limiting daily activities and participation in social activities. Furthermore, 63% of visual problems are defined as ‘avoidable blindness’. For this reason, screening of visual functioning in the nursing home is of major importance. Moreover, visual functioning should also be taken into account to prevent the incidence of falls.Design.  A field study on recorded information of visual functioning and visual assessment in nursing homes.Methods.  Assessment of visual functioning of 259 residents in nursing homes. Subsequently, recorded information in client files is related to the assessment outcome.Results.  Only in 101 (39%) of the 259 client records was some information on visual functioning found in client files. Whether a prescription for new glasses was dispensed made no difference in reporting on visual functioning in the client record. In more than half of the cases assessed as ‘low vision or blindness’, no information about visual functioning was found. Furthermore, no information was found in 31% (80/259) cases of suspected visual problems (referrals). A significant proportion of client records (p < 0·05) showed no recorded information in cases of referral for further check‐up.Conclusions.  In this study, one‐third of nursing homes residents have visual problems, needing examination by an ophthalmologist. Problems with visual functioning should be assessed and captured in client records. Awareness of residents’ visual functioning is a prerequisite for adapting basic daily care to the residents’ needs.
Validation of a handoff assessment tool: the Handoff CEX
Authors: Horwitz Leora I , Dombroski Janet , Murphy Terrence E , Farnan Jeanne M , Johnson Julie K , Arora Vineet M 
Published: June 2012

Aims and objectives.  Test the feasibility and validity of a handoff evaluation tool for nurses.Background.  No validated tools exist to assess the quality of handoff communication during change of shift.Design.  Prospective cohort study.Methods.  A standardised tool, the Handoff CEX, was developed based on the mini‐CEX. The tool consisted of seven domains scored on a 1–9 scale. Nurse educators observed shift‐to‐shift handoff reports among nurses and evaluated both the provider and recipient of the report. Nurses participating in the report simultaneously evaluated each other as part of their handoff.Results.  Ninety‐eight evaluations were obtained from 25 reports. Scores ranged from 3–9 in all domains except communication and setting (4–9). Experienced (>five years) nurses received significantly higher mean scores than inexperienced (≤five years) nurses in all domains except setting and professionalism. Mean overall score for experienced nurses was 7·9 vs 6·9 for inexperienced nurses. External observers gave significantly lower scores than peer evaluators in all domains except setting. Mean overall score by external observers was 7·1 vs. 8·1 by peer evaluators. Participants were very satisfied with the evaluation (mean score 8·1).Conclusions.  A brief, structured handoff evaluation tool was designed that was well‐received by participants, was felt to be easy to use without training, provided data about a wide range of communication competencies and discriminated well between experienced and inexperienced clinicians.Relevance to clinical practice.  This tool may be useful for educators, supervisors and practicing nurses to provide training, ongoing assessment and feedback to improve the quality of handoff.
Involvement of ASR genes in aluminium tolerance mechanisms in rice
Authors: ARENHART RAFAEL AUGUSTO , DE LIMA JULIO CÉSAR , PEDRON MARCELO , CARVALHO FABRICIO E. L. , DA SILVEIRA JOAQUIM ALBENISIO GOMES , ROSA SILVIA BARCELOS , CAVERZAN ANDREIA , ANDRADE CLAUDIA M. B. , SCHÜNEMANN MARIANA , MARGIS ROGÉRIO , MARGIS‐PINHEIRO MÁRCIA 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTAmong cereal crops, rice is considered the most tolerant to aluminium (Al). However, variability among rice genotypes leads to remarkable differences in the degree of Al tolerance for distinct cultivars. A number of studies have demonstrated that rice plants achieve Al tolerance through an unknown mechanism that is independent of root tip Al exclusion. We have analysed expression changes of the rice ASR gene family as a function of Al treatment. The gene ASR5 was differentially regulated in the Al‐tolerant rice ssp. Japonica cv. Nipponbare. However, ASR5 expression did not respond to Al exposure in Indica cv. Taim rice roots, which are highly Al sensitive. Transgenic plants carrying RNAi constructs that targeted the ASR genes were obtained, and increased Al susceptibility was observed in T1 plants. Embryogenic calli of transgenic rice carrying an ASR5‐green fluorescent protein fusion revealed that ASR5 was localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Using a proteomic approach to compare non‐transformed and ASR‐RNAi plants, a total of 41 proteins with contrasting expression patterns were identified. We suggest that the ASR5 protein acts as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of different genes that collectively protect rice cells from Al‐induced stress responses.
Peripherally Circulating CD4+ FOXP3+ CXCR3+ T Regulatory Cells Correlate with Renal Allograft Function
Authors: Hoerning A. , Köhler S. , Jun C. , Tebbe B. , Fu J. , Menke J. , Wilde B. , Dolff S. , Feldkamp T. , Briscoe D. M. , Kribben A. , Hoyer P. F. , Witzke O. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPeripheral immunoregulation depends on T regulatory cell trafficking into the allograft to modulate the local alloresponse. Little is known about the relevance of trafficking receptors for Tregs after solid organ transplantation in humans. In this study, expression of the peripheral chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 on CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells was analysed and correlated with allograft function in renal transplant recipients. Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 54 renal transplant recipients receiving a calcineurin inhibitor‐based immunosuppression was performed for CD4, CD25, FOXP3, CXCR3 and CCR5 within the first 18 months post‐transplantation. Correlation analysis of chemokine receptor expression and glomerular filtration rate as calculated by MDRD (eGFR) was performed. Expression of the peripheral homing receptors CXCR3 (r = 0.44, P < 0.05) and CCR5 (r = 0.45, P < 0.05) on FOXP3+ Tregs correlated with renal allograft function (eGFR) in patients receiving tacrolimus (n = 28), but not cyclosporine A (CsA) (n = 26). CsA but not tacrolimus reduced surface expression of CXCR3 on FOXP3+ Tregs in renal transplant recipients as correlated to trough levels (r = −0.42, P < 0.05). In contrast to CD4+ CXCR3+ CD25lo T cells, flow‐sorted CD4+ CXCR3+ CD25hi Tregs isolated from healthy individuals did not produce IFNγ or IL‐17 ex vivo and expressed high levels of GARP mRNA both at baseline as well as after TCR activation indicating functional regulatory activity. Expression of the peripheral trafficking receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 on FOXP3+ Tregs is associated with renal allograft function. These results suggest that Treg trafficking may also depend on the interaction of CXCR3 or CCR5 and their respective ligands.
DREB1A promotes root development in deep soil layers and increases water extraction under water stress in groundnut
Authors: Vadez V. , Rao J. S. , Bhatnagar‐Mathur P. , Sharma K. K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWater deficit is a major yield‐limiting factor for many crops, and improving the root system has been proposed as a promising breeding strategy, although not in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The present work was carried out mainly to assess how root traits are influenced under water stress in groundnut, whether transgenics can alter root traits, and whether putative changes lead to water extraction differences. Several transgenic events, transformed with DREB1A driven by the rd29 promoter, along with wild‐type JL24, were tested in a lysimeter system that mimics field conditions under both water stress (WS) and well‐watered (WW) conditions. The WS treatment increased the maximum rooting depth, although the increase was limited to about 20% in JL24, compared to 50% in RD11. The root dry weight followed a similar trend. Consequently, the root dry weight and length density of transgenics was higher in layers below 100‐cm depth (Exp. 1) and below 30 cm (Exp. 2). The root diameter was unchanged under WS treatment, except a slight increase in the 60–90‐cm layer. The root diameter increased below 60 cm in both treatments. In the WW treatment, total water extraction of RD33 was higher than in JL24 and other transgenic events, and somewhat lower in RD11 than in JL24. In the WS treatment, water extraction of RD2, RD11 and RD33 was higher than in JL24. These water extraction differences were mostly apparent in the initial 21 days after treatment imposition and were well related to root length density in the 30–60‐cm layer (R2 = 0.68), but not to average root length density. In conclusion, water stress promotes rooting growth more strongly in transgenic events than in the wild type, especially in deep soil layers, and this leads to increased water extraction. This opens an avenue for tapping these characteristics toward the improvement of drought adaptation in deep soil conditions, and toward a better understanding of genes involved in rooting in groundnut.