bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resilience, persistence and relationship to standing vegetation in soil seed banks of semi‐arid Australian old fields
Authors: Scott Andrew J. , Morgan John W. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Questions: Do soil seed banks of semi‐arid grasslands reassemble after abandonment from cultivation? Do seeds of native and exotic species persist in the soil? Does time since abandonment affect compositional similarity between the vegetation and seed bank? Does the seed bank contribute to resilience in the vegetation?
Location: Native grasslands in northern Victoria, Australia.
Methods: Seed bank sampling was conducted in spring and autumn over 3 yrs, across a 100‐yr chronosequence. Species richness, composition and germinant density were determined using the seedling emergence method. Seed persistence was assessed by comparing seed densities in spring and autumn. Seed bank composition was compared with the vegetation.
Results: The spring seed bank was dominated at all stages by sedges and rushes; hence, native species richness and seed density were largely unaffected by abandonment. In autumn, grassland species contributed more to the seed bank, but richness was reduced after abandonment and showed little recovery, although seed density partially recovered. Seed bank composition showed some recovery in both seasons. Most species had low persistence in the soil. Compositional similarity between the vegetation and seed bank was greater in old fields than uncultivated grasslands in spring, but not autumn.
Conclusions: Resilience varied among seed bank parameters and seed banks had low functional importance. Patterns in the seed bank followed, rather than caused, those in the vegetation. Thus, vegetation recovery cannot rely on the seed bank and persistent seeds were not the key mechanism of resilience in the vegetation.
Knowledge and attitudes of dentists regarding ageing and the elderly
Authors: Moreira Allyson Nogueira , Rocha Ênia Salles , Popoff Daniela Araújo Veloso , Vilaça Ênio Lacerda , Castilho Lia Silva , de Magalhães Cláudia Silami 
Published: August 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00534.x

Knowledge and attitudes of dentists regarding ageing and the elderlyObjective:  This study was aimed to identify the knowledge and attitudes of dentists regarding ageing and the elderly.Background:  As the population ages, there is a greater demand for differentiated care from health professionals. However, the treatment needs of the elderly population are not sufficiently addressed, particularly in developing countries.Materials and methods:  An official list of all dentists registered in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was obtained from the Regional Dentistry Council. A questionnaire was delivered to 276 randomly selected dentists; the survey contained questions designed to characterise the sample and identify dentists’ conduct towards elderly patients. A Likert scale was used to identify knowledge regarding care for the elderly and attitudes towards ageing.Results:  Women demonstrated more positive attitudes towards the elderly. Graduates who worked in the public sector demonstrated a greater knowledge of geriatric dentistry (p < 0.05). Attending specific continuing education courses had no influence over the dentists’ willingness to treat the elderly population. Significant associations were not found between attitudes and knowledge regarding the elderly.Conclusion:  Dentists who worked in the public sector demonstrated a greater knowledge regarding the elderly. This knowledge did not influence attitudes towards ageing. Women demonstrated a more positive attitude regarding ageing and dental care.
The emerging era of personalized therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: PRYOR David I , SOLOMON Benjamin , PORCEDDU Sandro V 
Published: August 2011

AbstractOver the past three decades there has been a move toward organ preservation protocols in the management of locally advanced mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (LAHNSCC) with combinations of radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy and, more recently, biological agents. Current standard chemoradiation strategies have reached the upper limits of toxicity. In addition, the traditional one size fits all approach of grouping patients according to traditional clinicopathological features fails to take into account the vast underlying biological heterogeneity of tumors and their host. A number of recent advances such as highly conformal RT, molecular profiling and targeted agents, and improvements in treatment response assessment have set the scene for a fundamental paradigm shift toward greater tailoring of therapy with the aim of improving outcomes and reducing the burden of survivorship. This review focuses on the recognition of the prognostic value of tumor human papillomavirus (HPV) status, the incorporation of biologically targeted therapies and the evolving role of molecular imaging in predicting tumor response and prognosis in the curative management of LAHNSCC.
The role of poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors in breast and ovarian cancer: Current status and future directions
Authors: CHIONH Fiona , MITCHELL Gillian , LINDEMAN Geoffrey J , FRIEDLANDER Michael , SCOTT Clare L 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPoly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have demonstrated single agent activity in the treatment of patients with recurrent BRCA1‐mutated and BRCA2‐mutated breast and ovarian cancers. They also appear to have a potential role as maintenance therapy following chemotherapy in patients with platinum sensitive recurrent sporadic and BRCA1/2 related high‐grade serous ovarian cancers. The concept of BRCAness raises the possibility that PARP inhibitors may be active in selected patients with homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair‐deficient tumors, even if they do not harbor a BRCA1/2 germline mutation. Further research will be required to identify the subset of patients with sporadic cancers who may benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy. Precise details on the mechanisms of action, relative potency and anti‐cancer effects of different PARP inhibitors remain to be clarified and are being investigated. PARP inhibitors are known to inhibit the base excision repair (BER) pathway but in addition, recent reports indicate that aberrant activation of the error‐prone non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ) pathway occurs in HR‐deficient cells and that cell death provoked by PARP inhibition is dependent on NHEJ‐induced genomic instability. Characterization of the precise molecular mechanisms responsible for PARP inhibitor activity should lead to the identification of predictive biomarkers of response and help identify which patients should be treated with PARP inhibitors. This is a very active field of research and the current status and future directions are reviewed.
Exploratory investigation of factors affecting dietetic workforce satisfaction
Authors: CODY Sarah , FERGUSON Maree , DESBROW Ben 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim:  The purpose of the present study was to explore factors cited by metropolitan dietitians as being critical to their workforce satisfaction in the literature and a previous study.Methods:  Twenty dietitians from three metropolitan hospitals in Brisbane, Australia, were recruited by convenience sample to participate in seven focus group sessions. Group discussion transcriptions were thematically analysed by two independent researchers.Results:  Participants identified career progression, professional development, resource availability, team and physical environment, reward and recognition as impacting upon their satisfaction. Overwhelmingly, they identified the availability of flexitime arrangements as symbolising workplace flexibility, which was considered the most influential of satisfaction factors. Intangible forms of reward and recognition were also desired and highly valued.Conclusions:  Workplace satisfaction among this sample of metropolitan dietitians is multifactorial. Increasing perceived flexibility in work hours may increase satisfaction. Provision of intangible reward and recognition is likely to be well accepted. Future research should involve another survey of a representative sample of practitioners and managers, with the view to developing practical initiatives to improve satisfaction and maintain service delivery.
Eating for health: Perspectives of older men who live alone
Authors: WHAM Carol A. , BOWDEN Jennifer A. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim:  To investigate the perspectives of older, single‐living New Zealand men towards healthy eating.Methods:  Twelve semistructured interviews with men aged 75 to 89 years using mixed methods and a general inductive analysis approach. To enrich description, participants were assessed for nutrition risk using a validated questionnaire, Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, and nutrition knowledge using the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire.Results:  Six of the men were assessed to be at high nutrition risk. Eating alone was the most common nutrition risk factor. The mean score for the nutrition knowledge questionnaire was 58.3 ± 12.7 out of maximum score of 110. Three core themes related to healthy eating practices emerged from the analysis. Firstly, the men were influenced by their individual circumstances. Limited finances and a lack of personal transport were barriers to healthy eating and were partially ameliorated by reliable, support networks. Secondly, a lack of nutrition knowledge and cooking skills impinged on both healthy eating and meal enjoyment. Thirdly, food‐related values held by the men impacted eating behaviours positively or negatively.Conclusion:  The present study provides an insight into the perspectives of older men towards their food‐related activities. Past experiences shaped their approach towards healthy eating. Community programmes need to identify those at nutrition risk, provide those at need with knowledge and skills and promote meal sharing. Initiatives need to be cognisant of the food‐related values, desire for time and effort efficiency and the explicit needs and wishes of older men.
Dietetic practice in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus: A survey of Australian dietitians
Authors: MORRISON Melinda K. , COLLINS Clare E. , LOWE Julia M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim:  To examine current Australian dietetic practice in the management of gestational diabetes, to identify models of dietetic care and to determine the need for national evidence‐based dietetic practice guidelines for gestational diabetes.Methods:  A 55‐item cross‐sectional survey of Australian dietitians practicing in the area of gestational diabetes was undertaken. Participants were recruited via Dietitians Association of Australia interest group membership, public and private hospital maternity and diabetes services across Australia. The survey examined dietetic service provision, interventions, management recommendations, postnatal care, current guideline use and the perceived need for Australian evidence‐based dietetic management guidelines.Results:  A total of 220 eligible dietitians participated in the survey. The majority (77%) reported that all women with gestational diabetes attending their service were referred to a dietitian. Group (33%) and individual consults (93%) were provided and 67% provided one to two dietetic consults per client. Fifty‐four per cent (54%) believed that their service currently offered adequate antenatal dietetic interventions and 8% adequate postnatal follow up for women with gestational diabetes. There were differences in the implementation of medical nutrition therapy by Australian dietitians in regards to nutrient recommendations. However, consistency was seen in key components of nutrition education. Dietitians perceived that there was a need for evidence‐based gestational diabetes dietetic practice guidelines (86%) and nutrition recommendations (87%).Conclusion:  The survey results strongly indicate there is a need for evidence‐based gestational diabetes practice guidelines and nutritional recommendations and provide baseline data for future practice of Australian dietitians working in gestational diabetes.
Information in dementia care: sense making and a public health direction for the UK?
Authors: Clarke Charlotte L. , Alexjuk Jo , Gibb Catherine E. 
Published: August 2011

clarke c.l., alexjuk j. & gibb c.e. (2011) Information in dementia care: sense making and a public health direction for the UK? International Journal of Older People Nursing6, 237–243doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2011.00288.xProviding information is a core focus of policy and practice in dementia care. Information is a vehicle through which people can be enabled or disabled, so it is essential that we ensure that information is available in a way that is accessible and relevant for people with dementia and that it enables personal aspiration and collective identity to be advanced in a way that is to the benefit of those living with dementia. People with dementia need information to support autonomy in making decisions and in acting on those decisions. Information must be provided in a way that is appropriate to the individual and to achieve that requires knowledge of the needs of that individual. However, maintaining autonomy includes, but involves much more than, the provision of information – others need to listen and hear their views and be prepared to act on them. As professionals, we must be aware that the (dementia) information we provide may disrupt the biographical narrative that people with dementia value. Thus, a person‐centred approach encourages the sharing of knowledge and information. The (mis)use of information also impacts on the way that society disables, discriminates and applies barriers against people with disability.
Information provision services in dementia care
Authors: Corbett Anne , Ballard Clive 
Published: August 2011

corbett a. & ballard c. (2011) Information provision services in dementia care. International Journal of Older People Nursing6, 217–226doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2011.00289.xThere are currently 25 million people with dementia worldwide, and this number is rising. Dementia has been highlighted as a major priority for health care and research because of the enormous economical and health burden associated with it. Consultations with people with dementia and carers have highlighted that timely well‐targeted information services are a key priority for enabling them to ‘live well with dementia’. Despite this, the evidence base for the optimal design and delivery of an information provision service is limited. Findings from randomised controlled trials and other studies have indicated that information provision does confer some benefit in carer outcomes and in the symptoms and well‐being of people with dementia. However, there is limited understanding of the optimal design of such a service because of the variety of approaches that have been evaluated, the wide range of settings and locations and the lack of a clear conceptual framework. The existing evidence base supports the importance of an optimised information provision service and strongly indicates the need for a large‐scale RCT to identify the most effective and cost‐effective design for people with dementia and their carers.
A novel test tube method of screening for hemoglobin E
Authors: TATU T. , KASINRERK W. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryIntroduction:  Hemoglobin (Hb) E is a β‐structural variant common worldwide. This Hb disorder can form a compound heterozygous state with the β‐thalassemia gene, leading to life‐threatening hereditary hemolytic anemia, HbE/β‐thalassemia. Screening of HbE has proven to be a challenging practice in prevention and control of the HbE/β‐thalassemia.Methods:  A novel test tube method for HbE screening using diethyl aminoethyl (DEAE)‐cellulose resin was described. With the developed system, HbE/A2 did not bind to the resin and remained dissolved in the supernatant, whereas other Hbs completely bound to the resin. The red color of the supernatant observed in the test tube indicated the presence of HbE. Colorless or markedly pale color of the supernatant indicates the absence of HbE.Results:  Accuracy and efficiency of the established method in detecting HbE was comparable with the standard cellulose acetate electrophoresis method. The developed method is cheap and simple with no requirement of sophisticated equipment. The reagent could be stored at 4 °C for up to 5 months. Hemolysate samples aged up to 5 months were still suitable for this test.Conclusion:  The described novel test tube method could be an alternative method of mass population screening for HbE, particularly in small health care facilities.
Strategies for discovery and improvement of enzyme function: state of the art and opportunities
Authors: Kaul Praveen , Asano Yasuhisa 
Published: August 2011

SummaryDevelopments in biocatalysis have been largely fuelled by consumer demands for new products, industrial attempts to improving existing process and minimizing waste, coupled with governmental measures to regulate consumer safety along with scientific advancements. One of the major hurdles to application of biocatalysis to chemical synthesis is unavailability of the desired enzyme to catalyse the reaction to allow for a viable process development. Even when the desired enzyme is available it often forces the process engineers to alter process parameters due to inadequacies of the enzyme, such as instability, inhibition, low yield or selectivity, etc. Developments in the field of enzyme or reaction engineering have allowed access to means to achieve the ends, such as directed evolution, de novo protein design, use of non‐conventional media, using new substrates for old enzymes, active‐site imprinting, altering temperature, etc. Utilization of enzyme discovery and improvement tools therefore provides a feasible means to overcome this problem. Judicious employment of these tools has resulted in significant advancements that have leveraged the research from laboratory to market thus impacting economic growth; however, there are further opportunities that have not yet been explored. The present review attempts to highlight some of these achievements and potential opportunities.
The post‐illumination pupil response of melanopsin‐expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in diabetes
Authors: Feigl Beatrix , Zele Andrew J. , Fader Samantha M. , Howes Annelisa N. , Hughes Catherine E. , Jones Kris A. , Jones Rawlyn 
Published: August 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  This study investigates the clinical utility of the melanopsin‐expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) controlled post‐illumination pupil response (PIPR) as a novel technique for documenting inner retinal function in patients with Type II diabetes without diabetic retinopathy.Methods:  The PIPR was measured in seven patients with Type II diabetes, normal retinal nerve fibre thickness and no diabetic retinopathy compared to healthy age‐similar controls. A 488‐ and 610‐nm, 7.15‐diameter stimulus was presented in Maxwellian view to the right eye and the left consensual pupil light reflex was recorded.Results:  The group data for the blue PIPR (488 nm) identified a trend of reduced ipRGC function in patients with diabetes with no retinopathy. The transient pupil constriction was lower on average in the diabetic group. The relationship between duration of diabetes and the blue PIPR amplitude was linear, suggesting that ipRGC function decreases with increasing diabetes duration.Conclusion:  This is the first report to show that the ipRGC‐controlled PIPR may have clinical applications as a non‐invasive technique for determining the progression of inner neuroretinal changes in patients with diabetes before they are ophthalmoscopically or anatomically evident. The lower transient pupil constriction amplitude indicates that outer retinal photoreceptor inputs to the pupil light reflex may also be affected in diabetes.
Two‐year follow‐up of a randomized trial of spectacles alone or combined with Bangerter filters for treating anisometropic amblyopia
Authors: Agervi Pia , Kugelberg Ulla , Kugelberg Maria , Zetterström Charlotta 
Published: August 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To compare spectacle correction alone to spectacle correction with Bangerter filters as treatments for anisometropic amblyopia in children 1 year after completion of a 1‐year randomized trial.Methods:  In a randomized clinical trial, 80 children (mean age, 4.4 years) with anisometropic amblyopia and a best median visual acuity (VA) in the amblyopic eye of 0.4 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) were assigned to treatment with either spectacles or spectacles in combination with a Bangerter filter for 1 year. After 1 year, treatment with spectacles continued. If the VA differed by ≥2 lines, treatment with Bangerter filters was continued if originally prescribed. The main outcome measure was the median change in VA of the amblyopic eye after 2 years.Results:  The median change in VA of the amblyopic eye did not differ significantly between the groups (0.4 log unit for both groups) at the 2‐year visit. At that time, the VA in the amblyopic eyes and the fellow eyes was 0.0 median logMAR in both groups. Between years 1 and 2, the median VA improved in the amblyopic eyes; in the spectacles group (p = 0.0181) and in the Bangerter filter group (p = 0.0342). The median anisometropia decreased in both groups (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons).Conclusion:  We found stability in the VA improvement in both groups. The magnitude of the VA change 2 years after treatment with spectacles alone did not differ significantly from that after treatment with spectacles and a Bangerter filter for anisometropic amblyopia.
Factors impacting on early detection of dementia in older people of Asian background in primary healthcare
Authors: Lee Sook Meng , Lin Xiaoping , Haralambous Betty , Dow Briony , Vrantsidis Freda , Tinney Jean , Blackberry Irene , Lautenschlager Nicola , Giudice Dina Lo 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIntroductionThe prevalence of dementia in people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds is predicted to increase. By 2026, Chinese and Vietnamese languages are projected to be the first and fourth most prevalent languages spoken by older people from CALD backgrounds living in Australia. Varying expressions of dementia literacy within these groups sometimes result in presentation to health services at a later stage of the disease.MethodsThis paper aims to present a literature review on factors impacting on the early diagnosis of dementia in primary care. Cultural factors pertaining to older people of Chinese and Vietnamese backgrounds are identified and described.ResultsThe review found that despite the benefits and emphasis on early diagnosis of dementia, GPs′ uncertainty, insufficient training, ambivalent attitude and therapeutic nihilism have contributed to delayed diagnosis of dementia in CALD populations in primary care. Other factors included time pressures, poor remuneration and lack of CALD appropriate diagnostic tools and services. From the older Chinese and Vietnamese people and their families′ perspective, living arrangements, level of dementia literacy, symptom interpretation, stigma associated with dementia and their concept of morality significantly impacted on health‐seeking behaviour, contributing to delayed presentation to GPs. Language barriers and lack of bilingual GPs were also found to be deterring factors.DiscussionThere is a need to remove barriers impacting on the timely diagnosis of dementia in primary healthcare for older people from CALD backgrounds. Increasing CALD‐appropriate services, workforce training, public awareness and removing stigma may assist.