bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of nurse practitioners’ perceptions of required competencies and self‐evaluated competencies in Taiwan
Authors: Chang I‐Wen , Shyu Yea‐Ing , Tsay Pei‐Kwei , Tang Woung‐Ru 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to investigate differences between nurse practitioners’ perceptions of the importance of required competencies and their self‐evaluated existing competencies, and the main factors influencing these differences.Background.  The difference between nurse practitioners’ perceptions of required competencies and their existing competencies has never been investigated. Therefore, it is still uncertain whether these two competencies differ.Design.  A nationwide survey study was authorised by the Department of Health (DOH) in Taiwan.Methods.  For this nationwide survey study, the Questionnaire of Competencies in the Nurse Practitioner’s Role was mailed to all nurse practitioners who qualified for the first annual national NP licence exam in Taiwan. Of 582 questionnaires distributed, 374 valid questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 64·2%.Results.  The scores for required competencies were all higher than existing competencies. The competencies with largest differences were (in increasing order) clinical research, direct care, and leadership and reform. The competencies with smallest differences were (in ascending order) medical assistance, communication and coordination, and ethical decision‐making. Differences in the total score between required and existing competencies were significantly influenced by nurse practitioners’ age, seniority as nurse practitioner, whether the nurse practitioners’ institution had a nurse practitioner advancement system, and the number of patients under their care.Conclusions.  Nurse practitioners’ perceptions of the importance of their expected role competencies were significantly greater in most cases than their actual competencies.Relevance to clinical practice.  These findings could serve as a reference to improve cultivation of the NP system in Taiwan, to strengthen professional competencies in NP training programs.
A likelihood‐based comparison of population histories in a parasitoid guild
Authors: Lohse Konrad , Barton Nicholas H. , Melika George , Stone Graham N. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractLittle is known about the stability of trophic relationships in complex natural communities over evolutionary timescales. Here, we use sequence data from 18 nuclear loci to reconstruct and compare the intraspecific histories of major Pleistocene refugial populations in the Middle East, the Balkans and Iberia in a guild of four Chalcid parasitoids (Cecidostiba fungosa, Cecidostiba semifascia, Hobbya stenonota and Mesopolobus amaenus) all attacking Cynipid oak galls. We develop a likelihood method to numerically estimate models of divergence between three populations from multilocus data. We investigate the power of this framework on simulated data, and—using triplet alignments of intronic loci—quantify the support for all possible divergence relationships between refugial populations in the four parasitoids. Although an East to West order of population divergence has highest support in all but one species, we cannot rule out alternative population tree topologies. Comparing the estimated times of population splits between species, we find that one species, M. amaenus, has a significantly older history than the rest of the guild and must have arrived in central Europe at least one glacial cycle prior to other guild members. This suggests that although all four species may share a common origin in the East, they expanded westwards into Europe at different times.
Patterns and persistence of larval retention and connectivity in a marine fish metapopulation
Authors: Saenz‐Agudelo Pablo , Jones Geoffrey P. , Thorrold Simon R. , Planes Serge 
Published: August 2012

AbstractConnectivity, the demographic linking of local populations through the dispersal of individuals, is one of the most poorly understood processes in population dynamics, yet has profound implications for conservation and harvest strategies. For marine species with pelagic larvae, direct estimation of connectivity remains logistically challenging and has mostly been limited to single snapshots in time. Here, we document seasonal and interannual patterns of larval dispersal in a metapopulation of the coral reef fish Amphiprion polymnus. A 3‐year record of larval trajectories within and among nine discrete local populations from an area of approximately 35 km was established by determining the natal origin of settled juveniles through DNA parentage analysis. We found that spatial patterns of both self‐recruitment and connectivity were remarkably consistent over time, with a low level of self‐recruitment at the scale of individual sites. Connectivity among sites was common and multidirectional in all years and was not significantly influenced by seasonal variability of predominant surface current directions. However, approximately 75% of the sampled juveniles could not be assigned to parents within the study area, indicating high levels of immigrations from sources outside the study area. The data support predictions that the magnitude and temporal stability of larval connectivity decreases significantly with increasing distance between subpopulations, but increases with the size of subpopulations. Given the considerable effort needed to directly measure larval exchange, the consistent patterns suggest snapshot parentage analyses can provide useful dispersal estimates to inform spatial management decisions.
Speciation history of three closely related oak gall wasps, Andricus mukaigawae,A. kashiwaphilus, and A. pseudoflos (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences
Authors: Wachi Nakatada , Abe Yoshihisa , Inomata Nobuyuki , Szmidt Alfred Edward , Tachida Hidenori 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe Andricus mukaigawae complex of oak gall wasps is composed of cyclically parthenogenetic species: A. mukaigawae and Andricus kashiwaphilus, and a parthenogenetic species, Andricus pseudoflos. The component species differ in life history, host plant, karyotype, and asexual gall shape, although little difference is found in the external morphology of asexual adults. To understand the speciation history of this species complex, DNA sequences of one mitochondrial region and nine nuclear gene regions were investigated. The genetic relationship among the species suggested that a loss of sex occurred after host shift. Unexpectedly, two or three distinct groups in the parthenogenetic species, A. pseudoflos, were revealed by both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. Gene flow in nuclear genes from the species not infected by Wolbachia (A. kashiwaphilus) to the species infected by it (A. mukaigawae) was suggested by a method based on coalescent simulations. On the other hand, gene flow in mitochondrial genes was suggested to be in the opposite direction. These findings indicate possible involvement of Wolbachia infection in the speciation process of the A. mukaigawae complex.
Effect of Electrical Conductivity and Silicate on Infection of Basil with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in Soilless Culture
Authors: Cogliati Ettore Erik , Gilardi Giovanna , Gullino Maria Lodovica , Garibaldi Angelo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium silicate administration and of electrical conductivity of nutrient solution in three experiments against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides infection on basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv Genovese Gigante) grown in a closed soilless system. Potassium silicate was added at 100 mg/l of nutrient solution at three different levels of electrical conductivity: 1.5–1.6 mS/cm (E.C.1), 3–3.2 mS/cm (E.C.2, 0.70 g/l NaCl) and 4–4.2 mS/cm (E.C.3, 0.95 g/l NaCl). Basil plants were inoculated with C. gloeosporioides spores 21–31 days after sowing or placing the pots on the channels, applying 5 ml of conidial suspension to each treatment. The increased electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution generally reduced the incidence and severity of the disease, with the highest electrical conductivity (E.C.3) providing the best results. The addition of potassium silicate to the different nutrient solutions showed a significant reduction in both incidence and severity of the disease compared to a solution without silicate and the best results were given by the addition of silicate with the highest electrical conductivity (E.C.3) in all the trials carried out. The combination of high electrical conductivity and potassium silicate supplied gave good results. The possibility and benefits of applying Si amendments in practice are examined.
Transcription regulatory mechanism of Pitx in the papilla‐forming region in the ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, implies conserved involvement of Otx as the upstream gene in the adhesive organ development of chordates
Authors: Yoshida Keita , Ueno Motoko , Niwano Tomoko , Saiga Hidetoshi 
Published: August 2012

Pitx genes play important roles in a variety of developmental processes in vertebrates. In an ascidian species, Halocynthia roretzi, Hr‐Pitx, the only Pitx gene of this species, has been reported to be expressed in the left epidermis at the tailbud stage. In the present study, first, we have shown that Hr‐Pitx is also expressed in the papilla‐forming region at the neurula to tailbud stages, and then we addressed transcription regulatory mechanisms for the expression of Hr‐Pitx in the papilla‐forming region. We have identified the genomic region ranging from 850 to 1211 bp upstream from the translation start site of the Hr‐Pitx gene as an enhancer region that drives the transcription of Hr‐Pitx in the papilla‐forming region. Within the enhancer region, putative transcriptional factor binding sites for Otx as well as Fox were shown to be required for its activity. Finally, we carried out knocking down experiments of Hr‐Otx function using an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide, in which the knocking down of Hr‐Otx function resulted in reduction of the enhancer activity and loss of the expression of Hr‐Pitx in the papilla‐forming region. In Xenopus laevis, it has been reported that Pitx genes are expressed downstream of Otx function during development of the cement gland, an adhesive organ of its larva. Taken together, it is suggested that the expression regulatory mechanism of Pitx, involving Otx as the upstream gene, in the developing adhesive organ is conserved between ascidians and vertebrates.
Nursings’ need for the idea of spirituality
Authors: Pesut Barbara 
Published: August 2012

PESUT B. Nursing Inquiry 2013; 20: 5–10  Nursings’ need for the idea of spiritualitySpirituality is an idea that has sustained significant interest in nursing over the past quarter century. Extensive conceptual work has generated robust critique around clarity and professional jurisdictional claims. However, less attention has been paid to the challenges nursing has faced that have contributed to the spirituality quest. Reflecting on my own experiences as a scholar writing in this literature over the past decade, I suggest three challenges that spirituality has attempted to redress: to relate across difference in a globalized world, to be good in a world of uncertain morality and to find meaning in a disenchanted world. The idea of spirituality could be viewed as resistance against othering, against law based ethics, and against politics and power. But the impact of the idea of spirituality has yet to be determined and caution is in order. As important as this resistance is, nursing must refrain from creating a new world of insiders and outsiders and from minimizing the role of religious ethics in a globalized world. Spirituality, like its predecessor religion, will likely continue to play an enduring role in providing fundamental meaning for nursing work.
Regional pulmonary response to a methacholine challenge using hyperpolarized 3He magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: COSTELLA STEPHEN , KIRBY MIRANDA , MAKSYM GEOFFREY N. , MCCORMACK DAVID G. , PATERSON NIGEL A. M. , PARRAGA GRACE 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Spirometry is insensitive to small airway abnormalities in asthma. Our objective was to evaluate regional lung structure and function using hyperpolarized 3He magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before, during and after a methacholine challenge (MCh).Methods:  Twenty‐five asthmatics (mean age = 34 ± 11 years) and eight healthy volunteers (HV) (mean age = 33 ± 11 years) underwent spirometry, plethysmography and hyperpolarized 3He MRI prior to a MCh. MRI was repeated following the MCh and again 25 min after salbutamol administration. 3He MRI gas distribution was quantified using semiautomated segmentation of the ventilation defect percent (VDP). Tissue microstructure was measured using the 3He apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to evaluate changes at each time point as well as to determine interactions between regions of interest (ROI) and subject group. Pearson's correlations were performed to evaluate associations between 3He MRI measurements and established clinical measures.Results:  In asthmatics, but not HV, whole‐lung ADC was increased post‐MCh (P < 0.01). In asthmatics only, ADC was increased post‐MCh in posterior ROI (P < 0.01) and all ROI in the superior‐inferior direction (P < 0.01). VDP was increased in posterior and inferior ROI (P < 0.001). There was a correlation between VDP and specific airway resistance (r = 0.74, P < 0.0001), dyspnoea score (r = 0.66, P < 0.01) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (r = 0.45, P < 0.05).Conclusions:  We evaluated the regional pulmonary response to methacholine and salbutamol using 3He MRI and showed heterogeneous VDP and ADC consistent with bronchoconstriction and gas trapping, respectively, post‐MCh. These regional alterations resolved post‐salbutamol.
Antenatal 3‐D sonographic features of uterine synechia
Authors: Sato Miki , Kanenishi Kenji , Ito Megumi , Tanaka Hirokazu , Takemoto Mikihiko , Hata Toshiyuki 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe present a case of uterine synechia diagnosed by conventional 2‐D color Doppler, 3‐D sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging at 26 weeks' gestation. 3‐D sonography clearly revealed umbilical cord prolapse through an oblique transverse uterine synechia. Loops of the umbilical cord were below and the fetus was superior to the uterine synechia. The edge of the umbilical cord loops was attached to the amniotic membrane, and a small echo‐free space was noted beneath the attachment. 2‐D color Doppler showed arterial blood flow consistent with the maternal heart rate. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the oblique horizontal membrane dividing the uterus with umbilical cord prolapse, its attachment to the amniotic membrane, and a small echo‐free space in the low, liquor‐filled amniotic cavity. We demonstrate how 3‐D sonography provided a novel visual depiction of uterine synechia, which greatly helped in prenatal diagnosis and counseling.
Two cases of paraovarian tumor of borderline malignancy
Authors: Suzuki Satoshi , Furukawa Shigenori , Kyozuka Hyo , Watanabe Takafumi , Takahashi Hidenori , Fujimori Keiya 
Published: August 2012

AbstractParaovarian tumor of borderline malignancy is rare. Only 13 cases in Japan, including the present cases, and 40 cases overseas have been reported. We report two cases of paraovarian tumor of borderline malignancy. Case 1: A 38‐year‐old woman was found to have a right ovarian cyst. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed a unilocular cystic tumor and a solid part of 8 mm in diameter within the tumor. Malignancy could not be ruled out, therefore the laparotomy was performed. The tumor was paraovarian tumor. Intraoperative rapid histological diagnosis was made and the patient was diagnosed with a serous borderline tumor. There has been no recurrence 1 year after surgery. Case 2: A 30‐year‐old woman was found to have a right hydrosalpinx, or an ovarian cyst, with a solid part inside. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed the solid part within the tumor was 14 × 9 mm. Laparoscopic surgery was performed and we diagnosed the tumor as paraovarian cyst. Histological diagnosis was mucinous borderline tumor. There has been no recurrence 11 months after surgery.
Management of patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy during pregnancy
Authors: Iriyama Takayuki , Kamei Yoshimasa , Kozuma Shiro , Taketani Yuji 
Published: August 2012

AbstractArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a cardiac disease that affects the right side of the heart and causes ventricular arrhythmias. It is considered as the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults. However, risk and optimal management of ARVC during pregnancy and delivery remain unclear due to the small number of reported cases. Here we report a case of successful management of pregnancy and delivery in a patient with ARVC, who had a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia from her previous pregnancy.
Novel mutation of the sex‐determining region on the Y chromosome in a 46,XY female patient with monolateral dysgerminoma: A case report
Authors: Battaglia Francesco , Plotti Francesco , Angelucci Michela , Aloisi Alessia , Angioli Roberto 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPatients with 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis (Swyer syndrome) are characterized by the presence of female internal genital tract and bilateral streak gonads in a phenotypic female. These women have a high risk of developing rare type II malignant germ cell tumors. We report a rare case of a 33‐year‐old 46,XY female patient, who presented with an adnexal mass suspected for dysgerminoma, with a novel mutation of the sex‐determining region on the Y chromosome consisting in the variant c.301C> G (p.L101V). Considering that effective screening is not available and the high risk of developing malignant neoplasm, prophylactic gonadectomy is mandatory.
Increased incidence of brain metastases in BRCA1‐related ovarian cancers
Authors: Sekine Masayuki , Yoshihara Kosuke , Komata Dai , Haino Kazufumi , Nishino Koji , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAim:  Brain metastasis from ovarian cancer is a very rare phenomenon. BRCA1‐related ovarian cancers show specific pathobiological profiles, advanced stage, and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. However, no clear relationship to any known metastatic behavior has yet been found, so we examined the BRCA1 mutation and expression profiles in ovarian cancer cases with brain metastases.Material and Methods:  We examined our clinical records of 340 ovarian cancer cases from 1983 to 2007 to ascertain cases with brain metastases. In the molecular genetic analyses, we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH), direct sequence and immunohistochemical staining analysis of BRCA1.Results:  We ascertained seven cases with brain metastases in 340 ovarian cancer cases (7/340 = 2.1%). Among the seven cases, three cases had ovarian and/or breast cancer patients in third‐degree relatives. We detected four LOH‐positive cases and a germline mutation of BRCA1 in two of the four cases. Furthermore, the remaining two cases showed absent staining of the BRCA1 protein. Therefore, four of seven cases with brain metastases were considered BRCA1‐related ovarian cancers (4/7 = 57.1%). All four of the cases were serous adenocarcinoma.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the loss of BRCA1 function may be involved in the phenomenon of brain metastasis from ovarian cancer. Further molecular biologic analyses will be required for a better understanding of this rare phenomenon.
Proteomic identification of PKM2 and HSPA5 as potential biomarkers for predicting high‐risk endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Teng Yincheng , Ai Zhihong , Wang Yudong , Wang Juan , Luo Laimin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAim:  Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common gynecologic malignancy. EC has a favorable prognosis because it is usually diagnosed at an early stage. However, the recurrence rate is high and the prognosis is poor for high‐risk EC. Identification of new biomarkers for the prediction of high‐risk features will help to guide the treatment and improve the prognosis of patients with EC.Material and Methods:  Differentially expressed proteins among high‐risk EC, low‐risk EC, and normal endometrial tissues were determined by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and a liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) proteomics approach. Then, the candidate proteins were examined by immunohistochemical analysis.Results:  Thirteen protein spots were differentially expressed between the high‐ and low‐risk groups, and 25 protein spots were differentially expressed between the high‐risk and normal endometrium groups. Twenty‐two proteins were identified by MS analysis. PKM2 and HSPA5 were elevated in the high‐risk EC tissues compared with both the low‐risk EC and normal endometrial tissues. The elevated expression of PKM2 and HSPA5 in high‐risk EC tissue was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis.Discussion:  PKM2 and HSPA5 may play an important role in the progression of EC. These two proteins are potential biomarkers to better predict high‐risk EC and thereby guide clinical therapy.
Anatomo‐functional organization of the ventral primary motor and premotor cortex in the macaque monkey
Authors: Maranesi Monica , Rodà Francesca , Bonini Luca , Rozzi Stefano , Ferrari Pier Francesco , Fogassi Leonardo , Coudé Gino 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe ventral agranular frontal cortex of the macaque monkey is formed by a mosaic of anatomically distinct areas. Although each area has been explored by several neurophysiological studies, most of them focused on small sectors of single areas, thus leaving to be clarified which is the general anatomo‐functional organization of this wide region. To fill this gap, we studied the ventral convexity of the frontal cortex in two macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) using intracortical microstimulation and extracellular recording. Functional data were then matched with the cytoarchitectonic parcellation of the recorded region. The results demonstrated the existence of a dorso‐ventral functional border, encompassing the anatomical boundary between areas F4 and F1, and a rostro‐caudal anatomo‐functional border between areas F5 and F4. The ventral subdivision of areas F4 and F1 was highly electrically excitable, represented simple mouth movements and lacked visual properties; in contrast, their dorsal counterpart showed a higher stimulation threshold, represented forelimb and mouth motor acts and hosted different types of visual properties. The data also showed that area F5 was scarcely excitable, and displayed various motor specificity (e.g. for the type of grip) and complex visual (i.e. mirror responses) properties. Overall, the posterior areas F4 and F1 appear to be involved in organizing and controlling goal‐directed mouth motor acts and simple movements within different parts of the external (dorsal sector) and internal (ventral sector) space, whereas area F5 code motor acts at a more abstract level, thus enabling the emergence of higher order socio‐cognitive functions.