bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐care agency and perceived health among people using advanced medical technology at home
Authors: Fex Angelika , Flensner Gullvi , Ek Anna‐Christina , Söderhamn Olle 
Published: July 2011

fex a., flensner g., ek a.‐c. & söderhamn o. (2011) Self‐care agency and perceived health among people using advanced medical technology at home. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 806–815.AbstractAim.  This article reports a study of self‐care agency and perceived health in a group of people using advanced medical technology at home.Background.  An increasing number of people are using medical technology for self‐care. Few studies describe daily life in this context at an overriding level, irrespective of the specific sort of technology. A connection between self‐care, perceived health and sense of coherence has previously been implied.Methods.  A descriptive, comparative, cross‐sectional quantitative design was used. Data were collected from a questionnaire during the winter of 2009/2010. The questionnaire addressed perceived health and daily life with medical technology. Swedish versions of the Appraisal of Self‐care Agency scale and the 13‐item version of Antonovsky’s sense of coherence scale were included.Results.  The questionnaire was answered by 180 adults performing self‐care at home involving long‐term oxygen, a ventilator, or peritoneal‐ or haemo‐dialysis. Health‐related and technology‐related variables in daily life were mostly highly satisfactory. Perceived health was rated significantly lower among participants using long‐term oxygen. Sufficient sense of coherence, knowledge of how to use technology, close contact with others and not feeling helpless contributed positively to self‐care agency. Positive contributing factors for perceived health were being satisfied with life, having an active life and not feeling helpless, whereas age was a negative factor.Conclusion.  Daily life is manageable for people in this context. Long‐term oxygen treatment and advanced age can be regarded as risk factors for perceiving ill health.
Life experiences of security and insecurity among women with chronic heart failure
Authors: Burström Marianne , Brännström Margareta , Boman Kurt , Strandberg Gunilla 
Published: July 2011

burström m., brännström m., boman k. & strandberg g. (2011) Life experiences of security and insecurity among women with chronic heart failure.Journal of Advanced Nursing68(4), 816–825.AbstractAim. This paper is a report of a study illuminating women’s experiences of living with chronic heart failure with a focus on feelings of security and insecurity.Background. To be secure is a basic human need. Although feelings of being insecure has been found to be a common problem among people who live with chronic heart failure few qualitative studies, particularly among women, have been carried out in the field.Method. Eight women took part in focus group interviews during 2006. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Findings. The women’s feelings of security include acceptance of the past, everyday life and the future, trusting the self and the body despite the disease, not having to deal with dependency alone, and faith in care and treatment. The women’s feelings of insecurity include feeling guilty for being sick and incapacitated, fear of living with a frail and failing body, anxiety about growing dependence on others, loneliness and death and lack of faith in care and treatment.Conclusion. The outlook on the past, the present and the view about the future, can be fundamental for the quality of life, and the sense of security and insecurity among women living with chronic heart failure. To support a sense of security it seems essential that nursing staff attempt to understand the women’s outlook on life and their personal interpretations of living with chronic heart failure. This can be crucial for enhancing feelings of security in daily life for these women.
Individual and work environment characteristics associated with error occurrences in Korean public hospitals
Authors: Hwang Jee‐In , Hwang Eun‐Jeong 
Published: July 2011

Aims.  To determine individual and work environment characteristics associated with the occurrence of errors in Korean public hospitals.Background.  Medical errors are affected by individual and work environment characteristics. Few studies have examined the factors influencing medical errors, including perceptions of safety climate and individual and organisational characteristics.Design.  A survey.Methods.  A questionnaire was distributed to 2358 nurses in 33 public hospitals to collect information on the frequency of errors, perceptions of safety climate and general characteristics of the participants. Data on hospital characteristics were obtained from the Regional Public Hospital Profile. The response rate was 89·7%. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing the occurrence of errors.Results.  Of the participants, 19% reported having made at least one error in the previous year. Nurses with better perceptions of workgroup‐ (OR = 0·73) and organisation‐ (OR = 0·69) level safety climate were less likely to make errors. Nurses with less than 3 years of nursing experience (OR = 2·05) were more likely to make errors than those with ten years or more. Nurses working at Red Cross hospitals (OR = 1·63) and in rural areas (OR = 2·04) were more likely to make errors than those at Regional Medical Centres and in urban areas, respectively.Conclusion.  The factors associated with the occurrence of errors were perceived safety climate, years of nursing experience and hospitals’ ownership and location.Relevance to clinical practice.  Public hospital executives and nurse managers should be actively involved in creating a strong safety climate. Furthermore, training programmes and managerial support focussed on improving patient safety and directed at less experienced nurses, especially those working at Red Cross hospitals in rural areas, need to be emphasised to prevent errors.
Characterization and expression profile of two UDP‐glucosyltransferases, UGT85K4 and UGT85K5, catalyzing the last step in cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis in cassava
Authors: Kannangara Rubini , Motawia Mohammed S. , Hansen Natascha K. K. , Paquette Suzanne M. , Olsen Carl E. , Møller Birger L. , Jørgensen Kirsten 
Published: July 2011

SummaryManihot esculenta (cassava) contains two cyanogenic glucosides, linamarin and lotaustralin, biosynthesized from l‐valine and l‐isoleucine, respectively. In this study, cDNAs encoding two uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT) paralogs, assigned the names UGT85K4 and UGT85K5, have been isolated from cassava. The paralogs display 96% amino acid identity, and belong to a family containing cyanogenic glucoside‐specific UGTs from Sorghum bicolor and Prunus dulcis. Recombinant UGT85K4 and UGT85K5 produced in Escherichia coli were able to glucosylate acetone cyanohydrin and 2‐hydroxy‐2‐methylbutyronitrile, forming linamarin and lotaustralin. UGT85K4 and UGT85K5 show broad in vitro substrate specificity, as documented by their ability to glucosylate other hydroxynitriles, some flavonoids and simple alcohols. Immunolocalization studies indicated that UGT85K4 and UGT85K5 co‐occur with CYP79D1/D2 and CYP71E7 paralogs, which catalyze earlier steps in cyanogenic glucoside synthesis in cassava. These enzymes are all found in mesophyll and xylem parenchyma cells in the first unfolded cassava leaf. In situ PCR showed that UGT85K4 and UGT85K5 are co‐expressed with CYP79D1 and both CYP71E7 paralogs in the cortex, xylem and phloem parenchyma, and in specific cells in the endodermis of the petiole of the first unfolded leaf. Based on the data obtained, UGT85K4 and UGT85K5 are concluded to be the UGTs catalyzing in planta synthesis of cyanogenic glucosides. The localization of the biosynthetic enzymes suggests that cyanogenic glucosides may play a role in both defense reactions and in fine‐tuning nitrogen assimilation in cassava.
Endosomal signaling of the tomato leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like protein LeEix2
Authors: Sharfman Miya , Bar Maya , Ehrlich Marcelo , Schuster Silvia , Melech‐Bonfil Shiri , Ezer Ran , Sessa Guido , Avni Adi 
Published: July 2011

SummaryExtracellular leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) receptor‐like proteins (RLPs) represent a unique class of cell‐surface receptors, as they lack a functional cytoplasmic domain. Our knowledge of how RLPs that do not contain a kinase or Toll domain function is very limited. The tomato RLP receptor LeEix2 signals to induce defense responses mediated by the fungal protein ethylene‐inducing xylanase (EIX). The movement of FYVE‐positive endosomes before and after EIX application was examined using spinning disc confocal microscopy. We found that while FYVE‐positive endosomes generally observe a random movement pattern, following EIX application a subpopulation of FYVE‐positive endosomes follow a directional movement pattern. Further, cellular endosomes travel greater distances at higher speeds following EIX application. Time‐course experiments conducted with specific inhibitors demonstrate the involvement of endosomal signaling in EIX‐triggered defense responses. Abolishing the existence of endosomes or the endocytic event prevented EIX‐induced signaling. Endocytosis/endosome inhibitors, such as Dynasore or 1‐butanol, inhibit EIX‐induced signaling. Moreover, treatment with Endosidin1, which inhibits an early step in plasma membrane/endosome trafficking, enhances the induction of defense responses by EIX. Our data indicate a distinct endosomal signaling mechanism for induction of defense responses in this RLP system.
Establishment of the first International Repository for Transfusion‐Relevant Bacteria Reference Strains: ISBT Working Party Transfusion‐Transmitted Infectious Diseases (WP‐TTID), Subgroup on Bacteria
Authors: Störmer M. , Arroyo A. , Brachert J. , Carrero H. , Devine D. , Epstein J. S. , Gabriel C. , Gelber C. , Goodrich R. , Hanschmann K.‐M. , Heath D. G. , Jacobs M. R. , Keil S. , de Korte D. , Lambrecht B. , Lee C.‐K. , Marcelis J. , Marschner S. , McDonald C. , McGuane S. , McKee M. , Müller T. H. , Muthivhi T. , Pettersson A. , Radziwon P. , Ramirez‐Arcos S. , Reesink H. W. , Rojo J. , Rood I. , Schmidt M. , Schneider C. K. , Seifried E. , Sicker U. , Wendel S. , Wood E. M. , Yomtovian R. A. , Montag T. 
Published: July 2011

Background  Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) still remains a significant problem in transfusion with potential important clinical consequences, including death. The International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on Transfusion‐Transmitted Infectious Diseases, Subgroup on Bacteria, organised an international study on Transfusion‐Relevant Bacteria References to be used as a tool for development, validation and comparison of both bacterial screening and pathogen reduction methods.Material and Methods  Four Bacteria References (Staphylococcus epidermidis PEI‐B‐06, Streptococcus pyogenes PEI‐B‐20, Klebsiella pneumoniae PEI‐B‐08 and Escherichia coli PEI‐B‐19) were selected regarding their ability to proliferate to high counts in PCs and distributed anonymised to 14 laboratories in 10 countries for identification, enumeration and bacterial proliferation in PCs after low spiking (0·3 and 0·03 CFU/ml), to simulate contamination occurring during blood donation.Results  Bacteria References were correctly identified in 98% of all 52 identifications. S. pyogenes and E. coli grew in PCs in 11 out of 12 laboratories, and K. pneumoniae and S. epidermidis replicated in all participating laboratories. The results of bacterial counts were very consistent between laboratories: the 95% confidence intervals were for S. epidermidis: 1·19–1·32 × 107 CFU/ml, S. pyogenes: 0·58–0·69 × 107 CFU/ml, K. pneumoniae: 18·71–20·26 × 107 CFU/ml and E. coli: 1·78–2·10 × 107 CFU/ml.Conclusion  The study was undertaken as a proof of principle with the aim to demonstrate (i) the quality, stability and suitability of the bacterial strains for low‐titre spiking of blood components, (ii) the property of donor‐independent proliferation in PCs, and (iii) their suitability for worldwide shipping of deep frozen, blinded pathogenic bacteria. These aims were successfully fulfilled. The WHO Expert Committee Biological Standardisation has approved the adoption of these four bacteria strains as the first Repository for Transfusion‐Relevant Bacteria Reference Strains and, additionally, endorsed as a project the addition of six further bacteria strain preparations suitable for control of platelet contamination as the next step of enlargement of the repository.
Soft‐bottom macrofaunal assemblages in the Gulf of Salerno, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy, an area affected by the invasion of the seaweed Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea
Authors: Lorenti Maurizio , Gambi Maria Cristina , Guglielmo Rosanna , Patti Francesco Paolo , Scipione Maria Beatrice , Zupo Valerio , Buia Maria Cristina 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe spread of the introduced chlorophyte alga Caulerpa racemosa (with its variety cylindracea) in the Mediterranean Sea has been dramatic in the past decade due to its ability to cover substantial bottom areas and modify invaded habitats. From its first appearance in the mid‐1990s, C. racemosa var. cylindracea has proliferated along the soft bottom of the Gulf of Salerno (Tyrrhenian Sea), which in its central part was largely unvegetated. A long‐term assessment of the macrofaunal assemblages from this area was conducted based on a comparison between a historical dataset of macrofaunal species and abundances obtained in 1981, before the introduction of the alga, and datasets derived from sampling performed in 2006 and 2007 at the same stations. The aim of the comparison was to explore whether a detectable change occurred in the degree of diversity and in the composition of macrofaunal assemblages and, if this occurred, whether such change could be attributed, at least in part, to the C. racemosa colonization in the area. Although overall local diversity did not change in the study area, the composition of the macrofaunal assemblages in 2006–2007 differed from that in 1981. The most conspicuous changes were a decline in infaunal bivalve molluscs and an increase of mobile epibenthic forms (notably the mollusc Nassarius pygmaeus); these may be linked to the influence of C. racemosa on sediment properties. The dominance of some species (mainly polychaetes) may be associated with other environmental factors such as the intensity of riverine inputs. The impact of the invasive alga appears to vary according to the habitat invaded.
Aliskiren increases bradykinin and tissue kallikrein mRNA levels in the heart
Authors: Campbell Duncan J , Zhang Yuan , Kelly Darren J , Gilbert Richard E , McCarthy Davis J , Shi Wei , Smyth Gordon K 
Published: July 2011

Summary1. Aliskiren is a renin inhibitor with an IC50 of 0.6 nmol/L for human renin, 4.5 nmol/L for mouse renin and 80 nmol/L for rat renin.2. In the present study, we compared the effects of aliskiren (10 mg/kg per day), the angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril (0.2 mg/kg per day) and their combination on angiotensin and bradykinin peptides in female heterozygous (mRen‐2)27 rats, transgenic for the mouse renin gene.3. All three treatments produced similar reductions in systolic blood pressure, heart weight and plasma aldosterone levels and reduced angiotensin II levels in lung, but only perindopril and the combination reduced angiotensin II levels in kidney of (mRen‐2)27 rats. In contrast, aliskiren and the combination, but not perindopril alone, increased cardiac bradykinin levels. Aliskiren increased immunostaining for tissue kallikrein in the heart and reduced cardiac fibrosis.4. We investigated the mechanism underlying the increase in bradykinin levels following aliskiren treatment in Sprague–Dawley rats, in which aliskiren has a lower potency for renin inhibition. Aliskiren (10 mg/kg per day) reduced renal angiotensin levels within 24 h, but treatment for > 24 h was required to increase cardiac bradykinin levels. Moreover, 3 mg/kg per day aliskiren increased cardiac bradykinin levels, but did not reduce renal angiotensin levels. Aliskiren did not potentiate the hypotensive effects of bradykinin; however, it increased tissue kallikrein, but not plasma kallikrein, mRNA levels in the heart.5. These data demonstrate that the aliskiren‐induced increase in cardiac bradykinin levels is independent of renin inhibition and changes in bradykinin metabolism, but is associated with increased tissue kallikrein gene expression.
Comparison of the clinical competence of nurses working in two university hospitals in Iran
Authors: Bahreini Masoud , Shahamat Shohreh , Hayatdavoudi Paritchehr , Mirzaei Mostafa 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHospitals are integrated with medical universities in Iran and are categorized into three types with respect to educational and health services quality. This cross‐sectional study aimed to determine and compare the level of clinical competence of nurses who were working in type 1 and type 2 university hospitals. The clinical competence of all 266 nurses in the two hospitals was assessed by using the self‐assessment method. The Nurse Competence Scale, a questionnaire consisting of 73 items, was used to assess the level of clinical competence and the frequency of using skills. The nurses who were working in the type 1 university hospital viewed themselves as more competent than those who were working in the type 2 university hospital. Also, only 70% of the clinical skills were used frequently by the nurses who were working in the type 2 university hospital, in comparison to > 83% for the nurses who were working in the type 1 university hospital. The results can be used for the educational needs assessment of nurses and for modifying the quality of care in hospitals.
Low‐grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis involving the uterus, mimicking primary mucinous endometrial adenocarcinoma: A case report
Authors: Tanaka Hirohiko , Kobayashi Takumi , Yoshida Kayo , Asakura Tetsuo , Taniguchi Haruki , Mikami Yoshiki 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe present a patient with a low‐grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, resulting in disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (pseudomyxoma peritonei) with uterine involvement, and mimicking primary mucinous endometrial adenocarcinoma. On immunohistochemistry, neoplastic glands were cytokeratin 7‐negative and cytokeratin 20‐positive, indicating a gastrointestinal origin rather than a primary ovarian mucinous neoplasm. A diagnosis of uterine metastasis of appendiceal origin was made, based on the constellation of clinicopathological findings, that is, preceding appendiceal neoplasm, peritoneal involvement, absence of coexisting prototypical endometrioid adenocarcinoma or endometrial hyperplasia. The patient underwent hysterectomy and there was no evidence of disease progression at the 12‐month follow up. This suggested the indolent nature of this particular neoplasm, despite its advanced stage.
Serum maternal hepcidin levels 3 days after delivery are higher compared to those measured at parturition
Authors: Gyarmati Béla , Szabó Eszter , Szalay Balázs , Czuczy Noémi , Toldi Gergely , Cseh Áron , Vásárhelyi Barna , Takáts Zoltán 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAim:  Our aim was to investigate the levels of hepcidin at parturition and 3 days after delivery and to relate hepcidin levels to parameters of iron homeostasis.Materials and Methods:  We measured hepcidin levels with mass spectrometry in serum samples of 38 term pregnant women taken just prior to and 3 days after vaginal delivery (n = 23) or cesarean section (CS) (n = 15). Hepcidin levels were related to iron homeostasis parameters and interleukin (IL)‐6 levels. Parameters measured before and after delivery were compared with the Wilcoxon test.Results:  Serum iron levels (median, interquartile range) decreased (14.3, 9.6–21.1 vs 8.9, 6.8–11.5 µmol/L, P < 0.01), while hepcidin levels increased (2.73, 2.2–3.45 vs 10.62, 6.70–15.89 µg/L, P < 0.01) by the third day after parturition compared to those measured before delivery. IL‐6 levels were comparable before and after delivery. No direct association between serum hepcidin and iron homeostasis parameters or IL‐6 levels was found.Conclusions:  Factors triggering hepcidin synthesis dominate 3 days after delivery. Studies are needed to assess the contribution of hepcidin to iron homeostasis during the periparturition period.
Alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction in young adulthood
Authors: SWAIN NICOLA R. , GIBB SHEREE J. , HORWOOD L. JOHN , FERGUSSON DAVID M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. To examine the associations between substance abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction, before and after adjustment for fixed and time‐dynamic sources of confounding.Design and Methods. Data were drawn from a 30 year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 987 individuals. Associations between alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms, cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction were examined using repeated measures regression models. Associations were adjusted for fixed and time‐dynamic sources of confounding, including family background, personality, demographics, recent life events, current employment and recent mental illness.Results. There were significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P < 0.0001) and between cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P < 0.0001). These significant associations remained after adjustment for fixed sources of confounding. However, adjusting for time‐dynamic sources of confounding substantially reduced the associations. After adjustment for time‐dynamic sources of confounding there were no significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P > 0.17) or cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P > 0.25).Discussion and Conclusions. These findings suggest that associations between life substance abuse/dependence and life satisfaction can be explained by time‐dynamic factors, such as employment, life events and comorbid mental illness that are associated with reduced life satisfaction. When due allowance is made for confounding, alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence are not associated with reduced life satisfaction. [Swain NR, Gibb SJ, Horwood LJ, Fergusson DM. Alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction in young adulthood. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:327–333]
INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GROWTH WITH CONGESTION COSTS
Authors: Agénor Pierre‐Richard 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the implications of education quality for the optimal allocation of public expenditure in a simple endogenous growth model with mandatory schooling and infrastructure spillovers. Education quality is inversely related to the degree of congestion in schools, which is itself measured in two ways: the proportions of teachers and students in the population, and the ratio of government spending on education to teaching capacity. The balanced‐growth path is derived and the transitional dynamics associated with an increase in the degree of congestion are analysed. The growth‐maximizing share of government spending on education is shown to depend negatively on the congestion parameter. Policy implications for the ‘quantity versus quality’ debate in schooling are also discussed.