bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cocaine regulates protein kinase B and glycogen synthase kinase‐3 activity in selective regions of rat brain
Authors: Perrine Shane A. , Miller Jonathon S. , Unterwald Ellen M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractProtein kinase B (also known as Akt) signaling regulates dopamine‐mediated locomotor behaviors. Here the ability of cocaine to regulate Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) was studied. Rats were injected with cocaine or saline in a binge‐pattern, which consisted of three daily injections of 15 mg/kg cocaine or 1 mL/kg saline spaced 1 h apart for 1, 3, or 14 days. Amygdala, nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, and hippocampus tissues were dissected 30 min following the last injection and analyzed for phosphorylated and total Akt and GSK3(α and β) protein levels using western blot analysis. Phosphorylation of Akt on the threonine‐308 (Thr308) residue was significantly reduced in the nucleus accumbens and increased in the amygdala after 1 day of cocaine treatment; however, these effects were not accompanied by a significant decrease in GSK3 phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3 was significantly reduced after 14 days of cocaine administration, an effect that was only observed in the amygdala. Cocaine did not alter Akt or GSK3 phosphorylation in the caudate putamen or hippocampus. The findings in nucleus accumbens may reflect dopaminergic motor‐stimulant activity caused by acute cocaine, whereas the effects in amygdala may be associated with changes in emotional state that occur after acute and chronic cocaine exposure.
Survival‐promoting activity of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on rat motoneurons in culture: cAMP–protein kinase A‐mediated survival
Authors: Tomimatsu Naoko , Arakawa Yoshihiro 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been shown to be neurotrophic or neuroprotective in various neurons in culture. It is expressed in spinal motoneuronsin vivoand its expression is increased markedly after axotomy, suggesting a neuroprotective role via an autocrine mechanism. However, neurotrophic activity of PACAP has not been reported for motoneurons. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PACAP on rat motoneurons in culture. In the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, PACAP showed significant neurotrophic activity at concentrations as low as 0.01 nM. Previously, we found that glutamate was excitotoxic to motoneurons even in the presence of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, which is neurotrophic for motoneurons. PACAP with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor protected motoneurons against this excitotoxicity. The activity of PACAP was inhibited by the protein kinase A inhibitorN‐[2‐(p‐bromocinnamylamino) ethyl]‐5‐isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride, as was the case with the activity of forskolin, suggesting downstream involvement of a cAMP–protein kinase A signaling pathway. The present results may suggest a physiological role of PACAPin vivo, and implicate the PACAP–cAMP signaling pathway for the possible therapeutic target of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as glutamate excitotoxicity was suggested in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Comparison of nurses’ and physicians’ documentation of functional abilities of older patients in acute care – patient records compared with standardized assessment
Authors: Jensdóttir Anna‐Birna , Jónsson Pálmi , Noro Anja , Jonsén Elisabeth , Ljunggren Gunnar , Finne‐Soveri Harriet , Schroll Marianne , Grue Else , Björnsson Jan 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  To compare nurses’ and physicians’ documentation of geriatric issues and explore double documentation and undocumented areas of importance in an acute care setting in two Nordic countries.Method:  158 participants, aged 75+, of whom the Minimum Data Set for Acute Care (MDS‐AC) instrument was conducted at admission and from which 56 variables were taken in comparison with notes from patient records documented by nurses and/or physicians in two acute care hospitals, in Finland and Iceland.Findings:  Documentation of the impairment of personal Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was missing in 40–60% of the nurses’ reports and 80–97% of the physician’s reports. Even poorer was the documentation of the impairment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), of which 75% was not reported by the nurses and 85–96% by the physicians . Cognitive function was recorded in only 30–40% of the cases.Conclusions:  The traditional patient record in acute care setting lacks several variables of functional abilities of the older patients. Nurses took more responsibility in the documentation of functional abilities, compared with physicians, but they could improve. Using a standardized instrument such as the MDS‐AC can improve documentation and make a basis for a clearer delineation in responsibilities for documentation between nurses and physicians and thereby improve outcome of care.
Outcome analysis of a research‐based didactic model for education to promote culturally competent nursing care in Sweden – a questionnaire study
Authors: Gebru Kerstin , Khalaf Azzam , Willman Ania 
Published: August 2008

Aims and objectives:  To describe and analyse to what extent the goals of the education in promoting culturally competent nursing care have been achieved from a student perspective.Background:  As Sweden has transformed into a multicultural society over the past 50 years, there is a need to specify, at all levels of the nursing programme, transcultural concepts for the success of integration. A research‐based didactic model was designed for the nursing programme at Malmö University and this was followed by investigations of its outcome.Design and methods:  The study is a prospective cohort study with an outcome analysis. A descriptive research study with a longitudinal design was performed, with the focus on Swedish nursing students’ experiences of transcultural nursing knowledge and their attitudes before and after implementation of the didactic model. The students evaluate highly their competence to meet demands of multicultural health and medical service. Additionally, their ability to recognise and understand the consequences of international migration on health also received a high mean.Conclusions:  The study revealed the knowledge and experience acquired by Swedish students in transcultural nursing. The assumption was that a visible development of knowledge should occur during the three years of education. Interpreting the findings, such effectiveness can be found and hopefully the students will be able to give holistic nursing care based on a person’s individual culture.
Quality of life among long‐term gynaecological cancer survivors
Authors: Rannestad Toril , Skjeldestad Finn E. , Platou Toril F. , Hagen Bjørn 
Published: August 2008

Background:  The population of gynaecological cancer survivors is growing. However, there is little knowledge of the long‐term quality of life among these former patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the long‐term quality of life in women treated successfully for gynaecological cancer and a control group of representative women selected from the general population.Material and methods:  The study comprised women aged 30–75 years residing in the central part of Norway. Cases were 319 gynaecological cancer survivors treated at St Olav’s Hospital Trondheim, Norway, between 1987 and 1996, whereas 1276 age‐matched women selected at random from the general population served as controls. The study population was identified and the respondents were invited to answer a postal questionnaire. After one reminder, the response rate was 55% (176/319) and 41% (521/1276) for cases and controls, respectively. Sixteen cases and 28 controls had incomplete responses to most questions and were excluded from the analyses. Eligible for the final analyses were 160 cases and 493 controls. Ferrans & Powers’ Quality of Life Index (QLI) was used. All analyses were performed in SPSS version 13.0 with chi‐square (categorical variables) and Mann–Whitney (continuous variables) tests. p ≤ 0.05 is the level of statistical significance.Results:  Cases had on an average, a complete recurrence‐free period of 12 years (range 7–18). No differences were detected between cases and controls in the global quality of life or in any of the four sub‐dimensions of QLI. Furthermore, no difference was found in co‐morbidity, but cases consulted more often hospital physicians than controls did.Interpretation:  Long‐term gynaecological cancer survivors enjoy the same quality of life as women in the general population.
Repeatability and agreement in the measurement of horizontal fusional vergences
Authors: Antona B. , Barrio A. , Barra F. , Gonzalez E. , Sanchez I. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose:  This study was designed to determine the repeatability of fusional vergence ranges measured using the rotary prisms in the phoropter and in free space using the prism bar. The level of agreement between the two methods was also investigated.Methods:  In two separate sessions, negative and positive fusional vergence ranges (NFV and PFV, respectively) were measured at distance and near in 61 young adults (mean age 19.74, S.D. 2.5 years) who were unfamiliar with the methods used. Base‐in and base‐out blur, break and recovery points were sequentially determined. Both sets of measurements were obtained by the same examiner. At each distance, NFV was determined first and then PFV. The repeatability of the tests and agreement between measurements made with the phoropter rotary prisms and the prism bar were estimated by the Bland and Altman method.Results:  For both the phoropter rotary prisms and prism bar, NFV measurements showed better repeatability than PFV at both near and distance. Mean differences recorded for the NFV break and recovery points were non‐significant (under 0.5Δ), while those observed for PFV were generally greater than 2Δ. When agreement between the two tests was assessed, it was found that break points were higher when determined using the phoropter rotary prisms, while recovery points were generally higher for the prism bar method. In clinical terms, according to the expected values of the NFV and PFV, agreement between the two techniques can be described as fair, because although mean differences were never greater than 5.5Δ, 95% agreement intervals were as wide as ±8.00Δ for NFV and ±13.19Δ for PFV.Conclusions:  The two methods used to measure fusional vergences showed fairly good inter‐session repeatability for measuring NFV but repeatability was reduced for PFV measurements. The level of agreement observed between the two methods was such that their interchangeable use in clinical practice is not recommended.
A biometric investigation of ocular components in amblyopia
Authors: Cass Kevin , Tromans Cindy 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the ocular parameters and their contribution to total axial length, and any inter‐ocular differences when compared to the fellow non‐amblyopic eye, in a population of paediatric amblyopes. Inter‐ocular differences in visual acuity, refractive error, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth and their contribution to total axial length were analysed in four populations: adult controls (n = 26), paediatric controls (n = 24), paediatric strabismic amblyopes (n = 18) and paediatric anisometropic amblyopes (n = 27). In the two control groups, there were small inter‐ocular differences between the components, none of which were statistically or clinically significant. Anisometropic amblyopic eyes were found to have statistically and clinically significant differences in refractive error, crystalline lens power, vitreous chamber depth and total axial length when compared to the fellow eye. Anterior and vitreous chamber depths, when expressed as a percentage of the anterior and vitreous chambers in the non‐amblyopic fellow eye, were approximately 95% of the size. When parameters were normalised by expressing as a percentage of total axial length, the contribution of the anterior chamber, crystalline lens and vitreous chamber to total axial length in both eyes were comparable, suggesting that all components of the anisometropic amblyopic eye are proportionately reduced in size. The strabismic amblyopic eyes were in the main isometropic. There were however statistically significant differences in anterior chamber depth, crystalline lens power, vitreous chamber depth and total axial length, but not in crystalline lens thickness. When the components were expressed as a percentage of the component in the non‐amblyopic fellow eye, the anterior and vitreous chambers were approximately 90% of the size of the fellow non‐amblyopic eye and made a significantly smaller contribution to total axial length when normalised. Crystalline lens thickness contributed significantly more to the total axial length in a strabismic eye. This suggests that, unlike control eyes or anisometropic amblyopic eyes, the strabismic eye is physically, though not proportionately, reduced in size.
Lower threshold estimates at the onset of automated perimetry causing artefacts in perimetrically naive subjects
Authors: Preetha M. M. , George Ronnie , Ve Ramesh S. , Raju Prema , Vijaya L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractReduction in the threshold value of the primary points resulting in depressed points on the pattern deviation plot of Humphrey visual fields was observed in a series of four perimetrically naive subjects. The defect disappeared on repeated testing. This primary point defect could be attributed to the patient’s poor understanding of the test, response bias or poor instruction by the perimetrist.
The content of optometric eye examinations for a young myope with headaches
Authors: Shah Rakhee , Edgar David F. , Rabbetts Ronald , Blakeney Susan L. , Charlesworth Peter , Harle Deacon E. , Evans Bruce J. W. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  A recent review found standardised patient (SP) methodology to be the gold standard methodology for evaluating clinical care. We used this to investigate the content of optometric eye care for a young myopic patient with headaches suggestive of migraine.Methods:  We recruited 100 community optometrists who consented to be visited by an unannounced actor for an eye examination and to have that eye examination recorded. The actor received extensive training to enable accurate reporting of the content of the eye examinations, via an audio recording and a checklist completed for each clinical encounter. The actor presented as a 20‐year‐old student seeking a private eye examination and complaining of symptoms suggestive of migraine headaches. The results of each clinical encounter were recorded on a pre‐designed checklist based on evidence‐based reviews on headaches, clinical guidelines and the views of an expert panel of optometrists.Results:  The presence of headache was detected in 98% of cases. Eight standard headache questions were considered to be the gold standard for primary care headache investigation. Although none of the optometrists asked all of these questions, 22% asked at least four of the eight questions. Sixty‐nine per cent of practitioners asked the patient to seek a medical opinion regarding the headaches. The proportion of the tests recommended by the expert panel that was carried out varied from 33% to 89% and the durations of the eye examination varied from 5 to 50 min.Conclusion:  SP encounters are an effective way of measuring clinical care within optometry and should be considered for further comparative measurements of quality of care. As in research using SPs in other healthcare disciplines, our study has highlighted substantial differences between different practitioners in the duration and depth of their clinical investigations. This highlights the fact that not all eye examinations are the same and that there is no such thing as a ‘standard sight test’. We recommend that future optometric continuing education could usefully focus on migraine diagnosis and assessment.
The technique, validity and clinical use of the sweep VEP
Authors: Almoqbel Fahad , Leat Susan J. , Irving Elizabeth 
Published: August 2008

AbstractVision scientists have concentrated on studying two visual functions when it comes to assessing the sensory visual development in human: visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. The methods used to measure these visual functions can be either behavioral or electrophysiological. A relatively new technique for measuring the visual acuity and contrast sensitivity electrophysiologically is the sweep visual evoked potential (sVEP). This paper is a review of the literature on the sVEP technique: stimulus parameters, threshold determination, validity and reliability of sVEP are discussed. Different studies using the sVEP to study the development of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and vernier acuity are presented. Studies have demonstrated that the sVEP is a potentially important tool for assessing visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in non‐verbal individuals with disorders affecting their visual system.
The effect of age‐related lens yellowing on Farnsworth–Munsell 100 hue error score
Authors: Beirne Raymond O. , McIlreavy Lee , Zlatkova Margarita B. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To investigate the effects of real and simulated age‐related changes in crystalline lens yellowing on Farnsworth–Munsell (FM) 100 hue performance.Methods:  FM 100 hue total and partial error scores (PES) were measured in a group of younger (n = 10, mean age = 22.2 ± 2.65 years) and a group of older (n = 10, mean age = 54.5 ± 2.64 years) normal observers along with psychophysical estimates of crystalline lens optical density and pupil size. Three younger observers underwent repeated FM 100 hue testing under a variety of simulated age‐related lens yellowing conditions, using filters with well‐defined transmittance properties which attempted to mimic the real age‐related lens yellowing changes of the older group.Results:  FM 100 hue total and PES were significantly higher in the older age group compared with the younger group (p < 0.01). Lens density measures were significantly higher in the older age group compared with the young group (p < 0.01), but showed less scatter than individual FM 100 hue error scores. Simulated lens yellowing in the three younger observers, equivalent to the level of that of the older observers, did not affect any of their FM 100 hue total or PES.Conclusions:  Simulation of age‐related lens yellowing in younger observers has little effect on FM 100 hue error score. A variety of other factors such as pupil size, background illuminaton level, iris colour and macular pigment density may contribute to the age‐related increase in FM 100 hue scores.
Use of continuous renal replacement therapy for treatment of dogs and cats with acute or acute‐on‐chronic renal failure: 33 cases (2002–2006)
Authors: Diehl Shenandoah H. , Seshadri Ravi 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: To describe the indications, clinical features, outcomes and complications associated with use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in 17 client‐owned dogs and 16 client‐owned cats with acute or acute‐on‐chronic renal failure refractory to aggressive medical management.Series summary: Twenty‐nine percent of dogs and 44% of cats had evidence of pre‐existing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Median duration of CRRT was 16.3 hours (range 0.3–83.0 hours) in dogs and 11.5 hours (range 1.0–35.5 hours) in cats. Median canine blood urea nitrogen (BUN) improved from 41.0 mmol/L (115.0 mg/dL) to 11.8 mmol/L (33.0 mg/dL) and creatinine from 636.5 mmol/L (7.2 mg/dL) to 274 mmol/L (3.1 mg/dL). Median feline BUN improved from 46.4 mmol/L (130 mg/dL) to 13.9 mmol/L (39.0 mg/dL) and creatinine from 1069.6 mmol/L (12.1 mg/dL) to 291.7 mmol/L (3.3 mg/dL). Metabolic acidosis resolved in 80% of affected dogs and 71% of affected cats. Hyperkalemia resolved in 100% of affected dogs and 88% of affected cats. Complications noted with CRRT included iatrogenic hypokalemia, iatrogenic metabolic alkalosis, clinical hypocalcemia, total hypercalcemia, filter clotting, anemia, hypothermia, and neurologic complications. Forty‐one percent of dogs and 44% of cats survived to discharge. No dogs and only 1 cat developed newly diagnosed CKD.New or unique information provided: CRRT can be a viable option for the management of acute or acute‐on‐chronic renal failure in dogs and cats that are refractory to aggressive medical management. The frequency of complications associated with CRRT in this study warrants further experience with this modality before its widespread use can be recommended.
Upper airway obstruction caused by a nasopharyngeal polyp and brachycephalic airway syndrome in a Chinese Shar‐Pei puppy
Authors: Smart Lisa , Jandrey Karl E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: To describe the case management for a dog diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal polyp.Case summary: A 9‐week‐old Shar‐Pei puppy presented for progressive dyspnea and collapse. Clinical signs were consistent with an upper airway obstruction (UAO) and a temporary tracheostomy was performed. The puppy was at first diagnosed with and treated for brachycephalic airway syndrome but continued to exhibit signs of an UAO after soft palate resection. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed a nasopharyngeal polyp causing the UAO, which was surgically removed. The puppy has been free of clinical signs for 1 year after removal of the polyp.New or unique information provided: This is the first report of a nasopharyngeal polyp causing a life‐threatening UAO in a puppy. It emphasizes the importance of examining the nasopharyngeal space in neonates presenting with UAO.
A Finite Element Model of the Electrically Stimulated Human Thigh: Changes due to Denervation and Training
Authors: Stickler Yvonne , Martinek Johannes , Hofer Christian , Rattay Frank 
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  The complete denervation of muscles leads to changes in the muscle fibers as well as in the surrounding tissue. Concerning excitability the most important changes are reductions in fiber diameter, in muscle cross‐sectional area, and in electrical conductivity of the muscle tissue. These changes can be partially reversed by intensive electrical stimulation.Evaluation of a 3D finite element axial symmetric model of the human thigh shows that the training leads to a reduction in threshold values between 17 and 51 percent, depending on the position of the fiber in the thigh. Single parameter variation clarifies the influence of each of the different factors. The electrode position was found to be most effective with the electrodes as far apart from each other as possible. Due to (i) comparatively higher changes in potentials at the distal electrode; and (ii) variations in sodium channel dynamics, lowest threshold values can be reached with a hyperpolarizing first phase of the biphasic impulse at the distal electrode. The tissue of the denervated muscle is known to be highly inhomogeneous. Simulations demonstrate that the related irregularities in the field can actually initiate fiber activation.3D finite element simulations show the overall positive effects of FES on muscle tissue, especially an improved excitability of the muscle fibers. Furthermore the method gives an insight into the relations between potential distribution, electrode position, geometric effects, and muscle fiber activation that cannot be obtained by measurements.