bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymmetry in the intensive care unit: redressing imbalance and meeting the needs of family
Authors: Blanchard Denise , Alavi Christine 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAims and objectives:  The purpose of this study was to develop a way for nurses to understand how they negotiate and work with families in the intensive care unit (ICU).Background:  The importance of family to the critically ill patient is described in previous research; however, research exploring how to work with families in the clinical context of ICU is modest and there is little information and research to understand how the nurse might work to integrate family and understand family needs in the clinical context.Design:  The study was designed using action research methodology where an action research group of registered nurses from ICU proposed changes to how the family are defined, assessed and understood.Methods:  In the action research group and reflective conversations, the group planned new assessment tools to use in ICU to work with the family.Results:  Exploring their pragmatic knowledge of the context, the action research group suggested ways of working with families that did not impede the clinical work of the ICU. Families provided information about themselves and the patient that helped the nurse to plan care that redressed some of the asymmetrical nature of the relationship in the ICU.Conclusions:  This research created novel ways of viewing family and offers strategies to address asymmetry between families and ICU professionals.Relevance to clinical practice:  Positive steps to redress asymmetrical relationships can help ensure that family care is better integrated into ICU practice.
Commentary: Hugonnet S et al. (2007). The effect of workload on infection risk in critically ill patients
Authors: O’Halloran Peter 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective:  There is growing evidence that low nurse staffing jeopardizes quality of patient care. The objective of the study was to determine whether low staffing level increases the infection risk in critical care.Design:  Observational, single‐centre, prospective cohort study.Setting:  Medical intensive care unit of the University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland.Patients:  All patients admitted over a 4‐year period.Interventions:  None.Measurements and main results:  Study variables included all infections acquired in critical care, daily nurse‐to‐patient ratio, demographic characteristics, admission diagnosis and severity score, comorbidities, daily individual exposure to invasive devices and selected drugs. Of a cohort of 1883 patients totalling 10 637 patient‐days, 415 (22%) developed at least one health care‐associated infection (HCAI) while in critical care. Overall infection rate was 64·5 episodes per 1000 patient‐days. Infected patients experienced higher mortality with a longer duration of stay both in critical care and in the hospital than non‐infected patients (all p < 0·001). Median 24‐h nurse‐to‐patient ratio was 1·9. Controlling for exposure to central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter and antibiotics, we found that higher staffing level was associated with a >30% infection risk reduction (incidence rate ratio, 0·69; 95% CI: 0·50–0·95). We estimated that 26·7% of all infections could be avoided if the nurse‐to‐patient ratio was maintained >2·2.Conclusions:  Staffing is a key determinant of HCAI in critically ill patients. Assuming causality, a substantial proportion of all infections could be avoided if nurse staffing were to be maintained at a higher level. Abstract reprinted from Critical Care Medicine, volume 35, Hugonnet S et al., ‘The effect of workload on infection risk in critically ill patients.’, pages 76–81. © 2007, reproduced with permission from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Can Nanotechnology Improve the Sustainability of Biobased Products?
Authors: Joshi Satish 
Published: August 2008

SummaryRecent developments in nanotechnology, especially in the area of nanoclay composites, are improving the technical performance of biobased polymers and moving them toward technical and economic competitiveness with petroleum‐based polymers and conventional composites. We assess whether these developments also improve the environmental sustainability of biopolymers, by using a life cycle approach. We estimate energy use and emissions from the nanoclay production process and compare these with prior life cycle data for biopolymers as well as other fibers, and we find that nanoclay production results in lower energy use and greenhouse gas emissions than production of many common biopolymers and glass fibers. Nanoclay composites hence can improve the life cycle environmental performance of several common biopolymers. However, for some biopolymers the relative performance depends on the functional unit.
Toward Green Nano
Authors: Eckelman Matthew J. , Zimmerman Julie B. , Anastas Paul T. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryCommercial and research interest in nanotechnology has exploded in recent years, with nearly US$9 billion in investment from public and private sources in 2005. While the list of potential applications for nanotechnologies continues to grow, there is increasing pressure from governments and researchers alike to understand the implications of this new class of materials. The emerging field of green nano applies green chemistry and engineering principles to the synthesis of nanomaterials. Here we outline several strategies for the development of green nano and review past policy and research activities in understanding nanotechnology's environmental implications. By means of the green chemistry metric of E‐factor, an analysis is undertaken of the traditional syntheses of several specific nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and metal nanoparticles. It was found that the E‐factors of these production processes vary over several orders of magnitude, making it difficult to comment generally about the resource use efficiencies of nanomaterials production. For gold nanoparticles specifically, E‐factors for six different production methods are found to range from 102 to 105, demonstrating that greener synthesis routes are possible and that environmental benefits can begin to be quantified. Expanding the analysis to include life‐cycle stages upstream and downstream of production and to incorporate environmental health effects is encouraged, though significant data gaps exist.
Hazard Reduction in Nanotechnology
Authors: Reijnders Lucas 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe release of hazardous substances is a matter of concern for nanotechnology. This may include some nanoparticles, reactants, by‐products, and solvents. The use of low‐hazard solvents may reduce the hazards from nanoparticle production and nanomaterial processing. The hazards of inorganic nanoparticles may be reduced by modifying their chemical composition, surface characteristics, or structure. In nanomedicine, optimizing the balance between persistence and excretion and preventing the release of toxic degradation products may reduce hazard. In applications of fixed inorganic nanoparticles, the focus should be on preventing the release of such particles and of hazardous compounds during the product life cycle. When, after exhaustion of known hazard reduction options, significant hazard remains, other approaches merit consideration.
The localization of cyclo‐oxygenase immuno‐reactivity (COX I‐IR) to the urothelium and to interstitial cells in the bladder wall
Authors: de Jongh R. , Grol S. , van Koeveringe G.A. , van Kerrebroeck P.E.V. , de Vente J. , Gillespie J.I. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractLocalized phasic contractions in the bladder wall (autonomous activity) have been hypothesized to be an integral part of a motor/sensory system contributing to bladder sensation. The sites responsible for generating this activity, the mechanisms involved in its propagation and modulation remain unknown. This phasic motor activity is modulated by exogenous prostaglandins. Therefore, analysis of the sites of prostaglandin production and action within the bladder wall may shed light on the mechanisms of generation and modulation of this phasic activity. In this paper we report the localization of immuno‐reactivity indicative of the expression of cyclo‐oxygenase enzyme type I (COX I‐IR) within the bladder wall. Basically, three types of COX I‐IR cell were identified: epithelial cells in the basal and intermediate layers of the urothelium, complex vimentin‐positive and COX I‐IR cells in the lamina propria and vimentin‐negative COX I‐IR cells in the lamina propria and on the surface of the inner muscle bundles. These vimentin‐negative/COX I‐IR cells appear to be in close apposition to a continuous network of vimentin‐positive cells, which extends from the lamina propria into the inner muscle layers and subsequently into the outer muscle layers. However, the interstitial cells in this region might form a distinctly different sub‐type. First, the interstitial cells in this region differ from those in the inner layer by their responsiveness to NO with a rise in cGMP. Two subtypes have been identified: cells on the surface of the muscle bundles and within the muscle bundles. Second, COX I‐IR cells are not associated with the interstitial cells in the outer layers. The physiological significance for these apparent differences in the interstitial cell network is not clear. However, such differences are likely to reflect differences in the processes involved in their activation, modulation and control.
Proteomic identification of nitrated brain proteins in early Alzheimer’s disease inferior parietal lobule
Authors: Reed Tanea T. , Pierce Jr. William M. , Turner Delano M. , Markesbery William R. , Allan Butterfield D. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive decline in multiple cognitive domains. Its pathological hallmarks include senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the earliest detectable stage of AD with limited symptomology and no dementia. The yearly conversion rate of patients from MCI to AD is 10–15%, although conversion back to normal is possible in a small percentage. Early diagnosis of AD is important in an attempt to intervene or slow the advancement of the disease. Early AD (EAD) is a stage following MCI and characterized by full‐blown dementia; however, information involving EAD is limited. Oxidative stress is well‐established in MCI and AD, including protein oxidation. Protein nitration also is an important oxidative modification observed in MCI and AD, and proteomic analysis from our laboratory identified nitrated proteins in both MCI and AD. Therefore, in the current study, a proteomics approach was used to identify nitrated brain proteins in the inferior parietal lobule from four subjects with EAD. Eight proteins were found to be significantly nitrated in EAD: peroxiredoxin 2, triose phosphate isomerase, glutamate dehydrogenase, neuropolypeptide h3, phosphoglycerate mutase1, H+– transporting ATPase, α‐enolase and fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase. Many of these proteins are also nitrated in MCI and late‐stage AD, making this study the first to our knowledge to link nitrated proteins in all stages of AD. These results are discussed in terms of potential involvement in the progression of this dementing disorder.
CD34+ cells augment endothelial cell differentiation of CD14+ endothelial progenitor cells in vitro
Authors: Krenning G. , Strate B.W.A. van der , Schipper M. , van Seijen X.J. Gallego y , Fernandes B.C.A. , van Luyn M.J.A. , Harmsen M.C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractNeovascularization by endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) for the treatment of ischaemic diseases has been a topic of intense research. The CD34+ cell is often designated as EPC, because it contributes to repair of ischaemic injuries through neovascularization. However, incorporation of CD34+ cells into the neovasculature is limited, suggesting another role which could be paracrine. CD14+ cells can also differentiate into endothelial cells and contribute to neovascularization. However, the low proliferative capacity of CD14+ cell‐derived endothelial cells hampers their use as therapeutic cells. We made the assumption that an interaction between CD34+ and CD14+ cells augments endothelial differentiation of the CD14+ cells. In vitro, the influence of CD34+ cells on the endothelial differentiation capacity of CD14+ cells was investigated. Endothelial differentiation was analysed by expression of endothelial cell markers CD31, CD144, von Willebrand Factor and endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Furthermore, we assessed proliferative capacity and endothelial cell function of the cells in culture. In monocultures, 63% of the CD14+‐derived cells adopted an endothelial cell phenotype, whereas in CD34+/CD14+ co‐cultures 95% of the cells showed endothelial cell differentiation. Proliferation increased up to 12% in the CD34+/CD14+ co‐cultures compared to both monocultures. CD34‐conditioned medium also increased endothelial differentiation of CD14+ cells. This effect was abrogated by hepatocyte growth factor neutralizing antibodies, but not by interleukin‐8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 neutralizing antibodies. We show that co‐culturing of CD34+ and CD14+ cells results in a proliferating population of functional endothelial cells, which may be suitable for treatment of ischaemic diseases such as myocardial infarction.
Minimal enteral feeding reduces the risk of sepsis in feed‐intolerant very low birth weight newborns
Authors: Terrin Gianluca , Passariello Annalisa , Canani Roberto Berni , Manguso Francesco , Paludetto Roberto , Cascioli Concetta 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of minimal enteral feeding (MEF) nutritional practice in feed‐intolerant very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.Methods: A retrospective design using data reported in the clinical charts of VLBW newborns consecutively observed in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) that presents feed intolerance. During the study period, two feeding strategies were adopted: total parenteral nutrition (PN) (group 1) or PN plus MEF (group 2), for at least 24 h. Primary outcome was the time to reach full enteral feeding; secondary outcomes were the occurrence of sepsis, the time to regain birth weight, the length of hospitalization, the occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) Bell stage >II and death.Results: In total, 102 newborns were evaluated: 51 in group 1, and 51 in group 2. Neonates in group 2 achieved full enteral nutrition earlier (8 days, interquartile range [IQR] 5) compared with subjects receiving total PN (11 days, IQR 5, p < 0.001). A reduction of sepsis episodes was observed in group 2 (15.7%) compared with group 1 (33.3%, p = 0.038). Additionally, subjects in group 2 regained their birth weight and were discharged earlier. The occurrence of NEC and death were similar in the two groups.Conclusion: Minimal enteral feeding in very low birth weight infants presenting feed intolerance reduces the time to reach full enteral feeding and the risk of sepsis. This feeding practice does not increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and death.
Cryopreservation of Black Bengal buck semen: Effects of diluents and freezing on sperm motility and morphology
Authors: AFROZ Sadia , ISLAM Md. Rashedul , KHANDOKER M.A.M. Yahia , AKTER Quzi Sharmin 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTSemen from Black Bengal bucks was collected to establish a cooling protocol (to −196°C) for buck semen preservation, and to study the effect of freezing on sperm motility and morphology. Semen was diluted with diluents (Triladyl & Tris) and cryoprotectants, filled into straws, sealed, cooled (to 5°C) and equilibrated. After dilution, motility ranged from 75.00% to 76.67% and from 73.33% to 80.00% in Triladyl and Tris diluents, respectively. Motility of sperm after cooling to 5°C in Triladyl and Tris diluents ranged from 65.00% to 66.67% and from 63.33% to 70.00%, respectively. After equilibration in straws, the semen was subjected to a freezing protocol in a computer‐controlled biofreezer CL‐3000 (cooling at 10°C per minute, from 5°C to −80°C) and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility of re‐thawed semen varied from 38.33% to 43.33% and from 6.00% to−6.67% in Triladyl and Tris diluents, respectively. Sperm morphology of re‐thawed semen was studied and head damage or cryoinjury was found in 2–3% of sperm in Triladyl diluents and 3–6% in Tris diluents. Whether the differences of sperm motility and head damage reflect fertility after artificial insemination is yet unknown and needs to be studied further.
Multiple genotyping in bovine pre‐implantation embryos with whole genome amplification
Authors: HIRAYAMA Hiroki , FUJIKAWA Akira , KAGEYAMA Soichi , MORIYASU Satoru , SAWAI Ken , ONOE Sadao , MINAMIHASHI Akira 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThis study examined genetic diagnosis using whole genome amplification (WGA) in bovine embryos. The first experiment was conducted to compare the WGA efficiency of primer extension preamplification‐PCR (PEP‐PCR) and multiple displacement amplification (MDA), and to optimize the DNA extraction method. The sensitivity of SRY‐specific PCR from MDA products increased when DNA of fibroblasts was extracted by a NaOH treatment instead of the conventional method (heat treatment). The detectability of SRY from PEP‐PCR products was lower than that in MDA regardless of the DNA extraction method (proteinase K or NaOH treatment). Sexing and genotyping were performed using MDA products from embryo biopsy. The accuracy of PCR‐based and LAMP‐based sexing was 100% regardless of the amounts of biopsy. Genotyping of CL16, BND3, SCD and F11 in MDA products from 10 to 20% of trophectoderm was successful 97, 97, 95 and 95% of the time, respectively, but reduced biopsy amount (<10% of trophectoderm) decreased the accuracies (33–83%). Microsatellite markers were analyzed using MDA products from 10 to 20% of trophectoderm. In eight out of 16 microsatellites, genotypes were not contradictory among the dam, sire and embryos. In the other eight microsatellites, the inconsistency rates were 17–83%. These results indicate that MDA is useful for multiple genetic diagnoses in bovine embryos.
Evaluation of nutritive value and palatability by goats and sheep of selected browse foliages from semiarid area of Kenya
Authors: OSUGA Isaac M. , WAMBUI Carolyne C. , ABDULRAZAK Shaukat A. , ICHINOHE Toshiyoshi , FUJIHARA Tsutomu 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThe feeding value of five browse foliages (Acacia brevispica, Acacia mellifera, Berchemia discolor, Zizyphus mucronata and Maerua angolensis) grown in semiarid area of Kenya were evaluated. Their chemical composition including polyphenolics and in vitro gas production characteristics were determined. The biological activity of the polyphenolics was assessed as the increases in gas production profiles and in vitro true dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility after in vitro incubation with or without addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a tannin binding reagent. The intake and palatability ranking of the browse foliages by goats and sheep were also investigated. The browse foliages had variable crude protein content (149.5–248.6 g/kg DM) and variable content of neutral detergent fiber (205.1–424.0 g/kg DM). The content of total extractable tannins was generally low (2.4–34.8 g/kg DM). At 24 h of incubation, Z. mucronata produced the highest gas volume, while after 48 h of incubation, B. discolor produced the highest gas volume. M. angolensis had the least gas production potential within the browse foliages. Addition of PEG increased gas production except in A. mellifera and M. angolensis. However, PEG addition did not have any significant effect on in vitro true DM and OM digestibility except in B. discolor, which decreased. The rank order of preference (highest to least) for goats was A. brevispica, Z. mucronata, B. discolor, A. mellifera and M. angolensis while the rank order of preference for sheep was A. brevispica, B. discolor, A. mellifera, Z. mucronata and M. angolensis. The goats had higher intakes of all the browse foliages than sheep. The result of this study highlights the higher feeding value of the browse species as supplemental feed with low quality basal diet with both of animal species except M. angolensis.
Effects of preventing hyperphagia on glycolipid metabolic abnormalities in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii fatty rats
Authors: MATSUI Kenichi , OHTA Takeshi , MORINAGA Hisayo , SASASE Tomohiko , FUKUDA Sumiaki , ITO Makoto , UEDA Masatoshi , OGAWA Naoto , MIYAJIMA Katsuhiro , MATSUSHITA Mutsuyoshi 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTSpontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats, made by introducing the fa allele of the Zucker fatty rat into the SDT rat genome, represent a new model of obese type 2 diabetes. SDT fatty fa/fa (SDT fatty) rats exhibit overt obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia from about six weeks of age, and this is associated with hyperphagia by an induced disorder of leptin action. The present study was conducted to elucidate whether suppression of hyperphagia can improve reduce abnormalities in SDT fatty rats. SDT fatty rats were subjected to pair‐feeding with SDT fatty +/+ (SDT) rats from 6 to 26 weeks of age, and the effects on metabolic parameters and diabetic complications were assessed. Body weights of the pair‐fed rats were similar with those of SDT rats during the experimental period. Improvement of hyperglycemia or hypertriglyceridemia was observed from 8 to 16 or 12 weeks of age in the pair‐fed rats, but hypercholesterolemia was not entirely improved during the experimental period. We also examined mRNAs expression in liver, and found that the expression associated with glyconeogenesis, such as glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G‐6‐Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), tended to decrease in the pair‐fed rats, and the mRNA expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) was elevated. Renal parameters, such as blood urea nitrogen and urinary albumin excretion, were improved in the pair‐fed rats. The incidence or progression of diabetic complications, such as renal lesions and cataract, was reduced. In conclusion, suppression of hyperphagia in SDT fatty rats was effective in temporally improving hyperglycemia or hypertriglyceridemia, and reducing the incidence or progression of diabetic complications, but was ineffective in reducing hypercholesterolemia.
A study of in vivo antihypertensive properties of enzymatic hydrolysate from chicken leg bone protein
Authors: CHENG Fu‐Yuan , WAN Tien‐Chun , LIU Yu‐Tse , LAI Kung‐Ming , LIN Liang‐Chuan , SAKATA Ryoichi 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTNumerous attempts have been made to develop angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors from various sources of food protein. Generally chicken leg bones are discarded after industrial chicken meat processing without any substantial benefit. In previous studies, chicken leg bone proteins were hydrolyzed by various enzymes and the results demonstrated that Alcalase hydrolysates have considerable ACE inhibiting activities. In this study, the best ACE inhibitory hydrolysate (A4) (which was derived from chicken leg bone protein by Alcalase after 4 h incubation) was orally administrated (50 mg/kg bw) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) to investigate its antihypertensive effects. After oral administration of A4, a maximal reduction activity of about 26 mmHg was found at 4 h and maintained to 8 h. Moreover, SHRs treated with A4 (50 mg/kg bw/day) for eight weeks exhibited a reduction in systolic blood pressure, which is as significant as the effects of Captopril (P < 0.05). These results suggested that chicken leg bones have a high potential for utilization to develop ACE inhibitors as potential food ingredients intended to alleviate hypertension.