bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meleis's theory of nursing transitions and relatives’ experiences of nursing home entry
Authors: Davies Sue 
Published: November 2005

Aim.  This paper explores the extent to which Meleis's mid‐range theory of nursing transitions is supported by the findings of a study exploring relatives’ experiences of the move to a nursing home.Background.  Mid‐range nursing theories are useful tools in helping to understand the scope of nursing practice in a range of contexts and situations. However, as yet, many formal mid‐range theories have not been adequately tested.Methods.  Findings from a constructivist study of relatives’ experiences of nursing home entry were re‐analysed in relation to the extent to which they reflected the domains of the theory of nursing transitions. Data for the original study were generated during 37 qualitative interviews involving 48 close family members of older people who had recently moved to a nursing home, and in observational case studies in three nursing homes.Findings.  All domains of the theory of nursing transition were supported by the data generated within the study. However, the model failed to represent adequately the interactive and dynamic nature of relationships between formal and informal caregivers in the nursing home context.Conclusions.  The theory of nursing transitions has the potential to assist nurses in identifying appropriate strategies for supporting relatives throughout the period of an older person's relocation to a nursing home. However, in order to reflect fully the experiences of relatives at this time, the theory requires adjustment to recognize the contribution made by relatives themselves to positive outcomes. This therefore raises questions as to whether the relative absence of this reciprocal and interactive dimension is an element of Meleis's theory that requires further exploration in relation to other forms of transition.
Complex adaptive systems: concept analysis
Authors: Holden Lela M. 
Published: November 2005

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to explicate the concept of complex adaptive systems through an analysis that provides a description, antecedents, consequences, and a model case from the nursing and health care literature.Background.  Life is more than atoms and molecules – it is patterns of organization. Complexity science is the latest generation of systems thinking that investigates patterns and has emerged from the exploration of the subatomic world and quantum physics. A key component of complexity science is the concept of complex adaptive systems, and active research is found in many disciplines – from biology to economics to health care. However, the research and literature related to these appealing topics have generated confusion. A thorough explication of complex adaptive systems is needed.Methods.  A modified application of the methods recommended by Walker and Avant for concept analysis was used.Findings.  A complex adaptive system is a collection of individual agents with freedom to act in ways that are not always totally predictable and whose actions are interconnected. Examples include a colony of termites, the financial market, and a surgical team. It is often referred to as chaos theory, but the two are not the same. Chaos theory is actually a subset of complexity science. Complexity science offers a powerful new approach – beyond merely looking at clinical processes and the skills of healthcare professionals.Conclusion.  The use of complex adaptive systems as a framework is increasing for a wide range of scientific applications, including nursing and healthcare management research. When nursing and other healthcare managers focus on increasing connections, diversity, and interactions they increase information flow and promote creative adaptation referred to as self‐organization. Complexity science builds on the rich tradition in nursing that views patients and nursing care from a systems perspective.
Determining older people's needs for care by Registered Nurses: the Nursing Needs Assessment Tool
Authors: Slater Paul , McCormack Brendan 
Published: November 2005

Aims.  This paper reports a study to determine an appropriate framework for assessing older people's needs for nursing within the policy of ‘free nursing’, and to attempt to identify valid, reliable and usable assessment tool for determining this eligibility.Background.  In 2001, the United Kingdom government introduced ‘free nursing care’ legislation, eligibility for which was subject to a nursing needs assessment. This paper outlines the search for and subsequent development of an appropriate tool for assessing older people's eligibility for free nursing care in Northern Ireland.Methods.  Following a systematic search of the literature, existing tools used in ascertaining older people's nursing needs were identified. Each tool was systematically assessed in accordance with criteria of validity, reliability, usability, comprehensiveness of assessment and ability to quantify nursing care needs. From the findings, an assessment instrument, Nursing Needs Assessment Tool was subsequently developed and tested. Paired assessments of older people were undertaken independently by assessor dyads and evaluated statistically. Assessors’ opinions on the usability of the instrument were sought through a focus group.Results.  One hundred and ten paired assessments were returned (63%). Overall there was 65% agreement between assessors. Kappa scores indicated good levels of inter‐rater reliability. Correlation co‐efficient measures reinforced these results. Findings from the focus group confirmed the validity, usability and comprehensiveness of the tool.Conclusions.  The Nursing Needs Assessment Tool is a reliable, valid and usable instrument. This has major implications for the standardization of assessment for older people.
Natal philopatry does not lead to population genetic differentiation in Buller's albatross (Thalassarche bulleri bulleri)
Authors: VAN BEKKUM MARGO , SAGAR PAUL M. , STAHL JEAN‐CLAUDE , CHAMBERS GEOFFREY K. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractGenetic variability in the only two existing populations of Buller's albatross (Thalassarche bulleri bulleri) was assessed using six polymorphic microsatellite loci. Large biological samples were obtained from both the Snares (n = 99) and the Solander Islands (n = 27). Several measures of genetic differentiation including FST and RST and a principal coordinates analysis (PCO) suggest a complete absence of genetic structure between three breeding colonies on the Snares Islands, and between them and one breeding colony on the Solander Islands. Mark/recapture studies of recently banded albatross chicks on the Snares found high natal philopatry in T. b. bulleri, but the microsatellite DNA data suggest that sufficient gene flow still occurs between all four breeding colonies to maintain a genetically homogeneous population overall.
Does disturbance enhance genotypic diversity in clonal organisms? A field test in the marine angiosperm Zostera marina
Authors: REUSCH THORSTEN B. H. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractPhysical disturbance has often been invoked to control genotypic diversity in sessile clonal organisms, yet experimental evidence is lacking. I studied the effects of physical disturbance on genet dynamics and genotypic diversity in a clonal marine angiosperm, Zostera marina (eelgrass). In replicated plots of 1 m2, the vegetation canopy was removed in gaps of zero (control), 25%, 50% and 75% of the area (n = 6 replicates). Before removal and during two consecutive years, the genotypic composition was determined using genetic markers (DNA microsatellites) in a 5 × 5 pixel grid per plot. An aggregate index of genet dynamics summarizing recruitment, increase, loss and decrease of clones was maximal at intermediate disturbance levels (quadratic polynomial P = 0.02). Physical disturbance also increased the occurrence of new genotypes, possibly reflecting recruitment (linear model, P < 0.05). Contrary to expectations, there was no competitive advantage of more heterozygous genotypes over less heterozygous ones. In the absence of disturbance, in particular, clones with lower individual heterozygosity were more likely to increase in area over a 1‐year time period than more heterozygous ones, while there was no such correlation in plots with disturbance (logistic model, Pdisturbance × heterozygosity = 0.036). Undisturbed plots revealed background recruitment independent of canopy gaps, suggesting that Z. marina exhibits a strategy of continual recruitment. Effects of experimental disturbance (linear or quadratic) on clonal diversity were not detectable. Instead, initial (pretreatment) clonal diversity accounted for between 68% and 91% of the variance in diversity, indicating remarkable resilience of genotypic diversity in the face of physical disturbance.
Tachygastria induced by gastric electrical stimulation is mediated via α‐ and β‐adrenergic pathway and inhibits antral motility in dogs
Authors: Ouyang H. , Xing J. , Chen J. D. Z. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Background:  It is known that tachygastria is associated with gastric hypomotility and retrograde gastric electrical stimulation (RGES) delays gastric emptying and is proposed for treating obesity. The aim was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of RGES on postprandial antral contraction in dogs.Methods:  Seven dogs were implanted with a gastric cannula and three pairs of gastric serosal electrodes. Antral contractions and gastric myoelectrical activity were recorded immediately after a solid meal, with or without RGES, or with GES on the corpus, or with RGES under administration of propranolol. The stimulus was composed of long pulses with a tachygastrial frequency.Results:  (i) GES at the tachygastrial frequency impaired gastric myoelectrical activity and induced tachygastria (anovaP < 0.05). (ii) GES at the tachygastrial frequency suppressed antral contractions (anovaP < 0.01) and the effect was stronger with retrograde stimulation than forward stimulation (P < 0.05). (iii) GES‐induced tachygastria was correlated with antral hypomotility (r = −0.60, P = 0.01). (iv) Propranolol and phentolamine abolished GES‐induced tachygastria and antral hypomotility.Conclusions:  Long‐pulse RGES at a tachygastrial frequency suppresses postprandial antral contractions, which is attributed to an induction of tachygastria via the α‐ and β‐adrenergic pathway.
How reproducible is cutaneous electrogastrography? An in‐depth evidence‐based study1
Authors: Jonderko K. , Kasicka‐jonderko A. , Krusiec‐świdergoł B. , Dzielicki M. , Strój L. , Doliński M. , Doliński K. , Błońska‐fajfrowska B. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Aim:  To check on reproducibility of parameters of the cutaneous electrogastrogram registered at a close or a distant time span.Methods:  Twenty‐two volunteers recruited by an advertisement (11 females and 11 males, median age 25 years, range: 18–35) underwent three surface electrogastrography examinations of which two were taken on consecutive days and the third one was accomplished at least 2 weeks before or after the two other sessions. The examination involved a 30‐min fasted recording, followed by a 90‐min postprandial registration after intake of a 394‐kcal mixed solid–liquid test meal.Results:  Parameters of the electrogastrogram pertaining to the frequency of the gastric slow waves exhibited good to moderate reproducibility, whereas fair reproducibility characterized parameters expected to describe the power of gastric slow waves. With the exception of the difference fed minus fasted power (ΔDP), in no instance was the medium term reproducibility any worse than the short term one. Categorical data analysis revealed that the relative time share of normogastria postprandially exhibited a better reproducibility than in the fasted period. The Cohen's κ‐value of 0.459 for the ΔDP for the medium term reproducibility placed this parameter within the range of moderate agreement between repeat examinations. Of the two two‐parameter combinations considered, the alliance of the fasted and fed normogastria performed worse than any of those parameters considered alone, whereas a combination of the ΔDP with the fed‐state normogastria revealed a κ‐value amounting to 0.510 for the medium term reproducibility.Conclusions:  The feasibility of some electrogastrographic parameters to convey clinically useful information may be hampered by their fair reproducibility. Recoding of parameters of the cutaneous electrogastrogram from primary continuous to secondary categorical may help achieve a better agreement between repeat examinations.
Activation of splanchnic and pelvic colonic afferents by bradykinin in mice
Authors: Brierley S. M. , Jones R. C. W. , Xu L. , Gebhart G. F. , Blackshaw L. A. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract Background: Lumbar splanchnic (LSN) and sacral pelvic (PN) nerves convey different mechanosensory information from the colon to the spinal cord. Here, we determined whether these pathways differ also in their chemosensitivity to bradykinin.Methods: Using a novelin vitromouse colon preparation, serosal afferents were recorded from the LSN and PN and distinguished based on their mechanosensitivity to von Frey filaments (70–4000 mg) and insensitivity to colonic stretch (1–5 g) or fine mucosal stroking (10 mg). Bradykinin was applied into a ring around mechanoreceptive fields.Results: The LSN and PN afferents had different dynamic responses to mechanical stimuli: PN afferents required lower intensity stimuli, evoked larger responses, and displayed more maintained responses than LSN afferents. Bradykinin (1 μmol L−1) excited 66% (27 of 41) of LSN afferents. Responses to probing were potentiated after bradykinin. The concentration‐dependent (EC50: 0.16 μmol L−1) response was reversed by the B2‐receptor antagonist HOE‐140 (10 nmol L−1). Twelve bradykinin responsive afferents were mechanically insensitive. More LSN serosal afferents responded to bradykinin than PN afferents (11%,P < 0.001) , with larger responses (P < 0.05). No mechanically insensitive PN afferents were recruited by bradykinin.Conclusions: Bradykinin potently stimulates most splanchnic serosal afferents via B2‐receptors, but few pelvic afferents. Mechanically insensitive afferents recruited by bradykinin are exclusive to the LSN.
IL‐10 Promoter −1082 Polymorphism is Associated with Elevated IL‐10 Levels in Control Subjects but Does not Explain Elevated Plasma IL‐10 Observed in Sjögren's Syndrome in a Hungarian Cohort
Authors: Márka M. , Bessenyei B. , Zeher M. , Semsei I. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of the −1082 polymorphism of the interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) gene and the soluble IL‐10 levels in Hungarian primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients. Ninety‐nine SS patients and 135 healthy volunteers were examined. Samples were analysed by the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and IL‐10 plasma levels were assesed by a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. IL‐10 plasma levels were higher in the primary SS patients (36.4 ± 57.5 pg/ml, n = 99) compared with the healthy subjects (9.9 ± 20.3 pg/ml, n = 135, P = 10−6). The elevated IL‐10 phenotype of SS patients was not associated with increased G allele frequency as reported earlier, while in the control group, we found higher IL‐10 levels among the subjects who were carriers of the GG genotype (17.7 ± 23.2 pg/ml) as compared with the other two genotype carriers (AA 8.98 ± 16.5 and GA 8.5 ± 21.1 pg/ml, P = 0.01). Our data do not support previous observations indicating an association between deregulated IL‐10 secretion in SS and higher G allele frequency. However, the results clearly demonstrate that GG homozygosity is associated with elevated IL‐10 levels in apparently healthy subjects, but this cannot account for the IL‐10‐related specific disease features observed in SS. Thus, other genetic factors contribute to the clinical spectrum of this heterogeneous disease at least in the Hungarian population.
Expression of Interleukin‐17 in Ischemic Brain Tissue
Authors: Li G.‐Z. , Zhong D. , Yang L.‐M. , Sn B. , Zhong Z.‐H. , Yin Y.‐H. , Cheng J. , Yan B.‐B. , Li H.‐L. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIschemic brain injury is acute local inflammation, leading to accumulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines influence the recruitment of leucocytes and play a key role in the inflammatory injury processes. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated a close relationship between brain ischemia and cytokines. Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) is a newly identified T‐cell‐specific cytokine. In this study, we evaluated the source and the action of IL‐17 over the course of cerebral ischemia in rats (Sprague‐Dawley) and humans. The levels of IL‐17 in the ischemic hemisphere of the human brain, which was removed at necropsy, were assayed immunohistochemically. In rats, permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) was obtained by inserting nylon monofilament into the right external carotid artery, occluding the right middle cerebral artery. The expression of IL‐17 mRNA in rat was assayed using oligoprobe in situ hybridization. IL‐17 production by neuroglial cells was assayed by double‐staining using antibody glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and antibody IL‐17. Levels of IL‐17 were elevated in the ischemic hemispheres of human brain compared with the opposite normal hemispheres and peaked at days 3–5 after brain ischemia. The IL‐17‐positive cells were found in the ischemic lesion region. IL‐17 mRNA was also elevated in ischemic hemispheres of pMCAO‐operated rats, which were slightly elevated after 1 h and peaked at 6 days. IL‐17 and GFAP double‐stained were extensive in rat ischemic hemisphere. The ischemia‐induced IL‐17 expression in human brain reported here for the first time was very similar to that in rat model except that the peak was slightly earlier. We found for the first time that IL‐17 was involved in an intense inflammatory reaction of brain ischemic injury in human. In pMCAO‐operated rats, our findings suggest that IL‐17 is produced by the neuroglial cells in the brain region undergoing ischemic insult. We suggest that in additional to T cells the neuroglial cell may be another cellular origin of IL‐17 in later progression of brain ischemia.
IgG3‐Mediated Enhancement of the Antibody Response is Normal in FcγRI‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Hjelm F. , Carlsson F. , Verbeek S. , Heyman B. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAntibodies, administered together with their specific antigen, can feedback‐regulate antibody responses to this antigen. IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b enhance antibody responses to soluble protein antigens. This effect is primarily mediated by FcRs as enhancement is impaired in FcRγ–/– mice, reported to lack FcγRI and FcγRIII because of deletion of the common FcRγ chain. Also IgG3 can enhance antibody responses. However, this effect is unperturbed in FcRγ–/– mice but severely impaired in complement‐depleted animals and in animals lacking complement receptor 1 and 2. Although this argues against involvement of FcγRs, FcRγ–/– mice may express one‐fifth of the normal levels of FcγRI and, in addition, FcγRI has been suggested to bind IgG3. We re‐investigated the dependence of IgG3‐mediated enhancement on FcγRs using a mouse strain selectively lacking FcγRI and found that IgG3‐mediated enhancement is completely normal. Unlike IgE and IgG2a, which are both thought to enhance T‐cell proliferation via FcR‐mediated antigen presentation, IgG3 was a poor enhancer of T‐cell proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. These findings argue against a significant involvement of FcγRs in IgG3‐mediated enhancement of antibody responses and support our previous conclusion that complement plays a major role.
M‐ficolin, an Innate Immune Defence Molecule, Binds Patterns of Acetyl Groups and Activates Complement
Authors: Frederiksen P. D. , Thiel S. , Larsen C. B. , Jensenius J. C. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractFicolins play a role in the innate immune defence as pathogen‐associated molecular pattern recognition molecules. Three ficolins are found in humans: H‐ficolin, L‐ficolin and M‐ficolin. L‐ficolin and H‐ficolin circulate in blood in complexes with mannan‐binding lectin‐associated serine proteases (MASPs) and are capable of activating the complement system. L‐ficolin shows affinity for acetylated compounds and binds to various capsulated strains of bacteria. H‐ficolin has been shown to bind Aerococcus viridans. Less is known about M‐ficolin, but it is thought to be present only on monocytes. We have synthesized recombinant M‐ficolin and find that it, in a manner similar to L‐ficolin, is able to bind to acetylated compounds and to associate with recombinant MASP‐2. Upon binding to M‐ficolin ligands, the associated MASP‐2 zymogen is activated and cleaves C4, thus triggering the complement system. We developed a monoclonal rat anti‐human‐M/L‐ficolin antibody and verified by flow cytometric analysis the presence of ficolin on the surface of peripheral blood monocytes.
Immune Response in Human Visceral Leishmaniasis: Analysis of the Correlation Between Innate Immunity Cytokine Profile and Disease Outcome
Authors: Peruhype‐Magalhães V. , Martins‐Filho O. A. , Prata A. , De A. Silva L. , Rabello A. , Teixeira‐Carvalho A. , Figueiredo R. M. , Guimarães‐Carvalho S. F. , Ferrari T. C. A. , Correa‐Oliveira R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe investigated the cytokine profile of cells of the innate immune response and its association with active (ACT), asymptomatic (AS) and cured (CUR) human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), as well as noninfected (NI) subjects. The frequency of cytokine‐producing cells was determined after short‐termin vitroincubation of whole peripheral blood samples with solubleLeishmaniaantigen (SLA). Our data demonstrated a predominant type 2 cytokine profile in NI and ACT. In NI, we observed an increase of IL‐4+neutrophils, IL‐10+eosinophils besides a decrease of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α+eosinophils/monocytes. Yet in ACT, we observed an increase of IL‐4+neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells and IL‐10+monocytes, a reduced frequency of IL‐12+and IFN‐γ+eosinophils and lower levels of TNF‐α+and IL‐12+monocytes. AS presented a mixed profile, characterized by an increase of IFN‐γ+neutrophils/eosinophils and NK cells, of IL‐12+eosinophils/monocytes, as well as increase of IL‐4+neutrophils and NK cells and IL‐10+eosinophils/monocytes. In contrast, CUR was characterized by a type 1 response with an increase of IFN‐γ+neutrophils/eosinophils and NK cells, associated with an increase in IL‐12+monocytes. In conclusion, we show a correlation between innate immune cytokine patterns and clinical status of VL, suggesting that these cells, in addition to other factors, may contribute to the cytokine microenvironment in whichLeishmania‐specific T cells are primed and to disease outcome.