bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rheumatoid arthritis patients’ education – contents and methods
Authors: Mäkeläinen Paula , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Pietilä Anna‐Maija 
Published: October 2007

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study is to describe the contents and methods used by rheumatology nurses when they educate their patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Background.  Rheumatology nurses have an important role in educating patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the content provided and the methods used by rheumatology nurses.Design and methods.  The sample was drawn in using stratified random sampling and the data were collected from 80 rheumatology nurses with a questionnaire in 2003–2004 (response rate was 65·2%). The data were analysed using descriptive and non‐parametric statistical tests.Results.  Medical treatment was the most commonly taught issue, as 76% of rheumatology nurses gave information on anti‐rheumatic drugs prescribed to the rheumatoid arthritis patients and blood tests (64%) which must be taken as follow‐up controls. Only 45% of the nurses discussed self care at home. Individual oral patient education (88%) and written materials by the local hospitals or drug industries (71%), were the most commonly used methods. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were educated mostly in special health care units. A rheumatology nursing course did not have an effect on the chosen contents or methods when educating rheumatoid arthritis patients.Conclusions.  It is important that rheumatology nurses teach more self‐care abilities to patients with rheumatoid arthritis and use also the other teaching methods than oral individual method such as group sessions, teleinformatics and internet. The contents of rheumatology nursing course should be developed further to stress the importance of appropriate teaching methods and to point out the importance of self care abilities for patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  The results provided useful insight into education of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nurses should avoid the routine teaching programmes. They should take time to discuss with their patients and plan together the contents and methods, that education of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is based on patients’ information needs and their individual learning capabilities.
An exploration of the relationship between fatigue and physical functioning in patients with end stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis
Authors: O'Sullivan Dawn , McCarthy Geraldine 
Published: October 2007

Aim.  To measure fatigue and physical functioning in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving haemodialysis and to investigate the relationships between fatigue and physical functioning.Background.  Fatigue and reduced physical functioning are among the most bothersome symptoms experienced by individuals receiving haemodialysis for ESRD. Research has shown that increasing activity levels has resulted in decreased fatigue levels and improved physical functioning in individuals with cancer. Establishing whether or not a relationship exists between both concepts in haemodialysis patients is a preliminary step in identifying potential fatigue reducing strategies necessary for improved wellbeing.Method.  A quantitative exploratory correlational design was used with 46 individuals completing the Multi‐dimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form 36‐item questionnaire and a Demographic Questionnaire.Results.  Results indicated fatigue was prevalent with highest scores achieved for physical fatigue; reduced activity and general fatigue. Substantial limitations in physical functioning were found. A significant moderate negative relationship between general fatigue and physical functioning indicated that, as physical functioning levels increased, fatigue levels decreased. A significant difference was also found between general fatigue scores for males and females. Significant relationships were found between overall physical functioning, older age and employment status.Conclusion.  The research indicates the prevalence of fatigue and limitations in physical functioning in individuals with ESRD. However, as physical functioning increased fatigue decreased; a finding relevant to clinical nursing.Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding the levels of fatigue and the value of exercise is of relevance to clinical practice thus assessment of fatigue and physical functioning ability in the clinical setting is necessary.
Predictors of healthy behaviour in long‐term survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Lee Ya‐Ling , Santacroce Sheila Judge , Sadler Lois 
Published: October 2007

Aim.  The objective of this study was to examine the factors contributing to healthy behaviour in young adult long‐term survivors of childhood cancer.Background.  Young adult childhood cancer survivors can adopt more healthy behaviour than the general population as a way to minimize the adverse consequences, that is, late effects of cancer and its treatment. Knowledge about the predictors of healthy behaviour in childhood cancer survivors can help providers assist young adult survivors with minimizing late effects.Design and methods.  A cross‐sectional correlational design and convenience sampling were used. Data were collected by mailed survey. Study measures included an investigator‐developed demographic and disease form, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale‐Community, the Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder Index and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Fifty‐one per cent (N = 46) of eligible survivors responded to the survey. Data from 45 participants were used in the analyses.Results.  43·3% of variance in healthy behaviour was explained by a model that included uncertainty (β = −0·37, p = 0·007), post‐traumatic stress symptoms (β = −0·10, p = −0·44), interactions with primary care providers (β = 0·33, p = 0·01) and a history of special educational assistance (β = −0·23, p = 0·06).Conclusion.  Young adult childhood cancer survivors who have higher levels of uncertainty, higher levels of symptoms of post‐traumatic stress, lower frequency of primary healthcare interaction and poorer cognitive resources were more likely to report lower levels of healthy behaviour.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings can guide the clinical assessment of young adult survivors with regard to their health behaviours and needs they may have for education and supportive care. Findings also help inform the design of health promotion interventions for this specific group of cancer survivors.
Communication between patients with chronic kidney disease and nurses about managing pain in the acute hospital setting
Authors: Manias Elizabeth , Williams Allison 
Published: October 2007

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to examine communication between patients with chronic kidney disease and nurses about managing pain in the acute hospital setting.Background.  While pain often accompanies chronic kidney disease, little is known about managing pain in actual clinical practice.Design.  A single group, non‐comparative design was used.Methods.  Research methods included observations and interviews to examine pain communication in all five adult renal units in the state of Victoria, Australia. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data.Results.  Observations and interviews were carried out with 14 nurses and 53 patients and 103 incidents of pain communication occurred during observations. Three themes were identified: complexity of pain, knowledge about pain management and contextual characteristics of the renal units. The nature of the patients’ pain and effects of analgesics on the body shaped the complexity of pain in chronic kidney disease. Various causes of pain contributed to difficulties in management. Patients had acute pain from surgical procedures, in particular, phantom limb pain. They also had chronic pain arising from leg cramps, restless leg syndrome, and muscle and bone pain. Knowledge about pain management comprised the use of written resources about analgesics and information exchange among health professionals. Contextual characteristics involved the perceived urgency of pain communication and environmental stressors.Conclusions.  The findings emphasize the need to capture dynamic processes of pain management in patients with chronic kidney disease to facilitate understandings about complex communication needs of this vulnerable group.Relevance to clinical practice.  Specific analgesic and non‐pharmacological guidelines for patients with chronic kidney disease should be developed and made available in practice to facilitate effective pain management. Change champions of renal units are needed to support nurses in dedicating specified time for communicating with patients about managing pain.
Diabetes: a cross‐cultural interview study of immigrants from Somalia
Authors: Wallin Anne‐Marie , Löfvander Monica , Ahlström Gerd 
Published: October 2007

Aim.  To describe how diabetic immigrants from Somalia experience everyday life in Sweden and how they manage diabetes‐related problems, with inclusion of a gender perspective.Background.  To treat and care for minority populations successfully, healthcare staff in Sweden must thoroughly understand the illness experiences of different ethnic groups. However, no studies have so far been reported that focus on immigrants from Somalia with diabetes.Design.  Descriptive, qualitative interview study with 19 diabetic adults born in Somalia and now living in Sweden.Method.  Cross‐cultural interviews with the aid of an interpreter. The transcribed interviews were subjected to qualitative latent content analysis, resulting in sub‐themes and themes.Results.  Four themes emerged: experience of distress in everyday life; everyday life continues as before; comprehensibility gives a feeling of control; and being compliant. A major finding was the variation in how the participants managed the fasting month of Ramadan. Several participants fasted and did not see the diabetes as an obstacle, others did see it as an obstacle or indicated that fasting was not compulsory for a sick person.Conclusions.  This study provides healthcare staff with information about how a minority group experience and manage diabetes. The results indicate the importance of considering cultural background, as well as religious traditions such as Ramadan, in diabetes care. They also indicate that men and women differ in their reaction to diabetes and that care should be adapted to this.Relevance for clinical practice.  It is important to develop evidence‐based guidelines for diabetes care in ethnic groups that are fasting during Ramadan to prevent complications and promote relevant self‐care. Further, the prescribed dietary advice must be culturally appropriate.
AvianClockgene polymorphism: evidence for a latitudinal cline in allele frequencies
Authors: JOHNSEN A. , FIDLER A. E. , KUHN S. , CARTER K. L. , HOFFMANN A. , BARR I. R. , BIARD C. , CHARMANTIER A. , EENS M. , KORSTEN P. , SIITARI H. , TOMIUK J. , KEMPENAERS B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn comparison with most animal behaviours, circadian rhythms have a well‐characterized molecular genetic basis. Detailed studies of circadian clock genes in ‘model’ organisms provide a foundation for interpreting the functional and evolutionary significance of polymorphic circadian clock genes found within free‐living animal populations. Here, we describe allelic variation in a region of the avianClockorthologue which encodes a functionally significant polyglutamine repeat (ClkpolyQcds), within free‐living populations of two passerine birds, the migratory bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and the predominantly nonmigratory blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). MultipleClkpolyQcds alleles were found within populations of both species (bluethroat: 12 populations, 7 alleles; blue tit: 14 populations, 9 alleles). Some populations of both species were differentiated at theClkpolyQcds locus as measured byFSTandRSTvalues. Among the blue tit, but not bluethroat populations, we found evidence of latitudinal clines in (i) meanClkpolyQcds repeat length, and (ii) the proportions of threeClkpolyQcds genotype groupings. Parallel analyses of microsatellite allele frequencies, which are considered to reflect selectively neutral processes, indicate that interpopulation allele frequency variation at theClkpolyQcds and microsatellite loci does not reflect the same underlying demographic processes. The possibility that the observed interpopulationClkpolyQcds allele frequency variation is, at least in part, maintained by selection for microevolutionary adaptation to photoperiodic parameters correlated with latitude warrants further study.
Adaptation to environmental pH: integrating the Rim101 and calcineurin signal transduction pathways
Authors: Kullas Amy L. , Martin Samuel J. , Davis Dana 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe ability to appropriately respond to environmental conditions is critical for the survival of simple microbes and for development of complex multicellular organisms. Sensing and responding to a given environmental condition requires the integration of numerous signals through one or more signal transduction pathways. This leads to changes in gene expression, and potentially post‐translational modifications, that favour growth in the given environment. In the fungus Candida albicans, an important opportunistic pathogen, environmental pH has profound effects on morphology and proper adaptation to extracellular pH is critical for pathogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that the Rim101/PacC pH‐sensing pathway acts in parallel to Crz1, via calcineurin, to adapt to alkaline pH. We also show that the Rim101 pathway acts in parallel to Crz2, independent of calcineurin, to adapt to high lithium concentrations and to repress filamentation at acidic pH. Our studies also revealed a novel requirement for Crz1, Crz2 and calcineurin for growth at acidic pH. From these studies, we propose that the Crz1 homologue Crz2 is calcineurin‐independent, but like Crz1, acts in parallel to promote specific Rim101‐dependent processes. These results establish and begin to dissect the complex interactions between important signal transduction pathways in C. albicans, which are critical for virulence.
The d‐xylose reductase of Hypocrea jecorina is the major aldose reductase in pentose and d‐galactose catabolism and necessary for β‐galactosidase and cellulase induction by lactose
Authors: Seiboth Bernhard , Gamauf Christian , Pail Manuela , Hartl Lukas , Kubicek Christian P. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe Hypocrea jecorinad‐xylose reductase encoding gene xyl1 shows low basal transcript levels, and is induced by d‐xylose, l‐arabinose and l‐arabinitol and, to a lesser extent, by lactose, d‐galactose, galactitol and xylitol. The recombinantly expressed XYL1 catalyzes the NADPH‐dependent reduction of the pentoses d‐xylose and l‐arabinose and the hexose d‐galactose. Deletion of xyl1 slightly reduces growth on all carbon sources, but a significant decrease is found on d‐xylose, l‐arabinose and d‐galactose. Similar to pentose degradation, XYL1 reduces d‐galactose to galactitol in a recently identified second d‐galactose pathway. Strains impaired in both d‐galactose pathways are almost unable to grow on d‐galactose. Δxyl1 strains show reduced growth on lactose and are impaired in β‐galactosidase expression and induction of the major cellobiohydrolase gene cbh1. A strain deleted in the cellulase regulator XYR1 is even more severely impaired in growth and β‐galactosidase expression on lactose, and does not produce any cbh1 transcript at all. In this strain, only a low basal level of xyl1 transcription is found on lactose. Galactitol, but not d‐galactose is able to induce xyl1 transcription in a XYR1‐independent manner. Our results show that the role of the H. jecorina XYL1 is not restricted to d‐xylose catabolism and demonstrates its importance for induction of cellulases and β‐galactosidases.
Occurrence of the wattle wilt pathogen, Ceratocystis albifundus on native South African trees
Authors: Roux J. , Heath R. N. , Labuschagne L. , Nkuekam G. K. , Wingfield M. J. 
Published: October 2007

Summary Ceratocystis albifundus causes the disease known as wattle wilt of non‐native Acacia mearnsii trees in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. Infection results in rapid wilt and death of susceptible trees and stem cankers on more tolerant trees. It has been suggested that C. albifundus is indigenous to southern Africa, possibly having spread from native Protea spp. to non‐native A. mearnsii and A. decurrens trees. Although C. albifundus has been collected from Protea spp., these reports are based on limited records for which only aged herbarium specimens exist. During surveys of wound‐infecting fungi on native tree species in South Africa, a fungus resembling C. albifundus was collected from Protea gaguedi, Acacia caffra, Burkea africana, Combretum molle, C. zeyheri, Faurea saligna, Ochna pulchra, Ozoroa paniculosa and Terminalia sericea. The identity of the fungus was confirmed as C. albifundus, using comparisons of DNA sequence data for the ITS and 5.8S gene of the rRNA operon. In pathogenicity trials, lesions were produced on C. molle and A. caffra, with some trees beginning to die at the termination of the experiment. This study represents the first report of C. albifundus from native tree species in South Africa and provides unequivocal evidence that the fungus occurs naturally on native Protea spp. The wide host range of C. albifundus, as well as its abundance on these indigenous hosts lends further support to the view that it is a native African pathogen.
An isolated population of Heterobasidion abietinum on Abies pinsapo in Spain
Authors: Sánchez M. E. , Luchi N. , Jiménez J. J. , De Vita P. , Sánchez J. E. , Trapero A. , Capretti P. 
Published: October 2007

Summary Abies pinsapo, a fir endemic to a small area in southernmost Spain, is frequently attacked in natural stands by Heterobasidion root rot. To identify the Heterobasidion species causing the disease, pure cultures of the fungus were isolated from symptomatic trees in five localities in Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park and identified by pairing tests. In addition, genets of the fungus were identified in two pure stands of A. pinsapo. All the Heterobasidion specimens collected belonged to the species Heterobasidion abietinum. The largest genet found was 57 m long, and had colonized 10 trees. The large size of the main genets implied that H. abietinum had spread via root contacts from old infections generated before the establishment of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park in 1989. Exceptionally dry summers in the last 20 years may have weakened A. pinsapo and favoured spread of the disease.
Fibroleiomyoma in Elephant Uterus
Authors: Sapundzhiev E. , Pupaki D. , Zahariev P. , Georgiev G. , Ivanov I. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe result of the histological diagnosis from postmortal investigation of the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) uterus structure is presented in the current study. The rare anatomical finding showed altered nodular part from the uterus wall. Through conventional and histochemical staining neoplasmatic formations were determined and diagnosis Fibroleiomyoma was established, which should not be accepted as the prime cause for the animal's death.
Lumbar Spinal ‘Juxtaarticular’ Cyst in a Gordon Setter
Authors: Bley T. , Lang J. , Jaggy A. , Tomek A. , Forterre F. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryAn 11‐year‐old Gordon setter bitch was presented with a history of progressive weakness in the right hind limb associated with pain in the lumbar spine. Neurological deficits consisted of ataxia, monoparesis, muscle atrophy and spontaneous over‐knuckling of the affected limb. A large ‘juxtaarticular’ cyst located in a right dorsolateral position of the intervertebral foramen at L3–L4 was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The cyst was removed through a modified laminectomy. The dog recovered quickly and returned to the owners 4 days after surgery with slight neurological symptoms. During the follow‐up examination 2 and 6 months later, the Setter showed normal gait and neurological examination.
Occurrence and Pattern of Long Bone Fractures in Growing Dogs with Normal and Osteopenic Bones
Authors: Kumar K. , Mogha I. V. , Aithal H. P. , Kinjavdekar P. , Amarpal  , Singh G. R. , Pawde A. M. , Kushwaha R. B. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryA retrospective study was undertaken to record the occurrence and pattern of long bone fractures, and the efficacy of Intramedullary (IM) Steinmann pin fixing in growing dogs. All the records of growing dogs during a 10‐year‐period were screened to record the cause of trauma, the age and sex of the animal, the bone involved, the type and location of the fracture, the status of fixation, alignment, maintenance of fixation and fracture healing. The results were analysed and comparisons were made between growing dogs with normal and osteopenic bones. Among the 310 cases of fractures recorded, the bones were osteopenic in 91 cases (29%). Minor trauma was the principal cause of fracture in dogs with osteopenia (25%), and indigenous breeds were most commonly affected (38%). Fractures in dogs with osteopenic bones were most commonly recorded in the age group of 2–4 months (53%), whereas fractures in normal dogs were almost equally distributed between 2 and 8 months of age. Male dogs were affected significantly more often in both groups. In osteopenic bones, most fractures were recorded in the femur (56%), and they were distributed equally along the length of the bone. Whereas in normal bones, fractures were almost equally distributed in radius/ulna, femur and tibia, and were more often recorded at the middle and distal third of long bones. Oblique fractures were most common in both groups; however, comminuted fractures were more frequent in normal bones, whereas incomplete fractures were more common in osteopenic bones. Ninety‐nine fracture cases treated with IM pinning (66 normal, 33 osteopenic) were evaluated for the status of fracture reduction and healing. In a majority of the cases (61%) with osteopenic bones, the diameter of the pin was relatively smaller than the diameter of the medullary cavity (<70–75%), whereas in 68% of the cases in normal bones the pin diameter was optimum. The status of fracture fixing was satisfactory to good in significantly more osteonormal (59%) than osteopenic dogs (42%). Fracture healing, however, was satisfactory in significantly more cases with osteopenic than normal bones. The appearance of callus was relatively early and the amount of bridging callus was relatively large in greater number of osteopenic bone fractures. Mal‐union and non‐union were recorded more often in osteopenic cases than in normal cases. However, the incidence of bone shortening and osteomyelitis was significantly higher in normal bones than in osteopenic bones.