bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advanced nursing practice: policy, education and role development
Authors: Furlong Eileen , Smith Rita 
Published: April 2006

Aims and objectives. This paper aims to explore the critical elements of advanced nursing practice in relation to policy, education and role development in order to highlight an optimal structure for clinical practice.Background. The evolution of advanced nursing practice has been influenced by changes in healthcare delivery, financial constraints and consumer demand. However, there has been wide divergence and variations in the emergence of the advanced nurse practitioner role. For the successful development and implementation of the role, policy, educational and regulatory standards are required.Conclusion. The paper highlights the value of a policy to guide the development of advanced nursing practice. Educational curricula need to be flexible and visionary to prepare the advanced nurse practitioner for practice. The core concepts for the advanced nursing practice role are: autonomy in clinical practice, pioneering professional and clinical leadership, expert practitioner and researcher. To achieve these core concepts the advanced nurse practitioner must develop advanced theoretical and clinical skills, meet the needs of the client, family and the community.Relevance to clinical practice. In a rapidly changing people‐centred healthcare environment the advanced nurse practitioner can make an important contribution to healthcare delivery. The challenges ahead are many, as the advanced nurse practitioner requires policy and appropriate educational preparation to practice at advanced level. This will enable the advanced practitioner articulate the role, to provide expert client care and to quantify their contribution to health care in outcomes research.
The Hemoglobin Receptor Protein ofPorphyromonas gingivalisInhibits Receptor Activator NF-κB Ligand-Induced Osteoclastogenesis from Bone Marrow Macrophages
Authors: Fujimura Yuji , Hotokezaka Hitoshi , Ohara Naoya , Naito Mariko , Sakai Eiko , Yoshimura Mamiko , Narita Yuka , Kitaura Hideki , Yoshida Noriaki , Nakayama Koji 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTExtracellular proteinaceous factors ofPorphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, that influence receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis from bone marrow macrophages were investigated. The culture supernatant ofP. gingivalishad the ability to inhibit RANKL-induced in vitro osteoclastogenesis. A major protein of the culture supernatant, hemoglobin receptor protein (HbR), suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in a dose-dependent fashion. HbR markedly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis when present in the culture for the first 24 h after addition of RANKL, whereas no significant inhibition was observed when HbR was added after 24 h or later, implying that HbR might interfere with only the initial stage of RANKL-mediated differentiation. HbR tightly bound to bone marrow macrophages and had the ability to induce phosphorylation of ERK, p38, NF-κB, and Akt. RANKL-induced phosphorylation of ERK, p38, and NF-κB was not suppressed by HbR, but that of Akt was markedly suppressed. HbR inhibited RANKL-mediated induction of c-Fos and NFATc1. HbR could induce beta interferon (IFN-β) from bone marrow macrophages, but the induction level of IFN-β might not be sufficient to suppress RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis, implying presence of an IFN-β-independent pathway in HbR-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. Since rapid and extensive destruction of the alveolar bone causes tooth loss, resulting in loss of the gingival crevice that is an anatomical niche for periodontal pathogens such asP. gingivalis, the suppressive effect of HbR on osteoclastogenesis may help the microorganism exist long in the niche.
The Most Polymorphic Residue on
Plasmodium falciparum
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 Determines Binding of an Invasion-Inhibitory Antibody
Authors: Coley A. M. , Parisi K. , Masciantonio R. , Hoeck J. , Casey J. L. , Murphy V. J. , Harris K. S. , Batchelor A. H. , Anders R. F. , Foley M. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) is currently one of the leading malarial vaccine candidates. Anti-AMA1 antibodies can inhibit the invasion of erythrocytes by
Plasmodium
merozoites and prevent the multiplication of blood-stage parasites. Here we describe an anti-AMA1 monoclonal antibody (MAb 1F9) that inhibits the invasion of
Plasmodium falciparum
parasites in vitro. We show that both reactivity of MAb 1F9 with AMA1 and MAb 1F9-mediated invasion inhibition were strain specific. Site-directed mutagenesis of a fragment of AMA1 displayed on M13 bacteriophage identified a single polymorphic residue in domain I of AMA1 that is critical for MAb 1F9 binding. The identities of all other polymorphic residues investigated in this domain had little effect on the binding of the antibody. Examination of the
P. falciparum
AMA1 crystal structure localized this residue to a surface-exposed α-helix at the apex of the polypeptide. This description of a polymorphic inhibitory epitope on AMA1 adds supporting evidence to the hypothesis that immune pressure is responsible for the polymorphisms seen in this molecule.
Protective Immunity Elicited by a Divalent DNA Vaccine Encoding Both the L7/L12 and Omp16 Genes ofBrucella abortusin BALB/c Mice
Authors: Luo Deyan , Ni Bing , Li Peng , Shi Wei , Zhang Songle , Han Yue , Mao Liwei , He Yangdong , Wu Yuzhang , Wang Xiliang 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThis study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity and the protective efficacy of a divalent fusion DNA vaccine encoding both theBrucella abortusL7/L12 protein (ribosomal protein) and Omp16 protein (outer membrane lipoprotein), designated pcDNA3.1-L7/L12-Omp16. Intramuscular injection of this divalent DNA vaccine into BALB/c mice elicited markedly both humoral and cellular immune responses. The specific antibodies exhibited a dominance of immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) over IgG1. In addition, the dual-gene DNA vaccine elicited a strong T-cell proliferative response and induced a large amount of gamma interferon-producing T cells upon restimulation in vitro with recombinant fusion protein L7/L12-Omp16, suggesting the induction of a typical T-helper-1-dominated immune response in vivo. This divalent DNA vaccine could also induce a significant level of protection against challenge with the virulent strainB. abortus544 in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, the protection level induced by the divalent DNA vaccine was significantly higher than that induced by the univalent DNA vaccines pcDNA3.1-L7/L12 or pcDNA3.1-Omp16. Taken together, the results of this study verify for the first time that the Omp16 gene can be a candidate target for a DNA vaccine against brucellosis. Additionally, a divalent genetic vaccine based on the L7/L12 and Omp16 genes can elicit a stronger cellular immune response and better immunoprotection than the relevant univalent vaccines can.
Bgp, a Secreted Glycosaminoglycan-Binding Protein of
Borrelia burgdorferi
Strain N40, Displays Nucleosidase Activity and Is Not Essential for Infection of Immunodeficient Mice
Authors: Parveen Nikhat , Cornell Kenneth A. , Bono James L. , Chamberland Christen , Rosa Patricia , Leong John M. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Bgp, one of the surface-localized glycosaminoglycan-binding proteins of the Lyme disease spirochete,
Borrelia burgdorferi
, exhibited nucleosidase activity. Infection of SCID mice with
B. burgdorferi
strain N40 mutants harboring a targeted insertion in
bgp
and apparently retaining all endogenous plasmids revealed that Bgp is not essential for colonization of immunocompromised mice.
The Iron Efflux Protein Ferroportin Regulates the Intracellular Growth ofSalmonella enterica
Authors: Chlosta Sabine , Fishman Douglas S. , Harrington Lynne , Johnson Erin E. , Knutson Mitchell D. , Wessling-Resnick Marianne , Cherayil Bobby J. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTWe investigated the influence of the macrophage iron exporter ferroportin and its ligand hepcidin on intracellularSalmonellagrowth. Elevated ferroportin expression inhibited bacterial multiplication; hepcidin-induced ferroportin down-regulation enhanced it. Expression analysis of iron-responsiveSalmonellagenes indicated ferroportin-mediated iron deprivation. These results demonstrate a role for ferroportin in antimicrobial resistance.
Modification of a Mammalian Cell Protein in the Presence of [
32
P-Adenylate]NAD: Evidence for ADP Ribosylation Activity Associated with
Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Nossa Carlos W. , Blanke Steven R. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Culture filtrates from
Helicobacter pylori
promote the transfer of the radiolabel from [
32
P-adenylate]NAD to one or more heat-labile factors within extracts prepared from several mammalian cell lines, with the predominate radiolabeled species exhibiting an apparent molecular mass of greater than 130 kDa. Our results suggest that several
H. pylori
strains release a factor that ADP-ribosylates a mammalian target protein.
Regulatory Roles for IscA and SufA in Iron Homeostasis and Redox Stress Responses in the Cyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp. Strain PCC 7002
Authors: Balasubramanian Ramakrishnan , Shen Gaozhong , Bryant Donald A. , Golbeck John H. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

SufA, IscA, and Nfu have been proposed to function as scaffolds in the assembly of Fe/S clusters in bacteria. To investigate the roles of these proteins further, single and double null-mutant strains of
Synechococcus
sp. strain PCC 7002 were constructed by insertional inactivation of genes homologous to
sufA
,
iscA
, and
nfu
. Demonstrating the nonessential nature of their products, the
sufA
,
iscA
, and
sufA iscA
mutants grew photoautotrophically with doubling times that were similar to the wild type under standard growth conditions. In contrast, attempts to inactivate the
nfu
gene only resulted in stable merodiploids. These results imply that Nfu, but not SufA or IscA, is the essential Fe/S scaffold protein in cyanobacteria. When cells were grown under iron-limiting conditions, the
iscA
and
sufA
mutant strains exhibited less chlorosis than the wild type. Under iron-sufficient growth conditions,
isiA
transcript levels, a marker for iron limitation in cyanobacteria, as well as transcript levels of genes in both the
suf
and
isc
regulons were significantly higher in the
iscA
mutant than in the wild type. Under photosynthesis-induced redox stress conditions, the transcript levels of the
suf
genes are notably higher in the
sufA
and the
sufA iscA
mutants than in the wild type. The growth phenotypes and mRNA abundance patterns of the mutant strains contradict the proposed scaffold function for the SufA and IscA proteins in generalized Fe/S cluster assembly and instead suggest that they play regulatory roles in iron homeostasis and the sensing of redox stress in cyanobacteria.
Dust related risks of clinically relevant lung functional deficits
Authors: Cowie H A , Miller B G , Rawbone R G , Soutar C A 
Published: April 2006

Aim:To quantify the risks of clinically important deficits of FEV1 in coal miners in relation to cumulative and average concentrations of respirable dust.Methods:Data were studied from over 7000 men who had been surveyed in the late 1970s. Linear regression equations for the association between FEV1 and self-reported breathlessness on mild exertion were used to define clinically important levels of FEV1 deficit, and the probabilities that individuals with different dust exposures would experience these deficits were calculated.Results:Levels of FEV1 were lower among breathless men than among others, with a large overlap of the distributions. The relations between standardised FEV1 and breathlessness were constant over all age and smoking groups. A decrease of 100 ml in FEV1 was associated with an increase of 1.12 in the odds of reporting breathlessness. FEV1 deficits of −0.367, −0.627, and −0.993 l (designated as “small”, “medium”, and “large” deficits) were, on average, associated with proportional increases of risks of breathlessness by factors of 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 respectively. Cumulative respirable dust exposure ranged up to 726 gh/m3, mean 136 gh/m3(British Medical Research Council measurement convention). An increase of 50 gh/m3was associated with an increase of about 2% in the proportion of men with small deficits in FEV1. For medium deficits the increases ranged from 1.5% to 2%, depending on age. A similar pattern was seen for large deficits, but with smaller increases.Conclusions:In the unlikely event of continuous exposure at the proposed new maximum respirable dust limit for British mines of 3 mg/m3(ISO-CEN measurement convention) for a working lifetime, the risk of a medium deficit of FEV1 for a non-smoker at age 60 would be estimated to be 34%, compared with 25% for zero dust exposure; for smokers, about 54% compared with 44%.
A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of two workstation interventions on upper body pain and incident musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators
Authors: Rempel D M , Krause N , Goldberg R , Benner D , Hudes M , Goldner G U 
Published: April 2006

Background:Call centre work with computers is associated with increased rates of upper body pain and musculoskeletal disorders.Methods:This one year, randomised controlled intervention trial evaluated the effects of a wide forearm support surface and a trackball on upper body pain severity and incident musculoskeletal disorders among 182 call centre operators at a large healthcare company. Participants were randomised to receive (1) ergonomics training only, (2) training plus a trackball, (3) training plus a forearm support, or (4) training plus a trackball and forearm support. Outcome measures were weekly pain severity scores and diagnosis of incident musculoskeletal disorder in the upper extremities or the neck/shoulder region based on physical examination performed by a physician blinded to intervention. Analyses using Cox proportional hazard models and linear regression models adjusted for demographic factors, baseline pain levels, and psychosocial job factors.Results:Post-intervention, 63 participants were diagnosed with one or more incident musculoskeletal disorders. Hazard rate ratios showed a protective effect of the armboard for neck/shoulder disorders (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.97) after adjusting for baseline pain levels and demographic and psychosocial factors. The armboard also significantly reduced neck/shoulder pain (p = 0.01) and right upper extremity pain (p = 0.002) in comparison to the control group. A return-on-investment model predicted a full return of armboard and installation costs within 10.6 months.Conclusion:Providing a large forearm support combined with ergonomic training is an effective intervention to prevent upper body musculoskeletal disorders and reduce upper body pain associated with computer work among call centre employees.
Shift work and work injury in the New Zealand Blood Donors’ Health Study
Authors: Fransen M , Wilsmore B , Winstanley J , Woodward M , Grunstein R , Ameratunga S , Norton R 
Published: April 2006

Objective:To investigate associations between work patterns and the occurrence of work injury.Methods:A cross sectional analysis of the New Zealand Blood Donors Health Study conducted among the 15 687 (70%) participants who reported being in paid employment. After measurement of height and weight, a self-administered questionnaire collected information concerning occupation and work pattern, lifestyle behaviour, sleep, and the occurrence of an injury at work requiring treatment from a doctor during the past 12 months.Results:Among paid employees providing information on work pattern, 3119 (21.2%) reported doing shift work (rotating with nights, rotating without nights, or permanent nights) and 1282 (8.7%) sustained a work injury. In unadjusted analysis, work injury was most strongly associated with employment in heavy manual occupations (3.6, 2.8 to 4.6) (relative risk, 95% CI), being male (1.9, 1.7 to 2.2), being obese (1.7, 1.5 to 2.0), working rotating shifts with nights (2.1, 1.7 to 2.5), and working more than three nights a week (1.9, 1.6 to 2.3). Snoring, apnoea or choking during sleep, sleep complaints, and excessive daytime sleepiness were also significantly associated with work injury. When mutually adjusting for all significant risk factors, rotating shift work, with or without nights, remained significantly associated with work injury (1.9, 1.5 to 2.4) and (1.8, 1.2 to 2.6), respectively. Working permanent night shifts was no longer significantly associated with work injury in the adjusted model.Conclusion:Work injury is highly associated with rotating shift work, even when accounting for increased exposure to high risk occupations, lifestyle factors, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Persisting risk of nickel related lung cancer and nasal cancer among Clydach refiners: Table 1
Authors: Grimsrud T K , Peto J 
Published: April 2006

Objective:To evaluate the risk of lung cancer and nasal cancer among workers employed at the Clydach nickel refinery, South Wales since 1930 by combining data from the two most recently published papers on this cohort.Methods:Observed and expected numbers of cancer deaths were extracted for workers who had a minimum of five years service and were employed for the first time between 1902 and 1992. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for subgroups according to year of employment, time since first employment, and process work.Results:A persisting excess of respiratory cancer was found for workers employed in the period 1930–92, with a lung cancer SMR of 133 (95% CI 103 to 172) and a SMR for nasal cancer of 870 (95% CI 105 to 3141). The lung cancer excess was most clearly seen 20 years or more after first employment and seemed to be confined to process workers. There was no indication of a further reduction in risk since 1930.Conclusion:The extreme nickel related cancer hazard at the refinery before 1920 was greatly reduced during subsequent years. Some of the carcinogenic exposures seem to have remained after 1930, producing an elevated risk of nasal cancer and a 30% excess of lung cancer in the workforce. There was evidence of a persisting risk among process workers first employed since 1953.
Study on the Polydimethylsiloxane Polyurethane Modified Novolac Type Epoxy Precursor for Manufacturing Carbon–Carbon Composites
Authors: Kuan Chen-Feng , Kuan Hsu-Chiang , Ma Chen-Chi M. , Wu Han-Lang , Chen Chih-Yuan 
Published: April 2006

The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing the aromatic amine-terminated polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane modified novolac type epoxy to prepare carbon–carbon (C–C) composite with improved mechanical and anti-oxidation properties. The curing kinetics of modified epoxy and the compatibility of polymer blend were investigated. Thermal, physical, and mechanical properties during the post-cure stage and carbonization stage were also examined. The curing kinetic studies show that epoxy matrix modified with polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane decrease the collision factor and increase the total heat of reaction and the active energy of reaction. Polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane is compatible with epoxy resin when the content is below 5 phr (parts per one hundred parts of epoxy resin). Adding polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane can reduce the weight loss of composite during the post-cure process. The volume shrinkage and porosity of carbon fiber reinforced composite and C–C composite decrease with the increase of polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane content. The polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane can increase the mechanical properties after carbonization since polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane releases the internal pressure and protects the fiber surface during the carbonization process. The novolac epoxy, with polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane modified, has better oxygen resistance and lower oxidation rate from the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) oxidation testing results after the addition of this silicon-containing resin.
Braid Effects on Contractile Range and Friction Modeling in Pneumatic Muscle Actuators
Authors: Davis S. , Caldwell Darwin G. 
Published: April 2006

Within braided pneumatic Muscle Actuators (pMA) the braid structure is vital to the actuator's performance, preventing over-inflation, converting radial expansion into axial contraction and setting limits for both dilation and contraction. This paper seeks to explore the nature of the contractile limit and the hysteresis observed by researchers during the actuation cycle. Maximum actuator dilation occurs when adjacent braid strands are forced against one another. Within this work this is analyzed mathematically and it is shown that by halving the number of strands used to create the braided shell the actuator's contractile range can be increased by approximately 7%. This also results in a simultaneous peak contractile force increases of over 16%. These results are verified experimentally. Hysteresis due to friction between braid strands during muscle operation is also explored. The paper will show how consideration of the deformation of the strands allows the contact area and therefore friction to be calculated without the need for experimentally obtained data as in previous research. A mathematical model is produced and verified experimentally.
Exploiting Natural Dynamics to Reduce Energy Consumption by Controlling the Compliance of Soft Actuators
Authors: Vanderborght Bram , Verrelst Björn , Van Ham Ronald , Van Damme Michaël , Lefeber Dirk , Duran Bruno Meira Y , Beyl Pieter 
Published: April 2006

Exploiting natural dynamics for bipedal locomotion, or passive walking, is gaining interest because of its energy efficiency. However, the natural trajectories of a passive walker are fixed during the design, thus limiting its mobility. A possible solution to this problem is creating a “semi-passive walker” equipped with actuators with adaptable compliance, which allows the natural dynamics to be changed according to the situation. This paper proposes a compliance controller, a strategy for continuously changing the compliance in such a way as to adapt the natural motion of the system to a desired trajectory. This opens up the possibility of following a range of different trajectories with a relatively low energy consumption. The idea is to fit the controllable actuator compliance to the “natural” compliance of the desired trajectory, and combine that with trajectory tracking control. This strategy was implemented and tested on a 1-DOF pendulum setup actuated by an antagonistic pair of pleated pneumatic artificial muscles. Both simulations and measurements show that the proposed strategy for choosing actuator compliance can significantly reduce the amount of control activity and energy consumption without harming tracking precision.