bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking nurse staffing levels: the development of a nationwide feedback tool
Authors: Van den Heede Koen , Diya Luwis , Lesaffre Emmanuel , Vleugels Arthur , Sermeus Walter 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTitle. Benchmarking nurse staffing levels: the development of a nationwide feedback tool.Aim. This paper is a report of a study to develop a methodology that corrects nurse staffing for nursing care intensity in a way that allows nationwide benchmarking of nurse staffing data.Background. Although nurse workload measurement systems are recognized to be informative in nurse staffing decisions, they are rarely used. When these systems are used, however, it is only possible to compare units within hospitals, because currently available instruments are not standardized for comparisons beyond hospital boundaries. The Belgian Nursing Minimum Dataset (B‐NMDS) contains uniformly measured data about the intensity of nursing care and nurse staffing levels for all hospitals in Belgium.Method. We conducted a retrospective multilevel analysis of the B‐NMDS for the year 2003. The sample included 690,258 inpatient days for 298,691 patients, recorded from 1637 acute care nursing units in 115 hospitals. We corrected the number of nursing staff by using different covariates available in the B‐NMDS: intensity of nursing care, type of day (week vs. weekend), service type (general vs. intensive) and hospital type (academic vs. general).Findings. The multilevel approach allowed us to explain about 70% of the variability in the number of nursing staff per nursing unit using hospital type (P = 0·0053); intensity of nursing care (P < 0·0001) and service type (P < 0·0001) as the only covariates.Conclusion. The feedback tool we developed can inform nurse managers and policymakers about nursing intensity‐adjusted nurse staffing levels according to different benchmarks. Our study demonstrates that investing in large nursing datasets is appropriate for the international nursing community.
Older people’s experience of falls: understanding, interpretation and autonomy
Authors: Roe Brenda , Howell Fiona , Riniotis Konstantinos , Beech Roger , Crome Peter , Ong Bie Nio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTitle.  Older people’s experience of falls: understanding, interpretation and autonomy Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the experiences of older people who suffered a recent fall and identify possible factors that could contribute to service development.Background.  Falls in older people are prevalent and are associated with morbidity, hospitalization and mortality, personal costs to individuals and financial costs to health services.Method.  A convenience sample of 27 older people (mean age 84 years; range 65–98) participated in semi‐structured taped interviews. Follow‐up interviews during 2003–2004 were undertaken to detect changes over time. Data were collected about experience of the fall, use of services, health and well‐being, activities of daily living, informal care, support networks and prevention. Thematic content analysis was undertaken.Findings.  Twenty‐seven initial interviews and 18 follow‐up interviews were conducted. The majority of people fell indoors (n = 23) and were alone (n = 15). The majority of falls were repeat falls (n = 22) and five were a first‐ever fall. People who reflected on their fall and sought to understand why and how it occurred developed strategies to prevent future falls, face their fear, maintain control and choice and continue with activities of daily living. Those who did not reflect on their fall and did not know why it occurred restricted their activities and environments and remained in fear of falling.Conclusion.  Assisting people to reflect on their falls and to understand why they happened could help with preventing future falls, allay fear, boost confidence and aid rehabilitation relating to their activities of daily living.
Reactions of primary caregivers of frail older people and people with cancer in the palliative phase living at home
Authors: Grov Ellen Karine , Eklund Marthe Lyngås 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTitle.  Reactions of primary caregivers of frail older people and people with cancer in the palliative phase living at home Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to (1) compare means of the single items and the dimensions of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment among caregivers of frail older people and caregivers of cancer patients in the palliative phase; (2) examine gender differences for the scoring parameters in the Caregiver Reaction Assessment within each group and (3) examine the demographic variables’ association with the caregiver groups’ scores for the dimensions of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment.Background.  Limited research has focused on the caregiver situation in the home‐care setting among primary caregivers of frail older people, and caregivers of patients with cancer in the palliative phase.Methods.  A convenience sample of 224 caregivers of frail older people, and 85 caregivers of patients with cancer in the palliative phase was recruited between 2002 and 2005. We used the Caregiver Reaction Assessment to collect the data.Results.  The mean scores for the Caregiver Reaction Assessment dimensions showed statistically significant differences between the two groups of caregivers for the factors self‐esteem, family support, finances and health. For caregivers of frail older people, we found statistically significant associations between several demographic variables and the Caregiver Reaction Assessment dimensions. For caregivers of patients with cancer in the palliative phase, age was the only demographic variable that was statistically significantly associated with the dimensions.Conclusion.  Healthcare personnel should pay attention to how relatives experience their caregiver situation, and the Caregiver Reaction Assessment could be a valuable tool for gathering systematic data on this.
Nurses’ perceptions of preoperative teaching for ambulatory surgical patients
Authors: Tse Kar‐yee , So Winnie Kwok‐wei 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTitle.  Nurses’ perceptions of preoperative teaching for ambulatory surgical patients. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to examine nurses’ perceptions of the importance of providing preoperative information to ambulatory surgical patients, and factors that might influence their provision of such teaching.Background.  Ambulatory surgery is now widespread and creates a challenge for nurses to provide preoperative teaching in the limited contact time they have with patients. Although nurses act as key educators in patient teaching, little is known about their perceptions of the importance of preoperative teaching, or about current practice in the provision of such teaching for ambulatory surgical patients.Methods.  A self‐administered questionnaire including demographics and the Preoperative Teaching Questionnaire was completed by 91 of the 169 eligible nurses (response rate 53·8%) working in day‐surgery units, operating theatres or outpatient clinics providing ambulatory surgery services in two public hospitals in Hong Kong in 2005.Results.  A discrepancy between nurses’ perceptions and practice in relation to the provision of preoperative information was found. Limited teaching aids, tight operation schedules and language barriers affected the delivery of preoperative information to ambulatory surgical patients.Conclusion.  The results highlight the importance of reviewing current preoperative teaching methods and improving the effectiveness of such teaching to enhance the quality of care for ambulatory surgical patients.
Development of a recommended food intake pattern for healthy Danish adolescents consistent with the Danish dietary guidelines, nutrient recommendations and national food preferences
Authors: Biltoft‐Jensen A. , Trolle E. , Christensen T. , Ygil K. H. , Fagt S. , Matthiessen J. , Groth M. V. , Tetens I. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground  Danish adolescents have poor dietary habits compared to current recommendations. The present study aimed to develop a recommended food intake pattern for adolescents consistent with Danish Dietary Guidelines (DDG), Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) and dietary preferences.Methods  The nutrient content of a food intake pattern consistent with DDG was calculated using dietary intake data from a random sample of 11–15‐year‐old boys (n = 85) and girls (n = 70). A recommended food intake pattern was modelled to meet NNR. The discretionary energy allowance was calculated as the difference between the total energy level and the energy needed to meet recommended nutrient needs. The flexibility of the recommended food intake pattern was tested against various energy requirements and with the inclusion of basic foods with higher sugar and/or fat content.Results  The developed food intake pattern meets all nutrient goals except for vitamin D. At low energy requirements, the intake of iron and selenium is of concern. To fulfil nutrient recommendations, half of the bread/cereals and vegetables consumed should be fibre‐rich, and fats should be of plant origin.Conclusions  The recommended food intake pattern meets most nutrient recommendations and makes it possible to advise on discretionary energy.
Human Naturally Occurring and Adaptive Regulatory T cells Secrete High Levels of Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor upon Activation
Authors: Mahic M. , Kalland M. E. , Aandahl E. M. , Torgersen K. M. , Taskén K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLeukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a member of the IL‐6 cytokine family which signals through cognate receptors and activates target genes involved in survival, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation and suppression of differentiation in different cell types. Binding of LIF to the LIFRα/gp130 receptor complex has been shown to activate the Janus kinase‐signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway. Here we show that activation of naturally occurring and adaptive regulatory T cells leads to increased LIF expression which is abrogated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Furthermore, the LIF receptors gp130 and LIFRα are upregulated on the surface of activated T cells and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation is increased. Interestingly, LIF was not required for suppressive function but rather appeared to have a stimulatory effect on T cells that served to modulate and counteract immunosuppression by regulatory T cells.
Gene–environment Interaction between MBL2 Genotype and Smoking, and the Risk of Gram‐positive Bacteraemia
Authors: Huttunen R. , Aittoniemi J. , Laine J. , Vuento R. , Karjalainen J. , Rovio A. T. , Eklund C. , Hurme M. , Huhtala H. , Syrjänen J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMannose‐binding lectin (MBL) insufficiency caused by point mutations in the MBL2 gene has been associated with increased susceptibility to bacteraemic infections. We here investigated the effect of MBL2 polymorphisms on the susceptibility and clinical course of bacteraemia. The study cohort comprised 145 patients with bacteraemia and 400 controls. In the case of patients with bacteraemia, laboratory findings and clinical data were registered on admission and during six consecutive days. MBL2 structural polymorphisms at codons 52 (CGT→TGT; designated D or O), 54 (GGC→GAC; B or O) and 57 (GGA→GAA; C or O) in exon 1 of the MBL2 gene and promoter region polymorphisms at position −221 (G→C, designated Y or X alleles) were determined. No difference in MBL2 genotype frequencies between the bacteraemic patients and controls was detected, and MBL2 genotype had no independent effect on mortality, nor disease severity. However, smoking proved a significant risk factor for Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae or β‐haemolytic streptococci) bacteraemia in patients carrying the variant O allele (53% current smokers in Gram‐positive bacteraemia patients compared with only 21% in controls, odds ratios 4.2, 95% confidence intervals 2.0–9.0; P < 0.001), while it did not have an effect in those homozygous for the A allele. The same effect was not detected in Escherichia coli bacteraemia. In conclusion, MBL2 genotypes representing MBL insufficiency were not associated with the overall risk of bacteraemia or disease severity, but smoking in carriers of the structural variant O allele may have a deleterious effect increasing the risk of Gram‐positive bacteraemia.
Identification of New Loci Controlling Collagen‐induced Arthritis in Mouse Using a Partial Advanced Intercross and Congenic Strains
Authors: Popovic M. , Ahlqvist E. , Rockenbauer E. , Bockermann R. , Holmdahl R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCollagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) is a well studied mouse model of the human disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both CIA and RA are complex diseases affected by multiple genes as well as environmental factors. Identifying the genes that determine susceptibility to arthritis would give invaluable clues to the largely unknown aetiology of RA. In this study, we dissected a known locus, Cia6, as well as a genomic region on chromosome 14 with no previously known arthritis loci, using a partial advanced intercross and a collection of congenic strains. The chromosome 14 congenic fragment, containing the T‐cell receptor alpha (Tcra) locus, was included based on the hypothesis that the Cia6 locus is caused by a polymorphism in the Tcr beta (Tcrb) locus and that the two loci interact. Splitting up the congenic fragments revealed multiple loci affecting arthritis traits as well as production of collagen‐specific autoantibodies. In total seven new loci were identified of which four were in the previously unlinked chromosome 14 region. Both Tcr loci were within CIA loci making them candidate susceptibility genes. The results demonstrate the importance of breaking up genetic regions in smaller fragments to identify the underlying complex set of loci.
Deficiency of the Human Complement Regulatory Protein Factor H Associated with Low Levels of Component C9
Authors: Falcão D. A. , Reis E. S. , Paixão‐Cavalcante D. , Amano M. T. , Delcolli M. I. M. V. , Florido M. P. C. , Albuquerque J. A. T. , Moraes‐Vasconcelos D. , Duarte A. J. , Grumach A. S. , Isaac L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe identified a 4‐year‐old Brazilian boy from a family of Japanese descent and history of consanguinity, who suffered from severe recurrent pneumonia. He carries factor H (FH) deficiency associated with reduced levels of component C9 and low serum levels of C3 and factor B. His mother also presented low levels of these proteins and factor I, while his father and sister had only lower levels of FH. Western blot assays confirmed the complete absence of FH and FHL‐1 polypeptides in this patient. Sequencing of the proband’s FH cDNA revealed a homozygous G453A substitution, encoding an Arg127His change. His mother, father and sister are heterozygous for this substitution. Despite the absence of FH in the plasma, this protein was detected in the patient’s fibroblasts, suggesting that Arg127 may be important for FH secretion. Low concentrations of C9 were detected in the proband serum but no mutations in the patient’s C9 gene or promoter have been identified, suggesting that this is a consequence of uncontrolled complement activation and high C9 consumption.
Characterization of Monoclonal Immunoglobulin A and G Against Shiga Toxin Binding Subunits Produced by Intranasal Immunization
Authors: Tanikawa T. , Ishikawa T. , Maekawa T. , Kuronane K. , Imai Y. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractImmunoglobulin A (IgA) is considered to play a major role in protection of the mucosal surface. However, its immunological and biological properties have not been extensively studied because the production of IgA class monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is difficult. We compared the properties of IgA and IgG mAbs against Shiga toxin B subunits (Stx1B). These mAbs were secreted from hybridomas that had been produced from mice after intranasal immunization with recombinant Stx1B and cholera toxin. The dose response curves for the binding of the IgA (clone G2G7) and IgG (clone D11C6) mAbs to immobilized Stx1B were similar, as revealed on ELISA. The majority of the IgA mAb formed dimers while the IgG mAb was monomeric, as judged by immunoblot analysis. The IgG mAb completely inhibited the binding of Stx1B to Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line Ramos, while the inhibition by the IgA mAb was only partial. The IgG mAb was able to neutralize the cytotoxicity of Stx1 holotoxin towards Vero cells, whereas the IgA mAb was not. The binding affinity of each binding site was compared by means of surface plasmon resonance analysis involving a capture method, with which the binding of soluble Stx1B to immobilized mAb was detected. The association rate was similar but the dissociation rate was twofold faster in the case of the IgA mAb, resulting in twofold higher affinity of the IgG mAb. These results suggest that one can obtain high affinity IgA mAb but toxin neutralization is another challenge as to therapeutic antibodies of the IgA class.
Beginning of the End of (Understanding) the Immune Response
Authors: Dembic Z. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe algorithm about the workings of the immune system should incorporate in its basic form the ability to explain several basic features: the ability to reject pathogens, to respond differently to invasions by class switching, to retain memory of rejecting past infections, the regulatory T‐cell formation and the acquisition of a life‐long antigen tolerance in adults. The Danger and the two self–non‐self theories – Pathogenicity (Janeway) and the Associated Antigen Recognition (Langman and Cohn) – cannot explain satisfactorily one or more of these issues. By failing to find appropriate solutions to help their corresponding basic algorithms to be operative, these theories negate, instead of finding explanations (no matter how complicated) for interpretations of certain results, one of them being the existence of a regulatory cell as a physiological component of the immune system. On the other hand, the integrity model can incorporate regulatory T cells in a basic algorithm of the workings of the immune system, explaining it as a downregulation of the immune response provided advantageous commensalism prevails over disadvantages of parasitism.
A Novel Tissue Engineering‐based Assay for Immunological Infertility
Authors: Ahangari G. , Naderimanesh H. , Hossein‐Nezhad A. , Zouali M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAntisperm antibodies (ASA) are present in 9–36% of infertile couples, a condition called immunological infertility. The variability of ASA in terms of antigenic specificity and biological effects has made it difficult to design a test able to distinguish reliably between ASA that contribute to infertility and those that do not. To develop a reliable and reproducible method able to detect sperm antibodies, we took advantage of recent progress made in tissue engineering techniques. We used collagen gel as a bio‐scaffold for the production of engineered sperm analogues. The advantages of using collagen gels include biocompatibility, ease of fabrication and low cost. We found that this tissue engineering‐based assay is more specific and more sensitive than a conventional test routinely used for ASA detection. In addition, it exhibited low intra‐ and inter‐variations. We envision the use of this novel approach for the detection of a variety of autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases. In addition to diagnostic purposes, tissue‐engineering based tests could be useful in monitoring treatments with bio‐drugs.
The Group Size Paradox Revisited
Authors: PECORINO PAUL , TEMIMI AKRAM 
Published: September 2008

AbstractEsteban and Ray (2001)model an increasing marginal cost of effort in providing a public good. If the marginal cost of contribution function has an elasticity greater than 1, then the level of provision is increasing in group size, regardless of the degree of rivalry of the public good. We modify their model to a standard public goods setting, where their results continue to hold. We then add small fixed costs of participation to the model. If the good is sufficiently rival, one ofOlson's (1965)central propositions is restored: public goods will fail to be provided in large groups.
Existence and Uniqueness of Nash Equilibrium in Electoral Competition Games: The Hybrid Case
Authors: SAPORITI ALEJANDRO 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper analyzes the traditional unidimensional, two‐party electoral competition game when parties have mixed motivations, in the sense that they are interested in winning the election, but also in the policy implemented after the contest. In spite of having discontinuous payoffs, this game, referred to as the hybrid election game, is shown to be payoff secure and reciprocally upper semi‐continuous. Conditional payoffs, however, are not quasi‐concave. Hence, the existence of a pure strategy Nash equilibrium (psne) is ensured only if parties have homogenous interests in power. In that case, an equilibrium not only exists, but it is also unique. Instead, if parties have heterogeneous motivations, depending upon the relationship between the electoral uncertainty, the aggregate opportunism, and its distribution across parties, a psne may or may not exist. The mixed extension, however, is always better reply secure. Therefore, a mixed strategy Nash equilibrium does indeed exist.
Bargaining with Rent Seekers
Authors: GLAZER AMIHAI 
Published: September 2008

AbstractConsider a rent‐seeking game, which has government bargain with firms over dividing the rents. In period 1, each firm can invest to increase the probability that the rent will appear. In period 2, the parties bargain. In equilibrium, though firms will invest more than the socially optimal level, rent‐seeking expenditures may be low. Firms that collude to restrict investment maximize joint profits by investing at a positive, non‐infinitesimal level, and restrict investment even if the cost of rent‐seeking effort is zero.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: LPS Increases the Expression Levels of IL‐18, ICE and IL‐18 R in Mouse Testes
Authors: Abu Elhija Mahmoud , Lunenfeld Eitan , Huleihel Mahmoud 
Published: September 2008

Problem This study examined the effect of intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to adult male mouse on the expression levels of interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), IL‐18 receptor (IL‐18R) and the IL‐1β converting enzyme (ICE) (IL‐18 family) in their testes and spleen (control).Method of study Adult mice were injected (intraperitoneally; i.p.) with saline (control) or LPS (2, 20, 100 μg/mL; 100 μL/mouse). After 3 and 24 hr, testes and spleen were collected. Testicular tissue was examined for IL‐18 (by ELISA, real time PCR, and western blot analysis), IL‐18R and ICE (western blot and real time PCR analysis) and spleen tissue was examined for the IL‐18 family by real time PCR analysis. Student’s t‐test was used for statistical analysis.Results Homogenates of mouse testes contain and express basal levels of IL‐18, ICE and IL‐18 R. The expression levels of IL‐18, ICE and IL‐18R were significantly increased 3 and 24 hr after intraperitoneal injection of LPS to mature mouse, as examined by ELISA, western blot and real time PCR analysis. However, the expression levels of IL‐18, ICE and IL‐18Rα in the spleen increased significantly only after 24 hr of LPS stimulation, as examined by real time PCR.Conclusion Our results demonstrate that LPS increases the expression levels of the IL‐18 family in mouse testis and spleen, but the time of expression differs between the two organs. The presence of IL‐18 in the testes might be involved in the regulation of physiological and infection/inflammatory processes, and may be part of the autocrine/paracrine factors that control spermatogenesis. Further studies should be performed to confirm this possibility.