bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TNF‐α modulates the Na+/ K+ ATPase and the Na+K+2Cl− symporter in LLC‐PK1 cells
Authors: Ramia N. F. , Kreydiyyeh S. I. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) has been implicated in the development of diabetic nephropathy and the accompanying increase in sodium retention. Inhibition of renal Na+/K+ ATPase was reported to accompany cell death. As TNF is known to induce both apoptosis and cell survival, this work investigated the effect and mechanism of action of TNF‐α on the Na+/K+ ATPase and the Na+K+2Cl− symporter using LLC‐PK1 cells, a porcine renal proximal tubules cell line.Materials and methods  Cells were incubated for 2 h with TNF‐α in presence and absence of pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, SP600125 and FK009, respective inhibitors of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and caspases. The activity of the pump was assayed by measuring the ouabain‐inhibitable release of inorganic phosphate. Changes in its expression and the expression of the symporter were monitored by western blot analysis.Results  TNF‐α up‐regulated both transporters. NF‐κB, JNK and the caspases were all mediators of the cytokine action. TNF up‐regulated the Na+/K+ pump by stimulating JNK which in turn, activated NF‐κB and inhibited the caspases. TNF effect on the cotransporter was also mediated via activation of JNK which however inhibited NF‐κB and by so doing prevented activation of caspases. As caspases were demonstrated to down‐regulate the two transporters, their inhibition by TNF is responsible for the observed up‐regulatory effect.Conclusions  It was concluded that the Na+/K+ ATPase and Na+K+2Cl− are both targets of TNF‐α and the effect of the cytokine favours cell survival over cell death.
Pain assessment tools for unconscious or sedated intensive care patients: a systematic review
Authors: Pudas‐Tähkä Sanna‐Mari , Axelin Anna , Aantaa Riku , Lund Vesa , Salanterä Sanna 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTitle. Pain assessment tools for unconscious or sedated intensive care patients: a systematic review.Aim. This paper is a report of a systematic review describing instruments developed for pain assessment in unconscious or sedated intensive care patients.Background. Intensive care patients who are unconscious or sedated are unable to communicate and therefore recognition and assessment of the pain is difficult. To assess these patients’ pain, it is important to use a valid and reliable pain assessment tool.Data sources. A systematic bibliographical review was conducted, based on seven databases, covering the period from January 1987 to February 2007. A total of 1,586 abstracts was identified and reviewed, 58 papers were selected for full‐text review and nine papers were included in the review.Methods. Two researchers independently reviewed the abstracts and three reviewers extracted the papers. The included papers were evaluated using a quality assessment instrument previously developed to evaluate pain assessment tools.Results. Five different pain assessment tools were identified that had been used with unconscious or sedated intensive care patients. All five instruments included behavioural indicators and three included physiological indicators. Their psychometric properties varied and it was not possible to deduce their clinical utility.Conclusion. All instruments were reasonably new. In most of them psychometric testing was in an early stage or even absent. Before any of the reported instruments can be chosen in preference to others, it is essential to test their validity, reliability and feasibility further.
Fall risk factors in older people with dementia or cognitive impairment: a systematic review
Authors: Härlein Jürgen , Dassen Theo , Halfens Ruud J. G. , Heinze Cornelia 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTitle.  Fall risk factors in older people with dementia or cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Aim.  This paper is a report of a review conducted to identify and summarize specific risk factors for falls in older people with dementia or cognitive impairments as documented by prospective or case–control studies.Background.  People with dementia have a doubled to threefold risk for falls, but the reasons for this have not yet been fully explained. Several integrative literature reviews discuss possible specific fall risk factors. However, there is lack of a systematic evaluation of studies.Data sources.  The CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE and PsychInfo databases were searched for the period between 1980 and May 2007.Review methods.  A systematic review was conducted. Cohort or case–control studies published in English or German were included if they investigated risk factors for falls or fall‐related injuries in a sample consisting of participants with dementia or cognitive impairment. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality.Results.  Six prospective studies were included in the review. These differed concerning samples, settings, follow‐up periods and examined variables. Therefore, meta‐analysis was not possible. Eight categories of risk factors emerged: disease‐specific motor impairments, impaired vision, type and severity of dementia, behavioural disturbances, functional impairments, fall history, neuroleptics and low bone mineral density.Conclusion.  There is lack of sound studies examining fall risk factors in cognitively impaired elders. Well‐known risk factors such as motor impairment show particular characteristics in people with dementia. In addition, behavioural disturbances contribute to their high risk for falls. Further prospective studies are needed.
Operating theatre nurses’ perceptions of competence: a focus group study
Authors: Gillespie Brigid M. , Chaboyer Wendy , Wallis Marianne , Chang Hsiao‐yun Annie , Werder Helen 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTitle.  Operating theatre nurses’ perceptions of competence: a focus group study. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study exploring nurses’ perceptions of the components of competence in the operating theatre.Background.  Competency Standards for operating theatre practice are used in some countries to guide clinical and professional behaviours. The need for competence assessment has been enshrined, but the conceptualization and agreement about what signifies competence in Operating Theatre has been lacking.Methods.  Three focus groups were conducted with 27 operating theatre nurses in three major metropolitan hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Interviews were audio taped and field notes were taken. Data were collected during 2008. Thematic analysis was performed.Findings.  From the analysis of the textual data, three themes were identified: ‘coalescence of theoretical, practical, situational and aesthetic knowledge within a technocratic environment’; ‘the importance of highly developed communication skills among teams of divergent personalities and situations’; and ‘managing and coordinating the flow of the list’.Conclusion.  These findings have identified that competence in respect to components of knowledge, teamwork and communication, and the ability to coordinate and manage are important and should be incorporated in operating theatre Competency Standards. Additionally, findings may assist in the development of an instrument to measure operating nurses’ perceived competence.
Decision‐making for acutely ill nursing home residents: nurses in the middle
Authors: Lopez Ruth Palan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTitle.  Decision‐making for acutely ill nursing home residents: nurses in the middle. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to generate a model of nursing behaviours and social processes inherent in decision‐making for acutely ill nursing home residents.Background.  Most research concerning clinical decision‐making in nursing homes focuses on the perspectives of doctors. Much less is known about the perspectives and actions of nurses with regard to decision‐making, despite the centrality of their roles in nursing homes.Method.  Grounded theory was used. Data were collected in 2004 in four nursing homes in the United States of America using in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews, 74 hours of non‐participant observation and informal conversational interviews with key nursing staff involved in decision‐making.Findings.  Nurses strive to create a plan of care acceptable to family members and doctors, consistent with wishes of residents and most comfortable for residents. A unifying theme of satisfying all sides emerged as representative of the negotiation strategies used by nurses to address these competing points of view. Four phases in this negotiation occurred: weighing the significance; notifying the family; feeling it out; and playing the middleman. The outcome was either a decision for life‐prolongation or for palliative care.Conclusion.  Decisions for nursing home residents are complex and involve weighing and balancing the interests and preferences of many concerned participants, including residents, families and doctors. This process requires skill in clinical judgment, communication and collaboration.
Social isolation in older adults: an evolutionary concept analysis
Authors: Nicholson Jr. Nicholas R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTitle.  Social isolation in older adults: an evolutionary concept analysis. Aim.  This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of social isolation as experienced by older adults.Background.  Social isolation is a serious problem with older adults that is expected to increase in the future. Although strong correlations exist between social isolation and negative health consequences, few interventions exist. One contributing factor to this is a lack of conceptual clarity.Data sources.  The CINAHL, PsycINFO and Medline databases and the Web of Science were searched using the key terms social isolation, social networks, older adults, elderly and social integration for publications between 1983 and 2007.Review methods.  An evolutionary concept analysis was undertaken. References were read in their entirety and analysed based on the summary of surrogate terms, related concepts, attributes, antecedents and consequences.Findings.  Five attributes were identified: number of contacts, feeling of belonging, fulfilling relationships, engagement with others and quality of network members. Antecedents included: lack of relationships, psychological barriers, physical barriers, low financial and resource exchange, and prohibitive environment. Roy’s Adaptation Model is proposed as a theoretical context into which social isolation fits.Conclusion.  Numerous definitions are used to describe social isolation, but they lack uniformity, consistency and clarity; this impairs the further development and refinement of the concept. This concept analysis can offer additional understanding and a starting point for future research related to social isolation.
Psychometric properties of MacNew Heart Disease Health‐related Quality of Life Questionnaire: Brazilian version
Authors: Nakajima Karin Mitie , Rodrigues Roberta Cunha Matheus , Gallani Maria Cecília Bueno Jayme , Alexandre Neusa Maria Costa , Oldridge Neil 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTitle.  Psychometric properties of MacNew Heart Disease Health‐related Quality of Life Questionnaire: Brazilian version. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to test the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Version of the MacNew Heart Disease Health‐related Quality of Life Questionnaire.Background.  Evidence of acceptable psychometric properties of the original MacNew questionnaire has been reported. However, the psychometric performance of the Brazilian version has not been extensively studied.Method.  Between November 2004 and June 2005, 159 patients with myocardial infarction completed the Brazilian version of the instrument. Reliability was determined with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient; convergent validity with Pearson’s correlation between the Brazilian MacNew questionnaire and the SF‐36; and the ‘known‐group’ approach was used to test discriminant validity. Ceiling and floor effects and practicality were analyzed.Findings.  It took an average of 8·9 minutes to complete the instrument. A ceiling effect was detected in the subscales and global scores, with no floor effect. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from 0·87 to 0·92. Scores on similar domains of the SF‐36 and the MacNew questionnaire were correlated (r = 0·66; 0·78 and 0·53 for the physical, emotional, and social domains). Correlation between the dissimilar SF‐36 mental health and MacNew physical domains was lower at 0·45; correlation between the dissimilar SF‐36 physical functioning and MacNew emotional domain was 0·64. Individuals without regional ventricular dysfunction or symptoms had statistically significantly higher scores than those with regional ventricular dysfunction or symptoms.Conclusion. The Brazilian version of the MacNew questionnaire has acceptable levels of validity, reliability and practicality. Further studies are advisable to confirm its divergent validity and to test its responsiveness.
Apolipoprotein M predicts pre‐β‐HDL formation: studies in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects
Authors: Plomgaard P. , Dullaart R. P. F. , De Vries R. , Groen A. K. , Dahlbäck B. , Nielsen L. B. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract.Objective.  Studies in mice suggest that plasma apoM is lowered in hyperinsulinaemic diabetes and that apoM stimulates formation of pre‐β‐HDL. Pre‐β‐HDL is an acceptor of cellular cholesterol and may be critical for reverse cholesterol transport. Herein, we examined whether patients with type 2 diabetes have reduced plasma apoM and whether apoM is associated with pre‐β‐HDL formation and cellular cholesterol efflux.Design.  In 78 patients with type 2 diabetes and 89 control subjects, we measured plasma apoM with ELISA, pre‐β‐HDL and pre‐β‐HDL formation, phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity and the ability of plasma to promote cholesterol efflux from cultured fibroblasts.Results.  ApoM was ∼9% lower in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to controls (0.025 ± 0.006 vs. 0.027 ± 0.007 g L−1, P = 0.01). The difference in apoM was largely attributable to diabetes‐associated obesity. ApoM was positively related to both HDL (r = 0.16; P = 0.04) and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.28; P = 0.0003). Pre‐β‐HDL and pre‐β‐HDL formation were not different between diabetic and control subjects. ApoM predicted pre‐β‐HDL (r = 0.16; P = 0.04) and pre‐β‐HDL formation (r = 0.19; P = 0.02), even independently of positive relationships with apoA‐I, HDL‐cholesterol and PLTP activity. Cellular cholesterol efflux to plasma was positively related to pre‐β‐HDL and PLTP activity but not significantly to apoM.Conclusions.  Plasma apoM is modestly reduced in type 2 diabetes. Pre‐β‐HDL and pre‐β‐HDL formation are positively associated with apoM, supporting the hypothesis that apoM plays a role in HDL remodelling in humans. Lower apoM may provide a mechanism to explain why pre‐β‐HDL formation is not increased in type 2 diabetes despite elevated PLTP activity.
Systemic growth of Leptosphaeria maculans from cotyledons to hypocotyls in oilseed rape: influence of number of infection sites, competitive growth and host polygenic resistance
Authors: Travadon R. , Marquer B. , Ribulé A. , Sache I. , Masson J. P. , Brun H. , Delourme R. , Bousset L. 
Published: March 2009

The influence of competitive effects between two isolates, of the number of infection sites on cotyledons and of host polygenic resistance on the systemic growth of Leptosphaeria maculans, the cause of phoma stem canker in oilseed rape (Brassica napus), were investigated. Controlled‐condition experiments were conducted with two oilseed rape doubled haploid lines, one susceptible and the other with a high level of polygenic resistance, inoculated via wounded cotyledons with conidial suspensions obtained from two isolates. Expression of cankers in plants was enhanced by exposing inoculated plants to low temperature (6°C) followed by warm temperature (20°C). The fungus was detected by PCR amplifications of three minisatellite markers in all stems with visible canker symptoms and also in the stems of 14 of the 59 plants without visible cankers on the hypocotyls. Disease severity increased with the number of infection sites on cotyledons: in one of the three replicate experiments, the mean external necrosis length on the hypocotyl ranged from 6·47 to 35·3 mm for one and eight infections sites on cotyledons, respectively. The probability of an isolate reaching the hypocotyl from inoculated cotyledons decreased with increasing competing inoculum load on cotyledons: for instance, for isolate A290v it decreased from 1 when inoculated alone to 0·28 when coinoculated with six drops of competing isolate P27d. Polygenic resistance significantly reduced disease incidence and severity. For instance, in one of the three replicate experiments, disease incidence ranged from more than 74% in susceptible plants to 16% in resistant ones, while mean external necrosis length was up to 35·3 and 6·5 mm on susceptible and on resistant plants, respectively. This study offers new possibilities for assessing levels of polygenic resistance to stem canker in B. napus and studying the aggressiveness of L. maculans isolates.
Management of phytophthora root rot in radiata pine seedlings
Authors: Reglinski T. , Spiers T. M. , Dick M. A. , Taylor J. T. , Gardner J. 
Published: March 2009

Chemical and biological agents were evaluated for their ability to suppress root rot, caused by Phytophthora cactorum, in field‐grown radiata pine seedlings in New Zealand. Trials were conducted over two seasons in an area of a forest nursery with a natural infestation of P. cactorum, and a history of root rot. In each season, symptoms of root rot developed during April, one month after root pruning, when seedlings were approximately six months old. In trial one, root rot incidence by mid July 2007 was 9·1% in untreated plots and 8·4% in plots that had been treated with metalaxyl‐M/mancozeb (14 kg ha−1) at seedling emergence. Disease incidence was lowest (2·1%) in plots that received seven monthly applications of phosphorous acid (6·5 L ha−1). Other treatments, including seed coating with thiram or Trichoderma spp., and foliar applications of methyl jasmonate, did not control disease. In trial two, effects of treatment timing relative to root pruning were investigated. By late June 2008, three months after root pruning, root rot incidence was 22·2% in the untreated plots. Phosphorous acid was the most effective treatment and almost completely suppressed disease (0·1% incidence) when applied fortnightly from February until May (seven applications). Metalaxyl‐M/mancozeb (15 kg ha−1) was not effective (21·4% incidence) when applied five months before root pruning. However, disease incidence was reduced when the chemical was applied one week after root pruning (14·9% incidence) and greater control was achieved (8·2% incidence) when the application rate was increased to 50 kg ha−1.
Tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometric analysis of ubiquitylated proteins in Arabidopsis
Authors: Saracco Scott A. , Hansson Maria , Scalf Mark , Walker Joseph M. , Smith Lloyd M. , Vierstra Richard D. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryProtein ubiquitylation is a central regulatory mechanism that controls numerous processes in plants, including hormone signaling, developmental progression, responses to biotic and abiotic challenges, protein trafficking and chromatin structure. Despite data implicating thousands of plant proteins as targets, so far only a few have been conclusively shown to be ubiquitylated in planta. Here we describe a method to isolate ubiquitin–protein conjugates from Arabidopsis that exploits a stable transgenic line expressing a synthetic poly‐UBQ gene encoding ubiquitin (Ub) monomers N‐terminally tagged with hexahistidine. Following sequential enrichment by Ub‐affinity and nickel chelate‐affinity chromatography, the ubiquitylated proteins were trypsinized, separated by two‐dimensional liquid chromatography, and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Our list of 54 non‐redundant targets, expressed by as many as 90 possible isoforms, included those predicted by genetic studies to be ubiquitylated in plants (EIN3 and JAZ6) or shown to be ubiquitylated in other eukaryotes (ribosomal subunits, elongation factor 1α, histone H1, HSP70 and CDC48), as well as candidates whose control by the Ub/26S proteasome system is not yet appreciated. Ub attachment site(s) were resolved for a subset of these proteins, but surprisingly little sequence consensus was detected, implying that specific residues surrounding the modified lysine are not important determinants for ubiquitylation. We also identified six of the seven available lysine residues on Ub itself as Ub attachment sites, together with evidence for a branched mixed‐linkage chain, suggesting that the topologies of Ub chains can be highly complex in plants. Taken together, our method provides a widely applicable strategy to define ubiquitylation in any tissue of intact plants exposed to a wide range of conditions.
Burial rates of surrogate seeds in arable fields
Authors: WESTERMAN P R , DIXON P M , LIEBMAN M 
Published: March 2009

WestermanPR, DixonPM & LiebmanM (2009). Burial rates of surrogate seeds in arable fields.Weed Research49, 142–152.SummaryThe probability of seed consumption by surface‐dwelling predators depends on the duration of seed exposure on the soil surface. We investigated seed burial using painted ceramic beads as surrogate seeds. Fifty beads of three size classes each were applied to small arenas within crop fields and their fates were followed from August to October. New sets of beads were applied as soon as most beads had disappeared from the soil surface. Bead availability on the soil surface declined immediately after placement, and then declined steadily over time, with increased loss during rain and management practices. Smaller beads were incorporated into the soil/litter matrix more easily than larger beads. Bead burial differed considerably among crop environments, with more burial in forage crops (red clover, lucerne) than in row crops (soyabean, maize). The fact that seed availability differed among crop environments suggests that it can be manipulated to maximise predation risk.
The utility of a nebulised intra‐tracheal rat model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Chandenier J. , Bernard S. , Montharu J. , Bailly E. , Fetissof F. , De Monte M. , Desoubeaux G. , Diot P. , Richard‐Lenoble D. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryInvasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is of particular concern to immunodeficient patients, whose mortality rates may exceed 80%. The development of an animal model that faithfully reproduces the pathophysiology of IPA would improve the studies on diagnostic and therapeutic modes, and the use of rats as a possible model for IPA seems to have been largely overlooked. Such a model could be established with the MicroSprayer IA‐1B®. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (6–8 weeks old) were rendered immunodeficient by cyclophosphamide injections and a protein‐deficient diet. On day D0, they were anaesthetised by inhalation of 5% isoflurane and infected by the intra‐tracheal aerosolisation of 100 μl of an Aspergillus fumigatus spore suspension through a MicroSprayer IA‐1B®. This inoculation process was simple and rapid, with no deaths observed during or immediately after the procedure. The rats regained consciousness within 1 min. Follow‐up data including those for clinical factors (weight changes, mortality rate), biological factors (Aspergillus antigens) and histological factors were consistent with previous studies. The advantages of this model include the ease of animal manipulation, the reproducibility of infection and the potential for repeated blood sampling.