bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient participation in clinical decision‐making in nursing: a comparative study of nurses’ and patients’ perceptions
Authors: Florin Jan , Ehrenberg Anna , Ehnfors Margareta 
Published: October 2006

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to compare the degree of concordance between patients and Registered Nurses’ perceptions of the patients’ preferences for participation in clinical decision‐making in nursing care. A further aim was to compare patients’ experienced participation with their preferred participatory role.Background.  Patient participation in clinical decision‐making is valuable and has an effect on quality of care. However, there is limited knowledge about patient preferences for participation and how nurses perceive their patients’ preferences.Methods.  A comparative design was adopted with a convenient sample of 80 nurse–patient dyads. A modified version of the Control Preference Scale was used in conjunction with a questionnaire developed to elicit the experienced participation of the patient.Results.  A majority of the Registered Nurses perceived that their patients preferred a higher degree of participation in decision‐making than did the patients. Differences in patient preferences were found in relation to age and social status but not to gender. Patients often experienced having a different role than what was initially preferred, e.g. a more passive role concerning needs related to communication, breathing and pain and a more active role related to activity and emotions/roles.Conclusions.  Registered Nurses are not always aware of their patients’ perspective and tend to overestimate patients’ willingness to assume an active role. Registered Nurses do not successfully involve patients in clinical decision‐making in nursing care according to their own perceptions and not even to the patients’ more moderate preferences of participation.Relevance to clinical practice.  A thorough assessment of the individual's preferences for participation in decision‐making seems to be the most appropriate approach to ascertain patient's involvement to the preferred level of participation. The categorization of patients as preferring a passive role, collaborative role or active role is seen as valuable information for Registered Nurses to tailor nursing care.
Predictors of care‐giver stress in families of preschool‐aged children with developmental disabilities
Authors: Plant K. M. , Sanders M. R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  This study examined the predictors, mediators and moderators of parent stress in families of preschool‐aged children with developmental disability.Method  One hundred and five mothers of preschool‐aged children with developmental disability completed assessment measures addressing the key variables.Results  Analyses demonstrated that the difficulty parents experienced in completing specific care‐ giving tasks, behaviour problems during these care‐giving tasks, and level of child disability, respectively, were significant predictors of level of parent stress. In addition, parents’ cognitive appraisal of care‐giving responsibilities had a mediating effect on the relationship between the child’s level of disability and parent stress. Mothers’ level of social support had a moderating effect on the relationship between key independent variables and level of parent stress.Conclusions  Difficulty of care‐giving tasks, difficult child behaviour during care‐giving tasks, and level of child disability are the primary factors which contribute to parent stress. Implications of these findings for future research and clinical practice are outlined.
Refugial isolation and secondary contact in the dyeing poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius
Authors: NOONAN BRICE P. , GAUCHER PHILIPPE 
Published: October 2006

AbstractRecent palaeoclimactic research suggests that fluctuating environmental conditions throughout the Pleistocene of Amazonia occurred with previously unrecognized frequency. This has resulted in a theoretical shift from glacially influenced fluctuations to those driven by precessional rhythms. This theoretical revolution has a profound impact on expectations of biotic diversity within biogeographical regions that have long been based on the idea of large‐scale landscape fragmentation associated with increased aridity and glacial cycles. Generally speaking, this shifts phylogeographical expectations from that of (i) large areas of sympatry of closely related (but not sister) species whose origins lie in separate refugia, and current distributions are the results of cyclic connectivity of those two refugia (refuge hypothesis), to that of (ii) fine scale genetic structure, often associated with elevation, and divergence well below expected speciation levels [disturbance–vicariance (DV) hypothesis]. To date there have been few tests of the expectations of the DV hypothesis based on empirical studies of Neotropical floral and faunal communities. Herein we examine phylogeographical structure of Dendrobates tinctorius, an amphibian species endemic to the uplands of the eastern Guiana Shield, based on sampling of 114 individuals from 24 localities. Phylogenetic, nested clade, and dispersal–vicariance (DIVA) analyses of cytochrome b sequence data reveal the presence of two mitochondrial lineages that are associated with previously identified western and eastern uplands of this area. The geographical distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes and the results of DIVA and coalescent analyses suggest that there has been extensive secondary contact between these lineages indicating a complex history of connectivity between these western and eastern highlands, supporting the predictions of the DV hypothesis.
What should we weigh to estimate heterozygosity, alleles or loci?
Authors: APARICIO J. M. , ORTEGO J. , CORDERO P. J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe interest to study the effects of inbreeding in natural populations has increased in the last years. Several microsatellite‐derived metrics have recently been developed to infer inbreeding from multilocus heterozygosity data without requiring detailed pedigrees that are difficult to obtain in open populations. Internal relatedness (IR) is currently the most widespread used index and its main attribute is that allele frequency is incorporated into the measure. However,IRunderestimates heterozygosity of individuals carrying rare alleles. For example, descendants of immigrants paired with natives (normally more outbred) bearing novel or rare alleles would be considered more homozygous than descendants of native parents. Thus, the analogy between homozygosity and inbreeding that generally is carried out would have no logic in those cases. We propose an alternative index, homozygosity by loci (HL) that avoids such problems by weighing the contribution of each locus to the homozygosity index depending on their allelic variability. Under a wide range of simulated scenarios, we found that our index (HL) correlated better than bothIRand uncorrected homozygosity (HO), measured as proportion of homozygous loci) with genome‐wide homozygosity and inbreeding coefficients in open populations. In these populations, which are likely to prevail in nature, the use ofHLinstead ofIRreduced considerably the sample sizes required to achieve a given statistical power. This is likely to have important consequences on the ability to detect heterozygosity fitness correlations assuming the relationship between genome‐wide heterozygosity and fitness traits.
Prevalence of IgG Antibody Against Measles, Mumps and Rubella in Bangladeshi Children: A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Need for Integrated Vaccination Strategy
Authors: Sultana R. , Rahman M. M. , Hassan Z. , Hassan M. S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe present study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies in Bangladeshi children against measles (irrespective of vaccination status), mumps and rubella (MMR) to assess strategic need of combined vaccination for these diseases. A total of 456 children of 1 month to 15 years, were studied. Serum IgG antibodies against MMR were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). By 3 months, protective IgG antibody level (>40 AU for measles and mumps and >15 IU/ml for rubella) for the diseases found to be between 50% and 80% among the studied children. Protective measles antibody (IgG) was not detected in all the children of 3–9 months and significant number of children between 9 months and 5 years were unprotected (87–65%; P < 0.001). Moreover, children of 3–15 months had no protective antibody level against mumps and significant number of children between 15 months and 5 years were unprotected (92–71%; P < 0.001). Between 5 and 15 years of age, significant number of children became protective (63–85%, P < 0.001). Although, a majority of children between 3 months and 5 years had shown to have no protective antibody against rubella (89–71%; P < 0.01–0.001) between >10 and 15 years 71% children had protective level of antibodies (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in antibody prevalence regarding socioeconomic classes, nutritional status and parental education. The data showed that: (i) a significant number of children remain unprotected against MMR in childhood and (ii) an extensive nationwide survey is required to suggest an integrated vaccination strategy in order to implement appropriate control measures of the three infectious diseases.
Sphingosine 1‐Phosphate Interferes on the Differentiation of Human Monocytes into Competent Dendritic Cells
Authors: Martino A. , Volpe E. , Auricchio G. , Izzi V. , Poccia F. , Mariani F. , Colizzi V. , Baldini P. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is a lipidic messenger known to exert several physiological functions within the cell. We tested here whether the stimulation of human monocytes with different doses of S1P might interfere with their differentiation into competent dendritic cells (DC). Monocytes cultured with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and S1P differentiated into a DC population lacking CD1a molecules on the surface and acquired some aspects of mature DC (mDC), though in the absence of maturation stimuli. When stimulated with lipopolisaccharide (LPS), CD1a− DC produce high amounts of tumour necrosis factor‐α and IL‐10, but not IL‐12. Accordingly, these CD1a− DC were not capable of stimulating allogenic T lymphocytes so well as CD1a+ DC generated from untreated monocytes and maturated with LPS. S1P monocyte‐derived DC lost their polarizing capacity abrogating the production of γ‐interferon/IL‐4 by co‐cultured naïve CD4+CD45RA+ T cells. Our findings suggest a mechanism through which S1P can favour the development of immune‐related pathological states.
Family‐focused treatment of the suicidal bipolar patient
Authors: Miklowitz David J , Taylor Dawn O 
Published: October 2006

Objectives: Bipolar patients are at high risk for suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicidal behavior is correlated with poor family communication and/or high levels of intrafamilial conflict, particularly among adolescent bipolar patients. This article describes the application of family‐focused therapy (FFT) as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the management of suicidal ideation and behavior among bipolar patients.Methods: We describe the empirical basis of FFT in studies of adult and adolescent patients. We then describe the manner by which the three modules of FFT – psychoeducation, communication skills training and problem solving – are adapted to address the clinical issues presented by suicidal bipolar adults or adolescents and their families.Results: Key objectives of the treatment are to help the family recognize that suicidal behavior is a part of the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder but that it is also to some extent under environmental control. Thus, the family is in a unique position to develop and help assure the success of a suicide prevention contract. A case study of an adolescent with suicidal behavior is presented.Conclusions: Future research should include a focus on: (i) cross‐cultural issues in suicide and bipolar disorder; and (ii) the adaptation of interventions shown to be effective in reducing suicidal behaviors in non‐bipolar populations.
Carnitine does not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate‐treated bipolar patients consuming an energy‐restricted, low‐fat diet
Authors: Elmslie Jane L , Porter Richard J , Joyce Peter R , Hunt Penelope J , Mann Jim I 
Published: October 2006

Objectives:  Carnitine deficiency impairs fatty acid β‐oxidation and may partly explain weight gain in valproate‐treated patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether l‐carnitine supplementation improves weight loss outcomes in bipolar patients taking sodium valproate.Methods:  Sixty bipolar patients with clinically significant weight gain thought to be related to sodium valproate, who had been taking sodium valproate for ≥6 months, were randomized to l‐carnitine (15 mg/kg/day) or placebo for 26 weeks, in conjunction with a moderately energy‐restricted, low‐fat diet. The primary outcome measure was weight change.Results:  l‐carnitine had no effect on mean weight loss compared with placebo (−1.9 kg versus − 0.9 kg) (F = 0.778, df = 1,58, p = 0.381). The number of people in each group able to lose any weight was identical ( = 0, p = 1.0); more patients in the carnitine group (nine versus five) achieved a clinically significant weight loss (≥5%) but this was not statistically significant (p = 1.0, Fisher's exact test).Conclusions:  At the dose prescribed in this study carnitine supplementation did not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate‐treated bipolar patients consuming an energy‐restricted, low‐fat diet.
Pilot sample of very early onset bipolar disorder in a military population moderates the association of negative life events and non‐fatal suicide attempt
Authors: Pettit Jeremy W , Paukert Amber L , Joiner Thomas E , Rudd M David 
Published: October 2006

Objective:  To examine the moderating effects of very early onset diagnostic status (≤ 13 years) upon the association between life events and non‐fatal suicide attempt.Methods:  Measures of negative life events, suicidal ideation and current suicide attempt were administered to 298 military‐based young adults at entry to treatment for suicidality. Current and lifetime diagnoses were assigned using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The predictive ability of negative life events for non‐fatal suicide attempt was examined separately for the total sample and for those with retrospectively determined histories of very early onset bipolar disorder (VEOBPD; n = 16), very early onset major depressive disorder (VEOMDD; n = 21) and very early onset anxiety disorder (VEOANX; n = 53).Results:  Negative life events and suicide attempt were significantly and positively associated among those with no history of VEOBPD (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02–1.65, p < 0.05), including those with VEOMDD and VEOANX. Consistent with expectation, VEOBPD moderated the association between negative life events and suicide attempt (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78–0.99, p < 0.05), such that negative life events were non‐significantly and negatively associated with the presence of a suicide attempt (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.04–1.02, p = 0.09) among patients with a history of VEOBPD.Conclusions:  Despite similar rates of suicide attempt among all diagnostic groups, life stress did not contribute to attempt among those with VEOBPD. These findings are consistent with the severity and chronicity of VEOBPD. Potential explanations of these findings include a scarring effect on coping skills and increased sensitization to life stress.
Linear and nonlinear methods for analyses of cardiovascular variability in bipolar disorders
Authors: Voss A , Baier V , Schulz S , Bar KJ 
Published: October 2006

Objectives:  Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability (BPV), and the assessment of baroreflex sensitivity are widely accepted methods for analyzing and characterizing cardiovascular regulation and for an enhanced risk evaluation in different diseases. As a result of the complexity of the investigated regulatory systems, univariate analyses do not often provide a convenient description of pathological changes in the cardiovascular regulation. Therefore, the application of a multivariate approach is preferable.Methods:  We present principal methods of time‐domain, frequency‐domain, and nonlinear analyses of HRV, BPV as well as methods for coupling and interaction analyses.Results:  Changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) tone are known to accompany various mental disorders. Depressive patients frequently complain of symptoms of ANS dysfunction, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, and insomnia. These clinical observations propose the assumption of altered autonomic dysfunction in these patients. In contrast to these clinical assumptions, inconsistent results have been found in studies of HRV in depressive patients. This work therefore covers a brief review of the literature in respect to bipolar disorder and the rationale to study autonomic changes in such a psychiatric disease.Conclusions:  Prospective studies of cardiovascular changes in mania and depression are needed to evaluate a psychopathological state in connection with cardiovascular changes and cardiac morbidity and mortality. These studies should consider BPV, coupling and interaction analyses, the application of nonlinear methods, and a multivariate approach in addition to the traditional analysis of HRV.
Approximate entropy as a measure of irregularity for psychiatric serial metrics
Authors: Pincus Steven M 
Published: October 2006

Objectives:  The quantification of subtle patterns in sequential data, and their changes, has considerable potential utility throughout psychiatry, including the analyses of mood ratings, heart rate, respiratory, and electroencephalographic recordings.Methods:  Approximate entropy (ApEn), a relatively recently developed statistic quantifying serial irregularity, has been applied in numerous studies throughout mathematics and other fields of study, especially biology.Results:  We discussed applications of ApEn, both extant and potential, of most relevance to psychiatrists. We provided a mechanistic interpretation of lowered ApEn values, and discusses the relationship between ApEn and other (both classical and complexity) measures of serial dynamics. We also briefly discussed cross‐ApEn, a thematically similar quantification of two‐variable asynchrony that can aid in uncovering subtle disruptions in complicated network dynamics.Conclusions:  ApEn and cross‐ApEn have significant potential to consequentially enhance present statistical methodologies of analysis of psychiatric data, in both clinical and in research settings.
Increased Calcium Deposits and Decreased Ca2+‐ATPase in Right Ventricular Myocardium of Ascitic Broiler Chickens
Authors: Li K. , Qiao J. , Zhao L. , Dong S. , Ou D. , Wang J. , Wang H. , Xu T. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryRight ventricular hypertrophy and failure is an important step in the development of ascites syndrome (AS) in broiler chickens. Cytoplasmic calcium concentration is a major regulator of cardiac contractile function and various physiological processes in cardiac muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to measure the right ventricular pressure and investigate the precise ultrastructural location of Ca2+ and Ca2+‐ATPase in the right ventricular myocardium of chickens with AS induced by low ambient temperature. The results showed that the right ventricular diastolic pressure of ascitic broilers was significantly higher than that of control broilers (P < 0.01), and the maximum change ratio of right intraventricular pressure (RV ± dp/dtmax) of ascitic broilers was significantly lower than that of the controls (P < 0.01). Extensively increased calcium deposits were observed in the right ventricular myocardium of ascitic broilers, whereas in the age‐matched control broilers, calcium deposits were much less. The Ca2+‐ATPase reactive products were obviously found on the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membrane of the control right ventricular myocardium, but rarely observed in the ascitic broilers. The data suggest that in ascitic broilers there is the right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, in which the overload of intracellular calcium and the decreased Ca2+‐ATPase activity might be the important factors.
Endometrial Polyp in an African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
Authors: Cho H. S. , Park N. Y. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryAn 8‐year‐old female African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) from a zoo in Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea presented with a 3.0 × 2.0 × 2.5 cm in size, smooth‐surfaced, solitary pedunculated mass protruding into the uterine lumen. Microscopically, the mass was covered with epithelium, contained endometrial gland tissue, and was dilated in the vascularised stroma. Within the mass, there was extensive diffuse haemorrhage with several blood vessels apparently plugged with fibrin. At the base of the mass, the spaces lined with epithelium near the attachment of the stalk were interpreted to be glandular structures. There were segments of cuboidal epithelium found on the surface of the mass, which was similar to the lining the uterus. A diagnosis of an endometrial polyp was made based on the gross and histology findings. This is the first case report of a spontaneous endometrial polyp in an African wild dog.
Influence of Short‐term Confinement and Exercise on Tibia Development in Growing Pigs
Authors: Weiler U. , Salloum B. Abi , Claus R. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe influence of short‐term confinement and moderate exercise on tibia development was investigated in growing pigs (36–41 kg, 10 weeks at the beginning of the study). Animals were kept for 2 weeks either in individual crates of 0.8 m2 (‘confinement’, n = 4) or kept in groups of four animals in large crates of 5.6 m2 without (‘control’) or with additional exercise (30 min walking at 5 days/week; ‘exercise’). Bone density and morphological parameters were evaluated by computer tomography (CT). Periosteal apposition and longitudinal growth were determined after polychrome sequential labelling in weekly intervals. Cortical areas of the cross sections at the mid‐shaft and at 75% of the length of the bone measured distal to the carpus by CT were significantly correlated to each other (r = 0.70) and revealed a significant reduction in confined animals. This difference was explained by lower periosteal apposition rates in these animals compared with exercised and group‐housed pigs. Similarly longitudinal growth and the formation and calcification of spongiosa of the tibiae were inhibited by confinement. Thus, 2 weeks of confinement led to significant differences in bone growth and metabolism in young growing piglets when compared with animals with moderate activity.