bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of ambient music on simulated anaesthesia monitoring
Authors: Sanderson P. M. , Tosh N. , Philp S. , Rudie J. , Watson M. O. , Russell W. J. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryWe examined the effect of no music, classical music or rock music on simulated patient monitoring. Twenty‐four non‐anaesthetist participants with high or low levels of musical training were trained to monitor visual and auditory displays of patients' vital signs. In nine anaesthesia test scenarios, participants were asked every 50–70 s whether one of five vital signs was abnormal and the trend of its direction. Abnormality judgements were unaffected by music or musical training. Trend judgements were more accurate when music was playing (p = 0.0004). Musical participants reported trends more accurately (p = 0.004), and non‐musical participants tended to benefit more from music than did the musical participants (p = 0.063). Music may provide a pitch and rhythm standard from which participants can judge changes in vital signs from auditory displays. Nonetheless, both groups reported that it was easier to monitor the patient with no music (p = 0.0001), and easier to rely upon the auditory displays with no music (p = 0.014).
Statin therapy: a potentially useful peri‐operative intervention in patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Biccard B. M. , Sear J. W. , Foëx P. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryStatin cardiovascular protection is mediated by lipid lowering and pleiotropic effects. The efficacy of statins has been established in non‐surgical patients with cardiovascular disease and also more recently in non‐surgical patients who sustain an acute coronary event. Peri‐operative statin administration has been shown to improve both short‐term and long‐term cardiac outcome following non‐cardiac and coronary bypass graft surgery. This cardioprotection may be independent of peri‐operative haemodynamics due to a positive effect on plaque stability. Recommendations for the peri‐operative statin administration are suggested. These include indications for peri‐operative statin therapy, timing of administration, therapeutic targets, duration of administration, the adverse implications of peri‐operative statin withdrawal, safety and cost‐effectiveness.
Continuous prednisoloneversusconventional prednisolone with VMCP–interferon‐α2b as first‐line chemotherapy in elderly patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Ludwig Heinz , Spicka Ivan , Klener Pavel , Greil Richard , Adam Zdenek , Gisslinger Heinz , Tarkovács Gábor , Linkesch Werner , Maniatis Alice , Morant Rudolf , Drach Johannes , Kuhn Ingrid , Schuster Judith , Hinke Axel 
Published: October 2005

SummaryWe report on a randomised trial that aimed to compare the efficacy of continued daily prednisolone treatment during the entire induction phase, with prednisolone given for 2 weeks of each cycle in combination with VMCP (vincristine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone)–interferon‐α2b (IFN‐α2b) treatment in 299 previously untreated elderly patients (median age: 67 years) with multiple myeloma. After completion of induction treatment patients were randomised to IFN‐α2b with or without prednisolone, thrice weekly. Response rate was 62% in the continuous and 60% in the control arm (intent to treat analysis,P = 0·81). Progression‐free survival [median: 20 months vs. 19 months; hazard ratio (HR): 0·99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0·74–1·33,P = 0·97] and overall survival (median: 34 months vs. 37 months; HR: 1·16, 95% CI: 0·85–1·59,P = 0·35) were similar in both groups. Reduced performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, grades 2–4) was the predominant risk factor for poor survival followed by age >65 years, highβ2‐microglobulin, and impaired renal function. There was more grades 3–4 dyspnoea and cardiac impairment and grades 1–2 hyperglycaemia, but less nausea, emesis and anaemia in patients on continuous prednisolone therapy. In conclusion, continuing prednisolone treatment during the entire duration of the induction phase with VMCP–IFN‐α2b did not improve outcome.
The frequency of double‐positive thymocytes expressing an αβ TCR clonotype regulates peripheral CD4 T cell compartment homeostasis
Authors: Reed Amy J. , Zarrabi Yasaman , Perate Alison L. , Jeganathan Arjun , Naji Ali , Noorchashm Hooman 
Published: October 2005

SummaryThe present study aimed to determine whether the frequency of double positive (DP) thymocytes expressing αβ T‐cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes at the time of selection regulates peripheral CD4 T‐cell compartment size. Scid recipients were inoculated with various ratios of TCR Cα0/0 and wild‐type bone marrow (BM) stem cells. Increasing the frequency of TCR Cα0/0 thymocytes at steady‐state introduced a graded decrease in the maturation probability of the total DP thymocyte pool. At 12–14 weeks following BM inoculation, the frequency of TCR Cα0/0 DP thymocytes was inversely correlated with that of CD4 single positive (SP) thymocytes. Notwithstanding, a decreased frequency of wild‐type DP thymocytes led to a marked increase in their transit efficiency from the DP to SP compartments. The frequency‐dependent increase in thymocyte transit efficiency was associated with a CD4 SP cell surface phenotype indicative of increased antigenic experience. Importantly, the frequency of DP thymocytes capable of expressing TCR clonotypes dictated the steady‐state size of the peripheral CD4 T cell compartment and its potential for homeostatic proliferation. Collectively, these results indicate that the efficiency of DP to CD4 SP transit is a frequency dependent process, which determines (1) the steady‐state size of the peripheral T cell compartment and (2) the threshold for homeostatic expansion of peripheral CD4 T cells.
Overwinter mass loss of snowshoe hares in the Yukon: starvation, stress, adaptation or artefact?
Authors: HODGES KAREN E. , BOONSTRA RUDY , KREBS CHARLES J. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryOverwinter mass loss can reduce energetic requirements in mammals (Dehnel's phenomenon). Alternatively, mass loss can result from food limitation or high predation risk.We use data from fertilizer, food‐supplementation and predator‐exclusion experiments in the Yukon during a population cycle from 1986 to 1996 to test the causes of overwinter mass loss by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). In all years, some hares on control sites gained mass overwinter. During the increase phase the majority gained mass, but in all other phases the majority lost mass.Snowshoe hares weighing < 1000 g in autumn always gained mass overwinter, as did the majority that weighed 1000–1400 g. Hares weighing > 1800 g in autumn usually lost mass.Snowshoe hares on the predator‐exclosure + food site gained mass overwinter in all years. Hares on the food‐supplementation sites lost mass during the decline but gained mass in all other phases. Fertilization had little effect on mass dynamics.Snowshoe hares were more likely to lose mass during winters with low survival rates. Snowshoe hares on the predator‐exclosure treatments were more likely to gain mass than were hares on control sites.Overwinter mass loss was correlated with maximum snow depth. At equivalent snow depths, hares on food‐supplemented areas lost 98 g (± 14·6 SE) less on average than hares on the controls and predator‐exclosure treatment.Bone‐marrow fat was related to body mass and cause of death. Small hares had the lowest marrow fat. Hares killed by humans had higher marrow fat than those killed by predators; hares that simply died had the lowest marrow fat. Hares on food‐supplemented sites had the highest kidney and marrow fat.Overwinter‐mass loss for snowshoe hares is explained interactively by winter conditions, food supply, predation risk and autumn mass. Some snowshoe hares lost mass overwinter in all years and on all treatments, suggesting that reducing body mass may facilitate survival, especially in cases where foraging costs are high energetically or increase predation risk.
Sexually transmitted disease epidemics in a natural insect population
Authors: WEBBERLEY K. MARY , BUSZKO JAROSŁAW , ISHAM VALERIE , HURST GREGORY D. D. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryThe epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in human and domesticated populations is well documented. However, there has been less study of STDs in natural populations.We investigated STD dynamics in the model system involving a host from the most speciose group of animals: the insects. We investigated temporal variation in the prevalence of the sexually transmitted miteCoccipolipus hippodamiaeon its ladybird host,Adalia bipunctata.Field surveys over two seasons showed a repeated pattern of a profound epidemic in the overwintered cohort and a later prevalence decline.In order to understand the key factors in the dynamics of this system we studied the phenology of the host and simulated parasite dynamics in the overwintered cohort using a model with within‐sex homogeneity in mating rate and field‐measured parameter values. The similarity of natural and simulation prevalence levels allowed us to carry out sensitivity analysis and hence to identify the key determinants of the dynamics.The observed pattern of periodic extreme prevalence combined with system persistence probably results from time lags in host recruitment and widespread promiscuity.Our findings improve our understanding of STDs in natural populations and illustrate the importance of examining seasonality and time delays in population dynamics in order to fully understand the characteristics of natural populations and their parasites.
Periodic habitat loss alters the competitive coexistence between brown trout and bullheads in a small stream over 34 years
Authors: ELLIOTT J. M. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryChanges in the population density of juvenile sea troutSalmo truttaL. and bullheadsCottus gobioL. were compared in a small stream over 34 years. Both species have a similar diet and obviously live in the same general habitat. Habitat loss was most marked in seven summer droughts: severest in 1976, 1983, 1984, 1995, and less severe but followed by autumn droughts in 1969, 1989 and 1993. The contrasting effects of habitat loss on the two species were examined.For both species, the Ricker curvilinear model significantly fit (P < 0·001) the relationship between initial egg density and survivor density for successive life stages, even though egg densities were much lower for bullheads than trout. These analyses provided evidence for density‐dependent population regulation and also identified extreme outliers, most being for year‐classes affected by summer droughts.The variable effects of changes in habitable area (= % wettable area in sampling section) were quantified by using the residuals, each residual being the absolute value expressed as a percentage of the expected value from the Ricker curve. Significant relationships between the residuals and habitable area showed that habitat loss had a marked effect on survivor density, this being negative for 0+ and 1+ trout, and positive for 0+, 1+ and 2+/3+ bullheads.Therefore, during periods of habitat loss in the summer months, bullhead density increased at the expense of trout density. Low flows and a decrease in wettable area were associated with a marked reduction in habitat quality for drift‐feeding trout and an increase in habitat quality, and perhaps also quantity, for benthic‐feeding bullheads. This case study shows that, during a major perturbation, the relationship between the densities of two species can change markedly in favour of the less numerous species. The competitive coexistence between the two species is therefore a dynamic process that changes through time with periodic changes in the environment.
Depressive symptomatology among Turkish older adults with low incomes in a rural community sample
Authors: Nahcivan Nursen O , Demirezen Esma 
Published: October 2005

Aims and objectives.  To identify the characteristics that are associated with depressive symptomatology among Turkish older adults with low income.Background.  Depression is a major threat to mental health in older people, but little is known about older adults with low income at risk for depressive symptomatology in Turkey.Design.  This was a cross‐sectional study, based in one area of Istanbul.Methods.  The sample included 132 older adults in a rural setting living in Istanbul, Turkey. The participants were 55 years of age or older and chosen from among older adults with low income. Data were collected through a structured interview conducted in the homes of the participants.Results.  High depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale ≥11) were reported by 50% of the participants. Compared with non‐depressed individuals, those with depressive symptomatology were more likely to be women, widowed, lack health insurance and to live alone. Depressed participants significantly more often reported chronic health conditions compared to non‐depressed participants (OR = 4·11, 95% CI = 1·35, 12·57). Overall well‐being scores were significantly higher in men and in the non‐depressed group. The result of the Pearson correlation provided support for the association between depression scores and overall well‐being scores (r = −0·60).Conclusions.  Depressive symptomatology is prevalent within Turkish older adults with low income. Further research is needed to examine potential risk factors associated with depressive symptomatology for this population.Relevance to clinical practice.  Findings may assist health care professionals in assessing high‐risk older people who could benefit from interventions aimed at minimizing depressive symptoms.
An evaluation of a community aged care nurse practitioner service
Authors: Allen Jacqueline , Fabri Anne Marie 
Published: October 2005

Evaluation aims.  An evaluation is presented that aimed to augment current understandings of the nurse practitioner role by investigating potential outcomes of a community aged care nurse practitioner (ACNP) service on clients and the health care team.Background.  In Australia, the nurse practitioner role is being implemented in a variety of health care settings and is characterized by extended practice: prescribing of medications, requests for diagnostic investigations, referral to medical specialists and admitting clients to inpatient facilities.Design.  An exploratory qualitative evaluation method through data collection by interview and thematic analysis was undertaken.Method.  All clients referred to the ACNP service between June and August 2003, and a convenience sample of health professionals, were invited to participate in individual semi‐structured interviews.Results.  Findings suggested that an ACNP could provide a high quality of holistic nursing care and positively affect clients’ physical and psychological symptom management, enhance clients’ quality of life, assist with supplies, provide health education and assist with advocacy. Health professionals commented on effective collaboration with the ACNP service during their partnerships in client care provision.Conclusions.  Overall, the positive effects of the ACNP service on clients and the health care team support the full implementation of the role within the community setting.Relevance to clinical practice.  Funding support for the nurse practitioner role is a vital addition to consideration in the development of international policy on advanced practice nursing. Without adequate funding, the full benefits of the nurse practitioner role in clinical practice, as suggested by the findings presented in this evaluation, will be compromised.
Reliability and validity of the Greek version of Kogan's Old People Scale
Authors: Lambrinou Ekaterini , Sourtzi Panayota , Kalokerinou Athena , Lemonidou Chrysoula 
Published: October 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties – validity and reliability – of the Greek version of Kogan's Old People scale.Background.  The ageing of the population in most of the developed world and in Greece, challenge‐nursing care, therefore, nursing education needs to be updated accordingly. Until today there have been no studies in Greece in relation to student nurses’ attitudes towards older people. To have a reliable questionnaire for measuring a Greek population's attitudes towards older people the Kogan's Old People Scale was translated into Greek.Design.  The study was designed as a cross‐sectional survey. The main reason for choosing a cross‐sectional survey was the time limits for the study. A sample of 390 nursing students in Athens participated in the study.Methods.  A questionnaire was given to the students, which included the Kogan's Old People Scale.Results.  Results showed Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0·73 for the OP− scale and 0·65 for the OP+ scale, which are comparable to published studies until today. The six‐factor solution explains the 41·5% of the variance in the sample. The scale was also found to differentiate between first and final year students on how their education in nursing is influencing their attitudes towards the older people.Conclusions.  Reliability and validity supported the Greek version of the Kogan's Old People Scale as a reliable instrument. Its use in evaluating Greek nursing education programmes could help in preparing nurses capable of meeting the needs of older people.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nursing education – basic and lifelong – needs to be updated in order to respond to the needs of older people and a reliable instrument can help to evaluate it.
Ethical challenges in the care of older people and risk of being burned out among male nurses
Authors: Nordam Ann , Torjuul Kirsti , Sørlie Venke 
Published: October 2005

Aim. The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of being in ethically difficult situations when caring for older people, as experienced by male nurses.Background. Nurses and physicians are frequently faced with ethical issues and challenges in their work with older people in hospitals. Male nurses are a minority group in the nursing profession, thus it is important to listen to their lived experiences of the ethical challenges they are faced with in their work.Method. The study is part of a comprehensive investigation into the narratives of female and male physicians and nurses, concerning their experiences of being in ethically difficult care situations in the care of older people. Five male nurses working at gerontology wards at a university hospital in Norway participated in the study. A phenomenological hermeneutical method was applied.Results. The narratives revealed that the nurses were focusing on good nursing, emphasizing what meeting the patient entails. They highlighted what they perceived as barriers to good nursing. A third theme was ethical challenges, which lead to emotional and moral strain and a fear of becoming burned out.Conclusions. Continuous stress, little degree of autonomy and high expectations of oneself are causing the male nurses much moral strain. These factors place them at risk of being burned out. The nurses emphasized that burn out can be counteracted by clinical supervision.Relevance to clinical practice. It is suggested that the male nurses feeling of doing an important and rewarding job may be essential for protection against becoming burned out and why they can endure being in ethically difficult care situations. Other institutional support structures like ethics education and ethics rounds are suggested to reduce the level of moral strain.
Patients’ informational needs and information received do not correspond in hospital
Authors: Suhonen Riitta , Nenonen Heljä , Laukka Arja , Välimäki Maritta 
Published: October 2005

Aims and objectives.  This study describes and compares the information patients want with the information they receive and examines whether this varies between patients.Background.  Patient information during hospitalization has received increasing attention. Previous studies, however, have identified problems of inadequate or insufficient information from a patient's point of view.Design.  Descriptive, survey design with questionnaires.Methods.  The categorical data were collected by specifically designed questionnaires from adult patients (n = 928) on discharge from one Finnish hospital. The data were analysed statistically using descriptive statistics and non‐parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, McNemar and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests).Results.  Patients attached great importance to information on illness and treatment, and information in this area was provided quite satisfactorily. Less importance was attached to information regarding patient's daily management of illness, such as aftercare, prognosis and patients’ rights and less information was reportedly provided. Female gender was systematically associated with attaching greater importance to information and to better evaluations of informational areas.Conclusions.  Patients informational needs and the information received from staff did not correspond. The findings confirm the importance of nurses’ roles in assessing patients’ informational needs to tailor and provide explicit and relevant information to satisfy patients’ informational needs.Relevance to clinical practice.  More emphasis should be put on developing methods to ascertain patients’ informational needs, to evaluate the content of information and to develop tailored information packages for different patients. This can be done by empowering and helping patients to access and understand relevant and appropriate information, for example, by Web‐based information systems.
A randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of a discharge planning intervention in hospitalized elders with hip fracture due to falling
Authors: Huang Tzu‐Ting , Liang Su‐Hwa 
Published: October 2005

Aim.  The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a discharge plan in hospitalized elderly patients with hip fracture due to falling.Background.  Hip fractures are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among older people. Hip fracture patients require ongoing medical and long‐term care services. Discharge plan services can play a very important role for these patients, since the services improved their outcome conditions.Methods.  Hip fracture patients aged 65 years and older (n = 126), hospitalized due to falling and discharged from a medical centre in northern Taiwan, were randomly assigned to either a comparison group (the routine care) or experimental group (the discharge planning intervention). The outcomes used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention were: length of hospitalized stay, rate of readmission, repeat falls and survival, and activities of daily living.Results.  The discharge planning intervention decreased length of stay, rate of readmission and rate of survival and improved activities of daily living for intervention group compared with those of control group. Mean total SF‐36 scores of patients in the experimental group were higher than for the control group and both groups had improved quality of life.Conclusion.  The discharge planning benefited older people with hip fractures. Relevance to clinical practice. A discharge planning intervention by a nurse can improve physical outcomes and quality of life in hip fracture patients.