bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of home visiting in improving parenting and health in families at risk of abuse and neglect: results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: June 2007

.

Barlow J,
Davis H,
McIntosh E,
Jarrett P,
Mockford C,
Stewart‐Brown S
. (
2007
)

,
92
,
229
–
233
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doi: 10.1136/adc.2006.095117
Objectives  To evaluate the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of an intensive home visiting programme in improving outcomes for vulnerable families.Design  Multicentre randomized controlled trial in which eligible women were allocated to receive home visiting (n = 67) or standard services (n = 64). Incremental cost analysis.Setting  40 general practitioner practices across two counties in the UK.Participants  131 vulnerable pregnant women.Intervention  Selected health visitors were trained in the Family Partnership Model to provide a weekly home visiting service from 6 months antenatally to 12 months post‐natally.Main outcome measures  Mother–child interaction, maternal psychological health attitudes and behaviour, infant functioning and development, and risk of neglect or abuse.Results  At 12 months, differences favouring the home‐visited group were observed on an independent assessment of maternal sensitivity (P < 0.04) and infant cooperativeness (P < 0.02). No differences were identified on any other measures. A non‐significant increase in the likelihood of intervention group infants being the subject of child protection proceedings, or being removed from the home, and one death in the control group were found. The mean incremental cost per infant of the home visiting intervention was £3246 (bootstrapped 95% CI for the difference £1645–4803).Conclusion  This intervention may have the potential to improve parenting and increase the identification of infants at risk of abuse and neglect in vulnerable families. Further investigation is needed, along with long‐term follow‐up to assess possible sleeper effects.
Assembly of weed communities along a crop diversity gradient
Authors: SMITH RICHARD G. , GROSS KATHERINE L. 
Published: June 2007

Summary

Increasing cropping system diversity is one strategy for reducing reliance on external chemical inputs in agriculture and may have important implications for agro‐ecosystem functions related to the regulation of weed populations and community assembly. However, the impacts of cropping system diversity on weed communities have not been evaluated formally in a study comparable with those performed in experimental grasslands, where much of the evidence regarding diversity–ecosystem function has been reported. We performed a field experiment in Michigan, USA, in which we manipulated the number of crop species grown in rotation and as winter cover crops over a 3‐year period and in the absence of fertilizer and pesticides, to determine the impact of crop diversity on the abundance, composition and structure of the weed community.
Crop diversity treatments consisted of three row‐crops, corn Zea mays L., soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. and winter wheat Triticum aestivum L., grown in continuous monoculture and in 2‐ and 3‐year annual rotations with and without cover crops (zero, one or two legume/small grain species). Weed communities were measured each year at peak biomass, with soil resources and light availability being measured over the course of the growing season in the final year of the study.
The effects on weed communities of the crop diversity treatments were dependent on rotation phase. In winter wheat, weed abundance and diversity (species richness, H′ and D) were lowest in the two highest crop diversity treatments. Across all phases of the rotation, weed community structure was affected more by crop identity than crop diversity per se.
In general, the effects of crop diversity on weed communities were mainly the result of the presence of cover crops, which had strong effects on soil resource and light levels, particularly in winter wheat.
Synthesis and applications. Increasing crop diversity in the absence of external chemical inputs can result in changes in soil resource availability without a concomitant increase in the abundance of weeds or a shift to weed communities that are more difficult to manage.
Risk factors of Hong Kong Chinese patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Chair Sek Ying , Lee Sui Fong , Lopez Violeta , Ling Eliza Mi 
Published: June 2007

Aims and objectives.  The aims of the study were to describe the level of modifiable coronary risk factors and to explore the relationships among these risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease.Background.  Appropriate patient education and therapies for coronary risk reduction will prevent recurrent cardiac events and progression of coronary heart disease. Therefore, having knowledge of the risk profile of these patients is essential so that appropriate contents and focus of patient educations can be developed.Methods.  Coronary heart disease patients admitted for cardiac catheterization at the two studied hospitals in Hong Kong were recruited for this study. Demographic date and risk factors of blood pressure, smoking status, body mass index, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and exercise level were collected from subjects as well as from medical records for analysis.Results.  The body mass index was significantly different among non‐smoker, ex‐smoker and smoker (p = 0·027). Non‐smokers had the highest body mass index but smokers had the lowest body mass index among the three groups in this study. Physical inactivity, overweight and hypercholesterolaemia were the risk factors seen in about 50% of the studied subjects. Body mass index correlated positively with systolic blood pressure but negatively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and hour of exercise.Conclusions.  Heavier subjects had a higher systolic blood pressure but a lower level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Heavier subjects also exercised less. The study results provided additional information on the database of the risk profile among Hong Kong cardiac patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  Hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, abnormal serum lipid levels and smoking are the modifiable risk factors for coronary heart diseases. As physical inactivity, overweight and hypercholesterolaemia were found in half of the studied subjects, the importance of risk factors control should be addressed to this group of patients. Nurses should be aware of their educator role to provide appropriate education to coronary heart disease patients with the focus on reducing and controlling of cardiac risk factors, which has been shown to be effective in reducing the progress of disease.
Impact of web‐based nurse's education on glycosylated haemoglobin in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Hee‐Sung Kim 
Published: June 2007

Aim.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of the nurse's education using short message service of cellular phone varied according to the degree of the glycosylated haemoglobin at baseline with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Background.  Nurse's education using telemedicine has a decrease glycosylated haemoglobin level in type 2 diabetic patients.Design.  A control group pretest–post‐test design was used to assess the effectiveness of nurse's education.Methods.  Fifty‐one subjects completed the entire study, 25 interventions and 26 controls. Intervention and control groups were then separated into two groups by baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin, a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin ≥7·0% and a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin <7·0%. The goal of the intervention was to keep blood glucose concentrations close to the normal range. The intervention was applied for 12 weeks, and consisted of continuous education and reinforcement of diet, exercise and medication adjustment, as well as frequent self‐monitoring of blood glucose levels. Short message service intervention was performed weekly for 12 weeks. Participants were requested to input the blood glucose level, diet and exercise diary everyday in http://www.biodang.com by cellular phone or wire Internet. The researcher sends optimal recommendations to each patient using short message service of cellular phone and wire Internet. All medication adjustments were communicated to the subjects’ diabetes doctors. The glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and two‐hour plasma glucose were measured before and after the intervention.Results.  Patients with a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin <7·0% in intervention group maintained good control, whereas those in the control group showed significant glycosylated haemoglobin aggravation after 12 weeks. There was a significant percentage change in a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin ≥7·0% for the intervention group (p = 0·007), with a mean percentage change of −2·15%. The percentage change in the control group was, however, not significant; this time the mean percentage change was −0·22% after 12 weeks.Conclusion.  These findings indicated that for patients with a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin <7·0% in intervention group maintained good control, whereas those in the control group showed significant glycosylated haemoglobin aggravation. There was a significant percentage change in a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin ≥7·0% for the intervention group; however, no significant change for the control group after 12 weeks.Relevance to clinical practice.  Short message service of cellular phone intervention by a nurse can maintain and reduce glycosylated haemoglobin in a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin <7·0% and a baseline‐glycosylated haemoglobin ≥7·0% groups.
The nursing programme ‘Coping with itch’: a promising intervention for patients with chronic pruritic skin diseases
Authors: Van Os‐Medendorp Harmieke , Eland‐de Kok Petra CM , Ros Wynand JG , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen Carla AFM , Grypdonck Mieke 
Published: June 2007

Aims and objective.  To examine the feasibility of the nursing programme ‘Coping with Itch’ and the effect of the programme on the frequency and intensity of itching and scratching, itch‐related coping, skin‐related psychosocial morbidity and quality of life.Background.  Itch is a major symptom of many chronic skin diseases and has a considerable impact on the quality of life. Therefore, the nursing programme ‘Coping with Itch’ has been developed and implemented at the outpatient departments of dermatology of one university and one general hospital in the Netherlands. The programme is intended to reduce itch and to help the patient cope with his or her itch.Design and methods.  The feasibility of the programme has been determined by interviewing the nurses who carried out the programme, dermatologists and one medical social worker and by counting the number of visits and specific interventions. The effect of the nursing care programme ‘Coping with Itch’ was evaluated in 32 patients with pruritic skin diseases. Paired t‐tests were used to determine its effect after three and nine months.Results.  The nursing programme ‘Coping with Itch’ proved to be practically feasible. It leads to a significant reduction of the frequency and intensity of itching and scratching, to a significant reduction of catastrophizing and helpless coping and to a significant reduction of skin‐related psychosocial morbidity in the short term. These results stabilized at nine months. No changes were found in the quality of life.Conclusion.  The nursing programme ‘Coping with Itch’ is a promising intervention for patients with chronic pruritic skin diseases.
Validity of an instrument to measure the impact of valve heart disease on the patient's daily life
Authors: Padilha Kátia Melissa , Gallani Maria Cecília Bueno Jayme , Colombo Roberta Cunha Rodrigues 
Published: June 2007

Aim.  This study was to verify the psychometric properties of the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life, an instrument for measuring the impact of illness in the daily life of the heart valve disease patient, related to its construct validity, criterion‐related validity and reliability.Methods.  One hundred and twenty heart valve disease outpatients were enrolled. Data were submitted to descriptive analysis, factor analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient.Results.  The factor analysis generated four factors that explained 58% of the variance in response to the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life. Weak to moderate correlation was measured between the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life total score and two of its factors and the General Measure of Impact of illness, indicating criterion‐related validity. A Cronbach's alpha of 0·74 was measured.Conclusion.  The results of the current study confirm both the construct and criterion validity and the internal consistency of the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life. Future studies are necessary to confirm its reliability and provide a better understanding of the meaning of the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life dimensions, as well as to evaluate its response to health interventions.Relevance to clinical practice.  The Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life could be a useful instrument to measure the impact of heart valve disease and to evaluate the response to health interventions.
Use of self‐chosen therapies by depressed people in primary care
Authors: Badger Frances , Nolan Peter 
Published: June 2007

Aims.  This paper focuses on attitudes towards and use of self‐chosen treatment among people prescribed antidepressants and discusses the implications for practitioners involved in medicines management.Background.  In the wide‐ranging debate around the extension of non‐medical prescribing in the UK the relationship between complementary and alternative therapies and prescribed medication has received little attention. Research indicates that self‐treatment, including use of complementary and alternative therapies is burgeoning, yet there is uncertainty about the degree to which practitioners should be knowledgeable about therapies or be capable of advising clients on their use. Complementary and alternative therapy use is common among people with depression and greater knowledge of their use may be appropriate if health practitioners are to be able to support and inform people with depressive symptoms.Methods.  Qualitative methodology was adopted and 60 people from four primary care practices in the West Midlands, UK were interviewed individually and their self‐reported treatment journeys documented.Results.  Almost two‐thirds of participants had attempted to use self‐chosen therapies during their recent illness though few had discussed their use with health service practitioners. Use of a range of self‐chosen therapies was supported by a belief that they were natural, combined with a desire to avoid consulting health practitioners. Reasons for non‐use of such therapies included confidence in health practitioners and caution about the possibility of drug interactions.Conclusions.  Health practitioners require an awareness that people with mental health problems are using a range of self‐chosen treatments and might consider the appropriateness of initiating discussions on self‐chosen treatments with clients. This area requires greater debate and if necessary identification of an appropriate knowledge base.Relevance to clinical practice.  Assessment of common mental health problems should include discussion of patients’ previous and current self‐treatment. Such discussions will assist in identifying attitudes and beliefs towards health service treatment and provide a basis for selecting appropriate interventions.
Independent extended nurse prescribing for patients with skin conditions: a national questionnaire survey
Authors: Courtenay Molly , Carey Nicola , Burke Joanna 
Published: June 2007

Aim.  To examine the prescribing practices of independent extended nurse prescribers for patients with skin conditions.Background.  Nurse‐led services are one means of improving healthcare provision for dermatology patients. The advent of nurse prescribing should optimize the role of the nurse in these situations. Medicines for skin conditions constitute a significant category within the Nurse Prescribers Extended Formulary. The impact and activity of independent extended nurse prescribing for patients with skin disease has yet to be evaluated.Methods.  A convenience sample of 638 qualified independent extended nurse prescribers self completed a written questionnaire. spss and splus were used for data entry and analysis.Results.  The majority of nurses (89·7%) were based in primary care and worked in general practice. Four hundred and seventy‐six (75%) participants held a degree level qualification or higher. Forty‐four (6·9%) held a diploma, degree or master's level module/s in dermatology, 433 (67·9%) had undertaken study day/s in dermatology. Five hundred and sixty (87·8%) had more than 10 years postregistration nursing experience. A significantly broader range of skin conditions, and more items for these conditions, were prescribed by nurses with higher academic qualifications, nurses with specialist dermatology training (i.e. a diploma, degree or master's level module in dermatology or dermatology study days), nurses over 45 years and nurses in general practice. A small number of nurses felt unconfident in their prescribing practice.Conclusion.  The majority of nurses treating skin conditions work in general practice, are highly qualified, and have a wealth of clinical experience. Nurses’ dermatology training is inconsistent A small number of nurses feel unconfident in their prescribing practice.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses prescribing for skin conditions must be provided with appropriate dermatological training in order to treat the enormous numbers of patients with skin conditions treated in primary care.
Inter‐ and intra‐observer (dis)agreement among nurses and doctors to classify colour and exudation of open surgical wounds according to the Red‐Yellow‐Black scheme
Authors: Vermeulen Hester , Ubbink Dirk T , Schreuder Sanne M , Lubbers Maarten J 
Published: June 2007

Aim and objectives.  Primary: to study the level of agreement among nurses and doctors in classifying the colour and exudation of open wounds according to the Red‐Yellow‐Black scheme. Secondary: to check their agreement with an international expert panel on whether their classification was correct.Background.  Nurses and doctors classify open wounds to assess systemic and local treatment options. Nowadays, several classification schemes are being used. The Red‐Yellow‐Black‐scheme is commonly used for classifying open wounds or is part of other, more intricate, wound classification models.Methods.  Eighteen representative photographs of red, yellow and black wounds were presented to 63 nurses and 79 doctors from the Department of Surgery. They classified these open wounds for colour and amount of exudation. Group kappa's (κ) were calculated to assess inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement and their agreement with an expert panel.Results.  Agreement among the 63 nurses on wound colour (κ = 0·61; 95% CI: 0·49–0·74) and exudation (κ = 0·49; 95% CI: 0·29–0·68) was moderate to good. Agreement among the 79 doctors was similar: κ = 0·61; 95% CI 0·49–0·73 for wound colour and κ = 0·48; 95% CI: 0·36–0·61 for exudation. Nurses’ and doctors’ agreement with the expert panel was also moderate to good: κ‐values ranged between 0·48 and 0·77.Conclusion.  Based on the good to moderate inter‐observer agreement as found in this study, the Red‐Yellow‐Black ‐scheme appears to be a reliable and accurate classification scheme to assess open (surgical) wounds. Such a scheme may enable nurses and doctors to select the appropriate treatment modalities and evaluate the progress of the healing process.Relevance to clinical practice.  The Red‐Yellow‐Black scheme is a helpful tool to classify all kinds of wounds and can be used as stand‐alone classification method or as part of wound management concepts.
Inducements for medical and health research: issues for the profession of nursing
Authors: Shields Linda , Pearn John 
Published: June 2007

Aims and objectives. Inducements, incentives, reimbursements and payment to subjects for participation in research projects raise many practical, professional and philosophical issues for nurses. Nurses are enjoined, either formally as research co‐participants or informally as patients’ professional carers, in any research which involves their patients. This role inescapably brings significant ethical obligations, which include those of bioethical audit.Background. A review of current international guidelines on reimbursement recommendations indicates that researchers select one of several paradigms which range from the ‘commercial market model’ of supply and demand to that of pure un‐reimbursed altruism. In this latter, volunteers not only give their bodies and emotional commitment, but also sacrifice their time and convenience. Inducement is defined as the provision of resources or rewards which exceed the ‘resource neutral’ compensation for legitimate expense. If potential volunteers are truly free to make an informed choice to participate in research, no ethical compromise exists if inducements are offered; but by so doing both the research team and the volunteer patients have shifted the ethos of their research fromcaritasand altruism to one of a simple commercial relationship.Conclusions. Inducements are inappropriate when offered to those who are ‘ethically captive’ in the sense that autonomy of choice may be compromised.Relevance to clinical practice. In contemporary nursing practice, research involvement is both frequent and desirable. A perspective of current debate about inducements for volunteering, including legal and ethical issues, empowers nurses to protect the patients or clients in their care.
Population genetic structure of two ecologically distinct multimammate rats: the commensalMastomys natalensisand the wildMastomys erythroleucusin southeastern Senegal
Authors: BROUAT C. , LOISEAU A. , KANE M. , BÂ K. , DUPLANTIER J.‐M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractUsing the same set of microsatellite markers, we compared the population genetic structure of twoMastomysspecies, one being exclusively commensal in southeastern Senegal, and the other being continuously distributed outside villages in this region. Both species were sampled in the same landscape context and at the same spatial scale. According to the expectations based on the degree of habitat patchiness (which is higher for commensal populations in this rural area), genetic diversity was lower and genetic differentiation was higher in commensal populations ofMastomys natalensisthan in wild populations ofMastomys erythroleucus.Contrasting estimates of effective dispersal and current migration rates corroborates previous data on differences in social structure between the two species. Isolation‐by‐distance analyses showed that human‐mediated dispersal is not a major factor explaining the pattern of genetic differentiation forM. natalensis, and that gene flow is high and random betweenM. erythroleucuspopulations at the spatial scale considered.