bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantification of neuropeptides (calcitonin gene‐related peptide, substance P, neurokinin A, neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) expressed in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp
Authors: Caviedes‐Bucheli J. , Lombana N. , Azuero‐Holguín M. M. , Munoz H. R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim  To quantify the expression of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp tissue.Methodology  Six pulp samples were obtained from teeth having a clinical diagnosis of acute irreversible pulpitis. Another 12 pulp samples were obtained from premolars where extraction was indicated for orthodontic purposes. In six of these premolar teeth inflammation was induced by mechanical pulp exposure prior to sample collection. All samples were processed and 125I‐labelled; neuropeptides were quantified by competition assays. anova and Mann–Whitney's (post hoc) tests were used to establish statistically significant differences between the groups.Results  Expression of five neuropeptides was found in all human pulp samples. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher (P < 0.05) expression of CGRP, SP, NKA and NPY in both inflammatory conditions compared with healthy pulp control values. VIP expression remained stable during the inflammatory conditions.Conclusion  Expression of CGRP, SP and NKA released from C‐fibres and NPY released from sympathetic fibres is significantly higher in the inflamed human pulp compared with healthy pulp. Expression of VIP released from parasympathetic fibres is not increased during the inflammatory conditions of human dental pulp.
Error and uncertainty in habitat models
Authors: BARRY SIMON , ELITH JANE 
Published: March 2006

Summary

Species distribution models (habitat models) relate the occurrence or abundance of a species to environmental and/or geographical predictors that then allow predictions to be mapped across an entire region. These models are used in a range of policy settings such as managing greenhouse gases, biosecurity threats and conservation planning. Prediction errors are almost ubiquitous in habitat models. An understanding of the source, magnitude and pattern of these errors is essential if the models are to be used transparently in decision making.
This study considered the sources of errors in habitat models. It divided them into two main classes, error resulting from data deficiencies and error introduced by the specification of the model. Common and important data errors included missing covariates, and samples of species’ occurrences that were small, biased or lack absences. These affected the types of models that could be developed and the probable errors that would occur. Almost all models had missing covariates, and this introduced significant spatial correlation in the errors of the analysis.
A challenging aspect of modelling is that species’ distributions are affected by processes operating in both environmental and geographical space. We differentiated between global (aspatial) and local (spatial) errors, and discussed how they arise and what can be done to alleviate their effects.
Synthesis and applications. This study brings together statistical and ecological thinking to consider the appropriate techniques for habitat modelling. Ecological theory suggests models capable of defining optima, while allowing for interactions between variables. Statistical considerations, including impacts of data errors, suggest models that deal with multimodality and discontinuity in response surfaces. Models are typically simple approximations of the true probability surface. We suggest the use of flexible regression techniques, and explain what makes such methods superior for ecological modelling. The most robust modelling approaches are likely to be those in which care is taken to match the model with knowledge of ecology, and in which each is allowed to inform the other.
Analysis of opium use by students of medical sciences
Authors: Ahmadi Jamshid , Fallahzadeh Hossein , Salimi Alireza , Rahimian Mohsen , Salehi Vahid , Khaghani Maryam , Babaeebeigi Mohammadali 
Published: March 2006

Aims and objectives.  To investigate the prevalence of opium use in university students.Background.  University health professionals and authorities are very concerned about substance use among university students.Design.  A survey with a representative sample of 2519 (1126 men and 1393 women) university students and opium use disorders assessed by means of DSM‐IV criteria (Diagnostic Statistical Manual‐IV Axis I during the year 2003).Findings.  Mean age of the sample was 23·8 year and SD was 3·9. Of the students, 110 (4·4%) admitted using of opium once or more during their lives (9.1% of men and 0·6% of women; P < 0·01). Fifty (2%) were occasional opium user (4·2% of men and 0·2% of women; P < 0·01). Nineteen (0·8%) were current opium user (1·4% of men and 0·2% of women; P = 0·001). Mean age of opium users was higher than the remainder. Opium use was significantly related to gender (P = 0·001), and life stress (P = 0·04).Conclusion.  These findings can be considered for preventive and therapeutic programmes, because early intervention during the formative university years may present an opportunity to reduce the risk of long‐term problems, to decrease social and individual harm and also to promote public health of society.Relevance to clinical practice.  These findings can be considered in clinical practice for detection and treatment of opioid abuse.
Why don't trained community nurse prescribers prescribe?
Authors: Hall Jason , Cantrill Judith , Noyce Peter 
Published: March 2006

Aims and objectives.  (i) To identify barriers that could either prevent community nurses from prescribing altogether or reduce the number of times that a nurse might prescribe. (ii) To determine how wide spread the barriers identified above were.Background.  Many community nurses who are trained to prescribe are either not prescribing at all or not routinely doing so.Method.  (i) Qualitative semi‐structured interviews with nurses prescribers and Trust prescribing leads. (ii) Postal questionnaires sent to the nurse prescribing leads in each Primary Care Trust across three strategic health authorities in England.Results.  Several barriers were identified in this study. Those that (i) prevented prescribing included roles with no patient contact, prescription pads not issued, opposition from general practitioners and lack of confidence; (ii) prevented some prescribing included lack of time in clinics, inability to prescribe for patients registered with another Trust, security concerns, lack of access to patient medical records and the use of alternative methods of supply; (iii) made prescribing more difficult included keeping records, informing general practitioner of items prescribed, delivering prescribed items to housebound patients and situations requiring items from more than one prescriber.Conclusion.  Many barriers have been identified that have the potential to reduce the impact of nurse prescribing on patient care. Trusts should monitor the prescribing of their nurse prescribers, target appropriate support and encouragement to address problems with prescriber confidence, develop strategies to integrate their nurse prescribers into the healthcare team to improve access to patient's medical notes, and improve the efficiency of the prescribing process.Relevance to clinical practice.  There is a danger that the anticipated benefits to patient care resulting from the introduction of nurse prescribing may not materialize if the barriers identified in this study are not addressed.
The gap between saying and doing in postoperative pain management
Authors: Dihle Alfhild , Bjølseth Gunnar , Helseth Sølvi 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  To understand how nurses contribute to postoperative pain management in a surgical setting and to identify barriers to achieving optimal postoperative pain alleviation.Background.  Postoperative pain is inadequately managed. Nurses play an important role in assessment, treatment and evaluation of postoperative pain in surgical wards, but combined observational and interview studies about how they approach these activities have rarely been undertaken.Design and methods.  The study design is descriptive. Observations and in‐depth interviews were conducted with nine nurses on three surgical wards at two hospitals. Each nurse was observed during five shifts, day and night, and interviewed after the final observation. The collection and analysis of data followed principles of qualitative research.Findings.  One main theme emerged about the nurses’ approach to postoperative pain management: a discrepancy between what the nurses said they did and what they actually did.Conclusion.  The study revealed a gap between what nurses said and did in postoperative pain management, and this gap was smaller when the nurses took an active approach. An active approach towards patients about postoperative pain seemed to enhance pain alleviation.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nursing education and practice both need to promote knowledge of pain and pain management, as well as empathy and empathic communication in relation to pain. They need to collaborate in guiding nurses to act in accord with theoretical knowledge and so enhance competence in nursing actions related to postoperative pain management.
Establishing nurses’ preferences in wound assessment: a concept evaluation
Authors: Maylor Miles E 
Published: March 2006

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the study was to contribute to increasing reliability of wound assessment. The objectives were to capture terminology used and to assess whether these words reflected personality preferences for information.Background.  Wound assessment forms are expected to be used reliably by non‐experts. This assumes that they mean the same thing to all practitioners. But many wound assessment forms are too complicated and do not necessarily show whether a wound is healing or not. Literature indicates that people have different information preferences that they use to aid judgement.Design.  A correlational study investigating the relationship between word‐preferences and assessor's personality type.Method.  Postregistration students (n = 45) and Tissue Viability Nurses (n = 16) suggested words or phrases to be used in an hypothetical wound assessment. Analysis was performed of how they preferred to describe healing, stasis and deterioration. They ranked the three most important signs they would look for in the three phases of wounds. Words were classified into categories (e.g. subjective, objective, value judgement), then matched with preferences seen in a personality type indicator.Results.  Healing and deteriorating wounds were assessed relative to different signs or symptoms and static wounds were the most difficult to describe (mostly by absence of signs of healing). Personal types of approach to assessment could be identified: including subjectifiers and quantifiers.Conclusions.  In this preliminary study, statistically significant results support the view that wound assessment involves assessor preferences. Assessors judge by the absence rather than the presence of some signs and symptoms.Relevance to clinical practice.  Wound assessment forms need to take account of assessor preferences for subjectivity or quantification if reliability is to be increased, also different wound assessment forms could suit different wound phases. Potentially, assessor types could seek agreement more on outcomes of assessment rather than input.
Hip protectors: a pilot study of older people in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Hui‐Chi , Lee Chian‐Her , Wu Shang‐Liang 
Published: March 2006

Aims and objectives.  This research explores the compliance by older people in Taiwan with wearing hip protectors and whether protectors can prevent fractures or decrease injuries after falls.Background.  The ageing process causes degeneration of nerves, joints, muscles and then the incidence of falls in the older people is higher than in the young. Therefore, fractures caused by falls, particularly hip fractures of older people, need to be studied. Hip protectors are designed to reduce hip fractures and hip injuries when falls occur, by distributing the impact load and absorbing the impact force generated during a fall.Design.  This research was designed as a longitudinal study using purposive sampling and intervention for six months.Methods.  The target population were older people at high risk for falls and the study was carried out during a six‐month period. Self‐reported data were collected by interview and questionnaires. The expert validity of the questionnaires, including demographics, high‐risk group, compliance and correct wearing of hip protectors and fall injuries, as assessed by three experts, was 0·94 and the test–retest correlation coefficient was 0·95. Individuals were excluded from the research sample if they were 24‐hour bedridden, non‐mobile or had an existing hip injury.Results.  Ten female subjects participated in this study. Their mean age was 76·1 years. During a six‐month follow‐up, there were 12 falls while wearing hip protectors, however, no fractures occurred because of the falls.Conclusions.  This is the first research into hip protectors in Taiwan. The reasons for low compliance by older people were (1) unaccustomed to use, (2) discomfort, (3) wearing only during the daytime, (4) lack of assistance from family caregivers.Relevance to clinical practice.  Fall prevention, exercise and the use of hip protectors can significantly decrease the incidence of hip fractures. Although hip protectors are effective in reducing fall fracture risk, the compliance rate remains low. In the future, the researchers will develop a hip protector program related to teaching the correct method for wearing protectors. Helping older people learn how to overcome the discomfort of wearing hip protectors and encouraging a willingness to wear them is imperative.
Health‐related quality of life among haemodialysis patients – relationship with clinical indicators, morbidity and mortality
Authors: Morsch Cássia Maria , Gonçalves Luiz Felipe , Barros Elvino 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  To verify the association between quality of life and morbidity, mortality and clinical indicators in haemodialysis patients.Background.  While a number of therapies have been reported to increase quality of life in end‐stage renal disease, patients report that they remain substantially burdened by limited physical functioning and by dialysis‐related symptoms. Indeed, quality of life may be the most critical outcome for those undergoing haemodialysis. Furthermore, quality of life has been associated with clinical indicators, morbidity and survival in haemodialysis patients.Design.  Descriptive cohort study of patients undergoing haemodialysis at the Nephrology Hemodialysis Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas in Porto Alegre, Brazil.Methods.  Forty haemodialysis patients were followed for 12 months and evaluated for demographics, time on dialysis, diabetes mellitus, clinical indicators (dose of dialysis – Kt/V, haematocrit and serum albumin) and comorbidities. The comorbidities were evaluated with the end‐stage renal disease severity index and health‐related quality of life with The Medical Outcomes Study 36 (SF‐36).Results.  Men present higher health‐related quality of life scores in the energy and fatigue component (P = 0·04). Patients treated for over one year at the beginning of follow up and patients with less schooling had better results in General Health Perception (P < 0·05). The health‐related quality of life evaluation of patients who later died showed that they already had a worse perception of physical functioning as compared to the survivors (P = 0·05). Patients with diagnosed diabetes perceived their physical functioning more negatively compared with those with other etiologies of end‐stage renal disease (P = 0·045). We found a correlation between physical functioning and serum albumin (r = 0·341, P < 0·05) and between physical functioning and haematocrit (r = 0·317, P < 0·05). The end‐stage renal disease severity index was more strongly related to physical functioning (r = −0·538, P < 0·001). Comparing the patients’ results to the indicators above and below the established targets, we observed a trend to worse health‐related quality of life in patients with Kt/V above target. However, in the case of albumin, patients with results above target tended to have better results.Conclusion.  A close relationship was observed between quality of life and morbidity and mortality. Among the clinical indicators, albumin and haematocrit have the greatest influence on quality of life.Relevance to clinical practice.  Haemodialysis patients experience various problems that may adversely influence their quality of life. Special care must be given to those who have diabetes mellitus, high morbidity scores, low serum albumin and low haematocrits.
The research assessment exercise in nursing: learning from the past, looking to the future
Authors: Cecil Rosanne , Thompson Kathryn , Parahoo Kader 
Published: March 2006

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the study was to enable those planning to make submissions to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise to make informed decisions regarding their research strategies. The objective of the study was to identify the factors that distinguish those units of assessment (Universities and Higher Education Institutions) that were highly rated from those that received a low rating for nursing in the Research Assessment Exercise of 2001.Background.  Nursing research differs in kind from other types of biomedical research. There is a tendency for research in nursing to be characterized by an inward‐looking focus and dominated by a concern with the profession itself.Design.  The examination of the research output of nursing.Methods.  Data from the abstracts of journal articles submitted to the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise for nursing were extracted, classified, collated and analysed.Results.  The publications submitted by those in the higher‐rated units showed a greater tendency than those submitted by those in the lower‐rated units to report on a study involving the collection of primary data; to be multi‐authored; to use either qualitative methodology or randomized‐controlled trials; and to focus upon clinical issues and have patients as the subjects of the research.Conclusion.  Nursing research is in a process of change and growth and is still of variable quality. The development of research towards patient care and clinical issues, and away from issues relating to the profession itself, is most evident among those units of assessment rated highly in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise.Relevance to clinical practice.  The study indicates that the best of current nursing research is focused upon clinical issues and patient care.
Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a perioperative pain experience
Authors: Stomberg Margareta Warrén , Öman Ulla‐Britt 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  The aim was to evaluate patient's perioperative pain experience after total hip replacement and patients’ satisfaction with pain management.Background.  Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure intended to reduce pain and return patients to better function. Realistic expectations about total hip arthroplasty is important for optimal postoperative recovery and the information must be adapted to fit the individual patient.Methods.  A descriptive design was used comparing patients outcome data. Pitman's test was used for statistical analyses. Adult patients (n = 112) undergoing surgical hip replacement procedures answered a 17‐item questionnaire on the fourth postoperative day. The questionnaire included given alternatives and visual analogue scales (0–100 mm) for the pain assessment.Result.  The patients’ postoperative pain experience after hip replacement surgery was in average low, 33·1 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Patient's pain experience was reported to be highest on the first postoperative day for most of the patients. The preoperative pain experience tends to be higher than the postoperative pain experience. Older patients reported less average pain level postoperatively. Satisfaction with pain management was high.Conclusion.  The pain experience tends to be higher preoperatively than postoperatively. Patients who reported a higher pain experience postoperatively reported that their pain experience was significant higher than preoperative expected.Relevance to practice.  It is important for the postoperative outcome measure that the patients have a realistic expectation of pain experiences after total hip arthroplasty. The nurse is one of the staff members responsible for information to the individual patient.
Wound measurement comparing the use of acetate tracings and VisitrakTM digital planimetry
Authors: Gethin Georgina , Cowman Seamus 
Published: March 2006

Aims.  This study aimed to compare acetate tracing with the new digital planimetry system VisitrakTM (Smith + Nephew). It also aimed to compare the percentage change in wound size after four weeks using both methods.Background.  There is a need for development and more widespread use of objective tools in wound management. Wound measurement is an integral part of wound assessment and provides possibly the most objective tool available. To achieve this, practitioners use a variety of methods including acetate tracing and digital planimetry. Studies have demonstrated good inter‐ and intrarater reliability using both methods.Methods.  A retrospective, random selection of wound tracings of superficial leg ulcers was completed until 25 tracings of <10 cm2 and 25 tracings of >10 cm2 were obtained. Wound area was calculated firstly by manually counting squares completely within the wound border and those half or more within the border as 1 cm2. The area was then calculated using the VisitrakTM system.Results.  The difference between the acetate and VisitrakTM for wounds <10 cm2 not significant (P = 0·330). For wounds >10 cm2 the difference between both methods was significant (P = 0·008). After four weeks the number of tracings available was too small for any conclusions to be made.Conclusion.  Wound measurement should become part of routine practice. Acetate offers a good indicator of wound size and digital planimetry can enhance the precision of the measurement.Relevance to clinical practice.  Accurate and objective wound measurement is a vital component of wound management. It is essential that nurses have adequate training and skills in wound measuring to assess wounds correctly and objectively. Findings from this study can be used when deciding which method should be used in a particular setting when outcomes and cost have been considered. Accurate on‐going wound measuring contributes to improved quality of patient care, more effective communication between professionals, as a predictor to wound healing, to document progress and assess treatment efficacy.