bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of age on the incidence of aneuploidy rates in spermatozoa of oligoasthenozoospermic patients and its relationship with ICSI outcome
Authors: Plastira Konstantina , Angelopoulou Roxani , Mantas Dimitris , Msaouel Pavlos , Lyrakou Stavroula , Plastiras Aris , Bolaris Stamatis , Baka Stavroula , Paparisteidis Nikolaos 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for treatment of infertility as a result of severe male factor has improved the chances of achieving pregnancy in many infertile couples. However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of this technique, because natural sperm selection is bypassed. In the present study, 25 oligoasthenozoospermic patients who were divided into two groups according to age: group A, 20–34 (n = 10) and group B, 35–50 (n = 15), were included. Pooling the data of the three semen parameters that were tested (volume, concentration and progressive motility) no statistically significant difference between the two age groups was found. A total of 50 883 decondensed spermatozoa was analysed using the dual and triple colour fluorescence in situ hybridization to estimate the rates of aneuploidy for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y in the two age groups. There was a significantly higher incidence of disomy for chromosome 21 compared to the other autosomes (chromosomes 13 and 18) in both age groups. The disomy rate of XY was significantly higher in the younger subject group (0.1%) compared to the older group (0.05%, p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences in the mean number of clinical pregnancies and abortions were not observed between the two age groups. The aneuploidy rates for all the analysed chromosomes did not differ significantly, both between and within the two age groups, and as a result there seems to be no effect of male age on chromosome numbers in the spermatozoa and on the ICSI outcome.
Effect of nutrition and health claims on the acceptability of soyamilk beverages
Authors: Behrens Jorge H. , Villanueva Nilda D. M. , Da Silva Maria A. A. P. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe effect of expectation on the acceptability of four types of yoghurt‐like fermented soyamilk was studied among fifty‐three subjects. Overall liking was rated under three conditions: (1) blind test (B); (2) expectations created by nutritional and health claims about the products (E) and (3) subjects re‐tasted the beverages, having the nutrition and health claims available (R). Student's t‐tests performed on data indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) between acceptance levels under the blind (B) and real (R) conditions, although expectation ratings (E) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than (B) and (R). However, linear regression of (R − C) × (E − C) ratings for each sample revealed a major assimilation effect of expectation, especially under negative disconfirmation (when the product was evaluated as worse than expected). Contrast effect was also observed, but to a lesser extent. In conclusion, information influenced positively on the acceptance, although such influence was limited by the subjects’ sensory experience.
Long working hours increase the risk of sharp and needlestick injury in nurses: the need for new policy implication
Authors: İlhan Mustafa N. , Durukan Elif , Aras Evi̇n , Türkçüoğlu Sertaç , Aygün Remzi̇ 
Published: October 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study to determine the sharp and needlestick injury incidence in nurses working at a university hospital and the contributing factors.Background.  Although it is generally felt that working in the healthcare sector is clean and without risk, healthcare staff and especially physicians and nurses who generally work very long hours are actually exposed to various occupational risks. Sharps and needlestick injuries are important problems for healthcare workers as they increase the risk of spread of infection.Method.  A self‐administered questionnaire was completed in October 2005 by 449 of the 516 nurses working at a Turkish hospital (response rate 87·0%).Results.  The percentage of nurses experiencing a sharp or needlestick injury during their professional life was 79·7%. The incidence of exposure to sharp or needlestick injury in the last year was 68·4%. The factors increasing the rate of sharp and needlestick injury were: age 24 years and less, ≤4 years of nursing experience, working in surgical or intensive care units and working for more than 8 hours per day (P < 0·05).Conclusion.  The findings indicate which groups of staff should be targeted for educational programmes. Consideration also needs to be given to the unwanted effects of working long shifts, where tiredness may contribute to the number of needlestick injuries.
Determinants of tenure in allied health and nursing education
Authors: Balogun Joseph A. , Sloan Patricia E. , Germain Monique 
Published: October 2006

Aim.  This paper presents a prospective cross‐sectional study that investigated the tenure rate and the primary criterion use in granting tenure in nursing and allied health education in the United States of America.Background.  Given the recent trend by highly skilled professionals to seek employment in other countries, a clear understanding of the conditions of service in higher education is important to educators contemplating the relocating to another country. The preponderance of the published literature on academic tenure is from the United States of America, where educators continue to debate the value of the tenure system and the criteria to be used in tenure decisions.Method.  We surveyed the deans of National League for Nursing accredited programmes (n = 187) and deans of allied health programmes belonging to the association of schools of allied health professions (n = 75) in the United States of America. The questionnaire sought demographic and institution‐related information, tenure rate and weightings attached to teaching, scholarship and service in tenure decision. The data were collected in 2002.Findings.  Allied health and nursing educators had 47% and 35% tenure rates, respectively. The overwhelming majority of the deans in our study, 77%, ranked teaching as the primary criterion used in tenure decisions in their institutions. On the other hand, fewer than 25% rated scholarship and fewer than 5% rated service as the most important criterion used for tenure in their institution. The responses of the deans were modulated by the type and ownership of the institution in which they were employed and the characteristics of the educators.Conclusion.  The implications for preparing future educators in the United States of America for long‐term careers in allied health and nursing professions are that: (1) teaching is less highly valued in research‐oriented universities; and (2) heavy teaching workloads may be detrimental to the chances of obtaining tenure. Replication of the study in other countries would have the potential to facilitate the employment mobility and educator exchange.
Development and testing of a Clinical Learning Environment Diagnostic Inventory for baccalaureate nursing students
Authors: Hosoda Yasuko 
Published: October 2006

Aim. This paper reports the development and testing of the psychometric properties of the Clinical Learning Environment Diagnostic Inventory for baccalaureate nursing students.Background. The quality of the clinical learning environment is an essential factor in determining the quality of nursing students’ clinical experience. It is also well‐recognized that the clinical setting can be a source of stress and anxiety for students. To design an optimal clinical learning environment for students, instruments based on the cognitive and socio‐emotional aspects of the learning process are necessary.Method. The hypothetical construct of the clinical learning environment was derived from a comprehensive review of the literature, including experiential learning theory and the epistemology of practice. Developing the instrument involved the collection of items through semi‐structured interviews, assessing content validity and determining the scaling. After a pilot study, the instrument was tested with 312 undergraduate students and 157 preceptors between September and December 2004. The factor structure was determined by exploratory factor analysis.Results. Exploratory factor analysis produced a five‐factor solution that was similar to the hypothetical model. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency reliability coefficients ranged from 0·65 to 0·77 across the five factors. Three‐week test–retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0·59 to 0·74. Criterion‐related validity and construct validity were estimated by the correlation between the Clinical Learning Environment Diagnostic Inventory and appropriate other instruments and a set of comparison data obtained from the students and preceptors.Conclusion. The findings yielded acceptable estimates of reliability and validity of the Clinical Learning Environment Diagnostic Inventory. Therefore, this instrument is considered useful for assessing learning environments in clinical settings.
The influence of pollinator abundance on the dynamics and efficiency of pollination in agricultural Brassica napus: implications for landscape‐scale gene dispersal
Authors: HAYTER KATRINA E. , CRESSWELL JAMES E. 
Published: October 2006

Summary

It is important to understand the pollination processes that generate landscape‐scale gene dispersal in plants, particularly in crop plants with genetically modified (GM) varieties. In one such crop, Brassica napus, the situation is complicated by uncertainty over the relative importance of two pollen vectors, wind and insects.
We investigated pollination in two fields of B. napus that bloomed at different times of year (April vs. July) and attracted different abundances of foraging social bees. Rates of pollen transfer were quantified by counting the pollen grains deposited on stigmas and remaining in the anthers at intervals after flower opening.
Flowers open in April were adequately pollinated only after 5 days and only 10% received even a single bee visit. Flowers open in July received three bee visits per hour and were fully pollinated within 3 h.
Based on published measurements of airborne pollen dispersal, we estimate that wind‐pollination from a hypothetical field 1 km distant could have fertilized up to 0·3% of the field's seed when bees were scarce in April but only up to 0·007% when bees were abundant in July.
The efficiency of pollination (the proportion of pollen released from anthers that landed on receptive stigmas) was seven times greater in July (1·5%) than in April (0·2%). The relatively high efficiency of insect pollination may help to explain the evolutionary maintenance of entomophily.
Synthesis and applications. Our results begin to resolve a long‐standing inconsistency among previous studies by suggesting that the susceptibility of fields of B. napus to long‐distance cross‐pollination by wind depends on the level of bee activity. Models for predicting GM gene flow at the landscape‐scale in this crop should take this into account.
Atrophy and anarchy: third national survey of nursing skill‐mix and advanced nursing practice in ophthalmology
Authors: Czuber‐Dochan Wladyslawa J. , Waterman Christine G. , Waterman Heather A. 
Published: October 2006

Aims and objectives.  The aims of the study were to investigate the advanced nursing practice and the skill‐mix of nurses working in ophthalmology.Background.  The expansion of new nursing roles in the United Kingdom in the past decade is set against the background of a nursing shortage. The plan to modernize the National Health Service and improve the efficiency and delivery of healthcare services as well as to reduce junior doctors’ hours contributes towards a profusion of new and more specialized and advanced nursing roles in various areas of nursing including ophthalmology.Design.  A self‐reporting quantitative questionnaire was employed. The study used comparative and descriptive statistical tests.Method.  The questionnaires were distributed to all ophthalmic hospitals and units in the United Kingdom. Hospital and unit managers were responsible for completing the questionnaires.Results.  Out of a total 181 questionnaires 117 were returned. There is a downward trend in the total number of nurses working in ophthalmology. The results demonstrate more nurses working at an advanced level. However, there is a general confusion regarding role interpretation at the advanced level of practice, evident through the wide range of job titles being used. There was inconsistency in the qualifications expected of these nurses.Conclusion.  Whilst there are more nurses working at an advanced level this is set against an ageing workforce and an overall decline in the number of nurses in ophthalmology. There is inconsistency in job titles, grades, roles and qualifications for nurses who work at an advanced or higher level of practice. The Agenda for Change with its new structure for grading jobs in the United Kingdom may offer protection and consistency in job titles, pay and qualifications for National Health Service nurse specialists. The Nursing and Midwifery Council needs to provide clear guidelines to the practitioners on educational and professional requirements, to protect patients and nurses.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings indicate that there is a need for better regulations for nurses working at advanced nursing practice.
Vascular pattern of the palms – a clinical feature of atopic skin diathesis
Authors: Schuster C. , Smolle J. , Aberer W. , Kränke B. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Atopic skin diathesis is a clinical term to describe skin atopics with previous, present or future atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). In clinical practice, an unequivocal assessment of atopic skin diathesis in non‐eczematous patients may be difficult. The majority of the known clinical features included in diagnostic scores are characteristic, but not specific markers of atopy. Especially, the vasoreactivity of atopic skin is disturbed. This is manifested by white dermographism, an irregular vascular response to thermal stimuli, and paradoxic skin reactions to histamine, cholinergic agents, and nicotinates.Objective:  The aims of our study were to investigate the clinical morphology of palmar vascular reactions in skin atopic and non‐atopic individuals, and to determine whether this abnormal vascular reaction is more pronounced in skin atopic individuals.Methods:  Forty persons, 20 of them skin atopics, assessed by the Erlangen Atopy Score and an elevated serum IgE level (>150 U/ml), were included in a prospective single‐centre study. Standardized digital photographs of the palms were presented in a blinded manner to five dermatologists in random order by means of the computerized imaging analysis system KS400 3.0.Results:  Evaluation of the original rgb (red, green, blue) color images and modified gray‐level images showed that a pronounced reticular pattern of erythema of the palms was significantly (P < 0.0001) more common in skin atopics (72% and 69.6%, respectively).Conclusion:  The gross vascular pattern of the palm might be an additional diagnostic feature of atopy, and further studies are needed to establish its exact prevalence.
Extended storage of red blood cells under anaerobic conditions
Authors: Yoshida T. , AuBuchon J. P. , Tryzelaar L. , Foster K. Y. , Bitensky M. W. 
Published: October 2006

Background  Red blood cells (RBC) are subject to oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species during refrigerated storage. Near‐complete removal of oxygen from red cells during storage should eliminate this contributor to the red cell ‘storage lesion’. The in vitro effects of storing red cells under oxygen‐depleted conditions for extended periods were investigated, and these were correlated with the observed recoveries after reinfusion.Study Design and Methods  Units of red cells, obtained after ‘soft spin’, were placed in a double volume of AS‐3 additive solution and subdivided. Oxygen in the test units was depleted by repeated exposure to Ar gas (to O2 saturation < 4%), and units were stored in anaerobic canisters for up to 15 weeks. Samples were taken weekly to monitor adenosine triphosphate (ATP), 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate (2,3‐DPG), cell‐free haemoglobin, and vesicle production. In a parallel experiment, six units of red cells was depleted of oxygen in a similar manner, stored for 8, 9 and 10 weeks, and reinfused autologously to determine the 24 h post‐transfusion recovery via 51Cr/99mTc radiolabelling. A similar study was also carried out using EAS61 additive solution, which by itself, had shown the ability to support 9‐week storage, comparing biochemical profiles and in vivo recovery after aerobic vs. anaerobic storage.Results  Oxygen‐depleted AS‐3 units had significantly elevated ATP levels compared to controls. They also had significantly lower cell free haemoglobin and vesicle production when RBCs were stored for more than 9 weeks. An average of over 75% post‐transfusion survival was observed after 9 weeks of anaerobic storage with less than 0·43% haemolysis. However, no further extension of storage was achieved with EAS61 additive.Conclusion  Anaerobic conditions permit acceptable 9‐week storage of RBCs using double‐volume AS‐3 additive solution. It did not synergize with the alkaline, 9‐week additive, EAS61, to further lengthen the acceptable storage time. These studies indicate that anaerobic storage may allow reduction in the effect of the storage lesion, but suggest that other factors contribute to limitations of RBC storage as well.
Procedural sedation for insertion of central venous catheters in children: comparison of midazolam/fentanyl with midazolam/ketamine
Authors: LUCAS DA SILVA PAULO SÉRGIO , OLIVEIRA IGLESIAS SIMONE BRASIL , LEÃO FLÁVIA VANESCA FÉLIX , AGUIAR VÂNIA EUZÉBIO , BRUNOW DE CARVALHO WERTHER 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground:  There is a lack of studies evaluating procedural sedation for insertion of central venous catheters (CVC) in pediatric patients in emergency departments or pediatric intensive care units (PICU). This study was designed to evaluate whether there is a difference in the total sedation time for CVC insertion in nonintubated children receiving two sedation regimens.Methods:  Patients were prospectively randomized to receive either midazolam/fentanyl (M/F) or midazolam/ketamine (M/K) i.v. The Children's Hospital of Wiscosin Sedation Scale was used to score the sedation level.Results:  Fifty seven patients were studied (28 M/F and 29 M/K). Group M/F received midazolam (0.24 ± 0.11 mg·kg−1) and fentanyl (1.68 ± 0.83 μg·kg−1) and group M/K received midazolam (0.26 ± 0.09 mg·kg−1) and ketamine (1.40 ± 0.72 mg·kg−1). The groups were similar in age, weight, risk classification time and sedation level. Median total sedation times for M/F and M/K were 97 vs 105 min, respectively (P = 0.67). Minor complications occurred in 3.5% (M/F) vs 20.7% (M/K) (P = 0.03). M/F promoted a greater reduction in respiratory rate (P = 0.005).Conclusions:  In this study of nonventilated children in PICU undergoing central line placement, M/F and M/K provided a clinically comparable total sedation time. However, the M/K sedation regimen was associated with a higher rate of minor complications. A longer period of study is required to assess the efficacy and safety of these sedative agents for PICU procedures in nonintubated children.
Midazolam does not reduce emergence delirium after sevoflurane anesthesia in children
Authors: BRESCHAN CHRISTIAN , PLATZER MANUELA , JOST ROBERT , STETTNER HARO , LIKAR RUDOLF 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground:  Behavioral disturbance in children following sevoflurane anesthesia is a relatively frequent event. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a higher dose of preoperatively administered rectal midazolam compared with a lower would alleviate this phenomenon. Furthermore the impact of these two doses of midazolam on sedation at induction of anesthesia was compared.Methods:  A total of 115 children presenting for minor surgery under anesthesia were included in the study. The children were randomized to receive rectally either 1 mg·kg−1 midazolam (group H) or 0.5 mg·kg−1 midazolam (group L). General anesthesia was induced with propofol or sevoflurane and maintained with 1.5% sevoflurane in the inspiratory limb. Prior to the start of surgery a regional block was performed to ensure adequate pain relief. Behavior on emergence was assessed using a three point scale. In case of severe agitation propofol was administered IV.Results:  The children in group H were significantly better sedated preoperatively (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in emergence behavior: 42.1% of children in group H compared with 36.2% of children in group L exhibited severe agitation requiring sedation with propofol (P = 0.37). However, regardless of the preoperative dose of midazolam more children under the age of 36 months (61.4%) were severely distressed at emergence compared with older children (16.7%) (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  A higher dose of 1 mg·kg−1 rectal midazolam results in much better sedated children on induction of anesthesia than 0.5 mg·kg−1. This, however, does not result in a reduced incidence of emergence delirium after sevoflurane anesthesia. Regardless of the premedication negative behavioral changes occur more frequently in children younger than 3 years of age.
Undetected central core disease myopathy in an infant presenting for clubfoot surgery
Authors: ZANETTE G. , ROBB N. , ZADRA N. , ZANETTE L. , MANANI G. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryA 1‐year‐old child was scheduled for two stage bilateral clubfoot surgery. Preoperative evaluation was normal and total intravenous anesthesia with a continuous sciatic nerve block was performed. Two months later, before the second clubfoot correction, a hip subluxation was evident suggesting a provisional diagnosis of neuromuscular disease. Anesthesia was identical, except that a femoral nerve block, necessary to permit a diagnostic muscle biopsy was performed. The perioperative course was uneventful but result of the muscular biopsy was surprising in that central core disease was diagnosed. Although congenital myopathies of all grades and severity exist, they are often mild and underestimated. Patients affected by central core disease are considered susceptible to malignant hyperthermia. Because a high prevalence of myopathic changes is reported in children undergoing clubfoot surgery, anesthesiologists must take precautions including a hightened awareness of these events and a high index of suspicion.
Acarbose and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes with newly initiated insulin therapy
Authors: Schnell O. , Mertes G. , Standl E. ,   Acarbose–Insulin Combination Study Group
Published: October 2006

Aim:  This study was designed to investigate the effect of acarbose in patients with type 2 diabetes with newly initiated insulin treatment who had previously been insufficiently controlled with oral antihyperglycaemic agents [haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 8%].Methods:  In this 20‐week double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, 163 patients were randomized to receive acarbose up to 100 mg three times a day or matching placebo. Both the groups were newly initiated with insulin, which was adjusted according to blood glucose values. Primary efficacy parameter was the change in HbA1c from baseline; changes in daily insulin doses were also assessed.Results:  Mean HbA1c was significantly reduced by acarbose compared with placebo (2.31 vs. 1.81%, p = 0.033). Insulin doses were comparable at the end of the study. There was no difference in blood glucose and triglyceride levels between the treatment groups. Postprandial serum insulin levels increased in both treatment arms owing to insulin administration but less so under acarbose. In contrast to the placebo group, an increase in body mass index was prevented for acarbose‐treated patients.Conclusion:  As adjunct administration to newly initiated insulin therapy, acarbose enhances the optimization of blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.