bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of prenatal X‐irradiation on the developing cerebral cortex of rats. II: A quantitative assessment of glial cells in the somatosensory cortex
Authors: Miki Takanori , Yokoyama Toshifumi , Sumitani Kazunori , Wang Zhi‐Yu , Yang Weiwen , Kusaka Takashi , Matsumoto Yoshiki , Warita Katsuhiko , Lee Nam‐Seob , Fukui Yoshihiro , Takeuchi Yoshiki 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe developing central nervous system is known to be highly vulnerable to X‐irradiation. Although glial cells are involved in various brain functions, knowledge on the effects of X‐irradiation on glial cells is limited. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal X‐irradiation on glial cells. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to X‐irradiation at a dose of 1.0 Gy on day 15 of gestation. Their offspring were examined at 7 weeks of age. The forebrain weight of X‐irradiated rats was significantly lower than that of the age‐matched controls. Histological quantification with stereology of the somatosensory cortex (SC) revealed no significant difference in the numerical density of glial cells between the X‐irradiated and control rats. However, the glial cells in the X‐irradiated animals had significantly larger nuclear size. We had previously reported that a similar X‐irradiation paradigm resulted in no significant change in the numerical density of neurons in the SC. According to the results of the present study, there were no significant differences in the glial cell‐to‐neuron ratios between the X‐irradiated and control animals. Taken together, it is speculated that prenatal X‐irradiation has an equal effects on the numerical densities of glial cells and neurons.
ATP‐induced proliferation of developing retinal cells: regulation by factors released from postmitotic cells in culture
Authors: França Guilherme Rapozeiro , Freitas Rodrigo Cesar Carvalho , Ventura Ana Lucia Marques 
Published: May 2007

AbstractATP is an important mitogen in the developing retina and its proliferative response decreases as chick retinal cells differentiate in culture. Both non‐stimulated or ATP‐induced proliferative response was abolished if cycling cells were cocultured with cells from older embryos or cultured with conditioned medium (CM) from postmitotic cells. The effect of CM was dose‐dependent and reversible, as removal of CM from the cultures restored both basal and ATP‐induced incorporation of [3H]‐thymidine. The effect of CM was also dependent on the developmental stage of the retina used to prepare the medium. As tissues from older embryos were used, inhibition of the basal and ATP‐induced proliferative response of the cells increased. Similar inhibition of ATP‐induced increase in [3H]‐thymidine incorporation was observed using CM from purified glial cultures. Neither ARL 67156, an ecto‐ATPase inhibitor, prevented nor TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β2 mimicked the inhibitory effect of conditioned medium. Incubation of cells with CM or ATP for 24 h completely abolished the formation of [3H]‐phosphoinositides induced by ATP. These effects were blocked by the P2 receptor antagonist PPADS and were not observed with dialysed CM, suggesting that agonist‐dependent desensitization of P2 receptors occured in cultures incubated with CM. However, removal of small molecules such as nucleotides by dialysis did not affect the decline in the proliferative activity induced by CM, suggesting that desensitization is not responsible for the conditioned medium‐dependent cell cycle arrest of early developing retinal cells in culture. These results suggest that factors released from postmitotic cells induce the arrest of retinal cells in the mitotic state, a phenomenon that is concomitant with agonist‐dependent P2 receptor desensitization.
Effect of Preadmission Brochures on Surgical Patients' Behavioral Outcomes
Authors: YOUNG ROBERTA , DE GUZMAN CAROLINA P. , MATIS MARY S. , MCCLURE KATE 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis study tested the effects of preadmission teaching brochures on morning admission surgical patients' performance of specific postoperative exercises, teaching time, state anxiety, length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction, and return to functional status. The study participants were 38 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomies. Although the study results show no significant difference between those who received the preoperative teaching brochures and those who did not, the implications for further research are clearly defined. Preoperative nursing interventions that may help patients undergoing hysterectomies manage anxiety and return to function should be tested further. AORN J 60 (August 1994) 232–241.
Putting Patient‐Focused Care Into Practice
Authors: BICKLER BONNIE 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPatient‐focused care relies on a framework supported by staff member empowerment and cross training, decentralization, patient care teams, and computerization. Decisions are made based on what is best for the patient rather than what is best for the staff members. How patient‐focused care is applied is influenced by the basic structure, beliefs, and values of the institution. Empowering staff members and physicians and creating specialty cluster teams were our first steps toward a patient‐focused care model. Cross training ancillary personnel to perform all tasks reduced nursing staff members' overtime and allowed for quicker response times during emergencies. Switching to a computerized documentation system enhanced departmental efficiency, removed much of the paperwork burden from nurses, and reduced costs. Patient‐focused care is measurable. We have reduced operating expenses, reduced staff turnover, increased productivity, and increased patient and physician satisfaction. AORN J 60 (August 1994) 242–245
NUCLEAR PORE ANCHOR, theArabidopsisHomolog of Tpr/Mlp1/Mlp2/Megator, Is Involved in mRNA Export and SUMO Homeostasis and Affects Diverse Aspects of Plant Development
Authors: Xu Xianfeng Morgan , Rose Annkatrin , Muthuswamy Sivaramakrishnan , Jeong Sun Yong , Venkatakrishnan Sowmya , Zhao Qiao , Meier Iris 
Published: May 2007

AbstractVertebrate Tpr and its yeast homologs Mlp1/Mlp2, long coiled-coil proteins of nuclear pore inner basket filaments, are involved in mRNA export, telomere organization, spindle pole assembly, and unspliced RNA retention. We identified Arabidopsis thaliana NUCLEAR PORE ANCHOR (NUA) encoding a 237-kD protein with similarity to Tpr. NUA is located at the inner surface of the nuclear envelope in interphase and in the vicinity of the spindle in prometaphase. Four T-DNA insertion lines were characterized, which comprise an allelic series of increasing severity for several correlating phenotypes, such as early flowering under short days and long days, increased abundance of SUMO conjugates, altered expression of several flowering regulators, and nuclear accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA. nua mutants phenocopy mutants of EARLY IN SHORT DAYS4 (ESD4), an Arabidopsis SUMO protease concentrated at the nuclear periphery. nua esd4 double mutants resemble nua and esd4 single mutants, suggesting that the two proteins act in the same pathway or complex, supported by yeast two-hybrid interaction. Our data indicate that NUA is a component of nuclear pore-associated steps of sumoylation and mRNA export in plants and that defects in these processes affect the signaling events of flowering time regulation and additional developmental processes.
Enhancing the validity and utility of randomized clinical trials in addictions treatment research: II. Participant samples and assessment
Authors: Del Boca Frances K. , Darkes Jack 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTPurpose  This paper is the second in a series that describes strategies for optimizing the validity and utility of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in addictions treatment research. Whereas the first paper focused on treatment implementation and research design, here we address issues pertaining to participant samples and assessment methods.Scope  With respect to participant samples, sections focus on the definition of study populations; informed consent; sample size and statistical power; recruitment and enrollment; sample retention; and participant tracking systems. Assessment topics include eligibility screening and baseline assessment; treatment‐related variables; outcome measures; the frequency of follow‐up evaluation; and assessment process. A final section highlights the importance of pilot testing.Conclusions  Sample recruitment and retention strategies are needed that safeguard both internal and external validity. Daily estimation assessment procedures are recommended because of their versatility for creating a range of outcome measures. Assessment batteries should include measures that permit the investigation of treatment processes and mechanisms of action.
Response of emergent macrophytes to experimental nutrient and salinity additions
Authors: MACEK P. , REJMÁNKOVÁ E. 
Published: May 2007

Summary

Nutrient additions often result in species dominance/compositional changes in wetland ecosystems, but the impact of nutrients may be constrained by different salinity levels. Wetlands of northern Belize, distributed along a salinity gradient, are strongly phosphorus‐limited and dominated largely by three species of emergent macrophytes: Eleocharis cellulosa Torr., Cladium jamaicense Crantz and Typha domingensis Pers.
We conducted a mesocosm experiment to assess changes in growth characteristics [biomass allocation, plant height, relative growth rate (RGR), rhizome length] and nutrient uptake of these three species in response to simultaneous changes in levels of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and salinity.
The growth characteristics of Typha and Eleocharis responded positively to N and especially P addition, whereas the growth response of Cladium was largely insignificant. The RGR of Typha increased under P addition, while RGR of Eleocharis increased with N and decreased with salinity addition. Nutrient addition increased the rhizome number of both Typha and Eleocharis. However, plasticity in rhizome length was observed only in Typha, which showed increased rhizome length at medium and high P.
Salinity decreased plant height and shoot and root biomass of Cladium and Eleocharis, while in Typha it reduced only height. Rhizome number and length were decreased only in Eleocharis.
Both medium and high P additions increased tissue P content in all three species, but Eleocharis accumulated significantly more P than Cladium and Typha. Nitrogen additions increased tissue N content in Cladium and Eleocharis, but not in Typha.
Cladium exhibited strong morphological constraint and behaved as a stress‐tolerator that was well adapted to low nutrients. Typha– characterized by its plastic, opportunistic guerrilla growth strategy, fast and efficient space occupancy, and rather wasteful nutrient management – behaved as a typical competitor. Eleocharis responded rapidly to nutrients but displayed limited rhizome plasticity, and its growth was affected at higher salinity.
According to recorded traits, we hypothesize that P input into wetlands will result in expansion of Typha, leading to competitive exclusion of both co‐occurring species. The only conditions allowing coexistence of all three species are those limiting vertical and horizontal growth of Typha: low P and higher salinity. To ensure the stability of Belizean wetlands, the maintenance of oligotrophic status is therefore crucial.
The interactive effect of temperature and humidity on the oxygen isotope composition of kangaroos
Authors: MURPHY BRETT P. , BOWMAN DAVID M.J.S. , GAGAN MICHAEL K. 
Published: May 2007

Summary

A strong relationship between the oxygen isotope composition (expressed as δ18O) of body water and relative humidity has been demonstrated for a number of mammalian herbivores with low drinking water requirements, including kangaroos. Consequently, it has been suggested that the oxygen isotope composition of preserved mammal remains may be used to reconstruct past relative humidity. Other physiological, environmental and ecological factors may also influence mammalian δ18O, thereby confounding the climatic signal, yet these factors have been rigorously examined in few taxa.
We examined sources of variation in the δ18O of tooth enamel, assumed to reflect δ18O of body water, of kangaroos (Macropus spp.) collected throughout Australia.
Relative humidity explained a large proportion of the variation in enamel δ18O, a finding that is consistent with previous studies. However, we also found a previously unreported interaction between mean annual temperature and relative humidity. At lower temperatures, the relationship between enamel δ18O and relative humidity was much steeper than at higher temperatures.
This may be a consequence of the Peclét effect in plant leaves, whereby high transpiration rates diminish the 18O enrichment of bulk leaf water. It is likely that this interaction is also present in other herbivores with low drinking water requirements.
We found little evidence that δ18O varied consistently between molars, suggesting that a ‘weaning effect’ is either absent or swamped by seasonal variation in precipitation δ18O.
We suggest that the oxygen isotope composition of preserved kangaroo remains cannot be used to reconstruct relative humidity unless ambient air temperature can be reliably estimated.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor expression in chronic periapical lesions
Authors: Caviedes‐Bucheli J. , Azuero‐Holguín M. M. , Moreno G. C. , González I. L. , Mateu E. , Salazar J. F. , Munoz H. R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To use radioreceptor analysis for evaluating whether vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors are present in chronic periapical lesions and to determine whether differences in its expression are found according to the size of the lesions.Methodology  Twelve periapical lesions were obtained from teeth diagnosed with chronic apical periodontitis and indicated for endodontic surgery; they were classified according to the size of the lesion in two groups of six samples (lesion size greater or smaller than 5 mm), and then processed and labelled with 125I‐VIP. Binding sites were identified by 125I‐VIP and standard VIP competition assays. Mann–Whitney's test was used to establish statistically significant differences in the VIP receptor expression between groups.Results  Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor expression was found in all periapical lesion samples. There was a statistically significantly higher expression in periapical lesions <5 mm (P < 0.001).Conclusion  Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors were expressed in chronic periapical lesions with levels inversely proportional to lesion size.
Differential signalling pathways involved in cholinoceptor‐dependent stimulation of nitric oxide isoforms in dental pulp
Authors: Sterin‐Borda L. , Furlan C. , Reina S. , Orman B. , Borda E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To investigate the role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtype activity in the regulation of endothelial‐ (e) and neuronal‐ (n) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and activity.Methodology  Rat dental pulp tissue was used throughout the study. The e‐nos and n‐nos mRNA levels were specifically measured using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction procedures that involve simultaneous co‐amplification of both target cDNA and a reference template with a single set of primers. NOS activity was measured by the production of [U‐14C]‐citrulline from [U‐14C]‐arginine.Results  Stimulation of M1/M2 and M3/M4 mAChRs with pilocarpine caused an increase in e‐nos and n‐nos mRNA levels and NOS activity in the dental pulp. The specific mAChR subtype antagonists, l‐NMMA, l‐NIO and N2‐propyl‐l‐arginine but not aminoguanidine attenuated all these effects. Inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium/calmodulin (CaM) prevented the pilocarpine‐dependent increase in n‐nos and e‐nos mRNA levels and NOS activity.Conclusions  Activation of mAChR subtypes stimulated NOS activity by increasing the production of NO through e‐nos and n‐nos gene expression and NOS activity. The mechanism appears to occur secondarily to stimulation of CaM and PKC enzymatic activity.
Implementation of nurse‐delivered vestibular rehabilitation in primary care: a qualitative study of nurses’ views on involvement in an innovative service
Authors: Walsh Bronagh , Yardley Lucy , Donovan‐Hall Maggie , Smith Helen 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  To explore practice nurses’ perceptions of vestibular rehabilitation and its place in relation to their general role development.Background:  Vestibular rehabilitation has been known for a long time to be effective for chronically dizzy patients in secondary care, but its use in primary care has been limited. A recent pragmatic trial of vestibular rehabilitation delivered by practice nurses in primary care has confirmed its utility in a community setting. This type of role is increasingly common for practice nurses, but few studies explore the nurses’ perspective.Methods:  A qualitative study was undertaken; 19 nurses took part in focus group sessions. Participants discussed their views on vestibular rehabilitation and its potential for integration with their existing role. A thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.Findings:  Four main themes were identified: creating a unique nursing role; the therapeutic role; responsibility and role boundaries; and time. Nurses were positive about developing extended roles, but sought ways to achieve this without eroding fundamental nursing skills. Vestibular rehabilitation was seen as fulfilling both the need for a distinct nursing identity and professional development. Concerns over responsibility for patient assessment and time management constraints are potential obstacles to overcome in the wider development of this therapy in primary care.Conclusions:  Understanding the perspective of nurses will be vital in future development of chronic disease management within primary care. Whilst nurses may be positive about such role expansion, the implementation of services of this type will require clarity about nurses’ responsibilities and flexibility in managing workload.Relevance to clinical practice:  Vestibular rehabilitation is simple, low‐tech and appropriate for widespread development in primary care. Nurses wishing to provide vestibular rehabilitation or similar chronic disease management activities will need to work with medical colleagues to define role boundaries.
Literature review: considerations in undertaking focus group research with culturally and linguistically diverse groups
Authors: Halcomb Elizabeth J , Gholizadeh Leila , DiGiacomo Michelle , Phillips Jane , Davidson Patricia M 
Published: May 2007

Aims.  This integrated literature review seeks to identify the key considerations in conducting focus groups and discusses the specific considerations for focus group research with culturally and linguistically diverse groups.Background.  The focus group method is a technique of group interview that generates data through the opinions expressed by participants. Focus groups have become an increasingly popular method of data collection in health care research. Although focus groups have been used extensively with Western populations, they are a particularly useful tool for engaging culturally and linguistically diverse populations. The success of focus groups in this context is dependent upon the cultural competence of the research team and the research questions.Methods.  The electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Psychlit and the Internet using the Google Scholar search engine were explored using the search terms ‘focus group’, ‘cultural sensitivity’, ‘transcultural nursing’, ‘transcultural care’, ‘cultural diversity’ and ‘ethnic groups’. Hand searching of reference lists and relevant journals was also undertaken. English language articles were selected for the review if they discussed the following issues: (i) methodological implications of the focus group method; (ii) strengths and limitations of the focus group method; (iii) recommendations for researchers and (iv) use of the focus group in culturally and linguistically diverse groups. Conclusions were drawn from each of the articles and consensus regarding a summary of recommendations was derived from a minimum of two authors.Results.  Findings from this review revealed several key issues involving focus group implementation including recruitment, sample size, data collection, data analysis and use within multicultural populations. Strengths and limitations of the focus group method were also identified.Conclusions.  Focus groups are a useful tool to expand existing knowledge about service provision and identify consumer needs that will assist in the development of future intervention programmes, particularly within multicultural populations. Careful planning related to methodological and pragmatic issues are critical in deriving effective data and protecting participants.Relevance to clinical practice.  Focus groups can facilitate increased understanding of perspectives of culturally and linguistically diverse groups and thereby shape clinical practice to better meet the needs of these groups.
Contemporary day surgery: patients’ experience of discharge and recovery
Authors: Gilmartin Jo 
Published: May 2007

Aim. To explore and reveal patients’ perceptions of discharge arrangements and recovery following day surgery.Introduction. Contemporary day surgery is increasingly being used to carry out elective surgical procedures enabling patients to be discharged on the same day. The Department of Health and government modernization programmes in the UK have encouraged this rapid growth. Preparation for discharge is important because patients require knowledge and understanding about self‐management and access to primary health care services if required.Methods. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected by unstructured interviews from 30 patients undergoing gynaecology, urology and general surgery procedures.Results. Deficits in patient preparation for discharge including the timing of information giving postprocedure for all groups were highlighted. The gynaecology patients pointed to a specific lack of verbal information about resuming sexual activity following procedures. Some general surgery and urology patients alluded to finding it stressful coping with threats to body image through ‘skin discoloration’, ‘swelling’ or ‘bruising’, because they did not know what to do. A number of urology patients talked about the challenges posed by difficulty with voiding, dysuria and haematuria.Relevance to clinical practice. The results and problems identified have applicability for the development of discharge planning services and patient education in a day surgery context. It is suggested that the use of evidenced‐based and innovative interventions among health professionals might improve patient outcomes.