bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Religion, Spirituality, and Health in Medically Ill Hospitalized Older Patients
Authors: Koenig Harold G. , George Linda K. , Titus Patricia 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To examine the effect of religion and spirituality on social support, psychological functioning, and physical health in medically ill hospitalized older adults.Design: Cross‐sectional survey.Setting: Duke University Medical Center.Participants: A research nurse interviewed 838 consecutively admitted patients aged 50 and older to a general medical service.Measurements: Measures of religion included organizational religious activity (ORA), nonorganizational religious activity, intrinsic religiosity (IR), self‐rated religiousness, and observer‐rated religiousness (ORR). Measures of spirituality were self‐rated spirituality, observer‐rated spirituality (ORS), and daily spiritual experiences. Social support, depressive symptoms, cognitive status, cooperativeness, and physical health (self‐rated and observer‐rated) were the dependent variables. Regression models controlled for age, sex, race, and education.Results: Religiousness and spirituality consistently predicted greater social support, fewer depressive symptoms, better cognitive function, and greater cooperativeness (P<.01 to P<.0001). Relationships with physical health were weaker, although similar in direction. ORA predicted better physical functioning and observer‐rated health and less‐severe illness. IR tended to be associated with better physical functioning, and ORR and ORS with less‐severe illness and less medical comorbidity (all P<.05). Patients categorizing themselves as neither spiritual nor religious tended to have worse self‐rated and observer‐rated health and greater medical comorbidity. In contrast, religious television or radio was associated with worse physical functioning and greater medical comorbidity.Conclusion: Religious activities, attitudes, and spiritual experiences are prevalent in older hospitalized patients and are associated with greater social support, better psychological health, and to some extent, better physical health. Awareness of these relationships may improve health care.
Stair Performance in People Aged 75 and Older
Authors: Hamel Kathryn A. , Cavanagh Peter R. 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To examine specific behaviors used by older adults while ascending and descending stairs and to assess the relationships between confidence and stair performance.Design: Cross‐sectional.Setting: Center for Locomotion Studies, The Pennsylvania State University.Participants: Sixteen male (mean age=82.7, range= 77–89) and 16 female (mean age=82.2, range=77–87) community‐dwelling adults.Measurements: A stair self‐efficacy (SSE) test was created to assess individuals' confidence in their safety on stairs. Observational stair performance measures, measures of walking speed on stairs, and the total SSE score were examined for differences due to sex, and the relationships between SSE and specific stair behaviors were assessed.Results: There was a significant relationship between SSE and the safety precautions taken during stair negotiation. Those with lower SSE were more likely to ascend and descend the stairs at a slower speed, use the handrail to a greater extent, and position themselves closer to the rail. The women had lower domain‐specific SSE and tended to use the handrail to a greater extent than men even though there were no sex differences in self‐reported functional ability or general falls and mobility confidence. A small group of subjects exhibited characteristics of instability, particularly during stair descent, yet most of this group had high SSE scores and failed to use the handrail.Conclusion: It appears that confidence related to stair negotiation plays a major role in determining risk‐taking propensity during stair use in older adults.
Nursing Home Quality and Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management Practices
Authors: Wipke‐Tevis Deidre D. , Williams Donna A. , Rantz Marilyn J. , Popejoy Lori L. , Madsen Richard W. , Petroski Gregory F. , Vogelsmeier Amy A. 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To measure pressure ulcer quality indicator (QI) scores and to describe the self‐reported skin integrity assessment, pressure ulcer risk assessment, and pressure ulcer prevention and treatment practices in long‐term care facilities (LTCFs).Design: Retrospective analysis of a large data set and comparative survey.Setting: LTCFs in Missouri.Participants: Three hundred sixty‐two LTCFs participated in the survey. Three hundred twenty‐one facilities had pressure ulcer QI scores between April 1 and September 30, 1999.Measurements: Pressure ulcer QI scores, Pressure Ulcer Prevention & Treatment Practices Survey.Results: The mean±standard deviation pressure ulcer QI score was 10.9±6.2%, with a risk‐adjusted score of 15.7±8.9% for high‐risk residents and 3.1±3.6% for low‐risk residents. Minimizing head‐of‐bed elevation to less than 30° was used by fewer than 20% of facilities. More than 40% of facilities used a risk assessment tool that was not evidence based. Fewer than 13% of facilities used the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidelines. No relationship was found between the number of prevention strategies (P=.892) or the number of treatment strategies (P=.921) and the pressure ulcer QI scores.Conclusion: Valid and reliable pressure ulcer risk assessment tools are seriously underused. Evidence‐based pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidelines appear to be rarely implemented. This study provides a basis for developing educational and quality improvement programs and future research related to pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in LTCFs.
Significance of human neutrophil antigen‐2a (NB1) expression and neutrophil number in pregnancy
Authors: Taniguchi Kikuyo , Nagata Hideaki , Katsuki Takafumi , Nakashima Chiyoko , Onodera Rie , Hiraoka Asako , Takata Noboru , Kobayashi Masao , Kambe Masayuki 
Published: March 2004

BACKGROUND: Expression of human neutrophil antigen‐2a (HNA‐2a) is greater in women than in men. The size of the HNA‐2a‐positive neutrophil population increases with pregnancy.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: T he relationship between HNA‐2a expression on neutrophils and monocytes, and their relative numbers, was investigated. HNA‐2a expression shown as the size of the HNA‐2a‐positive cell population and the fluorescence intensity on the cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. This investigation was done among 165 pregnant women during pregnancy and postpartum.RESULTS: In normal pregnancy, numbers of neutrophils and monocytes changed in relation to HNA‐2a expres‐ sion. HNA‐2a was also expressed intensively on monocytes from some pregnant women in the first and second trimesters. HNA‐2a expression and the number of cells markedly decreased postpartum. In threatened premature labor, the number of neutrophils decreased earlier than in normal pregnancy.CONCLUSION: HNA‐2a expression may increase soon after fertilization. In this study, the results indicate that the change in the number of neutrophils and monocytes is related to HNA‐2a expression.
Neutrophil and platelet dynamics at organ level after cardiopulmonary bypass: An in vivo study in neonatal pigs
Authors: BRIX‐CHRISTENSEN V. , RHELING M. , FLØ C. , RAVN H. , HJORTDAL V. , MARQVERSEN J. , ANDERSEN N. , TØNNESEN E. 
Published: March 2004

The aim was to investigate if organ dysfunction is a consequence of cell accumulation in the tissue and whether this accumulation is caused by the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedure.Twenty‐six piglets were used in the sham group (sternotomy, n=12) or in the CPB group (sternotomy, CPB, n=14). Isotope‐labeled autologous 99mTc‐neutrophils (PMNs) and 111In‐platelets were infused and dynamically followed at organ level with a gamma camera before, during, and 4 h after termination of CPB. The CPB group showed a 49% increase in 99m Tc‐PMNs in the kidneys in the postoperative period compared to a decrease of 2% in the sham group. A less marked decrease was observed in the lungs and peripheral blood between the two groups. The increased radioactivity at organ level post‐CPB could be due to changes in flow, extraction in the organ or accumulation of cells, especially in the kidneys and lungs, and might contribute to temporary organ dysfunction postoperatively.
Viral diseases of the Ostrich (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)
Authors: COOPER Ross Gordon , HORBANCZUK Jaroslaw Olav , FUJIHARA Noboru 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTThe ostrich is an important animal in many livestock industries. A significant threat to this industry is losses from diseases. Newcastle disease is a notifiable, highly contagious viral infection of ostriches. Avian influenza may be transmitted from waterfowl, shorebirds and gulls to ostriches. Borna disease virus is a viral neurotropic infection spread mainly by rodents and felines. Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease transmitted by Hyalomma ticks to humans. Avipoxvirus afflicts ostrich chicks and is transmitted by mosquitoes or by direct contact with a pox lesion. Maintenance of a healthy and profitable enterprise requires the implementation, with assistance from the local veterinary authority, of comprehensive, practical and effective methods of health management and preventative medicine.
Developmental competence and glutathione content of maternally heat‐stressed mouse oocytes and zygotes
Authors: MATSUZUKA Takaya , OZAWA Manabu , HIRABAYASHI Miho , USHITANI Atsuko , KANAI Yukio 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTThe loss of developmental competence and the glutathione (GSH) content of maternally heat‐stressed mouse oocytes and zygotes were determined. In experiment 1, zygotes were collected from female mice that were heat‐stressed at 35°C for 10 h after hCG injection (oocyte maturation stage), or for 12 h on Day 1 of pregnancy (zygote stage), followed by in vitro culture. To minimize the effects of heat stress on the fertilization process, heat‐stressed oocytes that were fertilized in vitro were also included in this experiment. In experiment 2, heat‐stressed oocytes and zygotes were assayed for GSH content. The application of heat stress to the oocytes resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of zygotes that developed to morulae or blastocysts, both for naturally fertilized oocytes (56.9% for heat‐stressed vs 85.4% for control) or in vitro‐fertilized oocytes (54.5%vs 73.6%). In the heat‐stressed zygotes, the disruption of embryonic development was more drastic (24.3%vs 90.3%), with the majority of zygotes being arrested at the two‐cell stage. In contrast, the GSH content decreased significantly in heat‐stressed zygotes, but not in heat‐stressed oocytes. These results demonstrate that the loss of developmental competence of early embryos is associated with a decrease in the GSH content of maternally heat‐stressed zygotes, but not of maternally heat‐stressed oocytes.
Meiotic competence of mouse oocytes reconstructed by replacing the germinal vesicle with a male pronucleus and somatic nucleus
Authors: LIU Honglin , AOKI Fugaku 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTThe present study examines the contribution of the nucleus to meiotic competence in mouse oocytes that were reconstructed using nuclear transfer. Three types of reconstructed oocytes were produced: MP‐GV, by transplanting the male pronucleus (MP) into germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes; 3T3‐GV, by transplanting the nucleus of a National Institute of Health (NIH) 3T3 cell into a GV stage oocyte; and 3T3‐MII, by transplanting the nucleus of an NIH 3T3 cell into a metaphase II (MII) stage oocyte. The fusion rates differed, but not significantly, in the MP‐GV, 3T3‐GV, and 3T3‐MII groups (77, 63, 56%, respectively). Then, meiotic competence was compared in MP‐GV, 3T3‐GV and non‐manipulated GV stage oocytes as a control. Nuclear envelope breakdown occurred in all the reconstructed oocytes, as well as the control ones. The percentage of first polar body extrusion differed between the MP‐GV (100%), 3T3‐GV (72%), and control (67%) groups. DNA staining with Hoechst 33342 revealed that in the MP‐GV‐group oocytes that had reached MII stage, the chromosomes were condensed and aligned in a regular array similar to the normal metaphase plate. By contrast, in 3T3‐GV group oocytes, the condensed chromosomes were irregularly scattered in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that the donor nucleus affects meiotic competence in reconstructed oocytes.
Terminology used by pathologists in reporting on sudden infant deaths
Authors: Limerick S R , Bacon C J 
Published: March 2004

Aim:To determine whether the terms used by pathologists in reporting on sudden infant deaths are applied consistently.Method:Postal survey.Results:Replies were received from 63 pathologists who carry out necropsies after sudden infant deaths. There was a pronounced variation in their use of the terms “sudden infant death syndrome” and “unascertained”, with the last term being applied not only when there were apparently suspicious features but also in various other circumstances. Opinions were divided as to whether the term “sudden infant death syndrome” still serves a useful purpose. Deaths that had occurred while bed sharing were categorised in several different ways. Many pathologists commented on the inadequacy of the history available to them at the time of their report.Conclusions:There is a serious need for greater consistency in the way pathologists report on sudden death in infants. Pathologists should be provided with a full history before they carry out the necropsy.
Role and Contribution of Corporate Information Centers toward KM Initiatives: An Analysis of Managers' Perceptions
Authors: Marouf Laila 
Published: March 2004

Knowledge, since the late 1990s, has been increasingly seen as a primary business asset, while knowledge management (KM) has been perceived to be the key differentiator between firms in terms of their sustainability, profitability, innovative capacity, and change management. The reason for this interest in knowledge management is the belief that knowledge and its applications are the means by which creativity can be fostered (Nonaka and Nishiguchi, 2000), innovation enabled (Hargadon, 1998), and competencies leveraged so as to improve overall organizational performance. Since knowledge has become the driving force for economic development, attention to the organization and management of information and knowledge has increased tremendously. The knowledge management discourse has also captured the attention of professionals working in the library and information sector. In recent years, a body of literature has emerged that explicitly addresses knowledge management from the perspective of library and information professionals (Broadbent, 1997; Nicholson, 1997; Loughridge, 1999). This literature carries a key assumption that library and information professionals have an important role to play in knowledge management. KM is also assumed to be an instrument in enhancing professional image and role of the information professionals. Yunhua (1999) makes a clear case for library development from the perspective of knowledge management.
Bortezomib and flavopiridol interact synergistically to induce apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells resistant to imatinib mesylate through both Bcr/Abl-dependent and -independent mechanisms
Authors: Dai Yun , Rahmani Mohamed , Pei Xin-Yan , Dent Paul , Grant Steven 
Published: March 2004

AbstractInteractions between the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor flavopiridol and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib were examined in Bcr/Abl+ human leukemia cells. Coexposure of K562 or LAMA84 cells to subtoxic concentration of flavopiridol (150-200 nM) and bortezomib (5-8 nM) resulted in a synergistic increase in mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. These events were associated with a marked diminution in nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/DNA binding activity; enhanced phosphorylation of SEK1/MKK4 (stress-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase 1/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); down-regulation of Bcr/Abl; and a marked reduction in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT5 activity. In imatinib mesylate-resistant K562 cells displaying increased Bcr/Abl expression, bortezomib/flavopiridol treatment markedly increased apoptosis in association with down-regulation of Bcr/Abl and BclxL, and diminished phosphorylation of Lyn, Hck, CrkL, and Akt. Parallel studies were performed in imatinib mesylate-resistant LAMA84 cells exhibiting reduced expression of Bcr/Abl but a marked increase in expression/activation of Lyn and Hck. Flavopiridol/bortezomib effectively induced apoptosis in these cells in association with Lyn and Hck inactivation. The capacity of flavopiridol to promote bortezomib-mediated Bcr/Abl down-regulation and apoptosis was mimicked by the positive transcription elongation factor-b (P-TEFb) inhibitor DRB (5,6-dichloro 1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzinida-sole). Finally, the bortezomib/flavopiridol regimen also potently induced apoptosis in Bcr/Abl- human leukemia cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that a strategy combining flavopiridol and bortezomib warrants further examination in chronic myelogenous leukemia and related hematologic malignancies. (Blood. 2004;104:509-518)
Continuous intravenous epoprostenol for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Bresser P. , Fedullo P.F. , Auger W.R. , Channick R.N. , Robbins I.M. , Kerr K.M. , Jamieson S.W. , Rubin L.J. 
Published: March 2004

Pathophysiological findings in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have suggested that a secondary small vessel arteriopathy may contribute to the haemodynamic impairment observed in these patients. It was hypothesised that this element of the elevated vascular resistance may be responsive to continuous intravenous epoprostenol therapy.Retrospectively, the clinical and haemodynamic responses to continuous intravenous epoprostenol were evaluated in nine CTEPH patients who subsequently underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). Cardiopulmonary haemodynamics were determined prior to the initiation of epoprostenol, while on epoprostenol, prior to PTE, and after PTE.Six patients, treated for 2–26 months prior to PTE, experienced either clinical stability or improvement that was associated with a mean reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 28% (median 33%, range 0–46%). Three patients, treated for 3–9 months, experienced clinical deterioration during epoprostenol administration, with a significant increase in PVR in two patients. Subsequent PTE resulted in a highly significant improvement of cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure and total pulmonary resistance.To conclude, selected patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension may benefit clinically and haemodynamically from continuous intravenous epoprostenol treatment prior to pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Factors predictive of a beneficial response, and whether this intervention influences either morbidity or mortality associated with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, remain to be established.
Significance of precipitins and asymptomatic lymphocytic alveolitis: a 20‐yr follow-up
Authors: Cormier Y. , Létourneau L. , Racine G. 
Published: March 2004

What is the significance of serum preciptins and lymphocytic alveolitis in a healthy subject exposed to antigens responsible for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP)? This study was done to evaluate the 20‐yr outcome of asymptomatic dairy farmers with or without precipitins or lymphocytic alveolitis in their bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).Twenty-seven of the initial 43 farmers were restudied. Of the missing 16, 11 refused the follow-up, three had died and two could not be located. The restudied farmers had a clinical evaluation, lung function tests and a high resolution computed tomography (HRCT).Only one subject, an asthmatic, had dyspnoea, none described present or past symptoms suggestive of HP. Of those who were no longer on the farm, none had quit because of respiratory problems. Lung function changes were as expected with aging. The only difference was that farmers with positive precipitins had a statistically significant greater decrease in their forced expiratory volume in one second than the sero-negative farmers. Four HRCTs showed signs of minimal parenchymal abnormalities; these were not more prevalent for subjects with or without precipitins or BAL lymphocytosis.Serum precipitins and asymptomatic lymphocytic alveolitis in an asymptomatic, exposed dairy farmer have no clinically meaningful long-term consequences.
3‐Min step test and treadmill exercise for evaluating exercise-induced asthma
Authors: Tancredi G. , Quattrucci S. , Scalercio F. , De Castro G. , Zicari A.M. , Bonci E. , Cingolani S. , Indinnimeo L. , Midulla F. 
Published: March 2004

A simple exercise test would be useful for detecting exercise-induced asthma, a common problem in asthmatic children. The current study compared the 3‐min step test with treadmill exercise for evaluating exercise-induced asthma in asthmatic children and assessed whether responses to both tests are influenced by baseline lung function and habitual physical activity.A series of 154 asthmatic children (84 male children; mean age 12.9±0.9 yrs) underwent a 3‐min step-test and treadmill testing on different days within a week at least 24 h apart. Before both tests each subject did spirometry to obtain the baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). After both exercise challenges all subjects did serial spirometry and the lowest FEV1recorded over time was used to calculate the fall in FEV1expressed as a percentage of the measured pre-exercise (baseline) value (% fall in FEV1) and the area above the FEV1curve (AAC0–30 min) expressed as a percentage of the pre-exercise value. Changes in both exercise variables were also analysed in percentile subgroups defined by questionnaire answers on habitual physical activity in hours.The mean % fall in FEV1was significantly higher for treadmill exercise than for the step test (15.0±7.5versus11.7±5.9); and the AAC0–30 minwas larger for treadmill than for the step test (−261.6±139.9%versus−197.3±105.0% min). In all subgroups defined by habitual physical activity the mean % fall in FEV1decreased more after treadmill exercise than after the step test. After step test and treadmill exercise no significant correlation was found between % fall in FEV1and baseline lung function, or between % fall in FEV1among groups defined by habitual physical activity.Although the 3‐min step test yields a lower % fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and a lower value of the area above the FEV1curve than treadmill testing, it is a quick, economical, reproducible and portable alternative procedure for identifying exercise-induced asthma in outpatients and epidemiological studies. Baseline lung function and habitual physical activity have no influence on the amount or duration of exercise-induced asthma.