bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chinese nurses’ use of non‐pharmacological methods in children's postoperative pain relief
Authors: He Hong‐Gu , Pölkki Tarja , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Pietilä Anna‐Maija 
Published: July 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study describing Chinese nurses’ use of non‐pharmacological methods for relieving 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children's postoperative pain and factors related to this.Background.  Non‐pharmacological methods are stated to be effective in relieving children's postoperative pain when used independently or in conjunction with medication. However, little is known about the use of these methods by Chinese nurses.Methods.  A questionnaire survey was carried out in 2002 with a convenience sample of 187 nurses working at 12 surgical wards in five hospitals of Fujian Province, China. A Likert‐type instrument was used, and the average response rate was 98%. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the data.Results.  The most commonly used non‐pharmacological methods were giving preparatory information, comforting/reassurance, creating a comfortable environment, distraction, and positioning. Positive reinforcement and helping with daily activities were used less often, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was not used at all. Many nurse background factors were statistically significantly related to their use of pain alleviation methods. Furthermore, many factors limited their use of non‐pharmacological methods, the most common being that there were too few nurses for the work that had to be done, followed by nurses’ lack of knowledge about pain management.Conclusions.  While Chinese nurses used versatile non‐pharmacological methods in school‐aged children's postoperative pain relief, there remains a need for more education about pain management and for more frequent use of these methods in clinical care.
Decision‐making tree for women considering hysterectomy
Authors: Wu Shu‐Mei , Chao Yu Yu‐Mei , Yang Cheng‐Fang , Che Hui‐Lian 
Published: July 2005

Aims.  This paper reports on a study carried out to establish a decision tree model to describe how women in Taiwan make the decision whether or not to have a hysterectomy. In addition, we examined the predictability of the decision‐tree model.Background.  Hysterectomy is the second most common surgical procedure performed worldwide. Medical professionals believe that the operation can relieve pain and prevent cervical cancer, thus improving a woman's quality of life. While most physicians advise hysterectomy even for benign uterine conditions, feminists decry the belief that the uterus has no purpose, believing that it is an important symbol of womanhood.Methods.  The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I, the model development phase, was carried out to generalize data from a qualitative study of 14 women and to establish a tree model outlining their decision to proceed with hysterectomy. The second phase was the model prediction phase that applied inductive and deductive methods to data analysis and development of the decision‐tree model. The model tree was then tested with 18 women who were deciding whether or not to undergo hysterectomy. Using the decision‐making tree, we studied the women's thought processes and analysed their primary concerns. The study was carried out in 1999–2001.Results.  The study determined 13 criteria that Taiwanese women use when deciding about having a hysterectomy. Developed in accordance with Gladwin's methodology, the model tree successfully predicted 90% of decisions whether or not to have a hysterectomy.Conclusions.  Nurses working in gynaecological services should understand how women decide to undergo hysterectomy so that the proper counselling and follow‐up can be provided. With further testing, our decision tree may help in this process.
Adaptation or exaptation? An experimental test of hypotheses on the origin of salinity tolerance inBufo calamita
Authors: GOMEZ‐MESTRE I. , TEJEDO M. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) shows variation in embryonic and larval salinity tolerance across populations in southern Spain. However, its aquatic/terrestrial biphasic life cycle, together with remarkable differences in salinity tolerance between Spanish and UK freshwater populations suggest an alternative hypothesis to local adaptation. Drought resistance during the terrestrial phase and salinity tolerance during the aquatic phase are both related to osmotic stress tolerance, and if there were an association between them, one could have evolved as an exaptation from the other. To test such an association, we rearedB. calamitajuveniles from three populations known to differ genetically in their salinity tolerance, under either dry or humid conditions. Drought decreased growth rate, enhanced burying behaviour, and decreased foraging activity and efficiency. No significant population × treatment interaction was found for any variable, i.e. populations were equally affected by drought. These results do not support the hypothesis of a genetic association between salinity and drought tolerance.
Intra‐ and Intersexual Selection for Multiple Traits in the Peacock (Pavo cristatus)
Authors: Loyau Adeline , Jalme Michel Saint , Sorci Gabriele 
Published: July 2005

AbstractAnimal communication involves a multitude of signals ranging from morphological to behavioural traits. In spite of the diversity of traits used in animal signalling, most studies of sexual selection have focused on single male traits. Moreover, the two forces of sexual selection (male–male competition and female preference) may target different traits and favour the diversification of male signalling. Still, little is known on the combined effects of intra‐ and intersexual selection on the evolution of multiple signals. The peacock is often cited as one of the best examples of the strength of sexual selection in producing exaggerated traits. Here, we investigated traits under intra‐ and intersexual selection in a population of free‐ranging common peafowl. Peacocks with longer trains and tarsi were more likely to establish a display territory in a central position within the lek and had a higher number of intrusions and agonistic interactions. These traits appeared therefore to be under intrasexual selection. Female selection was assessed as the number of copulations. Mating success was positively correlated with behavioural traits (display activity) and with train ornamentation (number and density of ocelli) suggesting that females use multiple cues during mate selection. Therefore, intra‐ and intersexual selection seem to operate on different sets of traits. Overall, our results stress the role of multiple receivers on the evolution of multiple signals.
Consistency in Context‐specific Measures of Shyness and Boldness in Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Wilson Alexander D. M. , Stevens E. D. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractShyness and boldness has been considered a fundamental axis of human behavioural variation. At the extreme ends of this behavioural continuum subjects vary from being bold and assertive to shy and timid. Analogous patterns of individual variation have been noted in a number of species including fish. There has been debate on the nature of this continuum as to whether it depends on context. That is, whether it is domain‐general (as in humans), or context‐specific. The purpose of our study was to test if shyness and boldness depends on context in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss and to this end we estimated boldness in five different situations. Our data provide evidence of a shy–bold behavioural syndrome in rainbow trout. Bold trout tended to be bold in four situations when the context was similar (when the context concerned foraging). However, in a different context, exploring a swim flume, the ranking was entirely different. We suggest that shyness and boldness depends on context in rainbow trout.
Males Respond to the Risk of Sperm Competition in the Sexually Cannibalistic Praying Mantis,Mantis religiosa
Authors: Prokop Pavol , Václav Radovan 
Published: July 2005

AbstractAlthough studies on sperm competition examined a wide range of taxa, little is known about the selection pressures on male traits in systems with simultaneous risk of sperm competition and sexual cannibalism. Here, we experimentally studied how the risk of sperm competition affects male copulatory behavior in the sexually cannibalistic praying mantisMantis religiosa. We recorded the onset and duration of copulations following the introduction of virgin, adult praying mantises into mating arenas with three different sex ratio treatments: polyandrous, monogamous, and polygynous. We did not detect any female phenotypic trait predicting cannibalism. The chance of male survival was related to his condition, with males in better condition being cannibalized significantly less often. In contrast, we did not identify any male trait that would favor some males to obtain copulations. Our results on copulation duration support sperm competition theory in that the copulations in the male‐biased treatment, where the perceived risk of sperm competition was greatest, were significantly longer than those in single‐male treatments. Importantly, males in better condition copulated significantly longer regardless of sex ratio. Overall, our study suggests that males can adjust their copulation behavior in response to the risk of sperm competition even in a system with frequent sexual cannibalism.
Sperm flagella protein components: Human meichroacidin constructed by the membrane occupation and recognition nexus motif
Authors: MATSUOKA YASUHIRO , NISHIMURA HIROMI , NUMAZAWA KAHORI , TSUCHIDA JUNJI , MIYAGAWA YASUSHI , TSUJIMURA AKIRA , MATSUMIYA KIYOMI , OKUYAMA AKIHIKO , NISHIMUNE YOSHITAKE , TANAKA HIROMITSU 
Published: July 2005

Background and Aims:   In a previous study, the authors of the present study cloned mouse meichroacidin (MCA), which is expressed in stages of spermatogenesis from pachytene spermatocytes through round spermatid germ cells. MCA protein contains the membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN) motif and localizes to a male meiotic metaphase chromosome. Recently, a MCA homolog of carp (Cyprinus carpio), MORN motif‐containing sperm‐specific axonemal protein (MSAP), was reportedly identified and localized in sperm flagella. Present knowledge of human spermiogenesis requires the identification of proteins in human sperm. The present study identified the human orthologue of MCA.Methods:   Colony hybridization using a human testis plasmid cDNA library was carried out to clone human MCA (h‐MCA) cDNA. Northern blot, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out.Results:   h‐MCA was found to be specifically expressed in the testes. The h‐MCA amino acid sequence shared 79.8% identity with mouse MCA and contained MORN motifs. h‐MCA localized in the sperm flagellum and basal body, as does MSAP in carp.Conclusion:   Expression and localization analyses showed that h‐MCA is a component of the sperm flagellum and basal body and might play an important role in the development of the sperm flagellum in humans. (Reprod Med Biol 2005; 4: 213–219)
NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, restores the impaired endothelial‐dependent and ‐independent responses and scavenges superoxide anion in rats with type 2 diabetes complicated by NO dysfunction
Authors: Hayashi T. , Juliet P. A. R. , Kano‐Hayashi H. , Tsunekawa T. , Dingqunfang D. , Sumi D. , Matsui‐Hirai H. , Fukatsu A. , Iguchi A. 
Published: July 2005

Objective:  We investigated the effect of apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, in the impairment of vascular responses in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats (type 2 diabetic rat model) with or without (w/wo) N‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester treatment.Methods:  Male OLETF and littermate Long‐Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) (28 weeks old) rats were separated as follows: LETO w/wo apocynin (Gp C, Gp C‐apo), OLETF w/wo apocynin (Gp DM, Gp DM‐apo) and OLETF plus l‐nitro arginine acetate ester w/wo apocynin (Gp DMLN, Gp DMLN‐apo). Five days after, peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with thioglycolate. Two days after, they were evaluated.Results:  Plasma glucose and lipid levels remained unchanged. Acetylcholine‐induced nitric oxide‐dependent (NO‐dependent) relaxation and nitroglycerin‐induced NO‐independent relaxation were improved in the Gp DMLN‐apo, compared with that in Gp DMLN. Tone‐related basal NO release and plasma NO2− and NO3− tended to be lower in Gp DM and Gp DMLN groups. The increased amount of superoxide anion released from macrophages in Gp DM and Gp DMLN was restored by apocynin. Intimal thickening was observed in aortae of Gp DM and Gp DMLN animals; however, there was little in aortae of Gp DM‐apo and Gp DMLN– apo rats. Increased tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the Gp DM and Gp DMLN was also restored by apocynin treatment.Conclusion:  Apocynin restores the impairment of endothelial and non‐endothelial function in diabetic angiopathy in OLETF without changing plasma glucose and lipid levels. NO and O2− may play a role in this process by decreasing TNF‐α levels.
Electrical muscle stimulation acutely mimics exercise in neurologically intact individuals but has limited clinical benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Poole R. B. , Harrold C. P. , Burridge J. H. , Byrne C. D. , Holt R. I. G. 
Published: July 2005

Background:  Electrical muscle stimulation mimics exercise in individuals with neurological injury or disease and improves measures of fitness and glucose metabolism. Physical activity improves features of the metabolic syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes but many patients find it difficult to exercise.Aims:  To determine whether use of an electrical muscle stimulator mimics exercise in neurologically intact individuals and has metabolic benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:  Acute changes in pulse, blood pressure and energy expenditure were measured in 33 healthy volunteers using the muscle stimulator. Acute changes in glucose uptake were measured in five subjects with type 2 diabetes. Body composition, features of the metabolic syndrome and measures of insulin sensitivity were measured before and after 12 weeks daily use of the stimulator in four subjects with type 2 diabetes.Results:  The muscle stimulator acutely increased pulse, blood pressure, energy expenditure and glucose uptake. Daily use over 12 weeks improved insulin stimulated nonesterified fatty acid suppression but did not result in changes in body composition or clinical parameters.Conclusion:  Although the muscle stimulator acutely mimics exercise, limitations in the size of the stimulating current mean that the magnitude of these changes is too small to produce clinical benefit.
Abdominal diameter index: a more powerful anthropometric measure for prevalent coronary heart disease risk in adult males
Authors: Smith D. A. , Ness E. M. , Herbert R. , Schechter C. B. , Phillips R. A. , Diamond J. A. , Landrigan P. J. 
Published: July 2005

Aim:  The authors wished to compare the strength of association of several anthropometric measures of body size and fat distribution among themselves and in comparison with other known risk factors for prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods:  Prevalent CHD was assessed in 466 middle‐aged, male, multiracial Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority officers in New York City by verified history, electrocardiogram or exercise stress test. Anthropometric measures included body mass index, waist, hip and thigh circumferences, waist‐hip ratio, waist‐thigh ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter and abdominal diameter index (sagittal abdominal diameter/thigh circumference). Results were compared with other CHD risk factors measured simultaneously (history of diabetes, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profile, apolipoproteins A and B, lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, urinary microalbumin, serum vitamin E and ferritin) and a calculated 10‐year CHD risk using a Framingham algorithm (10‐year Framingham CHD risk).Results:  CHD was found in 29 individuals. Of the six anthropometric measures, abdominal diameter index gave the largest and most significant standardized odds ratio (OR) for CHD [1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20, 2.71], equivalent to 10‐year Framingham CHD risk. Men in the highest compared with the lowest tertile of abdominal diameter index had a univariate OR of 5.47 (95% CI 1.55, 19.28) which was the only anthropometric measure that remained significant after adjusting for 10‐year Framingham CHD risk.Conclusions:  For middle‐aged American men, abdominal diameter index may be the most powerful anthropometric measure of risk for prevalent CHD.
Coronary arterial calcification is associated with albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patient
Authors: Yamagami K. , Hosoi M. , Yamamoto T. , Fukumoto M. , Yamakita T. , Miyamoto M. , Yoshioka K. , Ishii T. , Sato T. , Tanaka S. , Fujii S. 
Published: July 2005

Aim:  Although microalbuminuria has been suggested as an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease, the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and macroangiopathy remains unclear. Previously, we reported that coronary artery calcification detected by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) could indicate the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. In this study, we examine the association between coronary arterial calcification and microalbuminuria and aortic calcification and microalbuminuria.Methods:  Two hundred and fifty‐six patients, including 177 type 2 diabetic patients (106 patients with normoalbuminuria, 71 with microalbuminuria) and 79 non‐diabetic patients were evaluated by assessing the urinary albumin excretion rate and using EBCT to determine a coronary calcification score (CCS) and an aortic calcification score (ACS).Results:  No differences were observed regarding age, smoking index or BMI. Diabetic patients exhibited a greater CCS than non‐diabetic subjects (non‐diabetes 33 ± 75 vs. diabetes 203 ± 467, p < 0.05). Diabetic patients with microalbuminuria exhibited the most advanced CCS (253 ± 491, p < 0.05). In contrast, no difference was observed in ACS among three groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that CCS is significantly associated with urinary albumin excretion rate as well as age, duration of diabetes and serum creatinine (R2 = 0.31), while ACS is strongly associated with age, smoking, serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level (R2 = 0.29).Conclusion: Increased urinary albumin excretion is associated with coronary arterial calcification in diabetic patients.
Inverse association between plasma homocysteine, sulphonylurea exposure and physical activity: a community‐based sample of type 2 diabetes patients in the Skaraborg hypertension and diabetes project
Authors: Hellgren M. , Melander A. , Östgren C.‐J , Råstam L. , Lindblad U. 
Published: July 2005

Aim:  This study aimed to investigate levels of Homocysteine (tHcy) and folate in a population‐based sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. In particular, the study explored modifiable determinants such as treatment for diabetes, life style, glucose control and kidney function.Patients and methods:  In a community‐based surveillance of patients with type 2 diabetes, 196 men and 191 women were consecutively identified in primary care and characterized by cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors focusing on components in the metabolic syndrome. For categorical associations plasma tHcy was dichotomized using the upper 10 percentiles of the distribution.Results:  Treatment with sulphonylurea was associated with lower serum levels of tHcy compared to those on diet alone. The association was confined to women [odds ratio 0.14; confidence interval 0.03–0.8] and remained significant when differences in factors related to the metabolic syndrome, life style and previous CVD were accounted for, but was lost when adjusted for HbA1c. There was an inverse dose‐related association between physical activity and plasma levels of tHcy (men p = 0.006, women p = 0.034), and a positive association with serum levels of creatinine (men p = 0.004, women p < 0.001).Conclusions:  The association with physical activity might be one contributing explanation for its well‐known protective effect on cardiovascular disease. The over risk for vascular complications in diabetic patients with kidney disease may be partially explained by high levels of tHcy and should be further explored. Prospective studies are particularly needed on various treatment for type 2 diabetes and tHcy to explore possible implications for clinical procedures and for public health.
Comparison of rosuvastatin with atorvastatin, simvastatin and pravastatin in achieving cholesterol goals and improving plasma lipids in hypercholesterolaemic patients with or without the metabolic syndrome in the MERCURY I trial
Authors: Stender S. , Schuster H. , Barter P. , Watkins C. , Kallend D. ,   on behalf of the MERCURY I Study Group
Published: July 2005

Aim:  The metabolic syndrome (MS) increases the risk of coronary heart disease, yet few data are available on the effects of statin treatment in improving lipid measures in patients with the syndrome. This analysis compares the effects of statin therapy on plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) goal achievement and lipid levels in hypercholesterolaemic patients with or without the MS.Methods:  The Measuring Effective Reductions in Cholesterol Using Rosuvastatin TherapY I (MERCURY I) trial compared rosuvastatin 10 mg with atorvastatin 10 mg and 20 mg, simvastatin 20 mg and pravastatin 40 mg over 8 weeks in patients with coronary or other atherosclerotic diseases or diabetes who had fasting levels of LDL‐C of ≥2.99 mmol/l and triglycerides of <4.52 mmol/l. Modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria for the MS were met by 1342 (43%) of 3140 patients.Results:  LDL‐C goal achievement rates and reductions in LDL‐C, total cholesterol and non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) were similar in patients with and without the MS within statin treatment groups; triglycerides were reduced more and HDL‐C tended to be increased more in patients with the MS, as expected. Treatment with rosuvastatin 10 mg was more effective in allowing patients with and without the MS to reach European and ATP III LDL‐C goals, compared to atorvastatin 10 mg, simvastatin 20 mg and pravastatin 40 mg (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons); consistently produced greater reductions in LDL‐C, total cholesterol and non‐HDL‐C, compared to these treatments; and produced similar or greater reductions in triglycerides and increases in HDL‐C, compared to the other treatments.Conclusions:  Statin therapy is effective in allowing LDL‐C goal achievement and improving the lipid profile in hypercholesterolaemic high‐risk patients with the MS. Rosuvastatin 10 mg presents significant advantages in goal achievement and lipid lowering over other statins at commonly used doses in patients both with and without the MS.