bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of chronic wheel running on the fatty acid composition of phospholipids and triacylglycerols in rat serum, skeletal muscle and heart
Authors: Nikolaidis M. G. , Petridou A. , Matsakas A. , Schulz T. , Michna H. , Mougios V. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAim:  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long‐term wheel running on the fatty acid composition of phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerols (TG) in rat serum, skeletal muscle (soleus and extensor digitorum longus) and heart.Methods:  To this end, the relevant tissues of 11 trained male Wistar rats were compared with those of 14 untrained ones.Results:  There were several significant differences between the two groups regarding the concentrations and percentages of individual fatty acids in serum PL and TG, with most differences appearing in the fatty acid distribution of PL. Monounsaturated fatty acids of muscle PL were significantly lower in the trained rats. Estimated elongase activity was significantly higher, whereas Δ9‐desaturase activity was significantly lower in the trained muscles. Monounsaturated fatty acids of PL were also significantly lower in the trained hearts. The fatty acid composition of PL in the skeletal muscles and the heart adapted to training in a comparable manner, whereas most of the changes in the fatty acid profile of TG were tissue‐dependent. Judging from the magnitude of the effect sizes and the percentage differences between trained and untrained animals, there were many large effects of chronic exercise on the fatty acid composition of the tissues examined.Conclusion:  Long‐term wheel running modified the fatty acid profile of PL and TG in rat serum, skeletal muscle and heart, and could thus be considered as a modulator of tissue fatty acid composition.
Glycogen debranching enzyme is associated with rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Lees S. J. , Chen Y.‐T. , Williams J. H. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAims:  Gel electrophoresis revealed a band of molecular weight ∼160 000 Da associated with the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicle preparations. This investigation sought to examine glycogen debranching enzyme associated with skeletal muscle SR.Methods:  Sarcoplasmic reticulum samples were also taken from muscle whose glycogen content had been reduced either via stimulation of the sciatic nerve or α‐amylase treatment of muscle homogenates.Results:  The stimulation protocol reduced whole muscle glycogen by 86% (7.4 ± 0.4 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3 μg mg−1 wet mass, P ≤ 0.05). Glycogen associated with the SR was reduced by 82% in the stimulation protocol (533 ± 82 vs. 96 ± 7 μg mg−1 protein) and by 94% in α‐amylase treatment (493 ± 11 vs. 29 ± 2 μg mg−1 protein), respectively. Gel electrophoresis and Western blots revealed that the content of glycogen debranching enzyme was reduced by ∼53% as a result of muscle stimulation and by ∼46% in α‐amylase treatment (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, glycogen debranching enzyme activity was reduced by 61% in stimulated samples compared with control (20.3 ± 1.0 vs. 8.0 ± 1.2 nmol mg−1 min−1, respectively), a value consistent with reductions observed from gel electrophoresis and Western blots.Conclusion:  These results confirm that similar to glycogen phosphorylase, glycogen debranching enzyme is associated with the skeletal muscle SR and is dissociated under exercise conditions.
Time‐course changes in VEGF expression and capillarity in the early stage of exercise training with Co2+ treatment in rat skeletal muscles
Authors: Suzuki J. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAim:  Cobalt administration was reported to mimic hypoxia. This study was designed to examine the time‐course changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and capillary geometry in skeletal muscles during endurance training with CoCl2 administration in female Wistar rats.Methods:  Exercise training by running lasted for up to 10 days at 25 m min−1 on a 20% gradient, 15–42 min day−1. Rats in the Co2+‐treated groups drank water containing 0.01% CoCl2. Serial frozen sections were stained for alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidylpeptidase IV to identify capillary profiles and VEGF‐A protein.Results:  In the soleus muscle, the density of VEGF‐positive capillaries (VEGF‐cap) was significantly increased after 6 and 10 days of the Co2+ administration (by 27 and 65% respectively) while the capillary‐to‐fibre ratio (C : F) first increased after 10 days. The training with Co2+ significantly increased VEGF‐cap by 69, 44 and 60%, respectively, after 3, 6 and 10 days. The VEGF‐cap was significantly increased after 6 and 10 days of training alone by 38 and 58%, respectively. In a similar extent, both training groups with and without Co2+ showed a significant increase in the C : F ratio after 6 and 10 days.Conclusions:  The present results suggest that activation of the cellular oxygen‐sensing mechanism induced by Co2+ administration slightly facilitates an expression of VEGF but does not facilitate exercise‐induced microvascular remodelling in hind‐leg muscles.
Effects of ageing on the energy balance of food‐restricted rats
Authors: Passadore M. D. , Griggio M. A. , Nunes M. T. , Luz J. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAims:  Age can alter energy balance by decreasing the resting metabolic rate. Food restriction can also change energy balance by decreasing energy expenditure as a mechanism of energy conservation. We investigated the influence of food restriction on the energy balance of rats at different ages.Methods:  Wistar EPM‐1 female rats were used at ages of 3, 9, 15 and 21 months. At each age, two food intake schedules were provided: control (ad libitum) and food restriction (50%). Animals remained under these schedules for 30 days, and throughout this period body weight, food intake, and stool collection were controlled daily. On the 30th day, animals were killed, blood was collected and the carcasses and faeces were processed for analysis by pump calorimetry. Blood glucose, T3, T4 and rT3 levels were determined.Results:  Food restriction reduced energy gain and gross food efficiency of animals at different ages, but more so in older animals. Food‐restricted rats also had lower energy expenditure than controls. This reduction was about 40% of the energy expenditure of control animals irrespective of age. Water content increased and fat content decreased in the carcass of food‐restricted animals. Serum T3 and T4 levels were lower in food‐restricted animals pointing out to a major role of thyroid hormones in the mechanism of energy conservation exhibited by food‐restricted animals.Conclusions:  The mechanism of energy conservation takes place in all restricted animals and is very important for survival and for species preservation, mainly in aged animals in which food restriction is frequently aggravated by senescence‐related organic disorders.
Hydralazine treatment alters body composition in the rabbit model of obesity
Authors: Carroll Joan F. , King Jeffrey W. , Cohen Joshua S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAims:  While hydralazine is commonly used as monotherapy in animal studies, its potential side effects are seldom acknowledged. Purported side effects occur from sympathetic and renin–angiotensin system activation, and include tachycardia, oedema, and nausea. We hypothesized that these side effects would alter body composition by increasing body water and/or decreasing body fat.Methods:  Female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into lean and obese control and hydralazine‐treated groups. Lean rabbits ate a maintenance diet for 12 weeks; obese rabbits ate an ad lib high fat diet. Hydralazine was administered at 6 and 10–14 mg kg−1 day−1 for lean and obese hydralazine groups, respectively. Body composition was determined using triplicate 2–3 g samples of whole body homogenate, and analysed using 2 × 2 anova for diet vs. hydralazine effects.Results:  Hydralazine‐treated animals had lower body fat (15.7 ± 1.1 and 21.8 ± 1.0%, respectively) and higher body water (59.8 ± 0.8 and 55.4 ± 0.6%, respectively) compared with controls. While obese controls were heavier than obese hydralazine‐treated animals (5.12 ± 0.09 vs. 4.73 ± 0.11 kg, respectively) and had greater overall feed consumption (13.5 ± 0.4 vs. 11.8 ± 0.4 kg, respectively), a subsequent analysis using subsets that did not differ in body weight or feed consumption yielded the same conclusions. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline did not differ between control and hydralazine‐treated groups.Conclusions:  Use of hydralazine to control blood pressure alters body composition. Direct or indirect effects of hydralazine may impact physiological systems under study. Alterations in adipose tissue may be of particular concern because of its endocrine function.
Long‐term endurance training does not prevent the age‐related decrease in left ventricular relaxation properties
Authors: Nottin S. , Nguyen L.‐D. , Terbah M. , Obert P. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAim:  Diastolic filling dynamics in the long‐term endurance trained elderly has previously been examined by transmitral flow velocity, which has been shown to be preload dependant. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long‐term endurance training on left ventricular (LV) relaxation in older individuals by using pulsed tissue Doppler imaging.Methods:  Fourteen master athletes with a history of intensive long‐term endurance training, 14 aged‐matched sedentary controls and 15 young adult men underwent standard Doppler echocardiography and pulsed Doppler tissue imaging, performed in four‐chambers apical view, by placing a sample volume at the level of the mitral annulus.Results:  Stroke volume was significantly higher and heart rate lower in master athletes compared with aged‐matched sedentary subjects. Transmitral Peak E velocity and ratio E/A were significantly higher in master athletes, but did not reach the values of young men. Peak LV wall motion during the early filling phase, an index of LV relaxation, were significantly higher in young men than in both groups of older individuals. However, similar values were obtained between master athletes and sedentary counterparts.Conclusions:  Our data provide evidence that long‐term training does not reduce the age‐related decline in LV relaxation properties in humans. This finding implies that other mechanisms, such as increased LV filling pressures due to expanded blood volume, are probably responsible for the higher contribution of early diastolic filling to LV filling in master athletes compared with their sedentary counterparts. However this hypothesis needs to be confirmed.
A preventative health education programme for osteoporosis
Authors: Whitehead Dean , Keast John , Montgomery Val , Hayman Sue 
Published: May 2004

Background.  Osteoporosis is a preventable disease that is usually not managed until the disease becomes evident, although it places huge economic and social burdens on societies worldwide. It is predicted that this burden will grow if left unchecked. Despite this, evidence suggests that osteoporosis prevention activity is given a low priority, and services often only provide biomedically‐based programmes, in which resources are predominantly allocated to screening and pharmacological treatments. Referral to these services mostly occurs when a client is already known to have osteoporosis or to be at risk, rather than as an early preventative intervention.Aim.  This paper reports an action research project with one hospital osteoporosis service. The aim of the project was to assess the current service, identify areas where change was needed, and evaluate the implementation of such changes.Method.  Participatory action research was used, with group meetings and reflective journals to collect data for analysis. The process involved assessment of a preventative osteoporosis service, and determination of clinical issues and problems, and it aided decisions on an appropriate course of organizational reform and evaluated any change processes as they occurred. It also encouraged participants to reflect on and evaluate their experiences of using a participatory framework.Conclusion.  A change programme was implemented that focused on preventative health education activity in a range of clinical settings. Over the two and a half years of the project, the osteoporosis service expanded its programme to include a wide range of preventative activities, running alongside other organizational reforms.
Promoting participation in cardiac rehabilitation: patient choices and experiences
Authors: Clark Alexander M. , Barbour Rosaline S. , White Myra , MacIntyre Paul D. 
Published: May 2004

Background.  Cardiac rehabilitation can be an effective means for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, but a majority of eligible individuals fail to attend or drop out prematurely. Little research has examined patients’ decisions about attendance.Aims.  This paper reports a study examining patients’ beliefs and decision‐making about cardiac rehabilitation attendance.Methods.  A purposive sample of patients from a mixed urban–rural region of Scotland was studied in 2001 using focus groups. Those who were eligible for a standardized 12‐week cardiac rehabilitation programme were compared, with separate focus groups held for individuals with high attendance (>60% attendance; n = 27), high rates of attrition (<60% attendance; n = 9) and non‐attendance (0% attendance; n = 8). A total of 44 patients (33 men; 11 women) took part in eight focus groups.Results.  Participants from all groups held sophisticated and cohesive frameworks of beliefs that influenced their attendance decisions. These beliefs related to the self, coronary heart disease, cardiac rehabilitation, other attending patients, and health professionals’ knowledge base. An enduring embarrassment about group or public exercise also influenced attendance. Those who attended reported increased faith in their bodies, a heightened sense of fitness and a willingness to support new patients who attended.Conclusions.  Reassurance to ease exercise embarrassment should be given before and during the early stages of programmes, and this could be provided by existing patients. Strategies to promote inclusion should address the inhibiting factors identified in the study, and should present cardiac rehabilitation as a comprehensive programme of activities likely to be of benefit to the individual irrespective of personal characteristics, such as age, sex or exercise capacity.
Staff and patient perceptions of seclusion: has anything changed?
Authors: Meehan Tom , Bergen Helen , Fjeldsoe Kevin 
Published: May 2004

Background.  Seclusion continues to be widely used in the management of disturbed behaviour in hospitalized patients. While early research on the topic highlighted significant differences in staff and patient perceptions, there are few recent data to indicate if these differences still exist.Aim.  This paper reports a study exploring the perceptions of both nursing staff and patients towards the reasons for seclusion; its effects; patients’ feelings during seclusion; and possible changes to the practice.Methods.  Sixty nursing staff and 29 patients who had experienced seclusion at three inpatient units in Queensland, Australia completed Heyman's Attitudes to Seclusion Survey.Results.  The findings indicate that the two groups differed significantly on a number of the dimensions assessed. Nurses believed seclusion to be very necessary, not very punitive and a highly therapeutic practice that assisted patients to calm down and feel better. Patients, on the other hand, believed that seclusion was used frequently for minor disturbances and as a means of staff exerting power and control. Patients also believed that seclusion resulted in them feeling punished, and had little therapeutic value.Conclusion.  The disagreement between staff and patients highlights the need for greater dialogue between these groups. While nursing staff require greater understanding of how patients feel about seclusion, patients require information on why and how seclusion is implemented.
The intensive care experience: development of the ICE questionnaire
Authors: Rattray Janice , Johnston Marie , Wildsmith J.A.W. 
Published: May 2004

Background.  Previous research has shown that patients’ reported memories of intensive care are often of unpleasant events which are described as frightening and persecutory in nature. Currently, there is no standardized way of assessing perceptions of such an experience or relating it to long‐term outcome.Aims.  This paper describes the development of an intensive care experience questionnaire which aims to (a) identify the domains of such an experience, (b) assess and quantify that experience, and (c) explore its impact on short‐ and long‐term emotional outcome.Methods.  Data from two studies are reported. Participants were non‐elective patients and ≥18 years of age with an ICU stay ≥24 hours. Study 1 (n = 34) generated and developed items. Study 2 (n = 109) allowed evaluation of the factor analytic structure and psychometrics of the questionnaire.Results.  From a set of 31 items, exploratory factor analysis identified four components of the intensive care experience: ‘awareness of surroundings’ (nine items), ‘frightening experiences’ (six items), ‘recall of experience’ (five items), and ‘satisfaction with care’ (four items). Cronbach's α statistics were acceptable for each component (0·71–0·93). Correlational analysis with the subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale demonstrated concurrent and univariate predictive validity. The intensive care experience was associated with adverse emotional outcome in both the short‐ and long‐term.Discussion.  The intensive care experience questionnaire identified four dimensions of experience and performed satisfactorily in these developmental analyses. Further study of an independent intensive care unit data set is necessary to confirm these findings, including the four‐component structure. Development of a standardized measure provides the opportunity to increase our understanding of the intensive care experience. The questionnaire may be useful to inform the development of effective interventions to improve subsequent outcomes for these patients.
Evaluation of the Rhodes Index of Nausea and Vomiting for ambulatory surgery patients
Authors: Fetzer Susan J. , Hand Mark C. , Bouchard Pat A. , Smith Heather , Jenkins Mary Beth 
Published: May 2004

Background.  The Index of Nausea and Vomiting (INV), developed by Rhodes and others in 1984, measures three dimensions of upper gastrointestinal distress: nausea, vomiting and retching (NVR). While the revised version has been tested with a variety of high‐risk populations, there are no data suggesting that it can be used to assess upper gastrointestinal distress among the growing numbers of ambulatory or day surgery patients.Aim.  The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified version of the INV for use with ambulatory surgery patients.Methods.  A secondary analysis was conducted using data obtained from a descriptive study designed to identify risk factors for postdischarge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) among adult ambulatory surgery patients. Patients who reported PDNV (n = 190) participated via phone interview 24 hours after discharge by completing a modified Rhodes INV.Findings.  Reliability analysis (α = 0·897) indicated that the modified Rhodes INV measured upper gastrointestinal distress as a single concept in the postdischarge ambulatory surgical sample. One item of the 8‐item scale was dropped. Principal component analysis extracted one factor that accounted for 67% of the variance with all items loading.Conclusions.  Upper gastrointestinal distress following ambulatory surgery discharge comprises a different symptom mix than during other high‐risk events such as pregnancy or chemotherapy. Further research on the differences in assessing NVR among different populations is indicated.
Emotional intelligence in nursing work
Authors: McQueen Anne C.H. 
Published: May 2004

Background.  Emotional labour has been widely accepted in the literature as part of nursing work, however the contribution of emotional intelligence in the nursing context requires further study.Aim.  This paper aims to present an analysis of the literature on emotional intelligence and emotional labour, and consider the value of emotional intelligence to nursing.Method.  A literature search was undertaken using the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Search terms used were ‘emotions’, ‘intelligence’, ‘emotions and intelligence’ and ‘emotional labour’. A hand‐search of relevant journals and significant references added to the data.Results.  Emotional intelligence plays an important part in forming successful human relationships. Emotional labour is important in establishing therapeutic nurse–patient relationships but carries the risk of ‘burnout’ if prolonged or intense. To prevent this, nurses need to adopt strategies to protect their health. The potential value of emotional intelligence in this emotional work is an issue that still needs to be explored.Conclusions.  Analysis of the literature suggests that the modern demands of nursing draw on the skills of emotional intelligence to meet the needs of direct patient care and co‐operative negotiations with the multidisciplinary team. The significance of this needs to be recognized in nurse education. The link between emotional intelligence and emotional labour is a fruitful area for further research. The potential benefits of gaining a better understanding of how these concepts interact is largely conjecture until we have more evidence. The prospect that there may be advantages to both nurses and patients is a motivating factor for future researchers.
Workplace breastfeeding support for hospital employees
Authors: Dodgson Joan E. , Chee Yuet‐Oi , Yap Tian Sew 
Published: May 2004

Background.  Breastfeeding initiation rates have been steadily rising in Hong Kong, but most employed women wean prior to returning to work. While health care providers promote breastfeeding, women receive little support from employers. A few health care facilities offer some workplace breastfeeding support, but little is known about the specific types and amount of support that are offered.Aims.  This paper reports a study whose aim was to describe workplace supports available to breastfeeding women employed by hospitals that provide maternity services in Hong Kong, and to determine if differences in workplace supports exist based on the hospitals’ numbers of employees or funding source.Methods.  In late 2001, a cross‐sectional survey was completed by nurse managers or lactation consultants most knowledgeable about supports to breastfeeding employees in 19 hospitals.Findings.  The number of workplace breastfeeding supports or Breastfeeding Support Score (M = 7·47; sd = 3·37) varied considerably. Mean Breastfeeding Support Score for government‐funded hospitals was significantly higher (t = 2·31; P = 0·03) than for private hospitals. Of the 14 hospitals that had a designated space for using a breast pump, only five (26·3%) had a private room with a door that locked. Only two hospitals (11·1%) allowed employees to take breaks as needed to use a pump; employees in 10 (55·6%) had to use their meal and regular break times. Hospitals having a hospital‐wide committee that addressed workplace breastfeeding issues had a more supportive environment for breastfeeding employees. Although all surveyed hospitals returned the questionnaire, the sample size was small. It was difficult to ensure accuracy and to differentiate subtle variations in the services provided using a self‐report survey.Conclusions.  Facilitating continued breastfeeding after employees’ return to work requires that employers understand the needs of breastfeeding employees. Policy at the level of the employer and government is an essential component of creating a supportive environment.