bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nursing staff mix models and outcomes
Authors: McGillis Hall Linda 
Published: October 2003

Background. Recently, restructuring of the nursing workforce has been undertaken in a number of countries in an effort to provide efficient and cost‐effective services to users. This often takes the form of the introduction of unregulated workers to carry out support roles with registered nurses. However, these changes have not been evaluated for efficacy or impact on nurses, patients or the health care system.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between staff mix models comprising regulated staff (Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses) or regulated and unregulated staff (Registered Nurses and unregulated workers), and nursing and quality outcomes.Methods. This comparative correlational study was conducted in a random sample of 30 adult, acute care patient units within eight hospitals located in Toronto, Canada. Registered Nurses employed on 30 randomly selected hospital units, grouped by the two staff mix models (15 units per group), were surveyed using previously validated instruments to measure role conflict, role ambiguity, job satisfaction, perceived effectiveness of care and perceived quality of care.Results. Results indicated that Registered Nurses in this study experienced high levels of role conflict, regardless of the type of staff mix model within which they worked. Registered Nurses on units employing both Registered Nurses and unregulated workers reported higher levels of job satisfaction. On units employing both Registered Nurses and unregulated workers, Registered Nurses perceived that the quality of care was lower.Conclusions. Staff mix model was related to Registered Nurses’ perceptions of the quality of patient care. It was also evident that other variables within the work environment might have more influence on the outcomes examined than the independent variable of staff mix.
Of plants and other pets: practical aspects of freeze‐substitution and resin embedding
Authors: Hess M. W. 
Published: October 2003

SummaryRepresentative tissues from higher plants (e.g. developing pollen, somatic anther tissues from the monocotyledonous angiosperm Ledebouria) and mammalian cell cultures were successfully cryoimmobilized by means of high‐pressure freezing. Various substitution and embedding protocols were then evaluated considering the preservation of ultrastructural details, membrane staining, immunolabelling properties, as well as reproducibility and ease of use. Two types of recipe proved to be highly suitable for most applications, regardless of type, developmental stage or physiological conditions of the cells: (i) the best choice for morphology is still osmium in acetone (optionally supplemented with uranyl acetate) followed by embedding in Epon and/or Araldite; (ii) feasible approaches for immunocytochemistry are freeze‐substitution with ethanol containing uranyl acetate and formaldehyde, or with pure acetone (in the case of fixation‐sensitive antigens), followed by embedding with LR‐white acrylic resin; though being far from optimal, these combinations represent, in my opinion, an acceptable compromise between labelling intensity, section stability, structural preservation and health hazards. Notably, the patterns observed in Ledebouria were consistent with data obtained from a broad range of other specimens from all kingdoms (e.g. leaves and callus cultures from angiosperms, gymnosperm roots with their ectomycorrhizal fungi, mammalian cell cultures and eubacteria). Finally, a warning is given as to the extractive potentials of embedding resins (Spurr's mixture, LR‐white, but also Epon) being sometimes the cause of unacceptable artefacts, both in plant and in mammalian cells prepared by cryoimmobilization and freeze‐substitution.
Blockade of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in Schistosoma japonicum‐infected mice results in an increased adult worm burden and reduced fecundity
Authors: Stavitsky Abram B. , Metz Christine , Liu Shifan , Xianli Jia , Bucala Richard 
Published: October 2003

SUMMARYMacrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a cytokine produced by many cell types, modulates cellular and humoral immune responses. In schistosomiasis, ova in the portal circulation induce a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) that results in formation of hepatic granulomas (HG) which secrete MIF activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that endogenous MIF modulates immune responses in schistosomiasis. To test this hypothesis, Schistosoma japonicum‐infected mice were injected with rabbit IgG or neutralizing rabbit IgG antibody to MIF 4·5–6·5 week post infection when HG form and female worms are laying eggs. Compared with controls, 6·5–7‐week post‐infection, antibody‐treated mice had 1·7–3 times as many adult worms and half as many ova per worm pair in their livers. In contrast, antibody introduced before infection or 6–8 week post infection did not affect worm burden or fecundity. Thus, for the first time there is evidence that 4·5–6 week post‐infection endogenous MIF somehow mediates reduction of adult worm burden and promotes fecundity. Splenocytes and HG cells from antibody‐treated mice showed reduced intracellular expression of TNFα and/or IL‐10. We hypothesize that endogenous MIF enhances adult worm attrition by up‐regulating innate and adaptive immune responses by increasing expression of MHC‐II, co‐stimulatory, adhesion, receptor and cytokine molecules, and promotes fecundity by up‐regulating TNFα expression.
Enlarging pigmented patches on the hand
Authors: Muellenhoff Matthew , Cukrowski Tiffany , Morgan Michael , Miller Richard 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThis case illustrates the clinical and pathological features of Tinea mgra. Awareness of the characteristic features of this cutaneous infection, especially in areas where the organism is endemic, can ultimately lead clinicians to the appropriate diagnosis. If Tinea nigra should be considered in the differential diagnosis of palmoplantar pigmentation, potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation may facilitate the diagnosis.
Clinical and mycological status of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes (interdigitale) syndrome of chronic dermatophytosis of the skin and nails
Authors: Zaias Nardo , Rebell Gerbert 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe syndrome of tinea pedis caused by human‐adapted Trichophyton mentagrophytes (interdigitale) can be recognized by two signs not characteristically seen in tinea pedis caused by T. rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum:1 bullous > 2 mm vesicles in the thin skin of the plantar arch and along the sides of the feet and heel adjacent to the thick plantar stratum corneum,2 and white superficial onychomycosis. The relationship of the syndrome to zoophilic T. mentagrophytes remains in question.
Treatment of acquired syndactyly by gauze‐fixed epidermal graft after radiosurgery
Authors: Kim Seong Eon , Sun Young‐Woo , Yoon Tae‐Jin , Kim Tae‐Heung 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackground  Acquired syndactyly is a rare disease that occurs mostly after disease, trauma, or other inflammatory conditions. It is usually treated by surgical incision with a flap or full‐thickness skin graft, which is very invasive and requires hospitalization.Objective  The objective was to treat acquired syndactyly with an epidermal graft by suction blister after radiosurgery, because this procedure is much less invasive and can be performed in an outpatient base.Methods  A 65‐year‐old Korean woman had acquired syndactyly after various traditional treatments for tinea pedis. Five days after separation of syndactyly with radiosurgery, we prepared an epidermal sheet by suction blister, placed it on sterile meshed gauze, and applied it to the separated lesion.Results  The patient's lesion was completely healed after 7 days.Conclusion  Gauze‐fixed epidermal graft after radiosurgery is a very effective and simple treatment for shallow acquired syndactyly.
The morphology and ecology of Dipolydora armata (Polychaeta, Spionidae) from the western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Bick Andreas 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBick. A. 2001. The morphology and ecology of Dipolydora armata (Polychaeta, Spionidae) from the western Mediterranean Sea. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 82: 177–187The cosmopolitan spionid Dipolydora armata is a dominant species of epifauna on Thais haemastoma shells in the western Mediterranean Sea. Some characters, particularly number, thickness and arrangement of notopodial spines, were extremely variable among specimens. Three morphological forms were distinguished based on the general appearance of the bundles of spines; one form possesses at least one bundle of stout spines, whereas bundles of medium spines or thinner acicular spines characterise the other forms. Differences in prostomial shape, as well as in the extension and form of the caruncle, were artefacts (preservation or angle of observation). The present study supports D. rogeri as a junior synonym of D. armata. D. armata was regularly found on shells inhabited by hermit crabs (Calcinus tubularis, Clibanarius erythropus) and on damaged, empty shells. Abundance, dominance, size frequency, occurrence of larvae and occurrence of regenerated specimens varied, possibly as a result of fouling strategy and recurrent settlements.
Variation in the stopover duration of Reed WarblersAcrocephalus scirpaceusin Morocco: effects of season, age and site
Authors: Rguibi‐Idrissi Hamid , Julliard Romain , Bairlein Franz 
Published: October 2003

To test the prediction that stopover duration reflects the rate of body mass gain during stopover, the relationship between these two parameters was investigated in the Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusat two sites in Morocco, Sidi Bou Ghaba on the Atlantic coast, and Kerbacha on the Mediterranean coast. Estimation of stopover duration was made using the recently published method by M. Schaubet al. We investigated effects of age and site on stopover parameters during autumn and spring migration. Stopover duration was longer for juveniles than for adults, longer at the Atlantic site than at the Mediterranean site and longer in autumn than in spring. Altogether, estimated stopover duration was longer than expected from previous studies based on minimum stopover duration. Body mass gain varied inconsistently among site, season and age classes, without a clear relation to stopover duration. This suggests that stopover duration is not dependent only on the rate of body mass gain.
Breeding biology and conservation of the Black‐vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas
Authors: Keitt Bradford S. , Tershy Bernie R. , Croll Donald A. 
Published: October 2003

The Black‐vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas is endemic to the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico. We studied the breeding biology of this species at Natividad Island in 1997 and 1998. The colony at Natividad Island covers approximately 2.5 km2 and we estimated there to be 114 455 (± 27 520 95% CI) burrows in the colony. In 1997 burrow occupancy was 66.9%, providing a population estimate of 76 570 (± 18 411 95% CI) breeding pairs, representing about 95% of the world's population of this species. In 1997 the peak in egg laying occurred in early March and hatching began on 7 May. The incubation period averaged 51 days (± 6 sd) and chick rearing averaged 69 days (± 3 sd). In 1998 burrow occupancy was lower (19.6%) and nest initiation was later (peak egg laying in mid‐April), perhaps a result of El Niño conditions that prevailed in the Eastern Pacific at that time. We calculated that the development of the town and roads on Natividad Island have destroyed over 15% (26 532 burrows) of the breeding habitat on the island.
Oscillatory zoning in garnet from the Willsboro Wollastonite Skarn, Adirondack Mts, New York: a record of shallow hydrothermal processes preserved in a granulite facies terrane
Authors: Clechenko C. C. , Valley J. W. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractOscillatory zoning in low δ18O skarn garnet from the Willsboro wollastonite deposit, NE Adirondack Mts, NY, USA, preserves a record of the temporal evolution of mixing hydrothermal fluids from different sources. Garnet with oscillatory zoning are large (1–3 cm diameter) euhedral crystals that grew in formerly fluid filled cavities. They contain millimetre‐scale oscillatory zoning of varying grossular–andradite composition (XAdr = 0.13–0.36). The δ18O values of the garnet zones vary from 0.80 to 6.26‰ VSMOW and correlate with XAdr. The shape, pattern and number of garnet zones varies from crystal to crystal, as does the magnitude of the correlated chemistry changes, suggesting fluid system variability, temporal and/or spatial, over the time of garnet growth. The zones of correlated Fe content and δ18O indicate that a high Fe3+/Al, high δ18O fluid mixed with a lower Fe3+/Al and δ18O fluid. The high δ18O, Fe enriched fluids were likely magmatic fluids expelled from crystallizing anorthosite. The low δ18O fluids were meteoric in origin.These are the first skarn garnet with oscillatory zoning reported from granulite facies rocks. Geochronologic, stable isotope, petrologic and field evidence indicates that the Adirondacks are a polymetamorphic terrane, where localized contact metamorphism around shallowly intruded anorthosite was followed by a regional granulite facies overprint. The growth of these garnet in equilibrium with meteoric and magmatic fluids indicates an origin in the shallow contact aureole of the anorthosite prior to regional metamorphism. The zoning was preserved due to the slow diffusion of oxygen and cations in the large garnet and protection from deformation and recrystallization in zones of low strain in thick, rigid, garnetite layers. The garnet provide new information about the hydrothermal system adjacent to the shallowly intruded massif anorthosite that predates regional metamorphism in this geologically complex, polymetamorphic terrane.
Stable isotope constraints on the Al2SiO5‘triple‐point’ rocks from the Proterozoic Priest pluton contact aureole, New Mexico, USA
Authors: Larson T. E. , Sharp Z. D. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe Priest pluton contact aureole in the Manzano Mountains, central New Mexico preserves evidence for upper amphibolite contact metamorphism and localized retrograde hydrothermal alteration associated with intrusion of the 1.42 Ga Priest pluton. Quartz–garnet and quartz–sillimanite oxygen isotope fractionations in pelitic schist document an increase in the temperatures of metamorphism from 540 °C, at a distance of 1 km from the pluton, to 690 °C at the contact with the pluton. Comparison of calculated temperature estimates with one‐dimensional thermal modelling suggests that background temperatures between 300 and 350 °C existed at the time of intrusion of the Priest pluton. Fibrolite is found within 300 m of the Priest pluton in pelitic and aluminous schist metamorphosed at temperatures >580 °C. Coexisting fibrolite and garnet in pelitic schist are in oxygen isotope equilibrium, suggesting these minerals were stable reaction products during peak metamorphism. The fibrolite‐in isograd is coincident with the staurolite‐out isograd in pelitic schist, and K‐feldspar is not observed with the first occurrence of fibrolite. This suggests that the breakdown of staurolite and not the second sillimanite reaction controls fibrolite growth in staurolite‐bearing pelitic schist. Muscovite‐rich aluminous schist locally preserves the Al2SiO5 polymorph triple‐point assemblage – kyanite, andalusite and fibrolite. Andalusite and fibrolite, but not kyanite, are in isotopic equilibrium in the aluminous schist. Co‐nucleation of fibrolite and andalusite at 580 °C in the presence of muscovite and absence of K‐feldspar suggests that univariant growth of andalusite and fibrolite occurred. Kyanite growth occurred during an earlier regional metamorphic event at a temperature nearly 80 °C lower than andalusite and fibrolite growth. Quartz–muscovite fractionations in hydrothermally altered pelitic schist and quartzite are small or negative, suggesting that late isotopic exchange between externally derived fluids and muscovite, but not quartz, occurred after peak contact metamorphism and that hydrothermal alteration in pelitic schist and quartzite occurred below the closure temperature of oxygen self diffusion in quartz (<500 °C).
Association of the Heart Rate Turbulence with Classic Risk Stratification Parameters in Postmyocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Jeron Andreas , Kaiser Tanja , Hengstenberg Christian , Löwel Hannelore , Riegger Günter AJ , Holmer Stephan 
Published: October 2003

The heart rate turbulence (HRT) parameters were introduced for risk stratification of ventricular arrhythmias in postmyocardial infarction patients. However, the relationship of these parameters with other risk stratificators such as heart rate variability (HRV), repolarization parameters or left ventricular function is unknown. Furthermore, the influence of age and medication on HRT remains to be evaluated. Holter ECG's of 509 post‐MI patients (1–10 years after MI) were screened for single ventricular extrasystole. In 196 patients the parameters' turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) could be computed. A pathological TO (>0%) and TS (<2.5 ms) was found in 58 and 54 patients, respectively. HRT was not related to gender, but was correlated with age (TS: r = 0.209, P < 0.01). No relationship was observed between QT interval, QTc interval or QT dispersion and HRT parameters. Individuals with a pathological HRT showed decreased HRV values (e.g., PNN50: 2.8 vs. 11.5; P < 0.001). Of all MI patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction (EF < 45%, n = 46), 18 showed a pathological TO (39%) compared to 34 out of 142 patients (24%) with an EF > 45%. In contrast, the percentage of pathological HRT was not different between patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (16 out of 59, 27%) compared to patients without LVH (38 out of 133, 28%). The HRT was pathological in 14 out of 24 patients with diabetes mellitus (58%) compared to 40 out of 172 (23%) normoglycemic patients (TO: −0.6 ± 3.1 vs. −2.5 ± 5.5, P < 0.02). HRT was similar in patients with ß‐blockers (n = 96) as in patients without ß‐blockers (n = 100).In stable post‐MI patients, HRT is influenced by age and left ventricular function and correlates with heart rate variability. Therapy with ß‐blockers has no influence on HRT, while diabetic patients may have an increased likelihood of pathological HRT.
Are Reciprocal Changes a Consequence of “Ischemia at a Distance” or Merely a Benign Electrical Phenomenon? A Pulsed‐Wave Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Çelik Şükrü , Yilmaz Remzi , Baykan Merih , Örem Cihan , Erdöl Cevdet 
Published: October 2003

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ST segment depression in precordial leads at the time of acute inferior myocardial infarction represents a reciprocal change rather than concurrent anterior wall ischemia on the surface electrocardiography. Background: The mechanism of reciprocal ST segment depression during acute myocardial infarction is controversial. “Ischemia at a distance” or a benign electrical phenomenon has been implicated in numerous reports. Pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler (PWTD) echocardiography can be used to examine the regional diastolic motion of the left ventricular myocardial wall and may allow the detection of ischemic segments. Methods: We evaluated regional myocardial ischemia using PWTD echocardiography in 48 patients with a first inferior wall myocardial infarction. The left ventricle was divided into 16 segments. PWTD echocardiographic velocities were obtained from each left ventricular segments. Results: Reciprocal ST segment depression was present in 35 patients (Group 1) but not in the remaining 13 patients (Group 2). There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 with respect to systolic (S) (7.4 ± 1.1 vs 6.8 ± 0.9 cm/s; P > 0.05), early (E) (10.5 ± 2 vs 9.4 ± 1.2 cm/s; P > 0.05), and late (A) (9.5 ± 3.2 vs 8.5 ± 2.3 cm/s; P > 0.05) diastolic waves peak velocities, E/A ratio 1.1 ± 0.2 vs 1.1 ± 0.1; P > 0.05), Ewave deceleration time (DT) (92 ± 17 vs 101 ± 16 ms; P > 0.05) and regional relaxation time (RT) (82 ± 19 vs 93 ± 21 ms; P > 0.05) in anterior wall (basal levels), which correspond to reciprocal ST segment depression on electrocardiography. According to E/A ratio detected by PWTD echocardiography in anterior wall and anterior septum, patients with reciprocal ST segment depression were also divided into two groups: Group A, with E/A ratio > 1; Group B, with E/A ratio < 1. Among the 35 patients with reciprocal ST segment depression, anterior wall ischemia was present in 10 patients and absent in 25 patients, whereas anterior septal ischemia was present 12 patients and absent in 23 patients. Conclusions: Reciprocal ST segment depression during the early phases of inferior infarction is an electrical reflection of primary ST segment elevation in the area of infarction.
Effect of rice lines transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes on the brown planthopper and its predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis
Authors: Bernal Carmencita C. , Aguda Remedios M. , Cohen Michael B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractFive transgenic rice lines, each containing an insecticidal toxin gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) under control of a different promoter, were tested for effects on two non‐target insects: the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), and its predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae). Bt toxin was detected by ELISA in the honeydew of N. lugens that fed on rice lines with the CaMV 35S and actin promoters. Nilaparvata lugens produced greater volumes of acidic honeydew (derived from xylem feeding) on all five Bt rice lines than on non‐transgenic control lines. The amount of honeydew derived from phloem feeding did not differ between Bt and control lines. There were no differences between N. lugens reared on Bt and control lines in any of the five fitness parameters measured (survival to the adult stage, male and female weight, and male and female developmental time). There were no differences between C. lividipennis reared on N. lugens nymphs from Bt and control lines, in any of the three fitness parameters examined (survival to the adult stage and male and female developmental time). Our results indicate that N. lugens and its natural enemies will be exposed to Bt toxins from rice lines transformed with some Bt gene constructs, but that this exposure might not affect N. lugens and C. lividipennis fitness.