bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids suppress transcriptional up‐regulation of bradykinin receptors in a murine in vitro model of chronic airway inflammation
Authors: Zhang Y. , Adner M. , Cardell L.‐O. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground
Glucocorticoids are effective drugs for controlling symptoms and airway inflammation in respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the mechanisms behind their effects are not fully understood. We have recently demonstrated that prolonged exposure to the pro‐inflammatory mediator tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) markedly enhanced contractile responses to des‐Arg9‐bradykinin (selective bradykinin B1 receptor agonist) and bradykinin (selective bradykinin B2 receptor agonist) in murine airways. This increase was paralleled with elevated mRNA levels for bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors, a process involving intracellular mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways.Objective
To investigate the effects of glucocorticoids on the TNF‐α up‐regulated bradykinin B1 and B2 receptor response.Methods
Tracheal segments from BALB/c J mice were cultured with and without TNF‐α, in the absence and presence of the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D or the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. The contractile response induced by des‐Arg9‐bradykinin and bradykinin was subsequently assessed in a myograph system and mRNA for bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors was quantified using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.Results
Actinomycin D abolished and dexamethasone concentration‐dependently suppressed the TNF‐α‐induced enhancement of the des‐Arg9‐bradykinin and bradykinin responses. This was paralleled by a reduction of the mRNA expression for the bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors.Conclusion
The presented data suggests the involvement of transcriptional mechanisms in the up‐regulation of bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors during asthmatic airway inflammation, as well as in their down‐regulation following glucocorticoid treatment.
Sensitization to dust mites in children with allergic rhinitis in Singapore: does it matter if you scratch while you sneeze?
Authors: Kidon M. I. , Chiang W. C. , Liew W. K. , Lim S. H. , See Y. , Goh A. , Tan J. P. L. , Chay O. M. , Balakrishnan A. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground
Previously published data established Blomia tropicalis, as the major source of allergic sensitization in asthmatic children in tropical Singapore.Objective
To define the prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of species‐specific mite sensitization in paediatric allergic rhinitis (AR) patients in this unique environment.Methods
We performed a prospective evaluation of newly diagnosed AR patients, from 1 May 2003 to 30 April 2004, from the otolaryngology and allergy outpatient clinics of the Kendang Kerbau Children's Hospital in Singapore. Patients included in the study showed evidence of sensitization to at least one respiratory allergen source and completed a detailed questionnaire. Relative risk of sensitization and associated risk factors were calculated using logistic regression analysis with the forward stepwise model. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding interactions. Continuous values were compared using anova, SPSS 9.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., 1999).Results
One hundred and seventy‐five patients were included, 119 (68%) males, 142 (81%) Chinese, age mean 7.9 years (range 2–16). Sixty‐eight patients (39%) reported a concomitant diagnosis and/or clinical complaints of bronchial asthma and 84 (48%) of atopic dermatitis. Skin prick test results were positive for traditional house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. and D. farinae mix) in 85% of patients and for B. tropicalis in 62%. Overall mite sensitization was 98%, household pets 10%, moulds 9% and food proteins 12%. By far the single most significant factor associated with Dermatophagoides sensitization in this group was the presence of allergic eczema (odds ratio (OR) 31.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6–285, P=0.002). Allergic eczema was negatively associated with B. tropicalis sensitization (OR 0.26%, 95% CI 0.14–0.5).Conclusions
Children with AR and concomitant atopic dermatitis show a preferential sensitization to the Dermatophagoides mites. In our population, B. tropicalis sensitization is more prominent in children with pure respiratory allergy.
Allergen‐induced cytokine phenotypes in mice: role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations
Authors: Dearman R. J. , Humphreys N. , Skinner R. A. , Kimber I. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground
CD4+ T cells expressing type 2 cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma to high‐molecular‐weight allergens. Topical exposure of BALB/c strain mice to low‐molecular‐weight chemical contact and respiratory allergens stimulates type 1 and type 2 cytokine secretion phenotypes, respectively.Objective
To examine the relative frequencies of cytokine‐positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and their contributions to these cytokine secretion profiles.Methods
Draining auricular lymph nodes were isolated 13 days after initiation of topical exposure of female BALB/c strain mice to chemical allergen, or to vehicle alone. The frequency of intracellular cytokine (IL‐4 and IFN‐γ)‐positive CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was enumerated by flow cytometry. The relative contribution of CD4+ and CD8+ cells to cytokine secretion profiles was assessed by negative selection.Results
Exposure to allergen resulted in an increased frequency of both IFN‐γ+ CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, although there were no marked differences between trimellitic anhydride (TMA)‐ and 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)‐activated lymph node cells. Treatment with TMA induced approximately five times as many IL‐4+ CD4+ cells as did exposure to DNCB. This pattern of cytokine staining was also observed for a further pair of contact and respiratory allergens; respectively, formalin and fluorescein isothiocyanate.Conclusion
These data demonstrate that the divergent immune responses induced in mice by different classes of chemical allergen are independent of changes in the frequency of IFN‐γ+ cells, but are associated with differential frequencies of IL‐4‐expressing CD4+ T cells.
Increased responsiveness of basophils of patients with chronic urticaria to sera but hypo‐responsiveness to other stimuli
Authors: Luquin E. , Kaplan A. P. , Ferrer M. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground
Although it has been shown that basophils from patients with chronic ordinary urticaria (CU) are less responsive than normal basophils when stimulated with anti‐IgE, very few studies have examined the response of those cells to alternative stimuli.Objective
To compare releasability between basophils from healthy donors and patients with CU.Methods
We examined the response of IL‐3‐treated basophils from healthy donors, atopic controls and CU patients to anti‐IgE, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), bradykinin, C5a and to sera obtained from other urticaria patients and normal controls. We also compared the response of basophils from CU patients whose sera activate normal basophils (autoimmune CU) from those who do not (idiopathic CU).Results
Basophils of CU patients release significantly less histamine than basophils of normal controls when stimulated with anti‐IgE, and to a lesser degree with C5a. No differences were observed when basophils from patients were incubated with Bradykinin or MCP‐1. However, when basophils of CU patients were incubated with sera from other CU patients or even normal sera, we found significantly higher histamine release compared with the response of basophils from normal donors. We could not distinguish responsiveness of basophils of patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.Conclusion
Basophils of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and chronic autoimmune urticaria are hypo‐responsive to anti‐IgE and C5a, normally responsive to MCP‐1 or bradykinin, and hyper‐responsive to serum. The serum factor to which a response has not yet been identified; however, basophils of patients with chronic urticaria, in general, appear to have abnormal regulation of signaling pathways.
Exercise and aspirin increase levels of circulating gliadin peptides in patients with wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis
Authors: Matsuo H. , Morimoto K. , Akaki T. , Kaneko S. , Kusatake K. , Kuroda T. , Niihara H. , Hide M. , Morita E. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground
Food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is an allergic reaction characteristically induced by intense exercise combined with the ingestion of causative food. Recent reports have shown that aspirin intake is a contributing factor in some patients with FDEIA. Wheat is known to be the most frequent causative food, and the IgE‐binding epitopes of a major wheat allergen (ω‐5 gliadin) in wheat‐dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) have already been clarified. However, the mechanism of eliciting the symptom in WDEIA remains not fully understood.Objectives
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of serum gliadin levels and allergic symptoms induced by exercise or aspirin in patients with WDEIA.Methods
Six patients with a history of recurrent anaphylaxis associated with wheat ingestion were diagnosed as having WDEIA by the provocation test, which included wheat ingestion, exercise, aspirin intake and a combination of these challenges. During the tests, serum levels of gliadins were monitored by gliadin‐specific sandwich ELISA. The effects of exercise and aspirin on serum gliadin levels were also investigated in four healthy subjects.Results
Immunoreactive gliadins appeared in the sera of patients during the provocation test with both wheat‐exercise and wheat‐aspirin challenges in parallel with allergic symptoms. Serum gliadin levels also increased under the two same challenge conditions in the healthy subjects, although they exhibited no allergic symptoms. However, low levels of gliadin were detected in the sera of both patients and healthy subjects when challenged with wheat alone.Conclusion
We demonstrated for the first time that blood gliadin levels correlate with clinical symptoms induced by exercise and aspirin in patients with WDEIA. These findings suggest that exercise and aspirin facilitate allergen absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.
Nursing diagnoses: factors affecting their use in charting standardized care plans
Authors: Lee Ting‐Ting 
Published: April 2005

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to explore factors that may affect nurses’ use of nursing diagnoses in charting standardized nursing care plans in their daily practice.Background.  Care plans have been viewed as providing a structured approach to the assessment, planning and delivery of patient care. Nonetheless, the challenge for many institutions is to help professional nursing staff refine their understanding of nursing diagnoses and charting skills, to identify patient problems and propose appropriate care plans.Method.  Twelve clinical nurses working at a medical center in Taiwan underwent one‐on‐one in‐depth interviews from May to July 2000. Data analysis was based on Miles and Huberman's data reduction, data display, and a conclusion verification process to investigate the charting process.Findings.  Nurses tended to match patient conditions to the designated nursing diagnoses, be unfamiliar with statements of related factors, use objective data to describe patient conditions, ignore descriptions of nursing goals, dutifully check interventions without always executing them, and choose the same evaluation to meet hospital requirements.Conclusions.  These findings suggest that using educational programmes for enhancing nurses’ ability to use nursing diagnoses and exploring the process of diagnostic reasoning would improve the quality of patient documentation.Relevance to clinical practice.  The trend in health care is to focus on chart audit to reveal indicators of quality of care. Therefore, the experience of nurses in this study could be applied to in‐service training programmes by institutions that are replacing traditional, manually written care plans with a standardized care planning system, thus helping other nurses through this transition process.
Nurses’ view of the family in psychiatric care
Authors: Sjöblom Lena‐Mari , Pejlert Anita , Asplund Kenneth 
Published: April 2005

Aims.  The aim of this study is to examine nurses’ view of the family in psychiatric care.Background.  The families of people who are mentally ill carry a heavy burden. Research has shown that they experience sorrow, shame and guilt. They are often involved in informal caring and there is evidence of families playing an important role in the recovery of the patient. In spite of this, a great deal could still be made to create more family‐oriented care. This development depends to a large extent on nurses’ view of involving families in the care and the perceived value of family‐oriented work.Method.  Four focus groups, with four to six carers in each group, were conducted. The recorded focus groups lasted 75–90 minutes and the data were transcribed and interpreted using content analysis.Results.  The results present four themes: compassion for and understanding of close relatives, the carer as the recipient of negative feelings, difficulties and dilemmas in the meeting with close relatives and preconceptions of mental illnesses in the family and in society. The results were interpreted as meaning that the carers found themselves in something that can be described as a double‐bind situation.Conclusion.  From analysis and interpretation, the conclusion is drawn that improved communication between nurses, patients and families could be a way to resolve the double‐bind situation.Relevance to clinical practice.  To promote family health and also improve things for the patient, it can be argued, from the results of this study, that nurses should carefully consider whether and how to involve family members in care.
The negative birth experience of prolonged labour: a case–referent study
Authors: Nystedt Astrid , Högberg Ulf , Lundman Berit 
Published: April 2005

Aims.  This study aimed to analyse and describe women's different perceptions and experiences of childbirth following prolonged or normal labour.Background.  In clinical practice prolonged labour, or dystocia, is a common delivery complication often causing a negative birth experience.Method.  Women giving singleton live birth to their first child with spontaneous labour after more than 37 completed weeks’ pregnancy at three hospitals in northern Sweden were recruited to a case–referent study. Cases (n = 84) were women following a prolonged labour with assisted vaginal or abdominal delivery, and referents (n = 171) delivered following a normal labour. Participants completed a questionnaire that investigated childbirth experiences, previous family relationships and childhood experiences.Results.  Women with prolonged labour had a negative childbirth experience more often (34%) than did women who had a normal labour (4%) (P < 0.05). Cases agreed significantly more than the referents with the statement, ‘Pain relief during the delivery saved me’ (OR 4.5, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1) and ‘My difficulties during the delivery will mark me for life’ (OR 12.4, 95% CI: 4.4–35.9). There were no differences between the cases and referents regarding perceived experience of professional or social support.Relevance to clinical practice.  To improve care, midwives and doctors can alleviate pain and relieve the negativity and difficulty associated with the experience of prolonged labour from the perspective of the woman giving birth.
Consumer perspectives in adolescent ward design
Authors: Hutton Alison 
Published: April 2005

Aims.  The aim of the study was to gain an understanding of the environment and facilities that adolescents require in a purpose‐built adolescent ward.Background.  People who are hospitalized have limited control over their care and environment. The experience of hospitalization is also considered a highly stressful event. It is essential that patients have an opportunity to participate in the planning and design of ward environments in order to reduce their stress and better accommodate their treatment needs.Methods.  An interpretative qualitative design was used. Seven chronically ill adolescents were asked to design their own ward in order to obtain consumer input about what the perceived necessary facilities for adolescent wards.Findings.  The adolescents provided clear information about the facilities that should be incorporated into an adolescent ward to maintain their privacy and independence. Further research needs to be conducted seeking consumer input, especially if it can enhance the stay of adolescent patients while they are hospitalized.Relevance to clinical practice.  Adolescent voice is more often than not represented by nurses, or other healthcare professionals in the patients’ best interest. This practice acts on the assumption that the adult knows best and/or that adolescents are unable to articulate their own needs. Adolescent consumers contribute worthwhile recommendations to how a ward is run providing insight about their needs in the ward environment.
Registered Nurses’ personal rights vs. professional responsibility in caring for members of underserved and disenfranchised populations
Authors: Martino Maze Claire D 
Published: April 2005

Aims.  Health disparities exist and refer to the chasms in health status between the advantaged and disadvantaged. Intense multiculturalism will require different approaches and moral obligations to work with these groups and urgency exists to develop nursing caring strategies when dealing with these populations. Development of nursing curricula which identify prejudicial thinking and intolerance for marginalized groups will help to decrease fears and increase nurses’ willingness to provide culturally competent health care for underserved and disenfranchised populations.Background.  Caring for members of disenfranchised groups instills fear at some level in nurses who are working with these individuals. This fear may be due, in part, to the potential harm nurses perceive the patient may cause them, or perhaps it is because they feel they could possibly be in the individual's situation at some point in their lives. Prejudice and discrimination continue to exist in society and have adversely affected the health care system and the nursing profession. Discrimination may be based on differences due to age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any characteristics by which people differ.Relevance to clinical practice.  Registered Nurses are accountable for nursing decisions and actions regardless of personal preferences. Due to the rapidly changing healthcare system the nurse faces increasing ethical dilemmas and human rights issues. Nurses are individually accountable for caring for each patient and the right to refuse an assignment should be carefully interpreted to avoid patient abandonment. Nurses’ objections can be based on moral, ethical, or religious beliefs not on personal preferences and in an emergency the nurse must provide treatment regardless of any personal objections.
Symptoms in the host: infection and treatment model
Authors: Purssell Edward 
Published: April 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim is to devise a decision‐making model to help nurses and allied professionals treat the symptoms of infectious diseases in a logical way that maximizes the benefits of symptoms and minimizes any harm that they might do.Background.  This paper considers the symptoms of infectious diseases from an evolutionary perspective, applying theories from ecology and evolution to nursing. Building upon evolutionary theories that suggest symptoms occur as the result of host defences, pathogen manipulations or as pure side‐effects, it is suggested that those symptoms that have evolved as host defences should not always be treated because of their beneficial effects. However, clinical decision‐making is more complex because of the rapid changes in environment and behaviour, which may impact upon the usefulness of symptoms to the host.Conclusions.  Although some symptoms can be identified as being beneficial adaptations, this alone is not sufficient indication to decide which symptoms should or should not be treated. Other considerations include any negative outcomes and behavioural and environmental changes that may affect the significance of any adaptation.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses should aim to maximize the host defences of the patients they are caring for in order to speed recovery and to reduce transmission and the need for antibiotics. This model helps nurses to identify factors that should be considered when these decisions are made and suggests some principles that might be followed in other situations.
Using action research in nursing practice with older people: democratizing knowledge
Authors: Reed Jan 
Published: April 2005

Aim.  This paper reports on an action research study which raised some questions about the processes of developing a sense of shared ownership in action research in a research environment which does not always have the appropriate mechanisms to support and sustain action research.Background.  Action research has gained popularity in nursing and healthcare research, offering a way of developing practice‐based knowledge, which can assist in changing practice and democratizing inquiry.Methods.  There are other organizational constraints on action research which arise at different levels, and which also require discussion. These can be issues about communication and ownership at a practice level and issues of funding and project management procedures. This paper reports on a study in which these issues came to the fore, and offers some thoughts on how they can affect the processes of action research.Conclusion.  While the principles of action research appear to offer much towards the development of a practice‐rooted body of knowledge for nursing, unless some of the issues of ownership are resolved, it is unlikely to move beyond academic rhetoric.Relevance to clinical practice.  If nursing is to engage in action research, this must be done critically and reflectively and careful attention paid to developing an inclusive and collaborative approach to knowledge and practice development. Furthermore, to develop in nursing and health care research, it must find ways to meet the requirements of funding bodies.