bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parents With Disabilities: A Case Study Exploration of Support Needs and the Potential of a Supportive Intervention
Authors: DeZelar Sharyn , Lightfoot Elizabeth
Published: June 2019

Due to growing awareness of increased child welfare involvement for parents who have disabilities and a dearth of current services, the National Council on Disability has called for an increase in parental supports and programs. Through the exploration of four case studies, this article highlights the complex parental support needs of parents with disabilities and explores the potential of a parent-centered planning intervention to strengthen their parental supports. The case study analysis reveals that parents with disabilities often have a limited number of informal and formal supports, that sources of informal support for parents with disabilities often had their own unmet needs, and that the overall support networks of parents with disabilities were fragile. The case studies show that while parents participating in a parent-centered planning intervention might not expand their support networks, they often do take steps toward meeting their self-identified support goals. Implications for practice are highlighted.
A periodic linear–quadratic controller for suppressing rotor-blade vibration
Authors: Camino J. F. , Santos I. F.
Published: June 2019

This paper presents an active control strategy, based on a time-varying linear–quadratic optimal control problem, to attenuate the tip vibration of a two-dimensional coupled rotor-blade system whose dynamics is periodic. First, a periodic full-state feedback controller based on the linear–quadratic regulator (LQR) problem is designed. If all the states are not available for feedback, then an optimal periodic time-varying estimator, using the Kalman–Bucy filter, is computed. Both the Kalman filter gain and the LQR gain are obtained as the solution of a periodic Riccati differential equation (PRDE). Together, these gains provide the observer-based linear–quadratic–Gaussian (LQG) controller. An algorithm to solve the PRDE is also presented. Both controller designs ensure closed-loop stability and performance for the linear time-varying rotor-blade equation of motion. Numerical simulations show that the LQR and the LQG controllers are able to significantly attenuate the rotor-blade tip vibration.
Predicting Sexual Recidivism
Authors: Ozkan Turgut , Clipper Stephen J. , Piquero Alex R. , Baglivio Michael , Wolff Kevin
Published: June 2019

The current study focuses on adolescents with sex offense histories and examines sexual reoffending patterns within 2 years of a prior sex offense. We employed inductive statistical models using archival official records maintained by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ), which provides social, offense, placement, and risk assessment history data for all youth referred for delinquent behavior. The predictive accuracy of the random forest models is tested using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, the area under the curve (AUC), and precision/recall plots. The strongest predictor of sexual recidivism was the number of prior felony and misdemeanor sex offenses. The AUC values range between 0.71 and 0.65, suggesting modest predictive accuracy of the models presented. These results parallel the existing literature on sexual recidivism and highlight the challenges associated with predicting sex offense recidivism. Furthermore, results inform risk assessment literature by testing various factors recorded by an official institution.
Atypical papillitis: An isolated manifestation of Lyme disease
Authors: Mata-Moret Lucia , Garcia-Villanueva Carolina , Monferrer-Adsuara Clara , Castro Navarro Veronica , Cervera-Taulet Enrique
Published: June 2019

Lyme disease is a rare condition caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Despite typical symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash, sometimes we cannot find those due to the lack of physician consultation in those early stages. If this disease is left untreated, infection could spread to the nervous system causing neuroborreliosis, an atypical and complicated manifestation of this disease. We present the case of an atypical papillitis, probably caused by this bacterium. We suspected this because of the results on the indirect test bloods and the improvement of the symptoms after treatment. This entity should be considered as a possible diagnosis of atypical optical neuropathies, particularly if it occurs in an endemic area.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Comprehensive Review of Predisposing Genetic Mutations and Changes
Authors: Jfri Abdulhadi H. , O’Brien Elizabeth A. , Litvinov Ivan V. , Alavi Afsaneh , Netchiporouk Elena
Published: June 2019

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. A genetic component in the pathogenesis is highly likely considering that ~30% to 40% of patients with HS report a family history of the disease. The genetic mutations related to HS that have been reported to date suggest HS can be inherited as a monogenic trait because of a defect in either the Notch signaling pathway or inflammasome function, or as a polygenic disorder resulting from defects in genes regulating epidermal proliferation, ceramide production, or in immune system function. This review provides a summary of genetic mutations reported in patients diagnosed with HS and discusses the mechanisms by which these genes are involved in its pathogenesis.
The Benefit Sanction: A Correctional Device or a Weapon of Disgust?
Authors: Redman Jamie
Published: June 2019

The benefit sanction is a dominant activation policy in Britain’s ‘welfare-to-work’ regime. While policymakers believe in their necessity to correct behaviour, research shows benefit sanctions cause additional harm to Britain’s marginalised groups. Drawing upon a small-scale qualitative study, this article first navigates new territory, mapping the ways stigma emerges from the state – channelled through the benefit sanction – and manifests in the lives of sanctioned claimants. Acknowledging wider evidence, the sanction is then argued to have failed as a correctional device. Rather, taking into account Britain’s current politico-economic climate, the sanction appears as a weapon used to incite negative emotion in an attempt to police the boundaries of the labour market, while frequently abandoning some of the UK’s most vulnerable citizens.
Men’s Bodily Attractiveness: Muscles as Fitness Indicators
Authors: Durkee Patrick K. , Polo Pablo , Muñoz-Reyes José Antonio , Rodríguez-Ruiz Claudia , Losada-Pérez María , Fernández-Martínez Ana B. , Turiégano Enrique , Buss David M. , Pita Miguel
Published: June 2019

Bodily attractiveness is an important component of mate value. Musculature—a crucial component of men’s bodily attractiveness—provides women with probabilistic information regarding a potential mate’s quality. Overall musculature is comprised of several muscle groups, each of which varies in information value; different muscles should be weighted differently by attractiveness-assessment adaptations as a result. In the current study, women and men ( N = 1,742) reported size preferences for 14 major muscle groups. Women’s reported preferences provided only partial support for our hypotheses that women will prefer muscles that most reliably differentiate between potential mates to be larger; men tended to prefer larger upper-body muscles. We discuss possible interpretations of these mixed findings. Ultimately, our findings suggest that attractiveness-assessment adaptations are sensitive to the information contained within specific muscle groups and they highlight the potential for additional research on the nuances of bodily attractiveness assessment.
Classification of Intermediate and Novice Surgeons’ Skill Assessment Through Performance Metrics
Authors: Topalli Damla , Cagiltay Nergiz Ercil
Published: June 2019

Background. Endoscopic surgeries have become an alternative for open procedures whenever possible. For such types of operations, surgeons are required to gain several skills, whose development needs hands-on practice. Accordingly, gaining these skills today is a challenge for surgical education programs. Despite the development of several technology-enhanced training environments, there are still problems to better integrate these technologies into educational programs. For an appropriate integration, it is critical to assess the skill levels and adapt the training content according to the trainees’ requirements. In the literature, there exist several methods for assessing these skill levels. However, there are still problems in practice for objective and repetitive assessment. Methods. The present study aims to estimate the skill levels of participants in surgical training programs in an objective manner by collecting experimental data from residents in an endoscopic surgical simulation environment and gathering performance metrics. Results. It is shown that, by comparing the results of a number of classification algorithms for the best accuracy estimation and feature set, the “novice” and “intermediate” skill levels can be estimated with an accuracy of 86%. Conclusions. The outcomes help surgical educators and instructional system designers to better assess the skill levels of the trainees and guide them accordingly. In addition, objective assessments as highlighted in this study can be beneficial when designing technology-enhanced adaptive learning environments.
Concise Consent Forms Appreciated—Still Not Comprehended: Applying Revised Common Rule Guidelines in Online Studies
Authors: Perrault Evan K. , McCullock Seth P.
Published: June 2019

As informed consent documents have historically gotten lengthier, recent revisions to federal Common Rule guidelines now require consent forms that are “concise” and presented in ways that “facilitate comprehension.” The current research sought to apply these guidelines by developing a consent process for an online study that was only 71 words and also allowed participants a choice to either continue directly to the study or learn more about the study to which they were consenting. All participants (100%, N = 429) decided to continue directly to the study, choosing to forgo additional information about the study and the institutional review board (IRB) approval process. Participants indicated they liked this streamlined consent process, even though on average they only comprehended about half of the information this streamlined process contained. A plurality of participants indicated they would like to see this style of streamlined consent continued in future online studies. However, if we want to continue referring to informed consent as informed, future research should be welcomed and supported by IRBs to seek ways to apply the newest Common Rule guidelines while increasing comprehension; otherwise, informed consent will likely always remain an oxymoron.
The doctor in my pocket: examining mobile approaches to personal wellbeing
Authors: Crosswell Laura H
Published: June 2019

Aims:

Today’s democratized media access, online engagement, and digital clout offer global opportunities for individual influence and customized messaging strategies. As such, public health initiatives are dramatically changing as target audiences decide where to place their time and attention regarding health information. This article reports on ways in which health professionals and mobile techies are teaming up to create pocket platforms for personal wellbeing. The following work also considers how healthcare digitization and mobilization operate in relation to public wellbeing.

Methods:

Using a double round Delphi survey, nine industry experts were asked about the impact of new media tools on health initiatives and subsequent healthcare behaviors. The panel also addressed the impact and efficacy of the mobile health movement.

Results:

Expert testimony identified ways in which millennial media can encourage (and sometimes prevent) improved patient, community, and population health outcomes. Industry leaders further addressed strategic moves healthcare professionals are making to ensure personal healthcare communication remains relevant, accessible, and attainable for the general public. Clear themes emerged throughout the iterative Delphi process, resulting in the overarching categories of information access, information literacy, patient privacy, patient accountability, physician engagement, and healthcare quality.

Conclusions:

This work connects theory with practice by examining developing health communication strategies through compliance-gaining choice models and modern marketing research. Findings delineate best practices for health communication and administration in the digital age, providing both a critical account of and practical approach to healthcare messaging within the millennial context. Results call attention to the impact of media platforms on information distribution, adaptive communication strategies, and overall health communication processes. The study invites further discussion regarding digital shifts in healthcare messaging and subsequent influences on patient/consumer compliance.
The Healthy Menu Project: Role of the School Nurse: Youth–Adult Shared Partnerships Help Change a School Lunch Menu
Authors: Blessing Sara A. , Mendonca Linda L.
Published: June 2019

School nurses play an important role in addressing childhood obesity. Although schools who participate in the Federal School Lunch Program follow mandated dietary guidelines, changes to the menu can be made that will have a positive impact on the health of our school community. Students receive nutrition health education, including learning about the importance of choosing whole and unprocessed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains and limiting sugars. However, what we are teaching students may not mirror what is actually being served during lunchtime. It is important to listen to students to determine if they are satisfied with what they are being served, as well as to determine if students are actually eating the food being served. Henry Barnard School, an elementary school, in Providence, Rhode Island, embarked on a successful project that took place during the 2017-2018 school year. The goal was to increase overall satisfaction and healthy options of our school lunch menu by creating youth–adult shared partnerships and empowering students throughout the process.
Is Arthroscopic Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair Strength Dependent on the Tunnel Angle?
Authors: Bronsnick Daniel , Pastor Andrew , Peresada Dmitriy , Amirouche Farid , Solitro Giovanni Francesco , Goldberg Benjamin A.
Published: June 2019

Background:

Previous studies have aimed to biomechanically improve the transosseous tunnel technique of rotator cuff repair. However, no previous work has addressed tunnel inclination at the time of surgery as an influence on the strength of the repair construct.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that the tunnel angle and entry point would influence the biomechanical strength of the transosseous tunnel in rotator cuff repair. Additionally, we investigated how tunnel length and bone quality affect the strength of the repair construct.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Mechanical testing was performed on 10 cadaveric humeri. Variations in the bone tunnel angle were imposed in the supraspinatus footprint to create lateral tunnels with inclinations of 30°, 45°, and 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the humeral shaft. A closed loop of suture was passed through the bone tunnel, and cyclic loading was applied until failure of the construct. Load to failure and distance between entry points were the dependent variables. Analysis of variance, post hoc paired t tests, and the Bonferroni correction were used to analyze the relationship between the tunnel angle and failure load. The Pearson correlation coefficient was then used to evaluate the correlation of the distance between entry points to the ultimate failure load, and t tests were used to compare failure loads between healthy and osteoporotic bone.

Results:

Tunnels drilled perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (90°) achieved the highest mean failure load (167.51 ± 48.35 N). However, there were no significant differences in the failure load among the 3 tested inclinations. Tunnels drilled perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (90°) measured 13.86 ± 1.35 mm between entry points and were significantly longer ( P = .03) than the tunnels drilled at 30° and 45°. We found no correlation of the distance between entry points and the ultimate failure load. Within the scope of this study, we could not identify a significant effect of bone quality on failure load.

Conclusion:

The tunnel angle does not influence the strength of the bone-suture interface in the transosseous rotator cuff repair construct.

Clinical Relevance:

The transosseous technique has gained popularity in recent years, given its arthroscopic use. These findings suggest that surgeons should not focus on the tunnel angle as they seek to maximize repair strength.
Management of Pre-existing Macular Edema With Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant in Eyes Undergoing Cataract Surgery
Authors: Smith Bradley T. , Banda Himanshu K.
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of intraocular dexamethasone implant (IDI) for pre-existing macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetes, and uveitis in eyes undergoing cataract surgery.

Methods:

A retrospective, noncomparative study was conducted. The medical record database was searched for patients meeting criteria of macular edema treated with IDI prior to cataract surgery.

Results:

Twenty-two patients had macular edema due to RVO (14 or 63.6%), diabetes (5 or 22.7%), or uveitis (3 or 13.6%). None had complications during cataract surgery. Thirteen (60%) were female with a mean age of 64 years (range, 25-82 years). The mean interval of dexamethasone implantation to cataract extraction was 49 days. The mean interval to follow-up optical coherence tomography was 65 days. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA) improved from .94 (20/150–) to .56 (20/70+) ( P = .004), with an average gain in VA measuring +0.37 logMAR (3 line gain). Mean central retinal thickness decreased from 474 to 378 μm ( P = .006) with an average reduction of 96 μm ( P = .006). Mean macular volume decreased from 10.29 mm3 to 9.78 mm3 ( P = .0002) with an average reduction of 0.51 mm3. Two patients developed postoperative ocular hypertension requiring treatment with topical antihypertensive agents. One had a combined glaucoma filtering procedure at the time of cataract surgery because of a history of ocular hypertension.

Conclusions:

The majority of this cohort had improved macular edema due to RVO, diabetes, and noninfectious uveitis while undergoing cataract surgery. IDI is an effective and safe treatment in these at-risk eyes.
Surgical Retrieval of an Intraocular Needle Following Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection
Authors: Mathai Mariam , Levinson Joshua D. , Khanifar Aziz A. , Smithen Lindsay M.
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

The purpose of this case report is to describe a case of iatrogenic intraocular foreign body due to a fractured 30-gauge needle following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

Methods:

A case report is presented.

Results:

The patient presented with a 30-gauge needle in the vitreous cavity after receiving an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema. Bilateral eye shields were placed to reduce movement of the foreign body and decrease the risk of injury to the lens or retina. The needle was successfully removed via a combination of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the foreign body via a transscleral approach through the initial injection site. Visual acuity improved to 20/25 2 months after surgery.

Conclusions:

We present the successful preoperative management and surgical removal of a needle fragment from the vitreous cavity after the needle fractured during intravitreal injection.
Evaluation of event-free survival as a robust end point in untreated acute myeloid leukemia (Alliance A151614)
Authors: Yin Jun , LaPlant Betsy , Uy Geoffrey L. , Marcucci Guido , Blum William , Larson Richard A. , Stone Richard M. , Mandrekar Sumithra J.
Published: June 2019

Event-free survival (EFS) is controversial as an end point for speeding approvals in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to examine the robustness of EFS, specifically timing of complete remission (CR) in defining induction failure and impact of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The study included 1884 untreated AML patients enrolled across 5 trials conducted through Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology using anthracycline and cytarabine induction chemotherapy. EFS was defined as time from randomization/registration to induction failure, relapse, or death. Three definitions of induction failure were evaluated: failure to achieve CR by 60 days after randomization/registration, failure to achieve CR by the end of all protocol-defined induction courses, and failure to achieve CR by the end of all protocol-defined treatment. We considered either censoring or no censoring at time of non–protocol-mandated HCT. Although relapse and death are firm end points, the determination of induction failure was not consistent across studies. There was minimal impact of censoring at HCT on EFS estimates; however, median EFS estimates differed considerably based on the timing of CR in defining induction failure, with the magnitude of difference being large enough in most cases to lead to incorrect conclusions about efficacy in a single-arm trial, if the trial definition was not consistent with the definition used for the historical control. Timing of CR should be carefully examined in the historical control data used to guide the design of single-arm trials using EFS as the primary end point. Trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00085124, #NCT00416598, # NCT00651261, #NCT01238211, and #NCT01253070.
Entropy of mitochondrial DNA circulating in blood is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Campo David S. , Nayak Vishal , Srinivasamoorthy Ganesh , Khudyakov Yury
Published: June 2019

Background

Ultra-Deep Sequencing (UDS) enabled identification of specific changes in human genome occurring in malignant tumors, with current approaches calling for the detection of specific mutations associated with certain cancers. However, such associations are frequently idiosyncratic and cannot be generalized for diagnostics. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been shown to be functionally associated with several cancer types. Here, we study the association of intra-host mtDNA diversity with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Results

UDS mtDNA exome data from blood of patients with HCC (n = 293) and non-cancer controls (NC, n = 391) were used to: (i) measure the genetic heterogeneity of nucleotide sites from the entire population of intra-host mtDNA variants rather than to detect specific mutations, and (ii) apply machine learning algorithms to develop a classifier for HCC detection. Average total entropy of HCC mtDNA is 1.24-times lower than of NC mtDNA (p = 2.84E-47). Among all polymorphic sites, 2.09% had a significantly different mean entropy between HCC and NC, with 0.32% of the HCC mtDNA sites having greater (p < 0.05) and 1.77% of the sites having lower mean entropy (p < 0.05) as compared to NC. The entropy profile of each sample was used to further explore the association between mtDNA heterogeneity and HCC by means of a Random Forest (RF) classifier The RF-classifier separated 232 HCC and 232 NC patients with accuracy of up to 99.78% and average accuracy of 92.23% in the 10-fold cross-validation. The classifier accurately separated 93.08% of HCC (n = 61) and NC (n = 159) patients in a validation dataset that was not used for the RF parameter optimization.

Conclusions

Polymorphic sites contributing most to the mtDNA association with HCC are scattered along the mitochondrial genome, affecting all mitochondrial genes. The findings suggest that application of heterogeneity profiles of intra-host mtDNA variants from blood may help overcome barriers associated with the complex association of specific mutations with cancer, enabling the development of accurate, rapid, inexpensive and minimally invasive diagnostic detection of cancer.
Polygenic effects of schizophrenia on hippocampal grey matter volume and hippocampus–medial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity
Authors: Liu Shu , Li Ang , Liu Yong , Yan Hao , Wang Meng , Sun Yuqing , Fan Lingzhong , Song Ming , Xu Kaibin , Chen Jun , Chen Yunchun , Wang Huaning , Guo Hua , Wan Ping , Lv Luxian , Yang Yongfeng , Li Peng , Lu Lin , Yan Jun , Wang Huiling , Zhang Hongxing , Wu Huawang , Ning Yuping , Zhang Dai , Jiang Tianzi , Liu Bing
Published: June 2019

Background

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with high heritability and polygenic inheritance. Multimodal neuroimaging studies have also indicated that abnormalities of brain structure and function are a plausible neurobiological characterisation of schizophrenia. However, the polygenic effects of schizophrenia on these imaging endophenotypes have not yet been fully elucidated.

Aims

To investigate the effects of polygenic risk for schizophrenia on the brain grey matter volume and functional connectivity, which are disrupted in schizophrenia.

Method

Genomic and neuroimaging data from a large sample of Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia (N = 509) and healthy controls (N = 502) were included in this study. We examined grey matter volume and functional connectivity via structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Using the data from a recent meta-analysis of a genome-wide association study that comprised a large number of Chinese people, we calculated a polygenic risk score (PGRS) for each participant.

Results

The imaging genetic analysis revealed that the individual PGRS showed a significantly negative correlation with the hippocampal grey matter volume and hippocampus–medial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity, both of which were lower in the people with schizophrenia than in the controls. We also found that the observed neuroimaging measures showed weak but similar changes in unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that genetically influenced brain grey matter volume and functional connectivity may provide important clues for understanding the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia and for the early diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Dual-Task Walking Capacity Mediates Tai Ji Quan Impact on Physical and Cognitive Function
Authors: LI FUZHONG , HARMER PETER , CHOU LI-SHAN
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Emerging evidence indicates exercise training improves mobility and cognition and reduces falls in older adults, but underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study tested the hypothesis that change in dual-task walking capacity mediates the positive effect of Tai Ji Quan and multimodal exercise on physical performance, activity confidence, global cognition, and falls among community-dwelling older adults at high risk of falling.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a 6-month randomized clinical trial comparing Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB) and multimodal exercise to stretching exercise in a sample of 670 adults older than 70 yr who had a history of falls or impaired mobility. Distal outcome measures, ascertained at a 12-month follow-up, were the Short Physical Performance Battery, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and falls. The mediator hypothesized to account for the intervention effects was dual-task cost estimated by calculating changes in gait speed from single-task to dual-task walking from baseline to the end of intervention.

Results

At 12 months, compared with stretching exercise, multimodal exercise significantly improved Short Physical Performance Battery and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence outcomes and reduced the number of falls (P< 0.05). However, it did not lower dual-task cost or mediate the intervention effects on distal outcomes. In contrast, TJQMBB significantly reduced dual-task cost relative to multimodal and stretching exercises (P< 0.05) which in turn resulted in improvements in lower-extremity physical performance, activity confidence, global cognitive function, and reductions in falls (P< 0.05) during follow-up.

Conclusions

Enhanced dual-task walking capacity as a result of Tai Ji Quan training mediated improvements in physical and cognitive outcomes in older adults at high risk of falling.
Aerobic Training and Green Tea Extract Protect against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea–induced Prostate Cancer
Authors: SAEDMOCHESHI SABER , SAGHEBJOO MARZIYEH , VAHABZADEH ZAKARIA , SHEIKHOLESLAMI-VATANI DARIUSH
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Aerobic training and green tea extract can be used to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8-wk aerobic exercise training and administration of green tea extract on the level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and p53 tumor suppressor protein (p53) in prostate of rats which were stimulated by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to induce the prostate cancer.

Methods

Sixty adult male Wistar rats were assigned into six groups including healthy control, cancer control (CCt), cancer training (CTr: 45 min·d−1 at low to moderate intensity, five times per week, 8 wk), cancer extract (CEx: 1.34 mL of green tea extract, three times per week, 8 wk), cancer training+ cancer extract (CTr + CEx) and sham groups. Rats were sacrificed 48 h after the last intervention session, and the prostate tissue was isolated to measure the levels of NF-kB, COX-2, and p53.

Results

The NF-kB level in CCt group was increased significantly compared to the healthy control (P = 0.02). In the CTr group, NF-kB level was decreased significantly compared to the CCt and CEx groups (P = 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). In addition, the levels of P53 protein were reduced in CTr, CEx, and CTr + CEx groups compared to CCt group (P = 0.001, 0.02 and 0.004, respectively). No significant changes were found in the level of COX-2 between groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that a long-term exercise training combined with the intake of green tea extract may reduce levels of NF-kB and p53 in rats with prostate cancer. Given the importance of recognizing complementary therapies in this regard, future studies are warranted.
Non-communicable diseases in the Western Area District, Sierra Leone, following the Ebola outbreak
Authors: Koroma Ibrahim Baimba , Javadi Dena , Hann Katrina , Harries Anthony D , Smart Francis , Samba Thomas
Published: June 2019

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. During infectious disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa from 2014-2015, the health system is often strained, and diagnosis, management and care of NCDs may be compromised. This study assessed numbers and distribution of NCDs in all health facilities in the Western-Area District, Sierra Leone, in the post-Ebola period (June–December 2015) comparing findings with the pre-Ebola (June–December 2013) and Ebola outbreak (June–December 2014) periods.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data from routine records of aggregate monthly NCD reports. Data were analysed using Open EPI and comparisons were made between the post-Ebola and pre-Ebola/Ebola periods using the chi square test.

Results: There were 10,011 people reported with NCDs during the three six-month periods, with 6194 (62%) presenting at peripheral health units (PHU). Reported NCDs decreased during Ebola and increased post-Ebola, but did not recover to pre-Ebola levels. Hypertension cases remained fairly constant throughout being mainly managed at PHU. Numbers with diabetes mellitus generally stayed the same except for a significant post-Ebola increase in tertiary hospitals. Small numbers were reported with mental health disorders across all facilities in all time periods.

Conclusion: NCD reporting is recovering in the immediate post-Ebola period. Decentralization of NCD care is welcome and is an effective strategy for management as evidenced by hypertension. To be successful, this must be supported by strengthening other elements of the health system such as training of health workers, robust information and referral systems and reliable medicine supply chains.
Mathematical problems of decision-making in organizational systems
Authors: Тараканов Андрей , Tarakanov Andrei
Published: June 2019

The theory of decision-making in organizational systems with complex structure in the conditions of conflict and uncertainty is stated. A review of the current state of the theory is given. Systems are studied: hierarchical, coalition and coalition-hierarchical (hybrid). The main attention in the process of designing mathematical models of systems is paid to the description of ways of information interaction of decision makers. This takes into account the options of their unfavorable (conflict) and benevolent “attitude” to each other. Two approaches to decision-making are proposed: 1) decision-making from the point of view of the selected participant of the system based on the method of penalty functions and obtaining the necessary conditions of optimality; 2) decision-making in the form of equilibria based on special principles of optimality, constructed using the principles of Nash, Pareto, Geoffrion, Stackelberg, Slater, threats-counter-threats, absolute active equilibrium and obtaining sufficient conditions of optimality. Theoretical results are illustrated by model examples. For researchers, graduate students and students involved in theoretical and practical issues of decision-making in complex systems.
Mediapolicy
Authors: Мухаев Рашид , Muhaev Rashid
Published: June 2019

If you want to find out how the mechanisms and technologies of political domination in modern information societies have changed, then read the first Russian textbook on the new academic discipline “Media Policy”.
The textbook examines the main interpretations of the information and communication policy space, its subjects, structure and information management technologies, identifies effective channels of information influence on the political behavior of a person, groups and communities, reveals the mechanism of symbolic dominance in the structure of modern politics, identifies its elements, technologies and communication strategies.
Particular attention is paid to the analysis of various means and channels of mass communication, used for positioning and promoting ideas, discourses and political images, as well as constructing messages through various media.
The textbook is addressed to bachelors and masters studying in the specialties “Advertising and Public Relations”, “Political Science”, “State and Municipal Administration”, as well as to theoreticians, practitioners, and experts working in the field of political communication.
Storm Clouds on the Horizon? New Entry Threats and R&D Investments in the U.S. IT Industry
Authors: Pan Yang , Huang Peng , Gopal Anandasivam
Published: June 2019

It is well accepted that the information technology (IT) industry is highly volatile, where incumbent firms are often disrupted by startups entering their product or service markets. This creative destruction is driven by large-scale movements within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, consisting of startups, venture capitalists, and innovators. These collectively represent the threat of new entry for incumbents, leading to turbulence in the future and necessitating a strategic response. Quantifying these risks of new entry threats (NETs) has always been problematic given their probabilistic and forward-looking nature. Taking advantage of text analytics, we develop a text-based measure of NET based on the extent to which a firm’s description of its product markets overlaps with business descriptions of entrepreneurial firms backed by venture capitalists. This measure is then used to investigate how IT firms respond to NET through preemptive investments in research and development (R&D). We show that incumbents actually reduce R&D spending, on average, when facing high NET, consistent with risk aversion and financial conservatism. However, firms operating in contexts where high NET is unlikely to change market structure are likely to be more aggressive with their R&D spending—these contexts include markets with winner-takes-all dynamics because of strong network effects and those where the success of R&D effort hinges on the relevant continuities with prior innovative activities.
How to handle new job nerves
Authors: Meldrum Eloise
Published: June 2019

What commonly causes anxiety for dental nurses when they first qualify or switch jobs? It takes time for the confidence to shine, says Eloise Meldrum – but it will!
Leadership – with wings!
Authors: Dawson Trudie
Published: June 2019

Trudie Dawson reveals why clearly defined goals and responsibilities can supercharge you role
An exceptional patient journey
Authors: Al-Naher Safa
Published: June 2019

Dr Safa Al-Naher is clinical lead at The Care Dental Group. Here, she outlines the team's preventive ethos
My dentist said I need a crown and I was like ‘I know, right!’
Authors: Fowler John
Published: June 2019

Joking aside, we all need to indulge in a little self love. John Fowler examines the importance of ‘me’ time – for the benefit of your own health as well as the relationships you have with others
An exciting field of dentistry
Authors: Male Emma
Published: June 2019

Emma Male considers the benefits of undertaking the NEBDN Certificate in Dental Implant Nursing
The power in your pocket
Authors: Morris Rebecca , Lloyd Rich
Published: June 2019

Rebecca Morris reveals a move to make dental learning more of a motivator than a chore
Two minutes with…
Authors: Jones Jenny
Published: June 2019

…head dental nurse and cross-infection lead, Jenny Jones
Food for thought
Authors: Scheer Kate
Published: June 2019

Kate Scheer considers the importance of applying best practice at home and abroad to prevent cross contamination
The time-course effects of talus taping on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Authors: Dearlove David J , Newman Ellesse , Zasada Matt
Published: June 2019

Background/Aims

Talus taping may be an effective physiotherapeutic treatment for equinus (passive dorsiflexion range of motion <10°). However, the time-course effects of this intervention are unknown. The aims of this study were to identify the effect that the application of talus tape for 48 hours during normal functional activities has on dorsiflexion range of motion, and to determine whether any changes in dorsiflexion range of motion persisted until 5 days after removal (study day 7).

Methods

A total of 16 healthy participants (mean age 28.3 ± 8 years) were recruited. Participants' were randomly assigned to control and intervention conditions. Baseline measures of dorsiflexion range of motion were taken in both ankles using the weight-bearing lunge test. The intervention ankle had talus tape applied, which remained in place for 48 hours during normal functional activities. To determine the time-course effects, dorsiflexion range of motion was reassessed in the control and intervention ankles immediately following removal of the tape (at 48 hours) and again 5 days later, on day 7.

Findings

Dorsiflexion range of motion in the taped intervention ankle increased significantly between the baseline and 48-hour measures. However, when reassessed at day 7, participants' dorsiflexion range of motion had returned to baseline levels. There were no significant differences in the control ankle across all three measures.

Conclusions

Applying talus tape for 48 hours during normal functional activities results in immediate but not long-lasting changes in dorsiflexion range of motion.
The effects of the Mulligan concept in ankylosing spondylitis: a report of two cases
Authors: Baglan-Yentur Songül , Mete Oğuzhan , Tuna Zeynep , Tufan Abdurrahman , Oskay Deran
Published: June 2019

Introduction/Aims

The first complaint in ankylosing spondylitis is usually sacroiliac joint pain and morning stiffness. Aside from inflammation, sacroiliac joint pain is related to joint damage and mechanical stress. Many different methods are applied in the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sacroiliac joint mobilisation on pain, function and mobility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods

Two patients presented with sacroiliac joint pain: a 46-year-old male and a 34-year-old female. Both patients received eight sessions of mobilisation with movement, according to the Mulligan concept (sacroiliac joint mobilisation and mechanical correction). Sessions were held at 4-day intervals over a 28-day period. The patients were assessed for sacroiliac joint mobilisation immediately before and after the first session and their pain, function and mobility were assessed at the second and eighth sessions.

Findings

A decrease in pain and increases in functional performance and mobility were noted in both cases at the end of eight sessions.

Conclusions

Sacroiliac joint mobilisation might be effective in improving pain, function and mobility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Further studies should be conducted with an increased number of participants to confirm these findings.
Using cannulas for dermal filler placement: why, when and how?
Authors: Landau Marina
Published: June 2019

Traditionally, dermal fillers have been administered to the face using a hypodermic needle. However, injecting using cannulas has become increasingly popular over the past decade, due to the changing goals of treatment, aims to improve patient experience and attemting to prevent complications. Many dermal filler products are now sold packaged with both a needle and a cannula in order to give the practitioner the choice of injection tool. It is therefore essential that the aesthetic practitioner is well educated on the topic of how to select the best injection tool for a procedure. This article aims to asses why we have seen an increase in the use of cannulas in administering this procedure, with the hope of helping the aesthetic practitioner to make the best decision regarding injection tools.
Getting the basics right to guarantee the success of your brand
Authors: Ratcliffe Jason
Published: June 2019

The single most valuable asset your business has is you, and it is essential that you are performing consistently and at a high level. In this article, Jason Ratcliffe discusses why self-care and self-discipline are key to having the right mindset to growing your brand
The older person with diabetes: considerations for care
Authors: Hill Jill
Published: June 2019

The UK has an ageing population more and more elderly people are living with diabetes. Jill Hill explores the condition as well as other healthcare challenges that comes with caring for this particular patient group

With the increasingly ageing population worldwide, more older people are living with diabetes. The conditions that often accompany older age, such as dementia, renal impairment, visual impairment and manual dexterity difficulties, can make diabetes management complex and self-care challenging. However, the status of older people varies considerably, and so choice of glucose-lowering agents and clinical targets should be individualised to maximise safety and ensure that the risks of treatments do not outweigh the benefits. For many patients, there will be an increasing dependence on others to manage their diabetes care, therefore an appropriate skill mix among health professionals and carers, adequate training and regular competency assessment are crucial to support patients to remain safe and symptom free from diabetes.
FATORES CAUSADORES DE ESTRESSE: UM ESTUDO DESCRITIVO COM OS OFICIAIS DE JUSTIÇA AVALIADORES FEDERAIS
Authors: Machado Patricia Inês da Silva , Stefano Silvio Roberto , Kuhl Marcos Roberto , Regiani de Campos Elaine Aparecida
Published: June 2019

Este estudo teve como foco de pesquisa os Oficiais de Justiça Avaliadores Federais associados à Assojaf MG e Assojaf PR. O objetivo geral foi identificar os fatores ocupacionais que causam estresse na atividade profissional da referida população. Identificou-se que o fator sobrecarga de trabalho apresentou a média mais elevada em relação aos demais e pode ser indicado como o principal fator relacionado ao estresse ocupacional na população estudada. Com relação ao local de lotação, verificou-se que a sobrecarga de trabalho e o reconhecimento são fatores nos quais existe diferença entre os grupos a partir da lotação. Os resultados indicam a existência de diferença entre os lotados na capital e os lotados no interior, com medias superiores, no caso da sobrecarga de trabalho, para os lotados na capital e com médias superiores, no caso do reconhecimento profissional, para os lotados no interior.
UTILIZAÇÃO DE TEORIAS NA FUNDAMENTAÇÃO DE PESQUISAS NA ÁREA DE MARKETING
Authors: Dos Reis Neto Aline Crespo , Silva William Nunes da , Gil Antonio Carlos
Published: June 2019

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a utilização de teorias nos relatos de pesquisa no campo de Marketing apresentados em eventos da ANPAD entre 2009 e 2015. Foi elaborado com base na análise de artigos apresentados em eventos patrocinados pela ANPAD nesse período. Dentre os 646 artigos apresentados, apenas 4,64% indicam a utilização de alguma teoria para fundamentar a investigação. As teorias mais utilizadas foram: Teoria do Comportamento Planejado, Teoria da Cadeia Meios-Fim e Teoria das Redes Sociais. Conclui-se que as pesquisas realizadas no campo do Marketing poderiam ser beneficiadas com o auxílio de teorias em sua fundamentação.Palavras-chave: Marketing. Teorias. Pesquisa.
Migration, solidarity and the limits of Europe
Authors: Tazzioli Martina , Walters William
Published: June 2019

In this paper we examine the increasing criminalisation by states and the EU of citizen networks that have mobilised across Europe for supporting migrants in transit. Through these transnational solidarity practices a sort of infrastructure of migrant support has been built. The paper focuses on ‘crimes of solidarity’ that have taken place in France and in Italy and argues that the criminalisation of individuals which build solidarity connections across borders paradoxically constitutes a radical challenge to Europe’s principles of citizens’ solidarity across borders. The infrastructure of migrant support enacts a form of Europeanisation of citizens’ practices that states and local authorities try instead to undermine. The paper moves on by focusing on the ambivalences of the expression ‘smuggling activities’, which is increasingly being used to name individuals who help migrants to cross or to stay without making any economic profit from that. The essay considers the frictions between local, national and European authorities in tolerating or criminalising citizens that act in solidarity with the migrants, bringing humanitarian help and building material channels for safe passages. The final part of the paper reads the moment of crimes of solidarity in terms of a genealogy of European borders. It argues that one consequence of the criminalisation of solidarity is that new hybrid forums concerning migration, citizenship and borders questions are emerging. These arise, for example, when citizens are prosecuted for acts of assistance. Their trials have potential to become public scenes and spaces of counter-politics where it is not only the citizen but Europe that is in the dock. While some have argued that criminalisation and humanitarianism closes down the politics of European borders, we argue that it may allow for unexpected political opportunities.