bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gaze to faces across interactive contexts in infants at heightened risk for autism
Authors: Gangi Devon N , Schwichtenberg AJ , Iosif Ana-Maria , Young Gregory S , Baguio Fam , Ozonoff Sally
Published: September 2017

Infant social-communicative behavior, such as gaze to the face of an interactive partner, is an important early developmental skill. Children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit atypicalities in social-communicative behavior, including gaze and eye contact. Behavioral differences in infancy may serve as early markers of autism spectrum disorder and help identify individuals at highest risk for developing the disorder. Researchers often assess social-communicative behavior in a single interactive context, such as during assessment with an unfamiliar examiner or play with a parent. Understanding whether infant behavior is consistent across such contexts is important for evaluating the validity of experimental paradigms and the generalizability of findings from one interactive context/partner to another. We examined infant gaze to the face of a social partner at 6, 9, and 12 months of age in infants who were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, as well as low- and high-risk infants without autism spectrum disorder outcomes, across two interactive contexts: structured testing with an unfamiliar examiner and semi-structured play with a parent. By 9 months, infant gaze behavior was significantly associated between the two contexts. By 12 months, infants without autism spectrum disorder outcomes exhibited higher mean rates of gaze to faces during parent–child play than Mullen testing, while the gaze behavior of the autism spectrum disorder group did not differ by context—suggesting that infants developing autism spectrum disorder may be less sensitive to context or interactive partner. Findings support the validity of assessing infant social-communicative behavior during structured laboratory settings and suggest that infant behavior exhibits consistency across settings and interactive partners.
Control the money, control the media: How government uses funding to keep media in line
Authors: Dragomir Marius
Published: September 2017

The media industry has been ravaged by the economic crises. Some media, mainly those covering tabloid fare and digitally savvier than others or those backed by deep-pocketed investors, are surviving or even thriving. But independent journalism outfits, particularly outside the Western world, have been grappling with serious financial problems. This article is an analysis of how government uses funding, directly and indirectly, to capture the media. It describes trends in how governments use funding to control media by not financing independent journalism, but choosing to fund instead media outlets that advance the government agenda and the interests of its allies and supporters, either political groups or businesses.
Robust mixtures of factor analysis models using the restricted multivariate skew-t distribution
Authors: Lin Tsung-I , Wang Wan-Lun , McLachlan Geoffrey J. , Lee Sharon X.
Published: September 2017

This article introduces a robust extension of the mixture of factor analysis models based on the restricted multivariate skew- t distribution, called mixtures of skew- t factor analysis (MSTFA) model. This model can be viewed as a powerful tool for model-based clustering of high-dimensional data where observations in each cluster exhibit non-normal features such as heavy-tailed noises and extreme skewness. Missing values may be frequently present due to the incomplete collection of data. A computationally feasible EM-type algorithm is developed to carry out maximum likelihood estimation and create single imputation of possible missing values under a missing at random mechanism. The numbers of factors and mixture components are determined via penalized likelihood criteria. The utility of our proposed methodology is illustrated through analysing both simulated and real datasets. Numerical results are shown to perform favourably compared to existing approaches.
Mutuality and heart failure self-care in patients and their informal caregivers
Authors: Hooker Stephanie A , Schmiege Sarah J , Trivedi Ranak B , Amoyal Nicole R , Bekelman David B
Published: September 2017

Background:

Heart failure is a progressive condition characterized by frequent hospitalizations for exacerbated symptoms. Informal family caregivers may help patients improve self-care, which may in turn reduce hospitalizations. However, little is known about how mutuality, defined as the quality of the patient–caregiver relationship, and caregiver burden affect self-care.

Objective:

This study examines the associations among mutuality, patient self-care confidence (beliefs in abilities to engage in self-care behaviors) and maintenance (behaviors such as medication adherence, activity, and low salt intake), caregiver confidence in and maintenance of patient care, and caregiver perceived burden.

Methods:

This study used cross-sectional baseline data from a multi-site randomized clinical trial of a symptom and psychosocial care intervention. Patient–caregiver dyads ( N=99) completed self-report surveys of mutuality and self-care confidence and maintenance, and caregivers completed a measure of caregiver burden. Path analysis, with actor (effects within a person) partner (effects across the dyad) interdependence model paths and regression models were used to examine the associations among mutuality, caregiver burden, and self-care.

Results:

The majority of patients ( M age=66, 21% female) and caregivers ( M age=57, 81% female) were spouses (60%). The path model demonstrated significant actor effects; patients and caregivers with better mutuality were more confident in patient self-care ( p<.05). Partner effects were not significant. Regression models indicated that caregivers with greater mutuality reported less perceived burden ( p<.01).

Conclusions:

Mutuality in patient–caregiver dyads is associated with patient self-care and caregiver burden and may be an important intervention target to improve self-care and reduce hospitalizations.
Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation for people with COPD: A qualitative study reporting the patient perspective
Authors: Lahham Aroub , McDonald Christine F , Mahal Ajay , Lee Annemarie L , Hill Catherine J , Burge Angela T , Cox Narelle S , Moore Rosemary , Nicolson Caroline , O’Halloran Paul , Gillies Rebecca , Holland Anne E
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to document the perspective of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) in a clinical trial. In this qualitative study, open-ended questions explored participants’ views regarding HBPR. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Major themes from interviews included the positive impact of HBPR on physical fitness, breathing and mood. Participants valued the flexibility and convenience of the programme. Participants also highlighted the importance of social support received, both from the physiotherapist over the phone and from family and friends who encouraged their participation. Reported challenges were difficulties in initiating exercise, lack of variety in training and physical incapability. While most participants supported the home setting, one participant would have preferred receiving supervised exercise training at the hospital. Participants also reported that HBPR had helped establish an exercise routine and improved their disease management. This study suggests that people with COPD valued the convenience of HBPR, experienced positive impacts on physical fitness and symptoms and felt supported by their community and programme staff. This highly structured HBPR model may be acceptable to some people with COPD as an alternative to centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation.
(Dis)Ableing Notions of Authentic Leadership Through the Lens of Critical Disability Theory
Authors: Procknow Greg , Rocco Tonette S. , Munn Sunny L.
Published: September 2017

The Problem

Persons with disabilities (PWD) are regarded as “the Other” and are sequestered from “normative” society because of their “Otherness.” “Othering” results in discrimination and the systemic preclusion of PWD. Ableism is the belief that being without a disability, impairment, or chronic illness is the norm. The notion that people without disabilities are the norm and are inherently superior is accepted without critique by those that advocate for authentic leadership. This privileges ableism and furthers the “Othering” of PWD within a leadership style intended to promote self-awareness, beliefs and ethics, and interpersonal relationships.

The Solution

The disabled experience and differently abled voice must be restored through relationally “being” with others and authentic dialogue. What is needed is a shift from the deficit model of authentic leadership to a social paradigm of authentic leadership, welcoming of bodily and psychic difference. This will better enable both leaders and employees to craft an authentic profile in the workplace.

The Stakeholders

Leaders and those who seek to become leaders following an authentic leadership approach can benefit from a better understanding of how their ingrained belief systems impact those that they lead who are both “able-bodied” and “disabled.” Human resource development (HRD) practitioners and leadership development practitioners can use this information to deconstruct and reconstruct leadership development opportunities to be inclusive as an authentic leader.
Poetic Inquiries of the 2016 Election: Teacher Candidates in Multicultural Education
Authors: Baker J. Scott , Vinson Megan , Krings Joshua , Dalton Colleen , Ragsdale Deamonte , Korthals Grace , Farber Matelyn , Bucolt Victoria
Published: September 2017

This article describes how an assistant professor addressed complicated, politically charged issues of social justice during the 2016 Presidential Election to primarily first-year teacher candidates (TCs) in a Multicultural Education course through Poetic Inquiry. The article presents Poetic Inquiry as a pedagogical tool to employ tackling controversial subjects through the use of voice from current events, legitimate news sources, interviews, and the TCs’ personal identities, which all articulate diverse concerns with issues on the 2016 campaign trail. Poems within the article include a range of current issues: Whiteness, homophobia, xenophobia, objectification of women, Black Lives Matter, immigration, women’s self-perceptions, electorate distrust, and bullying. Using poetry to make meaning from the election campaigns, TCs, as future educators and advocates for students, begin the process of deconstructing pluralistic voices heard in society and the classroom.
The Dark and Bright Sides of Personal Use of Technology at Work: A Job Demands–Resources Model
Authors: Kim Sungdoo , Christensen Amanda L.
Published: September 2017

As employees increasingly use technology for personal purposes in the workplace, tensions between proponents of control versus flexibility are rising. Proponents of control emphasize negative consequences and argue for employee restrictions and monitoring, whereas those for flexibility highlight positive consequences and advocate for employee discretion. We build consensus between these two approaches by adopting the job demands–resources model to show why the personal use of technology at work has both negative and positive effects on organizational outcomes, and then, we theorize about several boundary conditions that mitigate or strengthen these effects. We discuss implications for human resource development (HRD) scholars and professionals.
A Review of the Literature on Structured On-the-Job Training and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Ahadi Sahar , Jacobs Ronald L.
Published: September 2017

This literature review presents the current state of research on structured on-the-job training (S-OJT) and proposes a research agenda for future research activities on this form of workplace learning. In the past three decades, S-OJT has emerged as an integral part of human resource development practice. The literature review seeks to identify the nature of S-OJT as it is described in the literature, categorize the existing research and practices of S-OJT, provide overview of three dimensions (audience, location, and conclusion) of each study involving S-OJT, and develop a conceptual framework for conducting research on S-OJT. Online databases including Business Source Premier & Complete, Academic Source Premier, Scopus, Primo Articles, JSTOR, and ERIC were used for the reviews. The results of this literature review provide a theoretical framework for understanding S-OJT as a means to promote future research and theory building.
An Examination of Sociocultural Factors Associated With Mammography Screening Among Latina Immigrants
Authors: Luque John S. , Tarasenko Yelena N. , Bryant Debbie Chatman , Davila Caroline , Soulen Grace
Published: September 2017

Introduction:

The study hypothesized that sociocultural factors would be associated with breast cancer screening within the past 2 years among Latina immigrant women.

Method:

This study employed a survey design and included 82 Latina immigrant female participants 40 to 64 years of age for the analysis. Two multivariable binary logistic regression models were estimated, one for the sociocultural deterrents and the other for the symptomatic deterrents from the Cultural Cancer Screening Scale.

Results:

The results indicated two constructs of the Cultural Cancer Screening Scale, sociocultural deterrents (odds ratio = 2.00; 95% confidence interval = 1.04-3.86) and symptomatic deterrents (odds ratio = 1.65; 95% confidence interval = 1.08-2.54), were associated with screening in the past 2 years, when adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics.

Conclusion:

These findings provide evidence for the importance of sociocultural factors in Latina immigrant women’s timely mammography screening.
Brain Changes Following Executive Control Training in Older Adults
Authors: Adnan Areeba , Chen Anthony J. W. , Novakovic-Agopian Tatjana , D’Esposito Mark , Turner Gary R.
Published: September 2017

Background. While older adults are able to attend to goal-relevant information, the capacity to ignore irrelevant or distracting information declines with advancing age. This decline in selective attention has been associated with poor modulation of brain activity in sensory cortices by anterior brain regions implicated in cognitive control. Objective. Here we investigated whether participation in an executive control training program would result in improved selective attention and associated functional brain changes in a sample of healthy older adults (N = 24, age 60-85 years). Methods. Participants were enrolled in a goal-oriented attentional self-regulation (GOALS) program (n = 11) or a brain health education workshop as an active control condition (n = 13). All participants performed a working memory task requiring attention to or suppression of visual stimuli based on goal-relevance during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results. We observed a pattern of enhanced activity in right frontal, parietal and temporal brain regions from pre- to posttraining in the GOALS intervention group, which predicted the selectivity of subsequent memory for goal-relevant stimuli. Conclusions. Executive control training in older adults alters functional activity in brain regions associated with attentional control, and selectively predicts behavioral outcome.
Serotonin-gated inward currents are three times more frequent in rat hairy skin sensory afferents than in those innervating the skeletal muscle
Authors: Fierro Leonardo
Published: September 2017

Tight whole-cell patch clamp was performed in 191 DiI (1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) retrogradely labeled rat sensory afferents from skin shoulders ( n = 93) and biceps femoris muscles ( n = 98). 5-HT-gated inward currents were evoked with 50-µM serotonin (5-HT; 5-hydroxytryptamine), and their frequency and current densities were compared between skin and skeletal muscle sensory afferents. To evaluate if 5-HT-gated inward currents coexist with other ligand-gated currents, the skin and skeletal muscle sensory afferents were also sequentially exposed to external solution at pH 6.8, ATP (50 µM), and capsaicin (1 µM). 5-HT evoked inward currents in 72% (67 of 93) of hairy skin sensory afferents and in only 24% (24 of 98) of skeletal muscle sensory afferents, and this difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.0000, chi-square test). The current densities obtained in hairy skin and skeletal muscle sensory afferents were not significantly different. They were −45.8 ± 7.7 and −32.4 ± 10.5 pA/pF, respectively (mean ± SEM, p < 0.30734). These results indicate that 5-HT-gated inward currents are three times more frequently evoked in small- to medium-sized sensory afferents (25–40 µm) innervating the hairy skin than on those innervating the skeletal muscle. When cells were gathered in two clusters, the difference was four times larger in the small-sized cluster (25–32 µm) and two times larger in the medium-sized cluster (33–40 µm). The results can be explained if the superficial somatic (cutaneous) nociceptive system is more exposed than the deep somatic nociceptive system (musculoskeletal) to physical and chemical stimuli inducing 5-HT-mediated inflammatory pain.
A telehealth intervention to promote healthy lifestyles after stroke: The Stroke Coach protocol
Authors: Sakakibara Brodie M , Lear Scott A , Barr Susan I , Benavente Oscar , Goldsmith Charlie H , Silverberg Noah D , Yao Jennifer , Eng Janice J
Published: September 2017

Rationale

Recurrent stroke is prevalent and associated with high mortality rates, disability, and social and economic costs. Adequate management of risk factors may reduce recurrent stroke; however, many stroke survivors have poor control of risk factors. We have developed a theoretically sound and evidence-based lifestyle modification program called the Stroke Coach, a telephone-based self-management program to improve control of risk factors.

Hypothesis

Individuals who participate in Stroke Coach will achieve more lifestyle improvements than individuals in an attention controlled Memory Training Program.

Design

In this single blind randomized controlled trial, 126 community-living stroke survivors will be randomized to Stroke Coach or the attention control group. Participants randomized to the six-month Stroke Coach will receive seven telephone lifestyle coaching sessions, self-management education and practice, and a self-monitoring kit, comprised of a health report card, with blood pressure and activity monitors.

Study Outcomes

The primary outcome will be measured using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Secondary outcomes include behavioral and physiological risk factors, quality of life, cognitive status, health and social service use. Measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the intervention and six-month post-intervention.

The results of this trial will add to our understanding of the use of self-management to improve control of risk factors, and may facilitate the development of a larger trial evaluating the effect of Stroke Coach on endpoints such as recurrent stroke or cardiac events as the primary outcome.
The Mental Health Act 1983
Authors: Mills Jonathan , Phull Jaspreet
Published: September 2017

Mental health problems constitute a significant demand on the caseload of GPs. Although most patients can be managed with joint understanding and agreement as to treatment, GPs will encounter patients deemed to have mental illness of such severity that the patients’ ability to consent to treatment, admission or ongoing management in the community is brought into question. Patients may refuse necessary treatment, or lack insight into their condition and the necessary treatment. The patient may not accept that they are unwell. This can put great demands on caregivers and also requires knowledge of the legal framework necessary to ensure treatment of patients safely, legally and ethically. This article aims to outline the Mental Health Act 1983 as it applies in England and Wales, and to give advice on its practical application.
Optical improvements in the diagnosis of bladder cancer: implications for clinical practice
Authors: Schubert Tina , Rausch Steffen , Fahmy Omar , Gakis Georgios , Stenzl Arnulf
Published: September 2017

Background

For over 100 years white-light cystoscopy has remained the gold-standard technique for the detection of bladder cancer (BCa). Some limitations in the detection of flat lesions (CIS), the differentiation between inflammation and malignancy, the inaccurate determination of the tumor margin status as well as the tumor depth, have led to a variety of technological improvements. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of these improvements in the diagnosis of BCa and their effectiveness in clinical practice.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA statement to identify studies reporting on imaging modalities in the diagnosis of NMIBC between 2000 and 2017. A two-stage selection process was utilized to determine eligible studies. A total of 74 studies were considered for final analysis.

Results

Optical imaging technologies have emerged as an adjunct to white-light cystoscopy and can be classified according to their scope as macroscopic, microscopic and molecular. Macroscopic techniques including photodynamic diagnosis (PDD), narrow-band imaging (NBI) and the Storz Professional Image Enhancement System (IMAGE1 S, formerly known as SPIES) are similar to white-light cystoscopy, but are superior in the detection of bladder tumors by means of contrast enhancement. Especially the detection rate of very mute lesions in the bladder mucosa (CIS) could be significantly increased by the use of these methods. Microscopic imaging techniques like confocal laser endomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography permit a real-time high-resolution assessment of the bladder mucosa at a cellular and sub-cellular level with spatial resolutions similar to histology, enabling the surgeon to perform an ‘optical biopsy’. Molecular techniques are based on the combination of optical imaging technologies with fluorescence labeling of cancer-specific molecular agents like antibodies. This labeling is intended to favor an optical distinction between benign and malignant tissue.

Conclusions

Optical improvements of the standard white-light cystoscopy have proven their benefit in the detection of BCa and have found their way into clinical practice. Especially the combination of macroscopic and microscopic techniques may improve diagnostic accuracy. Nevertheless, HAL-PDD guided cystoscopy is the only approach approved for routine use in the diagnosis of BCa by most urological associations in the EU and USA to date.
The Association Between Early Exposure to Violence in Emerging Adulthood and Substance Use in Early-Adulthood Among Inner-City Individuals
Authors: Roehler Douglas R. , Heinze Justin E. , Stoddard Sarah A. , Bauermeister Jose A. , Zimmerman Marc A.
Published: September 2017

This study investigated whether being exposed to violence early in life is a risk factor for substance use later in life. Tenets of the stress-coping model and the self-medication hypothesis guided the analyses. Participants included 850 individuals from an economically challenged, urban community in Flint, MI (83% Black/African American; 50% male). Exposure to violence was measured 4 times in sequential years during emerging adulthood (ages 20–23) and substance use 4 times during early adulthood (ages 29–32). Multilevel growth models investigated the relationship between early exposure to violence and later rates of substance use. Youth who had above-average exposure to violence during emerging adulthood had increasing substance use during early adulthood compared to those with a below-average score, after controlling for prior use. These findings may inform practitioners to screen for substance use among individuals exposed to violence and intervene earlier before substance use becomes problematic.
Prevalence and Determinants of Water Pipe Tobacco and Polytobacco Use Among 18- to 24-Year-Old Emerging Adults in the United States
Authors: Kates Frederick R. , Haider M. Rifat , Laberge Maude
Published: September 2017

Water pipe (i.e., hookah) tobacco smoking (WTS) had the highest prevalence among 18- to 24-year-olds in recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Adult Tobacco Surveys (NATS). This study examines the national prevalence and determinants of current WTSs among emerging adults (EAs). Of the 3,577 EAs from the 2012 to 2013 NATS, 18.3% were current water pipe smokers; among the 4,439 EAs from the 2013 to 2014 NATS, the percentage increased to 20.1%. Multivariable analyses demonstrate that current users of cigarettes, cigar/cigarillos, pipes, and/or e-cigarettes were more likely to be current WTSs, while 22- to 24-year-old EAs and African Americans were less likely to smoke water pipe across both surveys. Different interventions and anti-marketing campaigns are needed for different tobacco products within subpopulations in the 18- to 24-year-old EA population. Strategies aimed at college students may not be as effective for noncollege EAs for stemming WTS. More representative research is needed on EAs during this pivotal period of self-exploration and self-development.
The Concept of ‘Working People’
Authors: Shivji Issa G.
Published: September 2017

This article interrogates the concept of ‘working people’. Lenin and other classical Marxists commonly used terms like labouring people, working people, or rural poor. Typically, they were used as descriptive, or, at best, as terms of political art rather than theoretical science. The inspiration in this article for the use of the term ‘working people’ comes from Walter Rodney. Building on previous work, the article relates the concept of working people to a modified definition of primitive accumulation under neo-liberalism, that is, as a process of surplus extraction by capital based on expropriation of a part of necessary consumption of the producer. It is argued that this is the material basis common to all sectors of what is here understood as working people.
Re-organizing Peasant Labour for Local Resilience in China
Authors: Tsui Sit , Wong Erebus , Chi Lau Kin , Tiejun Wen
Published: September 2017

The recurrent crises of financial capitalism that has erupted within core countries have resulted in a double cost-transfer to countries in the Global South in conditions where the South suffers from political upheaval, economic down turns and social unrest. Encountering the challenges of global financialization and de-industrialization, the Global South needs to strengthen national sovereignty over common resources and enhance its capability of reorganizing the labour force, in order to protect the livelihood of the majority. Other than the usual approach of providing more urban jobs, an alternative more socially and culturally beneficial to society in the long term is to enhance local resilience against globalization and reactivate rural communities to promote jobs as well as reincorporate young people. Though the Chinese government’s central policy of ‘New Socialist Countryside’ attempts to absorb the crises of overproduction and unemployment through large scale domestic investment in basic infrastructure and social welfare in rural areas, it does not necessarily strengthen local resilience. Local resilience evolves through initiatives from below for social transformation through self-organization, popular participation, reciprocity and ecological practices.
Changing Forms of Wage Labour in Zimbabwe’s New Agrarian Structure
Authors: Chambati Walter
Published: September 2017

This essay examines the changing nature of farm wage labour in the context of the extensive redistributive land reform since 2000. Using field research from two districts in Zimbabwe with contrasting agro-ecology and socio-economic patterns, it shows that agrarian wage labour is not the preserve of large-scale capitalist farms (LSCFs), which it is usually associated with. The new agrarian structure dominated by the peasantry not only employs an expanded base of unpaid family labourers, but also employs ‘informal’ wage labour whose character and conditions of employment are qualitatively different from the full and part-time labour of the past. Yet, there is continuation of the super-exploitation of agrarian wage labourers that is reflected by the payment of poor wages and differing degrees of the institution of the residential labour tenancy in both the old and new farm compounds. Landlessness and/or land shortage continues to be a key characteristic of farm wage labourers as in the past suggesting the persistence of the labour reserve dynamic.
Estimating Optimal Hedge Ratio and Hedging Effectiveness in the NSE Index Futures
Authors: Singh Gurmeet
Published: September 2017

This study attempts to study and suggest an optimal hedge ratio to Indian investors and traders by examining the three main indices of National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), namely, NIFTY, Bank NIFTY, and IT NIFTY, over the sample period from January 2011 to December 2015. The present study estimated the hedge ratio through six econometric models, namely, OLS, GARCH, EGARCH, TARCH, VAR, and VECM, in the minimum variance hedge ratio framework as suggested by Ederington (1979). The findings of the present study confirm the theoretical properties of Indian cash and futures market and suggest that the optimal hedge ratio estimated through EGARCH model was lowest for the NIFTY and Bank NIFTY, and that for IT NIFTY, the OLS model shows the lowest optimal hedge ratio as compared to that estimated through other models.
Tribal-Dalit Conflict Over Land: A Case of Narayanpatna Land Movement in the Koraput District of Odisha
Authors: Malik Suratha Kumar
Published: September 2017

Land as the most viable resource for sustaining tribal life is under threat because of continuous land alienation and encroachment in tribal areas of Koraput district (Odisha) in general and Narayanpatna in particular. Among the encroachers who alienate tribal land, the non-tribes and migrant Dalits from coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are present with other Hindu upper castes and landlords. The land laws preventing the sale of tribal lands to non-tribals remain in paper. The land dispute, which remained unsettled for generations with the negligence of the administration, was sought to be resolved by the concerted efforts of thousands of tribals led by the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) of Narayanpatna. In the long run, through the movement, the tribals have been able to take their lands back from the clutches of ‘hooch traders’ (the Dalits, locally called as ‘Sundhis’ or local liquor vendors) and landlords, what was rightfully theirs. However, the government has done nothing concrete in this regard despite the continuous demands from the tribals to restore their lands and has, in fact, suppressed the movement with all brute force by arresting the tribal activists and projecting it as a brutal attack by the Maoists over the poor Dalits in the area.
Coverage of Giant Sacral Sore With a Gastrocnemius Myocutaneous Flap Pedicled With Femoral Vessels After Thigh Amputation
Authors: Lin Haodong , Chen Huihao , Hu Haoliang , Hou Chunlin
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this report was to present the results of coverage of giant sacral sores with a gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap pedicled with femoral vessels after thigh amputation. Between June 1989 and April 2010, 10 patients with paraplegia having giant sacral pressure sores underwent early aggressive surgical debridement followed by surgical reconstruction with a gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap pedicled with femoral vessels after thigh amputation. The spinal cord injury was secondary to trauma in 8 patients and non-traumatic in 2 patients. The wounds measured between 8 cm × 26 cm and 26 cm × 30 cm. The post-operative course was uneventful in 8 patients. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients who were treated with skin grafts. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 96 months. There was no recurrence of the sore in any patient. This technique may be a treatment option for the repair of huge sacral bedsores in the absence of other reliable methods for patients with paraplegia.
Concomitant Unusual Presentation of an Arteriovenous Malformation in a Mother and Child
Authors: Gnarra Maria , Murabit Amera
Published: September 2017

Arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular anomalies due to the absent interposition of the capillary system between arteries and veins. Despite many AVMs being asymptomatic, pain, bleeding, functional impairment, and neurological compression can be observed, depending on the location of the lesion. Surgical removal of symptomatic lesions is the gold standard treatment. The vast majority of AVMs are sporadic, with only few familial cases reported. The pathogenics of the lesions are still elusive, although mutations in the PTEN and RASA1 gene have been identified. We report on an unusual presentation of an AVM occurring in similar anatomic locations and within concurring time spans, in a daughter and her mother. Both patients were negative for the known mutations.
Functional and quality of life outcomes after partial glossectomy: A multi-institutional longitudinal study of the head and neck research network
Authors: Dzioba Agnieszka , Aalto Daniel , Papadopoulos-Nydam Georgina , Seikaly Hadi , Rieger Jana , Wolfaardt Johan , Osswald Martin , Harris Jeffrey R. , O'Connell Daniel A. , Lazarus Cathy , Urken Mark , Likhterov Ilya , Chai Raymond L. , Rauscher Erika , Buchbinder Daniel , Okay Devin , Happonen Risto-Pekka , Kinnunen Ilpo , Irjala Heikki , Soukka Tero , Laine Juhani ,   Head and Neck Research Network
Published: September 2017

Background

While aggressive treatment for oral cancer may optimize survival, decrements in speech and swallowing function and quality of life often result. This exploratory study investigated how patients recover their communicative function, swallowing ability, and quality of life after primary surgery [with or without adjuvant (chemo)radiation therapy] for tongue cancer over the course of the first year post-operation.

Methods

Patients treated for oral cancer at three institutions (University of Alberta Hospital, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, and Turku University Hospital) were administered patient-reported outcomes assessing speech [Speech Handicap Index (SHI)], swallowing [(M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI)] and quality of life [European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Module (EORTC-H&N35)]. Outcome measures were completed pre-operatively and at 1-, 6-, and 12-months post-operatively.

Results

One hundred and seventeen patients undergoing partial glossectomy with reconstruction participated in this study. Results indicated no significant differences in swallowing function (MDADI and EORTC-H&N35 subscales) between baseline and 6 months post-surgery and no significant differences in speech function (SHI subscales) between baseline and 1 year post-surgery. Most quality of life domains (EORTC-H&N35 subscales) returned to baseline levels by 1 year post-operation, while difficulties with dry mouth and sticky saliva persisted. A clear time trend of adjuvant (chemo)radiation therapy negatively affecting dry mouth scores over time was identified in this study, while negative independent effects of chemoradiation on MDADI swallowing, and EORTC-H&N35 swallowing, eating, and opening mouth subscales were found.

Conclusions

Assessment time influenced patient-reported speech, swallowing, and quality of life outcomes, while treatment (by time) effects were found for only swallowing and quality of life outcomes. Results of the present study will help guide clinical care and will be useful for patient counseling on expected short and long-term functional and quality of life outcomes of surgical and adjuvant treatment for oral cavity cancer.
A prospective analysis of risk factors for pediatric burn mortality at a tertiary burn center in North India
Authors: Dhopte Amol , Bamal Rahul , Tiwari Vinay Kumar
Published: September 2017

Background

None of the available mortality predicting models in pediatric burns precisely predicts outcomes in every population. Mortality rates as well as their risk factors vary with regions and among different centers within the regions. The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for mortality in pediatric burns in an effort to decrease the mortality in these patients.

Methods

A prospective analytical study was conducted in patients up to the age of 18 years admitted for burn injuries in a tertiary care burn center in India from January to December 2014. Clinical and demographic data was collected through questionnaire-interview and patient follow-up during their stay in the hospital. Univariate and multivariate firth logistic regression was used to identify various risk factors for mortality in pediatric burns.

Results

A total of 475 patients were admitted during the study period. Overall mortality was 31.3% (n = 149) in this study. Mean age of the patients who died was 8.68 years. Of the 149 deaths, 74 were males and 75 were females (male to female ratio = 0.98). Mean total body surface area (TBSA) involved of the patients who expired was 62%. Inhalational injury was seen in 15.5% (n = 74) of pediatric burn admissions. Mortality was significantly higher (74.3%) in patients with inhalation injury. Mortality was highest in patients with isolates of Acinetobacter + Klebsiella (58.3%), followed by Pseudomonas + Klebsiella (53.3%), Acinetobacter (31.5%), and Pseudomonas (26.3%) (p < 0.0005). Factors found to be significant on univariate firth analysis were older age, female gender, suicidal burns, higher TBSA, presence of inhalation injury, increased depth of burn, and positive microbial cultures. On multivariate analysis, higher TBSA was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality. The adjusted odds ratios for TBSA involvement was 21.706 (25.1-50%), 136.195 (50.1-75%), and 1019.436 (75.1-100%), respectively.

Conclusion

TBSA is the most important factor predicting mortality in pediatric burns. The higher the TBSA, the higher is the risk of mortality. Other significant risk factors for mortality are female gender, deeper burns, positive wound cultures, and inhalation injury. Risk of mortality was significantly lower in children who belonged to urban areas, nuclear family, who sustained burn injury in the last quarter of the year, and who stayed in the hospital for longer period.
Approach to interpret images produced by new generations of multidetector CT scanners in post-operative spine
Authors: Zeitoun Rania , Hussein Manar
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To reach a practical approach to interpret MDCT findings in post-operative spine cases and to change the false belief of CT failure in the setting of instruments secondary to related artefacts.

Methods:

We performed observational retrospective analysis of premier, early and late MDCT scans in 68 post-operative spine patients, with emphasis on instruments related complications and osseous fusion status. We used a grading system for assessment of osseous fusion in 35 patients and we further analysed the findings in failure of fusion, grade (D).

Results:

We observed a variety of instruments related complications (mostly screws medially penetrating the pedicle) and osseous fusion status in late scans. We graded 11 interbody and 14 posterolateral levels as osseous fusion failure, showing additional instruments related complications, end plates erosive changes, adjacent segments spondylosis and malalignment.

Conclusion:

Modern MDCT scanners provide high quality images and are strongly recommended in assessment of the instruments and status of osseous fusion. In post-operative imaging of the spine, it is essential to be aware for what you are looking for, in relevance to the date of surgery.

Advances in knowledge:

Modern MDCT scanners allow assessment of instruments position and integrity and osseous fusion status in post-operative spine. We propose a helpful algorithm to simplify interpreting post-operative spine imaging.
An international survey and modified Delphi process revealed editors’ perceptions, training needs, and ratings of competency-related statements for the development of core competencies for scientific editors of biomedical journals
Authors: Galipeau James , Cobey Kelly D. , Barbour Virginia , Baskin Patricia , Bell-Syer Sally , Deeks Jonathan , Garner Paul , Shamseer Larissa , Sharon Straus , Tugwell Peter , Winker Margaret , Moher David
Published: September 2017

Background: Scientific editors (i.e., those who make decisions on the content and policies of a journal) have a central role in the editorial process at biomedical journals. However, very little is known about the training needs of these editors or what competencies are required to perform effectively in this role.

Methods: We conducted a survey of perceptions and training needs among scientific editors from major editorial organizations around the world, followed by a modified Delphi process in which we invited the same scientific editors to rate the importance of competency-related statements obtained from a previous scoping review.

Results: A total of 148 participants completed the survey of perceptions and training needs. At least 80% of participants agreed on six of the 38 skill and expertise-related statements presented to them as being important or very important to their role as scientific editors. At least 80% agreed on three of the 38 statements as necessary skills they perceived themselves as possessing (well or very well).  The top five items on participants’ list of top training needs were training in statistics, research methods, publication ethics, recruiting and dealing with peer reviewers, and indexing of journals. The three rounds of the Delphi were completed by 83, 83, and 73 participants, respectively, which ultimately produced a list of 23 “highly rated” competency-related statements and another 86 “included” items.

Conclusion: Both the survey and the modified Delphi process will be critical for understanding knowledge and training gaps among scientific editors when designing curriculum around core competencies in the future.
Case Report: Application of whole exome sequencing for accurate diagnosis of rare syndromes of mineralocorticoid excess
Authors: Narayanan Ranjit , Karuthedath Vellarikkal Shamsudheen , Jayarajan Rijith , Verma Ankit , Dixit Vishal , Scaria Vinod , Sivasubbu Sridhar
Published: September 2017

Syndromes of mineralocorticoid excess (SME) are closely related clinical manifestations occurring within a specific set of diseases. Overlapping clinical manifestations of such syndromes often create a dilemma in accurate diagnosis, which is crucial for disease surveillance and management especially in rare genetic disorders. Here we demonstrate the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) for accurate diagnosis of rare SME and report that p.R337C variation in the HSD11B2 gene causes progressive apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) syndrome in a South Indian family of Mappila origin.
ROLE OF TRPM8 GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN THE FORMATION OF ASTHMA PHENOTYPE WITH COLD AIRWAY HYPERRESPONSIVENESS
Authors: Наумов Денис , Naumov Denis , Котова Олеся , Kotova Olesya , Гассан Дина , Gassan Dina , Приходько Анна , Prikhodko Anna , Перельман Юлий , Perelman Yuliy , Колосов Виктор , Kolosov Viktor
Published: September 2017

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of TRPM8 cold thermoreceptor gene polymorphisms on the development of asthma phenotype with cold airway hyperresponsiveness (CAH). 167 cases of mild-to-moderate persistent asthma were retrospectively analyzed. In each case, the examination included two repeated bronchoprovocation tests with 3-min isocapic cold air hyperventilation with 6-month interval, standard spirometry and genotyping of seven TRPM8 polymorphisms (rs11562975, rs17868387, rs28901637, rs138810119, rs2052030, rs17865682 and rs1003540). A double positive response to the bronchoprovocation test served as a criterion for the phenotype of asthma with CAH. Based on the results of the study, previously revealed relationship between rs11562975 polymorphism and CAH was confirmed, and also three new polymorphisms (rs17868387, rs17865682 and rs1003540) differentially associated with CAH asthma phenotype were identified. The obtained data indicate the contribution of the molecular genetic peculiarities of TRPM8 to the pathogenesis of CAH and substantiate the further search for additional molecular mechanisms of cold-induced respiratory reactions.
TRPM8 GENE POLYMORPHISM AND SMOKING AS THE FACTORS OF SEVERE BRONCHIAL OBSTRUCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA
Authors: Гассан Дина , Gassan Dina , Наумов Денис , Naumov Denis , Котова Олеся , Kotova Olesya , Приходько Анна , Prikhodko Anna , Колосов Виктор , Kolosov Viktor
Published: September 2017

The aim of the study was to determine the role of rs11562975 polymorphism of TRPM8 gene and tobacco smoking in the formation of severe bronchial obstruction in asthma patients. According to this aim, 416 patients with varying severity of asthma were examined. The study design included standard spirometry, genotyping of rs11562975 TRPM8 gene polymorphism and evaluation of the status and duration of smoking. The study revealed the detrimental effect of smoking on the respiratory function in patients with a pack/year index ≥10. rs11562975 polymorphism had a modulating effect on the smoking in patients with asthma. The influence of smoking ≥10 packs-years on the formation of severe bronchial obstruction was more pronounced among carriers of GC genotype, compared to patients with GG genotype. In case of pack-year history ≥20, the GC genotype significantly increased the risk of severe bronchial obstruction in the examined patients
THE ROLE OF CHOLESTEROL AND ESTRADIOL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLACENTAL INSUFFICIENCY UNDER CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY
Authors: Ишутина Наталия , Ishutina Nataliya , Луценко Михаил , Lutsenko Mikhail , Андриевская Ирина , Andrievskaya Irina
Published: September 2017

To assess the role of cholesterol and estradiol in the development of placental insufficiency under cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) in the period of gestation, cholesterol and estradiol were studied in the peripheral blood of 35 pregnant women who had a reactivation of chronic CMVI (IgG antibody titer to CMV is 1:1600) in the third trimester of pregnancy (the main group). As a control the blood plasma of 35 healthy women of the same period of gestation and age as in the main group were studied. It was found out that the reactivation of chronic CMVI in the third trimester of gestation was followed by the decrease of concentration of cholesterol by 23% ( p<0.001), of estradiol by 65% (p<0.001) in comparison with the values of healthy women. To analyze the chosen values for assessment, the discriminant function was found. It had the probability of differences not less than 95%; which that the discriminant equation was derived which for this study had the following formula: D=(-379×total cholesterol)+(-0.072×estradiol), where D is a discriminant function whose limit value is (-2673.59). If D is equal or less than the limit value, then the development of placental insufficiency in women in the third trimester of pregnancy is predicted, and if D is more than the limit value, then the normal course of the third trimester of pregnancy is predicted. Thus, the obtained results allow to establish the main role of disturbances of total cholesterol contents and key steroid hormone of pregnancy (estradiol) in the pathogenesis of placental insufficiency development under CMVI during gestation, which can be the basis for improvement of diagnostic and medical basis under this pathology of pregnant women.