bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Women and Their Children’s Health (WaTCH) study: methods and design of a prospective cohort study in Louisiana to examine the health effects from the BP oil spill
Authors: Peters Edward S , Rung Ariane L , Bronson Megan H , Brashear Meghan M , Peres Lauren C , Gaston Symielle , Sullivan Samaah M , Peak Kate , Abramson David M , Fontham Elizabeth T H , Harrington Daniel , Oral Evrim , Trapido Edward J
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is the largest marine oil spill in US history. Few studies have evaluated the potential health effects of this spill on the Gulf Coast community. The Women and Their Children’s Health (WaTCH) study is a prospective cohort designed to investigate the midterm to long-term physical, mental and behavioural health effects of exposure to the oil spill.

Participants

Women were recruited by telephone from pre-existing lists of individuals and households using an address-based sampling frame between 2012 and 2014. Baseline interviews obtained information on oil spill exposure, demographics, physical and mental health, and health behaviours. Women were also asked to provide a household roster, from which a child between 10 and 17 years was randomly selected and recruited into a child substudy. Telephone respondents were invited to participate in a home visit in which blood samples, anthropometrics and neighbourhood characteristics were measured. A follow-up interview was completed between 2014 and 2016.

Findings to date

2852 women completed the baseline interview, 1231 of whom participated in the home visit, and 628 children participated in the child’s health substudy. The follow-up interview successfully reinterviewed 2030 women and 454 children.

Future plans

WaTCH continues to conduct follow-up surveys, with a third wave of interviews planned in 2017. Also, we are looking to enhance the collection of spatially related environmental data to facilitate assessment of health risks in the study population. In addition, opportunities to participate in behavioural interventions for subsets of the cohort have been initiated. There are ongoing studies that examine the relationship between genetic and immunological markers with mental health.
MiYoga: a randomised controlled trial of a mindfulness movement programme based on hatha yoga principles for children with cerebral palsy: a study protocol
Authors: Mak Catherine , Whittingham Koa , Cunnington Ross , Boyd Roslyn N
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood physical disability, with life-long impacts for 1.77 in 1000 children. Although CP is primarily a physical disability, children with CP have an increased risk of experiencing cognitive difficulties, particularly attention and executive function deficits. Impairment in cognitive abilities can lead to subsequent impairment in independent functioning, education, employment and interpersonal relationships. This paper reports the protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a novel family-centred lifestyle intervention based on mindfulness and hatha yoga principles (MiYoga). MiYoga aims to enhance child and parent outcomes for children with CP.

Methods and analysis

The aim is to recruit 36 child-parent dyads (children aged 6–16 years; bilateral or unilateral CP; Gross Motor Function Classification System I–III), who will be randomly assigned to two groups: MiYoga and wait list control. The MiYoga programme will be facilitated in a group format for 8 weeks. Assessments will be administered at baseline, prior to MiYoga, following completion of MiYoga, and at 6-month follow-up (retention). The primary outcome will be the child’s sustained attentional ability as measured by the Conner’s Continuous Performance Test II. Other outcomes of interest for children with CP consists of attentional control, physical functioning, behavioural and well-being. For parents, the outcomes of interest are mindfulness, psychological flexibility and well-being. Data will be analysed using general linear models, specifically analysis of covariance and analysis of variance.

Ethics and dissemination

Full ethical approval for this study has been obtained by the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Research Ethics Committee (HREC/12/QRCH/120) and The University of Queensland (2012000993). If MiYoga is proven effective, its dissemination would assist children with CP and complement their ongoing therapy by improving the ability of the child to pay attention at school and in therapy, and alleviating environmental stressors for both the child and his/her parents.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12613000729729; Pre-results.http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12613000729729.aspx

Date of trial registration

Prospectively registered on 2 July 2013–present (ongoing).

Findings to date

Recruitment is complete. Data are still being collected at present. We aim to complete data collection by February 2017.
Bubble continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of severe paediatric pneumonia in Malawi: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Kortz Teresa Bleakly , Herzel Benjamin , Marseille Elliot , Kahn James G
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Pneumonia is the largest infectious cause of death in children under 5 years globally, and limited resource settings bear an overwhelming proportion of this disease burden. Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP), an accepted supportive therapy, is often thought of as cost-prohibitive in these settings. We hypothesise that bCPAP is a cost-effective intervention in a limited resource setting and this study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of bCPAP, using Malawi as an example.

Design

Cost-effectiveness analysis.

Setting

District and central hospitals in Malawi.

Participants

Children aged 1 month–5 years with severe pneumonia, as defined by WHO criteria.

Interventions

Using a decision tree analysis, we compared standard of care (including low-flow oxygen and antibiotics) to standard of care plus bCPAP.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

For each treatment arm, we determined the costs, clinical outcomes and averted disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We assigned input values from a review of the literature, including applicable clinical trials, and calculated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Results

In the base case analysis, the cost of bCPAP per patient was $15 per day and $41 per hospitalisation, with an incremental net cost of $64 per pneumonia episode. bCPAP averts 5.0 DALYs per child treated, with an ICER of $12.88 per DALY averted compared with standard of care. In one-way sensitivity analyses, the most influential uncertainties were case fatality rates (ICER range $9–32 per DALY averted). In a multi-way sensitivity analysis, the median ICER was $12.97 per DALY averted (90% CI, $12.77 to $12.99).

Conclusion

bCPAP is a cost-effective intervention for severe paediatric pneumonia in Malawi. These results may be used to inform policy decisions, including support for widespread use of bCPAP in similar settings.
Clinical characteristics of importance to outcome in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: protocol for a prospective descriptive and exploratory cohort study
Authors: Andreasen Rikke Asmussen , Kristensen Lars Erik , Ellingsen Torkell , Christensen Robin , Baraliakos Xenofon , Wied Jimmi , Aalykke Claus , Ulstrup Thomas , Schiøttz-Christensen Berit , Horn Hans Christian , Emamifar Amir , Duerlund Bent , Fischer Lars , Hansen Inger Marie Jensen
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a heterogeneous spectrum of rheumatic diseases with either predominantly axial inflammatory symptoms of the spine and sacroiliac joints or predominantly peripheral arthritis. The two main entities of axial SpA (axSpA) are ankylosing spondylitis or non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). Tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors have revolutionised the treatment of patients with axSpA who failed to respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. Chronic pain is common in patients with SpA and may still persist despite the lack of signs of inflammation. This has led researchers to hypothesise that central pain sensitisation may play a role in the generation of chronic pain in SpA. The painDETECT Questionnaire (PDQ) is a screening tool developed to detect neuropathic pain components. The primary objective is to explore the prognostic value of the PDQ regarding treatment response in patients with axSpA 3 months after initiating a biological agent. Secondary aim is to evaluate the impact of extra-articular manifestations, comorbidities and patient-reported outcomes and elucidate if these factors influence treatment response.

Method and analysis

We will include 60 participants (≥18 years of age) diagnosed with axSpA independent of main entity, who initiate or switch treatment of a biologic. Data will be collected at baseline and at endpoint following Danish clinical practice (≥3 months) of treatment with biologics. We will explore whether the PDQ and other phenotypical patient characteristics are prognostically important for response to biological therapy according to established response criteria like 50% improvement in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (50%) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Region of Southern Denmark’s Ethics committee (S-20160094) and has been designed in cooperation with patient representatives. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02948608, pre-results). Dissemination will occur through publication(s) in international peer-reviewed journal(s).
Risk of a seizure recurrence after a breakthrough seizure and the implications for driving: further analysis of the standard versus new antiepileptic drugs (SANAD) randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bonnett L J , Powell G A , Tudur Smith C , Marson AG
Published: July 2017

Objectives

A breakthrough seizure is one occurring after at least 12 months seizure freedom while on treatment. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) allows an individual to return to driving once they have been seizure free for 12 months following a breakthrough seizure. This is based on the assumption that the risk of a further seizure in the next 12 months has dropped <20%. This analysis considers whether the prescribed 1 year off driving following a breakthrough seizure is sufficient for this and stratifies risk according to clinical characteristics.

Design, setting, participants, interventions and main outcome measures

The multicentre UK-based Standard versus New Antiepileptic Drugs (SANAD) study was a randomised controlled trial assessing standard and new antiepileptic drugs for patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. For participants aged at least 16 with a breakthrough seizure, data have been analysed to estimate the annual seizure recurrence risk following a period of 6, 9 and 12 months seizure freedom. Regression modelling was used to investigate how antiepileptic drug treatment and a number of clinical factors influence the risk of seizure recurrence.

Results

At 12 months following a breakthrough seizure, the overall unadjusted risk of a recurrence over the next 12 months is lower than 20%, risk 17% (95% CI 15% to 19%). However, some patient subgroups have been identified which have an annual recurrence risk significantly greater than 20% after an initial 12-month seizure-free period following a breakthrough seizure.

Conclusions

This reanalysis of SANAD provides estimates of seizure recurrence risks following a breakthrough seizure that will inform policy and guidance about regaining an ordinary driving licence. Further guidance is needed as to how such data should be used.

Trial registration number

SANAD is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number RegisterISRCTN38354748.
Protocol for a multicentre randomised feasibility STUdy evaluating the impact of a prognostic model for Management of BLunt chest wall trauma patients: STUMBL trial
Authors: Battle Ceri , Abbott Zoe , Hutchings Hayley A , O'Neill Claire , Groves Sam , Watkins Alan , Lecky Fiona E , Jones Sally , Gagg James , Body Richard , Evans Philip A
Published: July 2017

Introduction

A new prognostic model has been developed and externally validated, the aim of which is to assist in the management of the blunt chest wall trauma patient in the emergency department (ED). A definitive randomised controlled trial (impact trial) is required to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of the new model before it can be accepted in clinical practice. The purpose of this trial is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of such a definitive trial and inform its design.

Methods/analysis

This feasibility trial is designed to test the methods of a multicentre, cluster-randomised (stepped- wedge) trial, with a substantial qualitative component. Four EDs in England and Wales will collect data for all blunt chest wall trauma patients over a 5-month period; in the initial period acting as the controls (normal care), and in the second period acting as the interventions (in which the new model will be used). Baseline measurements including completion of the SF-12v2 will be obtained on initial assessment in the ED. Patient outcome data will then be collected for any subsequent hospitalisations. Data collection will conclude with a 6-week follow-up completion of two surveys (SF-12v2 and Client Services Receipt Inventory). Analysis of outcomes will focus on feasibility, acceptability and trial processes and will include recruitment and retention rates, attendance at clinician training rates and use of model in the ED. Qualitative feedback will be obtained through clinician interviews and a research nurse focus group. An evaluation of the feasibility of health economics outcomes data will be completed.

Ethics and dissemination

Wales Research Ethics Committee 6 granted approval for the trial in September 2016. Patient recruitment will commence in February 2017. Planned dissemination is through publication in a peer-reviewedEmergency Medicine Journal, presentation at appropriate conferences and to stakeholders at professional meetings.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN95571506; Pre-results.
Optimal cut points of plasma and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for the prediction of acute kidney injury among critically ill adults: retrospective determination and clinical validation of a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Tecson Kristen M , Erhardtsen Elisabeth , Eriksen Peter M , Gaber A Osama , Germain Michael , Golestaneh Ladan , Lavoria Maria de los Angeles , Moore Linda W , McCullough Peter A
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To determine the optimal threshold of blood and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) to predict moderate to severe acute kidney injury (AKI) and persistent moderate to severe AKI lasting at least 48 consecutive hours, as defined by an adjudication panel.

Methods

A multicentre prospective observational study enrolled intensive care unit (ICU) patients and recorded daily ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma, heparin plasma and urine NGAL. We used natural log-transformed NGAL in a logistic regression model to predict stage 2/3 AKI (defined by Kidney Disease International Global Organization). We performed the same analysis using the NGAL value at the start of persistent stage 2/3 AKI.

Results

Of 245 subjects, 33 (13.5%) developed stage 2/3 AKI and 25 (10.2%) developed persistent stage 2/3 AKI. Predicting stage 2/3 AKI revealed the optimal NGAL cutoffs in EDTA plasma (142.0 ng/mL), heparin plasma (148.3 ng/mL) and urine (78.0 ng/mL) and yielded the following decision statistics: sensitivity (SN)=78.8%, specificity (SP)=73.0%, positive predictive value (PPV)=31.3%, negative predictive value (NPV)=95.7%, diagnostic accuracy (DA)=73.8% (EDTA plasma); SN=72.7%, SP=73.8%, PPV=30.4%, NPV=94.5%, DA=73.7% (heparin plasma); SN=69.7%, SP=76.8%, PPV=32.9%, NPV=94%, DA=75.8% (urine). The optimal NGAL cutoffs to predict persistent stage 2/3 AKI were similar: 148.3 ng/mL (EDTA plasma), 169.6 ng/mL (heparin plasma) and 79.0 ng/mL (urine) yielding: SN=84.0%, SP=73.5%, PPV=26.6%, NPV=97.6, DA=74.6% (EDTA plasma), SN=84%, SP=76.1%, PPV=26.8%, NPV=96.5%, DA=76.1% (heparin plasma) and SN=75%, SP=75.8%, PPV=26.1, NPV=96.4%, DA=75.7% (urine).

Conclusion

Blood and urine NGAL predicted stage 2/3 AKI, as well as persistent 2/3 AKI in the ICU with acceptable decision statistics using a single cut point in each type of specimen.
Sleeping pill use in Brazil: a population-based, cross-sectional study
Authors: Kodaira Katia , Silva Marcus Tolentino
Published: July 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sleeping pill use in Brazil.

Design

A population-based cross-sectional study with a three-stage cluster sampling design (census tracts, households and adult residents) was used.

Setting

The Brazilian 2013 National Health Survey was used.

Participants

The study population consisted of household residents aged ≥18 years. A total of 60 202 individuals were interviewed, including 52.9% women, and 21% reported depressive symptoms.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was sleeping pill use, which was self-reported with the question, ‘Over the past two weeks, have you used any sleeping pills?’ The prevalence was calculated and stratified according to sociodemographic characteristics. The associated factors were identified from prevalence ratios (PRs) obtained through a Poisson regression with robust variance and adjusted for sex and age.

Results

The prevalence of sleeping pill use was 7.6% (95% CI 7.3% to 8.0%), and the average treatment duration was 9.75 (95% CI 9.49 to 10.00) days. Self-medication was found in 11.2% (95% CI 9.6% to 12.9%) of users. The following factors were associated with sleeping pill use: female sex (PR=2.21; 95% CI 1.97 to 2.47), an age of ≥60 years (PR=5.43; 95% CI 4.14 to 7.11) and smoking (PR=1.47; 95% CI 1.28 to 1.68). Sleeping pill use was also positively associated with the severity of depressive symptoms (p<0.001), whereas alcohol intake was inversely associated (PR=0.66; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.77).

Conclusions

One in every 13 Brazilians adults uses sleeping pills. There is a lack of information about the reasons for this use. Actions are required to raise awareness about the risks. The results could assist programmes in targeting rational sleeping pill use and the identification of factors demanding intervention.
CArbon dioxide surgical field flooding and aortic NO-touch off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting to reduce Neurological injuries after surgical coronary revascularisation (CANON): protocol for a randomised, controlled, investigator and patient blinded single-centre superiority trial with three parallel arms
Authors: Szwed Krzysztof , Pawliszak Wojciech , Serafin Zbigniew , Kowalewski Mariusz , Tomczyk Remigiusz , Perlinski Damian , Szwed Magdalena , Tomaszewska Marta , Anisimowicz Lech , Borkowska Alina
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Neurological injuries remain a major concern following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) that offsets survival benefit of CABG over percutaneous coronary interventions. Among numerous efforts to combat this issue is the development of off-pump CABG (OPCABG) that obviates the need for extracorporeal circulation and is associated with improved neurological outcomes. The objective of this study is to examine whether the neuroprotective effect of OPCABG can be further pronounced by the use of two state-of-the-art operating techniques.

Methods and analysis

In this randomised, controlled, investigator and patient blinded single-centre superiority trial with three parallel arms, a total of 360 patients will be recruited. They will be allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to two treatment arms and one control arm. Treatment arms undergoing either aortic no-touch OPCABG or OPCABG with partial clamp applying carbon dioxide surgical field flooding will be compared against control arm undergoing OPCABG with partial clamp. The primary endpoint will be the appearance of new lesions on control brain MRI 3 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints will include the prevalence of new focal neurological deficits in the first 7 days after surgery, the occurrence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction at either 1 week or 3 months after surgery and the incidence of delirium in the first 7 days after surgery. Data will be analysed on intention-to-treat principles and a per protocol basis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted for this study. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed media.

Trial registration number

NCT03074604; Pre-results.

Date and version identifier

10-Mar-2017 Original
Determinants of mortality and prolonged hospital stay among dengue patients attending tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional retrospective analysis
Authors: Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain , Khan Amer Hayat , Sarriff Azmi , Adnan Azreen Syazril , Khan Yusra Habib
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Dengue imposes substantial economic, societal and personal burden in terms of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. Early identification of dengue cases with high propensity of increased hospital stay and death could be of value in isolating patients in need of early interventions. The current study was aimed to determine the significant factors associated with dengue-related prolonged hospitalisation and death.

Design

Cross-sectional retrospective study.

Setting

Tertiary care teaching hospital.

Participants

Patients with confirmed dengue diagnosis were stratified into two categories on the basis of prolonged hospitalisation (≤3 days and >3 days) and mortality (fatal cases and non-fatal cases). Clinico-laboratory characteristics between these categories were compared by using appropriate statistical methods.

Results

Of 667 patients enrolled, 328 (49.2%) had prolonged hospitalisation. The mean hospital stay was 4.88±2.74 days. Multivariate analysis showed that dengue haemorrhagic fever (OR 2.3), elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (OR 2.3), prolonged prothrombin time (PT) (OR 1.7), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (OR 1.9) and multiple-organ dysfunctions (OR 2.1) were independently associated with prolonged hospitalisation. Overall case fatality rate was 1.1%. Factors associated with dengue mortality were age >40 years (p=0.004), secondary infection (p=0.040), comorbidities (p<0.05), acute kidney injury (p<0.001), prolonged PT (p=0.022), multiple-organ dysfunctions (p<0.001), haematocrit >20% (p=0.001), rhabdomyolosis (p<0.001) and respiratory failure (p=0.007). Approximately half of the fatal cases in our study had prolonged hospital stay of greater than three days.

Conclusions

The results underscore the high proportion of dengue patients with prolonged hospital stay. Early identification of factors relating to prolonged hospitalisation and death will have obvious advantages in terms of appropriate decisions about treatment and management in high dependency units.
Efficacy of nanocurcumin supplementation on insulin resistance, lipids, inflammatory factors and nesfatin among obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a trial protocol
Authors: Jazayeri-Tehrani Seyed Ali , Rezayat Seyed Mahdi , Mansouri Siavash , Qorbani Mostafa , Alavian Seyed Moayed , Daneshi-Maskooni Milad , Hosseinzadeh-Attar Mohammad-Javad
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Different studies have been conducted on the role of curcumin in health since having multiple properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Due to the lack of studies regarding curcumin effects on obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), our protocol was designed to assess nanocurcumin impacts on blood sugar, lipids, inflammatory indices, insulin resistance and liver function, especially by nesfatin.

Setting

This trial will be conducted in the Oil Company central hospital of Tehran, Iran with a primary level of care.

Participants

84 obese patients with NAFLD diagnosed using ultrasonography will be employed according to the eligibility criteria‎.

Interventions

The patients will be randomly divided into two equal groups (nanocurcumin and placebo, two 40 mg capsules per day with meals for 3 months, follow-up monthly). Also, lifestyle changes (low-calorie diet and physical activity) will be advised.

Measures of the primary and secondary outcomes

A general questionnaire, 24 hours food recall (at the beginning, middle and end) and short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire will be completed. Blood pressure, anthropometrics, serum sugar indices (fasting blood sugar and insulin, insulin resistance and sensitivity and glycosylated haemoglobin), lipids (triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, inflammatory profiles (interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha), liver function (alanine and aspartate transaminase) and nesfatin will be measured at the beginning and end of the study.

Conclusion

This trial would be the first experiment to determine nanocurcumin efficacy on certain blood factors among obese patients with NAFLD. Nevertheless, studying the potential consequences of curcumin in various diseases, especially NAFLD, is required for clinical use.

Trial registration number

IRCT2016071915536N3; pre-results.
Subdissociative intranasal ketamine plus standard pain therapy versus standard pain therapy in the treatment of paediatric sickle cell disease vaso-occlusive crises in resource-limited settings: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Young James R , Sawe Hendry Robert , Mfinanga Juma A , Nshom Ernest , Helm Ethan , Moore Charity G , Runyon Michael S , Reynolds Stacy L
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Pediatric sickle cell disease, highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, carries great morbidity and mortality risk. Limited resources and monitoring make management of acute vaso-occlusive crises challenging. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subdissociative intranasal ketamine as a cheap, readily available and easily administered adjunct to standard pain therapy. We hypothesise that subdissociative, intranasal ketamine may significantly augment current approaches to pain management in resource-limited settings in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentred, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling children 4–16 years of age with sickle cell disease and painful vaso-occlusive pain crises. Study sites include two sub-Saharan teaching and referral hospitals with acute intake areas. All patients receive standard analgesic therapy during evaluation. Patients randomised to the treatment arm receive 1 mg/kg intranasal ketamine at onset of therapy, while placebo arm participants receive volume-matched intranasal normal saline. All participants and clinical staff are blinded to the treatment allocation. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Primary endpoints are changes in self-report pain scales (Faces Pain Scale-Revised) at 30, 60 and 120 minutes and rates of adverse events. Secondary endpoints include hospital length of stay, total analgesia use and quality of life assessment 2–3 weeks postintervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The research methods for this study have been approved by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board Institutional Review Board (IRB2015-07), the Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR/HQ/R.8a/Vol. IX/2299), Muhimbili National Hospital IRB (MNH/IRB/I/2015/14) and the Tanzanian Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA0015/CTR/0015/9). Data reports will be provided to the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) periodically throughout the study as well as all reports of adverse events. All protocol amendments will also be reviewed by the DSMB. Study results, regardless of direction or amplitude, will be submitted for publication in relevant peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.Gov,NCT02573714. Date of registration: 8 October 2015. Pre-results.
Frequency and preventative interventions for non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behaviour in primary school-age children: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bem Danai , Connor Charlotte , Palmer Colin , Channa Sunita , Birchwood Max
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviour have been witnessed in children as young as 6–7 years of age, but while there are many reviews of preventative interventions for NSSI and suicide in adolescents, few have explored its prevalence in younger children and the potential impact of preventative interventions at this stage of life. NSSI and suicidal behaviour are an increasing concern in schools but school-based programmes can improve knowledge, attitudes and help-seeking behaviours and help prevent escalation of NSSI and later suicide. This scoping review will aim to explore the nature and extent of the evidence on the magnitude of NSSI and suicidal behaviour in primary school children, and to examine whether there are any primary school-based interventions available for the prevention of this phenomenon in 5 to 11-year-olds.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be conducted using established methodology by Arksey and O’Malley and the Joanna Briggs Institute. Multiple bibliographic and indexing databases and grey literature will be searched using a combination of text words and index terms relating to NSSI, suicide, primary schools, frequency and intervention. Two reviewers will independently screen eligible studies for study selection and extract relevant data from included studies. A narrative summary of evidence will be conducted for all included studies with results presented in tables and/or diagrams. Inductive content analysis will be used to understand any narrative findings within the included studies.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this scoping review. The results of this review will be disseminated though publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences.
Abortion terminology: views of women seeking abortion in Britain
Authors: Cameron Sharon , Lohr Patricia A , Ingham Roger
Published: July 2017

Background

Controversy exists as to whether ‘abortion or ‘termination of pregnancy’ should be used by health professionals during interactions with women and in published works.

Methods

Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were distributed to women attending 54 abortion clinics in Scotland, England and Wales during a 4-month period in 2015. Responses were coded and analysed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were generated and responses compared by demographic characteristics. The main outcome measures were the proportion of respondents reporting that they found the terms ‘abortion’ and ‘termination of pregnancy’ to be distressing, and women’s preferred terminology for referring to induced abortion.

Results

Surveys were completed by 2259 women. The mean age of the respondents was 27(range 13–51) years; 82% identified as white, 51% had children and 36% had previously undergone abortion. Thirty-five percent indicated that they found the word ‘abortion’ distressing compared with 18% who reported that ‘termination of pregnancy’ was distressing (p< 0.001). Forty-five percent of respondents expressed a preference for ‘termination of pregnancy’ and 12% for ‘abortion’. Sixteen percent would choose either term. This pattern of results did not vary statistically by age, reproductive history, country of residence, ethnicity or level of deprivation.

Conclusions

Most women seeking abortion did not find the terms ‘abortion’ or termination of pregnancy’ distressing. When given a choice of terms, more women who expressed a preference chose ‘termination of pregnancy’. Healthcare professionals should be sensitive to preferences for terminology when communicating with women seeking abortion.
Decreased CD3-CD16+CD56+ natural killer cell counts in children with orbital myositis: a clue to disease activity
Authors: Briones Melissa R , Morgan Gabrielle A , Amoruso Maria C , Rahmani Bahram , Ryan Maura E , Pachman Lauren M.
Published: July 2017

The study aimed to document the utility of the absolute number of natural killer cells as a biomarker in paediatric orbital myositis (OM). Extracted data from four children with OM included demographics, laboratory values, imaging and treatment response. Stored sera (−80°C) were tested for IgG4 levels in three cases and antibody to Coxsackie B in two cases. Their first symptom was at 14.4±1.2 years (mean±SD). At diagnosis three had creatine phosphokinase (CPK) of 97.3±44.2, aldolase of 8.5±2.8 (n=2), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 13±2.8 (n=2) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 21.3±2.9. IG4 level was 87.7±66 (normal=8–89 mg/dL); two sera (patients 1and4) were positive (>1:8 dilution) for anti-Coxsackievirus antigen B5. The CD3-CD16+CD56+ natural killer absolute count was 96.7±28.7 (lower limit of normal=138), increasing to 163±57.2 with disease resolution in three patients. The fourth patient was followed elsewhere. CT showed involvement of bilateral superior oblique, lateral rectus or the left medial rectus muscles. Treatment included intravenous methylprednisolone, methotrexate (n=2) and other immunosuppressants. Paediatric OM disease activity was associated with initially low absolute CD3-CD16+CD56+ natural killer cell counts, which normalised with improvement. We speculate (1) infection, such as Coxsackie B virus, may be associated with paediatric OM; and (2) the absolute count of circulating CD3-CD16+CD56+ natural killer lymphocytes may serve as a biomarker to guide medical therapy.
Petroleum ether extract of Njavara rice (Oryza sativa) bran upregulates the JAK2–STAT3-mediated anti-inflammatory profile in macrophages and aortic endothelial cells promoting regression of atherosclerosis
Authors: Chithra Pushpan K. , Jayalekshmy Ananthasankaran , Helen Antony
Published: July 2017

“Njavara” (Oryza sativa L.) is a unique rice variety grown in Kerala that is reported to have significantly higher antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemical indices, and bioactive components compared with staple rice varieties. However, the role of NBE in reversing the atherosclerosis development remains unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of NBE in promoting atherosclerotic regression. Male New Zealand white breed rabbits were divided into three groups. Group I was the control, group II was the regression control, and group III was NBE treated (100 mg/kg body mass). Serum and tissue lipids, CRP, antioxidant enzyme activities, mRNA, and protein expression of genes of RTC and mRNA expression of cytokines were studied. The current study showed that hypercholesterolemic rabbits treated with NBE decreased the serum and tissue lipids concentrations, ApoB expression, and CRP levels and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and PON1expression, JAK2, STAT3, ABCA1, and ApoA. Our results indicate that NBE attenuates proinflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β), enhanced expression and interactions of ABCA1/ApoA1 leading to JAK2/STAT3 activation in macrophages switching to an anti-inflammatory milieu in the system, and enhanced expression of IL-10 and decreased expression of ApoB, indicating that treatment with NBE facilitates plaque regression.
The Lobster Node of the CFRN: co-constructed and collaborative research on productivity, stock structure, and connectivity in the American lobster (Homarus americanus)
Authors: Rochette Rémy , Sainte-Marie Bernard , Allain Marc , Baker Jackie , Bernatchez Louis , Boudreau Virginia , Comeau Michel , Côté Jean , Miron Gilles , Ramsay Laura , Squires Kevin , Tremblay M. John
Published: July 2017

In 2010, more than 20 associations representing harvesters from five provinces bordering the range of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in Canada, from the Gulf of Maine to southern Labrador, joined government research scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (and one provincial department) and researchers from Canadian universities (two English- and four French-speaking) to establish the Lobster Node. This partnership was formed to address knowledge gaps on lobster productivity, stock structure, and connectivity through collaborative research under the auspices of the Canadian Fisheries Research Network (CFRN), which was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In so doing, the research partners overcame barriers of geography, language, culture, education, and, in some cases, longstanding disputes around management and conservation measures. This paper reviews why and how the Lobster Node was formed, what it achieved scientifically, what benefits (and challenges) it provided to the partners, and why it succeeded. It concludes by advocating for the creation of a permanent collaborative platform to conduct research in support of lobster fisheries in Canada.
Changes in mass, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in logs decomposing for 30 years in three Rocky Mountain coniferous forests
Authors: Prescott Cindy E. , Corrao Kirsten , Reid Anya M. , Zukswert Jenna M. , Addo-Danso Shalom D.
Published: July 2017

Estimates of decomposition rates of coarse woody debris (CWD) and fluxes of nutrients therein are essential components of carbon (C) and nutrient budget models. In a 30-year field experiment, we periodically measured mass remaining and nutrient concentrations in log segments of pine, spruce, and fir in natural, mature coniferous forests in Alberta, Canada. The predicted turnover times (t95; years) were 43–44 years for pine, 42–60 years for spruce, and 38–46 years for fir. Extrapolating from best-fit models, we predict that decomposition of these logs would be complete within 50–60 years. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) declined for most of the decomposition period, and ratios of the three species converged at <200 at 90% mass loss. Net release of N occurred only after logs had lost 90% of their original C and C:N had declined to <200. The ratio of carbon to phosphorus (C:P) declined and converged at 500–1000 at 90% mass loss. There was no evidence of net P release from logs even at 90% mass loss. It may be possible to estimate the amounts of N and P that will be incorporated into decaying logs based on the extent to which their initial C:N differs from 200 and their initial C:P differs from 500.
Asymptotic safety in quantum gravity and diffeomorphic non-isometric metric solutions to the Schwarzschild metric
Authors: Perelman Carlos Castro
Published: July 2017

We revisit the construction of diffeomorphic but not isometric metric solutions to the Schwarzschild metric. These solutions require the introduction of non-trivial areal–radial functions and are characterized by the key property that the radial horizon’s location is displaced continuously towards the singularity (r = 0). In the limiting case scenario the location of the singularity and horizon merges and any in-falling observer hits a null singularity at the very moment they cross the horizon. This fact may have important consequences for the resolution of the fire wall problem and the complementarity controversy in black holes. This construction allows us to borrow the results over the past two decades pertaining to the study of the renormalization group improvement of Einstein’s equations, which was based on the possibility that quantum Einstein gravity may be non-perturbatively renormalizable and asymptotically safe because of the presence of interacting (non-Gaussian) ultraviolet fixed points. The particular areal–radial function that eliminates the interior of a black hole, and furnishes a truly static metric solution everywhere, is used to establish the desired energy-scale relation k = k(r), which is obtained from the k (energy) dependent modifications to the running Newtonian coupling G(k), cosmological constant Λ(k), and space–time metric gij,(k)(x). (Anti) de Sitter – Schwarzschild metrics are also explored as examples. We conclude with a discussion of the role that asymptotic safety may have in the geometry of phase spaces (cotangent bundles of space–time) (i.e., in establishing a quantum space–time geometry or classical phase geometry correspondence gij,(k)(x) ↔ gij(x, E)).
Massive loops in thermal SU(2) Yang–Mills theory: Radiative corrections to the pressure beyond two loops
Authors: Bischer Ingolf , Grandou Thierry , Hofmann Ralf
Published: July 2017

We address the loop expansion of the pressure in the deconfining phase of SU(2) Yang–Mills thermodynamics. We devise an efficient book-keeping of excluded energy-sign and scattering-channel combinations for the loop four-momenta associated with massive quasiparticles, circulating in (connected) bubble diagrams subject to vertex constraints inherited from the thermal ground state. These radiative corrections modify the one-loop pressure exerted by free thermal quasiparticles. Increasing the loop order in two-particle irreducible (2PI) bubble diagrams, we exemplarily demonstrate a suppressing effect of the vertex constraints on the number of valid combinations. This increasingly strong suppression gave rise to the conjecture in arXiv:hep-th/0609033 that the loop expansion would terminate at a finite order. Albeit the low-temperature dependence of the 2PI 3-loop diagram complies with this behavior, a thorough analysis of the high-temperature situation reveals that the leading power in temperature is thirteen such that this diagram dominates all lower loop orders for sufficiently high temperatures. An all-loop-order resummation of 2PI diagrams with dihedral symmetry is thus required, defining an extremely well-bounded analytical continuation of the low-temperature result.
Photogrammetry-Based 3D Printing Reproduction Method for Oil Paintings
Authors: Chen Chen , He Songhua , Chen Guangxue , Cao Hui
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes a new oil painting reproduction method using 3D printing to compensate for the deficiencies of the existing methods. First, 3D reconstruction of oil paintings is completed by photogrammetry; the oil painting color and the 3D geometric information are recovered better by acquiring several sets of orthophotomaps, and modeling accuracy is ensured with a control mesh or by flattening. Next, the contours and hypsometric tints of the 3D model for oil paintings are generated using contour tracing algorithm, and the image segmentation of renderings is completed using RGB image segmentation algorithm, with the layered section extracted from each layer and the 3D geometric information converted into 2D plane information. Finally, the 3D models of oil paintings are presented through UV inkjet printing with images superimposed layer upon layer, and stereoscopic reproduction of oil paintings is completed based on the orthophotomaps printed from the 3D models.
Four-dimensional manifolds constructed by lens space surgeries of distinct types
Authors: Tange Motoo , Yamada Yuichi
Published: July 2017

A framed knot with an integral coefficient determines a simply-connected 4-manifold by 2-handle attachment. Its boundary is a 3-manifold obtained by Dehn surgery along the framed knot. For a pair of such Dehn surgeries along distinct knots whose results are homeomorphic, it is a natural problem: Determine the closed 4-manifold obtained by pasting the 4-manifolds along their boundaries. We study pairs of lens space surgeries along distinct knots whose lens spaces (i.e. the resulting lens spaces of the surgeries) are orientation-preservingly or -reversingly homeomorphic. In the authors’ previous work, we treated with the case both knots are torus knots. In this paper, we focus on the case where one is a torus knot and the other is a Berge’s knot Type VII or VIII, in a genus one fiber surface. We determine the complete list (set) of such pairs of lens space surgeries and study the closed 4-manifolds constructed as above. The list consists of six sequences. All framed links and handle calculus are indexed by integers.
Ambiguous Customer Identity Disclosure and the Cost of Equity Capital
Authors: Yu Hsin-Yi , Chen Li-Wen
Published: July 2017

In deciding how much customer information to disclose, managers face a tradeoff between the benefits of reducing information asymmetry and the losses of revealing proprietary information. This paper investigates which factors affect the level of ambiguous customer identity disclosure and whether such ambiguous disclosure affects the cost of equity capital. The empirical evidence shows that the proprietary cost is a crucial factor in ambiguous customer identity disclosure. Firms with a higher level of ambiguous customer identity disclosure generate a higher cost of equity capital. Moreover, the higher cost of equity capital is concentrated among firms under imperfect market competition.
On tangent cones at infinity of algebraic varieties
Authors: Lê Công-Trình , Phạm Tien-Son
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we define the geometric and algebraic tangent cones at infinity of algebraic varieties and establish the following version at infinity of Whitney’s theorem [Local properties of analytic varieties, in Differential and Combinatorial Topology (A Symposium in Honor of Marston Morse) (Princeton University Press, Princeton, N. J., 1965), pp. 205–244; Tangents to an analytic variety, Ann. of Math. 81 (1965) 496–549]: The geometric and algebraic tangent cones at infinity of complex algebraic varieties coincide. The proof of this fact is based on a geometric characterization of the geometric tangent cone at infinity using the global Łojasiewicz inequality with explicit exponents for complex algebraic varieties. Moreover, we show that the tangent cone at infinity of a complex algebraic variety is actually the part at infinity of this variety [G.-M. Greuel and G. Pfister, A Singular Introduction to Commutative Algebra, 2nd extended edn. (Springer, Berlin, 2008)]. We also show that the tangent cone at infinity of a complex algebraic variety can be computed using Gröbner bases.
MEASURING BRAND AWARENESS IN A RANDOM UTILITY MODEL
Authors: DOTTA PIERFRANCESCO , TOLOTTI MARCO , YEPEZ JORGE
Published: July 2017

Brand awareness is recognized to be an important determinant in shaping the success of durables [13, 16], yet it is very difficult to be quantified. This is exactly the main goal of this paper: propose a suitable model where brand awareness of two competing firms is modeled and, eventually, estimated. To this aim, we build a random utility model for a duopoly where each competitor is characterized by different pricing strategies and brand awareness. As a result, different levels of market shares will emerge at the equilibrium. As a case study, we calibrate the model with real data from the smartphone industry obtaining an estimate of the value of the brand awareness of two leading brands.
Investigation on Structural and Optical Properties of Copper Telluride Thin Films with Different Annealing Temperature
Authors: Nishanthini R. , Muthu Menaka M. , Pandi P. , Bahavan Palani P. , Neyvasagam K.
Published: July 2017

The copper telluride (Cu2Te) thin film of thickness 240[Formula: see text]nm was coated on a microscopic glass substrate by thermal evaporation technique. The prepared films were annealed at 150[Formula: see text]C and 250[Formula: see text]C for 1[Formula: see text]h. The annealing effect on Cu2Te thin films was examined with different characterization methods like X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Ultra Violet–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–VIS) and Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy. The peak intensities of XRD spectra were increased while increasing annealing temperature from 150[Formula: see text]C to 250[Formula: see text]C. The improved crystallinity of the thin films was revealed. However, the prepared films are exposed complex structure with better compatibility. Moreover, the shift in band gap energy towards higher energies (blue shift) with increasing annealing temperature is observed from the optical studies.