bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of MTBDRsl for detecting resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to second-line drugs
Authors: Chandak R. J. , Malhotra B. , Bhargava S. , Goel S. K. , Verma D. , Tiwari J.
Published: January 2020

SETTING: Patients with presumed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and undergoing MDR-TB treatment from Rajasthan, India.OBJECTIVE: To compare the GenoType® MTBDRsl v.1.0 (MTBDRsl) assay capacity to detect resistance to ofloxacin,
amikacin, capreomycin, kanamycin and ethambutol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) using MGIT™960™ in sputum samples and isolates.DESIGN: Fifty-three smear-positive sputum samples were tested directly by
MTBDRsl and 205 MDR-TB isolates were processed using MTBDRsl and DST for five drugs on MGIT960. DNA sequencing was performed in isolates with discordance in the results between the two methods for the gyrA, gyrB and rrs genes.RESULT: Sensitivity
and specificity of MTBDRsl was found to be respectively 93.1% and 100% for fluoroquinoline, respectively 75–78% and 100% for aminoglycosides/cyclopeptides, respectively 70% and 92% for ethambutol and respectively 92.3% and 100% for extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB detection.
On sequencing eight discordant isolates for quinolones, mutations were seen in 12.5% of the gyrB gene and among 20 discordant isolates for aminoglycosides/cyclopeptides in the rrs gene in 15% isolates. The turnaround time was 2 days for MTBDRsl vs. 10 days for MGIT960.CONCLUSIONS:
MTBDRsl can be used as an initial rapid test for detecting XDR-TB, resistance to quinolones and aminogycosides/cyclopeptides in smear-positive sputum samples.
Tuberculin skin test reaction depends on type of purified protein derivative: implications for cut-off values
Authors: Mulder C. , Erkens C. , Kouw P. , Huisman E. , Toumanian S. , van den Hof S.
Published: January 2020

SETTING: Due to purified protein derivative (PPD) RT23 stock-outs in 2014, PPD-Tubersol and PPD-Bulbio have been used for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing in the Netherlands.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether PPD-RT23, PPD-Tubersol and PPD-Bulbio were associated
with differential indurations and confirmation using interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs).DESIGN: LTBI surveillance data from 2013 to 2016 were extracted. Regression analyses were used to determine whether IGRA confirmation of TST-positive indurations depended on PPD, controlling
for sex, age, incidence in country of origin, and bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) status.RESULTS: A total of 20 956 individuals were tested with PPD-RT23: 10 382 with PPD-Tubersol and 18 562 with PPD-Bulbio. Overall, 21% with PPD-Bulbio had an induration
of ≥5 mm compared to 12% of those tested with PPD-RT23 and PPD-Tubersol. Compared to PPD-RT23, PPD-Bulbio indurations ≥5 mm were significantly less often IGRA-confirmed among contacts (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6) and BCG-vaccinated immigrants (PPD-RT23, aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–4.1).
Increasing the PPD-Bulbio cut-off from ≥5 to ≥10 mm would save respectively 26%, 42%, and 35% of IGRAs among contacts, health care workers (HCWs) and BCG-vaccinated immigrants, with small absolute numbers of positive IGRAs missed (range 0–55 annually).CONCLUSION: PPD-Bulbio
shows larger TST indurations than other PPDs, but is less often IGRA-confirmed. Increasing the TST cut-off from 5 to 10 mm prior to testing with an IGRA in HCWs and immigrants is recommended.
Genomic partitioning of growth traits using a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism array in Hanwoo (Korean cattle)
Authors: Park Mi Na , Seo Dongwon , Chung Ki-Yong , Lee Soo-Hyun , Chung Yoon-Ji , Lee Hyo-Jun , Lee Jun-Heon , Park Byoungho , Choi Tae-Jeong , Lee Seung-Hwan
Published: January 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the number of loci affecting growth traits and the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects on growth traits, and to understand the genetic architecture for growth traits in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) using genome-wide association study (GWAS), genomic partitioning, and hierarchical Bayesian mixture models.Methods: GWAS: A single-marker regression-based mixed model was used to test the association between SNPs and causal variants. A genotype relationship matrix was fitted as a random effect in this linear mixed model to correct the genetic structure of a sire family. Genomic restricted maximum likelihood and BayesR: A priori information included setting the fixed additive genetic variance to a pre-specified value; the first mixture component was set to zero, the second to 0.0001×σ_g^2, the third 0.001 × σ_g^2, d the fourth to 0.01 × σ_g^2. BayesR fixed a priori information was not more than 1% of the genetic variance for each of the SNPs affecting the mixed distribution.Results: The GWAS revealed common genomic regions of 2 Mb on bovine chromosome 14 (BTA14) and 3 had a moderate effect that may contain causal variants for body weight at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. This genomic region explained approximately 10% of the variance against total additive genetic variance and body weight heritability at 12, 18, and 24 months. BayesR identified the exact genomic region containing causal SNPs on BTA14, 3, and 22. However, the genetic variance explained by each chromosome or SNP was estimated to be very small compared to the total additive genetic variance. Causal SNPs for growth trait on BTA14 explained only 0.04% to 0.5% of the genetic varianceConclusion: Segregating mutations have a moderate effect on BTA14, 3, and 19; many other loci with small effects on growth traits at different ages were also identified.
LIMK1/2 are required for actin filament and cell junction assembly in porcine embryos developing in vitro
Authors: Kwon Jeongwoo , Seong Min-Jung , Piao Xuanjing , Jo Yu-Jin , Kim Nam-Hyung
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of LIM kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) during porcine early embryo development. We checked the mRNA expression patterns and localization of LIMK1/2 to evaluate their characterization. We further explored the function of LIMK1/2 in developmental competence and their relationship between actin assembly and cell junction integrity, specifically during the first cleavage and compaction.Methods: Pig ovaries were transferred from a local slaughterhouse within 1 h and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected. COCs were matured in in vitro maturation medium in a CO2 incubator. Metaphase II oocytes were activated using an Electro Cell Manipulator 2001 and microinjected to insert LIMK1/2 dsRNA into the cytoplasm. To confirm the roles of LIMK1/2 during compaction and subsequent blastocyst formation, we employed a LIMK inhibitor (LIMKi3).Results: LIMK1/2 was localized in cytoplasm in embryos and co-localized with actin in cell-to-cell boundaries after the morula stage. LIMK1/2 knockdown using LIMK1/2 dsRNA significantly decreased the cleavage rate, compared to the control group. Protein levels of E-cadherin and β-catenin, present in adherens junctions, were reduced at the cell-to-cell boundaries in the LIMK1/2 knockdown embryos. Embryos treated with LIMKi3 at the morula stage failed to undergo compaction and could not develop into blastocysts. Actin intensity at the cortical region was considerably reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. LIMKi3-induced decrease in cortical actin levels was attributed to the disruption of adherens junction and tight junction assembly. Phosphorylation of cofilin was also reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos.Conclusion: The above results suggest that LIMK1/2 is crucial for cleavage and compaction through regulation of actin organization and cell junction assembly.
Summer season temperature-humidity index threshold for infrared thermography in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) heifers
Authors: Kim Na Yeon , Moon Sang Ho , Kim Seong Jin , Kim Eun Kyung , Oh Mirae , Tang Yujiao , Jang Se Young
Published: January 2020

Objective: The study sought to estimate the relationship between body surface temperature (BST) and temperature humidity index (THI) and to present the validity of THI as a heat stress index in the field.Methods: Eight Hanwoo heifers (20 to 32 month) were examined in a field trial, with a space allowance of 10 m2 per head. The BST was measured using an infrared thermographic camera. The BST of five body regions (eyes, hindquarters, nose, part of horns, and ears), ambient temperature (AT), and relative humidity (RH) were measured 7 times daily (07, 09, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 h) during each season with three replicates.Results: The THI ranged 34.0 to 56.9 during spring (AT, –1.0°C to 13.4°C), 75.1 to 84.7 during summer (AT, 24.9°C to 33.6°C), 55.8 to 70.9 during autumn (AT, 13.0°C to 26.0°C) and 17.5 to 39.2 during winter (AT, –10.4°C to 1.0°C). In the regression analysis, the coefficient of determination (R2) between THI and BST was 0.88, 0.72, 0.83, 0.86, and 0.85 for the eyes, hindquarters, nose, part of horn, and ears area, respectively. This indicates that BST has a strong correlation with AT and RH. Expression equations were estimated as Y (THI) = 31.54+0.1085X (BST of eyes) and Y (THI) = 30.48+0.1147X (BST of hindquarters) by simple linear regression analysis in this experiment.Conclusion: Consequently, the upper bound for heat stress estimation can be specified ranging from THI of 65 (eyes) to 70 (hindquarters). From this we can expect a precise feeding system for Korean native cattle in the field.
Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid producing bacteria on in vitro rumen fermentation, growth performance, and meat quality of Hanwoo steers
Authors: Mamuad Lovelia L. , Kim Seon Ho , Ku Min Jung , Lee Sang Suk
Published: January 2020

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- producing bacteria (GPB) on in vitro rumen fermentation and on the growth performance and meat quality of Hanwoo steers.Methods: The effects of GPB (Lactobacillus brevis YM 3-30)-produced and commercially available GABA were investigated using in vitro rumen fermentation. Using soybean meal as a substrate, either GPB-produced or commercially available GABA were added to the in vitro rumen fermentation bottles, as follows: control, no additive; T1, 2 g/L GPB; T2, 5 g/L GPB; T3, 2 g/L autoclaved GPB; T4, 5 g/L autoclaved GPB; T5, 2 g/L GABA; and T6, 5 g/L GABA. In addition, 27 Hanwoo steers (602.06±10.13 kg) were subjected to a 129-day feeding trial, during which they were fed daily with a commercially available total mixed ration that was supplemented with different amounts of GPB-produced GABA (control, no additive; T1, 2 g/L GPB; T2, 5 g/L GPB). The degree of marbling was assessed using the nine-point beef marbling standard while endotoxin was analyzed using a Chromo-Limulus amebocyte lysate test.Results: In regard to in vitro rumen fermentation, the addition of GPB-produced GABA failed to significantly affect pH or total gas production but did increase the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration (p<0.05) and reduce total biogenic amines (p<0.05). Animals fed the GPB-produced GABA diet exhibited significantly lower levels of blood endotoxins than control animals and yielded comparable average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and beef marbling scores.Conclusion: The addition of GPB improved in vitro fermentation by reducing biogenic amine production and by increasing both antioxidant activity and NH3-N production. Moreover, it also reduced the blood endotoxin levels of Hanwoo steers.
Effect of stress during slaughter on carcass characteristics and meat quality in tropical beef cattle
Authors: Carrasco-García Apolo A. , Pardío-Sedas Violeta T. , León-Banda Gloria G. , Ahuja-Aguirre Concepción , Paredes-Ramos Pedro , Hernández-Cruz Bertha C. , Murillo Vicente Vega
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of stress during slaughter of beef cattle on physiological parameters, carcass, and meat quality at a Federal Inspection Type slaughterhouse located in the southeast of Mexico.Methods: A total of 448 carcasses of male Zebu×European steers with an average age of 36 months were included. Carcass assessment of presence of bruises and bruise characteristics was carried out on each half-carcass. Blood variable indicators of stress (packed cell volume, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, glucose, cortisol concentration) and meat quality parameters (pH, color, shear force, drip loss) were evaluated.Results: Of the 448 carcasses evaluated, 81% of the carcasses showed at least one bruise; one bruise was detected in 36.6% and two bruises in 27.0% of animals. Of the 775 bruises found, 69.2% of the bruises were grade 1 in region 3. Of the 448 carcasses studied, 69.6% showed hyperglycemia (6.91 mmol/L); 44.3% and 22.7% showed high (74.7 ng/mL) and extremely high (108.8 ng/mL) cortisol levels, respectively, indicative of inadequate handling of animals during preslaughter and slaughter. Of the carcasses evaluated, 90.4% had a pH ≥5.8 with an average of pH 6.3. In both pH groups, meat samples showed L* values >37.0 (81.6%) and a shear force >54.3 N; meat pH≥5.8 group showed a drip loss of 2.5%. These findings were indicative of dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat. According to principal component analysis, grades 1 and 2 bruises in region 3 and grade 1 bruises in region 5 were highly associated with cortisol, drip loss, and color parameters b* and h* and were negatively associated with L*, a*, and C*.Conclusion: The bruises probably caused by stress-inducing situations triggered DFD meat. Appropriate changes in handling routines in operating conditions should be made to minimize stress to animals during the slaughter process to improve animal welfare and meat quality.
Der juristische Gutachtenstil als cartesische Methode
Authors: Stuckenberg Carl-Friedrich
Published: January 2020

Im internationalen Vergleich stellt der Gutachtenstil eine Besonderheit der deutschen Juristenausbildung dar und trägt zu deren Güte bei. Herkunft und Methodologie dieses „Stils“, der nicht selten als bloß praktische, d.h. unwissenschaftliche Falllösungstechnik diskreditiert wird, werden hingegen nur selten reflektiert. Dieser Beitrag geht der Geschichte des Gutachtenstils nach und zeigt dann Übereinstimmungen mit der berühmten cartesischen Methode auf. Daher sollte der juristische Gutachtenstil durchaus als wissenschaftliche Methode geschätzt und gelehrt werden.
Public-Private-Partnership (Ppp) in Nigeria
Authors: Akpoghome Theresa U , Nwano Theophilus Chinedu
Published: January 2020

Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria is a major issue of discourse among individuals, corporate bodies and government. PPP is a tool to deliver the much needed infrastructural services. Building modern, sustainable and reliable infrastructure is critical for meeting the rising aspirations of millions of people in Nigeria and PPP helps to raise economic growth rates, offers new economic opportunities and facilitates investment in human capital. This paper examines the historical background and types of Public-Private-Partnership in Nigeria. It discovers that the problems or the challenges of Public-Private-Partnership include multiplicity of functions by various bodies, definitional issues, joint venture agreements, conflicts and contractual review conflicts. The paper discovers that one of the major challenge in PPP agreements is the absence of arbitration clause in the contracts. The paper recommends that the insertion of arbitration clause should be encouraged to reduce incidences of prolonged litigation. Synergy among regulatory bodies is also recommended to foster reduction in the issue of double taxation and encourage more private investment participation. The paper concludes that Public-Private-Partnership remains one of the most important developmental avenues available to the government to revive the decaying public corporations, utilities and public goods and services of global standards through cost effective mechanisms.
State Funding of Public Institutions in Nigeria: Control Mechanisms and Legal Challenges (Schools and Hospitals)
Authors: Akpoghome Theresa U , Nwano Theophilus Chinedu
Published: January 2020

State funding of public institutions in Nigeria, the control mechanisms and legal challenges forms the basis for this discussion. Attention of the paper is on education and health or schools and hospitals. State funding of public institutions such as schools and hospitals is very crucial for the development of any nation. The wealth of any nation is measured by how healthy the citizens are and human capital development is measured also by the quality of education the masses are receiving. Where these crucial institutions are not adequately funded, such a nation is bound to be in crises. It is in this light that the paper examines the sources of funding, the control mechanisms and the legal challenges. The paper finds that funding comes largely from the annual budget of government. There are other sources such as contribution from international donors and contributory schemes in forms of insurance from workers. The paper notes that Audit is an effective control mechanism and examines the effectiveness of the Supreme Audit Institutions in Nigeria. It also identifies the role of the Public Account Committee in ensuring transparency and accountability in public expenditure. The paper further discusses the challenges and notes that low budgetary allocation, lack of due process in public procurement, corruption, weak institutions, unstable economic policies and lack of effective political and democratic environment contributes to poor funding of public institutions. The paper also notes that the non justiceability of right to education and health is not healthy for Nigeria. Based on the findings, the paper recommends among others that government should increase budgetary allocation to the sectors to meet the AU and UNESCO standards and move the right to education and health to chapter IV of the Constitution as it would enable citizens hold government accountable.
Entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Russian regions
Authors: Zemtsov S. P. , Baburin V. L.
Published: January 2020

The article explains the uneven development of small and medium enterprises in Russia within the framework of the ‘entrepreneurial ecosystems’ concept. A corresponding typology of the Russian regions was carried out according to the proposed model. The most developed ecosystems with highdensity and sectoral diversity of SMEs are formed in regions with access to large consumer markets, capital, and low risks for investors. The least developed SMEs sector is in areas with high costs of doing business: the North Caucasus, the Far East and the Arctic zone, which requires special measures of state policy. The level of development of ecosystems determines their ability to withstand external shocks. The effect of the FIFA World Cup is positive in the hosting regions and in its neighbors. Based on the typology, we proposed differentiated support measures.
Indicators of sustainable socio-economic development in local authorities’ decision-making at the municipal level (case of Voronezh oblast)
Authors: Kulakovskiy E. S.
Published: January 2020

The article analyzes the issues of improving the system of management decisions in key areas of regional policy at the level of municipal districts. On the example of the Voronezh region, management problems are identified in the economy, the social sphere, environmental management, and the activities of local governments. Social and economic restrictions in the management of the development of municipal areas are revealed: imperfection of the financial and budgetary sphere, contradictory legal documents, demographic tension expressed by depopulation, long migration outflow, reduced quality of life, etc. In order to improve the management of the development of the territory, it is proposed to use indicators of sustainable economic, social and environmental development of municipalities, allowing establishing and evaluating trends in the functioning of local government entities. The advantage of using indicators of sustainable development is an individual approach to identifying competitive advantages and disadvantages of municipal districts. Based on this, the author carried out a typology of municipal districts of the Voronezh region, which reflected the central-peripheral model and significant destructiveness in the socio-economic sphere. It is these circumstances that must be considered when developing regional policy at the municipal level.
Typology of Russia municipalities by economic specialization and status in settlement systems
Authors: Romashina A. A.
Published: January 2020

The article is about methodological approaches to the typology of municipalities of the Russian Federation based on the microstatistics level. The typology is carried out according to two criteria: type of settlement system and specialization of the economy. One of the research task is to analyze the approaches to the delimitation of urban agglomerations for better understanding of their role in the settlement system. As a result, each municipality got type: characteristics of its social, economic and spatial development. Supposals about factors influencing on socio-economic development pathway are given in the article. The uneven intraregional development requires careful consideration of territory’s characteristics for successful management of their socio-economic growth. Focus of spatial policy on the municipal level allows to respond to the specifics and potential of territories for the development and implementation of effective federal and regional spatial policies, increase its evidence and give additional opportunities for evaluating its results.
Therapeutic factors during a psychoeducational group intervention aiming to promote school adjustment in first grade students
Authors: Brouzos Andreas , Vassilopoulos Stephanos P. , Stavrou Vaia , Baourda Vasiliki C.
Published: January 2020

The present study examined the therapeutic factors operating during a psychoeducational group intervention designed to promote school adjustment in first-grade students. The group members completed the Critical Incidents Questionnaire at home after every group session. The therapeutic factors were classified according to Bloch, Reibstein, Crouch, Holroyd, and Themen’s taxonomy, although additional categories of critical incidents were applied. Results showed that guidance and acceptance were the most valued therapeutic factors. Cognitive factors were reported more often than behavioral or emotional ones. In addition, the presence of the therapeutic factors was more intense during the beginning and middle stage of the program, gradually giving their place to other categories of critical incidents. Overall, the emergence of therapeutic factors appears to be affected by the program’s educational aspect. We suggest that a wider classification of factors is required to reflect the variety of critical incidents occurring during a psychoeducational group intervention.
Working relationally with clients who have experienced abuse: Exploring counselling psychologists’ experiences using ipa
Authors: Malcolm Carly , Golsworthy Richard
Published: January 2020

Whilst much research has been conducted into the efficacy of and guidelines for technical interventions in the treatment of abuse, it is argued that a relational or process approach to therapeutic work should become more integrated into the use of technical interventions to aid therapeutic outcome. The study aims to explore counselling psychologists’ experiences when working with clients who have experienced abuse. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six participants were recruited and asked to share their experiences of their therapeutic work with the client group. The research was given ethical approval by the ethics committee of the university. Three superordinate themes emerged from the data: ‘The Holding Environment’, ‘The Personal versus The Professional’ and ‘Internal Responses, External Communications’. These were supported by various subthemes within the accounts and were generated as a result of a double hermeneutic engagement with each interview transcript. This research contributes towards a deeper understanding of the processes involved in creating a therapeutic space for the work and the relational dynamics involved in providing therapy to clients who have experienced abuse. The dynamic process between empathising and ‘detaching’ in session, as well as counselling psychologists’ use of supervision, are highlighted as areas for further study.
Validation of the greek version of the body image-acceptance and action questionnaire
Authors: Karekla Maria , Mavraki Evangelia Z. , Nikolaou Patrisia , Koushiou Maria
Published: January 2020

The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Greek version of the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ). The BI-AAQ assesses cognitive flexibility and acceptance relative to body image. Two samples: an all female middle and high school sample (N = 85; Age M = 17.97, SD = 2.74) and a college student sample (N = 240; Age M = 21.50; SD = 2.98) in Cyprus completed a set of self-reported eating-related questionnaires. Reliability analysis showed that the Greek BI-AAQ has high internal consistency and good item-total correlations. Principal Component Analysis (Sample 1) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (Sample 2) supported a one-factor solution, as in the case of the original BI-AAQ. Hierarchical multiple regression predicting eating disorder behaviors (as assessed by the EDE-Q) from Weight Concerns (WCS) and BI-AAQ scores after controlling for BMI, produced a significant model, which accounted for 67% of variance. The BI-AAQ remained a significant predictor of eating disorder behaviors after controlling for BMI and weight concerns scores. The Greek version of the BI-AAQ questionnaire is thus a robust and reliable instrument. It adds to previous knowledge and research on the role of psychological flexibility and acceptance of body image in eating disorder behaviours and psychological difficulties.
Body image differences across the life span of Greek-Cypriot women: An investigation examining adolescence, early and middle adulthood
Authors: Mousoulidou Marilena , Argyrides Marios , Ioannou Charis
Published: January 2020

The current study aimed to examine possible differences among females in three age groups (adolescent, early and middle adulthood) on body-image-related variables, media influences and self-esteem. The relationships between these variables across the different age-groups were also examined as well as significant predictors of appearance satisfaction. The sample consisted of 458 females (155 adolescent girls, 218 women in early adulthood and 95 women in middle adulthood) who responded to the measures of interest. Results indicated significant differences among the age groups on self-esteem, appearance satisfaction and investment in appearance, weight-related anxiety, internalization of the thin ideal and the perception of the media as a good source of information concerning beauty. There were also many similarities within the relationships of the variables across all age groups, whereas there were some differences as well. Results also indicated some common trends with regards to predictors of appearance satisfaction across the three age groups. The results of the current research offer important additional information concerning body image disturbances in Cyprus. This information can be used by Greek-Cypriot mental health professionals and researchers in developing prevention interventions in Cyprus, as well as other Mediterranean regions.
The body appreciation scale-2: Translation and validation in the greek language
Authors: Argyrides Marios
Published: January 2020

The psychometric properties of a Greek translation of the 10-item Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) was examined. A total of 193 Greek-speaking female university students from Cyprus completed the BAS-2, along with measures of appearance satisfaction, investment in appearance, weight-related anxiety, self-esteem and body image quality of life. Principal-axis factor analysis indicated that the Greek version of the BAS-2 scores had a one-dimensional factor structure. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the unidimesionality of the measure. Further analyses indicated that Greek BAS-2 scores evidenced internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity with the other variables of interest. These results suggest that the Greek version of the BAS-2 has adequate psychometric properties and can be used within the Greek-speaking populations.
Prevalence and characteristics of disordered eating adolescents in cyprus: The influence of body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem, and the media
Authors: Argyrides Marios , Alexiou Evagelia
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the current study was threefold: a) to collect a very large representative sample of adolescents and assess for their levels of disordered eating behaviors; b) to describe the characteristics of adolescents with disordered eating behaviors in Cyprus based on the measures that were used in the study and c) to compare the adolescents with significant disordered eating behaviors (EAT-26 ≥ 20) to the ones without any disordered eating behaviors (EAT < 20) on all the variables of interest. A total of 2664 secondary school students responded to self-report measures assessing disordered eating, negative body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem and media influences. Results indicated that 16.04% of the overall sample of adolescents scored significantly on the EAT-26 (21.4% of females and 8.4% of males). Results also indicated that the majority of the adolescents with disordered eating behaviors were female, mainly from average socioeconomic status, normal Body Mass Index and grew up and reside in an urban area. Finally, adolescents in the disordered eating behaviors group scored significantly lower on appearance satisfaction and self-esteem and significantly higher on appearance investment, weight-related anxiety, situational dysphoria, internalization of the thin and athletic ideals as well as feeling pressured from the media and considering the media as a good source of information. In conclusion, results indicate a substantial difference in levels of disordered eating in adolescents as compared to previous research in Cyprus. Possible explanations are addressed as well as implications for prevention strategies and future research ideas based on the findings.
Comparative Analysis of UK and Lithuanian Political Institutional Communicative Climate Change Discourses
Authors: Telešienė Audronė , Zolubienė Eimantė
Published: January 2020

The aim of this paper is to analyse the ways how climate change related risks are being constructed in political institutional discourses. We draw upon the political communicative texts, i.e. texts prepared by governmental authorities, from the pre- and post-Paris agreement period, i.e. 2015–2016. Our empirical analysis is guided by the relational theory of risk, theory of discursive institutionalism, critical discourse analysis, notions of interdiscursivity and interpretive repertoires. The main research questions are the following: What are the threats typically associated with climate change (source of risk)?; What are the objects-at-risk typically spoken of in political communicative discourses?; How are the relations of the risk source and object-at-risk discursively constructed (e.g. vulnerability, resilience, etc.)?; What is the overall ‘repertoire’ of typical climate change related risks as discursively constructed in political communicative texts? To answer the research questions, Lithuania and United Kingdom are taken for cross-national comparison. UK is regarded as a leader in international and domestic climate change policy, whereas climate change policies are treated instrumentally in Lithuania. Both Lithuania and UK, as EU member states, follow the general EU climate change policy. Yet because of differences in public attitudes and other socio-political contexts, the effectiveness of climate change policies is different. Contrasting the two member states and looking for underlying discursive practices, that serve as grounds for climate action, bring new scientific insights. The analysis of the sampled texts is conducted using NVivo.
“Singular decus ytalicum”: la biografia di Giovanna di Napoli nel De mulieribus claris
Authors: Rodríguez Mesa Francisco José
Published: January 2020

The last of the one hundred and six chapters conforming Boccaccio’s De mulieribus claris is devoted to queen Joanna of Naples. The addition of this life implies a certain degree of anomaly in the tradition of exemplary literature because of two reasons. Firstly, the Angevin sovereign was in her early thirties when the author finished the composition of his collection and, secondly, because the description of the monarch’s life that Boccaccio provides can be said far from objective narration and much closer to a propagandistic portrait of the Neapolitan queen.

L’ultimo dei centosei capitoli del De mulieribus claris di Boccaccio è consacrato alla regina Giovanna di Napoli. Quest’inclusione comporta un’anomalia nella topica della letteratura esemplare per due motivi. Per cominciare, la sovrana angioina era poco più che trentenne quando il certaldese finì la stesura della sua silloge e, in secondo luogo, perché la versione della vita della monarca che l’autore fornisce è ben lungi da poter essere considerata una narrazione oggettiva, avvicinandosi molto di più a un ritratto propagandistico della regina partenopea.

In questo articolo si analizzano queste particolarità della vita di Giovanna e si indaga nei motivi che potrebbero aver portato Boccaccio a configurare in questo modo il capitolo di chiusura della sua raccolta sulle donne celebri.
La escritura epistolar entre pasado y presente: Habitaciones cerradas de Care Santos
Authors: Tosolini Giulia
Published: January 2020

El artículo se propone analizar la fragmentación narrativa creada por el uso de cartas, correos electrónicos y “escrituras del yo” en el esquema narrativo de Habitaciones cerradas (2011) de Care Santos, muestra de la literatura femenina española contemporánea. En la novela, una saga familiar con dos tramas paralelas, los saltos temporales y espaciales que mantienen viva la atención del lector, y a la vez, recrean el flujo de los recuerdos, se crean también gracias a las cartas colocadas a lo largo del cuento, que, simultáneamente, ofrecen detalles para la solución del misterio que desencadena la narración.

The article focuses on how letters, mails and self-writing are used in the fragmented narrative scheme of Habitaciones cerradas (2011) by Care Santos. The novel is a family saga developing two parallel plots, jumping around space and time in order to keep the reader attentive and to return the structure of memories, while offering useful details to solve the mystery that narration develops.
El pensamiento computacional en contextos educativos: una aproximación desde la Tecnología Educativa
Authors: Sánchez Vera María del Mar
Published: January 2020

El pensamiento computacional ha vivido un resurgir en los últimos años, en los que la comunidad científica y educativa ha puesto su foco de interés sobre él como un aspecto relevante a incorporar de manera curricular. No obstante, la falta de consenso respecto a qué es y cómo trabajarlo tiene como resultado que se aborde de diferentes formas en la educación, lo que repercute directamente en el aprendizaje del alumnado. Desde enfoques más técnicos, que tienen el riesgo de no permitir aprovechar el potencial que tiene de ser integrado en la estrategia didáctica del docente, a enfoques más transversales, que sí profundizan en las posibilidades que tiene en el ámbito de la didáctica, pero que a su vez también incorpora distintas visiones que dificultan su aplicación. Además, se incluyen nuevas perspectivas como el pensamiento computacional “desenchufado”. Ante este panorama, se pone en evidencia la necesidad de abordar desde la Pedagogía, y específicamente desde la Tecnología Educativa, el tema del pensamiento computacional, partiendo de las posibilidades que tiene en torno a la alfabetización digital y como medio para expresar ideas con tecnología, y para poder proporcionar propuestas para una mejora real de la práctica en los contextos educativos en relación al uso de la programación y la robótica, partiendo de la premisa de que lo importante no es cómo aprender de robótica, sino cómo aprender con robótica.
Predictors of Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Albatineh Ahmed N. , Alroughani Raed , Al-Temaimi Rabeah
Published: January 2020

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disorder. Several factors have been shown to associate with MS clinical severity. The influence of different lifestyle factors on MS clinical severity as assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) was investigated.

Methods:

A questionnaire was administered to 128 Kuwaiti MS patients to assess the association of smoking, nutritional supplement use, food allergy, physical activity (PA), and educational level with MSSS. A multiple linear regression model was used to test for associations. Regression model results were adjusted for sex, history of blood transfusion, age at MS onset, and marital status.

Results:

Smoking status, passive smoking, and food allergy are not associated with MSSS. Patients with MS with a college education and graduate/professional degrees score, on average, 2.56 lower on the MSSS compared with those with less than a high school education (β= −2.22, P = .045; and β = −2.90, P = .048, respectively). Patients who perform PA score, on average, 2.32 lower on the MSSS compared with those with no PA (moderate exercise, P = .003; rigorous exercise, P = .001), and PA correlated significantly with MSSS outcomes (r2 = 0.452, P < .001).

Conclusions:

Educational level and PA are significantly associated with reduced MSSS, and both contribute to a less severe MS clinical course. Current MS management protocols should consider lifestyle changes to improve the quality of life of patients with MS.
Modeling the Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse Workforce by Determination of Optimum Caseloads in the United Kingdom
Authors: Punshon Geoffrey , Sopala Jo , Hannan Guy , Roberts Megan , Vernon Karen , Pearce Annabella , Leary Alison
Published: January 2020

Background:

It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 people in the United Kingdom who have multiple sclerosis (MS). Patient experience and outcome are improved by access to a specialist nursing service. The aim of this study was to perform demand modeling to understand the need for MS nursing interventions, and thus inform modeling of the future UK MS nursing workforce.

Methods:

Existing national data and specific workload and service data were collected from 163 MS specialist nurses who completed a questionnaire on activity and complexity of work both done and left undone.

Results:

Data were received from across all of the United Kingdom. Twenty-nine percent of respondents were specialist nurses in the field for 3 years or less. Unpaid overtime was regularly performed by 83.4% of respondents. The MS specialist nurse was part of all areas of the patient journey. Areas of work left undone were psychological interventions, physical assessments, social interventions/benefits, and recommending or prescribing medications.

Conclusions:

The current recommended caseload of 358 people with MS per full-time equivalent seems to be too high, with a considerable amount of work left undone, particularly psychosocial care. Factors such as travel time, complexity of caseload, changing drug therapies, and societal issues such as the benefits system contributed to driving demand/workload.
Analysis of effect of antidepressant drug venlafaxine on length of QT interval in patients with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence
Authors: Vukadinović-Stojanović Sanja , Stojanović Zlatan
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Depressive disorder is common in patients with the diagnosis of alcoholism. Comorbidity of depression and alcoholism significantly worsens the clinical status of patients and represents a major therapeutic challenge. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine on the length of QT interval in patients with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Methods. The research included 49 male patients (>18 years of age) with alcohol dependence, who were also diagnosed with depressive disorder by using DSM-IV criterion and positive Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) at the very beginning of hospitalization. The patients had been given 37.5 mg of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine twice a day for twenty days. The global QTc interval (12 leads) was determined automatically using ECG device Schiller Cardiovit AT-1, which used "SCHILLER ECG Measurement and Interpretation Software for Children and Adult ECGs". Statistical data processing was performed using SPSS 16.0 programme package for Windows. Results. There was a statistically significant positive association between HRSD score (depression intensity) and the serum levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, i.e. the degree of myocardial damage (p = 0.048). A statistically significant positive correlation between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and the length of QTc interval (p < 0.001) was also found. There was no statistically significant difference in the length of QTc interval before and after venlafaxine administration (p = 0.827), and the average prolongation of the QTc interval was 0.776 ms (95% CI = -6.323 ms-7.874 ms). Conclusion. In our study, we did not prove the negative effect of antidepressant drug venlafaxine on QT interval in patients with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. In patients with alcohol dependence, the therapy for depression must have a priority due to the proven negative association between depression and the degree of myocardial damage.
Analysis of stress level and burnout syndrome among physicians of different medical specialties in primary health care
Authors: Marković Brankica
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Burnout syndrome is a common problem among healthcare workers. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of stress, components of burnout syndrome and the most common causes of workplace stress among the physicians working in the Primary Health Care Center Banja Luka, after which the obtained results concerning family physicians and the physicians of other specialties were compared. Methods. The observational study was conducted by interviewing physicians during the period March to May 2018. All employed physicians were provided with the following questionnaires: The socio-demographic questionnaire, the questionnaire for self-assessment of the level of stress, the questionnaire about the most frequent causes of stress at work and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results. The study included 211 physicians, out of a total of 246 physicians (127 family physicians and 84 physicians of other specialties) working in the Primary Health Care Center Banja Luka. There was a significantly higher level of stress (p = 0.011), emotional exhaustion (p < 0.001) and depersonalization (p < 0.001) among family physicians compared to the physicians of other specialties. There was a significant difference in the presence of all causes of stress among family physicians, except the stress concerning the patients requiring emergency care. The multivariate logistic regression analysis found that stress was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion in both groups and with personal accomplishment in family physicians. In family physicians, there was a significant association between a high level of depersonalization and personal accomplishment. In physicians of other specialties significant association was found between education and emotional exhaustion as well as personal accomplishment, and between female gender and high level of depersonalization. Conclusion. The level of stress and the burnout syndrome were considerably more present in family physicians compared to physicians of other specialties.
Aggressive behavior among women with intellectual disabilities receiving institutional long-term care
Authors: Mastilo Bojana , Vuković Bojana , Šeatović Stevan
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Aggressive behavior is defined as the behavior of such intensity, frequency and duration that it seriously threatens the physical safety of a person/persons or the one which seriously limits their social functioning. The aim of the paper is to determine the intensity and forms of aggression in institutionalized women with intellectual disabilities, in relation to the severity of their intellectual disability, age, as well as the length of stay in the institutional settings. Methods. The sample comprised 115 female examinees receiving institutional long-term care in PI "The Center for People with Disabilities" in Visegrad. The Adult Scale of Hostility and Agression, Reactive/Proactve A-SHARP (Matlock & Aman, 2011) was used for the assessment of aggressive behavior. Results. The results revealed that women with mild intellectual disabilities showed high aggression on all subscales, with the highest scores on the Hostility subscale (26.37 ± 7.37). In the group of examinees aged ≥51 years, there was a statistically significant difference on the Verbal aggression subscale compared to the group of women aged ≤30 years (13.89 ± 9.23 vs. 6.12 ± 9.39; p = 0.025). In the group of examinees who had stayed in the institutional settings for ≥10 years, a display of hostile aggression was more extreme compared to the group of patients with shorter length of stay in the institutional settings (22.49 ±11.22 vs. 17.58 ± 13.14; p = 0.033). Conclusion. Women with mild intellectual disabilities showed the highest level of aggressive behavior on all subscales, whereby the highest scores were recorded on the Hostility subscale. Women aged ≥51 years showed the highest level of verbal aggression, while the examinees who had stayed in the institutional settings for ≥10 years displayed the highest level of hostile aggression towards others.
Switching therapy in patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and cistoid macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Risimić Dijana , Karadžić Jelena , Jeremić Miroslav
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has revolutionized the management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), macular edema in retinal vein occlusions (RVO), and other retinal diseases accompanied by neovascular and macular edema. The aim of the study is to show the efect of switching from bevacizumab to alibercept in patients with recalcitrant wet AMD as the best clinical approach and regimen for patients with neovascular and macular edema accompanied retinal diseases. Methods. All our patients received the intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg (0.1 mL) bevacizumab as the irst treatment option, and we switched to alibercept or triamcinolon acetonid when the therapy including bevacizumab seemed not to be efective enough, according to visual acuity and optical coherent tomography (OCT) indings. Case presentations. We presented four cases: two patients with wet AMD, one patient with macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and one patient with DME in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (nPDR). The majority of our patients felt visual and anatomical improvement. Some patients felt anatomical improvement although their visual acuity did not improve. Switch to alibercept had prolonged the positive efect of bavacizumab for approximately 2 months. When regular therapy including bevacizumab was reintroduced, the therapeutic efect would be prolonged. The efective clinical approach was not only the switching therapy but the combination therapy as well. Individual treatment approach and pro re nata regimen were most commonly used in our patients. Conclusion. Switching anti-VEGF drug showed positive results in patients with refractory or recurrent wet AMD and macular edema.