bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in Patients with AIDS and Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mu Anandit , Shein Thwe Thwe , Jayachandran Priya , Paul Simon
Published: September 2017

Coccidioidomycosis causes substantial morbidity and mortality in endemic areas, and dissemination is frequent in patients with impaired cellular immunity such as AIDS. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is paradoxical clinical worsening after initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a patient with HIV and a simultaneous opportunistic infection (OI). Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome has been well described for a host of mycobacterial, viral, and fungal OIs and malignancies such as Kaposi sarcoma. To date, only 3 cases of IRIS due to coccidioidomycosis have been reported in the literature. At our institution, we report 4 cases of IRIS in HIV-infected patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Unfortunately, all 4 patients died of worsening coccidioidal infection after initiating ART. The optimal timing of ART in patients with AIDS and coccidioidomycosis remains to be elucidated.
Predictors of Hip Pain and Function in Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Prospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Westermann Robert W. , Lynch T. Sean , Jones Morgan H. , Spindler Kurt P. , Messner William , Strnad Greg , Rosneck James
Published: September 2017

Background:

Validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of hip pain and function at the time of arthroscopy could be predictors of the final outcome. Little is known about how patient factors or pathologic intra-articular findings relate to hip pain or function at the time of surgery for those presenting with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Purpose:

To evaluate all patient and operative factors that contribute to hip pain and dysfunction in patients with FAI.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A prospective cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were electronically enrolled between February 2015 and September 2016. Baseline PROMs were collected, including Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) for pain, HOOS–Physical Function Shortform (HOOS-PS), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity Score. Surgeons documented intra-articular operative findings and treatment. Multivariable linear regression models were created for continuous scores of HOOS pain, HOOS-PS, and VR-12 Physical Component Score as outcome measures. Risk factors included patient characteristics and intraoperative anatomic and pathologic findings.

Results:

During the study period, 396 patients underwent arthroscopic hip procedures, and 373 (94%) completed preoperative PROMs; 331 patients were undergoing arthroscopic surgery for FAI. The mean patient age was 32.91 ± 12.49 years, mean body mass index was 26.22 ± 4.92 kg/m2, and 71% were female. Multivariate analyses demonstrated female sex, lower education levels, smoking, lower mental health scores, and lower activity-level scores predicted HOOS pain preoperatively. According to multivariate analysis, patient factors associated with worse baseline HOOS-PS include smoking, additional years of education, lower mental health, and activity scores. Lower baseline VR-12 functional scores were predicted by female sex, elevated body mass index, smoking, and lower activity levels. For all baseline PROMs, there was no instance where an arthroscopic variable or pathologic finding proved statistically significant after the important patient covariates were controlled for.

Conclusion:

Patient factors, including mental health, activity level, sex, and smoking, are more predictive of baseline hip pain (as measured by HOOS) and function than are intra-articular findings (eg, status of the labrum or articular cartilage) during hip arthroscopy for FAI. Future studies evaluating patient outcomes after surgery for FAI should consider adjusting for these identified patient factors to accurately interpret the effect of treatment on patient-reported outcomes after surgery.
Women win through averages, men win through extremes
Authors: Lin Shannon
Published: September 2017

Undergraduate GPA data of a major research university in Canada from 2013 to 2016 were analyzed to identify GPA gender gaps. Results indicate that while female students outperform male students in terms of GPA, male students tend to have higher GPA standard deviation. Consistent with other business schools, the male students in the sample outnumber female students, but the proportion of male students who received a university entrance scholarship is lower than the proportion of female students admitted who received scholarships. In comparing the two business programs, the GPA gender gap is larger in the program that has poorer overall performance. Male students are overrepresented in the left tail of the distribution in terms of GPA but underrepresented in the right tail of the distribution. These findings support the theory that in terms of university grades, men (if they win at all) win through extremes and women win through averages.
Efficacy Outcome Measures for Pediatric Procedural Sedation Clinical Trials: An ACTTION Systematic Review
Authors: Williams Mark R. , Nayshtut Michael , Hoefnagel Amie , McKeown Andrew , Carlson Douglas W. , Cravero Joseph , Lightdale Jenifer , Mason Keira P. , Wilson Stephen , Turk Dennis C. , Dworkin Robert H. , Ward Denham S.
Published: September 2017

Objective evaluations comparing different techniques and approaches to pediatric procedural sedation studies have been limited by a lack of consistency among the outcome measures used in assessment. This study reviewed those existing measures, which have undergone psychometric analysis in a pediatric procedural sedation setting, to determine to what extent and in what circumstances their use is justified across the spectrum of procedures, age groups, and techniques. The results of our study suggest that a wide range of measures has been used to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of pediatric procedural sedation. Most lack the evidence of validity and reliability that is necessary to facilitate rigorous clinical trial design, as well as the evaluation of new drugs and devices. A set of core pediatric sedation outcome domains and outcome measures can be developed on the basis of our findings. We believe that consensus among all stakeholders regarding appropriate domains and measures to evaluate pediatric procedural sedation is possible and that widespread implementation of such recommendations should be pursued.
Perioperative Inflammation and Its Modulation by Anesthetics
Authors: Rossaint Jan , Zarbock Alexander
Published: September 2017

Surgery and other invasive procedures, which are routinely performed during general anesthesia, may induce an inflammatory response in the patient. This inflammatory response is an inherent answer of the body to the intervention and can be both beneficial and potentially harmful. The immune system represents a unique evolutionary achievement equipping higher organisms with an effective defense mechanism against exogenous pathogens. However, not only bacteria might evoke an immune response but also other noninfectious stimuli like the surgical trauma or mechanical ventilation may induce an inflammatory response of varying degree. In these cases, the immune system activation is not always beneficial for the patients and might carry the risk of concomitant, harmful effects on host cells, tissues, or even whole organ systems. Research over the past decades has contributed substantial information in which ways surgical patients may be affected by inflammatory reactions. Modulations of the patient’s immune system may be evoked by the use of anesthetic agents, the nature of surgical trauma and the use of any supportive therapy during the perioperative period. The effects on the patient may be manifold, including various proinflammatory effects. This review focuses on the causes and effects of inflammation in the perioperative period. In addition, we also highlight possible approaches by which inflammation in the perioperative may be modulated in the future.
Phylogeny and evolution of achenial trichomes in theLucilia‐group (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) and their systematic significance
Authors: Luebert Federico , Moreira-Muñoz Andrés , Wilke Katharina , Dillon Michael O.
Published: September 2017

The Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) are a cosmopolitan tribe with around 185 genera and 2000 species. The New World is one of the centers of diversity of the tribe with 24 genera and over 100 species, most of which form a clade called theLucilia‐group with 21 genera. However, the generic classification of theLucilia‐group has been controversial with no agreement on delimitation or circumscription of genera. Especially controversial has been the taxonomic value of achenial trichomes and molecular studies have shown equivocal results so far. The major aims of this paper are to provide a nearly complete phylogeny of theLucilia‐group at generic level and to discuss the evolutionary trends and taxonomic significance of achenial trichome morphology. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the New World Gnaphalieae with nrDNA (ETS, ITS) sequence data from a sampling of 18 genera of theLucilia‐group and utilized these results to examine morphological evolution of achenial trichome types and presence of apical myxogenic cells. Seven well‐supported subclades can be recognized within theLucilia‐group (L1–L7). These results support Brazilian and AndeanBerroa,Facelis,Lucilia, andMicropsisforming a clade (L1), the inclusion of ChileanLuciliaunderBelloa(L2), the monophyly ofStuckertiella+Gamochaeta+Gamochaetopsis(L3),Chevreulia+Cuatrecasasiella(L4) andAntennaria(L5) excludingAntennaria linearifolia, which is resolved in a monophyletic group together withJalcophila,LoricariaandMniodes(L6), and the recognition ofGnaphaliothamnus(L7) removed from Brazilian taxa ofChionolaena(L2). Ancestral character state reconstruction of achenial trichome morphology suggests that clades are homogeneous in terms of trichome type, but with exceptions that make it highly homoplastic. Conversely, our results suggest that the presence of myxogenic apical cells is less homoplastic and that closely related species tend to resemble each other more than expected under random variation.
ON THE LEGAL RECOGNITION OF GENDER REASSIGNMENT
Authors: Шелютто Марина , SHyelyutto Marina
Published: September 2017

The sex of a person is assigned at birth. Later some people — intersex persons and transsexuals — experience the problems with a legal gender and seek to change the entry of birth, certificate of birth and other documents. This article has been written under the impulse from case S. (post surgery transsexual) which has been considered by Russian courts. Neither the registrar’s office nor courts allowed S. to make change in his entry of birth. As result he faces total discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. As it is known, applications of two transsexuals — No. 86501/12 (Y. P. v. Russia) and the Application No. 60796/16 (X. v. Russia) — were communicated to the Russian Government by the ECHR on 23 February 2017. This article explains the meaning of legal gender, reasons of its change, the procedure of amending the entry of birth in such case in Russia and shows that the registrar’s office and courts put forward unfounded arbitrary conditions due to gaps in legislation and ignore the right of a person to the legal recognition of his or her gender identity. International legal approaches to the realization of this right are highlighted with emphasis on the ECHR positions. The examples of contemporary foreign legislation on the gender recognition including the attitude to forced divorce and new approach to the entry of birth in case of birth of intersex child to prevent premature medical intervention contrary to the gender self-identification of such a child are given.
TOP TEN FEATURES OF THE EVIDENCE INSTITUTE IN SWISS CRIMINAL PROCESS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: Трефилов Александр , Trefilov Aleksandr
Published: September 2017

The author considers the ten most important features of the evidence Institute in the Swiss criminal procedure. For the realization on the mentioned task the author analyzes the Code of Criminal Procedure and the doctrine of Switzerland: the rules concerning the evidence are the part of the criminal procedural law subject (the autonomous evidence law is not pointed neither doctrinal nor at the legislative level): as a subjects of the evidence can be recognised only the competent state authorities (the defender does not proof), the burden of evidence is a duty only of the the prosecution (there are no exceptions to this rule), the list of evidence is not exhaustive (the competent authorities shall take into account any significant procedural information, except the information which can not be seen as a proof by law) the freedom of evaluation of evidence without exception, normative consolidation of the theory of “the fruit of the poisoned tree” (if admissible evidence derived from the invalid, it also becomes invalid), the non-recognition of the theory of asymmetrie (the defense’s evidence and prosecution’s evidence are equal); the evidence check is not seen as a separate element of evidence (only the gathering and verification of evidence are pointed separately).
The author also makes a comparison between the Swiss and Russian experience in solving a range of problems concerning the evidence. It is shown that the Swiss experience may be useful in further reforming of the evidence institute in Russian criminal proceedings with the aim of increasing its effectiveness. There are some proposals to improve the existing Russian legislation in this article. Among them, not exhaustive list of evidence in criminal proceedings and regulatory basis for the theory of “the fruit of the poisoned tree”, which are existing in Switzerland and in most countries around the world, deserve attention of the domestic legislator.
COMPENSATION FOR HARM CAUSED BY THE DEFECTS IN GOODS (WORK OR SERVICES) IN FOREIGN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW LEGISLATION
Authors: Лазарева Татьяна , Lazaryeva Tatyana
Published: September 2017

The article deals with the conflict of laws regulation of compensation for damage caused by a product (works or services) in private international law legislation of different countries. The specificities of legal regulation of such relations are determined by the necessity of supporting the balance of parties’ interests, protection of persons and legal bodies (“weaker party”), damaged by the defects of products (works or services), and stimulation of quality workmanship of producers and sellers of products, works and services. Formulation of special conflict-of-law norms in modern codifying acts in this area of regulation is explained by the specifics of such relations, which are become more multivarious, requiring the differentiated approach. The place of producing the product (execution of work, provision of services) in such relations can be not coincide with the place of ensuing of harmful consequences, caused by a product of defective quality. It is noted that the effect of the basic principle (lex loci delicti) for non-contractual obligations in the field of products liability (works, services) is limited by the establishment of special forms of attachment and escape clauses.
On the basis of comparison of the legislation of certain countries, as well as Article 5 “Product liability” of the Regulation (EC) No. 864/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations (Rome II) tendencies of conflicts regulation in this area are identified, based on the “cascade” system of norms which allows to take into account various cases of causing of harm.
It was concluded that, despite some differences, generally there is a trend towards harmonization of regulation of the relations concerned in the legislation of various countries.
Workload Equity in Vehicle Routing Problems: A Survey and Analysis
Authors: Matl P. , Hartl R. F. , Vidal T.
Published: September 2017

Over the past two decades, equity aspects have been considered in a growing number of models and methods for vehicle routing problems (VRPs). Equity concerns most often relate to fairly allocating workloads and to balancing the utilization of resources, and many practical applications have been reported in the literature. However, there has been only limited discussion about how workload equity should be modeled in the context of VRPs, and various measures for optimizing such objectives have been proposed and implemented without a critical evaluation of their respective merits and consequences. This article addresses this gap by providing an analysis of classical and alternative equity functions for biobjective VRP models. In our survey, we review and categorize the existing literature on equitable VRPs. In the analysis, we identify a set of axiomatic properties that an ideal equity measure should satisfy, collect six common measures of equity, and point out important connections between their properties and the properties of the resulting Pareto-optimal solutions. To gauge the extent of these implications, we also conduct a numerical study on small biobjective VRP instances solvable to optimality. Our study reveals two undesirable consequences when optimizing equity with nonmonotonic functions: Pareto-optimal solutions can consist of non-TSP-optimal tours, and even if all tours are TSP optimal, Pareto-optimal solutions can be workload inconsistent, i.e., composed of tours whose workloads are all equal to or longer than those of other Pareto-optimal solutions. We show that the extent of these phenomena should not be underestimated. The results of our biobjective analysis remain valid also for weighted sum, constraint-based, or single-objective models. Based on this analysis, we conclude that monotonic equity functions are more appropriate for certain types of VRP models, and suggest promising avenues for further research on equity in logistics.

The data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2017.0744 .
Short-term surgical outcomes and patient quality of life between robotic and laparoscopic extralevator abdominoperineal excision for adenocarcinoma of the rectum
Authors: Kamali D , Reddy A , Imam S , Omar K , Jha A , Jha M
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Some studies advocate a laparoscopic extralevator abdominoperineal excision (l-ELAPE) approach for low rectal cancer. The da Vinci™ robot (r-ELAPE) technique has potential to overcome some limitations of l-ELAPE, such as reduction of the learning curve and more precise tissue handling. It is unknown whether this approach results in improved surgical or quality of life outcomes compared with l-ELAPE. This study aimed to address this issue.

Methods

Consecutive patients having undergone either robotic or laparoscopic ELAPE for adenocarcinoma were studied. All operations were performed by two surgeons experienced in laparoscopic and recently introduced robotic surgery. Surgical outcomes were determined by postoperative histology and short-term complications. Quality of life was prospectively assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLC-CR30 and QLC-CR29 questionnaires.

Results

A total of 22 patients (11 r-ELAPE) with a median follow-up of 13 months (8 months robotic; 22 months laparoscopic) were studied. The groups were similarly matched for age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, preoperative chemoradiotherapy and tumour height. All had R0 resection. There was no significant difference in short-term surgical outcomes between groups. There was no significant difference in mean global health scores between the two groups (74 ± 14 r-ELAPE vs. 73 ± 10 l-ELAPE). The r-ELAPE group had a lower mean impotence score compared with the I-ELAPE group (55.5 ± 40 vs. 72.2 ± 44), although this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The newly introduced r-ELAPE was non-inferior to l-ELAPE in either patient quality of life or surgical outcomes. Robotic surgery could be particularly beneficial in the technically challenging area of low rectal cancer surgery with a shorter learning curve than laparoscopy.
Intramuscular compared with subcutaneous transposition for surgery in cubital tunnel syndrome
Authors: Emamhadi MR , Emamhadi AR , Andalib S
Published: September 2017

Background

There is no consensus on the most effective surgical technique in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Anterior subcutaneous transposition (AST) and anterior intramuscular transposition (AIT) are common surgical treatments in this regard. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of these two surgeries for cubital tunnel syndrome.

Methods

In a retrospective study, we compared surgical outcomes (pain, sensation, motor recovery, atrophy, and total satisfaction) in 40 patients undergoing AIT and 43 undergoing AST of the ulnar nerve.

Results

The patients undergoing AIT showed a significant improvement in all the outcomes after the surgery (P = 0); however, those undergoing AST only experienced an improvement in pain and sensation after the surgery (P = 0). Comparing the two surgeries, we found that there was a high total satisfaction with AIT compared with AST (P = 0). When we independently compared each outcome in the two groups, we found that the muscle force recovery was significantly improved in the AIT group compared with the AST group (P = 0).

Conclusions

AIT is preferable to AST for the surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. In particular, AIT achieves a better motor recovery of the ulnar nerve compared with AST.
The management of pretibial lacerations
Authors: Singh P , Khatib M , Elfaki A , Hachach-Haram N , Singh E , Wallace D
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Pretibial lacerations are common injuries, often presenting in the elderly and infirm. Unclear management pathways often result in inappropriate care. We identify patient demographics, morbidity risk factors, injury severity and management options.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study involved analysing databases and hardcopy notes for patients admitted with pretibial lacerations to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, January to December 2012. Microsoft Excel and Fishers exact test were used to analyse the data with a P-value of less than 0.05 representative of statistical significance. Information on patient demographics, site of lesion, preoperative symptoms, management, operative details and clinical outcomes were collected.

Results

A total of 36 patients were identified; the mean age was 79 years (± 16 years, 1 standard deviation) with a three to two female to male preponderance; 57% of injuries were caused by mechanical fall, 33% traumatic blunt impact and 7% road traffic accidents. American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification was 43% level III, 40% II, 9% I and 9% IV. Dunkin classification of severity was 33% grade III, 30% grade I, 24% grade IV and 12% grade II. Median inpatient duration was 11 days for surgically managed compared with 15 days for conservatively managed patients.

Discussion

Pretibial lacerations tend to affect the elderly. Management is compounded by polypharmacy and comorbidities. If inadequately managed, such injuries can adopt characteristics of chronic wounds, with lengthy inpatient stays. Surgical intervention may be appropriate where injuries are severe and the patient stable enough for theatre.

Conclusions

We believe that surgical management with autologous tissue repair, with minimal delay between presentation and theatre, is warranted for extensive injuries wherever possible, with conservative management used for predominantly less extensive pretibial lacerations.
Pós-feminismo, misoginia online e a despolitização do privado
Authors: Álvares Cláudia
Published: September 2017

Este artigo problematiza os pressupostos do pós-feminismo, à luz da constatação de que as crescentes oportunidades de participação promovidas pelas novas tecnologias nem sempre estão em consonância com a defesa de valores democráticos. A arquitectura das Redes, as quais proporcionam um determinado grau de anonimato, facilita a desinibição, ausência de civilidade e publicitação da intimidade, legitimando uma cultura de misoginia que reencena estruturas sociais normativas, por vezes sob a capa de promoção de uma aparente emancipação.
Uniqueness and comparison principles for semilinear equations and inequalities in Carnot groups
Authors: D’Ambrosio Lorenzo , Mitidieri Enzo
Published: September 2017

Variants of the Kato inequality are proved for distributional solutions of semilinear equations and inequalities on Carnot groups. Various applications to uniqueness, comparison of solutions and Liouville theorems are presented.
Standard language ideology and multilingualism: Results from a survey among European students
Authors: Vogl Ulrike
Published: September 2017

This article draws upon data from 1880 students across Europe, gathered through an online survey. It aims at identifying general trends regarding their beliefs about multilingualism: Are these still shaped by the dominant standard language ideology (SLI)? In the article, results from factor analysis that examined underlying dimensions of beliefs about multilingualism and language learning are presented. These dimensions are evaluated differently by subsamples of students. On the one hand, students are divided by national backgrounds; for instance, Central European students differ from Belgian students. On the other hand, variables such as geographical mobility play an equal role: Students who consider moving to another country differ in their beliefs from their peers who prefer to stay in their home countries.
Influence of rare-earth metal on the zinc oxide nanostructures: application in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and p-nitro phenol
Authors: Labhane Prakash K. , Sonawane Gunvant H. , Sonawane Shirish H.
Published: September 2017

Rare-earth cerium (Ce)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) spherical nanoparticles were synthesized by using the co-precipitation method. The doped materials were characterized by means of the X-ray diffraction, Williamson-Hall Plot, and field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses. The prepared nanoparticles exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure as observed from the XRD measurements. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy data confirmed the purity of the prepared samples. The photocatalytic activity of the rare-earth Ce-doped ZnO spherical nanoparticles was investigated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) solution under UV light radiation. Among the different amounts of dopant, 5 mole% Ce-doped ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest degradation with UV light radiation for both MB dye and PNP solution. The particle size, morphology, and separation of the photo-induced electron–hole pair are the main factors that influence photocatalytic activity. The probable mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of MB and PNP are also explained by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis.
One-pot, three-component, selective synthesis of the polyfunctionalized 4H-pyran and 4H-benzo[b]pyran derivatives in the presence of a highly efficient molecular sieve-supported zinc catalyst
Authors: Magyar Ágnes , Hell Zoltán
Published: September 2017

A series of pentasubstituted 4H-pyrans and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans are synthesized with excellent yields via a one-pot condensation of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and a dicarbonyl compound, ethyl acetoacetate, acetyl-acetone or dimedone, in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieve modified with zinc(II) as heterogeneous catalyst, in ethanol. The process offers numerous advantages, such as better yield, short reaction time, and mild reaction conditions. The catalyst’s preparation is simple and it could be reused while still maintaining its activity.
Spectrophotometric and quantum-chemical study of acid-base and complexing properties of (±)-taxifolin in aqueous solution
Authors: Lutoshkin Maxim A. , Kuznetsov Boris N. , Levdansky Vladimir A.
Published: September 2017

This study reports the acid-base properties of taxifolin (Tf) in HCl media and aqueous complexation with Ni(II). The equilibrium processes was investigated using a spectrophotometric technique and ab initio calculations. Equilibrium constant of protonation was determined using a non-linear Cox-Yates method. Analysis of Ni(II)-Tf complex species under metal dominance conditions was performed in tris-buffer solution. For interpretation and verification of experimental results the Def2-SVP/DFT/PBE0/SMD level was used.
Implementation in nursing and midwifery. A scoping review / Implementationsprojekte in der Pflege und Hebammenarbeit. Scoping review
Authors: Loytved Christine Anna Lieselotte , Hasenberg Gabriele , Brendel Karin , Bothe-Moser Cornelia , Eggenschwiler Ruth , Eigenmann Denise , Graf Petra , Hammer Kristin , Hauser Regula , Oberndörfer Katrin , Pfister-Stoppa Anja , Spiegel-Hefel Elisabeth , Stiefel Andrea
Published: September 2017

Background

Evidence-based expertise in nursing and midwifery is growing but is not automatically turned into practice. The importance of implementation research is therefore increasing. International research results on factors facilitating implementation have not yet been sufficiently presented.

Objective

This scoping review will explore the findings on successful preparation, realisation and maintenance of interventions in nursing and midwifery.

Method

Based on an existing systematic approach, relevant data bases were accessed to identify original studies relating to implementation research in nursing and midwifery. The process of study selection and the characteristics of the included studies were charted.

Findings

In the four reviews and 38 studies which met the inclusion criteria, various factors leading to successful implementation are identified. Based on the included studies, four facilitating factors can be pinpointed: (1) workplace culture (16 entries), (2) leadership culture (28 entries), (3) resources (4 entries), and (4) training (22 entries). Depending on the specific phase of the implementation process (preparation, realisation, or maintenance), these factors will vary in importance.

Conclusion

This scoping review provides an orientation for the field of implementation research and it maps the design, themes and results of the studies included. It should be noted that few studies take into consideration the relevant theories, as well as the influence that the researchers and the target group may have on the implementation process, or provide an exact description of the setting in which the implementation takes place.
Japanese university students’ attitudes towards their English and the possibility of ELF awareness
Authors: Ishikawa Tomokazu
Published: September 2017

Previous studies have identified Japanese negative attitudes towards their English and ambivalent attitudes towards the language (e.g. Jenkins 2007,English as a Lingua Franca: Attitude and identity. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Matsuda 2003, The ownership of English in Japanese secondary schools.World Englishes22(4). 483–496; McKenzie 2010,The social psychology of English as a global language: Attitudes, awareness and identity in the Japanese context. Dordrecht: Springer). The current research targets Japanese university students and adds several insights into the nature of these attitudes through the analysis of 95 open-ended questionnaires and 18 conversational interviews. First of all, the participants’ negative language attitudes embraced notable contradictions. Also, their ambivalence was scarcely evident, and more to the point, a matter of degree. Moreover, it is thedoxicexperience (Bourdieu 1977,Outline of a theory of practice. Trans. Richard Nice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) within Japanese society that was likely to hinder grounding those attitudes on their own critical thinking and valuing their English communication ability with non-Japanese. And most importantly, it was easy for them to appreciate English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) perspectives, so long as they would like to use English for international communication. More precisely, while they were unlikely to have any previous attitudes towards the unfamiliar representation of their English (i.e. from ELF perspectives), they were highly likely to develop positive attitudes towards it. This article calls for more future research and effort devoted to raising ELF awareness in Japanese and other similar contexts.
Molecular genetic and clinical delineation of 22 patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Authors: Aoyama Kohei , Mizuno Haruo , Tanaka Tatsushi , Togawa Takao , Negishi Yutaka , Ohashi Kei , Hori Ikumi , Izawa Masako , Hamajima Takashi , Saitoh Shinji
Published: September 2017

Background:

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is classified as Kallmann syndrome (KS) with anosmia/hyposmia or normosmic (n)CHH. Here, we investigated the genetic causes and phenotype-genotype correlations in Japanese patients with CHH.

Methods:

We enrolled 22 Japanese patients with CHH from 21 families (18 patients with KS and 4 with nCHH) and analyzed 27 genes implicated in CHH by next-generation and Sanger sequencing.

Results:

We detected 12 potentially pathogenic mutations in 11 families, with three having a mutation in

Conclusions:

The frequency of CHH genes in the Japanese was compatible with previous reports, except that
PD-L1 expression in squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung
Authors: Janzic Urska , Kern Izidor , Janzic Andrej , Cavka Luka , Cufer Tanja
Published: September 2017

Background

With introduction of immunotherapy (IT) into the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a need for predictive biomarker became apparent. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression is most widely explored predictive marker for response to IT. We assessed PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC) of squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) patients.

Patients and methods

We obtained 54 surgically resected tumor specimens and assessed PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry after staining them with antibody SP142 (Ventana, USA). Clinicopathological characteristics were acquired from the hospital registry database. Results were analyzed according to cut-off values of ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% of PD-L1 expression on either TC or IC.

Results

29 (54%) samples were AC and 25 (46%) were SCC. PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in TC of SCC compared to AC at both cut-off values (52% vs. 17%, p = 0.016 and 52% vs. 14%, p = 0.007, respectively) no difference in PD-L1 expression in IC of SCC and AC was found. In AC alone, PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in IC compared to TC at both cut-off values (72% vs. 17%, p < 0.001 and 41% vs. 14%, p = 0.008, respectively), while no significant difference between IC and TC PD-L1 expression was revealed in SCC.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a significantly higher PD-L1 expression in TC of SCC compared to AC, regardless of the cut-off value. PD-L1 expression in IC is high in both histological subtypes of NSCLC, and adds significantly to the overall positivity of AC but not SCC.
Toxicological profile of organochlorines aldrin and dieldrin: an Indian perspective
Authors: Sharma Noopur , Garg Deepali , Deb Roumi , Samtani Ratika
Published: September 2017

Several epidemiological studies have suggested various environmental factors as a possible cause for increased incidence of various abnormalities. Of the various environmental contaminants, the most prevalent and the most discussed are the endocrine disrupting chemicals. Contact of such disruptors with humans has become inevitable today. They are cosmopolitan and present from agriculture to industrial sectors, even in day-to-day consumer products. Aldrin and dieldrin belong to one such class of substances which are known to have a toxic effect on various physiological systems of the human body. Despite an imposed ban on their manufacture and commercial use, these pesticides could still be detected in probable areas of consumption like agriculture. The present review discusses the known possible toxic effects of aldrin and dieldrin and their current existence in the ecosystem across India.
Elevated semaphorin 5A in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a case–control study
Authors: Liu Yongping , Wang Shuo , Guo Qingling , Li Yongze , Qin Jing , Zhao Na , Li Yushu , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping
Published: September 2017

Objective

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is characterized by elevated specific auto-antibodies, including TgAb and TPOAb. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the essential role of Th17 cells in HT. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Semaphorin 5A (Sema 5A) is involved in several autoimmune diseases through the regulation of immune cells. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of Sema 5A in HT.

Methods

We measured serum Sema 5A levels in HT (n = 92) and healthy controls (n = 111) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RNA levels of Sema 5A and their receptors (plexin-A1 and plexin-B3), as well as several cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17), were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 patients with HT and 31 controls. In addition, we investigated the relationship between serum Sema 5A and HT.

Results

Serum Sema 5A in HT increased significantly compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). Moreover, serum Sema 5A levels were positively correlated with TgAb (r = 0.511, P < 0.001), TPOAb (r = 0.423, P < 0.001), TSH (r = 0.349, P < 0.001) and IL-17 mRNA expression (r = 0.442, P < 0.001). Increased Sema 5A RNA expression was observed (P = 0.041) in HT compared with controls. In receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, serum Sema 5A predicted HT with a sensitivity of 79.35% and specificity of 96.40%, and the area under the curve of the ROC curve was 0.836 (95% CI: 0.778–0.884, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

These data demonstrated elevated serum Sema 5A in HT patients for the first time. Serum Sema 5A levels were correlated with thyroid auto-antibodies and IL-17 mRNA expression. Sema 5A may be involved in immune response of HT patients.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Very Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Galderisi Alfonso , Facchinetti Andrea , Steil Garry M. , Ortiz-Rubio Paulina , Cavallin Francesco , Tamborlane William V. , Baraldi Eugenio , Cobelli Claudio , Trevisanuto Daniele
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Impaired glucose control in very preterm infants is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and poor neurologic outcome. Strategies based on insulin titration have been unsuccessful in achieving euglycemia in absence of an increase in hypoglycemia and mortality. We sought to assess whether glucose administration guided by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is more effective than standard of care blood glucose monitoring in maintaining euglycemia in very preterm infants.

METHODS:

Fifty newborns ≤32 weeks’ gestation or with birth weight ≤1500 g were randomly assigned (1:1) within 48-hours from birth to receive computer-guided glucose infusion rate (GIR) with or without CGM. In the unblinded CGM group, the GIR adjustments were driven by CGM and rate of glucose change, whereas in the blinded CGM group the GIR was adjusted by using standard of care glucometer on the basis of blood glucose determinations. Primary outcome was percentage of time spent in euglycemic range (72–144 mg/dL). Secondary outcomes were percentage of time spent in mild (47–71 mg/dL) and severe (<47 mg/dL) hypoglycemia; percentage of time in mild (145–180 mg/dL) and severe (>180 mg/dL) hyperglycemia; and glucose variability.

RESULTS:

Neonates in the unblinded CGM group had a greater percentage of time spent in euglycemic range (median, 84% vs 68%, P < .001) and decreased time spent in mild (P = .04) and severe (P = .007) hypoglycemia and in severe hyperglycemia (P = .04) compared with the blinded CGM group. Use of CGM also decreased glycemic variability (SD: 21.6 ± 5.4 mg/dL vs 27 ± 7.2 mg/dL, P = .01; coefficient of variation: 22.8% ± 4.2% vs 27.9% ± 5.0%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

CGM-guided glucose titration can successfully increase the time spent in euglycemic range, reduce hypoglycemia, and minimize glycemic variability in preterm infants during the first week of life.
Representative commodity for six leafy vegetables based on the determination of six pesticide residues by gas chromatography
Authors: Song Shiming , Huang Huili , Chen Zhaojie , Wei Jie , Deng Cheng , Tan Huihua , Li Xuesheng
Published: September 2017

A residue analytical method was developed for the determination of trichlorfon, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, β cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and chlorothalonilin in six leafy vegetables by gas chromatography–electron capture detector (GC–ECD) and gas chromatography–flame photometric detector (GC–FPD). The method had a good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9924) and precision (RSD ≤ 14.0%). The limits of quantification (LOQ) of six pesticides were all 0.01 mg/kg. Average recoveries of six pesticides ranged from 81% to 119%. The developed method was successfully applied to study the initial deposits, degrade characteristics, and terminal residues for six pesticides applied to six leafy vegetables under the same dose of formulation. The half-life of six pesticides was in the range of 0.8–8.8 days. The highest initial deposits, maximal residues, and terminal residues were found on leaf mustard and sweet potato leaves as the same pesticides were applied in different crops. Therefore, leaf mustard can be selected as representative commodity in the same subgroup to realize the residual extrapolation. This conclusion should be considered as a complement on crop classification of China.
As Media Augmented Reality Promotion of College with Marker Logo in Brochure
Authors: Widyaningsih Maura , Zunfikar Muhammad Is Yudya
Published: September 2017

Innovation Augmented Reality (AR) is widely used in various fields of media presentation of informationsuch as the interactive learning media , marketing, supply and sale of an organization, service, or product.Colleges still use the brochure as a media campaign, but with the AR, the promotion of existing facilitiescan be presented in an interactive form. Information can be presented in the form of 3D animation, whichcan be accessed on Android smartphones and tablets, the goal is to attract students to the college offered.The facilities are presented in the form of virtual 3D is a map and the building, a library, classrooms, andlaboratories. A Marker used to identify the camera is a college logo on brochures which combined withred and blue lines.
Security attacks on Routing protocols and Intrusion Detection in MANET
Authors: Chamudeeswari R.M. , Sumathi Dr.P.
Published: September 2017

The security for MANET is the major issue in the network area. Dynamic topology of wireless networksets a challenge to implement the real time application as compared to wired networks. MANET is a set ofindependent node can communicate with each other by active path of multi hop wireless medium. Mobilead-hoc networks are vulnerable to security threats. Many Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) have beeninserted to distinguish the possible approaches in the MANET. An intrusion detection system is thecapability to sense intruders and user actions in the organization in a competent and reasonable manner.An Intruder that collaborates a mobile node in MANET eliminates the communication between the nodes.By distribution fake routing information, provided that false link status information, and plentiful othernodes with superfluous routing traffic information. In this paper, our aim is to present a review ofdifferent strategies for MANET have been elaborated for a future research enhancement in the field ofIntrusion Detection System.
The decision-making process between rationality and emotions
Authors: Alvino Letizia , Franco Massimo
Published: September 2017

The decision-making process has been analyzed in several disciplines (economics, social sciences,humanities, etc.) with the aim of creating models to help decision-makers in strategy formulation. TheOrganizational theory takes into account both the decision-making process of individuals and groups of acompany. Numerous models have been built, which include a wide range of psychological, environmental,hierarchical factors, all of which only account the notion of rationality. In time, such concept has come tobe considered pragmatically unrealistic and unachievable. Emotions have recently acquired anincreasingly significant position (in the academic and economic society) as important component of thedecision making-process. From this point of view neuroscience, the new branch of medical sciences couldplay a key role in studying individual decision-making processes. This article suggests that thanks toneuroscience it is possible to overcome current limitations in economics studies, for individual’s choices,which are exclusively based on the rational component.
Effect of topically applied hyaluronic acid on pain and palatal epithelial wound healing: An examiner‐masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Yıldırım Selin , Özener Hafize Öztürk , Doğan Başak , Kuru Bahar
Published: September 2017

Background

This study aims to evaluate the effects of two different concentrations of topical hyaluronic acid (HA) on postoperative patient discomfort and wound healing of palatal donor sites after free gingival graft (FGG) surgery.

Methods

Thirty‐six patients requiring FGG were randomly assigned into three groups in an examiner‐masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial. After harvesting palatal grafts, 0.2% and 0.8% HA gels were used in test groups 1 and 2, respectively. Gels were applied on donor sites and protected with periodontal dressing in the test groups, whereas the wound was covered only with periodontal dressing in the control group. On days 3, 7, 14, and 21, pain and burning sensation were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS) as well as other parameters such as complete epithelization (CE) and color match on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 42.

Results

Test groups experienced less pain than the control group on days 3 and 7 (P <0.001 and P <0.001, respectively). Mean VAS score for burning sensation was higher in the control group on day 3 compared with test groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). CE in all patients was achieved on day 21 in both test groups, whereas it was achieved on day 42 in the control group. The test groups showed higher color match scores than the control group on days 21 (P <0.001 and P <0.001, respectively) and 42 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

Topical application of HA exhibits positive impact on postoperative pain and burning sensation, and accelerates palatal wound healing in terms of epithelization and color match.