bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influencing factors of attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental illness among Korean adults
Authors: Park Subin , Jeon Mina , Lee Yeeun , Ko Young-Mi , Kim Chul Eung
Published: March 2018

Objectives:

Identifying predictors of psychological help-seeking attitudes is essential to improve access to needed mental health services. We investigated factors – particularly Big Five personality traits – that affect attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help for mental illness among Korean adults.

Methods:

A total of 654 participants aged 15–54 years were recruited through an online panel survey. Help-seeking attitudes for mental illness were measured by the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH), and personality traits were measured by the Big Five Personality Inventory-10.

Results:

Multivariate analyses showed that female gender, history of psychiatric diagnosis, agreeableness and openness to experience were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help for mental illness.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that specific personality traits should be considered when developing strategies to promote positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Further research using a representative community sample is needed to generalize our findings.
Moving Toward a Wider Perspective on Psychosis
Authors: Unger Ron
Published: March 2018

Evidence that psychosis always has a biological cause appears lacking, while evidence that it can be a reaction to life events appears increasingly strong. A broader approach may therefore be required, one allowing for the possibility of psychosis emerging, independently of biological causes, when a person’s understandable attempts to solve difficult problems inadvertently create more problems. Efforts by helpers to simplistically explain or suppress psychosis may also then backfire and increase difficulties. Restoring balance may require accepting and integrating psychotic experiences, neither overvaluing them nor dismissing them as being without value. Some methods of working toward this goal are identified and discussed.
Anticipatory Grief, Proactive Coping, Social Support, and Growth: Exploring Positive Experiences of Preparing for Loss
Authors: Rogalla Kylie B.
Published: March 2018

All mental health professionals will inevitably serve clients who face the expected death of a loved one. Prominent theories on the grieving process tend to begin after a death or other loss has occurred. Many individuals experience anticipatory grief prior to the physical death. Participants in this study consisted of 120 adults who were anticipating the death of a loved one due to terminal illness. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the relationship between the positive disposition of proactive coping and two forms of growth. Both personal and posttraumatic growth were present to a significant degree, and proactive coping illustrated unique predictive power in personal growth. Social support was a significant mediator of proactive coping and growth and was determined to be an outcome of the assertive nature of this disposition. Implications for helping professionals who serve anticipatory grievers as well as directions for future research are discussed.
Does Work Stress Change Personalities? Working in Prison as a Personality-Changing Factor Among Correctional Officers
Authors: Suliman Nina , Einat Tomer
Published: March 2018

The study uses Behavioral Tendencies Scales tests to examine how employment as a correctional officer affects personality change, particularly neuroticism. We found a significant and conclusive increase in the neuroticism factor among correctional officers and a significant decrease in the comparison groups, as well as higher levels of neuroticism among longer serving officers than among newly employed officers. A significant increase in neuroticism was also revealed among correctional officers after 3 to 4 years of employment. Our findings led us to conclude that employment in prison is linked to changes in correctional officers’ personalities and levels of neuroticism, unlike the trend seen in the comparison groups and in that age group in the wider population. This highlights the distinctive and stressful nature of correctional facilities as a workplace that generates particular, negative personality changes.
“Dominant Decision-Making Authority”: Resident Leadership in St. Louis, Missouri, Model Cities Planning
Authors: Siegel Sarah
Published: March 2018

When federal policymakers created Model Cities in 1966, they envisioned it as an innovative approach to urban renewal. Part of the War on Poverty, Model Cities combined slum redevelopment, an expansion of social services, and citizen participation. Understanding community action as a critique of and attempt to reorient decades of failed urban policy, this article spotlights efforts by residents to seize and maintain control of urban improvement programs. Residents claimed expertise in urban planning by virtue of their experience living in impoverished neighborhoods. Their vision for their community suggested an alternate path for city planning that supported poor residents’ influence to achieve a more democratic society. This article traces how community leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, briefly achieved resident-controlled urban planning within Model Cities. Although residents’ ideas were never implemented as they hoped, these plans expose the opportunities and constraints of neighborhood activism in the War on Poverty.
Suboccipital Surgical Approach to the Cerebellopontine Angle and Internal Auditory Canal
Authors: Smith Mansfield F W
Published: March 2018

The suboccipital craniectomy done with the patient in the prone position using modern microsurgical methods gives good anatomical exposure essential for efficient, accurate, total removal of cerebellopontine angle neoplasms and allows adjacent. uninvolved neurological structures to be spared. Modifying the anatomical exposure by varying the size and shape of the osseous craniectomy and placing the dural incision closer to the porus acousticus permits extradural retraction of the cerebellum. Thus large cerebellopontine angle neoplasms can be excised with less chance of damage to the cerebellum and smaller risk of hydrocephalus. The suboccipital craniectomy may be extended anteriorly to the facial nerve, thereby combining the suboccipital with the translabyrinthine approach. and providing a more direct angle to a large neoplasm involving the brain stem and cerebellum.
Trichlorethylene – Relationship of Metabolite Levels to Atmospheric Concentrations: Preliminary Communication
Authors: Smith G F
Published: March 2018

The search for a practical index oftrichlorethylene exposure must take into account its degree of narcotic activity in turn related to air concentration. Trichloracetic acid level in urine provides a useful means of assessing exposure and it can be related to trichlorethylene in air. A small investigation of this relationship has been carried out on two continuously exposed subjects.
Risk Factors in Scrotal Epithelioma
Authors: Fay Hugh T
Published: March 2018

After reviewing its occurrence in older industries, five fatal cases and one non-fatal case of scrotal cancer, occurring in a light engineering factory from 1955-75, are described. Possible genetic factors, personal hygiene, protective clothing, prior development of keratoses on the forearms and the high ambient temperatures in a machine shop using bar automatic lathes are discussed. Results of analyses of new, used and reclaimed oils for polynuclear aromatic carcinogens in three different laboratories are given. The possibility of too-prolonged use of neat cutting oils and of conventional oil reclamation plants, leading to a dangerous accumulation of carcinogens, such as benzo{a)pyrene, is noted.
Importance of Adding Neomycin to Metronidazole for Bowel Preparation1
Authors: Vallance S , Arabi Y , Jones B , Keighley M R B
Published: March 2018

A prospective randomized trial has investigated whether it is necessary to add oral neomycin to oral metronidazole as a means of preventing sepsis in elective colonic resection. Seventy-three patients completed the study; 41 received metronidazole and placebo neomycin and 32 received metronidazole and active neomycin. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of wound infection in patients receiving neomycin and metronidazole (22%) compared with metronidazole alone (51%, P < 0.02). There was also a significant reduction in anaerobic infections in the group receiving metronidazole and neomycin compared with metronidazole alone (P < 0.05). These results indicate that oral metronidazole alone is of no benefit for patients requiring elective colonic operations and that if oral metronidazole is advised it should always be given in combination with oral neomycin.
Transcranial–facial Approach for Tumours of Superior Paranasal Sinuses and Orbit
Authors: Clifford Peter
Published: March 2018

A monobloc resection of the fronto-ethmoid sphenoid area may be performed through a combined cranial and facial approach. Osmotic cerebral dehydration increases the exposure of the anterior cranial fossa. The results of treatment in 26 patients (24 with malignant disease of the ethmoid area who had disease recurrence after previous radiotherapy with or without surgery) and the complications encountered are described. The clinical details of 9 of these patients have been included in an earlier report (Clifford 1977).
Preoperative Assessment and Staging of Breast Cancer: Preliminary Communication
Authors: Forrest A P M , Black R B , Humeniuk V , Cant E L M , Hawkins R A , Prescott R J , Roberts M M , Shivas A A , Stewart H J , Smith A F , Sumerling M
Published: March 2018

A prospective study has been carried out in 172 women to determine the sensitivity of methods to detect occult metastatic disease in the skeleton and liver. With the exception of bone scintiscans, the results of these tests bore little relationship to recurrence rates. On the other hand, knowledge of the histopathology of the lower axillary (pectoral) lymph nodes is of value in this respect.

A follow-up study is also reported which confirms the importance of accurate measurements of the primary tumour clinical node status and oestrogen receptor contact of the tumour in defining prognostic groups. Elastosis (estimated in 165 tumours) did not prove to be a useful prognostic index.
Usage of Information Sources by General Practitioners1
Authors: Strickland-Hodge B , Jeqson M H
Published: March 2018

Questionnaires were sent to approximately 500 general practioners in five areas of one National Health Service Region; there was a 52% response. Certain characteristics of each general practitioner, which were collected from the questionnaire and medical lists, were used to assess how information was used by different ‘types’ of general practitioner. Generally, sources of information emanating from the pharmaceutical industry are used more to introduce the new product, while the ‘professional’ sources such as medical journals are used more to evaluate it. Younger doctors used Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin more than did their colleagues, and single-practice doctors found the representative to be more useful than did joint-practice doctors.
Role of the Nurse Counsellor in Managing Patients with the Hyperventilation Syndrome
Authors: Pinney Susan , Freeman Leisa J , Nixon P G F
Published: March 2018

A hyperventilation clinic was established specifically to deal with patients referred from the accident and emergency department with the hyperventilation syndrome. This was run by a staff nurse, who counselled the patients and taught abdominal breathing techniques and relaxation. In 30 patients so managed, 63% said their symptoms were much better or had completely gone and in only 6% was there no improvement; 43% had previously had more than one attendance at the A&E department, but following treatment only 2 patients represented during 5 months of follow up. The use of a nurse counsellor seems to be a simple and effective approach to managing these patients and considerably reduces both casualty and outpatient physician time.
Spinal Cord Compression in Paget's Disease of Bone Treated Medically
Authors: Jawad A S M , Berry H
Published: March 2018

The most common sites for Paget's disease of the spine are the sacrum followed by the lumbar spine1, but paraparesis is more common with dorsal involvement. Over 100 cases of dysfunction of the spinal cord or cauda equina secondary to Paget's disease of the vertebral column have been described since it was first reported by Wyllie2. We report a patient with paraparesis secondary to Paget's disease of the dorsal vertebrae with complete myelographic obstruction, who was treated medically with disodium etidronate.
Haematuria Analysed – a Prospective Study
Authors: Gillatt D A , O'Reilly P H
Published: March 2018

One hundred consecutive cases of haematuria were studied prospectively. The results showed a high proportion (52%) of serious urological disease. The need for thorough investigation of even minor degrees of haematuria is again emphasized.
Phenylephrine-Induced Reversible Cataract in the Mouse
Authors: Claoué C M P
Published: March 2018

Topical 10% phenylephrine will produce lens opacities in several strains of mouse. These lens opacities resolve spontaneously within 24 hours, leaving an apparently normal eye. Phenylephrine-induced lens opacification in the mouse can be prevented by covering the eye with ointment, suggesting that the underlying mechanism is transcorneal dehydration.
The Ocular Signs and Complications of Epidermolysis Bullosa
Authors: McDonnell P J , Spalton D J
Published: March 2018

Eleven patients with the dystrophic form of epidermolysis bullosa underwent ophthalmic assessment to establish the presence, characteristics, and extent of any ocular involvement. Eight patients were found to have eye changes: these included varying degrees of Symblepharon, broadening of the limbus, and corneal opacities. Taken as a group, these changes formed a characteristic pattern. The majority of patients were asymptomatic and the ocular changes appear to be only slowly progressive. Recurrent corneal abrasion and Symblepharon are the most important complications.
Psychological Factors Influence the Success of Coronary Artery Surgery
Authors: Channer K S , O'Connor S , Britton S , Walbridge D , Rees J Russell
Published: March 2018

Thirty-six patients with angina were investigated by treadmill exercise testing and coronary angiography prior to coronary artery surgery. Severity of angina was judged by interview and self-assessment visual analogue scale and all patients were psychiatrically assessed. Further physical and psychiatric assessments were made at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Eleven patients (31%) had significant psychiatric morbidity preoperatively and these had worse symptom scores and exercise tolerance compared with non-psychiatric cases, despite equivalent coronary angiographic findings and left ventricular function. Postoperatively, exercise tolerance improved equally in both groups but psychiatric cases remained significantly more symptomatic. Psychiatric morbidity remained unchanged throughout the study.

We conclude that almost one third of patients with severe angina have psychiatric morbidity which is associated with a poor symptomatic response to coronary artery surgery, despite objective improvement in exercise tolerance. Ways of improving the symptomatic response to surgery in patients with coexisting psychiatric morbidity should be studied.
After Surgery for Breast Cancer: Which Mode of Surveillance?
Authors: Tate J J T , Clifford P C , Royle G T , Buchanan R B , Taylor I
Published: March 2018

Five hundred and ten women attending a specialized breast clinic for follow-up after surgery of early breast cancer (Stage I and II) have been studied. Recurrence was found most often (58%) in symptomatic women who returned to the clinic earlier than planned. Only 3% of asymptomatic patients had recurrent disease. It is concluded that counselling in symptoms of recurrent breast cancer would allow more efficient follow-up.
Measuring Vitality
Authors: Wood C , Magnello M E , Jewell T
Published: March 2018

Subjective perceptions of mental and physical energy were measured by the use of visual analogue scales (VAS) over the course of a week in a group of normal volunteers. These variables were found to correlate, highly both with one another and with assessments of vigour and fatigue measured with a standard adjectival format. In addition, high correlations were found with a measure of positive affect. These five variables also displayed characteristic patterns of diurnal variation. Physical and mental energy, vigour and positive affect were highest in the morning, falling progressively and significantly over the day. In contrast, fatigue showed the opposite pattern.

Extraversion showed positive correlations with physical and mental energy, vigour and positive affect, and negative correlations with fatigue and negative affect, most being significant (P<0.05). Conversely, neuroticism showed a negative correlation with the first four energy variables but was positively related to fatigue and negative affect, most correlations again being significant. Physical and mental energy, vigour and positive affect also showed a positive correlation (P<0.01) with a measure of happiness.

It is concluded that VAS-derived ratings of physical and mental energy are reliable indicators of self-perceived vigour and fatigue. They are easy to record and show sufficient short-term stability to be used in more extensive studies both of well-being and of its physiological correlates.
The prevalence of Eye Disease in Elderly Bengalis in Tower Hamlets
Authors: Gray Peter J
Published: March 2018

The prevalence of eye disease and uncorrected refractive errors in a group of 167 elderly members of the Bangladeshi community which resides in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was studied. Of the subjects screened 24.6% were found to have a significant and potentially treatable cause of visual loss and a further 32.3% were visually handicapped through the presence of uncorrected refractive errors. A high prevalence (53.3%) of cataract was found in the elderly Bengalis. The high prevalence of eye disease in this ethnic minority group, has important implications for health service planning.
Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus Presenting as a Psychiatric Condition
Authors: Walker M C , Cockerell O C , Sander J W A S
Published: March 2018

Non-convulsive status epilepticus may present as confusion, behavioural disturbances and psychiatric conditions. We present the case of a 17-year-old man who had episodes of non-convulsive status epilepticus as his only manifestation of epilepsy which was mis-diagnosed as a psychiatric condition for over 10 years. He has had almost complete resolution of his symptoms with the introduction of carbamazepine. Non-convulsive status epilepticus is probably commoner than previously thought, and should be considered as a possible diagnosis in all patients presenting with prolonged episodes of altered consciousness even without other manifestations of epilepsy.
Splenectomy in a General Hospital
Authors: Glass J M , Gilbert J M
Published: March 2018

Splenectomy is often performed in patients with malignant disease or trauma who are at a high risk of complications. In the long term, it increases the risk of infection by encapsulated bacteria. An audit was performed to determine the reasons for splenectomy in a district general hospital, to review the results and complications of surgery, and to see how often the patients were prescribed antibacterial prophylaxis. Twenty-eight patients underwent splenectomy in 3 years. The indication was haematological disease in 13 and trauma in four. In the remaining nine the spleen was removed either as part of a radical gastrectomy or during some other abdominal procedure. Six of the 28 patients had died, one within 30 days from disseminated intravascular coagulopathy following an emergency gastrectomy and splenectomy for haematemesis, two from progressive haematological malignant disease, two from non-haematological malignancy, and one from bronchopneumonia. Of the nine patients (32%) with complications, three required a further laparotomy. Most patients had been prescribed pneumococcal vaccine (85%) and prophylactic antibiotics (93%).
Healing and Medicine in the Aegean Bronze Age
Authors: Arnott Robert
Published: March 2018

Since the discovery of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations of Crete and the Greek mainland, a systematic understanding has been gained of their material culture and social structures. Nevertheless, because of the absence of textual and pictorial evidence of medicine of the kind which exists in the contemporary societies of Egypt and the Near East, little work has been produced on the subject of disease and the practice of medicine in the period. However, new pathological evidence throws much tight on this hitherto largely unknown aspect of their civilization.
Mason Type II Radial Head Fractures Fixed with Herbert Bone Screws
Authors: Pearce M S , Gallannaugh S C
Published: March 2018

The management of radial head fractures remains controversial. Accurate classification of the fracture (Mason) may necessitate the use of special X-ray views (45° arterior oblique or radio-capitellar). We present the results of 19 cases of Mason type II fractures treated operatively by open reduction and internal fixation with the Herbert bone screw. All patients achieved ‘good-to-excellent’ outcome at follow-up. Our results compare favourably with other forms of treatment for this injury.
Cochlear Implants in Children: Principles, Practice and Predictions
Authors: O'Donoghue Gerard M
Published: March 2018

An audit was undertaken of the first 36 children who had received cochlear implants in Nottingham. These children had previously derived no benefit from prolonged trials of powerful hearing aids. Following implantation, all children could hear warble tones at all audiometric frequencies from 500 to 4000 Hz at sound pressure levels between 30 and 50 dB. The majority of children implanted below the age of 5 years developed intelligible spoken language after 3 years. The outcomes for children born deaf and those who acquired deafness under the age of 3 years were substantially similar. The best results were obtained in those children who were implanted before the age of 5 years or in whom the deafness was of short duration. The needs of implanted children continue over many years. A small number of dedicated, well-funded multidisciplinary teams are needed to meet the growing demand nationally.
Does Hospital-at-Home Make Economic Sense? Early Discharge Versus Standard Care for Orthopaedic Patients
Authors: Hensher Martin , Fulop Naomi , Hood Sonja , Ujah Sarah
Published: March 2018

Hospital-at-home has been promoted as a potentially effective means of replacing costly inpatient care with cheaper domiciliary care. We studied three hospital-at-home schemes in West London providing intensive home care for early discharge orthopaedic patients, comparing their costs with those of standard inpatient care.

Although costs per day of hospital-at-home care were lower than those of inpatient care, the schemes appeared to increase the total duration of orthopaedic episodes, so that the costs of standard care, per episode, were lower than those of hospital-at-home.

While hospital-at-home may offer considerable future potential, substitution of home care for inpatient care will not necessarily save resources.
Anogenital Lichen Sclerosus in Women
Authors: Thomas R H Meyrick , Ridley C M , McGibbon D H , Black M M
Published: March 2018

A study of 350 women with lichen sclerosus, originally made to elucidate the relationship between lichen sclerosus and autoimmunity, led to the amassing of a considerable amount of clinical material. Our review is confined to those with anogenital lesions (342), supplemented by some new cases (15), giving a total of 357 women with biopsy proven lichen sclerosus. It demonstrates the wide age range of the condition, the association with morphoea and lichen planus and the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in some cases. It also shows that inappropriate surgery has continued to be carried out for benign disease.
Management of Lichen Sclerosus and Intraepithelial Neoplasia of the Vulva in the UK
Authors: Tidy J A , Soutter W P , Luesley D M , MacLean A B , Buckley C H , Ridley C M
Published: March 2018

Women with vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), lichen sclerosus (LS) and Paget's disease are referred either to gynaecologists or to dermatologists. We have ascertained the caseloads, referral patterns and treatment modalities used in the two specialties.

A postal questionnaire was sent to 540 consultant gynaecologists and 225 consultant and senior registrar members of the British Association of Dermatologists. 350 gynaecologists and 161 dermatologists returned completed questionnaires. The workload of LS and Paget's disease was evenly distributed, with 54% of dermatologists and 58% of gynaecologists seeing more than six cases of LS per annum and less than 1% seeing more than five cases of Paget's disease. 92% of responding gynaecologists saw at least one case of VIN per year whereas 43% of dermatologists saw no cases. Patients with VIN and Paget's were referred to gynaecologists for treatment by 66% of dermatologists. Both groups are equally prepared to treat LS. Indications for treatment of VIN and LS were suspicion of invasion and symptoms. Local excision of VIN is the treatment of choice by both gynaecologists and dermatologists. LS is predominantly treated with topical steroids but gynaecologists also use topical oestrogen and testosterone.

The great majority of responders favoured establishing a national register to study the outcome of vulval lesions.
Altered velocity gradient in lower limb chronic venous disease
Authors: Gianesini Sergio , Sisini Francesco , Menegatti Erica , Di Domenico Giovanni , Gambaccini Mauro , Occhionorelli Savino , Zamboni Paolo
Published: March 2018

Background

In physiology, velocity of the deep venous compartment is higher than the one in the saphenous compartment which is higher than the one in the tributaries. Considering that velocity variation is associated with changes in the pressure gradient, aim of the present study is to assess changes in venous kinetics in case of superficial chronic venous disease, so to provide further clues in venous drainage direction determination.

Methods

Venous ultrasound scanning was performed on 40 lower limbs of 28 chronic venous disease patients (C2-6Ep,As,Pr). Velocities were measured in three different venous segments: great saphenous vein at 2 cm above the origin of the incompetent tributary (Group-A). great saphenous vein at 2 cm below the origin of tributary (Group-B). tributary at 2 cm from its origin from the great saphenous vein (Group-C.)

Results

Diastolic time average velocity was higher in group-C (−21.3 ± 8.5 cm/s) than in group-A (−15.7 ± 5.2 cm/s; p = .0001) and group-B (−11.1 ± 2.9 cm/s; p = .0001), thus indicating an inversion of the physiological velocity gradient in chronic venous disease patients.

Discussion

Chronic venous disease presents a subverted velocity gradient. These data introduce objective hemodynamics data, paving the way for further investigation in venous drainage direction determination.
Lifestyle factors and risk of migraine and tension-type headache. Follow-up data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Surveys 1995–1997 and 2006–2008
Authors: Hagen Knut , Åsberg Anders Nikolai , Stovner Lars , Linde Mattias , Zwart John-Anker , Winsvold Bendik Slagsvold , Heuch Ingrid
Published: March 2018

Aims

The aim of this population-based historical cohort study was to investigate the influence of lifestyle factors on the risk of developing migraine or tension-type headache (TTH).

Methods

Data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study performed in 1995–1997 and 2006–2008 was used. A total of 15,276 participants without headache at baseline were included. A Poisson regression was used to evaluate the associations between lifestyle factors and risk ratios (RRs) of migraine and TTH 11 years later. Precision of the estimates was assessed by 95% confidence interval (CIs).

Results

Increased risk of migraine (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11–1.52) was found in smokers (past or current) compared to those who had never smoked. Hard physical exercise 1–2 hours per week reduced the risk of migraine (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.94) compared to inactivity, and the risk of migraine was also lower among those who consumed alcohol (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57–0.94) compared to abstainers. No association was found between smoking, physical activity, alcohol use and risk of TTH.

Conclusions

The main finding was that current and previous smoking was associated with increased risk of migraine, but not of TTH.
Meniscus Root Repair vs Meniscectomy or Nonoperative Management to Prevent Knee Osteoarthritis After Medial Meniscus Root Tears: Clinical and Economic Effectiveness
Authors: Faucett Scott C. , Geisler Benjamin Peter , Chahla Jorge , Krych Aaron J. , Kurzweil Peter R. , Garner Abigail M. , Liu Shan , LaPrade Robert F. , Pietzsch Jan B.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Medial meniscus root tears are a common knee injury and can lead to accelerated osteoarthritis, which might ultimately result in a total knee replacement.

Purpose:

To compare meniscus repair, meniscectomy, and nonoperative treatment approaches among middle-aged patients in terms of osteoarthritis development, total knee replacement rates (clinical effectiveness), and cost-effectiveness.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted. Progression to osteoarthritis was pooled and meta-analyzed. A Markov model projected strategy-specific costs and disutilities in a cohort of 55-year-old patients presenting with a meniscus root tear without osteoarthritis at baseline. Failure rates of repair and meniscectomy procedures and disutilities associated with osteoarthritis, total knee replacement, and revision total knee replacement were accounted for. Utilities, costs, and event rates were based on literature and public databases. Analyses considered a time frame between 5 years and lifetime and explored the effects of parameter uncertainty.

Results:

Over 10 years, meniscus repair, meniscectomy, and nonoperative treatment led to 53.0%, 99.3%, and 95.1% rates of osteoarthritis and 33.5%, 51.5%, and 45.5% rates of total knee replacement, respectively. Meta-analysis confirmed lower osteoarthritis and total knee replacement rates for meniscus repair versus meniscectomy and nonoperative treatment. Discounted 10-year costs were $22,590 for meniscus repair, as opposed to $31,528 and $25,006 for meniscectomy and nonoperative treatment, respectively; projected quality-adjusted life years were 6.892, 6.533, and 6.693, respectively, yielding meniscus repair to be an economically dominant strategy. Repair was either cost-effective or dominant when compared with meniscectomy and nonoperative treatment across a broad range of assumptions starting from 5 years after surgery.

Conclusion:

Repair of medial meniscus root tears, as compared with total meniscectomy and nonsurgical treatment, leads to less osteoarthritis and is a cost-saving intervention. While small confirmatory randomized clinical head-to-head trials are warranted, the presented evidence seems to point relatively clearly toward adopting meniscus repair as the preferred initial intervention for medial meniscus root tears.
Mechanical characterisation and modelling of randomly oriented strand architecture and their hybrids – A general review
Authors: Visweswaraiah Swaroop B , Selezneva Marina , Lessard Larry , Hubert Pascal
Published: March 2018

A comprehensive review of the mechanical characterisation and modelling of randomly oriented strand material architecture and their hybrids with laminates is presented. Randomly oriented strand composites are long discontinuous fibre systems that exhibit excellent formability characteristics and stiffness properties comparable to quasi-isotropic laminates, allowing their use in the manufacture of intricate geometric parts for automotive and aerospace industries. Randomly oriented strand architecture complements out-of-autoclave methods such as compression moulding, thermostamping and resin-transfer moulding leading to cost-reduction. Their applicability is limited to non-structural and low-load bearing applications due to their low strength properties. Continuous fibre aerospace preforms exhibiting excellent mechanical performance possess low formability characteristics and are confined to simple shell-like geometries with minimal curvatures, while incurring high-costs and long manufacturing times. Hybridisation of randomly oriented strand and with other material architectures represents trade-off solutions of formability and performance characteristics often yielding synergistic effects. Seemingly simple, randomly oriented strand architecture is a complex material system that poses several structural and process challenges. This work categorises the pertinent research work from the literature on the mechanical characterisation into the framework of a formal characterisation environment of composite structures that includes the coupon, the part and structural levels. The manufacturing, dispersion methods and measurement techniques are qualitatively assessed with reference to the mechanical properties. The discussion on modelling involves the identification of crucial characteristics of significant analytical and numerical modelling techniques devised for the prediction of the mechanical behaviour of randomly oriented strand composites and their hybrids. Emphasis is on the methods of stiffness and strength prediction. Our perspectives on the effective use of randomly oriented strand composites and their hybrids are discussed. Process characterisation and process modelling of randomly oriented strand composites and their hybrids are beyond the scope of this article.
Incremental health care services and expenditures associated with depression among individuals with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)
Authors: Ogunsanya M E , Nduaguba S O , Brown C M
Published: March 2018

Objectives

The objective of this paper is to describe the annual direct medical expenditures for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) patients, and to estimate the incremental health care expenditures and utilization associated with depression among adults with CLE, while controlling for covariates.

Methods

Using the 2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), we compared CLE patients with and without depression to determine differences in: (a) health care utilization—inpatient, outpatient, office-based and emergency room (ER) visits, and prescriptions filled; and (b) expenditures—total costs, inpatient, outpatient, office-based, ER, and prescription medication costs, and other costs using demography-adjusted and comorbidity-adjusted multivariate models (age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, perception of health status, poverty category, smoking status, and Charlson Comorbidity Index).

Results

The total direct medical expenditure associated with CLE is estimated at approximately $29.7 billion in 2014 US dollars. After adjusting for covariates, adults with CLE and depression had more hospital discharges (utilization ratio (UR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.00–1.28)), ER visits (UR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.09–1.37)), and prescribed medicines (UR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.51–3.05)) than those without depression. Adults with CLE and depression had significantly higher average annual total expenditure that those without depression ($19,854 vs. $9735).

Conclusions

High health care expenditures are significant for patients with CLE, especially among those with depression. Prescription drugs, inpatient visits, and ER visits contributed most to the total expenditures in CLE patients with depression. Early diagnosis and treatment of depression in CLE patients may reduce total health care expenditures and utilization in this population.
Kaleidoscopic Justice: Sexual Violence and Victim-Survivors’ Perceptions of Justice
Authors: McGlynn Clare , Westmarland Nicole
Published: March 2018

This article proposes a more multifaceted way of thinking about victim-survivors’ perceptions of justice; what we have termed ‘kaleidoscopic justice’. Developed from an empirical investigation with 20 victim-survivors of sexual violence, kaleidoscopic justice understands justice as a constantly shifting pattern; justice constantly refracted through new experiences or understandings; justice as an ever-evolving, nuanced and lived experience. Within this framework, a number of justice themes emerged, namely justice as consequences, recognition, dignity, voice, prevention and connectedness. This approach develops current understandings, in particular by emphasizing the fluidity of justice, as well as the centrality of prevention and connectedness in sexual violence survivors’ understandings of justice. We suggest that it is only by better understanding victim-survivor perspectives on justice, and embedding the concept of kaleidoscopic justice, that we can begin to address the sexual violence ‘justice gap’.
Firm’s Financial Performance and Sustainability Efforts: Application of Classifier Models
Authors: Ray Koustubh Kanti , Mitra Subrat Kumar
Published: March 2018

Numerous studies in academic literature investigated the impact of socially responsible activities on the financial performance of companies; those are committed to social events relative to companies that do not meet the socially responsible criteria. The existing theoretical and empirical research has supported both contradictory positions. We have chosen a different approach to provide an alternative dimension to existing literature. We have taken voluntary CSR disclosure as the dependant variable and attempted to find how the past financial performances of companies influence CSR activities. We test this hypothesis with 100 Indian companies included in BSE 100 index. The director’s report in the latest annual reports of companies were analysed to get voluntary disclosure of CSR activities. The study includes different financial performance variables: ROA, ROE, ROCE, debt to equity ratio, market capitalization and ownership as independent variables for analysis. Several binary classifier models are used for our empirical analysis. The binary model performances are validated with different performance measurement techniques such as F-measure, accuracy rates, balance error rate (BER), Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), Kappa coefficient and AUROC. The model performance results show a better accuracy while comparing between predicted and actual values.
Meropenem/Vaborbactam, the First Carbapenem/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combination
Authors: Cho Jonathan C. , Zmarlicka Monika T. , Shaeer Kristy M. , Pardo Joe
Published: March 2018

Objective: To review the pharmacology, spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, efficacy, administration, and considerations for clinical use of meropenem/vaborbactam (M/V). Data Sources: A literature search using PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov (June 2013 to December 2017) was conducted using the search terms meropenem, vaborbactam, RPX7009, biapenem, RPX2003, and carbavance. References from relevant articles and conference abstracts were also reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Preclinical, phase I studies, and phase III studies written in the English language were evaluated. Data Synthesis: M/V is a novel carbapenem/β-lactamase inhibitor antimicrobial with in vitro activity against nearly 99% of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase–producing Enterobacteriaceae. M/V is approved for the treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis. In a phase III cUTI trial (TANGO I), 98.4% of patients treated with M/V experienced overall clinical success compared with 94% of patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam (95% CI = 0.7 to 9.1). When compared with best available therapy for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections in TANGO II, patients receiving M/V were more likely to achieve clinical cure at both the end of therapy (64.3% vs 33.3%, P = 0.04) as well as at the test of cure (57.1% vs 26.7%, P = 0.04). The most common adverse effects associated with M/V were headache, infusion-site reactions, and diarrhea. Conclusion: M/V has a valuable role in the treatment of CRE and should be used judiciously to preserve its use for resistant infections.
Brass Satisfaction: Identifying the Personal and Work-Related Factors Associated With Job Satisfaction Among Police Chiefs
Authors: Brady Patrick Q. , King William R.
Published: March 2018

Despite job satisfaction being among the most commonly studied constructs in the organizational behavioral literature, few studies have examined predictors of job satisfaction among police officers. Even more, much of the stress and policing literature has focused primarily on frontline officers. As a result, less is known about the development of work-related attitudes among police administrators. The present study used a sample of 315 police chiefs to identify the personal and work-related factors associated with job satisfaction among police chiefs. Findings indicated that organizational factors, such as the size of the organization and chiefs’ overall commitment to their organization, were the two strongest predictors of job satisfaction. Implications and future avenues of research are discussed.
‘Subliminal Charge’: How Hindi-Language Newspaper Expansion Affects India
Authors: Friedlander Peter , Jeffrey Robin , Seth Sanjay
Published: March 2018

The expansion of newspapers in Indian languages over the past 20 years is unique in history. This paper seeks to examine the potential social and political consequences of that growth by focusing on two Hindi-language newspapers and their treatment of a few items of news and comment. Through such close analysis, the essay aims to show how McLuhan's ‘subliminal charge’ — the unconscious but overpowering effect of daily newspaper consumption — might work in practice. The essay illuminates the role of newspapers in shaping language, identity and a ‘public sphere’ in small-town and rural India —processes that have great consequences for India's political future.
Interview
Authors: Hammond Cynthia , Lafrance Marc
Published: March 2018

In this interview, Cynthia Hammond sits down with Marc Lafrance in order to discuss the 30-year sketching practice that led to her exhibition, Drawings for a Thicker Skin, in 2012. In this practice, Hammond made small, quick drawings of the clothes she would need for trips or key professional events. As she explains, the drawings were not just essential to knowing what to pack; they were essential to being able to pack. While she never conceived of the practice as art, when invited to exhibit the drawings she found a way to relate this idiosyncratic and private practice to a larger set of ontological concerns. Clothing as a second skin is the key idea here, as Hammond and Lafrance explore what it means to navigate identity, idealized self-image, professional ‘passing’ and the skin ego.
Participants at Norwegian Healthy Life Centres: Who are they, why do they attend and how are they motivated? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Samdal Gro Beate , Meland Eivind , Eide Geir Egil , Berntsen Sveinung , Abildsnes Eirik , Stea Tonje H. , Mildestvedt Thomas
Published: March 2018

Aims: We examine the characteristics of participants entering Norwegian Healthy Life Centres, their reasons for attending and whether socio-economic status, motivation, self-efficacy and social support relate to physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study is part of a randomised controlled trial. Inclusion criteria are that participants should be ≥ 18 years old and able to take part in a physical activity group intervention. Exclusion criteria are severe mental illness and general learning disability. We analysed data using simple and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: We recruited 118 participants from eight Norwegian municipalities between June 2014 and September 2015. Of these, 77% were female, mean (standard deviation) age 48.6 (13.4) years, body mass index 34.0 (5.8) kg/m2 and mean gross family income €61,000. The proportion of participants with upper-secondary school or less as their highest level of education was 55%. The most frequent reasons given for attendance at Healthy Life Centres were being overweight, increasing physical activity, improving diet and having musculoskeletal health challenges. Participants had high levels of autonomous motivation and 79% achieved national recommendations for physical activity. Respect and appreciation in childhood, self-esteem and self-rated health were associated with self-efficacy and social support for physical activity. Conclusions: Participants were predominantly obese, physically active, female and motivated for change. A high proportion had low educational attainment and low incomes. The trial will reveal whether interventions succeed in increasing physical activity further, or in decreasing sedentary behaviour, and whether health inequalities narrow or widen across groups.
Inequalities in smoking and obesity in Europe predicted to 2050: Findings from the EConDA project
Authors: Pérez-Ferrer Carolina , Jaccard Abbygail , Knuchel-Takano Andre , Retat Lise , Brown Martin , Kriaucioniene Vilma , Webber Laura
Published: March 2018

Aims: The aim of this study was to project educational inequalities in obesity and smoking prevalence to 2050 based on past obesity and smoking trends by education level. Methods: Data on obesity (body mass index ≥ 30) and smoking prevalence (current smokers) by education level (tertiary education and less than tertiary) from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys were collected for the following six countries participating in the Economics of Chronic Diseases project (EConDA): England, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland (obesity only) and Portugal (obesity only). A nonlinear multivariate regression model was fitted to the data to create longitudinal projections to 2050. Inequalities were measured with a prevalence ratio and a prevalence difference using projected obesity/smoking prevalence. Results: Educational inequalities in obesity prevalence are projected to increase in Finland, Lithuania and England for men, and in Lithuania and Poland for women, by 2050. Obesity prevalence is projected to increase faster among the more advantaged groups in England, Portugal, Finland and the Netherlands among women, and Portugal and the Netherlands among men, narrowing inequalities. In contrast to obesity, smoking prevalence is projected to continue declining in most of the countries studied. The decline is projected to be faster in relative terms among more advantaged groups; therefore, relative educational inequalities in smoking prevalence are projected to increase in all countries. Conclusions: Widening educational inequalities in obesity and smoking prevalence are expected in several European countries if current trends in obesity and smoking prevalence are unaltered. This will impact on inequalities in morbidity and mortality of associated diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.