bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediterranean Diet Improves High-Density Lipoprotein Function in High-Cardiovascular-Risk Individuals
Authors: Hernáez Álvaro , Castañer Olga , Elosua Roberto , Pintó Xavier , Estruch Ramón , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Corella Dolores , Arós Fernando , Serra-Majem Lluis , Fiol Miquel , Ortega-Calvo Manuel , Ros Emilio , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , de la Torre Rafael , López-Sabater M. Carmen , Fitó Montserrat
Published: February 2017

Background:

The biological functions of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) contribute to explaining the cardioprotective role of the lipoprotein beyond quantitative HDL cholesterol levels. A few small-scale interventions with a single antioxidant have improved some HDL functions. However, to date, no long-term, large-scale, randomized controlled trial has been conducted to assess the effects of an antioxidant-rich dietary pattern (such as a traditional Mediterranean diet [TMD]) on HDL function in humans.

Methods:

This study was performed in a random subsample of volunteers from the PREDIMED Study (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea; n=296) after a 1-year intervention. We compared the effects of 2 TMDs, one enriched with virgin olive oil (TMD-VOO; n=100) and the other enriched with nuts (TMD-Nuts; n=100), with respect to a low-fat control diet (n=96). We assessed the effects of both TMDs on the role of HDL particles on reverse cholesterol transport (cholesterol efflux capacity, HDL ability to esterify cholesterol, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity), HDL antioxidant properties (paraoxonase-1 arylesterase activity and total HDL antioxidant capacity on low-density lipoproteins), and HDL vasodilatory capacity (HDL ability to induce the release of nitric oxide in endothelial cells). We also studied the effects of a TMD on several HDL quality-related characteristics (HDL particle oxidation, resistance against oxidative modification, main lipid and protein composition, and size distribution).

Results:

Both TMDs increased cholesterol efflux capacity relative to baseline (
P
=0.018 and
P
=0.013 for TMD-VOO and TMD-Nuts, respectively). The TMD-VOO intervention decreased cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity (relative to baseline,
P
=0.028) and increased HDL ability to esterify cholesterol, paraoxonase-1 arylesterase activity, and HDL vasodilatory capacity (relative to control,
P
=0.039,
P
=0.012, and
P
=0.026, respectively). Adherence to a TMD induced these beneficial changes by improving HDL oxidative status and composition. The 3 diets increased the percentage of large HDL particles (relative to baseline,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

The TMD, especially when enriched with virgin olive oil, improved HDL atheroprotective functions in humans.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.controlled-trials.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN35739639.
Coexistent Sickle Cell Disease Has No Impact on the Safety or Outcome of Lytic Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Adams Robert J. , Cox Margueritte , Ozark Shelly D. , Kanter Julie , Schulte Phillip J. , Xian Ying , Fonarow Gregg C. , Smith Eric E. , Schwamm Lee H.
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—

The recommended treatment for ischemic stroke is tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator). Although sickle cell disease (SCD) represents no known contraindication to tPA, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health recommended acute exchange transfusion for stroke in SCD, not tPA. Data on safety and outcomes of tPA in patients are needed to guide tPA use in SCD.

Methods—

We matched patients from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines-Stroke registry with SCD to patients without SCD and compared usage, complications, and discharge outcomes after tPA. Multivariable logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations were used to assess outcomes.

Results—

From 2 016 652 stroke patients admitted to Get With The Guidelines-Stroke sites in the United States, 832 SCD and 3328 non-SCD controls with no differences in admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale or blood pressure were identified. Neither the fraction receiving thrombolytic therapy (8.2% for SCD versus 9.4% non-SCD) nor symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (4.9% of SCD versus 3.2% non-SCD;
P
=0.4502) was different. There was no difference in a prespecified set of outcome measures for those with SCD compared with controls.

Conclusions—

Coexistent SCD had no significant impact on the safety or outcome of thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke. Although the sample size is relatively small, these data suggest that adults with SCD and acute ischemic stroke should be treated with thrombolysis, if they otherwise qualify. Addition studies, however, should track the intracranial hemorrhage rate and provide information on other SCD-related care such as transfusion.
The Role of Social Networks in Georgian Migration to Greece
Authors: Maroufof Michaela
Published: February 2017

Social networks have been identified as a significant explanatory factor of migration. Apart from their role in prospective migrants’ decision-making with regards to both the decision to migrate and the choice of destination country, networks (co-ethnics as well as employers, recruitment agents, etc.) may assist in overcoming structural constraints as well as facilitate migrants’ settlement. In the case of Georgian migration, networks rooted in the early 1990s and the repatriation of Pontic Greeks play a vital role in Greece’s emergence as one of the main destinations for Georgian migrants. This paper examines the role of social networks in Georgian migration to Greece based on interviews with Georgian migrants in Greece, returned migrants in Georgia, and relevant stakeholders in both countries. The interviews were conducted in 2013–2014 under the auspices of the irma research project funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of Greece.
Cosmogonic Sacrifice
Authors: Ahmadi Amir
Published: February 2017

A number of prominent scholars of Zoroastrianism have recently taken up Marijan Molé’s thesis that Ahura Mazdā created the world by way of a sacrifice. This article examines the sources that have been adduced for the thesis. It concludes that neither in Avestan nor Pahlavi texts do we find any evidence for the supposed cosmogonic sacrifice.
Recognition of a new species of Hedysarum (Fabaceae, Hedysareae) from China based on morphological and molecular evidence
Authors: LIU PEI-LIANG , WEI YING , WEN JUN , CHANG ZHAO-YANG
Published: February 2017

A new species, Hedysarum cuonanum (Fabaceae, Hedysareae), is described from the eastern Himalaya in China. This new species is similar to H. xizangense, but differs by its lanceolate or narrowly elliptic leaflet blade, ovate or lanceolate bracteole about half the length of calyx tube, acute or obtuse standard apex, and mucronate keel apex. It also resembles H. longigynophorum, but can be distinguished by its leaflet blade with 13–19 secondary veins on each side, abaxial calyx tooth about 1.5 times as long as the adaxial teeth, standard as long as keel, and elliptic or ovate loment article. Phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear ITS, ETS sequences, and the plastid psbA-trnH, trnC-petN, petN-psbM sequences showed that H. cuonanum is sister to H. xizangense, and the H. cuonanum + H. xizangense clade is then sister to H. longigynophorum.
A new species of Arctodiamesa Makarchenko (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae) from the Russian Far East, with a key to known species of the genus
Authors: MAKARCHENKO EUGENYI A.
Published: February 2017

The male, pupa, and larva of a new species, Arctodiamesa marinae, from the Russian Far East are described and figured. Keys to males, pupae, and fourth-instar larvae of known species of the genus are presented.
Xenosellidae, a new family of Janiroidea (Asellota: Isopoda: Crustacea), for Xenosella coxospinosa gen. nov., sp. nov., from the marine bathyal of eastern Australia
Authors: JUST JEAN
Published: February 2017

A new genus and species of janiroidean Asellota, Xenosella coxospinosa, is described from the mid-bathyal slope off the coast of south-eastern Australia. Following a comparison of the new species to several families of broadly similar body shape, with emphasis on monotypic Pleurocopidae, a new family, Xenosellidae, is proposed for the new species. In the course of comparing relevant taxa, the current placements of Prethura Kensley in the Santiidae and Salvatiella Müller in the Munnidae are rejected. The two genera are considered to be incertae sedis within the Asellota superfamily Janiroidea pending further studies.
On the morphology and distribution of Dipolydora giardi and status of D. trilobata (Annelida: Spionidae)
Authors: RADASHEVSKY VASILY I. , PETERSEN MARY E.
Published: February 2017

The spionid polychaete Dipolydora giardi (Mesnil, 1896), originally described as a borer in coralline algae from northern France, was later reported world-wide boring into various shells, sponges and also inhabiting mud tubes on soft bottoms. The reported morphological variability and wide range of habitats suggested that more than one species might be involved. In the present study, D. giardi is redescribed based on some material from northern France sent by F. Mesnil in 1896 to the Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, and on new material collected in Italy. The species is characterized by its incised prostomium, caruncle to the end of chaetiger 3, branchiae on the anterior half of the body (usually beginning on chaetiger 10), pygidium with one ventral lobe and two smaller dorsal lobes, and heavy falcate spines of chaetiger 5 with a large lateral tooth on one side and a smaller accessory spur on the other side. Dipolydora trilobata (Radashevsky, 1993) is a closely similar species, but is maintained as distinct. Dipolydora anoculata (Moore, 1907) is probably a valid species and should be removed from the synonymy of D. giardi.
On Euconnus (Napochus) campestris Schaufuss and its synonymy (Coleoptera: Scydmaenidae)
Authors: MEYBOHM HEINDRICH , VÍT STANISLAV
Published: February 2017

Eight new synonyms of Euconnus (Napochus) campestris campestris (Schaufuss, 1866), a species previously known only from the Neotropical Region, are recongnized: E. duboisi duboisi Méquignon, 1930 from Europe, E. titschacki Lhoste, 1936 from Natal, E. murielae Last, 1945 from England, E. unicus unicus Franz, 1957 from Spain, E. unicus lindbergi Franz, 1962 from Madeira, E. mussardi Franz, 1962 from Marocco, E. tristiculus Franz, 1967 from Transvaal and E. duboisi eksilis Vít, 1999 from the Azores. Euconnus campestris volkmeri Franz, 1967 described from Brasil is treated as a valid subspecies pending further study. The lectotype is designated for Scydmaenus campestris Schaufuss, 1866.
Name-bearing Types of Neuropterida (Insecta) in the National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh
Authors: WHITTINGTON ANDREW E.
Published: February 2017

A list of primary types for the superorder Neuropterida, held in the National Museums of Scotland Entomology Collection, is presented. The list provides the original name, the current valid combination to which the species is presently assigned, as well as the quoted label data and statements concerning the condition of the specimens. Holotypes of the following taxa are present: Brevibarbis waterstoni Tjeder & Hansson, 1992; Ptyngidricerus venustus Tjeder & Waterston, 1977; Chrysopa tigridis Morton, 1921; Boriomyia persica Morton, 1921; Sympherobius sanctus Tjeder, 1940; Gepus buxtoni Morton, 1921; Nelees mesopotamiae Morton, 1921; Apocroce spuria Tjeder, 1975; Parasicyoptera guichardi Tjeder, 1974. Syntypes of the following taxa are present: Sialis morio Klingstedt, 1933; Hemerobius contumax Tjeder, 1932; Hemerobius eatoni Morton, 1906; Hemerobius fenestratus Tjeder, 1932; Kimminsia killingtoni Morton, in Fraser 1942; Macronemurus delicatulus Morton, 1926. A lectotype is present for Hemerobius mortoni McLachlan, 1899.
Cumaceans (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the Persian Gulf
Authors: CORBERA JORDI , TIRADO PAULA , MARTIN DANIEL
Published: February 2017

The study of a benthic macroinvertebrate collection from the Iranian coasts off Assaluyeh led to obtain the first data on the cumacean fauna of the Persian Gulf. During two sampling campaigns carried out in August 1998 and November 2002, eight species belonging to the families Bodotriidae and Nannastacidae were collected. Four of them are new to science, namely Cyclaspis adiastolos, Eocuma carinocurvum, Heterocuma inerme and Pseudosympodomma persicum. All new species, and two rare ones (i.e. Cumella sp. and Eocuma travancoricum), are described and keys to the species of Heterocuma and Psedosympodomma are provided. The local distribution of the cumacean assemblages off Assaluyeh is characterized by its homogeneity during the different sampling periods.
A new species of Biemna Gray, 1867 (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the north coast of Brazil
Authors: MOTHES BEATRIZ , CAMPOS MAURÍCIO , LERNER CLÉA , CARRARO JOÃO LUÍS , VAN SOEST ROB W.M.
Published: February 2017

Biemna spinomicroxea sp. nov. is described from the coast of Amapá State, Brazil. It differs from all other Biemna species in lacking smooth sigmas. The spiculation consist of oxea megascleres, spined small sigmas and microxeas. A key to the tropical West Atlantic species of Biemna is provided.
First report of Aethaloptera dispar Brauer 1875 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria, West Africa
Authors: OGBOGU SYLVESTER SUNDAY
Published: February 2017

Aethaloptera dispar is for the first time reported from Ile-Ife in southwestern Nigeria. Morphological features that do not conform to those in the description of the species elsewhere in the Afrotropical region are highlighted. It is suggested that the material studied represents a form distinct from A. dispar previously reported in Nigeria. Possible links between polymorphism and adaptation to habitat and climatic conditions in the species are briefly discussed.
Pagurodofleinia, a replacement generic name for Dofleinia McLaughlin & Asakura, 2004 (Crustacea: Decapoda), preoccupied by Dofleinia Wassilieff, 1908 (Cnidaria: Anthozoa)
Authors: ASAKURA AKIRA
Published: February 2017

It has been called to my attention that the generic name Dofleinia, established by McLaughlin and Asakura (2004) for Parapagurodes doederleini (Doflein, 1902), is a junior subjective homonym of Dofleinia Wassilieff, 1908 (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniidae).  In accordance with Article 60 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, 1999), I now propose Pagurodofleinia as a replacement name. The type species, Catapagurus doederleini Doflein, 1902, the gender (feminine), and the etymology (named for F. Doflein who first described the type species) remain as given by McLaughlin & Asakura (2004), as does the generic diagnosis.
A finding at the Natural History Museum of Florence affords the holotype designation of Orchestia stephenseni Cecchini, 1928 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae)
Authors: BRUTTO SABRINA LO
Published: February 2017

The beach flea Orchestia stephenseni has been originally described by Cecchini twice (1928, 1929) from the La Spezia type locality (northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy), and successively re-described by Karaman (1973) and Iaciofano & Lo Brutto (2016).
Linking Atmospheric River Hydrological Impacts on the U.S. West Coast to Rossby Wave Breaking
Authors: Hu Huancui , Dominguez Francina , Wang Zhuo , Lavers David A. , Zhang Gan , Ralph F. Martin
Published: February 2017

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) have significant hydrometeorological impacts on the U.S. West Coast. This study presents the connection between the characteristics of large-scale Rossby wave breaking (RWB) over the eastern North Pacific and the regional-scale hydrological impacts associated with landfalling ARs on the U.S. West Coast (36°–49°N). ARs associated with RWB account for two-thirds of the landfalling AR events and >70% of total AR-precipitation in the winter season. The two regimes of RWB—anticyclonic wave breaking (AWB) and cyclonic wave breaking (CWB)—are associated with different directions of the vertically integrated water vapor transport (IVT). AWB-ARs impinge in a more westerly direction on the coast whereas CWB-ARs impinge in a more southwesterly direction.

Most of the landfalling ARs along the northwestern coast of the United States (states of Washington and Oregon) are AWB-ARs. Because of their westerly impinging angles when compared to CWB-ARs, AWB-ARs arrive more orthogonally to the western Cascades and more efficiently transform water vapor into precipitation through orographic lift than CWB-ARs. Consequently, AWB-ARs are associated with the most extreme streamflows in the region.

Along the southwest coast of the United States (California), the southwesterly impinging angles of CWB-ARs are more orthogonal to the local topography. Furthermore, the southwest coast CWB-ARs have more intense IVT. Consequently, CWB-ARs are associated with the most intense precipitation. As a result, most of the extreme streamflows in southwest coastal basins are associated with CWB-ARs. In summary, depending on the associated RWB type, ARs impinge on the local topography at a different angle and have a different spatial signature of precipitation and streamflow.
The Effect of Computer-Assisted Interviewing on the Clinical Assessment of Children
Authors: Sawyer Michael Gifford , Sarris Aspa , Baghurst Peter
Published: February 2017

This study investigated the effect of providing clinicians with a report from a computer-assisted interview conducted prior to the clinical assessment of children referred to a mental health service. The results suggest that the availability of reports from computer-assisted interviews influenced the type of problems identified by clinicians and the services that they recommended to manage the children's problems. It is suggested that reports from computer-assisted interviews could assist clinicians by collecting a broad range of clinical information describing the problems of clinic-referred children. It is also suggested that considerably more research is needed into the possible benefits of computer technology in child and adolescent mental health services.
Neuroleptic Prescription for Chinese Schizophrenics in Hong Kong
Authors: Chiu Helen , Lee Sing , Leung C.M. , Wing Y.K.
Published: February 2017

There are very few studies on the pattern of neuroleptic prescription for schizophrenics in Asia. 106 schizophrenic patients in a psychiatric unit of a general teaching hospital in Hong Kong were surveyed. The mean daily dose (in chlorpromazine equivalent) was low (568.5mg). The mean daily dose of high potency agents was four times that of low potency agents. A high frequency of use of anticholinergic drugs may indicate that Chinese are more susceptible to acute extrapyramidal side-effects.
Is Mental Disease Just Brain Disease? The Limits to Biological Psychiatry
Authors: Mclaren N.
Published: February 2017

As a process of rational enquiry into an empirical field, psychiatry must submit itself to the same discipline as other areas of science. Effectively, it must show that its fundamental premises are both internally and externally consistent, and that its methods of investigation satisfy prevailing criteria of scientific methodology. When psychoanalytic psychology (and hence all psychodynamic models) and behaviourism were analysed from these points of view, they were found wanting. To date, there has been little or no meta-analysis of the third great school of psychiatric theorising, biological psychiatry. A preliminary analysis establishes sharp limits to the notion that biological psychiatry is the “wave of the future”. Like psychoanalysis and behaviourism, it cannot form the basis of a general theory of psychiatry. Since it lacks an adequate theoretical framework, the inescapable conclusion is that psychiatry is nothing more than protoscience.
Safe Care for Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review Across Multiple Health Care Settings
Authors: Stang Antonia , Thomson Denise , Hartling Lisa , Shulhan Jocelyn , Nuspl Megan , Ali Samina
Published: February 2017

Children are particularly vulnerable to patient safety concerns due to pediatric-specific and general health care challenges. This scoping review identifies and describes the vulnerabilities of those aged 0 to 18 years to iatrogenic harm in various health care settings. Six databases were searched from 1991 to 2012. Primary studies were categorized using predetermined groupings. Categories were tallied and descriptive statistics were employed. A total of 388 primary studies exploring interventions that improved patient safety, deficiencies, or errors leading to safety concerns were included. The most common issues were medication (189 studies, 48.7%) and general medical (81 studies, 20.9%) errors. Sixty studies (15.5%) evaluated or described patient safety interventions, 206 studies (53.1%) addressed health care systems and technologies, 17 studies (4.4%) addressed caregiver perspectives and 20 studies (5.2%) discussed analytic models for patient safety. Further work is needed to ensure consistency of definitions in patient safety research to facilitate comparison and collation of results.
Psychotherapy Expertise Should Mean Superior Outcomes and Demonstrable Improvement Over Time
Authors: Goodyear Rodney K. , Wampold Bruce E. , Tracey Terence J. G. , Lichtenberg James W.
Published: February 2017

How the field understands psychotherapy expertise is important. It affects how we practice and how we prepare others for practice. As in our other work, we argue that the most meaningful definition of expertise must involve steady improvement over time to achieve superior performance on some meaningful measure, which typically is client outcome. We also argue that the best means by which a therapist can achieve this is through ongoing deliberate practice. We contrast our position with not only Hill, Spiegel, Hoffman, Kivlighan, and Gelso’s preferred definition, in which they anchor expertise in therapist performance, but also with the various other possible definitions of expertise (e.g., therapist experience, therapist self-assessment of expertise) that they proffer as options.
Income inequality and women’s descriptive representation
Authors: Stockemer Daniel
Published: February 2017

While the average percentage of women in national legislatures increased by nearly 20 percentage points from less than 5 percent in the early 1960s to 22 percent in 2014, it will still take 70–80 years for women to achieve parity in political representation, if women’s presence in elected office continues to grow at the current rate. In this article, I focus on one factor, income inequality, which potentially slows down women’s advancements in politics. I hypothesize that high-income inequalities, because they are not gender neutral, disproportionally disadvantage women’s political careers. I test this hypothesis with the help of a large-scale database, which includes information on women’s representation, income inequalities, and eight theoretically informed control variables for more than 140 countries from 1960 to 2014. Through latent growth models and Tobit models, I find that income inequalities slow down the growth rate in women’s representation.
Cautioning Health-Care Professionals
Authors: Stroebe Margaret , Schut Henk , Boerner Kathrin
Published: February 2017

Science and practice seem deeply stuck in the so-called stage theory of grief. Health-care professionals continue to “prescribe” stages. Basically, this perspective endorses the idea that bereaved people go through a set pattern of specific reactions over time following the death of a loved one. It has frequently been interpreted prescriptively, as a progression that bereaved persons must follow in order to adapt to loss. It is of paramount importance to assess stage theory, not least in view of the current status of the maladaptive “persistent complex bereavement-related disorder” as a category for further research in DSM-5. We therefore review the status and value of this approach. It has remained hugely influential among researchers as well as practitioners across recent decades, but there has also been forceful opposition. Major concerns include the absence of sound empirical evidence, conceptual clarity, or explanatory potential. It lacks practical utility for the design or allocation of treatment services, and it does not help identification of those at risk or with complications in the grieving process. Most disturbingly, the expectation that bereaved persons will, even should, go through stages of grieving can be harmful to those who do not. Following such lines of reasoning, we argue that stage theory should be discarded by all concerned (including bereaved persons themselves); at best, it should be relegated to the realms of history. There are alternative models that better represent grieving processes. We develop guidelines to enhance such a move beyond the stage approach in both theory and practice.
Developing a Theory of Surprise from Travelers’ Extraordinary Food Experiences
Authors: Goolaup Sandhiya , Solér Cecilia , Nunkoo Robin
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this research is to explore the extraordinary experiences of food tourists and to develop a theory of surprise in relation to a typology of food cultural capital. We draw on phenomenological interviews with 16 food tourists. We found that food tourists experienced surprise in different ways, depending on their food cultural capital. Food tourists who possessed a high level of cultural capital were surprised by the simplicity or complexity of the experience while those possessing a low level of cultural capital were surprised by the genuinity of the experience. Thus, we make an important theoretical contribution here as we learn that the resources food tourists possessed in the form of cultural capital conditioned the ways in which they conceived an extraordinary experience. More so, using the cultural capital perspective, we have also demonstrated the role of social context in contributing to creating an extraordinary experience.
A Qualitative Study of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Challenges Associated With Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes in Ethnic Minority Parents and Adolescents
Authors: St. George Sara M. , Pulgarón Elizabeth R. , Ferranti Dina , Agosto Yaray , Toro Maria I. , Ramseur Kevin C. , Delamater Alan M.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial challenges associated with having and/or parenting an adolescent with pediatric type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the perspectives of ethnic minority parents and adolescents.

Methods

Ethnic minority (79.2% non-Hispanic black, 29.6% Hispanic) adolescents (n = 14, 78.6% female, 14.7 ± 1.9 years) and their parents (n = 13, 100% female) participated in either individual family interviews or multifamily focus group sessions. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded by a team of 4 raters. QSR NVivo 10 was used to perform a content analysis and to extract coded adolescent and parent responses.

Results

Six themes corresponding to 3 broad categories (cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial challenges) emerged. Regarding cognitive challenges, families described difficulties learning about a new disease and managing youth knowledge deficits and/or superficial knowledge. In terms of behavioral challenges, parents and adolescents discussed ongoing difficulties with making and maintaining positive youth health behavior changes as well as with ensuring regimen adherence. Finally, managing youth emotions related to diabetes and navigating social relationships with peers and other family members around the disclosure of T2D were the primary psychosocial challenges to emerge.

Conclusions

Directions for future research include developing and evaluating brief family interventions and adolescent psychosocial screening measures. Recommendations for clinical practice include increasing family knowledge of T2D, enhancing parenting skills for managing youth behavior change, and conducting routine psychosocial screening during follow-up clinic visits.
Encoding and decoding affordances: Stuart Hall and interactive media technologies
Authors: Shaw Adrienne
Published: February 2017

This essay addresses how digital and interactive media scholars might adapt the concept of affordances in relation to Stuart Hall’s canonical ‘Encoding/Decoding’ model to better account for how certain types of interactivity are promoted or discouraged by new technologies and platforms. In particular, Shaw looks at how the perceptible, hidden, and false affordances of designed objects intersect with Hall’s dominant/hegemonic, negotiated, and oppositional reading positions. Merging these theories allows scholars to approach the political implications of audience activities with these technologies in new and more nuanced ways.
Ascending aortic aneurysm and diaphragmatic hernia in a case of Marfan syndrome
Authors: Kothari Jignesh , Hinduja Manish , Baria Kinnaresh , Pandya Himani
Published: February 2017

Marfan syndrome commonly affects the skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems. Involvement of the gastrointestinal system is known but uncommon. Intervention depends upon the system involved and the severity of symptoms. Special awareness is required for the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal involvement in these patients. We report a rare case of simultaneous surgical repair of an ascending aortic aneurysm and a type IV hiatal hernia in a 35-year-old man with Marfan syndrome.
‘Visiting time: A tale of two prisons’: A practitioner perspective
Authors: Alston-Smith Summer
Published: February 2017

Marie Hutton’s 2016 article, ‘Visiting Time: A Tale of Two Prisons’, compares the visiting experience across two male prison establishments and examines whether Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights – the right to ‘private and family life’ – was respected in the visitation process. This article seeks to compare the conclusions of this relatively small sample base to the wider prison system including female and young offender establishments, lending a national and political context.
The Ottawa panel clinical practice guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Part two: strengthening exercise programs
Authors: Brosseau Lucie , Taki Jade , Desjardins Brigit , Thevenot Odette , Fransen Marlene , Wells George A , Mizusaki Imoto Aline , Toupin-April Karine , Westby Marie , Álvarez Gallardo Inmaculada C , Gifford Wendy , Laferrière Lucie , Rahman Prinon , Loew Laurianne , De Angelis Gino , Cavallo Sabrina , Shallwani Shirin Mehdi , Aburub Ala’ , Bennell Kim L , Van der Esch Martin , Simic Milena , McConnell Sara , Harmer Alison , Kenny Glen P , Paterson Gail , Regnaux Jean-Philippe , Lefevre-Colau Marie-Martine , McLean Linda
Published: February 2017

Objective:

To identify effective strengthening exercise programs and provide rehabilitation teams and patients with updated, high-quality recommendations concerning traditional land-based exercises for knee osteoarthritis.

Methods:

A systematic search and adapted selection criteria included comparative controlled trials with strengthening exercise programs for patients with knee osteoarthritis. A panel of experts reached consensus on the recommendations using a Delphi survey. A hierarchical alphabetical grading system (A, B, C+, C, D, D+ or D-) was based on statistical significance ( p < 0.5) and clinical importance (⩾15% improvement).

Results:

The 26 high-quality studies identified demonstrated that various strengthening exercise programs with/without other types of therapeutic exercises are generally effective for improving knee osteoarthritis management within a six-month period. Strengthening exercise programs demonstrated a significant improvement for pain relief (four Grade A, ten Grade B, two Grade C+), physical function (four Grade A, eight Grade B) and quality of life (three Grade B). Strengthening in combination with other types of exercises (coordination, balance, functional) showed a significant improvement in pain relief (three Grade A, 11 Grade B, eight Grade C+), physical function (two Grade A, four Grade B, three Grade C+) and quality of life (one Grade A, one Grade C+).

Conclusion:

There are a variety of choices for strengthening exercise programs with positive recommendations for healthcare professionals and knee osteoarthritis patients. There is a need to develop combined behavioral and muscle-strengthening strategies to improve long-term maintenance of regular strengthening exercise programs.
Guidance on Conducting and REporting DElphi Studies (CREDES) in palliative care: Recommendations based on a methodological systematic review
Authors: Jünger Saskia , Payne Sheila A , Brine Jenny , Radbruch Lukas , Brearley Sarah G
Published: February 2017

Background:

The Delphi technique is widely used for the development of guidance in palliative care, having impact on decisions with relevance for patient care.

Aim:

To systematically examine the application of the Delphi technique for the development of best practice guidelines in palliative care.

Design:

A methodological systematic review was undertaken using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete and EMBASE.

Data sources:

Original articles (English language) were included when reporting on empirical studies that had used the Delphi technique to develop guidance for good clinical practice in palliative care. Data extraction included a quality appraisal on the rigour in conduct of the studies and the quality of reporting.

Results:

A total of 30 empirical studies (1997–2015) were considered for full-text analysis. Considerable differences were identified regarding the rigour of the design and the reporting of essential process and outcome parameters. Furthermore, discrepancies regarding the use of terms for describing the method were observed, for example, concerning the understanding of a ‘round’ or a ‘modified Delphi study’.

Conclusion:

Substantial variation was found concerning the quality of the study conduct and the transparency of reporting of Delphi studies used for the development of best practice guidance in palliative care. Since credibility of the resulting recommendations depends on the rigorous use of the Delphi technique, there is a need for consistency and quality both in the conduct and reporting of studies. To allow a critical appraisal of the methodology and the resulting guidance, a reporting standard for Conducting and REporting of DElphi Studies (CREDES) is proposed.
Variations in the cost of formal and informal health care for patients with advanced chronic disease and refractory breathlessness: A cross-sectional secondary analysis
Authors: Dzingina Mendwas D , Reilly Charles C , Bausewein Claudia , Jolley Caroline J , Moxham John , McCrone Paul , Higginson Irene J , Yi Deokhee
Published: February 2017

Background:

Refractory breathlessness in advanced chronic disease leads to high levels of disability, anxiety and social isolation. These result in high health-resource use, although this is not quantified.

Aims:

To measure the cost of care for patients with advanced disease and refractory breathlessness and to identify factors associated with high costs.

Design:

A cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial.

Setting/participants:

Patients with advanced chronic disease and refractory breathlessness recruited from three National Health Service hospitals and via general practitioners in South London.

Results:

Of 105 patients recruited, the mean cost of formal care was £3253 (standard deviation £3652) for 3 months. The largest contributions to formal-care cost were hospital admissions (>60%), and palliative care contributed <1%. When informal care was included, the total cost increased by >250% to £11,507 (standard deviation £9911). Increased patient disability resulting from breathlessness was associated with high cost (£629 per unit increase in disability score; p = 0.006). Increased breathlessness on exertion and the presence of an informal carer were also significantly associated with high cost. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease tended to have higher healthcare costs than other patients.

Conclusion:

Informal carers contribute significantly to the care of patients with advanced disease and refractory breathlessness. Disability resulting from breathlessness is an important clinical cost driver. It is important for policy makers to support and acknowledge the contributions of informal carers. Further research is required to assess the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of palliative care interventions in reducing disability resulting from breathlessness in this patient group.
Availability of Offspring and the Household Position of Elderly Women: Iceland, 1901
Authors: Gunnlaugsson Gísli Ágúst , GarðArsdóttir Ólöf
Published: February 2017

Retirement possibilities in nineteenth-century Iceland were largely restricted to residing within the household of an offspring. Using evidence extracted from the national census of 1901 we attempt to evaluate the importance which the availability of offspring played the household position of elderly married women and widows. The results indicate that women who were forced to give up headship without the possibility of retirement within the household of an offspring had on average fewer children alive than those who managed to exchange headship for residence within the home of a married child. However, married women tended to retain headship long past the age of 60, whereas the loss of a spouse usually resulted in changes in household position. We find that there existed a closer correlation between the number of surviving children and the household position of widows than was the case as regards married women.
Studies on flax-polypropylene based low-twist hybrid yarns for thermoplastic composite reinforcement
Authors: Bar Mahadev , Das Apurba , Alagirusamy R
Published: February 2017

In this present study, thermally treated flax–polypropylene (PP) based hybrid yarns have been manufactured using DREF-3 spinning method for thermoplastic composite reinforcement. The effect of different process parameters such as core yarn twist level, sheath ratio and thermal treatment temperature on hybrid yarn properties has been studied thoroughly using Box–Behnken design. The DREF-3 spun hybrid yarn for composite reinforcement is optimized based on weavability performance, tensile behaviour and flexural rigidity. Further, degree of resin penetration inside DREF yarn-based unidirectional composite structures and their tensile properties are taken as parameters to judge the quality of composite. It has been observed that increase in sheath ratio, surface treatment temperature and decrease in core twist level resulted in enhancement of weavability of hybrid yarns and also in improvement in resin penetration inside composite structures.
Interpersonal Violence Exposure and Chronic Pain in Adult Sickle Cell Patients
Authors: Ford Julian D. , Grasso Damion J. , Jones Sasia , Works Teresa , Andemariam Biree
Published: February 2017

Almost half of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients develop chronic, debilitating physical pain with uncertain genesis for which they primarily receive opiate-based palliative treatment. Psychological trauma exposure, especially interpersonal victimization, has been linked to the perception of pain in several medical diseases, but has yet to be examined in SCD patients. This study examines self-reported chronicity of pain and use of prescribed opiates in 50 adult SCD patients with and without a history of interpersonal violence exposure. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 50 consecutive SCD patients seen for medical care in an adult subspecialty hematology clinic. Data collected included demographics, opiate use, pain chronicity, and measures of anxiety, depression, and interpersonal violence exposure. Sixty-eight percent of patients reported past interpersonal violence exposure. The mean number of types of interpersonal violence exposure, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, was 2.76 ( SD = 1.63). SCD patients with a history of interpersonal violence exposure were almost five times more likely to report chronic pain and more than six times more likely to report use of opiate-based medications on a daily basis compared with SCD patients with no history of violence exposure. Depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with violence exposure, but did not account for the relationship between violence exposure and chronic pain or prescribed opiate use. Screening and assessment of exposure to interpersonal violence may be useful in addition to screening for mental health problems in the management of chronic pain with adults diagnosed with SCD. Such screening may contribute to addressing health care disparities given the preponderance of SCD patients who are of African American ethnoracial background.
Constructing abortion as a social problem: “Sex selection” and the British abortion debate
Authors: Lee Ellie
Published: February 2017

Between February 2012 and March 2015, the claim that sex selection abortion was taking place in Britain and that action needed to be taken to stop it dominated debate in Britain about abortion. Situating an analysis in sociological and social psychological approaches to the construction of social problems, particularly those considering “feminised” re-framings of anti-abortion arguments, this paper presents an account of this debate. Based on analysis of media coverage, Parliamentary debate and official documents, we focus on claims about grounds (evidence) made to sustain the case that sex selection abortion is a British social problem and highlight how abortion was problematised in new ways. Perhaps most notable, we argue, was the level of largely unchallenged vilification of abortion doctors and providers, on the grounds that they are both law violators and participants in acts of discrimination and violence against women, especially those of Asian heritage. We draw attention to the role of claims made by feminists in the media and in Parliament about “gendercide” as part of this process and argue that those supportive of access to abortion need to critically assess both this aspect of the events and also consider arguments about the problems of “medical power” in the light of what took place.
Network position, export patterns and competitiveness: Evidence from the European automotive industry
Authors: Gracia Manuel , Paz María J
Published: February 2017

The organizational characteristics of production in the European automotive industry have favoured a high degree of fragmentation and productive mobility. This article analyses the differing national positions of automotive producing countries and their export patterns – particularly their export reorientation to extra-European Union markets following the collapse of regional demand in the European automotive industry. Based on the methodologies of Mahutga and Piana, our position analysis arrives at two main conclusions: (i) the countries best positioned in the European regional automotive production network are precisely those that have experienced a greater increase in extra-European Union exports, thus reducing their dependence on regional European demand; (ii) the increase in extra-European Union exports (mainly of final goods) is linked to increased regional fragmentation of production in the automotive industry. We conclude that the governance of this fragmentation process is a key determinant of extra-European Union export competitiveness.
Hypersensitivity Reaction following Chloramphenicol Administration in a Patient with Typhoid Fever
Authors: Perkins Janelle B. , Raasch Ralph H.
Published: February 2017

Hypersensitivity reactions due to chloramphenicol are rarely reported in the literature. We present a case report of a patient with typhoid fever who experienced a hypersensitivity reaction subsequent to the infusion of chloramphenicol sodium succinate. The patient had previously reacted similarly to ampicillin infusion. A brief review of reported cases of chloramphenicol hypersensitivity in the English-language literature, as well as possible alternative explanations in this case, are provided.
Effect of High-Dose Ibuprofen on 24-Hour Blood Pressure in Healthy Women
Authors: Mckenney James M. , Wright Jackson T. , Goodman Robert P. , Cooper Laverne , Yunker Nancy , Lambert Carolyn
Published: February 2017

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin has been shown to increase blood pressure in normotensive individuals. The effect of other NSAID on blood pressure has not been as well studied. We evaluated the effects of ibuprofen, an NSAID currently available without a prescription, on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in ten young, healthy, normotensive women. Using a randomized, crossover, double-blind design, subjects received ibuprofen 800 mg and a placebo identical in appearance to ibuprofen three times a day for eight days with a washout period between regimens. Subjects were instructed to follow a no-added salt diet during the study. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure monitoring and 24-hour urine collection for prostaglandin E2, creatinine, and sodium were performed on days 1 and 8 of each study week. Tablet counts and a 40 percent reduction in urinary prostaglandin E2 documented compliance with ibuprofen. Ibuprofen had no significant effect on systolic or diastolic blood pressure at any hour during the 24-hour period. Mean blood pressure for the 24-hour period was 112/73 and 111/73 mm Hg on day 1 and 111/73 and 112/73 mm Hg on day 8 for placebo and ibuprofen, respectively. We conclude that ibuprofen at doses as high as 2400 mg/d for up to seven days has no effect on blood pressure in normotensive women. Further studies are needed in hypertensive subjects.
Determination of the Drug Information Needs of the Medical Staff of a Nigerian Hospital following Implementation of Clinical Pharmacy Services
Authors: Ette Ene I. , Achumba Judy I. , Brown-Awala Esther A.
Published: February 2017

The types and frequency of questions asked of clinical pharmacists introducing clinical pharmacy services in the internal medicine wards of a Nigerian university hospital and the degree of compliance with pharmacists' recommendations were studied. Three faculty pharmacists collected data in two 30-working day study periods, separated by a year. Totals of 197 questions (an average of 6.57 ± 1.33 questions/working day) and 271 questions (an average of 9.03 ± 1.10 questions/working day) were answered by the pharmacists in the first and second study periods, respectively. Pharmacists recommended changes in patient-specific drug therapy that were implemented 52 percent and 69 percent of the time in the first and second study periods, respectively. The most common type of drug information request concerned the presence or the likelihood of an adverse drug reaction. Continuous interaction between pharmacists and physicians in the patient-care setting results in a better appreciation of the pharmacist's role as drug information consultant, and the consequence of this is a high degree of compliance with pharmacists' recommendations.
Enteral Nutrition Prophylaxis against Stress Ulcers
Authors: Hart Linda L. , Mowers Robert M. , Donnelly Denise , May J. Russell
Published: February 2017

THE DIAS ROUNDS is a discussion of requests for information received by various drug information centers and is edited by the Drug Information Analysis Service at the University of California, San Francisco. This issue features three requests: Enteral Nutrition Prophylaxis Against Stress Ulcers, Vitamin D Therapy of Phenytoin-Induced Osteomalacia, and Clonazepam in Mania.