bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What municipal websites supply and citizens demand: a search engine optimisation approach
Authors: Serrano-Cinca Carlos , Muñoz-Soro Jose Felix
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse if citizens’ searches on the internet coincide with the services that municipal websites offer. In addition, the authors examine municipal webpage rankings in search engines and the factors explaining them.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study, conducted through a sample of Spanish city councils, contrasted if the information that can be found on a municipal website fits with citizens’ demands. This has been done by comparing the most-searched keywords with the contents of municipal websites.

Findings

A positive relationship between the supply and demand of municipal information on the internet has been found, but much can still be improved. Analysed administrations rank the basic data of the organisation, as well as some of the fundamental competences thereof, at the top in search engines, but the results are not entirely effective with some keywords still highly demanded by citizens, such as those related to employment or tourism. Factors explaining internet ranking include the number of pages of the municipal website, its presence in social networks and an indicator designed to measure the difficulty of ranking the municipal place-name.

Originality/value

The results obtained from this study provide valuable information for municipal managers. Municipal websites should not only include information in which citizens are interested, but achieve accessibility standards, have a responsive web design, and follow the rules of web usability. Additionally, they should be findable, which also requires improvement in terms of the design of the municipal website thinking in search engines, particularly in terms of certain technical characteristics that improve findability. A municipal website that wants to have a good positioning should increase its contents and attain the maximum degree possible of visibility in social networks.
Quality assessment framework for educational institutions in technical education: a literature survey
Authors: Mittal Raj Kumar , Garg Namita , Yadav Sunil Kumar
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to identify the key indicators for quality enhancement in an educational institute which affect student’s outcome in terms of employability and entrepreneurship. These indicators can be used for improving the quality of engineering institutions imparting technical education.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of conceptual and empirical literature has been done to establish a linkage between institutional factors and quality output. The paper further identifies existing quality gaps in engineering education that make their students misfit to the requirements of market.

Findings

The relevant literature reviewed suggests that quality of technical institutions can be viewed form two perspectives: first, students’ achievement in the form of placements, entrepreneurial output, enrollment in higher studies and university ranks. Second, faculty research output in the form of publication in refereed journals, consultancy projects and patents. The study concludes by stating that when these two important stakeholders are provided with the infrastructural support and environment to showcase their skill, the quality of technical institutions improves automatically.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conducted on technical institutions engaged in providing engineering education. This research can be extended to other disciplines.

Originality/value

The framework proposed in the study will help technical institutions in evaluating their service quality levels which will further help them in improving the same.
Consumer roles and values in selfie experience: a case of Korean young consumers
Authors: Kwon Yoo Jin , Kwon Kyoung-Nan
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the values consumers pursue and roles consumers partake in selfie practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with selfie enthusiasts. Data were analyzed with grounded theory approach.

Findings

Diverse activities and reflections pertaining to selfies were analyzed, which uncovered three consumer roles departmentalized and the nine values that selfie practice generates for consumers. The three roles are subject, photographer and user of selfies, and the roles are orchestrated together or selectively performed if necessary. In consequence of the interplay of performances and expectations of the roles, consumers pursue and gain four collaboratively created values and five individually created values.

Originality/value

Findings of the study expand the understanding of values of selfie practice and consumer roles in Web 2.0.
Consumption experience: past, present and future
Authors: Chaney Damien , Lunardo Renaud , Mencarelli Rémi
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose both a retrospective and a prospective look at one of the most powerful concepts in marketing research: consumption experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A historical review of the development of the concept of consumption experience is conducted from its introduction 35 years ago by Holbrook and Hirschman’s (1982) seminal paper to the most recent advances, including the articles selected for this special issue.

Findings

First, the authors show that the introduction of the concept of consumer experience was a major (r)evolution on the theoretical, methodological and managerial levels. Second, the authors examine the theoretical risks associated with a biased conceptualization of the consumption experience. Third, the authors highlight future avenues for research on the consumption experience from both macro- (“zoom-out”) and micro-analytic (“zoom-in”) perspectives.

Originality/value

This paper offers a comprehensive view on one of the most disruptive concepts in marketing theory.
How can policy assist the development of community-based tourism in Guyana by 2025 and beyond?
Authors: Connelly Aletha , Sam Shenera
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the policy directives in Guyana as it relates to community-based tourism and to argue that the development of this niche can only be driven by clear policies which speak to community empowerment and institutional strengthening.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is exploratory in nature and used document analysis as the primary means of data collection.

Findings

Community-based tourism presents an opportunity to advance the goals of government to include communities into the economic growth and development agenda. The vision for community-based tourism is community empowerment that develops the industry in line with the needs and aspirations of host communities. However, this cannot be fully realized without the supporting role of government via effective policy development and implementation.

Originality/value

It is anticipated that this research will serve as a valuable reference tool for researchers, policy makers and other relevant bodies with an interest in community-based tourism and the policy implications.
Reconnecting with the past: a framework to better serve the information needs of older people on social networking sites
Authors: Kamoun Faouzi , Gharbi Sofien , Ghazeli Ali Amine
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Grounded in the socio-emotional selectivity theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a people recommender and social matching system that better serves the information needs of older people on social networking sites or services (SNSs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses systems development as a design science research methodology to construct a conceptual framework and then design and prototype a recommender system.

Findings

The research demonstrates that it is possible to exploit Google Maps-based interfaces, coupled with historical geo-temporal information, to develop a recommender system on SNSs that can empower older adults to reconnect with past acquaintances.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed system is an advanced prototype that has been tested using simulated data sets as opposed to real-life data involving actual end-users through field studies.

Practical implications

When examined through the lenses of socio-emotional and neighborhood theories, this research opens new opportunities to develop supportive social networks for older people.

Social implications

The paper promotes a better social engagement and contributes to the mental and physical health of older people, which can act as a shield against loneliness, anxiety and depression.

Originality/value

The paper uses Google Maps interfaces and the concept of geo-temporal proximity indices to build an “elder-friendly” recommender system that can assist older people to reconnect with past friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Primary cicatricial alopecia in a single‐race Asian population: A 10‐year nationwide population‐based study in South Korea
Authors: Yoon Jisun , Choi Jee Woong
Published: September 2018

Primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA) is a dermatological challenge. Because no large‐scale epidemiological study regarding PCA is available yet, we investigated the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort for patients diagnosed with PCA. The annual and overall rates of incidence and prevalence of PCA during the study period (2004–2013) were estimated. Distribution of PCA subtypes, disease co‐occurrence rates and frequently prescribed medications were also evaluated. The overall incidence was 6.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.62–6.60) per 100 000 person‐years. The incidence rate was stable over time (risk ratio [RR] = 1.012, P = 0.201) and lower in female patients (RR = 0.718, P < 0.001). The overall prevalence was 20.93 (95% CI, 17.97–23.86) per 100 000 persons. The average duration of PCA was calculated as 3.23 years. Approximately 70% of the patients were below the age of 45 years. Folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis were the most common subtypes of PCA. Logistic regression analysis showed that PCA was significantly associated with thyroid disorders (adjusted odds ratio = 1.64, P < 0.001). Clobetasol was the most frequently prescribed topical agent. Corticosteroids were the most common oral agents used, followed by tetracycline antibiotics. Our study is the first large‐scale study reporting the epidemiology of PCA. We found a preponderance of males and neutrophil‐associated subtypes of PCA, and PCA was related to thyroid disorders.
What bacteria want
Authors: Galperin Michael Y.
Published: September 2018

Bacterial signal transduction systems are responsible for sensing environmental cues and adjusting the cellular behaviour and/or metabolism in response to these cues. They also monitor the intracellular conditions and the status of the cell envelope and the cytoplasmic membrane and trigger various stress responses to counteract adverse changes. This surveillance involves several classes of sensor proteins: histidine kinases; chemoreceptors; membrane components of the sugar phosphotransferase system; adenylate, diadenylate and diguanylate cyclases and certain cAMP, c‐di‐AMP and c‐di‐GMP phosphodiesterases; extracytoplasmic function sigma factors and Ser/Thr/Tyr protein kinases and phosphoprotein phosphatases. We have compiled a detailed listing of sensor proteins that are encoded in the genomes of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and 10 widespread pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilus influenzae, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Rickettsia typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes and Treponema pallidum, and checked what, if anything, is known about their functions. This listing shows significant gaps in the understanding of which environmental and intracellular cues are perceived by these bacteria and which cellular responses are triggered by the changes in the respective parameters. A better understanding of bacterial preferences may suggest new ways to modulate the expression of virulence factors and therefore decrease the reliance on antibiotics to fight infection.
Arthritis in sarcoidosis: A multicentric study from India
Authors:   Arthritis in Sarcoidosis Group (ASG), Agarwal Vikas , Agrawal Vinita , Aggarwal Amita , Aggarwal Parshant , Chowdhury Abhra C. , Ghosh Parasar , Jain Avinash , Lawrence Able , Misra Durga P. , Misra Ramnath , Mohapatra Madhusmita M. , Nath Alok , Negi Vir S. , Pandya Sapan , Reddy Vishnu V. , Prasad Shiva , Sharma Aman , Shobha Vineeta , Singh Yogesh P. , Tripathy Saumya R. , Wakhlu Anupam
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Ten to 15% of patients with sarcoidosis have associated arthritis. Chronic arthritis is fairly uncommon. There is a paucity of data on articular manifestations of the disease from India.

Methods

Case records of adult patients with sarcoidosis presenting to 11 rheumatology centers from 2005 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Joint involvement was assessed clinically, classified as acute or chronic depending on duration of symptoms less or greater than 6 months, respectively.

Results

A total of 117 patients with sarcoid arthritis were reviewed. Forty‐five patients were classified as having Lofgren's syndrome. The pattern of joint involvement revealed the ankle to be most commonly affected in both the groups. Shoulder, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal joints of hands and knee joint involvement were significantly more common in chronic sarcoid arthritis. Peripheral lymphadenopathy and uveitis were significantly more frequent in chronic sarcoid arthritis. Forty out of 49 patients with acute arthritis followed up over a median of 1.8 years had achieved complete remission. Twelve out of 16 chronic sarcoid arthritis (median follow up 2.5 years) had achieved complete remission with 15, 12 and five patients on steroids, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, respectively. One patient with acute sarcoid arthritis with concomitant interstitial lung disease had died due to lung infection.

Conclusion

Acute oligoarthritis was the commonest presentation with the ankle being the most commonly affected joint. Upper limb joint (predominantly distal) and knee involvement were more common as reported in our largest series worldwide of chronic sarcoid arthritis in adults. Hilar adenopathy and erythema nodosum were common extra‐articular features in both acute and chronic sarcoid arthritis. A limitation of the study was the retrospective nature of the analysis.
RNA‐seq analysis reveals different gene ontologies and pathways in rheumatoid arthritis and Kashin–Beck disease
Authors: Yu Fangfang , Duan Chen , Zhang Xiaodong , Yao Dandan , Si Gangquan , Gao Ying , Gao Zongqiang , Umer Farooq , Guo Xiong
Published: September 2018

Aims

To understand the pathogenesis of cartilage damage in Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which similar clinical symptoms.

Methods

RNA sequencing (RAN‐seq) analysis was used to reveal the different pathogeneses between KBD and RA. The messenger RNA expression profiles of articular cartilage isolated from KBD patients (n = 3) and RA patients (n = 3) were compared using RNA‐seq analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined using the Benjamini–Hochberg approach. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID 6.7) was employed to assess functional categories and Gene Ontology (GO). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Orthology Based Annotation System (KOBAS 2.0) was used to identify significantly enriched KEGG pathways.

Results

In the individually sequenced dataset, we identified 1568 significant DEGs in KBD compared to RA (232 up‐regulated genes and 1336 down‐regulated genes). GO function analysis identified nine significant biological processes (BPs), eight molecular functions (MFs), and five cell components (CCs) in KBD, and also the top ten ranked significant BPs, MFs and CCs were found in RA. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified biosynthesis of amino acids involved in KBD. The chemokine signaling pathway, nuclear factor‐kappa B signaling pathway, B cell receptor signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and osteoclast differentiation were involved in RA.

Conclusions

RNA‐seq revealed that proteoglycan‐mediated metabolic disorders contributed to the onset of KBD, whereas immune dysregulation was apparently involved in the pathogenesis of RA.
Is sonoelastography a helpful method of evaluation to diagnose Sjögren's syndrome?
Authors: Pia López‐Jornet , Juan Berna Mestre , Frank Pina , Angela Aniorte Alegria , Jose Gálvez , Juan de Dios Berna Serna
Published: September 2018

Objective

A new sonoelastography technique – virtual touch tissue quantification of acoustic radiation force impulses (ARFI) – offers a promising method for measuring tissue rigidity. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of ARFI for diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods

This transversal prospective study included 41 patients with SS according to American‐European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria, and a control group without symptoms. All subjects underwent ARFI high‐resolution ultrasound assessment of the parotid glands (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG).

Results

In patients with SS, parotid gland shear wave velocity (SWV) was 2.08 m/s ± 0.55, significantly higher than in control subjects (1.2 m/s ± 0.17) (P = 0.0001); submandibular gland SWV was higher in SS patients (2.12 m/s ± 0.44) than control subjects (1.56 m/s ± 0.16) (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Acoustic radiation force impulses sonoelastography can assist diagnosis of SS, and is a non‐invasive and fast method of detecting pathological changes to the parotid and submandibular glands.
Aerobic exercise for axial spondyloarthritis ‐ its effects on disease activity and function as compared to standard physiotherapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Verhoeven Frank , Guillot Xavier , Prati Clément , Mougin Fabienne , Tordi Nicolas , Demougeot Céline , Wendling Daniel
Published: September 2018

Aim

To evaluate the impact of an aerobic fitness program on disease activity, defined by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and on C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) in case of axial spondyloarthritis.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature, following the Prisma recommendations, was performed by two reviewers on the PubMed and Embase databases. Controlled trials assessing the efficacy of aerobic exercises compared to physiotherapy on axial spondyloarthritis disease activity were included. The diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis was meeting the New York criteria and/or the Assessment in Axial Spondyloarthritis International Working Group criteria. Aerobic fitness was defined as an exercise performed at 50%‐90% of the maximal heart rate or between 50% and 80% oxygen consumption (VO2) peak.

Results

Five hundred and twenty abstracts were identified and 93 abstracts were analyzed. Eight studies met the selection criteria and 6 were finally included in this study because of the presence of a control group. Both groups were similar in terms of age, sex ratio, disease duration. Aerobic exercise provided a positive impact on the BASDAI in the intervention group (148 patients) (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −0.52 [95% CI: −0.9 to −0.13]) (I2: 10.3%, P = 0.35). However, when compared to a control group (152 patients), the improvement of BASDAI didn't reach significance (WMD: −0.25 [95% CI: −0.83 to 0.32]) (I2: 0%, P = 0.41). Aerobic exercise did not improve BASFI, CRP or ESR.

Conclusion

Aerobic exercise did not provide beneficial effects either on disease activity or on physical function and biological parameters when compared to a control group in axial spondyloarthritis.
Effects of a federal housing voucher experiment on adolescent binge drinking: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Osypuk Theresa L. , Joshi Spruha , Schmidt Nicole M. , Glymour M. Maria , Nelson Toben F.
Published: September 2018

Aims

To test how a housing voucher generating residential mobility to lower‐poverty neighborhoods, compared with public housing controls, influenced adolescent binge drinking, and whether gender modified effects.

Design

A multi‐site household‐level three‐arm randomized trial of a housing intervention executed 1994–98, evaluated 2001–02.

Setting

Five US cities: Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; and New York, NY.

Participants

A total of 3537 adolescents in 4248 low‐income eligible families were randomized; 2829 adolescents were analyzed at the interim evaluation (1950 in treatment; 879 in the control group). Attrition bias was accounted for with a 3‐in‐10 oversampling of hard‐to‐reach participants (effective response rate: 89%).

Interventions

The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) trial randomized volunteer low‐income families in public housing to receive (1) rental subsidies redeemable in neighborhoods with < 10% tract poverty plus housing counseling, (2) unrestricted Section 8 rental subsidies or (3) to remain in public housing. We pooled the subsidy (‘treatment’) groups because they were conceptually similar and there was no evidence of statistical differences between groups on binge drinking.

Measurements

Primary outcome: past month binge drinking (five or more drinks in one sitting).

Findings

Adolescent binge drinking prevalence was 3.9% for treatment and 3.2% for control. The intention‐to‐treat (ITT) main effect of subsidy treatment (versus control) on binge drinking was non‐significant, but treatment effects were different for girls and boys (treatment–gender interaction P = 0.002). MTO treatment reduced girls’ binge drinking [odds ratio (OR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.24–0.96, P = 0.037], but increased boys’ binge drinking (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.13–4.97, P = 0.023), compared with controls. Results were similar for secondary alcohol outcomes. Instrumental variable (IV) results adjusting for treatment compliance were comparable with ITT, but larger.

Conclusions

A housing subsidy treatment that enables low‐income families to move from public to private housing appears to lessen girls’ binge drinking but increases boys’ binge drinking, compared with controls.
Misinterpretation of blood group and antibody screen leading to serious errors in RhD immunoglobulin administration: A report on first two years of data from Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting program
Authors: Akers Christine , Savoia Helen , Kane Stefan , Crispin Philip , Keegan Anastazia , Wood Erica , Glazebrook Bridget , Bielby Linley , Davis Amanda K.
Published: September 2018

The Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting program (STIR) commenced haemovigilance in relation to RhD immunoglobulin (Ig) administration in 2015. During two years of reporting, 21 reports relating to RhD Ig administration were received. Thirty‐three percent (7/21) were related to omission of RhD Ig, putting women at risk of RhD alloimmunisation and adverse consequences in future pregnancies. A recent case reported to STIR highlights poor communication and misinterpretation of pathology results leading to significant morbidity from haemolysis in the fetus. STIR makes recommendations related to education of staff and communication between clinical and laboratory staff to improve the safety of patient care.
A Biomimetic Human Gut‐on‐a‐Chip for Modeling Drug Metabolism in Intestine
Authors: Guo Yaqiong , Li Zhongyu , Su Wentao , Wang Li , Zhu Yujuan , Qin Jianhua
Published: September 2018

Drug metabolism in the intestine is considered to substantially contribute to the overall first‐pass metabolism, which has been neglected for a long time. It is highly desirable to develop a reliable model to evaluate drug metabolism in the intestine in vitro. In this work, we made the first attempt to develop a biomimetic human gut‐on‐a‐chip for modeling drug metabolism in intestine. In this chip, constant flow, together with porous nitrocellulose membrane and collagen I, mimics an in vivo‐like intestinal microenvironment. The Caco‐2 cells grown in the chip formed a compact intestinal epithelial layer with continuous expression of the tight junction protein, ZO‐1. Furthermore, higher gene expression of villin, sucrase‐isomaltase, and alkaline phosphatase demonstrated that cells in the biomimetic human gut‐on‐a‐chip device were more mature with near‐physiological functions compared to the control on planar substrate. In particular, cellular metabolic activity was assessed on different substrates, indicating higher metabolic efficiency of ifosfamide and verapamil in the biomimetic human gut‐on‐a‐chip model. Taken together, our results suggested that this biomimetic human gut‐on‐a‐chip promoted the differentiation of intestinal cells with enhanced functionality by creating a biomimetic 3D microenvironment in vitro. It might offer a bioactive, low‐cost, and flexible in vitro platform for studies on intestinal metabolism as well as preclinical drug development.
A follow‐on study on vision‐related quality of life assessment using the NEI‐VFQ‐25 in those with a history of unilateral and bilateral congenital cataracts
Authors: Fox Aoife , O'Keefe Michael , Lanigan Bernadette
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To assess vision‐specific health‐related quality of life (using the NEI‐VFQ‐25), educational attainment and visual acuity (VA) in patients with a history of congenital cataracts and appraise these in relation to Kirwan et al.'s (Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 49, 2012, 26) study.

Methods

A retrospective hospital‐based study of patients with unilateral and bilateral congenital cataracts whounderwent surgery aged younger than 12 months. Those 13 years or older at follow‐up were selected for inclusion. Patients with glaucoma, other associated ocular complications or systemic abnormalities were excluded. Educational attainment and VA at latest review were recorded.

Results

Twelve patients with unilateral cataract (mean age: 26 ± 4.5) and fifteen with bilateral cataract (mean age 22 ± 4.3) were included. Bilateral group had greater difficulty with near and distance activities, vision‐specific role difficulties, vision‐specific dependency and general health than the unilateral group. There were no significant differences with regard to ocular pain, vision‐specific social functioning, vision‐specific mental health, driving, colour vision, peripheral vision or educational attainment between the groups. All patients attended mainstream school, and majority progressed to third‐level education. Follow up at an increased time from surgery − 6.2 ± 5.13 (unilateral) and 6.5 ± 6.4 years (bilateral) – compared to Kirwan et al.'s study.

Conclusion

Results were in keeping with Kirwan et al.'s. Bilateral group had greater difficulty with day‐to‐day tasks compared to the unilateral group, including near and distance vision activities. They had greater vision‐specific role difficulties and vision‐specific dependency. There was no difference between the groups in regard to vision‐specific social functioning, vision‐specific mental health or educational attainment. This can be a source of reassurance to parents and patients.
30‐year cross‐sectional trends in waist‐to‐height ratio in Australian school age children; 1985 to 2015
Authors: Hardy L L , Xu J , Guo C Z , Garnett S P
Published: September 2018

Aim

To report 30‐year changes in the proportion of children with abdominal obesity measured by waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) ≥ 0.5.

Methods

Secondary analysis of WHtR ≥ 0.5 data on Australian children age 7 to 15 years from five national cross‐sectional population surveys conducted in 1985, 1995, 2007, 2012 and 2015. Changes in the proportions of children with a WHtR ≥ 0.5 across survey years, by age and sex were assessed using chi‐squared tests.

Results

Between 1985 and 2012, the proportion of children with WHtR ≥ 0.5 increased from 8.6% [95%CI: 8.0, 9.2] to 25.1% [95%CI: 23.5, 26.7]. An increase of ~5% each decade was observed between 1985 and 2007, and a 6.6% increase was observed between 2007 and 2012. Overall, there was a non‐significant decrease in the proportion of children with WHtR ≥ 0.5 between 2012 (25.1% [95%CI: 23.5, 26.7] and 2015 (23.3% [95%CI: 21.6, 25.2].

Conclusion

Abdominal obesity has increased over the last 30 years in Australian children. In 2015, one in five children had WHtR ≥ 0.5, a marker of cardiometabolic risk in children. Our finding highlights the importance of including WHtR as a routine measurement in primary health care and population health surveys. This information is needed to guide policy and practice to manage long‐term cardiovascular risk in children.
Randomised controlled trial showed that neonates received better pain relief from a higher dose of sucrose during venepuncture
Authors: Kristoffersen Laila , Malahleha Moelo , Duze Zama , Tegnander Eva , Kapongo Ndaye , Støen Ragnhild , Follestad Turid , Eik‐Nes Sturla H. , Bergseng Håkon
Published: September 2018

Aim

We compared the effect of two different doses of sucrose on neonatal pain scores during venepuncture.

Methods

This randomised crossover study focused on neonates born weighing more than 1000 g from December 2014 to June 2016, who received neonatal intensive care at two hospitals: one in Empangeni, South Africa, and one in Trondheim, Norway. During two consecutive venepuncture procedures, 27 neonates from South Africa and 26 neonates from Norway were randomised to receive 0.2 mL or 0.5 mL sucrose. Half was administered two minutes before venepuncture and the rest immediately before the procedure. South Africa used 25% sucrose and Norway 24%. Pain scores were measured twice using the Premature Infant Pain Profile‐Revised: during skin puncture and after the needle was removed.

Results

The mean pain scores during skin puncture were significantly lower with 0.5 mL sucrose than with 0.2 mL (5.3 versus 6.8, p=0.008), but the mean pain scores after the needle was removed were similar with both doses (4.7 versus 5.4, p=0.29). We found no significant association between weight and pain scores.

Conclusion

We showed that neonates received better pain relief from 0.5 mL than 0.2 mL sucrose during venepuncture but not after the needle was removed.
Economic disadvantage and math achievement: The significance of perceived cost from an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Hentges Rochelle F. , Galla Brian M. , Wang Ming‐Te
Published: September 2018

Background

Children growing up in poverty tend to perform worse in school than their more economically advantaged peers.

Aims

The current study integrates an educational theory of motivation and an evolutionary theory of life history strategies to examine how economic disadvantage predicts children's mathematics achievement through their academic beliefs and values.

Sample

Participants were 1,536 students (Mage = 12.88) in a large metropolitan city in the United States.

Methods

Economic disadvantage was assessed via school reports of the student being eligible to receive free or reduced‐price lunch during the 2014–2015 school year (i.e., at or below 185% of the federal poverty line). Students reported on their perceived interest, usefulness, and cost of learning mathematics during the first half of the 2015–2016 school year (August to December). Mathematics achievement for both school years was assessed via school reports of mathematics grades.

Results

Children receiving free or reduced‐price lunch showed higher perceived cost of learning mathematics, and this in turn predicted changes in mathematics achievement over time, indirect effect = −0.57, 95% CI (−0.97, −0.23). However, neither interest nor perceived usefulness or ability in mathematics mediated the association between economic disadvantage and changes in mathematics achievement.

Conclusions

Results underscore the potential for interventions to target students’ perceived cost of learning as a way to increase school engagement, particularly among disadvantaged students.
Responsiveness to change of the Malay‐ECOHIS following treatment of early childhood caries under general anaesthesia
Authors: Hashim Nor Azlina , Yusof Zamros Yuzadi Mohd , Saub Roslan
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the sensitivity and responsiveness of the Malay version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (Malay‐ECOHIS) to dental treatment of early childhood caries (ECC) under general anaesthesia (GA) and determine the minimally important difference (MID) for the Malay‐ECOHIS.

Methods

A sample of 158 preschool children with ECC awaiting dental treatment under GA was recruited over an 8‐month period. Parents self‐completed the Malay‐ECOHIS before and 4 weeks after their child's dental treatment. At 4 weeks follow‐up, parents also responded to a global health transition judgement item. Data were analysed using independent and paired samples t tests, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results

The response rate was 87.3%. The final sample comprised 76 male (55.1%) and 62 female (44.9%) preschool children with mean age of 4.5 (SD = 1.0) years. Following treatment, there were significant reductions in mean scores for total Malay‐ECOHIS, child impact section (CIS), family impact section (FIS) and all domains, respectively (P < 0.001). The effect size (ES) for the Malay‐ECOHIS was +1.0; across the domains, it ranged from +0.4 to +1.9. There was a weak, positive correlation for Malay‐ECOHIS change scores (r = 0.165) and CIS change scores (r = 0.175) with the number of decayed teeth (dt), respectively. Similar correlation was also observed between Malay‐ECOHIS change scores and the number of extracted teeth (r = 0.129). Based on the global health transition judgement, 62.3% of parents reported their child's oral condition to be “a little improved” while 37.7% reported it to be “much improved” following treatment, with Malay‐ECOHIS mean change scores of 6.7 (ES = +1.1) and 9.6 (ES = +1.2), respectively. There was an observed gradient in the Malay‐ECOHIS change scores and ES in relation to parents’ perception of their child's oral health improvement after treatment, supporting the responsiveness of the measure. The Malay‐ECOHIS MID was found to be 7 scale points.

Conclusion

The Malay‐ECOHIS is empirically shown to be sensitive and responsiveness to dental treatment of ECC under GA.
Socioeconomic and psychosocial associations with oral health impact and general health
Authors: Brennan David S. , Spencer A. John , Roberts‐Thomson Kaye F.
Published: September 2018

Background

There is debate whether both subjective and objective measures of socioeconomic status (SES) are needed to predict health, and whether these factors are explained by psychosocial characteristics. The aims were to investigate the association of socioeconomic and psychosocial variables with oral health impact and general health utility.

Methods

A random sample of 45‐ to 54‐year‐olds from Adelaide, South Australia, was surveyed by self‐complete questionnaire in 2004‐2005. Oral health impact was assessed using OHIP‐14 and general health utility by EQ‐5D. SES was determined using objective (income, education) and subjective (McArthur scale) measures. Psychosocial variables comprised social support, health self‐efficacy, well‐being, coping and affectivity.

Results

Data were collected from 879 participants (response rate = 43.8%). Both objective and subjective socioeconomic status measures were associated with OHIP and EQ‐5D scores. Higher income and subjective social status were both associated (P < 0.05) with less oral health impact (β = −0.28 and β = −0.73, respectively) and better general health utility (both with β = 0.01, respectively). Psychosocial variables accounted for a relatively large percentage of variance in OHIP (20.7%) and EQ‐5D (21.9%) scores.

Conclusions

For both oral health impact and general health utility, objective SES was significant in the presence of subjective SES. Psychosocial variables had important independent associations with both oral and general health.
Exploring the multidimensional constructs of transformative school–community collaboration from a critical paradigm
Authors: Kim Jangmin
Published: September 2018

School–community collaboration has become an important approach to enhancing the quality of services to meet the multifaceted needs of students. However, there is little understanding of how to create and maintain successful school–community collaboration. Drawing on a critical paradigm, this study developed a comprehensive framework for transformative school–community collaboration (TSCC) and developed a valid scale to assess the major dimensions of TSCC. Using school survey data, an exploratory factor analysis identified four multidimensional constructs: (a) critical member capacity representing members' organizing, interpersonal, and critical analysis skills, (b) equal relations with respect to joint membership, interaction, and outcome distribution, (c) democratic network governance measuring the basic elements of democracy in decision‐making, and (d) empowering coordination reflecting a responsive, flexible, and supportive coordination system. This study also showed that low‐income and urban schools reported significantly lower levels of equal relations and empowering coordination. The developed scale can be used as an evaluation tool that monitors and evaluates school–community collaboration ensuring equal, democratic, and empowering structures and processes. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest practice implications and future research agendas to create and maintain successful school–community collaboration.
Testing the transferability of track‐based habitat models for sound marine spatial planning
Authors: Péron Clara , Authier Matthieu , Grémillet David
Published: September 2018

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) are statistical tools aiming at mapping and predicting species distributions across landscapes. Data acquisition being limited in space and time, SDM are commonly used to predict species distribution in unsampled areas or years, with the expectation that modelled habitat–species relationships will hold across spatial or temporal contexts (i.e., model transferability). This key aspect of habitat modelling has major implications for spatial management, yet it has received limited attention, especially in the dynamic marine realm. Our aims were to test geographical and temporal habitat model transferability and to make recommendations for future population‐scale habitat modelling.

Location

Two contrasted regions of the North Western Mediterranean Sea: the cold and productive waters of the Gulf of Lion, and the warm and oligotrophic waters of Corsica.

Methods

We GPS‐tracked 189 Scopoli's shearwaters, Calonectris diomedea, at four breeding sites during the chick‐rearing period in 2011 and 2012 (418 foraging trips), and analysed their fine‐scale foraging behaviour. We then built colony‐specific habitat models (GAMMs) to test SDM geographical and temporal transferability and investigated the effect of extrinsic (environmental extrapolation) and intrinsic (trip characteristics) factors on transferability.

Results

Scopoli's shearwaters from our four study sites had comparable foraging strategies (as assessed from trip characteristics and isotopic diet tracers). Despite such similarities, SDMs revealed colony‐specific habitat associations. Geographical and temporal model transferability was better within than between regions.

Main conclusions

Crucially, our study illustrates how habitat–species relationships can vary between colonies located <200 km apart, and underlines the effect of spatio‐temporal extrapolation in habitat modelling. We therefore warn that defining adequate spatial scales for model predictions is critical to sound marine spatial planning and conservation.
Inhibitory effect of lidocaine on colonic spasm during colonoscopy: A multicenter double‐blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nemoto Daiki , Suzuki Sho , Mori Hideki , Katsuki Shinichi , Iwaki Tomoyuki , Aizawa Masato , Takeuchi Yoji , Uraoka Toshio , Matsuda Tomoki , Fujita Tomoki , Hewett David G. , Togashi Kazutomo
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Colonic spasm can interfere with colonoscopy, but antispasmodic agents can cause complications. This study aimed to assess the inhibitory effect of topical lidocaine compared with a placebo control.

Methods

In five tertiary‐care hospitals in Japan, 128 patients requiring endoscopic resection of a colorectal lesion were enrolled and randomly and double‐blindly allocated to colonoscopy with topical administration of 2% lidocaine solution 20mL (LID, n = 64) or normal saline 20mL (control, n = 64). During colonoscopy, the assigned solution was applied with a spray catheter near the lesion and the area was observed for three minutes. primary endpoint was the inhibitory effect at three time‐points (1, 2 and 3 minutes after dispersion), using a three‐point scale (excellent, fair, poor). Secondary endpoints were rebound spasm and adverse events. All endpoints were scored in real time. Serum lidocaine levels were measured in 32 patients (LID 16, control 16).

Results

There were no significant differences between groups in patient demographics. At all time‐points, the proportion of patients with “excellent” scores was greater in LID group than control group, with significant differences observed at 2 minutes (p = 0.02) and 3 minutes (p = 0.02). In LID group, the rate of “excellent” scores increased by 12.5% at 2 minutes and was maintained at 3 minutes. Rebound spasm did not occur in LID group, compared with 15.6% of control group (p = 0.001). There were no adverse events in LID group. All serum lidocaine levels were below detectable levels.

Conclusions

Topical lidocaine is an effective and safe method for suppressing colorectal spasm during colonoscopy (UMIN000024733).
Effects on clinical outcomes of intensifying triple oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy by initiating insulin versus enhancing OAD therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population‐based, propensity‐score‐matched cohort study
Authors: Kuo Shihchen , Yang Chun‐Ting , Wu Jin‐Shang , Ou Huang‐Tz
Published: September 2018

Aims

To compare the effects of initiating insulin as a fourth‐line antidiabetic therapy with the effects of enhancing oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with triple OAD therapy failure.

Materials and methods

We conducted a nationwide population‐based, retrospective cohort study involving 1022 (without prevalent diabetes‐related complications [PDRCs]) and 2077 (with/without PDRCs) propensity score‐matched pairs of fourth‐line insulin therapy users and enhanced OAD therapy users identified in the period 2004 to 2010. Clinical outcomes including a composite cardiovascular outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure or ischaemic heart disease), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), hypoglycaemia and all‐cause mortality were assessed up to 2013. Hypoglycaemia was adjusted in Cox models to consider its potential effect on study outcomes.

Results

In a T2DM cohort without PDRCs, fourth‐line insulin therapy was not associated with greater risks of clinical outcomes, except hypoglycaemia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02‐2.07), compared with enhanced OAD therapy. Among patients with T2DM with/without PDRCs, fourth‐line insulin therapy was associated with greater risks of the composite cardiovascular outcome (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03‐1.46), heart failure (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12‐2.25), ischaemic heart disease (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09‐1.73), PVD (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.00‐1.36), hypoglycaemia (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20‐1.85) and all‐cause mortality (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01‐2.17), but adjustment for hypoglycaemia significantly attenuated the risk of heart failure (HR 1.34, 95% CI 0.92‐1.94), PVD (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.98‐1.34) and all‐cause mortality (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.84‐1.99).

Conclusions

Initiation of fourth‐line insulin therapy can be considered for patients with T2DM with triple OAD therapy failure, and the importance of awareness and prevention of hypoglycaemia among insulin‐treated patients with T2DM cannot be overstated.
Emergency department visits for dental problems associated with trauma in Alberta: A report between the years 2011 and 2017
Authors: Figueiredo Rafael , Rattai Jordan , Fournier Kerri , Levin Liran
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims

Dental trauma represents a significant cause for concern in emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to report on the prevalence of ED visits for dental problems associated with trauma (DPAT) in Alberta, Canada. The specific objectives were to provide up‐to‐date information regarding ED utilization for dental trauma concerning the demographics of users and distribution of ED visits across the Province of Alberta, allowing for an assessment of possible trends over the period of time observed.

Methods

Data for ED visits in Alberta between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017, were extracted from the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS). Data elements pertinent to this analysis include patient demographics, administrative information, and diagnosis. Only the main or primary diagnosis of each ED visit was included in this analysis using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10‐CA).

Results

There were 71 118 total ED visits for DPAT in this time period, with an average of 10 159 visits per year across Alberta. Children aged 1‐4 years old represented the age‐group in both genders with the largest number of ED visits, 22.1% of the total number of visits. The number of ED visits for DPAT by males 21 years or younger (22 384) was higher than the total number of ED visits among females in all age‐groups (21 099). The ICD‐10‐CA code S01.5 referring to open wound of lip and oral cavity was by far the most prevalent diagnosis, representing 57.6% of the total visits during the period investigated.

Conclusions

This population‐based report quantifies the rates and frequency of ED utilization for DPAT in the province of Alberta, Canada. The information gathered is important to support injury prevention initiatives using a population‐based approach targeting the high‐risk groups of the population identified by this study.
Serum ferritin is not a reliable predictor to determine iron overload in thalassemia major patients post‐hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Jarisch Andrea , Salzmann‐Manrique Emilia , Cario Holger , Grosse Regine , Soerensen Jan , Fischer Roland , Schulz Ansgar , Hammerstingl Renate , Wunderlich Arthur , Bader Peter
Published: September 2018

Objective

Iron overload (IO) in transfusion‐dependent anemia persists after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and can cause long‐term organ damage. In many studies, the diagnosis of IO before and after HSCT is based on serum ferritin (SF) levels rather than on assessment of liver iron concentration (LIC) by MRI or SQUID.

Method

In a retrospective multicenter study, we analyzed the concordance for indication of iron depletion therapy and correlation between LIC and SF of 36 thalassemia patients after HSCT. LIC was determined either by MRI‐R2 (FerriScan®) or SQUID.

Results

The concordance between LIC and SF varies over time after transplant (P = 0.011). The correlation between SF and LIC was strong in the first year (Spearman's rho 0.75; P < 0.001). In agreement, the concordance between SF and LIC concerning indication for treatment was close to 1 with an overall error rate ca. of 10%. In particular in the first year after HSCT, SF underestimates the degree of iron overload.

However, in the longitudinal analysis since the second year post‐HSCT onward no association was found between LIC and SF (P = 0.217). Furthermore, in the second year after HSCT, the overall error rate was 35%, whereas in the 3rd, 4th, and >4th year, it was 58%, 60%, and 25%, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data suggest serum ferritin is not a reliable predictor to determine iron overload in thalassemia patients after HSCT.