bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eyelid Ptosis following Botulinum a Exotoxin Injections Reversed with Apraclonidine
Authors: Herron Joel Bain , Walz Sara , Khan Azim J. , Bisaccia Emil , Scarborough Dwight A.
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

While use of botulinum A toxin (Botox Allergan, Inc, Irvine, Calif) injections for cosmetic use is generally considered safe and efficacious, uncommon side effects can occur. We present the case of a 52-year-old woman that experienced eyelid ptosis following botulinum toxin injections in the glabellar and forehead regions.

Materials and Methods:

The patient received botulinum toxin injections in a standard fashion to the glabellar, forehead, and lateral canthal regions. A total of 32 units (0.8 mL of botulinum A toxin diluted to 40 units/mL) was used.

Results:

Five days following botulinum toxin injections, the patient experienced unilateral eyelid ptosis, which was successfully treated with apraclonidine 0.5% eyedrops (Iopidine, Alcon Labs, Ft Worth, Tex) to the affected side. Resolution of the ptosis occurred within 1 week of initiating treatment.

Conclusion:

Although eyelid ptosis can be an undesirable sequela of botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes, measures can be undertaken to avoid this adverse effect. Fortunately, unintended effects from botulinum toxin are temporary. Ptosis can be ameliorated with apraclonidine eyedrops.
Earlobe Restoration for a Patient with Pixie Ear Preference
Authors: Herron Joel Bain , Sachdeva Mandi , Khan Azim J. , Bisaccia Emil , Scarborough Dwight A.
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

The pixie ear is usually considered an undesired outcome following cervicofacial rhytidectomy procedures, and several techniques for prevention and correction have been previously described in the literature. However, on occasion a patient may prefer the aesthetics of the pixie ear and request it be restored or created. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman who desired restoration of bilateral pixie ears.

Materials and Methods:

Described is a simple technique that can be rapidly performed in the office under local anesthesia to achieve the pixie ear look.

Results:

A favorable aesthetic outcome recreating pixie ears was accomplished to the satisfaction of the patient without complication.

Discussion:

It is imperative to discuss the desired final cosmetic appearance of the ears in preoperative consultation for cervicofacial rhytidectomy. Although a pixie ear is not the typically desired aesthetic result, some patients may prefer it to the more traditional free-hanging earlobe.
Comparaison De L'Analyse Structurale Et De L'Analyse Scientometrique Dans L'Etude De La Production Scientifique
Authors: Stofer Rafael
Published: January 2017

Comparison of Structural Analysis and Scientometric Analysis in the Study of Scientific Production: This article is based on the study of networks of advice, coauthorship and cocitation among a certain category of French cancer researchers. We show that the study of scientific production based on strictly quantitative indicators, characteristic of scientometry, is not sufficient. It is also necessary to take into account social networks constructed among such researchers to have a more complete view of a scientific domain and how it is organized. In a comparative process, we present the structural approach which answers this requirement through the use of hypotheses concerning intra-organization of interdependent entrepreneurs that are tested at the inter-organizational level. The two approaches—scientometrics and structural analysis—are then shown to be strongly complementary in their results which lead to a better understanding of how a scientific field of research functions and the roles of the different actors. Scientific Production, Structural Analysis, Scientometric Analysis, Elites, Inter-Organizational Analysis.
Synthesis of New Poly(N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone-Co-Maleic Acid) Peptide Hormone Conjugates with Anticancer Activity
Authors: Pató János , Móra Melinda , Mezö Imre , Seprödi János , Teplán István , Vincze Borbála , Kálnay Adrienn , Pályi István
Published: January 2017

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is a decapeptide regulating the gonadotropin release in organisms. Its analogues inhibit breast, endometrium and prostatic tumor cell proliferation in vitro. Some analogues were conjugated via the lysine side chain to poly( N-vinyl pyrrolidone- co-maleic acid) using biodegradable and non-biodegradable oligopeptide spacers. The conjugates were prepared by acylation of oligopeptide nitrophenyl esters with the polymeric precursor, poly( N-vinyl pyrrolidone- co-maleic anhydride), by reacting the GnRH analogues with the polymeric active ester. In vitro tests of these products exhibited increased effects on MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 breast, Ishikawa endometrium and PC3 prostatic human tumor cells compared with the parent decapeptides.
Influence of PEGylation on the Release of Low and High Molecular-Weight Proteins from PVA Matrices
Authors: Veronese F. M. , Mammucari C. , Caliceti P. , Schiavon O. , Lora S.
Published: January 2017

Model proteins of therapeutic interest, ribonuclease, superoxide dismutase, catalase and albumin, extensively PEGylated with linear 5,000 Mw PEG, were entrapped in PVA hydrogels (31,000-50,000 Mw) by means of a cryogel procedure and the rate of release was evaluated. All of the PEGylated proteins were released from the gel, but at a lower rate than the unmodified proteins. The rate for both native and PEGylated species decreases as the molecular weight of the protein increased. Moreover, for both native and PEGylated proteins, the release rate was reduced when the gel was lyophilized before the release evaluation. Release was also dependent on the PVA Mw, in fact, for Mw's of 124,000-186,000, permanent entrapment was achieved. This behaviour was verified with PEGylated glucose oxidase and coline oxidase which were permanently retained in high Mw PVA. This study indicates the potential for the combination of PEGylation and cryogel entrapment of enzymes for the biotechnological and therapeutic applications.
Working retirees in Europe: individual and societal determinants
Authors: Dingemans Ellen , Henkens Kène , van Solinge Hanna
Published: January 2017

One of the solutions that could be used to resource the needs of ageing populations is the encouragement of individuals to extend working lives beyond retirement, often referred to as ‘bridge employment’. Although previous studies provide important insights into individual determinants of bridge employment, there is scant research on the extent to which differences across countries and between genders exist and how these might be explained by economic and societal differences in the pension context. The determinants of participation in bridge employment are investigated among male and female retirees in 16 European countries. Multilevel models are estimated based on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe project. It was found that where there is high expenditure on pensions there is a lower likelihood of retirees participating in bridge jobs, while strong norms that support working past retirement are positively associated with bridge employment.
From Ivory Towers to Permeable Membranes
Authors: Sultan Ralph G.M. , Sultan Paul E.
Published: January 2017

In the unfolding knowledge era the cultivation of intelligence is the strategic force. This article calls for those within the ivory towers of education to resonate to economic and community needs. Faculties of higher education and the managers of industry are urged to explore common interests as the means to secure mutual benefits.
The Importance of Licensing Strategies for SMEs
Authors: van Asselt Henk Th.
Published: January 2017

Licensing is a common practice in technology transfer. This article discusses the factors which must be considered when an SME is involved in the licensing procedure, and explores reasons for the minor role licensing plays in the transfer process. Possible ways to expand its role are also presented.
University–Industry Collaboration
Authors: Cottam David A.
Published: January 2017

Previous studies have emphasized the barriers to the successful commercial exploitation of university research by industry. In this paper, the barriers to collaboration prior to commercial exploitation are examined. It is argued that the ‘soft’ human-orientated barriers are at least as important as the more obvious ‘hard’ technical and contractual barriers. Both types of barrier need to be effectively handled in the preliminary stages of collaboration.
The European Institute of Technology
Authors: Marcum John M.
Published: January 2017

The European Institute of Technology was created out of concern that Europe's industry lagged technologically behind that of the USA and Japan. This article discusses the work of the EIT in improving industry–university cooperation, set in the context of the process of innovation and the needs and problems of those groups involved in it.
Campaigning for Partnership
Authors: Coldstream Patrick
Published: January 2017

This article traces the development of industry–higher education partnership in the UK from the vantage point of the Council for Industry and Higher Education. Here the Council's Director discusses how it has been campaigning for partnership through its publications and analyses their effectiveness in encouraging partnership.
The Impact of International Collaboration on UK University—Industry Links
Authors: Pike Andy , Charles David
Published: January 2017

The authors examine the impact of international collaborative research programmes on university—industry links in the UK, with particular reference to the relations involved in the European Union's Framework Programme research. The evidence presented in the paper suggests that international collaboration has generated benefits as well as significant costs for UK university—industry linkages. More importantly, it is argued that the alleged general convergence in university and industry research needs has been somewhat illusory in the UK due to the rationalization of its R&D activity. In addition, these tendencies have been supported to a degree by EU funding rules, the internationalization of UK universities and the ‘repeat’ nature of international collaboration networks. In conclusion, the authors suggest that many of the problems may be specific to the UK and that policies are needed to strengthen links between UK universities and industry within such collaborative projects.
British—Russian Peer Education in Finance and Accounting
Authors: Morrison Alana , Struthers John
Published: January 2017

The relationship that exists between industry and higher education in the Western economies is being mirrored in the transforming economies of the former Soviet Union. This paper reports on a recent investigation into the professional and academic fields of finance and accounting and in particular into the work by British and Russian university peers. There are, however, general observations which would be applicable across all fields of expertise. The case is set within the context of a UK government ‘Know How Fund’ project. The authors argue that peer education has a significant role to play in providing a mechanism for knowledge transfer, both professional and academic. They further argue that this knowledge transfer is crucial to enterprise development within a developing market economy.
The University, the Information Superhighway and Regional Economic Development
Authors: Barden Laing
Published: January 2017

In this article, Laing Barden looks at the opportunities offered by the new information economy and, especially, the development of the information superhighway, for universities to play a central role in the economic development of their regions — a role which they must play to the full as the main producers of well trained graduates and new research findings essential to continuous innovation. Professor Barden sets his views in a worldwide context, assessing the strategies employed to spur regional development through university—industry cooperation, and then focuses on the situation in the UK, with specific reference to its response to the challenge of the information superhighway. He discusses in particular the Smart Isles programme, a partnership among some 20 international companies, universities and research organizations. Failure to meet the challenge of the rapidly expanding information economy, argues Professor Barden, will mean failure in a highly competitive global economy.
University Spin-offs in the Commercialization of Research
Authors: Rappert Brian
Published: January 2017

The desire to exploit intellectual property (IP) in the public sector research base has been an ongoing concern of those within as well as outside government. In this paper, the author compares the regional success of UK university spin-off firms (USOs) in managing the exploitation of IP through both informal and formal linkages with universities. The central finding is that USOs do not resolve problems endemic to the commercialization of publicly funded research.
Research in Different Categories of UK Universities
Authors: George W. O. , Hill A. N.
Published: January 2017

In this paper, the origins and characteristics of the 102 current UK universities are briefly traced and the outcomes of recent assessments of research quality are summarized for all universities and for the 69 subject units within which assessment was made. The quality of research in a subject unit, group of subject units or complete institution is measured by a weighted average score based on a peer rating of submitted subject units from each university and the numerical values obtained are described within the limitations of the methodology developed. The authors consider the scores in terms of the characteristics of each university and the broad subject areas, science, engineering, social sciences and humanities. They then discuss the industrial link with research in terms of recent government policy inputs, university research outcomes and the impact of market forces on universities from diminishing patterns of some income streams.
Synthesis and characterization of polyetherimides via aromatic nitro displacement reaction
Authors: Thiruvasagam P. , Venkatesan D.
Published: January 2017

Two ether groups containing bisnitrophthalimide monomers 4,4’-Bis(4-nitrophthalimido phenoxy)diphenyl sulfone and 4,4'-bis (4-nitrophthalimido phenoxy)benzophenone were synthesized. The monomers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy and 1H-NMR. The polyetherimides were prepared from bisnitrophthalimides by nucleophilic displacement of nitro group by bisphenolate ion. The polyetherimides were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric constants, solution viscosity and solubility. Polyetherimides were soluble in polar approtic solvents and improved solubility in common organic solvents is due to the presence of flexible groups in the polymer backbone. Polyetherimides exhibited good thermal stability and the temperature at which 10% weight loss occurs in the range 357—453°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that these polyetherimides are amorphous.
Joint spatial analysis of gastrointestinal infectious diseases
Authors: Held Leonhard , Graziano Giusi , Frank Christina , Rue Håvard
Published: January 2017

A major obstacle in the spatial analysis of infectious disease surveillance data is the problem of under-reporting. This article investigates the possibility of inferring reporting rates through joint statistical modelling of several infectious diseases with different aetiologies. Once variation in under-reporting can be estimated, geographic risk patterns for infections associated with specific food vehicles may be discerned. We adopt the shared component model, proposed by Knorr-Held and Best for two chronic diseases and further extended by (Held L, Natario I, Fenton S, Rue H, Becker N. Towards joint disease mapping. Statistical Methods in Medical Research 2005b; 14: 61-82) for more than two chronic diseases to the infectious disease setting. Our goal is to estimate a shared component, common to all diseases, which may be interpreted as representing the spatial variation in reporting rates. Additional components are introduced to describe the real spatial variation of the different diseases. Of course, this interpretation is only allowed under specific assumptions, in particular, the geographical variation in under-reporting should be similar for the diseases considered. In addition, it is vital that the data do not contain large local outbreaks, so adjustment based on a time series method recently proposed by (Held L, Höhle M, Hofmann M. A statistical framework for the analysis of multivariate infectious disease surveillance data. Statistical Modelling 2005a; 5: 187-99) is made at a preliminary stage. We will illustrate our approach through the analysis of gastrointestinal diseases notification data obtained from the German infectious disease surveillance system, administered by the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin.
Aminoglycoside Nephrotoxicity following Single-Dose Cystoscopy Prophylaxis
Authors: Weir Brian A. , Mazumdar Debesh C.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To report a case of gentamicin-associated acute tubular necrosis following single-dose exposure.

SETTING:

Central-city, university-affiliated teaching hospital.

PATIENT:

An 82-year-old man, admitted for evaluation of shortness of breath, appetite reduction with weight loss, and stable renal insufficiency, developed urinary retention, which prompted a urologic evaluation followed by a cystoscopy.

INTERVENTIONS:

A single 1.6-mg/kg (actual body weight) dose of gentamicin was administered as prophylaxis prior to this procedure.

RESULTS:

A significant decline in renal function was observed 48 hours following gentamicin administration. A nephrology evaluation excluded pre- and postrenal causes and attributed this episode of nonoliguric acute tubular necrosis to a single dose of gentamicin.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although not consistent with currently proposed mechanisms and reported onset of aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity, an etiology other than that concluded by this case report appears unlikely.
Use of Multiple-Dose Activated Charcoal in Phenytoin Toxicity
Authors: Howard Carol E. , Roberts R. Shane , Ely Daniel S. , Moye Robert A.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To report a case of phenytoin toxicity successfully treated with multiple-dose activated charcoal.

CASE SUMMARY:

A 36-year-old man was first admitted with chronic phenytoin toxicity secondary to hepatitis and was treated symptomatically. His serum phenytoin concentration was 149.8 μmol/L on admission and decreased slowly over his 6-day hospitalization to 134.8 μmol/L. Upon readmission approximately 24 hours later, his phenytoin concentration was 186.7 μmol/L. Because of acute phenytoin toxicity, he was treated with multiple-dose activated charcoal. His phenytoin concentration after four doses of activated charcoal returned to the therapeutic range within 36 hours and his symptoms abated quickly, thus decreasing his hospital stay.

DISCUSSION:

The exact mechanism of action of multiple-dose activated charcoal to decrease serum phenytoin concentrations is unknown. Several mechanisms of action have been reported in the literature and are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Multiple-dose activated charcoal was used successfully in treating acute phenytoin toxicity in our patient. Based on his previous admission for chronic phenytoin toxicity, his hospital stay was reduced by three days. The use of multiple-dose activated charcoal in acute phenytoin toxicity has potential therapeutic and financial implications.
Investigation of Blood Flow During Intermittent Pneumatic Compression and Proposal of a New Compression Protocol
Authors: Lee Wonhee , Seo Jong Hyun , Kim Hyun Beom , Chung Seung Hyun , Lee Seung Hoon , Kim Kwang Gi , Kang Hyun Guy
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is now a widely used therapy for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. In general, the IPC sequence is composed of sequential compression and simultaneous deflation. Typically, veins are considered to be squeezed and emptied during the compression phase and to be refilled during the deflation phase. However, because the stop or sudden increase in blood flow can be dangerous, a further investigation is needed with respect to the blood flow.

Materials and Methods:

We demonstrated a new compression protocol based on the investigation results of venous blood flow during IPC. This new compression protocol involves successive compression without the deflation phase; thus, the expelled blood volume flow during a given period can be maximized. To investigate the blood flow during IPC, sonography movie clips and in-laboratory developed blood flow analysis software was used.

Results:

The increases in the peak volume flow during IPC were 49% (±24%) and 25% (±29%) with the conventional protocol and the new protocol, respectively, whereas the total volume flow (TVF) was not significantly changed (−1.0% and −13.0%, respectively). With the new protocol, the peak velocity (PV) was 49% lower than that with the conventional protocol. Thus, the new protocol has an effect of maintaining TVF without resulting in a sudden large increase or decrease in PV.

Conclusion:

The new suggested protocol might improve safety because it can maintain the stability of blood flow by reducing the risk of blood stasis and a rapid change in blood flow.
Warfarin Dose Model for the Prediction of Stable Maintenance Dose in Indian Patients
Authors: Gaikwad Tejasvita , Ghosh Kanjaksha , Avery Peter , Kamali Farhad , Shetty Shrimati
Published: January 2017

The main aim of this study was to screen various genetic and nongenetic factors that are known to alter warfarin response and to generate a model to predict stable warfarin maintenance dose for Indian patients. The study comprised of 300 warfarin-treated patients. Followed by extensive literature review, 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, that is, VKORC1-1639 G>A (rs9923231), CYP2C9*2 (rs1799853), CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910), FVII R353Q (rs6046), GGCX 12970 C>G (rs11676382), CALU c.*4A>G (rs1043550), EPHX1 c.337T>C (rs1051740), GGCX: c.214+597G>A (rs12714145), GGCX: 8016G>A (rs699664), and CYP4F2 V433M (rs2108622), and 5 nongenetic factors, that is, age, gender, smoking, alcoholism, and diet, were selected to find their association with warfarin response. The univariate analysis was carried out for 15 variables (10 genetic and 5 nongenetic). Five variables, that is, VKORC1-1639 G>A, CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3, age, and diet, were found to be significantly associated with warfarin response in univariate analysis. These 5 variables were entered in stepwise and multiple regression analysis to generate a prediction model for stable warfarin maintenance dose. The generated model scored R2 of .67, which indicates that this model can explain 67% of warfarin dose variability. The generated model will help in prescribing more accurate warfarin maintenance dosing in Indian patients and will also help in minimizing warfarin-induced adverse drug reactions and a better quality of life in these patients.
Platelet Count and Mean Platelet Volume at the Time of and After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Amraotkar Alok Ravindra , Song David Day , Otero Diana , Trainor Patrick James , Ismail Imtiaz , Kothari Vallari , Singh Ayesha , Moore Joseph B. , Rai Shesh Nath , DeFilippis Andrew Paul
Published: January 2017

Platelet count has been shown to be lower and mean platelet volume (MPV) to be higher in acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is not known whether these changes persist post-MI or if these measures are able to distinguish between acute thrombotic and non-thrombotic MI. Platelet count and MPV were measured in 80 subjects with acute MI (thrombotic and non-thrombotic) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) at cardiac catheterization (acute phase) and at >3-month follow-up (quiescent phase). Subjects were stratified using stringent clinical, biochemical, histological, and angiographic criteria. Outcome measures were compared between groups by analysis of variance. Forty-seven subjects met criteria for acute MI with clearly defined thrombotic (n = 22) and non-thrombotic (n = 12) subsets. Fourteen subjects met criteria for stable CAD. No significant difference was observed in platelet count between subjects with acute MI and stable CAD at the acute or quiescent phase. MPV was higher in acute MI (9.18 ± 1.21) compared to stable CAD (8.13 ± 0.66; P = 0.003) at the acute phase but not at the quiescent phase (8.48 ± 0.58 vs 8.94 ± 1.42; P = 0.19). No difference in platelet count or MPV was detected between thrombotic and non-thrombotic subsets at acute or quiescent phases. The power to detect differences in these measures between thrombotic and non-thrombotic subsets was 58%. Higher MPV at the time of acute MI is not observed by 3 months post-MI (quiescent phase). Platelet count and MPV do not differ in subjects with thrombotic versus non-thrombotic MI. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the utility of these measures in the diagnosis of acute MI.
Identification of Genetic Aberrations in Thrombomodulin Gene in Patients With Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Ahmad Abrar , Sundquist Kristina , Zöller Bengt , Svensson Peter J. , Sundquist Jan , Memon Ashfaque A.
Published: January 2017

Thrombomodulin (THBD) serves as a cofactor for thrombin-mediated activation of anticoagulant protein C pathway. Genetic aberrations in THBD have been studied in arterial and venous thrombosis. However, genetic changes in THBD and their role in the risk assessment of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to identify the genetic aberrations in THBD and their association with the risk of VTE recurrence in a prospective population-based study. We sequenced the entire THBD gene, first in selected patients with VTE (n = 95) by Sanger sequencing and later validated those polymorphisms with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥5% in the whole study population (n = 1465 with the follow-up period of 1998-2008) by Taqman polymerase chain reaction. In total, we identified 8 polymorphisms in THBD, and 3 polymorphisms with MAF ≥5% were further validated. No significant association between THBD polymorphisms and risk of VTE recurrence on univariate or multivariate Cox regression analysis was found (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62-1.28, HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.88-1.85, and HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.80-1.66 for THBD rs1962, rs1042580, and rs3176123 polymorphisms, respectively), adjusted for family history, acquired risk factors for VTE, location of deep vein thrombosis, and risk of thrombophilia. Subanalysis of patients with unprovoked first VTE also showed no significant association of identified THBD polymorphisms with the risk of VTE recurrence. Our results show that aberrations in the THBD gene may not be useful for the assessment of VTE recurrence; however, further studies with large sample size are needed to confirm these findings.
The Gap between Online Journalism Education and Practice: The Twin Surveys
Authors: Du Ying Roselyn , Thornburg Ryan
Published: January 2017

This U.S. national survey of online journalism professionals and instructors examines and compares their perceptions of skills, concepts, and duties. It offers updated insights into the changes taking place in online journalism classrooms and newsrooms, and uncovers the discordance between online journalism education and practice. The results show that online journalism education is tied to traditional journalism in many ways, but is not merely a more technologically focused version of traditional journalism. Future journalists should be trained to be well-versed in multiple aspects of journalism and technology, rather than specializing in only one or two types of tasks.
A Tipping Point for Electronic Journals? A Comparison of Highly Cited Journals in Six Disciplines
Authors: Foote Jody Bales , Foote Joe S.
Published: January 2017

A census of prestige journals (those included in the ISI's Journal Citation Reports) in six fields (business, communication, geology, meteorology, physiology, and social psychology) showed that 97% of journals in those fields in 2008 were in transition between print and electronic. Two percent were distributed only in print; one percent was distributed in electronic format only. Electronic-only journals had a higher reputational value than print-only journals. The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, a native electronic-only journal, had the fourth-highest reputational value among communication journals and had the highest reputational value among all electronic-only journals examined. Strong emerging trends in the sciences for eliminating print copies of journals are noted.
Beyond Professionalization: A Radical Broadening of Journalism Education
Authors: George Cherian
Published: January 2017

Journalism as a practical program in universities has grown in tandem with the professionalization of journalism, so much so that journalism education and professionalization are sometimes treated as synonymous. This association is ripe for critical review. With an increasing amount of journalism being practiced outside of professional news organizations, pragmatic reasons suggest widening the scope of practical journalism education to include semi-professional and non-professional forms. Principled reasons also support such a move. Inspired by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the practice of journalism can be properly thought of as a human right belonging to “everyone.” Therefore, practical journalism education should be something more than a production line for professional news workers. The need to go beyond professionalization is especially poignant in Singapore, where this essay is grounded. The consolidation of Singapore's hegemonic, soft-authoritarian regime has arguably been aided by press professionalization. While some aspects of professionalism, such as its emphasis on autonomy and editorial integrity, are supportive of press freedom and democracy, professionalization has also been associated with two trends—commercialization and political detachment—that make the news media more easily co-opted by the state. This double-edged effect of professionalization compels a re-think among educators who may have too hastily rejected non-professional and semi-professional forms of journalism as worthy of their promotion.
Towards a European policy discourse on compulsory education: The case of Sweden
Authors: Nordin Andreas
Published: January 2017

The aim of this article is to show how the European Union (EU) and the Swedish government have recently become co-producers of education policy that increasingly emphasises compulsory education. The paper draws on the following two kinds of empirical material: 1) an analysis of central official policy documents produced by the EU and the Swedish government; and 2) documents related to the development, communication and implementation of country-specific recommendations within the EU, using Sweden as the national policy arena. Theoretically, the paper is inspired by discursive institutionalism and uses critical discourse analysis for the systematic analysis. The result shows that beginning around the mid-2000s, both the EU and the Swedish government have demonstrated an increased interest in compulsory education as a solution to a wide range of societal and individual problems. Initially, the coordination of policy concerned with compulsory education was communicated implicitly, discursively embedded into a variety of policy areas. From 2013 onwards, however, the result shows the emergence of a new and more explicit European policy discourse on compulsory education, which is discussed as an interesting area of research still in its infancy.
Interdisciplinary research on education and its disciplines: Processes of change and lines of conflict in unstable academic expert cultures: Germany as an example
Authors: Terhart Ewald
Published: January 2017

This article discusses problems of reconstructing the recent development in the field of empirical research on education ( empirische Bildungsforschung), especially problems resulting from its interdisciplinary character, its divergent institutional contexts and its multimethod approach. The article looks at the position of various disciplines – in particular, science of education ( Erziehungswissenschaft) and educational psychology – involved in research on education as an interdisciplinary field of study. Compared to previous times, important shifts concerning the relation between these two disciplines can currently be observed. The argument is about the notion of competence, about the right to define success criteria and about resources. Finally, this discussion focusing on Germany is then placed in the wider context of different cognitive and institutional forms of doing and organizing education studies and research in different countries.
Social capital and the educational expectations of young people
Authors: Behtoui Alireza
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study is to explore the determinants of the educational expectations of young people in disadvantaged urban areas in three large cities in Sweden. In addition to the conventional predictors such as parental resources (economic and cultural capital) and demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, immigration background), this study examines the impact of the different types of social capital (both within-family and extra-familial), on the educational ambitions of these young people. The results indicate that the class background of the respondents, together with the demographic characteristics of young people, are important predictors of their educational ambition. Different forms of social capital also explain a significant part of the variance in students’ educational expectations.
Uric acid therapy improves the outcomes of stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Chamorro Ángel , Amaro Sergio , Castellanos Mar , Gomis Meritxell , Urra Xabier , Blasco Jordi , Arenillas Juan F , Román Luis S , Muñoz Roberto , Macho Juan , Cánovas David , Marti-Fabregas Joan , Leira Enrique C , Planas Anna M ,   URICO-ICTUS Investigators
Published: January 2017

Background

Numerous neuroprotective drugs have failed to show benefit in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, making the search for new treatments imperative. Uric acid is an endogenous antioxidant making it a drug candidate to improve stroke outcomes.

Aim

To report the effects of uric acid therapy in stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods

Forty-five patients with proximal vessel occlusions enrolled in the URICO-ICTUS trial received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 h after stroke onset and randomized to intravenous 1000 mg uric acid or placebo (NCT00860366). These patients also received mechanical thrombectomy because a brain computed tomogaphy angiography confirmed the lack of proximal recanalization at the end of systemic thrombolysis. The primary outcome was good functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Score 0–2). Safety outcomes included mortality, symptomatic intracerebral bleeding, and gout attacks.

Results

The rate of successful revascularization was >80% in the uric acid and the placebo groups but good functional outcome was observed in 16 out of 24 (67%) patients treated with uric acid and 10 out of 21 (48%) treated with placebo (adjusted Odds Ratio, 6.12 (95% CI 1.08–34.56)). Mortality was observed in two out of 24 (8.3%) patients treated with uric acid and one out of 21 (4.8%) treated with placebo (adjusted Odds Ratio, 3.74 (95% CI 0.06–226.29)). Symptomatic cerebral bleeding and gout attacks were similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Uric acid therapy was safe and improved stroke outcomes in stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis followed by thrombectomy. Validation of this simple strategy in a larger trial is urgent.
Relationship between prescribed psychotropic medications and co-ingested alcohol in intentional self-poisonings
Authors: Chitty Kate M. , Dobbins Timothy , Dawson Andrew H. , Isbister Geoffrey K. , Buckley Nicholas A.
Published: January 2017

Background

Acute alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for suicide, therefore investigating factors associated with alcohol-related self-harm warrant attention.

Aims

To investigate the influence of prescribed psychotropic medications on the odds of co-ingesting alcohol preceding or during intentional efforts to self-poison.

Method

A cross-sectional analysis of consecutive hospital presentations following intentional self-poisoning was conducted. A total of 7270 patients (4363 women) aged 18–96 were included.

Results

The odds of alcohol co-ingestion were increased in those not prescribed any medication (odds ratio (OR) = 1.27, 99% CI 1.10–1.46, P50.001) and in impulsive self-poisonings (OR= 1.39, 99% CI 1.11–1.74, P50.001). Odds were decreased in those prescribed anticonvulsants (OR = 0.69, 99% CI 0.51–0.93), antipsychotics (OR = 0.55, 99% CI 0.45–0.66) and antidepressants (OR = 0.87, 99% CI 0.77–0.99).

Conclusions

Findings indicate that being medicated for a psychiatric illness may reduce the likelihood of alcohol consumption during times of acute distress, hence perhaps may reduce the risk of intentional self-poisoning.
Cerebral blood flow alterations specific to auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia
Authors: Zhuo Chuanjun , Zhu Jiajia , Qin Wen , Qu Hongru , Ma Xiaolei , Yu Chunshui
Published: January 2017

Background

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) have been associated with deficits in auditory and speech-related networks. However, the resting-state cerebral blood flow (CBF) alterations specific to AVHs in schizophrenia remain unknown.

Aims

To explore AVH-related CBF alterations in individuals with schizophrenia.

Method

In total, 35 individuals with schizophrenia with AVHs, 41 individuals with schizophrenia without AVHs and 50 controls underwent arterial spin labelling magnetic resonance imaging. The CBF differences were voxel-wise compared across the three groups.

Results

We found AVH-specific CBF increase in the right superior temporal gyrus and caudate, and AVH-specific CBF decrease in the bilateral occipital and left parietal cortices. We also observed consistent CBF changes in both schizophrenia subgroups (i.e. those with and without AVHs) including decreased CBF in the bilateral occipital regions, the left lateral prefrontal and insular cortices, and the right anterior cingulate cortex and increased CBF in the bilateral lateral temporal regions and putamen, the left middle cingulate cortex and the right thalamus.

Conclusions

The AVH-specific CBF increases in the auditory and striatal areas and CBF reductions in the visual and parietal areas suggest that there exists a CBF redistribution associated with AVHs.
Pharmacological treatment and risk of psychiatric hospital admission in bipolar disorder
Authors: Joas Erik , Karanti Alina , Song Jie , Goodwin Guy M. , Lichtenstein Paul , Landén Mikael
Published: January 2017

Background

Clinical trials have examined the efficacy of drugs to prevent relapse in patients with bipolar disorder, however, their design often limits generalisation to routine clinical practice.

Aims

To estimate the effectiveness of drugs used for maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder.

Method

We used national registers to identify 35022 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder and information on lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, quetiapine and olanzapine treatment from 2006 to 2009. The main outcome was psychiatric hospital admissions. We used stratified cox regression to compare periods on and off medication within the same individual.

Results

Medication with lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, olanzapine and quetiapine was associated with reduced rates of admission to hospital. Lithium was more effective than quetiapine and olanzapine. The effects of specific drugs depended on the polarity of the mood episode.

Conclusions

Our findings complement results from randomised controlled trails, but suggest that lithium is more effective than both quetiapine and olanzapine in routine clinical practice.
The SLUScore: A Novel Method for Detecting Hazardous Hypotension in Adult Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgical Procedures
Authors: Stapelfeldt Wolf H. , Yuan Hui , Dryden Jefferson K. , Strehl Kristen E. , Cywinski Jacek B. , Ehrenfeld Jesse M. , Bromley Pamela
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND:

It has been suggested that longer-term postsurgical outcome may be adversely affected by less than severe hypotension under anesthesia. However, evidence-based guidelines are unavailable. The present study was designed to develop a method for identifying patients at increased risk of death within 30 days in association with the severity and duration of intraoperative hypotension.

METHODS:

Intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure recordings of 152,445 adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery were analyzed for periods of time accumulated below each one of the 31 thresholds between 75 and 45 mm Hg (hypotensive exposure times). In a development cohort of 35,904 patients, the associations were sought between each of these 31 cumulative hypotensive exposure times and 30-day postsurgical mortality. On the basis of covariable-adjusted percentage increases in the odds of mortality per minute elapsed of hypotensive exposure time, certain sets of exposure time limits were calculated that portended certain percentage increases in the odds of mortality. A novel risk-scoring method was conceived by counting the number of exposure time limits that had been exceeded within each respective set, one of them being called the SLUScore. The validity of this new method in identifying patients at increased risk was tested in a multicenter validation cohort consisting of 116,541 patients from Cleveland Clinic, Vanderbilt and Saint Louis Universities. Data were expressed as 95% confidence interval, P < .05 considered significant.

RESULTS:

Progressively greater hypotensive exposures were associated with greater 30-day mortality. In the development cohort, covariable-adjusted (age, Charlson score, case duration, history of hypertension) exposure limits were identified for time accumulated below each of the thresholds that portended certain identical (5%–50%) percentage expected increases in the odds of mortality. These exposure time limit sets were shorter in patients with a history of hypertension. A novel risk score, the SLUScore (range 0–31), was conceived as the number of exposure limits exceeded for one of these sets (20% set). A SLUScore > 0 (average 13.8) was found in 40% of patients who had twice the mortality, adjusted odds increasing by 5% per limit exceeded. When tested in the validation cohort, a SLUScore > 0 (average 14.1) identified 35% of patients who had twice the mortality, each incremental limit exceeded portending a 5% compounding increase in adjusted odds of mortality, independent of age and Charlson score (C = 0.73, 0.72–0.74, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The SLUScore represents a novel method for identifying nearly 1 in every 3 patients experiencing greater 30-day mortality portended by more severe intraoperative hypotensive exposures.
Perioperative Care of the Patient With the Total Artificial Heart
Authors: Yaung Jill , Arabia Francisco A. , Nurok Michael
Published: January 2017

Advanced heart failure continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite improvements in pharmacologic therapy. High demand for cardiac transplantation and shortage of donor organs have led to an increase in the utilization of mechanical circulatory support devices. The total artificial heart is an effective biventricular assist device that may be used as a bridge to transplant and that is being studied for destination therapy. This review discusses the history, indications, and perioperative management of the total artificial heart with emphasis on the postoperative concerns.
Contraception and fertility in obese women
Authors: Cosgrave Rebecca
Published: January 2017

Being overweight can lead to challenges when using contraception, writes Rebecca Cosgrave
The impact of leadership styles on values and performance
Authors: Fernandez Sharon
Published: January 2017

With more emphasis being placed on the importance of effective leadership in the NHS, Sharon Fernandez discusses the importance of leadership as a way of conveying and embedding organisational values and behaviours.
Research roundup: January 2017
Authors: Murray Joy , Brook Judy , Lally Sheila
Published: January 2017

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles that may be of interest to health visitors is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Cost-effectiveness of using adjunctive porcine small intestine submucosa tri-layer matrix compared with standard care in managing diabetic foot ulcers in the US
Authors: Guest J.F. , Weidlich D. , Singh H. , La Fontaine J. , Garrett A. , Abularrage C.J. , Waycaster C.R.
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of using tri-layer porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS; Oasis Ultra) as an adjunct to standard care compared with standard care alone in managing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in the US, from the perspective of Medicare.

Method:

A Markov model was constructed to simulate the management of diabetic neuropathic lower extremity ulcers over a period of one year in the US. The model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of initially using adjunctive SIS compared with standard care alone to treat a DFU in the US at 2016 prices.

Results:

At 12 months after the start of treatment, the use of adjunctive SIS instead of standard care alone is expected to lead to a 42 % increase in the number of ulcer-free months, 32 % increase in the probability of healing, a 3 % decrease in the probability of developing complicated ulcers and a 1 % decrease in the probability of undergoing an amputation. Health-care resource use is expected to be reduced by 11–14 % among patients who are initially managed with adjunctive SIS compared with those initially managed with standard care alone, with the exception of debridement, which is expected to be reduced by 35 %. Hence, the total health-care cost of starting treatment with adjunctive SIS instead of standard care alone was estimated to reduce payer costs by 1% (i.e. $105 per patient) over 12 months following the start of treatment.

Conclusion:

Within the study's limitations, the use of adjunctive SIS instead of standard care alone improves outcome for less cost and thereby affords a cost-effective use of Medicare-funded resources in the management of neuropathic foot ulcers among adult patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus in the US.