bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Groundwater Flow Field Distortion by Monitoring Wells and Passive Flux Meters
Authors: Verreydt G. , Bronders J. , Van Keer I. , Diels L. , Vanderauwera P.
Published: January 2015

Due to differences in hydraulic conductivity and effects of well construction geometry, groundwater lateral flow through a monitoring well typically differs from groundwater flow in the surrounding aquifer. These differences must be well understood in order to apply passive measuring techniques, such as passive flux meters (PFMs) used for the measurement of groundwater and contaminant mass fluxes. To understand these differences, lab flow tank experiments were performed to evaluate the influences of the well screen, the surrounding filter pack and the presence of a PFM on the natural groundwater flux through a monitoring well. The results were compared with analytical calculations of flow field distortion based on the potential theory of Drost et al. (1968). Measured well flow field distortion factors were found to be lower than calculated flow field distortion factors, while measured PFM flow field distortion factors were comparable to the calculated ones. However, this latter is not the case for all conditions. The slotted geometry of the well screen seems to make a correct analytical calculation challenging for conditions where flow field deviation occurs, because the potential theory assumes a uniform flow field. Finally, plots of the functional relationships of the distortion of the flow field with the hydraulic conductivities of the filter screen, surrounding filter pack and corresponding radii make it possible to design well construction to optimally function during PFM applications.
Effects of frequent hemodialysis on blood pressure: Results from the randomized frequent hemodialysis network trials
Authors: Kotanko Peter , Garg Amit X. , Depner Tom , Pierratos Andreas , Chan Christopher T. , Levin Nathan W. , Greene Tom , Larive Brett , Beck Gerald J. , Gassman Jennifer , Kliger Alan S. , Stokes John B. ,   FHN Trial Group
Published: January 2015

Hypertension is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and persists among most patients with end‐stage renal disease despite the provision of conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis (HD). We analyzed the effects of frequent HD on blood pressure in the randomized controlled Frequent Hemodialysis Network trials. The daily trial randomized 245 patients to 12 months of 6× (“frequent”) vs. 3× (“conventional”) weekly in‐center hemodialysis; the nocturnal trial randomized 87 patients to 12 months of 6× weekly nocturnal HD vs. 3× weekly predominantly home‐based hemodialysis. In the daily trial, compared with 3× weekly HD, 2 months of frequent HD lowered predialysis systolic blood pressure by −7.7 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): −11.9 to −3.5] and diastolic blood pressure by −3.9 mmHg [95% CI: −6.5 to −1.3]. In the nocturnal trial, compared with 3× weekly HD, 2 months of frequent HD lowered systolic blood pressure by −7.3 mmHg [95% CI: −14.2 to −0.3] and diastolic blood pressure by −4.2 mmHg [95% CI: −8.3 to −0.1]. In both trials, blood pressure treatment effects were sustained until month 12. Frequent HD resulted in significantly fewer antihypertensive medications (daily: −0.36 medications [95% CI: −0.65 to −0.08]; nocturnal: −0.44 mediations [95% CI: −0.89 to −0.03]). In the daily trial, the relative risk per dialysis session for intradialytic hypotension was lower with 6×/week HD but given the higher number of sessions per week, there was a higher relative risk for intradialytic hypotensive requiring saline administration. In summary, frequent HD reduces blood pressure and the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications.
Effect of personalized nutritional counseling in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Garagarza Cristina Antunes , Valente Ana Tentúgal , Oliveira Telma Sobral , Caetano Cristina Guerreiro
Published: January 2015

Monitoring nutritional parameters is an integral part of hemodialysis (HD) patient treatment program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the personalized nutritional counseling (PNC) on calcium–phosphorus metabolism, potassium, albumin, protein intake, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), body composition parameters and fluid overload in HD patients. This was a multicenter longitudinal intervention study with 6 months of follow‐up and 731 patients on maintenance HD from 34 dialysis units in Portugal were enrolled. Biochemical and body composition parameters were measured at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months after the PNC. Patient's mean age was 64.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.8–66.0) years and mean HD time was 59.8 (95% CI: 55.3–64.3) months. Regarding data comparison collected before PNC vs. 6 months after, we obtained, respectively, the following results: patients with normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) ≥ 1 g/kg/day = 66.5% vs. 73.5% (P = 0.002); potassium > 5.5 mEq/L = 52% vs. 35.8% (P < 0.001); phosphorus between 3.5 and 5.5 mg/dL = 43.2% vs. 52.5% (P < 0.001); calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio ≤ 50 mg/dL = 73.2 % vs. 81.4% (P < 0.001); albumin ≥ 4.0 g/dL = 54.8% vs. 55% (P = 0.808); presence of relative overhydration = 22.4% vs. 25% (P = 0.283); IDWG > 4.5% = 22.3% vs. 18.2% (P = 0.068). PNC resulted in a significant decrease in the prevalence of hyperkalemia, hypophosphatemia and also showed amelioration in Ca/P ratio, nPCR and an increase in P of hyphosphatemic patients. Our study suggests that dietetic intervention contributes to the improvement of important nutritional parameters in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive human Mac‐2‐binding protein as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma development in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Tamaki Nobuharu , Kurosaki Masayuki , Kuno Atsushi , Korenaga Masaaki , Togayachi Akira , Gotoh Masanori , Nakakuki Natsuko , Takada Hitomi , Matsuda Shuya , Hattori Nobuhiro , Yasui Yutaka , Suzuki Shoko , Hosokawa Takanori , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Itakura Jun , Takahashi Yuka , Mizokami Masashi , Narimatsu Hisashi , Izumi Namiki
Published: January 2015

Aims

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA)‐positive human Mac‐2‐binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) is a new glycol marker related to liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate WFA+‐M2BP as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods

This case–control study included 14 patients with chronic hepatitis C who developed HCC and 52controls, matched for age, gender, and fibrosis stage. WFA+‐M2BP was measured at biopsy and follow‐up. Time zero was set at the date of liver biopsy.

Results

WFA+‐M2BP increased stepwise with progression of liver fibrosis (p < 0.001). Cumulative incidence of HCC development was significantly higher in patients with WFA+‐M2BP ≥4.2 (p < 0.001) or in those with time‐course changes in WFA+‐M2BP (ΔWFA+‐M2BP/year) ≥0.3 (p = 0.03). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that WFA+‐M2BP ≥4.2 [hazard ratio (HR): 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–15, p = 0.04], ΔWFA+‐M2BP/year ≥0.3 (HR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.5–19, p = 0.008), and AFP ≥10 ng/ml (HR: 4.7, 95% CI: 1.1–19, p = 0.03) were independent predictive factors of HCC development. Based on these data, we developed a simple scoring system to predict HCC development using these three factors. Using these scores, patients were classified into four groups; cumulative incidence of HCC development significantly increased with increasing scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

WFA+‐M2BP measurements and time‐course changes in WFA+‐M2BP can be used to identify patients at high risk of HCC development. Real‐time monitoring of WFA+‐M2BP can be a novel predictor of HCC development.
Relative efficacy and safety of simeprevir and telaprevir in treatment‐naïve hepatitis C‐infected patients in a Japanese population: A Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Quigley Joan M. , Bryden Peter A. , Scott David A. , Kuwabara Hiroyo , Cerri Karin
Published: January 2015

Aim

Simeprevir (SMV) is an oral, once‐daily protease inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. In phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCT) conducted in Japan, SMV, in combination with peginterferon‐α and ribavirin (PEG IFN/RBV), demonstrated potent efficacy in HCV genotype 1‐infected patients relative to PEG IFN/RBV and was generally well tolerated. Telaprevir (TVR) in combination with PEG IFN/RBV is licensed for the treatment of HCV in Japan. In the absence of head‐to‐head comparisons of TVR and SMV in a Japanese population, we undertook a network meta‐analysis (NMA) to examine the relative efficacy and safety of SMV and TVR in combination with PEG IFN/RBV.

Methods

A systematic review identified SMV and TVR RCT in Japanese treatment‐naïve patients. Bayesian NMA was performed assuming fixed study effects.

Results

Three studies met our inclusion criteria: two SMV and one TVR. SMV showed a higher mean odds ratio (OR) of achieving SVR versus TVR (OR, 1.68 (95% credible interval 0.66–4.26)). SMV showed a lower mean OR of discontinuation: overall, 0.35 (0.12–1.00); and due to AE, 0.87 (0.23–3.34) versus TVR. SMV showed a lower mean OR of experiencing anemia 0.20 (0.07–0.56) and rash 0.41 (0.17–0.99) but a higher mean OR of experiencing pruritus 1.26 (0.46–3.47) versus TVR.

Conclusion

In this indirect treatment comparison, SMV, in combination with PEG IFN/RBV, showed a favorable risk–benefit profile compared with TVR with PEG IFN/RBV in Japanese treatment‐naïve HCV patients.
Comparison of improved prognosis between hepatitis B‐ and hepatitis C‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Minami Tatsuya , Tateishi Ryosuke , Shiina Shuichiro , Nakagomi Ryo , Kondo Mayuko , Fujiwara Naoto , Mikami Shintaro , Sato Masaya , Uchino Koji , Enooku Kenichiro , Nakagawa Hayato , Asaoka Yoshinari , Kondo Yuji , Yoshida Haruhiko , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: January 2015

Aim

Treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been advanced. The aim of this study was to compare the change of the prognosis between hepatitis B‐related HCC (B‐HCC) and hepatitis C‐related HCC (C‐HCC) in the last two decades.

Methods

We enrolled 166 B‐HCC patients who underwent percutaneous ablation between 1990 and 2009. Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment time period: 1990–1995 (cohort 1, n = 19), 1996–2002 (cohort 2, n = 49) and 2003–2009 (cohort 3, n = 98). We enrolled 1219 C‐HCC patients who underwent percutaneous ablation during the same period (n = 190, 413 and 616, respectively.). Interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analog use was investigated. Prognosis was evaluated for each cohort using the Kaplan–Meier method and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model.

Results

Two (11%), 24 (49%) and 80 (82%) B‐HCC patients received nucleoside/nucleotide analogs during the follow‐up period in cohorts 1–3, respectively. Among them 1, 18 and 62 patients achieved viral remission, respectively. Thirty‐four (18%), 35 (8%) and 84 (14%) C‐HCC patients received interferon therapy, respectively. The 5‐year B‐HCC (P < 0.001) survival rates were 52.6%, 61.1% and 81.6% for cohorts 1–3, respectively. However, the survival rates were 55.6%, 58.8% and 61.1% for C‐HCC (P = 0.12), respectively. The B‐HCC prognosis improved dramatically (P < 0.001) over time, whereas the prognosis of C‐HCC improved moderately (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

The prognosis of B‐HCC has improved dramatically over time, whereas that of C‐HCC has improved moderately.
Right posterior segment graft in living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Hori Tomohide , Kirino Izumi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: January 2015

Aim

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is widely performed for end‐stage liver disease. Liver volume is important for donor safety and recipient survival. In adult‐to‐adult LDLT, left lobe graft is frequently insufficient for the recipient, while right lobe graft carries a higher donor risk. The right posterior segment graft (RPSG) was introduced to increase donor selection options. However, only a few institutions have reported LDLT with an RPSG.

Methods

In total, 587 adult recipients underwent LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital from 2001 to 2011. Here, we retrospectively report 14 LDLT with RPSG. All donors underwent volumetric analyses and detailed investigation of the hepatic vein (HV), portal vein (PV), hepatic artery (HA) and biliary duct (BD). Anatomical anomalies were detected in four donors’ BD. The mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score was 22.6 ± 12.4 points. ABO blood groups were characterized as incompatible in three cases. The mean graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio was 0.897 ± 0.203.

Results

Donors’ postoperative courses were uneventful. To adjust diameters and lengths between grafts and recipients, dual anastomoses for PV reconstruction and graft interpositions for PV and HA reconstruction were required in one case each. HA thrombosis occurred in two cases and PV thrombosis in one. Biliary complications occurred in two cases. Though there was no significant difference in survival following RPSG versus other grafts, critical complications were observed in recipients.

Conclusion

The RPSG is a useful option in LDLT. However, careful consideration is required for RPSG harvest and LDLT performance, both before and during surgery.
Risk factors for herpes zoster in rheumatoid arthritis patients: the role of tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors
Authors: Segan J. , Staples M. P. , March L. , Lassere M. , Chakravarty E. F. , Buchbinder R.
Published: January 2015

Aim

To determine whether exposure to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α inhibitors increases the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We performed a cohort study of people withRAparticipating in the Australian Rheumatology Association Database. We identified self‐reported cases ofHZand verified using medical records. For the primary analysis, we only included doctor‐verified cases. ForTNF‐α inhibitor exposed groups, we excludedHZepisodes that occurred beforeTNF‐α inhibitor initiation, and for the control group we excludedHZepisodes that occurred prior to 2000 orRAdiagnosis. The risk ofHZamong participants exposed versus not exposed toTNF‐α inhibitors was compared using Cox proportional hazards models including significant covariates affecting the risk. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated forTNFinhibitors as a class and for individual agents.

Results

Among 2157 activeRAparticipants, there were 442 self‐reported cases ofHZ. From 346 responses from doctors, 249 cases were verified and four were false positives (false positive rate 1.6%). Crude incidence of verifiedHZin the entireRAcohort was 15.9/1000 person‐years (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.5–18.8). An increased risk ofHZwas found for allTNF‐α inhibitors combined (fully adjustedHR1.71; 95%CI: 1.00–2.92) and adalimumab (fully adjustedHR2.33; 95%CI: 1.22–4.45), but in the fully adjusted model was not increased with etanercept (fully adjustedHR1.65; 95%CI: 0.90–3.03). No increased risk was found with infliximab (HR1.29; 95%CI: 0.37–4.47).

Conclusions

TNF‐α inhibitors are associated with an increased risk ofHZin people withRAcompared with those who have not been exposed.
Clinical practice models in nursing education: implication for students' mobility
Authors: Dobrowolska B. , McGonagle I. , Jackson C. , Kane R. , Cabrera E. , Cooney‐Miner D. , Di Cara V. , Pajnkihar M. , Prlić N. , Sigurdardottir A.K. , Kekuš D. , Wells J. , Palese A.
Published: January 2015

Background

In accordance with the process of nursing globalization, issues related to the increasing national and international mobility of student and qualified nurses are currently being debated. Identifying international differences and comparing similarities for mutual understanding, development and better harmonization of clinical training of undergraduate nursing students is recommended.

Aims

The aim of the study was to describe and compare the nature of the nursing clinical practice education models adopted in different countries.

Methods

A qualitative approach involving an expert panel of nurses was adopted. The Nominal Group Technique was employed to develop the initial research instrument for data collection. Eleven members of the UDINE‐C network, representing institutions engaged in the process of professional nursing education and research (universities, high schools and clinical institutes), participated. Three data collection rounds were implemented. An analysis of the findings was performed, assuring rigour.

Results

Differences and homogeneity are reported and discussed regarding: (a) the clinical learning requirements across countries; (b) the prerequisites and clinical learning process patterns; and (c) the progress and final evaluation of the competencies achieved.

Conclusions

A wider discussion is needed regarding nursing student exchange and internalization of clinical education in placements across European and non‐European countries. A clear strategy for nursing education accreditation and harmonization of patterns of organization of clinical training at placements, as well as strategies of student assessment during this training, are recommended. There is also a need to develop international ethical guidelines for undergraduate nursing students gaining international experience.
Preparation, Structure, and Up‐Conversion Luminescence of Yb3+/Er3+ Codoped SrIn2O4 Phosphors
Authors: Guan Ming , Zheng Hong , Mei Lefu , Molokeev Maxim S. , Xie Jing , Yang Tao , Wu Xiaowen , Huang Saifang , Huang Zhaohui
Published: January 2015

SrIn2O4, which shows lower phonon energy than CaIn2O4, is not only a good photocatalyst but also can be an excellent up‐conversion (UC) host to exhibits UC luminescence. In this work, Yb3+ and/or Er3+ doped SrIn2O4 phosphors were synthesized, and their UC luminescence properties were studied and compared with those in the CaIn2O4 host. The structure of SrIn2O4: 0.01Er3+ and SrIn2O4: 0.1Yb3+/0.01Er3+ samples were refined by the Rietveld method and found to that SrIn2O4: 0.1Yb3+/0.01Er3+ showed increasing unit cell parameters and cell volume, indicating In3+ sites were substituted successfully by Yb3+ and/or Er3+ ions. From the UC luminescence spectra and diffuse reflection spectra, Er3+‐doped SrIn2O4 showed very weak luminescence due to ground state absorption of Er3+; Yb3+/Er3+ codoped SrIn2O4 presented strong green (550 nm) and red (663 nm) UC emissions which were assigned to energy transfer from Yb3+ transition 2F7/2→2F5/2 to the Er3+ transition 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2. Comparing with CaIn2O4, Yb3+/Er3+ codoped SrIn2O4 showed obvious advantages with higher UC luminescent intensity. The pumping powers study showed that UC emissions in Yb3+/Er3+ codoped SrIn2O4 were attributed to energy transfer of Yb3+→Er3+ with a two‐photon process. The possible UC luminescent mechanism of Yb3+/Er3+‐doped SrIn2O4 was discussed.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Compact SiC/SiC Composite Fabricated with an Infiltrative Liquid Precursor
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Yang Zichun , Zhou Xingui
Published: January 2015

Continuous SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) have been studied and developed for high temperature and fusion applications. In this study, SiC/SiC composite was fabricated by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis process with LPVCS, a liquid precursor with active Si–H and ‐CH=CH2 groups. The cross‐link and ceramization processes of LPVCS were studied and SiC/SiC composite was fabricated with LPVCS. The porosity and mechanical properties of the SiC/SiC composite was investigated, and the results indicated that the SiC/SiC composite exhibited low porosity and superior mechanical properties owing to the compact matrix derived from LPVCS.
Spouses’ involvement in older patients’ fast‐track programmes during total hip replacement using case management intervention. A study protocol of the SICAM‐trial
Authors: Berthelsen Connie Bøttcher , Kristensson Jimmie
Published: January 2015

Aim

To present the protocol of a two‐group quasi‐experimental study of spouses’ involvement through case management (The SICAM‐trial) in older patients’ fast‐track programmes during total hip replacement.

Background

Patients in fast‐track programmes are required to take an active part in their treatment and rehabilitation. Spouses of older patients can often provide valued practical and emotional support, reducing stress, pain and length of stay – yet they are seldom invited to participate in a supporting role.

Design

A two‐group quasi‐experimental design with pre‐test and repeated post‐test measures (protocol approved in November 2012).

Methods

A total of 120 patients aged 65 years or older going through a fast‐track programme for a total hip replacement and their spouses will be recruited from one Danish orthopaedic ward. We will initially include the control group for data collection and subsequently include the intervention group to avoid contamination of the control group. A case manager will be recruited to perform the case management intervention. Data will be collected from both groups at baseline, 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Outcome measures for patients include: functional status, nutrition, pain, depression and healthcare consumptions; and for spouses: caregiver satisfaction and difficulties and anxiety.

Conclusion

The intervention will give further evidence on the need for relatives’ participation in the patients’ fast‐track programmes and the results will contribute to education of the health professionals in their need to include relatives in fast‐track programmes. The study was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Regional Health Scientific Foundation of Sealand.
Nurses’, midwives’ and key stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions of a scope of nursing and midwifery practice framework
Authors: Casey Mary , Fealy Gerard , Kennedy Catriona , Hegarty Josephine , Prizeman Geraldine , McNamara Martin , O'Reilly Pauline , Brady Anne‐Marie , Rohde Daniela
Published: January 2015

Aim

This paper reports on the qualitative findings from a national review of a nursing and midwifery scope of practice framework.

Background

Scope of professional practice frameworks offers a system of rules and principles to regulate its members and demonstrate its responsibility to society. Key issues in reviewing the scope of practice include notions of specialist and advanced practice, accountability, autonomy, competence, supervision, continuing professional development and delegation. Evaluation of scope of practice frameworks has particular application value to nurses, midwives, regulatory bodies and healthcare employers across the globe.

Design

A mixed methods approach was used. This included a national survey of nurses and midwives and focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders. The qualitative data are reported in this paper.

Methods

Focus groups and interviews were conducted among a convenience purposive sample of key stakeholders, including nurses and midwives working in the widest range of services and settings in 2014. The participants contributed to thirteen focus groups and thirteen interviews.

Findings

Six global themes, as follows: Evolution of the nursing and midwifery professions and practice; Scope of practice: understanding and use; Expanding scope of practice; Professional competence; Practice setting and context; Reflections on the current framework.

Conclusion

Practitioners understand the scope of professional practice and while some see it as empowering others see it as potentially restrictive. Nurses and midwives are generally willing to expand their scope of practice and see it as resulting in improved patient care, improvement in overall quality of standards and increased job satisfaction.
Predictors of initial weight loss among women with abdominal obesity: a path model using self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviour
Authors: Choo Jina , Kang Hyuncheol
Published: January 2015

Aim

To identify predictors of initial weight loss among women with abdominal obesity by using a path model.

Background

Successful weight loss in the initial stages of long‐term weight management may promote weight loss maintenance.

Design

A longitudinal study design.

Methods

Study participants were 75 women with abdominal obesity, who were enrolled in a 12‐month Community‐based Heart and Weight Management Trial and followed until a 6‐month assessment. The Weight Efficacy Lifestyle, Exercise Self‐Efficacy and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile‐II measured diet self‐efficacy, exercise self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviour respectively. All endogenous and exogenous variables used in our path model were change variables from baseline to 6 months. Data were collected between May 2011–May 2012.

Findings

Based on the path model, increases in both diet and exercise self‐efficacy had significant effects on increases in health‐promoting behaviour. Increases in diet self‐efficacy had a significant indirect effect on initial weight loss via increases in health‐promoting behaviour. Increases in health‐promoting behaviour had a significant effect on initial weight loss.

Conclusion

Among women with abdominal obesity, increased diet self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviour were predictors of initial weight loss. A mechanism by which increased diet self‐efficacy predicts initial weight loss may be partially attributable to health‐promoting behavioural change. However, more work is still needed to verify causality. Based on the current findings, intensive nursing strategies for increasing self‐efficacy for weight control and health‐promoting behaviour may be essential components for better weight loss in the initial stage of a weight management intervention.
Systematic mixed‐methods review of interventions, outcomes and experiences for imprisoned pregnant women
Authors: Shaw Judith , Downe Soo , Kingdon Carol
Published: January 2015

Aims

To review published studies reporting maternity experiences and outcomes for pregnant incarcerated women and their babies.

Background

Numbers of women in prison have increased in many countries. Imprisoned women who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable and marginalised. Little is known about their maternity care experiences, or outcomes.

Design

Systematic mixed‐methods review using a segregated approach.

Data sources

The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE Psych INFO and PubMed were searched using the terms ‘mother’ and ‘prison’, (January 1995–July 2012). From July 2012–May 2014 possible new studies were identified through scrutiny of 50 relevant journal contents pages via Zetoc.

Results

Seven studies met the review criteria and quality standards, all from the USA or UK. Four of the studies were quantitative; two were qualitative; and one used mixed‐methods. None reported the outcomes of an intervention. Examination of the quantitative data identified a complex picture of potential harms and benefits for babies born in prison. Qualitative data revealed the unique needs of childbearing women in prison, as they continuously negotiate being an inmate, becoming a mother, complex social histories and the threat of losing their baby, all coalescing with opportunities for transformation offered by pregnancy.

Conclusions

There is very limited published data on the experiences and outcomes of childbearing women in prison. There appear to be no good quality intervention studies examining the effectiveness of interventions to improve well‐being in the short or longer term for these women and their babies.
Factors influencing how senior nurses and midwives acquire and integrate coaching skills into routine practice: a grounded theory study
Authors: Rafferty Rae , Fairbrother Greg
Published: January 2015

Aim

To introduce a theory which describes the process of and explicates the factors moderating, the acquisition and integration of leadership coaching skills into the routine practice of senior nurses and midwives.

Background

Organizations invest significant resources in leadership coaching programs to ensure that coaching is embedded as a core function of the manager's role. However, even after training, many managers remain unable to undertake this role successfully. The process by which health professionals translate ‘manager as coach’ training into successful practice outcomes, has remained largely unexplored.

Design

A grounded theory study design.

Methods

Data, collected between February 2012–May 2013, included in‐depth interviews with 20 senior nurses and midwives who had attended a leadership coaching program and analysis of nine reflective practice journals. Multiple researchers coded and analysed the data using constant comparative techniques.

Results

The outcomes of coaching training ranged from inappropriate use of the coaching skills through to transformed managerial practice. These outcomes were influenced by the dynamic interaction of three central domains of the emergent theoretical model: pre‐existing individual perceptions, program elements and contemporaneous experiences. Interactions occurred within the domains and between them, impacting on activators such as courage, motivation, commitment and confidence.

Conclusion

The study offers new insights into how senior nurses and midwives acquire and integrate coaching skills into their routine practice. The process is described as multifactorial and dynamic and has implications for the training design, delivery and organizational support of future leadership coaching programs.
Therapeutic play intervention on children's perioperative anxiety, negative emotional manifestation and postoperative pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: He Hong‐Gu , Zhu Lixia , Chan Sally Wai‐Chi , Liam Joanne Li Wee , Li Ho Cheung William , Ko Saw Sandar , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee , Wang Wenru
Published: January 2015

Aim

To examine if therapeutic play intervention could reduce perioperative anxiety, negative emotional manifestation and postoperative pain in children undergoing inpatient elective surgery.

Background

Children undergoing surgery commonly experience anxiety and postoperative pain and exhibit negative emotional manifestations. Previous studies have shown inconsistent conclusions about the influence of therapeutic play on children's perioperative anxiety, negative emotional manifestation and postoperative pain.

Design

A randomized controlled trial was used.

Methods

Suitable children were recruited from November 2011–August 2013. They were randomized to receive either routine care (control group, n = 47) or a 1‐hour therapeutic play intervention (experimental group, n = 48). Children's state anxiety, negative emotional manifestations and postoperative pain were measured at baseline, on the day of surgery and around 24 hours after surgery. Repeated measures analysis of covariance (ancova) and univariate ancova adjusting for all possible confounding factors were used in the data analysis.

Results

The time effect of state anxiety was significant, but no group and interaction (group x time) effects between the control and experimental groups were found. Compared with the control group, children in the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower scores of negative emotional manifestations prior to anaesthesia induction and postoperative pain.

Conclusions

Therapeutic play intervention is effective in reducing negative emotional manifestations before anaesthesia induction and in reducing postoperative pain in children undergoing inpatient elective surgery. These results suggest that it is useful to give children with therapeutic play intervention prior to inpatient elective surgery.
High‐alert medications in a French paediatric university hospital
Authors: Bataille Julie , Prot‐Labarthe Sonia , Bourdon Olivier , Joret Perrine , Brion Françoise , Hartmann Jean‐François
Published: January 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

High‐alert medications (HAMs) are medications that are associated with a high risk of serious harm if used improperly. The objective of this study was to identify paediatric HAM used in our institution and to identify safety measures for their use.

Methods

The list of HAM and the list of safety measures that were introduced in our department were based on (1) a literature search; (2) a survey of health care professionals in our department including doctors, head nurses, nurses and pharmacists; and (3) the drug steering committee.

Results

We found four lists of HAM based on a literature search, including 27 classes of pharmaceutical agents, and 63 common drug names. The response rate of the survey was 20.7% (230 of 1113). Some of the HAMs included in our list were not identified by the literature search. These included neuroleptic drugs, anti‐malarial agents, antiviral agents, anti‐retroviral agents and intravenous acetaminophen. The drug steering committee selected 17 HAM and highlighted 53 safety measures involving seven broad aspects of pharmacological management.

Conclusions

This project was part of the new safety strategies developed in a paediatric hospital. We set out to make a list of HAM relevant to paediatrics with additional safety measures to prevent medication errors associated and a ‘joker’ system. The various safety measures, such as double‐checking of HAM prescriptions, should be reviewed during the year following their implementation. This list, which was developed in our hospital specifically for use in paediatrics, can be adapted for use in other paediatric departments.
Impact of the Provider and Healthcare team Adherence to Treatment Guidelines (PHAT‐G) intervention on adherence to national obesity clinical practice guidelines in a primary care centre
Authors: Barnes Emily R. , Theeke Laurie A. , Mallow Jennifer
Published: January 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Obesity is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care settings. The purpose of this clinical practice change project was to increase provider adherence to national clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity in adults.

Methods

Based upon the National Institutes of Health guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity, a clinical change project was implemented. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour, the Provider and Healthcare team Adherence to Treatment Guidelines (PHAT‐G) intervention includes education sessions, additional provider resources for patient education, a provider reminder system and provider feedback.

Results

Primary care providers did not significantly increase on documentation of diagnosis and planned management of obesity for patients with body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. Medical assistants increased recording of height, weight and BMI in the patient record by 13%, which was significant.

Conclusions

Documentation of accurate BMI should lead to diagnosis of appropriate weight category and subsequent care planning. Future studies will examine barriers to adherence to clinical practice guidelines for obesity. Interventions are needed that include inter‐professional team members and may be more successful if delivered separately from routine primary care visits.
The role of personality variables in predicting attitudes toward people with intellectual disability: An Australian perspective
Authors: Page S. L. , Islam M. R.
Published: January 2015

Background

Personality dimensions such as openness and agreeableness have been found to be associated with prejudice levels towards several minority groups. Yet these variables have been mostly ignored by existing research into attitudes towards people with intellectual disability (PWID), which has primarily focused on contact and demographic variables. The current study investigated the relationship between personality dimensions and attitudes toward PWID.

Methods

An online survey was completed by 466 adult participants recruited through a variety of sources. The survey consisted of a well‐validated attitude survey, the Big Five inventory, contact related and demographic questions.

Results

The hypothesis that higher levels of the personality dimensions openness and agreeableness would be significantly associated with positive attitudes towards PWID was supported. However the effect was relatively weak and the strongest predicting factor of positive attitudes was increased quality of contact with PWID. More positive attitudes were also associated with females, more highly educated and younger participants.

Conclusions

Results provide support for an integrated (including person and situational factors) theoretical approach to attitudes research in this field. Practically, results support programmes that stimulate and promote quality interactions between PWID and the wider community.
Selling Hospice
Authors: Halabi Sam
Published: January 2015

Hospice care in the United States has undergone a remarkable transformation since it assumed its modern form in the late 1960s. It began as a movement driven by small organizations staffed with many volunteer providers focusing on comprehensive spiritual, palliative, and mental health services for a relatively small number of terminally ill patients, typically suffering from cancer. The idea behind hospice during its early days was that a terminally patient and his or her family made a decision to focus on easing a patient’s pain and anxiety, making him or her more comfortable, rather than pursuing additional curative treatment. Because these objectives required a wide range of professional and non-professional skills, hospice care involved not only physicians and nurses, but clergy, social workers, volunteer caretakers, homemakers, and, of course, family members. The process of decision-making by the patient and his or her family was never uniform and never systematically studied.
Trust and Transparency: Patient Perceptions of Physicians' Financial Relationships with Pharmaceutical Companies
Authors: Perry Joshua E. , Cox Dena , Cox Anthony D.
Published: January 2015

Financial relationships and business transactions between physicians and the health care industry are common. These relationships take a variety of forms, including payments to physicians in exchange for consulting services, reimbursement of physician travel expenses when attending medical device and pharmaceutical educational conferences, physician ownership in life science company stocks, and the provision of free drug samples. Such practices are not intrinsic to medical practice, but as the Institute of Medicine described in its 2009 report, these relationships have the potential to produce positive collaborations that improve patient care and public health, and most physicians view it as “ethically proper to accept items ranging from drug samples to a lucrative consultantship.”

However, financial relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies can also create negative influences on physician judgment that compromise patient care and jeopardize the public’s trust.
The Hair Stylist, the Corn Merchant, and the Doctor: Ambiguously Altruistic
Authors: Shepherd Lois
Published: January 2015

The AHP Code of Ethics requires members to serve the best interests of their clients, be clear and honest with them, and keep their secrets confidential. Members pledge to represent their skills and qualifications honestly and to make appropriate referrals to others more qualified when out of their depth.

AHP stands for “Associated Hair Professionals,” or hair stylists, but their Code of Ethics looks a lot like the Hippocratic Oath and the current Principles of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association. All of these ethics statements emphasize honesty, confidentiality, competence, serving patients’ (or clients’) best interests, and willingness to refer to other qualified professionals. But it’s not just doctors and hair professionals who have Codes of Ethics. The SPCP — Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals —requires its members to “maintain high professional standards consistent with sound practices,” “conduct business relationships in a manner that is fair to all,” and avoid false or misleading statements to the effect that the application of permanent makeup is not tattooing, not permanent, and not painful. (Physicians might consider that last point — I’m grateful for the time my doctor once warned me, “This is really going to hurt.”)
Does continental crust transform during eclogite facies metamorphism?
Authors: Young D. J. , Kylander‐Clark A. R. C.
Published: January 2015

Eclogites within exhumed continental collision zones indicate regional burial to depths of at least 60 km, and often more than 100 km in the coesite‐stable, ultra‐high pressure (UHP) eclogite facies. Garnet, omphacitic pyroxene, high‐Si mica, kyanite ± coesite should grow at the expense of low‐P minerals in most felsic compositions, if equilibrium obtained at these conditions. The quartzofeldspathic rocks that comprise the bulk of eclogite facies terranes, however, contain mainly amphibolite facies, plagioclase‐bearing assemblages. To what extent these lower‐P minerals persisted metastably during (U)HP metamorphism, or whether they grew afterwards, reflects closely upon crustal parameters such as density, strength and seismic character. The Nordfjord area in western Norway offers a detailed view into a large crustal section that was subducted into the eclogite facies. The degree of transformation in typical pelite, paragneiss, granitic and granodioritic gneiss was assessed by modelling the equilibrium assemblage, comparing it with existing parageneses in these rocks and using U/Th–Pb zircon geochronology from laser ablation ICPMS to establish the history of mineral growth. U–Pb dates define a period of zircon recrystallization and new growth accompanying burial and metamorphism lasting from 430 to 400 Ma. Eclogite facies mafic rock (~2 vol.% of crust) is the most transformed composition and records the ambient peak conditions. Rare garnet‐bearing pelitic rocks (<10 vol.% of crust) preserve a mostly prograde mineral evolution to near‐peak conditions; REE concentrations in zircon indicate that garnet was present after 425 Ma and feldspar broke down after 410 Ma. Felsic gneiss – by far the most abundant rock type – is dominated by quartz + biotite + feldspar, but minor zoisite/epidote, phengitic white mica, garnet and rutile point to a prograde HP overprint. Relict textures indicate that much of the microstructural framework of plagioclase, K‐feldspar, and perhaps biotite, persisted through at least 25 Ma of burial, and ultimately UHP metamorphism. The signature reaction of the eclogite facies in felsic rocks – jadeite/omphacite growth from plagioclase – cannot be deduced from the presence of pyroxene or its breakdown products. We conclude that prograde dehydration in orthogneiss leads to fluid absent conditions, impeding equilibration beyond ~high‐P amphibolite facies.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of corticospinal tract using one‐photon confocal microscopy acquisition allows detection of axonal disruption in spinal cord injury
Authors: Quintá Héctor R. , Pasquini Laura A. , Pasquini Juana M.
Published: January 2015

The principal motor tract involved in mammalian locomotor activities is known as the corticospinal tract (CST), which starts in the brain motor cortex (upper motor neuron), extends its axons across the brain to brainstem and finally reaches different regions of spinal cord, contacting the lower motor neurons. Visualization of the CST is essential to carry out studies in different kinds of pathologies such as spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. At present, most studies of axon structure and/or integrity that involve histological tissue sectioning present the problem of finding the region where the CST is predominant. To solve this problem, one could use a novel technique to make the tissues transparent and observe them directly without histological sectioning. However, the disadvantage of this procedure is the need of costly and non‐conventional equipment, such as two‐photon fluorescence microscopy or ultramicroscopy to perform the image acquisition. Here, we show that labeling the CST with FluoroRuby in the motor cortex and then performing the clearing technique, the z‐acquisition of the entire CST in unsectioned tissue followed by three‐dimensional reconstruction can be carried out by standard one‐photon confocal microscopy, with yields similar to those obtained by two‐photon microscopy. In addition, we present an example of the application of this method in a spinal cord injury model, where the disruption of CST is shown at the lesion site.

image

We proposed this method to detect and visualize the complete corticospinal tract (CST). This process allows us to generate a three‐dimensional reconstruction using one‐photon confocal microscopy to perform the y‐acquisition in an unsectioned cleared tissue and thereby detecting axonal disruption in spinal cord injury. CST, corticospinal tract.
Insulin Action in the Human Brain: Evidence from Neuroimaging Studies
Authors: Kullmann S. , Heni M. , Fritsche A. , Preissl H.
Published: January 2015

Thus far, little is known about the action of insulin in the human brain. Nonetheless, recent advances in modern neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or magnetoencephalography (MEG), have made it possible to investigate the action of insulin in the brain in humans, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of brain insulin resistance and obesity. Using MEG, the clinical relevance of the action of insulin in the brain was first identified, linking cerebral insulin resistance with peripheral insulin resistance, genetic predisposition and weight loss success in obese adults. Although MEG is a suitable tool for measuring brain activity mainly in cortical areas, fMRI provides high spatial resolution for cortical as well as subcortical regions. Thus, the action of insulin can be detected within all eating behaviour relevant regions, which include regions deeply located within the brain, such as the hypothalamus, midbrain and brainstem, as well as regions within the striatum. In this review, we outline recent advances in the field of neuroimaging aiming to investigate the action of insulin in the human brain using different routes of insulin administration. fMRI studies have shown a significant insulin‐induced attenuation predominantly in the occipital and prefrontal cortical regions and the hypothalamus, successfully localising insulin‐sensitive brain regions in healthy, mostly normal‐weight individuals. However, further studies are needed to localise brain areas affected by insulin resistance in obese individuals, which is an important prerequisite for selectively targeting brain insulin resistance in obesity.
Gastrointestinal characterisation and drug solubility determination in animals
Authors: Merchant Hamid A , Afonso-Pereira Francisco , Rabbie Sarit C , Youssef Sandy A , Basit Abdul W
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To characterise the gastrointestinal (GI) environment in rat, rabbit and pig for the purpose of determining their utility as animal models for drug delivery in humans.

Methods

GI fluid samples were characterised for osmolality, surface tension, pH and buffer capacity. The solubility of two model drugs, mesalazine (ionisable) and prednisolone (unionisable), were also measured and the results were correlated to the physicochemical fluid data.

Key findings

The solubility of the ionisable drug mesalazine was positively correlated to the GI pH in all three species and was significantly influenced by the pH difference. In contrast, the solubility of the unionisable compound prednisolone was not correlated significantly to the changes in pH, buffer capacity, osmolality or surface tension. In general, the solubility of prednisolone was constant irrespective of the location of the sample in the gut from rabbit and pig; however, an unusual trend was observed for the solubility of prednisolone in rats.

Conclusions

The results suggest that solubility of ionisable drugs or pH-responsive formulations is significantly influenced by the differences in pH along the GI tract and inter-species differences. It was also found that the data on the GI solubility of prednisolone (a neutral compound) in rats might overestimate its true value in humans.