bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying characteristics and practices of multidisciplinary team reviews for patients with severe mental illness: a systematic review
Authors: Woody Charlotte A , Baxter Amanda J , Harris Meredith G , Siskind Dan J , Whiteford Harvey A
Published: February 2018

Objectives:

Multidisciplinary teams in mental health receive limited guidance, leading to inconsistent practices. We undertook a systematic review of the characteristics and practices of multidisciplinary team reviews for patients with severe mental illness or in relevant mental health service settings.

Methods:

Sources published since 2000 were located via academic database and web searches. Results were synthesised narratively.

Results:

A total of 14 sources were analysed. Important characteristics and practices identified included routine monitoring and evaluation, good communication, equality between team members, and clear documentation practices. Success factors included defined leadership and clear team goals. Four sources described considerations for patients with complex clinical needs, including allocating sufficient time for discussion, maintaining connections with community providers, and ensuring culturally sensitive practices.

Conclusions:

No single best practice model was found, due to variations in team caseload, casemix, and resourcing levels. However, key ingredients for success were proposed. Sources were mostly descriptive; there remains a lack of evidence-based guidance regarding multidisciplinary team review characteristics and practices.
The benefits of sensory modulation on levels of distress for consumers in a mental health emergency setting
Authors: Adams-Leask Karen , Varona Lisa , Dua Charu , Baldock Michael , Gerace Adam , Muir-Cochrane Eimear
Published: February 2018

Objectives:

This paper reports a pilot study exploring the benefits of offering sensory modulation within a mental health emergency setting for consumers experiencing distress during a psychiatric presentation.

Methods:

Seventy-four consumers with a mental health presentation reported on their sensory modulation use experiences during their stay in a South Australian tertiary teaching hospital emergency department. An evaluation form was used to document use of items, self-reported distress pre and post sensory modulation use, and other consumer experiences.

Results:

Consumers used between one and six sensory items for a median duration of 45 min. There was a statistically significant reduction ( t(73) = 15.83, p < .001) in self-reported distress post sensory modulation use, and consumers also reported that use was helpful, distracting, calming and assisted in managing negative emotions and thoughts.

Conclusions:

The results demonstrate the potential value of sensory-based interventions in reducing behavioural and emotional dysregulation in an emergency setting whilst also promoting consumer self-management strategies.
Too Long to Wait: Obstetric Fistula and the Sociopolitical Dynamics of the Fourth Delay in Soroti, Uganda
Authors: Ruder Bonnie , Cheyney Melissa , Emasu Alice Aturo
Published: February 2018

Uganda has one of the highest obstetric fistula rates in the world with approximately 200,000 women currently suffering. Surgical closure successfully treats fistula in the majority of cases, yet there is a severe shortage of facilities and trained surgeons in low-resource countries. The purpose of this study was to examine Ugandan women’s experiences of obstetric fistula with the aim of adding narrative depth to the clinical literature on this devastating birth injury. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. Resulting narratives were consensus coded, and key themes were member-checked using reciprocal ethnography. Women who suffered from fistula described barriers in accessing essential obstetric care during labor—barriers that are consistent with the three delays framework developed by Thaddeus and Maine. In this article, we extend this scholarship to discuss a fourth, critical delay experienced by fistula survivors—the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of their birth injury.
Health Care Experiences of Korean Women Divers (Jeju Haenyeos)
Authors: Kim Ji In , Kim Miyoung
Published: February 2018

Jeju haenyeos who enter the sea without equipment to collect seafood while holding their breath have a unique culture; however, studies of their health are limited. This study, using an ethnographic approach, explores how Jeju haenyeos have managed and maintained their health. Snowball sampling yielded 15 participants between July and October 2016. We collected data through participant observation and in-depth interviews and conducted Spradley’s research sequence. The main theme of the health-management approach of these women was “a life of listening to the body and mind, controlling greed, and adjusting work for safe diving.” However, Jeju haenyeos used preventive drugs and excessive doses of other drugs and lacked an understanding of the ways diverse drugs potentially interact. These findings suggest that community nurses should be cautious and should attempt to educate these patients.
“Why Come for Treatment?” Clients’ and Therapists’ Accounts of the Presenting Problems When Seeking Mental Health Care
Authors: Nakash Ora , Cohen Michal , Nagar Maayan
Published: February 2018

Although identification of main problems is the foundation for treatment planning, limited research has examined reasons for seeking mental health care. We identified reasons for seeking mental health care as reported by clients and therapists upon initial contact with mental health services. We conducted in-depth interviews with clients and their therapists immediately following the intake. We analyzed 117 therapist and 112 client interviews using thematic analysis. Overall interrater reliability among three raters who coded the interviews was high (kappa = 0.72). Our findings suggest that, overall, clients and therapists report similar main area problems that bring clients to care. Emotional distress and other psychiatric symptoms as well as interpersonal problems were most prevalent. Therapists tended to ignore some problem areas that clients highlighted, including physical problems and socioeconomic strains. Raising awareness to potential gaps in perception of main problems that bring clients to care will promote a shared understanding and improve quality of care.
Prospects, Politics, and Practices of Solar Energy Innovation in China
Authors: Urban Frauke , Wang Yu , Geall Sam
Published: February 2018

This article examines the prospects of, and politics and practices around, solar energy in China. It examines two different solar energy technologies, namely, solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heaters (SWHs), to understand how different pathways for low-carbon innovation are supported and constrained by (the lack of) political support at the national and local level, the interactions between state and nonstate actors, as well as how they relate to changing practices among consumers. This article also discusses obstacles and trade-offs. We find two very different approaches to solar energy. The solar PV industry in China is experiencing increased domestic growth, after many years of being mainly export-oriented. Prices declined rapidly in recent years, and solar PV also enjoys much political and financial support from the central government and local governments. However, there are high bureaucratic and technical hurdles to get grid connected and access the feed-in-tariff, particularly for individual users. SWHs on the other side are a “homegrown” Chinese technology that is ubiquitous in China, particularly in rural areas; that is easy to install and use; and that has developed from the grassroots levels to mass products with relatively little government support. Although being largely neglected by high-level discussions and plans, SWHs could contribute much to low-carbon transitions that are driven at the local level in China.
Transnational Advocacy and the Politics of Sustainable Development in a Small Island Developing State: An Uncertain Future for the Grenada Dove
Authors: Rosenberg Jonathan
Published: February 2018

This article presents a qualitative case study of a transnational activist network (TAN) to protect the endangered Grenada Dove that achieved measurable success in the 1990s and then reformed in the 2000s when a planned resort complex and new law allowing the privatization of public lands renewed threats to the dove habitat. Unlike many of the success stories of TAN influence, this case questions the long-term efficacy of TANs engaged in political contestation over biodiversity conservation in small, economically dependent democracies. Findings suggest that when TANs participate directly in political contestation over national development policy, they do amplify the voices of local activists but lose influence and cohesion when engaged in domestic-level political contestation against alliances of elected officials and transnational corporations, especially when powerful and popular politicians, responding to exogenous economic shocks, link their “sustainable” development priorities to foreign direct investment and competitiveness in global markets.
Outcomes of Resection and Joint-Preserving Arthroplasty for Forefoot Deformities for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Horita Masahiro , Nishida Keiichiro , Hashizume Kenzo , Nasu Yoshihisa , Saiga Kenta , Nakahara Ryuichi , Machida Takahiro , Ohashi Hideki , Ozaki Toshifumi
Published: February 2018

Background:

We investigated the clinical outcomes of resection and joint-preserving arthroplasty for forefoot deformities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods:

Sixteen feet of 14 women (average age, 67.1 years; range, 53-82) underwent resection arthroplasty of the metatarsal head (resection group), and 18 feet of 15 women (average age, 61.3 years; range, 40-73) underwent a metatarsophalangeal joint-preserving procedure with shortening oblique metatarsal osteotomies of the lesser toes (joint preservation group). The mean disease duration in the resection and joint preservation groups was 23.6 and 19.1 years, and the average follow-up period was 37.3 and 33.5 months, respectively. The classification of Larsen was used to assess the severity of destruction of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluation included Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) score and postoperative complications.

Results:

The number of preoperative radiographic destruction of the MTP joints (Larsen grade II, III, IV, and V) was 0, 29, 39, and 12 joints in the resection group and 13, 67, 9, and 1 joints in the joint preservation group. The mean JSSF score improved significantly from 61.3 to 83.9 points in the resection group ( P < .001) and from 62.2 to 90.8 points in the joint preservation group ( P < .001). In the resection group, recurrence of callosities and claw toe deformity was observed in 6 and 3 feet, respectively. In the joint-preserving group, recurrence of callosities and hammer toe deformity was observed in 1 foot each.

Conclusion:

The resection arthroplasty and joint-preserving procedure showed satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, whether both procedures can maintain the good clinical results without the recurrence of forefoot deformity will require longer follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Development of food emulsions containing an advanced performance xanthan gum by microfluidization technique
Authors: Santos J , Calero N , Muñoz J , Cidade MT
Published: February 2018

Gums are often used to increase the viscosity of the continuous phase of oil-in-water emulsions in order to reduce or inhibit some destabilization processes such as creaming. A new type of xanthan gum, advanced performance xanthan gum, which possesses improved rheological properties, has been used as a stabilizer. The addition of advanced performance xanthan gum to egg protein-based emulsions prepared at different homogenization pressures in Microfluidizer was studied. These emulsions showed different droplet size distributions and flocculation degrees. However, all the emulsions studied exhibited the same viscoelastic properties, characterized by a crossover point in the mechanical spectra. This work demonstrates the essential role of this novel gum in the rheology of emulsions. In addition, there is a direct relation between homogenization pressure and flocculation degree. This flocculation led to destabilization by coalescence in these emulsions, being the emulsion processed at the smallest homogenization pressure the most stable.
Validation of the Expanded Versions of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 Symptom Checklist and the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale
Authors: Silverstein Michael J. , Faraone Stephen V. , Alperin Samuel , Leon Terry L. , Biederman Joseph , Spencer Thomas J. , Adler Lenard A.
Published: February 2018

Objective: The aim of this study is to validate the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) expanded versions, including executive function deficits (EFDs) and emotional dyscontrol (EC) items, and to present ASRS and AISRS pilot normative data. Method: Two patient samples (referred and primary care physician [PCP] controls) were pooled together for these analyses. Results: Final analysis included 297 respondents, 171 with adult ADHD. Cronbach’s alphas were high for all sections of the scales. Examining histograms of ASRS 31-item and AISRS 18-item total scores for ADHD controls, 95% cutoff scores were 70 and 23, respectively; histograms for pilot normative sample suggest cutoffs of 82 and 26, respectively. Conclusion: (a) ASRS- and AISRS-expanded versions have high validity in assessment of core 18 adult ADHD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) symptoms and EFD and EC symptoms. (b) ASRS (31-item) scores 70 to 82 and AISRS (18-item) scores from 23 to 26 suggest a high likelihood of adult ADHD.
Potential Breast Anticancer Drug Targets Revealed by Differential Gene Regulatory Network Analysis and Molecular Docking: Neoadjuvant Docetaxel Drug as a Case Study
Authors: Aloraini Adel , ElSawy Karim M
Published: February 2018

Understanding gene-gene interaction and its causal relationship to protein-protein interaction is a viable route for understanding drug action at the genetic level, which is largely hindered by inability to robustly map gene regulatory networks. Here, we use biological prior knowledge of family-to-family gene interactions available in the KEGG database to reveal individual gene-to-gene interaction networks that underlie the gene expression profiles of 2 cell line data sets, sensitive and resistive to neoadjuvant docetaxel breast anticancer drug. Comparison of the topology of the 2 networks revealed that the resistant network is highly connected with 2 large domains of connectivity: one in which the RAF1 and MAP2K2 genes form hubs of connectivity and another in which the RAS gene is highly connected. On the contrary, the sensitive network is highly disrupted with a lower degree of connectivity. We investigated the interactions of the neoadjuvant docetaxel drug with the protein chains encoded by gene-gene interactions that underlie the disruption of the sensitive network topology using protein-protein and drug-protein docking techniques. We found that the sensitive network is likely to be disrupted by interaction of the neoadjuvant docetaxel drug with the DAXX and FGR1 proteins, which is consistent with the observed accumulation of cytoplasmic DAXX and overexpression of FGR1 precursors in cancer cell lines. This indicates that the DAXX and FGR1 proteins could be potential targets for the neoadjuvant docetaxel drug. The work, therefore, provides a new route for understanding the effect of the drug mode of action from the viewpoint of the change in the topology of gene-gene regulatory networks and provides a new avenue for bridging the gap between gene-gene interactions and protein-protein interactions which could have deep implications on mainstream drug development protocols.
Continuous, not discrete: The mutual influence of digital and physical literature
Authors: Rowberry Simon Peter
Published: February 2018

The use of computational methods to develop innovative forms of storytelling and poetry has gained traction since the late 1980s. At the same time, legacy publishing has largely migrated to using digital workflows. Despite this possible convergence, the electronic literature community has generally defined their practice in opposition to print and traditional publishing practices more generally. Not only does this ignore a range of hybrid forms, but it also limits non-digital literature to print, rather than considering a range of physical literatures. In this article, I argue that it is more productive to consider physical and digital literature as convergent forms as both a historicizing process, and a way of identifying innovations. Case studies of William Gibson et al.’s Agrippa ( A Book of the Dead) and Christian Bök’s The Xenotext Project’s playful use of innovations in genetics demonstrate the productive tensions in the convergence between digital and physical literature.
Telemonitoring in subjects with newly diagnosed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: From clinical research to everyday practice
Authors: Koulaouzidis G , Barrett D , Mohee K , Clark AL
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Heart failure is increasingly common, and characterised by frequent admissions to hospital. To try and reduce the risk of hospitalisation, techniques such as telemonitoring (TM) may have a role. We wanted to determine if TM in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure and ejection fraction <40% reduces the risk of readmission or death from any cause in a ‘real-world’ setting.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 124 patients (78.2% male; 68.6 ± 12.6 years) who underwent TM and 345 patients (68.5% male; 70.2 ± 10.7 years) who underwent the usual care (UC). The TM group were assessed daily by body weight, blood pressure and heart rate using electronic devices with automatic transfer of data to an online database. Follow-up was 12 months.

Results

Death from any cause occurred in 8.1% of the TM group and 19% of the UC group ( p = 0.002). There was no difference between the two groups in all-cause hospitalisation, either in the number of subjects hospitalised ( p = 0.7) or in the number of admissions per patient ( p = 0.6). There was no difference in the number of heart-failure-related readmissions per person between the two groups ( p = 0.5), but the number of days in hospital per person was higher in the UC group ( p = 0.03). Also, there were a significantly greater number of days alive and out of hospital for the patients in the TM group compared with the UC group ( p = 0.0001).

Discussion

TM is associated with lower any-cause mortality and also has the potential to reduce the number of days lost to hospitalisation and death.
Psychosocial interventions enhance HIV medication adherence: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Spaan Pascalle , van Luenen Sanne , Garnefski Nadia , Kraaij Vivian
Published: February 2018

About 40 per cent of people living with HIV do not sufficiently adhere to their medication regimen, which adversely affects their health. The current meta-analysis investigated the effect of psychosocial interventions on medication adherence in people living with HIV. Databases were systematically searched, resulting in 43 included randomized controlled trials. Study and intervention characteristics were investigated as moderators. The overall effect size indicates a small to moderate positive effect (Hedges’ g = 0.37) of psychosocial interventions on medication adherence in people living with HIV. No evidence for publication bias was found. This meta-analysis study concludes that various psychosocial interventions can improve medication adherence and thereby the health of people living with HIV.
‘Something needs to change’: Mental health experiences of young autistic adults in England
Authors: Crane Laura , Adams Fern , Harper Georgia , Welch Jack , Pellicano Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

There is a high incidence and prevalence of mental health problems among young people, with several barriers to help-seeking noted in this group. High rates of mental health problems have also been reported in children and adults on the autism spectrum. Taken together, young autistic people may be a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to mental health. Yet, there has been remarkably little work on the mental health needs and experiences of young autistic adults (16–25 years). Adopting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach – in which academic researchers and young autistic adults collaborated in an equitable research partnership – we explored young autistic people’s experiences of mental health problems and their perspectives on the support they sought, if any, for these problems. A total of 130 young autistic adults took part in the research: 109 completed an online survey and 21 took part in detailed interviews. The results highlight how young autistic people find it difficult to evaluate their mental health, experience high levels of stigma and often face severe obstacles when trying to access mental health support. The findings also demonstrate how listening to – and learning from – young autistic people is crucial in ensuring that their mental health needs are met.
Cyclic shear behavior and shear strength of steel tubed-reinforced-concrete short columns
Authors: Liu Jiepeng , Gan Dan , Zhou Xuhong , Yan Biao
Published: February 2018

The steel jacketing approach is effective and economic for retrofitting reinforced concrete short column. Steel jacketed concrete columns are referred as steel tubed-reinforced-concrete columns when applying in new building structures. To investigate the cyclic shear behavior and shear strength of tubed-reinforced-concrete short columns with a large diameter-to-thickness/width-to-thickness ratio ( D/ t), four specimens were designed and tested under a constant axial compression combined with quasi-static cyclic lateral loading. Three main system parameters were considered in the test: (1) type of column cross section (circular and square), (2) D/ t (106–150), and (3) axial load ratio (0.4 and 0.6). All the columns showed shear-failure mode during the tests, and the sheared plates of steel tubes yielded when the peak load had reached. The circular columns showed good ductility, while the square ones were just in opposite. Based on the analysis results, a simplified shear strength model for both circular and square columns is proposed, in which the relationship between cyclic shear strength and lateral drift ratio of the columns and the shear-resisting mechanisms for both shear and hoop stresses of the tube are considered.
General self-efficacy in the Norwegian population: Differences and similarities between sociodemographic groups
Authors: Bonsaksen Tore , Lerdal Anners , Heir Trond , Ekeberg Øivind , Skogstad Laila , Grimholt Tine K. , Schou-Bredal Inger
Published: February 2018

Aims: General self-efficacy (GSE) refers to optimistic self-beliefs of being able to perform and control behaviors, and is linked with various physical and mental health outcomes. Measures of self-efficacy are commonly used in health research with clinical populations, but are less explored in relationship to sociodemographic characteristics in general populations. This study investigated GSE in relation to sociodemographic characteristics in the general population in Norway. Methods: As part of a larger national survey, the GSE scale was administered to a general population sample, and 1787 out of 4961 eligible participants (response rate 36%) completed the scale. Group comparisons were conducted using independent t-tests and one-way analyses of variance. Linear regression analysis was used to examine factors independently associated with GSE. Results: GSE was lower for older compared to younger participants ( p < 0.001). It was higher for men compared to women ( p < 0.001), higher for those with higher levels of education compared to those with lower levels ( p < 0.001) and higher for those in work compared to their counterparts ( p < 0.001). Controlling for all variables, male gender and employment were independently associated with higher GSE. Age moderated the associations between gender and employment on one hand, and GSE on the other. The association between being male and having higher GSE was more pronounced in younger age, as was the association between being employed and having higher GSE. Conclusions: Male gender and being employed were related to higher GSE among persons in the general population in Norway, and these associations were stronger among persons of younger age. The findings are considered fairly representative for the Norwegian population.
Challenging power and creating alternatives: Integrationist, anti-systemic and non-hegemonic approaches in Australian social movements
Authors: Petray Theresa , Pendergrast Nick
Published: February 2018

Social movements are often discussed as either reformist or revolutionary, or, more often, as containing aspects of each of these approaches. However, whether a movement seeks integration into the existing system or seeks to overthrow that system and replace it, both approaches are hegemonic in nature. That is, they focus on totalising power structures. In this article, we explore another aspect of social movements: non-hegemonic approaches are those which prefigure alternatives at the local level. Non-hegemonic approaches are not oriented to power structures like states. Instead of actively resisting power, they bypass it or in some ways ignore it, as they create new ways of being. This approach may be limited in scope, and is unlikely to challenge the existence of inequalities at broad scales, but they can point to real examples of alternatives to existing power structures.
Efficacy of Ginger in Ameliorating Acute and Delayed Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Among Patients With Lung Cancer Receiving Cisplatin-Based Regimens: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Xiangfeng , Qin Ying , Liu Wei , Zhou Xiao-yu , Li Ya-nan , Wang Li-ying
Published: February 2018

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Additional antiemetic drugs are urgently needed to effectively manage and ameliorate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The efficacy of ginger as an antiemetic modality for ameliorating CINV has not been established in previous studies. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of ginger, as an adjuvant drug to standard antiemetic therapy, in ameliorating acute and delayed CINV in patients with lung cancer receiving cisplatin-based regimens. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 140 patients with lung cancer receiving cisplatin-based regimens were enrolled and allocated to receive either ginger root powder or a placebo. Ginger root powder was administered orally (0.5 g, 2 capsules per day, 0.25 g per capsule, every 12 hours) for 5 days beginning on the first day of chemotherapy. The incidence and severity of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting were assessed using the MASCC (Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer) Antiemesis Tool (MAT). Adverse effects and patient adherence were also assessed in this study. No significant difference was observed between the ginger and control groups in the reduction of the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting ( P > .05). No significant difference in adverse events was observed between the 2 groups ( P > .05). No study-treatment-related adverse events were observed in this study. As an adjuvant drug to standard antiemetic therapy, ginger had no additional efficacy in ameliorating CINV in patients with lung cancer receiving cisplatin-based regimens.
Current model systems for the study of preeclampsia
Authors: Martinez-Fierro ML , Hernández-Delgadillo GP , Flores-Morales V , Cardenas-Vargas E , Mercado-Reyes M , Rodriguez-Sanchez IP , Delgado-Enciso I , Galván-Tejada CE , Galván-Tejada JI , Celaya-Padilla JM , Garza-Veloz I
Published: February 2018

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complex disease, distinguished by high blood pressure and proteinuria, diagnosed after the 20th gestation week. Depending on the values of blood pressure, urine protein concentrations, symptomatology, and onset of disease there is a wide range of phenotypes, from mild forms developing predominantly at the end of pregnancy to severe forms developing in the early stage of pregnancy. In the worst cases severe forms of PE could lead to systemic endothelial dysfunction, eclampsia, and maternal and/or fetal death. Worldwide the fetal morbidity and mortality related to PE is calculated to be around 8% of the total pregnancies. PE still being an enigma regarding its etiology and pathophysiology, in general a deficient trophoblast invasion during placentation at first stage of pregnancy, in combination with maternal conditions are accepted as a cause of endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory alterations and appearance of symptoms. Depending on the PE multifactorial origin, several in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models have been used to evaluate the PE pathophysiology as well as to identify or test biomarkers predicting, diagnosing or prognosing the syndrome. This review focuses on the most common models used for the study of PE, including those related to placental development, abnormal trophoblast invasion, uteroplacental ischemia, angiogenesis, oxygen deregulation, and immune response to maternal–fetal interactions. The advances in mathematical and computational modeling of metabolic network behavior, gene prioritization, the protein–protein interaction network, the genetics of PE, and the PE prediction/classification are discussed. Finally, the potential of these models to enable understanding of PE pathogenesis and to evaluate new preventative and therapeutic approaches in the management of PE are also highlighted.

Impact statement

This review is important to the field of preeclampsia (PE), because it provides a description of the principal in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models developed for the study of its principal aspects, and to test emerging therapies or biomarkers predicting the syndrome before their evaluation in clinical trials. Despite the current advance, the field still lacking of new methods and original modeling approaches that leads to new knowledge about pathophysiology. The part of in silico models described in this review has not been considered in the previous reports.
A prototype for evidence-based pharmaceutical opinions to promote physician-pharmacist communication around deprescribing
Authors: Martin Philippe , Tannenbaum Cara
Published: February 2018

Context:

Interprofessional communication is an effective mechanism for reducing inappropriate prescriptions among older adults. Physicians’ views about which elements are essential for pharmacists to include in an evidence-based pharmaceutical opinion for deprescribing remain unknown.

Objective:

To develop a prototype for an evidence-based pharmaceutical opinion that promotes physician-pharmacist communication around deprescribing.

Methods:

A standardized template for an evidence-based pharmaceutical opinion was developed with input from a convenience sample of 32 primary care physicians and 61 primary care pharmacists, recruited from conferences and community settings in Montreal, Canada. Participants were asked to comment on the need for clarifying treatment goals, including personalized patient data and biomarkers, highlighting evidence about drug harms, listing the credibility and source of the recommendations, providing therapeutic alternatives and formalizing official documentation of decision making. The content and format of the prototype underwent revision by community physicians and pharmacists until consensus was reached on a final recommended template.

Results:

The majority of physicians (84%-97%) requested that the source of the deprescribing recommendations be cited, that alternative management options be provided and that the information be tailored to the patient. Sixteen percent of physicians expressed concern about the information in the opinions being too dense. Pharmacists also questioned the length of the opinion and asked that additional space be provided for the physician’s response. A statement was added making the opinion a valid prescription upon receipt of a signature from physicians. Compared to a nonstandardized opinion, the majority of pharmacists believed the template was easier to use, more evidence based, more time efficient and more likely to lead to deprescribing.

Conclusion:

Physicians and pharmacists endorsed a standardized template that promotes interprofessional communication for deprescribing (available at https://www.deprescribingnetwork.ca/pharmaceutical-opinions ). The outcome of the D-Prescribe trial will determine the effectiveness of these evidence-based pharmaceutical opinions on deprescribing processes and outcomes. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2018;151:xx-xx.
A mutual-selecting market-based mechanism for dynamic coalition formation
Authors: Xie Bing , Chen Shaofei , Chen Jing , Shen LinCheng
Published: February 2018

This article presents a novel market-based mechanism for a dynamic coalition formation problem backgrounded under real-time task allocation. Specifically, we first analyze the main factors of the real-time task allocation problem, and formulate the problem based on the coalition game theory. Then, we employ a social network for communication among distributed agents in this problem, and propose a negotiation mechanism for agents forming coalitions on timely emerging tasks. In this mechanism, we utilize an auction algorithm for real-time agent assignment on coalitions, and then design a mutual-selecting method to acquire better performance on agent utilization rate and task completion rate. And finally, our experimental results demonstrate that our market-based mechanism has a comparable performance in task completion rate to a decentralized approach (within 25% better on average) and a centralized dynamic coalition formation method (within 10% less on average performance).
Developmental differences in approaches to nonsymbolic comparison tasks
Authors: Clayton Sarah , Inglis Matthew , Gilmore Camilla
Published: February 2018

Nonsymbolic comparison tasks are widely used to measure children’s and adults’ approximate number system (ANS) acuity. Recent evidence has demonstrated that task performance can be influenced by changes to the visual characteristics of the stimuli, leading some researchers to suggest it is unlikely that an ANS exists that can extract number information independently of the visual characteristics of the arrays. Here, we analysed 124 children’s and 120 adults’ dot comparison accuracy scores from three separate studies to investigate individual and developmental differences in how numerical and visual information contribute to nonsymbolic numerosity judgements. We found that, in contrast to adults, the majority of children did not use numerical information over and above visual cue information to compare quantities. This finding was consistent across different studies. The results have implications for research on the relationship between dot comparison performance and formal mathematics achievement. Specifically, if most children’s performance on dot comparison tasks can be accounted for without the involvement of numerical information, it seems unlikely that observed correlations with mathematics achievement stem from ANS acuity alone.
Body Mass Index Effect on Differing Responses to Psychological Stress in Blood Glucose Dynamics in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Ozaslan Basak , Patek Stephen D. , Grabman Jesse H. , Shepard Jaclyn A. , Dassau Eyal , Breton Marc D. , Kudva Yogish C. , Brown Sue A. , Basu Ananda , Pinsker Jordan E. , Doyle Francis J. , Gonder-Frederick Linda
Published: February 2018

Objective:

The objective was to investigate the relationship of body mass index (BMI) to differing glycemic responses to psychological stress in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods:

Continuous blood glucose monitor (CGM) data were collected for 1 week from a total of 37 patients with BMI ranging from 21.5-39.4 kg/m2 (mean = 28.2 ± 4.9). Patients reported daily stress levels (5-point Likert-type scale, 0 = none, 4 = extreme), physical activity, carbohydrate intake, insulin boluses and basal rates. Daily reported carbohydrates, total insulin bolus, and average blood glucose (BG from CGM) were compared among patients based on their BMI levels on days with different stress levels. In addition, daily averages of a model-based “effectiveness index” (quantifying the combined impact of insulin and carbohydrate on glucose levels) were defined and compared across stress levels to capture meal and insulin independent glycemic changes.

Results:

Analyses showed that patient BMI likely moderated stress related glycemic changes. Linear mixed effect model results were significant for the stress-BMI interaction on both behavioral and behavior-independent glycemic changes. Across participants, under stress, an increase was observed in daily carbohydrate intake and effectiveness index at higher BMI. There was no significant interactive effect on daily insulin or average BG.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest that (1) stress has both behavioral and nonbehavioral glycemic effects on T1D patients and (2) the direction and magnitude of these effects are potentially influenced by level of stress and patient BMI. Possibly responsible for these observed effects are T1D/BMI related alterations in endocrine response.
Infection Versus Hematoma Following Surgical Treatment of Proximal Femoral Fractures in Geriatric Patients
Authors: Müller Franz , Galler Michael , Roll Christina , Füchtmeier Bernd
Published: February 2018

Introduction:

The surgical treatment of proximal femoral fractures predominantly involves geriatric patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, analyses on postoperative infections or hematoma are rare.

Methods:

Patients requiring surgical revision due to infection (n = 90) or hematoma (n = 77) in the postoperative phase were identified from an electronic database of 2000 consecutive patients surgically treated for proximal femoral fractures between 2006 and 2014. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved, including information on the pathogens in patients with infection. A follow-up on morbidity and mortality was conducted via telephone for at least 2 years postsurgery.

Results:

The follow-up rate was 100%, and the mean age was 81.9 years. The incidence rate of infection was 4.1% (90/2000), and women were commonly affected. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most commonly detected pathogens (35.5% and 25.5%, respectively). Mixed infections were observed in 15 patients, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections were observed in only 4 patients. A total of 77 (85.6%) infections occurred within 30 days postsurgery. The implant was preserved in 76 (84.4%) patients, and resection arthroplasty was required in 14 patients. Dementia and pertrochanteric fractures were significantly more common in the infection than in the hematoma group. Although infections were associated with high mortality rates for up to 2 years postsurgery, the rates did not significantly differ from those in the hematoma control group.

Conclusion:

One of every 2 patients who developed an infection following the surgical treatment of a proximal femoral fracture died within 2 years postsurgery. In addition, infections were significantly associated with dementia. Avoiding postoperative infection should be a high priority in the surgical treatment of proximal femoral fractures.
On the Death of Sandra Bland: A Case of Anger and Indifference
Authors: Klein George C.
Published: February 2018

Trooper Brian Encinia conducted a traffic stop on Ms. Sandra Bland in Prairie View, Texas, on July 10, 2015. Ms. Bland was not cooperative. She swung her fist at him. Trooper Encinia verbally escalated the situation. He arrested her. She struggled with him outside of her vehicle. She was taken into custody and charged with a felony. She was taken to the Waller County Jail. The jail staff ignored both her history of depression and numerous cut marks on her arm. The jail staff did not place her on suicide watch. She could not raise her bail. Ms. Bland rolled a plastic trash can liner into a noose and hung herself in the cell. She was pronounced dead on July 13, 2015. Larger issues concerning de-escalation in police–citizen encounters and jail suicide are also examined.
The Other Side of the Mirror: An Analytic Journalistic Approach to the Subjective Well-Being of Filipino Women Migrant Workers in Japan
Authors: Paillard-Borg Stéphanie , Hallberg David
Published: February 2018

In its political structural reform, the Japanese government presents the urgency to consider an increase in labor mobility that includes the issue of immigration to Japan. Women from Southeast Asia represent a large proportion of this immigration. The aim of this case study was to identify factors associated with subjective well-being (SWB) among Filipino women migrant workers in Tokyo, Japan. The study used an analytic journalistic approach. A focus group interview was conducted with three women and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Communication, support network, faith, and sense of identity were identified as the main factors contributing to SWB among these women. In conclusion, the feminization of migration will continue; therefore, better understanding about the factors associated to SWB is needed to ease the impact of migration on home and host countries.
Platelet-rich plasma for the spinal fusion
Authors: Park Moon Soo , Moon Seong-Hwan , Kim Tae-Hwan , Oh Jae Keun , Yoon Won Yong , Chang Ho Guen
Published: February 2018

There has been a wide interest in using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a therapeutic agent to enhance spinal fusion. There are two review articles based only on clinical studies regarding the effect of PRP on spinal fusion. However, with regard to both animal model studies and clinical studies, there is no review studies regarding its effect on spinal fusion and no review studies focusing on the platelet count and the concentration of the growth factor in the PRP. The purpose is to review the literatures about the effect of PRP on spinal fusion according to the animal model studies and clinical studies, focusing on the effect of the platelet count and the concentration of the growth factor in the PRP. A PubMed search was performed for English-language articles. We identified 20 articles regarding the effect of PRP on fusion in animal model studies and clinical studies, of which 16 articles met the study criteria of case–control studies or prospective randomized studies for the spinal fusion. The articles were categorized into small-sized animal model, middle-sized animal model, and clinical studies. Studies have shown both beneficial and inhibitory effects. The conclusion that PRP has the stimulating effect on spinal fusion was not reached. However, PRP might promote the human spinal fusion if the platelet count or the concentration of growth factors in the PRP increases.
Revision Surgery After Cartilage Repair: Data From the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)
Authors: Pestka Jan M. , Luu Nam H. , Südkamp Norbert P. , Angele Peter , Spahn Gunther , Zinser Wolfgang , Niemeyer Philipp
Published: February 2018

Background:

Various operative strategies have been introduced to restore the integrity of articular cartilage when injured. The frequency of revision surgery after cartilage regenerative surgery remains incompletely understood.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to identify the reasons for revision surgery after cartilage regenerative surgery of the knee. We hypothesized that in a large patient cohort, revision rates would differ from those in the current literature.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 2659 complete data sets from the German Cartilage Registry were available for analyses. In brief, baseline data were provided by the attending physician at the time of index surgery. Follow-up data were collected using a web-based questionnaire inquiring whether patients had needed revision surgery during follow-up, which was defined as the endpoint of the present analysis.

Results:

A total of 88 patients (3.3%) reported the need for revision surgery as early as 12 months postoperatively. Among the most common causes were arthrofibrosis (n = 27) and infection (n = 10). Female patients showed a significantly greater complication rate (4.5%) when compared with male patients (2.6%; P = .0071). The majority of cartilage lesions were located at the medial femoral condyle (40.2%), with a mean defect size of 3.5 ± 2.1 cm2. Neither the location nor defect size appeared to lead to an increased revision rate, which was greatest after osteochondral autografts (5.2%) and autologous chondrocyte implantation (4.6%). Revision rates did not differ significantly among surgical techniques. Chi-square analysis revealed significant correlations between the number of previous joint surgeries and the need for revision surgery ( P = .0203). Multivariate regression analysis further confirmed sex and the number of previous surgeries as variables predicting the need for early revision surgery.

Conclusion:

The low early revision rates found in this study underline that today’s cartilage repair surgeries are mostly safe. Although invasiveness and techniques differ greatly among the procedures, no differences in revision rates were observed. Specific factors such as sex and the number of previous surgeries seem to influence overall revision rates and were identified as relevant risk factors with regard to patient safety.
Mindset and Social Entrepreneurship: Japanese Self-initiated Expatriate Entrepreneurs in Cambodia
Authors: Yokoyama Kazuko , Birchley Sarah Louisa
Published: February 2018

This research is based on an extended study of Japanese self-initiated expatriate entrepreneurs (SIEEs) in Asia. Since 2015 the authors have explored various factors that influence SIEEs when setting up enterprises overseas, including the ability to take initiative; support and encouragement from family, a well-defined career anchor and exposure to overseas in the exploration stage of one’s career. An emerging trend is the desire to engage in social development activities, which has seen increasing numbers of Japanese leave well-paid companies at home to work in NGOs in developing countries. An extension of this can be seen in Japanese who choose to become self-initiated expatriate social entrepreneurs. This article focuses specifically on cases collected in Cambodia and attempts to explain how and why Japanese decide to become self-initiated expatriate social entrepreneurs in Cambodia using the concept of mindsets; entrepreneurial, social, sustainable and global. Initial research shows that some of these individuals exemplify the definition of sustainable entrepreneurship as they are creative and question the status quo in order to seek new opportunities for societal improvement ( Bornstein, 2007 ) and have multiple mindsets behind their actions. This research paper shares the context, characteristics, and outcomes of Japanese self-initiated expatriate social entrepreneurs in Cambodia and concludes by suggesting how knowledge of these SIEEs can be used in higher education contexts in Japan to improve entrepreneurship education.