bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Polish version of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in patients with osteoarthritis undergoing total knee replacement
Authors: Paradowski Przemysław Tomasz , Kęska Rafał , Witoński Dariusz
Published: July 2015

Objective

To test the clinimetric properties and to evaluate the internal consistency, validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in older patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis undergoing total knee replacement (TKR).

Design and setting

A prospective cohort study performed at the university hospital and the outpatient clinic.

Methods

The patients were asked to complete the KOOS questionnaire and the Short Form 36 Health Survey. We evaluated floor/ceiling effects, reliability (using Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and measurement error), structural validity (performing exploratory principal factor analysis), construct validity (with the use of 3 a priori hypotheses) and responsiveness (using data obtained before and after the surgery, and described by Global Perceived Effect, effect size and standardised response mean).

Results

The study consisted of 68 participants (mean age 68.8, 82% women). The floor effects were found prior to surgery for the subscales Sports and Recreation Function, and Quality of Life. The Cronbach's α was from 0.90 to 0.92 for all subscales, indicating excellent internal consistency. The test–retest reliability at follow-up was excellent, with ICCs ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 for all KOOS subscales. The minimal detectable change ranged from 18.2 to 24.3 on an individual level and from 2.4 to 2.9 on a group level. All KOOS items were relevant, and all a priori established hypotheses were supported. Responsiveness was confirmed with a statistically significant correlation between all KOOS subscales and the Global Perceived Effect score (ranging from 0.56 to 0.70, p<0.001).

Conclusions

The Polish version of KOOS demonstrated good reliability, validity and responsiveness for use in patient groups that had undergone TKR. Since the smallest change considered clinically relevant cannot reliably be detected in individual cases, the Polish version of KOOS is advocated for assessment of groups of patients.
‘Errors’ and omissions in paper-based early warning scores: the association with changes in vital signs—a database analysis
Authors: Clifton David A , Clifton Lei , Sandu Dona-Maria , Smith G B , Tarassenko Lionel , Vollam Sarah A , Watkinson Peter J
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To understand factors associated with errors using an established paper-based early warning score (EWS) system. We investigated the types of error, where they are most likely to occur, and whether ‘errors’ can predict subsequent changes in patient vital signs.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected early warning system database from a single large UK teaching hospital.

Results

16 795 observation sets, from 200 postsurgical patients, were collected. Incomplete observation sets were more likely to contain observations which should have led to an alert than complete observation sets (15.1% vs 7.6%, p<0.001), but less likely to have an alerting score correctly calculated (38.8% vs 30.0%, p<0.001). Mis-scoring was much more common when leaving a sequence of three or more consecutive observation sets with aggregate scores of 0 (55.3%) than within the sequence (3.0%, p<0.001). Observation sets that ‘incorrectly’ alerted were more frequently followed by a correctly alerting observation set than error-free non-alerting observation sets (14.7% vs 4.2%, p<0.001). Observation sets that ‘incorrectly’ did not alert were more frequently followed by an observation set that did not alert than error-free alerting observation sets (73.2% vs 45.8%, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Missed alerts are particularly common in incomplete observation sets and when a patient first becomes unstable. Observation sets that ‘incorrectly’ alert or ‘incorrectly’ do not alert are highly predictive of the next observation set, suggesting that clinical staff detect both deterioration and improvement in advance of the EWS system by using information not currently encoded within it. Work is urgently needed to understand how best to capture this information.
Can a 3-hour educational workshop and the provision of practical tools encourage family physicians to prescribe physical activity as medicine? A pre–post study
Authors: Windt Johann , Windt Adriaan , Davis Jennifer , Petrella Robert , Khan Karim
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To increase, in our sample, the proportion of family physicians who provided their patients with written physical activity prescriptions after the delivery of a 3-hour educational workshop with the provision of practical tools to facilitate behaviour change.

Design

A pre–post study.

Setting

Abbotsford and Mission, British Columbia.

Participants

All 158 physicians registered with the Abbotsford (121) or Mission (37) Divisions of Family Practice were invited to participate.

Intervention

A 3-hour educational workshop combined with practical tools. Educational content of the workshop included (1) assessing patients’ physical activity levels, (2) using motivational interviewing techniques to encourage physical activity and (3) providing written physical activity prescriptions when appropriate. Practical tools to facilitate physician behaviour changes included a ‘physical activity vital sign’, and copies of the Exercise is Medicine Canada Prescription Pad. Participating physicians completed a bespoke questionnaire before and 4 weeks after their attendance at the workshop.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome was the change in the proportion of family physicians who reported providing written physical activity prescriptions. Exploratory outcomes included changes in other physical activity prescription behaviours, the perceived importance of various barriers to prescription, and knowledge and confidence in regards to physical activity prescription. McNemar's test evaluated changes in proportions before and after the workshop, while Wilcoxon signed-rank tests evaluated changes in Likert data.

Results

25 family physicians completed the baseline questionnaire and attended the workshop, with 100% follow-up response rate. The proportion of family physicians who reported providing written physical activity prescriptions in their clinical practice increased significantly (p<0.05), from 10 (40%) at baseline to 17 (68%) 4 weeks after the intervention.

Conclusions

Educational workshops combined with practical tools appear to be a promising method to encourage the use of written physical activity prescriptions among family physicians in this setting, over the short term.
Primary hyperparathyroidism associated with hyperplasia of multiple parathyroid glands in a dog
Authors: Vessieres Florence , Gomez Selgas Aida , Rasotto Roberta , Raffan Eleanor
Published: July 2015

A nine‐year‐old Italian Spinone dog presented with a history of urinary incontinence associated with polyuria/polydipsia (PUPD). Haematology and serum biochemistry identified hypercalcaemia. Subsequently, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis, serum assay of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH‐related protein concentrations and ultrasound of the parathyroid glands were consistent with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Unusually, however, all four parathyroid glands were noted to be enlarged on ultrasound, as opposed to a single parathyroid nodule (commonly an adenoma) as is normal in primary hyperparathyroidism. This presented a dilemma as to how best treat the dog; ultimately, two out of four parathyroid glands were removed. Postoperatively, normocalcaemia returned, and PUPD and incontinence resolved. Histopathological examination of the two removed glands was consistent with nodular hyperplasia of chief cells for one gland and nodular hyperplasia of chief cells and oxyphilic cells for the other gland, confirming a diagnosis of parathyroid hyperplasia.
Accuracy of plasma interleukin-18 and adiponectin concentrations in predicting metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic disease risk in middle-age Brazilian men
Authors: de Oliveira Alessandro , Hermsdorff Helen Hermana , Cocate Paula G. , Santos Eliziaria C. , Bressan Josefina , Natali Antônio José
Published: July 2015

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to explore the ability of serum interleukin 18 (IL-18) and adiponectin to identify metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to verify their association with an index of central lipid overaccumulation (lipid accumulation product (LAP)) and cardiometabolic risk factors in a population of middle-aged Brazilian men. A group of 218 apparently healthy middle-aged Brazilian men (age, 50.3 ± 4.97 years) underwent anthropometric, clinical, sociodemographic, and standard serum biochemical assessments. LAP was calculated and the study participants were categorized into 3 groups according to serum IL-18 and adiponectin cut-points tertiles to verify the association of these biomarkers with cardiometabolic risk factors. The MetS group had more less active (p = 0.03) and obese (p < 0.01) individuals who exhibited higher IL-18 (p < 0.01) and lower adiponectin (p < 0.01) than did those in the group with no MetS. After adjustments (age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and total body fat), serum IL-18 ≥ 336.4 pg/mL was an independent factor for MetS occurrence and it was directly associated with LAP (≥51.28), central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension (p < 0.05), but not with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Serum adiponectin ≥ 7.02 μg/mL was negatively associated with MetS occurrence, LAP, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-C (p < 0.05), but not with central obesity and hypertension. In conclusion, both IL-18 and adiponectin demonstrated the ability to identify MetS in this population, with IL-18 being more accurate. The association of these biomamarkers with LAP and cardiometabolic risk factors highlights its relevance as a diagnostic tool.
Global random attractor of stochastic hydrodynamical equation for the Heisenberg paramagnet with multiplicative noise on ℝd
Authors: Guo Yanfeng , Guo Chunxiao , Han Yongqian
Published: July 2015

The stochastic hydrodynamical equation for the Heisenberg paramagnet with multiplicative noise defined on the entire [Formula: see text] is mainly investigated. The global random attractor for the random dynamical system associated with the equation is obtained. The method is to transform the stochastic equation into the corresponding partial differential equations with random coefficients by Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process. The uniform priori estimates for far-field values of solutions have been studied via a truncation function, and then the asymptotic compactness of the random dynamical system is established.
Some aspects of charge transport in Li0.5-xNaxLa0.5TiO3 (x = 0, 0.25) ceramics
Authors: Kazakevičius Edvardas , Kežionis Algimantas , Šalkus Tomas , Orliukas Antanas Feliksas , V'yunov Oleg Ivanovich , Kovalenko Leonid Leonidovich , Belous Anatolii Grigorievich
Published: July 2015

In this work, the influence of partial substitution of Li to Na in Li 0.5 La 0.5 TiO 3 (LLTO) compound was investigated by broad frequency range impedance spectroscopy (IS). The equivalent circuit method was used to relate the electric modulus spectra with confinement of mobile Li ions by rigidly arranged Na in the lattice of LLTO.
Microenvironment-Modulated Metastatic CD133+/CXCR4+/EpCAM− Lung Cancer–Initiating Cells Sustain Tumor Dissemination and Correlate with Poor Prognosis
Authors: Bertolini Giulia , D'Amico Lucia , Moro Massimo , Landoni Elena , Perego Paola , Miceli Rosalba , Gatti Laura , Andriani Francesca , Wong Donald , Caserini Roberto , Tortoreto Monica , Milione Massimo , Ferracini Riccardo , Mariani Luigi , Pastorino Ugo , Roato Ilaria , Sozzi Gabriella , Roz Luca
Published: July 2015

Metastasis is the main reason for lung cancer–related mortality, but little is known about specific determinants of successful dissemination from primary tumors and metastasis initiation. Here, we show that CD133+/CXCR4+ cancer-initiating cells (CIC) directly isolated from patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of non–small cell lung cancer are endowed with superior ability to seed and initiate metastasis at distant organs. We additionally report that CXCR4 inhibition successfully prevents the increase of cisplatin-resistant CD133+/CXCR4+ cells in residual tumors and their metastatization. Immunophenotypic analysis of lung tumor cells intravenously injected or spontaneously disseminated to murine lungs demonstrated the survival advantage and increased colonization ability of a specific subset of CD133+/CXCR4+ with reduced expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM−), which also shows the greatest in vitro invasive potential. We next prove that recovered disseminated cells from lungs of PDX-bearing mice enriched for CD133+/CXCR4+/EpCAM− CICs are highly tumorigenic and metastatic. Importantly, microenvironment stimuli eliciting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, including signals from cancer-associated fibroblasts, are able to increase the dissemination potential of lung cancer cells through the generation of the CD133+/CXCR4+/EpCAM− subset. These findings also have correlates in patient samples where disseminating CICs are enriched in metastatic lymph nodes (20-fold, P = 0.006) and their detection in primary tumors is correlated with poor clinical outcome (disease-free survival: P = 0.03; overall survival: P = 0.05). Overall, these results highlight the importance of specific cellular subsets in the metastatic process, the need for in-depth characterization of disseminating tumor cells, and the potential of therapeutic strategies targeting both primary tumor and tumor–microenvironment interactions. Cancer Res; 75(17); 3636–49. ©2015 AACR.
Epigenetic Activation of TWIST1 by MTDH Promotes Cancer Stem–like Cell Traits in Breast Cancer
Authors: Liang Yajun , Hu Jing , Li Jiatao , Liu Yingjie , Yu Jingyi , Zhuang Xueqian , Mu Lili , Kong Xiangyin , Hong Dengli , Yang Qifeng , Hu Guohong
Published: July 2015

Cancer stem–like cells (CSC) are a cell subpopulation that can reinitiate tumors, resist chemotherapy, and give rise to metastases. Metadherin (MTDH) contributes widely to tumor growth, drug resistance, relapse, and metastasis, but its molecular mechanisms of action are not well understood. Here, we report that MTDH drives CSC expansion by promoting the expression of TWIST1, a transcription factor critical for cancer cell stemness and metastasis. MTDH activates TWIST1 expression indirectly by facilitating histone H3 acetylation on the TWIST1 promoter, a process mediated by the histone acetyltransferase CBP. Mechanistic investigations showed that MTDH interacts with CBP and prevents its ubiquitin-mediated degradation, licensing its transcriptional activation of TWIST1. In clinical specimens of breast cancer, MTDH expression correlates positively with TWIST1 expression and CSC abundance. Overall, our work revealed that MTDH promotes CSC accumulation and breast tumorigenicity by regulating TWIST1, deepening the understanding of MTDH function in cancer. Cancer Res; 75(17); 3672–80. ©2015 AACR.
CDK1-Mediated SIRT3 Activation Enhances Mitochondrial Function and Tumor Radioresistance
Authors: Liu Rui , Fan Ming , Candas Demet , Qin Lili , Zhang Xiaodi , Eldridge Angela , Zou June X. , Zhang Tieqiao , Juma Shuaib , Jin Cuihong , Li Robert F. , Perks Julian , Sun Lun-Quan , Vaughan Andrew T.M. , Hai Chun-Xu , Gius David R. , Li Jian Jian
Published: July 2015

Tumor adaptive resistance to therapeutic radiation remains a barrier for further improvement of local cancer control. SIRT3, a member of the sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases in mitochondria, promotes metabolic homeostasis through regulation of mitochondrial protein deacetylation and plays a key role in prevention of cell aging. Here, we demonstrate that SIRT3 expression is induced in an array of radiation-treated human tumor cells and their corresponding xenograft tumors, including colon cancer HCT-116, glioblastoma U87, and breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells. SIRT3 transcriptional activation is due to SIRT3 promoter activation controlled by the stress transcription factor NF-κB. Posttranscriptionally, SIRT3 enzymatic activity is further enhanced via Thr150/Ser159 phosphorylation by cyclin B1–CDK1, which is also induced by radiation and relocated to mitochondria together with SIRT3. Cells expressing Thr150Ala/Ser159Ala-mutant SIRT3 show a reduction in mitochondrial protein lysine deacetylation, Δψm, MnSOD activity, and mitochondrial ATP generation. The clonogenicity of Thr150Ala/Ser159Ala-mutant transfectants is lower and significantly decreased under radiation. Tumors harboring Thr150Ala/Ser159Ala-mutant SIRT3 show inhibited growth and increased sensitivity to in vivo local irradiation. These results demonstrate that enhanced SIRT3 transcription and posttranslational modifications in mitochondria contribute to adaptive radioresistance in tumor cells. CDK1-mediated SIRT3 phosphorylation is a potential effective target to sensitize tumor cells to radiotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(9); 2090–102. ©2015 AACR.
Antitumor Effects of MEHD7945A, a Dual-Specific Antibody against EGFR and HER3, in Combination with Radiation in Lung and Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Li Chunrong , Huang Shyhmin , Armstrong Eric A. , Francis David M. , Werner Lauryn R. , Sliwkowski Mark X. , van der Kogel Albert , Harari Paul M.
Published: July 2015

Human epidermal growth factor receptor family members (EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4) play important roles in tumorigenesis and response to cancer therapeutics. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of the dual-target antibody MEHD7945A that simultaneously targets EGFR and HER3 to modulate radiation response in lung and head and neck cancer models. Antitumor effects of MEHD7945A in combination with radiation were evaluated in cell culture and tumor xenograft models. Mechanisms that may contribute to increased radiation killing by MEHD7945A, including DNA damage and inhibition of EGFR–HER signaling pathways, were analyzed. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor xenografts was conducted to evaluate the effect of MEHD7945A in combination with radiation on tumor growth and microenvironment. MEHD7945A inhibited basal and radiation-induced EGFR and HER3 activation resulting in the inhibition of tumor cell growth and enhanced radiosensitivity. MEHD7945A was more effective in augmenting radiation response than treatment with individual anti-EGFR or anti-HER3 antibodies. An increase in DNA double-strand breaks associated γ-H2AX was observed in cells receiving combined treatment with MEHD7945A and radiation. Immunohistochemical staining evaluation in human tumor xenografts showed that MEHD7945A combined with radiation significantly reduced the expression of markers of tumor proliferation and tumor vasculature. These findings reveal the capacity of MEHD7945A to augment radiation response in lung and head and neck cancers. The dual EGFR/HER3–targeting action of MEHD7945A merits further investigation and clinical trial evaluation as a radiation sensitizer in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(9); 2049–59. ©2015 AACR.
STAT1 Activation Is Enhanced by Cisplatin and Variably Affected by EGFR Inhibition in HNSCC Cells
Authors: Schmitt Nicole C. , Trivedi Sumita , Ferris Robert L.
Published: July 2015

Cisplatin is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drug frequently used to treat many solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have also shown efficacy as alternatives to cisplatin in some situations. However, large clinical trials have shown no added survival benefit from the use of these two drugs in combination. Possible explanations for this include overlapping downstream signaling cascades. Using in vitro studies, we tested the hypothesis that cisplatin and EGFR inhibitors rely on the activation of the tumor suppressor STAT1, characterized by its phosphorylation at serine (S727) or tyrosine (Y701) residues. Cisplatin consistently increased the levels of p-S727-STAT1, and STAT1 siRNA knockdown attenuated cisplatin-induced cell death. EGFR stimulation also activated p-S727-STAT1 and p-Y701-STAT1 in a subset of cell lines, whereas EGFR inhibitors alone decreased levels of p-S727-STAT1 and p-Y701-STAT1 in these cells. Contrary to our hypothesis, EGFR inhibitors added to cisplatin treatment caused variable effects among cell lines, with attenuation of p-S727-STAT1 and enhancement of cisplatin-induced cell death in some cells and minimal effect in other cells. Using HNSCC tumor specimens from a clinical trial of adjuvant cisplatin plus the anti-EGFR antibody panitumumab, higher intratumoral p-S727-STAT1 appeared to correlate with worse survival. Together, these results suggest that cisplatin-induced cell death is associated with STAT1 phosphorylation, and the addition of anti-EGFR therapy to cisplatin has variable effects on STAT1 and cell death in HNSCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(9); 2103–11. ©2015 AACR.
Rational Combination of Immunotherapies with Clinical Efficacy in Mice with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Bransi Ali , Salgado Oscar Camilo , Beffinger Michal , Milo Karim , Silina Karina , Yagita Hideo , Becher Burkhard , Knuth Alexander , van den Broek Maries
Published: July 2015

In the context of cancer, naïve T cells are insufficiently primed and become progressively dysfunctional. Boosting antitumor responses by blocking PD-1 or CTLA-4 results in durable clinical responses only in a limited proportion of cancer patients, suggesting that other pathways must be targeted to improve clinical efficacy. Our preclinical study in TRAMP mice comparing 14 different immune interventions identified anti-CD40 + IL2/anti-IL2 complexes + IL12Fc as a uniquely efficacious treatment that prevents tolerance induction, promotes priming of sustained, protective tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, and cures late-stage cancer when given together with adoptively transferred tumor-specific T cells. We propose that improving signals 2 (costimulation) and 3 (cytokines) together with fresh tumor-specific, rather than boosting of dysfunctional preexisting memory, T cells represents a potent therapy for advanced cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(11); 1279–88. ©2015 AACR.
Herzog Ernst der Fromme und die sog. Kurfürstenbibel (1641). Höfische Repräsentation und Kommunikation des Wortes Gottes
Authors: Steiger Johann Anselm , May Franziska
Published: July 2015

This study on the most extensive work on the Bible that Lutheran Protestantism has ever produced, the so-called Kurfürstenbibel or Elector’s Bible (first published in 1641), presents the bible’s formation under the authorial leadership of Johann Gerhard and Salomon Glassius, the style used in presenting concise biblical commentary, the many supplements to the biblical text, and the impressive array of artwork. This study also demonstrates that the preparation, drafting, and publication of the Kurfürstenbibel is, on the one hand, a media production that serves to represent the elector’s sovereignty. At the same time, however, this medium also communicates the understanding that any mediality of governmental authority finds its limit wherever it sees its own sovereign right on earth confronted with the Son of God who alone is the ultimate medium of salvation.
Medien der Herrschaftskonstitution und -repräsentation und ihre Funktionen beim Aufbau des frühneuzeitlichen Fürstenstaates in Gotha
Authors: Walter Axel E.
Published: July 2015

This paper focuses on selected media that were specifically used, in the early years of the reign of Ernest the Pious, for communication and interaction between the duke and the court, or between the local elite and the common people, as well as in the self-presentation of the court to the outside world. Firstly, official edicts are discussed, as an influential means of communication by the court and the [functional] elite, for the simultaneous enforcement and enactment of sovereignty; secondly the precisely calculated architectural program of Friedenstein castle is examined, as this relates different media to one another. The paper ends with a short overview of occasional poetry, which is directed at the court (and often written on its behalf), and not only strengthens, but also legitimizes and often even conceptualizes power. It is emphasized that in the case of courtly communication one should not only consider individual media, but also their development and function in context with other media, and therefore as media networks.
Das frühneuzeitliche Hoffest als Ort synmedialer Kommunikation
Authors: Plotke Seraina
Published: July 2015

This article focuses on the Einleitung zur Ceremoniel-Wissenschafft Der grossen Herren by Julius Bernhard von Rohr, published in 1733, and reflects how art forms that combine text and image are part of the court festival. Specific textimage configurations are analyzed using the example of occasional literature concerning the funeral of Magdalena Sibylle, Duchess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (1648-1681).
Buchmarkt, Hofpublizistik, Interaktion: Höfischer Mediengebrauch und Medienwechsel im Alten Reich — mit einem Seitenblick auf Sachsen-Gotha
Authors: Bauer Volker
Published: July 2015

Court life in early modern Germany took place within different media settings. In the book market, commercially orientated publishers sold compilations dealing with the ceremonies, genealogies and staff directories of the different courts and dynasties. They drew on the local publications which were produced on behalf of, and at the expense of, the different courts. Both types of printed material dealt with the same subject matter, but they belonged to totally separate public spheres and were subject to distinct economic parameters. They differed from yet another, more basic media type, i.e. personal interaction at court, predicated on the presence of the people involved. The resulting changes of medium, from interaction to official court publications, and further to commercial compilations, play a key role in the overall understanding of communication within and between the courts. This understanding is also helpful in assessing the specific nature and success of the publications issued by the court of Sachsen-Gotha.
Cystatin C: why clinical laboratories should be measuring it
Authors: Lamb Edmund J
Published: July 2015

Cystatin C is a 13-kDa cysteine protease inhibitor that satisfies many of the criteria required of a marker of glomerular filtration rate. It can be readily measured in laboratories using automated, standardised immunoassays. Hitherto there has been reluctance to adopt cystatin C measurement in the assessment of kidney function, despite demonstrated superiority compared to the current standard of practice, serum creatinine. This may be due to increased direct reagent costs. Recent strong evidence has confirmed the superior ability of cystatin C compared to creatinine to predict risk of a range of poor outcomes (including kidney failure, cardiovascular events and mortality) among patients with chronic kidney disease. On the back of this, national and international guidelines including those of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence have recommended the use of cystatin C to risk stratify individuals with mild to moderately reduced glomerular filtration rate and no albuminuria. Cystatin C presents an opportunity for laboratories to engage with their users in developing clinical pathways which will usefully focus chronic kidney disease management on those most likely to benefit while reassuring patients at low risk.
Phenomenology and beliefs of patients with Dhat syndrome: A nationwide multicentric study
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Avasthi Ajit , Gupta Sunil , Dan Amitava , Neogi Rajarshi , Behere Prakash B , Lakdawala Bhavesh , Tripathi Adarsh , Chakraborty Kaustav , Sinha Vishal , Bhatia Manjeet Singh , Patjoshi Amrit , Rao TSS , Rozatkar Abhijit
Published: July 2015

Aim:

To assess the phenomenology and associated beliefs in patients with Dhat syndrome.

Methods:

A total of 780 male patients aged more than 16 years were recruited from 15 centers spread across the country and were assessed on Dhat Syndrome Questionnaire.

Results:

The most commonly reported reasons for passage of Dhat were excessive masturbation (55.1%), sexual dreams (47.3%), excessive sexual desire (42.8%) and consumption of high energy foods (36.7%). The most common situation in which participants experienced passage of Dhat were as ‘night falls’ (60.1%) and ‘while passing stools’ (59.5%). The most common consequence due to passage of Dhat was weakness in sexual ability (75.6%). In terms of psychological and somatic symptoms, the common symptoms included bodily weakness (78.2%); feeling tired or having low energy (75.9%); feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (67.9%); and little interest or pleasure in doing things (63.7%). In terms of treatment expectations, about half of the patients (49.1%) expected that energizing medications like vitamins/tonics/tablets were required and more than one-third (38.2%) expected that there was a need for taking energizing injections.

Conclusion:

Present study shows that Dhat syndrome is a distinct clinical entity seen all over India, with its characteristic features.
Implementing a smart specialisation strategy: an evidence-based approach
Authors: Kotnik Patricia , Petrin Tea
Published: July 2015

Smart specialisation is now a major idea behind the European Commission’s cohesion policy reforms in the field of innovation, and it must be applied by European Union member countries in order to secure funding under the 2014–2020 European Union budget, even though the concept itself has only recently emerged. The success of translating this policy into practice depends on a thorough analysis of regions’ and countries’ potential for innovation based on empirical evidence. Currently, countries use a wide array of methods to define priority areas, but these have, for the most part, failed to address the challenges of this process. This article explores the data that can be used in the prioritisation process of developing a smart specialisation strategy. The approach follows the main recommendations for profiling regions and countries, uses data already available at the national statistical offices, and is based on indicators that can be grasped intuitively by policymakers. It includes data on each relevant aspect of smart specialisation, that is, economic, scientific and technological specialisation, as well as the entrepreneurial discovery process. This article demonstrates the approach using a case with Slovenian data; the results suggest that it can be an effective tool for narrowing down a list of industries to be considered for a smart specialisation strategy.

Points for practitioners

A smart specialisation strategy will be a precondition for using European Union regional and investment funds during 2014–2020 in order to support research and innovation investments. The success of translating this policy into practice depends on a thorough analysis of regions’ and countries’ potential for innovation based on empirical evidence. A ready-to-use methodology for narrowing down a list of industries to be considered for a smart specialisation strategy is proposed, and is demonstrated using the example of Slovenia.
Advocacy in the South African social welfare sector: Current social work research and possible future directions
Authors: Chereni Admire
Published: July 2015

Advocacy is a crucial vehicle for realising social work’s commitment to social justice. Yet, particularly in South Africa, little is known about social work research on advocacy. Therefore, this article uses a qualitative systematic review of published research on advocacy in South Africa’s social welfare sector in order to evaluate the contribution of social work research. It finds that there is scant research on social welfare advocacy in South Africa. Based on these findings, the article suggests areas for further social work research on advocacy in South Africa’s social welfare sector.
Democracy and War Effort
Authors: Bausch Andrew W.
Published: July 2015

This article uses a laboratory experiment to explore how groups’ internal rules for leader selection affect how leaders select into and fight conflicts. The findings reveal that, counter to expectations, leaders of democratic groups were more likely than leaders of autocratic groups to select into a conflict rather than accept a negotiated settlement. Conditional on conflict occurring, democratic leaders did not mobilize more resources for war than autocratic leaders. However, democratic leaders were less likely to accept a settlement once a war was underway and they expended more effort in the last round of conflict, suggesting once they entered a war they fought for a decisive victory. Domestically, democratic leaders were punished for losing wars more often than autocratic leaders, while winning wars did not benefit democratic leaders significantly.
Assessing Reverence in Contexts
Authors: Ai Amy L. , Wink Paul , Gall Terry Lynn , Dillon Michele , Tice Terrence N.
Published: July 2015

Deeply rooted in Western and Eastern civilization, reverence is a cardinal virtue that embraces meaning and purpose in life. It is also a self-transcending positive emotion, associated with specific worldviews that may determine the context in which an individual senses it. To date, few psychological studies have addressed this concept. To address the gap, we drew two different study samples to validate a contextualized Sense of Reverence scale (SOR). Capitalizing on the cardiac data of older patients, Study I extended the validation of the twofold scale, reverence in religious and secular contexts (R- and S-reverence), by correlating it with measures of general religiousness and positive attitudes. Study II confirmed the structure and further validated the scale in healthy Canadian and U.S. students. Using structural equation modeling, Study II evaluated differential associations of R- and S- reverence. S-reverence was related to spiritual support from nontraditional sources, a belief in death as a natural end, and psychological functioning connected with growth, as indicated by openness, creativity, and personal growth. R-reverence was associated with spiritual support from traditional sources, a belief in a rewarding afterlife, and psychological functioning connected with adjustment, as indicated by agreeableness, conscientiousness, and personal adjustment. Both forms of reverence were positively related to self-transcendence.
Affective Dissent in the Heart of the Capitalist Utopia: Occupy Hong Kong and the Sacred
Authors: Tremlett Paul-François
Published: July 2015

Hong Kong has been represented as a politically indifferent, capitalist utopia. This representation was first deployed by British colonial elites and has since been embroidered by Hong Kong’s new political masters in Beijing. Yet, on 15 October 2011, anti-capitalist activists identifying with the global Occupy movement assembled in Hong Kong Central and occupied a space under the HSBC bank. Occupy Hong Kong proved to be the longest occupation of all that was initiated by the global Occupy movement. Situated in a space notable for previously having been the haunt of Filipina domestic workers, the occupation conjured a community into the purified spaces of Hong Kong’s financial district. I describe this in terms of an eruption of the sacred that placed conventional norms of Hong Kong city life under erasure, releasing powerful emotions into spaces once thought to be immune to the ritual effervescences of the transgressive.
Glaser or Strauss? Considerations for selecting a grounded theory study
Authors: Howard-Payne Lynlee
Published: July 2015

Originally developed by Glaser and Strauss, grounded theory is a useful research method for researchers aiming to generate novel theory as it emerges from data gathered and analysed. However, this method is not utilised extensively, and when it is applied, it often leaves researchers confused as to its utility. This article addresses the origins of grounded theory while also informing readers of some of the difficulties regarding this research method. These difficulties arise as a result of the fundamental contentions presented by Glaser and Strauss in their theoretical and methodological divorce from each other and their original grounded theory approach. Illustrative examples of the issues related to the selection of a grounded theory method are presented in relation to a study that relied on the Straussian grounded theory approach to account for the meanings of HIV prophylactic Voluntary Medical Adult Male Circumcision in South Africa.
Antigone’s Remainders
Authors: Atkison Larissa M.
Published: July 2015

This paper reads Antigone from the perspective of the Chorus. Whereas most interpreters read Antigone from the perspective of Creon and Antigone’s respective laws, I maintain that the protagonists represent laws that are distinctly apolitical. Alternatively, I argue that the Chorus make the polis—past, present, and future—the center of their thought and action and are therefore uniquely political. Through close attention to the Chorus’s composition as a body that is both one and many at the same time, and by tracing their evolving position throughout the action of the drama and in their choral odes, I argue that they model a reflective and political orientation to judgment rooted in plurality, tradition, and innovation.
Remembering Atlantis
Authors: Stegman Casey
Published: July 2015

There has been much scholarly disagreement concerning Plato’s participation in the mid-fourth century debates over Athens’s ancestral constitution ( patrios politeia). This disunity stems from contrasting views about the relationship between philosophy and Athenian politics in Plato’s writings. Recently, several political theorists have reoriented our general understanding about Plato’s complex involvement with Athenian politics. However, these discussions do not discuss Plato’s specific relationship with patrios politeia. In order to bridge this gap, I turn to two dialogues within the later Platonic corpus: Timaeus and Critias. By examining the Atlantis myth that spans both dialogues, I discuss how Plato uses the story both to comment on and critique the democratic Athenian constitution. At the same time, however, Plato also advances a unique veneration of democracy by asserting that it is the politeia of the gods. In this way, I argue that Timaeus-Critias contributes a valuable new perspective in the ongoing debate regarding the relationship between Plato’s philosophy and democracy.
Preparing family physicians for the care of patients with severe and persistent mental illness
Authors: Romain Amy M , Muench John , Phillips Julie P
Published: July 2015

Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness have increased morbidity and mortality and significant barriers to accessing health care. Although primary care providers deliver most health care for this population, residency training programs generally lack specialized training in this area. This article describes the approaches of two family medicine residency programs in addressing this educational gap. Each program collaborated with external organizations to create service models that would enhance patient access, while immersing residents in the care of patients with severe and persistent mental illness. Residents educated in these programs gain experience with an underserved population, practice advanced skills in managing complex medical and psychiatric illness, and increase knowledge from collaborative work in unique care settings. Further implementation of programs like these, and rigorous study of such programs, could have significant benefits for family medicine education and the care of patients with severe and persistent mental illness.
Behavioral health integration
Authors: Hill Jennifer M
Published: July 2015

Integrating behavioral health care into the family medicine residency has had a dramatic impact on patient care, resident training, and physician effectiveness. With a cursory glance, it may seem that integrated behavioral health providers spend their days exclusively having 30-min office visits with patients. A full exploration, however, reveals that well-integrated behavioral health offers not only brief and effective visits with patients but also increased collaboration, better patient comanagement, and multiple opportunities for resident learning. Behavioral health integration transforms the way in which medical providers at all levels of training work, teach, and conceptualize their future practice. In an internal survey of 33 medical providers in an integrated family medicine residency, 97% of respondents report they value behavioral health integration to such a degree that they are more likely to accept a job in a setting that offers integrated behavioral health.
Culturally responsive integrated health care
Authors: Illes Rose Anne C , Grace Aaron J , Niño José R , Ring Jeffrey M
Published: July 2015

Primary care providers are increasingly responsible for providing mental health care in the United States. For those patients who do receive specialty mental health services, the primary care provider functions as the main entry point into the mental health system. Given the persistent racial and ethnic health disparities in the United States, it is not surprising that mental health disparities also present a difficult challenge for both the U.S. health system and for frontline practitioners. Physicians-in-training require tools for rapid psychiatric assessment that will quickly identify pertinent symptom clusters and distinguish between major psychological disorders. It is incumbent on residency faculty to teach resident physicians how to provide culturally responsive mental health assessment and intervention/referral knowledge and skills toward the elimination of these disparities and toward patient-centered care. This article begins with an overview of health disparities and barriers to health and mental health care access, followed by a discussion of culturally responsive care including an example of a culturally responsive educational program in the United States that is directly targeting the problem of access in that geographic region. It concludes with a review of educational strategies for enhancing culturally responsive behavioral and mental health care by physicians in training.
Mission and the cultural other: In search of the pre-colonial Jesus
Authors: Woodley Randy S.
Published: July 2015

As an American, and a missionary of various shades among my own Native American peoples for 30 years, I have observed as much about Western (White) culture in North American missions as I have among the many Indigenous tribal cultures. This article is meant to provide an opportunity for a self-critique of Western missionary culture, particularly concerning some of the roots of colonial and neo-colonial practices of mission in the United States. In other words, I want to provide an opportunity for us to learn how those who have been the recipients of North American mission the longest may understand Western missionary culture. The most blatant contrast of Western missionary culture compared to Indigenous cultures is hierarchy as the structural norm. Hierarchical structures do not intuitively generate equality. Such structures require power to be used over the other in order to retain power and maintain homeostasis. By diminishing notions of dignity in the (subaltern) other, whether the other is such by ethnicity, gender, class, or simply by being considered a less important part of creation, we dehumanize them or desacralize them, robbing them of their dignity. Once a person, group, or another part of creation is identified as having less dignity or sacredness than ourselves we can, within a hierarchical norm, find rationalizations to use power over them. These rationalizations are then codified in societies and systemic structures to create the norm. Throughout the centuries, Christians have settled for hierarchical governance as the norm. In a very real sense, a significant root of slavery, patriarchy, racism, and classism involves accepting this hierarchical norm. Christian mission has not been immune to the same hegemonic tendencies and must be re-examined in order to resurface in a form worthy of the message of the pre-colonial Jesus.
Challenges in the standardization of nursing education in Europe: A literature study focusing on the implementation of qualification frameworks
Authors: Eines Trude Fløystad , Dale Karl Yngvar
Published: July 2015

Two European qualification frameworks for higher education have been developed over the past decades. One of the goals of these are to promote common descriptions of learning outcomes at various levels within higher education. This article describes a) how national qualification frameworks have been perceived within bachelor nursing education, and b) the correspondence between learning outcomes and assessment methods. Evidently, a key factor for success is that the governing entities create a climate for good cooperation within and between the education institutions. However, our findings suggest that the communication between the experts and the educational institutions, who worked with the development and implementation of the national qualifications frameworks, has been far from good enough. Furthermore, there is a need to develop valid criteria for nursing competence, which in turn, could be integrated into the QFs and the NQFs. In this manner, on might secure that nursing education will uphold and meet the highest standards in all educational systems across Europe.
A modified guidance law for ground moving target tracking with a class of the fast adaptive second-order sliding mode
Authors: Modirrousta Alireza , Sohrab Mohsen , Dehghan Seyyed M Mehdi
Published: July 2015

In this paper, a solution for the problem of uncertainty presence in the estimated position of a target is indicated. The dynamic error of ground moving target tracking with special unknown bounded uncertainty has been described. To solve this problem, a class of the second-order sliding mode has been proposed. In order to increase the robustness of the proposed controller against unknown uncertainty, a set of adaptive rules has been added to the guidance law. New adaptive terms have been used to estimate the higher unknown bound of the uncertainty. The offered method, based on the sliding mode strategy, has reduced the chattering phenomena, which is harmful for the production of the command states. Finally, a fast adaptive guidance law has been added and its stability has been proved by the Lyapunov criterion. The designed adaptive fast guidance law improves the classical sliding mode control guidance law. Various simulations and comparison studies have been applied to verify the efficiency of the modified guidance law despite the disturbance and uncertainty. The results show that the uncertain terms have been compensated and the tracking position has been satisfied accurately.