bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antidiabetic Potential of Prosopis farcta Roots: In Vitro Pancreatic Beta Cell Protection, Enhancement of Glucose Consumption, and Bioassay‐Guided Fractionation
Authors: Shahbazi Behzad , Feyzmand Saba , Jafari Fataneh , Ghiasvand Nastaran , Bahrami Gholamreza , Fattahi Ali , Habtemariam Solomon , Nabavi Seyed-Mohammad , Shokoohinia Yalda
Published: January 2020

By using the streptozotocin‐ (STZ‐) induced cytotoxicity in β‐TC3 cells as an assay model, a bioassay‐guided fractionation study was employed to isolate and characterize the potential antidiabetic principles of roots of Prosopis farcta. A combination of open column chromatography on reverse‐phase silica gel using a water‐ethanol gradient (10 : 90 to 100 : 0) followed by HPLC‐based fractionation led to an active compound that appears to be composed of carbohydrate/sugar. When cell viability under STZ was reduced to 49.8 ± 4% (mean ± SD), treatment with the active compound at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL either as a coadministration or a pretreatment improved the viability to 93 ± 1.9% and 91.5 ± 7%, respectively. The reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential by STZ (47.34 ± 8.9% of control) was similarly recovered to 84.5 ± 4.3 (coadministration) and 88 ± 5.5% (pretreatment) by the active fraction. The bioassay‐guided fractionation, β‐cell protective effect, and increased glucose consumption (up to 1.49‐fold increase) in hepatocytes by the extracts and active fraction are also discussed.
Fabrication & Characterization of Chitosan Coated Biologically Synthesized TiO2 Nanoparticles against PDR E. coli of Veterinary Origin
Authors: Zafar Naheed , Uzair Bushra , Niazi Muhammad Bilal Khan , Sajjad Shamaila , Samin Ghufrana , Arshed Muhammad Javed , Rafiq Sikander
Published: January 2020

Treatment of pandrug resistant (PDR) Escherichia coli strain is the leading causative agent of bovine mastitis worldwide. Hence, becoming a potential threat to veterinary and public health. Therefore, to control the infection new nontoxic, biocompatible antimicrobial formulation with enhanced antibacterial activity is massively required. Current study was planned to synthesize chitosan coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles (CS-NPs coated TiO2). Coating was being done by chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) using ionic gelation method. Aqueous solution of Moringa concanensis leaf extract was used to synthesize titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). The synthesized nanoformulations were characterized by using XRD, SEM, and FTIR. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the crystalline phase of TiO2 NPs and CS-NPs coated TiO2 NPs. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed spherical shaped nanoparticles size of chitosan NPs ranging from 19–25 nm and TiO2 NPs 35–50 nm. Thesize of CS-NPs coated TiO2 NPs was in the range of 65–75 nm. The UV-Vis Spectra and band gap values illustrated the red shift in CS-NPs coated TiO2 NPs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the linkages between TiO2 NPs and chitosan biopolymer, Zeta potential confirmed the stability of CS-NPs coated TiO2 NPs by showing 95 mV peak value. In-vitro antibacterial activity of CS-NPs coated TiO2 NPs and Uncoated TiO2 NPs was evaluated by disc diffusion method against PDR strain of E. coli isolated from mastitic milk samples. The antibacterial activity of all the synthesized nanoformulations were noted and highest antibacterial activity was shown by CS-NPs coated TiO2-NPs against pandrug resistant (PDR) E. coli strain with the prominent zone of inhibition of 23 mm. Morphological changes of E. coli cells after the treatment with MIC concentration (0.78 μg/ml) of CS-NPs coated TiO2 NPs were studied by transmission electron microscopy TEM showedrigorous morphological defectand has distorted the general appearance of the E. coli cells. Cytotoxicity (HepG2 cell line) and hemolytic (human blood) studies confirmed nontoxic/biocompatible nature of CS-NPs coated biologically synthesized TiO2 NPs. The results suggested that biologically synthesized and surface modified TiO2 NPs by mucoadhesive polysaccharides (e.g. chitosan) coating would be an effective and non-toxic alternative therapeutic agent to be used in livestock industry to control drug resistant veterinary pathogens.
Sleep Quality of Hospitalized Patients, Contributing Factors, and Prevalence of Associated Disorders
Authors: Kulpatcharapong Santi , Chewcharat Pol , Ruxrungtham Kiat , Gonlachanvit Sutep , Patcharatrakul Tanisa , Chaitusaney Busarakum , Muntham Dittapol , Reutrakul Sirimon , Chirakalwasan Naricha
Published: January 2020

Background. Data in the literature has shown poor sleep quality to be frequently observed in hospitalized patients and known to be associated with poor treatment outcome. Many factors may impact poor sleep quality, and there is currently limited available data. We aim to determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated factors in patients admitted to internal medicine wards as well as the change of sleep quality over time after admission. Methods. An analytic observational study was conducted at the internal medicine wards at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Patients were personally interviewed to evaluate the history of sleep quality at home, sleep quality after the first and the third days of admission, and potential associated factors. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and screening questionnaires for the common diseases associated with poor sleep quality were also utilized. The logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent factors which led to poor sleep quality. Results. Data were collected from 96 patients during the period of June 2015 to February 2016. The mean age of the patients was 50.8±16.7 years, and 51% were male. Infectious disease was the most common principal diagnosis accounted for 29.2%. The results show high prevalence of poor sleep quality after the first night of admission compared to baseline sleep quality at home (50% vs. 18.8%; p<0.001). After 3 days of admission, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was reduced to the level close to baseline sleep quality at home (28.1% vs. 18.8%; p=0.13). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that light exposure and pain were the main independent factors for poor sleep quality on the first day (odds ratio 6.68; 95% CI 2.25-19.84) and on the third day (odds ratio 3.47; 95% CI 1.24-9.71), respectively. Conclusions. This is the first study conducted on the sleep quality of hospitalized patients that included the follow-up period during hospital admission. Our study demonstrated high prevalence of poor sleep quality in hospitalized patients on the first day. Interestingly, the sleep quality was partly improved during hospitalization. Light exposure and pain were demonstrated to be the factors associated with poor sleep quality.
Study on Fractal Multistep Forecast for the Prediction of Driving Behavior
Authors: Yang Longhai , Xu Hong , Zhang Xiqiao , Li Shuai , Ji Wenchao
Published: January 2020

The application and development of new technology make it possible to acquire real-time data of vehicles. Based on these real-time data, the behavior of vehicles can be analyzed. The prediction of vehicle behavior provides data support for the fine management of traffic. This paper proposes speed and acceleration have fractal features by R/S analysis of the time series data of speed and acceleration. Based on the characteristic analysis of microscopic parameters, the characteristic indexes of parameters are quantified, the fractal multistep prediction model of microparameters is established, and the BP (back propagation neural networks) model is established to estimate predictable step of fractal prediction model. The fractal multistep prediction model is used to predict speed acceleration in the predictable step. NGSIM trajectory data are used to test the multistep prediction model. The results show that the proposed fractal multistep prediction model can effectively realize the multistep prediction of vehicle speed.
Electronic Structure and Room Temperature of 2D Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors in Bilayer MoS2-Doped Mn
Authors: Mekonnen Hailemariam Sintayehu
Published: January 2020

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of manganese- (Mn-) doped bilayer (BL) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are studied using the density function theory (DFT) plus on-site Hubbard potential correction (U). The results show that the substitution of Mn at the Mo sites of BL MoS2 is energetically favorable under sulfur- (S-) rich regime than Mo. The magnetic interaction between the two manganese (Mn) atoms in BL MoS2 is always ferromagnetic (FM) irrespective of the spatial distance between them, but the strength of ferromagnetic interaction decays with atomic distance. It is also found that two dopants in different layers of BL MoS2 communicate ferromagnetically. In addition to this, the detail investigation of BL MoS2 and its counterpart of monolayer indicates that interlayer interaction in BL MoS2 affects the magnetic interaction in Mn-doped BL MoS2. The calculated Curie temperature is 324, 418, and 381 K for impurity concentration of 4%, 6.25%, and 11.11%, respectively, which is greater than room temperature, and the good dilute limit of dopant concentration is 0–6.25%. Based on the finding, it is proposed that Mn-doped BL MoS2 are promising candidates for two-dimensional (2D) dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) for high-temperature spintronics applications.
Multirotor Sizing Methodology with Flight Time Estimation
Authors: Biczyski Marcin , Sehab Rabia , Whidborne James F. , Krebs Guillaume , Luk Patrick
Published: January 2020

This paper addresses the need for sizing of rotors for multirotor vehicle applications such as personal air transport, delivery, surveillance, and photography. A methodology for the propeller and motor selection is developed and augmented with flight time estimation capabilities. Being multirotor-specific it makes use of the platform’s simplicity to rapidly provide a set of off-the-shelf components ready to be used in the vehicle. Use of operating points makes the comparison process fast, precise, and tailored to specific application. The method is easily implemented in software to provide an automated tool. Furthermore, clearly defined input and output parameters make it also usable as a module in other multicriteria optimisation algorithms. The new methodology is validated through comparison with a consumer-grade drone and the calculated results are compliant with manufacturer’s specification in terms of maximum hover time.
Self-Sampling as a Plausible Alternative to Screen Cervical Cancer Precursor Lesions in a Population with Low Adherence to Screening: A Systematic Review
Authors: Caleia Ana Isabel , Pires Catarina , Pereira Jacinta de Fátima , Pinto-Ribeiro Filipa , Longatto-Filho Adhemar
Published: January 2020

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world. A raised incidence and mortality parallel a low participation rate in screening, namely screening in poor countries and among specific populations of developed countries. Cervical or vaginal self-sampling may increase adherence to screening due to its low costs and elevated sensibility and specificity. Our main goal was to compare self-sampling with physician sampling and to evaluate the participation rate of women formerly non-adherent to cervical cancer screening. Study Design: We identified relevant studies from PubMed. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they fulfilled the following criteria: women aged between 16 and 80 years, poor and developed countries that use self-sampling, women with a low participation rate in screening and studies published since 2013. After fully reading the articles, data were extracted to an Excel sheet to ­display all relevant information in an organized manner. ­Results: We identified 18 studies, which altogether enrolled 22,118 women. Self-sampling and physician sampling are quite similar regarding the HPV detection rate. Women have a low participation rate mainly because of limited access to health services, religious and culture beliefs, and lack of time due to several demanding tasks in daily life. Self-sampling shows a significant increase in acceptability and preference compared to physician sampling. Conclusion: Self-sampling is a reliable method to involve women in opportunistic or organized screening programs for cervical cancer prevention.
Glutathione S-Transferase P1 Polymorphism on Exon 6 and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Thai Male Patients
Authors: Sophonnithiprasert Thanet , Saelee Pensri , Pongtheerat Tanett
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC cases are two to four times more common in males than in females, and the highest incidence is found in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This gender disparity is the result of different behavioral risk factors, such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Glutathione S-Transferase P1 (GSTP1) is an enzyme that is involved in the detoxification of carcinogenic electrophiles. GSTP1 codon 105 in exon 5 and codon 114 in exon 6 polymorphisms result in decreased enzyme detoxification activity, which is the cause of many cancers. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the associations between GSTP1 polymorphism, HCC patients, and the risk factors for HCC. It is hoped that this research will provide useful knowledge on the effects of genetic GSTP1 polymorphism in Thai HCC patients. Methods: DNA from 44 Thai HCC patients and 52 healthy controls was analyzed for GSTP1 exon 5 and exon 6 polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP. The associations between GSTP1 polymorphism, the control group, and clinicopathological parameters were determined. Results:The results show that GSTP1 exon 6 polymorphism genotypes (C/T) were correlated with an increased risk of HCC susceptibility (OR = 4.40). Moreover, exon 6 polymorphism genotypes (C/T) were associated with the gender of patients (p = 0.015), but no relationships were found between GSTP1 exon 5 polymorphism and the clinicopathological data of patients. Conclusions: The results suggest that the GSTP1 exon 6 polymorphism genotype was associated with an increase in the risk of HCC in male patients and that it tended to be related to cancer differentiation. No association was found between GSTP1 exon 5 polymorphism and the risk of HCC.
Predictive Value of Excision Repair Cross-Complementation Group 1 in the Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Esophageal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhuo Ze-Guo , Zhu Yun-Ke , Deng Han-Yu , Li Gang , Luo Jun , Alai Gu-Ha , Lin Yi-Dan
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Platinum is widely used in the treatment of esophageal cancer. In clinical practice, it is significant to distinguish patients who respond to platinum from those who do not. Excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) is thought to be the key in the resistance to platinum. However, whether it is related to the platinum-based chemotherapy response on real esophageal cancer patients is controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to explore the association between ERCC1 polymorphisms, its expression levels and platinum-based chemotherapy response, and identify the most sensitive genotypes. Methods: The study was carried out according to the Cochrane handbook for systemic reviews of intervention. The study protocol has been registered on PROSPERO. Results: Three studies were included in the analysis of C8092A polymorphisms, 5 in the C118T, and another 6 in ERCC1 expression levels. In C118T polymorphisms, compared to wild genotype, patients with mutant genotypes had a significantly higher response rate. As for C8092A polymorphisms, the mutant genotypes also presented a better response than the wild genotype. The pooled analysis indicated a significantly higher response rate in patients with a low expression of ERCC1. Conclusions: ERCC1 is a valuable biomarker for platinum-based chemotherapy in esophageal cancer. Patients with ERCC1 mutations or low-level ERCC1 expression are more sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Bowel Intussusception in Adults: Think Cancer!
Authors: Hadid Tarik , Elazzamy Haidy , Kafri Zyad
Published: January 2020

Intussusception is a rare phenomenon in adults and usually presents with bowel obstruction. Unlike child intussusception, adult intussusception is seldom idiopathic and frequently associated with secondary causes such as benign and malignant tumors. While most cases are treated surgically, emerging data suggest a more conservative management approach for patients with short-segment adult intussusception and without high-risk features such as bowel obstruction, mass seen on imaging, colon involvement, or constitutional symptoms of malignancy. We present a rare case of adult intussusception due to unsuspected adenocarcinoma of the jejunum, treated successfully with surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. We favor the surgical rather than conservative approach for adult patients with intussusception to avoid missing unsuspected malignant tumors that are not readily visualized on imaging studies.
Physiological and Transcriptomic Changes in the Hypothalamic-Neurohypophysial System after 24 h of Furosemide-Induced Sodium Depletion
Authors: Dutra Sabrina G.V. , Paterson Alex , Monteiro Livia R.N. , Greenwood Michael P. , Greenwood Mingkwan P. , Amaral Ludimila S. , Melo Mariana R. , Colombari Débora S.A. , Colombari Eduardo , Reis Luís C. , Hindmarch Charles C.T. , Elias Lucila L.K. , Antunes-Rodrigues José , Murphy David , Mecawi Andre S.
Published: January 2020

Background/Aims: Furosemide is a loop diuretic widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of oedema and hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine physiological and molecular changes in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system as a consequence of furosemide-induced sodium depletion. Methods: Male rats were sodium depleted by acute furosemide injection (10 and 30 mg/kg) followed by access to low sodium diet and distilled water for 24 h. The renal and behavioural consequences were evaluated, while blood and brains were collected to evaluate the neuroendocrine and gene expression responses. Results: Furosemide treatment acutely increases urinary sodium and water excretion. After 24 h, water and food intake were reduced, while plasma angiotensin II and corticosterone were increased. After hypertonic saline presentation, sodium-depleted rats showed higher preference for salt. Interrogation using RNA sequencing revealed the expression of 94 genes significantly altered in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of sodium-depleted rats (31 upregulated and 63 downregulated). Out of 9 genes chosen, 5 were validated by quantitative PCR in the PVN (upregulated: Ephx2, Ndnf and Vwf; downregulated: Caprin2 and Opn3). The same genes were also assessed in the supraoptic nucleus (SON, upregulated: Tnnt1, Mis18a, Nr1d1 and Dbp; downregulated: Caprin2 and Opn3). As a result of these plastic transcriptome changes, vasopressin expression was decreased in PVN and SON, whilst vasopressin and oxytocin levels were reduced in plasma. Conclusions: We thus have identified novel genes that might regulate vasopressin gene expression in the hypothalamus controlling the magnocellular neurons secretory response to body sodium depletion and consequently hypotonic stress.
Over-Testing for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in American Emergency Departments
Authors: Kline Jeffrey A. , Garrett John S. , Sarmiento Elisa J. , Strachan Christian C. , Courtney D. Mark
Published: January 2020

Background:

No recent data have investigated rates of diagnostic testing for pulmonary embolism (PE) in US emergency departments (EDs), and no data have examined computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) rates in subgroups at high risk for adverse imaging outcomes, including young women and children. We hypothesized that over-testing for PE remains a problem.

Methods and Results:

We used electronic health record and billing data for 16 EDs in Indiana and 11 hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from 2016 to 2019 to locate ED patients who had any of the following: D-dimer, CTPA, scintillation ventilation perfusion lung scanning or formal pulmonary angiography. The primary outcomes were ED encounter volume-adjusted CTPA rate, PE yield rate with subgroup reporting for children (<18 years) and women under 45 years. We also examined the most frequent diagnoses. From a total visit volume of 1 828 010 patient encounters, 97 125 (5.3% of the total volume) had a diagnostic test for PE, including 25 870 patients who had CTPA order without D-dimer (59% of all tests for PE). The yield rate for PE from CTPA scans was 1.3% (1.1%–1.5%) in Indiana and 4.8% (4.2%–5.1%) in Dallas-Fort Worth (pooled rate 3.1%). Linear regression showed that increased D-dimer ordering correlated with increased PE yield rate (Pearson’s R
2
=0.43;
P
<0.001). From the pooled sample, 59% of CTPAs done were in women, with 21% of all CTPAs performed on women under 45 years of age, and 1.4% (1.3%–1.5%) on children. The most frequent diagnoses were symptom-based descriptions of chest pain (34%) and shortness of breath (6.5%) and the condition-based diagnosis of pneumonia (4.1%).

Conclusions:

Over-testing for PE in American EDs remains a major public health problem. Centers with higher D-dimer ordering had higher yield of PE on CTPA. These data suggest the potential for implementation of D-dimer based protocols to reduce low-yield CTPA ordering.
Velvet ants of the tribe Smicromyrmini Bischoff (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)
of Japan
Authors: OKAYASU JURIYA
Published: January 2020

Japanese species and genera of the tribe Smicromyrmini Bischoff, 1920 are revised. Most of the relevant types were examined. The following eight species in the genera Smicromyrme Thomson, 1870, Nemka Lelej, 1985, Mickelomyrme Lelej, 1995, Andreimyrme Lelej, 1995, Ephucilla Lelej, 1995 and Sinotilla Lelej, 1995 are recognized from Japan: Sm. lewisi Mickel, 1935, ♂♀; N. yasumatsui (Mickel, 1936), stat. rev. et comb. nov., ♂♀; M. hageni (Zavattari, 1913), ♂♀; A. substriolata (Chen, 1957), ♀ (Amami-ôshima Is., Okinawa-jima Is.); E. yoshitakei sp. nov., ♂♀ (Amami-ôshima Is.), E. suginoi sp. nov., ♂♀ (Okinawa-jima Is.), E. brevitegula sp. nov., ♂♀ (Ishigaki-jima Is., Iriomote-jima Is.); Si. jambar sp. nov., ♂ (Okinawa-jima Is.). The genera Andreimyrme and Sinotilla are newly recorded from Japan. Nemka wotani (Zavattari, 1913) and Ephucilla naja (Zavattari, 1913) are excluded from the Japanese fauna. New synonymies are proposed for N. wotani (Zavattari, 1913) [=Smicromyrme chihpenchia Tsuneki, 1993, syn. nov.], N. limi limi (Chen, 1957) [=Smicromyrme limi nanhai Chen, 1957, syn. nov.], A. substriolata [=Smicromyrme tridentiens Chen, 1957, syn. nov.] and Neotrogaspidia pustulata (Smith, 1873) [=Smicromyrme yakushimensis Yasumatsu, 1934, syn. nov.]. Phimenes flavopictus formosanus (Zimmermann, 1931) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) is recorded as a host of Ephucilla brevitegula. Other new records include: Mickelomyrme athalia (Pagden, 1934) from China (Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan) and Vietnam (Hoa Binh), M. bakeri (Mickel, 1934) from Malaysia (Borneo) and Indonesia (Sulawesi), M. pusillaeformis (Hammer, 1962) from Indonesia (Bali), Andreimyrme sarawakensis Lelej, 1996 from Peninsular Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and A. substriolata from Laos (Xiengkhouang, Houapanh), Thailand (Chiang Mai), Peninsular Malaysia (Kuala Terengganu) and Indonesia (Sumatra). Distributions of Japanese smicromyrmine species are classified into the following three patterns: Asian continental-Palaearctic Japan (Sm. lewisi and N. yasumatsui), Taiwan-Ryûkyû (M. hageni, E. yoshitakei, E. suginoi, E. brevitegula, Si. jambar) and Asian continental-Ryûkyû (A. substriolata). Species of Asian continental-Palaearctic Japan are widely distributed in Palaearctic part of Japan and eastern part of Eurasia, or have the closest relative in continental Asia. They are considered to be native to Japan since it was a part of Eurasia, or have immigrated to Japan through the land bridge between Korean Peninsula and Japan by the end of the Upper Pleistocene. The Taiwan-Ryûkyû species are immigrants from Taiwan through the land bridge. The Asian continental-Ryûkyû species is presumed to have immigrated to Japan during the Upper Pleistocene when the eastern edge of Eurasian Continent was close to Amami-ôshima Is.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for perinatal anxiety: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Green Sheryl M , Donegan Eleanor , McCabe Randi E , Streiner David L , Agako Arela , Frey Benicio N
Published: January 2020

Background:

Up to one in five women meet diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder during the perinatal period (i.e. pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum). While psychotropic medications are effective, they are associated with risks for mothers and babies. There is a growing demand for evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments for perinatal anxiety.

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral group therapy protocol for perinatal anxiety.

Methods:

In total, 96 women were randomized to cognitive behavioral group therapy or waitlist at a clinic specializing in women’s mental health. Participants were 22–41 years of age, pregnant or up to 6 months postpartum and had an anxiety disorder with or without comorbid depression.

Results:

Compared to waitlist, participants in cognitive behavioral group therapy reported significantly greater reductions in the primary outcome of anxiety (State-Trait Inventory of Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety, η2p = .19; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, η2p = .16), as well as in secondary outcomes including worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire, η2p = .29), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, η2p = .33) and depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, η2p = .27; Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, η2p = .11). Maternal status (pregnant, postpartum) and medication use were unrelated to treatment outcomes. All gains were maintained, or continued to improve, at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion:

Cognitive behavioral group therapy was effective in improving anxiety and related symptoms among women with anxiety disorders in the perinatal period.
Improvising the international: Theorizing the everyday of intervention from the field
Authors: Philipsen Lise
Published: January 2020

In this article, I argue that the introduction of ethnography to International Relations has not taken full advantage of the potential of bringing these two fields together. Using international intervention as an example, I suggest that to bring out this potential we need to be more attentive to the classical virtues of ethnography. This means taking the subjects of our studies much more seriously, as people capable of making sense of and reacting to the structures of power they are embedded in. Here implementers tasked to put international policies into action in relation to a concrete context provide an overlooked source of knowledge. Using their experiences, reflections and ways of dealing with the concrete dilemmas that arise in their daily work enables us to analyse intervention as concrete relations of power that play out, affect and are mitigated by people in the field. Seeing knowledge as in this manner arising from the field provides a deeper knowledge that is necessary if we want to read intervention not only as an exertion of power from the international to the local, but as dynamically reshaped, resisted and made sense of in the field.
Effects of Tactile Prompting and Self-Monitoring on Teachers’ Use of Behavior-Specific Praise
Authors: Markelz Andrew M. , Taylor Jonte C. , Kitchen Tom , Riccomini Paul J. , Catherine Scheeler Mary , McNaughton David B.
Published: January 2020

Effectively managing a classroom is crucial in promoting positive student outcomes. Behavior-specific praise is an empirically supported strategy to reinforce desirable student behaviors. Following a review of the literature, we identified tactile prompting and self-monitoring as effective methods to increase teachers’ use of behavior-specific praise while sustaining intervention long enough until teachers contacted natural maintaining contingencies. We created electronic tactile awareness prompting with self-monitoring (eTAPS) by combining two applications on an Apple Watch. Using a multiple-baseline-across-participants design, this study primarily investigated the effects of eTAPS on special education teachers’ use of behavior-specific praise. Secondarily, this study investigated the impact that behavior-specific praise would have on the on-task behaviors of targeted students with disabilities demonstrating frequent off-task behaviors. Results indicated that eTAPS was effective in increasing and maintaining behavior-specific praise rates. Furthermore, significant increases in student on-task behavior occurred. Implications of results and future research are discussed.
When is age dissimilarity harmful for organisational identification? The moderating role of age stereotypes and perceived age-related treatment
Authors: Sammarra Alessia , Profili Silvia , Peccei Riccardo , Innocenti Laura
Published: January 2020

Due to demographic changes, age diversity is growing in the workplace, creating a potential challenge to social integration. However, who is most affected by working with colleagues of different ages and when is being dissimilar in age from others more likely to hinder organisational identification? Drawing on relational demography and on the social identity approach, we suggest that certain individual and contextual conditions can lead employees to react to greater age dissimilarity by reducing their psychological attachment to the organisation. We propose that negative age stereotypes and perceived age-related treatment affect the salience of age as a social category for employees and threaten their age group identity, thereby creating conditions in which age dissimilarity might hinder organisational identification. We therefore examine the moderating effects of negative age stereotypes and perceived age-related treatment on the relationship between age dissimilarity and organisational identification in a sample of 434 schoolteachers from 16 schools in Italy. Findings show that age dissimilarity per se is not sufficient to hamper employees’ identification with the organisation. However, it has detrimental effects when employees hold negative age stereotypes and/or perceive an unfair organisational treatment towards their own age group. Implications for research are discussed along with practice implications.
‘I wanted my child dead’ – Physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual life stories of Turkish parents who give care to their children with schizophrenia: A qualitative analysis based on empowerment approach
Authors: Akgül Gök Fulya , Duyan Veli
Published: January 2020

Background:

Schizophrenia deeply affects both the lives of patients and their families. The fact that schizophrenic patients in Turkey generally maintain their lives with their families may lead to serious problems for families and parents.

Aims:

The main purposes of this research are to determine the physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual lives of parents of children with schizophrenia with the main concepts of the empowerment approach.

Method:

The research was carried out with the qualitative research method. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 parents in total, that is, 15 mothers and 15 fathers, through semi-structured interview form. Maxqda 2018 was used for the analysis of the research data.

Results:

According to the research result, it is determined that the parents have problems due to physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual disease process; gender perspective and roles; domestic functionality; social environment, social perception; and issues related to services.

Conclusion:

Considering the parents who are affected by the disease process which is a particularly quite difficult process and who affect the process, to recognize the situations that lead them to gain strength and that make them powerless in personal, interpersonal and political aspects, to activate the existing resources and to create new resources are highly important factors for them to cope with the disease process effectively.
Real but Unequal Representation in Welfare State Reform
Authors: Schakel Wouter , Burgoon Brian , Hakhverdian Armen
Published: January 2020

Scholars have long debated whether welfare policymaking in industrialized democracies is responsive to citizen preferences and whether such policymaking is more responsive to rich than to poor citizens. Debate has been hampered, however, by difficulties in matching data on attitudes toward particular policies to data on changes in the generosity of actual policies. This article uses better, more targeted measures of policy change that allow more valid exploration of responsiveness for a significant range of democracies. It does so by linking multicountry and multiwave survey data on attitudes toward health, pension, and unemployment policies and data on actual policy generosity, not just spending, in these domains. The analysis reveals that attitudes correlate strongly with subsequent changes in welfare generosity in the three policy areas and that such responsiveness is much stronger for richer than for poorer citizens. Representation is likely real but also vastly unequal in the welfare politics of industrialized democracies.
Vision questing in the New Forest: Indigenous spirituality in the public sphere and the cultural values underlying the Idle No More movement
Authors: Ruml Mark F
Published: January 2020

This article considers issues related to Indigenous spirituality in the public sphere. More specifically it examines ways Indigenous people have actively engaged in the electronic public sphere to communicate spiritual teachings and to fulfill kinship responsibilities by utilizing their spiritual gifts to benefit their human and non-human relatives, including the environment, through social action. The author takes the Idle No More movement (INM) as an example of a grass-roots social justice movement that effectively used Facebook as a public platform to create awareness and to mobilize social action. However the spiritual foundation of such social action is often lost in the message. And all social action, including the INM movement, has to be understood in spiritual terms. In this article, the author examines the representations of Indigenous spirituality expressed in the electronic public sphere with a focus on the cultural values underlying the Idle No More Movement.
Neo-liberal subjectivities and the emergence of spiritual entrepreneurship: An analysis of spiritual development programs in contemporary Romania
Authors: Gog Sorin
Published: January 2020

This article analyzes the changes in industrial relations and labor market in Romania during the past two decades and explores the neo-liberal socialization devices that have emerged after the financial crisis and the way they offer legitimacy to the vast economic transformations that took place in this region. Using the ‘varieties of capitalism’ approach I investigate the specific forms of dis-embedded neoliberalism institutionalized in Romania and the precarisation of the workforce through labor market de-regulations, short-term contracts and emphasis on the flexibility and employability of workers. The article focuses on the outburst of spiritual development programs and the vast field of alternative spiritualities that haves proliferated in Romania and the way this cultural change mediates the formation of an immanent spiritualized ethics of authenticity that lends itself to the creation of a new ‘spirit of capitalism’ (Boltanski and Chiapello, 2007).
Quo Vadis, Polonia? On religious loyalty, exit, and voice
Authors: Zubrzycki Geneviève
Published: January 2020

Poland’s public sphere, in the three decades following the fall of communism, has been shaped by tensions between secular and religious visions of the polity. This article analyzes significant trends in the politico-religious landscape of contemporary Poland and discusses the growing polarization of Polish society around religion and politics. While the Catholic Church openly supports the country’s populist and right-wing government and remains strong from the loyalty of a significant portion on the Polish population, resistance to that political alliance and to the traditional association between Polishness and Catholicism is observable in various corners of Polish society. These include factions within the Catholic Church arguing for the depoliticization of Polish Catholicism; apostate and secularist movements; and the support for, and participation in, a notable Jewish revival. The article shows that while very different in both content and form, these movements converge in their effort to secularize Polish national identity and build a public sphere where various religious and non-religious value systems co-exist.
Productive Activity Patterns and Functional Health: A Comparison of Urban and Rural Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Yu Jiao , Yang Yulin , Kahana Eva
Published: January 2020

This study examines the association between productive activity patterns and functional health trajectories of Chinese older adults and whether this association varies by urban/rural residence. Using three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from a sample of 7,503 older adults, we first performed latent class analysis (LCA) to identify productive activity patterns based on four activities (work, caregiving, informal help, and formal volunteering). Next, multilevel regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the identified productive activity patterns and functional health trajectories among older adults. Four productive activity patterns are identified from LCA: nonengagers, working-caregivers, workers, and helpers. We find that participation in productive activities is associated with slower functional health decline. The moderation effects of urban/rural differences are prominent across identified groups. Our findings highlight the importance of the urban/rural context in understanding productive aging and its health consequences among Chinese older adults.
New Developmentalism, Public Policies, and Regional Inequalities in Brazil: The Advances and Limitations of Lula’s and Dilma’s Governments
Authors: Cardozo Soraia Aparecida , Martins Humberto
Published: January 2020

Considered from the perspective of new developmentalism, the implementation of regional development policies under the Lula and Dilma governments was limited. The recovery of state activity was accompanied by the maintenance of macroeconomic policies characterized as neoliberal. In this context, social and sectoral policies had important impacts on the poorer regions in which economic and social problems are concentrated, but they were not focused on reducing regional inequalities and therefore did not substantially change the historically high level of those inequalities.

Considerada da perspectiva do novo desenvolvimentismo, a implementação de políticas de desenvolvimento regional sob os governos Lula e Dilma era limitada. A recuperação da atividade estatal foi acompanhada pela manutenção de políticas macroeconômicas caracterizadas como neoliberais. Nesse contexto, as políticas sociais e setoriais tiveram impactos importantes nas regiões mais pobres nas quais os problemas econômicos e sociais estão concentrados, mas não se concentraram na redução das desigualdades regionais e, portanto, não alteraram substancialmente o nível historicamente alto dessas desigualdades.
Pilot Test of an Appreciative Inquiry Intervention in Hypertension Self-management
Authors: Olayinka Oluwatomisin D. , Moore Shirley M. , Stange Kurt C.
Published: January 2020

We implemented an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) intervention to assist people with hypertension improve diet, physical activity, and blood pressure. In a two-group randomized controlled trial conducted over 12 weeks, 50 participants were recruited at an urban outpatient health care clinic. The intervention used participants’ high peak positive experiences to promote behavior change, during two face-to-face individual sessions and three coaching telephone calls. Data were analyzed using test of differences between groups and analysis of covariance controlling for confounding variables. The intervention group had significantly higher levels of ideal self, positive emotions, and self-efficacy for chronic disease management than the control group. No significant group differences in physical activity, diet, or blood pressure. Findings provide empirical evidence about the underlying processes by which AI may promote health behavior change. Future research should examine the effectiveness of this AI intervention in a larger sample of patients and over a longer intervention period.
Children Demonstrate Selfishness in the Presence of Their Personified Objects
Authors: Yamaguchi Masanori , Moriguchi Yusuke
Published: January 2020

The audience effect causes people to change their behavior in the presence of another person. It can lead to better motor performance and greater generosity. Both human entities and invisible characters can induce this effect in young children and adults. In this study, we examined whether children’s imaginary companions can induce this effect. Accordingly, 49 children, aged 4 to 6 years, who had personified objects were subjected to a simple motor task (dropping marbles as fast as possible within 2 minutes) and moral task (deciding how many stickers to take from anonymous children) across three conditions: alone, in the presence of a human adult, and personified object, respectively. Performance on the simple motor task did not differ across conditions. However, children took more stickers in the presence of their personified objects than in the human conditions. These results are discussed in relation to children’s recognition of their personified objects.
Safety of co-placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunt and percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy
Authors: Choi Seung Myun , Han Kichang , Kim Gyoung Min , Kwon Joon Ho , Lee Junhyung , Kim Man-Deuk , Won Jong Yun
Published: January 2020

Background

There is little evidence about the safety of co-placement of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Purpose

To investigate the safety of co-placement of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy tube and ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Material and Methods

Between July 2006 and June 2018, 1015 patients underwent percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy placement at our institution. Those who had undergone both ventriculoperitoneal shunt and percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy placement were selected. Patient data, including baseline characteristics, percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy types, temporal relationship between the procedures, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Nineteen patients received percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt co-placement. The percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy types were pigtail-retained gastrostomy (n = 12) and pull-type gastrostomy (n = 7). Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed before percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy in 15 patients (79%) and vice versa in four patients (21%). Mean interval between the two procedures was 361 days (range 3–1833 days). Only one case (5.3%) of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection occurred and it was successfully managed conservatively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the ventriculoperitoneal shunt before percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy group and the opposite group ( P = 0.789). Moreover, there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two gastrostomy catheter types ( P = 0.368).

Conclusions

Co-placement of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt seems safe and should not be considered a contraindication. Moreover, the percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt should be placed as far from each other as possible.
The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on 3-T MRI differentiates myometrial invasion depth and histological grade in patients with endometrial cancer
Authors: Reyes-Pérez Juan Armando , Villaseñor-Navarro Yolanda , Jiménez de los Santos Mayra Evelia , Pacheco-Bravo Irlanda , Calle-Loja Maricela , Sollozo-Dupont Isabel
Published: January 2020

Background

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement provides additional information about tumor microstructure with potential relevance for staging and predicting aggressive disease in patients with endometrial cancer (EC).

Purpose

To determine whether ADC values in EC diverge according to the tumor’s histologic grade and myometrial invasion depth.

Material and Methods

A sample of 48 pathologically confirmed cases of EC were reviewed retrospectively. The sample was distributed as follows: G1 (n = 9); G2 (n = 18); G3 (n = 21); with myometrial invasion <50% (n = 31); and with myometrial invasion ≥50% (n = 17). DW images were performed at 3.0T with b factors of 0–1000/mm2. The region of interest (ROI) was defined within the tumor with T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging and copied manually to an ADC map. The tumor’s grade and myometrial invasion’s depth were determined by postoperative histopathological tests.

Results

The means of ADCmin and ADCmean values were significantly lower for patients with G2 and G3 endometrial tumors than G1. The same tendency was observed in myometrial invasion, as both ADCmin and ADCmean values were lower for patients with deep than for those with superficial myometrial invasion. The cut-off values of the ADCmin and ADCmean that predicted high-grade tumors were 0.69 × 10−3 mm2/s and 0.82 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively, while those for myometrial infiltration were 0.70 × 10−3 mm2/s (ADCmin) and 0.88 × 10−3 mm2/s (ADCmean).

Conclusion

ADCmin and ADCmean values correlated with histologic tumor grade and myometrial invasion depth; therefore, it is suggested that ADC on MRI may be a useful indicator to predict malignancy of ECs.
Zinc Supplementation and Fortification in Mexican Children
Authors: Rodríguez-Carmona Yanelli , Denova-Gutiérrez Edgar , Sánchez-Uribe Edgar , Muñoz-Aguirre Paloma , Flores Mario , Salmerón J.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human health. Approximately 1.4% of deaths worldwide are related to zinc deficiency. In Mexico, 33% of children younger than 5 years are zinc deficient.

Objective:

To give an overview of zinc supplementation and fortification in children younger than 5 years through the analysis of current regulations in Mexico, the availability of these products, and the opinion of Mexican experts in this field.

Methods:

We gave an overview of zinc supplementation and fortification strategies in the Mexican pediatric population by conducting a literature review of Mexican studies and national standards concerning zinc supplementation and fortification. Semistructured interviews were conducted with personnel from the main producers of zinc supplements and fortified products and from social assistance programs in Mexico.

Results:

Zinc supplementation in Mexico has been associated with reduction in the duration and incidence of diarrhea. Through interviews with experts, we identified several barriers in achieving adequate zinc consumption such as problems in social assistance programs that distribute zinc-fortified foods, lack of specific dietary recommendations regarding the intake of zinc, lack of regulation of nonpatented zinc supplements, and inconsistencies in public health actions due to political and administrative changes.

Conclusion:

Despite current regulation and efforts made by social assistance programs, zinc deficiency continues to be a prevalent public health issue. Mexico requires an in-depth analysis of existing barriers and alternatives in order to reduce zinc deficiency.