bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Methods for Molecular Epidemiology Studies of Implant Infections
Authors: Campoccia Davide , Montanaro Lucio , Arciola Carla Renata
Published: January 2018

Over the last few decades, the number of surgical procedures involving prosthetic materials has greatly multiplied, along with the rising medical and economic impact of implant-associated infections. The need to appropriately counteract and deal with this phenomenon has led to growing efforts to elucidate the etiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of these types of infections, characterized by opportunistic pathogens. Molecular epidemiology studies have progressively emerged as a leading multitask tool to identify and fingerprint bacterial strains, unveil the complex clonal nature of important pathogens, detect outbreak events, track the origin of the infections, assess the clinical significance of individual strain types, survey their distribution, recognize associations of strain types with specific virulence determinants and/or pathological conditions, assess the role played by the specific components of the virulon, and reveal the phylogeny and the mechanisms through which new strain types have emerged. Despite the many advances that have been made thanks to these flourishing new approaches to molecular epidemiology, a number of critical aspects remain challenging. In this paper, we briefly discuss the current limitations and possible developments of molecular epidemiology methods in the investigation and surveillance of implant infections.
Prospecting Gene Therapy of Implant Infections
Authors: Costerton William J. , Montanaro Lucio , Balaban Naomi , Arciola Carla Renata
Published: January 2018

Infection still represents one of the most serious and ravaging complications associated with prosthetic devices. Staphylococci and enterococci, the bacteria most frequently responsible for orthopedic postsurgical and implant-related infections, express clinically relevant antibiotic resistance. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the slow progress in identifying new classes of antimicrobial agents have encouraged research into novel therapeutic strategies. The adoption of antisense or “antigene” molecules able to silence or knock-out bacterial genes responsible for their virulence is one possible innovative approach. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are potential drug candidates for gene therapy in infections, by silencing a basic gene of bacterial growth or by tackling the antibiotic resistance or virulence factors of a pathogen. An efficacious contrast to bacterial genes should be set up in the first stages of infection in order to prevent colonization of periprosthesis tissues. Genes encoding bacterial factors for adhesion and colonization (biofilm and/or adhesins) would be the best candidates for gene therapy. But after initial enthusiasm for direct antisense knock-out or silencing of essential or virulence bacterial genes, difficulties have emerged; consequently, new approaches are now being attempted. One of these, interference with the regulating system of virulence factors, such as agr, appears particularly promising.
Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome: A Review of Current Literature, Clinical Approach, and 23-Patient Case Series
Authors: Goodspeed Kimberly , Newsom Cassandra , Morris Mary Ann , Powell Craig , Evans Patricia , Golla Sailaja
Published: January 2018

Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare, genetic disorder caused by a molecular variant of TCF4 which is involved in embryologic neuronal differentiation. PTHS is characterized by syndromic facies, psychomotor delay, and intellectual disability. Other associated features include early-onset myopia, seizures, constipation, and hyperventilation-apneic spells. Many also meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Here the authors present a series of 23 PTHS patients with molecularly confirmed TCF4 variants and describe 3 unique individuals. The first carries a small deletion but does not exhibit the typical facial features nor the typical pattern of developmental delay. The second exhibits typical facial features, but has attained more advanced motor and verbal skills than other reported cases to date. The third displays typical features of PTHS, however inherited a large chromosomal duplication involving TCF4 from his unaffected father with somatic mosaicism. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first chromosomal duplication case reported to date.
The effects of environmental regulation on the efficiency of distribution electricity companies in Spain
Authors: Sánchez-Ortiz Jaime , García-Valderrama Teresa , Rodríguez-Cornejo Vanessa , Giner-Manso Yolanda
Published: January 2018

The objective of this work is to detect what problems of inefficiency electricity distribution companies have, in order to disseminate this information and to allow distributors and public agencies to be more precise in calculating their costs. In turn, this will have an indirect impact on the price of the kilowatt in order to try to reduce its volatility. It should be noted that the volatility of the kilowatt price is mainly due to distribution costs and more specifically to access tolls.

In the present paper, knowing that the distribution activity is a regulated activity, the efficiency in the electricity distribution companies will be studied. To this end, a study has been carried out on the efficiency of the main electricity distribution companies in Spain (Endesa, Iberdola, Union Fenosa, EDP and Viesgo) during the period of 2006–2015. The technique used was the Multi-period efficiency measurement in Data Envelopment Analysis, an input-oriented model at constant scales, working with panel data.

The conclusions in this paper indicate that Spanish electricity distribution companies could improve their levels of efficiency if they improve the use of some inputs. This analysis demonstrates that overcapacity and deficit tariff have a negative influence on the efficiency level.

Finally, this paper is useful as it shows that regulation again plays an essential role in regulated activities, requiring a commitment on the part of the State in order to improve efficiency in regulated activities.
Paradigm shift in psychiatry: what may it involve?
Authors: Valent Paul
Published: January 2018

Objective:

This study aims to examine the potential nature of an ongoing paradigm shift in psychiatry that has been suggested to be occurring.

Conclusions:

New findings in traumatology and neuroscience do form a potential platform for a paradigm shift. Prior conflicting paradigms are suggested to be due to biases arising from mental structures themselves. A new wholist perspective is proposed, which makes sense of and incorporates previous paradigms, and coheres recent understanding of right- and left-brain functioning and biopsychosocial traumatic processes and their ramifications. The perspective makes sense of the great variety of post-traumatic manifestations ranging from somatic to meaning-making dysfunctions. The wholist perspective may well be an important step in solidifying a fresh paradigmatic perspective in psychiatry.
Comparison of Juvenile Allogenous Articular Cartilage and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Versus Microfracture With and Without Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Arthroscopic Treatment of Talar Osteochondral Lesions
Authors: Karnovsky Sydney C. , DeSandis Bridget , Haleem Amgad M. , Sofka Carolyn M. , O’Malley Martin , Drakos Mark C.
Published: January 2018

Background:

The purpose of this study was to compare the functional and radiographic outcomes of patients who received juvenile allogenic chondrocyte implantation with autologous bone marrow aspirate (JACI-BMAC) for treatment of talar osteochondral lesions with those of patients who underwent microfracture (MF).

Methods:

A total of 30 patients who underwent MF and 20 who received DeNovo NT for JACI-BMAC treatment between 2006 and 2014 were included. Additionally, 17 MF patients received supplemental BMAC treatment. Retrospective chart review was performed and functional outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and Visual Analog pain scale. Postoperative magnetic resonance images were reviewed and evaluated using a modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Tissue (MOCART) score. Average follow-up for functional outcomes was 30.9 months (range, 12-79 months). Radiographically, average follow-up was 28.1 months (range, 12-97 months).

Results:

Both the MF and JACI-BMAC showed significant pre- to postoperative improvements in all Foot and Ankle Outcome Score subscales. Visual Analog Scale scores also showed improvement in both groups, but only reached a level of statistical significance ( P < .05) in the MF group. There were no significant differences in patient reported outcomes between groups. Average osteochondral lesion diameter was significantly larger in JACI-BMAC patients compared to MF patients, but size difference had no significant impact on outcomes. Both groups produced reparative tissue that exhibited a fibrocartilage composition. The JACI-BMAC group had more patients with hypertrophy exhibited on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) than the MF group ( P = .009).

Conclusion:

JACI-BMAC and MF resulted in improved functional outcomes. However, while the majority of patients improved, functional outcomes and quality of repair tissue were still not normal. Based on our results, lesions repaired with DeNovo NT allograft still appeared fibrocartilaginous on MRI and did not result in significant functional gains as compared to MF.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
The Epidemic as Stigma: The Bioethics of Opioids
Authors: Buchman Daniel Z. , Leece Pamela , Orkin Aaron
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we claim that we can only seek to eradicate the stigma associated with the contemporary opioid overdose epidemic when we understand how opioid stigma and the epidemic have co-evolved. Rather than conceptualizing stigma as a parallel social process alongside the epidemiologically and physiologically defined harms of the epidemic, we argue that the stigmatized history of opioids and their use defines the epidemic. We conclude by offering recommendations for disrupting the burden of opioid stigma.
Outcomes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap and Implant-Based Reconstruction
Authors: Kuykendall Lauren V. , Zhang Angie , Tugertimur Bugra , Bijan Sara , Agoris Corin , Kumar Ambuj , Dayicioglu Deniz
Published: January 2018

Despite the growing elderly population, there is limited research specific to this demographic concerning breast reconstruction (BR). Lack of evidence-based BR recommendations in older populations may contribute to misconceptions and subsequent underutilization of BR, especially autologous BR. Patients who received either deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap BR or tissue expander/implant (TE/I) BR by a single surgeon between July 2011 and July 2015 were surveyed postoperatively by using the psychometrically validated BREAST-Q questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction. Patients were categorized into younger and older cohorts based on median age (55 years) and further stratified based on the type of reconstruction. Of the 311 patients surveyed, 95 patients responded (31% response rate). Overall, younger patients (<55 years old, n = 42) compared with older patients (≥55 years old, n = 53) had significantly higher satisfaction with their outcome (mean difference [MD] 12.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-23.15; P = 0.034). In the TE/I group (n = 58), younger patients had significantly higher satisfaction with breasts (MD: 14.17; 95% CI: 2.58-25.75; P = .017) and outcome (MD: 18.25; 95% CI: 3.95-32.5; P = .010) with fewer complications (odds ratio [OR]: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.37-7.86; P = .010). In the DIEP flap group (n = 55), there was no significant difference inr any of the satisfaction outcomes between younger and older patients. Younger patients tend to be more satisfied and demonstrate fewer complications with implant-based BR. In contrast, both younger and older patients undergoing abdominally based autologous BR were equally satisfied with comparable outcomes.
Nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of FG CNTRC shear deformable circular cylindrical shell with temperature-dependent material properties and surrounded on elastic foundations
Authors: Van Thanh Nguyen , Dinh Quang Vu , Dinh Khoa Nguyen , Seung-Eock Kim , Dinh Duc Nguyen
Published: January 2018

Based on Reddy’s first-order shear deformation theory, the nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of imperfect functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG CNTRC) circular cylindrical shells subjected to an external dynamic load uniformly distributed on the surface of the shell and axial compression in thermal environment are presented. The circular cylindrical shells are surrounded on elastic foundations and reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes which vary according to the linear functions of the shell thickness. The shell’s effective material properties are assumed to depend on temperature and estimated through the rule of mixture. By applying the stress function, Galerkin method and fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, nonlinear dynamic response and natural frequencies for imperfect FG CNTRC circular cylindrical shells are determined. In numerical results, the influences of geometrical parameters, elastic foundations, initial imperfection, temperature increment, dynamic loads and nanotube volume fraction on the nonlinear vibration of FG CNTRC circular cylindrical shells are investigated. The obtained results are validated by comparing with those of other authors.
Preeclampsia: From Inflammation to Immunoregulation
Authors: Cornelius Denise C
Published: January 2018

Preeclampsia (PE) affects 5% to 7% of pregnant women each year worldwide, accounts for up to 18% of maternal deaths in the United States each year, and is the number 1 cause of premature births. Preeclampsia is associated with hypertension after the 20th week of gestation with or without proteinuria, in conjunction with fetal growth restriction, maternal endothelial dysfunction, and chronic immune activation. The mechanisms leading to the development of PE are unclear. However, it is thought that shallow trophoblast invasion and insufficient remodeling of uterine spiral arteries result in placental ischemia. Consequently, an immune imbalance characterized by increases in proinflammatory CD4+ T cells and cytokines along with decreases in regulatory T cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines occurs. This imbalance leads to chronic inflammation and ensuing oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and autoantibodies. Studies performed in our laboratories, using the Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) rat model of placental ischemia, have demonstrated a role for this immune imbalance to mediate PE pathophysiology and identified potential mechanisms of immunoregulation that may be of benefit in the treatment of PE. Therefore, the purpose of this commentary is to review studies demonstrating the positive effects of immunoregulatory factors in the RUPP rat model of PE. Restoration of the immune balance in PE may be a potential strategy for the development of therapeutic interventions that could improve maternal and fetal outcomes associated with this maternal syndrome.
Aleksandr Minkin: A pioneer of investigative journalism in Soviet Central Asia (1979–1991)
Authors: Cucciolla Riccardo Mario
Published: January 2018

In the 1980s, Aleksandr Minkin was a young Russian journalist at the beginning of a brilliant career as a literary and theater critic. During his tours in Central Asia, he turned to investigative journalism, reporting on the unstable circumstances in Soviet peripheries, painting a picture for the Soviet public of the brutal side of Bolshevik modernization, such as cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan, the exploitation of peasants, the spread of deformities and disease in children due to the abuse of defoliants and pesticides in rural areas, widespread corruption, as well as the general social backwardness of the most remote areas of the USSR. In 1988, the magazine Ogonek published Minkin’s famous piece ‘khlopkorab’ (cotton slave) – denouncing for the first time in the Soviet press the exploitation of child labor in the cotton fields – as well as other articles revealing the use of dangerous Butifos defoliant, and the spread of illness in the republic. These articles caused a sensation and were at the center of a political debate during perestroika that both thrilled Soviet readers and frightened the Communist party. Minkin was viciously attacked by the official press and endured the surveillance of Soviet security authorities, as well as of foreign intelligence agencies. However, the campaign to discredit him could not cover the scandals up entirely, and Minkin became a symbol of free journalism, and a liberal intellectual figure in post–Soviet Russia, raising public awareness of social and environmental issues in Central Asia that had been officially hidden for decades.
E-store loyalty: Longitudinal comparison of website usefulness and satisfaction
Authors: Pee LG , Jiang JJ , Klein G
Published: January 2018

Customer loyalty is vital to the survival of online stores. Many cross-sectional studies have shown that e-store loyalty is strongly affected by perceived website usefulness (PU) and satisfaction with a purchase experience. By its very nature, loyalty develops cumulatively over multiple purchases. Yet, our understanding of how longitudinal changes in PU and satisfaction influence the development of (i.e., change in) loyalty remains limited. Drawing upon the information-processing perspective and experiential perspective of customer evaluation, this study shows that PU has a stronger effect on loyalty in the first purchase. In subsequent purchases, PU changes less (i.e., is more stable) than satisfaction. Furthermore, change in satisfaction has a stronger effect in the development of (i.e., change in) loyalty. This study extends research by clarifying the differential longitudinal changes and effects of two important antecedents of e-store loyalty. For practitioners, the findings suggest a longitudinal approach to initiate and nurture e-store loyalty that focuses on clarifying the usefulness of website to new customers, while increasing the satisfaction of returning customers.
Regulation of mitophagy by the ubiquitin pathway in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Desai Shyamal , Juncker Meredith , Kim Catherine
Published: January 2018

Mitophagy is a cellular process by which dysfunctional mitochondria are degraded via autophagy. Increasing empirical evidence proposes that this mitochondrial quality-control mechanism is defective in neurons of patients with various neurodegenerative diseases such as Ataxia Telangiectasia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Accumulation of defective mitochondria and the production of reactive oxygen species due to defective mitophagy have been identified as causes underlying neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. However, the reason mitophagy is defective in most neurodegenerative diseases is unclear. Like mitophagy, defects in the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway have been linked to neurodegeneration, resulting in the characteristic protein aggregates often seen in neurons of affected patients. Although initiation of mitophagy requires a functional ubiquitin pathway, whether defects in the ubiquitin pathway are causally responsible for defective mitophagy is not known. In this mini-review, we introduce mitophagy and ubiquitin pathways and provide a summary of our current understanding of the regulation of mitophagy by the ubiquitin pathway. We will then briefly review empirical evidence supporting mitophagy defects in neurodegenerative diseases. The review will conclude with a discussion of the constitutively elevated expression of ubiquitin-like protein Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15), an antagonist of the ubiquitin pathway, as a potential cause of defective mitophagy in neurodegenerative diseases.

Impact statement

Neurodegenerative diseases place an enormous burden on patients and caregivers globally. Over six million people in the United States alone suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are chronic, incurable, and with causes unknown. Identifying a common molecular mechanism underpinning neurodegenerative disease pathology is urgently needed to aid in the design of effective therapies to ease suffering, reduce economic cost, and improve the quality of life for these patients. Although the development of neurodegeneration may vary between neurodegenerative diseases, they have common cellular hallmarks, including defects in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and mitophagy. In this review, we will provide a summary of our current understanding of the regulation of mitophagy by the ubiquitin pathway and discuss the potential of targeting mitophagy and ubiquitin pathways for the treatment of neurodegeneration.
Better analysis using the models and simulations hierarchy
Authors: Gallagher Mark A , Hackman Daniel V , Lad Alisha A
Published: January 2018

We review the hierarchy of models and simulations (M&S) that categorize analysis of conflict. We build on this M&S hierarchy to provide a framework to assess the tools, data, people, processes, and partnerships. The framework provides a means to assess the analytic ability of an organization, describes the resolution and scopes of the parts of the system (tools or people, for examples), or can characterize the scope, applicability, and rigor of a particular study. We examine the process of incorporating the results from a model at one level of the hierarchy into a model at another hierarchy level, either more-aggregate or higher-resolution. Firstly, we describe the process of incorporating results from more-aggregate models as inputs in a higher-resolution model, which is often done to set the context. Then, we present information on the process of using the results of higher-resolution models as inputs in more-aggregate models.
Summer Weight Gain and Fitness Loss: Causes and Potential Solutions
Authors: Weaver R. Glenn , Beets Michael W. , Brazendale Keith , Brusseau Timothy A.
Published: January 2018

Over the past 3 decades, public health professionals have worked to stem the rising childhood obesity epidemic. Despite the field’s best efforts, no progress has been made in reducing child obesity. One reason for this failure may be that obesity prevention and treatment efforts have predominately been delivered during the 9-month school year. However, recent evidence suggests that the summer, not the school year, is when unhealthy changes in body composition (ie, accelerated increases in percent body fat) and fitness losses occur. This unhealthy change in body composition and fitness loss during the summer could be explained by the “Structured Days Hypothesis,” which posits that children engage in a greater number of unhealthy obesogenic behaviors on unstructured days when compared with structured days. Furthermore, the summer may be contributing to a widening “health gap” between children from low-income and middle- to upper-income families. During summer, fewer opportunities exist for children from low-income households to access healthy structured programs that do not require fees for participation. Moving forward, public health professionals should prioritize efforts to mitigate unhealthy changes in body composition and fitness loss during the summer by identifying ways to provide access to structured programming during this timeframe for children from low-income households.
Internal moisture excess of residential buildings in Finland
Authors: Vinha Juha , Salminen Mikko , Salminen Kati , Kalamees Targo , Kurnitski Jarek , Kiviste Mihkel
Published: January 2018

In Finland, the indoor air conditions of 171 single-family buildings and 49 apartments in multi-family buildings have been studied in large research projects in collaboration with Tampere University of Technology and Helsinki University of Technology. This article deals with the results of moisture excess studied in these single-family buildings and apartments. Continuous field measurements up to 28 months enable to include two consecutive heating seasons in the analysis of the internal moisture excess. The higher 10% critical level during the cold period (Te ≤ 5°C) was between 3.4 and 4.9 g/m3 in Finnish heavyweight and lightweight single-family buildings and between 2.4 and 3.6 g/m3 in apartments of multi-family buildings. During the warm period (Te ≥ 15°C), the corresponding values were between 0.3 and 2.6 g/m3 for single-family buildings and 0.5 and 1.5 g/m3 for apartments. The number of occupants and the airtightness of different groups of external wall did not have influence on the average values of moisture excess. Slightly better ventilation air change rates were measured in apartments of multi-family buildings, where also the air change rates from supply–exhaust ventilation systems generally fulfilled the Finnish guideline value. The design values of moisture classes in EN ISO 13788:2012 were found difficult to apply for Finnish residential buildings. The upper limit value of humidity class 2 of EN ISO 13788:2012 is suitable for apartments in Finnish multi-family buildings, but too low for Finnish lightweight and heavyweight single-family buildings. Applying the design values of Finnish guidelines would be justified for the studied buildings almost at the full range of outdoor temperatures.
Investigational therapies targeting the granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor-α in rheumatoid arthritis: focus on mavrilimumab
Authors: Cook Andrew D. , Hamilton John A.
Published: January 2018

Mavrilimumab (formerly CAM-3001) is a high-affinity, immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor-α chain. Phase I and II trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with mavrilimumab have shown encouraging results with respect to both safety and efficacy. No significant adverse events have so far been noted. The trials have demonstrated significant clinical benefit, meeting primary endpoints. Furthermore, for RA patients treated with mavrilimumab, who were tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor-inadequate responders, there are encouraging preliminary data indicating benefit and identifying potential biomarkers predictive of patients likely to find benefit. Here, we review the clinical trial data for mavrilimumab and discuss its potential as a treatment for RA in light of the competitive landscape in which it resides.
Thoracic stent graft placement for repair of iatrogenic aortic injury secondary to sheath placement during pacemaker insertion
Authors: Feyko Jared T , Musgrove Kelsey , Lyle Cara , d’Audiffret Alexandre
Published: January 2018

We describe the inadvertent cannulation of the proximal descending thoracic aortic stent with a five French sheath during attempted pacemaker placement in an 88- year-old male. The injury was managed successfully by the percutaneous placement of a thoracic aortic stent graft with good outcome. Our case highlights the feasibility of managing this uncommon injury with this technique.
The missing link: Fairness as the ultimate determinant of service profitability?!
Authors: Kuppelwieser Volker G , Klaus Phil , Baruch Yehuda , Manthiou Aikaterini
Published: January 2018

Fairness is widely considered a key driver of human behavior. Organizational behavior (OB) research focuses on fairness as an employee attitude driver. Marketing research highlights fairness perceptions as a key determinant of both purchase intentions and purchase behavior. Yet, to our best knowledge, no explicit attempt has been made to bridge the two phenomena. Using deductive reasoning and delineation methods, we posit that, through the diffusion of customer experience, value perception, attitudes, and behaviors, a symbiosis of OB and marketing research ultimately influences organizational performance. Our corresponding conceptual framework determines fairness perceptions’ influence on employee attitudes and service productivity by means of proposition development. In turn, this leads to an increase in customer satisfaction, consumer purchasing, and re-purchasing behavior, and – ultimately – profitability.
Shared Decision-Making—Balancing Between Power and Responsibility as Mental Health-Care Professionals in a Therapeutic Milieu
Authors: Beyene Lise S. , Severinsson Elisabeth , Hansen Britt S. , Rørtveit Kristine
Published: January 2018

Background

Shared decision-making (SDM) is supposed to position patient and expert knowledge more equal, in which will have an impact on how mental health-care professionals relate to their patients. As SDM has not yet been widely adopted in therapeutic milieus, a deeper understanding of its use and more knowledge of interventions to foster its implementation in clinical practice are required.

Aim

To explore how mental health-care professionals describe SDM in a therapeutic milieu as expressed through clinical supervision. The research question was “What are prerequisites for mental health-care professionals to practice SDM in a therapeutic milieu?”

Methods

A qualitative content analysis of data from focus groups dialogues in 10 clinical supervision sessions where eight mental health-care professionals participated was performed.

Findings

The theme, practicing SDM when balancing between power and responsibility to form safe care, was based on three categories: internalizing the mental health-care professionals’ attributes, facilitating patient participation, and creating a culture of trust.

Conclusion

SDM is a complex and arduous process requiring appropriate interventions. Clinical supervision is necessary for reflection on SDM and for improving practice in a therapeutic milieu.
Police liaison and section 136: Comparison of two different approaches
Authors: Jenkins Oliver , Dye Stephen , Obeng-Asare Franklin , Nguyen Nam , Wright Nicola
Published: January 2018

Aims and method

Two police liaison and section 136 schemes were developed alongside police services at different sites within the same NHS trust. In one, a mental health nurse worked with frontline police attending incidents related to mental health. The other involved nurses providing advice from the police control room. Section 136 detentions were measured over two 6-month periods (6 months apart) before and after practice change. Data analysed included total numbers of section 136 assessments, outcomes following subsequent assessment, and relevant diagnostic and demographic factors. Association of any change in section 136 total numbers and proportion subsequently admitted was investigated in both sites.

Results

The model involving a nurse alongside frontline police showed significant reduction in section 136 numbers (38%, P <0.01) as well as greater admission rates (P = 0.01). The scheme involving support within the police control room did not show any change in section 136 detention but showed a non-significant (P = 0.16) decrease in subsequent admission.

Clinical implications

Mental health nurses working alongside frontline police officers can help improve section 136 numbers and outcomes.
The different faces of renal angiomyolipomas on radiologic imaging: a pictorial review
Authors: Thiravit Shanigarn , Teerasamit Wanwarang , Thiravit Phakphoom
Published: January 2018

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is an uncommon renal tumour, generally composed of mature adipose tissue, dysmorphic blood vessels and smooth muscle. Identification of intratumoral fat on unenhanced CT images is the most reliable finding for establishing the diagnosis of renal AML. However, AMLs sometimes exhibit atypical findings, including cystic as well as solid forms; some of these variants overlap with the appearance of other renal tumours. A rare type of AML, the epithelioid type, possesses malignant potential. The aim of this pictorial review is to gather the different imaging features of AMLs including the classic and fat-poor types, AMLs with epithelial cysts, epithelioid AML, AML associated with tuberous sclerosis, haemorrhagic AML and large AMLs mimicking retroperitoneal liposarcomas. The diagnostic clues that help to distinguish AMLs from other renal tumours are also described in the review.
Pulmonary quantitative CT imaging in focal and diffuse disease: current research and clinical applications
Authors: Silva Mario , Milanese Gianluca , Seletti Valeria , Ariani Alarico , Sverzellati Nicola
Published: January 2018

The frenetic development of imaging technology—both hardware and software—provides exceptional potential for investigation of the lung. In the last two decades, CT was exploited for detailed characterization of pulmonary structures and description of respiratory disease. The introduction of volumetric acquisition allowed increasingly sophisticated analysis of CT data by means of computerized algorithm, namely quantitative CT (QCT). Hundreds of thousands of CTs have been analysed for characterization of focal and diffuse disease of the lung. Several QCT metrics were developed and tested against clinical, functional and prognostic descriptors. Computer-aided detection of nodules, textural analysis of focal lesions, densitometric analysis and airway segmentation in obstructive pulmonary disease and textural analysis in interstitial lung disease are the major chapters of this discipline. The validation of QCT metrics for specific clinical and investigational needs prompted the translation of such metrics from research field to patient care. The present review summarizes the state of the art of QCT in both focal and diffuse lung disease, including a dedicated discussion about application of QCT metrics as parameters for clinical care and outcomes in clinical trials.
Η ΘΕΩΡΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΟΚΡΙΣΗΣ ΕΡΩΤΗΜΑΤΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΞΙΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ ΕΠΙΔΟΣΗΣ ΧΡΗΣΤΩΝ ΕΙΚΟΝΙΚΟΥ ΕΡΓΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΥ ΒΙΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ
Authors: Παξινού Ευγενία , Σγουρού Αργυρώ , Παναγιωτακόπουλος Χρήστος , Βερύκιος Βασίλειος
Published: January 2018

Τα στατιστικά μοντέλα που βασίζονται στη Θεωρία Απόκρισης Ερωτήματος (ItemResponseTheory-IRT), χρησιμοποιούνται επιτυχώς για τη μέτρηση λανθανουσών μεταβλητών σε ψυχομετρικά τεστ. Τα μοντέλα αυτά διαχωρίζουν τον βαθμό δυσκολίας των ερωτημάτων ενός τεστ από την ικανότητα του υποκειμένου του τεστ. Στην παρούσα μελέτη χρησιμοποιήσαμε ένα IRTμοντέλο, το μοντέλο Rasch, με σκοπό να λάβουμε μία έγκυρη και χρήσιμη αξιολόγηση φοιτητών οι οποίοι έκαναν χρήση ενός τρισδιάστατου εικονικού εργαστηρίου, σαν μέσο εξ αποστάσεως προετοιμασίας τους για το πραγματικό εργαστήριο Βιολογίας. Από την επεξεργασία των απαντήσεων τους στα ερωτήματα των τεστ, μέσω του μοντέλου Rasch, αξιολογήσαμε την ικανότητα του κάθε φοιτητή, η οποία είναι ανεξάρτητη από τον βαθμό δυσκολίας των ερωτημάτων.
European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) age structure and growth rate in two contrasted areas of the Mediterranean Sea: the paradox of faster growth in oligotrophic seas
Authors: BASILONE G. , MANGANO S. , PULIZZI M. , FONTANA I. , GIACALONE G. , FERRERI R. , GARGANO A. , ARONICA S. , BARRA M. , GENOVESE S. , RUMOLO P. , MAZZOLA S. , BONANNO A.
Published: January 2018

Fishery production is highly dependent on fish growth and environmental factors; primary production and temperature are the two most important variables affecting almost all biological rates, especially individual growth or population production rate. The growth of European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, was compared between two populations inhabiting different ecosystems: the Tyrrhenian Sea, characterized by riverine inputs and the Strait of Sicily, an oligotrophic area. The effects of habitat conditions on growth was also evaluated using literature data on other of European anchovy populations. Water temperature was confirmed to be a determinant factor for anchovy growth at the species level positively affecting the length at age-1. On the contrary, a negative relationship was found between chlorophyll-a and the length at age-1. These findings suggested that size at age-1 is strongly dependent on habitat conditions. The age structure differed significantly between the two populations, with the Tyrrhenian stock dominated by age-1 fish.
Real World Evidence to an eHealth tool: The 2017 top ten papers from Journal of Innovation in Health Informatics
Authors: De Lusignan Simon
Published: January 2018

We report the top ten papers published by the Journal ofInnovation in Health Informatics in 2017.
Stages of development and implementation of personalized medicine technologies in clinical practice
Authors: Sychev Dmitriy A.
Published: January 2018

In the article, the authors proposed the concept of developing and introducing into the clinical practice the technologies of personalized medicine, and first of all, genomic as well as other «omics» technologies. These are the stages from the choice of the problem, which is solved by personalizing the management of patients on the basis of genomic studies to the formation of a model for the introduction of personalized medicine technologies into clinical practice. The role of medical organizations of the Ministry of Health and scientific institutions of the Russian Academy of Sciences in all the proposed stages is presented.
Pharmacodynamic gene polymorphism and adverse drug reactionsthen applying antipsychotic drugs
Authors: Zastrozhin Mikhail S. , Sychev Dmitry A. , Grishina Elena A. , Savchenko Ludmila M. , Bryun Evgeny A.
Published: January 2018

Application of antipsychotic drugs of both the first and subsequent generations quite often causes adverse side effects, which can reduce the compliance to the treatment of patients, reducing their quality of life. One of the most serious NLRs that occur during the period of application of antipsychotic disorders in patients are extrapyramidal disorders (acute dystonia, dyskinesia), malignant neuroleptic syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. During the year of therapy with the use of antipsychotic drugs of the first generation, signs of late dyskinesia appear in 3 to 5% of patients, and in elderly patients this figure is 5 times higher.
The achievement of recent years in medicine is the application of the pharmacogenetic approach for predicting the patient’s individual response to taking the drug.
Recent advances in medicine is the practice of pharmacogenetic approach to predict the patient’s individual response to receiving the drug. The pharmacogenetic approach to the prescription of medicines is based on the study of the effect of polymorphism of genes encoding the synthesis of isoenzymes of biotransformation and transport of xenobiotics, as well as the synthesis of elements responsible for the pharmacodynamic component.
In this article, we will attempt to describe the main adverse side effects arising from the use of antipsychotic drugs, as well as consider pharmacogenetic aspects of their appearance, to summarize the relevant information currently available. arisingfrom the use of antipsychotic drugs, as well as consider pharmacogenetic aspects of their appearance, to summarize the relevant information currently available.
Contribution to Casein Determination by UV Spectrophotometry
Authors: Stefanescu Raluca , Brebu Stefania , Matei Mihaela , Risca Ioan Marian , Surleva Andriana , Drochioiu Gabi
Published: January 2018

In the present paper, the interaction between copper ions and proteins is presented, in order to elaborate a simple and rapid spectrophotometric assay of casein in milk. Under alkaline conditions, copper ions form the biuret complex with the proteins, which can be used in protein determination. Although very specific, the biuret method is less sensitive. Using insoluble copper phosphate, casein is able to extract copper ions, with which it forms the biuret complex, while either the complex or copper ions could be determined in the ultraviolet range. Indeed, an increased absorbance of biuret complex at 215 nm was found. Nevertheless, copper ions can be determined in UV as well, their concentration being proportional to that of casein. When used tetraglycine instead casein, mass spectrometric measurements at pH higher than 11 revealed the formation of complexes with many copper ions bound to each peptide bond-containing molecule. Nevertheless, on diluting the biuret solution the complex may dissociate leading to very complex UV spectra that should be further studied.
Valuation of large variable annuity portfolios: Monte Carlo simulation and synthetic datasets
Authors: Gan Guojun , Valdez Emiliano A.
Published: January 2018

Metamodeling techniques have recently been proposed to address the computational issues related to the valuation of large portfolios of variable annuity contracts. However, it is extremely diffcult, if not impossible, for researchers to obtain real datasets frominsurance companies in order to test their metamodeling techniques on such real datasets and publish the results in academic journals. To facilitate the development and dissemination of research related to the effcient valuation of large variable annuity portfolios, this paper creates a large synthetic portfolio of variable annuity contracts based on the properties of real portfolios of variable annuities and implements a simple Monte Carlo simulation engine for valuing the synthetic portfolio. In addition, this paper presents fair market values and Greeks for the synthetic portfolio of variable annuity contracts that are important quantities for managing the financial risks associated with variable annuities. The resulting datasets can be used by researchers to test and compare the performance of various metamodeling techniques.
The influence of relationship beliefs on gift giving
Authors: Rai Dipankar , Lin Chien-Wei , Hong JungHwa , Kulick George
Published: January 2018

People have fundamental beliefs about what constitutes a good relationship, known as implicit theories of relationship, where some people have destiny beliefs whereas others have growth beliefs. People with destiny beliefs believe that potential partners are meant either for each other or not, whereas people with growth beliefs believe that successful relationships are cultivated and developed. This research shows that different implicit theories of relationship influence consumers’ gift choice to their significant others. We demonstrate, through two studies, that consumers with destiny beliefs prefer giving gifts that are more feasible in nature, whereas consumers with growth beliefs prefer giving gifts that are more desirable in nature. We show that this effect is mediated by desirability-feasibility considerations. Specifically, consumers with destiny beliefs focus on feasibility considerations, which leads them to choose a highly feasible gift. Conversely, consumers with growth beliefs focus on desirability considerations, which leads them to choose a highly desirable gift. We also discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of our research.
Guard Sets in Tor using AS Relationships
Authors: Imani Mohsen , Barton Armon , Wright Matthew
Published: January 2018

The mechanism for picking guards in Tor suffers from security problems like guard fingerprinting and from performance issues. To address these issues, Hayes and Danezis proposed the use of guard sets, in which the Tor system groups all guards into sets, and each client picks one of these sets and uses its guards. Unfortunately, guard sets frequently need nodes added or they are broken up due to fluctuations in network bandwidth. In this paper, we first show that these breakups create opportunities for malicious guards to join many guard sets by merely tuning the bandwidth they make available to Tor, and this greatly increases the number of clients exposed to malicious guards. To address this problem, we propose a new method for forming guard sets based on Internet location. We construct a hierarchy that keeps clients and guards together more reliably and prevents guards from easily joining arbitrary guard sets. This approach also has the advantage of confining an attacker with access to limited locations on the Internet to a small number of guard sets. We simulate this guard set design using historical Tor data in the presence of both relay-level adversaries and networklevel adversaries, and we find that our approach is good at confining the adversary into few guard sets, thus limiting the impact of attacks.
Problem-Based Learning and Teaching in Construction-Oriented Secondary Vocational Education
Authors: Csepcsényi Lajos Lászlóné Balogh Melinda , Bredács Alice
Published: January 2018

It is a commonplace view today that schools do not prepare students properly for solving technical problems emerging in an ever-changing world. As attested by various PISA surveys, Hungarian students can only retrieve their knowledge situations. Their self-regulated learning, problem solving and cooperative skills do not develop in accord with the requirements of their future career. Positive transfer effects are only slightly expressed in learning, especially in the long run.
Internet Addiction in Adolescents
Authors: Rębisz Sławomir , Sikora Ilona
Published: January 2018

The possibilities offered by the use of the Internet increasingly intensify the problem of Internet addiction, which has become more prevalent in the last decade, marked by the growing availability of mobile devices and new media and their exacerbation of the problem. Research on Internet addiction, initiated by Kimberly Young at the end of the twentieth century, usually appears in the literature in the context of young people who have been found to be most vulnerable. The phenomenon is known as Adolescent Internet Addiction. Compulsive use of the Internet is a complex phenomenon, its effects being visible in almost all aspects of a young person’s social life. It is manifested in a variety of pathological behaviors and emotional states grouped into several major psycho-physical and social effects that may appear simultaneously, e.g. anger, depression, loneliness or anxiety associated with the lack of access to the network, the weakening of social ties, withdrawal from real life, lack of educational achievement, chronic fatigue or deteriorating health. The authors of this study aim to assess the level of Internet addiction among adolescents in Poland and indicate its main behavioral manifestations, in the students surveyed, which influence their pathological use of the Internet. Our study involved a total of 505 students from three high schools located in Rzeszow (N = 505) and was carried out by questionnaires, including, among others, The Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) which is the Polish adaptation of Kimberly Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (Cronbach’s α = 0.89). Statistical analysis of responses from the PUI test allowed us to determine (1) the level of Internet addiction among these adolescents, whereas the univariate (ANOVA) analysis enabled us (2) to verify the hypothesis of the existence of differences in the level of Internet addiction among the investigated groups as far as gender, place of residence or grade are concerned. Generally, the results obtained in our research indicate that the level of Internet addiction among the adolescents investigated is not very high, although two thirds of our respondents showed an above average level of addiction, and every ninth respondent (approximately 11%) was highly addicted to the Internet, men being more often addicted (15.6%) than women (8.3%).