bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transitional ‘hospital to home’ care of older patients: healthcare professionals’ perspectives
Authors: Dolu İlknur , Naharcı Mehmet İlkin , Logan Patricia A. , Paal Piret , Vaismoradi Mojtaba 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundTransitional care is a key area of care provision to older people with chronic and complex health conditions and is associated with the quality of care delivered in the healthcare system.AimsThis study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare providers, including nurses and physicians, regarding transitional care from hospital to home in an urban area of Turkey.MethodsA qualitative study using a thematic analysis method was carried out. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were held with eight clinical nurses and five general physicians involved in the provision of healthcare services to older patients in the transitional care process from hospital to home.FindingsThe thematic analysis of in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 13 healthcare professionals led to the development of the following themes: ‘uninterrupted chain of care transfer’, ‘commitment to meet patient’s needs’ and ‘support and removing ambiguities’.ConclusionsKey factors impacting on the quality and safety of transitional care and continuity of healthcare are communication and collaboration between healthcare staff and settings, and older patients’ as well as family caregivers’ awareness and their feelings of responsibility towards the continuity of care at home.
Joint Retirement in Couples: Evidence of Complementarity in Leisure*
Authors: Kruse Herman 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, I examine leisure complementarities in the joint retirement decisions of couples by quantifying the effect of the 2011 Norwegian pension reform. The reform abolished an earnings test on early retirement benefits for private‐sector workers, but not for public‐sector workers. I analyze population‐wide registry data on labor market participation, and I consider couples where the focal partner works in the public sector with a spouse employed either in the private sector (treatment group) or the public sector (control group). I find that spousal spillovers account for over 40 percent of the aggregate employment effect for women. They claim fewer early retirement benefits, and both men and women pay additional labor income taxes. In total, government budgets improved by approximately $46 million as a result of the spousal spillover effect between 2012 and 2015.
Sample size and spatial configuration of volunteered geographic information affect effectiveness of spatial bias mitigation
Authors: Zhang Guiming , Zhu A‐Xing 
Published: August 2020

AbstractVolunteered geographic information (VGI) can provide field samples for predictively mapping geographic phenomena. Yet the biased spatial coverage of VGI observations often undermines the fitness of use of VGI samples for predictive mapping. Although methods have been developed to mitigate spatial bias in VGI samples to improve predictive model performance, there exist limited investigations into the impacts of VGI sample size and spatial distribution characteristics on the effectiveness of the methods. This article presents an empirical evaluation on how the two factors affect the effectiveness of bias mitigation methods with a case study of mapping habitat suitability of the red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) using eBird data. Results reveal positive correlations between model performance improvement and sample size, given samples of similar spatial configuration. VGI samples with more spread‐out spatial coverage (i.e., more representative) are more amenable to bias mitigation. However, performance improvement plateaued beyond a certain sample size and sample representativeness thresholds.
Aural CT characteristics of American Cocker Spaniels have features of both mesaticephalic and brachycephalic breeds
Authors: Kaimio Mirja L. M. , Lappalainen Anu K. , Rahmani Vahideh , Männikkö Sofia , Laitinen‐Vapaavuori Outi M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOtitis externa and otitis media are common in American Cocker Spaniels, however breed‐specific aural CT descriptions are currently lacking. This prospective and retrospective, observational, analytical study aimed to describe quantitative CT characteristics of the horizontal ear canal and the tympanic bulla in American Cocker Spaniels versus similar‐sized mesaticephalic dogs. We prospectively performed clinical examinations and aural CT scanning for 38 American Cocker Spaniels. Computed tomographic transverse area of the osseous horizontal ear canal (TA1), transverse area of the widest air‐filled part of the cartilaginous horizontal ear canal (TA2), tympanic bulla volume, and tympanic bulla wall thickness were measured. The TA1 and TA2 measurements were compared with those of 23 retrospectively recruited, similar‐sized mesaticephalic dogs that had undergone CT‐scanning of the head for non‐ear‐related reasons. The TA1 and TA2 did not differ for healthy American Cocker Spaniels and mesaticephalic dogs. Severely affected American Cocker Spaniels had significantly smaller TA2 (P < .001). The intraclass correlation coefficient for intraobserver and interobserver repeatability was 0.972 and 0.983 for TA1 and 0.994 and 0.998 for TA2, respectively. Variation between individuals was subjectively noted in healthy and affected American Cocker Spaniels, but mean tympanic bulla volume was slightly smaller in relation to body weight, and the tympanic bulla wall was thicker than in previous reports for mesaticephalic dogs. The tympanic bulla wall appeared thicker rostro‐ventrally than caudo‐ventrally in 44% of the dogs. Our results imply that a relatively thick tympanic bulla wall may be a normal CT variation and should be interpreted cautiously in this breed.
Airblasts caused by large slope collapses
Authors: Penna Ivanna M. , Hermanns Reginald L. , Nicolet Pierrick , Morken Odd Andre , Dehls John , Gupta Vikram , Jaboyedoff Michel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractLarge slope collapses have been known to trigger extreme rushes of air loaded with projectiles (airblasts) capable of causing destruction and fatalities far beyond run-out of the rock mass. An appraisal of the likelihood of a destructive airblast should be a component of landslide risk assessments. Yet there is an absence of risk studies directly examining landslide-related airblasts. In this work we back-analyze an unreported airblast in the Sikkim Himalayas (India) and several other airblasts documented around the world. We explore the conditions a large slope collapse should meet to trigger a significant airblast, and we establish a semi-empirical relationship linking the potential energy in a collapse with airborne trajectory and the extent of the related airblast. The collapse of thousands or millions of cubic meters falling from a significant height results in a sudden release of energy (1011J to 1013J) and a high degree of comminution of rocks, causing a violent displacement of air. Average wind speeds of airblasts following impacts with airborne trajectory can be double the speed of rock avalanches. The size of the damage zone depends on the potential energy of the falling rock mass and can be amplified or reduced depending on how confined the valley is where the airblast occurs.
What can anisometropia tell us about eye growth?
Authors: Flitcroft Ian , Mccullough Sara , Saunders Kathryn 
Published: August 2020

Background/AimsBoth eyes of one individual share the same environment and genes. We examined interocular differences in biometry to determine the potential role of other factors in refractive development.Methods362 subjects (6–7 years) from the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction study were studied. Cycloplegic autorefraction was measured with a Shin-Nippon open-field autorefractor. Axial length and corneal curvature were measured with a Zeiss IOLMaster.Results257 subjects had an interocular difference of <0.50 D (ISO group) and 105 (29%) a difference of ≥0.50 D (ANISO group). Twenty-five subjects (6.9%) had anisometropia ≥1.00 D and 9 (2.5%) had anisometropia ≥1.50 D. The two groups, ISO and ANISO, showed different refractive distributions (p=0.001) with the ISO group showing a nearly Gaussian distribution and the ANISO group showing positive skew, a hyperopic shift and a bi-Gaussian distribution. A marker of emmetropisation is the poor correlation between refraction and corneal curvature seen in older children. There was no significant correlation between refraction and corneal curvature of each eye in the ISO group (r=0.09, p=0.19), but these parameters were significantly correlated in the ANISO group (r=0.28, p=0.004).ConclusionIn young children, small degrees of anisometropia (≥0.5 D) are associated with impaired emmetropisation. This suggests that anisometropia is a marker for poorly regulated eye growth, indicating that, in addition to environmental and genetic influences on eye growth, stochastic processes contribute to refractive outcomes.
Visual outcomes after cataract surgery among the elderly residents in the ‘homes for the aged’ in South India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study
Authors: Marmamula Srinivas , Barrenakala Navya Rekha , Challa Rajesh , Kumbham Thirupathi Reddy , Modepalli Satya Brahmanandam , Yellapragada Ratnakar , Bhakki Madhuri , Reddy Jagadesh C , Friedman David S , Khanna Rohit C 
Published: August 2020

Background/AimTo report visual outcomes and factors associated with good visual outcomes after cataract surgery among the elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India.MethodsIndividuals aged ≥60 years were recruited from 41 ‘homes for the aged’. All participants had a detailed eye examinations including visual acuity (VA) assessment , refraction, slit-lamp examination and fundus imaging by trained professionals. A detailed history of cataract surgery was recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with good visual outcomes after cataract surgery which was defined as presenting VA of 6/18 or better in the operated eye. Visual impairment (VI) is defined as presenting VA worse than 6/18 in the operated eye.Results1215 eyes of 703 individuals had cataract surgery. The mean age of these participants was 77.5 years (SD: 8.2 years; range: 60–108 years), 66.8% were women, 29.9% reported diabetes and 61% reported hypertension. 406/1215 (33.4%; 95% CI 30.8 to 36.1) eyes had VI after cataract surgery. Posterior capsular opacification (31.8%; n=129) was the leading cause of VI followed by uncorrected refractive error (24.1%; n=98). The prevalence of good outcomes was 66.6% (95% CI 63.8 to 69.2). On applying multivariable analysis, younger age, self-reported hypertension, independent mobility, surgery in a non-government (as opposed to private) hospital and undergoing paid surgery were associated with good outcomes.ConclusionsOne-third of the eyes of elderly individuals living in homes for the aged that had previously undergone cataract surgery had VI. Regular eye examinations with the provision of laser capsulotomy and appropriate refractive correction can substantially improve their vision.
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for a degenerative meniscus tear: a 5 year follow-up of the placebo-surgery controlled FIDELITY (Finnish Degenerative Meniscus Lesion Study) trial
Authors: Sihvonen Raine , Paavola Mika , Malmivaara Antti , Itälä Ari , Joukainen Antti , Kalske Juha , Nurmi Heikki , Kumm Jaanika , Sillanpää Niko , Kiekara Tommi , Turkiewicz Aleksandra , Toivonen Pirjo , Englund Martin , Taimela Simo , Järvinen Teppo L N 
Published: August 2020

ObjectivesTo assess the long-term effects of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) on the development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis, and on knee symptoms and function, at 5 years follow-up.DesignMulticentre, randomised, participant- and outcome assessor-blinded, placebo-surgery controlled trial.SettingOrthopaedic departments in five public hospitals in Finland.Participants146 adults, mean age 52 years (range 35–65 years), with knee symptoms consistent with degenerative medial meniscus tear verified by MRI scan and arthroscopically, and no clinical signs of knee osteoarthritis were randomised.InterventionsAPM or placebo surgery (diagnostic knee arthroscopy).Main outcome measuresWe used two indices of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (increase in Kellgren and Lawrence grade ≥1, and increase in Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas radiographic joint space narrowing and osteophyte sum score, respectively), and three validated patient-relevant measures of knee symptoms and function (Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET), Lysholm, and knee pain after exercise using a numerical rating scale).ResultsThere was a consistent, slightly greater risk for progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis in the APM group as compared with the placebo surgery group (adjusted absolute risk difference in increase in Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥1 of 13%, 95% CI −2% to 28%; adjusted absolute mean difference in OARSI sum score 0.7, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.3). There were no relevant between-group differences in the three patient-reported outcomes: adjusted absolute mean differences (APM vs placebo surgery), −1.7 (95% CI −7.7 to 4.3) in WOMET, −2.1 (95% CI −6.8 to 2.6) in Lysholm knee score, and −0.04 (95% CI −0.81 to 0.72) in knee pain after exercise, respectively. The corresponding adjusted absolute risk difference in the presence of mechanical symptoms was 18% (95% CI 5% to 31%); there were more symptoms reported in the APM group. All other secondary outcomes comparisons were similar.ConclusionsAPM was associated with a slightly increased risk of developing radiographic knee osteoarthritis and no concomitant benefit in patient-relevant outcomes, at 5 years after surgery.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01052233andNCT00549172).
Optical coherence tomography: a novel imaging approach to visualize and quantify cutaneous microvascular structure and function in patients with diabetes
Authors: Argarini Raden , McLaughlin Robert A , Joseph Simon Z , Naylor Louise H , Carter Howard H , Yeap Bu B , Jansen Shirley J , Green Daniel J 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionThe pathophysiology of microvascular disease is poorly understood, partly due to the lack of tools to directly image microvessels in vivo.Research design and methodsIn this study, we deployed a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique during local skin heating to assess microvascular structure and function in diabetics with (DFU group, n=13) and without (DNU group, n=10) foot ulceration, and healthy controls (CON group, n=13). OCT images were obtained from the dorsal foot, at baseline (33°C) and 30 min following skin heating.ResultsAt baseline, microvascular density was higher in DFU compared with CON (21.9%±11.5% vs 14.3%±5.6%, p=0.048). Local heating induced significant increases in diameter, speed, flow rate and density in all groups (all p<0.001), with smaller changes in diameter for the DFU group (94.3±13.4 µm), compared with CON group (115.5±11.7 µm, p<0.001) and DNU group (106.7±12.1 µm, p=0.014). Heating-induced flow rate was lower in the DFU group (584.3±217.0 pL/s) compared with the CON group (908.8±228.2 pL/s, p<0.001) and DNU group (768.8±198.4 pL/s, p=0.014), with changes in density also lower in the DFU group than CON group (44.7%±15.0% vs 56.5%±9.1%, p=0.005).ConclusionsThis proof of principle study indicates that it is feasible to directly visualize and quantify microvascular function in people with diabetes; and distinguish microvascular disease severity between patients.
Economic burden of IADPSG gestational diabetes diagnostic criteria in China: propensity score matching analysis from a 7-year retrospective cohort
Authors: He Zonglin , Tang Yuan , Xie Huatao , Lin Yuchen , Liang Shangqiang , Xu Yuyuan , Chen Zhili , Wu Liang-zhi , Sheng Jie , Bi Xiaoyu , Pang Muyi , Akinwunmi Babatunde , Xiao Xiaomin , Ming Wai-kit 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionThe International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increased the morbidity significantly, but the cost and effectiveness of its application are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the IADPSG criteria for diagnosing GDM in China on the perinatal outcomes, and medical expenditure of GDM women versus those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).Research design and methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 7794 women admitted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Guangzhou, China), from November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2017. The perinatal outcomes and medical expenditure were retrieved from the electronic medical records in the hospital. Propensity score matching (PSM, in a 1:1 ratio) algorithm was used to minimize confounding effects on the difference in the two cohorts.ResultsPSM minimized the difference of baseline characteristics between women with and without GDM. Of 7794 pregnant women, half (n=3897) were all of the pregnant women with GDM admitted to the hospital during the period, the other half women had NGT and were selected randomly to match with their counterparts. Adopting the IADPSG criteria was associated with reduced risk of emergency cesarean section, polyhydramnios, turbid amniotic fluid and perineal injury (p<0.01 for all) and having any one of the adverse fetal outcomes (p<0.01), including fetal distress, umbilical cord around the neck, neonatal encephalopathy, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, birth trauma, neonatal hypoglycemia and fetal death. After PSM, the median total medical expenditure by the GDM women was ¥912.9 (US$140.7 in 2015) more than that of the the NGT women (p=0.09).ConclusionsDespite the increasing medical expenditure, screening at 24–28 gestational weeks under the IADPSG guidelines with the 2-hour, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test can improve short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Increased cardiovascular risk and reduced quality of life are highly prevalent among individuals with hepatitis C
Authors: McPherson Stuart , Gosrani Shion , Hogg Sarah , Patel Preya , Wetten Aaron , Welton Rachael , Hallsworth Kate , Campbell Matthew 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common. Although treatment is effective, with oral antivirals curing >95% of patients, most individuals have comorbidities that persist long term. Therefore, our aim was to determine the prevalence of potentially modifiable health problems in patients with HCV and develop an HCV care bundle to identify and target comorbidities.DesignCross-sectional, observational single-centre study that recruited consecutive patients with HCV from our viral hepatitis clinics. Data were collected on cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, lifestyle behaviours, anthropometry and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). QRISK 3 was used to predict 10-year CV event risk.Results100 patients were recruited (67% male, 93% white, median age 52 years (range 24–80); 71% were treated for HCV; 34% had cirrhosis; 14% had diabetes; 61% had hypertension; 31% had metabolic syndrome; and 54% were smokers). The median 10-year CV event risk was 8.3% (range 0.3%–63%). 45% had a predicted 10-year CV event risk of >10%. Only 10% of individuals were treated with statins and 27% with antihypertensives. 92% had a predicted ‘heart age’ greater than their chronological age (median difference +7 (−4 to +26) years). HRQoL was reduced in all SF36v2 domains in the cohort. Factors independently associated with HRQoL included cirrhosis, metabolic syndrome, history of mental health disorder, sedentary behaviour and HCV viraemia.ConclusionA large proportion of patients with HCV presented with increased risk of CV events, and rates of smoking and sedentary behaviour were high, while prescribing of primary prophylaxis was infrequent. HRQoL was also reduced in the cohort. A ‘care bundle’ was developed to provide a structured approach to treating potentially modifiable health problems.
Implementation of health and health-related sustainable development goals: progress, challenges and opportunities – a systematic literature review
Authors: Aftab Wafa , Siddiqui Fahad Javaid , Tasic Hana , Perveen Shagufta , Siddiqi Sameen , Bhutta Zulfiqar Ahmed 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionWhile health is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many other ‘health-related’ goals comprise determinants of health. Integrated implementation across SDGs is needed for the achievement of Agenda 2030. While existing literature is rich in normative recommendations about potentially useful approaches, evidence of implementation strategies being adopted by countries is limited.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review with qualitative synthesis of findings using peer reviewed and grey literature from key databases. We included publications examining implementation of health and health-related SDGs (HHSDGs) at national or subnational level published between June 2013 and July 2019.ResultsOf the 32 included publications, 24 provided information at the national level while eight provided information for multiple countries or regions. Our findings indicate that high-level political commitment is evident in most countries and HHSDGs are being aligned with existing national development strategies and plans. A multisectoral, integrated approach is being adopted in institutional setups but evidence on effectiveness of these approaches is limited. Funding constraints are a major challenge for many countries. HHSDGs are generally being financed from within existing funded plans and, in some instances, through SDG-specific budgeting and tracking; additional funding is being mobilised by increasing domestic taxation and subsidisation, and by collaborating with development partners and private sector. Equity is being promoted by improving health service access through universal health coverage and social insurance schemes, especially for disadvantaged populations. Governments are collaborating with development partners and UN agencies for support in planning, institutional development and capacity building. However, evidence on equity promotion, capacity building initiatives and implementation approaches at subnational level is limited. Lack of coordination among various levels of government emerges as a key challenge.Conclusionstrengthening implementation of multisectoral work, capacity building, financial sustainability and data availability are key considerations to accelerate implementation of HHSDGs.