bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public sector accounting contexts in the EPSAS change: a comparative study of Italy and Sweden
Authors: Natalizi Daniele 
Published: February 2020

Comparing Italy and Sweden, which are countries with different cultural and accounting traditions, this article focuses on the characteristics of their standard-setting processes for the public sector in order to evaluate their prerequisites for international harmonization. The recent attempt by European bodies to stimulate an international public sector accounting harmonization process, the European Public Sector Accounting Standards programme, requires that each country involved in the process assumes its position, taking into account a number of national factors and conditions. To this end, the research identifies the potential positive factors of a national public sector accounting standard-setting context that are favourable to international harmonization. While both countries differ in some respects, the study discusses how the ideal prerequisites can constitute a positive environment in which to implement international harmonization in the European context. Points for practitioners This comparative study identifies conditions to enhance an efficient and reliable national standard-setting process, summarizing the potential positive factors investigated in both countries. It argues that institutional arrangements and specific governance factors (a flexible legal system, efficient auditing, vertical harmonization, an inclusive and participative standard-setting process, and the maturity of accrual accounting) can support key actors in the public sector to react positively to international harmonization, with some emerging scepticism regarding the European Public Sector Accounting Standards programme.
A tissue-based simulation model for cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation/decannulation training
Authors: Luo Xiaokang , Luo Fuliang , Li Bo , Li Bin , Tang Yue , Sun Hansong 
Published: February 2020

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass is the basis of open heart surgery. Through simulation-based learning, residents may receive structured training of cardiopulmonary bypass techniques. Therefore, we built a high-fidelity, tissue-based simulation model for cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation/decannulation training. Methods: The core of the model is a whole block of cadaveric animal heart and lung. The discarded membrane oxygenators are used as blood reservoirs. The tubing and suckers recycled from animal experiments are washed and reused. To set up the model, the cadaveric heart and lung are placed into a container of appropriate size. The “arterial” tubing is connected with a pressure gauge, the distal aorta, the superior vena cava, and arterial cannula, respectively. The “venous” tubing is composed of three independent catheters, respectively, for the practice of venous cannulation, for the connection of sucker and for the practice of placing left atrial/ventricular vent. All tubes are installed on the roller pumps to maintain the correct flow direction. A technician should be responsible for operating the heart–lung machine, clamping and releasing the specific segments of tubing, adjusting the pressure, and cooperating with the trainees to practice. Results: Using the simulation model, 18 residents underwent cardiopulmonary bypass techniques training, with an average satisfaction of 8.94 points. The mean score on the overall fidelity of the simulation model assessed by nine experienced cardiothoracic surgeons was 8.67 points. Conclusion: The tissue-based simulation model has a certain degree of realism. Cardiac surgery residents can practice necessary cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation/decannulation techniques by this model.
‘It’s not what they were expecting’: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the role and experience of the hospital palliative care volunteer
Authors: Bloomer Melissa J , Walshe Catherine 
Published: February 2020

Background: Volunteers make a major contribution to palliative care but little is known specifically about hospital palliative care volunteers. Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the role and experience of hospital palliative care volunteers. Design: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Data sources: CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed and three dissertation databases were searched from inception to June 2019. A forward and backward search of included papers in key journals was also undertaken. Records were independently assessed against inclusion criteria by authors. Included papers were assessed for quality, but none were excluded. Results: In total, 14 papers were included. Hospital palliative care volunteers were mostly female, aged above 40 years, and training varied considerably. Volunteers faced unique challenges in supporting dying patients due to the nature of hospital care, rapid patient turnover and the once-off nature of support. Volunteer roles were diverse, with some providing hands-on care, but most focused on ‘being with’ the dying patient. Volunteers were appreciated for providing psychosocial support, seen as complementary to, rather than replacing the work of health professionals. Given volunteers were often required to work across multiple wards, establishing positive work relationships with health professionals was challenging. Divergent views about whether the volunteer was part of or external to the team impacted volunteers’ experience and perceptions of the value of their contribution. Conclusion: Hospital palliative care volunteers face unique challenges in supporting terminally ill patients. Volunteer support in hospital settings is possible and appropriate, if sufficient support is available to mitigate the challenges associated with complex, high-acuity care.
Do doctors treat themselves differently than their patients? Study on the self-treatment of migraine among German neurologists and pain specialists
Authors: Hansen Leonie C , Gaul Charly , Pogatzki-Zahn Esther , Baron Ralf , Gierthmühlen Janne 
Published: February 2020

Aim To investigate whether the self-treatment of migraine among neurologists and pain specialists corresponds to national medical guidelines and treatment of patients. Methods An email cross-sectional survey was sent to members of the German Society for Neurology, German Pain Society and German Migraine and Headache Society containing questions on demographics, professional experience and specialization and – in case participants suffered from migraine – questions about their migraine and its treatment. Results 175/418 (41.9%) participants suffered from migraine (m: 29.3%; f: 55.2%, 45.9 ± 10.7 years). For acute migraine attacks, 96.6 % of them use a first-line treatment according to the medical guidelines. Seventeen (9.7%) are currently taking a migraine prophylaxis, 52.9% of these use a recommended first-line prophylaxis. In all, 21.7% are not taking a prophylactic treatment despite an indication (based on number of monthly migraine days) for it, due to fear of side-effects, low intensity of migraine attacks and a sufficient effect of acute medication. This group of participants was younger, less experienced and specialized and was mainly employed (vs. self-employed) compared to those taking a prophylaxis. A total of 96.6% reported treating their patients in line with current guidelines; 14.3% would treat themselves differently when they were their own patients. Conclusion The self-treatment of acute migraine attacks for the most part complies with the guidelines but, regarding the indication for a prophylaxis, a more divergent treatment approach was observed among younger, less experienced physicians. For the majority of physicians there is no difference between self-treatment and treatment of migraine patients.
Dietary Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Animal Protein Intake and Their Association to the Linear Growth Trajectory of Children from Birth to 24 Months of Age: Results From MAL-ED Birth Cohort Study Conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Das Subhasish , Sanchez J. Johanna , Alam Ashraful , Haque Ahshanul , Mahfuz Mustafa , Ahmed Tahmeed , Long Kurt Z. 
Published: February 2020

Background: Evidence suggests lack of understanding of the association of specific nutrients with different time points of linear growth trajectory. Objective: We investigated the role of dietary macro- and micronutrients on length-for-age z (LAZ) score trajectory of children across first 24 months of their life. Methods: The MAL-ED Bangladesh birth cohort study recruited 265 healthy newborn children after birth. The linear growth trajectory of those children was modeled using latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) technique. Results: Dietary magnesium intake at 9 to 11 months was positively associated (coefficient β = 0.006, P < .02) with LAZ at 12 months. Animal protein intake at 15 to 17 months, in turn, was positively associated (β = 0.03, P < .03) with LAZ at 18 months. However, vitamin D intake at 15 to 17 months was negatively associated (β = −0.06, P < .02) with LAZ at 18 months. Other micro- and macronutrients did not show any statistically significant association with the linear growth trajectory. We also found that birth weight (β = 0.91, P < .01), treating water (β = 0.35, P < 0.00), and maternal height (β = 3.4, P < .00) were positively associated with intercept. Gender had a significant negative association with the intercept, but a positive association with the slope (β = −0.39, P < .01; β = 0.08, P < .04), respectively. Conversely, birth weight had negative association with the slope (β = −0.12, P < .01). Conclusions: Dietary magnesium and animal protein were positively and vitamin D was negatively associated with the linear growth trajectory. Maternal height, birth weight, gender, and treatment of drinking water also played significant roles in directing the trajectory.
Evaluating Radiology Result Communication in the Emergency Department
Authors: O’ Neill Siobhan B. , Vijayasarathi Arvind , Nicolaou Savvas , Walstra Frances , Salamon Noriko , Munk Peter L. , Khosa Faisal 
Published: February 2020

Purpose: To assess the pattern of result communication that occurs between radiologists and referring physicians in the emergency department setting. Methods: An institutional review board–approved prospective study was performed at a large academic medical center with 24/7 emergency radiology cover. Emergency radiologists logged information regarding all result-reporting communication events that occurred over a 168-hour period. Results: A total of 286 independent result communication events occurred during the study period, the vast majority of which occurred via telephone (232/286). Emergency radiologists spent 10% of their working time communicating results. Similar amounts of time were spent discussing negative and positive cross-sectional imaging examinations. In a small minority of communication events, additional information was gathered through communication that resulted in a change of interpretation from a normal to an abnormal study. Conclusions: Effective and efficient result communication is critical to care delivery in the emergency department setting. Discussion regarding abnormal cases, both in person and over the phone, is encouraged. However, in the emergency setting, time spent on routine direct communication of negative examination results in advance of the final report may lead to increased disruptions, longer turnaround times, and negatively impact patient care. In very few instances, does the additional information gained from the communication event result in a change of interpretation?
Adapting an Online Prevention Program to the Higher Education Area in Germany
Authors: Braun Michael , Ganz Thomas , Heidenreich Thomas , Laging Marion 
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Hazardous alcohol consumption among university students represents a prime health risk for this population. Due to a lack of appropriate German-language (online) prevention programs, an existing U.S.-American program was transferred to the German higher education area and then evaluated. Method: For this purpose, both qualitative focus groups and a quantitative evaluation were undertaken. The guided focus groups allowed a further adaptation of the prevention program: An improved frequency–quantity questionnaire for the drinking behavior of German-speaking students was developed, and thresholds for hazardous consumption were included. Results: The additional quantitative verification of the adaptation found that 65.9% of the surveyed students found the adapted program suitable for the higher education context and 62.6% stated that every university should provide such a program. Discussion: The adaptation process described here made it possible to develop an online prevention program tailored to the lifeworld of students in the German-speaking region.
Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity in patients with colorectal and gastric cancers: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Bondad Nazanin , Boostani Reza , Barri Alireza , Elyasi Sepideh , Allahyari Abolghasem 
Published: February 2020

Purpose Neuropathy is one of the most prevalent and dose-limiting side effects of platinum chemotherapeutic agents. N-acetylcysteine is an antioxidant thiol which is able to increase whole blood concentration of glutathione, which may be protective against chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N-acetylcysteine on neurotoxicity induced by oxaliplatin in patients with gastric or colorectal cancers. Methods During this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine effervescent tablets was assessed in comparison with placebo, on neuropathy occurrence. Thirty-two patients with colorectal or gastric cancer randomly received N-acetylcysteine (two 600 mg tablets) or placebo tablets 1 h before receiving oxaliplatin in dose in XELOX (oxaliplatin and capecitabine regimen) for eight courses of chemotherapy. Neuropathy severity was assessed after eight courses of chemotherapy based on National Cancer Institute Common Terminology for Adverse Events (NCI‐CTCAE) criteria neuropathy grading scale and also sensory and motor electrophysiological assessment was performed by a neurologist. Results The NCI-CTCAE scale grade of patients in intervention group was significantly lower than placebo group after eight course of oxaliplatin ( P = 0.01); however, the sensory electrophysiological assessment result was not significantly different ( P = 0.501). No patient in both group had motor electrophysiological changes. Conclusion The results of this study showed that N-acetylcysteine could reduce the incidence of the neuropathy induced by oxaliplatin and delay its occurrence in patients with gastric or colorectal cancers.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 and melanoma of the iris arising from a dysplastic nevus: A rare yet casual association?
Authors: Alessio Giovanni , Guerriero Silvana , Albano Valeria , Piscitelli Domenico , Falcone Veronica , Lastella Patrizia , Resta Nicoletta , Stella Alessandro 
Published: February 2020

Purpose: We investigated the molecular causes of an unusual pigmented and ulcerated iris lesion detected in a patient diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Case Report: A 52-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a non-traumatic ulcer in his left eye. Hyphema reabsorption disclosed a pigmented iris mass, thus ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment fluorescein angiography were performed to investigate for the presence of a malignant lesion. Upon angiography, the lesion appeared highly vascularized but prevented posterior iris examination. Therefore, a gonioscopy was executed revealing extension of the lesion into the peripheral iris. Histopathology of the excisional iris biopsy revealed iris melanoma over a dysplastic nevus. NF1 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by pigmented cutaneous lesions, multiple skin tumors, and spinal and cranial nerve tumors. Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Up to 92% of cutaneous melanomas occur in patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome. Skin melanomas have been found in 0.1%–5.4% of NF1 patients. In literature, only 18 reports of uveal melanoma have been documented in association with NF1, including three cases of iris melanoma. Results: NF1 gene testing identified a causative mutation in the germline but no loss of the wild-type allele in the iris melanoma. Conclusions: Occurrence of both diseases in one patient is extremely rare, but the common origin of Schwann cells and melanoblasts suggests a non-casual association. Therefore, we propose that NF1 patients should be screened for nevi, both cutaneous and uveal, for better patients’ management.
Economic impact of dry eye disease in Spain: A multicentre retrospective insurance claims database analysis
Authors: Darbà Josep , Ascanio Meritxell 
Published: February 2020

Purpose: To analyse the occurrence and cost of dry eye disease in Spain in the recent years. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis based on anonymised data from an insurance claims database that includes data from 1997 to 2015 from public and private hospitals and healthcare centres; 36,081 patients were eligible for the study after duplicate elimination. Five ICD9 codes associated with dry eye were used for patient selection, including vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea, xerophthalmia due to vitamin A deficiency, keratoconjunctivitis sicca not specified as Sjögren’s, dry eye syndrome and keratoconjunctivitis sicca Sjögren’s disease. Results: Over 88% of the patients were female, and the mean age was 66 years. Patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca Sjögren’s disease represented more than 89% of all patients and had the highest percentage of women. Both the annual number of patients and the number of admissions have increased exponentially since 1997 raising from 1079 to 3097 and from 1344 to 5938, respectively. The in-hospital length of stay was 9.6 (standard deviation = 11.6) days where more than 65% of the admissions were due to emergencies. Total costs were found to increase from €4.9 to €30.3 million during the study period; in parallel, there was an increase in the mean annual cost per patient, which was on average €7379. Conclusion: Disease incidence is likely to increase due to the influence of modern-day workplace, and it is important to take into account the high economic burden and the large decrease in quality of life in regards to Spanish society and health policies.
Changes in cardiac anxiety and self-care practices in heart failure patients following implantation of wireless hemodynamic monitoring sensors
Authors: Sager David M , Burch Ashley E , Alhosaini Hassan , Vaughan Tracy , Sears Samuel F 
Published: February 2020

Background: Wireless implantable hemodynamic monitors assist cardiac care providers in tailoring medication regimens to reduce chronic heart failure hospital admissions and to improve patient quality of life. Previous research exists to support wireless implantable hemodynamic monitors favorable impact on medical endpoints but, however, their psychological and behavioral effects have not yet been established. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate patient psychological and behavioral changes after receiving the wireless implantable hemodynamic monitor. Methods: Patients with heart failure ( n=26) who were implanted with wireless implantable hemodynamic monitor sensors completed the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire and Self-Care of Heart Failure Index version 6.2 at pre-implant and at one-month post-implant, as well as an initial demographic questionnaire. Results: Heart failure patients who received a wireless implantable hemodynamic monitor experienced a significant reduction in cardiac anxiety, t(25)=2.93, p=0.007, z=−0.46, d=0.58, driven by a reduction in fear of their condition, t(25)=2.26, p=0.03, z=−0.42, d=0.44. Increases in self-care behaviors fell short of significance t(25)=1.67, p=0.11, but showed a medium effect size, d=0.33. Conclusion: Heart failure patients who received a wireless implantable hemodynamic monitor reported significantly reduced cardiac fear, indicating that wireless implantable hemodynamic monitor technology may produce a collateral benefit in psychological effects. Patient self-care may also benefit but the current study was under-powered to reach statistical significance. Patient education about psychological and behavioral aspects of the wireless implantable hemodynamic monitor implant may yield increased patient engagement and broader health benefits if these results are confirmed in a larger study.
Effect of Exercise and Meals on Continuous Glucose Monitor Data in Healthy Individuals Without Diabetes
Authors: DuBose Stephanie N. , Li Zoey , Sherr Jennifer L. , Beck Roy W. , Tamborlane William V. , Shah Viral N. 
Published: February 2020

Objective: The aim of these analyses was to characterize the effect of exercise and meals on glucose concentrations in healthy individuals without diabetes. Methods: Healthy individuals without diabetes (age ≥6 years) with nonobese body mass index were enrolled at 12 centers within the T1D Exchange Clinic Network. Participants wore a blinded Dexcom G6 for up to ten days. Throughout this sensor wear, participants completed a daily log indicating times and type of any exercise and start times of meals and snacks. Results: A total of 153 participants (age 7-80 years) were included in the analyses. Exercise induced a mean change of −15 ± 18 mg/dL from baseline to nadir sensor glucose level. Mean nadir glucose concentration during nights following exercise days was 82 ± 11 mg/dL compared with 85 ± 11 mg/dL during nights following nonexercise days ( P = .05). Mean change from baseline to nadir sensor glucose level during aerobic exercise was −15 ± 18 and −9 ± 12 mg/dL for resistance exercise ( P = .25). Overnight nadir glucose during nights following aerobic and resistance exercise was 83 ± 12 and 76 ± 14 mg/dL, respectively ( P = .25). Overall mean peak postprandial glucose per participant increased from 93 ± 10 mg/dL premeal to 130 ± 13 mg/dL with an average time to peak glucose per participant of 97 ± 31 minutes. Consumption of alcohol on the day prior did not impact overnight mean or nadir glucose. Conclusion: The present analysis provides important data characterizing the effect of exercise and meals on glucose in healthy individuals without diabetes. These data provide a repository to which future therapies, whether pharmacologic or technologic, can be compared.