bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the Luton social prescribing programme on mental well-being: a quantitative before-and-after study
Authors: Pescheny Julia V , Gunn Laura H , Pappas Yannis , Randhawa Gurch 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background
Social prescribing programmes expand the range of options available to primary care health professionals to address patients’ psychosocial needs, impacting on their health and well-being. The objective of this study was to assess the change in the mental well-being of service users after participation in the Luton social prescribing programme.

Methods
Skew-normal (SN) regression was applied to analyse the change in mental well-being post-intervention (N = 63). The short Warwick–Edinburgh mental well-being scale was used as the outcome measure.

Results
The SN regression found a statistically significant change (P &lt; 0.0001) in the average difference score between baseline and post-intervention measures. However, the observed change does not appear to be of clinical relevance. No significant associations in mental well-being scores by gender, age or working status were found.

Conclusion
Findings of this study indicate that social prescribing may have the potential to improve the mental well-being of service users. The study findings contribute to the sparse evidence base on social prescribing outcomes by socio-demographic characteristics of participants and highlight the importance of considering subgroup analysis in future research.
COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR NEUTRON DETECTION SYSTEM NON-LINEARITY ASSESSMENT
Authors: Bílý T , Keltnerová L 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Linearity of response belongs to fundamental characteristics of neutron detection systems. Research reactors are valuable tools for neutron detector non-linearity studies as they offer a wide range of neutron fluxes. For neutron detection systems working in pulse mode they enable to characterise detector response non-linearity from some hundreds of cps up to the maximum reachable count rates. The paper presents comparison of two methods for neutron pulse-mode detector non-linearity characterisation using VR-1 zero power reactor: (1) comparative method utilising the comparison of studied pulse-mode detection system with a response of gamma compensated ionisation chamber working in current mode, and (2) kinetics method utilising the asymptotic exponential power rise after positive reactivity insertion as a source of information on true signal. Further several approaches for dead time determination based on theoretical formulae describing paralysable and non-paralysable dead time behaviour of detectors were studied and their usability to characterise the count-rate dependent detector response was analysed.
Local Bankruptcy and Geographic Contagion in the Bank Loan Market*
Authors: Addoum Jawad M , Kumar Alok , Le Nhan , Niessen-Ruenzi Alexandra 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
We examine whether corporate bankruptcies influence bank loan characteristics of geographically proximate firms. Controlling for industry contagion and local economic conditions, firms headquartered near a bankruptcy event experience a 7 basis point increase in loan spreads. The effect is transitory and cannot be fully explained by local correlated information or lenders’ financial health. Instead, the effect is more pronounced for informationally opaque bankruptcies and borrowers, and weakened among loans with relationship lenders and lenders with significant local presence.
Exploring Mechanistic Toxicity of Mixtures Using PBPK Modeling and Computational Systems Biology
Authors: Ruiz Patricia , Emond Claude , McLanahan Eva D , Joshi-Barr Shivanjali , Mumtaz Moiz 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Mixtures risk assessment needs an efficient integration of in vivo, in vitro, and in silico data with epidemiology and human studies data. This involves several approaches, some in current use and others under development. This work extends the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) toolkit, available for risk assessors, to include a mixture PBPK model of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. The recoded model was evaluated and applied to exposure scenarios to evaluate the validity of dose additivity for mixtures. In the second part of this work, we studied toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (TEX)-gene-disease associations using Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, pathway analysis and published microarray data from human gene expression changes in blood samples after short- and long-term exposures. Collectively, this information was used to establish hypotheses on potential linkages between TEX exposures and human health. The results show that 236 genes expressed were common between the short- and long-term exposures. These genes could be central for the interconnecting biological pathways potentially stimulated by TEX exposure, likely related to respiratory and neuro diseases. Using publicly available data we propose a conceptual framework to study pathway perturbations leading to toxicity of chemical mixtures. This proposed methodology lends mechanistic insights of the toxicity of mixtures and when experimentally validated will allow data gaps filling for mixtures’ toxicity assessment. This work proposes an approach using current knowledge, available multiple stream data and applying computational methods to advance mixtures risk assessment.
High diversity in the Pseudechiniscus suillus–facettalis complex (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) with remarks on the morphology of the genus Pseudechiniscus
Authors: Grobys Daria , Roszkowska Milena , Gawlak Magdalena , Kmita Hanna , Kepel Andrzej , Kepel Marta , Parnikoza Ivan , Bartylak Tomasz , Kaczmarek Łukasz 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPseudechiniscus is a morphologically homogeneous genus of tardigrades. The morphological features commonly used for species discrimination in this genus are the dorsal sculpture, the shape and number of dorsal plates and trunk appendages. Species of the Pseudechiniscus suillus–facettalis complex are one of the most challenging tardigrades to identify. All species are similar in their general appearance and all lack trunk appendages. Moreover, not only the nominal Pseudechiniscus suillus, but also other members of the suillus–facettalis complex have been insufficiently described. In our study, we examined several populations from the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres that could be traditionally attributed to Pse. suillus. These populations were analysed using integrative taxonomy – a combination of classical morphology and morphometry with molecular data. Besides the differences in the dorsal sculpture and morphometry, we also found species-specific differences in ventral sculpture, which were originally used for discrimination of Pseudechiniscus species. Moreover, we provide an extensive discussion on all morphological and morphometric differences used in Pseudechiniscus taxonomy and indicate main taxonomic problems with this genus. Finally, we redescribe the nominal Pse. suillus from Italy.
Dried Blood Microsampling-Based Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antiepileptic Drugs in Children With Nodding Syndrome and Epilepsy in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Velghe Sofie , Delahaye Lisa , Ogwang Rodney , Hotterbeekx An , Colebunders Robert , Mandro Michel , Idro Richard , Stove Christophe P. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract:
Nodding syndrome is a highly debilitating, generalized seizure disorder, affecting children in subregions of sub-Saharan Africa. Despite numerous efforts to uncover the etiology, the exact cause of this syndrome still remains obscure. Therefore, to date, patients only receive symptomatic care, including the administration of first-generation antiepileptic drugs for seizure control. As data on the efficacy of drugs within this population are completely lacking, the aim of this study was to explore how therapeutic drug monitoring could help to understand the differential response to therapy. Considering the challenging environment in which sampling had to be performed (remote areas, devoid of electricity, running water, etc), dried blood matrices [ie, dried blood spots (DBSs)] and volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) were considered fit-for-purpose. In addition, owing to the similarities between the syndrome and other forms of epilepsy, samples originating from patients suffering from (onchocerciasis-associated) epilepsy were included. In total, 68 patients with Nodding syndrome from Uganda, 58 Ugandan patients with epilepsy, and 137 patients with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were included. VAMS samples and DBS were analyzed using validated methods, involving manual extraction or fully automated extraction, respectively, before quantification using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Analysis revealed that serum concentrations (calculated from DBS) within the respective reference ranges were attained in only 52.9% of the 68 Nodding syndrome patients treated with valproic acid, in 21.4% of the 56 Ugandan epilepsy patients treated with carbamazepine, and in 65.7% of the 137 onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy patients from the Democratic Republic of the Congo treated with phenobarbital. In all other instances, concentrations were subtherapeutic. Furthermore, on comparing DBS with VAMS concentrations, an inexplicable overestimation was observed in the latter. Finally, no obvious link could be observed between the obtained drug concentrations and the number of seizures experienced during the last month before sampling, elaborating the fact that the level of improvement in some patients cannot simply be linked to reaching therapeutic concentrations.
Cumulative Burden of Illness in Veterans With Tardive Dyskinesia and Serious Mental Disorders
Authors: Caroff Stanley N. , Leong Shirley H. , Roberts Christopher , Berkowitz Rosalind M. , Campbell E. Cabrina 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Purpose/Background
To inform cost-benefit decisions for veterans, the risk of tardive dyskinesia (TD) and its impact on comorbidities and outcomes were assessed.

Methods/Procedures
In a retrospective study, veterans with schizophrenia/schizoaffective, and bipolar and major depressive disorders receiving antipsychotics during the period October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, were identified. Tardive dyskinesia was determined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Correlates of TD were examined using χ2 or t tests. Odds ratios (ORs) and β parameters with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for categorical and continuous variables associated with TD were derived from a multivariate logistic and linear regression, respectively.

Findings/Results
Among 7985 veterans, 332 (4.2%) were diagnosed as having possible TD. The odds of having TD were higher for older veterans (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03–1.05; P < 0.0001) and veterans with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.23–1.91; P < 0.0001) or diabetes (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.30–2.06; P < 0.0001). Veterans with TD received more antipsychotic prescriptions (mean ± SD, 18.4 ± 30.3 vs 13.3 ± 26.4; P = 0.003) and days of supply (233.9 ± 95.4 vs 211.4 ± 102.0; P < 0.0001). They were more likely to have received 2 or more antipsychotics (27.1% vs 19.7%, P = 0.0009) and benztropine (OR, 2.25: 95% CI 1.73–2.91; P < 0.0001). Veterans with TD had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score (β = 0.32; SE, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.14–0.49; P = 0.0003) and higher odds of any medical hospitalization (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.07–1.95; P = 0.001).

Implications/Conclusions
The diagnosis of possible TD was associated with older age, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, medical comorbidity, and hospitalization. Tardive dyskinesia may be a marker for patients at risk of adverse health care outcomes and diminished quality of life.
Trends in the Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in the Province of Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Janzen Donica , Bolton James , Kuo I fan , Leong Christine , Alessi-Severini Silvia 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) have advantages over oral antipsychotics but are not widely used. We aimed to evaluate the impact of market entry of second-generation LAIAs on prescribing trends.

Methods
We used administrative health databases to describe trends in LAIA use from 1995 to 2015 in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Age- and sex-specific incident and prevalent use were determined using prescription dispensation records for the entire population. We used interrupted time series analysis with Poisson regression to estimate change in LAIA use attributable to the market entry of the second-generation LAIA risperidone.

Results
We observed 3380 prevalent LAIA users and 2375 incident users in our cohort. Long-acting injectable antipsychotic use was higher in males. Incidence proportions declined from 21.5 users per 100,000 in 1996 to 4.8 in 2004 and then climbed to 14.7 by 2015. First-generation LAIA use peaked at 94.6 prevalent users per 100,000 in 1998 but fell to 40.9 in 2015. Long-acting injectable antipsychotic use increased 1.4% per quarter after the market entry of risperidone long-acting injectable.

Conclusions
Risperidone risperidone long-acting injectable market entry had a positive impact on LAIA prescribing.
Metabolic Syndrome Rather Than Body Mass Index Is Associated With Treatment Response to Ketamine Infusions
Authors: Dale Roman M. , Bryant Kelly A. , Thompson Nicolas R. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Purpose
There is a practical need for the identification of pretreatment clinical and epidemiological response predictors to repeat ketamine infusions. Response predictors can serve to guide clinical inclusion of patients and weigh risks versus benefits for those receiving maintenance ketamine. Previous studies indicate a link between obesity, depression, and treatment response. We sought to investigate if body mass index (BMI) or metabolic syndrome could predict treatment response to ketamine.

Methods
Patients aged 18 to 72 years who were electroconvulsive therapy nonresponders were given a subanesthetic ketamine hydrochloride dose of 0.5 mg/kg delivered intravenously for 40 minutes for an acute series of 3 to 6 infusions every other day. If patients reported at least a 50% decrease in depression symptoms after the acute series, they were moved to a maintenance series of infusions, on an individualized basis. To assess if BMI or metabolic syndrome could predict response, logistic regression models were run to analyze initial responders, sustained responders, and nonresponders. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and baseline depression severity.

Results
Of the 150 patients analyzed, 56 did not respond to the acute phase, 38 initially responded to the acute phase but relapsed during the maintenance phase, and 56 sustained their response for 1 year. In unadjusted models, BMI was not shown to be a predictor of initial or sustained response. Alternatively, metabolic syndrome defined by a diagnosis of hypertension, hyperglycemia, or hyperlipidemia was determined to be significantly associated with diminished initial response but not sustained response.

Conclusions
In our patient group, results support the literature that outcome in antidepressant therapy is affected by the presence of metabolic syndrome rather than obesity itself. Although BMI did not predict initial response to ketamine, the presence of metabolic syndrome was significantly negatively associated with the initial response to an acute series of ketamine infusions.
Service Provider Perspectives on Female Forensic Mental Health Services in Zimbabwe: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Dube-Mawerewere Virgininia , Ncube-Sibanda Sinqobile Patience 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Service providers' perspectives on female forensic mental health services have not been explored in Zimbabwe. This study examined how health service providers in forensic mental health in Zimbabwe understand and interpret rehabilitation of female forensic psychiatric patients.

Methods
An interpretive phenomenological study was completed. Service provider participants were selected via purposive sampling from two main Special Institutions. Data were collected using audio-recorded semistructured interviews and subjected to interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Findings
Two master themes evolved from interview data: (a) conflicting legal documents of care and management of female forensic psychiatric patients; and (b) the forensic mental health system's processes, procedures, and resources impacting female forensic psychiatric rehabilitation.

Discussion
Findings of the study call for the need to balance between public safety interests and fulfilling clinical rehabilitation objectives.
Results From a Second-Generation Vestibular Implant in Human Subjects: Diagnosis May Impact Electrical Sensitivity of Vestibular Afferents
Authors: Rubinstein Jay T. , Ling Leo , Nowack Amy , Nie Kaibao , Phillips James O. 
Published: December 2019

Objective:
Auditory and vestibular outcomes after placement of a vestibular-cochlear implant in subjects with varying causes of vestibular loss.

Study Design:
Prospective case study.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Three human subjects received a vestibular-cochlear implant. Subject 1 had sudden hearing and vestibular loss 10 years before implantation. Subjects 2 and 3 had bilateral Menière's disease with resolution of acute attacks. All subjects had severe-profound deafness in the implanted ear and bilateral vestibular loss.

Intervention:
Vestibular-cochlear implant with electrode positions confirmed by CT.

Main Outcome Measures:
Electrically-evoked vestibular and cochlear compound action potentials (ECAPs), speech perception, and electrically-evoked slow-phase eye velocities.

Results:
Subject 1 had no vestibular ECAP, but normal cochlear ECAPs and cochlear implant function. She had minimal eye-movement with vestibular stimulation. Subject 2 had vestibular ECAPs. This subject had the largest eye velocities from electrical stimulation that we have seen in humans, exceeding 100 degrees per second. Her cochlear implant functions normally. Subject 3 had vestibular and cochlear ECAPs, and robust eye-movements and cochlear implant function.

Conclusion:
The etiology of vestibular loss appears to have a profound impact on sensitivity of vestibular afferents in distinction to cochlear afferents. If this dichotomy is common, it may limit the application of vestibular implants to diagnoses with preserved sensitivity of vestibular afferents. We speculate it is due to differences in topographic organization of Scarpa's versus the spiral ganglion. In two subjects, the second-generation device can produce higher velocity eye movements than seen in the four subjects receiving the first-generation device.
Serum visfatin level as a noninvasive marker for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents with obesity: relation to transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter
Authors: Elkabany Zeinab Anwar , Hamza Rasha Tarif , Ismail Eman Abdel Rahman , Elsharkawy Aisha , Yosry Ayman , Musa Sherief , Khalaf Marwa Ahmad , Elgawesh Roba Maher , Esmat Gamal 
Published: December 2019

Background
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Visfatin is an adipokine produced by visceral fat tissue and liver cells. Transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) noninvasively assesses liver fibrosis and steatosis.

Aim
To measure visfatin level in 80 children and adolescents with obesity as a potential biomarker for NAFLD and assess its relation to transient elastography.

Methods
Abdominal ultrasound, liver stiffness and CAP measurements were performed for all patients. Fasting lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, insulin level, liver and kidney functions, coagulation profile and serum visfatin levels were assessed.

Results
Among patients with obesity, 31 (38.8%) had NAFLD and 16 (20%) patients had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), while 9 (11.2%) had both NAFLD and elevated ALT. Transient elastography showed that 12.5% had fibrosis stage F1, 2.5% had F2 and another 2.5% had F3 while none had F4. Using CAP, 23.8, 13.8 and 17.5% had S1, S2 and S3, respectively. Serum visfatin levels were significantly elevated in all patients compared with nonobese controls. Higher visfatin levels were found among patients with dyslipidemia, NAFLD, elevated ALT and steatosis defined by CAP. Serum visfatin was related to the degree of fibrosis and steatosis. Visfatin cutoff value 18 ng/mL could significantly detect the presence of NAFLD with 83.9% sensitivity and 81.4% specificity. Serum visfatin was positively correlated to BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, ALT, total cholesterol, liver stiffness and CAP.

Conclusions
Visfatin could be a promising serum biomarker for monitoring liver disease among pediatric patients with obesity.
Insulin Therapy in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Pérez Antonio , Ramos Analia , Carreras Gemma 
Published: December 2019

Background:
Hyperglycemia is prevalent and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Insulin therapy is the most appropriate method for controlling glycemia in hospital, but is associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia, which is a barrier to achieving glycemic goals.

Areas of Uncertainty:
Optimal glycemic targets have not been established in the critical and noncritical hospitalized patients, and there are different modalities of insulin therapy. The primary purpose of this review is to discuss controversy regarding appropriate glycemic targets and summarize the evidence about the safety and efficacy of insulin therapy in critical and noncritical care settings.

Data Sources:
A literature search was conducted through PubMed with the following key words (inpatient hyperglycemia, inpatient diabetes, glycemic control AND critically or non-critically ill patient, Insulin therapy in hospital).

Results:
In critically ill patient, blood glucose levels >180 mg/dL may increase the risk of hospital complications, and blood glucose levels <110 mg/dL have been associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Continuous intravenous insulin infusion is the best method for achieving glycemic targets in the critically ill patient. The ideal glucose goals for noncritically ill patients remain undefined and must be individualized according to the characteristics of the patients. A basal-bolus insulin strategy resulted in better glycemic control than sliding scale insulin and lower risk of hypoglycemia than premixed insulin regimen.

Conclusions:
Extremes of blood glucose lead to poor outcomes, and target glucose range of 110–180 mg/dL may be appropriate for most critically ill patients and noncritically ill patients. Insulin is the most appropriate pharmacologic agent for effectively controlling glycemia in hospital. A continuous intravenous insulin infusion and scheduled basal-bolus-correction insulin are the preferred modalities for glycemic control in critically and noncritically ill hospitalized patients, respectively.