bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Education, lifelong learning and self-rated health in later life in the USA
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Bardo Anthony R , Liu Darren , Yoo Ji Won 
Published: November 2018

Objective: This study examined the mediating effects of lifelong learning on the association between self-rated health and educational attainment among a nationally representative sample of US residents aged 50 years and older. Setting: Socioeconomic disparities in health are a major public health concern in economically developed nations where improving socioeconomic status (e.g. formal educational attainment) at the population level is challenging. In the light of population ageing, alternative approaches to improve health through malleable factors are urgently needed. Recent research suggests that participation in organised learning activities – lifelong learning – could attenuate the lack of formal educational attainment on health. Methods: Data come from the 2012 wave of the US Health and Retirement Study. Structural equation models with bootstrapping were used to estimate the mediation effect of lifelong learning activity in the relationship between self-rated health and formal educational attainment. Results: Approximately 3%–5% of the effect of formal education on self-rated health was mediated by lifelong learning activity. Findings from this study support the notion that ongoing participation in organised learning activities is beneficial for health in later life. Conclusion: Lifelong learning reflects a promising autonomous and sustainable strategy to improve health in later life. Future public health and education policy as well as education institutions should consider providing more learning opportunities for older populations.
Resurrecting the Law: State Formation and Legal Debates in Nineteenth-Century Greece
Authors: Doxiadis Evdoxios 
Published: November 2018

This paper discusses the legal debates of nineteenth-century Greece and the attempts to produce a legal framework following the establishment of the modern Greek state. These debates had both a practical significance since such a framework was essential for the creation of a modern state, and an ideological one since the chosen framework would be a statement about how the new state perceived itself, its history, and its place in Europe. These questions were particularly relevant in the case of civil law as Greek legal scholars contemplated whether to accept the use of customary law, or to reject it, and if so what laws should replace it. In this paper, I examine this debate within the context of European legal developments and the process of codification undertaken throughout Europe from the late eighteenth to the nineteenth centuries, as well as the ideological and practical implications of the debate. I argue that, despite the belief that the efforts of Greek legal scholars led to the elimination of the use of customary law from the Greek judicial system, my research in the archival material of the Appeals Court of Athens indicates that customary law was still dominant a generation after the establishment of the modern Greek state. I conclude that a re-examination of the role and practices of the Greek courts in the nineteenth century is much needed as their flexibility thirty years after the creation of the Greek state is closer to the legal pluralism of the courts of the Ottoman period than to the model advocated by the contemporary legal scholars who demanded a ‘modern’ judicial system to assist the renaissance of the Greek nation.
No evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the synovia of patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Edvinsson Marie , Welvaart Nicole , Ryttberg Lars , Wretenberg Per , Vikerfors Tomas , Nyström-Rosander Christina 
Published: November 2018

Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of disability affecting millions of people of all ages worldwide. The pathogenesis involves an inflammatory component, but the cause of the inflammation remains incompletely understood. The intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae have been demonstrated in patients with reactive arthritis. Both of these microorganisms can cause chronic and persistent infections, with C. trachomatis being the most common cause of reactive arthritis. This study was performed to investigate the presence of C. pneumoniae in a large number of patients with primary OA. Methods The study included 75 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. During surgery, a synovial biopsy was performed and synovial fluid drawn. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of C. pneumoniae was run on all patients, and real-time PCR of bacterial 16S rDNA was conducted on 30 of the 75 patients to screen for the presence of other bacteria. Results Real-time PCR showed no evidence of the presence of C. pneumoniae in the patients’ specimens, nor were other bacteria detected. Conclusions Although an inflammatory component is part of the pathogenesis of OA, we found no evidence indicating that C. pneumoniae is a stimulator of that inflammation.
Betatrophin for diagnosis and prognosis of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Pan Ruirong , Zhang Haiming , Yu Shuping , Deng Jialiang , Ma Suxian , Li Yanyan , Yuan Guoyue , Wang Jifang 
Published: November 2018

Objectives Betatrophin is a widely used diagnostic marker for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), but its clinical utility in diagnosing gestational DM (GDM) is unclear. We evaluated the relationship between betatrophin and the risk of GDM as well as the ability of betatrophin to predict postpartum type 2 DM (PDM). Methods In total, 386 patients were categorized into those with and without PDM. All underwent the oral glucose tolerance test while pregnant. Betatrophin was assessed to examine the diagnostic characteristics of GDM. Results The betatrophin concentration was remarkably higher in patients with than without GDM. The patients were categorized into three groups; those with a betatrophin concentration of 300 to 600 pg/mL and >600 pg/mL had a higher risk of GDM after adjusting for body mass index, age, homeostatic model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) concentration, and betatrophin concentration than those with a betatrophin concentration of <300 pg/mL. The HOMA-IR concentration tended to increase as the betatrophin concentration increased, and betatrophin was independently associated with GDM after adjusting for confounders. The betatrophin concentration was higher among pregnant patients with than without PDM. Conclusions Betatrophin has high sensitivity but low specificity for diagnosing GDM and may be a promising predictor of PDM.
Meeting with triumph and disaster: Osimertinib in T790M-unknown CNS progression in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Facchinetti Francesco , Bozzetti Francesca , Minari Roberta , Ceccon Giovanni , Zielli Teresa , Florindo Irene , Crisi Girolamo , Tiseo Marcello 
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Treatment paradigms for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have successfully evolved since the introduction of osimertinib. The detection of EGFR T790M mutation in plasma or tumor samples obtained at disease progression to first-/second-generation EGFR inhibitors is mandatory for osimertinib prescription. Nevertheless, pharmacokinetics properties of osimertinib guarantee its usefulness in central nervous system (CNS) disease even in the case of T790M-negative or unknown status. Patients and methods: In this brief report, we share the clinical histories of two patients with CNS-preeminent progression under first-/second-generation EGFR inhibitors in which it was not possible to document the presence of T790M resistance mutation. Results: Patient outcomes diverged dramatically due to the differential availability of off-label osimertinib. Conclusions: Waiting for the novel molecule to be approved and licensed in first-line treatment, our report of hope and frustration is intended to stress the opportunity of its administration in the case of CNS failure of first-line EGFR inhibition, even in the absence of T790M proof.
Cardiovascular Disease Disparities in Sexual Minority Adults: An Examination of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2014-2016)
Authors: Caceres Billy A. , Makarem Nour , Hickey Kathleen T. , Hughes Tonda L. 
Published: November 2018

Purpose: Investigate sexual orientation differences in cardiovascular disease risk and cardiovascular disease. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: The 2014 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Participants: A total of 395 154 participants. Measures: The exposure measure was sexual orientation. Self-report of cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular disease was assessed. Analysis: Sex-stratified logistic regression analyses to examine sexual orientation differences in cardiovascular disease risk and cardiovascular disease (heterosexuals = reference group). Results: Sexual minority men reported higher rates of mental distress (gay adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.59; bisexual AOR: 1.88) and lifetime depression (gay AOR: 2.48; bisexual: AOR 2.67). Gay men reported higher rates of current smoking (AOR: 1.28), but lower rates of obesity (AOR: 0.82) compared to heterosexual men. Sexual minority women reported higher rates of several cardiovascular risk factors including mental distress (lesbian AOR: 1.37; bisexual AOR: 2.33), lifetime depression (lesbian AOR: 1.96; bisexual AOR: 3.26), current smoking (lesbian AOR: 1.65; bisexual AOR: 1.29), heavy drinking (lesbian AOR: 2.01; bisexual AOR: 2.04), and obesity (lesbian AOR: 1.50; bisexual AOR: 1.29), but were more likely to exercise than heterosexual women (lesbian AOR: 1.34; bisexual AOR: 1.24). Lesbian women reported lower rates of heart attack (AOR: 0.62), but bisexual women had higher rates of stroke than heterosexual women (AOR: 1.46). Conclusions: Findings can inform the development of prevention efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in sexual minorities.
Bridging the Digital Divide for Older Adults via Intergenerational Mentor-Up
Authors: Lee Othelia Eun-Kyoung , Kim Do-Hong 
Published: November 2018

Objectives: The effectiveness of Intergenerational Mentor-Up (IMU), an innovative intervention that engages college students in tutoring older adults, was examined with regard to eHealthy literacy and social isolation. Method: A total of 55 older adults (mean age = 73.82) participated in the six-session IMU tutorials. In this mixed methods study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in a parallel fashion. Participants were interviewed after participating in the IMU. Results: Older adults presented significant improvement between pre- and postsurveys in various outcomes such as eHealth literacy, technophobia, self-efficacy, and interest in technology. Intergenerational interaction brought about by IMU helped to decrease social isolation among older adults. Qualitative data revealed that individualized training, modifications, adaptations, and intergenerational interactions can decrease their anxiety and boost their confidence. Discussion: Study findings enable the identification of the training needs to help close the digital divide and allow these older adults to reap the benefits of technology use.
Factors associated with hematuric struvite crystalluria in cats
Authors: Okafor Chika C , Pearl David L , Blois Shauna L , Lefebvre Sandra L , Yang Mingyin , Lund Elizabeth M , Dewey Cate E 
Published: November 2018

Objectives The aim of the study was to identify any dietary, signalment, geographic and clinical factors associated with hematuric struvite crystalluria (HSC) in a population of cats that visit general care veterinary hospitals in the USA. Methods In total, 4032 cats that had a first-time diagnosis of HSC and 8064 control cats with no history of hematuria or crystalluria were identified from medical records of all cats examined between 2007 and 2011 at 790 US veterinary hospitals. Extracted variables included age, sex, neuter status, breed, diet, urinalysis results and history of cystitis. Potential associations between these variables and HSC were estimated. Results Controlling for other factors, young cats fed a dry diet had an increased likelihood of HSC relative to young cats fed a non-dry diet. However, as age increased, the likelihood of HSC declined for cats fed a dry diet and increased for cats fed a non-dry diet. Moreover, the odds of HSC were significantly greater when cats were unneutered (vs neutered; odds ratio [OR] 45.52) or had a thin (vs heavy) body condition (OR 23.81), diagnosis of cystitis (OR 2.84), urine protein concentration >30 mg/dl (OR 4.72), alkaline (vs neutral) urine pH (OR 3.34), pyuria (OR 23.67) or bacteriuria (OR 2.24). Conclusions and relevance The present study provides estimates of the strengths of association between HSC and certain signalment and clinical characteristics of cats. This information could help clinicians to perform a more directed screening for struvite crystalluria in certain cat populations. Follow-up studies that build on the findings of this study could explore the clinical importance of HSC in cats.
A rare case of Evans syndrome associated with sudden loss of vision: A case report
Authors: Ababneh Laila T , Mahmoud Ikhlas H , Al-Rimawi Hala S 
Published: November 2018

Purpose: To report a case of Evans syndrome with a vascular occlusive event leading to severe loss of vision. Case report: A 12-year-old boy with Evans syndrome presented with painless acute loss of vision in the left eye during a period of remission from the disease. Examination showed visual acuity of hand motion in the left eye, left relative afferent pupillary defect, pale optic nerve head, and attenuated vessels. Optical coherence tomography showed thin macula in both eyes, and fundus fluorescein angiography revealed delayed filling time of the arterial phase in the left eye, with attenuation and sclerosis of the arterioles. An electrophysiological study showed an electronegative electroretinogram. Based on these findings, we reached a concurrent diagnosis of atypical retinitis pigmentosa in both eyes along with a major superimposed vascular occlusive event in the left eye leading to severe visual loss. Conclusion: This is a case describing a rare ocular complication of Evans syndrome, leading to severe loss of vision due to vascular occlusion of unknown mechanism.
Hunger, Health and Society
Authors: Solon Mercedes , De Leon Emelita , Lopez Miguel , Bañez Eireen , Andersen Jean 
Published: November 2018

Improvements in nutritional knowledge and attitudes and nutritional status were found in the rural Nutribus areas surveyed. Feeding standards improved, as measured by the mothers’ reports of what they fed children. In 1979 mothers in the VTRL villages were 55 per cent more likely to describe complete meals than those in the villages of the comparison group. Mothers in the VTRL villages were 473 per cent more likely to name Nutri-Pak as a good snack and 71 per cent more likely to give correct specific descriptions of Nutri-Pak than the BNS village mothers (fig. 2). Mothers in 1981 were 27 per cent more likely to describe complete meals (fig. 5) than those inter viewed in 1979. As for nutritional status, in 1979 there was 25 per cent less third” and second-degree malnutrition among children of the VTRL villages than among those of the BNS villages and 29 per cent more first-degree malnutrition and normal nutritional status, using the Harvard standards for weight for age and the Gomez classification (fig. 4). Comparison of the nutritional status results of 1979 and 1981 shows a 17 per cent decrease in third- and second-degree malnutrition and a 12 per cent increase in first-degree malnutrition and normal status (fig. 7). Evidence from the 1979 and 1981 evaluation of the Nutri-bus project favours the assumption of its effectiveness. It also reinforces the recognized need for improvements in the field management system, videotape production efficiency, and Nutri-Pak distribution system. The Nutrition Center of the Philippines has committed itself to the continuing development and evaluation of the Nutri-bus project.
The Importance of Women's Involvement in Economic Activities in the Improvement of Child Nutrition and Health
Authors: Rogers Beatrice Lorge , Youssef Nadia 
Published: November 2018

Rogers and Youssef believe that nutrition programmes “need to recognize explicitly that nutritional problems often have their origins in social and economic systems, and that these problems can be solved only by bringing about changes in these systems, particularly at the household level.” They state that social services are suffering from a shrinking of government resources in developing countries, and stress that women must draw on their own resources to better their nutritional and health statue Their proposals promote not only more entrepreneurship for women but also organizations of women, including unions. They also discuss the development of co-operative child-care, which would help women to conserve some of their resources. Rogers and Youssef assert that women's groups started for economic purposes can be successful forums for nutrition and health education, and they provide examples of groups that have carried out all of these functions.
The Use of Focus Groups in Developing Prenatal Health Education Materials
Authors: Abundis Rocio , Abernathy Marian , Ghee Annette , Durazo Laura , Luna Rosa A. 
Published: November 2018

Focus groups were used to develop and pretest mass media prenatal-education materials in the final phase of a study of prenatal health behaviour in Tijuana. The project was designed to develop a mass-media campaign to give women sufficient information to enable them to initiate prenatal self-care and to seek professional care when needed. Following an ethnographic study of 40 pregnant, low-income women in Tijuana, 451 women from the same sampling frame were asked about beliefs, practices, and communication patterns regarding prenatal professional care and self-care. This paper reports on the use of focus groups in the process of testing and refining draft materials created on the basis of information from the ethnographic study and survey. Focus-group discussions enabled the researchers to modify the draft materials for maximum appeal, comprehensibility credibility, and relevance. For example, men were shown in supportive roles because many of the women reported a lack of support from their partners curing pregnancy.
Quality versus Quantity of Infant Diets: Translating Research into Action
Authors: McGuire Judith 
Published: November 2018

This paper discusses briefly the difficulty of translating scientific research findings in nutrition into operational intervention programmes and concludes that the conceptualization, conduct, and dissemination of results of research must be oriented toward the intended uses of the results. Individuals who work in development agencies often have difficulty using research results. It is not just a question of language or jargon. It is often difficult to see exactly why some findings would make any difference to nutrition programmes. In the typical project-development process, the scientific justification for choosing an intervention is a minor concern to a task manager. He or she must be more concerned with institutional capacity, financing, training supervision, and, of course, getting the loan approved on time. In other words, the process is more important than the content, within an acceptable range. Nonetheless, there are ways to improve the likelihood that scientific research will influence policies and programmes.
Lower Prevalence of Diarrhoea in Young Children Fed Lactic Acid-Fermented Cereal Gruels
Authors: Lorri Wilbald , Svanberg Ulf 
Published: November 2018

In many developing countries, diarrhoea is one of the major precipitating factors of child morbidity and mortality. It also significantly contributes to the high prevalence of malnutrition in young children. Available information suggests that a major part of all diarrhoea episodes are associated with bacterial contamination of weaning foods. In vitro studies, however, have shown a strong inhibitory effect of lactic acid-fermented weaning gruels on the proliferation of diarrhoea-causing pathogens. To assess whether this inhibitory effect is reflected by a lower transmission of diarrhoea, a prospective epidemiological study was carried out to measure the prevalence of diarrhoea in a group of young children in Tanzania who were given a lactic acid-fermented cereal gruel on a daily basis. Two groups of about 100 children under five years of age were selected on the basis of the use or non-use of fermented gruels. The nutrition status of the children in each group, as measured by comparison of their weight for age with the standard, was not statistically different (p > .05). The mean age of the children in the two groups was similar. An average feeding frequency of 3.5 times per day was reported for both groups. Biweekly recall for diarrhoea, defined as watery, loose stools two or more times per day, was conducted for nine months among selected children. The mean number of diarrhoea episodes over the study period was 2.1 for children eating fermented gruels, compared with 3.5 for those eating non-fermented gruels (p<.001). The frequency of diarrhoea was also age dependent: it was significantly higher in children under three years of age than in older children in both diet groups (p<.001). Fever episodes were reported in similar proportions in both groups, and were significantly related to diarrhoea (p < .001). Other diseases and the children's nutrition status were not related to the frequency of diarrhoea.
Assessment of the Impact of a Hygiene on Environmental Sanitation, Childhood Diarrhoea, and the Growth of Children in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Nasar U. , Zeitlin Marian F. , Beiser Alexa S. , Super Charles M. , Gershoff Stanley N. , Ahmed Manira A. 
Published: November 2018

A community-based hygiene intervention was developed and implemented in five villages of lowland Bangladesh with the active participation of members of the target group, with the objective of reducing childhood diarrhoea by altering ground sanitation and personal and food hygiene practices such as the washing of hands with ash before handling food and after defecation-related activities, cutting fingernails, removing faeces from the child's body and from the yard, using tube-well water for preparing baby food, and reducing supplementary feeding contamination by proper cleaning of bottles or avoiding bottle-feeding. The project area, typical of Bangladesh, was selected because of its pour hygiene and sanitation conditions and its high rates of diarrhoea and malnutrition. Households with children 0–18 months old in five contiguous villages were targeted for the intervention. Households with children in the same age range in a comparison (control) site selected for observational study without intervention were exposed to about the same amount of contact with the researchers. Baseline surveys of the subset of households with children 9–18 months old were conducted at the control site in July 1985 and at the intervention site in September. The intervention activities were carried out from January to July 1986. A final survey was conducted at both sites in August 1986, using the same questionnaire as for the baseline survey and the children who were then in the same age range, 9–18 months. Both sites had higher cleanliness scores, lower diarrhoeal morbidity, and better growth status at the end of the study period, but the improvement was greater at the intervention site. The effect at the control site may be attributed to the intensive observation exposures, mothers’ education, and socio-economic conditions of the households, whereas the intervention site effects were most likely due to the intervention activities. For evaluation of the effect of interventions, the repeat cross-sectional survey may be adequate for measuring relatively stable outcomes such as knowledge and practices, as well as cumulative growth status, but inadequate for fluctuating morbidity.