bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of pre- and post-dilution continuous veno-venous hemofiltration on leukocyte and platelet function in patients with sepsis
Authors: Chihara Shinya , Masuda Yoshiki , Tatsumi Hiroomi , Yamakage Michiaki 
Published: October 2018

Objective: We investigated the differences in biocompatibility pre- and post-dilution during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration in patients with sepsis, focusing on leukocyte and platelet function. Patients and methods: Subjects were 12 patients with septic shock who underwent veno-venous hemofiltration for acute kidney injury between March 2016 and September 2017. The first six patients received pre-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration, and the next six patients received post-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration. The blood flow rate and filtration flow rate for veno-venous hemofiltration using a polysulfone hemofilter were set to 150 and 35 mL/min, respectively. Leukocyte and platelet counts were determined at 0 and 24 h after veno-venous hemofiltration commencement. Serum interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels, the induction rates of regulatory T cells, the expression rate of monocyte HLA-DR, neutrophil phagocytic and sterilizing ability, and platelet P-selectin expression rate were determined at 0, 6, and 24 h after veno-venous hemofiltration commencement. Results: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. Serum interleukin-6 decreased over time during pre- and post-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration. Serum interleukin-10 levels decreased during pre-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration, but remained unchanged during post-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration. The Treg and platelet P-selectin expression rates significantly increased at 24 h compared to 0 h during post-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration. Neutrophil phagocytic ability at 24 h was significantly decreased compared to that at 0 h during post-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration. No significant changes in leukocyte and platelet function were observed during pre-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration. Conclusion: Pre-dilution veno-venous hemofiltration demonstrates superior biocompatibility in terms of decreased leukocyte function and platelet activation in septic shock patients with acute kidney injury.
Shock Index-A Useful Noninvasive Marker Associated With Age-Specific Early Mortality in Children With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Age-Specific Shock Index Cut-Offs
Authors: Gupta Sarika , Alam Areesha 
Published: October 2018

Background: Aim of the study was to analyze the association of shock index (SI) from 0 to 6 hours with early mortality in severe sepsis/septic shock and to explore its age-specific cut-off values. To investigate association of change in SI over first 6 hours with early mortality. Methods: A prospective cohort study of children (<14 years) admitted in emergency department, tertiary care hospital with severe sepsis or septic shock, divided into 3 groups: group 1: 1 month to <1 year; group 2: 1 to <6 years; group 3: 6 to 12 years. Shock index (SI = heart rate/systolic blood pressure) measured at admission (X0) and hourly till 6 hours (X1-6). Primary outcome was death within 48 hours of admission. Area under receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for SI (0-6). Optimal cut-offs of SI 0 and SI 6, maximizing both sensitivity and specificity were determined and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated. Results: From 2015 to 2016, 120 children were recruited. Septic shock was present at admission in 56.7% children. Early mortality was 50%. All hourly shock indices (SI 0-6) were higher among nonsurvivors in group 2 ( P ≤ .03) and group 3 ( P < .001). In group 1, SI after 2 hours was higher in nonsurvivors ( P 2-6: ≤ .02). Area under receiver operating characteristic curves (95% CI) for SI at 0 hour was 0.72 (0.5-0.9), 0.66 (0.5-0.8), and 0.77 (0.6-0.9) and at 6 hours was 0.8 (0.6-1), 0.75 (0.6-0.9), and 0.8 (0.7-1) in 3 groups. The cut-off values of SI 0 (sensitivity; specificity; PPV; NPV) in 3 groups: 1.98 (77; 75; 67; 83), 1.50 (65; 65; 68; 63), and 1.25 (90; 67; 77; 83) and SI6: 1.66 (85; 80; 73; 89), 1.36 (73; 70; 73; 70), and 1.30 (74; 73; 78; 69). Improvement of SI over 6 hours was associated with better outcome. Children with higher SI at both time points had higher mortality than those with SI score below the cut-offs ( P = .001). Conclusions: Age-specific SI cut-off values may identify children at high risk of early mortality in severe sepsis/septic shock and allow for better targeted management.
Characteristics of Mail-Order Pharmacy Users: Results From the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey
Authors: Ma Junyi , Wang Li 
Published: October 2018

Background: There is a paucity of research on the population characteristics of mail-order pharmacy users. Objective: This study utilized a nationally representative sample to examine the characteristics of mail-order pharmacy users. Methods: This study used data from the 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). The outcome variable was defined as whether the participant had used a mail-order pharmacy during the study year. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors which influence mail-order pharmacy use. All analyses incorporated MEPS sampling weights to adjust for the complex survey design. Results: Among the 14,106 adults included, approximately 18% of them had used a mail-order pharmacy at least once to fill their prescription in 2012. Compared to community pharmacy users, mail-order pharmacy users were more likely to be white, older, married, have a higher family income, a higher educational level, have health insurance, and have a prescription with at least a 30-day supply. There is no difference in gender or urban/rural disparity. In addition, mail-order pharmacy users had a lower percentage of out-of-pocket costs. Conclusion: Mail-order pharmacy use was significantly associated with certain patient characteristics. Policymakers should consider these characteristics when promoting mail-order pharmacy use.
Is a delay in the introduction of human papillomavirus-based cervical screening affordable?
Authors: Castañon Alejandra , Rebolj Matejka , Sasieni Peter 
Published: October 2018

Objective It often takes considerable time for sufficient evidence to accumulate to support implementation of new methods in routine screening. Where national screening programmes are already effective, switching to a more sensitive screening test may not be a priority. Although risk associated with overly rapid implementation exists, postponement is also associated with a (to date unquantified) missed opportunity to prevent deaths. This risk tends not to be addressed where effective screening methods are already in use. We here estimate the monetary value of a one-year delay in replacing cytology cervical screening with human papillomavirus testing. Methods Using a previously validated model, we calculated the number of incident and fatal cervical cancers that would be diagnosed by 2030 in England, under the assumption that human papillomavirus testing replaces cytology in 2020 rather than 2019, and the monetary value of the quality-adjusted life years lost in preventable cases. Results A one-year delay in the implementation of human papillomavirus screening would miss the opportunity to prevent 581 cases of cervical cancer, and lead to a loss of 1595 quality-adjusted life years (3.5% discount rate) with a monetary value of £32 million (at £20,000 per quality-adjusted life year). Conclusion This is a measurable loss and should be considered in prioritising decision-making in screening.
Empowering Students to Create Community Standards
Authors: Piper Terry D. 
Published: October 2018

How can we create a sense of community and shared responsibility among students in residence halls— and for that matter elsewhere in their campus lives? The residential life staff at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) wrestled with this question after experiencing a year in which student behavior resulted in costly damage to residence halls. They discovered that it wasn't their job to create community for students at all, but instead to empower students to create it for themselves. So the Community Standards Model was born.
Being all that We can be
Authors: Schroeder Charles C. 
Published: October 2018

Higher education desperately needs models for how to help students develop the skills, character traits, and sensibilities that experts agree will be essential for our society in the twenty-first century. Indeed, there is widespread agreement that leadership skills, the ability to work cooperatively in teams, a strong sense of civic responsibility, and a commitment to serve are critically important outcomes, but there is very little agreement on where or how to begin. So where can colleges and universities find these models? What educational institutions are successfully helping young people acquire these qualities? One obvious but often overlooked answer is the armed forces. The author, with apologies to the Army for borrowing its slogan, joins with two leaders in the Marine Corps to explore what the Marines are doing right and what higher education can learn from them.
The efficacy of “IOL-Vip Revolution” telescopic intraocular lens in age-related macular degeneration cases with senile cataract
Authors: Dag Medine Yilmaz , Afrashi Filiz , Nalcaci Serhad , Mentes Jale , Akkin Cezmi 
Published: October 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the IOL-Vip Revolution telescopic intraocular lens in age-related macular degeneration patients. Methods: A total of 13 eyes of 12 age-related macular degeneration patients with senile cataract were enrolled. Selection of the patients was done by means of a low vision diagnostic and rehabilitative program (IOL-Vip software) that evaluates residual visual function. After standard phacoemulsification surgery, the incision site was enlarged and the IOL-Vip Revolution system was implanted in the capsular bag. The outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, anterior chamber depth, endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, and quality-of-life questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 72.3 ± 8.5 years. The mean positive power of the intraocular lens was 59 ± 2 D and the negative intraocular lens power was standard (–46 D). Pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity were 1.08 ± 0.14 and 0.81 ± 0.16 logMAR in the operated eye and 1.13 ± 0.36 and 1.01 ± 0.40 logMAR in the unoperated eye, respectively. The best corrected visual acuity was increased significantly in both operated and unoperated eyes (p = 0.005 and 0.021, respectively). Quality of life and anterior chamber depth increased significantly (p = 0.018 and 0.008, respectively), while endothelial cell density decreased (p = 0.002). No significant differences were detected in central corneal thickness or contrast sensitivity (p = 0.133 and 0.684, respectively). Conclusion: The results showed that IOL-Vip Revolution telescopic intraocular lens is a promising treatment option in age-related macular degeneration patients. The rehabilitation program may have an important role in the restored clinical results, which also provided visual improvement in the unoperated eyes.
Bilateral noncalcified astrocytic hamartomas in retinitis pigmentosa: Multimodal imaging evaluation over 8 years of follow-up
Authors: Iovino Claudio , Casini Giamberto , Peiretti Enrico 
Published: October 2018

Purpose: To report the evolution of optic disk noncalcified astrocytic hamartomas in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa throughout 8 years of follow-up. Methods: Case report. Results: A 42-year-old white man with a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa was referred to our medical retinal center for the first time in 2010, for the development of a new optic nerve head lesion in the right eye. Fundus examination, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein and green indocyanine angiography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were performed and confirmed the presence of a papillary noncalcified astrocytic hamartoma in the right eye. Four years later, multimodal imaging evaluation revealed in the left eye the presence of a first optic disk benign tumor, and in 2018, a second in the nasal retina, while in the right eye the sole papillary lesion increased slightly in size. Conclusions: Noncalcified astrocytic hamartomas can occur in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and can increase in size and number in time. A complete multimodal imaging evaluation is necessary to identify and classify any kind of new lesion that, as known, are associated with these group of hereditary retinal degenerations.
Scheduled Emergency Trauma Operation: The Green Line Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Process Of Care
Authors: Ax M. , Reito A. , Koskimaa M. , Uutela A. , Paloneva J. 
Published: October 2018

Background and Aims: Traditionally, patients requiring an orthopedic emergency operation were admitted to an inpatient ward to await surgery. This often led to congestion of wards and operation rooms while, for less urgent traumas, the time spent waiting for the operation often became unacceptably long. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flow of patients coded green in a traffic light–based coding process aimed at decreasing the burden on wards and enabling a scheduled emergency operation in Central Finland Hospital. Materials and Methods: Operation urgency was divided into three categories: green (>48 h), yellow (8–48 h), and red (<8 h). Patients, who had sustained an orthopedic trauma requiring surgery, but not inpatient care (green), were assigned an operation via green line process. They were discharged until the operation, which was scheduled to take place during office hours. Results: Between January 2010 and April 2015, 1830 green line process operations and 5838 inpatient emergency operations were performed. The most common green line process diagnoses were distal radial fracture (15.4% of green line process), (postoperative) complications (7.7%), and finger fractures (4.9%). The most common inpatient emergency operation diagnosis was hip fracture (24.3%). Green line process and inpatient emergency operation patients differed in age, physical status, diagnoses, and surgical procedures. Conclusion: The system was found to be a safe and effective method of implementing orthopedic trauma care. It has the potential to release operation room time for more urgent surgery, shorten the time spent in hospital, and reduce the need to operate outside normal office hours.
Longitudinal study of medication use in caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease – Kuopio ALSOVA study
Authors: Välimäki Tarja , Gilmartin-Thomas Julia FM , Bell J Simon , Selander Tuomas , Koivisto Anne M 
Published: October 2018

Background The longitudinal pattern of medication use among family caregivers of people with dementia is not well understood, despite the potential for medication over- or under-use. Objectives To investigate caregiver medication use over a five-year follow-up using data obtained via self-report and from a national prescription register, and compare agreement between medication data obtained from the two sources. Methods Medication data for 222 family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease were obtained via self-report and from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. Generalised estimating equations, Kappa statistics and related samples Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyse medication use over time. Results The mean number of medications used by caregivers increased from 3.4 to 4.1 (self-reported current regular medications) and 2.4 to 2.8 (reimbursed prescription medications during the past 90 days) over five years (p < 0.001). Significantly, more medications were identified via self-report (mean 3.6, SD = 3.3) than the national prescription register (mean 2.6, SD = 2.4, Z= –12.300, p < 0.001). Agreement between the two data sources was good for cardiovascular medications and anti-hypertensives (Kappa = 0.883–0.967, p < 0.001) and medications for acid-related disorders (Kappa = 0.508–0.092, p < 0.001). Agreement was moderate for analgesics (Kappa = 0.281–0.477, p < 0.001) and psychotropics (Kappa = 0.281–0.562, p < 0.002). The proportion of caregivers using five or more medications increased from 27.5% to 44.6% (self-report), and 16.7% to 27.7% (register) (p < 0.001). Conclusion Caregivers use an increasing number of medications in the first five years of caring for persons with dementia, and self-report using a higher number of medications than data from the national prescription register suggest.
Talent Development for Faculty: The Case of Vietnam
Authors: Phuong Tam T. , Chai Dae Seok 
Published: October 2018

The Problem With the rise of a globalized knowledge-based economy, the Vietnamese government has demonstrated a determination to build world-class universities by making higher education development one of the top national priorities. The Vietnamese higher education system is an interesting case of a latecomer’s development in an emerging market economy regulated by a single-party socialist state espousing communism. Although they have invested in higher education for decades, the system is still in a trial phase. For example, only two national universities cracked the top 150 in the Asian region, not in the world. Although the faculty talent pool can significantly help achieve the goals of the Vietnamese higher education system, the quality of Vietnamese faculty members is a key limitation. Furthermore, literature on talent development (TD) for faculty in the Vietnamese context is rare. The Solution This study aims to explore faculty TD trends and issues in the Vietnamese higher education system. This comprehensive review of the literature (a) provides an overview of the Vietnamese higher education system; (b) presents findings on the scope, foci, activities, and outcomes of faculty TD activities, and (c) provides implications for policy, practice, and further research on TD for faculty in Vietnam. As few published reviews of faculty TD in Vietnamese universities are available, the current comprehensive literature review can set the foundation for more effective practices and further research on TD and human resources development (HRD) for faculty in Vietnam. The Stakeholders The recommendations provided from this study will help HRD practitioners, institutional and ministerial decision makers, and faculty members in Vietnam.
Challenges of Implementing Western Talent Development Models in a Collectivist Organizational Culture
Authors: Lucas Angela Christina , Ardichvili Alexandre , Casa Nova Silvia Pereira de Castro , Bittencourt João Paulo , Carpenedo Caroline 
Published: October 2018

The Problem In Brazilian business organizations, talent development (TD) programs are often based on models borrowed from Western countries. However, there are significant cultural barriers to successful implementation of such transplanted models. Research on TD in Brazil is scarce, especially, research on adoption of imported models and frameworks. The Solution This article is based on a case study of TD practices of a large Brazilian steel company that has a long history of human resource development (HRD) and a unique organizational culture. Our study suggests that this Brazilian company’s TD system is based on a combination of several well-known North American models. However, the implementation of the TD system that is based on meritocratic principles does not fully align with an organizational culture characterized by high power distance, paternalism, collectivism, and the emphasis on personal relationships over merit. We suggest ways of addressing the identified misalignments and point out the necessity of tropicalizing the implementation of TD models, which implies embracing Brazilian cultural traits and contexts. The Stakeholders The main audience for this article includes executives, managers, and HRD professionals executing TD strategies in organizations from emerging market economies and/or in firms doing business in emerging markets. In addition, the article will be of interest to scholars specializing in international HRD and talent development.
Stroke hospital admission rates in Brisbane and Queensland in 2015: Data from 11,072 cases
Authors: Anderlini Deanna , Wallis Guy , Marinovic Welber 
Published: October 2018

Background and aims Little data exist on the incidence of stroke in Australia. Our aim was to report age and sex disparities in hospital admission for stroke in Queensland, Australia's most populous northern state. Methods We identified all patients admitted to hospital in Queensland with a diagnosis of stroke from January to December 2015. Results Among 25,776 admissions with a diagnosis of stroke or TIA and related sequelae, stroke was the principal diagnosis in 11,072 cases of whom 5270 (47.60%) were first-ever stroke. Based on incidents per 100,000 population per year, the crude annual admission rate for first-ever strokes was 110 (95% CI, 107 to 113), 120 (95% CI, 115 to 124) for men and 101 (95% CI, 97 to 105) for women. The corresponding rates adjusted to the world population were 69 (95% CI, 52 to 85), and 88 (95% CI, 70 to 107) adjusted to the European population. Gender and age-adjusted incidence was greater for men than women in all age-groups, except those aged 30–34 years, where occurrence was 10 for men and 16 for women. Conclusions Based on the outcomes, hospital admission for stroke occurs less frequently in Queensland than in other regions of Australia. Men generally show a higher rate of hospitalization than women, with the notable exception of women aged 30–34, for whom the trend reverses.
UK clinical experience up to 52 weeks with linaclotide for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Authors: Yiannakou Yan , Agrawal Anu , Allen Patrick B. , Arebi Naila , Brown Steven R. , Eugenicos Maria P. , Farmer Adam D. , McLain-Smith Su , McLaughlin John , Sanders David S. , Lawrance Dominic , Emmanuel Anton 
Published: October 2018

Background: Linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase C agonist, has been shown in clinical trials to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Here we report data from a real-world study of linaclotide in the UK. Methods: This 1-year, multicentre, prospective, observational study in the UK enrolled patients aged 18 years and over initiating linaclotide for IBS-C. The primary assessment was change from baseline in IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score at 12 weeks, assessed in patients with paired baseline and 12-week data. Change from baseline in IBS-SSS score at 52 weeks was a secondary assessment. Adverse events were recorded. Results: In total, 202 patients were enrolled: 185 (91.6%) were female, median age was 44.9 years (range 18.1–77.2) and 84 (41.6%) reported baseline laxative use. Mean (standard deviation) baseline IBS-SSS score was 339 (92), with most patients ( n = 129; 66.8%) classified as having severe disease (score ⩾300). In patients with paired data, there was a significant mean (95% confidence interval) decrease in IBS-SSS score from baseline to 12 weeks [−77.0 (−96.3, −57.7); p < 0.001; n = 124] and baseline to 52 weeks [−70.7 (−95.0, −46.5); p < 0.001; n = 76]. Overall, 174 adverse events were reported in 77 (38.1%) patients, most commonly diarrhoea ( n = 54; 26.7%), abdominal pain ( n = 21; 10.4%) and abdominal distension ( n = 13; 6.4%). Conclusion: Linaclotide significantly improved IBS-SSS score at 12 and 52 weeks. These results provide insights into outcomes with linaclotide treatment over 1 year in patients with IBS-C in real-world clinical practice.