bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WHO USES SELF-CARE BOOKS, ADVICE NURSES, AND COMPUTERS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION?
Authors: Wagner Todd H. , Hibbard Judith H. 
Published: September 2019

Objectives: While evaluating the effect of a community-wide informational intervention, this study explored access, health, and demographic factors related to the use of medical reference books, telephone advice nurses, and computers for health information.Methods: A random sample of households in the intervention city (Boise, Idaho) and two control cities were surveyed about their use of health information in 1996. Shortly thereafter, the Healthwise Communities Project (HCP) distributed health information to all Boise residents. A follow-up survey was conducted in 1998. Overall, 5,909 surveys were completed for a 54% response rate.Results: The HCP intervention was associated with statistically significant increases in the use of medical reference books and telephone advice nurses. The increased use of computers for health information was marginally significant. Few access, health, or demographic factors were consistently associated with using the different resources, except that people with depression used more of all three information resources, and income was not a significant predictor.Conclusion: Providing free health information led to an increase in use, but access, health, and demographic factors were also important determinants. In particular, poor health status and presence of a chronic illness were associated with health information use. These results suggest that healthy consumers are less interested in health information, and it may take other incentives to motivate them to learn about prevention and healthy behaviors.
A COST-MINIMIZATION STUDY OF TELEMEDICINE
Authors: Pelletier-Fleury Nathalie , Gagnadoux Frédéric , Philippe Carole , Rakotonanahary Dominique , Lanoé Jean-Louis , Fleury Bernard 
Published: September 2019

Objectives: In a context where sleep laboratories are overwhelmed by a growing demand to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), efficient substitutive solutions to in-laboratory polysomnography should be found. To compare the effectiveness and costs of home unattended polysomnography (Hpsg) and telemonitored polysomnography (TMpsg), a cost minimization study was performed.Methods: In a crossover trial, 99 patients underwent on two consecutive nights TMpsg and Hpsg according to a randomized order. A legibility recording criterion was retained to measure effectiveness. A microcosting study of TMpsg and Hpsg was performed. The risks to adopt home strategy or telemonitored strategy, according to different scenario chosen to reach the diagnosis in case of failure of Hpsg or TMpsg, were analyzed.Results: The recording was considered to be ineffective in 11.2% of TMpsg (95% CI, 4.9–17.4) and in 23.4% (95% CI, 19.12–27.68) of Hpsg. The effectiveness differential was 12.2% (95% CI, 1.8–22.6) (p = .02). Assuming that in case of failure PSGs would be re-realized in the same condition to reach the diagnosis, then TMpsg could be selected if Hc/TMc (cost of Hpsg/cost of TMpsg) > 0.97; Hpsg could be selected if Hc/TMc < 0.76. If 0.76 ≤ Hc/TMc ≤ 0.97, the choice of TMpsg would be ambiguous. TMc was estimated to be $244, while Hc was $153 (Hc/TMc = 0.63).Conclusion: Unless some specific geographical situations generate significant transport costs, the implementation of a strategy based on unattended polysomnography at home is cost-saving compared to a telemonitoring strategy.
EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF PICTURE ARCHIVING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND
OTHER FACTORS UPON THE LENGTH OF STAY FOR PATIENTS WITH TOTAL HIP AND TOTAL
KNEE REPLACEMENTS
Authors: Watkins Jessamy R. , Bryan Stirling , Muris Nicole M.A. , Buxton Martin J. 
Published: September 2019

Objectives: To examine the influence of a picture archiving and
communication system (PACS) on the length of stay (LOS) for patients receiving
total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) procedures.Methods: A before-and-after design was used. Data were collected
on all THR and TKR procedures at Hammersmith Hospital from 1993–96. A
regression approach was used to examine the influence of PACS on LOS. Factors
such as patient age, sex, and physician were controlled for.Results: Type of admission and discharge, month of procedure,
complications, and number of procedures all significantly influenced LOS for
patients undergoing THR. For patients receiving TKR, age, sex, admission,
prosthetic complications, number of procedures, and PACS significantly
influenced LOS.Conclusions: While this study shows an apparent reduction of 25%
in the average LOS for TKR patients at the time PACS was introduced, this is
unlikely to be a true PACS effect and no similar reduction in LOS was shown
for THR patients.
ASSESSMENT AND REGULATION OF HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Boer Albert 
Published: September 2019

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics, methods, and results
of the Dutch Investigative Medicine Program
(“ontwikkelingsgeneeskunde”) in policy and health care.Methods: Project database analyses of the initial 9 years of the
program; description of characteristics, methods, and effects of the program.Results: By the end of 1997, 53 projects had been completed,
including implementation in health care policy. In 20 of 53 cases the program
worked as an instrument to prevent the introduction of ineffective,
inefficient, or even harmful medical interventions. In most other cases the
program assisted with proper placement or appropriate application of new
technologies. Apart from new or emerging technologies, already existing
technologies are evaluated.Conclusion: The Dutch Investigative Medicine Program
(“ontwikkelingsgeneeskunde”) of the Sickness Funds Council is an
effective collaboration of health care providers, medical science, health
economics, and a regulatory body in empirical technology assessment. It is
also an example not only of a substantial contribution of technology
assessment to decision making in practice and policy but also of a means of
regulation of health care by the very activity of technology assessment
itself. It appears that the program has evolved into an instrument to
rationalize health care and health care policy, although some further possible
improvements are identified.
COSTS OF HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER
ISCHEMIC STROKE
Authors: Porsdal Vibeke , Boysen Gudrun 
Published: September 2019

Objectives: Knowledge of resource use and costs can be useful when
evaluating existing services or planning new services. This study investigates
the use of health care and social services during the first year after a
stroke. Total costs are calculated, costs are compared across subgroups of
patients, and resource items of major importance for the total costs are
identified.Methods: The study is based on a database comprising data on all
stroke patients admitted to a university hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, over
a 1-year period, 1994–95. Patients were followed for 1 year after the
stroke, and data on resource use during and after hospitalization were
collected prospectively at interviews. This paper focuses on a subset of 385
patients who were admitted because of cerebral infarct or unspecified stroke.Results: The mean cost, based on all patients, of health care and
social services during the first year was 142,900 DKK (US $25,500). The
hospital care until the first discharge, including acute care and
rehabilitation, cost 101,600 Danish krones (DKK) (US $18,100), i.e., 71% of
the total cost. Major resource items after discharge were nursing homes,
readmissions, outpatient rehabilitation, and home help. The cost during the
first year varied with a number of factors, with the most important being
survival and degree of disability. Patients who survived the acute phase and
who had severe disability (Barthel Activities of Daily Living [ADL]
Index: 0–9) 7–10 days after admission had a total cost during the
first year that was five times as high as patients with no disability (Barthel
ADL Index: 20).Conclusion: Costs of health care and social services during the
first year after a stroke vary considerably. Disability as measured with the
Barthel ADL Index is a stronger predictor of costs than Scandinavian Stroke
Scale scores and other clinical and demographic variables.
IMPACT OF THE CONSENSUS CONFERENCE ON POLYCYTHEMIA VERA
Authors: Pazart Lionel , Carpentier Françoise , Durocher Alain , Mougeot Chrystelle , Najean Yves , Godeau Pierre 
Published: September 2019

Objective: To assess the impact of guidelines on drug use issued
by a consensus conference on polycythemia vera held in Paris in June 1993.
32Phosphorus (32P) was recommended for patients over 70
and/or at risk, whereas pipobroman and hydroxyurea were recommended for
patients under 70.Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all 119 departments of
nuclear medicine in France 1 year after the conference to find out whether and
how often they measured plasma volume and red cell mass (the recommended
diagnostic tests for polycythemia vera). Time-series analyses were performed
on sales of 32P, pipobroman (both virtually exclusively prescribed
for polycythemia), and hydroxyurea over a 4-year span (January
1992–December 1995).Results: The average number of plasma volume determinations per
year did not change significantly after the conference (22 ± 26 before
vs 21 ± 25 after). 32P and pipobroman sales were stable
until July 1993, when 32P sales decreased while pipobroman sales
rose steadily. Hydroxyurea sales increased over the whole period with no
change in trend after the guidelines were published.Conclusions: The guidelines apparently influenced clinical
practice since sales of drugs that are specifically used to treat polycythemia
vera showed clear changes in trend after publication of the guidelines. This
type of study seems to be an effective way of assessing the impact of
consensus conferences.
USING TELEHEALTH INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT PRESSURE ULCERS IN NEWLY
INJURED SPINAL CORD INJURY PATIENTS POST-DISCHARGE
Authors: Phillips V. L. , Temkin Ann , Vesmarovich Susan , Burns Richard , Idleman Lynda 
Published: September 2019

Objective: To determine which of three approaches to care produces
the lowest incidence of pressure ulcers, promotes the most effective care of
sores that develop, and leads to the fewest hospitalizations in newly injured
patients with spinal cord injury after discharge.Methods: Spinal cord injury patients (n = 12) were recruited for a
telehealth intervention after initial injury, and matched cases were recruited
for telephone counseling and standard care groups. Patients were monitored for
6–8 months after discharge.Results: The video group had the greatest number of reported and
identified pressure ulcers. Differences in health care utilization between the
video and telephone telehealth groups were small. The standard care group
reported the lowest number of pressure ulcers and lowest frequency of health
care utilization. Substantial differences existed in employment rates before
and after injury. The video group had the lowest pre-injury rate of employment
and the highest post-injury rate of employment.Conclusions: Tracking pressure ulcer incidence, particularly stage
I sores, is difficult. Self-report is likely to lead to substantial
underreporting. Similarly, self-report on health care utilization over
extended periods may lead to undercounting of encounters. Telehealth
interventions appear to improve ulcer tracking and management of all ulcer
occurrences. Video interventions may affect outcomes, such as employment
rates, which are not conventionally measured.
Changing Levels of Job Satisfaction among Local Environmental Enforcement Officials in China
Authors: Wen Bo , Tang Shui-Yan , Lo Carlos Wing-Hung 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAs a result of multiple waves of administrative reforms in the past three decades, China's civil service has become more professionalized. Yet public employees appear to have become increasingly dissatisfied in recent years. Based on questionnaire surveys and interviews with environmental enforcement officials in a southern city, this paper traces changes in the job satisfaction levels of these officials between 2000 and 2014. It shows that satisfaction with the extrinsic rewards received and overall job satisfaction declined during this period. These downward trends partly reflected the increasingly challenging institutional environments faced by the officials: rising political and societal demands, inadequate fiscal and personnel resources, and limited enforcement authority. In addition, as the officials became more highly educated and professionalized, mission match became a stronger antecedent of job satisfaction. These findings suggest the importance of meeting the motivational needs of a more professionalized workforce.
Thousands on the stand: Exploring trends and patterns of international witnesses
Authors: Chlevickaite Gabriele , Hola Barbora , Bijleveld Catrien 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe international criminal courts and tribunals have heard thousands of witnesses in cases of extreme complexity and breadth. Their evidentiary record is overwhelming, with live witness testimony standing out as one of its defining features. Keeping in mind the arguments and policies of judicial efficiency and fairness, this article empirically examines the trends and patterns in viva voce witness numbers at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), for Rwanda (ICTR), and the International Criminal Court (ICC). We observe clear differences between institutions and individual cases, and discuss the underlying reasons for such divergences. As well as providing a general overview, we demonstrate the complex interaction between case-related characteristics, institutional and situational contexts, and the number of witnesses called at trial.
The effect of age and study duration on the relationship
between ‘clustering’ of DNA fingerprint patterns and the
proportion of tuberculosis disease attributable to recent
transmission
Authors: VYNNYCKY E. , NAGELKERKE N. , BORGDORFF M. W. , VAN SOOLINGEN D. , VAN EMBDEN J. D. A. , FINE P. E. M. 
Published: September 2019

Though it is recognized that the extent of ‘clustering’ of isolates from tuberculosis cases in a
given population is related to the amount of disease attributable to recent transmission, the
relationship between the two statistics is poorly understood. Given age-dependent risks of
disease and the fact that a long study (e.g. spanning several years) is more likely to identify
transmission-linked cases than a shorter study, both measures, and thus the relationship
between them, probably depend strongly on the ages of the cases ascertained and study
duration. The contribution of these factors is explored in this paper using an age-structured
model which describes the introduction and transmission of M. tuberculosis strains with
different DNA fingerprint patterns in The Netherlands during this century, assuming that the
number of individuals contacted by each case varies between cases and that DNA fingerprint
patterns change over time through random mutations, as observed in several studies.Model predictions of clustering in different age groups and over different time periods
between 1993 and 1997 compare well against those observed. According to the model, the
proportion of young cases with onset in a given time period who were ‘clustered’
underestimated the proportion of disease attributable to recent transmission in this age group (by up
to 25% in males); for older individuals, clustering overestimated this proportion. These under-
and overestimates decreased and increased respectively as the time period over which the cases
were ascertained increased. These results have important implications for the interpretation of
estimates of the proportion of disease attributable to recent transmission, based on ‘clustering’
statistics, as are being derived from studies of the molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in
many populations.
The distinct epidemic characteristics of HCV co-infection among HIV-1-infected population caused by drug injection and sexual transmission in Yunnan, China
Authors: Zhang A-Mei , Yang Ming , Gao Li , Zhang Mi , Jiao Lingshuai , Feng Yue , Dong Xingqi , Xia Xueshan 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in Yunnan province. We studied the epidemic characteristics of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Serum from 894 HIV-1 patients was collected, together with basic information and biochemical features. All samples were infected with HIV through injecting drug users (IDUs) and sexual transmission (ST). The NS5B gene was amplified and sequenced to affirm HCV genotype. In total, 202 HIV patients were co-infected with HCV, and most (81.19%) of co-infected patients were IDUs. Genotype 3b was predominant (37.62%) in these samples, and its frequency was similar in patients with IDU and ST. The frequencies of genotypes 1a, 1b, 3a, 6a, 6n, 2a and 6u were 3.96%, 16.34%, 23.76%, 6.93%, 10.40%, 0.50% and 0.50%, respectively. However, genotype 3a showed significantly different frequency in HCV patients with IDU and ST (P = 0.019). When HCV patients were divided into subgroups, the haemoglobin (HGB) level was significantly higher in patients with genotype 3a than in patients with 3b (P = 0.033), 6a (P = 0.006) and 6n (P = 0.007), respectively. Although no difference existed among HCV subgroups, HIV-viral load was identified to be positively correlated with the HGB level and CD4+ cells when dividing HCV/HIV co-infected persons into male and female groups. In conclusion, genotype 3b was the predominant HCV genotype in Yunnan HIV/HCV co-infected persons. The HGB level was higher in patients with genotype 3a than others. HIV-viral load was positively correlated with the HGB level and CD4+ cells in the male or female HCV-infected group.
Simulated Annealing and Graph Colouring
Authors: NOLTE ANDREAS , SCHRADER RAINER 
Published: September 2019

Simulated annealing is a very successful heuristic for various problems in combinatorial
optimization. In this paper an application of simulated annealing to the 3-colouring problem
is considered. In contrast to many good empirical results we will show for a certain class of
graphs that the expected first hitting time of a proper colouring, given an arbitrary cooling
scheme, is of exponential size.These results are complementary to those in [13], where we prove the convergence of
simulated annealing to an optimal solution in exponential time.
Severe transient neonatal long QT syndrome due to maternal paroxetine usage: a case report
Authors: Leerssen Eeke C. M. , Tak Ramon O. , Breur Johannes M. P. J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA female neonate with in utero selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure presented with bradycardia shortly after birth. Electrocardiography showed severe QT prolongation and second-degree atrioventricular block. Over time QT-times spontaneously normalised and genetic testing did not show mutations associated with long QT syndrome making maternal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor usage the most likely explanation for the observed severe transient neonatal QT prolongation.
The use of alteplase in a newborn with an aortic arch thrombus during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Yang Lijun , Ye Lifen , Lin Ru 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe report a neonatal case of the use of alteplase for the lysis of a large aortic arch thrombus formed during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Alteplase (0.1–0.15 mg/kg/hour) was infused for thrombolysis, and meanwhile, unfractionated heparin was administrated at 5–10 U/kg/hour for the anticoagulation purpose. Alteplase was successfully administered to this neonate after the repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and the patient survived without apparent catastrophic long-term complications. It is reasonable to consider alteplase therapy during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in this setting.
Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease in Turkish schoolchildren
Authors: Atalay Semra , Tutar Ercan , Uçar Tayfun , Topçu Seda , Köse Serdal K. , Doğan Melih T. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackground:The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of subclinical rheumatic heart disease in schoolchildren aged 5–18 by using portable echocardiography in Ankara, Turkey.Methods:The portable echocardiography screening was performed by a paediatric cardiologist for all of the cases. The mean age of 2550 healthy students was 11.09 ± 2.91 years (1339 females, 1211 males) in three private and three public schools. Echocardiographic studies were assessed according to 2012 World Heart Federation criteria for rheumatic heart disease.Results:After reviewing the echocardiographic images, 73 students were reevaluated by an advanced echocardiography device in the university hospital. Evidence of definite subclinical rheumatic heart disease was found in 39 students (15/1000) and borderline rheumatic heart disease in 20 students (8/1000). No children had any clinical symptoms. The mean age of children diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease and borderline rheumatic heart disease is 12.4 and 11.4 years, respectively. The risk of rheumatic heart disease was found to be increased sevenfold in girls between 14 and 18 years. We surprisingly observed that the prevalence of definite rheumatic heart disease in private schools located in high-income areas of Ankara was higher than that in public schools.Conclusions:This is the first and largest single-centred echocardiographic screening study for subclinical rheumatic heart disease in Turkish schoolchildren. The frequency of rheumatic heart disease has been found to be 15/1000. This finding is similar to those of recent echocardiographic screening studies performed in middle and high-risk populations. We conclude that to decrease the burden of rheumatic heart disease, echocardiographic screening studies are necessary, and long-term follow-up of children with echocardiographically diagnosed subclinical rheumatic heart disease is needed.
Infective endocarditis in infants and children in the Western Cape, South Africa: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Willoughby Mark L. , Basera Wisdom , Perkins Susan R. , Comitis George A. M. , Fourie Barend , Lawrenson John B. , Zühlke Liesl J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractInfective endocarditis is a microbial infection of the endothelial surface of the heart, predominantly the heart valves, that is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Few contemporary data exist regarding affected children in our context.Aims and Objectives:We aimed to describe the profile and treatment outcomes of infant and childhood endocarditis at our facilities.Methods:This is a retrospective analysis of infants and children with endocarditis at two public sector hospitals in the Western Cape Province of South Africa over a 5-year period. Patients with “definite” and “possible” endocarditis according to Modified Duke Criteria were included in the review.Results:Forty-nine patients were identified for inclusion; 29 had congenital heart disease as a predisposing condition; 64% of patients met “definite” and 36% “possible” criteria. The in-hospital mortality rate was 20%; 53% of patients underwent surgery with a post-operative mortality rate of 7.7%. The median interval from diagnosis to surgery was 20 days (interquartile range, 9–47 days). Valve replacement occurred in 28% and valve repair in 58%. There was a significant reduction in valvular dysfunction in patients undergoing surgery and only a marginal improvement in patients treated medically. Overall, 43% of patients had some degree of residual valvular dysfunction.Conclusion:Endocarditis is a serious disease with a high in-hospital mortality and presents challenges in making an accurate diagnosis. Despite a significant reduction in valvular dysfunction, a portion of patients had residual valvular dysfunction. Early surgery is associated with a lower mortality rate, but a higher rate of valve replacement compared with delayed surgery.