bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bladder Training and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Female Patients with Overactive Bladder Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rizvi Raheela Mohsin , Chughtai Novera Ghayoor , Kapadia Naheed 
Published: April 2018

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The purpose of our study was to see the efficacy of 3 different modes of treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) in symptoms reduction and quality of life improvement. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted a 12-week single-blinded randomized controlled trial of women aged 22–65 years with clinical diagnosis of OAB. Arm A (<i>n</i> = 47) received bladder training, arm B (<i>n</i> = 50) received pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), and arm C (<i>n</i> = 50) received PFMT with biofeedback. Bladder diary was used to assess the difference in urinary frequency, urgency, and leak accidents before and after treatment. Initial and final assessment was made using ­validated urogenital distress inventory short form 6 (UDI-SF6) and incontinence impact questionnaire short form 7 (IIQ-SF7). <b><i>Results:</i></b> UDI-SF6 scores showed significant improvement in all arms. There was a reduction in UDI-6 scores from 8.38 ± 4.3 to 4.77 ± 5.5 with a mean difference of 3.61 ± 7.4 in patients in arm A (<i>p</i> = 0.002), arm B (<i>p</i> = 0.01), and arm C (<i>p</i> = 0.016). All patients in arms A, B, and C reported significant improvement in quality of life as assessed by IIQ-SF7 scores with significant <i>p</i> values of 0.009, 0.051, and 0.001, respectively. Bladder diary results using paired <i>t</i> test showed the significant difference in day time urinary frequency in arm A after treatment, as well as the reduction in both leak accidents and urgency score in all 3 arms. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> All 3 arms of study showed significant results and can be used as the first line of management.
Bergson and Judaism
Authors: Haberman Jacob 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Bergson’s troublesome relation to Judaism has been examined briefly by Aimé Pallière in Bergson et le Judaisme (Paris: F. Alcan, 1933) and his ambivalent attraction to Roman Catholicism by the learned Dominican philosopher-theologian Antonin Sertillanges in Henri Bergson et le catholicisme (Paris: Flammarion, 1941). Vladimir Jankélevitch, in his study Henri Bergson (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1959), has an appendix entitled “Bergson et le Judaisme,” However, he is concerned with the affinity between Bergsonism and Judaism rather than with Bergson’s adverse criticism of the Jewish religion. I mention these studies without discussing them further in appreciation of their pioneering work and to acknowledge that I have taken cognizance of their opinions. The belief that one can ignore the work of previous scholars leaves no basis for the expectation that our own work will prove of any value to others, but I do believe that Bergson’s strictures on Judaism deserve an examination of Jewish and Christian texts as well as an analysis of time by Jewish thinkers.
Modulational Instability and Rogue Waves in Crossing Sea States
Authors: Gramstad Odin , Bitner-Gregersen Elzbieta , Trulsen Karsten , Nieto Borge José Carlos 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWave statistical properties and occurrence of extreme and rogue waves in crossing sea states are investigated. Compared to previous studies a more extensive set of crossing sea states are investigated, both with respect to spectral shape of the individual wave systems and with respect to the crossing angle and separation in peak frequency of the two wave systems. It is shown that, because of the effects described by Piterbarg, for a linear sea state the expected maximum crest elevation over a given surface area depends on the crossing angle so that the expected maximum crest elevation is largest when two wave systems propagate with a crossing angle close to 90°. It is further shown by nonlinear phase-resolving numerical simulations that nonlinear effects have an opposite effect, such that maximum sea surface kurtosis is expected for relatively large and small crossing angles, with a minimum around 90°, and that the expected maximum crest height is almost independent of the crossing angle. The numerical results are accompanied by analysis of the modulational instability of two crossing Stokes waves, which is studied using the Zakharov equation so that, different from previous studies, results are valid for arbitrary-bandwidth perturbations. It is shown that there is a positive correlation between the value of kurtosis in the numerical simulations and the maximum unstable growth rate of two crossing Stokes waves, even for realistic broadband crossing sea states.
A decision support tool to inform local suicide prevention activity in Greater Western Sydney (Australia)
Authors: Page Andrew , Atkinson Jo-An , Campos William , Heffernan Mark , Ferdousi Shahana , Power Adrian , McDonnell Geoff , Maranan Nereus , Hickie Ian 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: This study describes the development of a decision support tool to identify the combination of suicide prevention activities and service priorities likely to deliver the greatest reductions in suicidal behaviour in Western Sydney (Australia) over the period 2018–2028. Methods: A dynamic simulation model for the WentWest – Western Sydney Primary Health Network population-catchment was developed in partnership with primary health network stakeholders based on defined pathways to mental health care and suicidal behaviour, and which represented the current incidence of suicide and attempted suicide in Western Sydney. A series of scenarios relating to potential suicide prevention activities and service priorities identified by primary health network stakeholders were investigated to identify the combination of interventions associated with the largest reductions in the forecast number of attempted suicide and suicide cases for a 10-year follow-up period. Results: The largest number of cases averted for both suicide and attempted suicide was associated with (1) post-suicide attempt assertive aftercare (6.1% for both attempted suicide and suicide), (2) improved community support and reductions in psychological distress in the community (5.1% for attempted suicide and 14.8% for suicide), and (3) reductions in the proportion of those lost to services following a mental health service contact (10.5% for both attempted suicide and suicide). In combination, these interventions were forecast to avert approximately 29.7% of attempted suicides and 37.1% of suicides in the primary health network catchment over the 10-year period. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of dynamic simulation models, co-designed with multi-disciplinary stakeholder groups, to capture and analyse complex mental health and suicide prevention regional planning problems. The model can be used by WentWest – Western Sydney Primary Health Network as a decision support tool to guide the commissioning of future service activity, and more efficiently frame the monitoring and evaluation of interventions as they are implemented in Western Sydney.
Including the voices of children and young people in health policy development: An Irish perspective
Authors: Martin Shirley , Horgan Deirdre , Scanlon Margaret , Eldin Nazih , O’Donnell Anne 
Published: April 2018

Objective: This paper presents findings of a qualitative study which explored children and young people’s understanding of health and the factors that contribute, or act as barriers, to healthy lifestyles. Views were elicited from consultations with children and young people as part of the process for the development of a National Obesity Policy in Ireland. Design: Child participatory methodology was used which prioritised the voice of the child in policy making. Methods: Two consultations were held – one with 48 children between the ages of 8 and 12 and the other with 34 young people aged 13–17 years. The consultations utilised qualitative participatory methodology which prioritised the voices of children and young people in policy making. A diverse range of methodological tools (e.g. ‘lifelines’, ‘body maps’, world café workshops) were used to collect data and optimise levels of participant engagement. Qualitative visual and written data produced during the consultations was then subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Children and young people’s constructions of health and healthy lifestyles are multifaceted. Participants in the consultation appeared well informed as to the general factors which contribute to healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. There were notable differences of emphasis related to age, with the older age group engaging more with issues relating to mental health and peer relationships, while younger children focused more on balanced diet and exercise. Conclusion: Findings from this consultation suggest that children’s constructions of health, and their understandings of the factors that impact health, are complex and often go beyond medical constructions of the meaning of health. The consultation informed the development of the new National Obesity Policy in a number of ways, including specific actions in relation to the development of a whole school healthy lifestyles programme, developing a health and well-being model for early childhood services, and providing clinical services specifically for children.
Policy evaluation in parliament: interest groups as catalysts
Authors: Varone Frédéric , Bundi Pirmin , Gava Roy 
Published: April 2018

Members of Parliament (MPs) request policy evaluations and use the resultant findings to inform law-making and hold the government to account. Since most elected representatives have developed strong ties to interest groups, one might wonder whether these privileged relationships influence MPs’ parliamentary behavior. This study investigates how MPs’ affiliations to groups affect their demand for policy evaluations. Empirical evidence shows that, regardless of respective party or individual characteristics, MPs are more likely to request evaluations in those policy domains where they have a group affiliation. This effect holds even when controlling for a classical measure of MP's policy specialization, such as legislative committee membership. These findings suggest that ties between MPs and specific types of interest group should be considered when explaining parliamentary behavior across different policy domains. Point for practitioners To influence the policymaking process, interest groups participate in consultation procedures and parliamentary hearings, they lobby elected officials and deliver policy expertise to decision-makers. These advocacy strategies are well studied. This article innovates by showing that, in addition, interest groups foster the development of policy evaluations. MPs affiliated to an interest group active on a specific issue are likely to request policy evaluations in that policy domain. Interest groups strengthen the parliamentary demand for evaluation studies and, thus, may potentially contribute to the accountability of government and public administration.
Alzheimer disease: Non-pharmacological and pharmacological management of cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms
Authors: Loi Samantha M , Eratne Dhamidhu , Kelso Wendy , Velakoulis Dennis , Looi Jeffrey CL 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: This clinical update review focuses on the management of cognition and the neuropsychiatric features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and highlights current issues regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, putative therapeutics and recent relevant research findings in this area. Conclusions: AD is a neurodegenerative progressive condition characterised by cognitive impairment and functional decline. Most people with AD will demonstrate neuropsychiatric features, better known as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Early recognition and treatment of BPSD are essential, as these cause considerable distress and carer burden. While there are many disease-modifying therapies for the cognitive symptoms still in the research stage, only symptomatic treatments are currently available for these and the BPSD.
A new modeling and inference approach for the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial outcomes
Authors: Yang Song , Ambrosius Walter T , Fine Lawrence J , Bress Adam P , Cushman William C , Raj Dominic S , Rehman Shakaib , Tamariz Leonardo 
Published: April 2018

Background/aims In clinical trials with time-to-event outcomes, usually the significance tests and confidence intervals are based on a proportional hazards model. Thus, the temporal pattern of the treatment effect is not directly considered. This could be problematic if the proportional hazards assumption is violated, as such violation could impact both interim and final estimates of the treatment effect. Methods We describe the application of inference procedures developed recently in the literature for time-to-event outcomes when the treatment effect may or may not be time-dependent. The inference procedures are based on a new model which contains the proportional hazards model as a sub-model. The temporal pattern of the treatment effect can then be expressed and displayed. The average hazard ratio is used as the summary measure of the treatment effect. The test of the null hypothesis uses adaptive weights that often lead to improvement in power over the log-rank test. Results Without needing to assume proportional hazards, the new approach yields results consistent with previously published findings in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial. It provides a visual display of the time course of the treatment effect. At four of the five scheduled interim looks, the new approach yields smaller p values than the log-rank test. The average hazard ratio and its confidence interval indicates a treatment effect nearly a year earlier than a restricted mean survival time–based approach. Conclusion When the hazards are proportional between the comparison groups, the new methods yield results very close to the traditional approaches. When the proportional hazards assumption is violated, the new methods continue to be applicable and can potentially be more sensitive to departure from the null hypothesis.
Monitoring Crohn’s disease activity: endoscopy, fecal markers and computed tomography enterography
Authors: Lopes Susana , Andrade Patrícia , Afonso Joana , Cunha Rui , Rodrigues-Pinto Eduardo , Ramos Isabel , Macedo Guilherme , Magro Fernando 
Published: April 2018

Background: The treatment goal of Crohn’s disease (CD) has moved towards achieving mucosal healing, resolution of transmural inflammation, and normalization of biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how well computed tomography enterography (CTE) and fecal calprotectin (FC) correlated with endoscopic activity in newly diagnosed patients with CD and after 1 year of therapy. Methods: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed CD were evaluated by endoscopy, CTE, and FC at diagnosis and 12 months after beginning immunosuppression. Endoscopic severity was assessed using the Simplified Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD). Biomarkers, clinical indexes, and FC were recorded on the day of ileocolonoscopy at diagnosis and 1 year after diagnosis. We adapted a CTE score for disease activity based on radiological signs of inflammation (i.e. mural thickness, mural hyperenhancement, mesenteric fat proliferation, mesenteric fat densification, comb sign, presence of strictures, fistulas, abscesses, ascites, and lymphadenopathy). Correlations between endoscopy, CTE, and FC were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results: A total of 29 patients (48% women; median age 30 (24.5–35.5) years) were included in this prospective cohort. CTE findings significantly correlated with endoscopic findings. Endoscopic remission (ER) at 1-year follow up significantly correlated with improvement in mural hyperenhancement ( p = 0.004), mesenteric fat densification ( p = 0.001), comb sign ( p = 0.004), and strictures ( p = 0.008) in CTE. None of the CTE findings improved in patients without ER. FC correlated with SES-CD ( rs = 0.696, p < 0.001) and with CTE features of inflammation ( rs = 0.596, p < 0.001). A cut-off of 100 µg/g predicted ER with 92% sensitivity, 65% specificity, and 83% accuracy (area under curve 0.878, p < 0.001). Conclusions: CTE findings and FC levels correlated with endoscopic activity in CD both at diagnosis and at 1-year follow up. These two noninvasive markers of disease activity may be used as an alternative to endoscopy to monitor disease response to therapy.
Beta adrenoceptor blockade ameliorates impaired glucose tolerance and alterations of the cerebral ceramide metabolism in an experimental model of ischemic stroke
Authors: Luger Sebastian , Schwebler Annette , Vutukuri Rajkumar , Bouzas Nerea Ferreiros , Labocha Sandra , Schreiber Yannick , Brunkhorst Robert , Steinmetz Helmuth , Pfeilschifter Josef , Pfeilschifter Waltraud 
Published: April 2018

Background: Sphingolipids are versatile signaling molecules derived from membrane lipids of eukaryotic cells. Ceramides regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis and are involved in cellular stress responses. Experimental evidence suggests a pivotal role of sphingolipids in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. A neuroprotective effect has been shown for beta-adrenergic antagonists in rodent stroke models and supported by observational clinical data. However, the exact underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are still under investigation. We aimed to examine the influence of propranolol on the ceramide metabolism in the stroke-affected brain. Methods: Mice were subjected to 60 or 180 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and infarct size, functional neurological deficits, glucose tolerance, and brain ceramide levels were assessed after 12, 24, and 72 h to evaluate whether the latter two processes occur in a similar time frame. Next, we assessed the effects of propranolol (10 mg/kg bw) at 0, 4 and 8 h after tMCAO and FTY720 (fingolimod; 1 mg/kg) on infarct size, functional outcome, immune cell counts and brain ceramide levels at 24 h after 60 min tMCAO. Results: We found a temporal coincidence between stroke-associated impaired glucose tolerance and brain ceramide accumulation. Whereas propranolol reduced ischemic lesion size, improved functional outcome and reduced brain ceramide accumulation without an effect on circulating immune cells, FTY720 showed the known neuroprotective effect and strong reduction of circulating immune cells without affecting brain ceramide accumulation. Conclusions: Propranolol ameliorates both stroke-associated impairment of glucose tolerance and brain ceramide accumulation which are temporally linked, strengthening the evidence for a role of the sympathetic nervous system in regulating post-stroke glucose metabolism and its metabolic consequences in the brain.
Comparison of four parameters to assess acetabular dysplasia and acetabular dysplasia rates in primary hip osteoarthritis patients: A study in Turkish population
Authors: Adanir Oktay , Zorer Gazi 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Hip osteoarthritis is an important orthopedic problem frequently observed in the elderly. Acetabular dysplasia (AD) is one of the pathologies that cause coxarthrosis. Nearly 20–45% of primary or idiopathic hip osteoarthritis is linked to AD. In our country, there are few studies on this topic. We measured the center–edge (CE) angle, Sharp’s angle, acetabular depth, and femoral head coverage ratio on pelvis anteroposterior radiographs of patients with primary coxarthrosis and calculated the dysplasia rates. Patients and method: Age at surgery and sex of the patients; and CE angle, Sharp’s angle, acetabular depth, and femoral head coverage ratio for both operated and opposite hips were evaluated in 223 total hip prosthesis–performed patients with coxarthrosis. Also the distribution of mean age at surgery, sex of patients, dysplasia rates of operated hips, and bilateral dysplasia rates were calculated. Results: The right to left ratio of operated hips was 104/119. Female to male ratio was 163/60 (2.7/1), for those with CE angle below 20° it was 123/30 (4.1/1), and it was 40/30 (1.3/1) with CE angle above 20°. Mean age of patients at surgery was 56.9 (±11.4) years. CE angle less than 20° was found in 68.6% of patients, acetabulum depth less than 9 mm was found in 75.3%, Sharp’s angle was more than 45° in 65.9%, and femoral head coverage ratio was less than 70% in 70.3% of patients. Conclusions: We identified a high rate of AD in primary coxarthrosis patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty in the study population.
Arthroscopic knotless single-row repair preserving full footprint versus tear completion repair for partial articular-sided rotator cuff tear
Authors: Liu Cen Tao , Ge Heng an , Hu Rui , Huang Jing Biao , Cheng Yi Chao , Wang Min , Wu Peng , Cheng Biao 
Published: April 2018

Background: The comparison of clinical outcomes of arthroscopic footprint-preserving knotless single-row repair with the tear completion repair technique for articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs) remains unclear. Methods: A total of 68 patients diagnosed with articular-sided PTRCTs who underwent rotator cuff repair between December 2014 and June 2015 were included. Of the 68 patients, 30 received footprint-preserving knotless single-row repair (group 1) and 38 received the tear completion repair technique (group 2). Preoperative and postoperative assessments were compared. Results: Both groups had significantly improved American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores (group 1: 48.2 preoperatively to 81.9 postoperatively, p < 0.001; group 2: 47.1 preoperatively to 84.9 postoperatively, p < 0.001) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (group 1: 6.0 preoperatively to 0.93 postoperatively, p < 0.001; group 2: 6.1 preoperatively to 1.1 postoperatively, p < 0.001), showing that the two procedures significantly improved postoperative shoulder function. No significant differences were shown in ASES score or VAS pain score between the two groups ( p > 0.05). The mean operation time was significantly shorter in group 1 with an average of 48.1 min than in group 2 with an average of 60.4 min ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Footprint-preserving knotless single-row repair obtains similar clinical results compared to tear completion repair in the treatment of articular-sided PTRCTs. Footprint-preserving knotless single-row repair may be a convenient choice for the treatment of articular-sided PTRCTs. Randomized controlled studies are needed to investigate whether the footprint-preserving knotless single-row repair yields better long-term outcomes through the protection of the bursal cuff and restoration of the healthy footprint.