bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of treatment of faecal incontinence with sacral nerve stimulation – a Finnish multicentre study
Authors: Kirss J. , Pinta T. , Varpe P. , Rautio T. , Kairaluoma M. , Hyöty M. , Hurme S. , Böckelman C. , Kairaluoma V. , Salmenkylä S. , Victorzon M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of this multicentre study is to report the results of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) treatment for faecal incontinence (FI) in Finland and determine factors that could influence SNS treatment outcomes.MethodThis is a national multicentre study, involving all patients tested for SNS implantation in Finland from 1999 to 2017. Data were collected retrospectively from electronic patient archives and analysed for possible effects on treatment outcome.ResultsOf the 432 patients with FI tested for SNS, 365 were women. Three hundred and thirteen (72.5%) of the tested patients advanced to permanent implantation of a stimulator. A successful final treatment outcome, with subjective alleviation of FI, was reported by 59.3% of the patients at the end of follow‐up (mean 2.4 years, range 8 days to 13.3 years). Patients with obstetric sphincter injury and idiopathic FI had more permanent stimulator implantations than patients with iatrogenic injury (P = 0.012). Male patients had significantly worse test phase outcomes than female patients (P < 0.001). Age did not influence treatment outcome (P = 0.446)ConclusionSubjective final success of SNS treatment for FI was achieved in 59.3% of patients at a mean of 2.4 years. Gender and the aetiology of FI influenced the test phase and final treatment outcome of SNS treatment.
First‐ever convulsive seizures in children presenting to the emergency department: risk factors for seizure recurrence and diagnosis of epilepsy
Authors: Sartori Stefano , Nosadini Margherita , Tessarin Giulio , Boniver Clementina , Frigo Anna Chiara , Toldo Irene , Bressan Silvia , Da Dalt Liviana 
Published: September 2018

AimAetiologies of first‐ever convulsive seizures may be diverse, not all leading to recurrence or epilepsy diagnosis. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of first‐ever convulsive seizures in children, investigating risk factors for recurrence and epilepsy diagnosis.MethodThis was a retrospective study of children presenting with a first‐ever convulsive seizure to a tertiary‐care paediatric emergency department (PED) in Italy, in a 12‐month period (2011–2012).ResultsOne hundred and eight children (57 males, 51 females) presented to the PED for a first‐ever convulsive seizure; 90.7% were 6 months to 6 years old (median age 1y 10mo, mean 2y 7mo, range 0mo–14y 4mo). Seizure duration was less than 5 minutes in 76.8%. Seizures were ‘unprovoked’ in 19.4% and ‘provoked’ in 80.6%. At 4‐year follow‐up, 37.9% of patients experienced recurrence and 13.6% received a diagnosis of epilepsy. Factors significantly associated with recurrence were the ‘unprovoked’ nature of the first seizure, multiple seizures in the first 24 hours, positive family history of febrile seizures or epilepsy, and pre‐existing neurological conditions/problems. Factors significantly associated with a diagnosis of epilepsy were the ‘unprovoked’ nature of the first seizure, age older than 6 years, pre‐existing neurological conditions/problems, and focal onset of first seizure.InterpretationChildren presenting to the PED with first‐ever convulsive seizures represent a heterogeneous group. The identification of prognostic factors for recurrence and epilepsy diagnosis may help provide tailored counselling and follow‐up.What this paper adds

Seizures were ‘unprovoked’ in 19.4% and ‘provoked’ in 80.6% of children presenting to the emergency department.

At 4‐year follow‐up, 37.9% relapsed, and 13.6% received a diagnosis of epilepsy.

‘Unprovoked’ first seizure, family history of febrile seizures, and pre‐existing neurological conditions were associated with recurrence.

‘Unprovoked’ first seizure, age younger than 6 years, and pre‐existing neurological conditions were associated with epilepsy diagnosis.
Evaluation of right atrial volumes and functions by real‐time three‐dimensional echocardiography in patients after acute inferior myocardial infarction
Authors: Kanar Batur Gonenc , Sunbul Murat , Sahin Ahmet Anıl , Dogan Zekeriya , Tigen Mustafa Kursat 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundRight ventricle (RV) involvement causes acute systolic and diastolic functional alterations in the RV in patients after inferior myocardial infarction (IMI), which may result in an increase in left ventricle (LV) end‐diastolic and right atrial (RA) pressure. In our study, we sought to evaluate RA volumes and mechanical functions using real‐time three‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in IMI patients with or without RV involvement.MethodsNinety‐six consecutive patients with IMI (mean age: 59.7 ± 10.2 years, 60 female) were included. RV myocardial involvement (RVMI) was defined as the presence of a culprit lesion at the proximal portion of the first RV marginal branch in coronary angiography. The study population was divided into two groups: IMI (58.3%) and IMI + RVMI (41.7%). Patients were evaluated using conventional two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT3DE.ResultsIn RT3DE measurements, IMI + RVMI patients had significantly higher RA phasic volumes and worse conduit mechanical function. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that an RT3DE RA maximum volume (Vmax) index > 27.9 mL/m2 was an independent predictor of RV involvement in patients after acute IMI, with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 89.3%.ConclusionsRight ventricle involvement may cause an increase in RA phasic volumes and deterioration of conduit function in patients with acute IMI.
The incidence and outcomes of nurse bullying in the Russian Federation
Authors: Difazio R.L. , Vessey J.A. , Buchko O.A. , Chetverikov D.V. , Sarkisova V.A. , Serebrennikova N.V. 
Published: September 2018

AimThe aim of this study was to describe bullying experienced by professional nurses working in the Russian Federation. The frequency and type of bullying behaviours experienced, the personal and professional consequences of bullying and the actions taken to address bullying were all examined.Background/IntroductionWorkplace bullying negatively affects nurses, patients and healthcare organizations. To date, no research has been conducted on workplace bullying among nurses in the Russian Federation.MethodsThis was a descriptive study using survey methodology. Members of the Russian Nurses Association were invited to participate via email and social media. Participants completed the 26‐item, web‐based Bullying in the Workplace Survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.ResultsOf the 438 participants, 63% reported being bullied at some point during their career. The majority were female and worked fulltime for an average of 20 years. Over half the nurses were working in staff positions when bullying occurred, and administrators were most commonly identified as the bully. Bullying caused moderate to severe distress in 73.5%. Half of the nurses reported that bullying affected their work, and 83.3% reported that it affected their health. Just over 70% took action to address the bullying situation; 59% of those who did were dissatisfied with the outcome.ConclusionBullying is prevalent in the nursing workplace in the Russian Federation. The perpetrators were most frequently the nurse administrator or physician administrator. Workplace bullying negatively affects nurses' ability to function and subsequently impacts nursing teamwork and patient care.Implications for nursing and health policyIdentifying bullying, its antecedents and consequences in the Russian Federation are a requisite for developing meaningful interventions and contributing to shaping local and international policy.
Impact of electrical connections between ipsilateral pulmonary veins on the second‐generation cryoballoon ablation procedure
Authors: Miyazaki Shinsuke , Kajiyama Takatsugu , Watanabe Tomonori , Hada Masahiro , Nakamura Hiroaki , Hachiya Hitoshi , Tada Hiroshi , Hirao Kenzo , Iesaka Yoshito 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundElectrical connections between ipsilateral pulmonary veins (PVs) have been reported histologically and electrophysiologically. This study investigated the impact of electrical connections between ipsilateral PVs on PV isolation using second‐generation cryoballoons (CB2‐PVI).MethodsFive hundred eleven atrial fibrillation patients, without any PV anomalies, underwent CB2‐PVI using one 28‐mm balloon and a single 3‐minute freeze strategy without any bonus applications.ResultsOverall, 1966 of 2044 (96.2%) PVs were isolated exclusively by using 28‐mm cryoballoons. Among them, 13 left superior PV (LSPVs) and two right superior PV were not persistently isolated by the first application despite a complete vein occlusion, but were isolated by subsequent applications targeting other ipsilateral PVs. Among the 13 LSPVs, six were transiently isolated by 87 (62‐146) second time‐to‐isolation LSPV applications, but were immediately reconnected after the application. The nadir balloon temperature during the LSPV application was similar between the 13 LSPVs not isolated by the LSPV application but were not so by subsequent left inferior PV (LIPV) applications and the 488 LSPVs persistently isolated by LSPV applications (−49.4℃ ± 4.3℃ vs −50.8℃ ± 5.1℃; P = 0.328). In 59 patients in whom the initial LSPV application failed despite a complete occlusion, LIPVs were targeted for the second applications in 31 patients, and both the LSPV and LIPV were simultaneously isolated in 13 of 31 (41.9%).ConclusionsElectrical connections between ipsilateral PVs could have an impact on the CB2‐PVI procedure. When the vein isolation failed despite a complete occlusion, especially for left ipsilateral PVs, it was reasonable to target the other ipsilateral PV instead of repeatedly targeting the same vein.
The Potential Role of Synanthropic Rodents and Flies in the Transmission of Enterocytozoon bieneusi on a Dairy Cattle farm in China
Authors: Yu Fuchang , Qi Meng , Zhao Zifang , Lv Chaochao , Wang Yange , Wang Rongjun , Zhang Longxian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEnterocytozoon bieneusi causes microsporidiosis, a condition with complex epidemiology involving both direct and indirect transmission routes. To assess the potential role of synanthropic rodents and flies in the transmission of this pathogen, a total of 277 cattle fecal samples, 199 synanthropic rodents, and 50 batches of 20 flies were collected from a cattle farm. These samples were screened for the presence of E. bieneusi by PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. The positive rates of cattle, synanthropic rodents, and flies were 11.9% (33/277), 4.0% (8/199) and 12.0% (6/50), respectively. Nineteen genotypes were identified, including 11 known genotypes (BEB6, I, COS‐I, EbpC, D, J, CHS5, CHG1 to CHG3 and CHG14) and eight novel genotypes (named CHC9 to CHC16). The dominant genotype detected in the present study, BEB6, was found in all three categories of hosts. Moreover, human pathogenic genotypes D and EbpC were also observed in both synanthropic rodents and flies. These results demonstrate that synanthropic rodents and flies may act as biological disseminator or mechanical vector in the transmission of microsporidiosis to humans. Efforts should be made to minimize threats from these commensal animals to public health.
Food safety knowledge, attitude, and food handling practices of household women in Lahore
Authors: Naeem Naureen , Raza Shahid , Mubeen Hira , Siddiqui Shoaib Ahmad , Khokhar Raana 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this study a sample of 1,000 household women from 10 towns of Lahore was collected. Significant difference was observed between education with knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Data obtained served as baseline knowledge and information for emphasis on continuous improvement on the knowledge of household women. Baseline knowledge and perceptions of household women is crucial to understanding the status of food safety among them, so educational programming, awareness campaigns, trainings, workshops are recommended to be implemented. Data obtained served as baseline knowledge and information for emphasis on continuous improvement on the knowledge of household women.Practical applicationsThe present study inferred that there is a need for additional research for the possible risks household women at home could pose to human health in regards to food safety, since it is widely acceptable that the primary food preparers at home are the ultimate route of protection against food borne illness. It is thus concluded that there is a need for surveillance and interventions at domestic level with professional assistance for household women regarding food safety issues and its awareness in the state.
Incomplete reproductive isolation betweenRhododendrontaxa enables hybrid formation and persistence
Authors: Yan Li‐Jun , Burgess Kevin S. , Zheng Wei , Tao Zhi‐Bin , Li De‐Zhu , Gao Lian‐Ming 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe evolutionary consequences of hybridization ultimately depend on the magnitude of reproductive isolation between hybrids and their parents. We evaluated the relative contributions of pre‐ and post‐zygotic barriers to reproduction for hybrid formation, hybrid persistence and potential for reproductive isolation of hybrids formed between twoRhododendronspecies,R. spiciferumandR. spinuliferum. Our study established that incomplete reproductive isolation promotes hybrid formation and persistence and delays hybrid speciation. All pre‐zygotic barriers to reproduction leading to hybrid formation are incomplete: parental species have overlapping flowering; they share the same pollinators; reciprocal assessments of pollen tube germination and growth do not differ among parents. The absence of post‐zygotic barriers between parental taxa indicates that the persistence of hybrids is likely. Reproductive isolation was incomplete between hybrids and parents in all cases studied, although asymmetric differences in reproductive fitness were prevalent and possibly explain the genetic structure of natural hybrid swarms where hybridization is known to be bidirectional but asymmetric. Introgression, rather than speciation, is a probable evolutionary outcome of hybridization between the twoRhododendrontaxa. Our study provides insights into understanding the evolutionary implications of natural hybridization in woody plants.
Calcineurin: directing the damage in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Norris Christopher M. 
Published: September 2018

Ca2+dysregulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and affects numerous and diverse signaling cascades linked to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Increasing evidence suggests that the protein phosphatase calcineurin (CN) mediates or exacerbates AD pathophysiology through activation of the NFAT family of transcription factors. In this editorial, we discuss work by Hopp et al,, which uncovered a novel role of CN/NFAT signaling in controlling global gene expression in hippocampal neurons of intact mice. Interestingly, the authors showed that elevated CN expression/activity in neurons plays a major role in transcriptional suppression. Many of the genes differentially affected by CN were related to synapse function and NFAT binding, and exhibited similar patterns of downregulation in previous studies on human AD biospecimens. Results are discussed in context with emerging roles for CN/NFATs in astrocyte signaling as they pertain to Ca2+dysregulation and the progression of neurodegeneration and cognitive loss with AD.image
Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage for patients with extremely high‐risk history of preterm delivery
Authors: Otsuki Katsufumi , Ando Satoshi , Nishi Takeshi , Jimbo Masatoshi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTransvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage was carried out in 12 such patients who were at high‐risk of premature delivery. Patients who underwent transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage had undergone conization, cervical radical hysterectomy or another form of extensive cervical resection, or had a history of third‐trimester miscarriage or premature delivery despite having previously undergone cervical cerclage several times for cervical incompetence. There were seven cases of pregnancy after extensive conization, and four had a history of failed cervical cerclage. Two of these cases were the same individual, who became pregnant twice after extensive conization and gave birth to a live infant each time. The mean age at surgery was 35.7 years, and cerclage was performed at 11–19 weeks’ gestation. All of the infants survived to hospital discharge. Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage may be considered effective for patients with the history of recurring pregnancy loss due to previous failure of prophylactic cerclage.
His‐bundle pacing as a standard approach in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and bradycardia
Authors: Jastrzębski Marek , Moskal Paweł , Bednarek Agnieszka , Kiełbasa Grzegorz , Czarnecka Danuta 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundHis‐bundle (HB) pacing is the most physiological method of ventricular pacing. However, it is also considered a demanding procedure with a low success rate and has suboptimal pacing parameters. There is a scarcity of data concerning HB pacing as a standard approach in patients with symptomatic bradycardia. Our goal was to compare acute and chronic results of two approaches to pacing in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, narrow QRS complexes, and symptomatic bradycardia: right ventricular myocardial pacing versus HB pacing.MethodsConsecutive patients who received HB pacemakers were compared with historical controls—i.e., consecutive patients with classic VVI pacemaker implantations, performed by the same operator before 2014 (commencement of routine HB implantations). Acute and long‐term capture threshold, sensing, battery current drain, as well as procedure and fluoroscopy duration, complications, and success rate were compared.ResultsOne hundred and twenty‐five patients were analyzed (including 65 patients with HB pacing): age 73.0 ± 10.5 years, left ventricular ejection fraction of 48.2 ± 13.5%. HB pacing was inferior to right ventricular myocardial pacing in terms of higher threshold, lower sensing amplitude, higher current drain, lower success rate, longer procedure, and fluoroscopy times. However, despite this, HB procedure and fluoroscopy times of 64.4 ± 30.0 and 11.0 ± 10.7 minutes, respectively, long‐term successful HB pacing in 87.9% of patients, a chronic threshold of 1.5 ± 1.1 V, chronic sensing of 3.6 ± 2.5 mV, and chronic current drain per pulse of 3.4 ± 4.4 μAh seem acceptable.ConclusionsHB pacing can be used as an alternative standard method of pacing in atrial fibrillation patients.
Clinical experience with wearable cardioverter defibrillators at a tertiary electrophysiology program
Authors: Bossory Laurie , Schubert Scott , Afzal Muhammad R. , Weiss Raul , Tyler Jaret , Kalbfleisch Steven , Augostini Ralph , Hummel John , Okabe Toshimasa , Daoud Emile G. , Houmsse Mahmoud 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundA wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is an alternative for patients who are not immediate candidates for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).MethodsRetrospective analysis of 242 patients prescribed a WCD from January 2014 through March 2015 with 1‐year follow‐up.ResultsA WCD was prescribed to 242 patients during the 15‐month period. Forty‐one patients were excluded due to lack of complete follow‐up. The remaining 201 patients received a WCD for primary or secondary prevention of SCD. Seventy‐nine percent of WCDs were prescribed by nonelectrophysiologists. Underlying etiologies for the WCD prescription included: 38% nonischemic cardiomyopathy, 25% recent myocardial infarction, 16% newly diagnosed ischemic cardiomyopathy, 12% documented ventricular arrhythmia, 6% ICD lead extraction, and 3% had high risk conditions for sudden cardiac death. During 1‐year follow‐up, 96 patients (48%) received an ICD and five patients (2.5%) received appropriate shocks and one patient (0.5 %) received an inappropriate shock. Other 105 (52%) patients subsequently did not require an ICD due to either improvement in ejection fraction, refusal of ICD therapy, or death.ConclusionsAbout half of patients prescribed a WCD subsequently receive an ICD and the rate of appropriate shock therapy from the WCD is 2.5%.
Lability in Western Peninsular Spanish
Authors: Bermejo Víctor Lara 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe western variety of Peninsular Spanish possesses a type of causative construction in which an intransitive lexeme is used transitively. This phenomenon, called lability, is attested in three specific verbs: caer (‘to fall’), quedar (‘to stay’) and entrar (‘to enter’). As a consequence, they can induce a direct object at the expense of the standard forms tirar (‘to throw’), dejar (‘to leave’) and meter (‘to put in’). Lability has not been studied in depth for Spanish and, with this paper, I attempt to pinpoint its current extension as well as the possible semantic factors that prompt the transitivisation of these verbs.
Socio‐economic impacts of the pharmaceuticals detection and activated carbon treatment technology in water management – an example from the Czech Republic
Authors: Hrkal Zbyněk , Harstadt Ketil , Rozman David , Těšitel Jan , Kušová Drahomíra , Novotná Eva , Váňa Miroslav 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe fast development of laboratory methods has revealed increased amounts of trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) in waste waters in the Czech Republic. This paper focuses on the expected costs to solve this problem by quaternary treatment of waste water based on activated carbon filtration. The one‐time investment costs in 155 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with a capacity of over 10 000 population equivalent (PE) would represent an amount of around 300 million EUR. The increase in end‐user operating costs would be 0.4 EUR/m3, which would mean a 15% increase in water and sewage costs. A sociological survey showed that most respondents (65%) would agree with an increase in price but only by 10%. Currently the cost of the quaternary treatment of wastewater is based primarily on estimates. Therefore changes in legislation leading to stricter limits and an increase in the efficiency of wastewater treatment should be preceded by additional applied research.
Evaluation of the Pilot Implementation of the Coaching for Life Skills Program
Authors: Camiré Martin , Kendellen Kelsey , Rathwell Scott , Felber Charbonneau Evelyne 
Published: September 2018

Many forms of mainstream coach education continue to sparingly address content specifically related to positive youth development and/or life skills, instead maintaining a focus on the technical and tactical aspects of sport. The purpose of the paper is to present the evaluation findings of the pilot implementation of the Coaching for Life Skills program, designed to serve coaches operating in the context of high school sport. The study qualitatively explored what participants believed they experienced during their participation in the Coaching for Life Skills program, which was delivered to 68 Canadian high school coaches. Participants took part in one of six three-hour workshop (i.e., three workshops in English, three workshops in French). Of these 68 coaches, 10 voluntarily agreed to take part in individual semi-structured interviews. Findings demonstrated how the participants believed they learned important elements related to the coaching of life skills, particularly in terms of increasing their awareness of life skills, improving coach-athlete relationships, and employing coaching strategies that deliberately target life skills development and transfer.