bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Ayed Mousab Yousef , Ababneh Mutasem , Robert Asirvatham Alwin , Salman Ahmed , Al Saeed Abdulghani , Al Dawish Mohamed Abdulaziz 
Published: August 2018

<P>Background and Aims: Considering that diabetic foot ulceration is one of the major health
issues globally, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with foot ulcers in patients with type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods:
A total of 81 T2DM patients (age range: 40-80 years) registered at the Diabetes Treatment
Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April and September
2015 were included in this cross-sectional study after purposive selection and assigning of patient
numbers. The selected participants were interviewed and examined, and their medical records
were reviewed for sensory, vibratory, and painful neuropathies; vascular insufficiency; retinopathy;
and dermatological variations. The Wagner’s classification system was employed to evaluate the stage
of patients’ foot ulcers.

Results:
Among the study participants [mean age range: 56.4 ± 6.72 years; 53 males (65.4%)], cases of
loss of protective sensation, foot deformity, amputation history, and dermatological abnormalities were
notable. The Wagner gradation value of ulcers were grade 0 for 16% study population, grade 1 for
35.8%, grade 2 for 45.7%, grade 3 for 2.5%, and grades 4 and 5 for 0%. Approximately 19% of the patients
had a previous case of amputation and 29.6% had nail disease. The most common footwear reported
to be used by the patients was sandals shoes (46%).

Conclusion:
The issues of loss of protective sensation, vascular insufficiency, deformity, previous amputations,
and dermatological abnormalities of the lower limbs were found to be most common among
the foot ulceration patients. The study findings thus recommend regular foot examination, following
basic hygiene habits, encouragement of the use of appropriate footwear, patient education about foot
ulcers, and prompt treatment for minor injuries to prevent further ulceration in DM patients.</P>
Bactericidal Activity of a Cationic Peptide on Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: De-Simone Salvatore G. , Souza Andre L.A. , Pina Jorge L.S. , Junior Ivan N. , Lourenço Maria C. , Provance David W. 
Published: August 2018

Background:
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria has raised an
urgent need for substitute remedies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered promising
candidates to address infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria through new mechanisms of action
that require a careful evaluation of their performance.

Objective:
Identification of effective AMPs against Neisseria meningitidis, which represents a
pathogen of great public health importance worldwide that is intrinsically resistant to some AMPs,
such as polymyxin B.

Methods:
A cationic 11-residue peptide (KLKLLLLLKLK), referred to as poly-Leu, was synthesized
and its antimeningococcal activity was compared to cecropin A and poly-P
(KLKPPPPPKLK) through a variety of assays. Flow cytometry was used to measure propidium
iodide uptake by N. meningitidis serotype B as an indicator of the effectiveness of each peptide
when added to cultures at different concentrations.

Results:
The addition of the poly-Leu peptide led to a 90.3% uptake of the dye with an EC50 value
of 7.9 µg mL-1. In contrast, uptake was <10% in cells grown in the absence of peptides or with an
identical concentration of cecropin and poly-Pro peptides. Electron micrographs indicated that the
integrity of the cellular wall and internal membrane was impacted in relation to peptide concentrations,
which was confirmed by the detection of released alkaline phosphatase from the periplasmic
space due to disruption of the external membrane.

Conclusion:
Poly-Leu peptide demonstrated definitive antimicrobial activity against N. meningitidis.
Impact of 13Valent Vaccine for Prevention of Pneumococcal Diseases in Children and Adults at Risk: Possible Scenarios in Campania Region
Authors: Sanduzzi Alessandro , Canora Angelo , Belfiore Patrizia , Bocchino Marialuisa , Liguori Renato , Liguori Giorgio 
Published: August 2018

Background:Pneumonias are the most frequent infectious diseases, characterized by a high prevalence especially among children and adults at risk. The socio-economic impact caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is evaluated in terms of morbidity, death rate and hospitalizations.Objective:The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential economic advantages by implementation of an active anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine strategy in Campania region (Southern Italy) in two different categories of subjects, children (aged 0-12), and adults (aged 50- 79) at risk (hypertension, nephropathies, COPD and heart diseases).Methods:Vaccination costs were compared with costs necessary to treat avoidable diseases in the presence and absence of a vaccination program.Results:Offering anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine to the paediatric population was quantified as saving one million euros for Italian national health service in two years. In addition, offering anti-pneumococcal vaccine to adults at risk would generate a return of around 29 million euros.Conclusion:In both cases, offering anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine was proven to be a helpful political health strategy, not only in consideration of a reduction of cases but also in view of the favourable economic impacts.
Optimization of Slag Content and Properties Improvement of Metakaolin-slag Geopolymer Mixes
Authors: Zawrah M. F. , Gado R. A. , Khattab R. M. 
Published: August 2018

Object:Geopolymers mixes were fabricated from Metakaolin (MK) and Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) waste material in the presence of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate which were used as alkali activators. To optimize the suitable amount of slag, eleven batches were designed, mixed and homogenized for 30 min.Method:To determine the suitable amount of liquid required for pasting, normal consistency and setting time were determined. The physico-mechanical properties at different curing agesi.e. 3, 7, 28 and 90 days, were determined. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were used to investigate phase composition and microstructure.Result:To guarantee forming geopolymer gel and to check its amount, HCl extraction test was performed. Salicylic acid/methanol extraction was also performed to verify the presence and amount of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH). The results revealed that calcium-rich slag (BFS) accelerated the hardening process and decreased the alkaline liquid consistency. For geopolymer without BFS, two phases, namely; un-reacted metakaolin and geopolymer gel were formed. For geopolymers with BFS, three phases were formed, namely; un-reacted metakaolin, geopolymer gel and CSH with aluminum substitution (CASH) gel. The bulk density was increased with increasing BFS and curing time. The strength was increased with increasing of BFS, reaching its maximum (about 120 MPa) for the specimen containing 70% slag, cured for 28 days.
Influence of Time Intervals between Bleaching Procedures on Enamel Microhardness and Surface Roughness
Authors: Pimentel de Oliveira Roberta , Baia Juliana Costa Pereira , Ribeiro Mara Eliane Soares , Junior Mario Honorato da Silva e Souza , Loretto Sandro Cordeiro 
Published: August 2018

Background:Dental bleaching has been increasingly sought out to improve dental aesthetics, but it may cause changes in dental enamel.Objective:To assess the influence of different time intervals on bleaching gel applications with regard to the Microhardness (MH) and Surface Roughness (SR) on dental enamel.Material and Methods:Forty bovine incisors were randomly divided into two groups (G1 and G2) and both were bleached with 35% Hydrogen Peroxide (HP35) (n=20; G1: seven-day interval and G2: two-day interval). The MH and SR tests were performed before bleaching (T0) and after the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) bleaching gel applications. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva between each application (37°C). The data were analyzed using the student’s t-test (p≤ 0.05) for dependent samples.Results:The reduced time interval (two days) led to a significant reduction in MH, while MH was not affected during the seven-day interval. The SR results increased regardless of the bleaching gel application time interval.Conclusion:The decreased time interval of two days between bleaching gel applications caused changes in MH but did not influence the SR of dental enamel.
A Synoptic Study of Low Troposphere Wind at the Israeli Coast
Authors: Berkovic Sigalit , Alpert Pinhas 
Published: August 2018

Objective:This research is dedicated to the study of the feasibility of surface wind downscaling from 925 or 850 hPa winds according to synoptic class, season and hour.Methods:Two aspects are examined: low tropospheric wind veering and wind speed correlation and verification of the ERA-Interim analysis wind by comparison to radiosonde data at Beit Dagan, a station on the Israeli coast.Results:Relatively small (< 60°) cross angles between the 1000 hPa wind vector and the 925 hPa or 850 hPa wind vector at 12Z and high correlation (0.6-0.8) between the wind speed at the two levels were found only under winter lows. Relatively small cross angles and small wind speed correlation were found under highs to the west and Persian troughs.The verification of ERA-Interim analysis in comparison with radiosonde data has shown good prediction of wind direction at 12Z at 1000, 925 and 850 hPa levels (RMSE 20°-60°) and lower prediction quality at 1000 hPa at 0Z (RMSE 60°-90°). The analysis under-predicts the wind speed, especially at 1000 hPa. The wind speed RMSE is 1-2 m/s, except for winter lows with 2-3 m/s RMSE at 0Z, 12Z at all levels.Conclusion:Inference of surface wind may be possible at 12Z from 925 or 825 hPa winds under winter lows. Inference of wind direction from 925 hPa winds may be possible under highs to the west and Persian troughs. Wind speed should be inferred by interpolation, according to historical data of measurements or high resolution model.
Characterization of Website use Associated with the WhyDairy? School-based Nutrition Education Intervention
Authors: Sypes Emma , Racey Megan , Albabish William , Newton Genevieve 
Published: August 2018

Background:
Despite the known health benefits of dairy products, their daily consumption continues to decline, particularly in pre-adolescents and adolescents. It is therefore of interest to develop effective strategies to increase dairy intake and education in this population.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the web-based component of a school-based dairy nutrition intervention called WhyDairy?. Through analysis of popular website content, traversal paths and timing of website access, we aimed to investigate how students used this website and to identify areas of improvement for future research.

Method:
Grade 7 students (n=115) in 10 Southwestern Ontario schools received the WhyDairy? intervention, which included three classroom visits and a website that could be voluntarily accessed. Website use data was collected using Google Analytics. The intervention delivered to control schools did not have a website component and is therefore not described in this report.

Results:
The website was voluntarily accessed by 33.6% of students participating in the intervention. Almost 70% of website visits occurred within two days following a classroom visit. Popular content included games and interactive pages. While there was moderate engagement with the website during the intervention period, there was poor engagement during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:
The utilization of the WhyDairy? website represents students’ interest in independently furthering their knowledge and student engagement with a web-based component of a dairy nutrition intervention. Future work should investigate students’ motivations for accessing the website and how to encourage prolonged website use.
Frequencies and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolated from Horses in South Korea
Authors: Choi Seoung-Kyoon , Hwang Ji-Yong , Park Chul-Song , Cho Gil-Jae 
Published: August 2018

Background:Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus Aureus(MRSA) has become one of the most prevalent pathogens in animals and humans giving rise to various diseases. MRSA infection in horses and transmission between horses and humans have dramatically increased recently.Objective:This study investigated the isolation frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility of MRSA isolated from horses in South Korea.Method:Screening of the MRSA isolates was conducted by conventional methods and multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of oxacillin was determined by the broth microdilution test method. Overall antibiogram was obtained by disk diffusion susceptibility test. All antimicrobial tests were conducted in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.Results:S. aureuswas isolated from 116 (19.46%) of 596 horses tested. Of the 116S. aureusisolates, 52 (8.72%) strains were identified as MRSA by multiplex PCR. Among the 52 MRSA strains, 24 (46.15%) and 28 (53.85%) were oxacillin-resistant MRSA (OR-MRSA) and oxacillin-susceptible MRSA (OS-MRSA), respectively. OR-MRSA showed the highest susceptibility to florfenicol (100.00%), followed by doxycycline (95.83%), cefepime (91.67%), tetracycline (75.00%), and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (70.83%). OS-MRSA showed the highest susceptibility to florfenicol (100.00%) and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (100.00%), followed by cefoxitin (96.43%), ciprofloxacin (92.86%), enrofloxacin (92.86%), lincomycin + spectinomycin (89.29%), cefuroxime (89.29%), and cefonicid (89.29%).Conclusion:This study may facilitate treatment and prevention of MRSA infections and further benefit not only horses, but also people related with horse farms, horse riding clubs and animal hospitals.
Effects of a Mobile Educational Program for Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
Authors: Kim Bo-Yeoul , Park Kyu-Joo , Ryoo Seung-Bum 
Published: August 2018

Background:The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program hastens recovery from colorectal cancer by shortening the treatment period and enabling a return to normal activities. However, patients with colorectal cancer treated under the ERAS program have fewer opportunities to consult with medical staff and receive education regarding self-care and experience more affective stress and anxiety.Objective:This study aimed to develop and assess an educational program for patients with colorectal cancer treated under the ERAS program, considering affective aspects.Method:Patients with colorectal cancer (n= 118) who underwent open colon surgery under the ERAS program were assigned alternately in the order of admission on a 1:1 basis to a treatment group (n= 59) and conventional care group (n= 59). The treatment group received a two-week mobile-based intervention, whereas the control group received conventional care. Quality of life, self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression were compared between the two groups.Results:The mobile web-based educational program significantly reduced the negative impact of surgery on the quality of life in the treatment group, compared with the conventional care group, and triggered a noticeable decline in anxiety and depression and increase in self-efficacy.Conclusion:The developed mobile web-based educational program effectively enhanced self-efficacy, positively impacted the quality of life, and reduced anxiety and depression. The program could have a positive effect on the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer treated under the ERAS program.
KALIMAT TANYA DALAM BAHASA MELAYU DIALEK TAMIANG
Authors: Hafrianto Joko , Mulyadi Mulyadi 
Published: August 2018

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif yang membahas struktur kalimat tanya dalam bahasa Melayu dialek Tamiang. Penelitian struktur kalimat tanya ini menggunakan teori x-bar sebagai kajian sintaksis generatif. Data penelitian ini berupa kalimat tanya mae ‘apa’, hapo ‘siapa’, kalo ‘kapan’, kek mano ‘dimana’, keno mae ‘kenapa’, dan gano ‘bagaimana’. Data ini diperoleh dari hasil wawancara penutur asli bahasa Melayu dialek Tamiang dan data tersebut dianalisis dengan menggunakan metode agih. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa jenis kalimat tanya total dalam bahasa Melayu dialek Tamiang memerlukan jawaban “ya” atau “tidak”, sedangkan jenis kalimat tanya parsial dalam bahasa Melayu dialek Tamiang memerlukan jawaban penjelasan atau keterangan. Kata kunci: struktur kalimat, teori x-bar, bahasa Melayu dialek Tamiang INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES IN THE TAMIANG DIALECT OF MALAYAbstract This is a qualitative study discussing the structures of interrogative sentences in the Tamiang dialect of Malay. The study on the structures of interrogative sentences uses the x-bar theory as a study of generative syntax. The data were in the form of sentences asking mae ‘what’, hapo ‘who’, kalo ‘when’, kek mano ‘where’, keno mae ‘why’, and gano ‘how’. The data were collected through interviews with native speakers of the Tamiang dialect of Malaythe data were analyzed using the distributionalmethod. The results indicate that yes-no questions require a “yes” or “no” answer, while wh-questions require explanation or information. Keywords: sentence structures, x-bar theory, dialect Tamiang of Malay
MODIFIED CHILD-DIRECTED SPEECH (MCDS) AND THE USE OF A NAMING TASK TO COMPARE THE PACING OF LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND VOCABULARY BUILDING OF AGE 2-6 LEARNERS OF THEFIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGES
Authors: Aledo Rayven Panes 
Published: August 2018

As support to several studies about Child-Directed Speech (CDS), also known as motherese or parentese, this study compared the pacing of three children learning their first and second languages (Filipino and English) and explored the language learning of children exposed to aspecialized language task specific to the vocabulary building and facilitated through a style derived from CDS while listening to the oral drills and language reviews done by the mother and the other siblings at home. The respondents were of different ages (i.e. 2, 4, and 6 years old) and varied interms of language input and output due to differences in exposure and environment (i.e. schooling and non-schooling). Furthermore, the study used a specially-designed framework explaining the totality of the process, actions taken to address difficulties, and corrected output or acquired vocabulary through interaction and exposure. Exposure to language input was tested in the assessment phase. The study also tested the ability of the youngest child not yet studying in a formal school, unlike his siblings, to absorb language input, still, with constant exposure (in the corrective phase) leading to success in correction of difficulties and acquisition of language input.Keywords: Modified Child Directed Speech, exposure, uncorrected output, corrected output MODIFIED CHILD-DIRECTED SPEECH (MCDS) DAN PENGGUNAAN TUGAS PENAMAAN UNTUK MEMBANDINGKAN KECEPATAN PEMEROLEHAN BAHASA DAN PENGEMBANGAN KOSAKATA PEMBELAJAR BAHASA PERTAMA DAN KEDUA USIA 2-6 TAHUNAbstrakUntuk mendukung beberapa penelitian tentang Child-Directed Speech(CDS), juga dikenal sebagai bahasa ibu atau orang tua, penelitian ini membandingkan kecepatan tiga anak yang mempelajari bahasa pertama dan kedua (bahasa Filipina dan Inggris) dan mengeksplorasi pembelajaran bahasa anak-anak yang dipajankan pada tugas kebahasaan khusus terutama untuk mengembangkan kosakata dan difasilitasi melalui gaya yang berasal dari CDS sambil mendengarkan latihan lisan dan penjelasan yang dilakukan oleh ibu dan saudara lainnya di rumah. Responden berbeda usia (yaitu 2, 4, dan 6 tahun) dan bervariasi dalam hal input dan output bahasa karena perbedaan dalam pajanan dan lingkungan (yaitu sekolah dan non-sekolah). Selanjutnya, penelitian ini menggunakan kerangka yang dirancang khusus yang menjelaskan totalitas proses, tindakan yang diambil untuk mengatasi kesulitan, dan mengoreksi luaran atau memperoleh kosakata melalui interaksi dan pajanan. Pajanan masukan bahasa diuji dalam fase penilaian. Penelitian ini juga menguji kemampuan anak bungsu yang belum belajar di sekolah formal, tidak seperti saudara kandungnya, untuk menyerap input bahasadengan pajanan yang terus menerus (dalam fase korektif) yang mengarah pada keberhasilan dalam koreksi kesulitan dan perolehan input bahasa.Kata kunci: Modified Child-Directed Speech, pajanan, luaran tidak terkoreksi, luaran terkoreksi
ESCRITA DE PERITOS: ANÁLISE DE ESCRITURA INFORMATIVA UTILIZANDO TÓPICOS FAMILIARES
Authors: Grove Darlene Young 
Published: August 2018

Este artigo descreve a “redação de especialistas”, uma estratégia para apoiar aprendizes da língua inglesa e de outras línguas na organização e no desenvolvimento de ideias em redação informacional. Alunos do idioma inglês muitas vezes encontram dificuldades no desenvolvimento de ideias porque não têm vocabulário suficiente para construir frases e parágrafos expandidos. A “redação de especialistas” permite aos alunos elaborar esquemas sobre tópicos que eles já conhecem bem, a fim de desenvolver uma composição de texto informativo. Os alunos escolhem um tópico em que se consideram “especialistas” e depois “ensinam” o assunto aos colegas. Este exercício oral dá aos alunos uma audiência e encoraja-os a pensar sobre as dúvidas que um leitor pode ter sobre o assunto. Durante essa etapa, os alunos desenvolvem “ideias importantes” sobre o tópico, o que os ajuda a estruturar sua escrita, possibilitando-lhes desenvolver as ideias principais em parágrafos. Os alunos também criam “glossário de palavras”, que é utilizado como um roteiro para a organização dos parágrafos em torno da ideia principal.
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Incident Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Douros Antonios , Filion Kristian B. , Yin Hui , Yu Oriana Hoi , Etminan Mahyar , Udell Jacob A. , Azoulay Laurent 
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE
Previous studies suggested that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may initially worsen and possibly increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy. However, data on this possible association remain limited. Thus, this population-based study aimed to determine whether use of GLP-1 RAs is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetic retinopathy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), we conducted a cohort study among 77,115 patients with type 2 diabetes initiating antidiabetic drugs between January 2007 and September 2015. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of incident diabetic retinopathy were estimated using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models, comparing use of GLP-1 RAs with current use of two or more oral antidiabetic drugs. In an ancillary analysis, new users of GLP-1 RAs were compared with new users of insulin.

RESULTS
During 245,825 person-years of follow-up, 10,763 patients were newly diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. Compared with current use of two or more oral antidiabetic drugs, use of GLP-1 RAs was not associated with an increased risk of incident diabetic retinopathy overall (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.85–1.17). Compared with insulin, GLP-1 RAs were associated with a decreased risk of diabetic retinopathy (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51–0.90).

CONCLUSIONS
The associations with diabetic retinopathy varied according to the type of comparator. When compared with use of two or more oral antidiabetic drugs, use of GLP-1 RAs was not associated with an increased risk of incident diabetic retinopathy. The apparent lower risk of diabetic retinopathy associated with GLP-1 RAs compared with insulin may be due to residual confounding.