bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of patients’ and dietitians’ perceptions of patient‐centred care: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Sladdin Ishtar , Ball Lauren , Gillespie Brigid M. , Chaboyer Wendy 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to compare patients’ and dietitians’ perceptions of patient‐centred care (PCC) in dietetic practice.MethodsParticipants were as follows: (a) adult patients who had attended ≥1 individual dietetic consultation with an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) working in primary care; and (b) APDs with experience working in primary care. A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken using a patient‐ and dietitian‐reported inventory to measure PCC in dietetic practice. The inventory comprised of five previously validated scales: The Communication Assessment Tool; the 9‐item Shared Decision‐Making Questionnaire; the Patient‐Doctor Depth of Relationship Scale; the Schmidt Perception of Nursing Care Scale‐Seeing the Individual Patient sub‐scale; and the Person‐Centred Practice Inventory—Staff ‐Providing Holistic Care sub‐scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse participant characteristics and to compute total scores for the five scales. The Mann‐Whitney U test was used to compare median scores between patients and dietitians.ResultsOne‐hundred and thirty‐three patients and 180 dietitians completed the survey. Patients reported significantly higher scores compared to dietitians for “shared decision‐making” (P = 0.004), but significantly lower scores for “providing holistic and individualized care” (P = 0.005), “knowing the patient/dietitian” (P = 0.001) and “caring patient‐dietitian relationships” (P =0.009).ConclusionThis study highlighted potentially important differences between patients’ and dietitians’ perceptions of PCC and identified key aspects of dietetic care requiring practice improvements. Strategies are needed to bridge gaps between dietitians’ and patients’ perceptions and enhance PCC in dietetic practice. These findings suggest that dietitians should focus on individualizing nutrition care, gaining a holistic understanding of their patients and knowing/understanding each patient.
Are tattoos associated with negative health‐related outcomes and risky behaviors?
Authors: Mortensen Karoline , French Michael T. , Timming Andrew R. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundTattoos have reached broadening mainstream acceptance. Medical professional societies have noted that tattoos may co‐occur with high risk behaviors.MethodsUsing a variety of statistical models applied to a sample of 2,008 adults residing in the United States via Amazon's Mechanical Turk, we estimate the associations between tattoo characteristics, three health‐related outcomes (overall health status, ever diagnosed with a mental health issue, sleep problems), and three risky behaviors (current smoking, ever spent time in jail or prison, and number of sex partners).ResultsWe find that the presence, number, and specific features of tattoos are positively correlated with two of the health‐related outcomes (ever diagnosed with a mental health issue and trouble sleeping) and all three of the risky behaviors (P < .05). Magnitudes are larger for those with multiple, visible, and offensive tattoos.ConclusionsOur results suggest that individuals with tattoos are more likely to engage in risky behaviors relative to their non‐tattooed counterparts, which may lead to health consequences. Dermatologists, healthcare providers, and public health advocates should recognize that having a tattoo(s) is a potential marker for mental health issues and risky behaviors.
Alopecia areata in Tunisia: epidemio‐clinical aspects and comorbid conditions. A prospective study of 204 cases
Authors: Arousse Aycha , Boussofara Lobna , Mokni Sana , Gammoudi Rima , Saidi Wafa , Aounallah Amina , Belajouza Colandane , Ghariani Najet , Denguezli Mohamed , Nouira Rafia 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that usually presents as patchy, nonscarring hair loss. Autoimmune disorders and atopy are reported as comorbid conditions. We aimed to investigate the demographics, clinical characteristics, and associations of AA in Tunisian patients.MethodsDemographic data, pattern of alopecia, age of onset, and associations were evaluated in 204 patients from January 2012 to June 2016.ResultsTwo hundred and four cases of AA were seen. The male to female ratio was 0.68. The mean age at presentation was 23 years old. Positive family history was noticed in 22.1% of patients. Personal history of atopy was associated with AA in 18.1%. Associated autoimmune diseases were thyroid disorders (12.7%), vitiligo (1.5%), psoriasis (three cases), type 1 diabetes (two cases), autoimmune polyendocrinopathy‐candidiasis‐ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) syndrome (two cases), lichen sclerosus atrophicus (one case), and pemphigus vulgaris (one case). Patchy AA was the most common manifestation (49.5%) followed by alopecia universalis (27.5%), alopecia ophiasis (12.7%), and alopecia totalis (10.3%). Nail changes consisting of pitting, trachyonychia, and longitudinal ridging were reported in 24.8%. AA patterns were more severe in females (P = 0.049). Severe forms showed more persistent disease duration (P = 0.005), earlier onset (P = 0.001), and more recurring episodes (P = 0.002) and were significantly associated with nail involvement (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur study aimed to review epidemio‐clinical characteristics and comorbid conditions of AA in Tunisian patients. More severe cases with a pejorative value of early‐onset AA, long disease duration, and nail involvement were seen in our study.
DDD score for renal tumor: An intuitive and comprehensive anatomical scoring system to access the outcomes of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Zhang Zhong‐Yuan , Pan Xi , Fan Yu , Shen Cheng , Yu Wei , Han Wen‐Ke , Lin Jian , Wang Gang , Song Yi , Zhao Zheng , Hao Jin‐Rui , Li Xue‐Song , Wang He , Wang Xiao‐Ying , Zhang Xiao‐Chun , Zhou Li‐Qun 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveTo present a DDD scoring system in assessing the complexity and outcomes of retroperitoneoscopic nephron‐sparing surgery for kidney tumor.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 232 patients who underwent retroperitoneoscopic nephron‐sparing surgery between January 2013 and September 2017 for a renal tumor. Both the DDD score and RENAL score were used to classify the tumors. The DDD score consisted of the maximal tumor diameter inside the kidney, the maximal tumor depth into the medulla or collecting system and the minimal distance from the tumor to the main renal vessels.ResultsThe DDD scoring systems were significantly associated with warm ischemia time (P = 0.007) and estimated blood loss (P = 0.017). There was an insignificant positive correlation between the DDD score and the operative time (P = 0.051). Meanwhile, the RENAL score had a significant correlation with the decreasing value of the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with high or moderate DDD scores had a 13.6‐fold or 8.4‐fold risk of overall complications than those with low DDD scores, respectively (all P < 0.05). As for RENAL score, patients with moderate scores had a 2.9‐fold risk of overall complications compared with patients in the low scores group (P = 0.004). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the DDD score had the greatest area under the curve for overall complications (area under the curve 0.625, P = 0.009), which was more than the RENAL score (area under the curve 0.620, P = 0.013).ConclusionsThe DDD score is an intuitive renal tumor scoring system that is more effective than the RENAL score in complexity assessment, and marginally better in prediction of the risk of overall complications of retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephron‐sparing surgery.
Logical rules characterization of online consumer trust
Authors: Andrade Ana A. , Cardoso Margarida G. M. S. , Lopes Vitor V. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn this study, we address the discriminant factors of website trust. We specifically build sets of propositional rules that can be used to predict the level of trustworthiness of a site. Focusing on initial trust, a survey was designed to assess site characteristics observed by the respondent and his/her perceptions around appearance, reputation, fulfillment, and security. By exploring data, we look for the most favorable rules classifiers among decision trees as well as classical and dominance‐based rough sets. A heuristic aiming to derive simpler classifiers is also proposed. The experimental setup considers diverse groups of attributes (predictors) for the extraction of rules. Results obtained are compared by taking into account predictive ability and parsimony of rules’ sets. Finally, the selected sets help bring light on how consumers process site information and suggest specific recommendations for e‐commerce vendors.
A multilevel evaluation method for heuristics with an application to the VRPTW
Authors: Corstjens J. , Depaire B. , Caris A. , Sörensen K. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe field of combinatorial optimization has inspired the development of a large number of heuristic solution procedures. These methods are commonly assessed using a competitive evaluation methodology that may give an indication of which algorithm has a better performance. A next step in the experimental analysis is to uncover “why” one algorithm performs better. Which elements are responsible for good or bad performance? How does the performance of elements vary across the design space? What is the influence of the specific problem instance that is being solved? We focus on gaining a better understanding of heuristic algorithm performance and demonstrate that the application of a proper statistical methodology can provide researchers insight into how performance is affected by the different algorithm parameters and components. As an example, we apply a multilevel statistical analysis to a large neighborhood search algorithm for the vehicle routing problem with time windows.
Processes structuring macrophyte metacommunities in Mediterranean ponds: Combining novel methods to disentangle the role of dispersal limitation, species sorting and spatial scales
Authors: García‐Girón Jorge , Wilkes Martin , Fernández‐Aláez Margarita , Fernández‐Aláez Camino 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimMetacommunity ecology is a vibrant area of research that has received increased attention in recent years, since it provides a framework to assess the underlying dispersal‐ and niche‐based processes that create non‐random and ecologically meaningful patterns in species assemblages across the landscape. Here we set out to test for the role of dispersal limitation, species sorting and shared effects in the assembly of pond macrophyte metacommunities across an extensive area within the Iberian Plateau, and to identify which traits, environmental variables and spatial scales are driving local community structure.LocationNorth‐western Spain (Iberian Plateau).TaxonPond macrophytes.MethodsWe established a novel combination of robust methods capable of identifying the processes and most important landscape scales involved in the assembly of communities. We used metacommunity assembly modelling and multivariate multi‐scale codependence analysis (mMCA) to first estimate the relative importance of spatial and environmental effects on community structure, and then to identify significant trait–environment relationships and spatial scales.ResultsAnalyses showed that the greatest effects were seen for the spatial and mixed spatial and niche‐based scenarios, particularly among wind‐dispersed species. Thus, dispersal limitation interfered with species sorting in determining assemblage structure by hindering species’ tracking of local environmental conditions. After accounting for this, the metacommunity assembly model revealed that species’ traits were involved in determining abundance structure. mMCA identified the main trait–environment relationships (and spatial scales) as fruit size‐nutrient status (~300 km) and growth form‐mean pond depth (~250 km).Main conclusionsOur study suggests that dispersal limitation acted in concert with species sorting to influence the community assembly processes underlying selection for particular traits in functional niche space. Accordingly, we emphasize the need to go beyond the traditional taxonomic‐based analyses of community composition and the predominant thinking of considering spatial and environmental processes as two alternative and mutually exclusive scenarios of community assembly.
Long non‐coding RNA highly up‐regulated in liver cancer promotes epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition process in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Su Wen , Tang Jing , Wang Yufan , Sun Shuai , Shen Yuehong , Yang Hongyu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an oral and maxillofacial malignancy that exhibits high incidence worldwide. In diverse human cancers, the long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) highly up‐regulated in liver cancer (HULC) is aberrantly expressed, but how HULC affects OSCC development and progression has remained mostly unknown. We report that HULC was abnormally up‐regulated in oral cancer tissues and OSCC cell lines, and that suppression of HULC expression in OSCC cells not only inhibited the proliferation, drug tolerance, migration and invasion of the cancer cells, but also increased their apoptosis rate. Notably, in a mouse xenograft model, HULC depletion reduced tumorigenicity and inhibited the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition process. Collectively, our findings reveal a crucial role of the lncRNA HULC in regulating oral cancer carcinogenesis and tumour progression, and thus suggest that HULC could serve as a novel therapeutic target for OSCC.
Efficacy of lateral bone augmentation performed simultaneously with dental implant placement: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Thoma Daniel S. , Bienz Stefan P. , Figuero Elena , Jung Ronald E. , Sanz‐Martín Ignacio 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo analyse the evidence regarding the efficacy of lateral bone augmentation procedures in terms of defect resolution in cases of horizontal ridge deficiencies after implant placement.Materials and MethodsIncluded studies met the following inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs), re‐entry procedure to assess defect resolution, minimum of 10 patients (5 per group). Meta‐analyses were performed whenever possible, including subgroup analysis based on membranes and grafting materials.ResultsTwenty‐eight publications (20 short‐term, 8 follow‐up studies) were included. The most often used type of intervention was a xenogeneic particulated grafting material (XE) and a resorbable collagen membrane (CM). The mean defect height at baseline amounted to 5.1 mm (range 2.4–7.8) and decreased to a mean of 0.9 mm (range 0.2–2.2) at re‐entry, and the mean defect resolution was 81.3% (range 56.4%–97.1%). Defect height reduction was not significantly different using CM+XE as control treatment compared to the combined data of the respective test groups [n = 11; weighted mean difference (WMD) = −0.006 mm; 95% CI, −0.61, 0.60; p = 0.985]. The absence of any lateral bone augmentation was less favourable than the conjunction of a membrane and a bone grafting material (n = 1; MD = −1.96 mm; 95% CI, −3.48, −0.44; p = 0.011). The lack of a grafting material was less favourable than the conjunction of grafting material and membrane (n = 1; MD = −2.44 mm; 95% CI, −4.53, −0.35; p = 0.022), and the addition of a membrane compared to a grafting material alone was more favourable (n = 3; WMD = 0.97 mm; 95% CI, 0.31, 1.64; p = 0.004).ConclusionsLateral bone augmentation is a successful treatment modality. For optimal defect height reduction, a barrier membrane and a grafting material should be combined.
Intermediate progenitors and Tbr2 in cortical development
Authors: Hevner Robert F. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn developing cerebral cortex, intermediate progenitors (IPs) are transit amplifying cells that specifically express Tbr2 (gene: Eomes), a T‐box transcription factor. IPs are derived from radial glia (RG) progenitors, the neural stem cells of developing cortex. In turn, IPs generate glutamatergic projection neurons (PNs) exclusively. IPs are found in ventricular and subventricular zones, where they differentiate as distinct ventricular IP (vIP) and outer IP (oIP) subtypes. Morphologically, IPs have short processes, resembling filopodia or neurites, that transiently contact other cells, most importantly dividing RG cells to mediate Delta‐Notch signaling. Also, IPs secrete a chemokine, Cxcl12, which guides interneuron and microglia migrations and promotes thalamocortical axon growth. In mice, IPs produce clones of 1–12 PNs, sometimes spanning multiple layers. After mitosis, IP daughter cells undergo asymmetric cell death in the majority of instances. In mice, Tbr2 is necessary for PN differentiation and subtype specification, and to repress IP‐genic transcription factors. Tbr2 directly represses Insm1, an IP‐genic transcription factor gene, as well as Pax6, a key activator of Tbr2 transcription. Without Tbr2, abnormal IPs transiently accumulate in elevated numbers. More broadly, Tbr2 regulates the transcriptome by activating or repressing hundreds of direct target genes. Notably, Tbr2 ‘unlocks’ and activates PN‐specific genes, such as Tbr1, by recruiting Jmjd3, a histone H3K27me3 demethylase that removes repressive epigenetic marks placed by polycomb repressive complex 2. IPs have played an important role in the evolution and gyrification of mammalian cerebral cortex, and TBR2 is essential for human brain development.
Cancer patients’ perceptions of factors influencing their decisions on participation in clinical drug trials: A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Nielsen Zandra Engelbak , Berthelsen Connie Bøttcher 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo examine cancer patients’ perceptions of factors that may influence their decisions on participating in phase I–III clinical drug trials.BackgroundThe number of cancer participants in clinical drug trials has increased rapidly in Denmark in recent years. The rights, safety and well‐being of patients considering participation are protected by the international, ethical and scientific principles. A meta‐synthesis was conducted to enable health professionals to support cancer patients who are considering trial participation in accordance with the above principles.DesignMeta‐synthesis.MethodsA qualitative meta‐synthesis, as described by Sandelowski and Barroso, was conducted based on a literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Nine reports were found eligible and were included. The PRISMA checklist was used.ResultsA framework was developed, and patients’ perceptions of the factors influencing their decisions were identified, namely patients’ perceptions of their relatives, the physician, the hope of therapeutic benefit, altruism, having other options and living with cancer.ConclusionsThis study shows that cancer patients’ decisions on participation in clinical drug trials are influenced by their perceptions of trust towards the physician, their relatives’ attitudes and the consequences participation might have for their families. Patients are motivated to participate due to the hope of therapeutic benefit and for altruistic reasons. The factors influencing their decisions to participate include a cost‐benefit consideration, which in turn may be subject to the patient's perception of having other options available besides participation. This may be related to the patient's attitude towards living with cancer, and the decision can be a way of trying to cope with the psychological aspects of living with cancer.Relevance to clinical practiceThe results of this meta‐synthesis offer insight into patients’ perceptions of what may influence their decisions, and they enable health professionals to support patients making such decisions.
Teaching nurses to teach: A qualitative study of nurses’ perceptions of the impact of education and skills training to prepare them to teach end‐of‐life care
Authors: Jack Barbara A. , Kinloch Karen , O’Brien Mary R. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo explore nurses’ perceptions of the impact of a programme designed to train them to teach end‐of‐life care.BackgroundCentral to national and international policies are the need for generalist healthcare staff to have education in end‐of‐life care. Much end‐of‐life care education is provided by specialist nurses who often have no specific education development to prepare them to teach. To address this gap, an Education Development Programme (EDP) was developed and delivered to specialist nurses. We report on the evaluation of the programme.DesignA qualitative programme evaluation methodology was adopted.MethodsData were collected through focus groups, at three hospice education centres in North West England, with a total of 20 participants. Nurses who had completed the EDP were purposively sampled. Data were digitally audio‐recorded and subjected to thematic analysis to organise, reduce and refine the data. Ethical approval was obtained. COREQ guidelines have been adhered to in the reporting of this study.ResultsTwo main themes were identified; learning to teach and building skills to change teaching practice. Participants felt more confident and better prepared to teach.ConclusionsIt cannot be assumed that specialist staff, with teaching in their role, have the skills to facilitate learning. This programme offers a potential method of improving facilitation skills for nurses who have an education element to their role.Relevance to clinical practiceQuality end‐of‐life care is only possible with a skilled workforce, confident and able to apply the principles of compassionate end‐of‐life care to everyday practice. Appropriately trained, specialist staff are better able to teach others how to deliver good quality end‐of‐life care. Specialist staff with teaching responsibilities should be provided with, or engage in, continuous professional development to develop their skills and improve their efficacy when teaching.