bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Handling Plurality and Dealing With Difficult Work Experiences. A Comparative Study of Human Service Professionals’ Work With Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Ineland Jens , Molin Martin , Sauer Lennart 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article examines how administrators in social services (n = 70) and habilitation staff in healthcare (n = 40) in Sweden experience difficulties in their work with people with intellectual disabilities. The research aim was to investigate the most typical aspects of difficult working situations and to apply a comparative analysis of differences and similarities, where the respondents' organizational affiliations are taken into account. The results are primarily based on a content analysis. Contextual standardized questions were included in this study. The results revealed that experiences of difficulties were categorized in four typological themes: difficult situations associated with (1) structure, (2) professional role, (3) relationships, and (4) collaboration. The respondents' experiences of difficult situations in social services and healthcare organizations did not correspond to the respondents' work dissatisfaction or unclear goals. On the contrary, handling this plurality within a specific organizational context was a fundamental aspect of professionalism. The different characteristics of the organizations in this study reflected two different institutional logics. While the administrators mainly operated within an administrative logic based on a regulatory framework, the habilitation staff operated within a therapeutic logic based on a cognitive framework. Consequently, the two groups had their own specific norms and rule systems, which influenced when, and to what extent, everyday situations were experienced and defined as difficult. The organizational context seems to influence experiences of difficult situations in the work with people with ID and this calls for a discussion of how it impacts the quality of services within intellectual disability services.
Cross cultural comparison of constipation profiles at tertiary care centers between India and USA
Authors: Singh P. , Surana R. , Soni S. , Agnihotri A. , Ahuja V. , Makharia G. K. , Staller K. , Kuo B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundDespite potential differences in patient perception of chronic constipation (CC) in geographically and culturally distinct regions, head‐to‐head studies comparing the clinical profile, constipation severity, impact on quality of life (QOL) and economic impact are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional cohort study of patients presenting with CC to tertiary care centers in the USA and India. Standardized instruments were used to assess constipation subtype, disease severity, disease‐specific QOL, somatization, and psychiatric comorbidities. We used multivariable linear regression to determine the predictors of QOL and number of healthcare visits.Key ResultsSixty‐six and 98 patients with CC were enrolled in the USA and India, respectively. Indian patients with CC had significantly more frequent bowel movements/week compared to their USA counterparts (Median 5 vs 3, P < .0001). The proportion of patients with Bristol stool form scale type 1 and 2 was significantly higher in the USA compared to India (65.5% vs 48%, P = .04). Higher depression score (P = .001), more severe constipation symptoms (P = .001) and site of the study being USA (P = .008) independently predicted worse QOL. Indian patients (P < .001) and worse QOL (P = .02) were independent predictors of number of healthcare visits in the last 12 months.Conclusions and InferencesIndian patients with CC have more frequent and softer bowel movements compared to those in the USA suggesting significant differences in perception of CC in different geographic and cultural settings. QOL and economic impact related to constipation varies with geographic/cultural setting irrespective of other clinical and psychosomatic features.
Diabetes‐induced colonic slow transit mediated by the up‐regulation of PDGFRα+ cells/SK3 in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Song N.‐N. , Lu H.‐L. , Lu C. , Tong L. , Huang S.‐Q. , Huang X. , Chen J. , Kim Y.‐C. , Xu W.‐X. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundA major complication related to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in diabetic patients is chronic constipation. Constipation has serious negative impacts on quality of life; however, without a comprehensive understanding of the disease, currently available treatments cannot provide a cure. Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha‐positive cells (PDGFRα+ cells), which form the SIP syncytium with interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells, play important roles in GI motility. In the present study, the contributions of PDGFRα+ cells to diabetes‐induced colonic slow transit were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic mice.MethodsWestern blotting, quantitative PCR, contractile experiments, and intracellular recording were used in the present study.Key ResultsThe results demonstrated that the colon length was increased in STZ‐treated mice. The colonic transit of artificial fecal pellets in vitro was significantly delayed in STZ‐treated mice. The mRNA and protein expression of PDGFRα, small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K channels (SK3), and P2Y1 receptors were increased in the colons of STZ‐treated mice. In contractile experiments, the colonic smooth muscles were more sensitive to the SK3 agonist and antagonist (CyPPA and apamin) and the P2Y1 agonist and antagonist (MRS2365 and MRS2500) in STZ‐treated mice. Intracellular recordings showed the responses of membrane potentials in colonic smooth muscle cells to CyPPA, apamin, MRS2365, and MRS2500 were more sensitive in STZ‐treated mice. The electric field stimulation‐induced P2Y1/SK3‐dependent fast inhibitory junctional potentials (fIJPs) of colonic smooth muscles were more significantly hyperpolarized in STZ‐treated mice.Conclusions and InferencesThese results suggest that the purinergic neurotransmitters/P2Y1/SK3 signaling pathway is up‐regulated in the diabetic colons, thereby mediating diabetes‐induced colonic slow transit.
Systematic review: Disease‐specific instruments to assess gastrointestinal symptoms in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Smeets F. G. M. , Masclee A. A. M. , Conchillo J. M. , Keszthelyi D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder with incompletely understood pathophysiology and heterogeneous symptom presentation. Assessment of treatment efficacy inFDis a methodological challenge as response to treatment must be assessed primarily by measuring subjective symptoms. Therefore, the use of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) is recommended by regulatory authorities to assess gastrointestinal symptoms in clinical trials forFD. In the last decades, a multitude of outcome measures has been developed. However, currently noPROMhas been approved by the regulatory authorities, and no consensus has been reached with regard to the most relevant outcome measure inFD.PurposeThis systematic review discusses the available disease‐specific outcome measures for assessment ofFDsymptoms with psychometric validation properties, strengths, and limitations. Moreover, recommendations for use of current available outcome measures are provided, and potential areas of future research are discussed.
Links between the organization of the family home environment and child obesity: a systematic review
Authors: Bates C. R. , Buscemi J. , Nicholson L. M. , Cory M. , Jagpal A. , Bohnert A. M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryDue to increasingly high rates of child overweight and obesity, it is important to identify risk and protective factors that may inform more effective prevention and intervention. The degree of organization in the family home environment is a studied, but not well‐specified, factor that may impact child weight. Prior research on household organization has examined an array of constructs, including family routines, limit setting, household chaos, crowding and the broad home environment. This study systematically reviews literature on organization within the family home environment and weight among children ages 2–12. Six hundred thirty‐seven studies were reviewed by four coders for eligibility, and 32 studies were included in the final synthesis. Overall, 84% of studies provided evidence for relations between at least one indicator of organization within the family home environment and child weight. Studies provided compelling evidence across several constructs, suggesting that the relevance of household organization to child weight extends beyond a single indicator. Directions for future work include (i) examining the mediating role of health behaviours, (ii) examining the moderating role of socioeconomic factors, (iii) broadening this evidence base across cultures and nationalities and (iv) integrating constructs to develop a comprehensive model of organization within the home environment.
Patient‐reported side effects from liquid formulation of pentoxifylline and tocopherol in head and neck radiotherapy patients: an institutional experience and retrospective analysis
Authors: Patel V. , Young H. , White T. , McGurk M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimOsteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a well‐recognised complication of head and neck radiotherapy. There is growing evidence that the use of pentoxifylline and tocopherol (PVe) is effective in managing established jaw necrosis and there is also early evidence for its use prophylactically to aid healing. The cohort of patients being prescribed these medications have radiation‐related problems such as dysphagia, xerostomia and trismus which means that swallowing large and multiple tablets is difficult or impossible. In such a situation, the solution is to prescribe liquid formulation of medications. Unfortunately, there is no commercial liquid formulation for pentoxifylline and so crushing the tablets and dissolving them in water produces an ad hoc form. The aim of this retrospective review was to determine patient‐reported side effects based on a named‐patient liquid formulation of pentoxifylline and liquid tocopherol.MethodA total of 43 patients were prescribed liquid formulation of pentoxifylline and liquid tocopherol for either established ORN or as prophylaxis against ORN for a dental extraction. The dental records were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for side effects reported by the patient.ResultsDysphagia was the most common indication for the prescription of liquid PVe (34/43 patients). Gastric irritation was reported in 2/43 (4.6%) patients while general side effects (nausea, malaise, vomiting) were reported in 11.6% (5/43) patients.ConclusionIn comparison to other trials and studies reporting PVe side effects, this retrospective review did not appear to show a higher incidence when using the current manufactured liquid formulation of PVe.
Diagnostic dilemmas and management of odontogenic myxomas: a series of cases with a review of the literature
Authors: Shah S. , Kwok J. , Sproat C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOdontogenic myxoma is a rare tumour of the jaw, making both its diagnosis and management challenging. In the majority of cases, diagnosis is largely dependent on the histopathological findings. On review of the literature, no definitive management options have been established; treatment options range from curettage of small lesions, to large resections. We present four cases of odontogenic myxomas diagnosed within a year and look at the current management of these lesions.
A comparative study for the efficacy of different forms of ozone as a treatment for alveolar osteitis
Authors: Khalifah M.A.A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPurposeDry socket is one of the most common complications following dental extraction. Although blood clot disintegration is known to be the cause of the condition, an agreement is lacking regarding the relative merits of various treatment methods. Despite the fact that ozone is one recommended therapy, the literature is deprived of any comparative study for the different forms of ozone delivery. The aim of the current study therefore was to evaluate the efficacy of different forms of ozone as a treatment for this condition.MethodsA total of 1521 patients were categorized into four groups (I,II,IIIandIV) according to pain severity depending on the need and the response to analgesics (mild, moderate, severe or agonizing, respectively). Each group was randomly and blindly divided into three subgroups according treatment method: Oleozon (Ole) which is an ozonized olive oil, ozonized water (OW), ozone gas (O3).ResultsWhile Ole,OWand O3were curative in groups I andII, only O3was curative for groupsIIIandIV.OWwas palliative in groupIV. Only O3was definitive therapy for all groups.ConclusionOzone in the gaseous form is the most potent form of ozone therapy. Although ozonized oil shows the weakest form,OWhad an intermediate potency.
Analysis of the impact of race on blood transfusion in pediatric scoliosis surgery
Authors: Maher Keila M. , Owusu‐Akyaw Kwadwo , Zhou Jingzhu , Cooter Mary , Ross Allison K. , Lark Robert K. , Taicher Brad M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIntroductionSurgical correction of pediatric scoliosis is associated with significant blood loss. Minimizing estimated blood loss and blood transfusion is beneficial as transfusions have been associated with increased morbidity, including risk of surgical site infections, longer hospitalizations, and increased cost. Although there is evidence that African‐American or Black adults are more likely to require intraoperative blood transfusion compared with Caucasian or White adults, the reasons for this difference are unclear.MethodsThe electronic records for all patients <18 y/o undergoing primary corrective scoliosis surgery by a single pediatric orthopedic surgeon at a single academic medical center between 2013 and 2015 were collected and reviewed. Multivariate models were performed to assess the association between Black race and blood loss/transfusion in primary pediatric scoliosis surgery.ResultsIn a multivariate model, Black race was independently associated with 1.61 times higher estimated blood loss than White race (P < .01; 95% CI = 1.16‐2.23). Additionally, compared to a White patient, the odds a Black patient received blood transfusion was 6.25 times higher (P = .03; 95% CI = 1.56‐25.06) and among the patients who received blood transfusion, Black race was independently associated with 2.61 times greater volume of blood transfusion than White race (P < .01; 95% CI = 1.54‐4.41).ConclusionBlack race was independently associated with increased estimated blood loss, increased rate of blood transfusion, and increased amount of blood transfused during surgical correction of pediatric scoliosis. Further investigation is needed to better understand the etiology of the disparity and assess opportunities for improving outcomes.
How do pension and healthcare systems frame long‐term care policy? Comparison of the Czech Republic and Poland
Authors: Łuczak Paweł 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article compares changes in long‐term care (LTC) policies in the Czech Republic and Poland. The article challenges the view that countries from Central and Eastern Europe can be treated as a homogenous group with regard to LTC. To account for the dissimilarity between the countries, the article adopts Ranci and Pavolini's (2015, p. 274) recent recommendation that changes in LTC policies must be analyzed in the context of reforms of traditional and more expensive social policies, such as pensions and healthcare. Using the approach of political institutionalism, the article argues that these two countries' pension and healthcare systems established different opportunity structures and strategic preferences for change in LTC policy. Consequently, the persistent difference between the two countries over the past decade is explained by how their pension and healthcare systems frame LTC policy. The article also finds that “functional equivalents” to social care programs that are instituted either in pensions (i.e., lowering the retirement age, which impacts the supply of informal care) or in healthcare (i.e., increasing the availability of nursing homes) should be included in the analysis of LTC policy development.
Modeling, analysis and simulations of MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Asuoad Nofe , Shillor Meir 
Published: March 2018

This work describes a continuous differential equations model for the dynamics В of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and provides its computer simulations.В It is a continuation of our previous paper Al-Asuoad et al. (Biomath, 2016) and it extends the simulations results provided there, which were restricted to the city of Riyadh, to the whole of Saudi Arabia. In addition, it updates the results for the city of Riyadh itself.В Using an optimization procedure, the system coefficients were obtained from published data, and the model allows for the prediction of possible scenarios for the transmission andВ В spread of the disease in the near future. This, in turn, allows for the application of possible disease control measures. The model is found to be very sensitive to the daily effective contact parameter, and the presented simulations indicate that the system is very close to the bifurcation of the stability of the Disease Free Equilibrium (DFE) and appearance of the Endemic Equilibrium (EE), which indicates that the disease will notВ decay substantially in the near future. Finally, we establish the stability of the DFE using only the stability number $\mathcal{R}_c$, which simplifies and improves one of the main theoretical results in our previous paper.
Tapering Courses of Oral Vancomycin Induce Persistent Disruption of the Microbiota That Provide Colonization Resistance to Clostridium difficile and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Mice
Authors: Tomas Myreen E. , Mana Thriveen S. C. , Wilson Brigid M. , Nerandzic Michelle M. , Joussef-Piña Samira , Quiñones-Mateu Miguel E. , Donskey Curtis J. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin taper regimens are commonly used for the treatment of recurrent
Clostridium difficile
infections. One rationale for tapering and pulsing of the dose at the end of therapy is to reduce the selective pressure of vancomycin on the indigenous intestinal microbiota. Here, we used a mouse model to test the hypothesis that the indigenous microbiota that provide colonization resistance against
C. difficile
and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is repopulated during tapering courses of vancomycin. Mice were treated orally with vancomycin daily for 10 days, vancomycin in a tapering dose for 42 days, fidaxomicin for 10 days, or saline. To assess colonization resistance, subsets of mice were challenged with 10
4
CFU of
C. difficile
or VRE at multiple time points during and after completion of treatment. The impact of the treatments on the microbiome was measured by cultures, real-time PCR for selected anaerobic bacteria, and deep sequencing. Vancomycin taper-treated mice developed alterations of the microbiota and disruption of colonization resistance that was persistent 18 days after treatment. In contrast, mice treated with a 10-day course of vancomycin exhibited recovery of the microbiota and of colonization resistance by 15 days after treatment, and fidaxomicin-treated mice maintained intact colonization resistance. These findings demonstrate that alteration of the indigenous microbiota responsible for colonization resistance to
C. difficile
and VRE persist during and after completion of tapering courses of vancomycin.
The Ethanolamine Permease EutH Promotes Vacuole Adaptation of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes during Macrophage Infection
Authors: Anderson Christopher J. , Satkovich John , Köseoğlu Volkan K. , Agaisse Hervé , Kendall Melissa M. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Ethanolamine is a ubiquitous and essential molecule within a host. Significantly, bacterial pathogens exploit ethanolamine during infection to promote growth and regulate virulence. The ethanolamine permease EutH is dispensable for growth
in vitro
under standard conditions, whereas EutH is required for ethanolamine utilization at low pH. These findings suggested a model in which EutH facilitates diffusion of ethanolamine into the bacterial cell in acidic environments. To date, the ecological significance of this model has not been thoroughly investigated, and the importance of EutH to bacterial growth under physiologically relevant conditions is not known. During infection, immune cells internalize invading bacteria within an acidic, nutrient-depleted vacuole called the phagosome. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that EutH promotes bacterial survival following phagocytosis. Our findings indicate that EutH is important for survival and replication of the facultative intracellular pathogens
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium and
Listeria monocytogenes
during prolonged or transient exposure to the phagosome, respectively. Furthermore, in agreement with EutH being important in the acidic environment, neutralization of the vacuole abolished the requirement for EutH. Significantly, consistent with a role for EutH in promoting intramacrophage survival, EutH was not required during
S
. Typhimurium local intestinal infection but specifically conferred an advantage upon dissemination to peripheral organs. These findings reveal a physiologically relevant and conserved role for EutH in spatiotemporal niche adaptation during infection.
Future Technologies
Authors: Cano Raúl J. , Toranzos Gary A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
Microbiome analysis of environmental samples may represent the next frontier in environmental microbial forensics. Next-generation sequencing technologies significantly increased the available genetic data that could be used as evidentiary material. It is not clear, however, whether the microbiome can scale across institutions using forensic-based evidence due to the data resource requirements and the associated costs of maintaining these databases. A successful microbiome study is impacted by the quality of the information gathered and the steps in sample processing and data analysis. To ascertain the validity of methods and the results obtained, there needs to be a stringent procedure to validate the methods and ensure that the results are comparable and reproducible, not only within the laboratory but also between laboratories conducting similar research. Of primary importance for meaningful microbiome studies is an experimental design that leads to carefully executed, controlled, and reproducible studies. The microbiome literature contains a fair share of anecdotal descriptions of microbial community composition and “diagnostic” relative abundance of the taxa therein. These studies are now being supplemented by experimental designs that feature repeated measurements, error estimates, correlations of microbiota with covariates, and increasingly sophisticated statistical tests that enhance the robustness of data analysis and study conclusions. It is imperative to be careful, especially when carrying out attribution studies, to be fully aware of the possible biases included in a specific sample being analyzed.