bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive validity of developmental screening in young children with sickle cell disease: a longitudinal follow‐up study
Authors: Schatz Jeffrey , Schlenz Alyssa M , Smith Kelsey E , Roberts Carla W 
Published: February 2018

AimTo assess the predictive validity of developmental screenings in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) for academic outcomes and stroke risk.MethodParent questionnaires and medical record data were collected for a cohort receiving developmental screenings between September 2004 and May 2008 as toddlers or early school age. Screening outcomes were dichotomized (positive, negative) by a priori criteria. Questionnaires assessed school and social functioning, services received, and quality of life. Medical record data assessed general SCD morbidity and stroke risk.ResultsForty‐one toddlers (mean age 2y 5mo; 25 males, 16 females) and 49 early school‐age children (mean age 6y 5mo; 26 males, 23 females) completed follow‐up. The mean follow‐up period was 8 years 6 months (range 6.1–10.8y). For toddlers, positive screenings for language delays predicted lower academic performance (p=0.023). For older children, positive screenings for cognitive delays predicted more frequent academic/attentional problems at school (p<0.001), grade retention (p=0.007), and lower academic performance (p=0.001). Positive screenings were associated with an earlier onset of school problems and lower quality of life. Positive screenings for language/cognitive delays predicted increased stroke risk (both p<0.05).InterpretationScreening for language or cognitive development in young children with SCD predicts academic outcomes and stroke risk.What this paper adds

Developmental screening predicts academic outcomes in sickle cell disease.

Children with concerning language/cognitive screenings have early‐onset school difficulties.

Developmental screenings may help predict cerebrovascular complications.
Monitoring anonymous HIV testing in Estonia from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Rüütel K , Kallavus K , Tomera I ,   OptTEST by HiE
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesIn Estonia, a network of anonymous and free of charge HIV testing sites has been operating since 1988. Services are provided by health care organizations and financed by the National Institute for Health Development from the state budget. The objective of this analysis was to assess anonymous HIV testing in Estonia from 2005 to 2015.MethodsWe used data collected from the National Institute for Health Development's annual reports, Health Board and Estonian Health Insurance Fund.ResultsIn Estonia, more than 200 000 HIV‐tests are performed annually, and of these approximately 5–6% are within anonymous HIV testing sites. The percentage tested with rapid tests in anonymous testing sites has increased from 15% in 2010 to 53% in 2015. Furthermore, up to 65% of all newly diagnosed HIV‐cases have been detected in these sites. The proportion of HIV‐positive tests has decreased from 3.8% to 0.5% in anonymous testing sites and from 0.3% to 0.1% in general health care. Simultaneously, the cost of detecting one new HIV case has increased almost six times.ConclusionsThis analysis reveals that anonymous HIV testing services are well accepted by the general population as well as vulnerable populations. The positivity rate among those tested in anonymous testing sites remains higher than among all people tested, showing that the sites reach more of those who are at higher risk of HIV. In the light of decreasing positivity rate, more attention should be paid to people with higher HIV risk and increasing access to testing in community based settings.
The COBATEST network: monitoring and evaluation of HIV community‐based practices in Europe, 2014–2016
Authors: Fernàndez‐López L , Reyes‐Urueña J , Agustí C , Kustec T , Serdt M , Klavs I , Casabona J ,   The COBATEST Network Group
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to describe the data collected by the CBVCT services from the Community‐based testing (COBATEST) network, from 2014 to 2016, in order to provide an insight into community‐based voluntary counselling and testing (CBVCT) services’ testing activity in Europe.MethodsA descriptive analysis of HIV testing activity in CBVCT services that are using the COBATEST tools was performed for the period 2014–2016.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 30 329 HIV tests were performed on 27 934 individuals, of which 1.8% were reactive. Of these reactive tests, 75.8% had a confirmatory test, 92.2% of those were confirmed as positive, and 90.38% of the confirmed positives were linked to care. The total number of tests performed over the study period increased 19.31%. The proportion of confirmatory tests increased from 63.0% to 90.0% and proportion linked to care increased from 84.1% to 93.8%. Most of the tested individuals were men (70.6%), aged between 21 and 35 years (58.5%) and non‐foreign born (68.1%). A high proportion of individuals tested were men who have sex with men (MSM; 42.2%). The percentage of reactive screening tests was particularly high among transgender people (8.37%) and among male sex workers (6.38%). Repeat testers had a higher percentage of reactive tests (2.02%) than those tested for first time (1.1%).ConclusionsThese results prove the feasibility of collecting standardized data from CBVCT services in different countries across Europe and demonstrate the usefulness of such data.
Monitoring response to hepatitis B and C in EU/EEA: testing policies, availability of data on care cascade and chronic viral hepatitis‐related mortality – results from two surveys (2016)
Authors: Aspinall EJ , Hutchinson SJ , Goldberg DJ , Valerio H , Mozalevskis A , Noori T , Duffell E , Tavoschi L 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesThe World Health Organization (WHO) developed a European Regional Action Plan (EAP) to fast‐track action towards the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis. Robust monitoring is essential to assess national programme performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability of selected monitoring data sources in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States (MS).MethodsAvailability of data sources at EU/EEA level was assessed using two surveys distributed to 31 EU/EEA MS in 2016. The two surveys covered (A) availability of policy documents on testing; testing practices and monitoring; monitoring of diagnosis and treatment initiation, and; (B) availability of data on mortality attributable to chronic viral hepatitis.ResultsJust over two‐thirds of EU/EEA MS responded to the surveys. 86% (18/21) reported national testing guidance covering HBV, and 81% (17/21) covering HCV; while 33% (7/21) and 38% (8/21) of countries, respectively, monitored the number of tests performed. 71% (15/21) of countries monitored the number of chronic HBV cases diagnosed and 33% (7/21) the number of people treated. Corresponding figures for HCV were 48% (10/21) and 57% (12/21). 27% (6/22) of countries reported availability of data on mortality attributable to chronic viral hepatitis.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that sources of information in EU/EEA Member States to monitor the progress towards the EAP milestones and targets related to viral hepatitis diagnosis, cascade of care and attributable mortality are limited. Our analysis should raise awareness among EU/EEA policy makers and stimulate higher prioritisation of efforts to improve the monitoring of national viral hepatitis programmes.
HIV testing for key populations in Europe: A decade of technological innovation and patient empowerment complement the role of health care professionals
Authors: Platteau T , van Lankveld J , Apers L , Fransen K , Rockstroh J , Florence E 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesWith persisting high numbers of new HIV diagnoses in Europe, HIV testing remains an important aspect of HIV prevention. The traditional centralized and medicalized HIV testing approach has been complemented with newly developed and evaluated non‐traditional approaches. Two important factors guided this process: technological innovation and empowerment of the patient.MethodsWe present a matrix to develop an HIV testing approach, and elaborate on three commonly used ones: community based testing, self‐testing, and self‐sampling. Despite non‐traditional HIV testing approaches, barriers for testing remain. A potential disadvantage for users is the risk for false‐reactive test results. As users receive an orientation test result, a reactive result should be confirmed. Another issue is the window phase, which is longer for some orientation tests compared to a traditional, laboratory‐based test.ResultsFuture implementation of non‐traditional HIV testing approaches will depend on legal frameworks throughout Europe. Community testing centers may additionally improve empowerment of key populations by expanding their portfolio to testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Community engagement and ownership may imply a shrinking role for health care providers, but they remain crucial actors for personalized information, counselling and referral to specialized HIV‐care for many people.ConclusionsA highly effective HIV testing strategy to reduce undiagnosed people living with HIV in Europe is needed. Any approach, chosen according to the principles outlined in this paper, should reach the right people, diagnose them in the most accurate way, and optimize linkage to care.
Community‐based education: Experiences of undergraduate dental therapy students at the University of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Moodley I , Singh S 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundCommunity‐based education (CBE) is a learning strategy that provides meaningful opportunities for students to apply theory learnt in a larger social and cultural context in various community settings. Although the benefits of CBE to health professional students are well documented, to date, there is little evidence describing dental therapy students' experiences.ObjectivesTo describe the experience of CBE by undergraduate dental therapy students in the School of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu‐Natal.MethodsThis descriptive study, conducted in 2016, gives insight into the experiences of community‐based education among dental therapy students using a self‐administered questionnaire eliciting qualitative data. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institution.ResultsStudents reported perceived benefits of improved professional and personal growth, and a deeper understanding of cultural, social and economic influences on oral health care. Some of the perceived challenges included language barrier, limited resources and adapting to new environments.ConclusionThe reported experiences of undergraduate dental therapy students involved in community‐based clinical training suggest that students gained awareness of the context‐specific challenges facing communities and health professionals in different oral health settings.
Downside Risk Aversion and the Downside Risk Premium
Authors: Stapleton Richard C. , Zeng Qi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe search for a definition of the downside risk premium analogous to the Pratt–Arrow definition of the risk premium. However, even in the local analysis difficulties arise. To overcome these, we propose a definition based on the difference between two gambles. Further, a global analysis reveals that higher‐order terms affect the downside risk premium and these cannot be ignored. We show that all five measures of the intensity of downside risk aversion that have been suggested are invalid in the case of the global analysis.
Children with ADHD draw‐and‐tell about what makes their life really good
Authors: Barfield Patricia A. , Driessnack Martha 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to engage children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a developmentally sensitive way to explore the children's subjective well‐being. Explicitly, their life satisfaction, or what makes their life “really good.” To date, little is known about the subjective life experience of children with ADHD or how incorporating children's views separate from the purview of adults and pathology might enhance our understanding or change our approach to evaluation and/or intervention.Design and MethodsA parallel convergent mixed‐methods design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of children with ADHD (N = 20) ages 7 to 11 years old. This article focuses solely on the qualitative data obtained through semi‐structured interviews using the art‐based approach draw‐and‐tell conversation (DTC). The DTC data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. In addition, each parent (N = 20) independently completed demographic and health‐related forms to provide descriptive and contextual variables.ResultsThree themes were discerned in the DTC analysis–activity, nature, and connections. Most children (90%) described engaging in some form of activity, often outdoors, and with others; though the focus of activity was varied. Nature was evidenced directly and indirectly in many of the children's (85%) stories. Over half (65%) of the children described some variation in relational connection across a continuum that contributed to, or detracted from, their sense of well‐being/life satisfaction.Practice ImplicationsChildren shared that doing things, outdoors, with others, [emphasis added] made their life “really good”. Children's stories yielded insightful and actionable information that is relevant to each individual child/family, and to nursing assessment, intervention, and advocacy. These child‐granted insights also extend our attention beyond pharmacological and behavioral focused interventions, to include the children's own innate health promoting interests that help to make their life really good.
Evaluating differences in the shape of native and alien plant trait distributions will bring new insights into invasions of plant communities
Authors: Hulme Philip E. , Bernard‐Verdier Maud 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFailure to quantify differences in the shape of inter‐specific trait distributions (e.g., skew, kurtosis) when comparing co‐occurring alien and native plants hinders the integration of biological invasions and plant community ecology. Within a plant community, understanding the circumstances that lead to the shape of the inter‐specific distribution of one or more functional plant traits being unimodal, bimodal, multimodal or skewed has the potential to shed new light on community vulnerability to invasion, subsequent ecosystem impacts and the selection pressures (e.g., stabilizing, directional or disruptive) acting upon native and alien species. Ignoring differences in the shape of inter‐specific trait distributions of alien and native species could miss important insights into plant invasions, including: the existence of unsaturated native plant communities, empty niches, shifting trait optima of species as a result of environmental change and incomplete colonization–extinction processes following invasion. Future comparisons of functional trait differences between native and alien species should include assessment of the shapes of inter‐specific trait distributions since these may differ even when the mean values of traits are similar for native and alien species. The infrequent application of such approaches may explain the limited generalizations regarding the drivers and consequences of plant invasions in plant communities.
Manatee behavioral response to boats
Authors: Rycyk Athena M. , Deutsch Charles J. , Barlas Margaret E. , Hardy Stacie K. , Frisch Katherine , Leone Erin H. , Nowacek Douglas P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe long‐term viability of the Florida manatee is threatened in part by mortality from boat collisions. This study investigated manatee behavior during boat approaches to better understand factors that lead to manatee–boat collisions. Digital acoustic recording tags (DTAGs) and Argos‐linked GPS tags were deployed on 18 manatees in southwest Florida, and boat traffic around them was mapped. Suites of manatee behavioral, environmental, and boat‐related factors were recorded during opportunistic boat passes. We built generalized linear mixed models to determine which factors accounted for variation in occurrence, number, and timing of manatee behavioral changes during boat passes. Manatees responded to boats, changing their orientation, depth, and fluking behavior most often when a boat approached closely (<10 m). Manatees were also more likely to change their depth when not on a seagrass bed and when actively fluking before a boat pass. Boat speed did not affect the occurrence or intensity of manatee response. Compared to fast approaches, however, slower passes allowed the manatee more time to respond, and behavioral change occurred earlier relative to the time of the boat's closest point of approach. We conclude that faster boats likely pose a greater risk of collision with manatees than do slower boats.
Inhibition of ZERO‐BK by PKC is involved in carbachol‐induced enhancement of rat colon smooth muscle motility
Authors: Xin F. , Huang H. , Liu P. , Ren J. , Zhang S. , Cheng Y. , Wang W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundMuscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation is an important factor to enhance the motility of gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle. Large conductance Ca2+‐activated potassium (BK) channels are widely expressed in GI smooth muscle. Roles of BK in carbachol (a mAChR agonist) induced enhancement of GI motility and the molecular mechanisms remains unknown and were investigated in this study.MethodsColonic smooth muscle (CSM) strip was perfused to record motility in vitro. The patch‐clamp technique was used to record BK currents. RT‐PCR was used to detect the expression of BK channels in rat CSM tissues. Two different types BK channels were constructed in HEK293 cells to investigate the regulation mechanism. Paired t tests were set with a P < .05 regarded as significant.Key ResultsCarbachol enhanced CSM contraction through M3 receptor (M3R) were attenuated by IbTX, an inhibitor of BK. Carbachol inhibited BK currents in CSM cells and Go6983, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), reversed the effect. PKC activator, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), inhibited BK currents. Two types of BK channels (ZERO‐BK and STREX‐BK) were detected in CSM. ZERO‐ but not STREX‐BK channels expressed in HEK293 cells were inhibited by PMA.ConclusionOur results provide strong evidence that inhibition of ZERO‐BK but not STREX‐BK channels via PKC pathway is involved in the enhancement of CSM motility by mAChR activation. Besides the activation of BK by an increase in intracellular calcium, inhibition of BK played an important role in GI motility regulation during mAChR activation.
Electro‐acupuncture at ST37 and ST25 induce different effects on colonic motility via the enteric nervous system by affecting excitatory and inhibitory neurons
Authors: Liang C. , Wang K.‐Y. , Gong M.‐R. , Li Q. , Yu Z. , Xu B. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundOn the basis of the importance of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in gastrointestinal motility, we hypothesized that the ENS may mediate the therapeutic efficacy of electro‐acupuncture (EA) in constipation by regulating the mechanisms underlying the effects of EA on gastrointestinal function.MethodsModel mice with constipation were generated by gastric instillation of 0‐4°C normal saline. Defecation time and stool (form and wet and dry weight) were assessed. The effect of EA at ST37 or ST25 on colorectal motility and proximal colonic motility was assessed using a water‐filled balloon. The expression of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), the cholinergic neuron marker acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the anticholinergic neuron marker nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was detected by immunohistochemistry, real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis.Key ResultsST37 and ST25 improved colorectal pressure; however, ST37 but not ST25 improved proximal colonic pressure. In the proximal colon, the expression of PGP9.5 returned to normal after EA at ST 37, while EA at ST25 did not have this effect. In addition, qPCR and western blot analysis showed that ST37 could downregulate the expression of nNOS and upregulate the expression of ChAT to normal levels, while ST25 could only downregulate the expression of nNOS to normal levels.Conclusions and InferencesElectro‐acupuncture at specific acupoints can improve intestinal motility in constipation by altering the ENS and differentially affecting excitatory and inhibitory neurons, restoring the coordination between contraction and relaxation muscles, and working in concert with the central nervous system and peripheral neural pathways.
Determinants of the Eurosystem's Central Banks Provisions
Authors: Klose Jens 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCentral bank provisions may be used as a measure of the perceived risk of the balance sheet composition by a central bank. We identify three possible sources that may change the size of the provisions. These are: The length of the balance sheet, the central bank revenues, and measures of fiscal stress. Using data of the 11 founding members of the Eurosystem for the years 1999–2015, we are able to test each of the three determinants. We find that provisions are increased with the size of the balance sheet especially in the recent financial crisis. Moreover, provisions are increased at the cost of lower central bank revenues. While this holds for the pre‐crisis period this relationship seems to be less pronounced in the crisis period probably because of the more active collateral policy. Finally, central banks do not tend to lower provisions because of fiscal tensions. This is even more true in the crisis period.
Retrospective evaluation of plasma cholesterol concentration in septic dogs and its association with morbidity and mortality: 51 cases (2005–2015)
Authors: Hardy Jack P. , Streeter Elizabeth M. , DeCook Rhonda R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether plasma cholesterol concentrations in dogs with sepsis is associated with morbidity or in‐hospital mortality.DesignRetrospective cohort study from 2005–2015.SettingTwo private referral centers.AnimalsFifty‐one dogs diagnosed with sepsis.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsDogs were classified as septic if they displayed ≥2 criteria of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in conjunction with a documented underlying infectious cause. Dogs were excluded if they had been diagnosed previously with any concurrent illness reported to alter plasma cholesterol concentrations. Plasma cholesterol concentrations at the time of sepsis diagnosis were statistically analyzed for association with morbidity, as measured by the presence of organ dysfunction, the number of dysfunctional organs, duration of hospitalization, cost of hospitalization, and in‐hospital mortality.Twenty‐eight (55%) dogs survived to discharge, 15 (29%) were euthanized during hospitalization, and 8 (16%) died despite treatment. While median cholesterol concentrations were significantly different when comparing survivors to discharge versus nonsurvivors who died naturally despite treatment (P = 0.0245), they were not significantly different when comparing survivors to all nonsurvivors (P = 0.1821). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a cholesterol cutoff of 4.5 mmol/L (174 mg/dL) with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 50% for predicting in‐hospital mortality. For surviving dogs, plasma cholesterol concentrations were not associated with increased length of hospital stay. Number of dysfunctional organs and plasma cholesterol concentration were the 2 most significant individual predictors for survival, and when incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression model used for prediction, the model yielded a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 63%.ConclusionPlasma cholesterol concentration can provide prognostic information in dogs with sepsis. Further prospective studies investigating the role of cholesterol in sepsis are needed.