bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacist educational interventions for cancer pain manaaement: a systematic review and meta-analvsis
Authors: Edwards Zoe , Ziegler Lucy , Craigs Cheryl , Blenkinsopp Alison , Bennett Michael I 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Educational interventions by pharmacists for patients with cancer pain aim to improve pain management, but little is known about the different components of interventions and their effectiveness. Our aim was to assess the benefit of pharmacist delivered educational interventions for patients with cancer pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental trials testing pharmacist delivered educational interventions for cancer pain was carried out to identify the components of interventions and effectiveness at improving pain-related outcomes for patients with cancer. A literature review was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ASSIA, Web of Science and CENTRAL from inception until January 2018 searching for educational interventions involving a pharmacist for patients with cancer pain. Four studies were included involving 944 patients. Meta-analysis was carried out where possible.

Key findings
Meta-analysis of three of the four studies found that mean pain intensity in the intervention group was reduced by 0.76 on a 0–10 scale (95% confidence interval), although only two of the studies used validated measures of pain. Improvements in knowledge, side effects and patient satisfaction were seen although with less reliable measures.

Summary
Pharmacist educational interventions for patients with cancer pain have been found to show promise in reducing pain intensity. Studies were few and of varying quality. Further, good quality studies should be carried out in this area and these should be comprehensively reported. Trials measuring patient self-efficacy and patient satisfaction are needed before the impact of the pharmacist delivered interventions on these outcomes can be established.
Insight into the structures, melting points, and mechanical properties of NbSi2 from first‐principles calculations
Authors: Wang Shuang‐Lun , Pan Yong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStudies are carried out on the equilibrium structural, mechanical properties, and melting points of NbSi2 with four ground‐state crystal structures (C40, C11b, C54, and C49) using first‐principles approach. By means of the calculated formation enthalpies and phonon dispersion, it is found that these NbSi2 phases are thermodynamically and dynamically stable. C54‐NbSi2 is uncovered to possess the lowest energy and formation enthalpy, implying that it is expected to be the most favorite structure for NbSi2. The results of the calculated elastic constants reveal that four NbSi2 phases are mechanically stable. We further find that the mechanical properties of C54‐NbSi2 are superior to those of the other NbSi2 phases. The melting points of these NbSi2 phases are calculated to examine their thermal stability. The elastic anisotropy is calculated and discussed using three patterns. The results prove that C54‐ and C40‐NbSi2 have good elastic isotropy, as confirmed by the given three‐dimensional plots of elastic moduli. Analyzing the difference charge density and Mulliken overlap population provides the explanation about the relationship between bonding characteristics and mechanical properties.
Perceived Costs of Care Influence Post‐Acute Care Choices by Clinicians, Patients, and Caregivers
Authors: Ayele Roman , Jones Jacqueline , Ladebue Amy , Lawrence Emily , Valverde Patricia , Leonard Chelsea , Cumbler Ethan , Allyn Rebecca , Burke Robert E. 
Published: February 2019

Background/ObjectiveOlder adults frequently receive post‐acute care (PAC) after hospital discharge, but little is known about how perceived costs influence PAC choices. This research study sought to understand how clinicians, patients, and their caregivers evaluate the cost of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care in their decisions about whether to utilize SNFs after hospital discharge.DesignGuided by principles of social constructivist theory, we conducted a qualitative interpretative study using semistructured interviews with clinicians, patients, and caregivers.SettingThe study took place in three SNFs and three hospitals located in an urban area. Purposive sampling was used to maximize variability in SNFs, hospitals, units within hospitals, and staff.ParticipantsA total of 104 participants made up the study: 25 hospital clinicians, 20 SNF clinicians, 20 hospital patients, 15 SNF patients, 14 hospital caregivers, and 10 SNF caregivers who were directly involved in patients’ transition from acute hospitalization to SNFs.MeasurementsCentral themes related to how perceived costs of care influence PAC choices.ResultsClinicians, patients, and caregivers did not understand the nuances of SNF insurance coverage or out‐of‐pocket costs. They felt constrained by insurance coverage in their discharge disposition choices and faced delays in hospital discharge due to insurance authorization processes. Some clinicians reacted to these constraints by “documenting failure,” sending patients home to “fail” so they could justify SNF to insurers. Others changed their recommendations to provide patients “some” postdischarge care, even if inadequate, because of cost constraints. Clinicians discussed conserving resources to take maximal advantage of insurance‐covered SNF days. Overall, cost constraint resulted in patient safety concerns, clinician professional dilemma, and moral distress.ConclusionImproving patient and caregiver understanding about costs and constraints of PAC would improve decision making. There is a need for improved comprehension of cost and insurance coverage of SNF care for informed patient and provider decision making at the time of hospital discharge. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:703–710, 2019.
Religiosity and Premarital Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents: An Analysis of Functional Form
Authors: Hayward George M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWhile numerous studies show a persistent inverse association between religion variables and adolescents’ sexual behaviors, the nature of this relationship is not well understood. Specifically, many previous studies presuppose that the associations between adolescent religiosity and sexual behaviors are linear. However, a number of studies have also identified important nonlinearities of religious influence during adolescence, with highly religious individuals being distinct from their peers. Incorporating this knowledge into a theoretically motivated modeling approach, this article provides a comparative analysis of functional forms describing the relationships between religiosity and adolescent sexual behaviors. Using data from two waves of the National Study of Youth and Religion, a linear functional form is compared with nonlinear alternatives that link multiple religion measures to outcomes of sexual activity. Results show that the majority of these relationships are best defined by nonlinear functional forms, suggesting that the influence of religiosity increases as individuals become more religious.
The Effect of SME Productivity Increases on Large Firm Productivity in the EU
Authors: van Stel André , Lokshin Boris , de Vries Nardo 
Published: February 2019

SummaryWe examine the impact of labour productivity growth of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) on labour productivity growth of large firms in a 19‐year panel of 26 European countries. We apply a dynamic panel data model that allows for macro‐level interdependencies in productivity between small and large firms. Our main finding concerns a sizable positive effect of labour productivity increases of SMEs on the productivity of large firms. This positive effect is especially evident for medium‐sized and small firms (rather than micro firms). Furthermore, the impact of SME productivity on large‐firm productivity is increasing with the size of the SME sector. Our analysis indicates that scale effects play a role in the transmission of productivity effects from SMEs to large firms, both in terms of the size of individual SMEs (medium‐sized and small versus micro) and in terms of the share of the SME sector in the economy.
Prebiotics – an added benefit of some fibre types
Authors: Lockyer S. , Stanner S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPrebiotics are food components that are selectively used by gut bacteria, conferring a health benefit, most notably stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria. Accepted prebiotics at present are the fibre types galacto‐oligosaccharides, fructo‐oligosaccharides and inulin, some forms of which occur naturally in foods such as pulses, grains, fruit and vegetables. Prebiotics can also be isolated and produced commercially for use as functional ingredients and supplements. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the place of prebiotics in a healthy, balanced diet, to explore potential health effects, particularly in relation to gut health, and to consider whether there are implications of consuming a diet low in prebiotics. Dietary fibre is important for health, with high‐fibre diets reducing risk of several chronic diseases, via its effects on bowel function, gut microbiota, and cholesterol and glycaemic levels. The prebiotic effects of some fibre types may contribute to these effects. Evidence from supplementation studies carried out in humans suggests that consumption of prebiotics may confer an array of health benefits such as cholesterol lowering, relief of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, increased satiety and immunomodulatory effects, though more studies are needed. Findings from observational and intervention studies indicate that exclusion diets, such as low‐carbohydrate, gluten‐free and the low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols diet, result in changes to the gut microbiota such as reduced abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, though whether or not there are any long‐term health implications remains unknown. Studies investigating whether prebiotic supplements may be useful in conjunction with such diets (when these are required for medical reasons) to help restore levels of bacteria that are considered to be beneficial, are warranted. Overall, there is a need to promote high‐fibre foods across the UK population as intakes currently fall well below recommendations.
Development of an Agrobacterium‐delivered CRISPR/Cas9 system for wheat genome editing
Authors: Zhang Zhengzhi , Hua Lei , Gupta Ajay , Tricoli David , Edwards Keith J. , Yang Bing , Li Wanlong 
Published: February 2019

SummaryCRISPR/Cas9 has been widely used for genome editing in many organisms, including important crops like wheat. Despite the tractability in designing CRISPR/Cas9, efficacy in the application of this powerful genome editing tool also depends on DNA delivery methods. In wheat, the biolistics based transformation is the most used method for delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 complex. Due to the high frequency of gene silencing associated with co‐transferred plasmid backbone and low edit rate in wheat, a large T0 transgenic plant population are required for recovery of desired mutations, which poses a bottleneck for many genome editing projects. Here, we report an Agrobacterium‐delivered CRISPR/Cas9 system in wheat, which includes a wheat codon optimized Cas9 driven by a maize ubiquitin gene promoter and a guide RNA cassette driven by wheat U6 promoters in a single binary vector. Using this CRISPR/Cas9 system, we have developed 68 edit mutants for four grain‐regulatory genes, TaCKX2‐1, TaGLW7, TaGW2, and TaGW8, in T0, T1, and T2 generation plants at an average edit rate of 10% without detecting off‐target mutations in the most Cas9‐active plants. Homozygous mutations can be recovered from a large population in a single generation. Different from most plant species, deletions over 10 bp are the dominant mutation types in wheat. Plants homozygous of 1160‐bp deletion in TaCKX2‐D1 significantly increased grain number per spikelet. In conclusion, our Agrobacterium‐delivered CRISPR/Cas9 system provides an alternative option for wheat genome editing, which requires a small number of transformation events because CRISPR/Cas9 remains active for novel mutations through generations.
Effect of tibial rotation on the tibial plateau angle measurement in dogs: An ex vivo study
Authors: Buirkle Corinne L. , Aulakh Karanvir S. , Gines J. Alberto , Rademacher Nathalie , Liu Chin‐Chi , Barnes Katherine 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effect of tibial rotation on radiographic tibial plateau angle (TPA) measurement in normal and cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)‐deficient stifles.Study designCadaveric study.Sample populationFive pairs of canine cadaver hind limbs with no stifle osteoarthritis.MethodsMediolateral radiographs of each specimen were obtained at 0°, 10°, 20°, and 30° of internal and external rotation of the tibia with both intact and transected CrCL. Two Kirschner wires were placed at the cranial and caudal landmarks of the tibial plateau, and the 0° views were imaged again, representing the anatomic TPA. Five observers measured the TPA twice on all images. Measurements were compared by using a mixed‐model ANOVA. Intraobserver and interobserver variability were evaluated by using the coefficient of variation.ResultsTibial plateau angle did not differ among the anatomic, CrCL‐intact, and CrCL‐deficient 0° views or between the CrCL‐intact and CrCL‐deficient views at the various tibial rotations. The only difference detected was between CrCL‐intact stifles radiographed at 0° and external rotation (range, 1.16°‐1.6°; P = .016, P = .001, and P < .001). Tibial rotation, CrCL transection, and their interaction all failed to influence intraobserver and interobserver variability (P > .05).ConclusionIn CrCL‐deficient stifles, tibial rotation of up to 30° internally and externally did not result in clinically relevant changes in TPA measurements.Clinical significanceThe TPA can be successfully measured with up to 30° of internal and external tibial rotation in CrCL‐deficient stifles with no osteoarthritic changes.
Calcium modulation of cardiac sodium channels
Authors: Johnson Christopher N. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractModification of voltage‐gated Na+ channel (NaV) function by intracellular Ca2+ has been a topic of much controversy. Early studies relied on measuring NaV function in the absence or presence of intracellular Ca2+, and generated seemingly disparate results. Subsequent investigations revealed the mechanism(s) of Ca2+‐driven NaV modulation are complex and involve multiple accessory proteins. The Ca2+‐sensing protein calmodulin (CaM) has a central role in tuning NaV function to [Ca2+]i, but the mechanism has been obscured by other proteins (such as fibroblast growth factors (FGF) or CaM‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII)) that can also modify channel function or exert an influence in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. Significant progress has been made in understanding the architecture of full‐length ion channels and the structural and biophysical details of NaV–accessory protein interactions. Interdisciplinary structure–function studies are beginning to resolve the effect each interaction has on NaV gating. Carefully designed structure‐guided or strategically selected disease‐associated mutations are able to impair NaV–accessory protein interactions without altering other properties of channel function. Recently CaM was found to engage part of NaV1.5 that is required for channel inactivation with high affinity. Careful impairment of this interaction disrupted NaV1.5's ability to recover from inactivation. Such results support a paradigm of CaM‐facilitated recovery from inactivation (CFRI). How NaV–CaM, CaMKII and FGF/fibroblast growth factor homologous factor interactions affect the timing or function of CFRI in cardiomyocytes remain open questions that are discussed herein. Moreover whether CFRI dysfunction or premature activation underlie certain NaV channelopathies are important questions that will require further investigation.image
Comparative evaluation of group-based mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment and management of chronic pain: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Khoo Eve-Ling , Small Rebecca , Cheng Wei , Hatchard Taylor , Glynn Brittany , Rice Danielle B , Skidmore Becky , Kenny Samantha , Hutton Brian , Poulin Patricia A 
Published: February 2019

QuestionThis review compares mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in its ability to improve physical functioning and reduce pain intensity and distress in patients with chronic pain (CP), when evaluated against control conditions.Study selection and analysisOvid MEDLINE, EmbaseClassic+Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify randomised controlled trials. The primary outcome measure was physical functioning. Secondary outcomes were pain intensity and depression symptoms. We used random and fixed effects (RE and FE) network meta-analyses (NMA) to compare MBSR, CBT and control interventions on the standardised mean difference scale.FindingsTwenty-one studies were included: 13 CBT vs control (n=1095), 7 MBSR vs control (n=545) and 1 MBSR vs CBT vs control (n=341). Of the 21 articles, 12 were determined to be of fair or good quality. Findings from RE NMA for change in physical functioning, pain intensity and depression revealed clinically important advantages relative to control for MBSR and CBT, but no evidence of an important difference between MBSR and CBT was found.ConclusionsThis review suggests that MBSR offers another potentially helpful intervention for CP management. Additional research using consistent measures is required to guide decisions about providing CBT or MBSR.
Evaporate facies recognition using an unsupervised artificial neural network in the northern Arabia Plate
Authors: Zhang Si-Hai , Xu Yin , Teng Mee Kee 
Published: February 2019

The carbonate–evaporite depositional combination of Late Jurassic age, incorporates the most prolific oil-producing intervals in the world and forms many giant fields. The succession is the top member of four upwards-shoaling carbonate–anhydrite cycles of Upper Kimmeridgian age, and is overlain by the impermeable anhydrite in northern Arabia. The weak depositional contrasts in carbonate ramp settings make the lateral seal configurations subtle and tough to recognize. Multiple attribute analyses based on an artificial neural network (ANN) can delineate the internal character of the reservoir and seal in a consistent way.
In order to recognize the sedimentary facies and characterize stratigraphic traps within this reservoir interval, multiple seismic attributes were input to an unsupervised ANN. Unsupervised ANN offers a powerful means of classification, implemented here using a single-layer perceptron network. The network is trained by comparing the neurons to the input vectors using competitive-learning techniques. Once a neuron migrates to the centre of a class, the network stabilizes, training is finished and the neuron is assigned to a representative class. Without prior information, the unlabelled class is calibrated and analysed by lithofacies generated from log and core data. Further sedimentary facies are recognized by integrating local geological knowledge.
The depositional environments in the study area are well characterized by the unsupervised ANN, and the recognized sedimentary facies are consistent with the drilled wells and the resulting geological model. Lagoonal deposits of the inner-ramp, ramp-crest shoal and proximal deposits of the middle ramp are recognized within the study area. The widespread ramp crest with peloid and oolitic grainstones provides good reservoirs, whereas the lagoonal deposits distributed between the shoals have a greater abundance of tight limestone with low porosity and permeability, thereby forming a good lateral seal. The selected study area, covering the Rimthan Arch is considered a favorable area for the presence of stratigraphic traps. The sedimentary facies recognition helps to define potential areas for favourable prospect definition and hence prospect ranking.
CRC Screening Results: Patient Comprehension and Follow-up
Authors: Azulay Revital , Valinsky Liora , Hershkowitz Fabienne , Magnezi Racheli 
Published: February 2019

Background: Fecal occult blood tests are recommended for colorectal cancer screening, but are only effective if colonoscopy follows positive results. Patients with positive results often do not complete follow-up. This study examined the association between patient comprehension and adherence to colonoscopy after positive FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test). Methods: Five hundred twenty-two patients completed a telephone questionnaire regarding the FIT and its implications 120 days after a positive result. Patients were asked whether they had the test, received the results, and required follow-up. These questions were used to identify the degree to which patients understood medical information. A participant who answered “no” to any question was defined as having “low comprehension” regarding the FIT, and participants who answered “yes” to all 3 questions, as having “high comprehension”. Results: Comprehension and colonoscopy adherence were significantly associated. Adherence to colonoscopy was significantly higher among participants with high comprehension, after adjusting for gender, age, education, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a link between health comprehension and patient follow-up after positive FIT and contributes to understanding the implications of health comprehension in terms of health promotion. We recommend patients undergoing screening tests receive clear explanations regarding need for follow-up of positive results thus reducing health disparities associated with health comprehension.
Bidirectional Effects of Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate on Severe Acute Pancreatitis in a Rat Model
Authors: Yang Huan , Ma ShuCan , Guo Yu , Cui DongLai , Yao JinFeng 
Published: February 2019

Introduction: The mechanism by which intestinal mucosal barrier is damaged in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)-associated impairment is not fully understood. Methods: We established an l-arginine-induced SAP rat model, pretreated with or without pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate the pathological alterations. Western blotting was conducted to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins. Oxidative stress was assessed by the levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Results: We found significant injury of the intestinal mucosal barrier in SAP rats, with overexpression of Beclin-1, LC3, and p65. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate showed a bidirectional effect in protecting SAP rats. A high dose of PDTC aggravated disease in rats, while a low or medium dose of PDTC pretreatment, was able to alleviate tissue damage. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate changed the expression of Beclin-1, LC3, and p65 in the intestines. The fatty acid-binding protein level was increased in SAP rats with high-dose PDTC or without PDTC pretreatment and was reduced in SAP rats with low- or medium-dose PDTC exposure. Conclusions: Autophagy is involved in the impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier during SAP. A suitable dose of PDTC (1 or 10 mg/kg) may decrease the severity of SAP by inhibiting autophagy in intestinal mucosal cells.