bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A rare case series of mitral valve clefts diagnosed by 3D echocardiography and mini‐review of the literature
Authors: Moura‐Ferreira Sara , Sampaio Francisco , Ribeiro José , Fontes‐Carvalho Ricardo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMitral valve cleft is a rare entity. However, it must be recognized as a differential mechanism for mitral valve regurgitation. 3D transesophageal echocardiography plays an essential role in the evaluation of single and multiple mitral valve clefts, improving morphological and functional assessment of the valve, with potential implications on surgical planning. The authors present four rare cases of mitral valve cleft presenting during adulthood, followed by a mini‐review about the role of 3D echocardiography, as well as its pitfalls, in the assessment of this complex congenital mitral valve disease.
Dentists’ intentions to manage drug users: Role of theory of planned behaviour and continuing education
Authors: El Tantawi Maha , AlJameel AlBandary H. , Fita Sarah , AlSahan Basma , Alsuwaiyan Fatimah , El Meligy Omar 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo assess dentists’ intention to manage drug users (DUs) and to evaluate the role of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and continuing education (CE) in explaining this intention.Materials and MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2017, including dentists from three major Saudi cities. A questionnaire assessed personal and professional background and components of TPB: attitude, perceived social norms, perceived control and intention to manage DUs. Respondents expressed their agreement on a scale from 1 (disagree) to 7 (agree). Receiving CE to manage DUs was also assessed. Adjusted linear regression was used to assess the impact of the TPB constructs and receiving CE on dentists’ intention.ResultsResponse rate = 72% (255/354), mean (SD) age = 35.2 (11.9). The mean (SD) for positive intention to manage DUs = 5.34 (1.37), negative attitude = 4.03 (1.10), positively perceived norms = 5.78 (1.06) and perception of no control = 4.45 (1.08). Only 9% received CE to manage DUs. Positive intention was associated with perception of positive norms (B = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.59, 0.87) and perception of no control (B = −0.47, 95% CI = −0.63, −0.32) but not with receiving CE (P = 0.58).ConclusionIn major Saudi cities, dentists’ intention to manage DUs was positive and was explained by TPB components: perception of norms and perception of control. Modified and targeted CE is needed to address this problem.
An improved TOPSIS approach for the competitiveness analysis of provincial information resource industries in China
Authors: Qian Minghui , Wang Yuxi , Xu Wei , Deng Hepu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe development of information resources industries is becoming increasingly important for improving the competitiveness of individual economies. As a result, effectively evaluating the performance of individual information resources industries becomes a critical problem that needs to be adequately addressed. This paper presents an improved Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach for evaluating the performance of provincial information resources industries in an objective manner in China. The concept of information entropy is appropriately used for determining the objective weighting of the evaluation criteria in the evaluation process. The Mahalanobis distance is adequately adopted for better reflecting the relative distance between individual alternatives and the idea solution in determining the overall performance of individual alternatives across all the evaluation criteria. This leads to the determination of consistent performance evaluation outcomes, which are better accepted by all the stakeholders in the evaluation process. An example of evaluating the competitiveness of provincial information resources industries in China is presented. The result shows that the improved TOPSIS approach is effective for evaluating the competitiveness of information resources industries in the real‐world setting.
Transfer prices and innovation in public healthcare: Costing and clinical choices in the NHS
Authors: Guven‐Uslu Pinar , Seal Will 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe establishment of an internal market for clinical services in a publically funded National Health Service (NHS) requires a process for setting transfer prices. Given the values and logics of actors in a public healthcare system, attempts to determine an “optimal” price for specific treatments as prescribed by well‐known transfer pricing texts, are likely to be inappropriate. Rejecting a reductionist model of Economic Man, the study adopted a richer perspective on actor reality through a pragmatic constructivist (PC) methodology. The PC methodology was used to interpret data drawn from a case study of a specialist healthcare centre of English NHS. The case study revealed different realities constructed by clinical and managerial actors. Clinical actors in the study were willing to spread a technological innovation but were not being supported by managers whose reality was influenced by centrally set tariff prices which favoured traditional high cost procedures rather than less costly technical innovations. Characterising the different realities as the “pragmatic truth” of managers and the “proactive truth” of clinicians, the challenge was to bring these together for a fully integrated and coherent solution. This challenge required avoiding a top‐down “command and control” model of governance and greater flexibility for transfer pricing and incentives. More generally, the study supports alternative institutional mechanisms that can routinely promote the spread of new technological innovations which are not only clinically superior but, as this case illustrates, are sometimes cheaper than the current procedures.
Association between oral health and frailty: A systematic review of longitudinal studies
Authors: Hakeem Faisal F. , Bernabé Eduardo , Sabbah Wael 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo systematically review longitudinal studies on the association between oral health and frailty indicated by any validated scale or index.BackgroundFrailty and poor oral health are common among ageing populations; however, evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce.MethodsThree databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS) were searched for published literature up to July 2018 using prespecified search strategy. Grey literature was searched using OpenGrey and Google Scholar. Quality of included studies was checked using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) for longitudinal studies.ResultsFive longitudinal studies from three countries (Mexico, Japan, and UK) that examined the association between oral health and frailty were identified. All studies used Fried's frailty phenotype criteria for measuring frailty. Oral health indicators were number of teeth, periodontal disease, oral functions (functional dentition with occluding pairs and maximum bite force), use of removable dentures, accumulation of oral health problems and dry mouth symptoms. The studies showed significant association of number of teeth (two studies), oral functions (two studies), accumulation of oral health problems and number of dry mouth symptoms with frailty incidence, whereas periodontal disease showed inconsistent associations.ConclusionThis systematic review identified significant longitudinal associations between oral health indicators and frailty that highlight the importance of oral health as a predictor of frailty in older age. There is a need for further research exploring the role of nutrition as a mediator of the relationship between oral health and frailty.
Functional dentition, dietary intake and nutritional status in Thai older adults
Authors: Gaewkhiew Piyada , Sabbah Wael , Bernabé Eduardo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the relationship between functional dentition and nutritional status among Thai older adults, and the role of nutrient intake in this association.BackgroundEvidence on the interplay between tooth retention, diet and nutritional status is still inconclusive, with most evidence coming from Western countries.MethodsSeven hundred and eighty‐eight Thai adults, aged 60+ years, living in Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, participated in this cross‐sectional study. Data were collected through questionnaires, body measurements and dental examinations. Being underweight (Body Mass Index < 18.5) and overweight/obese (BMI > 25) were the two outcome measures. Functional dentition was defined as having 10+ functional tooth units. The association of functional dentition with each outcome was assessed in regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, behaviours, chronic conditions and total energy intake. The role of various nutrients in explaining the above associations was quantified via the per cent attenuation in the coefficient for functional dentition.ResultsFunctional dentition was associated with being underweight but not with being overweight/obese. After adjustments, participants with functional dentition were 61% (prevalence ratio: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.95) less likely to be underweight than those with neither functional dentition nor dentures. In addition, participants with functional dentition had significantly greater intake of dietary fibre and thiamine (Vitamin B1) than those with neither functional dentition nor dentures. The two nutrients explained a small part of the association between functional dentition and being underweight.ConclusionHaving a functional dentition was negatively associated with being underweight. The consumption of dietary fibre and thiamine explained a small part of this association.
Changing clinical and molecular characteristics of hepatitis E virus infection in Mie Prefecture, Japan: Disappearance of indigenous subtype 3e strains
Authors: Nakano Tatsunori , Okano Hiroshi , Takahashi Masaharu , Nagashima Shigeo , Shiraki Katsuya , Oya Yumi , Inoue Hidekazu , Ohmori Shigeru , Tsukimoto Mone , Ishida Satoshi , Fujimoto Shino , Kobayashi Makoto , Yamawaki Makoto , Kumagai Masanari , Ninomiya Jun , Maegawa Tadashi , Kojima Yuji , Araki Jun , Hamaoka Shima , Horiike Shinichiro , Yoshimura Hitoshi , Takeuchi Keisuke , Itoh Keiichi , Akachi Shigehiro , Uraki Satoko , Yamamoto Norihiko , Ogura Suguru , Sugimoto Kazushi , Yoshikawa Kyoko , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Iwasa Motoh , Takei Yoshiyuki , Okamoto Hiroaki 
Published: April 2019

AimTo evaluate the clinical and molecular characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Mie Prefecture, Japan, from 2004 through 2018.MethodsThe clinical information of hepatitis E cases was collected from 21 medical institutions in Mie Prefecture. The nucleotide sequences of infecting HEV strains were determined for cases with available serum samples. The origins or transmission routes were inferred from phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences.ResultsFifty‐three patients were diagnosed with HEV infection. The number of cases increased each year through 2012 and then decreased. Analyses of the clinical characteristics of the cases indicated that even mild cases were detected in the latter 10 years of the study. Nucleotide sequence analyses were undertaken on 38 of the 53 cases. The HEV subtype 3e (HEV‐3e) strains identified for 13 cases were closely related to a swine HEV‐3e strain that was isolated from the liver of a pig bred in Mie Prefecture. The number of cases infected with the indigenous Mie HEV‐3e strains increased until 2012 but have not been reported since 2014. In the latter half of the study, cases involving various HEV strains of different genotypes and subtypes emerged.ConclusionsThe disappearance of indigenous Mie HEV‐3e strains appeared to be the primary cause for the decrease in hepatitis E cases in Mie Prefecture. The disappearance might have been associated with improved hygienic conditions on pig farms or the closure of contaminated farms. The results suggest that indigenous HEV strains can be eradicated by appropriate management.
How narratives influence colorectal cancer screening decision making and uptake: A realist review
Authors: Woudstra Anke Judith , Suurmond Jeanine 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlthough narratives have been found to affect decisions about preventive behaviours, including participation in cancer screening, the underlying mechanisms of narratives remain unclear.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to summarize and synthesize existing literature on narrative interventions in the context of colorectal cancer screening. Our main research question was as follows: How, when and for whom do narratives work context of decision making about colorectal cancer screening participation?MethodsWe undertook a realist review to collect evidence on narratives in the context of colorectal cancer screening. A search of the literature was performed in Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cinahl and PsycINFO. We included empirical evaluations (qualitative or quantitative) of narrative interventions. In total, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. A content‐based taxonomy of patient narrative types in decision aids formed the basis for our initial programme theory.Main resultWe identified four mechanisms: (a) process narratives that address perceived barriers towards screening lead to improved affective forecasting, (b) experience narratives that demonstrate the screening procedure lead to increased self‐efficacy, (c) experience narratives that depict experiences from similar others lead to more engagement and (d) outcome narratives that focus on outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening decision decrease or increase fear of colorectal cancer. The evidence was limited on which narrative type may facilitate or bias informed decision making in colorectal cancer screening.Discussion and conclusionThe findings indicate the importance of more detailed descriptions of narrative interventions in order to understand how mechanisms may facilitate or bias informed decision making in colorectal cancer screening.
Barriers to the Equal Treatment of (aspirant) Citizens: The Case of the Application of Nationality Law in Belgium
Authors: Sredanovic Djordje 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThrough the analysis of in‐depth interviews with 36 officers involved in nationality acquisition procedures and representatives of associations working to support candidates, I analyse the application of current Belgian nationality law. I show how significant variation, mainly between different territorial offices, exists in the application of the law and how such variation contradicts the fundamental democratic norm of the equality of (aspirant) citizens. This is despite legislation with a high level of codification of the requirements, as well as a procedure that involves magistrates and allows full judicial review, conditions that should leave very little space for discretion. I argue that such variation in the Belgian case arises mainly from the decentralized organization of the procedure and the lack of measures to assure shared interpretations of the law at the national level.
Identifying the risk of suicide among adolescents admitted to a children's hospital using the Ask Suicide‐Screening Questions
Authors: Inman Dianna D. , Matthews Joanne , Butcher Lisa , Swartz Colleen , Meadows Amy Lynn 
Published: April 2019

AbstractProblemSuicides are now the second leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults, 10–24. Many people who die by suicide visit a healthcare provider in the months before their death. Unfortunately, many healthcare clinicians do not routinely screen for mental health concerns such as suicide risk even though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening adolescents for suicide risk.MethodsThe Ask Suicide‐Screening Questions (aSQ), a four‐question screening instrument, was administered by nurses to all patients, 12 years and older, admitted to the general pediatric wards of a tertiary Children's Hospital. Nursing feedback and comfort levels were assessed before and after the 6‐week pilot program.FindingsDuring the 6 weeks, 152 eligible children were admitted to the general pediatric wards and 67 were screened using the ASQ; 3/67 had a nonacute “positive” screen and received a further psychiatric assessment.ConclusionsThis pilot quality improvement initiative showed that suicide screening is feasible and acceptable to patients and families in a general pediatric inpatient setting. However, nurses would benefit from further teaching and training around asking suicide screening questions.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to salt consumption in Nepal: Findings from the community‐based management of non‐communicable diseases project in Nepal (COBIN)
Authors: Ghimire Kamal , Adhikari Tara Ballav , Rijal Anupa , Kallestrup Per , Henry Megan E. , Neupane Dinesh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHigh salt/sodium intake is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This paper aims to examine the association between salt consumption and salt‐related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in Nepal. The cross‐sectional data used in this study were collected as part of the community‐based management of non‐communicable diseases project (COBIN) to understand the amount and KAP related to salt consumption in Nepal. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression was performed to assess the association of salt‐related KAP and determinants of high salt consumption in Nepal. The mean per capita salt intake was 8.0 (±3.7) g/day, with 81.6% of the population reporting higher intake than the WHO recommendation of <5 g/day. People of upper castes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5‐0.9], people in large families (aOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5‐0.7), respondents who were advised to lower salt intake (aOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4‐0.9) and who checked salt/sodium labels in food (aOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4‐0.9) were less likely to consume higher amounts of salt. Similarly, people who added extra salt to their food at the table (aOR = 1.4; 95 CI: 1.1‐1.9) and who reported consuming high amounts of salt (aOR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1‐2.3) were more likely to have high salt intake. High salt intake was documented in this population. This study suggests the need for culturally tailored community‐based behavior modification through health education and dietary counseling to effectively reduce salt consumption and thereby support a reduction in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Nepal.
Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 supplementation improves the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of muscle of broilers
Authors: Yu Lihuai , Peng Zhong , Dong Li , Wang Hongrong , Shi Shourong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) on the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of muscle in broilers. A total of 600 Arbor Acre broiler chickens (1‐day‐old, male) were randomly divided into five treatments with six replicates (20 chickens per replicate) for each treatment. The five treatments were the control treatment (CON, basal diet), antibiotic treatment (ANT, basal diet supplemented with 0.1% chlortetracycline) and E. faecium‐supplemented treatments (LEF, MEF and HEF, basal diet supplemented with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of E. faecium respectively). The experiment lasted 42 days in two periods of 21 days. Results showed that there were no differences in breast meat quality among different treatments (p > 0.05). Compared with the CON and ANT treatments, the yellowness of thigh meat in E. faecium‐supplemented treatments was significantly increased (p < 0.05); the shear force of thigh meat in the LEF and MEF treatments was lower than that of the CON treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of the inosine monophosphate (IMP) in the breast and thigh meat of the MEF treatment was significantly higher than that of the other treatments (p < 0.05). At 21 days, the total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity of breast meat and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the thigh meat of the MEF treatment were greatly increased (p < 0.05). At 42 days of age, the catalase (CAT), GSH‐Px and T‐AOC activities in the breast meat of the MEF treatment were increased (p < 0.05) and the CAT activity of thigh meat in the LEF and MEF treatments was increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, E. faecium supplementation increased the meat quality of the thigh muscle, increased the IMP content and the activities of CAT, SOD, T‐AOC, and GSH‐Px of muscle in broilers. Supplementation with 100 mg/kg E. faecium had the greatest effects.
Dose response of rumen‐protected conjugated linoleic acid supplementation to fattening bulls and heifers on growth, and carcass and meat quality
Authors: Schiavon Stefano , Cecchinato Alessio , Pegolo Sara , Dannenberger Dirk , Tagliapietra Franco , Bittante Giovanni 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe investigated the influence of rumen‐protected conjugated linoleic acid (rpCLA) on growth performances, and carcass and meat quality traits in beef. Twenty‐four young bulls and 30 heifers obtained from double‐muscled beef sires and dairy cows were fed a low‐protein ration (110 g/kg DM of crude protein) supplemented with 0, 8 or 80 g/d of a commercial rpCLA product. The animals were monthly weighed and scored for body muscularity and fatness. Blood samples were collected after 140 days on feed. Animals were slaughtered when they reached average in vivo fatness scores of around 2.5 (heifers) and 2.0 (bulls) points respectively. At slaughter, carcasses, various organs and parts of the gastrointestinal tract were weighed; the 5th rib was dissected and its tissue and muscle chemical composition was determined. The rpCLA had little influence on growth performance but decreased the blood urea content by 28% (p < 0.01). The rpCLA × sex interactions for daily gain (p < 0.05), conformation scores (p < 0.01), and blood creatinine content (p < 0.05) suggest that males were more responsive to rpCLA than females when fed a low‐protein ration, probably because of the metabolic protein‐sparing effect of CLA. Only slight differences were observed in carcass weight and quality at slaughter. The results indicate that the response of beef cattle to rpCLA is dependent on sex or on their propensity for lean and fat accretion. It is also possible that counteracting feedback mechanisms compensate for the influence of rpCLA administration over the course of growth.