bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Treated with Hemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Filiopoulos Vassilis , Hadjiyannakos Dimitrios , Takouli Lambrini , Metaxaki Polixeni , Sideris Vasilis , Vlassopoulos Dimosthenis 
Published: January 2018

Purpose The impact of different dialysis modalities on oxidative stress and inflammation and the factors implicated in this interrelationship have not been adequately studied. This study was designed to comparatively evaluate the effect of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers and to search for associated factors. Methods We studied 20 HD, 11 PD patients and 11 healthy controls. Calculations were based on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), by spectrophotometry, as oxidative stress biomarkers; and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), lnterleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), by ELISA, as inflammation biomarkers. Results HD and PD patients showed significantly increased levels of TAC, SOD and hs-CRP compared to healthy controls. No significant difference was observed in TNF-α and IL-6. Compared to HD patients, PD patients showed TNF-α levels that were increased, although non-significantly and significantly higher homocysteine (Hcy). No differences were observed for IL-6, hs-CRP, TAC and SOD. In HD patients, significant positive correlations were found between intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and TNF-α, and between uric acid (UA) and TAC. β2-microglobulin (β2M) was negatively correlated with TAC, total cholesterol (TC) positively with TNF-α and negatively with SOD, and triglycerides (TG) correlated positively with TNF-α. In PD patients, TG correlated positively with TNF-α, HDL-cholesterol negatively with TNF-α, LDL-cholesterol negatively with SOD, and β2M negatively with SOD. Conclusions HD and PD patients show similar degrees of inflammation and oxidative stress activation. Factors such as UA, iPTH, β2M and lipid profile correlate to oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in both HD and PD patients.
Failure analyses of unconfined CCWBM body in uniaxial compression based on central pressure variation
Authors: Du Xianjie , Feng Guorui , Guo Yuxia , Qi Tingye , Zhang Yujiang , Guo Jun 
Published: January 2018

Cemented coal waste backfill material (CCWBM) is made of coal gangue, fly ash and cementitious materials. It has been widely used in the field of backfill mining to control surface subsidence and protect the environment. A large number of unconfined backfill bodies without lateral support are formed in partial backfill mining. To study the failure characteristics of unconfined CCWBM body in partial backfill, the stress–strain curves of the CCWBM were obtained by uniaxial compression tests at different ages (1–28 d). The central pressure was measured by the embedded pressure sensors. The failure characteristics of the specimen were monitored by acoustic emission (AE) positioning technique. Three observations can be made. 1. The central pressure variation curves lag behind the mean stress change curves. The central pressure curve can be divided into three stages: slow increase stage, rapid growth stage and decline stage. It has two pressure manifestations: early appearance and peak appearance. They can be as the failure precursor and instability critical, respectively. 2. The specimen forms a central elastic bearing area in the process of compression. The plastic area develops to the inner side with the increase of pressure, and an upper and lower compound cone-shaped residual area is finally formed. 3. The embedded pressure sensor can be used to monitor the instability of the unconfined backfill body. The research results can provide guidance for the in-situ stability monitoring and reinforcement of unconfined CCWBM body in partial backfill.
Psychosocial Features of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Domon-Archambault Vincent , Gagnon Louise , Benoît Amélie , Perreault Sébastien 
Published: January 2018

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurologic condition associated with a wide variety of developmental deficits that have an important impact on children and adolescents. Objective: This article aims to document the psychosocial features of NF1 and to report the interventions described to address the needs of pediatric patients with NF1. Methods: A literature review was conducted concerning the social life, mental health, and quality of life (QOL) of children and adolescents with NF1 as well as the psychosocial interventions addressed to this population. Results: Compared to unaffected children and adolescents of the general population, pediatric patients with NF1 have an increased risk of having social difficulties, mental health disorders, behavioral and emotional problems, as well as diminished QOL. Only 3 articles describe interventions within the NF1 population to address these difficulties. Conclusion: There is a need to develop and assess psychosocial interventions for patients with NF1.
Mapping of Public Health Jobs in India—Where Can the Public Health Graduates Be Employed?
Authors: Dahal Shanti , Sharma Anjali , Zodpey Sanjay 
Published: January 2018

Introduction: Public health programmes work to improve the health and well-being of communities by identifying the risks affecting people at different stages of life and finding best ways to minimize them. This article attempts to map the public health jobs available in India and contribute towards providing new insights in recruitment strategies for public health professionals (PHPs). Methods: A total of 427 public health jobs advertised in recruitment portals, newspapers and websites of organizations during 2012–2015 were analysed for title, qualification, location and job disciplines. Results: Higher qualification in public health and/or social sciences is much preferred followed by MBBS and management. The largest group of vacancies consisted of programme management responsibilities followed by profiles in RMNCH. Delhi, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had the highest number of jobs. Recommendations: A dedicated public health jobs web portal can be a rich resource for employers for easy access to profiles of PHPs. It will also give due emphasis to public health as a profession. Building a public health cadre in state health services shall be a desirable step to ensure creation of enough job opportunities. Conclusion: Research should be undertaken to understand the changing trends in public health employment. Such studies can be beneficial for public health workforce planning and monitoring.
Compulsory Licensing under India’s New Model Bilateral Investment Treaty
Authors: Kaszubska Katarzyna 
Published: January 2018

The traditional lack of patent protection for pharmaceutical products allowed India’s generic sector to expand and become ‘the pharmacy of the world’ supplying affordable medicines to both developed and developing countries. With the entry into force of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement in 2005, the mechanism of compulsory licensing was incorporated as a flexibility to ensure that the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights does not undermine the public access to affordable medicine. Following the issuance of the first compulsory licence by the India’s patent office to Natco for Nexavar in 2012, various domestic companies requested a licence for production of generic copies of patented drugs. The recourses and litigation over the compulsory licensing provisions under India’s Patent Act 1970 indicate the importance of the institution of compulsory licensing for ‘Indian pharma’ and its desire to rely on it in the future. This article attempts to assess the legal consequences of the new India’s Model Bilateral Investment Treaty providing investment tribunals with the jurisdiction to examine the compliance of domestic decision to grant compulsory licence with the World Trade Organization (WTO) TRIPS Agreement. JEL: K33, P45, F21, O34, O53, O19
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking: A Normative Comparison with Refusing Lifesaving Treatment and Advance Directives
Authors: Menzel Paul T. 
Published: January 2018

Refusal of lifesaving treatment, and such refusal by advance directive, are widely recognized as ethically and legally permissible. Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) is not. Ethically and legally, how does VSED compare with these two more established ways for patients to control the end of life? Is it more questionable because with VSED the patient intends to cause her death, or because those who assist it with palliative care could be assisting a suicide?In fact the ethical and legal basis for VSED is virtually as strong as for refusing lifesaving treatment and less problematic than the basis for refusing treatment by advance directive. VSED should take its proper place among the accepted, permissible ways by which people can control the time and manner of death.
Assessment of Ramadan Education and Knowledge Among Diabetic Patients
Authors: Almalki Mussa Hussain , Hussen Ibtihal , Khan Shawana A. , Almaghamsi Abdulrahman , Alshahrani Fahad 
Published: January 2018

Background: During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk for one lunar month every year. Most of the Muslim patients with diabetes are unaware of the potential complications that can occur while fasting, such as hypoglycemia. The aim of this study is to assess the the patient education level and patients’ overall awareness of any possible complications that could occur while fasting during Ramadan and to determine how these patients deal with these complications. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and surveyed diabetic patients about their diabetes-related knowledge over a period of 4 months from the outpatient clinic at the Obesity, Endocrine, and Metabolism Center at King Fahad Medical City. Patients were included if they were ≥16 years and if they had been receiving treatment for at least 1 year before the study, irrespective of the medications used; patients were also asked about the presence or absence of complications. Results: This study included 477 patients (325 women and 152 men). Most patients (297; 62.3%) had type 2 diabetes. The patients’ mean age was 39.72 ± 15.29 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 10.80 ± 5.88 years. During the preceding Ramadan, 76% of patients reported fasting, whereas 58% said that they monitored their blood glucose levels once per day. Hypoglycemic episodes were reported in 60.3% of cases with type 2 diabetes and in 8.3% of cases with type 1 diabetes. Among those who had hypoglycemia, 2.8% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 17.8% with type 2 diabetes broke their fast. Finally, 54% of patients reported that their health care providers offered them instructions on diabetes management during Ramadan. Conclusions: Ramadan health education in diabetes can encourage, improve, and guide patients to change their lifestyles during Ramadan while minimizing the risk of acute complications.
The reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth in a rural setting with veterans
Authors: DeYoung Nathaniel , Shenal Brian V 
Published: January 2018

Background Telehealth neuropsychological services can increase the availability of specialised care for individuals in rural areas where barriers to these services are faced. As this practice becomes more commonplace, the reliability and validity of neuropsychological assessment administered by telehealth continues to be established. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a screener for general neurocognitive dysfunction, may be particularly useful since this measure can be given by telehealth with minimal adaptation. Methods Veterans from a rural area of the country who were referred to an outpatient neuropsychology clinic were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment either in-person or by telehealth by a clinician. A second clinician observed the administration in-person or by telehealth and independently scored the each participant’s performance. The inter-rater reliabilities across conditions were compared to assess for differences between in-person and telehealth consultations. Results The inter-rater reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment across the three conditions of interest was acceptably high and values ranged from r = 0.88 to r = 0.98. Reliability correlations were compared and no significant differences among the conditions were observed ( p’s > 0.10). Beyond reliability, univariate comparison of the absolute mean differences of clinician scores showed no significant differences among the actual raw scores of the three conditions tested, indicating good accuracy ( p = 0.56). Conclusions The inter-rater reliabilities of Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores across conditions were all acceptably high, and administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth technology did not significantly alter the total scores. Overall, the lack of significant differences suggests that administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment by telehealth is reliable, accurate and well received by participants.
Preseason Adductor Squeeze Strength in 303 Spanish Male Soccer Athletes: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Esteve Ernest , Rathleff Michael Skovdal , Vicens-Bordas Jordi , Clausen Mikkel Bek , Hölmich Per , Sala Lluís , Thorborg Kristian 
Published: January 2018

Background: Hip adductor muscle weakness and a history of groin injury both have been identified as strong risk factors for sustaining a new groin injury. Current groin pain and age have been associated with hip adductor strength. These factors could be related, but this has never been investigated. Purpose: To investigate whether soccer athletes with past-season groin pain and with different durations of past-season groin pain had lower preseason hip adductor squeeze strength compared with those without past-season groin pain. We also investigated whether differences in preseason hip adductor squeeze strength in relation to past-season groin pain and duration were influenced by current groin pain and age. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: In total, 303 male soccer athletes (mean age, 23 ± 4 years; mean weight, 74.0 ± 7.9 kg; mean height, 178.1 ± 6.3 cm) were included in this study. Self-reported data regarding current groin pain, past-season groin pain, and duration were collected. Hip adductor squeeze strength was obtained using 2 different reliable testing procedures: (1) the short-lever (resistance placed between the knees, feet at the examination bed, and 45° of hip flexion) and (2) the long-lever (resistance placed between the ankles and 0° of hip flexion) squeeze tests. Results: There was no difference between those with (n = 123) and without (n = 180) past-season groin pain for hip adductor squeeze strength when adjusting for current groin pain and age. However, athletes with past-season groin pain lasting longer than 6 weeks (n = 27) showed 11.5% and 15.3% lower values on the short-lever ( P = .006) and long-lever ( P < .001) hip adductor squeeze strength tests, respectively, compared with those without past-season groin pain. Conclusion: Male soccer athletes with past-season groin pain lasting longer than 6 weeks are likely to begin the next season with a high-risk groin injury profile, including a history of groin pain and hip adduction weakness.
School-Based Caries Prevention, Tooth Decay, and the Community Environment
Authors: Ruff R.R. , Niederman R. 
Published: January 2018

The school and community context can contribute to inequity in child oral health. Whether the school and community affect the effectiveness of school-based caries prevention is unknown. The association between the school and community environment and dental caries, as well as their moderating effects with school-based caries prevention, was assessed using multilevel mixed-effects regression. Data were derived from a 6-y prospective cohort study of children participating in a school-based caries prevention program. For the school and community, living in a dental-shortage area and the proportion of children receiving free or reduced lunch were significantly related to an increased risk of dental caries at baseline. Caries prevention was associated with a significant per-visit decrease in the risk of untreated caries, but the rate of total caries experience increased over time. Caries prevention was more effective in children who had prior dental care at baseline and in schools with a higher proportion of low socioeconomic status students. There was significant variation across schools in the baseline prevalence of dental caries and the effect of prevention over time, although effects were modest. The school and community environment have a direct impact on oral health and moderate the association between school-based caries prevention and dental caries. Knowledge Transfer Statement: School-based caries prevention can be an effective means to reduce oral health inequity by embedding dental care within schools. However, the socioeconomic makeup of schools and characteristics of the surrounding community can affect the impact of school-based care.
Predictors of the age of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A North Carolina Cohort
Authors: Perryman Twyla , Watson Linda R , Chumney Frances 
Published: January 2018

Background and aims This study investigated timing of diagnosis for African American (n = 50) and European American (n = 118) children with autism spectrum disorder in a North Carolina sample. Methods Using survey methods, a total of 168 North Carolina families were recruited. Results The two racially diverse groups did not differ significantly in the age at diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (African American: M = 49.72, SD = 25.83; European American: M = 43.78, SD = 20.16; t(75) = 1.45, p = .15, 95% CI [−14.10, 2.22], d = .27; BF10 = .582). Exploratory analyses revealed that within the African American sample, the age of diagnosis was positively correlated with parental ratings of Social Motivation from the Social Responsiveness Scale ( r = .30, p < 0.05). This correlation was non-significant and close to zero ( r = −0.03, p > 0.05) for the European American sample. Additionally, children who received another initial diagnostic label had a later age of diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder. This finding had a larger effect size in the African-American group. Conclusions The differential findings for the two groups may reflect variable interpretations of autism spectrum disorder symptoms, or a greater impact of later diagnosis on symptom severity in certain populations. Implications Our findings reflect the need for continued exploration of symptom interpretation among various racial/ethnic groups.
From Hunger Deaths to Healthy Living: A Case Study of Dalits in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Kaushik Archana 
Published: January 2018

Caste system, still widely prevalent in various spheres of Indian social life, perpetuates social, economic and educational deprivation amongst Dalits, leading to their marginalization and social exclusion. The article is based on an intervention to address caste-based discrimination that was resulting in abject poverty, malnutrition and hunger deaths among Dalits in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Health care staff such as ANMs and Anganwadi workers practice untouchability by not touching Dalits and consequently they could not access health care services and other general civic and pro-poor schemes and programmes. Adhering to Freire’s conscientization model People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), a Civil Society Organization (CSO), carried out interventions by mobilizing Dalits, using media and administrative advocacy, collaborating with national and international human rights organizations, and creating pressure on the government to respond. With consistent collaborative efforts and social action, rural Dalits could ensure healthy living as their access to food security services improved. The success story presented in the article provides insight to learn and theorize working models of Dalit empowerment and checking caste-based discrimination.
Characterization of carbon nanofiber (CNF)/polymer composite coated on cotton fabrics prepared with various circuit patterns
Authors: Kim Hyelim , Lee Sunhee 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFabric heating elements with carbon nanofiber (CNF)/Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) composite coated cotton fabrics were prepared with various circuit patterns with the aim of providing more flexible and uniform heating performance compared to conventional fabric heating elements. To investigate the properties of the fabric heating element according to the pattern condition, patterns consisting of 3, 5, and 7 horizontal lines, i.e., P3, P5 and P7, were respectively used; and subsequently, vertical lines were added to the horizontal lines, i.e., 2P3, 2P5 and 2P7, respectively. P0 was used as the referencesample. P0 showed a surface resistance of 1.2 × 103 Ω/sq at a current of 0.85 A and an electric heating temperature of 76.9 °C. P3 and 2P3 showed better electrical and electric heating properties than other samples, showing surface resistance values of 1.0 × 103 and 1.2 × 103 Ω/sq at the current values of 0.20 and 0.25 A, and surface temperatures of 71.8 and 75.7 °C, respectively. Although the currents applied to P3 and 2P3 were lower than that applied to P0, the electrical heating properties were modified to be similar. In terms of mechanical properties and water repellency, it was shown that the coated fabrics had higher values compared to the uncoated fabric. It was thus suggested that a small amount of CNF/PVDF-HFP composite can be used to manufacture an electric heating element with excellent performance.
Diversion from custody: An update
Authors: Birmingham Luke , Awonogun Olusola , Ryland Howard 
Published: January 2018

SummaryLiaison and diversion services are concerned with ensuring that individuals with mental health problems and related vulnerabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system receive appropriate support and treatment. In the past 15 years there have been significant changes in policy, legislation and the broader landscape in community, custodial and hospital settings which have shaped these services. The Bradley Report, published in 2009, represents an important landmark in this field. Bradley made 82 recommendations, from interventions to improve identification of mental illness and vulnerable individuals at risk of offending to effecting speedier transfers of mentally disordered prisoners to hospital. Some progress has been made in achieving these recommendations, and further investment is promised, but at present only half of England is covered by liaison and diversion services.LEARNING OBJECTIVES•Appreciate how services have developed over the past 15 years to provide support and treatment and divert mentally disordered people from custody at all stages in the criminal justice process•Recognise how government policy has shaped the development of liaison and diversion services over the past 15 years•Understand the impact of the 2007 amendments to the Mental Health Act on the diversion of mentally disordered people from custody