bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of reports of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in surgical journals: literature review
Authors: Panesar Sukhmeet Singh , Thakrar Ricky , Athanasiou Thanos , Sheikh Aziz 
Published: November 2017

Objectives Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of such trials are the gold standard for assessing the effectiveness of interventions. There have been concerns about the anecdotal evidence underpinning many of the interventions used and introduced into surgical care. The American College of Surgeons has prioritized the need for more trials and systematic reviews of trials. To investigate the assertion that the methodological quality of studies conducted in surgery is in general poor and to assess the possible impact of new policy developments in the US, we sought to compare the number and proportion of published randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in the leading two US and UK general surgical journals. Two reviewers systematically and independently hand searched all issues of these journals over a 12-month period to identify randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews. Design Systematic searching and independent abstraction of data from all volumes of the top two general surgical journals published in the USA and the UK in 2004. Setting 519 original reports in UK journals and 616 original reports in USA journals. Main Outcome Measures Number and proportion of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. Results Overall, the proportion of randomized controlled trials in all four journals was 5.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4–7.0) and 5.2% (95% CI 4.1–6.7) for systematic reviews. For journals published in the UK 29/519 (5.6%) of the publications were reports of randomized controlled trials, and for the USA journals this figure was 34/616 (5.5%); odds ratio [OR]=0.99, 95%CI 0.6–1.6; P=0.96. Systematic reviews were significantly more commonly reported in the UK journals: UK 37/519 (7.1%) versus USA 22/616 (3.6%); OR=0.48, 95%CI 0.3–0.8; P<0.01. Conclusions The concerns expressed almost a decade ago remain valid: there are still very few reports of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published in leading USA and UK surgical journals, with relatively little difference between these countries in the proportion of reported studies employing these designs. The American College of Surgeons initiative has yet to make an impact.
Association of Age, Sex and Deprivation with Quality Indicators for Diabetes: Population-Based Cross Sectional Survey in Primary Care
Authors: Gray Jeremy , Millett Christopher , O'Sullivan Caoimhe , Omar Rumana Z , Majeed Azeem 
Published: November 2017

Objectives To determine the quality of diabetes management in primary care after the publication of the National Service Framework and examine the impact of age, gender and deprivation on the achievement of established quality indicators. Design Population-based cross sectional survey using electronic general practice records carried out between June–October 2003. Setting Thirty-four practices in Wandsworth, South-West London, UK. Participants 6035 adult patients (≥18 years) with diabetes from a total registered population of 201 572 patients. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Success rates for the diabetes quality indicators within the General Medical Services contract for general practitioners. Results We identified large variations in diabetes management between general practitioner practices with poorer recording of quality care in younger patients (18–44 years). In addition, younger patients had a worse cholesterol and glycaemia profile, although hypertension was more common in older patients. Gender and deprivation did not appear to be important determinants of the quality of care received. Conclusions There are large variations in diabetes management between general practitioner practices, with care seemingly worse for younger adults. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether current UK quality improvement initiatives have been successful in attenuating existing variations in care and treatment outcomes.
‘Refusing Treatment—Please see’: An Analysis of Capacity Assessments Carried out by a Liaison Psychiatry Service
Authors: Ranjith Gopinath , Hotopf Matthew 
Published: November 2017

The assessment of capacity to consent to a healthcare decision is an important part of day-to-day work in general hospitals. The role of liaison psychiatric services in assessment of capacity has not been well studied in British practice. We looked at all such referrals (35) to a liaison psychiatric service in a teaching hospital in the course of one year. The commonest referrals were regarding capacity to consent to a therapeutic procedure, followed by post-discharge placement and ability to self-discharge. Organic mental disorders were the most frequent cause of incapacity. 20 (57%) of the referrals were for patients who had refused the intervention in question, and in 12 of these the contentious issue was resolved. Liaison psychiatric services can be useful not only in offering a second opinion or clarifying the influence of psychopathology on decision-making ability but also mediating between the patient and the clinical team.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of self-help relaxation to reduce post-stroke depression
Authors: Golding Katherine , Fife-Schaw Chris , Kneebone Ian 
Published: November 2017

Objective: To consider the potential of self-help relaxation training to treat depression after stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial with cross-over at three months. Setting: Community. Participants: In total, 21 people with stroke, aged 49–82 years. Intervention: Autogenic relaxation CD. Main measure: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Depression (HADS-D) subscale. Results: No difference in depression change scores was identified between the treatment and control groups; however, on two follow-ups, significant positive differences relative to screening were found for the treatment group (at 2 months Z = −2.55, P = .011 and 12 months Z = −2.44, P = .015). A partial η2 = .07 was identified. Conclusion: Self-help relaxation holds promise as a self-help treatment for depression after stroke. Findings from this trial, considered with others of relaxation for depression, suggest that a study including a total of 80 participants would likely be sufficient to establish efficacy of the treatment, relative to controls, in those with stroke.
What Influences Parents’ Fear about Children’s Independent Mobility? Evidence from a State-Wide Survey of Australian Parents
Authors: Bennetts Shannon K. , Cooklin Amanda R. , Crawford Sharinne , D’Esposito Fabrizio , Hackworth Naomi J. , Green Julie , Matthews Jan , Strazdins Lyndall , Zubrick Stephen R. , Nicholson Jan M. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: To identify factors associated with generalized and stranger-specific parental fear (PF) about children’s independent mobility (CIM), a critical aspect of physical activity. Design: Cross-sectional survey; random sampling frame, minimum quotas of fathers, rural residents. Setting: State of Victoria, Australia. Subjects: Parents of children aged 9 to 15 years (n = 1779), 71% response rate. Measures: Validated measures of PF and fear of strangers (FoS); parent, child, social, and environmental factors. Analysis: Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression stratified by child age (9-10; 11-13; 14-15). Results: Adjusted models explained a substantial proportion of variance across all age groups (PF: 33.6%-36.7%; FoS: 39.1%-44.0%). Perceived disapproval from others was consistently associated with both outcomes (PF: β =.11 to 23, p ≤ .05; FoS: β =.17-.21, p ≤ .001) as was parents’ perception of children’s competence to travel safely (PF: β = −.24 to −.11, p ≤ .05; FoS: β = −.16 to −.13, p ≤ .01). Factors associated with FoS included having a female child (β = −.21 to −.13, p ≤ .001), language other than English (β = .09 to.11, p ≤ .01), and low levels of parent education (β = −.14 to −08, p ≤ .05). Conclusion: The current study suggests that social norms, child competence, and perceptions about the benefits of CIM underpin PF. This evidence informs the development of interventions to reduce PF and promote CIM and children’s physical activity.
Perceived Neighborhood Environmental Factors That Maximize the Effectiveness of a Multilevel Intervention Promoting Physical Activity Among Latinas
Authors: Perez Lilian G. , Kerr J. , Sallis J. F. , Slymen D. , McKenzie T. L. , Elder J. P. , Arredondo E. M. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: This study tested whether a multilevel physical activity (PA) intervention had differential effects on PA according to participants’ perceptions of their neighborhood environment. Design: Two-group cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting: San Diego, California. Subjects: Analytical sample included 319 Latinas (18-65 years) from churches randomized to the following conditions: PA (n = 8 churches, n = 157 participants) or attention control (n = 8 churches, n = 162 participants). Intervention: Over 12 months, PA participants were offered free PA classes (6/wk), while attention control participants were offered cancer prevention workshops. Measures: Baseline and 12-month follow-up measures included self-report and accelerometer-based moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sociodemographics, and perceived neighborhood environment variables. Analysis: Mixed-effects models examined each PA outcome at 12-month follow-up, adjusted for church clustering, baseline PA, and sociodemographics. We tested interactions between 7 baseline perceived environment variables and study condition. Results: Neighborhood esthetics was the only significant moderator of intervention effects on accelerometer-based MVPA and self-report leisure-time MVPA. Participants in the PA intervention had significantly higher PA at follow-up than attention control participants, only when participants evaluated their neighborhood esthetics favorably. Conclusion: Perceived neighborhood esthetics appeared to maximize the effectiveness of a multilevel PA intervention among Latinas. For sustainable PA behavior change, the environments in which Latinas are encouraged to be active may need to be evaluated prior to implementing an intervention to ensure they support active lifestyles.
Developing an identity as an EdD leader
Authors: Tupling Claire L , Outhwaite Deborah 
Published: November 2017

This article considers the challenges encountered by a recently appointed assistant programme leader in establishing an identity as a leader of an EdD programme. In discussing literature on the development of the EdD, the article recognizes an existing concern with student identity but highlights a need to consider the development of the EdD leader’s identity as a leader. Employing a reflexive narrative, the article emphasizes the centrality of the leader’s disabled identity in considering the role of assistant programme leader and thus becoming a leader. The EdD is identified as a social space where colleagues are often engaged in their professional learning with the EdD leadership team providing support. This article tracks some of the commonplace behaviours around such learning in a post-1992 institution, and discusses the implications for EdD leadership and management teams when trying to consider and implement changes to established organizational cultures.
The Role of Cefepime in the Treatment of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Infections
Authors: Patel Hansita B. , Lusk Kathleen A. , Cota Jason M. 
Published: November 2017

Objective: To review the efficacy of cefepime for use in infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms. Data Sources: A PubMed literature search (May 2000 to June 2017) was performed using the keyword cefepime and the MeSH terms beta-lactamases, cephalosporinases, and Enterobacteriaceae infections. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All human, English language studies evaluating cefepime use for the treatment of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections were included. Data Synthesis: Studies assessing the use of cefepime for ESBL infections are few, and clinical studies are limited by design and sample size. The largest pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study, a Monte Carlo simulation using data from the U.S. SENTRY antimicrobial surveillance program, evaluating cefepime use for infections due to ESBL-producing organisms found a 95% to 100% probability of target attainment with traditional cefepime dosing regimens. Most clinical studies found that patients treated with cefepime empirically and definitively had higher rates of mortality than those treated with carbapenems. However, in concordance with other studies reporting minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data, lower MICs were associated with lower mortality. Conclusions: Cefepime should be avoided for empiric treatment of suspected ESBL infections and should only be considered for definitive treatment if the MIC ≤1 µg/mL. However, the site and severity of infection, local resistance patterns, and patient-specific risk factors should also help guide antimicrobial selection.
Factors Associated with Condom Use in the Male Population of Mexico City
Authors: Hernandez-Giron Carlos A , Cruz-Valdez Aurelio , Quiterio-Trenado Manuel , Uribe-Salas Felipe , Peruga Armando , Hernández-Avil Mauricio 
Published: November 2017

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an important public health problem, due to their medical, social and economic repercussions. Therefore, more knowledge is needed about the sexual behaviour that promotes their spread, in order to improve control and prevention strategies. Our aim was to determine the frequency of male condom use associated with sexual behaviour factors, a history of and knowledge about STDs in a sample of the male population in Mexico City. During 1994 a cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out, using multi-stage sampling with conglomerates, in 1377 men from 15 to 49 years old. The mean age was 34.5 years (SD 7.5 years). Mean age at first sexual relations was 17.7 years (SD 2.8 years). The global proportion of condom use during the last sexual relation was 24.6%; use according to type of female sex partner in the last year was 18.8% with regular partners and 62.5% with occasional partners. The principal predictors of male condom use, identified through statistical modelling, were: younger age (<25 years), middle and high education level (>9 years), middle and high socioeconomic level and type of sexual partners (occasional and regular). This population has risk factors for acquiring and transmitting some STDs, such as occasional sexual partners and a history of STDs. Characteristics which are important in relation to male condom use were identified, such as age (younger than 35), education (complete junior high school or more) and type of sexual partners (occasional and regular).
Linking Work Engagement to Job Performance Through Flexible Human Resource Management
Authors: Sekhar Chandra , Patwardhan Manoj , Vyas Vishal 
Published: November 2017

The Problem The Indian information technology (IT) industry has shown a phenomenal growth over the last two decades. These changes such as increased global competition and the shift in the blend and level of the workforce have led to an increasing level of uncertainty in the industry. To overcome this unprecedented change, IT firms need to adopt flexible human resource management (FHRM) that has a direct and/or indirect impact on job performance. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to explore the impact of work engagement on job performance through FHRM among IT professionals in India. The Solution The results indicate that the use of FHRM by the employees is an important mediator between the positive relationship of work engagement and job performance. Both work engagement and FHRM contributed to job performance. The sample firm and responses for the study were limited to IT industry domain only. The results suggest that FHRM should be promoted at the employee and firm levels to boost job performance. The Stakeholders Reflecting on the employee engagement and job performance via FHRM would boost the organizational flexibility in the IT industry. FHRM makes the employee more organization fit and more engaged for their respective job. This study may be helpful in unveiling the importance of flexibility in job performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that links work engagement, FHRM, and job performance in the Indian IT industry context. The study helps in the development of theory in FHRM and employee engagement.
Practical differences between luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in prostate cancer: perspectives across the spectrum of care
Authors: Meani Davide , Solarić Mladen , Visapää Harri , Rosén Rose-Marie , Janknegt Robert , Soče Majana 
Published: November 2017

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists is well established for the treatment of men with metastatic prostate cancer. As clear differences in efficacy, safety, or tolerability between the available LHRH agonists are lacking, the healthcare management team needs to look to practical differences between the formulations when selecting therapy for their patients. Moreover, as the economic burden of prostate cancer rises alongside earlier diagnosis and improved survival, the possibility for cost savings by using products with specific features is growing in importance. Methods: A review was conducted to summarize the information on the different LHRH agonist formulations currently available and offer insight into their relative benefits and disadvantages from the perspectives of physicians, a pharmacist, and a nurse. Results: The leuprorelin acetate and goserelin acetate solid implants have the advantage of being ready to use with no requirement for refrigeration, whereas powder and microsphere formulations have to be reconstituted and have specific storage or handling constraints. The single-step administration of solid implants, therefore, has potential to reduce labor time and associated costs. Dosing frequency is another key consideration, as administering the injection provides an opportunity for face-to-face interaction between the patient and healthcare professionals to ensure therapy is optimized and give reassurance to patients. Prostate cancer patients are reported to prefer 3- or 6-monthly dosing, which aligns with the monitoring frequency recommended in European Association of Urology guidelines and has been shown to result in reduced annual costs compared with 1-month formulations. Conclusions: A number of practical differences exist between the different LHRH agonist preparations available, which may impact on clinical practice. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware and carefully consider these differences when selecting treatments for their prostate cancer patients.
Diagnostic value of glycemic markers HbA1c, 1,5-anhydroglucitol and glycated albumin in evaluating gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Saglam Baris , Uysal Sezer , Sozdinler Sadik , Dogan Omer Erbil , Onvural Banu 
Published: November 2017

Background: The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the current established method performed worldwide to diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the use of long- and short-term markers of glycemic status. Methods: The study group was composed of 80 pregnant women, 40 with GDM and 40 with normal glucose tolerance. GDM was diagnosed with the American Diabetes Association criteria. Glycemic markers were measured in the OGTT blood samples of women at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Results: HbA1c was significantly higher in the GDM group when compared with the controls, whereas 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) levels were significantly lower. There was not a significant difference between the groups for glycated albumin. Whereas HbA1c levels were correlated with fasting and 1 h glucose and negatively correlated with mean corpuscular volume, 1,5-AG was only negatively correlated with the first hour glucose. No difference was found for the diagnostic performances of HbA1c and 1,5-AG (receiver operating characteristic of the area under the concentration curve values were 0.756 and 0.722, respectively). Conclusion: HbA1c and 1,5-AG alone does not have sufficient diagnostic accuracy to diagnose GDM. 1,5-AG values were correlated with post-load glucose values in pregnant women so will improve the GDM management and be useful to predict complications.
Meningeal carcinomatosis and spinal cord infiltration caused by a locally invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a cat
Authors: Posporis Christoforos , Grau-Roma Llorenç , Travetti Olga , Oliveira Maria , Polledo Laura , Wessmann Annette 
Published: November 2017

Case summary A 12-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with acute non-painful hindlimb proprioceptive ataxia localising to T3–L3 spinal cord segments. MRI revealed paravertebral muscular hyperintensity on T2-weighted images at the level of T7–T8 vertebrae. The cat improved on conservative management but deteriorated 3 months later. Repeated MRI showed meningeal enhancement at the same level and hyperintensity of the paravertebral musculature extending to the right thoracic wall and pleural space on short tau inversion recovery images. Thoracic CT showed mineralised lesions of the right lung, restricted pleural effusion and expansile bone lesions affecting multiple ribs. The cat had been treated for pyothorax 5 years earlier but manifested no current respiratory signs. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed lymphocytic pleocytosis but no neoplastic cells. Biopsy of the affected muscles and cytology of the lung and pleural lesions suggested a malignant epithelial cell tumour. Post-mortem examination confirmed a pulmonary adenocarcinoma locally infiltrating the thoracic wall, T7–T8 vertebrae and the spinal cord white matter. Meningeal carcinomatosis was detected with neoplastic cells invading the ventral median fissure of the spinal cord. No metastases were observed in other organs, indicating that neoplastic cells reached the spinal cord by direct extension. Relevance and novel information Spinal meningeal carcinomatosis has not been reported in dogs or cats with extraneural tumours but is a well-recognised condition in humans. A metastatic cause of meningeal enhancement should be considered in patients with neurological signs of unknown origin. Imaging findings and CSF results can be non-specific.