bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of screening questionnaires for evaluation of knee osteoarthritis prevalence in the general population of Singapore
Authors: Leung Ying‐Ying , Ma Stefan , Noviani Maria , Wong Steven B.‐S. , Lee Chee Min , Soh Irene A.‐L. , Thumboo Julian 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in Singapore is unknown. We aimed to: (i) validate questionnaires to screen for symptomatic KOA; and (ii) estimate the prevalence of symptomatic KOA in Singapore using the validated algorithms.MethodsSubjects aged ≥50 years were evaluated for symptomatic KOA based on American College of Rheumatology clinical and radiographic criteria in a rheumatology clinic, and completed three sets of adapted screening questionnaires. The better performing screening questionnaire with adequate sensitivity and specificity was adminitered to a nationally representative sample of survey subjects (n = 3364) to estimate the weighted prevalence of symptomatic KOA in Singapore.ResultsOut of 146 subjects evaluated in the clinic, 45 had symptomatic KOA. A screening algorithm which consisted of three KOA symptoms or one symptom plus physician‐diagnosed KOA produced high specificity (0.95, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.88–0.98) but low sensivity (0.44, 95% CI: 0.30–0.60). Replacing the term ‘KOA’ with ‘physician‐diagnosed ageing‐related knee problem’ improved the sensivity (0.62, 95% CI: 0.47–0.76) without significantly compromising the specificity (0.87, 95% CI: 0.79–0.93). The prevalence of symptomatic KOA weighted to the Singapore population distribution were 4.7% and 11%, using the most conservative and more liberal algorithms, respectively. There was a sharp rise in prevalence after age of 40. The weighted prevalence of KOA was higher in women and among Indian and Malay than Chinese.ConclusionOur study adapted and validated questionnaires to the local context to screen for symptomatic KOA. We estimated the prevalence of symptomatic KOA in Singapore utilizing the better‐performing algorithms.
Drivers of tight carbon control in the context of climate change regulation
Authors: Bui Binh , Chapple Larelle , Truong Thu Phuong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOur study examines the drivers of tight budgetary control in carbon management in the context of climate change regulation. Using the setting of New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), our study explores how firms manage their carbon performance using carbon‐focused budgetary control. Based on a survey data from New Zealand firms, including both those with and those without an ETS compliance obligations, our results suggest that economic and regulatory environmental pressures, the level of proactiveness of emissions management strategy, the level of integration of carbon issues in strategic and operational processes and the perceived importance of carbon issues are the significant drivers of tight carbon‐focused budgetary control.
Coping of parents and siblings with the death of a child with cancer: death after terminal care compared with death during active anticancer therapy
Authors: Sirkiä K , Saarinen-Pihkala UM , Hovi L 
Published: December 2017

Sirkiä K, Saarinen‐Pihkala UM, Hovi L. Coping of parents and siblings with the death of a child with cancer: death after terminal care compared with death during active anticancer therapy: Acta Pædiatr 2000; 89: 717–21. Stockholm. ISSN 0803‐5253Seventy pediatric patients with cancer treated at the Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Finland, died while in terminal care and 30 children of therapy‐related complications during active anticancer therapy in the period 1987–92. The purpose of this study was to compare these groups and characterize the main problems of the families during the mourning process. The method of evaluation was a structured interview of every parent separately. Parents of 60/70 children after terminal care, and parents of 26/30 children who died during active anticancer therapy, were interviewed. Unexpectedly, differences were minimal between families who lost a child after terminal care and those whose child died during active anticancer therapy. Parents reported physical and/or mental problems with similar frequency (39% and 34%); average self‐reported recovery times were similar (14 and 16 mo); return to work was similar in both groups, 70% returning doing so within 1 mo. However, pronounced differences were observed between the mothers and the fathers; the mothers requiring longer recovery times and returning to work later. Of the siblings, 18% in the terminal care group had problems compared with 32% in the active therapy group. These included fear, behavioral problems, problems with friends and school‐related problems.In conclusion, when a child with cancer dies, the ability of the respective families to cope does not seem to differ whether the child dies after terminal care or during active anticancer therapy. The inevitable loss of the child is the major event. Most parents and siblings have the potential and ability to recover normally after the death of a child, although they will never be completely the same.
Contributions to Canadian economic history: The last 30 years
Authors: Hamilton Gillian C. , Keay Ian , Lewis Frank D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe cliometric revolution that transformed economic history in the US in the 1960s was soon embraced by Canadian economic historians. Many of the important issues surrounding Canadian development remained the same: the role of resources, the place of international trade, immigration, capital accumulation and interactions with Native Americans, among others. But beginning in the 1960s, and certainly over the last 30 years, economic historians of Canada have addressed them with the tools of modern economics, both theoretical and empirical. We highlight the recent work emphasizing not just the methods but also the fundamental ways our understanding of Canadian history has been changed.
Long noncoding RNA LINC00978 promotes cancer growth and acts as a diagnostic biomarker in gastric cancer
Authors: Fu Min , Huang Zhenhua , Zang Xueyan , Pan Lei , Liang Wei , Chen Jingyan , Qian Hui , Xu Wenrong , Jiang Pengcheng , Zhang Xu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectivesLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cancer development and progression. The deregulated expression of LINC00978 has been reported in human cancers. However, the expression pattern and biological roles of LINC00978 in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the potential roles and clinical value of LINC00978 in gastric cancer.Materials and methodsQRT‐PCR was performed to investigate the expression of LINC00978 in gastric cancer cell lines, tissues and serum samples. Cell counting, colony formation, transwell migration and matrigel invasion assays were performed to determine the effects of shRNA‐mediated knockdown of LINC00978 on gastric cancer cell functions. In vivo tumour growth assay was also conducted. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, western blot and qRT‐PCR were used for potential mechanism study.ResultsLINC00978 expression level was elevated in GC tumour tissues, serum samples and cell lines. The expression level of LINC00978 was significantly correlated with tumour size (P = 0.02), lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.009) and TNM stage (P = 0.009). LINC00978 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of GC cells by suppressing cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis. LINC00978 knockdown also inhibited the migration and invasion of GC cells. In addition, LINC00978 knockdown inhibited the activation of TGF‐β/SMAD signalling pathway and the process of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells. Moreover, the in vivo tumorigenicity of LINC00978 knockdown GC cells in mice was significantly decreased.ConclusionsLINC00978 promotes gastric cancer progression and may serve as a potential biomarker for GC.
Quantifying River‐Groundwater Interactions of New Zealand's Gravel‐Bed Rivers: The Wairau Plain
Authors: Wöhling Thomas , Gosses Moritz J. , Wilson Scott R. , Davidson Peter 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNew Zealand's gravel‐bed rivers have deposited coarse, highly conductive gravel aquifers that are predominantly fed by river water. Managing their groundwater resources is challenging because the recharge mechanisms in these rivers are poorly understood and recharge rates are difficult to predict, particularly under a more variable future climate. To understand the river‐groundwater exchange processes in gravel‐bed rivers, we investigate the Wairau Plain Aquifer using a three‐dimensional groundwater flow model which was calibrated using targeted field observations, “soft” information from experts of the local water authority, parameter regularization techniques, and the model‐independent parameter estimation software PEST. The uncertainty of simulated river‐aquifer exchange flows, groundwater heads, spring flows, and mean transit times were evaluated using Null‐space Monte‐Carlo methods. Our analysis suggests that the river is hydraulically perched (losing) above the regional water table in its upper reaches and is gaining downstream where marine sediments overlay unconfined gravels. River recharge rates are on average 7.3 m3/s, but are highly dynamic in time and variable in space. Although the river discharge regularly hits 1000 m3/s, the net exchange flow rarely exceeds 12 m3/s and seems to be limited by the physical constraints of unit‐gradient flux under disconnected rivers. An important finding for the management of the aquifer is that changes in aquifer storage are mainly affected by the frequency and duration of low‐flow periods in the river. We hypothesize that the new insights into the river‐groundwater exchange mechanisms of the presented case study are transferable to other rivers with similar characteristics.
Social protection and persons with disabilities
Authors: Devandas Aguilar Catalina 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSocial protection is an essential condition for social and economic development for all, but particularly for those who experience poverty and social exclusion. Social protection programmes can play a crucial role in alleviating and preventing poverty and vulnerability to secure people's well‐being. They can also enhance the productivity, employability and economic development of people by creating better income‐earning opportunities for them. Moreover, social protection can foster social inclusion and participation by ensuring effective access to food, health care, education and support services. Thus, well‐designed social protection programmes have the potential to directly improve the enjoyment of rights of persons with disabilities. Regrettably, traditional disability‐welfare approaches have promoted the opposite, building and spreading charity and medical perspectives in social protection responses. As a result, for too long, many national social protection systems resulted in furthering paternalism, dependence, segregation and institutionalization of persons with disabilities, limiting their opportunities to live independently in their communities. The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities challenges these views, promoting social protection systems that are inclusive of persons with disabilities and which facilitate active citizenship, social inclusion and community participation. The Convention calls on States parties to ensure that persons with disabilities receive equal access to mainstream social protection programmes and services as well as access to specific programmes and services for disability‐related needs and expenses such as support services. Against this background, this article aims to discuss why and how States and other stakeholders should ensure the establishment of disability‐inclusive social protection systems, in conformity with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The politics of rights‐based, transformative social policy in South and Southeast Asia
Authors: Koehler Gabriele 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA key normative principle of transformative social policy is that it is rights‐based. This implies that it be universal, as a right extended categorically to all persons in a defined situation, or to all citizens, or, in its most radical form, as applicable to all residents regardless of citizenship status. To be transformative, social policy also needs to tackle the root causes of inequalities and social injustices. In the recent past, approaches emerged in a number of countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia that pointed in the direction of universal, rights‐based social policy. These suggest that a “social turn” took place – a shift to ideas and policies that prioritize social issues. In the cases under review (India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand), the trends towards a universal, rights‐based approach to social services and social transfers were in each case politically driven and a result of changes in government – the social turns were the outcome of contestation. At present, these countries are experiencing political backlashes, with democratic processes and civil society under severe attack. This article seeks to make two points. First, a rights‐based, transformative policy approach and a social turn do not come automatically: it is always the result of contestation, be it from the electorate and their interests groups, or from competition between political parties. Second, acquired rights and moves towards transformation can be dismantled. In the current global political rollback, there is a need to defend and fight for transformative and rights‐based social policy.
Special pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in septic, obese and burn patients
Authors: Pittrow L. , Penk A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryAlthough there are many potential changes of pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with thermal injury, obesity or septicemia, data about the actual effect on pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of fluconazole are very limited. As current dosing recommendations are derived from healthy subjects and patients with normal weight, these recommendations may be inaccurate when applied to the patient populations mentioned above. Pharmacokinetic data of 14 patients with thermal injury were reviewed and revealed a shorter half life and more rapid clearance of fluconazole. In a subgroup of five patients, distribution volume was up to 2 times larger as usual with no relationship to creatinine clearance and degree of burns. In one extremely obese patient treated with fluconazole 1200 mg/day*, the corresponding mean steady‐state plasma concentration and AUC were decreased with an increase of fluconazole clearance possibly due to a larger volume of distribution. In patients with septicemia, fluconazole plasma levels appear to be highly variable. As a considerable number of these patients develops acute renal failure, renal replacement therapy may be indicated which may require substantial dosage modifications of fluconazole.
Terbinafine: broad new spectrum of indications in several subcutaneous and systemic and parasitic diseases
Authors: Pérez A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryImmunocompromised patients are at risk of contracting serious fungal infections. The emergence of acquired resistance to azole treatment by opportunistic fungal organisms is increasing and poses a major therapeutic challenge. Treatment of some deep cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses remains unresolved, relapses are frequent, lack of tolerability of the antifungal drugs becomes an obstacle, and, unfortunately, surgery is, in some cases, the last option. The development of allylamine antifungals, of which terbinafine is the most effective to date, may help to resolve this situation.In vitro, terbinafine is highly active against a broad spectrum of pathogenic fungi. Clinical studies have shown that terbinafine is effective in the treatment of both cutaneous and lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, and in several patterns of disseminated and refractory aspergillosis. Patients with chromoblastomycosis, and other mycoses (phaeohyphomycosis, maduromycosis, and mucormycosis) have also been successfully treated with terbinafine. Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease, has also been treated with terbinafine.These results suggest that the therapeutic potential of terbinafine extends well beyond its currently licensed applications to include a range of serious and life‐threatening subcutaneous and systemic mycoses.
Efficacy and tolerability of treatment with mirabegron compared with solifenacin in the management of overactive bladder syndrome: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Schiavi Michele C. , Faiano Pierangelo , D'Oria Ottavia , Zullo Marzio A. , Muzii Ludovico , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin and mirabegron in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective analysis in 342 women affected by OAB syndrome; 168 were treated with solifenacin 5 mg/daily and 174 with mirabegron 50 mg/daily. A clinical evaluation, 3‐day voiding diary, and urodynamic testing was performed. Patients completed the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire – Short Form, the King's Health Questionnaire, and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire. The adverse effects were evaluated. The two groups were compared at baseline and at 12 weeks.ResultsAfter 12 weeks, a significant reduction in the mean number/24 h of voids and urgent micturition episodes/24 h was observed in both groups. Detrusor overactivity decreased from 58.3% to 13.1% in the solifenacin group and from 58% to 11% in the mirabegron group. Twenty (12%) and 18 (10.7%) patients taking solifenacin reported constipation and dry mouth, respectively, versus four (2.3%) and five (2.9%) patients taking mirabegron, respectively, but there was no difference between the groups in the change in vital signs. The Overactive Bladder Questionnaire – Short Form and King's Health Questionnaire scores did not demonstrate significant differences and the abandonment rates in the solifenacin and mirabegron groups were 25.5% and 20%, respectively.ConclusionSolifenacin and mirabegron showed the same efficacy in the treatment of OAB but solifenacin had more adverse effects.
The effect of the interdialytic interval on cognitive function in patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Henry Shayna L. , Jamner Larry D. , Choi Sarah E. , Pahl Madeleine V. 
Published: December 2017

SUMMARYBackgroundCognitive deficits are common among individuals on haemodialysis (HD). The degree of dysfunction may shift over the course of the interdialytic interval.ObjectivesTo use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the relationship between the length of the interdialytic interval and reports of cognitive dysfunction.DesignA quantitative study whereby each patient's cognitive functioning was measured during both short and long interdialytic intervals.ParticipantsAdults maintained on HD (Female n = 15, Male n = 11; MAge = 42.7 ± 15.8 years) were drawn from a standalone HD unit within a large university medical centre.MeasurementsTests of baseline neurocognitive functioning were undertaken (Mini‐Mental Status Examination, Digit Span, California Verbal Learning Test, Benton Visual Retention Test, Trail‐Making Test) and smartphone‐based electronic diary reports of cognitive impairment were made around six times each day for one week.ResultsCognitive function and aptitude in this sample, although low, did not reflect clinically‐significant impairment, with a mean Mini‐Mental Status Exam score of 25.7 ± 3.0. Diary reports of cognitive impairment were also minimal, with an overall mean rating of .22 out of 5. Contrary to expectations, cognitive impairment was significantly greater on the one‐day interdialytic days than on Day 2 of the two‐day interdialytic interval (β = .094, p = .017).ConclusionsAlthough cognitive impairment appears to be mild in stable, young patients with end stage renal disease, volumetric disruptions caused by HD may exacerbate such dysfunction.
Malassezia furfur colonization of neonates in an intensive care unit
Authors: Ahtonen P. , Lehtonen O.-P. , Kero P. , Tunnela E. , Havu V. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryWe studied Malassezia furfur colonization of neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and found that the rate was astonishingly high as compared to the previous studies. In very low birth weight ( < 1 000 g) infants we recorded a colonization rate of 80%, and 4% in infants with a birth weight greater than 2 000 g. Under 10 day's hospitalization the rate was 11%, and it was 70% after 20 days spent in the unit. Among the infants with the birth weight less than 1 700 g, antibiotic therapy was recorded as a significant risk factor for colonization. In the infants with a greater birth weight, the colonization rate was independent from the risk factors studied. M. furfur colonization could not be linked with occurrence of any symptoms of signs recorded and colonization by M. furfur was so common in NICU that the predictive value of surveillance cultures is Poor.
Clotrimazole and bifonazole in the topical treatment of Candida keratitis in rabbits
Authors: Behrens-Baumann W. , Klinge B. , Uter W. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryUsing a reproducible model of Candida albicans keratitis in rabbits we studied the effect of topical clotrimazole and bifonazole. Candida albicans DSM 70010 (2.5 × 105cells) was injected into the corneal stroma of both eyes of 28 rabbits. All eyes developed a corneal ulcer. Fourtye‐ight hours after inoculation the animals were divided into four groups: I (14 eyes) receiving 10 × clotrimazole 1% drops and subsequently removing the epithelium; II (14 eyes) receiving only clotrimazole drops; III (8 eyes) receiving 6 × bifonazole 1% drops and IV (19 eyes) serving as control (0.9% NaCI, castor oil, untreated), 6 eyes of this group were also debrided. A further 6 rabbits were used respectively to judge if the drugs penetrated into the cornea and aqueous humor. There was a significant difference between the clotrimazole group with debridement (I) and the bifonazole group (III) compared with the control group (IV) concerning hypopyon and complications (descemetocele, corneal perforation). Clotrimazole penetrated into the cornea and after debridement into the aqueous humor. Bifonazole could not be identified in the cornea or aqueous humor.