bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting quality of nurse shift handover in the emergency department
Authors: Thomson Heather , Tourangeau Ann , Jeffs Lianne , Puts Martine 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore and test factors hypothesized to influence quality of Emergency Department nurse‐to‐nurse shift handover communication.BackgroundNurse‐to‐nurse shift handover communication includes the transfer of information and responsibility for patients at shift change. The unique environment of the Emergency Department, where there is a high degree of patient unpredictability, increased patient volumes and rapid patient turnover, can create challenges for high quality handover communication. There is considerable literature addressing handover communication and factors that influence quality or effectiveness. However, few studies have empirically tested those factors.DesignA quantitative, cross‐sectional design was used to test a conceptual model of factors hypothesized to influence quality of handover communication.MethodsIn 2014, data were gathered using surveys mailed to Emergency Department nurses across Ontario, Canada.ResultsThe final eligible sample was 231 of 576 for an overall response rate of 40.1%. Analysis was performed using backwards elimination stepwise multiple linear regression. Four statistically significant explanatory variables were retained in the final multiple regression model, explaining 34% (p < .0001) of variance in handover quality. Handover quality was increased when patients flowed smoothly through triage, when nurses experienced positive intrusions, in the presence of a positive safety climate and when there were positive relationships between incoming and outgoing nurses.ConclusionsBy understanding those factors that contribute to handover quality, it is possible to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the quality of Emergency Department nurse‐to‐nurse shift handover.
Mediating role of psychological well‐being in the relationship between organizational support and nurses’ outcomes: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Pahlevan Sharif Saeed , Ahadzadeh Ashraf Sadat , Sharif Nia Hamid 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo examine the relationship between organizational support for nursing practice and nurse‐assessed quality of care and nurses’ job satisfaction in hospital settings and to investigate the mediating role of psychological well‐being in the aforementioned relationships.BackgroundThere has been growing concern about quality of care in healthcare organizations. The past research has documented the effect of nurse practice environment on nurses’ quality of care and job satisfaction. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism behind these associations.DesignA cross‐sectional survey was undertaken.MethodsData were collected from two large public hospitals in Iran between February ‐ March 2017. A sample of 345 nurses participated in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and partial least squared‐structural equation modelling.ResultsThe results showed that nurses’ perception of organizational support was related to their quality of care, job satisfaction and psychological well‐being. Also, there was a positive relationship between nurses’ psychological well‐being and their quality of care and job satisfaction. Moreover, psychological well‐being partially mediated the relationship between organizational support with nurse‐assessed quality of care and nurses’ job satisfaction.ConclusionThe findings suggest that organizational support for nursing practice and psychological well‐being are two factors that contribute to caring behaviour of nurses and their job satisfaction. Also, positively perceived organizational support generates favourable psychological well‐being which in turn enhances nurses’ quality of care and job satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of establishing a supportive nurse practice environment and paying attention to the nurses’ psychological well‐being in healthcare sectors.
Imagined contact in high conflict settings: The role of ethnic group identification and the perspective of minority group members
Authors: Bagci Sabahat Cigdem , Piyale Zeynep Ecem , Ebcim Efsane 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRecent contact literature has shown that imagining a positive intergroup encounter improves intergroup attitudes and behaviors, yet less is known about the effects of imagined contact in high conflict settings. We conducted three studies to understand the potential effects of imagined intergroup contact among ethnic Turks (majority status) and ethnic Kurds (minority status) in the Turkish‐Kurdish interethnic conflict setting. Study 1 (N = 47, Turkish) tested standard imagined contact effects (neutral vs. standard imagined contact condition) among majority Turks and showed that imagined contact was effective on outgroup attitudes, perceived threat, intergroup anxiety, and support for multiculturalism only among participants with higher ethnic identification. Study 2 (N = 107, Turkish) examined how ethnic identification of the contact partner would influence the effectiveness of the standard imagined contact scenario (neutral vs. standard vs. ethnic identification condition) and demonstrated that imagined contact effects were more negative when the contact partner identified with his/her ethnic group during imagined contact. Study 3 (N = 55, Kurdish) investigated imagined contact effects (neutral vs. standard imagined contact condition) among an ethnic minority group and showed that imagined contact did not improve minority group members' outgroup attitudes, but did decrease intergroup anxiety and perceived discrimination (marginally significantly) and increased perceived positive attitudes from the majority group. Practical implications of the use of imagined intergroup contact strategy in conflict‐ridden settings were discussed.
Immune response patterns in non‐communicable inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Eyerich K. , Eyerich S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractNon‐communicable inflammatory skin diseases (ncISD) such as psoriasis or atopic eczema are a major cause of global disease burden. Due to their impact and complexity, ncISD represent a major challenge of modern medicine. Dermatology textbooks describe more than 100 different ncISD based on clinical phenotype and histological architecture. In the last decades, this historical description was complemented by increasing molecular knowledge – and this knowledge is now being translated into specific therapeutics. Combining the enormous advances made in lymphocyte immunology and molecular genetics with clinical and histological phenotyping reveals six immune response patterns of the skin – type I immune cells cause the lichenoid pattern characterized by immune‐mediated cell death of keratinocytes; type II immune cells underlie the eczematous pattern with impaired epidermal barrier, infection and eosinophils as well as the bullous pattern with loss of epithelial integrity; Th17 cells and ILC3 mediate the psoriatic pattern characterized by acanthosis, high metabolic activity and neutrophils; dysbalance of regulatory T cells causes either the fibrogenic pattern with rarefication of cells and dermal thickening or the granulomatous pattern defined by formation of granulomas. With more and more specific therapeutic agents approved, classifying ncISD also according to their immune response pattern will become highly relevant. This review defines the six immune response patterns of ncISD and highlights therapeutic strategies targeting key lymphocyte mediators.
Reinterpreting dermoscopic pigment network with reflectance confocal microscopy for identification of melanoma‐specific features
Authors: De Pace B. , Farnetani F. , Losi A. , Ciardo S. , De Carvalho N. , Cesinaro A.M. , Reggiani Bonetti L. , Chester J. , Kaleci S. , Del Duca E. , Nisticò S.P. , Longo C. , Pellacani G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundPigment network is an important dermoscopic feature for melanocytic lesions, but alterations in grid line thickness are also observed in melanomas.ObjectiveTo investigate features of thick, thin and mixed pigment networks at dermoscopy and their respective features at reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) for differential diagnosis, correlated with histology.MethodsAll melanocytic lesions with histological diagnosis, evaluated between January 2010 and May 2014, were enrolled and classified according to dermoscopy evaluation of the pigment networks: thin, thick and mixed.ResultsThin network in melanoma was characterized by a honeycombed pattern (P < 0.001), dendritic cells (P < 0.001), atypical ringed pattern (P = 0.035) and structureless area (P = 0.012), whereas round cells (P < 0.001), dendritic cells (P < 0.001) and atypical meshwork pattern (<0.001) characterized thick network in melanoma. Mixed network type in melanoma shared honeycombed (P = 0.049) and typical ringed patterns (P = 0.045) in the thin area and round cells (P < 0.001) and atypical meshwork pattern (P < 0.001) in the thick area. Thin network in nevi was characterized by cobblestone (P < 0.001) and typical ringed patterns (P = 0.035), whereas thick network in nevi showed a typical meshwork pattern (P < 0.001). Mixed nevi shared the same features and patterns, but more frequently with inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.047).ConclusionDifferential diagnosis between melanocytic lesions (nevi or melanoma) in thin, thick and mixed pigment networks observed at dermoscopy can be assisted by RCM to improve diagnostic accuracy.
A detailed analysis of ‘not relevant’ responses on the DLQI in psoriasis: potential biases in treatment decisions
Authors: Rencz F. , Poór A.K. , Péntek M. , Holló P. , Kárpáti S. , Gulácsi L. , Szegedi A. , Remenyik É. , Hidvégi B. , Herszényi K. , Jókai H. , Beretzky Z. , Brodszky V. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundDermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is the most common health‐related quality of life measure in dermatology that is widely used in treatment guidelines for psoriasis. Eight of the 10 questions of the DLQI offer a ‘not relevant’ response (NRR) option that is scored as the item had no impact on patients’ life at all.ObjectiveTo explore the occurrence of NRRs on the DLQI in psoriasis patients and to examine the effect of several socio‐demographic and clinical factors on giving NRRs.MethodsData were obtained from two cross‐sectional surveys among psoriasis patients at two academic dermatology clinics in Hungary. Health‐related quality of life was measured by employing DLQI and EQ‐5D‐3L, while disease severity was graded by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to determine the predictors of providing NRRs.ResultsMean age of the 428 patients was 49 years, and 65% were males. Mean PASI, DLQI and EQ‐5D‐3L index scores were 8.4 ± 9.5, 6.8 ± 7.4 and 0.74 ± 0.28, respectively. Overall, 38.8% of the patients had at least one NRR: 19.6% (one), 11.5% (two), 5.1% (three) and 2.6% (more than three). Most NRRs occurred in sport, sexual difficulties and working/studying items of the DLQI (28.4%, 16.4% and 14.0%, respectively). Female gender (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.04–2.61), older age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03–1.07) and higher PASI score (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.06) were associated with providing more NRRs, whereas highly educated patients (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.16–0.72) and those with a full‐time job (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.29–0.77) less frequently tended to tick NRRs.ConclusionThe high rate of psoriasis patients with NRRs, especially among women, less educated and elderly patients, indicates a content validity problem of the measure. A reconsideration of the use of the DLQI for medical and financial decision‐making in psoriasis patients is suggested.
Actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) is associated with the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Schmitz L. , Gambichler T. , Gupta G. , Stücker M. , Dirschka T. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundActinic keratoses (AKs) are commonly diagnosed clinically. Actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) is a new easy‐to‐use tool to assess the severity of AKs on the head.ObjectivesTo determine the association between chronically UV‐induced tumours such as basal cell carcinomas (BCC) or squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and AKASI.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone oncological surgery due to UV‐induced tumours and who were assessed for AKASI and Physician's global assessment (PGA) prior to surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate correlation between AKASI, PGA and invasive carcinomas.ResultsOf the 210 patients included, 26 patients had histologically diagnosed SCCs and presented with a median (range) AKASI of 6.9 (0–13.0) and PGA of 2 (0–4). In contrast, the 82 patients with BCCs showed a median (range) AKASI of 3.3 (0–15.2) and PGA of 1 (0–4). The Mann–Whitney U‐test showed significant differences (P = 0.0018) between AKASI of patients with SCC and BCC. In addition, we found a significantly higher AKASI in patients with SCC compared to patients with non‐invasive lesions like AK and Bowen disease (BD) (P = 0.0275). Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation between AKASI and PGA indicates that these measures of AK severity were strongly correlated (P < 0.0001; r = 0.90; 95% CI 0.865–0.920).ConclusionsPatients with SCC show significantly higher AKASI than patients with BCC or patients without invasive tumours. Hence, AKASI may be used to stratify risk for developing invasive SCC.
Association Between Obesity, Age, and Functional Decline in Survivors of Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Gaulton Timothy G. , Neuman Mark D. 
Published: November 2017

Background/ObjectivesLittle is known about the effect of obesity on functional decline after cardiac surgery, especially in elderly adults. Our goal was to determine the association between obesity and functional decline in the 2 years after cardiac surgery and the interaction between obesity and age.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingThe Health and Retirement Study, 2004–2014.ParticipantsU.S. adults aged 50 and older who indicated having cardiac surgery and had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 kg/m2 or greater (N = 1,731).MeasurementsBMI was classified as normal or overweight (18.5–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2). Primary outcome was decline in ability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) after surgery.ResultsRespondents had a median age of 71, 59.3% were female, and 34.3% were obese. Obese respondents had a higher incidence of ADL decline (22.4%) than those who were not obese (17.1%) (P = .007). In the multivariable analysis of our full cohort, obesity was not associated with ADL decline (odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.90–1.59, P = .21) after cardiac surgery, although obese respondents aged 50 to 79 had greater odds of ADL decline (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.06–2.00, P = .02). Obese respondents aged 80 and older had nonstatistically significantly lower odds of ADL decline (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.30–1.24, P = .18) compared to non‐obese respondents.ConclusionThe association between obesity and postoperative functional decline in survivors of cardiac surgery differed according to age. Additional research is needed to identify interventions to improve outcomes in groups of older adults in whom obesity may increase the risk of postoperative functional decline.
Reported gum disease as a cardiovascular risk factor in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Hsieh K. , Murthy S. , Heller T. , Rimmer J. H. , Yen G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundSeveral risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been identified among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Periodontitis has been reported to increase the risk of developing a CVD in the general population. Given that individuals with ID have been reported to have a higher prevalence of poor oral health than the general population, the purpose of this study was to determine whether adults with ID with informant reported gum disease present greater reported CVD than those who do not have reported gum disease and whether gum disease can be considered a risk factor for CVD.MethodsUsing baseline data from the Longitudinal Health and Intellectual Disability Study from which informant survey data were collected, 128 participants with reported gum disease and 1252 subjects without reported gum disease were identified. A series of univariate logistic regressions was conducted to identify potential confounding factors for a multiple logistic regression.ResultsThe series of univariate logistic regressions identified age, Down syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, reported gum disease, daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and the addition of table salt as significant risk factors for reported CVD. When the significant factors from the univariate logistic regression were included in the multiple logistic analysis, reported gum disease remained as an independent risk factor for reported CVD after adjusting for the remaining risk factors. Compared with the adults with ID without reported gum disease, adults in the gum disease group demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of reported CVD (19.5% vs. 9.7%; P = .001).ConclusionAfter controlling for other risk factors, reported gum disease among adults with ID may be associated with a higher risk of CVD. However, further research that also includes clinical indices of periodontal disease and CVD for this population is needed to determine if there is a causal relationship between gum disease and CVD.
Recent developments and the future of low‐T calorimetric investigations in the Earth sciences: Consequences for thermodynamic calculations and databases
Authors: Geiger Charles A. , Dachs Edgar 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLow‐T calorimetry is an experimental science that measures the thermodynamic function heat capacity, Cp(T), from which the standard third‐law entropy (298.15 K), S°, is calculated. The recent technological development of relaxation calorimetry allows both new experimental strategies and types of Cp investigations to be made, which were previously not possible. The Cp measurements are fast and automated and can be made on mg‐sized mineralogical samples between 2 and 400 K. These advantages, when careful measurement procedures are used, permit better determinations of Cp(T) behaviour. The Cp of synthetic single‐crystal MgO was measured between 5 and 302 K, and S° calculated using relaxation calorimetry to further investigate the method's precision and accuracy. A number of synthetic and natural end‐member or nearly end‐member compositions of silicate garnet were investigated in the past via adiabatic calorimetry, an old and established technique, and more recently and extensively with the relaxation method. First Cp(T) and S° results, using relaxation calorimetry, have been obtained on spessartine (Mn3Al2Si3O12) and knorringite (Mg3Cr2Si3O12). Furthermore, reinvestigations on pyrope (Mg3Al2Si3O12), almandine (Fe3Al2Si3O12), grossular (Ca3Al2Si3O12) and andradite (Ca3Al2Si3O12), often on multiple samples, have resolved uncertainties and certain problems with published thermodynamic data. S° can be affected by various low‐T physical phenomena, such as cooperative magnetic phase transitions or Schottky anomalies at temperatures of <15 K, which were not described fully in some older adiabatic calorimetric studies. New Cp results show that small differences in the thermodynamic behaviour between some natural and synthetic silicates may exist as demonstrated by extensive work on grossular. Important and “new” research questions on the thermodynamic behaviour of minerals are coming to light and are being investigated. The Cp behaviour and S° values for six silicate garnet end‐members are analysed and the latter are compared to the “best fit or optimized” S° values given in various internally consistent thermodynamic databases. Conclusions are drawn on what types and directions of calorimetric study are required in order to obtain better thermodynamic property determinations of minerals, as well as achieving a better understanding of the underlying microscopic physical behaviour that determines the macroscopic Cp and S° functions.
Annual Report of the Perinatology Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2016: Overall report on a comprehensive retrospective study of obstetric management of preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the membranes
Authors: Sameshima Hiroshi , Saito Shigeru , Matsuda Yoshio , Kamitomo Masato , Makino Shintaro , Ohashi Masanao , Kino Emi , Kanayama Naohiro , Takeda Satoru 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe conducted a questionnaire survey on the current obstetric management of preterm labor (PL) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM). The questionnaire covered approximately a third of all preterm deliveries and nearly half of the preterm deliveries before 32 gestational weeks. The diagnostic criterion for PL was either painful uterine contractions or cervical dilatation. Tocolytic agents were primarily used as long‐term maintenance therapy.Intrauterine infection was clinically diagnosed at most responding institutions. Amniocentesis was performed for PL or pPROM at only a small number (10%) of institutions. Prenatal steroids were administered for PL or pPROM, if indicated, at approximately 40–60% of responding institutions. Prophylactic antibiotics to maintain pregnancy were administered for pPROM at approximately 90% and for PL at approximately 20% of institutions. Maintenance therapy with a tocolytic agent was used for pPROM at approximately 90% of institutions.
Pharmacokinetics of Single Oral Dose Extended‐Release Levetiracetam in Healthy Cats
Authors: Barnard L. , Barnes Heller H. , Boothe D.M. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundRepeated PO dosing of anti‐epileptic drugs may contribute to poor compliance in treated cats. Intermediate‐release levetiracetam has been used safely in cats, but must be given q8h to maintain serum concentrations in the therapeutic interval for humans (5–45 μg/mL). Approved extended‐release levetiracetam (XRL) for human use may require less frequent dosing, but the large dosing unit has limited its use in cats.HypothesesIn healthy cats, serum levetiracetam concentration will remain above 5 μg/mL for at least 24 hours after administration of a single dose of XRL PO and will be well tolerated.Animals7 healthy cats.MethodsExtended‐release levetiracetam (500 mg) was administered PO. Blood was collected and neurologic examination findings recorded at scheduled times over 30 hours. Serum levetiracetam concentration was quantitated by an immunoassay validated in cats. Data were subjected to noncompartmental analysis. Descriptive statistics were reported.ResultsThe median dosage of 86.2 mg/kg, (range, 80–94.3) achieved a mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of 89.8 ± 25.8 μg/mL at 4.9 ±1.57 hours. Serum levetiracetam was >5 μg/mL in all cats by 90 minutes. Mean concentrations were 43.7 ± 18.4 and 4.9 ± 3.4 μg/mL at 12 and 24 hours, respectively. The half‐life was 4.1 ± 1.0 hours. The drug was well tolerated.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA single 500 mg PO dose of XRL safely maintained serum levetiracetam concentration ≥5 μg/mL in healthy cats for at least 21 hours. Clinical efficacy studies in epileptic cats receiving XRL are indicated; however, monitoring should be implemented for individual cats.