bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Prescribing by Physicians Versus Nurse Practitioners for Pediatric Upper Respiratory Infections
Authors: Ference Elisabeth H. , Min Jin-Young , Chandra Rakesh K. , Schroeder James W. , Ciolino Jody D. , Yang Amy , Holl Jane , Shintani Smith Stephanie 
Published: October 2016

Background: This study investigates differences in antibiotic prescribing rates for pediatric upper respiratory infections (URIs) between physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs). Methods: Visits by children <18 years old diagnosed with URI to physicians or NPs between 2001 and 2010 were abstracted from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey. Logistic regression analyses examined variations in antibiotic prescribing rates. Results: Upper respiratory infections accounted for approximately 439 ± 21.5 million visits. Patients seen by NPs were more likely to have Medicaid, live in the lowest median household income quartile zip codes and micropolitan locations, and live in the South compared to patients seen by physicians. Nurse practitioners prescribed antibiotics 66.7% ± 4.2% of the time versus physicians at 52.8% ± 0.8% for URI visits (unadjusted P-value = .002). Adjusted by specialty, URI type, and chronic diseases, NPs had marginally significantly different odds of prescribing antibiotics (OR = 1.6, 95% CI, 1.0-2.6, P-value = .048), but the association with prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics is not as strong (adjusted P-value = .063). Patient visits to a pediatric (OR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.43-0.67) or ENT/surgery practice (OR = 0.11, 95% CI, 0.06-0.18) had lower odds of antibiotic prescribing compared to general/family medicine practices. Year (2001-2010) was not significantly associated with antibiotic or broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing rates for physicians, but rates for NPs fell for otitis media ( P-value = .007) from 90.2% ± 8.2% (2001-2002) to 74.8% ± 6.8% (2009-2010) of visits. Conclusions: Nurse practitioners have higher rates of antibiotic prescribing compared to physicians for pediatric patients with URIs; however, this difference is less after adjusting for specialty. Examining comparative antibiotic prescribing is important to promote evidence-based practice and adoption of clinical guidelines.
Palliative long-term abdominal drains in refractory ascites due to end-stage liver disease: A case series
Authors: Macken Lucia , Joshi Deepak , Messenger Jenny , Austin Mark , Tibble Jeremy , Mason Louise , Verma Sumita 
Published: October 2016

Background: Ascites, the commonest complication of cirrhosis, leads to frequent hospitalisations. Refractory ascites confers a median survival of 6 months without liver transplantation. In many, the management remains palliative (large-volume paracentesis). Despite calls for improvement, palliative and end-of-life care is not yet integrated into end-stage liver disease. Long-term abdominal drains are a palliative strategy in malignant ascites, but not end-stage liver disease. Case presentation: A retrospective, single centre, case series review was performed of patients undergoing long-term abdominal drain placement for refractory ascites secondary to end-stage liver disease at a large teaching hospital between August 2011 and March 2013. Case management: Patients with end-stage liver disease and refractory ascites, where liver transplantation was not an option, were considered for long-term abdominal drains. Seven patients underwent successful long-term abdominal drain insertion after multi-professional assessment. Case outcome: Following long-term abdominal drain insertion, mean hospital attendances reduced to 1 (0–4) from 9 (4–21), with none for ascites management. Median survival after long-term abdominal drain insertion was 29 days (8–219). The complication rate was low and none life threatening. Conclusion: Palliative and end-of-life care needs in end-stage liver disease remain under-addressed. Our data suggest that long-term abdominal drains may be a safe and effective palliative intervention in end-stage liver disease. Prospective randomised controlled trials comparing large-volume paracentesis versus long-term abdominal drains in refractory ascites secondary to end-stage liver disease are warranted.
Different processing of meningeal and cutaneous pain information in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis
Authors: Melin Céline , Jacquot Florian , Vitello Nicolas , Dallel Radhouane , Artola Alain 
Published: October 2016

Introduction Within superficial trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5C) (laminae I/II), meningeal primary afferents project exclusively to lamina I, whereas nociceptive cutaneous ones distribute in both lamina I and outer lamina II. Whether such a relative absence of meningeal inputs to lamina II represents a fundamental difference from cutaneous pathways in the central processing of sensory information is still unknown. Methods We recorded extracellular field potentials in the superficial Sp5C of anesthetised rats evoked by electrically stimulating the dura mater, to selectively assess the synaptic transmission between meningeal primary afferents and second-order Sp5C neurons, the first synapse in trigeminovascular pathways. We tested the effect of systemic morphine and local glycinergic and GABAAergic disinhibition. Results Meningeal stimulation evokes two negative field potentials in superficial Sp5C. The conduction velocities of the activated primary afferents are within the Aδ- and C-fibre ranges. Systemic morphine specifically suppresses meningeal C-fibre-evoked field potentials, and this effect is reversed by systemic naloxone. Segmental glycinergic or GABAAergic disinhibition strongly potentiates meningeal C-fibre-evoked field potentials but not Aδ-fibre ones. Interestingly, the same segmental disinhibition conversely potentiates cutaneous Aδ-fibre-evoked field potentials and suppresses C-fibre ones. Conclusion These findings reveal that the different anatomical organization of meningeal and cutaneous inputs into superficial Sp5C is associated with a different central processing of meningeal and cutaneous pain information within Sp5C. Moreover, they suggest that the potentiation upon local disinhibition of the first synapse in trigeminovascular pathways may contribute to the generation of headache pain.
Moral Distress Among Long-Term Care Social Workers
Authors: Lev Sagit , Ayalon Liat 
Published: October 2016

Objective: To describe the quantitative validation of a unique questionnaire to measure moral distress among social workers in long-term care facilities in Israel. Method: Overall, 216 long-term care facilities’ social workers took part in the pilot study that included psychometric evaluation and construct validation. Moral distress was examined by two scales, measuring the frequency and the intensity of morally loaded events. A third scale was created, representing the product of the frequency and intensity scores for each item separately. Results: Two items with high floor effect were removed. The internal reliability of each of the three Moral Distress Scales was .92. An exploratory factor analysis suggested a single-factor solution. The construct validity was approved. In its final version, the questionnaire consisted of 15 items. Conclusions: We believe that the questionnaire can contribute by broadening and deepening ethics discourse and research with regard to social workers’ moral conflicts and moral distress.
Deflection Analysis of Different Needle Designs for Prostate Biopsy and Focal Therapy
Authors: Stone Nelson N. , Mouraviev Vladimir , Schechter David , Goetz Josh , Lucia M. Scott , Smith E. Erin , Crawford E. David 
Published: October 2016

Objective: The biopsy needles currently used were designed for a transrectal biopsy and are known to experience significant deflection from the point of entry into the gland to the needle tip. Methods: Five designs were selected for testing: 18-gauge Bard, 15-gauge lancet tip needle with 12° vet-point cannula, and trocar tip needle with 12°, 15°, and 20° vet-point cannulas. The 15-gauge needle was designed to take a variable specimen sample between 20 and 60 mm, whereas the Bard needle specimen bed was fixed at 20 mm. The needles were bench tested on a spring-loaded platform and fired into gelatin matrix with modulus of elasticity similar to human prostate. Results: The Bard device with lancet tip needle deflected an average of 0.9 mm (range 0.3-1.3 mm) and 1.9° (range 0.6°-2.8°). Increasing needle diameter from 18-gauge Bard to 15-gauge variable with the same lancet tip needle design resulted in an average deflection across the 3 test lengths of 0.9 mm (range 0-2.0 mm) and 0.9° (range 0°-2.0°) with no significant difference. On the contrary, the use of the 3-point trocar tip needles with 12°, 15°, and 20° vet-point cannulas demonstrated significant reduction in the extent of deflection in both millimeters and degrees. There was no deflection at the 2- and 4-cm shots for both spring loads and preloads for the 3 vet tip angles tested. At 6 cm, the 20° vet tip performed the best. Conclusion: We proposed a mechanism that provides more accurate prostate sampling by combining a 3-point trocar tip on the needle with a 20° vet tip on the cutting cannula. Using the phantom, mimicking prostate gland tissue density, no deflection was revealed between 20- and 60-mm biopsy lengths, which should permit a straight sample in the majority of prostate glands and improve cancer localization for focal therapy planning.
Cervical Cancer in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana
Authors: Nartey Yvonne , Hill Philip C. , Amo-Antwi Kwabena , Nyarko Kofi M. , Yarney Joel , Cox Brian 
Published: October 2016

Purpose Cervical cancer is a common cancer among women worldwide. An estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths occurred in 2012. More than 85% of invasive cervical cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer ranks as the most common cancer among women in Ghana. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the descriptive epidemiology of cervical cancer in Ghana. We describe cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates for the regions served by two large hospitals in Ghana. Patients and Methods Information for women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer between 2010 and 2013 was collected from the Komfo Anokye and Korle Bu Teaching Hospitals through review of medical, computer, and pathology records at the oncology units and the obstetrics and gynecology departments. Telephone interviews were also conducted with patients and relatives. Data were analyzed using summary statistics. Results A total of 1,725 women with cervical cancer were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 11 to 100 years (mean, 56.9 years). The histology of the primary tumor was the basis of diagnosis in 77.5% of women and a clinical diagnosis was made in 22.5% of women. For the 1,336 women for whom tumor grade was available, 34.3% were moderately differentiated tumors. Late stage at presentation was common. The incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer increased with age up until the 75 to 79–year age group and began to decrease at older ages. The Greater Accra region had higher overall incidence and mortality rates than the Ashanti region. Conclusion Our study suggests that improvements in the application of preventive strategies could considerably reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. The study provides important information to inform policy on cancer prevention and control in Ghana.
Herd Behavior and Mutual Fund Performance
Authors: Koch Andrew 
Published: October 2016

I develop fund-level measures of the similarity in trading of mutual fund managers, resulting in the identification of leaders, contemporaneously herding managers, and followers. I find evidence of a persistent group of funds whose trades lead the aggregate trades of the mutual fund industry; these leader funds exhibit strong subsequent performance, consistent with informed trading. By contrast, there is no evidence that managers that trade together, either contemporaneously or with a lag, outperform. These findings suggest that managers of leader funds receive in advance private signals regarding the information upon which other funds focus. This paper was accepted by Lauren Cohen, finance.
Improved Diagnostic Performance of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays Is an Artifact of Censored Data
Authors: Pretorius Carel J , Ungerer Jacobus P J 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays with improved analytical performance at low concentrations are credited with increased diagnostic sensitivity in acute coronary syndrome patients. We investigated the relationship between analytical sensitivity (detection capability) and diagnostic accuracy and tested the effect of censoring data with a software model.

METHOD
We generated 4 sets of results with decreasing detection capability and compared the ROC curves with and without censored data.

RESULTS
There was no relationship between diagnostic performance and detection capability. When data were censored the diagnostic accuracy decreased progressively with an increase in the threshold concentration for censoring. The ROC curves constructed with censored data have a characteristic appearance with a straight line between the censoring point and the top right hand corner.

CONCLUSIONS
There is not a direct relationship between the diagnostic accuracy and the detection capability of cardiac troponin assays. The artifactual decrease in diagnostic accuracy can be added to the list of reasons why data should not be censored and this practice should be disclosed in studies on diagnostic accuracy.
A polymorphic marker Val109Asp in the omentin gene are associated with abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz population
Authors: Isakova Zhainagul T. , Talaibekova Elnura T. , Asambaeva Diana A. , Kerimkulova Alina S. , Lunegova Olga S. , Aldasheva Nazira M. , Aldashev Almaz A. 
Published: October 2016

Aim — in this study, we investigated whether polymorphisms Val109Asp in the omentin gene are associated with abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz population.Material and methods. We genotyped 297 nonrelated adults Kyrgyz individuals. 127 patients (male — 46, female — 81, average age — 53±7,0) with abdominal obesity (elevated waist circumferences ≥102 cm for male subjects and ≥ 88 cm for female) and 170 non-obese control subjects (male — 107, female — 63, average age 51±9). Val109Asp polymorphisms analysis in the omentin gene were performed by PCR-RFLP method.Results. There were significant differences in genotype distributions of rs2274907 between the obese and control cohorts (p=0.01). Frequencies of Asp109Asp, Val109Asp and Val109Val genotypes among patients with abdominal obesity were 48, 40 and 12%, respectively, that differed from those among controls (Asp109Asp — 53%, Val109Aspl — 43% and Val109Val — 4%); there was significant difference in genotype frequencies between two groups (χ²=6,29; p=0,043). Homozygous genotype Val109Val was more frequent in the obese than non-obese group. The genotype Val109Val of omentin gene is associated with a high risk of developing abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz population (OR=3,12; 95% CI 1,23—7,90). Homozygous genotype Asp109Asp, reduces the risk of developing abdominal obesity (OR=0,82; 95% CI 0,53—1,30). The allelic variants of the polymorphisms Val109Asp in the omentin gene were not found to be associated with abdominal obesity.Conclusion. There is significant association between Val109Asp polymorphism in omentin gene and abdominal obesity in the Kyrgyz Population. An increased risk of abdominal obesity associated with homozygous genotype — Val109Val in omentin gene.
Incidence and prevalence of growth hormone deficiency in the russian federation according to the official medical statistics data and the growth hormone deficiency patients registry
Authors: Vorontsova Maria V. 
Published: October 2016

Background. Growth hormone (GH) therapy for growth hormone deficient (GHD) children in Russia is funded by the state. This warrants the need for a full understanding of the disease and its treatment with recombinant GH (rGH) including its clinical, epidemiological and economical aspects. Aims — to estimate the incidence and the prevalence of GHD in children and adults in the Russian Federation.Material and methods. In Russia, GHD patients are registered in both the official medical statistics (MS) and a special registry for patients suffering of «high expenditure dieseases». Both the official MS data and the GHD patients’ registry is used for analysis.Results. According to MS the prevalence of GHD in Russia among children is 14,38 per 100 000. Including the adult population and adult patients with GHD, the prevalence is calculated at 4,94 per 100 000 total population. Calculations based on the registry show similar, yet not identical results: 14,57 per 100 000 children and 4,56 per 100 000 total population. The incidence of GHD among children results at 2,45 per 100 000 children/year according to MS, according to the registry — 2,06 per 100 000 children/year. Several regions of Russia demonstrate an extremely high or low prevalence/incidence of GHD among children. The prevalence of GHD among adults is much lower (statistics — 2,68 per 100 000 adults, registry — 2,16 per 100 000 adults). These circumstances warrant closer investigations and possible corrections of both diagnostics of GHD and patient monitoring.Conclusions. The differences between the MS and the registry revealed here show the necessity for correcting the rules of conducting the registry. Today there are no clear exclusion criteria. Considering the epidemiology of GHD shown by the official MS, the dependence of GH therapy outcome on a timely diagnosis we suggest to widen the functional use of the federal registry, which has the potential to become a useful tool in GH therapy control and patient monitoring.
Phenocopies of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: role of the genes, associated with the development of pituitary adenomas
Authors: Mamedova Elizaveta O. , Mokrysheva Natalya G. , Pigarova Ekaterina A. , Przhiyalkovskaya Elena G. , Vasilyev Evgeny V. , Petrov Vasiliy M. , Dzeranova Larisa K. , Molitvoslovova Natalya N. , Rozhinskaya Liudmila Ya. , Tiulpakov Anatoly N. , Melnichenko Galina A. 
Published: October 2016

Background. Absence of detectable MEN1 mutations in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) phenotype may disprove the hereditary predisposition and the necessity of a lifelong regular screening for detecting the remaining components of the syndrome, and the examination of the first-degree relatives. Nevertheless, there may be other genes involved in the co-occurrence of several MEN1-associated tumors. Aim — to determine the role of genes, associated with the development of familial pituitary adenomas (PA), and genes, presumably involved in pathogenesis of sporadic PA, in the development of MEN1 phenocopies with PA as one of components.Material and methods. 23 patients with MEN1 phenocopy were included in the study. The patients underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) (Ion TorrentTM PGMTM, Thermo Fisher Scientific — Life Technologies, USA) using a panel of candidate genes (MEN1, CDKN1B, PRKAR1A, AIP, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, GNAS, PRKCA, CDKN2A, CDKN2C, POU1F1, PTTG2).Results. In 1 (4%) female patient with acromegaly and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) a germline heterozygous change in exon 6 of AIP gene c.911G>A (p.R304Q) was revealed. In four female patients with acromegaly and PHPT we revealed polymorphisms whose pathological significance is not defined: heterozygous change in exon 1 of PTTG2 gene c.134G>A (p.R45H), heterozygous change in intron 1 of PRKAR1A gene (c.–10G>C), heterozygous change in exon 5 of SDHB gene c.487T>C (p.S163P), heterozygous change in 3’-UTR of CDKN1B gene g.3897G>T (c*8G>T).Conclusions. The results of our study show that mutations in the majority of the examined genes associated with the development of hereditary and sporadic PA, do not cause the development of MEN1 phenocopies. The necessity to study AIP gene in all patients with MEN1 phenocopies needs further research. It is recommended to search for new genes, mutations in which could be the cause of the development of MEN1 phenocopies.
Krokot Extract (Portulaca Oleracea. L) as Natural Light-harvesting pigments for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) : Influence of Dye Acidity
Authors: Nurfaizah Cici , Krisdiyanto Didik , Khamidinal Khamidinal , Sudarlin Sudarlin 
Published: October 2016

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was fabricated using natural dyes extracted from krokot (Portulaca Oleracea. L). The effect of dye acidity was investigated on natural pH extract, 5.00, 4.00 and 3.00 of pH. The efficiency and stability DSSCs as a function of the dye acidity was studied. The result of the UV-Vis shows that the absorption of wave-length from dye extract of krokot is located in the visible region with the absorbance peak in 410.5 nm and 664.5 nm which are the peak of chlorophyll. The efficiency of extract krokot dye sensitized solar cells was decreasing 6.88 x 10<sup>-3</sup> % to 0.42 x 10<sup>-3</sup> % when pH of the dye was adjusted from 6.27 to 3.00. DSSCs stability was also decreased look for efficiency loss from 5.27% to 97.49% in the same conditions.
Effect of Lunasia amara Blanco on Sperm Number, Sperm Motility, and Testicular Histology of Male Rats
Authors: Luthfi Muhammad Ja’far 
Published: October 2016

<p>Sanrego (<em>Lunasia amara</em>), has been used in the folk medicine to increase and/or to treat male fertility. However there is no scientific evidence to confirm the positive effect of the plant on an improvement of male fertility. The objective of this research was to study the effects of the plant (on adult Sprague-Dawley male rats) at the doses of 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, and 90 mg/kg on the sperm count, motility, and testicular histology. Administration were given by force-feeding between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm daily for a period of 42 days followed by sperm quality analysis and testicular histology evaluation. The sperm analysis showed that the sanrego increased the sperm count and sperm motility. The testicular histology also revealed positive effect of the plant on spermatogenesis. Overall the present study showed the sanrego is potential plant to increase male fertility.</p>
Beyond ‘Black Turks’ and ‘White Turks’ – The Turkish Elites’ Ongoing Mission to Civilize a Colourful Society
Authors: Ramm Christoph 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
This article undertakes a conceptual enquiry into the history of the Ottoman/Turkish concept of civilization. It shows how the concept of civilization became one of the key elements of political and intellectual thought in the late Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic. Beginning with the adaption of the idea of civilization in the nineteenth century, the desire to be recognized as civilized has moulded the thinking of Ottoman and Turkish elites regardless of their political orientation. From the early Ottoman modernizers to the present-day AKP government the pursuit of medeniyet (Turkish for ‘civilization’) has united radical reformers and religious conservatives. The article analyses how these succeeding imperial and republican elites understood the concept of civilization, how they transformed it into a specific Ottoman and Turkish civilizing mission, and how they approached those groups of the population who were regarded as ‘backward’ and ‘uncivilized’. Thereby medeniyet has maintained its dominance until today, making ‘civilization’ the most influential ideological concept of modern Turkish history besides the idea of the nation.